GB2556916A

GB2556916A - Shields e.g. light-shades

Info

Publication number: GB2556916A
Application number: GB1619982.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Massimo Baghi Masoud
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-11-25
Filing date: 2016-11-25
Publication date: 2018-06-13
Also published as: GB201619982D0

Abstract

In combination, a mobile phone, handheld communication device, satnav, laptop, computer monitor or other device comprising a display screen, and a light-shield means adapted for light-shielding the display screen, said light-shield means comprising a light-shield adapted to open with a rotary movement from a pivoting centre and mounted on a gooseneck support, the support having attachment means adapted to mount the part of the support adjacent to the attachment means fixedly to said device and adapted to mount said part fixedly to a base forming part of a car or other vehicle to which said device is fixed. The light-shield may open like a Chinese fan or like an umbrella.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Shields e.g. light-shades Abstract Title: A light-shield for a display screen (57) In combination, a mobile phone, handheld communication device, satnav, laptop, computer monitor or other device comprising a display screen, and a light-shield means adapted for light-shielding the display screen, said lightshield means comprising a light-shield adapted to open with a rotary movement from a pivoting centre and mounted on a gooseneck support, the support having attachment means adapted to mount the part of the support adjacent to the attachment means fixedly to said device and adapted to mount said part fixedly to a base forming part of a car or other vehicle to which said device is fixed. The light-shield may open like a Chinese fan or like an umbrella.

1/1

- 1 TITLE: SHIELDS, E.G. LIGHT-SHADES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to shields, e.g. light-shades, more particularly but not exclusively light-shades for shielding a device's display screen from ambient light. Relevant devices comprising a display screen may include a mobile phone, a handheld communication device, a satnav, a laptop, or a computer monitor.

BACKGROUND

Proposals known to the inventor for such shades have been awkward, inconvenient, and/or not adaptable.

THE INVENTION

The inventor considers that such a shade needs to be collapsible, and also adaptable (e.g. at will) to shield from ambient light coming from different directions.

One aspect of the invention consists in a light-shield for a display screen of a mobile phone, handheld communication device, satnav, laptop, computer monitor or other device comprising a display screen, comprising a plurality of shield sections, each able to have its shape changed by being collapsed or erected, at least one section independently of another. By providing independently collapsible sections of the shield, this can be adapted to shield according to the direction or directions of ambient light, while permitting maximum viewing angles from other directions.

In embodiments, the collapsed said shape may be substantially linear, whether rectilinear, curved or angled. This can minimise the amount of space occupied by the shield section when collapsed.

Again, the shape change of a said shield section may be enabled by concertina-type folding. Such zigzag folding, with alternate folds facing in opposite directions, is particularly useful for collapsing a shield section by virtue of its simplicity as well as minimising the amount of space it need take up when collapsed.

The concertina-type folding of a said section may be such that the erection of the section can be enabled by a rotary angled movement in the nature of the opening of a Chinese fan, so that the folds become angled to one another when the section is opened. This can allow the linear length of the collapsed section to be substantially half the longest dimension of the section when erected.

Again, the concertina-type folding may be such that the erection of the section can be enabled by a rectilinear movement. This keeps the folds parallel to one another, and may be more convenient than the splaying-out movement to open a section in the form of a Chinese fan. However, this may require guide means to establish or maintain the shape of the section when erected, which may make the section more complex and/or take up more room when collapsed.

Again, the shape change of a said shield section may be such that the erection of the section can be enabled by an unrolling movement. However, this too, may make the section more complex and/or take up more room when collapsed.

-2The shield may comprise fixing means to fix it to said device, e.g. a frame to hold it to the device. The shield may be provided in combination with said device to which it is fixed, or as part of said device or, in another aspect of the invention, as a kit of parts comprising said shield and said device, the shield being adapted for use to shield the screen of said device.

Preferably, the shade is adapted to be extended from a substantially linear configuration to an area configuration, e.g. by concertina-like opening movement.

