Shade-cover device and securing device therefor

Abstract

A shade-cover device and securing mechanism therefor for use with a mobile unit such as a motor vehicle. The device has a housing with a slit thereon, a removable and retractable shade-cover within the housing, a mechanism for securing the housing to an external surface of the motor vehicle's tailgate or hatch, a mechanism for adjusting the amount of shade-cover desired and its angle, a mechanism for locking the length and angle of the shade-cover once attained, a mechanism for stabilizing the shade-cover from natural forces, and a mechanism for retracting the shade-cover into the housing.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This present invention relates to an improvement in devices for securing various housings to external surfaces and to the housing, and more particularly to housings having a shade cover contained within for use with a mobile unit, such as a motor vehicle having a tail gate or hatch back.

[0004] Shades and screens and screen-type devices presently exist for use with motor vehicles. Some are for use with tailgate- and hatch back-type vehicles. All are either cumbersome to use, difficult to affix to the vehicle and, particularly to adjust, or complex in structure. See for example the Thompson patent, U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,638; the Brutsaert patent, U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,350; the Roe patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,689; the Gunn patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,544,195; the Kinney patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,519,409; and the Beggs patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,939. All these prior-art devices are well-suited for the intended purpose but none is as comprehensive, easy-to-use, and relatively inexpensive as is the present invention.

[0005] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are to:

[0006] a. provide a portable shade device which is easy-to-install, easy-to-use, and easy-to-adjust to changing needs and conditions;

[0007] b. provide a portable shade device which easily disassembles and stores in compact spaces;

[0008] c. enhance one's outdoor enjoyment by providing protection from the sun and weather at any given location for use with virtually any external structure; and

[0009] d. make an portable shade device which is affordable.

[0010] The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the present invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the intended invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or by modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The above-noted problems, among others, are overcome by the present invention. Briefly stated, the present invention contemplates a shade-cover device and securing mechanism therefor having a housing with a slit thereon, a removable and retractable shade-cover within the housing, a mechanism for securing the housing to an external surface such as a motor vehicle tailgate or hatch, a mechanism for adjusting the amount of shade-cover desired and its angle, a mechanism for locking the length and angle of the shade-cover once attained, a mechanism for stabilizing the shade-cover from natural forces, and a mechanism for retracting the shade-cover into the housing.

[0012] The foregoing has outlined the more pertinent and important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood so the present contributions to the art may be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the present invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific embodiment may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures and methods for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It also should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions and methods do not depart from the spirit and scope of the inventions as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a side view of the device attached to a vehicle and to a ground support.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of one embodiment of the housing mechanism.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a detailed side view of one embodiment of the cranking mechanism.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a detailed side view of the base member.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of a second embodiment of the cranking mechanism.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a detailed side view of the second embodiment of the cranking mechanism.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the end bar and pole member configuration.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a detailed, partially exploded view of the securing mechanism of the housing.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a detailed side view of a second embodiment of the securing mechanism of the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Referring now to the drawings in detail and in particular to FIG. 1, reference character 10 generally designates an retractable shade device with its numerous component parts (shade housing mechanism 20, end rod 41, adjustable pole member 40, housing securing device 60, and base member 80; each of which shall be described in detail below) constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The shade mechanism 20 easily attaches to, by way of example only and not by way of limitation, a hatch 16 of a motor vehicle 12 by the housing securing device 60. Once attached, the cover 34 rolled within the housing 22 is pulled out by grasping the end rod 41 which remains outside the housing 22. The pole sections 44 of the pole member 40 are attached to the end rod 41 at one end and to the base member 80 at the other end. Once so assembled, the shade device 10 may be stabilized by a rope or line 51 attached to the end rod 41 and may be staked to the ground surface 55 or attached to a weight 53 for greater stability and resistence to undesired wind forces.

[0024] Details of the housing 22 are illustrated in FIG. 2. Adjacent to each end of the housing 22 is the housing securing device 60. An end cap 30 on each end of the housing 22 maintains the shade cover 34 within. A slit 25 in the housing 22 longitudinally transverse the length of the housing 22 from approximately one housing securing device 60 approximately to the other housing securing device 60. A shaft 24 within the housing 22 is rotatably connected to each end cap 30. The shade cover 34 at one end is secured to and wrapped around the shaft 24. The other end of the shade cover 34 is secured to the end rod 41. The thickness of the end rod 41 is greater than the opening of the slit 25 to thereby prevent the end rod 41 from entering the housing 22 when the shade cover 34 is retracted into the housing 22 when desired. This also permits for easy grasping of the end rod 41 and facilitates removal of the shade cover 34 from the housing 22 when it use is desired or needed.

