Motor driven sunshield
First Claim
1. A motor driven sunshield for installation in an automotive vehicle having a roof, a transmission, a vehicle electrical system, a dashboard, and a windshield, for shielding the interior of the vehicle from solar radiation otherwise entering through the windshield, said sunshield comprising:
- a shield assembly, widthwise extensible, having an lengthwise extensible drive slat, an lengthwise extensible dashboard skirt slat, and a plurality of lengthwise extensible intermediate slats, each of said slats having a first section, said first section featuring an upper section and a lower section, and a second section, a portion thereof proximate said upper section of said first section and slidable thereunder, for providing lengthwise extensibility and compressibility of each said slat, each said first section having a first wheel edge, each said second section having a second wheel edge, each of said slats featuring at least one lengthwise crenelated edge having a plurality of crenels and merlons, the width of said crenels generally more wide than the width of said merlons, each said merlon having a merlon bore, axis of each said bore parallel to longitudinal axis of each said slat, said drive slat further having a first connection mount and a second connection mount, said skirt slat featuring a first skirt section guide pin extending from associated said first wheel edge and a second skirt section guide pin extending from associated said second wheel edge, said guide pins facilitating lengthwise extension and compression of said skirt slats, said skirt slat further having a lengthwise pliant skirt, for readily conforming, upon full sunshield deployment, to the widthwise contour of the vehicle dashboard, said shield assembly further having a plurality of first wheels and second wheels, each said first wheel connected to a first wheel extensible tubiform axle, each said second wheel connected to a second wheel extensible tubiform axle, each said first tubiform axle and said second tubiform axle axially connected with a connective axle pintle, forming an extensible dual axle assembly, each said dual axle assembly, extensibly, rotatably and slidably fitting in each said merlon bore, each said slat interconnected to at least one other of said slats, each said dual axle assembly passing through alternating said merlon bores of adjacent each of said slats, said first wheel extending beyond said first wheel edge of each said first section, said second wheel extending beyond said second wheel edge of each said second section, said shield assembly aggregatively disposed for providing essentially a wheeled, multi-hinged, widthwise extensible sun barrier, for conforming widthwise to the general trapezoidal shape of the vehicle windshield when lengthwise fully deployed, providing a sunshield thereto, said sunshield assembly capable of being lengthwise fully retracted for providing an unobstructed vision for the vehicle driver;
means for maintaining cooperative operation, during widthwise extension and compression of said sunshield assembly, of each said first section and said second section, a portion thereof proximate to said first section and slidable thereunder, of each of said slats;
means for urging-widthwise extension of said sunshield assembly and lengthwise extension of each of said slats during deployment of said motor driven sunshield, and urging widthwise compression of said sunshield assembly and lengthwise compression of each of said slats during retraction of said motor driven sunshield;
means for urging said sunshield assembly forward from retracted position during deployment thereof and rearward from deployed position during retraction thereof; and
means for automatically and manually controlling both deployment of said sunshield assembly across the windshield and retraction therefrom, said shield assembly and each of said means cooperatively and aggregatively linked, forming said automatically and manually operated motor driven sunshield for covering the interior surface of the windshield of the vehicle, protecting the vehicle'"'"'s interior from potentially harmful solar radiation otherwise passing through the windshield.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A motor driven sunshield for permanent installation within the interior of an automotive vehicle, securely attached to the roof of the vehicle between the roof interior surface and the interior roof lining. Operable in either manual or semi-automatic mode, the sunshield can be deployed while the vehicle transmission is in PARK mode to cover the windshield of the vehicle for preventing potentially damaging solar radiation from entering the interior of the vehicle through the windshield. Conversely when the transmission is in RUN mode, i.e. drive, reverse, or neutral, the sunshield is automatically retracted to provide unobstructed views for the driver. When fabricated from a suitably tough material and the electrical control circuitry configured to permit a secure locked condition, the deployed sunshield can also offer a deterrent to unauthorized operation of the vehicle.
