CA2153734A1 - Powered glare screen device - Google Patents
Powered glare screen deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA2153734A1 CA2153734A1 CA002153734A CA2153734A CA2153734A1 CA 2153734 A1 CA2153734 A1 CA 2153734A1 CA 002153734 A CA002153734 A CA 002153734A CA 2153734 A CA2153734 A CA 2153734A CA 2153734 A1 CA2153734 A1 CA 2153734A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- glare screen
- housing
- glare
- screen panel
- sprocket
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 230000004313 glare Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 69
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 230000002441 reversible effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000003134 recirculating effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 230000008030 elimination Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000003379 elimination reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920002972 Acrylic fiber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 235000019504 cigarettes Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
- B60J1/00—Windows; Windscreens; Accessories therefor
- B60J1/20—Accessories, e.g. wind deflectors, blinds
- B60J1/2011—Blinds; curtains or screens reducing heat or light intensity
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
- B60J3/00—Antiglare equipment associated with windows or windscreens; Sun visors for vehicles
- B60J3/02—Antiglare equipment associated with windows or windscreens; Sun visors for vehicles adjustable in position
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
- B60J3/00—Antiglare equipment associated with windows or windscreens; Sun visors for vehicles
- B60J3/02—Antiglare equipment associated with windows or windscreens; Sun visors for vehicles adjustable in position
- B60J3/0204—Sun visors
- B60J3/0208—Sun visors combined with auxiliary visor
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
An automated glare screen device for automobiles including a housing attachable above the windshield frame, with a tinted plastic glare screen panel power drivable is in and out of the housing to be selectively extended in front of the windshield.
The drive includes sprocket mechanisms engaging sprocket openings along either side of the glare screen panel. The housing is either generally flat with downwardly curved end out of which the glare screen panel projects, or generally rounded having a downwardly curved projecting portion out of which the glare screen panel is extended. The sprocket mechanisms each include an endless belt having sprocket pins distributed along the outside, a reversible electric motor driving gearing to recirculate the endless belts.
The drive includes sprocket mechanisms engaging sprocket openings along either side of the glare screen panel. The housing is either generally flat with downwardly curved end out of which the glare screen panel projects, or generally rounded having a downwardly curved projecting portion out of which the glare screen panel is extended. The sprocket mechanisms each include an endless belt having sprocket pins distributed along the outside, a reversible electric motor driving gearing to recirculate the endless belts.
Description
2ls373~
POWERBD GLARE SCRBBN DEVICE
2Field of the Invention This invention concerns self 3powered, portable glare screens for automotive vehicles such as 4cars and trucks, and more particularly glare screens for the 5windshield or rear glass which are selectively extendible and 6retractable over the inside of the windshield.
7Description of the Prior Art The problem of eliminating 8glare for the driver (and passengers) of automotive vehicles has 9not heretofore been solved completely satisfactorily.
10The most common solution has included fold down visors 11which are standard equipment on cars and trucks. When these are 12used, a substantial obstruction of the viewing area results.
13Tinting of the windshield is also widely practiced, but this is 14usually limited to the upper edges of the windshield lest the 15view be unduly darkened under nighttime or low light conditions.
16The sun is often at low angles during commuting times of 17day, and the rays of the sun are often able to penetrate the 18glass below the tinting and create intense glare.
19Numerous retractable glare screen devices have thus been 20proposed, some of which are powered, for example, see U.S.
21patent 5,076,633 issued on December 31, 1991; U.S. patent 225,000,506 issued on March 19, 1991; and 3,363,666 issued on 23January 16, 1968.
24These devices have not been completely satisfactory as 25being too complicated or bulky, inconvenient to use, or costly 26to manufacture and install, particularly when added as an 27accessory.
28These above referred to devices firstly lack simplicity of 29design, and most importantly are complicated to install and thus 30are costly. The automobile must be substantially modified by 31the manufacturers to accommodate these complex devices, which in 21~373~
turn will increase the cost to the consumer. Secondly, these 2 devices for the most part can only be factory installed in new 3 automobiles, and when once installed, can only be used for that 4 particular vehicle. Thus, when buying another car, the consumer has to again pay for a new glare screen and the cost keeps 6 adding on. The prior devices are intended for new vehicles 7 only, and are not feasible to install in existing cars.