The shade possibly has any one or more of the features:

• angled unfold • angled rotary movement • separately operable sections • clip-on attachment means • shade on device in car • adapted for use with a portable device • elastic shading material, e.g. that can be elastically extended to erect the shade • spring means to erect the shade • self-holding • stiff shading material, e.g. to hold position or to hold open • struts to support • clip etc to hold open

According to another aspect of the invention there may be any sort of light-shield mounted on a gooseneck support and suitable to shield the display screen of a mobile phone, handheld communication device, satnav, laptop, computer monitor or other device comprising a display screen. The light-shield may be mounted directly to such device or may be mounted in tandem with said device to a common fixed support.

DESCRIPTION RELATING TO THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a mobile phone and shield combined in an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the Figure 1 embodiment;

Figure 3 is a clearer plan view of shield section 102 of the Figure 1 embodiment, with the section collapsed;

Figure 4 is a view like Figure 1 of shield embodying the invention suitable to be fixed to a mobile phone;

Figure 5 is a view, like Figure 2, of an alternative envelope for the shield section 102 of Figure 2 erected;

Figure 6 is a schematic view of the shield sections 101, 102, 103 of the Figure 1 embodiment;

Figure 7 shows a gooseneck support type of embodiment; and

-3 Figures 8 and 9 show variations of the shield's shading section and its support.

Figures 1 to 5 are drawn to substantially the same scale. Figures 1, 3, 4 and 6 are schematic plan views of embodiments of the invention, except that Figure 4 is a slightly perspective plan view. Figures 2 and 5 are schematic side views looking from the right-hand side of Figure 1. Figures 7, 8 and 9 are corresponding side views.

Referring to the drawings, identical references in the same Figure or different Figures refer to the same item or items that are identical or similar or have similar functions, and references with the same first two digits refer to items that are identical or similar or have similar or related functions.

A light-shield 10 for a display screen 12 of a mobile phone 14 comprises a plurality of shield shading sections 101, 102, each able to have its shape changed by being collapsed or erected, at least one such section 101 independently of another such section 102. The section 102, for example, is erected by pulling its corner 16 towards the viewer of Figure 1 and upwards, in the direction indicated by arrow 18, to the position shown in Figure 2. In the Figure 1 position, the section 102 is collapsed into a shape like straight stick, i.e. a substantially linear configuration. Figure 3 shows the section 102 separate from (not yet fixed to) the mobile phone 14. Erecting section 102 thus splays it out in the nature of opening a Chinese fan 102, about its pivot 20. This may be suitable with its substantially semicircular shape envelope shown by the dashed line 22. Alternatively, it may be preferred to have a substantially rectangular shaped envelope 221 or even a trapezoidal shape 222 (e.g. as shown in Figure 5), or any other suitable shape, e.g. simply by cutting or manufacturing the circumferential edge of section 102 to the appropriate shape 221 or 222. The section 102 may be provided with two support sticks 161, 162 pivoted together at pivot 20, stick 162 being fixed in a housing 163 which houses the section 102 when fully collapsed, stick 161 carrying comer 16 is rotated in the direction of arrow 18 to open section 102 and is then held fully open by a clip 164, or by the two sticks 161, 162 locking together (in the region of pivot 20) in the fully open 180° position. Section 101 is constructed and operates in exactly the same way as section 102, but the two sections can be operated independently and separately. When collapsed, each section 101, 102 is substantially linear, more specifically rectilinear, as seen in Figure 3. If a third shield section 103 is placed at the top edge 121 of screen 12, all three sections 101, 102 and 103 can be operated independently and separately, e.g. at will in accordance with ambient light conditions. The two sections 101, 102 may, when collapsed, be located instead at the upper half of screen 12, as shown, for clarity of allowing clip 164 to be viewed in Figure 1, only for section 101, in the dashed line position 101. If all three sections 101, 102, 103 of shield 10 stand erected at the same time, the total shield 10 has an inverted U-shape around screen 12, shielding it from most ambient light incident from the top and the two sides, such U-shape being in fact linear with two right angles, as shown schematically in Figure 6.

The shield 10 is self-holding so as to remain in any position or configuration to which it is set. This may be achieved by making it from a suitably stiff shading material, e.g. impregnated paper, by the configuration, e.g. the configuration like a Chinese fan shown in Figure 2, and/or suitably stiff guide means (e.g. telescopic) around one or more extending edges of shield 10.

