Vehicle mountable privacy screen

Abstract

A vehicle mounted privacy screen comprising a screen panel, at least one removable attachment member associated with each of at least two opposed portions of the screen panel and a connection member that connects the screen panel to the removable attachment member. One removable attachment member is preferably attached to the top of the vehicle and another to the open door, with the privacy screen hanging from connection member or members.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/831,182 filed on Jul. 14, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of portable privacy screens or drapes and, more particularly, to a portable privacy screen or drape for use with a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are occasions when a person needs heightened privacy around their vehicle, i.e., to change in and out of sporting attire or other gear associated with outdoor recreation. Many people are forced to use their vehicle only, or merely a towel wrapped around their bodies, for privacy. This sometimes makes changing uncomfortable due to the small spaces of a vehicle compartment and/or the limited privacy afforded by the interior of a vehicle. Attaching a screen or drape to the open doorway of a vehicle provides a greater area for freedom of movement, and greater and more secure privacy rather than merely wrapping a towel around one's body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally to a vehicle mounted privacy screen comprising a screen panel, at least one removable attachment member associated with each of at least two opposed portions of the screen panel and a connection member that connects the screen panel to the removable attachment member.

The screen panel can be formed of any suitable natural and/or synthetic material. Preferred materials, however, include terrycloth towels, which can serve a dual purpose as a towel and can be washed if they get dirty, and lightweight polyester materials, which are more easily packable and less expensive.

The screen panel can be formed in any shape, with a rectangular shape being preferred. In a variation of the preferred embodiment, the screen panel can include an additional window section such that the window section covers the adjacent vehicle window when the screen panel traverses an open doorway of the vehicle.

The removable attachment member can be any device that is removably attachable to the vehicle and is capable of supporting the screen panel in a screening position. In a preferred embodiment, the removable attachment member can be one or more magnets, suction cups, static films, hooks, clips, straps or the like, or combinations thereof, with magnets being most preferred. When magnets or other metallic attachment members are used, it is preferred that they have a non-scratch coating or covering so that they do not mark the finish of the vehicle.

The connection member can also be any suitable device or devices that are capable of connecting the screen panel to the removable attachment member. These can include elements formed separate from the screen panel, as a part of the screen panel or combinations thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the connection member includes a connector, such as a line, string, rope, wire, strap, etc. that is coupled to the removable attachment member, and retention member for holding the screen panel. Although the retention member can be fixed to the screen, i.e., one or more holes, rings, rivets or grommets through which a line passes, it is preferred that the retention member is a releasable member, such as clips, catches, snaps, clamps, clasps, Velcro, pins, tabs or the like, such that the screen panel can be removed from the retention member for cleaning, etc.

The connection member may also include adjustable sliders, or movable stops, that can assist in holding the screen panel in an open or a closed position. This is most preferred when the retention members are capable of sliding on the connector, i.e., when the retention members are holes or grommets, or when the retention member may otherwise slide along the connector.

Additionally, the connection member can be coupled to the removable attachment member in any suitable fashion, including using permanent and removable attachments. For example, the connector can be fixed to the removable attachment member by such means as adhesives, crimps or, especially when a nylon rope connector is used, melting the connector end or the connector can be removable from the attachment member, such as by means of ties, clips, snaps, clasps, hooks, catches, Velcro, screws, fasteners, pins, tabs, knotting or the like.

The connection member can be adjustable, so that the distance between the attachment member and the screen panel can be adjusted for particular uses. For example, when the connector is formed as a strap attached to or integral with the privacy screen, the strap may have a series of elements that can be used for coupling the removable attachment member to the screen panel at different location.

Of course, additional removable attachment members can be used, i.e., to secure additional locations or portions of the screen panel to the vehicle. These can be used at opposing areas of the screen panel or at single locations, as desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood when considered in view of the attached drawings, in which like reference characters indicate like parts. The drawings, however, are presented merely to illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention without limiting the invention in any manner whatsoever.

FIG. 1 is an elevation of a preferred embodiment of the vehicle mounted privacy screen of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a partial view of a first preferred coupling of the connector to the removable attachment member of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a partial view of an alternative preferred coupling of the connector to the removable attachment member of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front schematic view of a preferred arrangement of the removable attachment members to a vehicle.

FIG. 4 is a rear schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the vehicle mounted privacy screen mounted on a vehicle.

FIG. 5 is an alternative version of a screen panel for use with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a second alternative version of a screen panel for use with the present invention, including a window section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the preferred embodiment, a screen or drape is adapted to cover the open doorway of a vehicle to provide a greater area for freedom of movement, and greater and more secure privacy, than merely wrapping a towel around one's body.