8 The object of the present invention is to provide a 9 portable powered glare screen device which is simple, effective and convenient to use and install and which may be manufactured 11 at low cost.
13 The present invention is a glare screen device comprised of 14 a hollow housing adapted to be installed on the inside of the auto roof above the windshield header. The housing holds a 16 glare screen which projects a few inches when retracted, but 17 which may be panel power driven so as to be extended out of the 18 housing in use, descending to a point where it covers a major 19 portion of the vehicle windshield.
The glare screen panel itself is sufficiently stiff to be 21 self supporting and is darkly tinted on the top portion and 22 gradually lightens up towards the screen leading edge to be 23 effective in bright sunlight.
24 The power drive of the glare screen panel includes sprocket mechanisms each including an endless sprocket belts on each side 26 of the glare screen panel, having a series of protrusions spaced 27 to engage sprocket openings in the glare screen panel sides 28 along the rear retracted portion of the screen. The sprocket 29 belts are driven by pairs of gears driving internal teeth on the belts, the gears driven by primary and secondary shafts 31 extending across the housing, the shafts in turn driven by a 32 selectively energizable and reversible drive motor, or manually 215373.~
1 by a crank handle, and/or by means of tabs provided on the 2 leading edge of the glare screen panel to pull it up and down.
3 A positive stop arrangement limits advancing and retracting 4 of the glare screen panel.
The housing may be generally flat but with a downwardly 6 curved end out of which the glare screen panel extends or may 7 also be generally round with the downwardly curved projecting 8 portion to be more compact to be adapted to convertible top 9 automobiles and rear windows of sedans.
This present invention is contemplated as a self contained 11 add-on accessory which can be installed in new cars as they are 12 assembled as well as in previously manufactured automobiles by 13 the simple means of wiring the motor either in the main 14 electrical circuit or by simply plugging it in the cigarette lighter by means of an adapter. A third option is to operate 16 this device by means of small "C" or "D" rechargeable batteries 17 which is even simpler to implement. This device is made very 18 light and can be easily detachable to be reinstalled in other 19 cars as need be. The consumer therefore has to buy this only once and can use the same for years to come, in any number of 21 automobiles.
22 This device may also be used for the rear window to block 23 the glare of the headlights from behind.
24 DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING~
Figure 1 is a perspective fragmentary view of an automobile 26 shown in phantom with glare screen devices according to the 27 present invention installed on the driver and passenger side 28 respectively.
29 Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through a glare screen device according to the invention.
31 Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the internal 32 components of the device shown in Figure 2.
21~373~
1 Figure 4 is an end view of an alternate configuration of 2 the glare screen device according to the invention.
3 DET~TT~n DESCRIPTION
4 In the following detailed description, certain specific terminology will be employed for the sake of clarity and a 6 particular embodiment described in accordance with the 7 requirements of 35 USC 112, but it is to be understood that the 8 same is not intended to be limiting and should not be so 9 construed inasmuch as the invention is capable of taking many forms and variations within the scope of the appended claims.
11 Referring to the drawings and particularly Figure 1, an 12 automobile 10 is shown, having a pair of glare screen devices 12 13 installed on the driver's side and passenger side respectively.
14 These devices 12 are installed on the inside of the vehicle roof, just to the rear of the vehicle windshield 14 and above 16 the windshield header.
17 Each device 12 includes a housing 16 which contains a glare 18 screen panel 18 which may be selectively driven to an extended 19 position (shown on the driver's side) to cover a substantial portion of the windshield directly in front of the driver. In 21 the retracted position, (shown on the passenger side) the screen 22 panel 8 projects out of its housing 16 by about 4" to 5", so 23 that the top portion of the windshield is covered to serve the 24 function of a tinted portion of the windshield which tinting can therefor be dispensed with.
26 The present device will also allow elimination of visors, 27 so that together with the elimination of the tinted windshield, 28 considerable cost saving results.
29 The glare screen panel 18 is constructed of a self supporting sheet of transparent but darkly tinted plastic, 31 darkest at the top and which gradually lightens up towards the 32 lower edge. The plastic should be resistant to solar radiation, 21S373~
1 acrylic plastic being one suitable material.
