US20050253411A1 - Sunshade - Google Patents

Abstract

A sunshade has a shade and at least two supports, with each support having a second end that is coupled to the shade at spaced-apart locations thereof. The sunshade also has a connector coupled to the first end of each support, the connector having a central portion that has a groove, and a leaf for coupling the first end of each support. The leaf is hingedly connected to the central portion by an integral thin section and has a locking member fitted inside the groove to hold the leaf at a fixed position with respect to the central portion. Each support of the sunshade can also have an adjustable length.

Description

RELATED CASES
• This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending Ser. No. 09/119,830, entitled “Sunshade”, filed Jul. 21, 1998, whose disclosure is incorporated by this reference as though fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to sunshades that can be used for shading the interior of a vehicle from the heat of sunlight.
• 2. Description of the Prior Art
• Vehicles, particularly cars, are commonly left unattended in places exposed to sunshine. For security, the windows of such a vehicle are usually closed and there is little airflow through the vehicles. Accordingly, the interior of the vehicle often warms up as a result of the sun shining on the vehicle. The temperature inside the vehicle may rise significantly above the ambient temperature to a temperature that is particularly uncomfortable when a person desires to enter the car. A further problem caused is that the significant heat generated may damage objects contained within the car or internal parts of the car which are sensitive to heat. Also, parts of the car which must be touched by the driver in order to properly drive the car may be heated to a temperature that is uncomfortable to touch by bare hands. This may lead to dangerous driving practices.
• The problem of the temperature inside a car rising has existed for some time and is particularly acute in those places where there is greater exposure to sunshine. To some extent, this problem is also seasonal, being greater in summer. While one solution is to allow significant airflow through the vehicle (by, for example, opening all of the doors) and allowing the transfer of air to reduce the heat inside the vehicle before entering the vehicle, this may take some time which is often unacceptable to the driver, or other intended occupants, of the vehicle.
• It is known to provide a substantially opaque material across the surface of the windscreen of a vehicle (whether inside or outside) so as to shade the interior of the vehicle. This has been found to reduce the rate at which the temperature inside the vehicle increases as well as to reduce the temperature of controls necessary to properly operate the vehicle. In addition, reflective coatings have been applied to such materials to better reflect heat and light from external sources, such as the sun.
• It is also known to provide such sunshades in a relatively closely woven netting form so as to provide shade without completely blocking out all light. This is particularly appropriate for side windows where the shades may be left in place while the vehicle is being driven and permit some transparency for occupants of the vehicle to see through them.
• A difficulty with all of these methods has been a complicated or time-consuming method for affixing the sunshades in place. It is known to use suction cups to affix the sunshade to a window and also to suspend or attach the sunshade to interior fittings of a vehicle, such as grab handles and rear view mirrors. Other sunshades are known which are of sufficient rigidity that they retain (without external support) an expanded configuration and can be located between, for example, a rear view mirror and the windscreen, with a lower edge supported by the vehicle dashboard, but these must be carefully folded after each use. Other sunshades are affixed by being placed, for example, along the inside of a front side window, through the door hinge and across the outside of the windscreen and then through the opposite front door hinge along the inside of the opposite front door and thereby being jammed into position. A combination of these methods of attachment may be used. However, all of these methods require some effort and time in order to affix the sunshade, particularly where connection means, such as straps, clips and suction cups, must be affixed. Time and effort is also required in known products to store or stow the sunshade in the vehicle in a safe and tidy manner. It has been found that vehicle drivers prefer to minimize the time required in order to affix such a sunshade.
• Another common problem associated with conventional sunshades is that windshields for different automobiles have different sizes. Most conventional sunshades come in a predetermined shape and size, so they often do not provide a proper fit for the windshield that they are being used with.
• Thus, there remains a need for a vehicle sunshade which is relatively quick and easy to install, and to collapse or fold into a shape or configuration which may be stored safely and compactly in a vehicle. There also remains a need for a vehicle sunshade whose size can be varied to fit windshields of different sizes.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