-4Clearly, the shape change of shield section 102 is enabled by a concertina-type series of radial folds 104, alternate ones of which folds 104 are alternately folded towards and away from the viewer of Figure 2. Since section 102 has a central pivot 20, the erection of the section 102 is enabled by a rotary angled movement (of corner 16 in the direction of arrow 18) in the nature of the opening of a Chinese fan. In an alternative form of this feature, seen in the Figure 4 embodiment, the concertina folds 104 are parallel to each other; and the erection of the section 102 can be enabled by a rectilinear movement in the direction of arrow 181, e.g. perpendicular to the surface of screen 12, or by a curved movement in the direction of arrow 182, constrained in either case by guide means, e.g. a pair of (e.g.) guides, e.g. along the zigzag edges 105 between which the folds 104 extend, or in the case of movement in the direction of arrow 182 by guide means in the form of stick-like supports 165 rotary (in a plane perpendicular to the face of screen 12, intersecting side edge 122) about pivots 20.

As seen from Figure 4, the shield 10 (or one or more sections thereof) may have other forms than shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 and/or may itself comprise a frame 106 for attaching to the device 10. For example, the shield 10 (which has two or more sections 101, 102, 103, with sections 101, 102 being as described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 but not being shown in Figure 4 for clarity, and being located outside strut supports 165) has a frame 106 to which its shield sections 101, 102, 103 (including any supports, e.g. 162, 165 thereof) are mounted, which frame 106 is provided with attaching means 107, e.g. clips or fixing means, for attaching it to phone 14, around screen 12. Shield section 103, Figure 4, may have (e.g. telescopic) inbuilt edge guides (not shown) along its concertina edges (e.g. to hold it in shape and/or position) instead of needing the support struts 165. Shield section 103, Figure 4, may have a roll form and be unrolled to erect it, as an alternative to the concertina-form actually shown.

Figure 7 shows a gooseneck support type of embodiment. In, for example, the use of a mobile phone 14 mounted by a support 167 (e.g. of relatively short or relatively long gooseneck form, see below, schematically indicated in full or dashed lines respectively) and e.g. a fixing clip 241 to e.g. a base 242 in a car or other vehicle, of which the base 242 forms part, the phone 14 can be put into any position and location convenient to the driver and hold itself there without needing use of the driver's hands to maintain it in position. In order to avoid ambient light drowning the picture on the phone's screen 12, there may be used a shield 10 embodying the aforesaid one aspect of the invention, with two or more sections as described above opening/collapsing independently. It may be particularly useful for the shield 10 to be mounted similarly on its own gooseneck support 16, so that it can be positioned precisely as required in relation to the positioning of the mobile phone 14. Such an embodiment is indicated schematically in Figure 7 (apart from the details of such sections of shield 10). This may have wider application than comprising a plurality of shield sections, each able to have its shape changed by being collapsed or erected, at least one section independently of another. For example, according to the aforesaid other aspect of the invention there may be any sort of light-shield 10 mounted on a gooseneck support 16 and suitable to shield the display screen 12 of a mobile phone, handheld communication device, satnav, laptop, computer monitor or other device 14 comprising a display screen 12. The light-shield 10 may be mounted directly to such device 14 or may be mounted in tandem with said device 14 to a common fixed support 242. More

-5particularly, for example, the shield 10 may be mounted directly to the phone 14, as with any of the previously described embodiments, or may be mounted via its support 16 and via attaching means 24 to the car, e.g. to the same base 242 as the phone 14, e.g. the clips 24 and 241 being fixed beside each other. The shield 10 may have any one or more of the features disclosed herein. In particular, e.g. as shown in Figure 7, it may open in the manner of an umbrella, possibly with concertina-type folds, e.g. radial, e.g. from a central support (e.g. the top 166 of gooseneck support 16). As stated, the gooseneck support 16 may itself be mounted, e.g. by attachment (e.g. fixing) means 24, to the car or other vehicle, e.g. beside the phone or other device 14, or may be mounted directly to the phone or other device 14. The umbrella 10 (or indeed any of the shields 10 described herein) may have an internal light (not shown, and visible or UV) fitted or attached, e.g. to the top 166, preferably so as not to cause glare on the screen 12, and/or possibly to illuminate only a part of die phone, e.g. a keyboard (not shown).