56 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A motor driven sunshield for installation in an automotive vehicle having a roof, a transmission, a vehicle electrical system, a dashboard, and a windshield, for shielding the interior of the vehicle from solar radiation otherwise entering through the windshield, said sunshield comprising:
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a shield assembly, widthwise extensible, having an lengthwise extensible drive slat, an lengthwise extensible dashboard skirt slat, and a plurality of lengthwise extensible intermediate slats, each of said slats having a first section, said first section featuring an upper section and a lower section, and a second section, a portion thereof proximate said upper section of said first section and slidable thereunder, for providing lengthwise extensibility and compressibility of each said slat, each said first section having a first wheel edge, each said second section having a second wheel edge, each of said slats featuring at least one lengthwise crenelated edge having a plurality of crenels and merlons, the width of said crenels generally more wide than the width of said merlons, each said merlon having a merlon bore, axis of each said bore parallel to longitudinal axis of each said slat, said drive slat further having a first connection mount and a second connection mount, said skirt slat featuring a first skirt section guide pin extending from associated said first wheel edge and a second skirt section guide pin extending from associated said second wheel edge, said guide pins facilitating lengthwise extension and compression of said skirt slats, said skirt slat further having a lengthwise pliant skirt, for readily conforming, upon full sunshield deployment, to the widthwise contour of the vehicle dashboard, said shield assembly further having a plurality of first wheels and second wheels, each said first wheel connected to a first wheel extensible tubiform axle, each said second wheel connected to a second wheel extensible tubiform axle, each said first tubiform axle and said second tubiform axle axially connected with a connective axle pintle, forming an extensible dual axle assembly, each said dual axle assembly, extensibly, rotatably and slidably fitting in each said merlon bore, each said slat interconnected to at least one other of said slats, each said dual axle assembly passing through alternating said merlon bores of adjacent each of said slats, said first wheel extending beyond said first wheel edge of each said first section, said second wheel extending beyond said second wheel edge of each said second section, said shield assembly aggregatively disposed for providing essentially a wheeled, multi-hinged, widthwise extensible sun barrier, for conforming widthwise to the general trapezoidal shape of the vehicle windshield when lengthwise fully deployed, providing a sunshield thereto, said sunshield assembly capable of being lengthwise fully retracted for providing an unobstructed vision for the vehicle driver;
means for maintaining cooperative operation, during widthwise extension and compression of said sunshield assembly, of each said first section and said second section, a portion thereof proximate to said first section and slidable thereunder, of each of said slats;
means for urging-widthwise extension of said sunshield assembly and lengthwise extension of each of said slats during deployment of said motor driven sunshield, and urging widthwise compression of said sunshield assembly and lengthwise compression of each of said slats during retraction of said motor driven sunshield;
means for urging said sunshield assembly forward from retracted position during deployment thereof and rearward from deployed position during retraction thereof; and
means for automatically and manually controlling both deployment of said sunshield assembly across the windshield and retraction therefrom, said shield assembly and each of said means cooperatively and aggregatively linked, forming said automatically and manually operated motor driven sunshield for covering the interior surface of the windshield of the vehicle, protecting the vehicle'"'"'s interior from potentially harmful solar radiation otherwise passing through the windshield. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
a wheel track assembly having a first wheel track and a second wheel track, each said track adapted to span the roof interior and windshield frame on each side of the vehicle and conforming thereto, said first wheel track receiving and confining each said first wheel therein, said second wheel track receiving and confining each said second wheel therein, each said first wheel track and said second wheel track featuring a channel cross-section rectilinearly formed in the general shape of a “
C”
, each said track having a wheel track bottom edge, each said track having a wheel track exterior edge connected thereto, each said track having a wheel track upper edge connected to each said exterior edge, each said track having a wheel track interior upper edge connected to said upper edge, each said wheel track interior upper edge featuring a wheel track interior upper edge axle face, each said track having a wheel track interior lower edge, each said interior lower edge featuring a wheel track interior lower edge axle face, each said track having a wheel track interior volume, each of said plurality of said first wheels and said second wheels confined therein, said interior upper edge axle face and said interior lower edge axle face of each said track positioned to permit one of each said tubiform axles to project between, said wheel track assembly conformed both vertically and horizontally for urging widthwise extension of said shield assembly for covering the generally trapezoidal interior surface of the windshield during deployment of said motor driven sunshield and for urging widthwise compression of said shield assembly during retraction and storage of said motor driven sunshield, said wheel track assembly securely affixed to a shield mounting pedestal, said mounting pedestal featuring a plurality of mounting pedestal transverse members, said mounting pedestal adapted to be proximate to roof interior surface and adapted to be permanently and securely affixed thereto.