• The objectives of the present invention can be accomplished by providing a sunshade that has a shade and at least two supports, with each support having a second end that is coupled to the shade at spaced-apart locations thereof. The sunshade also has a connector coupled to the first end of each support, the connector having a central portion that has a groove, and a leaf for coupling the first end of each support. The leaf is hingedly connected to the central portion by an integral thin section and has a locking member fitted inside the groove to hold the leaf at a fixed position with respect to the central portion.
• The present invention also provides a sunshade that has a shade and at least two supports, with one end of each support coupled to the shade at spaced-apart locations thereof, and each support having an adjustable length.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sunshade for a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention adapted to fit across a complete windscreen.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the sunshade ofFIG. 1 shown in a partly collapsed condition.
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the sunshade ofFIG. 1 shown in a fully collapsed condition.
• FIG. 4 is a plan view of a sunshade according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
• FIGS. 5a,5band5care cross-sectional views of the connectors and the supports for the sunshade ofFIG. 1 shown in the collapsed condition, fully expanded condition, and partly expanded condition, respectively.
• FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the connector ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the connector ofFIG. 6 taken along line A-A.
• FIGS. 8aand8bare cross-sectional and plan views, respectively, of a connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
• FIGS. 9aand9bare cross-sectional and plan views, respectively, of a connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIGS. 10aand10bare side and plan views, respectively, of a connector according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 10cis a perspective view of a sunshade utilizing the connector ofFIGS. 10aand10b.
• FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the connector ofFIGS. 10aand10b.
• FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate how a combination of the sunshade ofFIGS. 10 and 11 can be configured to cover larger areas.
• FIGS. 13A-13C illustrate sunshades similar to the sunshade ofFIGS. 10 and 11, but having different shapes and number of leaves in their connectors.
• FIG. 14 illustrates a sunshade similar to the sunshade ofFIGS. 10 and 11, but having a plurality of connectors.
• FIGS.15A and15B-illustrate the use of suction cups with the sunshade ofFIGS. 10 and 11.
• FIGS. 16A-16C illustrate how the sunshade ofFIGS. 10 and 11 can be converted into an umbrella.
• FIG. 17 illustrates another modification that can be made to the sunshade ofFIGS. 10 and 11.
• FIGS. 18A and 18B are side views illustrating a modification that can be made to the connector ofFIGS. 10aand10b.
• FIGS. 18C and 18D are top views of the connector ofFIGS. 18A and 18B, respectively.
• FIG. 19 illustrates a modification that can be made to the supports of the sunshade ofFIG. 10c.
• FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a sunshade utilizing the support ofFIG. 19.
• FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a sunshade utilizing a different support.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
• FIG. 1 illustrates acollapsible sunshade1 located between a vehicle windscreen2 and twosun visors3. Thesunshade1 includes a plurality ofsupports4, each having anouter end6 and aninner end5. Eachsupport4 can be a rod made of a relatively stiff material, such as sprung steel, fiberglass, or plastic. Eachouter end6 is connected to acollapsible shade7 which is adapted to abut the windscreen2 and is held in its expanded configuration by thesupports4. Theshade7 can be a thin sheet material having a slight elasticity and good shielding properties, such as a fabric cloth of natural, synthetic or blend fiber, plastic film or sheet, metal foil, TYVEK™ spunbonded olefin, or a laminate material. Theshade7 can also be provided in a meshed material or fabric to allow some visibility therethrough. A reflective coating or film can be provided on the top surface of theshade7 to reflect sunlight and repel heat radiation.
• The inner ends5 of thesupports4 are connected at aconnector10, which is attached to theshade7. The details of theconnector10 will be described in greater detail below in connection withFIGS. 5a,5b,5c,6 and7. In this embodiment, theshade7 also functions to resiliently bias theconnector10 in either direction away from an unstable equilibrium configuration of thesupports4 relative to each other when theconnector10 is in a position approximately co-planar with at least two of the outer ends6, as described in greater detail hereinbelow.
• In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, fourrods4 are provided to support a generallyrectangular shade7. Eachouter end6 of eachrod4 is attached to theshade7 by the formation of a small generallytriangular pocket8 at each corner of theshade7. An attachment mechanism is provided inside eachpocket8 to prevent theouter end6 from being inadvertently removed from thepocket8 when thesunshade1 is in its collapsed condition. Such attachment mechanisms can include a thread (not shown) attached to theshade7 and passed through a bore (not shown) provided in thesupport4 adjacent itsouter end6.
