WO1997006335A1

WO1997006335A1 - Sun shade apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1997006335A1
Application number: PCT/KR1996/000131
Authority: WO
Inventors: Il Kang Kim
Original assignee: Il Kang Kim
Priority date: 1995-08-07
Filing date: 1996-08-05
Publication date: 1997-02-20
Also published as: KR0134711Y1; AU6671096A; KR970008594U

Abstract

The automatically retractable sun shade apparatus includes a mounting bracket (15) which has en elongated connecting plate and a pair of female holders (1, 1') at opposite ends of the connecting plate which are spaced forwardly thereof. The female holders preferably have slots in which male holders (2, 2') are releasably inserted therein. The male holders include longitudinally aligned elongated extensions (27, 27') spaced from the connecting plate, but parallel thereto. The elastic band (5) is inserted in the central space of a hollow open ended tube (4) which is parallel to but spaced from the connecting plate. The tube has an opening in its sidewall through which a hold pin (3) passes and is connected to the exterior of the tube. The pin passes between the twisted elastic bands to transmit the rotary force of the elastic band to the tube.

Description

Sun Shade Apparatus

Technical Field

This invention relates to a sun shade apparatus, or more particularly to a sun shade apparatus which uses the distortion elastic power of either the elastomer band or the elastic band.

Background Art

A conventional sun shade assembly includes a spring and a rotable tube mounted around extensions and winds up around the tube by using its own strength in the form of an elastic force which is obtained when a tension force that is applied to the sun shade is released, thereby it rotates around the spring.

However, the sun shade also employs long coiled metal springs or other forms of metal springs which add to the weight of the finished apparatus and thus it is usually relatively heavy, large and expensive. Also, since the springs are large in diameter in order to extend the effective area covered by the sun shade, they are bulky and require heavy attachments which are required for installment. The springs and their attachments are difficult to replace if they break during use.

Objects of the Invention

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved sun shade apparatus which is small, light in weight, and durable, which can provide a smooth unwrapping and rewinding action over a long period of time, and which is not subject to breakage due to rust and other weather related normal wear and tear.

An other object of the present invention is to provide a sun shade apparatus whereby the effective area covered by the sun shade is expanded by a fully extended pair of the sun shade which one connected together.

Disclosure of the Invention

The present invention provides a sun shade apparatus which comprises of:(i) an elongated mounting bracket which includes longitudinally extending flat plates with two opposing ends: (ii) a female holder mounted integrally with the said opposite ends, whereby each holder has a cylindrical opening which extends throughout the entire length of the holder, and a rectangular slot which intersects such opening: (iii) a male holder releasably situated in said female holder and having a tubular extension which extends forward from but parallel to the elongated mounting bracket, whereby each tubular extension faces each other along a single longitudinal axis and inserted into the opening of the female holder: (iv) a cylindrical tube which is separated from but parallel to the mounting bracket, whereby the cylindrical tube has an opened opposite ends which is slidably secured around the tubular extensions and has a central space extending its entire length: (v) a elastic band received by the central space, whereby such elastic band is inserted into a gap of extensions of the male holder and twisted around its longitudinal axis to provide a rotary force: (vi) a holding pin extending out of the cylindrical tube through a transverse opening at about its midpoint along the length thereof and connected to the outer surface of the tube, whereby said holding pin is secured to the elastic band and to the cylinderical tube to transmit the rotary force from the elastic band to the cylinderical tube: (vii) an elongated flexible sun shade which has one end thereof secured to the exterior of the cylindrical tube and an opposite free end, whereby pulling said free end, the sun shade unwraps against the rotary force of the elastic band, and when the free end is released, the sun shade automatically rewraps around the cylindrical tube: and(viii) a retainer for releasably holding said sun shade in extended unwrapped operative position.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the female holder includes a cylindrical opening which extend throughout one side . Two slots intersects the opening , thereby enabling it to receive the male holder. This enables an attachment of the sun shade apparatus to be releasably received into said slots.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a rectangular head of the male holder is inserted into the slot of the female holder. The female holder further includes an auxiliary slot which intersects the slot at a right angle thereto so the elastic band can inserted or be released through it.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the extensions of the male holder includes a gap which is split down to permit the elastic band to be inserted into it. In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the female holder includes two cylindrical openings, situated on both sides thereof, which extends through the female holder. A slot faces the openings, where two male holders are received and allows for the attachment of the sun shade apparatus to be inserted into said slot.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, when a pair of the sun shade apparatus are integrally connected and extended to operative position, the effective area covered by the sun shade is expanded.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus comprises of a pair of the sun shade assemblies with the sun shades connected together and with the mounting brackets situated remotely from each other.