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5. A motor driven sunshield as recited in claim 4, wherein means for urging said sunshield assembly forward during deployment thereof and rearward during retraction thereof comprises:
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a rack assembly having a first rack, a first rack guide channel, a first rack drive rod, a second rack, a second rack guide channel, a second rack drive rod, each of said first and second racks having an toothed upper edge featuring cut gear teeth, each of said first and second racks having both an interior edge and a exterior edge, each of said first and second racks having a bottom edge, each said bottom edge having a lengthwise groove, said grove filled with a plurality of ball bearings, said plurality of ball bearings retained within said groove with a bearing ball retainer, said first rack slidably confined within said first rack guide, said second rack slidably confined within said second rack guide, each of said first and second rack guides having both an interior and an exterior edge, each said interior and exterior edge featuring a flange for confining each said first rack and said second rack within said first rack guide and said second rack guide, respectively, each said first rack guide and second rack guide having a bottom interior surface featuring a raceway for receiving said plurality of ball bearings maintained within each said first rack and said second rack, for efficient slidability between said first and second racks and associated said first and second rack guides, said first and second rack guides securely and permanently affixed to said plurality of mounting pedestal transverse members; and
a drive assembly having a twin shaft reversible motor, a motor control limit switch, normally closed, attached therewith, said motor featuring a first shaft and a second shaft, said first shaft having a first pinion securely attached thereto, said second shaft having a second pinion securely attached thereto, said first pinion having cut gear teeth for operable association with said first rack, said second pinion having cut gear teeth for operable association with said second rack, said motor operating exclusively in the deploy mode when angular rotation of each said first and second shaft causes each said first rack and second rack to advance lengthwise toward the windshield of the vehicle, said motor operating exclusively in the retract mode when angular rotation of each said first and second shaft causes each said first rack and second rack to withdraw lengthwise away from the windshield of the vehicle, for providing a lengthwise motive force to deploy and retract said motor driven sunshield, said drive assembly securely affixed to said shield mounting pedestal and plurality of mounting pedestal transverse members, said mounting pedestal securely affixed to interior surface of roof of the vehicle.
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6. A motor driven sunshield as recited in claim 5, wherein means for automatically and manually controlling deployment of said sunshield assembly across the windshield and retraction therefrom comprises:
an electrical motor control system, having, a first bimodal momentary contact switch, said first switch including an automatic deploy circuit and deploy limit mechanism, a shield retract limit switch for disrupting electrical power to said reversible motor when said motor driven sunshield is fully retracted from the windshield, a transmission mode sensor, said sensor including a second bimodal switch, said mode sensor adapted to be operatively and cooperatively linked to the motor vehicle transmission for detecting a vehicle transmission operating mode, wherein the operating mode is selected from a group consisting of drive, reverse, neutral, and park, said second bimodal switch adapted to be electrically connected to the vehicle electrical system with a vehicle electrical system circuit, said vehicle electrical system circuit cooperatively connected and operating in conjunction with an ignition key system of the motor vehicle, said second bimodal switch exclusively operably connected in series with a park circuit to said first bimodal switch, and providing electrical power thereto when said transmission mode sensor detects park mode, said second bimodal switch exclusively operably connected in series with a run circuit and said motor control limit switch when said transmission mode sensor detects other than park mode, said shield retract limit switch, normally closed, operably connected in series with a first shield retract circuit to retract mode circuitry of said reversible motor for providing electrical power to retract said motor driven sunshield, said control limit switch opening and disrupting flow of electrical power to said motor when said sunshield is fully retracted, said first bimodal switch operably electrically connected in series with a shield deploy circuit to deploy mode circuitry of said reversible motor for providing electrical power to deploy said motor driven sunshield when said first bimodal switch is in deploy mode and vehicle transmission is in park mode, said first bimodal switch operably electrically connected in series with a second shield retract circuit to retract mode circuitry of said reversible motor for providing electrical power to retract said motor driven sunshield when said first bimodal switch is in retract mode and vehicle transmission is in park mode, said first switch automatically deploying said motor driven sunshield until said deploy limit mechanism engaged and operating in a momentary retract mode thereafter, for providing both manual and automatic deployment and retraction of said motor driven sunshield installed in an automotive vehicle having a transmission and a windshield, for protecting the interior of the vehicle from solar radiation entering through the windshield.