• Referring now toFIGS. 6 and 7, theinner end5 of eachsupport4 is located in theconnector10. Theconnector10 may be made of a relatively hard material, such as plastic. Theconnector10 can be made from twoseparate housing pieces10aand10bthat are connected together.Connector10 includes acavity12 andgroove13, with eachinner end5 positioned within agroove13. Eachcavity12 andgroove13 is formed by gaps provided in and between the twohousing pieces10aand10b. Afoot14 and asegment15 of eachinner end5 are received withincavity12 andgroove13 of theconnector10, respectively. Only the end portion of eachcavity12 can be seen inFIG. 6, and is illustrated by the empty space designated by the numeral11.
• Thefoot14 is angled with respect to themain segment15 ofsupport4, and in the present embodiment is generally right-angled (i.e., about ninety degrees). Thefoot14 is contained within the correspondingly shapedcavity12 inconnector10 and is retained as a result of the limited movement permitted of thesegment15 in the plane of theconnector10 against the wall of thegroove13.Cavity12 therefore forms a hinged connection betweenconnector10 andsupport4.
• As best illustrated inFIG. 7, in use, eachfoot14 of eachinner end5 is retained in acavity12 of theconnector10. InFIG. 7, thefoot14 of the left support4aprotrudes out of the page towards the reader, whereas thefoot14 of theright support4bextends into the page. When the shade is moved from the expanded state shown inFIG. 5bto the collapsed state shown inFIG. 5a, eachsupport4 rotates out of thegroove13 by being moved by a user holding the connector10 (or knob16) with one hand and one of thesupports4 with the other, thereby rotatingfoot14 withincavity12. Thesupports4 move away from the plane of the connector10 (as shown inFIG. 5b) towards each other to a perpendicular position with respect to the plane of theconnector10, to collapse the shade (as shown inFIG. 5a). In the collapsed state,segments15 of eachsupport4 protrude out of the page towards the reader, with reference toFIG. 6, and the outer ends6 of thesupports4 have moved towards each other.
• Similarly, as the shade is moved from its collapsed state to the expanded state, thesupport4 rotates towardsgroove13, thereby rotatingfoot14 withincavity12 in the opposite direction, untilsegment15 meetsinner surface17 of theconnector10. Further rotation of the support in this direction is limited by abutment ofsegment15 of thesupport4 against theinner surface17 ofhousing piece10a. As illustrated inFIG. 7,segment15 is positioned withingroove13 formed byhousing piece10b.Housing piece10aformsinner surface17 that acts as a stop against whichsegment15 abuts when the shade is expanded as illustrated inFIG. 5b. Aknob16 extends from the top ofconnector10, and can be used by a user to grip theconnector10 to collapse thesunshade1 from its expanded position.
• FIGS. 5a,5band5cillustrate theconnector10 at the different positions assumed by thesunshade1. Theshade7 is fixedly connected to the outer ends6 at a position such that theshade7 is not fully stretched in the position shown inFIG. 5bor5c, but is substantially stretched when thesunshade1 is in the unstable equilibrium configuration, which is a position where thesupports4 are parallel and generally co-planar to each other (i.e., between the positions shown inFIGS. 5band5c). InFIG. 5a, thesunshade1 is in its fully collapsed position and thesupports4 are shown with theirouter ends6 relatively close together. In this embodiment, the bottom ofsurface17 ofportion13 acts as a stop to limit movement ofouter ends6 away from each other, as shown inFIG. 5b. InFIG. 5b, theshade7 is resiliently biasing the outer ends6 towards each other and the bottom surfaces17 on the twoportions13 shown represent the stop. InFIG. 5c, thesunshade1 is shown at an intermediate position shortly before a “first” position at which the shade7 (as a resilient biasing element) starts to resist further movement of theconnector10 from the right to the left as shown by the arrow B.
• Thus, thesunshade1 may be deployed by gripping the connector10 (such as at the grip16), and then moving theconnector10 through a first position (shown inFIG. 5c) at which theshade7 begins to resist continued movement in the same direction of theconnector10, then through a second position of unstable equilibrium of theshade7 and supports4 relative to each other (betweenFIGS. 5band5c), and then to a third stable or deployed position (shown inFIG. 5b) resulting in cooperation between the stop (i.e., bottom of surface17) and theshade7. In the third position, thesunshade1 is in an expanded position supported by thesupports4, with the outer ends6 closer to the windscreen than theconnector10. Thesunshade1 can be collapsed by reversing the above steps; in particular, by applying force to cause the shade to pass through the unstable equilibrium position and subsequently, the first position, until thesunshade1 is collapsed to the configuration shown inFIG. 5a.
• FIG. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of a sunshade according to the present invention that is similar to the embodiment ofFIG. 1, in which theshade7 is in its expanded condition. Thesupports4 are positioned withinlongitudinal pockets18 that are affixed to theshade7. Theconnector10 is illustrated generically by a circle, but has the same structure asconnector10 described above in connection withFIGS. 5a,5b,5c,6 and7. The dashed lines between the outer ends6 indicates the lines of tension in theshade7 created by the outer ends6 and the resilient biasing of theshade7 that urge theconnector10 into the page towards theshade7. The portions of theshade7 outside the dashed lines are thus less firmly held or tensioned.
