GB2327653A

GB2327653A - Sun shades

Info

Publication number: GB2327653A
Application number: GB9715654A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derek Michael Foster
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-07-25
Filing date: 1997-07-25
Publication date: 1999-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 2017-07-25
Also published as: GB2327653B; GB9715654D0

Abstract

A sun shade 5, 5', particularly for use on an innermost side of a windscreen of a vehicle 110', comprises a sheet form member 10, 10' having first and second opposing surfaces 15, 15', 20, 20' the surfaces 15, 15', 20, 20' being spaced one from the other by at least one gap 25. The first and second surfaces 15, 15', 20, 20' are formed on respectively pleated first and second layer members 30,30',35,35'. A further pleated layer member 40 is provided intermediate the first and second layer members 30, 30', 35, 35' adjacent apices 60,65,70,75 of the pleats 40,50,55 being adhered such that the shade 5,5' is of an openably closable concertina form.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO SUN SHADES This invention relates to an improved sun shade, and in particular, though not exclusively, to such a shade adapted for use in a vehicle.

Various designs of sun shade are known. Particularly various forms of sun shade are presently used, normally in warm climates, to at least partially cover a window of a stationary vehicle. The sun shade is typically used on an inner surface of a windscreen of the vehicle to seek to avoid the inside of the vehicle from becoming uncomfortably warm when the vehicle is not in use. It is hoped by employing such a shade that upon returning to the vehicle a person or persons may find the inside of the vehicle to be at a cooler temperature than if the sun shade had not been used. Prior to driving the vehicle the person will remove the sun shade from the windscreen.

Presently, the most commonly known sun shade comprises an elongate cardboard member adapted for retention on an innermost side of a vehicle windscreen, the member having a plurality of substantially equally spaced substantially transverse vertical hinges formed in the cardboard allowing the sun shade to be folded when not in use. The transverse hinges are typically spaced by approximately lOOmm. This type of sun shade is available under the name "CLIPY" (Registered Trademark).

Another known type of sun shade comprises a plastic roller blind attachable to a windscreen, or the like, by a plurality of suckers. Yet another known type of sun shade comprises a metallic/aluminium sheet, which sheet may also provide a plurality of substantially transverse vertically spaced hinges. It is further known for people to resort to covering the outside of the windscreen with any available sheet material, e.g. woven material such as a towel or blanket.

It has been found that known sun shades do not perform as well as would be hoped.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the aforementioned disadvantage in the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a sun shade comprising a sheet form member having first and second opposing surfaces, the surfaces being spaced one from the other by at least one gap.

Preferably the at least one gap(s) is/are an air gap(s).

The first surface may be formed on a first layer member.

The second surface may be formed on a second larger member.

At least one further layer member may be provided intermediate the first and second layer members.

In a preferred embodiment one further layer member may be provided.

Advantageously each layer member is provided with a plurality of transverse pleats.

Preferably transverse pleats on each layer member are substantially equally spaced.

Advantageously adjacent apices of pleats formed in layer members facing one another are adhered together.

The sun shade may, therefore, comprise a concertina form facilitating provision of a first folded, closed position and a second unfolded, opened position for the sun shade.

The sun shade may provide a plurality of spaced first transverse gaps between the first layer member and an at least one further layer member adjacent thereto.

The sun shade may, therefore, also provide a plurality of spaced second transverse gaps between the second layer member and an at least one further layer member adjacent thereto.

The sun shade may be adapted to be used on a window and in particular an innermost side of a window, e.g. a windscreen, of a vehicle, e.g. an automobile.

The sun shade may be provided with a slotted portion substantially midway along an uppermost edge thereof which slotted portion facilitates use of the sun shade on vehicles having windscreen mounted rear view mirrors.

Alternatively the sun shade may be provided with a weakened removable portion, e.g. perforated portion, substantially midway along the uppermost edge removal of the weakened portion providing the slotting portion.

Advantageously a lowermost edge of the sun shade may be formed as a shallow upwardly disposed V-shape.

The layer members of the sun shade may be fabricated from any suitable foldable rigid material.

Advantageously the layer members of the sun shade may be made from paper, but may also be made from cardboard or any like material.

The at least one further layer member(s) may be made from a more dense material than the first and second layer members.

In a preferred embodiment the at least one further layer member may be made from paper of weight 250 grams/m2.

