Patent Document

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a mirror shade screen having a draw string, an elastic strip or VELCRO (nylon hook &amp; loop tape fastener) strip attached to the shade screen to serve as a method of holding the shade screen to an outside rear view mirror of an automotive vehicle for night driving to reduce the intensity of light reflected into the driver&#39;s eyes from following vehicles, while still permitting the driver to observe the approach of vehicles from the rear. 
     An object of the invention is to provide a simple method of holding a shade screen on an outside rear view mirror, a method that requires no mechanical connections, is easily installed and removed, and requires no alteration or replacement of the mirror. The shade screen is to utilize a loose weave or formed sheer type cloth that is semi-transparent and is flexible enough to be pulled snugly around mirrors of varying size and shape, and be held in place by one of the above methods. In the present invention, a shade screen of one size will conform to a wide variety of sizes and shapes of mirrors. 
    
    
     Other more specific objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description set forth below. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a mirror shade screen according to the present invention, shown in use on an automotive vehicle; 
     FIG. 2 is a rear view of the mirror shade screen of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of the mirror shade screen of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mirror shade screen according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a rear view of the mirror shade screen of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a front view of the mirror shade screen of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a mirror shade screen according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a front view of the mirror shade screen of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of the mirror shade screen of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the mirror shade screen according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a rear view of the mirror shade screen according to FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 12 is a front view of the mirror shade screen according to FIG. 10. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings, a fabric shade screen 1 is a soft and flexible material made from an open mesh, non shrink, and water resistant material, such as nylon or plastic, that is of an appropriate shading effect, and that will conform to different sizes, shapes and contours of mirrors 7. 
     In FIG. 1, the round outside rear view mirror 7 attached at the back side to the mirror frame 8 requires a round piece of the shade screen 1, approximately four inches larger in diameter than the mirror 7, and a strip of elastic 5 having a length smaller than the circumference of the mirror 7. The shade screen 1 will be held in place using the following method. The elastic 5 is to be stretched to its fullest extent and sewn, while extended, to the perimeter of the shade screen 1. When the shade screen 1 is attached to the mirror 7, the larger diameter of the shade screen 1 will allow the shade screen 1 to lap over the edge to the back side of the mirror 7, FIG. 2, and be held snugly to the mirror 7, FIG. 3, by the contraction of the elastic 5. The mirror shade screen has a number of pleats 10 taking up material about the circumference of the shade screen. 
     In FIG. 4, a rectangular or square outside rear view mirror 7 attached at the back side to the mirror frame 8, requires a rectangular or square piece of the shade screen 1 approximately four inches wider and longer than the width and length of the mirror 7, and a piece of elastic 5 having a length smaller than the perimeter of the mirror 7. The shade screen 1 will be held in place using the following method. The elastic 5 is stretched to its fullest extent and sewn, while extended, to the perimeter of the shade screen 1. When the shade screen 1 is attached to the mirror 7, the larger size of the shade screen 1 will allow the shade screen 1 to lap over the edge to the back side of the mirror 7, FIG. 5, and be held snugly to the mirror 7, FIG. 6, by the contraction of the elastic 5. 
     In FIG. 7, a rectangular or square outside rear view mirror 7 attached at the edge to the mirror support frame 8, will require an envelope type shade screen 1. The envelope type shade screen 1 will require two pieces of shade screen 1, each being approximately four inches longer and wider than the mirror 7. The two pieces of shade screen 1 are to be placed one on top of the other and sewn together on three sides 6, thereof FIG. 8, leaving the side on which the mirror 7 is attached to the mirror support frame 8 open. The shade screen 1 will be held in place using the following method. A strip of VELCRO 3, (nylon hook &amp; loop tape fastener), is sewn to the inside edges of the open side of the shade screen 1, FIG. 9, the hook part to one edge and the loop part to the other edge. When the shade screen 1 is placed on the mirror 7, the VELCRO 3 (nylon hook &amp; loop tape fastener) is pressed together closing the open side and holding the shade screen 1 in place. Alternatively, the envelope type shade screen can be provided with a hem along the open side. A draw string is then installed in the hem, and is used to draw together the open side to hold the mirror shade screen in place on the mirror. 
     FIG. 10 shows a truck type outside rear view mirror 7, that is rectangular in shape and attached to the mirror support frame 8 at the top and bottom edges with the shade screen 1 in place. The shade screen 1 for this type mirror 7 requires a piece of shade screen 1 wider than the width of the mirror 7 and approximately one inch longer than the mirror 7, two strips of seam binder 2, each equal in length to the width of the shade screen 1, two pieces of string 4 approximately eight inches long, and two strips of VELCRO 3 (nylon hook &amp; loop tape fastener) sufficient in length to extend across the back of the mirror. One strip of seam binder 2 is to be sewn to the top, and one strip to the bottom horizontal edges of the shade screen 1, as an edge finisher to prevent raveling. The shade screen 1 will be held in place using the following method. One piece of string 4 is to be sewn with the seam binder 2 to the top and bottom edges of the fabric, in the center, for the purpose of tying the shade screen 1 to the mirror frame 8 to prevent movement of the shade screen 1 up or down. The Velcro (nylon hook and loop tape fasteners) strips 3 extend horizontally from the respective edges of the shade screen fabric 1. A hook portion of a Velcro strip 3, noting FIGS. 10 and 11, is sewn to one edge, with a portion thereof extending beyond the edge of the shade screen, and a loop portion is sewn to the opposite edge of the shade screen, also extending beyond the shade screen, at a corresponding vertical position. As can be seen from FIGS. 10 and 11, two such sets of hook and loop portions are provided, vertically spaced on the shade screen fabric&#39;s edges. When the shade screen 1 is placed on the mirror 7, it is wrapped around the mirror 7, the VELCRO (nylon hook &amp; loop tape fastener) strips are placed and pressed together at the back side of the mirror 7, and the string 4 are tied to the frame 8 at the top and bottom, holding the shade screen 1 snugly in place, as seen in FIG. 12.

Technology Category: 4