A female holder of the present invention can be in the shape of a rectangular block, a polygon or a circle. The rubber used in the present invention can be made of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, elastomer, or a composition of several different kinds of rubber and fabrics or fiber. More rubber bands in pairs (i.e., 4 or 6 or 8) can be used to extend the rolling power, thereby enabling the device to cover a longer area. If desired, an elastic band can be used as a single rubber band.

A pair of the sun shade assemble can be releasably connected together to extended the operative position, thereby expanding the effective area covered by the shade thereof. Thus, in one embodiment of the invention, two of the sun shade assemblies are releasably joined together so that the shades when extended face opposite directions. In another embodiment, the free ends of two shades are releasably joined together, whereby the connecting plates of the sun shades assemblies are positioned remotely from each other, again to cover an extended area.

A Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1, IA and IB are enlarged perspective views of a sun shade apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2, and 2A are perspective views of the sun shade apparatus in accordance with the present invention, showing the sun shade thereof in the extended operative position; Figure 3A- 3D are sectional views illustrating the assembly method of the sun shade apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4 and 4A are schematic side elevation views, partly broken away, of two of the sun shade assemblies of Fig. 1 releasably connected together and with the shades thereof fully extended; and

Figure 5 and 5A are schematic side elevation views, partly broken away, of an array of two of the sun shade assemblies of Fig. 1 releasably connected together at the free ends of the shades thereof.

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described by referring to the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings.

With regards to the drawings, an automatically retractable sun shade apparatus of the present invention is schematically shown. A sun shade (10) of the present invention includes a mounting bracket (15) having a flat elongated connection plate. Female holders(1,1' ) are integrally secured to the opposited ends of connection plate. In addition, as shown in Fig. 2A, a mounting bracket (15) can be received in the groove which is placed in the inside edge of the female holders(1,1' ) .

Female holders(1,1' ) are integrally connected to the mounting bracket(15) and are themselves generally rectangular or diamond in shape, with cylindrical central openings(12) extending therethrough, which are along a single longitudinal axis parallel to but spaced from the mounting plate(15) . Female holders(1,1') each include a rectangular female slot or recess(28), within which the rectangular head of a male holder(2,2') is releasably inserted. An auxiliary slot (11) intersects the slot(28) at a right angle thereto in each female holder(1,1') for insertion of a elastic band therethrough, as desired hereinafter.

Alternatively, as shown in Fig.lA and 2A, at one side of the female holders, a cylindrical opening(12) extends therethrough, where a male holder(2,2') is inserted. Also, at the opposite side of the cylindrical opening, two slots(11, 28) are formed, where the securing attachments of the sun shade is removably inserted. In addition, the integral female holder shown in Fig. IB includes two cylindrical openings(12) , disposed on both sides thereof, extending therethrough with slot (11,28) opposite from the openings. Also, in the inside edge of the female holder, recesses for inserting the mounting brackets(15) are formed integrally within the female holder so that a pair of sun shades can be connected together to cover an extended area.

