The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 16, 1999
Filed:
Jul. 10, 1996
David E Righter, Troy, MI (US);
Edward G Curtindale, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
UT Automotive Dearborn, Inc., Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
Several shade assembly embodiments are disclosed which allow the shade assembly to be mounted in a vehicle interior while accommodating varying interior widths. In one embodiment, spring-biased latches engage a depression in an outer lateral surface of the roller assembly. In a related embodiment, a release button is included on the roller assembly. In an alternative embodiment, a U-shaped spring is biased axially outwardly of the roller assembly to engage a mounting surface on an opposed wall of the vehicle interior. In another embodiment, an end member comprises attachment structure having a lower member biased radially away from a longitudinal axis of an upper member. A bracket receives the end member and has an opening that is smaller than the expanded distance of the end member when the lower member is biased away from the upper member. The upper and lower members can be biased together such that the end member may be moved into the bracket. The upper and lower members are then released, and the end member secures itself within the bracket. In a final embodiment, a housing surrounds the roller assembly and has a hook which is to be moved into an opening in a rear panel of the vehicle. The assembly is thus not subjected to problems caused by variations of width in the vehicle interior since the roller member is mounted on a hook that will be secured to a wall opposed to the surface where the cover will be attached. The cover is pulled outwardly away from the hook, and thus the cover itself will accommodate any variation in distance.