Locking end cap for a roller shade

Abstract

An endcap for a vehicle shade roller assembly is provided. The end cap includes a cap body having an end face, the cap body being axially reciprocable among a plurality of positions relative to a shade spindle. A knob is fixed to the endcap and protrudes from the end face, and has at least one flange extending substantially parallel to the cap body end face. The knob is extendible into a vehicle trim panel, thereby positioning the at least one flange adjacent a substantially complementary structure in the trim panel such that an axial rotation of the end cap engages the flange with the substantially complementary structure to secure the endcap and its associated roller shade assembly.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional of patent application Ser. No. 10 / 119,221, filed Apr. 9, 2002 which is a continuation in part of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 282,577TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates generally to vehicle roller shade assemblies, and more particularly to such an assembly having a locking end cap. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Rollers for security shades for covering rear compartments of SUV's or hatchback vehicles, or for shades for covering automobile windows, or rollers for barrier nets, have long been used in the art. While these rollers are valuable accessories to most consumers, it is often desirable to remove the roller from the vehicle, thus making ease of installation and removal from the vehicle a key feature of the device. [0004] Another key criteria with respect to such rollers is their ability to accommodate variations in the build of multiple numbers of a single model vehicle. For example, security shades are typical...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides an endcap for a vehicle shade roller assembly, which can be easily attached to a bracket in a vehicle interior using a knob and flanges. The endcap can be rotated to lock onto the bracket. The invention also provides a locking assembly for a vehicle roller shade, which includes a cap body with a flange that engages with a slot in a bracket to secure the shade assembly. The roller shade assembly includes a windable shade roller member with an attached flexible shade panel, and the endcap is attached to the roller member. The endcap can be easily rotated to lock onto the bracket. The technical effects of the invention include improved attachment and secure locking of the shade assembly in vehicles, making it easier to install and use."

Problems solved by technology

These devices typically add weight and / or cost to the shade, or limit the advantages of the floating endcaps, or make the shade significantly more difficult to install or remove.

Another device utilizes a “click-pen” type of locking mechanism, which is also somewhat cumbersome and which detracts from the stabilizing effects of the spring loaded endcaps.

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