Vehicle window shade and method

Abstract

There is disclosed a window shade assembly (10) for a window (12) of a door (14) of a vehicle. The window shade or screen assembly (10) includes a first bracket (16), a second bracket (18) and a shade or screen panel (20) arranged to be supported by the first and second brackets (16, 18) to at least partially cover the window 12. The first and second brackets (16, 18) are adapted to seat upon and be affixed to a ledge or sill (22) of the door (14) in a spaced apart arrangement and support the shade panel (20) in a generally vertical orientation adjacent to an inside surface (24) of the window (12). A related method and kit are also disclosed.

Description

Related Applications

[001] This application claims priority from Australian provisional patent application no. 2024901194 filed on 29 April 2024, the contents of which are incorporated by reference. Technical Field

[002] The invention relates to a vehicle window shade and related method of fitting a vehicle window shade. Background

[003] Window shades may be fitted to the windows of vehicles such as for shade or privacy. One type of window shade includes a shade panel with magnets that attaches either directly or indirectly to a window frame of the vehicle. Accordingly, such window shades require that the window has a window frame. A problem, however, arises in situations where the window does not have a frame, at least part of the frame is omitted, or is otherwise unable or undesirable to utilise.

[004] The invention disclosed herein seeks to overcome one or more of the aboveidentified problems or at least provide a useful alternative. Summary

[005] In accordance with a first broad aspect there is provided, a window shade assembly for a window of a vehicle, the window shade assembly including a first bracket, a second bracket and a shade panel arranged to be supported by the first and second brackets, wherein the first bracket includes a first recess portion adapted to receive a first bottom side corner of the shade panel and a first base adapted to seat on a door ledge of the vehicle and the second bracket includes a second recess portion adapted to receive a second bottom side comer of the shade panel and a second base adapted to seat toward an opposing end of the door ledge relative to the first bracket.

[006] In an aspect, the first recess portion includes a first open side and a first closed side, and the second recess portion includes a second openside and a second closed side, wherein the first openside and the second open side face one another.

[007] In another aspect, the shade panel includes a frame arranged to be fittingly engaged with the first and second recesses portions.

[008] In yet another aspect, the frame is wider than a shade material supported by the frame.

[009] In yet another aspect, the frame includes exposed flat sides arranged to abut with respective first and second internal surfaces of the first and second recesses portions.

[0010] In yet another aspect, the frame and the first and second recesses portions are arranged to have a friction fit with one another with the exposed flat sides snuggly abutting with respective the first and second internal surfaces of the first and second recess portions.

[0011] In yet another aspect, the first and second bases each include respective first and second base members extending laterally of the first and second recess portions.

[0012] In yet another aspect, the first and second recess portions include first and second upstanding portions which are generally perpendicular to the first and second base members, the first and second upstanding portions including respective first and second slots to receive the frame.

[0013] In yet another aspect, each of the first and second base members includes a first section and a second section, and the first and second upstanding portions are located between the respective first and second sections.

[0014] In yet another aspect, the first section of each of the respective first and second base members is arranged to be located toward the window and is relatively shorter than the respective second section.

[0015] In yet another aspect, the first and second base members include respective first and second attachment surfaces arranged attach to the door ledge of the vehicle at spaced apart locations.

[0016] In yet another aspect, the respective first and second attachment surfaces include an adhesive.

[0017] In yet another aspect, the respective first and second attachment surfaces support an adhesive material.

[0018] In yet another aspect, the adhesive material is an adhesive strip.

[0019] In yet another aspect, the first and second attachment surfaces are shaped to corresponding fit with the door ledge.

[0020] In yet another aspect, the shade panel is removably fittable with the first and second brackets.

[0021] In yet another aspect, the shade panel includes at least one magnet located to toward its free end top for releasable connection to a door cavity of the vehicle.

[0022] In accordance with a second broad aspect there is provided, a method of attaching a shade panel to a vehicle, the method including the steps of fitting a first bracket with a first base thereof attached to a door ledge of the vehicle; fitting a second bracket with a second base thereof attached toward an opposing end of the door ledge so as to be spaced apart from the first bracket; and fitting a frame of the shade panel into respective first and second recesses of the first and second brackets such that the shade panel is retained and supported thereby.