• FIGS. 8aand8billustrate an alternative construction for theconnector10, identified by the numeral20. In this embodiment, resilient sleeves26 (such as synthetic or natural rubber or a spring) includes a resilient material located between inner ends25 of thesupports24. Acentral portion21 ofconnector20 is located between theresilient sleeves26. Eachsleeve26 also forms a hinge, and thesurface22 provides a stop to limit rotation of thesupports24.
• FIGS. 9aand9billustrate yet another alternative construction for theconnector10, identified by the numeral30. In theconnector30, the inner ends35 of thesupports34 are connected by a resilient strip ofmaterial36, which can take the form of a V-shaped strip of sprung steel. The resilient strip ofmaterial36 operates to resiliently bias theconnector30 so that the inner ends35 of thesupports34 are urged apart in the second position (i.e., unstable equilibrium position). Thus, it is possible to manufacture twoadjacent supports34 as a single piece, connected at their inner ends35. Theconnector30 has a planar surface which acts as a stop surface.
• FIGS. 10a,10b,10cand11 illustrate yet a further alternative construction for theconnector10, identified as40. Theconnector40 is illustrated inFIG. 10awith the left side of theconnector40 shown in the expanded position of the sunshade, and with the right side of theconnector40 shown in the collapsed position of the sunshade. This position is for illustration only and would not be used in normal use. Theconnector40 has a quadrilateralcentral portion41 with four generally triangular hinged leaves43, each of which has one side which is hingedly connected to thecentral portion41 by a respective integral relativelythin section42. Eachthin section42 forms a separate hinge for theconnector40. Thus, thecentral portion41 forms one leaf of each hinge and the other leaf of the hinge is formed by anexternal leaf43. Eachexternal leaf43 further includes abore43a, shown in phantom inFIG. 10c, that is perpendicular to thehinge42. Thebore43areceives aninner end45 of asupport44. The supports44 are held within each bore43aby the tension in theshade7 which is attached to both the outer ends of thesupports44 and to the central portion41 (on the other side ofconnector40 from the collapsing knob46). Theshade7 is provided in a material that provides some elasticity, so that theshade7 can operate to resiliently bias theconnector40 in either direction away from the unstable equilibrium position. The opposing end faces oredges48 of thecentral portion41, on the one hand, and face oredge49 of eachexternal leaf43, on the other hand, abut to form a stop. Thus, eachleaf43 is able to rotate relative to thecentral portion41 about thehinge42 in one direction (i.e., away from theknob46 or in the downward direction inFIG. 10a), but the abutment of the opposed parallel faces48 and49 prevents rotation in the opposite direction (i.e., in the upward direction inFIG. 10a) during normal use. Theconnector40 can be made of a relatively hard material such as a plastic or metal.
• The operation of theconnector40 is better illustrated in connection withFIG. 11. Two opposingleaves43 are illustrated in the context of thecentral portion41. Theleaf43 on the left side ofFIG. 11 is shown in two different positions: theleaf43 is shown in solid lines in a horizontal position (i.e., the unstable equilibrium position of the sunshade1), and in dashed lines in the third stable or deployed position with the opposing faces48 and49 in abutment with each other. When in the third stable or deployed position, theleaf43 is displaced from the horizontal position by an angle AN of approximately three to ten degrees. Thus, as illustrated inFIG. 11, when theleaf43 passes the unstable equilibrium position, it is retained in the third stable or deployed position until a force (in the downward direction inFIG. 11) is applied to cause theleaf43 to pass the unstable equilibrium position again. The resilience of theshade7 assists in retaining theleaf43 and theshade7 in the third stable or deployed position.
• In use, thesunshades1 of the present invention are adapted to be positioned between asun visor3 and the windscreen2 of a vehicle along the upper edge of thesunshade1, and to be positioned along the dashboard at the lower edge of thesunshade1. WhileFIG. 1 illustrates thesunshade1 as covering the entire windscreen2; it is also possible to provide a plurality ofsunshades1 to cover a windscreen2, window or other area. For example,FIG. 12A illustrates the deployment of twosunshades1 in a side-by-side manner to cover a windscreen2.FIG. 12B illustrates the deployment of threesunshades1 in a side-by-side manner.FIG. 12C illustrates the deployment of four sunshades1 (two rows of twosunshades1, one row above the other row) that are configured to cover a larger area.
• In addition, the shape of thesunshade1 does not necessarily need to be rectangular. As illustrated in FIGS.13A-C, thesunshade1 can assume an oval or circular shape. Other shapes, such as trapezoidal, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, and irregular, can also be provided.