[0025] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a locking mechanism/retracting (or cranking) mechanism for the shade device 10. A crank 31 is in rotational communication with the shaft 24. The handle 32 on the crank 31 pivots from position A (cranking or retracting [unlocked] position) to position B (locked position) in the direction of arrow A-B on hinge 38 (and back and forth as necessary or desired). FIG. 3 illustrates the locking structure in the unlocked position. The lock plate 26 on the end cap 30 has one or more lock slots 28 into which the handle 32 may be inserted for the locked position (Position B as illustrated in FIG. 2, Position A is illustrated in phantom line).

[0026] The locked position may be used when the shade cover 34 is pulled from the housing 22 and the component parts are assembled for use in order to maintain the desired length or angle or both in order to attain the shade desired by the user. After use and dis-assembly, the handle 32 is placed into Position A (unlocked position), and the handle 32 may be turned to retract the shade cover 34 into the housing 22. When the thicker end rod 41 strikes the housing 22, its thickness prevents the end rod 41 from passing through the slit 25 and entering the housing 22. The handle 32 may then be returned to Position B (locked position) to thereby prevent the end rod 41 and shade cover 34 from falling away from and/or out of the housing 22. This locking ability protects the shade cover 34 when the shade device 10 is not is use and/or is stored.

[0027] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a second embodiment of the locking mechanism/retracting mechanism. Here the handle 32 is a non-pivoting handle. The crank 31′ however has at least one crank aperture 37′ therethrough. The end cap 30 has one or more apertures 37. When desired, the crank 31′ may be locked in place by placing the crank lock pin 39 through crank aperture 37′ and into any one of the one or more end cap apertures 37. Once so locked, as with the other embodiment, this prevents the end rod 41 and shade cover 34 from falling away from and out of the housing 22 and protects the shade cover 34 when the shade device 10 is not is use and/or is stored. The simplicity of construction and ease of use of both embodiments of the locking mechanism/retracting mechanism far exceed similar components and combinations of prior art devices.

[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the housing 22 is attached to a hatch 16 in this example by the housing securing device 60. The upper pole section 44 of the pole member 40 attaches to the end rod 41 and the base pole section 44′ of the pole member 40 inserts into base member 80. In FIG. 1 the pole member 40 is illustrated as having at least two telescoping pole sections 44, 44′ with pole locking member 42 between the sections to facilitate length adjustment of the pole member 40 and, once so adjusted to the desired length, locking that length in place. Any conventional pole member 40 with telescoping pole sections 44, 44′, or more, and twistable locking members 42 in between all such pole sections may be used for this purpose.

[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates a second embodiment of adjustment of the pole member 40 and the mechanism securing the upper pole section 44 to the end rod 41. The adjustment mechanism illustrated here shows upper pole section 44 to have a plurality of registration apertures 57. The base pole section 44′ has a detent or biased protrusion 59 which a user presses into the base pole section 44′ to thereby permit the plurality of registration apertures 57 to pass over the biased protrusion 59 until the desired length of the pole member 40 is attained. When the desired length is attained, the user releases the biased protrusion 59 and inserts it into one of the plurality of registration apertures 57 at or near the desired length in order to maintain that length.

[0030] FIG. 7 also illustrates the connection components of the end rod 41 to the pole member 40. A suitable elbow section 45 is configured to insert over or into the end rod 41 at one end of the elbow section 45 and to insert over or into the upper pole section 44 at the other end of the elbow section 45 (as illustrated, the elbow section 45 inserts over the end rod 41 and over the upper pole section 44 but the opposite configuration also serves the intended purpose; i.e., end rod 41 and upper pole section 44 inserting over the elbow section 45, or any combinations of the above). The elbow section 45 has an elbow aperture 47 on the pole section side or on the end rod side or both. The upper pole section 44 has an aperture (covered by the elbow section 45 in the illustration) which is in communication with the elbow aperture 47. An elbow locking pin 49 inserted through the elbow aperture 47 and into an corresponding aperture in the upper pole section 44. The end rod 41 may have a similar aperture which is in communication with the elbow aperture through which the elbow locking pin 49 is also inserted. Though the elbow section 45 has been described herein as being removable from and lockable to either the end rod 41 or to the upper pole section 44 or to both, the elbow section 45 also may be permanently attached to either member (end rod 41 or upper pole section 44), but generally not to both at the same time. Portability and ease of disassembly of the shade device 10 dictates that the elbow section 45 should be lockably removable from one or both such members (end rod 41 and upper pole section 44) as described above.

