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

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.

1 . A window covering configured for attachment to a window frame 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, wherein the second member extend in spaced relationship to the first member to define a hole between the first member and the second member;   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;   wherein the first magnet is 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   wherein the second magnet is 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 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; and   wherein each of the first magnet and the second magnet is configured to exert a pull force sufficient to retain the window covering to the window frame such that the casing of the window covering does not move relative to the window frame.   
     
     
         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 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A window covering, as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein each of the first magnet and the second magnet include a rare earth metal. 
     
     
         6 . A window covering, as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein each of the first magnet and the second magnet is a neodymium magnet including an alloy of neodymium, iron, and boron. 
     
     
         7 . 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.   
     
     
         8 . A window covering, as set forth in  claim 7 , 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. 
     
     
         9 . A window covering, as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the first magnet and the second magnet each include a ledge extending longitudinally. 
     
     
         10 . 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. 
     
     
         11 . A window covering, as set forth in  claim 10 , 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.   
     
     
         12 . A window covering, as set forth in  claim 1 , 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.   
     
     
         13 . A window covering, as set forth in  claim 12 , 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.   
     
     
         14 . 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. 
     
     
         15 . A window covering, as set forth in  claim 14 , 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.   
     
     
         16 . A window covering configured for attachment to a window frame to at least partially cover an opening defined in the window frame, the window covering comprising:
 a casing including a first member having an outer member surface and a second member extending in spaced relationship to the first member to define a hole therebetween;   wherein the outer member surface of the first member defines a channel;   a panel operatively attached to each of the first member and the second member and covering the hole;   a magnet presenting an outer magnet surface;   wherein the magnet is disposed in the channel of the first member such that the outer magnet surface of the magnet is generally coplanar with the outer member surface of the first member;   wherein the magnet is configured to be magnetically attached to the window frame at the outer magnet surface;   wherein the panel extends about each of the first member and the second member and covers the magnet such that the panel is disposed between the magnet and the window frame when the window covering is attached to the window frame; and   wherein the magnet is configured to exert a pull force sufficient to retain the window covering to the window frame.   
     
     
         17 . A window covering, as set forth in  claim 16 , further comprising an attachment clip configured for attachment to the window frame;
 wherein the attachment clip includes a ferromagnetic strip having a ferromagnetic material; and   wherein the magnet is configured to be magnetically attached to the ferromagnetic strip of the outer magnet surface when the attachment clip is attached to the window frame such that the magnet is configured to be magnetically attached to the window frame via the attachment clip.   
     
     
         18 . A window covering, as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the attachment clip includes a connection surface defining a longitudinally extending groove and the ferromagnetic strip is fixedly disposed in the groove. 
     
     
         19 . A window covering, as set forth in  claim 17 , 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 magnet and the second magnet within the groove of the attachment clip; and   wherein the groove includes a ramp, proximate the second end.   
     
     
         20 . A window covering system comprising:
 an attachment clip configured for attachment to a window frame, the attachment clip including a ferromagnetic material; and   a window covering configured for attachment to the attachment clip to at least partially cover an opening defined in the window frame, the window covering including:
 a casing including a member having an outer member surface defining a channel; 
 a panel operatively attached to the first member; 
 a magnet presenting an outer magnet surface; 
 wherein the magnet is disposed in the channel of the member such that the outer magnet surface of the magnet is generally coplanar with the outer member surface of the member; 
 wherein the magnet is configured to be magnetically attached to the ferromagnetic material of the outer magnet surface when the attachment clip is attached to the window frame; 
 wherein the panel extends about the member and covers the magnet such that the panel is configured to be disposed between the magnet and the ferromagnetic material of the attachment clip when the window covering is attached to the attachment clip; and 
 wherein the magnet is configured to exert a pull force sufficient to retain the window covering to the attachment clip. 
   
     
     
         21 . A window covering system, as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein the attachment clip includes a ferromagnetic strip having the ferromagnetic material; and
 wherein the attachment clip includes a connection surface defining a longitudinally extending groove and the ferromagnetic strip is fixedly disposed in the groove.   
     
     
         22 . A window covering system, as set forth in  claim 20 , 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 magnet and the second magnet within the groove of the attachment clip; and   wherein the groove includes a ramp, proximate the second end.