CN217415428U - Sun shield - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a sun visor 10 for removable attachment to a window or windshield, the sun visor 10 including a first layer 20 and a second layer 30. The first layer 20 and the second layer 30 are placed on top of each other and connected by means of a joining device 40. The first layer 20 comprises a polymeric film capable of holding an electrostatic charge for attaching the sun visor 10 to the surface 1 of a window or windshield. The second layer 30 includes an ultraviolet filter for reducing the amount of electromagnetic waves passing through the sun visor 10.

Description

Sun shield

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a sunshading board. More particularly, the present invention relates to a removable sun visor for a window having an electrostatic attachment and optionally an air purification function.

Background

Sunscreens are commonly used when something or someone needs to protect them from the energy of the sun or other source of intense electromagnetic radiation. This includes the visible spectrum to protect against electromagnetic waves or radiation and more importantly the invisible spectrum to protect against electromagnetic waves such as Infrared (IR) and Ultraviolet (UV) and the like. Infrared radiation can cause heat build-up, and Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause sun burns and eye damage.

Currently available solutions include visors attached by hooks or suction cups that are glued to the surface of the glass pane of the window. This presents a number of problems. Visors with hooks can be used only on open windows, can be fixed only on top of the window pane adjoining the window frame, and usually require additional fixings to prevent unwanted movement. The suction cups obstruct the visibility so that the sun visor is only suitable for side windows. Also, over time, the suction cup may lose its sealing ability, causing the suction cup to lose suction and the suction cup to fall from the window. Since the suction cup is fixed on a small area, the adhesion force at this point must be relatively strong. Thus, the suction cups can be difficult to remove and often leave unsightly marks on the glass of the pane to which the sun visor is attached. The depth of the suction cup also means that in situations where space is limited, there may not be sufficient clearance for the shade to be installed due to items in the local environment. Furthermore, if the window needs to be opened, the visor needs to be removed. When hooks are used, they can damage the seal of the window and are only suitable for windows with soft seals. It is certainly not suitable for windows of aircraft, nor for large windows. The visor is also only held firmly at the point where the suction cup or hook is attached, which may cause the visor to move, which may be uncomfortable for the driver, pilot or passenger.

There are also sun visors that enclose a window attached to an openable door, such as a vehicle door. Such a sun visor functions like a stocking and has a portion outside the door that may be scratched or torn by external factors. In the case of a door, the portion outside the vehicle may become wet and dirty in bad weather.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention seek to provide a visor having a low profile which is easily removable but safe when in place. The sun visor optionally has an air purifying function.

In a preferred embodiment, the visor is for removable attachment to a surface of a window or a windshield, the visor comprising a first layer and a second layer on top of each other and engagement means for attaching the first layer and the second layer together, the first layer comprising a polymer film capable of retaining an electrostatic charge, wherein the electrostatic charge is for attaching the visor to the surface of the window or the windshield, and the second layer comprising an ultraviolet filter for reducing the amount of electromagnetic waves passing through the visor.

The first layer attaches the visor to the surface of the window or windshield but can still be easily removed by hand without leaving marks or residue. Thus, the first layer securely but removably attaches the visor conveniently to the window. Since the first layer is attached to the window by electrostatic effects, the sun visor will not lose attachment strength in repeated attachment and removal cycles, and since no adhesive is used it can be easily removed for cleaning and washing without losing any attachment strength.

The second layer protects the user or item from damage caused by Ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The Ultraviolet (UV) filter may block greater than 99% of long-wave Ultraviolet (UVA) radiation and medium-wave Ultraviolet (UVB) radiation. The second layer filters long and medium wave ultraviolet radiation while still allowing a line of sight through the visor.

Preferably, the sun visor comprises an air purifier.

Preferably, the air purifier includes an activated carbon material for adsorbing odor.