2 The housing 16 may be constructed of two parts of molded 3 plastic held together as with snap brackets (not shown). The 4 exterior of the housing parts preferably have a rubberized coating to minimize the bumping hazards presented by its 6 presence.
7 The housing 16 is removably attachable to the inside 8 ceiling by means of a pair of magnets, 20, 22, magnet 20 affixed 9 to the headliner 24, magnet 22 affixed to the upper surface of the housing 16. It can also be attachable by means of a pivot 11 bracket or directly to the existing visor bracket by means of 12 clips (not shown).
13 A drive mechanism, best seen in Figure 3, is provided for 14 powered movement of the glare screen panel 18 between an extended and a retracted position as described.
16 The drive mechanism includes a reversible electric motor 17 26, selectively controlled by a reversing on-off switch 28 18 interposed in the power leads and located for convenient 19 operation.
The drive motor 26 is directly connected to a primary drive 21 shaft 30 supported on bearings 32 at either end in the housing 22 16.
23 A parallel secondary shaft 34 mounted by bearings 36 at 24 either end is driven by the primary shaft 30 by a gear train including large diameter pinion gears 38 affixed to the primary 26 drive shaft, intermediate idler gears 40 rotatably mounted in 27 the housing 16 and large diameter pinion gears 42 affixed to the 28 secondary shaft 34. The secondary shaft 34 thus rotates in the 29 same direction as the primary shaft 30.
A hand crank handle 44 affixed to the primary shaft 30 31 allows manual operation. A tab 19 affixed to the protruding 32 edge also allows manual pull out of the screen panel 18, 33 alternatively.
1 The primary and secondary shafts 30, 34 pass through right 2 and left sprocket mechanisms 46, each located on a respective 3 side of the glare screen panel 18.
4 Each sprocket mechanism 46 includes an internally toothed endless belt 48, each belt 48 having a series of equispaced 6 outwardly projecting sprocket pins 50 which are arranged around 7 the perimeter thereof. The sprocket pins 50 are adapted to 8 successively engage a series of sprocket openings 52 formed 9 along either side of the rear position of the glare screen panel 18. Each endless belt has a segment following a linear path 11 when engaging the glare screen panel openings 52.
12 The sprocket belts 48 are each received over a pair of 13 spaced pinion gears 54, 56 attached to the primary shaft 30 and 14 secondary shaft 34 respectively as with collars 55. The internal teeth 58 of the sprocket belts 48 engage the teeth of 16 the pinion gears 54, 56 to be driven thereby. The sprocket 17 belts 48 are retained and guided in an endless path by sprocket 18 housing members 60, 62 (fixed in housing 16), members 60, 62 19 secured together with adjustment screws 64, bosses 66, 68, each received over a collar 55. The bosses 66, 68 are each received 21 in recesses in the gears 54, 56 with a light pressure engagement 22 therewith so as to allow rotation of the pinion gears 54, 56 23 with the shafts 30, 34. Springs 65 may be employed to keep the 24 housing members 60, 62 spaced apart to insure free movement of the belt 48. The inner surfaces of each sprocket housing member 26 60, 62 acts to guide the respective side edges of the sprocket 27 belts 48.
28 Telescoping guide members 70, 71 are mounted in the housing 29 16, lower member 70 having an opening 72 located so as to straddle a respective sprocket belt 48 and bear against the 31 upper surface of the glare screen panel 18 on either side, upper 32 member 71 fixed to the housing 16. The adjustable pressure 33 created by advancement of a screw 13 in the upper member 71 and 1 engaging the lower member 70 holds the glare screen panel 18 2 down on either side in engagement with the pins 50.
3 Side guides 74 on each side of the housing 16 each have a 4 slot 76 receiving a respective side of the glare screen panel 18.
6 A worm gear 78 fixed on the primary shaft 30 drives a 7 pinion gear 80, which is mounted by an antifriction bearing on 8 a post (not shown). Fixed stops 82 (Figure 2) engage a stop pin 9 84 at respective rotated positions corresponding to the fully extended and retracted positions of the glare screen panel 18.