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7. A motor driven sunshield as recited in claim 6, wherein means for maintaining cooperative operation, during widthwise extension and compression of said sunshield assembly, of each said first section and said second section, a portion thereof proximate to said first section and slidable thereunder, of each of said slats comprises:
a slot and pin configuration wherein each said first section is configured as a slot section and each said second section is configured as a pin section, a portion thereof proximate said slot section and slidable thereunder, each said slot section having an lengthwise elongated closed slot, each said pin section having a capped slot retaining pin, said slot retaining pin engaging said slot for maintaining slidable cooperative operation between said slot section and said pin section for each of said slats of said shield assembly; and
wherein, said drive slat slot section features a lengthwise drive slat slot section first edge and a lengthwise drive slat slot section crenelated edge and said drive slat pin section features a lengthwise drive slat pin section first edge and a lengthwise drive slat pin section crenelated edge, said intermediate slat slot section features a lengthwise intermediate slat slot section first crenelated edge and a lengthwise intermediate slat slot section second crenelated edge and said intermediate slat pin section features a lengthwise intermediate slat pin section first crenelated edge and a lengthwise intermediate slat pin section second crenelated edge, said dashboard skirt slat slot section features a lengthwise skirt slat slot section crenelated edge and a lengthwise skirt slat slot section skirt edge and said dashboard skirt slat pin section features a lengthwise skirt slat pin section crenelated edge and a lengthwise skirt slat pin section skirt edge.
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8. A motor driven sunshield as recited in claim 7, wherein each said first skirt section guide pin and said second skirt section guide pin have an interior disk flange and an exterior disk flange disposed thereon, each said interior disk flange associated with one of each said wheel tracks and captive within, each said exterior disk flange associated with one of each said wheel tracks and maintained without, said flanges following the contour of each said wheel track for urging lengthwise extension and compression of said dashboard skirt slat and said plurality of each said intermediate slat aggregatively connected thereto.
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9. A motor driven sunshield as recited in claim 7, wherein each said first wheel rotates freely about each said associated first wheel tubiform axle and additionally firmly attached thereto, each said first wheel tubiform axle firmly attached and non-rotating within said merlon bores of each associated said slot section first crenelated edge, each said second wheel rotates freely about each said associated second wheel tubiform axle and additionally firmly attached thereto, each said second wheel tubiform axle firmly attached and non-rotating within said merlon bores of each associated said pin section first crenelated edge, each of said first wheels and second wheels captive within each associated said wheel track for urging lengthwise extension and compression of said plurality of each said intermediate slat aggregatively connected thereto.