In an alternative embodiment, the air purifier may include titanium dioxide for providing sterilizing hydroxyl ions when exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

Thus, the air purifier may provide purified air around the sun visor. Sunscreens can remove or destroy odors and pathogens from the air.

Preferably, the polymer of the first layer is selected from low density polyethylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride or polyvinyl carbonate. These materials are capable of providing adhesive-free adhesion by electrostatic charge.

Preferably, the first layer and/or the second layer may be at least partially transparent. The transparent material transmits some or all of the percentage of visible wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, allowing a user to see through the visor while reducing the brightness of the sun or light source by reducing glare or providing a visor to improve the user's vision. By varying the percentage of visible light filtered by the first layer, the percentage of visible light filtered by the visor can be easily varied.

In an alternative embodiment, the first layer may be transparent. Transparent materials transmit visible wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation or effectively invariant light. Thus, sunscreens provide ultraviolet protection to the user in situations where excessive filtering of visible light through a transparent material is undesirable or illegal (e.g., on the front windshield of an automobile).

In an alternative embodiment, the first layer may be opaque. Thereby providing privacy and ultraviolet protection for the user behind the window.

In an alternative embodiment, the visor may block 50% -100% of visible electromagnetic waves.

The sun visor can be made to transmit or block any percentage of any wavelength of visible electromagnetic waves for different functions, allowing the invention to be adapted to different brightnesses of light or intensities of electromagnetic radiation.

Preferably, the second layer comprises a mesh. The mesh may be a fabric. The mesh may be woven.

The mesh allows the visible spectrum of the electromagnetic waves to pass through the second layer substantially unchanged, thereby allowing a user to see through the mesh. The woven mesh provides structure and simplicity as the filaments of the mesh will support each other and eliminate the need for any bonding between the filaments. Thus, the filaments can move sufficiently relative to each other to allow the mesh to move and conform to the surface in the fabric operation.

Preferably, the second layer comprises a polymer comprising benzene rings for absorbing ultraviolet radiation. The second layer may comprise a material such as polyester or the like. The benzene ring is a chemical structure that absorbs ultraviolet electromagnetic waves. Thus, materials containing benzene rings will filter ultraviolet radiation. Polyester is one such material.

Preferably, the engagement means is at or near the outer edge of the first and/or second layer. This ensures that the view through the sun visor is not obstructed by the engagement means and that the sun visor is suitable for use on a front windscreen of a vehicle.

Preferably, the joining means comprises an adhesive between the first and second layers and a suture extending through at least the first and second layers, or the joining means comprises a clip or clips comprising a discrete or continuous U-shaped channel having pointed ends between which the first and second layers are retained.

Preferably, the sun visor may comprise a frame for supporting the first and second layers. The frame may be flexible and resilient. The flexibility allows the visor to fold for easy storage and confirms that the visor will return to the desired manufactured form when removed from the reservoir. The manufacturing form may be substantially flat. Preferably, the frame may extend around most or all of the outer edge of the sun visor. Thereby, good support is provided for the first and second layers, while still allowing easy folding for storage.

Preferably, the frame further comprises an auxiliary member and encloses and overlaps the outer edges of the first and second layers, and the joining means comprises stitching which passes through the frame and through each of the first and second layers.

Drawings

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings having like reference numerals, in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a sun visor according to the present invention;

fig. 2 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of a sun visor according to the present invention comprising a frame;

fig. 3 is a schematic view of a third embodiment of a sun visor according to the present invention comprising a frame and a seam;

fig. 4 is a schematic view of a fourth embodiment of a sun visor according to the present invention comprising an air purifier; and