• Moreover, although theconnector40 inFIGS. 10 and 11 is illustrated as having fourleaves43, it is also possible to provide theconnector40 with any number ofleaves43, with eachleaf43 adapted to connect aseparate support44. For example,FIGS. 13B and 13C illustrateconnectors40 having six and threeleaves43, respectively. In these cases, the configuration of the connector must be adapted to provide the opposing stop surfaces between each leaf and the connector. For example, theconnector40ainFIG. 13A has a generally rectangular configuration with four sides, each side adapted to oppose a stop surface from one of the four leaves. Similarly, the connector40binFIG. 13B has a generally hexagonal configuration with six sides, each side adapted to oppose a stop surface from one of the six leaves. Moreover, the connector40cinFIG. 13C has a generally triangular configuration with three sides, each side adapted to oppose a stop surface from one of the three leaves.
• FIG. 14 illustrates that more than oneconnector40 can be provided to support thesunshade1. For example,FIG. 14 illustrates a sunshade having twoconnectors40dand40e, each having three leaves43. Two of theleaves43 of eachconnector40d,40eare connected to aseparate support44 that has its outer end attached to a corner of theshade7. Acentral support144 has opposing ends connecting the remainingleaf43 of eachconnector40d,40e. Eachconnector40dand40ecan assume a configuration that provides three sides, each side adapted to oppose a stop surface from one of the three leaves. One advantage with the provision of a plurality ofconnectors40 is that the support for theshade7 is improved while minimizing the number ofsupports44 that are used.
• It is also possible to affix thesunshade1 to a window, such as a side window of a vehicle, by using suction cups, VELCRO™ tags for attachment to grab handles, VELCRO™ strips, and the like. As shown inFIG. 15A, a suction cup50 can be connected to the connector40 (on the side of the knob46) to affix thesunshade1 to the window. Affixation through the use of the suction cup50 brings thesunshade1 closer to the window to allow thesunshade1 to be more effective in shading the interior of a vehicle.FIG. 15B illustrates the attachment ofsuction cups52 to theshade material7 in spaced-apart manner. Any number ofsuction cups50,52 can be provided, and at any location on theconnector40 and/or theshade7.
• FIGS. 16A-16C illustrate an alternative use for thesunshade1 of the present invention, in which thesunshade1 can be converted into an umbrella. This can be accomplished by providing theconnector40 without theknob46, and instead of theknob46, providing ahole54 on the same side of theconnector40 where theknob46 was originally positioned. To convert thesunshade1 into an umbrella, an end of a pole orshaft56 can be inserted into thehole54 and secured therein, as shown inFIGS. 16A and 16C. Alternatively, a pair of fabric straps may be provided, in for example, a sunshade with a quadrilateral connector, each attached to and joiningadjacent supports4 so as to act as a handle. The user's fingers pass through these fabric loops and allow the user to hold thesunshade1 in such a way that it prevents thesunshade1 from opening. Thesunshade1 can then be used as an umbrella by deploying it in the third stable position.
• FIG. 17 illustrates another modification that can be made to thesunshade1. InFIG. 17, thesunshade1 is illustrated as being deployed against a windscreen (not shown). Aside panel60 is attached to one side or edge62 of thesunshade1 by way of sewing or VELCRO™ tape. Theside panel60 may be made from the same material, or a different material as theshade7. Theside panel60 is adapted to cover an upper portion of avehicle seat64 when thesunshade1 is itself deployed against the windscreen. This is accomplished by resting anouter end66 of theside panel60 on top of a headrest (shown in phantom inFIG. 17) of theseat64.Outer end66 of theside panel60 my also be provided with elastic binding or a pocket (to accomodate the headrest) to assist in securing theouter end66 to the top of a headrest. When used in the manner, theside panel60 can be effective in protecting theseat64 from heat and sunlight (especially if theseat64 is upholstered in leather), and in shielding objects placed on theseat64 from external view of passer-bys.
• Thesunshade1 of the present invention can be used in applications other than merely shading the interior of an automobile. For example, it can be converted for use as an umbrella, as described in connection withFIGS. 16A-16C. As another example, thesunshade1 can be used as a photographic reflector by providing a reflective film or cover on the inside (i.e., the bottom side of theshade7 as designated by “IN” inFIG. 5a) of theshade7.
• FIGS. 18A-18D illustrate a modification that can be made to theconnector40 ofFIGS. 10-11. Theconnector40ainFIGS. 18A-18D is essentially the same as theconnector40 ofFIGS. 10-11 except for the differences noted hereinbelow. Therefore, the same numeral designations are used inFIGS. 10-11 and18A-18D where possible except that an “a” has been added to the designations inFIGS. 18A-18D.
• FIGS. 18A and 18B are side views of a portion of thecentral portion41aand oneleaf143 of theconnector40a, whileFIGS. 18C and 18D are the top plan views corresponding to the views ofFIGS. 18A and 18B, respectively. Thecentral portion41aandleaf143 of theconnector40aare the same as thecentral portion41 andleaf43 of the connector40 (compare withFIG. 11), except that a fixing or lockingmember101 is provided along theinner edge49aof theleaf143, and acorresponding groove102 is provided in thetop surface99 and opposing edge48aof thecentral portion41afacing theinner edge49aof theleaf143. The lockingmember101 can take the form of a protrusion or tongue having an enlargedrounded end100. Thegroove102 can have the same configuration and size as the lockingmember101 to accomodate the lockingmember101.