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10. A motor driven sunshield for installation in an automotive vehicle having a windshield, for protecting the interior of the vehicle from solar radiation otherwise entering through the windshield, said motor driven sunshield comprising:
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a shield assembly, widthwise extensible, having an lengthwise extensible drive slat, an lengthwise extensible dashboard skirt slat, and a plurality of lengthwise extensible intermediate slats, each said slat having a slot section and a pin section, a portion thereof proximate said slot section and slidable thereunder, each said slot section having an lengthwise elongated closed slot, each said pin section having a capped slot retaining pin, said slot retaining pin engaging said slot for maintaining slidable cooperative operation between said slot section and said pin section for each of said slats of said shield assembly, each said slot section having a first wheel edge, each said pin section having a second wheel edge, each of said slats featuring at least one lengthwise crenelated edge having a plurality of crenels and merlons, the width of said crenels generally not equal to the width of said merlons, each said merlon having a merlon bore parallel to length of each said slat therethrough, said drive slat further having a first connection mount and a second connection mount, said dashboard skirt slat featuring a first skirt section guide pin extending from associated said first wheel edge and a second skirt section guide pin extending from associated said second wheel edge, each said guide pin facilitating extension and compression of said slats during deployment and retraction, said dashboard skirt slat further having a lengthwise pliant skirt, readily conforming, upon full sunshield deployment, to the widthwise contour of the vehicle dashboard, said shield assembly further having a plurality of first wheels and second wheels, each said first wheel connected to a first wheel extensible tubiform axle, each said second wheel connected to a second extensible tubiform axle, said first tubiform axle and said second tubiform axle axially connected with a connective axle pintle, forming an extensible dual axle assembly, each said dual axle assembly, extensibly, rotatably and slidably fitting in each said merlon bore, each of said slats interconnected to at least one other of said slats, each said dual axle assembly passing through alternating said merlon bores of adjacent said crenelated edge of each of said slats, said first wheel extending beyond said first wheel edge of each said slot section, said second wheel extending beyond said second wheel edge of each said pin section, providing essentially a multi hinged, widthwise extensible sun barrier, for conforming widthwise to the general trapezoidal shape of the vehicle windshield when fully deployed, providing a sun shielding thereto, said sunshield assembly capable of being lengthwise fully retracted to provide unobstructed vision for the vehicle driver;
a wheel track assembly having a first wheel track and a second wheel track, each laterally disposed in the vehicle, spanning the roof interior and windshield frame on each side of the vehicle and conforming thereto, said first wheel track receiving and confining each said first wheel therein, said second wheel track receiving and confining each said second wheel therein, each said first wheel track and said second wheel track featuring a channel cross-section rectilinearly formed in the general shape of a “
C”
, each said track having a wheel track bottom edge, each said track having a wheel track exterior edge connected thereto, each said track having a wheel track upper edge connected to each said exterior edge, each said track having a wheel track interior upper edge connected to said upper edge, each said wheel track interior upper edge featuring a wheel track interior upper edge axle face, each said track having a wheel track interior lower edge, each said interior lower edge featuring a wheel track interior lower edge axle face, each said track having a wheel track interior volume, each of said plurality of said first wheels and said second wheels confined therein, said interior upper edge axle face and said interior lower edge axle face of each said track positioned to permit each said tubiform axle to project between, said wheel track assembly conformed for urging widthwise extension of said shield assembly for covering the generally trapezoidal interior surface of the windshield during deployment of said motor driven sunshield and for urging widthwise compression of said shield assembly during retraction and storage of said motor driven sunshield, said wheel track assembly securely affixed to a shield mounting pedestal, said mounting pedestal featuring a plurality of mounting pedestal transverse members, said mounting pedestal adapted to be proximate to a roof interior surface and adapted to be permanently and securely affixed thereto;
means for urging said sunshield assembly forward from retracted position during deployment thereof and rearward from deployed position during retraction thereof; and
means for automatically and manually controlling both deployment of said sunshield assembly across the windshield and retraction therefrom, said shield assembly, said wheel track assembly, and each of said means cooperatively and aggregatively linked, forming said automatically and manually operated motor driven sunshield for covering the interior surface of the windshield of the vehicle, for protecting the vehicle'"'"'s interior from potentially harmful solar radiation otherwise passing through the windshield. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
a rack assembly having a first rack, a first rack guide channel, a first rack drive rod, a second rack, a second rack guide channel, a second rack drive rod, each of said first and second racks having an toothed upper edge featuring cut gear teeth, each of said first and second racks having both an interior edge and a exterior edge, each of said first and second racks having a bottom edge, each said bottom edge having a lengthwise groove, said grove filled with a plurality of ball bearings, said plurality of ball bearings retained within said groove with a bearing ball retainer, said first rack slidably confined within said first rack guide, said second rack slidably confined within said second rack guide, each of said first and second rack guides having both an interior and an exterior edge, each said interior and exterior edge featuring a flange for confining each said first rack and said second rack within said first rack guide and said second rack guide, respectively, each said first rack guide and second rack guide having a bottom interior surface featuring a raceway for receiving said plurality of ball bearings maintained within each said first rack and said second rack, for efficient slidability between said first and second racks and associated said first and second rack guides, said first and second rack guides securely and permanently affixed to said plurality of mounting pedestal transverse members; and
a drive assembly having a twin shaft reversible motor, a motor control limit switch, normally closed, attached therewith, said motor featuring a first shaft and a second shaft, said first shaft having a first pinion securely attached thereto, said second shaft having a second pinion securely attached thereto, said first pinion having cut gear teeth for operable association with said first rack, said second pinion having cut gear teeth for operable association with said second rack, said motor operating exclusively in the deploy mode when angular rotation of each said first and second shaft causes each said first rack and second rack to advance lengthwise toward the windshield of the vehicle, said motor operating exclusively in the retract mode when angular rotation of each said first and second shaft causes each said first rack and second rack to withdraw lengthwise away from the windshield of the vehicle, for providing a lengthwise motive force to deploy and retract said motor driven sunshield, said drive assembly securely affixed to said shield mounting pedestal and plurality of mounting pedestal transverse members, said mounting pedestal adapted to be securely affixed to the roof interior surface of the vehicle.
