Abstract:
Disclosed is an awning which is specifically designed to attach, in a horizontal orientation, above the heads of passengers in a convertible automobile. The occupants may travel with the convertible top down and enjoy a relative cooler temperature and protection from ultraviolet rays. Generally, the screen material used to comprise the awning is of a mesh design, sized and fitted to be usable for providing overhead coverage of the passenger seats on a specific convertible. Varying lengths and widths of the screen material are fabricated for different size automobiles. The awning is supported at the windshield header of the convertible and by two vertically-oriented posts behind the rearmost seats of the convertible. The awning is readily installed on the automobile and may, when not in use, be rolled up and stored within the trunk of the subject convertible.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    (1) Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    This inventive concept relates to a sun shield, which is a specifically constructed awning for passengers and the interior surfaces of convertible-style automobiles. The disclosed awning is designed and fabricated to provide means whereby the automobile, with the convertible top is down or stowed, is shaded from the uncomfortably warm and damaging effects of ultraviolet rays. Thus, the interior of the automobile is kept at a reasonable temperature, similar to being parked under a shade tree. The awning prevents discomfort to the vehicle occupants when the vehicle is entered, and possible damage to upholstery and expensive electronic equipment, such as radios, and GPS navigation units due to excessive heat. 
         [0006]    The purpose of the screen is to allow occupants of a convertible to travel with the top down (stowed), while enjoying the cooler temperature provided by the screen. The screen also provides significant protection from U.V. rays. (Eighty five to ninety percent, as advertised by the screen manufacturer). The difference in internal versus external temperatures, as tested in an un-scientific way was an average of seven degrees, Fahrenheit. The entire awning assembly may be installed and/or removed in minimal time with no tools required. The awning, when removed and rolled up, is of a storable size for placement into the trunk of the convertible. 
         [0007]    (2) Description of the Related Art, Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
         [0008]    The following are summaries of devices and/or documents which bear some relationship to the inventive disclosed herein: 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,813 (Mar. 28, 1995) An awning which is universally adaptable to nearly all passenger vehicles, as well as recreational vehicles, is disclosed. A tarp is connected through roof tethers, either to a roof rack or vehicle gutter at one end, and is supported by support poles and tethers and anchored to the ground at the other end. The support poles are collapsible, and the tarp is made of a relatively lightweight material. The tethers are long and short and have loops and spring snap hooks or gutter clamps at opposite ends for quick attachment to the tarp and ground supports and to an automobile roof rack or gutter. The tarp, collapsed poles and tethers are self-contained within a stuff sack for easy portability. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,354,096 (Apr. 8, 2008). Disclosed is a shade producing apparatus for protecting the exterior and interior of an automobile, truck or vehicle as well as the passengers. A shade producing canopy supported by poles extending either from the rear trunk or from on top of the roof of a vehicle. The entire folding or collapsible poles and canopy are stored in a hollow airfoil-shaped spoiler. The base of the airfoil-shaped spoiler&#39;s two risers is attached to the vehicle. Two tie-down bungee cords are the only other parts that touch the surface of the vehicle. An operator may deploy and retract the shade canopy while remaining on one side of the vehicle. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,992,053 (Nov. 16, 1976). A sun shield for automobiles comprises a strip of screening material which is stored on a roller within a cylindrical container attached to the automobile. When in use, the material is drawn out of the container through a slit therein, and is pulled over the automobile and attached at its free end to the automobile so that the roof is shielded. The screening material is kept spaced from the automobile bodywork by means of legs which fold up when the sun shield is stored. 
         [0012]    U.S. Published Patent Application #2003/0141739 (Jul. 31, 2003. The invention provides a sunshade apparatus for an automobile. An awning ( 12 ) is mounted above roof carry bars ( 10 ) of a vehicle. Within seconds of manual operation, the awing can either be retracted to occupy a relatively small area, or be fully extended to generate a large rectangular shade area, typically 7 by 8 feet directly above the automobile roof. The awning may be manually retracted or extended by a driver within seconds even when the vehicle is moving. The sunshade apparatus comprises multi-parallelogram shaped supporters ( 16 ). These supporters are extendable and retractable along the direction of vehicle width. Awning ribs ( 14 ) or awning rollers are perpendicularly mounted on the multi-parallelogram shaped supporters. The awning is mounted on ribs or rollers, so that the awning becomes extendable and retractable along the direction of vehicle width. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The purpose of the disclosed awning is to allow occupants of a convertible automobile to travel in the automobile with the top down, while enjoying the cooler temperature provided by the screen material of the awning. The screen also provides significant protection from U.V. rays. Generally, the screen material used to comprise the awning is of a mesh design, sized and fitted to be usable for providing overhead coverage of the passenger seats on a specific convertible. Varying lengths and widths of the screen material are fabricated for different size automobiles. 