• In operation, theconnector40aand itssupports44aoperate in the same manner as theconnector40 and itssupports44. However, the lockingmember101 and groove102 allow theleaves143 to be held in the third stable or deployed position (or even in the unstable equilibrium position) without relying on the resilience of theshade7. In this regard,FIGS. 18B and 18D illustrate theconnector40awhen thesunshade1 is in its fully collapsed position (such as inFIG. 5a). When thesunshade1 is deployed, theleaves143 are hinged upwardly about thethin sections42aand each lockingmember101 is fitted inside itscorresponding groove102, as shown inFIGS. 18A and 18C. Theenlarged end100 of the lockingmember101 retains the lockingmember101 inside thegroove102. To fold and collapse thesunshade1, the user merely pushes thesupports44adownwardly to cause the lockingmember101 to be disengaged from thegroove102.
• FIG. 19 illustrates a modification that can be made to thesupports44 ofFIGS. 10-11. Thesupport44binFIG. 19 is essentially the same as thesupport44 ofFIGS. 10-11 except for the differences noted hereinbelow. Therefore, the same numeral designations are used inFIGS. 10-11 and19 for thesupport44 where possible except that a “b” has been added to the designations inFIG. 19.
• Thesupport44binFIG. 19 provides varying length so as to allow thesunshade1 of the present invention to be adjusted to different dimensions to fit different windshield sizes. Thesupport44bhas atube portion111 having aninner end45bthat is secured inside thebore43aof theleaf43. Thetube portion111 can be made of a plastic or a metal (e.g., aluminum) material. Part of thetube portion111 has a hollow interior which houses a resilient element113 (such as a spring). Theouter end114 of thetubular portion111 is open, so that theresilient element113 can be introduced through the openouter end114. In addition, aninner end115 of a bar112 (such as a metal bar) is also inserted through the openouter end114 and extends in the hollow interior of thetube portion111 to contact or engage theresilient element113. Theinner end115 can be enlarged to ensure that it is securely retained (e.g., by friction fit) inside thetubular portion111. Theouter end116 of thebar112 is secured inside apocket8 at each corner of theshade7. After theresilient element113 and theinner end115 of thebar112 have been inserted through theouter end114, theouter end114 can be indented to prevent theresilient element113 and theinner end115 of thebar112 from slipping outside thetubular portion111.
• In use, theresilient element113 naturally biases thebar112 radially outwardly so that the overall length of thesupport44bcan be adjusted. In particular, theresilient element113 has a maximum length which is attained when theresilient element113 is allowed to extend freely without the application of any counterbiasing force. Therefore, theresilient element113 would naturally bias thebar112 as far outwardly in the radial direction unless this bias is restricted. By adjusting the length of thesupports44b, the overall size (i.e., width and height) of thesunshade1 can be adjusted.
• FIG. 20 illustrates asunshade1bthat utilizes theconnector40 ofFIGS. 10-11 and thesupport44bofFIG. 19. To deploy thesunshade1b, thesunshade1bis positioned within the confines of the automobile windshield. Theresilient element113 will naturally bias thebar112 radially outwardly until theouter end116 of thebar112 abuts a corner of the frame of the windshield. This abutment will prevent the further radial bias of theresilient element113, but also functions to provide a snug fit of thesunshade1bwithin the confines of the frame of the windshield. The material of theshade7bwill be folded or wrinkled as thebar112 is radially extended to provide the necessary cover for the windshield. In one embodiment, twooptional fold lines120 and121 (in phantom) can be provided on either side of theconnector40 so that theshade7bcan be folded in along these twofold lines120 and121 so as to shorten the span or width of theshade7b.
• FIG. 21 illustrates another way of utilizing adjustable supports with ashade7 to create a sunshade. Thesupport44cinFIG. 21 is essentially the same as thesupport44bofFIG. 19 except for the differences noted hereinbelow. Therefore, the same numeral designations are used inFIGS. 19 and 21 for thesupports44band44cwhere possible except that a “c” has been added to the designations inFIG. 21. Thesunshade1cofFIG. 21 does not have anyconnector40, but instead has twoadjustable supports44c. Eachsupport44cextends from one corner (e.g.,125) of theshade7cto an opposing diagonal corner (e.g.,126) of theshade7c. Eachsupport44chas a centraltubular portion111cwith two opposing open ends114c. A resilient element113cis received inside the hollow interior of thetubular portion111c, and onebar112cextends from inside eachopen end114cradially outwardly towards acorner125 or126. The twosupports44ccross or intersect each other at about the center of thesunshade1c, and do not need to be attached or coupled to each other.
• The width and height of thesunshade1ccan be adjusted by varying the length of some or all of the fourbars112c. For example, thebars112cfor eachsupport44con oneside127 of thesunshade1ccan be adjusted without adjusting thebars112cfor eachsupport44con theother side128. As another example, all fourbars112ccan be adjusted.
• Finally, those skilled in the art will appreciate that any of the principles illustrated herein can be combined. As a non-limiting example, theconnector40aofFIGS. 18A-18D can be used together with thesupports44bor44cofFIG. 19 or21.
• While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims (9)