fig. 5 is a schematic view of a fifth embodiment of a sun visor according to the present invention, comprising an air purifier.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1, a first embodiment will now be described. The sun visor 10 can be seen adjacent to the surface 1. The surface 1 is a substantially smooth surface 1, such as a window pane 1 or a windscreen 1 of a vehicle. The sun visor 10 includes a first layer 20 for attaching the sun visor 10 to a surface 1 and a second layer 30 for filtering ultraviolet electromagnetic waves or radiation. The first layer 20 and the second layer 30 have the same outline in plan view (e.g., they are all rectangular, oblong, or circular), have the same dimensions, and are stacked on top of each other such that they share a common outer edge 22, 32. The first layer 20 and the second layer 30 are attached to each other by a joining means 40. The joining means 40 of fig. 1 is an adhesive joining the first layer 20 and the second layer 30 around the common outer edges 22, 32 of the layers 20, 30. When in use, the first layer 20 is adjacent to the surface 1 and the second layer 30 is on the opposite side of the first layer 20 to the surface 1.

The first layer 20 may be made of a polymer. The polymer is capable of holding an electrostatic charge. The electrostatic charge facilitates attachment of the sun visor 10 to the surface 1. The visor 10 may be attached to any surface 1 that is not a good conductor of electrical charge. The electrostatic charge held by the first layer 20 will induce an opposite charge in the surface 1 and thus cause the first layer 20 and the surface 1 to attract each other and stick together. Thus, only the electrostatic charge causes the sun visor 10 to attach to the surface 1. The sun visor 10 is attached to the surface 1 without adhesive. The first layer 20 may comprise any polymer capable of holding an electrostatic charge, however, in particular, low density polyethylene, cling film, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, and polyvinyl carbonate are suitable materials. The polymer of the first layer 20 may be elastic or stretchable. The first layer 20 may be a thin film of a polymer. A film is a thin piece of material. A variety of thicknesses between 10 μm and 1000 μm have been found suitable, with a range of 10 μm to 25 μm being found to be particularly effective and a preferred thickness of 15 μm.

The first layer 20 may be transparent such that it completely or almost completely transmits the visible spectrum of electromagnetic waves, which extends from about 380 nanometers to about 700 nanometers. The first layer 20 may be transparent or translucent, commonly referred to as colored, because some of the visible spectrum of electromagnetic waves is filtered by the first layer 20. All wavelengths of visible light may be equally filtered or certain wavelengths may be filtered to adjust the color of light passing through the sun visor 10. Any percentage transmission of visible wavelengths of electromagnetic waves is possible. In particular embodiments, first layer 20 may be opaque.

The second layer 30 comprises an ultraviolet filter for filtering ultraviolet electromagnetic waves or electromagnetic radiation. The second layer 30 may be continuous, such as a film, or it may comprise a mesh. The mesh may be a perforated sheet or film, or it may comprise a network of wires or filaments. The mesh may include woven filaments that may form a fabric. The ultraviolet filter may be made of any material capable of filtering, reflecting or blocking electromagnetic waves. In a preferred embodiment, the filter material is made of a material including a benzene ring for absorbing ultraviolet electromagnetic waves. A particularly suitable material is polyester. In an embodiment, the sun visor 10 removes at least 95% of both UVA radiation and UVB radiation. In a preferred embodiment, the sun visor 10 removes at least 99% of both UVA and UVB radiation. The film is a thin continuous sheet.

It is also possible to increase the uv protection by adding uv absorbing chemicals to the polymer material of the first layer 20.