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13. A motor driven sunshield as recited in claim 12, wherein means for automatically and manually controlling deployment of said sunshield assembly across the windshield and retraction therefrom comprises:
an electrical motor control system, having, a first bimodal momentary contact switch, said first switch including an automatic deploy circuit and deploy limit mechanism, a shield retract limit switch for disrupting electrical power to said reversible motor when said motor driven sunshield is fully retracted from the windshield, a transmission mode sensor, said sensor including a second bimodal switch, said mode sensor adapted to be operatively and cooperatively linked to the motor vehicle transmission for detecting a vehicle transmission operating mode, wherein the operating mode is selected from a group consisting of drive, reverse, neutral, and park, said second bimodal switch adapted to be electrically connected to the vehicle electrical system with a vehicle electrical system circuit, said vehicle electrical system circuit cooperatively connected and operating in conjunction with an ignition key system of the motor vehicle, said second bimodal switch exclusively operably connected in series with a park circuit to said first bimodal switch, and providing electrical power thereto when said transmission mode sensor detects park mode, said second bimodal switch exclusively operably connected in series with a run circuit and said motor control limit switch when said transmission mode sensor detects other than park mode, said shield retract limit switch, normally closed, operably connected in series with a first shield retract circuit to retract mode circuitry of said reversible motor for providing electrical power to retract said motor driven sunshield, said control limit switch opening and disrupting flow of electrical power to said motor when said sunshield is fully retracted, said first bimodal switch operably electrically connected in series with a shield deploy circuit to deploy mode circuitry of said reversible motor for providing electrical power to deploy said motor driven sunshield when said first bimodal switch is in deploy mode and vehicle transmission is in park mode, said first bimodal switch operably electrically connected in series with a second shield retract circuit to retract mode circuitry of said reversible motor for providing electrical power to retract said motor driven sunshield when said first bimodal switch is in retract mode and vehicle transmission is in park mode, said first switch automatically deploying said motor driven sunshield until said deploy limit mechanism engaged and operating in a momentary retract mode thereafter, for providing both manual and automatic deployment and retraction of said motor driven sunshield in an automotive vehicle having a transmission and a windshield, for protecting the interior of the vehicle from solar radiation entering through the windshield.
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14. A motor driven sunshield as recited in claim 13, wherein each said first skirt section guide pin and said second skirt section guide pin have an interior disk flange and an exterior disk flange disposed thereon, each said interior disk flange associated with one of each said wheel tracks and captive within, each said exterior disk flange associated with one of each said wheel tracks and maintained without, said flanges following the channel contour of each said wheel track for urging lengthwise extension and compression of said dashboard skirt slat and each said intermediate slat aggregatively connected thereto.
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15. A motor driven sunshield as recited in claim 13, wherein each said first wheel rotates freely about each said associated first wheel tubiform axle and additionally firmly attached thereto, each said first wheel tubiform axle firmly attached and non-rotating within said merlon bores of each associated said slot section first crenelated edge, each said second wheel rotates freely about each said associated second wheel tubiform axle and additionally firmly attached thereto, each said second wheel tubiform axle firmly attached and non-rotating within said merlon bores of each associated said pin section first crenelated edge, each of said first wheels and second wheels captive within each associated said wheel track for urging lengthwise extension and compression of each said intermediate slat aggregatively connected thereto.
