Sunshade

Abstract

A sunshade has a shade and at least two supports, with each support having a second end that is coupled to the shade at spaced-apart locations thereof. The sunshade also has a connector coupled to the first end of each support, the connector having a central portion that has a groove, and a leaf for coupling the first end of each support. The leaf is hingedly connected to the central portion by an integral thin section and has a locking member fitted inside the groove to hold the leaf at a fixed position with respect to the central portion. Each support of the sunshade can also have an adjustable length.

1 - 19 . (canceled)  
   
   
       20 . A sunshade, comprising: 
 a shade; and    at least two supports, each support having a length, a first end and a second end, with the second end of each support coupled to the shade at spaced-apart locations thereof, each support having an adjustable length; and    a single connector coupled to the shade, with the first end of each support coupled to the same connector.    
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein each support has a resilient element and bar coupled thereto, with the bar including the second end.  
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein each support further includes a tubular portion having a hollow interior that houses the resilient element.  
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein each resilient element is coupled to the first end of each support.  
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the shade is adapted to assume an unstable equilibrium position in which the supports and the shade are substantially coplanar with the connector, a collapsed position when the shade and supports are on one side of the unstable equilibrium position in which the shade is folded, and a deployed position when the shade and supports are on the other side of the unstable equilibrium position in which the supports and the shade are expanded.  
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the connector has a central portion, and one leaf for coupling the first end of each support, with the leaf hingedly connected to the central portion by an integral thin section.  
   
   
       26 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the leaf has a locking member, and the central portion has a groove, with the locking member fitted inside the groove to hold the leaf at a fixed position with respect to the central portion.  
   
   
       27 . A sunshade, comprising: 
 a shade;    at least two supports, each support having a length, a first end and a second end, each support further comprising a rigid portion having a free end, and a resilient portion having a free end connected to the free end of the rigid portion, with the second end of each support coupled to the shade at spaced-apart locations thereof, each support having an adjustable length; and    wherein the first and second supports overlap each other.