[0023] In an aspect, the method further includes coupling a magnetic element at a top of the frame to a corresponding magnetic element fixed to a door cavity of the vehicle.

[0024] In accordance with a third broad aspect there is provided, a kit including one or more of a first bracket, a second bracket and a window shade used to provide a window shade assembly as defined above and / or herein and / or in a method as above and / or herein.

[0025] In accordance with a fourth broad aspect there is provided, a window shade assembly for a window of a vehicle, the window shade assembly including a first bracket, a second bracket and a shade panel arranged to be supported by the first and second brackets, wherein the first bracket includes a first recess portion adapted to receive a first bottom side comer of the shade panel and a first base adapted to affix to a door ledge of the vehicle and the second bracket includes a second recess portion adapted to receive a second bottom side comer of the shade panel and a second base adapted to affix toward an opposing end of the door ledge relative to the first bracket. Brief Description of the Figures

[0026] The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, by reference to the accompanying figures, in which;

[0027] Figure lisa topside perspective view illustrating a window shade assembly;

[0028] Figure 2 is a topside perspective view illustrating a first bracket of the window shade assembly;

[0029] Figure 3 is a bottom side perspective view illustrating the first bracket;

[0030] Figure 4 is a topside perspective view illustrating a second bracket of the window shade assembly;

[0031] Figure 5 is another topside perspective view illustrating the second bracket;

[0032] Figure 6 is a bottom side perspective view illustrating the second bracket; and,

[0033] Figure 7 is topside perspective view illustrating the window shade assembly fitted to a door of a vehicle with a shade covering the window. Detailed Description

[0034] Referring to Figures 1 to 7 there is shown window shade assembly 10 for a window 12 of a door 14 of a vehicle (not shown). The window shade or screen assembly 10 includes a first bracket 16, a second bracket 18 and a shade or screen panel 20 arranged to be supported by the first and second brackets 16, 18 as best shown in Figure 7 to at least partially cover the window 12.

[0035] The first and second brackets 16, 18 are adapted to seat upon and be affixed to a ledge or sill 22 of the door 14 in a spaced apart arrangement and support the shade panel 20 in a generally vertical orientation adjacent to an inside surface 24 of the window 12.

[0036] As best shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first bracket 16 includes a first bracket body 30 having a first upstanding portion 32 with a first recess portion 33. The first recess portion 33includes a first recess 34 adapted to receive a first bottom side comer 36 of the shade panel 20 and a first base portion 38 having a first base 40 adapted to seat on the door ledge 22. The first recess 34 may be a first slot 35.

[0037] The first base portion 38 includes a first base portion member 42 which extends generally perpendicularly to the first upstanding portion 32. In this example, the first base portion member 42 includes a second longer section 43 on one side of the first upstanding portion 32 and a first shorter section 45 on the other side. The shorter section 45 serves to space the upstanding portion 32 relative to the window 12.

[0038] A first underside surface 44 of the base portion member 42 is shaped to fit with and correspond to the ledge surface 46 of the ledge 22 which may be a curved surface or include curvature. An outer edge 48 and a side edge 50 of the first underside surface 44 include respective downtumed lips 52, 54 which serves to assist to locate the first bracket 16. The first underside surface 44 may provide a first attachment surface 47 and may include an adhesive or the like to affix to the ledge 22. The first attachment surface 47 may be fitted with an adhesive material such as an adhesive strip (not shown).

[0039] The first recess 34 of the first upstanding portion 32 includes a closed side 55, an open top 56 and an open side 58 which faces the second bracket 18 in use. A fillet 59 is provide between the open top 56 and the open side 58. The shape of the recess 34 itself is arranged to provide a snug press or frictions fit for the first bottom side comer 36 thereby allowing the shade panel 20 to be removably fitted thereto.

[0040] Referring now to Figures 4 to 6, the second bracket 18 includes a second bracket body 60 having a second upstanding portion 62 with a second recess portion 63. The second recess portion 63 includes second recess 64 adapted to receive a second bottom side comer 66 of the shade panel 20 and a second base portion 68 having a second base 70 adapted to seat on the door ledge 22. The second recess 64 may include a second slot 65.