Each male holder(2,2') of Fig.l includes a tubular extension(27) which is connected to the inner surface of head and the free end of which may be in the form of a flattened plate(29) which defines an opening(22) where one end of an elongated elastic band(5) can be held. Also, each male holder(2,2') includes a gap(21) split down to opening(22) which permits the elastic band(5) to be inserted thereinto. In addition, each male holder(2,2') shown in Fig.lA and IB includes a tubular extension(27' ) connected to the head and the lower end of the extension(27') , whereby a slit(2,2') is formed to hold one end of the elastic band (5) . The male holder

(2,2') also includes a gap(21') split down the tubular extension(27' ) towards the slit(22'), thereby permitting the elastic band(5) to be inserted thereinto.

As shown in fig.3A, mounting bracket(15) includes a first plate and a second flat plate which are connected together at the sides thereof to form a right angled L- shaped configuration. If desired, the mounting bracket (15) can be a single flat plate.

A sun shade apparatus(10) includes a hollow cylindrical tube(4) made of plastic and metal such as brass, aluminum, stainless steel or the like. The cylindrical tube(4) has a central space that opens up into the opposite ends (40) of the tube. Ends(40) are dimensioned to slidably receive the extensions(27,27' ) and to rotate therearound. The cylindrical tube(4) is of sufficient length to approximate the adjacent inner surfaces of male holder (2,2') heads and of specific diameter so that, when the tube is in place in the mounting bracket (15), the tube is away from the bracket(15) .

Fig.3A-3D are section views showing the assembling method of sun shade of the present invention. First, as shown in Fig.3A-3C, a pair of female holders(1,1' ) are mounted on the mounting brackets and an elastic band(5) is inserted into the gap(21) of the male holder(2,2' ),then a hold pin(3) is inserted between the two elastic bands (5) and goes through the tube (4) by way of a transverse aperture at about midpoint along the length thereof and then is releasably secured to the outer surface of the tube(4) . In this position, the male holders (2,2' ) are rotated in the same direction so that the elastic bands (5) are twisted around its longitudinal axis in order to establish its ability to rotate.

After the hold pin(3) is locked onto the elastic bands (5) and the tube (4), the twisted rubber band(5) is passed through the slots (11) and then the attached male holders (2,2' ) are placed in the slots (28) with the extensions (27) inserted through the openings (12) and into the ends (40) of the tube (5) as shown in Fig.3D.

One end of the rectangular sun shade (6) is then glued or otherwise permanently attached to the outer surface of the tube (4) . The tube (4) is then rotated to place it under the rotating force of the elastic band(5) , thereby allowing the sun shade (6) winds up or wraps around the tube (4) into the stored position.

In order to hold the shade(6) in the operative deployed position, attachments (7)may be connected to the free end(20) of the sun shade (6) , whereby such attachments (7) can releasably engage a retainer such as a hook retainer(not shown) . When the sun shade (6) is unwound, it is against the rotating force transmitted from the rubber(5) to the tube (4) , so that when the unwound shade (6) is released, it will automatically rewind to the stored position. The rotating force exerted by rubber band(5) is smooth and even.

As assembly is shown in Fig.4 which comprises of two sun shades joined back to back at connecting plates. The plates are joined together by glue, hooks or by similar permanent or temporary joining means. In addition, as shown in Fig. 4A, a pair of sun shade apparatus are connected integrally so that the sun shades when extended face opposite directions. Other ways of joining multiple sun shades so as to achieve desired coverage are possible.

An assembly is shown in Fig. 5 and 5A which comprises of two sun shades joined together at the free ends (20) thereof, with the mounting brackets of the sun shades positioned remotely from each other to cover an extended area. These sun shades form a substantially continuous area of coverage with the mounting brackets (15) placed remotely from one another.

As described above, an improved sun shade apparatus is provided. A sun shade apparatus (10) can be made, in any desired size, from light weight durable materials such as metal, nonferrous metal or the like. The sun shade (6) can be of cloth, plastic, leather, etc. In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the tube (4) and hold pin(3) are made of metal, or aluminum, or plastic, and the remainder of the components of the sun shade apparatus (10) are of plastic, metal, nonferrous metal, or the like, except for the rubber band(5).