Further the first and second layer members may be made from paper of weight 240 grams/m2.

Advantageously the adjacent apices may be adhered one to another by adhesive means such as glue, e.g. contact neoprene glue.

The sun shade may be provided with first and second end members, which end members may be disposed transversely relative to the layer members, may be adhered to one or more of the layer members, and may be made of a rigid material, e.g. cardboard.

The first surface may comprise a surface intended to be disposed adjacent an innermost surface of the vehicle windscreen, in use. The first surface may be of a light colour, and preferably may be white.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle having a sun shade mounted on an innermost side of a window thereof, the sun shade comprising a sheet form member having first and second opposing surfaces, the surfaces being spaced one from the other by at least one gap.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of shading a vehicle from the sun, the method comprising the steps of: providing a sun shade comprising a sheet form member having first and second opposing surfaces, the surfaces being spaced one from the other by at least one gap; and mounting the sun shade relative to an innermost surface of a window of the vehicle.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are: Fig. 1 a schematic front view of a first embodiment of a sun shade according to the present invention in an opened position; Fig. 2 a tope view of the sun shade of Fig. 1 in an opened position; Fig. 3 a top view of the sun shade of Fig. 1 in a closed position; Fig. 4 an end view of the sun shade of Fig. 1 in a open position; Fig. 5 a partial front view of a vehicle having a second embodiment of a sun shade according to the present invention on an innermost side of a windscreen of the vehicle; and Fig. 6 a partial view from inside the vehicle of Fig.

5 showing the sun shade on the innermost side of the windscreen of the vehicle.

Referring initially to Figs. 1 to 4, there is illustrated a first embodiment of a sun shade, generally designated 5, according to the present invention.

The sun shade 5 comprises a sheet form member 10 having first and second opposing surfaces 15,20, the surfaces 15,20 being spaced one from the other by at least one gap 25.

The first surface 15 is formed on a first layer member 30, while the second surface 20 is formed on a second layer member 35. In this embodiment one further layer member 40 is provided intermediate the first and second layer members 30,35.

Each layer member 30,35,40 is provided with a plurality of transverse pleats 45,50,55 adjacent transverse pleats 40,50,55 on each layer member 30,35,40 being substantially equally spaced. Further, adjacent apices 60,65,70,75 of pleats 40,50,55 formed in layer members 30,35,40 facing one another are adhered together.

In this way the sun shade 5 may, therefore, comprise an openably closable concertina for facilitating provision of a first folded, closed position (as shown in Fig. 3) and a second unfolded, opened position (as shown in Fig. 1) for the sun shade.

As shown in Figs 1 and 2, in the opened position the sun shade 5 provides a plurality of spaced first transverse gaps 80 between the first layer member 30 and the further layer member 40 adjacent thereto.

In the opened position the sun shade 5 also provides a plurality of spaced second transverse gaps 85 between the second layer member 35 and the further layer member 40 adjacent thereto.

The illustrated embodiment of the sun shade 5 is adapted to be used on an innermost side of a windscreen of a vehicle.

The sun shade 5 is provided with a weakened removable portion 90, e.g. perforated portion, substantially midway along an uppermost edge 95 removal of the weakened portion providing a slotted portion, which slotted portion facilitates use of the sun shade 5 on vehicles having windscreen mounted rear view mirrors.

Further a lowermost edge 100 of the sun shade 5 is formed as a shallow upwardly disposed V-shape to facilitate installation of the sun shade on the innermost surface of the windscreen.

The layer members 30,35,40 of the sun shade 5 may be fabricated from any suitable foldable rigid material. In this embodiment the layer members 30,35,40 of the sun shade 5 are made from paper, but it should be appreciated that they may also be made from cardboard or any like material.

The further layer member 40 is made from a more dense material than the first and second layer members 30,35.

In this embodiment the further layer member 40 is made from paper of weight 250 grams/m2 and the first and second layer members 30,35 are made from paper of weight 240 grams/m2.

It has been found that the paper layer members should advantageously withstand direct sunlight temperatures through the glass windscreen of 1000C.

The adjacent apices 60,65,70,75 are adhered one to another by adhesive means such as glue, e.g. contact neoprene glue. It has been found that the contact glue should advantageously withstand temperatures of up to 1200C.