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16. A motor driven sunshield installed in an automotive vehicle having a windshield, for shielding the interior of the vehicle from rays of the sun otherwise entering through the windshield, said motor driven sunshield comprising:
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a shield assembly, widthwise extensible, having an lengthwise extensible drive slat, an lengthwise extensible dashboard skirt slat, and a plurality of lengthwise extensible intermediate slats, each said slat having a slot section and a pin section, a portion thereof proximate said slot section and slidable thereunder, each said slot section having an lengthwise elongated closed slot, each said pin section having a capped slot retaining pin, said slot retaining pin engaging said slot for maintaining slidable cooperative operation between said slot section and said pin section for each of said slats of said shield assembly, each said slot section having a first wheel edge, each said pin section having a second wheel edge, each of said slats featuring at least one lengthwise crenelated edge having a plurality of crenels and merlons, the width of said crenels generally not equal to the width of said merlons, each said merlon having a merlon bore parallel to lengthwise axis of each said slat, said drive slat further having a first rack connection mount and a second rack connection mount, said dashboard skirt slat featuring a first skirt section guide pin extending from associated said first wheel edge and a second skirt section guide pin extending from associated said second wheel edge, said dashboard skirt slat further having a lengthwise pliant skirt, readily conforming, upon full sunshield deployment, to the widthwise contour of the vehicle dashboard, said shield assembly further having a plurality of first wheels and second wheels, each said first wheel connected to a first wheel extensible tubiform axle, each said second wheel connected to a second extensible tubiform axle, said first tubiform axle and said second tubiform axle axially connected with a connective axle pintle, forming an extensible dual axle assembly, each said dual axle assembly, extensibly, rotatably and slidably fitting in each said merlon bore, each of said slats interconnected to at least one other of said slats, each said dual axle assembly passing through alternating said merlon bores of adjacent said at least one crenelated edge of each of said slats, said first wheel extending beyond said first wheel edge of each said slot section, said second wheel extending beyond said second wheel edge of each said pin section, providing essentially a multi hinged, widthwise extensible sun barrier, conforming widthwise to the general trapezoidal shape of the vehicle windshield when fully deployed, providing a sun shielding thereto, said sunshield assembly capable of being lengthwise fully retracted to provide unobstructed vision for the vehicle driver, said driver slat, said dashboard skirt slat and said plurality of intermediate slats formed from a material selected from a group consisting of polycarbonates, plastics, non-ferrous metal, and ferrous metal;
a wheel track assembly having a first wheel track and a second wheel track, each laterally spanning the roof interior and windshield frame on each side of the vehicle and conforming thereto, said first wheel track receiving and confining each said first wheel therein, said second wheel track receiving and confining each said second wheel therein, each said first wheel track and said second wheel track featuring a channel cross-section rectilinearly formed in the general shape of a “
C”
, each said track having a wheel track bottom edge, each said track having a wheel track exterior edge connected thereto, each said track having a wheel track upper edge connected to each said exterior edge, each said track having a wheel track interior upper edge connected to said upper edge, each said wheel track interior upper edge featuring a wheel track interior upper edge axle face, each said track having a wheel track interior lower edge, each said interior lower edge featuring a wheel track interior lower edge axle face, each said track having a wheel track interior volume, each of said plurality of said first wheels and said second wheels confined therein, said interior upper edge axle face and said interior lower edge axle face of each said track positioned to permit each said tubiform axle to project between, said wheel track assembly conformed for urging widthwise extension of said shield assembly for covering the generally trapezoidal interior surface of the windshield during deployment of said motor driven sunshield and for urging widthwise compression of said shield assembly during retraction and storage of said motor driven sunshield, said wheel track assembly securely affixed to a shield mounting pedestal, said mounting pedestal featuring a plurality of mounting pedestal transverse members, said mounting pedestal proximate to roof interior surface and permanently and securely affixed thereto;