The rubber band used in the present invention allows for the shade to smoothly roll up and down in a controlled manner, thereby improving the simplified operation of the assembly. Using the rubber band in the tube can make the tube more compact and light-weight, and accordingly easier to firmly attach the shade to the area by using hooks or other means.

In addition, the sun shade apparatus of the present invention can be used indoors or outdoors, in automotive vehicles, offices, factories, home, etc., either as a sun shade or as a view-blocking partition because it can be joined in various different ways to achieve desired coverage.

Various modifications, changes, alterations and additions can be made to the improved assembly of the present invention, its components and parameters. All such changes, modifications, alterations and additions as described within the scope of the appended claims, form part of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A retractable sun shade apparatus that includes:

i) an elongated mounting bracket (15) and longitudinally extending flat plates with two opposite ends; ii) a female holder(1,1') mounted integrally with said opposite ends, each such female holder having a cylindrical opening(12) extending therethrough, and a rectangular slot(28) which intersects the cylindrical opening; iii) a male holder(2,2') releasably inserted in said female holder and having a tubular extensions(27,27' ) spaced forwardly from but parallel to the mounting bracket (15), each such tubular extension facing each other along a single longitudinal axis and inserted into the opening(12) of the female holder(1,1' ) ; iv) a cylindrical tube(4) which is spaced from but parallel to the mounting bracket(15), whereby the cylindrical tube has an opened opposite ends(40) which is slidably secured around the tubular extensions(27, 7' ) and has a central space extending its entire length; v) an elastic band(5) inserted into said central space, whereby such elastic band is inserted into a gap(21) within the tubular extensions(27,27' ) of the male holder(2,2') and twisted around its longitudinal axis to provide a rotary force; vi) a hold pin(3) extended out of the cylindrical tube(4) through a transverse opening at about midpoint along the length thereof and connected to the outer surface of the tube(4), whereby such hold pin is secured to the elastic band(5) and to the cylindrical tube to transmit rotary force from the elastic band to the cylindrical tube(4); vii) an elongated flexible sun shade(6) that has one end secured to the exterior of the cylindrical tube(4) and has an opposite free end(20), whereby pulling said free end, the sun shade unwraps against the rotary force of the elastic band(5), and when the free end is released, the sun shade automatically rewraps around the cylindrical tube(4); and viii) attachments(7) for releasable holding the sun shade (6) in the extended unwrapped operative position.

2. A sun shade apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said female holder(1,1') includes a cylindrical opening(12) extending therethrough at one side thereof and two slots(ll,28) which intersect the opening(12), said male holder(2,2') is inserted into the cylindrical opening and an attachment of the sun shade apparatus is releasably inserted into the slot(28).

3. A sun shade apparatus as set forth in claim 1, a rectangular head of the male holder is inserted into the slot(28) of female holder(1,1' ) , the female holder(1,1') further includes an auxiliary slot(11) intersects the slot(28) at a right angle thereto so as to insertion or release the elastic band therethrough.

4. A sun shade apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said extensions(27,27' ) of male holder(2,2') includes a gap(21) split down to permit the elastic band(5) to be inserted.

5. A sun shade apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said female holder(1,1') includes two cylindrical openings, disposed in both sides thereof, extends through the female holder and a slot facing such openings, two male holders(2,2' ) are inserted into said openings and an attachment of the sun shade apparatus are inserted into the slot (28) .

6. A sun shade apparatus as set forth in claim 5, a pair of said sun shade apparatus are connected integrally to extend the effective area covered by the sun shade thereof when extended to its operative position.

7. A sun shade apparatus as set forth in claim 1 or 2, said apparatus comprising a pair of the sun shade assemblies, whereby the sun shades are connected together and the mounting brackets(15) disposed remotely from each other.