Patent Abstract:
A combination shade handle and light is provided comprising a handle body with a grip portion and a holder portion. The holder portion has a cavity for receiving and storing a security light. A plurality of holder members are provided which secure the security light in the cavity in a snap-fit fashion. The shade handle is attachable to an automobile shade roller assembly for covering an automobile storage compartment. In another aspect, a roller shade is provided having a handle with an integrated removable security light.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates in general to automotive shade roller assemblies, and more particularly to closures for shade rollers in combination with a security light. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Shade rollers are well known in the art, and a wide variety of designs have been successful over the years. Typically used in SUV&#39;s (Sport Utility Vehicles), a shade roller allows the cargo area to be obscured from view and restrains cargo in the cargo area from projectile motion in accidents or sudden stops. These shades are typically drawn from a roller cassette anchored adjacent the cargo area, either directly behind the rear seat (rear pull) between the trim panels of the rear cargo area, or along one trim panel of the cargo area (side pull). In either instance, the shade typically includes one or more ergonomic grips or handles to facilitate gripping by a human hand to deploy the shade, which is convenient to the person deploying the shade from the rear of the vehicle. To provide a comfortable gripping surface, the handle should preferably have a curved portion generally perpendicular to the shade panel portion to allow human fingers to engage the handle and provide a horizontal force, distributed along the pads of the fingers, rather than a thin or sharp edge which would concentrate the force and “dig” into the fingers. 
     There are also various known methods of storing flashlights in automobiles, as well as in other locations. Stowing a flashlight inside a vehicle, for example, can make a light source available in situations that must otherwise be navigated in the dark. This is particularly important in automotive vehicles that travel between lighted populated areas through areas which may not be lighted. Automotive engineers, however, are always searching for new ways to conserve space. Further, concerns of safety and convenience continue to drive the search for new ways to store and position supplemental light sources in automobiles. 
     It is thus desirable to provide a method of securely storing a removable light source at a location near the rear of a vehicle where it can be quickly and easily retrieved. The present invention is directed to solving one or more of the shortfalls or problems associated with related inventions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, a handle for an automobile shade roller assembly is provided. The handle includes a substantially D-shaped handle body having a holder for securing a removable light. The holder is positioned within a cavity defined by the handle body, and includes a plurality of holder members snap-fittingly engageable with the light. 
     In another aspect, a handle for a vehicle shade roller assembly is provided. The handle includes a substantially D-shaped handle body having an integrated security light holder for receiving and storing a security light in a removable fashion. 
     In still another aspect, a vehicle security roller shade is provided. The roller shade includes an extensible and retractable flexible shade body secured at one end to a roller assembly, and having an opposite end secured to a handle. The handle defines an interior storage cavity, and includes a holder for removably retaining a light member in the handle body. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of a shade handle according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the shade handle of FIG. 1, illustrating an included flashlight in a stowed position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown top and bottom views, respectively, of a shade handle  10  according to a preferred constructed embodiment of the present invention. Shade handle  10  comprises a D-shaped handle body  11  with an arcuate-shaped grip portion  21  connected to a holder portion  23 . Grip portion  21  preferably has a partially flattened bottom side  17 , and a top/upper side  19  which is also preferably partially flattened. Holder portion  23  is preferably substantially straight with a narrowed region  25 . Holder portion  23  has a top side  27 , which is preferably rounded, and defines a cavity  26  in a bottom side  29 , within which a security light holder is positioned (described below). Grip portion  21  and holder portion  23  each share a continuous inner edge  33 , which defines a central channel  14 . Channel  14  is located in the interior of handle body  11  and has a perimeter represented by inside edge  33  of handle body  11 . Preferably, this perimeter  33  is substantially parallel to an outside edge  35  of handle body  11 . Handle  10  may be manipulated by inserting one&#39;s hand through channel  14 , and gripping grip portion  21 . 