Although fig. 1 shows the first layer 20 and the second layer 30 as having the same size and profile, either layer 20, 30 may extend beyond the outer edge of the other layer. The sun visor 10 may also include additional layers. The layers 20, 30 of the sun visor 10 function together to filter visible light. In a preferred embodiment, the sun visor 10 filters between 50% and 90% of visible light.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the sun visor 10 as shown in fig. 1, but for replacing the engagement means 40 and the additional frame 50. The frame 50 of fig. 2 is a U-shaped channel 52 made of an elastically deformable material, which U-shaped channel 52 also acts as the engagement means 40 by clamping the first layer 20 and the second layer 30 between sprung tips 54 of the U-shaped channel 52. The sprung tips 54 are naturally closer together than the thickness of the first and second layers 20, 30, causing the layers to be gripped when sandwiched between the sprung tips 54. The cavity of the U-shaped channel 52 faces inwardly in the direction of the layers 20, 30 and is in the same plane as the layers 20, 30.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the sun visor 10 as shown in fig. 1, but for replacing the engagement means 40 and the additional frame 50. The frame 50 of fig. 3 is a polymeric sheet or fabric folded around the edges of the first and second layers 20, 30 at the outer edges 22, 32 and overlapping the first and second layers 20, 30 such that the frame 50 encapsulates the outer edges 22, 32 of the first and second layers 20, 30. The layers 20, 30 are joined by a joining device 40 comprising stitching 70 passing through both the layers 20, 30 and the frame 50. Thus, in this case, the joining means 40 also joins the frame 50 to the first layer 20 and the second layer 30. The frame 50 also includes an auxiliary member 56 within the fold of polymer sheet or fabric. The auxiliary member 56 of fig. 3 is a wire.

The sun visor 10 comprises engagement means 40, which engagement means 40 secure the second layer 30 to the first layer 20. The engaging means 40 may be an adhesive as in fig. 1, a suture 70 as shown in fig. 3, or a clip or clips which may be in the form of a frame 50 as shown in fig. 2, or any other suitable engaging means 40. The clip or clips may be discrete or continuous and include a U-shaped channel 52, the U-shaped channel 52 being coplanar with and facing the first and second layers 20, 30 and housing the first and second layers within the U. The U-shaped channel includes tips 54, the tips 54 being closer together than the thickness of the first layer 20 and the second layer 30 such that the first layer 10 and the second layer 30 are held between the tips 54. Preferably, the engagement means 40 extends around the entire periphery of the layers 20, 30 of the sun visor 10. The bonding means 40 may directly bond the first layer 20 to the second layer 30, or if there are additional layers located between the first and second layers, for example, the bonding means 40 may indirectly bond the first layer 20 to the second layer 30. In a preferred embodiment, the engagement means 40 is at or near the outer edge 22, 32 of the first and/or second layers 20, 30 to ensure that the optical transparency of the visible spectrum of electromagnetic waves passing through the sun visor 10 is not compromised. The bonding device 40 may also bond the frame 50 to the first layer 20 and the second layer 30. In another preferred embodiment, the joining device 40 is a stitch 70 that connects the first layer 20, the second layer 30, and the frame 50.

The frame 50 may be attached at the outermost outer edges of the first and/or second layers 20, 30 and may be stiffer than the first and/or second layers 20, 30 in order to provide structural rigidity to the sun visor 10. The frame 50 maintains the sun visor 10 in a substantially flat form to facilitate assembly and removal, and to prevent the electrostatic first layer 20 of the sun visor 10 from attaching to itself. The material of the frame 50 may be a fabric, metal, or polymer and extends at least partially around the outer edges 22, 23 of the first and second layers 20, 30. The frame 50 also provides a convenient point for handling the sun visor 10 when assembling the sun visor 10 to the surface 1 and removing the sun visor 10 from the surface 1. In the preferred embodiment, the frame 50 extends around the entire outer edge of the sun visor 10. In another preferred embodiment, the frame 50 is wrapped or folded around the outer edges 22, 32 of the first and second layers 20, 30. The frame 50 may further include an auxiliary member 56, the auxiliary member 56 comprising a wire, plastic or other material filament within a U-shaped channel or fold of the frame 50 to provide rigidity and/or resiliency. The auxiliary member extends around the entire length or a part of the length of the frame 50. In a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary element 56 is a steel wire. Preferably, the auxiliary member 56 is made of spring steel of circular cross-section, but any material of any cross-section having the desired stiffness and/or elasticity may be used. In embodiments where the first layer 20 and/or the second layer 30 comprise a resilient material, the frame 50 may be larger than the outer edges of the first layer 20 and/or the second layer 30 when in its relaxed form, so as to provide tension to the layers 20, 30 of the sun visor 10 and a fixed shape to the sun visor 10 when the layers 20, 30 are joined to the frame 50 by the joining means 40. The frame 50 may be resilient for the sun visor 10 to remember and return to its desired planar or manufactured form after being folded for storage.