11 The generally flat housing 16 has a downwardly curved 12 projecting portion at the forward end thereof to conform to the 13 roof line and also to guide the glare screen panel 18 in a 14 downward direction after exiting a slot 86 (Figure 2) at the forward end.
16 Vents 15 are provided in the housing 16 to prevent 17 overheated air from building up in the interior.
18 Figure 4 shows an alternate shape of the housing 16A in 19 another embodiment of a glare screen device 12A. This shape is round with a spoutlike downwardly curving end 88. The glare 21 screen panel 18 is wound up upon retraction into the housing 22 16A.
23 This shape is adapted to convertible top automobiles and 24 can also be used at the rear window of a sedan.
It can thus be appreciated that the present invention 26 provides a self powered, portable and effective glare screen 27 device that is substantially self-contained to be convenient to 28 install and use, allowing a full view while eliminating 29 excessive glare.
The compact but reliable drive mechanism can be 31 manufactured at low cost, and can be removed for use in another 32 vehicle.
POWERBD GLARE SCRBBN DEVICE
2Field of the Invention This invention concerns self 3powered, portable glare screens for automotive vehicles such as 4cars and trucks, and more particularly glare screens for the 5windshield or rear glass which are selectively extendible and 6retractable over the inside of the windshield.
7Description of the Prior Art The problem of eliminating 8glare for the driver (and passengers) of automotive vehicles has 9not heretofore been solved completely satisfactorily.
10The most common solution has included fold down visors 11which are standard equipment on cars and trucks. When these are 12used, a substantial obstruction of the viewing area results.
13Tinting of the windshield is also widely practiced, but this is 14usually limited to the upper edges of the windshield lest the 15view be unduly darkened under nighttime or low light conditions.
16The sun is often at low angles during commuting times of 17day, and the rays of the sun are often able to penetrate the 18glass below the tinting and create intense glare.
19Numerous retractable glare screen devices have thus been 20proposed, some of which are powered, for example, see U.S.
21patent 5,076,633 issued on December 31, 1991; U.S. patent 225,000,506 issued on March 19, 1991; and 3,363,666 issued on 23January 16, 1968.
24These devices have not been completely satisfactory as 25being too complicated or bulky, inconvenient to use, or costly 26to manufacture and install, particularly when added as an 27accessory.
28These above referred to devices firstly lack simplicity of 29design, and most importantly are complicated to install and thus 30are costly. The automobile must be substantially modified by 31the manufacturers to accommodate these complex devices, which in 21~373~
turn will increase the cost to the consumer. Secondly, these 2 devices for the most part can only be factory installed in new 3 automobiles, and when once installed, can only be used for that 4 particular vehicle. Thus, when buying another car, the consumer has to again pay for a new glare screen and the cost keeps 6 adding on. The prior devices are intended for new vehicles 7 only, and are not feasible to install in existing cars.
8 The object of the present invention is to provide a 9 portable powered glare screen device which is simple, effective and convenient to use and install and which may be manufactured 11 at low cost.
13 The present invention is a glare screen device comprised of 14 a hollow housing adapted to be installed on the inside of the auto roof above the windshield header. The housing holds a 16 glare screen which projects a few inches when retracted, but 17 which may be panel power driven so as to be extended out of the 18 housing in use, descending to a point where it covers a major 19 portion of the vehicle windshield.
The glare screen panel itself is sufficiently stiff to be 21 self supporting and is darkly tinted on the top portion and 22 gradually lightens up towards the screen leading edge to be 23 effective in bright sunlight.
24 The power drive of the glare screen panel includes sprocket mechanisms each including an endless sprocket belts on each side 26 of the glare screen panel, having a series of protrusions spaced 27 to engage sprocket openings in the glare screen panel sides 28 along the rear retracted portion of the screen. The sprocket 29 belts are driven by pairs of gears driving internal teeth on the belts, the gears driven by primary and secondary shafts 31 extending across the housing, the shafts in turn driven by a 32 selectively energizable and reversible drive motor, or manually 215373.~
1 by a crank handle, and/or by means of tabs provided on the 2 leading edge of the glare screen panel to pull it up and down.
