Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Glare screen or visor
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-20
2001-05-08
Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Glare screen or visor
C296S097800, C296S097110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227601
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns generally a sunshield for installation in a vehicle. In particular, the present invention is directed to a manually and automatically controlled motor driven sunshield for automotive vehicles, wherein the present invention is installed in a motor vehicle featuring a windshield and a roof covering the driver and passenger seating area, and wherein such vehicle features an electrical system, an ignition key control system, an automatic transmission system, and a roof system covering the driver and passenger seating area, all such systems in communication therewith. For example, the present invention, powered by the vehicle's electrical system and attached to the interior of the roof, provides a motor driven shield that automatically deploys to cover the interior surface of the vehicle windshield when the transmission lever is in PARK position and the ignition key is turned off. Conversely, when the ignition key is turned on and the transmission lever is placed in NEUTRAL, DRIVE or REVERSE position, the motor driven shield automatically retracts to allow safe, unrestricted visibility through the windshield. Although the present invention is automatically controlled by communication with the ignition key system and the automatic transmission system, the shield additionally may be retracted or deployed when the transmission is in PARK position, through manual operation of a momentary contact switch. When extended to cover the windshield and the ignition key removed, the present invention, in conjunction with a security system, obscures driver visibility through the windshield, providing some deterrence to unauthorized operation of the automobile.
2. Description of Related Art
Manually placed and adjusted sunshields for temporarily covering the windshield of an automotive vehicle are nearly ubiquitous, available in a plethora of shapes, sizes, and colors, providing ample testimony for the need to protect the dashboard of contemporary motor vehicles. Unfortunately, forgetfulness on the part of the motor vehicle operator often results in an overheated vehicle or, worse, a damaged dashboard, when the simple, manually placed sunshield is absent from its intended position. U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,844 “AUTO WINDOW SHADE” and U.S. Pat. No. 4,886,104 “WINDOW SHADE APPARATUS” are incorporated herein by reference for the purpose of indicating the mature state of the art for providing a temporary sunshade for covering the windshield and protecting the dashboard and interior of a motor vehicle.
In addition to providing protection from the sun's rays traveling through the windshield, other inventions disclose sunshields for the side windows and sunroof of motor vehicles. U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,220 “SUNSHADE ASSEMBLEY OF MOTOR VEHICLE” is incorporated herein by reference for the purpose of indicating the mature state of the art for providing a sunshade for use with a sun roof construction of a motor vehicle.
SUMMARY
An object of the present invention is to provide a permanently installed, motor driven sunshield to prevent potentially damaging solar radiation from passing through the windshield and entering the interior of an automotive vehicle. A further object of the present invention is to provide both manual and automatic operation of the motor driven sunshield. For example, the sunshield automatically fully deploys when transmission is placed in PARK and the ignition key turned off; subsequently, the sunshield can be partially or fully retracted with a manually operated momentary contact switch while in the PARK mode; and the sunshield automatically fully retracts when the ignition key is turned on and the transmission placed in NEUTRAL, DRIVE or REVERSE. Another object of the present invention is to provide a securable sunshield mechanism that deters unauthorized operation of the sunshield.
The present invention relieves the motorist, particularly those motorists driving in sunny regions, from having to place and subsequently remove from the interior of the windshield a simple fabric or paper product sun shield. The popularity of these inexpensive sun shields is demonstrated by their ubiquity in the South and Southwest regions. However, these inexpensive devices do deteriorate and wear out. The present invention is intended for permanent installation.
Manual placement and removal of the inexpensive sunshields is time consuming and sometimes inconvenient; consequently, motorists, confronted with the dilemma of whether to place the inexpensive sunshield, often opt not to place the device, particularly on a cloudy or overcast day. Unfortunately, the motorist may often return to the vehicle, chagrined to find the bright rays of a sunny day entering the unprotected windshield, heating the interior of the vehicle and potentially damaging the dashboard. The present invention automatically deploys when the ignition key is turned off, removing this vexation to the motorist.
The slats of the present invention may be fabricated from a strong material, such as metal or polycarbonates. Use of a tough, resilient slat material, in conjunction with a security locking system for the deployment and retraction control mechanism, can deter unauthorized operation of the present invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4867220 (1989-09-01), Matsumoto
patent: 4886104 (1989-12-01), Eldridge
patent: 4929014 (1990-05-01), Clark et al.
patent: 5038844 (1991-08-01), Edmonds et al.
patent: 5560668 (1996-10-01), Li
patent: 5746469 (1998-05-01), Nonaka
patent: 5947544 (1999-09-01), Hubeshi
patent: 6086133 (2000-07-01), Alonso
patent: 6095231 (2000-08-01), Hahn
Dayoan D. Glenn
Engle Patricia
Stanford, Jr. George E.
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