Abstract:
An extension assembly for a sidebar of a sunshade is mounted on a mounting ends of a movable sidebar and has a mounting seat, a sliding cover, at least one linkage, and a connector. The movable sidebar is attached to an end edge of a shading cloth of a sunshade. With the at least one linkage pivotally connected to the mounting seat and the sliding cover, the at least one linkage can pivot and sway to allow the sliding cover being raised and then lowered to selectively extend toward the outer end portion of the mounting seat and be folded on the mounting seat. Thus, frictional resistance between the mounting seat and the sliding cover is avoided. Moreover, no noises would occur when the at least one linkage and the sliding cover pivot and sway relative to the mounting seat.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an extension assembly, especially to an extension assembly that is mounted on an end of a movable sidebar of the sunshade, such that a total length of the movable sidebar and the extension assembly can be adjusted. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art(s) 
         [0004]    In order for a vehicle with better appearance and elegance, a reeling device and a driving mechanism of an electrical sunshade for mounting on a rear windshield of the vehicle are mounted under a dividing panel. The dividing panel is mounted on a lower edge of the rear windshield and has a slot. Two guiding rails are respectively mounted on two opposite side edges of the rear windshield. A shading cloth of the reeling device protrudes through the slot of the dividing panel and has a distal edge. A movable sidebar is attached to the distal edge of the shading cloth and has two opposite ends. The ends of the movable sidebar respectively engage in the guiding rails and are connected to a guiding rod of the driving mechanism. The guiding rod of the driving mechanism drives the movable sidebar to move upwardly to draw and to expand the shading cloth, or drives the movable sidebar to move downwardly to retract the shading cloth. 
         [0005]    When the shading cloth is retracted, the movable sidebar is unable to completely cover the slot of the dividing panel. Therefore, two conventional extension assemblies for a sidebar are further mounted respectively on the ends of the movable sidebar. The conventional extension assemblies are connected to the guiding rod of the driving mechanism. Thus, when the shading cloth is retracted, the conventional extension assemblies extend laterally to completely cover the slot of the dividing panel. When the shading cloth is expanded, the conventional extension assemblies are retracted. 
         [0006]    However, each conventional extension assembly has a sliding cover mounted on a corresponding one of the ends of the movable sidebar. The sliding cover slides linearly along an axis to extend or to retract the conventional extension assembly. As the sliding cover slides linearly, a large friction is generated between the sliding cover and its peripheral elements. Accordingly, loud noise occurs when the conventional extension assemblies are operated. 
         [0007]    To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides an extension assembly for a sidebar of a sunshade to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The main objective of the present invention is to provide an extension assembly for a sidebar of a sunshade. The extension assembly has a mounting seat, a sliding cover, at least one linkage, and a connector. The mounting seat has a mounting section. The mounting section has at least one first pivot portion. The sliding cover is slidably mounted on the mounting seat and has a cover body, a connecting portion, and at least one second pivot portion. The connecting portion is formed on an outer end of the cover body. The at least one second pivot portion is formed on a lower surface of the cover body. Each one of the at least one linkage has two opposite pivot end portions. The pivot end portions are respectively connected pivotally to a corresponding one of the at least one first pivot portion of the mounting seat and a corresponding one of the at least one second pivot portion of the sliding cover. The connector is connected to the connecting portion of the sliding cover and is disposed beyond the outer end portion of the mounting seat. When the at least one linkage pivots and sways laterally, the sliding cover is raised and then lowered to selectively extend toward the outer end portion of the mounting seat and be folded on the mounting seat. 
         [0009]    Two above-mentioned extension assemblies are respectively mounted on two mounting ends of a movable sidebar. The movable sidebar is attached to an end edge of a shading cloth of a sunshade. With the at least one linkage pivotally connected to the mounting seat and the sliding cover, the at least one linkage can pivot and sway to allow the sliding cover being raised and then lowered to selectively extend toward the outer end portion of the mounting seat and be folded on the mounting seat. Thus, friction between the sliding cover and the mounting seat is reduced. Accordingly, frictional resistance between the mounting seat and the sliding cover is avoided. Moreover, no noises would occur when the at least one linkage and the sliding cover pivot and sway relative to the mounting seat. 