         [0014]    The screen material is characterized by four different seams forming channels along the front, left side, right side, and rear of the screen. The left side and right side channels of the screen each house a flexible and/or stretchable cord (for example, a bungee) running interiorly to the left and right channels of the screen. The front seam of the screen interiorly contains a rigid front bar. The front bar further modified by two half-cylindrical clips: one integral to the left end of the front bar and the other clip integral to the right end of the front bar. The two clips are easily attachable to the upper windshield header of the convertible. 
         [0015]    The rear seam of the screen houses left and right, rigid L-shaped braces, one branch of each L-shaped brace being partly inserted into the left side and into the right side of the rear seam, respectively. The opposite branches of each left and right brace are inserted into left and right guide tubes, respectively. In the preferred embodiment, attachment to the interior body structure of the convertible is provided for by left and right angle-brackets, each angle-bracket having a structural profile which corresponds to certain components of the left and right interior body structure of the convertible. Each angle-bracket contains sockets which serve to accommodate and tightly secure the lower end of each respective guide tube. 
         [0016]    The left and right cords will be attached to the left and right ends, respectively, of the front bar. The left and right cords run lengthwise of the awning body, within the left seam and the right seam, respectively, to connect to the rear-positioned horizontal brace, thereby keeping the screen  2  taut and stretched. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of the awning  1  as it is attached in place over a typical convertible automobile  25 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  shows the screen  2  by means of an exploded view, along with the front bar, four seams, and two bungee cords, all used in conjunction with the final assembly of the awning  1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a direct left-side view of the screen  2 , which in turn, shows the front seam  3  and the inserted front bar  30 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the rear portion of the screen  2 , further showing the rear seam  13 , the ends of the horizontal brace  42 ,  44 , and the left and right cables  35 ,  36 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  presents a frontward-looking view of the profile of the horizontal brace  40 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 5( a )  is sectional view of the horizontal brace  40  as seen from the perspective of section line A-A. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  presents a top view of the frontward portion of the screen  2 , further showing the front seam  10 , front bar  30 , two half-cylindrical clips  22 ,  23 , and the left and right cables  35 ,  36 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a rendering, typical of each of the two half-cylindrical clips, both of which are integral to the front bar  30 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a side view depicting the attachment of the left clip  22  to the left end of the front bar  30 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a perspective rendering of the right guide tube  60 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is a view of the inner surface of the inner plate  78  of the left angle-bracket  70 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  shows a view of the front plate  77  of the left angle-bracket, including the upper clamp  74 , the lower clamp  75 , and an inserted left guide tube  50 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  is a view of the inner surface of the front plate  77  and the edge of the flange  73  of the left angle-bracket  70 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  is a top view, looking directly downward at the upper plate  71  of the left angle-bracket  70 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  presents a bottom view looking upward, directly along the inner surface of the inner plate  78  of the left angle-bracket  70 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 15  illustrates a view of either the upper or lower clamp  74 ,  75  which attaches to the front plate  77  of the left angle-bracket  70 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 15( a )  depicts the machine screw used to fasten clamps  74 ,  75 , to the angle-brackets  70 ,  80 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  is a view of the relative positions and orientation of the right angle-bracket  80  and the right guide tube  60 , as mounted on the right stowage wall  91  of a convertible. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]    The objects, features, and advantages of the inventive concept presented in this application are more readily understood when referring to the accompanying drawings. The drawings, totaling eighteen figures, show the basic components and functions of the preferred embodiment and at least one alternate embodiment. In the several figures, like reference numbers are used in each figure to correspond to the same component as may be depicted in other figures. 
         [0036]    The preferred embodiment of the disclosed inventive concept is designed, constructed, and utilized to be compatible with a 2004 Ford® Thunderbird convertible. The predominance of the drawings and descriptions set forth in this disclosure therefore are particularly adapted for use in conjunction with the 2004 Ford® Thunderbird convertible. Nonetheless, the overall concept and general relatedness and functions of the components of the awning  1  are applicable to any automobile convertible. 
         [0037]    As can be readily understood, there are several dozen makes and models of automobile convertibles worldwide. An owner or manufacturer of a convertible may decide to utilize the inventive concept in this disclosure as a standard or optional accessory. In this event, the function and structure of the attachment points generally described in  FIG. 1  as points A, B, C, D, E, and F, will be specifically modified so as to correspond to the structure of a specific automobile convertible. 