The sun shade 5 is provided with first and second end members 100,105, which end members 100,105 are disposed transversely relative to the layer members 30,35,40, are adhered to each of the layer members 30,35,40, and are made of a rigid material, e.g. cardboard having a thickness of 7mm.

The first surface 15 comprises a surface intended to be disposed adjacent an innermost surface of the vehicle windscreen, in use. The first surface 15 is of a light colour, and advantageously is white.

The sun shade 5 of this embodiment has the following approximate dimensions: Closed length = 60mm Opened length = 1440mm Thickness = 78mm Height at mid point = 646mm Height at outer edges = 443mm Distance between adjacent apices of each layer in opened position = 30mm In use, the sun shade 5 should advantageously have been stored in the closed position. Before leaving the vehicle (not shown) a person(s) will open the sun shade 5 by pulling the first and second end members 100,105 away from one another, thereby causing the sunshade 5 to adopt the opened position of Fig. 1. The shade 5 may then be conveniently placed adjacent the innermost side of the windscreen of the vehicle. The person may thereafter secure the vehicle and leave the vehicle unattended. On returning to the vehicle the sun shade 5 may be removed from the windscreen by the reverse procedure.

In an alternative method of use, the sun shade 5 may be placed adjacent the windscreen in a closed position and thereafter opened by a person(s) pulling the first and second end members 100,105 away from one another. The sun shade 5 may also be removed from the windscreen by reversing this alternative procedure.

The Applicant has tested a sun shade 5 according to the present invention. Test results, as detailed below illustrate the beneficial effects of employing a sun shade according to the present invention, which has been called "FLEXY AUTO SHADE" by the Applicant.

TEST A 1) Temperature in sun outside car at 1.00 pm = 60dC 2) Temperature inside car windscreen at 1.00 pm = 80dC (without any shade in position) 3) Temperature inside car on seat in sun at 1.00 pm = 800C (without any shade in position) 4) Erected Flexi Auto Shade when car already hot at 1.30 p.m.

5) Temperature in sun outside car at 1.30 p.m. = 600C 6) Temperature inside car windscreen at 1.30 pm = 800C (with shade in position) 7) Temperature in sun outside car at 2.15 pm = 600C 8) Temperature inside car windscreen at 2.25 pm = 750C (with shade in position) 9) Temperature inside car at 2.15 pm = 500C (with shade in position) 10) Temperature inside car windscreen at 3.50 pm = 800C (with shade in position) 11) Temperature inside car at 3.50 pm = 500C (with shade in position) TEST B 1) Erected Flexy Auto Shade 9.00 am.

2) Temperatyre in sun outside car at 1.00 pm = 650C 3) Temperature inside car windscreen at 1.00 pm = 800C (with shade in position) 4) Temperature inside car windscreen at 1.30 pm = 800C (with shade in position) 5) Temperature inside car at 1.30 pm = 500C (with shade in position) TEST C 1) Erected Flexy Auto Shade at 1.30 pm on parking car.

2) Temp inside car at 1.30 pm = 500C 3) Temp inside car windscreen at 3.30 pm = SOOC 4) Temp inside car at 3.30 pm = 500C The Applicant has further undertaken a comparative test with a prior art roller shade made of thin gauge plastic material, 412 mm wide. The test results are as follows.

TEST D 1) Temperature in sun outside car at 1.45 pm = 600C 2) Temperature inside car at 1.45 pm = 500C 3) Erected roller shade at 1.45 pm 4) Temperature inside car windscreen at 2.15 pm = 800C 5) Temperature inside car shade at 2.15 pm = 700C 6) Temperature inside car in sunlight at 3.15 pm = 800C 7) Note general outside temperature in shade was 370.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6 there is illustrated a second embodiment of a sun shade, generally designated 5', according to the present invention. The sun shade 5' is substantially similar to the sun shade 5 of the first embodiment, like parts being referred to by the same numerals but suffixed with an "'". The sun shade 5' is shown in situ adjacent an innermost surface of a windscreen 115' of a vehicle (car) 110'. As can be seen from Fig. 6 sun visors 120', 125' of the vehicle 110' may be put down to assist in retaining the sun shade 5' in place.

The embodiments of the invention hereinbefore described are given by way of example only, and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Particularly it should be appreciated that the sun shade may be made of any suitable lightweight flexible material.

Further although an advantageous embodiment of the sun shade would be dimensional to be suitable for use on a number of vehicles, e.g. automobiles, specific embodiments of the sun shade may be dimensioned to be used specifically with particular makes and model of vehicle.