         [0010]    Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is an operational perspective view of an extension assembly for a sidebar of a sunshade in accordance with the present invention, shown with two extension assemblies mounted on two ends of a movable sidebar; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an operational exploded perspective view of the extension assembly in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a sliding cover and a connector of the extension assembly in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an operational perspective view of the extension assembly in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is an operational top view of the extension assembly in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an operational cross-sectional side view of the extension assembly along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is an operational side view of the extension assembly in  FIG. 1 , shown with a shading cloth of the sunshade being expanded; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 8 and 9  are operational cross-sectional side views of the extension assembly in  FIG. 1 , shown with a sliding cover of the extension assembly being raised to move inwardly to be folded; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is an operational side view of the extension assembly in  FIG. 1 , shown with the shading cloth of the sunshade being retracted; and 
           [0020]      FIGS. 11 and 12  are operational cross-sectional side views of the extension assembly in  FIG. 1 , shown with the sliding cover of the extension assembly being raised to move outwardly to extend. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a movable sidebar  50  is used to attach to an end edge of a shading cloth of a sunshade, and has a central axis and two mounting ends  51 . Each mounting end  51  has a notch  52 . An extension assembly  1  for a sidebar of the sunshade in accordance with the present invention is mounted on the mounting end  51  of the movable sidebar  50 , and selectively pivots and sways to move along the central axis of the movable sidebar  50  to be extended or to be folded. The extension assembly  1  comprises a mounting seat  10 , a sliding cover  20 , at least one linkage  30 , and a connector  40 . 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the mounting seat  10  is mounted on the end of the movable sidebar  50  of the sunshade and has an axis, an outer end portion, an inner end portion and a mounting section  11 . The axis of the mounting seat  10  extends through the outer end portion and the inner end portion of the mounting seat  10  and is parallel to the central axis of the movable sidebar  50 . The mounting section  11  is formed on the outer end portion of mounting seat  10  and has at least one first pivot portion  12 . Each one of the at least one first pivot portion  12  has two first pivot protrusions  13 . The first pivot protrusions  13  are disposed opposite to each other. Each first pivot protrusion  13  has a pivot hole. 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , in the preferred embodiment, the mounting section  11  of the mounting seat  10  has two first pivot portions  12 . The first pivot portions  12  are linearly arranged along the axis of the mounting seat  10 . Each first pivot portion  12  further has a sliding space  14  and a resilient positioning member  15 . The first pivot protrusions  13  of each first pivot portion  12  are oppositely formed beside the sliding space  14 . The resilient positioning member  15  is mounted between the first pivot protrusions  13  that are disposed opposite to each other. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , in the preferred embodiment, each first pivot portion  12  further has two positioning fins  16 . The positioning fins  16  are formed oppositely beside the sliding space  14 . Each positioning fin  16  has a thickness. The thickness of the positioning fin  16  increases from top to bottom, such that a width of the sliding space  14  enlarges from bottom to top. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the mounting seat  10  further has a connecting section  17 . The connecting section  17  is formed on the inner end portion of the mounting seat  10 , is mounted into the mounting end  51  of the movable sidebar  50 , and has at least one resilient abutting member  18 . With further reference to  FIG. 6 , the connecting section  17  protrudes into the movable sidebar  50  and the at least one resilient abutting member  18  abuts an inner wall of the movable sidebar  50 . Thus, when the sunshade is expanded or is folded, the mounting seat  10  can slide slightly relative to the movable sidebar  50 , such that dimensional tolerances of the movable sidebar  50  and the mounting seat  10  are acceptable. In the preferred embodiment, the connecting section  17  further has multiple mounting recesses  19 . The mounting recesses  19  are linearly arranged along the axis of the mounting seat  10 . Each mounting recess  19  has a top opening and a bottom opening. The connecting section  17  has multiple resilient abutting members  18  respectively mounted in the mounting recesses  19 . Each resilient abutting member  18  protrudes out from one of the top opening and the bottom opening, and resilient abuts the inner wall of the movable sidebar  50 , such that the mounting seat  10  is held in the movable sidebar  50 . 