3 A positive stop arrangement limits advancing and retracting 4 of the glare screen panel.
The housing may be generally flat but with a downwardly 6 curved end out of which the glare screen panel extends or may 7 also be generally round with the downwardly curved projecting 8 portion to be more compact to be adapted to convertible top 9 automobiles and rear windows of sedans.
This present invention is contemplated as a self contained 11 add-on accessory which can be installed in new cars as they are 12 assembled as well as in previously manufactured automobiles by 13 the simple means of wiring the motor either in the main 14 electrical circuit or by simply plugging it in the cigarette lighter by means of an adapter. A third option is to operate 16 this device by means of small "C" or "D" rechargeable batteries 17 which is even simpler to implement. This device is made very 18 light and can be easily detachable to be reinstalled in other 19 cars as need be. The consumer therefore has to buy this only once and can use the same for years to come, in any number of 21 automobiles.
22 This device may also be used for the rear window to block 23 the glare of the headlights from behind.
24 DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING~
Figure 1 is a perspective fragmentary view of an automobile 26 shown in phantom with glare screen devices according to the 27 present invention installed on the driver and passenger side 28 respectively.
29 Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through a glare screen device according to the invention.
31 Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the internal 32 components of the device shown in Figure 2.
21~373~
1 Figure 4 is an end view of an alternate configuration of 2 the glare screen device according to the invention.
3 DET~TT~n DESCRIPTION
4 In the following detailed description, certain specific terminology will be employed for the sake of clarity and a 6 particular embodiment described in accordance with the 7 requirements of 35 USC 112, but it is to be understood that the 8 same is not intended to be limiting and should not be so 9 construed inasmuch as the invention is capable of taking many forms and variations within the scope of the appended claims.
11 Referring to the drawings and particularly Figure 1, an 12 automobile 10 is shown, having a pair of glare screen devices 12 13 installed on the driver's side and passenger side respectively.
14 These devices 12 are installed on the inside of the vehicle roof, just to the rear of the vehicle windshield 14 and above 16 the windshield header.
17 Each device 12 includes a housing 16 which contains a glare 18 screen panel 18 which may be selectively driven to an extended 19 position (shown on the driver's side) to cover a substantial portion of the windshield directly in front of the driver. In 21 the retracted position, (shown on the passenger side) the screen 22 panel 8 projects out of its housing 16 by about 4" to 5", so 23 that the top portion of the windshield is covered to serve the 24 function of a tinted portion of the windshield which tinting can therefor be dispensed with.
26 The present device will also allow elimination of visors, 27 so that together with the elimination of the tinted windshield, 28 considerable cost saving results.
29 The glare screen panel 18 is constructed of a self supporting sheet of transparent but darkly tinted plastic, 31 darkest at the top and which gradually lightens up towards the 32 lower edge. The plastic should be resistant to solar radiation, 21S373~
1 acrylic plastic being one suitable material.
2 The housing 16 may be constructed of two parts of molded 3 plastic held together as with snap brackets (not shown). The 4 exterior of the housing parts preferably have a rubberized coating to minimize the bumping hazards presented by its 6 presence.
7 The housing 16 is removably attachable to the inside 8 ceiling by means of a pair of magnets, 20, 22, magnet 20 affixed 9 to the headliner 24, magnet 22 affixed to the upper surface of the housing 16. It can also be attachable by means of a pivot 11 bracket or directly to the existing visor bracket by means of 12 clips (not shown).
13 A drive mechanism, best seen in Figure 3, is provided for 14 powered movement of the glare screen panel 18 between an extended and a retracted position as described.
16 The drive mechanism includes a reversible electric motor 17 26, selectively controlled by a reversing on-off switch 28 18 interposed in the power leads and located for convenient 19 operation.
The drive motor 26 is directly connected to a primary drive 21 shaft 30 supported on bearings 32 at either end in the housing 22 16.
23 A parallel secondary shaft 34 mounted by bearings 36 at 24 either end is driven by the primary shaft 30 by a gear train including large diameter pinion gears 38 affixed to the primary 26 drive shaft, intermediate idler gears 40 rotatably mounted in 27 the housing 16 and large diameter pinion gears 42 affixed to the 28 secondary shaft 34. The secondary shaft 34 thus rotates in the 29 same direction as the primary shaft 30.