         [0038]    Beginning with  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a stylized illustration of the awning  1 . The awning  1  is shown as it would be necessarily attached at several key points in order to provide a horizontally oriented covering overhead the passenger seats  26 ,  27  of a typical convertible automobile  25 . By virtue of the design of the components of substantially all automobile convertibles, a stowage compartment is provided aft of the passenger seats, which stowage compartment is either mechanically or electrically opened for extension and/or retraction of the convertible top. In  FIG. 1 , the automobile  25  convertible top has been retracted into a stowage compartment, the stowage compartment further having left and right stowage walls  90 ,  91  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the automobile  25 . 
         [0039]    The covering comprising the awning  1  is a screen  2 , having the form of a quadrilateral. The front portion of the awning  1  is connected to the automobile  25  at the windshield  28 , the windshield post  29 , or the windshield header  24  by means of attachment points E and F. The left rear corner and right rear corner of the awning  1  are connected at attachment points D and C, respectively. In the preferred embodiment of this inventive concept, attachment points D and C are in turn supported by the upper end of a left guide tube  50  and the upper end of a right guide tube  60 , respectively. 
         [0040]    The left and right guide tubes  50 ,  60  are attached to the left and right stowage walls  90 ,  91  of the automobile  25  at attachment points A and B, respectively. A segment of the right storage wall  91  is illustrated in  FIG. 16  herein. In the preferred embodiment, attachment points A and B take the form of a left angle-bracket  70  and right angle-bracket  80 . The angle brackets  70 ,  80 , are not shown in  FIG. 1 , due to limitations of space and overall clarity. However, the structure of an angle-bracket is illustrated in fuller detail in  FIG. 10  through  FIG. 14 , herein, of this disclosure. 
         [0041]    Although not clearly shown in  FIG. 1 , in the preferred embodiment, the rear portion of the screen  2  is connected to an internally installed horizontal brace  40 , which brace  40  is exposed at attachment points C and D, respectively. The horizontal brace  40  is illustrated in more detail in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 5( a ) . 
         [0042]    Generally, the screen  2  composing the awning  1  is a dense, mesh design which is sized and fitted to provide overhead sheltering of the occupants of the passenger seats of a convertible. Varying lengths and widths of the screen  2  are fabricated for different size convertibles. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the horizontal brace  40  is inserted into a left guide tube  50  and a right guide tube  60 , respectively. Both guide tubes  50 ,  60 , are in turn, secured by means of the left angle-bracket  70 , and the right angle-bracket  80 , (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) at attachment points A and B, respectively. As stated earlier, the angle-brackets  70 ,  80  are attached to structural components of the interior walls of the automobile  25  stowage compartment, which compartment houses the retracted convertible top. 
         [0043]      FIG. 2  shows the screen  2 , which comprises the awning  1 , by means of an exploded view, prior to its final fabrication. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the screen  2  is a quadrilateral shape having, at each corner, a circular radial cutouts at the front left  18 , front right  19 , right rear  20 , and left rear  21 . The cutouts further define strips of screen  2  material forming a front edge  14 , a right edge  15 , a rear edge  16 , and a left edge  17  of the screen  2 . The final assembly of the screen  2  requires four different seams  10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13  sewn along each edge of the screen  2 . The seams thus form individual channels, e.g., a front channel  3 , a left channel  4 , a right channel  5 , and a rear channel  6 . 
         [0044]    By referring to  FIG. 2 , it may be seen that the channels  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  are fabricated by taking each of the edges  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17  and folding each individual edge over onto the main part of the screen  2 . The next step is to stitch four seams  10   11 ,  12 ,  13 , parallel to the edges of the screen  2 , the stitches joining each edge  14 ,  15 ,  16   17  to the screen  2 . This operation forms a front channel  3 , a left channel  4 , a right channel  5 , and a rear channel  6 . As an example,  FIG. 3  illustrates a view looking lengthwise through the front channel  3 , which has been formed by stitching a seam  10  to attach the front edge  14  onto the screen material  2 . Likewise the left channel  4 , right channel  5 , and rear channel  6  are formed in the same manner of stitching seams along the respective edges  15 ,  16 , and  17  of the screen  2 . 
         [0045]    Again referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a left bungee cord  35 , and a right bungee cord  36 , each cord  35 ,  36  having a length greater than its respective side of the screen  2 . The bungee cords  35 ,  36  are inserted into the left channel  4 , and right channel  5 , respectively. A user of the awning  1  then may give more defined form and some degree of rigidity to the sides of the screen  2  by pulling both cords  35 ,  36  taut. This is accomplished by securing each cord  35 ,  36  to both the front bar  30  and the respective ends of the rear horizontal brace  40 . 
