Method for blocking glare from the sun and apparatus therefor

Abstract

In a motor vehicle, a method and apparatus for blocking glare from the sun includes a sun shield which is positioned to block the glare. The sun shield has a connector for attaching the sun shield to the vehicle, and has a plurality of rotationally positionable blades. The sun shield is attached to the vehicle, and one or more of the blades is rotated to block the glare. The sun shield may be attached to the vehicle's visor or to the side window.

1 . A method for blocking glare from the sun, comprising: 
 (a) providing a vehicle having an occupant;    (b) providing a sun shield which is attachable to said vehicle, said sun shield including: 
 a connector for selectively attaching said sun shield to said vehicle;  
 a swivel attached to said connector;  
 a plurality of blades pivotally attached to said swivel, wherein each of said plurality of blades is rotationally positionable about said swivel;  
   (c) said occupant using said connector to attach said sun shield to said vehicle;    (d) said occupant selecting a blade to be rotated; and,    (e) said occupant rotating said selected blade so that said selected blade blocks glare from the sun.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further including; 
 in step (c), said occupant selecting a plurality of said blades to be rotated; and,    in step (d), said occupant rotating said plurality of blades wherein each said rotated blade assumes a different rotational position.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further including: 
 repeating steps (a) through (e) for at least one additional said sun shield.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further including: 
 said vehicle having a visor, and,    in step (c), said occupant attaching said sun shield to said visor.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further including: 
 in step (c), said occupant selectively vertically positioning said connector on said visor.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , further including: 
 prior to step (c), said occupant moving said visor to one of (1) a forward position, and (2) a side position.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further including 
 said vehicle having a side view mirror; and,    when said visor is moved to said side position, said selected blade blocking glare from said side view mirror.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further including: 
 said vehicle having a side window having a top; and,    in step (c), said occupant attaching said sun shield to said top of said side window.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further including: 
 in step (b), said plurality of blades including blades of different lengths and of different widths;    in step (d), said occupant selecting a blade having a length and width which will minimize an amount of viewing obstruction presented to said occupant.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further including; 
 in step (a), said occupant having a body part;    in step (a), said vehicle having a visor;    said occupant moving said visor to a side position:    in step (c), said occupant attaching said sun shield to said visor; and,    in step (e), said occupant rotating said selected blade so that said blade blocks glare from the sun which would otherwise impinge upon said body part of said occupant.    
   
   
       11 . A method for blocking glare from the sun, comprising: 
 (a) providing a vehicle having a side window and cooperating weather-stripping, said vehicle having an occupant;    (b) providing a sun shield, including: 
 a connector for selectively attaching said sun shield to said vehicle;  
 a swivel attached to said connector;  
 a plurality of blades pivotally attached to said swivel, wherein each of said plurality of blades is rotationally positionable about said swivel;  
   (c) said occupant inserting at least one of said blades between said side window and said weather-stripping so that said inserted blade is captured thereby;    (d) said occupant selecting another of said blades to be rotated; and,    (e) said occupant rotating said selected blade so that said selected blade blocks glare from the sun.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further including: 
 in step (a), said occupant having a body part; and,    in step (e), said occupant rotating said selected blade so that said blade blocks glare from the sun which would otherwise impinge upon said body part of said occupant.    
   
   
       13 . A sun shield which is attachable to a vehicle for blocking glare from the sun, said sun shield comprising: 
 a connector for selectively attaching said sun shield to the vehicle;    a swivel attached to said connector;    a plurality of blades pivotally attached to said swivel, wherein each of said plurality of blades is rotationally positionable about said swivel; and,    wherein said connector may be attached to the vehicle and a said blade rotated so that said rotated blade blocks glare from the sun.    
   
   
       14 . A sun shield according to  claim 13 , further including: 
 said plurality of blades including blades having different lengths.    
   
   
       15 . A sun shield according to  claim 14 , further including: 
 said plurality of blades arranged in order from shortest to longest.    
   
   
       16 . A sun shield according to  claim 13 , further including: 
 said plurality of blades including both (1) blades of different widths, and (2) blades of the same width.    
   
   
       17 . A sun shield according to  claim 13 , further including: 
 said plurality of blades being one of (1) opaque and (2) translucent.    
   
   
       18 . A sun shield according to  claim 13 , further including; 
 said plurality of blades being coated with an ultra violet light blocking material.    
   
   
       19 . A sun shield according to  claim 13 , further including: 
 each of said plurality of blades having a racetrack shape.    
   
   
       20 . A sun shield according to  claim 13 , the vehicle having a visor and a side window, said sun shield further including: 
 said sun shield attachable to one of the visor and the side window.    
   
   
       21 . A sun shield according to  claim 13 , the vehicle having a visor and a side window, said sun shield further including: 
 said plurality of blades including blades of different lengths;    said plurality of blades including blades of different widths;    said plurality of blades being one of (1) opaque and (2) translucent;    each of said plurality of blades having a racetrack shape; and,    said sun shield attachable to one of the visor and the side window.