     Handle body  11  is preferably formed from a top piece  20  and a bottom piece  30 , and has a front side  18  and a rear side  16 . In a preferred embodiment, grip portion  21  is constructed in part by top piece  20  and in part by bottom piece  30 , while holder portion  23  is also constructed in part by top piece  20  and in part by bottom piece  30 . Top piece  20  preferably includes top side  27  of holder portion  23 , and a top side  22  of grip portion  21 . Bottom piece  30  preferably includes bottom side  17  of grip portion  21 . Bottom piece  30  may be textured or coated with a suitable rubber, or other high-friction material, to facilitate manual manipulation. It should be appreciated that the use of separate pieces merely represents one embodiment, and a handle of unitary construction might be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Top piece  20  and bottom piece  30  preferably each define in part a set of two mounting apertures  32  positioned along the rear side  16  of handle body  11 , one of which is illustrated in FIG.  2 . In the preferred embodiment, handle body  11  is pivotably attached to an automobile shade (not shown) at its rear side  16  via mounting apertures  32  by a known method, for example, inserting mounting members (not shown) into mounting apertures  32 . Handle  10  may then be pivoted about the attached mounting members, which are secured to the shade. A person can thus grasp grip portion  21  and pull the attached shade to cover an automobile storage compartment or, alternatively, control the retracting motion of the attached shade while uncovering the automobile storage compartment. 
     Referring now in particular to FIG. 2, cavity  26  is preferably located within top piece  20 . A security light member  15 , illustrated as a conventional flashlight, is held by the security light holder within cavity  26 , which is preferably a trough with a slightly larger diameter than the associated security light  15 . The interior of cavity  26  conforms roughly in shape to the exterior surface of the light  15 . In this embodiment, the cross section of cavity  26  is generally U-shaped, however, this feature is dictated in part by the shape of the included light member, which might vary considerably, necessitating a different shaped cavity. The security light holder preferably comprises a plurality of holder members  28  positioned within cavity  26 , protruding into its interior. Each holder member  28  is preferably positioned in cavity  26  opposite another holder member  28  and separated by a distance that is slightly smaller than the diameter of security light  15 . Because top piece  20  is preferably constructed of a relatively flexible plastic, security light  15  can be snap-fit into cavity  26  in a manner known in the art. The preferred embodiment employs four holder members  28 , however, it should be appreciated that a different number of holder members, or even a different method altogether of securing security light  15  might be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the conventional flashlight illustrated need not be used; a light with a different shape might be utilized, along with a corresponding cavity shape. For example, it is contemplated that the light can be rectangular in cross section with its narrow dimension extending into the holder so as to reduce the span between the handle edge and the finger opening. 
     Returning to FIG. 1, holder portion  23  has a roughly oval aperture  12 , through which a portion of security light  15  is exposed. When detachment of security light  15  is desired, manual pressure may be applied to security light  15  via aperture  12  to push security light  15  free of cavity  26 , overcoming the force of holder members  28 . Because top piece  20  is constructed of a relatively flexible plastic material, as are holder members  28 , the downward force on security light  15  causes holder members  28  to flex outward, freeing security light  15 . In manufacturing handle  10 , it should be appreciated that the level of force necessary to disengage security light  15  from cavity  26  should be carefully calculated. Because cavity  26  faces a down direction in the preferred embodiment, the weight of security light  15  is continuously bearing down against holder members  28 , imparting a tendency for security light  15  to dislodge. Furthermore, inertial forces resulting from bumps and movements of handle  10  create a risk that security light  15  will fall from cavity  26  at an undesirable time if it is held too loosely. Conversely, if security light  15  is held too securely, it may not be quickly and easily available in an emergency, or provide too much resistance for young or elderly people or others with low hand strength. Thus, the relative flexibility of the plastic material from which top piece  10  is constructed, and the relative distance between oppositely positioned holder members  28  should be carefully selected to ensure sufficient holder strength, while still allowing quick and easy removal of security light  15  when desired. 
     An alternative embodiment might position the security light on the top of handle  10 , which would securely hold the light in place and require less clamping force from the holders. However, such an arrangement would tend to expose the light to view, making it aesthetically undesirable. Thus, in this alternate embodiment, it is preferred to have a cover over the cavity  26 , which can pivot or slide to expose the light for removal. 
     It should be understood that the present description is for illustrative purposes only, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications could be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For instance, security light  15  might be affixed to handle  10  with Velcro™ or a similar material, or even with magnetic means. In addition, a different method of disengaging security light  15  might be used, such as a button with a return spring. Other aspects and features of the present invention will be evident upon examination of the attached drawing figures and appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1