A preferred embodiment of the vehicle mounted privacy screen 2 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a screen panel 4, at least one removable attachment member 6 associated with each of at least two opposed portions of the screen panel 4 and a connection member 8 that connects the screen panel 4 to the removable attachment member 6.

The connection member includes a connector 10 that is coupled to the removable attachment member 6, and retention members 12 for holding the screen panel. Although the connector 10 is shown as a line with an attachment member 6 at each end and two retention members 12 thereon, it could be a shorter length extending between one attachment member 6 and one retention member 12.

The retention members 12 can be fixed to the screen, i.e., using one or more rivets or crimps or holes, rings, or grommets through which a connector 10 passes, however, it is preferred that the retention members 12 are releasable, including a release element such as a clip, catch, snap, clamp, clasp, Velcro, pin, tab or the like. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the retention members 12 are clips that can be secured in a closed configuration about a portion of the screen panel 4 and opened to release the screen panel 4.

The retention member 12 preferably includes not only a clamp 16 for retaining the screen panel 4, but also an aperture 18 which receives the connector 10 and on which the retention member can slide, for sliding the screen panel 4 into an open or closed configuration.

The preferred connection member 8 shown here also includes two movable stops 14 that can assist in holding the screen panel 4 in a closed position. Preferably, the stops 14 are line clamps, which have a central opening to receive a line and a spring loaded clamp. When a button associated with the clamp is depressed, the line is released and the stop 14 can be moved to a desired position. When the button is released, the clamp engages the line and the stop 14 is fixed in position.

Although any suitable means for coupling the connector 10 to the removable attachment member 6 is anticipated for practicing the present invention, FIGS. 2A and 2B demonstrate acceptable methods. In FIG. 2A, the connector 10 passes through an aperture 20 in the removable attachment member 6 and is knotted such that the knot 22 is not capable of passing back through the aperture 20. The knot 22 can be fixed in a knotted configuration, i.e., by melting the line when a nylon rope is used as the connector 10, or merely left in a tied state, so that the connector 10 can be untied for removal from the attachment member 6 if desired.

Additionally, the coupling of the connector 10 to the attachment member 6 can utilize an adjustable coupling, with clamps, clips, snaps, etc. Such an embodiment would allow for the length of the connector 10 to be adjusted rather than moving the placement of the attachment members 6 closer or farther away from each other on the vehicle. Examples of this arrangement are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, discussed below.

The screen panel 4 can be formed of any suitable material, as described above. A terrycloth towel has at least two advantages, where it can serve as a towel and can be washed or replaced with another towel if it gets dirty. However, a lightweight polyester material may be preferred, where it forms a screen panel that is more easily packable, harder to get dirty and less expensive.

The screen panel 4 may also be formed of any suitable shape, the most simple of which is a rectangle. However, for increased privacy, the screen panel 4 may have a window section 24. These embodiments are best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively, which also show the connector 10 as tabs integral with the screen panel 4 and having a series of coupling elements 26 that allow the user to adjust the fit of the screen panel 4 to the attachment members 6. In these embodiments, the coupling elements 26 on the connectors 10 are preferably releasable members that cooperate with mating members on the attachment members 6, such as snaps, clips, Velcro patches, catches, pins, hooks or the like. For example, the coupling member may be a snap that cooperates with a mating snap on the attachment member 6.

Moreover, there may be more than one pair of attachment members 6 connected to the screen panel 4. Connectors 10 can connect attachment members 6 to different locations of the screen panel 4, including the bottom corners as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 or middle portions as shown in FIG. 4. These can be used at opposing areas of the screen panel, or at single locations (not shown), as desired.

As discussed above, the removable attachment members 6 can be any device that is removably attachable to the vehicle and is capable of supporting the screen panel 4 in a screening position. In a preferred embodiment, the removable attachment member 6 can be one or more magnets, suction cups, static films, hooks, clips, straps or the like, or combinations thereof, with magnets being most preferred. In this regard, magnets can provide a strong attachment to the vehicle, while suction cups may be prone to the effects of a moist or dirty vehicle surface, accidental movement or unfastening because of human body movement or wind.

When magnets or other metallic attachment members 6 are used, it is preferred that they have a non-scratch covering, either a coating layer or a cover, so that they do not mark the finish of the vehicle. Rubber or latex coatings or covers, on at least the portion of the magnet that would be expected to come into contact with the vehicle surface, are most preferred, although fabric, plastic or other coverings could be used.

As shown in FIG. 4, the connector 10 can be a line, string, cord, and/or rope with removable attachment members 6 in the form of magnets affixed to both ends. The magnets are affixed to the ends of the connector 10 by adhesive or with use of magnets having apertures, feeding the line through the aperture and knotting it. One of the attachment members 6 is then preferably placed on the roof of the vehicle and another is placed on the door of the vehicle.