Fig. 4 and 5 include all of the features of fig. 1 and illustrate an embodiment of the sun visor 10 that includes an integrated air purifier 60. The air purifier 60 may or may not be part of the first layer 20 or the second layer 30. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment comprising an air purifier 60 in the second layer 30. Fig. 5 illustrates an embodiment in which the air purifier is not part of the first layer 20 or the second layer 30, but is a separate layer sandwiched between the first layer 20 and the second layer 30.

The integrated air purifier 60 is an integral part of the sunscreen 10 and removes harmful or unpleasant substances present in the ambient air by, for example, adsorbing or modifying them so that they are no longer captured in an unpleasant or harmful manner. In embodiments where the air purifier 60 is part of the first layer 20 or the second layer 30, the first layer 20 or the second layer 30 may be impregnated with the air purifier 60, the first layer 20 or the second layer 30 may be coated with the air purifier 60, or if included in the second layer 30, the air purifier 60 may be provided within a mesh of the second layer 30 or as filaments incorporated into the mesh of the second layer 30. In an embodiment, the air purifier 60 comprises activated carbon for adsorbing odor causing molecules from the air. In an alternative embodiment, the air purifier 60 comprises titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide is a photocatalyst that, when exposed to ultraviolet electromagnetic waves, such as those contained in sunlight, can cause the ambient air to decompose into hydroxyl radicals and superoxide ions. The hydroxyl groups have antibacterial and antiviral effects by destroying the molecular structure of pathogens. Superoxide ions cause small particles (such as viruses, etc.) to clump together and form clusters. Thus, they are rendered ineffective and removed from the atmosphere.

The first layer 20 is placed adjacent to the surface 1 to which the sun visor 10 is to be attached and in close proximity to the surface 1. The most effective bond is provided between the sun visor 10 and the surface 1 when the first layer 20 is in contact with the surface 1. When brought into proximity with the surface 1, the electrostatic charge of the first layer 20 induces an opposite charge in the surface 1, thereby creating an attractive force that holds the sun visor 10 to the surface 1. The electromagnetic wave passes through the surface 1 and enters the first layer 20. All or a portion of the electromagnetic wave passes through the first layer 20 according to the transparency of the first layer 20. The remaining electromagnetic waves then enter the second layer 30, where the ultraviolet filter may selectively remove unwanted wavelengths of the electromagnetic waves.

The benefit of the first layer 20 is that the sun visor 10 can be removed and reattached to the surface 1 multiple times without damaging the sun visor 10. Due to the absence of adhesive, dust and dirt will not adhere to the surface of the first layer 20 and, therefore, will not prevent the first layer 20 from being attachable to the sun visor 10 and will not reduce the optical transparency of light transmitted by the first layer 20. The first layer 20 can be wiped or cleaned without reducing or damaging the mounting strength of the sun visor 10.

The sun visor 10 of the present invention is particularly versatile in that the first layer 20 may be provided at a plurality of transparency levels at selected wavelengths or at all wavelengths of visible light depending on the application. In particular embodiments, the sun visor 10 provides an optically unobstructed view through the sun visor 10 to allow the sun visor 10 to be used on a windshield of an automobile or aircraft to block a driver or pilot. The sun visor 10 is also adapted to filter electromagnetic waves from other electromagnetic wave sources, such as a welding gun or the like. It should be noted that use with a welding torch would require a near-all-black filtration level to meet the 8EW CE to 12EW CE standards or equivalent.