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate variations upon the Figure 7 embodiment in which a relatively long gooseneck (self-holding) support (which may e.g. be bent into several loops) 16 is replaced by a relatively short support 16 of a similar kind that bends only a small amount, e.g. less than 180°, possibly less than 90°, which may also be called a gooseneck support 16. While the opening of the Chinese-fan-like shade section 102 is by means of a rotary movement through 180° (e.g. of part 161 of support 16 relative to part 162) for the embodiments of Figures 1, 2 and 3 and (one example described of Figure 7), such a Chinese-fan-like shade section 102 may utilise a rotary movement through 360° for full erection in a suitable embodiment (i.e. where there is no restraint to this being done), e.g. as shown schematically in Figure 9. In all embodiments, the sizes, shapes, materials and colours of the shade (and/or any frame or other support or any other parts) may be chosen at will.

Preferably, the shade is adapted to be extended from a substantially linear configuration (e.g. as seen in Figure 3) to an area configuration (e.g. as seen in Figure 2), e.g. by a concertina-like opening movement of its folded shading material, or an unrolling as described above.

Many variations of the invention and embodiments herein described will be apparent to people skilled in the art. For example, features of the different embodiments disclosed herein may be omitted, selected, combined or exchanged in order to form further embodiments. Again, where a preference or particularisation is stated, there is implicit the possibility of its negative, i.e. a case in which that preference or particularisation is absent. The invention is considered to extend to any new and inventive embodiments formed by said variations, further embodiments and cases.

Claims

1. A light-shield for a display screen of a mobile phone, handheld communication device, satnav, laptop, computer monitor or other device comprising a display screen, comprising a plurality of shield sections, each able to have its shape changed by being collapsed or erected, at least one section

5 independently of another.

2. A shield as claimed in claim 1, in which the collapsed said shape is substantially linear.

3. A shield as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the shape change of a said shield section is enabled by concertina-type folding.

4. A combination as claimed in claim 3, in which the light-shield is adapted for the opening movement to be in the nature of the opening of a Chinese fan.

15

5. A combination as claimed in claim 3, in which the light-shield is adapted for the opening movement to be in the nature of the opening of an umbrella.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1619982.0 Examiner: Mr Euros Morris

4. A shield as claimed in claim 3, in which the concertina-type folding of a said section is such that 10 the erection of the section can be enabled by a rotary angled movement in the nature of the opening of a

Chinese fan.

5. A shield as claimed in claim 3, in which the concertina-type folding is such that the erection of the section can be enabled by a rectilinear movement.

6. A shield as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the shape change of a said shield section is such that 15 the erection of the section can be enabled by an unrolling movement.

7. A shield as claimed in any preceding claim, which is self-holding so as to remain in any position or configuration to which it is set.

8. A shield as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising attaching means to attach it to said device.

9. A shield as claimed in any preceding claim, in combination with said device to which it is fixed.

20 10. A kit of parts comprising a shield as claimed in any preceding claim and said device, the shield being adapted for use to shield the screen of said device.

11. A light-shield, combination of shield and device or a kit of parts, substantially according to any example hereinbefore described.

12. A light-shield, combination of shield and display screen device or a kit of parts, substantially 25 according to any example hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

01 18

Amendments to the claims have been made as follows:

1. In combination, a mobile phone, handheld communication device, satnav, laptop, computer monitor or other device comprising a display screen, and a light-shield means adapted for light-shielding the display screen, said light-shield means comprising a light-shield adapted to open with a rotary

5 movement from a pivoting centre and mounted on a gooseneck support, the support having attachment means adapted to mount the part of the support adjacent to the attachment means fixedly to said device and adapted to mount said part fixedly to a base forming part of a car or other vehicle to which said device is fixed.

2. A combination as claimed in claim 1, in which the light-shield is adapted to open from a collapsed

10 condition in which its shape is substantially linear.

3. A combination as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the light-shield is adapted for the opening movement of the light-shield to be enabled by concertina-type folding.