[0031] For initial stability of the shade device 10 when being assembled, one or more weight members, such as, but not limited to a conventional rebar 43, are placed on or within the end rod 41. As illustrated in FIG. 7 a rebar 43 is inside the end rod 41. Such weight or weights to the end rod 41 eases assembly by stabilizing the shade cover 34 from unwanted movements due to windy conditions after its removal from the housing 22. Additional stability is enhanced by staking to the ground surface or by using one or more external weights 53 tied to the end rod 41 as earlier described.

[0032] Once the end rod 41 is attached to the pole member 40 on both sides, it is then attached to the base member 80 for its final assembly mode. FIG. 4 illustrates the detail components of the base member 80 in relation to the base pole section 44′. The base member 80 has a pole receptacle 48 on its top and a pad member 82 on its bottom. The pad member 82 may be placed on the bumper 14 of the motor vehicle 12 (or any other surface suited for the intended purpose) and may, but need not, be secured thereto by any suitable attaching component such as, but not limited to, a bungee cord 86 as shown, a rope tied around the bumper 14. The pad member may, but need not, be of any nonabrasive material (such as, but not limited to, rubber, vinyl, cotton, polyester, and the like, to protect external surfaces from undue wear, tear, and/or scratches.

[0033] Once the base member 80 is attached to the bumper 14, for example, the base pole section 44′ is inserted into the pole receptacle 48 of the base member 80. The pole receptacle 48 rests on a base hinge 88 which permits movement of the pole receptacle 48 up and down as necessary to accommodate the desired angle of use of the shade device 10 as dictated by how much shade cover 34 is pulled out from the housing 22 and to what length the pole member 40 has been adjusted. The base pole section 44′ may be tapered or threaded 46 (threading shown) and, respectively, may be friction-fitted into the pole receptacle 48 or threaded into cooperating threading of the pole receptacle 48.

[0034] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate in detail the unique housing securing device 60 for use with any housing structure regardless of the shape of the housing structure. FIG. 8 is the preferred embodiment of the housing securing device 60. It has a top section 61 and a bottom section 62 each of which attach together over a housing (not shown in this Figure). The top section 61 and bottom section 62 are attached together by suitable, preferably threaded, fasteners 67 through apertures 63 on the top section 61 into correspondingly threaded apertures 64 on the bottom section. It must be noted that the threaded apertures 64, though illustrated to be on the bottom section 62 may be reversed; i.e., the non-threaded apertures to be on the bottom section 62 with the correspondingly threaded apertures to be on the top section 61. The bottom section 62 also has bottom apertures 66, generally threaded, though such need not be.

[0035] A clamp-like device 36 having matching apertures 35 is attached to matching apertures of bottom section 62 by suitable fasteners 68 which, generally are threaded matchingly to the threading of the bottom apertures 66. In cases where the aperture is not threaded, any other fastener suited for the intended purpose may be used, including, but not limited to, nut-and-bolt combinations, rivets, and the like. Any conventional clamp-like device 36 may be used for the housing securing device 60. Illustrated here is a two-piece clamp-like member 36 having an upper part 36′ and a lower part 36″ connected together at a pivot point 73. At one end of the clamp-like member 36 is the mouth 74, and at the other end is the handle 72. A bias member 75 forces the mouth 74 into a closed or tightening position; i.e., in the direction of arrows C, C′. As with such conventional clamp-like devices, squeezing the handle 72 in the direction of opposite to arrows C, C′ forces the mouth 74 into an adjustable open position. When in the open position, the clamp-like device 36, with housing 22 attached, may be placed virtually to any external surface, such as, but not limited to, a hatch or tailgate. When the exerted pressure is released from the handle 72, the mouth 74 reverts to its biased closed position in the direction of arrows C.