Ultraviolet light includes electromagnetic waves of wavelengths in the range of 100nm-400nm, and is subdivided into three bands: UVA (315nm-400nm), UVB (280nm-315nm) and UVC (100nm-280 nm).

Any of the system features described herein may also be provided as method features, and vice versa. As used herein, device plus function features may be expressed interchangeably in terms of their respective structures.

In one aspect, any feature may be applied to other aspects in any suitable combination. In particular, method aspects may apply to system aspects, and vice versa. Furthermore, any, some, and/or all features of one aspect may be applied to any, some, and/or all features of any other aspect in any suitable combination.

It should also be understood that particular combinations of the different features described and defined in any aspect may be implemented and/or provided and/or used independently.

Claims (22)

1. A sun visor (10) for removable attachment to a surface (1) of a window or windshield, said sun visor (10) comprising a first layer (20) and a second layer (30), said first layer (20) and said second layer (30) being superposed on each other, and engagement means (40) for attaching said first layer (20) and said second layer (30) together, said first layer (20) comprising a polymer film capable of retaining an electrostatic charge, characterized in that: the polymer film is used for attaching the sun visor (10) to a surface (1) of the window or windscreen, and the second layer (30) comprises an ultraviolet filter for reducing the amount of electromagnetic waves passing through the sun visor (10).

2. The visor (10) of claim 1 further comprising an integrated air purifier (60).

3. The visor (10) of claim 2 wherein said air purifier (60) comprises an activated carbon material for adsorbing odors.

4. The visor (10) of claim 3 wherein said air purifier (60) comprises titanium dioxide for generating sterilizing hydroxyl ions when exposed to Ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

5. The visor (10) of claim 1 wherein said ultraviolet filter blocks more than 99% of long and medium wave Ultraviolet (UVA) radiation.

6. The visor (10) of claim 1 wherein said first layer (20) comprises one of the following polymeric materials: low density polyethylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride or polyvinyl carbonate.

7. The visor (10) of claim 1 wherein each of said first layer (20) and said second layer (30) is at least partially transparent.

8. The visor (10) of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said first layer (20) is at least partially transparent.

9. The visor (10) of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said first layer (20) is opaque.

10. The sun visor (10) according to claim 1 wherein said sun visor (10) blocks 50% to 100% of visible electromagnetic waves.

11. The visor (10) of claim 1 wherein said second layer (30) comprises a mesh.

12. The visor (10) of claim 1 wherein said second layer (30) comprises a woven mesh.

13. The visor (10) of claim 1 wherein said second layer (30) comprises a polymer comprising a benzene ring for absorbing Ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

14. The visor (10) of claim 1 wherein said second layer (30) comprises a polyester material.

15. The sun visor (10) according to claim 1, wherein said engagement means (40) is at or near an outer edge of said first layer (20) or said second layer (30).

16. The visor (10) of claim 15 wherein said engagement means (40) is an adhesive between said first layer (20) and said second layer (30).

17. The visor (10) of claim 16 wherein said engagement means (40) is a seam extending through at least said first layer (20) and said second layer (30).

18. The visor (10) of claim 17 wherein said engagement means (40) comprises a discrete or continuous U-shaped channel (52), said U-shaped channel (52) having a tip (54), said first layer (20) and said second layer (30) being held between said tips (54).

19. The sun visor (10) of claim 1 further comprising a frame (50) for supporting said first layer (20) and said second layer (30).

20. The visor (10) of claim 16 wherein the frame (50) is flexible and resilient.

21. A sun visor (10) according to any of claims 19 or 20, wherein said frame (50) comprises said engagement means (40).

22. The visor (10) of claim 18 wherein frame (50) further comprises an auxiliary member (56) and encloses and overlaps an outer edge of said first layer (20) and an outer edge of said second layer (30), and engaging means (40) comprises a seam (70), said seam (70) passing through said frame (50) and through each of said first layer (20) and said second layer (30).

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