a rack assembly having a first rack, a first rack guide channel, a first rack drive rod, a second rack, a second rack guide channel, a second rack drive rod, each of said first and second racks having an toothed upper edge featuring cut gear teeth, each of said first and second racks having both an interior edge and a exterior edge, each of said first and second racks having a bottom edge, each said bottom edge having a lengthwise groove, said grove filled with a plurality of ball bearings, said plurality of ball bearings retained within said groove with a bearing ball retainer, said first rack slidably confined within said first rack guide, said second rack slidably confined within said second rack guide, each of said first and second rack guides having both an interior and an exterior edge, each said interior and exterior edge featuring a flange for confining each said first rack and said second rack within said first rack guide and said second rack guide, respectively, each said first rack guide and second rack guide having a bottom interior surface featuring a raceway for receiving said plurality of ball bearings maintained within each said first rack and said second rack, for efficient slidability between said first and second racks and associated said first and second rack guides, said first and second rack guides securely and permanently affixed to said plurality of mounting pedestal transverse members;
a drive assembly having a twin shaft reversible motor, a motor control limit switch, normally closed, attached therewith, said motor featuring a first shaft and a second shaft, said first shaft having a first pinion securely attached thereto, said second shaft having a second pinion securely attached thereto, said first pinion having cut gear teeth for operable association with said first rack, said second pinion having cut gear teeth for operable association with said second rack, said motor operating exclusively in the deploy mode when angular rotation of each said first and second shaft causes each said first rack and second rack to advance lengthwise toward the windshield of the vehicle, said motor operating exclusively in the retract mode when angular rotation of each said first and second shaft causes each said first rack and second rack to withdraw lengthwise away from the windshield of the vehicle, for providing a lengthwise motive force to deploy and retract said motor driven sunshield, said drive assembly securely affixed to said shield mounting pedestal and plurality of mounting pedestal transverse members, said mounting pedestal securely affixed to interior surface of roof of the vehicle; and
an electrical motor control system, having, a first bimodal momentary contact switch, said first switch including an automatic deploy circuit and deploy limit mechanism, a shield retract limit switch for disrupting electrical power to said reversible motor when said motor driven sunshield is fully retracted from the windshield, a transmission mode sensor, said sensor including a second bimodal switch, said mode sensor operatively and cooperatively linked to the motor vehicle transmission for detecting a vehicle transmission operating mode, wherein the operating mode is selected from a group consisting of drive, reverse, neutral, and park, said second bimodal switch electrically connected to the vehicle electrical system with a vehicle electrical system circuit, said vehicle electrical system circuit cooperatively connected and operating in conjunction with an ignition key system of the motor vehicle, said second bimodal switch exclusively operably connected in series with a park circuit to said first bimodal switch, and providing electrical power thereto when said transmission mode sensor detects park mode, said second bimodal switch exclusively operably connected in series with a run circuit and said motor control limit switch when said transmission mode sensor detects other than park mode, said shield retract limit switch, normally closed, operably connected in series with a first shield retract circuit to retract mode circuitry of said reversible motor for providing electrical power to retract said motor driven sunshield, said control limit switch opening and disrupting flow of electrical power to said motor when said sunshield is fully retracted, said first bimodal switch operably electrically connected in series with a shield deploy circuit to deploy mode circuitry of said reversible motor for providing electrical power to deploy said motor driven sunshield when said first bimodal switch is in deploy mode and vehicle transmission is in park mode, said first bimodal switch operably electrically connected in series with a second shield retract circuit to retract mode circuitry of said reversible motor for providing electrical power to retract said motor driven sunshield when said first bimodal switch is in retract mode and vehicle transmission is in park mode, said first switch automatically deploying said motor driven sunshield until said deploy limit mechanism engaged and operating in a momentary retract mode thereafter, for providing both manual and automatic deployment and retraction of said motor driven sunshield installed in an automotive vehicle having a transmission and a windshield, said electrical motor control system further featuring a security mechanism to prevent unauthorized deployment and retraction of said sunshield, said shield assembly, said wheel track assembly, said rack assembly, said drive assembly and said electrical motor control system cooperatively and aggregatively linked, forming said automatically and manually operated motor driven sunshield for covering the interior surface of the windshield of the vehicle, for protecting the vehicle'"'"'s interior from potentially harmful solar radiation otherwise passing through the windshield. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification