Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Tops – Cover
Utility Patent
1999-02-22
2001-01-02
Pape, Joseph D. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Tops
Cover
C296S095100
Utility Patent
active
06168225
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to automobile accessories and, more particularly, to automobile windshield covers.
2. Description of the Related Art
Automobiles typically have front, rear and side windshields and these windshields can be the source of a number of problems. During the summer, when the sun beats down on automobiles for long periods of time, the windshields allow ultraviolet radiation to penetrate automobile interiors. As a result, the air temperature within automobiles will often rise to unbearable levels and devices such as the steering wheel can become too hot to touch. The ultraviolet radiation can also damage dashboards, upholstery, and items left within the automobile.
During the winter, frost, snow and ice must be cleared from the windshield prior to driving. Removing frost, snow and ice is a difficult and time consuming task which must be performed in cold conditions, often when the driver is in a hurry, such as in the morning when leaving home to go to work. This problem is compounded when the driver is unprepared and does not have an ice scraper or snow brush. Even moisture from mist and rain, which can build up on windshields while an automobile is parked and limit visibility, will create a safety hazard because windshield wipers do not remove the moisture from the side and rear windshields or those portions of the front windshield out of their reach.
Automobile covers, which are sheets of plastic or fabric material that cover an entire automobile, are one proposed solution to the aforementioned problems. Although useful, the inventor herein has determined that automobile covers are inconvenient because a significant amount of effort is required to place such covers over automobiles and remove them therefrom. Additionally, snow must be removed from the cover before the cover can be removed from the automobile.
The ubiquitous cardboard automobile shade, which can be positioned adjacent the inner surface of a windshield, is a prior attempt to prevent the deleterious effects of the summertime sun. The inventor herein has determined that such shades are inconvenient because once the driver enters the automobile, he or she must remove the relatively large shade from the windshield area, fold it and then find a place to store it. In those instances where there are other passengers in the automobile, the driver must exit the automobile and place the shade in the trunk.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The inventor herein has determined that a need exists for a better solution to the aforementioned problems. Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a device that prevents ultraviolet radiation from penetrating automobile interiors through the windshields and also prevents frost, snow, ice, mist and rain from building up on windshields. Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which performs these functions in a manner that is more convenient than those devices introduced heretofore.
In order to accomplish some of these and other objectives, a device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of a present invention includes a housing adapted to be secured to an automobile roof and a canopy movable between a retracted position substantially aligned with the housing and an extended position substantially aligned with the windshield. An actuation device that is adapted to drive the canopy between the retracted and extended positions may be provided. Alternatively, or in addition, the device may be configured for manual deployment of the canopy. In certain preferred embodiments, the device includes two canopies—one for the front windshield and one for the rear windshield.
The present invention provides a more useful solution to the aforementioned problems than has been introduced heretofore. For example, the canopy can be easily deployed to the extended position, either manually or by way of an actuation device. So deployed, the canopy will prevent ultraviolet radiation from penetrating the automobile via the windshield. Thus, the present invention prevents the temperature within an automobile from rising to unbearable levels and also prevents damage dashboards, upholstery, and items left within the automobile in a manner that is more convenient for the driver than conventional automobile shades.
The deployed canopy will also conveniently prevent frost, snow, ice, mist and rain from building up on the windshield. When the driver approaches the automobile, the canopy can be manually retracted or, if included, an actuation device can be used to retract the canopy, thereby exposing a windshield that is free of frost, snow, ice, mist and rain. As such, drivers can avoid the difficult and time consuming task of clearing frost, snow, ice, mist and rain from the windshield.
The preferred embodiment may also include a mechanism for preventing movement of the deployed canopy, thereby locking it in the deployed position. As prospective automobile thieves will be less likely to attempt to steal an automobile with an obstructed windshield, the present invention provides a useful theft deterrent.
In other preferred embodiments, the device also includes side canopies that cover the side windshields. Such side canopies provide additional protection and convenience. Moreover, an embodiment of the present invention that includes front, rear and side canopies will also reduce the likelihood that thieves will break into the car because, absent the present canopies, thieves will be able to spot valuable items that have been left within a parked automobile by simply looking through one of the windshields.
The above described and many other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the invention becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Deng David
Lei Dai
Deng David
Henricks Slavin & Holmes LLP
Pape Joseph D.
Patel Kiran
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