[0036] This unique housing securing device 60 is configured first with the bottom section 62 being secured to the upper part 36′ of the clamp-like device 36, the housing 22 placed into the bottom section 62, and the top section 61 placed over the housing 22 and fastened to the lower section 61 with fasteners suited for the intended purpose such as, but not limited to, threaded screws into correspondingly threaded apertures, rivets, nuts and bolts, and the like. In cases where the housing 22 is round, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, a securing fastener 69, such as a threaded set-screw, is placed into a correspondingly threaded aperture 70 on the top section 61 and threaded tightly down to the housing 22. Once so set and tightened will prevent the housing 22 from moving or rotating within the top and bottom sections 61, 62.

[0037] This set-screw combination 69, 70 may be eliminated when the housing is not rounded but rather has multiple angles. This situation is illustrated in FIG. 9. With a multi-angled housing 22′, the top and bottom sections 61′, 62′ of the securing device 60 have angles matching the angles of the housing 22′. With such matching angles, when the housing 22′ is seated into the bottom section 62′, it mates with the corresponding angles which will prevent movement of the housing 22′ within. The top section 61′ attaches to the bottom section 62′ as described above. The clamp-like device 36 is affixed to the bottom section 62′ also as described above; i.e., upper part 36′ to bottom section 62′ with suitable fasteners.

[0038] The present disclosure includes that contained in the present claims as well as that of the foregoing description.

[0039] Although this invention has been described in its preferred forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and numerous changes in the details of construction and combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A securing device for a housing comprising:

(a) a first section and a second section attachable to one another and over the housing;

(b) support means for engaging said securing device to the housing and for preventing the housing from moving within said securing device;

(c) a clamp-member on said second section, said clamp-member having a handle at one end and an adjustable mouth at the other end for attaching said securing device securely to an external surface.

2. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a threaded aperture in either the first section or the second section or both and a correspondingly threaded fastener of a predetermined length such as to engage the housing when said threaded fastener is inserted into said threaded aperture and tightened therein.

3. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said support means comprises angled inner walls on either the first section or the second section or both corresponding to angles of the housing when such housing is so angled.

4. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said clamp member further comprises an upper section and a lower section attached together at a biased pivot point wherein said handle comprises a two-piece movable handle at said one end and wherein said mouth comprises an openable two-piece mouth at said other end and wherein said biased pivot point biases said two-piece mouth into a closed position.

5. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing comprises a shaft within, a longitudinal slit thereon, a pliable cover around said shaft and removable from said housing through said slit, and an end cap on each end of said housing.

6. The device as defined in claim 5 further comprising an end rod attached to said cover wherein said end rod has a thickness greater in dimension than said slit.

7. The device as defined in claim 6 wherein said end rod has one or more weight members within.

8. The device as defined in claim 6 wherein said housing further comprises a receptacle on each end of said end rod and a pole insertable into said receptacles at one end and onto a external source at another end.

9. The device as defined in claim 8 wherein said pole further comprises an adjustment means for adjusting its length to conform to the amount of said cover removed from said housing in relation to a desired angle of said cover.

10. The device as defined in claim 9 wherein said adjustment means comprises said pole having multi-sections wherein each succeeding section slides into and out of a preceding section and is lockable into any position into which so slid.

11. The device as defined in claim 9 wherein said adjustment means comprises said pole having at least two sections wherein one section is insertable into another section and wherein one section further comprises a plurality of spaced-apart apertures thereon and wherein another section further comprises a biased protrusion over which any one of said plurality of spaced-apart apertures may lock into.

12. The device as defined in claim 6 further comprising a retracting means for returning said cover into said housing.

13. The device as defined in claim 12 wherein said retracting means comprises at least one crank mechanism on one end of said housing, said crank mechanism attached to said shaft.

14. The device as defined in claim 13 wherein said retracting means further comprises a locking means for preventing said cover, after having been removed from said housing to a desired length, from moving out farther or from moving into said housing.

15. The device as defined in claim 14 wherein said locking means comprises a reversible handle on said crank and one or more slots on said end cap of said housing wherein said handle when reversed engages one of said one or more slots thereby preventing rotation of said shaft.

15. The device as defined in claim 14 wherein said locking means comprises a handle of said crank, an aperture through said crank, a rod-like member, and one or more apertures on said end cap wherein said rod-like member is insertable through said aperture of said crank and into said one or more apertures on said end cap thereby preventing rotation of said shaft.

17. The device as defined in claim 6 wherein said end rod further comprises a stabilization means for stabilizing said cover in any location or position said cover is placed from its removal for said housing.

18. The device as defined in claim 17 wherein said stabilization means comprises a line attachable to said end rod and secured to an external ground surface.

