Window covering configured to be magnetically attached to a window frame of a vehicle

• US 8,365,799 B2
• Filed: 03/17/2011
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nsv Group FZCO
• Original Assignee: NSV, LLC
• Inventors: Harris, Victor
• Primary Examiner(s): PUROL, DAVID M
• Application Number:
  US13/050,154
• Publication Number:
  US 20120234509A1
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 160/105, 160/370.21, 160/369, 160/402, 160/DIG.16, 296/97.7, 296/97.9
• US Class Current: 160/105
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/2011 Blinds; curtains or screens reducing heat or light intensity means against intense light blinding the driver or passengers B60J3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/0252 PM holding devices H01F7/021, H01F7/0215, H01F7/0226 take precedence

Abstract

A window covering is configured for attachment to a window frame of a vehicle to cover an opening defined in the window frame. The window covering includes a casing, a panel, a first magnet, and a second magnet. The casing includes a first member and a second member. The casing includes a ferromagnetic material. The panel is attached to first and second members and covers the hole. The first magnet and second magnet are magnetically attached to the respective first member and second member. The first and second magnets are configured to be magnetically attached to the window frame. The magnets are permanent magnets. Each magnet is configured to exert a pull force sufficient to retain the window covering to the window frame of the vehicle such that the casing of the window covering does not move relative to the window frame during motion of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A window covering configured for attachment to a window frame of a vehicle to at least partially cover an opening defined in the window frame, the window covering comprising:

a casing including a first member having a first outer member surface and a second member having a second outer member surface extending in spaced relationship to the first member to define a hole therebetween;

wherein the first outer member surface of the first member defines a first channel and the second outer member surface of the second member defines a second channel, facing in a generally opposite direction from the first channel;

a panel operatively attached to each of the first member and the second member and covering the hole;

a first magnet and a second magnet;

wherein the first and second magnets each present an outer magnet surface;

the first magnet disposed in the first channel of the first member such that the outer magnet surface is generally coplanar with the first outer member surface; and

the second magnet disposed in the second channel of the second member such that the outer magnet surface is generally coplanar with the second outer member surface;

wherein the outer magnet surface of each of the first and second magnets are generally coplanar with the respective first and second outer member surfaces;

wherein the first and second magnets are configured to be magnetically attached to the window frame at the respective outer magnet surface;

wherein the panel extends about each of the first member and the second member and covers the first and second magnets such that the panel is disposed between each of the first and second magnets and the window frame when the covering is attached to the window frame of the vehicle;

wherein each of the first magnet and the second magnet is a permanent magnet; and

wherein each of the first magnet and the second magnet are configured to exert a pull force sufficient to retain the window covering to the window frame of the vehicle such that the casing of the window covering does not move relative to the window frame during motion of the vehicle.

2. A window covering, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the casing further includes:

a third member interconnecting the first member and the second member; and

a fourth member extending in spaced relationship to the third member and interconnecting the first member and the second member;

wherein the third member and the fourth member cooperate with the first member and the second member to further define the hole therebetween.

3. A window covering, as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the first magnet and the second magnet include a rare earth metal.

4. A window covering, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the rare earth metal is neodymium.

5. A window covering, as set forth in claim 4, wherein each of the first magnet and the second magnet is a neodymium magnet including an alloy of neodymium, iron, and boron.

6. A window covering, as set forth in claim 1,

wherein each of the outer magnet surfaces has an area substantially equal to 125 square centimeters.

7. A window covering, as set forth in claim 6, wherein each of the first magnet and the second magnet is block shaped and includes a length, a width, and a thickness such that the area is defined by the length and the width.

8. A window covering, as set forth in claim 7, wherein the first magnet and the second magnet each include a ledge extending longitudinally.

9. A window covering, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the casing includes a ferromagnetic material which is steel.

10. A window covering, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the steel is mild steel.

11. A window covering, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the panel extends about each of the first member, the second member, the third member, and the fourth member and covers the first magnet and the second magnet such that the panel is disposed between each of the first magnet and the second magnet and the window frame when the window covering is attached to the window frame of the vehicle.

12. A window covering, as set forth in claim 11, wherein the panel includes:

a covering portion configured to substantially cover the hole when the window covering is attached to the window frame; and

a border configured to operatively attach the covering portion to the casing.

13. A window covering, as set forth in claim 8, further comprising an attachment clip configured for attachment to the window frame and including a ferromagnetic strip having a ferromagnetic material;

wherein one of the first magnet and the second magnet is configured to be magnetically attached to the respective one of the first member and the second member and configured to be magnetically attached to the ferromagnetic strip of the attachment clip.

14. A window covering, as set forth in claim 13, wherein the attachment clip is a first attachment clip and a second attachment clip;

wherein the first magnet is configured to be magnetically attached to the first member and the ferromagnetic strip of the first attachment clip; and

wherein the second magnet is configured to be magnetically attached to the second member and the ferromagnetic strip of the second attachment clip.

15. A window covering, as set forth in claim 13, wherein the attachment clip includes a connection surface defining a longitudinally extending groove and the ferromagnetic strip is fixedly disposed in the groove.

16. A window covering, as set forth in claim 15, wherein the attachment clip extends between a first end and a second end;

wherein the groove is partially surrounded by a pair of longitudinally extending walls and a shelf interconnecting the pair of longitudinally extending walls, proximate the first end such that the walls and the ledge cooperate to locate and retain the one of the first magnet and the second magnet within the groove of the attachment clip; and

wherein the groove includes a ramp, proximate the second end.

17. A window covering system comprising:

a window frame of a vehicle including a header and a footer; and

a window covering configured for attachment to the header and the footer of the window frame to at least partially cover an opening defined between the header and the footer, the window covering including;

a casing including a first member having a first outer member surface and a second member having a second outer member surface extending in spaced relationship to the first member to define a hole therebetween;

wherein the first outer member surface of the first member defines a first channel and the second outer member surface of the second member defines a second channel, facing in a generally opposite direction from the first channel;

a panel operatively attached to each of the first member and the second member and covering the hole;

a first magnet and a second magnet;

wherein the first and second magnets each present an outer magnet surface;

the first magnet disposed in the first channel of the first member such that the outer magnet surface is generally coplanar with the first outer member surface; and

the second magnet disposed in the second channel of the second member such that the outer magnet surface is generally coplanar with the second outer member surface;

wherein the outer magnet surface of each of the first and second magnets are generally coplanar with the respective first and second outer member surfaces

wherein the first and second magnets are configured to be magnetically attached to the window frame at the respective outer magnet surface;

wherein the panel extends about each of the first member and the second member and covers the first and second magnets such that the panel is disposed between each of the first and second magnets and the window frame when the covering is attached to the window frame of the vehicle;

wherein each of the first magnet and the second magnet is a permanent magnet; and

wherein each of the first magnet and the second magnet are configured to exert a pull force sufficient to retain the window covering to the respective header and footer of the window frame of the vehicle such that the casing of the window covering does not move relative to the window frame during motion of the vehicle.