[0041] The second base portion 68 includes a second base portion member 72 which extends generally perpendicularly to the second upstanding portion 62. Like with the first bracket 16, the second base portion member 72 also includes a second longer section 73 on one side of the second upstanding portion 62 and a first shorter section 75 on the other side. The shorter section 75 serves to space the upstanding portion 62 relative to the window 12.

[0042] A second underside surface 74 of the second base portion member 72 is shaped to fit with and correspond to the ledge surface 46 of the ledge 22 which may be a curved surface or include curvature. The first underside surface 74 includes an outer edge 78 and a side edge 80 and the outer edge 78 may include a downtumed lip 82 which serves to assist to locate the second bracket 18. The second underside surface 74 may provide a second attachment surface 77 and may include an adhesive or the like to affix to the ledge 22. The second attachment surface 77 may be fitted with an adhesive material such as an adhesive strip (not shown).

[0043] The second recess 64 of the second upstanding portion 62 includes a closed side 85, an open top 86 and an open side 88 which faces the first bracket 16, in use. A fillet 99 is provided between the open top 86 and the open side 88. The shape of the recess 64 itself is arranged to provide a snug press or friction fit for the second bottom side comer 66 thereby allowing the shade panel 20 to be removably fitted thereto.

[0044] Each of the first and second brackets 16, 18 may be formed from a moulded plastic or the like and may be adapted in shape to fit with a variety of frameless vehicle doors shapes and window dimensions, as required. The first and second brackets 16, 18 may each be a single unitary part or may include multiple parts.

[0045] The shade panel 20 includes a skirting frame 90 arranged to be fittingly engaged with the first and second recesses 34, 64. The frame 90 may include a frame member or members 92 that may be multiple part or a single continuous member. The section 94 of the frame member or members 92 may be rectangular and generally wider that a shade material 96 supported by the frame 90.

[0046] The frame member 92 includes exposed flat sides 98 arranged to abut with respective first and second internal surfaces 95, 97 of the first and second recesses 34, 64, respectively. The skirting frame 90 may be formed of a metal, plastic or other material capable of supporting the shade panel 20 relative to the first and second brackets 16, 18.

[0047] It is noted that this example, a top 91 one of the frame members 92 may include a magnetic element 93 which magnetises to an adhesive magnet affixed (not shown) to the car door cavity. This assist to reduces turbulence when driving and increases stability. It is also noted that the window can still be rolled up and down with the shade assembly 10 fitted.

[0048] Turning now to a method of use, a method of attaching or fitting the shade panel 20 to the vehicle may include the steps of: fitting the first bracket 16 with the first base 40 thereof attached to the door ledge 22 of the vehicle and fitting the second bracket 18 with the second base 40 thereof attached toward an opposing end of the door ledge 22 so as to be spaced apart from the first bracket 16. The first and second brackets 16, 18 may be affixed with an adhesive material such as a tape, a strip or the like.

[0049] Once the first and second brackets 16, 18 are fitted, the frame 90 of the shade panel 20 is fitted into the respective first and second recesses 34, 64 of the first and second brackets 16, 18 such that the shade panel 20 is retained and supported thereby. The exposed flat sides 98 of frame members 92 fit with the first and second recesses 34, 64 which assists to support and maintain the shade panel 20 in a generally vertical orientation adjacent to the inside face 24 of the window 12 as shown in Figure 7. There may be snap or friction fit to hold the frame 90 snuggly with the first and second brackets 16, 18. In some examples, there may be a further attachment point to the frame 90, such as the magnetic element 93, which magnetically attaches to an adhesive magnet (not shown) which has been affixed to the top of the door frame or ceiling proximate the door frame.

[0050] The window shade assembly 10 may be provided as a kit 100 for selfinstallation including the first bracket 16, the second bracket 18 and the window shade 20. Both left hand-side and right-hand side versions of the shade assembly 10 and kit 100 may be provided and it the parts may be adapted to fit with different types of vehicles.

[0051] Advantageously, there has been descried a window shade assembly, a kit and a method that functions to allow a window shade to be removably supported upon a door frame or sill of a vehicle without requiring additional attachment to the window or door frame. The vehicle may be or include a car, truck, boat, train, aircraft, the like.