A hand crank handle 44 affixed to the primary shaft 30 31 allows manual operation. A tab 19 affixed to the protruding 32 edge also allows manual pull out of the screen panel 18, 33 alternatively.
1 The primary and secondary shafts 30, 34 pass through right 2 and left sprocket mechanisms 46, each located on a respective 3 side of the glare screen panel 18.
4 Each sprocket mechanism 46 includes an internally toothed endless belt 48, each belt 48 having a series of equispaced 6 outwardly projecting sprocket pins 50 which are arranged around 7 the perimeter thereof. The sprocket pins 50 are adapted to 8 successively engage a series of sprocket openings 52 formed 9 along either side of the rear position of the glare screen panel 18. Each endless belt has a segment following a linear path 11 when engaging the glare screen panel openings 52.
12 The sprocket belts 48 are each received over a pair of 13 spaced pinion gears 54, 56 attached to the primary shaft 30 and 14 secondary shaft 34 respectively as with collars 55. The internal teeth 58 of the sprocket belts 48 engage the teeth of 16 the pinion gears 54, 56 to be driven thereby. The sprocket 17 belts 48 are retained and guided in an endless path by sprocket 18 housing members 60, 62 (fixed in housing 16), members 60, 62 19 secured together with adjustment screws 64, bosses 66, 68, each received over a collar 55. The bosses 66, 68 are each received 21 in recesses in the gears 54, 56 with a light pressure engagement 22 therewith so as to allow rotation of the pinion gears 54, 56 23 with the shafts 30, 34. Springs 65 may be employed to keep the 24 housing members 60, 62 spaced apart to insure free movement of the belt 48. The inner surfaces of each sprocket housing member 26 60, 62 acts to guide the respective side edges of the sprocket 27 belts 48.
28 Telescoping guide members 70, 71 are mounted in the housing 29 16, lower member 70 having an opening 72 located so as to straddle a respective sprocket belt 48 and bear against the 31 upper surface of the glare screen panel 18 on either side, upper 32 member 71 fixed to the housing 16. The adjustable pressure 33 created by advancement of a screw 13 in the upper member 71 and 1 engaging the lower member 70 holds the glare screen panel 18 2 down on either side in engagement with the pins 50.
3 Side guides 74 on each side of the housing 16 each have a 4 slot 76 receiving a respective side of the glare screen panel 18.
6 A worm gear 78 fixed on the primary shaft 30 drives a 7 pinion gear 80, which is mounted by an antifriction bearing on 8 a post (not shown). Fixed stops 82 (Figure 2) engage a stop pin 9 84 at respective rotated positions corresponding to the fully extended and retracted positions of the glare screen panel 18.
11 The generally flat housing 16 has a downwardly curved 12 projecting portion at the forward end thereof to conform to the 13 roof line and also to guide the glare screen panel 18 in a 14 downward direction after exiting a slot 86 (Figure 2) at the forward end.
16 Vents 15 are provided in the housing 16 to prevent 17 overheated air from building up in the interior.
18 Figure 4 shows an alternate shape of the housing 16A in 19 another embodiment of a glare screen device 12A. This shape is round with a spoutlike downwardly curving end 88. The glare 21 screen panel 18 is wound up upon retraction into the housing 22 16A.
23 This shape is adapted to convertible top automobiles and 24 can also be used at the rear window of a sedan.
It can thus be appreciated that the present invention 26 provides a self powered, portable and effective glare screen 27 device that is substantially self-contained to be convenient to 28 install and use, allowing a full view while eliminating 29 excessive glare.
The compact but reliable drive mechanism can be 31 manufactured at low cost, and can be removed for use in another 32 vehicle.