19. The device as defined in claim 17 wherein said stabilization means comprises an external weight attached to said end rod.

20. The device as defined in claim 19 wherein said external weight is secured to a ground surface.

21. The device as defined in claim 17 wherein said stabilization means comprises a base attachable to said end rod at one end of said end rod and affixable to an external surface.

22. The device as defined in claim 21 wherein said base comprises a receptacle on its top surface for receiving said rod and a non-abrasive composition on its bottom surface.

23. A securing device and housing comprising:

(a) a shaft within said housing;

(b) a longitudinal slit on said housing;

(c) a pliable cover around said shaft and removable from said housing through said slit;

(d) an end cap on each end of said housing; and

(e) securing means for securing said housing to an external surface.

24. The device as defined in claim 23 wherein said securing means comprises:

(a) a first section and a second section attachable to one another and over the housing;

(b) support means for engaging said securing device to the housing and for preventing the housing from moving within said securing device; and

(c) a clamp-member on said second section, said clamp-member having a handle at one end and an adjustable mouth at the other end for attaching said securing device securely to an external surface.

25. The device as defined in claim 24 wherein said support means comprises a threaded aperture in either the first section or the second section or both and a correspondingly threaded fastener of a predetermined length such as to engage the housing when said threaded fastener is inserted into said threaded aperture and tightened therein.

26. The device as defined in claim 24 wherein said support means comprises angled inner walls on either the first section or the second section or both corresponding to angles of the housing when such housing is so angled.

27. The device as defined in claim 24 wherein said clamp member further comprises an upper section and a lower section attached together at a biased pivot point wherein said handle comprises a two-piece movable handle at said one end and wherein said mouth comprises an openable two-piece mouth at said other end and wherein said biased pivot point biases said two-piece mouth into a closed position.

28. The device as defined in claim 23 further comprising an end rod attached to said cover wherein said end rod has a thickness greater in dimension than said slit.

29. The device as defined in claim 28 wherein said end rod has one or more weight members within.

30. The device as defined in claim 28 wherein said housing further comprises a receptacle on each end of said end rod and a pole insertable into said receptacles at one end and onto a external source at another end.

31. The device as defined in claim 30 wherein said pole further comprises an adjustment means for adjusting its length to conform to the amount of said cover removed from said housing in relation to a desired angle of said cover.

32. The device as defined in claim 31 wherein said adjustment means comprises said pole having multi-sections wherein each succeeding section slides into and out of a preceding section and is lockable into any position into which so slid.

33. The device as defined in claim 31 wherein said adjustment means comprises said pole having at least two sections wherein one section is insertable into another section and wherein one section further comprises a plurality of spaced-apart apertures thereon and wherein another section further comprises a biased protrusion over which any one of said plurality of spaced-apart apertures may lock into.

34. The device as defined in claim 28 further comprising a retracting means for returning said cover into said housing.

35. The device as defined in claim 34 wherein said retracting means comprises at least one crank mechanism on one end of said housing, said crank mechanism attached to said shaft.

36. The device as defined in claim 35 wherein said retracting means further comprises a locking means for preventing said cover, after having been removed from said housing to a desired length, from moving out farther or from moving into said housing.

37. The device as defined in claim 36 wherein said locking means comprises a reversible handle on said crank and one or more slots on said end cap of said housing wherein said handle when reversed engages one of said one or more slots thereby preventing rotation of said shaft.

38. The device as defined in claim 36 wherein said locking means comprises a handle of said crank, an aperture through said crank, a rod-like member, and one or more apertures on said end cap wherein said rod-like member is insertable through said aperture of said crank and into said one or more apertures on said end cap thereby preventing rotation of said shaft.

39. The device as defined in claim 28 wherein said end rod further comprises a stabilization means for stabilizing said cover in any location or position said cover is placed from its removal for said housing.

40. The device as defined in claim 39 wherein said stabilization means comprises a line attachable to said end rod and secured to an external ground surface.

41. The device as defined in claim 39 wherein said stabilization means comprises an external weight attached to said end rod.

42. The device as defined in claim 41 wherein said external weight is secured to a ground surface.

43. The device as defined in claim 39 wherein said stabilization means comprises a base attachable to said end rod at one end of said end rod and affixable to an external surface.

44. The device as defined in claim 43 wherein said base comprises a receptacle on its top surface for receiving said rod and a non-abrasive composition on its bottom surface.