         [0046]    The front bar  30  as shown in  FIG. 2 , is of rectangular cross-section, and, further has a length greater than the length of the front edge  14  of the screen  2 . Left and right half-cylindrical clips  22 ,  23 , are shown attached to the front bar  30 . In the final fabrication stages, the front bar  30  is inserted through the front channel  3 , with openings provided for the half-cylindrical clips  22 ,  23 . The half-cylindrical clips  22 ,  23  are utilized for tensioned attachment of the front bar  30  of the awning  1  to the upper header  24  of the windshield  29 .  FIG. 3  presents a direct left-side view of the screen  2 , and also illustrates the front seam  10 , the formation of the front channel  3 , and the manner in which the front channel  3  encompasses the front bar  30 . 
         [0047]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the front bar  30  further contains two holes  31 ,  32  drilled proximate the left end of said front bar  30 , and two holes  33 ,  34  drilled proximate the right end of said front bar  30 . When a user pulls the left and right bungee cords  35 ,  36  taut, the respective cords  35 ,  36 , are then tied to the front bar  30  by utilization of the holes  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 , in the front bar  30 . The left bungee cord  35 , having been inserted through the left channel  4 , is fastened to the front bar  30  by tying the front of the cord  35  into the left holes  31 ,  32 . The right bungee cord  36 , having been inserted through the right channel  5 , is fastened to the front bar  30  by tying the front of the cord  36  into the right-side holes  33 ,  34 . 
         [0048]    In referring to  FIG. 4 , it is seen that the rear seam  13  of the screen  2  forms the rear channel  6 , which interiorly contains the horizontal rear brace  40 . The brace  40  allows the rear portion of the screen  2  to maintain a relatively taut profile from left-to-right, and thereby gives more rigidity to the entire awning  1 .  FIG. 4  presents a top view of the rear portion of the screen  2 , further showing the rear channel  6 , the left end  42  and the right end  44  of the horizontal brace  40 .  FIG. 4  also shows the left cord  35  and the right cord  36  as each is transmitted through the left channel  4  and the right channel  5 , respectively of the screen  2 . To ensure tautness of the awning  1 , a user securely fastens the left cord  35  about the exposed left rounded end  42  of the horizontal brace  40 , and similarly securely fastens the right cord  36  about the exposed right rounded end  44  of the horizontal brace  40 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 5  presents a standalone, frontward-looking view of the horizontal brace  40 , further depicting the straight spine  41  of the horizontal brace  40 , left rounded end  42 , the left leg  43 , the right rounded end  44 , and the right leg  45 .  FIG. 5( a )  shows a sectional view typical of the entirety of the horizontal brace  40  and spine  41 , as seen from the perspective of section lines A-A of  FIG. 5 . The left leg  43  and the right leg  45  are specifically dimensioned to fit within the confines of guide tubes  50 ,  60 , an illustration of each guide tube  50 ,  60  presented in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 6  shows a top view of the frontward portion of the screen  2 , further showing the front channel  3 , front bar  30 , two half-cylindrical clips  22 ,  23 , and the left and right cables  35 ,  36 . Also shown in  FIG. 6  are the left channel  4  and right channel  5 , through which the left cable  35  and right cable  36 , respectively are routed. On installation of the screen  2 , the front end of the left cable  35  is fastened through an outer hole  31  and an inner hole  32 , both holes having been drilled through the left end of the front bar  30 . The front end of the right cable  36  is fastened through an outer hole  33  and an inner hole  34 , both holes having been drilled through the right end of the front bar  30 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 7  is an illustration typical of either of the two half-cylindrical clips  22 ,  23 , each of which is constructed integral to one end of the front bar  30 .  FIG. 8  presents a left-side view common to each of the half-cylindrical clips  22 ,  23 , and further showing the positioning of each half-cylindrical clip  22 ,  23  relative to the front bar  30 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 9  is a rendering of a right guide tube  60 , the left guide tube  50  being identical in shape, form and dimensions. Both guide tubes  50 ,  60  have hollow interiors. As can be observed in  FIG. 9 , the right guide tube  60  is characterized by an arcuate bend  63 . A right rectangular branch  61  of the guide tube  60 , manifests a rectangular opening, while a right tubular branch  62  of the right guide tube  60  manifests a circular-shaped opening. The right rectangular branch  61  of the right guide tube  60  is specifically dimensioned to accept the insertion of the right leg  45  of the rear brace  40 . The left rectangular branch  51  of the right guide tube  50  is specifically dimensioned to accept the insertion of the left leg  43  of the rear brace  40 . 