1-19. (canceled)

20. A sunshade, comprising:

a shade; and

at least two supports, each support having a length, a first end and a second end, with the second end of each support coupled to the shade at spaced-apart locations thereof, each support having an adjustable length; and

a single connector coupled to the shade, with the first end of each support coupled to the same connector.

21. The device ofclaim 20, wherein each support has a resilient element and bar coupled thereto, with the bar including the second end.

22. The device ofclaim 21, wherein each support further includes a tubular portion having a hollow interior that houses the resilient element.

23. The device ofclaim 21, wherein each resilient element is coupled to the first end of each support.

24. The device ofclaim 20, wherein the shade is adapted to assume an unstable equilibrium position in which the supports and the shade are substantially coplanar with the connector, a collapsed position when the shade and supports are on one side of the unstable equilibrium position in which the shade is folded, and a deployed position when the shade and supports are on the other side of the unstable equilibrium position in which the supports and the shade are expanded.

25. The device ofclaim 20, wherein the connector has a central portion, and one leaf for coupling the first end of each support, with the leaf hingedly connected to the central portion by an integral thin section.

26. The device ofclaim 25, wherein the leaf has a locking member, and the central portion has a groove, with the locking member fitted inside the groove to hold the leaf at a fixed position with respect to the central portion.

27. A sunshade, comprising:

a shade;

at least two supports, each support having a length, a first end and a second end, each support further comprising a rigid portion having a free end, and a resilient portion having a free end connected to the free end of the rigid portion, with the second end of each support coupled to the shade at spaced-apart locations thereof, each support having an adjustable length; and

wherein the first and second supports overlap each other.

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