Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
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Car Umbrella

Automatic sun shade
  (+11, -4)
(+11, -4)
  [vote for,
against]

Many people use fold-out shields *inside* their windscreens, to shield the steering wheel and interior surfaces from the heat of the sun. These are unwieldy and difficult to deploy.

I propose instead an external sun shade, that would fold out like the top of a convertible, then act as a big umbrella, keeping the car in the shade, no matter where you have parked it.

Also available as an outsized dual-poled golf umbrella that would clip onto your roof rack. (So it can be retrofitted.) (And then maybe we can escape these endless suggestions for solar powered A/C.)

DrCurry, Jul 16 2002

Maybach limo http://www.cardesig...0maybach/index.html
paragraph 16 [timo, Jul 19 2002]

[link]






       are you neglecting your patients at the moment doctor? croissant. my car just has a little bonnet.
po, Jul 16 2002
  

       They make home windows with LCD technology that become opaque with the flip of a switch. Why not apply that to vehicles? LCD's use very little current to operate..   

       Style points if you can get custom umbrella graphics, tho
Mr Burns, Jul 16 2002
  

       What if it's windy?
calum, Jul 16 2002
  

       If you have a Ford Festiva, you'd have to have someone help you flip it back on it's wheels when you return..
Mr Burns, Jul 16 2002
  

       If it's windy, no need to even start the car, just put it in neutral, put up the umbrella and you're off to the races. Dual use umbrella!
dag, Jul 18 2002
  

       Perhaps it could be sun-seeking; the sun shines ate varying angles throughout the day, and moving with the sun would get better coverage.
polartomato, Jul 18 2002
  

       I really like the idea, but I think car umbrellas would be too easy to pinch.
madradish, Jul 19 2002
  

       [thc] "They make home windows with LCD technology that become opaque with the flip of a switch. Why not apply that to vehicles? LCD's use very little current to operate.."   

       there's a similar feature on Mercedes new £300,000 Maybach limo I think, I'll post a link if I can find it...
timo, Jul 19 2002
  

       madradish: easy to pinch, maybe, but how is the thief going to get the thing home on the bus?
DrCurry, Feb 13 2005
  

       Is this an awning or more like one of those baby-carriage pleated roofs coming up from the rear (or front) bumper?
FlyingToaster, May 05 2008
  
      
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