         [0026]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the sliding cover  20  is slidably mounted on the mounting seat  10  and the outer end portion of the movable sidebar  50 . The sliding cover  20  has a cover body  21 , at least one second pivot portion  22 , and a connecting portion  24 . The cover body  21  has an inner end, an outer end, an axis, and a lower surface. The axis of the cover body  21  extends through the inner end and the outer end of the cover body  21  and is parallel to the central axis of the movable sidebar  50 . The lower surface of the cover body  21  faces the mounting seat  10  and the movable sidebar  50 . The at least one second pivot portion  22  is formed on the lower surface of the cover body  21 . The number of the at least one second pivot portion  22  corresponds to the number of the at least one first pivot portion  12 . The connecting portion  24  of the sliding cover  20  is formed on the outer end of the cover body  21  and extends beyond the outer end portion of the mounting seat  10  and the end of the movable sidebar  50 . In the preferred embodiment, the sliding cover  20  further has a cushion pad  29 . The cushion pad  29  is mounted on the lower surface of the cover body  21 , and may be made of non-woven fabrics. Thus, when the sliding cover  20  collides with the movable sidebar  50 , the cushion pad  29  absorbs a collision between the sliding cover  20  and the movable sidebar  50 . Accordingly, noise caused by the collision can be reduced. 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in the preferred embodiment, the sliding cover  20  has two second pivot portions  22 . The second pivot portions  22  are linearly arranged along the axis of the cover body  21 . Each second pivot portion  22  has two second pivot protrusions  23 . The second pivot protrusions  23  are disposed opposite to each other. Each second pivot protrusion  23  has a pivot hole. The connecting portion  24  of the sliding cover  20  has a first connecting panel  25 , a second connecting panel  26 , an insertion slot  27 , and an engaging protrusion  28 . The first connecting panel  25  has a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner surface. The second connecting panel  26  corresponds in position to and is disposed apart from the first connecting panel  25 . The second connecting panel  26  has a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner surface. The proximal end of the second connecting panel  26  is connected with the proximal end of the first connecting panel  25 . The inner surface of the second connecting panel  26  faces the inner surface of the first connecting panel  25 . The insertion slot  27  is formed between the first connecting panel  25  and the second connecting panel  26 , and has an insertion hole. The insertion hole of the insertion slot  27  is defined between the distal ends of the first connecting panel  25  and the second connecting panel  26 . Thus, the connecting portion  24  of the sliding cover  20  can be resiliently expanded and restored. The engaging protrusion  28  is formed on one of the inner surfaces of the first connecting panel  25  and the second connecting panel  26 . In the preferred embodiment, the engaging protrusion  28  is formed on the inner surface of the first connecting panel  25 . 
         [0028]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 6 , each one of the at least one linkage  30  has two opposite pivot end portions  31 . The pivot end portions  31  are respectively connected pivotally to a corresponding one of the at least one first pivot portion  12  of the mounting seat  10  and a corresponding one of the at least one second pivot portion  22  of the sliding cover  20 . Each pivot end portion  31  has two opposite ends and two pivot protrusions  34 . The pivot protrusions  34  of the pivot end portion  31  are respectively formed on the ends of the pivot end portion  31  and are respectively mounted pivotally in the pivot holes of the corresponding pivot portion  12 ,  22 . As the at least one linkage  30  pivots and sways, the sliding cover  20  slides axially above the outer end portion of the mounting seat  10  to selectively extend outwardly and be folded inwardly. Moreover, with the thickness of each positioning fin  16  increasing from the top to the bottom, when the sliding cover  20  is folded on the mounting seat  10 , the sliding cover  20  is also held by the positioning fins  16  of the mounting seat  10 . 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , in the preferred embodiment, the extension assembly  1  comprises two linkages  30 . Each linkage  30  has two rod parts  32 , a connecting part  33 , and two clearances  36 . The two rod parts  32  are disposed parallel to each other. Each rod part  32  has a first end and a second end. The first end of one rod part  32  corresponds in position to the first end of the other rod part  32 . The second end of one rod part  32  corresponds in position to the second end of the other rod part  32 . The connecting part  33  connects the rod parts  32 . The clearances  36  are respectively formed between the first ends of the rod parts  32  and between the second ends of the rod parts  32 . Each second pivot portion  22  of the sliding cover  20  further has an engaging panel  23 A. The engaging panel  23 A is formed between the second pivot protrusions  23  of the second pivot portion  22  and protrudes into one of the clearances  36  of the corresponding linkage  30 . Thus, the sliding cover  20  stably connects with the linkages  30 . When the sliding cover  20  extends or is folded, vibration of the sliding cover  20  is greatly reduced. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6 , each pivot end portion  31  of each one of the at least one linkage  30  has two side surfaces. Each side surface has at least one engaging recess  35 . In the preferred embodiment, each side surface of each pivot end portion  31  of each one of the at least one linkage  30  has two engaging recesses  35 . The resilient positioning member  15  of each first pivot portion  12  of the mounting seat  10  has an abutting protrusion  151 . The abutting protrusion  151  is formed on a top surface of the resilient positioning member  15 , selectively engages in one of the engaging recesses  35  of the corresponding pivot end portion  31 , and abuts the corresponding pivot end portion  31 . As the linkage  30  pivots and sways to a predetermined position, with the abutting protrusion  151  engaging in the engaging recess  35 , the linkage  30  is held at the predetermined position. Accordingly, the linkage  30  can be held at two predetermined positions. 