Claims

1. A sun shade comprising a sheet form member having first and second opposing surfaces, the surfaces being spaced one from the other by at least one gap.

2. A sun shade as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first surface is formed on a first layer member.

3. A sun shade as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the second surface is formed on a second layer member.

4. A sun shade as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one further layer member is provided intermediate the first and second layer members.

5. A sun shade as claimed in claim 4, wherein one further layer member is provided.

6. A sun shade as claimed in any of claims 3, 4 or 5, wherein each layer member is provided with a plurality of transverse pleats.

7. A sun shade as claimed in claim 6, wherein the adjacent transverse pleats on each layer member are substantially equally spaced one from the other.

8. A sun shade as claimed in either of claims 6 or 7, wherein adjacent apices of pleats formed in layer members facing one another are adhered together.

9. A sun shade as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sun shade comprises a concertina form facilitating provision of a first folded, closed position and a second unfolded, opened position for the sun shade.

10. A sun shade as claimed in either of claims 8 or 9, wherein the sun shade provides a plurality of spaced first transverse gaps between the first layer member and an at least one further layer adjacent thereto.

11. A sun shade as claimed in any of claims 8, 9 or 10, wherein the sun shade provides a plurality of spaced second transverse gaps between the second layer member and at least one further layer member adjacent thereto.

12. A sun shade as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sunshade is adapted to be used on a window.

13. A sun shade as claimed in claim 12, wherein the sun shade is adapted to be used on an innermost side of a window such as a windscreen of a vehicle.

14. A sun shade as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sun shade is provided with a slotted portion substantially midway along an uppermost edge thereof.

15. A sun shade as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the sun shade is provided with a weakened removable portion, such as a perforated portion, substantially midway along the uppermost edge removal of the weakened portion providing a slotted portion.

16. A sun shade as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a lowermost edge of the sun shade is formed as a shallow upwardly disposed V-shape.

17. A sun shade as claimed in either of claims 3 or 4 or any of claims 5 to 16 wherein dependent on claim 2, wherein the layer members of the sun shade are fabricated from a foldable rigid material.

18. A sun shade as claimed in claim 17, wherein the layer members of the sun shade are made from paper.

19. A sun shade as claimed in claim 4 or any of claims 5 to 18 when dependent upon claim 4, wherein the at least one further layer member(s) is/are made from a more dense material than the first and second layer members.

20. A sun shade as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19 when dependent upon claim 18, wherein the at leat one further layer member is made from paper of weight 250 grams/m2.

21. A sun shade as claimed in claim 18, claim 19 when dependent on claim 18, or upon claim 20, wherein the first and second layer members are made from paper of weight 240 grams/m2.

22. A sun shade as claimed in claim 8 or any of claims 9 to 21 when dependent upon claim 8, wherein the adjacent apices are adhered one to another by adhesive means such as glue.

23. A sun shade as claimed in claim 22, wherein the adhesive means are contact neoprene glue.

24. A sun shade as claimed in any of claims 3 to 23, wherein the sun shade is provided with first and second end members, which end members are disposed transversely relative to the layer member, are adhered to one or more of the layer members, and are formed of a rigid material such as cardboard.

25. A sun shade as claimed in any of claims 1 to 24, wherein the first surface comprises a surface intended to be disposed adjacent an innermost surface of the vehicle windscreen, in use.

26. A sun shade as claimed in any of claim 1 to 25, wherein the first surface is of a light colour, such as white.

27. A sun shade as claimed in any of claims 1 to 26, wherein the at least one gap is/are an air gap(s).

28. A vehicle having a sun shade mounted on an innermost side of a window thereof, the sun shade comprising a sheet form member having first and second opposing surfaces, the surfaces being spaced one from the other by at least one gap.

29. A method of shading a vehicle from the sun, the method comprising the steps of: providing a sun shade comprising a sheet form member having first and second opposing surfaces, the surfaces being spaced one from the other by at least one gap; mounting the sun shade relative to an innermost surface of a window of the vehicle.

30. A sun shade as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4 or Figs. 5 to 6.

31. A vehicle having a sun shade mounted on an innermost side of a window thereof as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs 1 to 4 or Figs. 5 to 6.

32. A method of shading a vehicle as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4 or Figs. 5 to 6.