Of course, the attachment members 6 need not be the same about the screen panel 4. One of the attachment members can be a magnet attached to the roof of the vehicle and the other may be a Velcro tab that can be attached about the top of a frame of the window on the vehicle door (not shown).

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention with a minimum of two (2) retention members 12 in the form of clips that are attached to the connector 10, in the form of a line, string, cord, and/or rope, by rings 18. The rings 18 allow the clips to move along the line for holding the opposed sides of the screen panel 4 at desired positions. The two clips can be fixed at desired positions through the use of adjustable sliders or movable stops 14. Two additional connectors 10′ in the form of short pieces of line, string, cord, and/or rope each have a smaller magnet as an attachment member 6′ to hold the sides of the screen panel 4 in place.

As shown in FIG. 4, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is for use on a vehicle with the door in the open position. The connector 10 line, with attachment members 6 in the form of magnets at each end, is used to provide the screen panel 4 with horizontal support. One magnet of the horizontal support line is placed on the roof of the vehicle. The connector 10 in the form of a line, string, cord, and/or rope is then laid over the top portion of the door frame or window of the open vehicle door. The other magnet of the horizontal support line is placed on a metal portion of the door, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The natural or synthetic fabric that makes up the screen panel is then clipped to the horizontally laid line, string, cord, and/or rope, providing a screen and/or drape of the area between the open vehicle door and vehicle compartment. Secondary attachment members 6′ coupled to connection members 12′ formed with short connectors 10′ are clipped to each vertical side of the hanging screen panel 4, and the magnets are attached to the vehicle and vehicle door to provide lateral support. See FIG. 4). All magnets can be moved, or can be adjustably coupled to the connectors, to adjust for fabric tautness and maximum privacy.

Variations, modifications and alterations to the preferred embodiment of the present invention described above will make themselves apparent to those skilled in the art. All such changes are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention, limited solely by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle mounted privacy screen comprising a screen panel, at least one removable attachment member associated with each of at least two opposed portions of the screen panel and a connection member that connects the screen panel to the removable attachment member.

2. The vehicle mounted privacy screen of claim 1 wherein the screen panel is made of a natural material, a synthetic material or a material that is a combination of natural and synthetic fibers.

3. The vehicle mounted privacy screen of claim 2 wherein the screen panel is taken from the group consisting of a towel and a polyester sheet.

4. The vehicle mounted privacy screen of claim 1 wherein the screen panel is a rectangle.

5. The vehicle mounted privacy screen of claim 1 wherein the screen panel has a window section for covering an adjacent window of a vehicle on which the vehicle mounted privacy screen is mounted.

6. The vehicle mounted privacy screen of claim 1 wherein the removable attachment member is taken from the group consisting of a magnet, a suction cup, a static film, a clip, a hook and a strap.

7. The vehicle mounted privacy screen of claim 1 wherein the removable attachment member is a magnet.

8. The vehicle mounted privacy screen of claim 7 wherein the magnet has a non-scratch covering to protect an exterior finish of the vehicle.

9. The vehicle mounted privacy screen of claim 1 wherein the connection member comprises a connector that is coupled to the attachment member and a retention member.

10. The vehicle mounted privacy screen of claim 9 wherein the connector is taken from the group consisting of a line, string, rope, wire and a strap.

11. The vehicle mounted privacy screen of claim 10 where the connector is coupled to the attachment member with an adhesive, crimp, tie, clip, snap, clasp, hook, catch, hook and loop fastener, screw, fastener, pin, tab, knot or melted connector end.

12. The vehicle mounted privacy screen of claim 9 wherein the retention member is taken from the group consisting of holes, rings, grommets, rivets, clips, catches, snaps, clamps, crimps, clasps, hook and loop fasteners, pins, tabs and fasteners.

13. The vehicle mounted privacy screen of claim 12 wherein the retention member includes an aperture through which the connector can be threaded and on which the retention member can slide.

14. The vehicle mounted privacy screen of claim 9 wherein the retention member comprises a release element for releasing the screen panel.

15. The vehicle mounted privacy screen of claim 9 wherein the connection member further comprises a movable stop.

16. The vehicle mounted privacy screen of claim 9 wherein the connector is integrally formed with the screen panel and has one or more coupling elements for coupling to the attachment member.

17. The vehicle mounted privacy screen of claim 1 wherein the privacy screen further comprises at least one additional attachment member and connection member for securing an additional portion of the screen panel to a vehicle.

18. A vehicle mounted privacy screen comprising a screen panel, a screen panel, at least one removable attachment member associated with each of at least two opposed portions of the screen panel and a connection member that connects the screen panel to the removable attachment member, said connection member comprising a connector that is coupled to the attachment member and a retention member that is attached to the screen panel, wherein the attachment member is a magnet having a covering and the retention member includes a release element for releasing the screen panel from the retention member.