Claims (14)
1. A portable, self-contained glare screen device for automotive vehicles such as cars and trucks comprising:
a hollow housing;
attachment means for attaching said housing within the passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle above a glass window to be screened against glare;
a tinted glare screen panel sufficiently stiff to be self supporting and mounted for movement in and out of a slot in said housing, from an extended position to a retracted position;
a drive mechanism including a selectively energizable reversible electric drive motor, a sprocket mechanism in said housing on each side of said glare screen, each sprocket mechanism including a series of recirculating sprocket pins linearly engaging sprocket openings along a respective side of said glare screen panel, said drive motor connected to a primary drive shaft driving each sprocket mechanism to cause recirculation of said sprocket pins and driving of said glare screen panel in and out of said housing.
a hollow housing;
attachment means for attaching said housing within the passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle above a glass window to be screened against glare;
a tinted glare screen panel sufficiently stiff to be self supporting and mounted for movement in and out of a slot in said housing, from an extended position to a retracted position;
a drive mechanism including a selectively energizable reversible electric drive motor, a sprocket mechanism in said housing on each side of said glare screen, each sprocket mechanism including a series of recirculating sprocket pins linearly engaging sprocket openings along a respective side of said glare screen panel, said drive motor connected to a primary drive shaft driving each sprocket mechanism to cause recirculation of said sprocket pins and driving of said glare screen panel in and out of said housing.
2. A glare screen device according to claim 1 wherein said housing is generally flat but with a side thereof formed with said slot curved downwardly when installed on said inside of said roof of said automotive vehicle.
3. A glare screen device according to claim 1 further including stop means for limiting drive of said glare screen panel out of said housing.
4. A glare screen device according to claim 1 further including a slotted track guide in said housing on either side of the inside of said housing receiving a respective side edge of said glare screen panel.
5. A glare screen device according to claim 1 wherein each sprocket mechanism comprises an endless belt mounted for recirculation in the direction of in and out movement of said glare screen panel, said belt carrying said pins along the length thereof, said primary shaft drivingly connected to each endless belt to cause said recirculation thereof upon energization of said drive motor in either direction.
6. A glare screen device according to claim 4 wherein said endless belt of each sprocket mechanism is guided to recirculate along a linear path while engaging said glare screen panel.
7. A glare screen device according to claim 5 wherein said endless belt of each sprocket mechanism is internally toothed, and wherein a pair of spaced pinion gears driven by said primary shaft engages the inside of each endless belt, said spacing of said pinion gears establishing said linear path.
8. A glare screen device according to claim 7 wherein said primary shaft extends through and drives one of said pinion gears of both sprocket mechanisms and further including a secondary shaft parallel to said primary shaft extending through and supporting the other pinion gears in each sprocket mechanism, said secondary shaft drivingly connected to said primary shaft to be rotated in the same direction.
9. A glare screen device according to claim 1 further including a manual drive handle drivingly connected to said primary shaft for allowing alternate manual drive of said glare screen panel.
10. A glare screen device according to claim 1 wherein said housing has a generally rounded cross sectional shape with a projecting downwardly curved portion formed with said slot.
11. A glare screen device according to claim 1 wherein said attachment means for attaching said housing comprises a pair of magnets, one fixed to the upper side of said housing, the other attached to the inside of said roof.
12. A glare screen according to claim 1 wherein said glare screen panel remains projecting out of said housing by several inches when retracted.
13. A glare screen according to claim 1 wherein said glare screen panel is tinted with increasing darkness from said projecting edge.
14. A glare screen according to claim 1 wherein said glare screen panel is formed with a tab on the outer projecting edge for manual pull out.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002153734A CA2153734A1 (en) | 1995-07-12 | 1995-07-12 | Powered glare screen device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002153734A CA2153734A1 (en) | 1995-07-12 | 1995-07-12 | Powered glare screen device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2153734A1 true CA2153734A1 (en) | 1997-01-13 |
Family
ID=4156212
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002153734A Abandoned CA2153734A1 (en) | 1995-07-12 | 1995-07-12 | Powered glare screen device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2153734A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP3616951A1 (en) * | 2018-08-30 | 2020-03-04 | MAN Truck & Bus SE | Windscreen for a motor vehicle, preferably a commercial vehicle |
-
1995
- 1995-07-12 CA CA002153734A patent/CA2153734A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP3616951A1 (en) * | 2018-08-30 | 2020-03-04 | MAN Truck & Bus SE | Windscreen for a motor vehicle, preferably a commercial vehicle |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20000712 |