         [0053]    The circular-shaped openings  52 ,  62 , of the left and right guide tubes  50 ,  60 , respectively are dimensioned to be fitted into the left angle-bracket  70  and a right angle-bracket  80 , respectively. For purposes of illustration only, and not by means of limitation, angle-brackets specifically constructed for secure fit onto the interior walls of a 2004 Ford® Thunderbird convertible are shown in  FIG. 10  through  FIG. 14 . It must be made clear that the design of the angle-brackets may be markedly different to correspond to the interior surfaces and contours of other makes of automobile convertibles. 
         [0054]    In  FIG. 10  there is shown the left angle-bracket  70 , and specifically the front plate  77 , inner plate  78 , left flange  73 , and left hook  72 , all these components being necessary to provide a conforming fit onto the inner surfaces and contour of the left stowage wall  90  (not shown) of a 2004 Ford® Thunderbird convertible. In  FIG. 10 , there is also shown an upper clamp  74  and a lower clamp  75 , both of which are identical, and which are affixed to the left angle-bracket  70 . Each of the respective clamps  74 ,  75 , has an open circular interior for acceptance the left tubular branch  61  of the left guide tube  60 . The inner plate  78 , the left flange  73 , the left upper plate  71 , and the left hook  72  of the left angle bracket  70  are specifically constructed to fit onto the appropriate surface of the left stowage wall  90  (not shown) of the preferred embodiment. 
         [0055]    For comparative and illustrative purposes, in  FIG. 16 , a right angle-bracket  80  is shown as it is fitted onto the right stowage wall  91  of the preferred embodiment. The right angle-bracket  80  the mirror image of the left angle-bracket  70 , and both are utilized for attachment to the right stowage wall  91  and left stowage wall  90  of the 2004 Ford® Thunderbird convertible, respectively. Both angle-brackets  70 ,  80 , are specifically designed for corresponding acceptance of the left and right guide tubes  50 ,  60 , respectively. 
         [0056]    Continuing with the structure of the left angle-bracket  70 , there is shown in  FIG. 11  a direct view of the front plate  77  of the left angle-bracket  70 , including the upper clamp  74 , the lower clamp  75 , and an inserted left guide tube  50 . The clamps  74 ,  75 , are affixed to the front plate  77  by means of a machine screw  46  inserted through an eyelet  47  and threadingly attached to the surface of the front plate  77 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the inner surface of the front plate  77  and the edge of the flange  73  of the left angle-bracket  70 . Further shown are the hook  72  and the tips of the two machine screws  46  used for attachment of the upper and lower clamps  74 ,  75 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 13  is a top view, looking directly downward at the upper plate  71  of the left angle-bracket  70 , along with a top view of the hook  72 , and the upper and lower clamps  74 ,  75 . An aperture  79  in the upper plate  71  is positioned to allow clearance for a snap integral to the compartment wall of the preferred embodiment, the snap intended for attachment of a convertible tonneau. 
         [0059]      FIG. 14  presents a bottom view of the left angle-bracket  70  looking upward, directly along the inner surface of the inner plate  78  of the left angle-bracket  70 . Further shown in  FIG. 14  is the left aperture  79 , the left hook  72 , and the upper and lower clamps  74 ,  75 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 15  illustrates a view typical of either the upper or lower clamp  74 ,  75 , both of which attach to the front plate  77  of the left angle-bracket  70 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 15( a )  depicts the machine screw used to fasten the upper and lower clamps  74 ,  75 , to the angle-brackets  70 ,  80 . 
         [0062]    As explained previously,  FIG. 16  is a view of the relative positions and orientation of the right angle-bracket  80  and the right guide tube  60 , as mounted on the right stowage wall  91  of the preferred embodiment. 
         [0063]    While the preferred embodiment of the present inventive concept has been extensively shown and disclosed herein, it will be obvious to those persons skilled in the art that such embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not as a limitation to the scope of the inventive concept. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions may occur or be suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the intent, scope, and totality of this inventive concept. 
         [0064]    Such variations, changes, and substitutions may involve the design and construction of similar features which are necessary to operate the inventive device on other versions of automobile convertibles. These variations, changes, and substitutions obviously may be used instead of, in combination with, or in addition to features already disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is intended that this inventive concept be inclusive of such variations, changes, and substitutions, and by no means limited by the literal scope of the claims presented herein.