[0052] Such a window shade assembly, kit and method thereby allow the simple and robust attachment of window shades to vehicles that do not have window frames, although the window shade assembly, kit and method may also find use in situations where there is a window frame and is not limited only situations where there is no window frame. Some examples could include a single, dual or even three or more brackets. All such variations are contemplated herein.

[0053] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0054] The reference in this specification to any known matter or any prior publication is not, and should not be taken to be, an acknowledgment or admission or suggestion that the known matter or prior art publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the field to which this specification relates.

[0055] While specific examples of the invention have been described, it will be understood that the invention extends to alternative combinations of the features disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

[0056] Many and various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

Claims

1. A window shade assembly for a window of a vehicle, the window shade assembly including a first bracket, a second bracket and a shade panel arranged to be supported by the first and second brackets, wherein the first bracket includes a first recess portion adapted to receive a first bottom side corner of the shade panel and a first base adapted to seat on a door ledge of the vehicle and the second bracket includes a second recess portion adapted to receive a second bottom side corner of the shade panel and a second base adapted to seat toward an opposing end of the door ledge relative to the first bracket.

2. The window shade assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first recess portion includes a first open side and a first closed side, and the second recess portion includes a second openside and a second closed side, wherein the first openside and the second open side face one another.

3. The window shade assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the shade panel includes a frame arranged to be fittingly engaged with the first and second recesses portions.

4. The window shade assembly according claim 3, wherein the frame is wider than a shade material supported by the frame.

5. The window shade assembly according claim 3, wherein the frame includes exposed flat sides arranged to abut with respective first and second internal surfaces of the first and second recesses portions.

6. The window shade assembly according to claim 5, wherein the frame and the first and second recesses portions are arranged to have a friction fit with one another with the exposed flat sides snuggly abutting with respective the first and second internal surfaces of the first and second recess portions.

7. The window shade assembly according to claim 3, wherein the first and second bases each include respective first and second base members extending laterally of the first and second recess portions.

8. The window shade assembly according claim 7, wherein the first and second recess portions include first and second upstanding portions which are generally perpendicular to the first and second base members, the first and second upstanding portions including respective first and second slots to receive the frame.

9. The window shade assembly according claim 8, wherein each of the first and second base members includes a first section and a second section, and the first and second upstanding portions are located between the respective first and second sections.

10. The window shade assembly according claim 9, wherein the first section of each of the respective first and second base members is arranged to be located toward the window and is relatively shorter than the respective second section.

11. The window shade assembly according claim 7, wherein the first and second base members include respective first and second attachment surfaces arranged attach to the door ledge of the vehicle at spaced apart locations.

12. The window shade assembly according to claim 11, wherein the respective first and second attachment surfaces include an adhesive.

13. The window shade assembly according to claim 11, wherein the respective first and second attachment surfaces support an adhesive material.

14. The window shade assembly according to claim 13, wherein the adhesive material is an adhesive strip.

15. The window shade assembly according to claim 11, wherein the first and second attachment surfaces are shaped to corresponding fit with the door ledge.

16. The window shade assembly according any one of the previous claims, wherein the shade panel is removably fittable with the first and second brackets.

17. The window shade assembly according any one of the previous claims, wherein the shade panel includes at least one magnet located to toward its free end top for releasable connection to a door cavity of the vehicle.

18. A method of attaching a shade panel to a vehicle, the method including the steps ofa. Fitting a first bracket with a first base thereof attached to a door ledge of the vehicle;b. Fitting a second bracket with a second base thereof attached toward an opposing end of the door ledge so as to be spaced apart from the first bracket; andc. Fitting a frame of the shade panel into respective first and second recesses of the first and second brackets such that the shade panel is retained and supported thereby.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the method further includes coupling a magnetic element at a top of the frame to a corresponding magnetic element fixed to a door cavity of the vehicle.

20. A kit including one or more of a first bracket, a second bracket and a window shade used to provide a window shade assembly as defined in any one of claims 1 to 17 and / or in a method as defined in claim 18 or 19.

Images