         [0031]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the connector  40  is connected to the sliding cover  20 , and is disposed beyond the mounting end  51  of the movable sidebar  50  and the outer end portion of the mounting seat  10 . The connector  40  has a guiding portion  41 , a proximal connecting portion  42 , and a distal connecting portion  43 . The guiding portion  41  has two ends. The proximal connecting portion  42  is formed on one of the ends of the guiding portion  41  and is connected to the connecting portion  24  of the sliding cover  20 . The distal connecting portion  43  is formed on the other end of the guiding portion  41 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 , in the preferred embodiment, the proximal connecting portion  42  is inserted in the insertion slot  27  of the connecting portion  24  of the sliding cover  20 , and has a plate with an engaging hole  421 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the engaging protrusion  28  engages in the engaging hole  421 , such that the proximal connecting portion  42  of the connector  40  is connected to the connecting portion  24  of the sliding cover  20 . The distal connecting portion  43  has a threaded part. 
         [0032]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , when the extension assembly  1  is used on an electrical sunshade that is mounted on a rear windshield of a vehicle, an end edge of a shading cloth  61  of the electrical sunshade is attached to the movable sidebar  50  Two extension assemblies  1  are respectively mounted on the mounting ends  51  of the movable sidebar  50 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 7 , the electrical sunshade further has two guiding rails  72  and a driving mechanism  70 . The guiding rails  72  are respectively formed on two opposite side edges of the rear windshield. The driving mechanism  70  has two guiding rods  71  respectively protruding in the guiding rails  72 . The mounting seat  10  of each extension assembly  1  is mounted in a corresponding one of the mounting ends  51  of the movable sidebar  50 . The guiding portion  41  of the connector  40  of each extension assembly  1  protrudes into a corresponding one of the guiding rails  72 . The threaded distal connecting portion  43  of the connector  40  is connected to the guiding rod  71 . 
         [0033]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , when the shading cloth  61  of the electrical sunshade is expanded, the driving rod  71  of the driving mechanism  70  drives the movable sidebar  50  and the extension assemblies  1  to move upwardly to a top of the rear windshield. Meanwhile, the shading cloth  61  is draw out from a reeling device  60  and is expanded. With further reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , during the shading cloth  61  is expanded, the sliding cover  20  is pushed inwardly toward the movable sidebar  50  since the connector  40  is connected to the guiding rod  71 . Accordingly, the at least one linkage  30  connecting to the sliding cover  20  and the mounting seat  10  pivots and sways inwardly toward the movable sidebar  50 . Thus, at first, the sliding cover  20  is raised up from the mounting seat  10  and the movable sidebar  50 . Then the sliding cover  20  is lowered to be folded on the mounting seat  10  and the mounting end  51  of the movable sidebar  50 . 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIG. 10 , when retracting the shading cloth  61  of the electrical sunshade, the driving rod  71  of the driving mechanism  70  is driven to drive the movable sidebar  50  and the extension assemblies  1  to move downwardly to a bottom of the rear windshield. Meanwhile, the reeling device  60  rolls up the shading cloth  61  automatically. With further reference to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , during retracting the shading cloth  61 , since the connector  40  is connected to the guiding rod  71 , the sliding cover  20  is pulled outwardly. Accordingly, the at least one linkage  30  that connects to the sliding cover  20  and the mounting seat  10  pivots and sways outwardly. Thus, at first, the sliding cover  20  is raised up from the mounting seat  10  and the movable sidebar  50 . Then the sliding cover  20  is lowered to lie on the mounting seat  10  and the mounting end  51  of the movable sidebar  50  and to extend beyond the outer end portion of the mounting seat  10 . Therefore, the extension assemblies  1  on two mounting ends  51  of the movable sidebar  50  extend to cover two clearances of a slot  81  of a dividing panel  80 , wherein the clearances are formed between the mounting ends  51  of the movable sidebar  50  and the guiding rails  71 . 
         [0035]    Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and features of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.