Umbrella with detachable drape

Abstract

A sun shade or drape for attaching to an umbrella and providing shade to an individual resting near the umbrella is disclosed. The drape includes at least one clip for fastening the drape to the umbrella. A loop of elastic material is attached between the clip and one end of the drape. The drape includes slits for accepting stakes. A lip is provided on the upper and lower ends of the drape for adding rigidity to the drape.

Description

[0001] There are no related applications.

[0002] The invention was not subject to federal funding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention generally relates to sun shades. More particularly the invention relates to detachable sun shades for beach umbrellas. A beach umbrella comprising the detachable sun shades is also disclosed.

[0004] An umbrella may be used to shelter a person from either direct sunlight or moisture such as rain. Umbrellas typically comprise a center post on which radially extending ribs are mounted for supporting a cloth panel. A runner is movably mounted on the center post for manual operation of opening the umbrella.

[0005] Many people enjoy sitting or lying in the sun while vacationing at the beach. Sunbathing can be relaxing and may enhance one's appearance. However, medical science has recognized that overexposure to sunlight can lead to dangerous skin conditions such as melanoma and various other types of skin cancer. Overexposure of a child's skin to excessive amounts of sunlight is extremely dangerous and may increase the risk of skin cancer later in life. Thus, many beach goers use sun shades or umbrellas to limit the amount of sunlight exposed to their skin.

[0006] Some beach goers selectively block sunlight using umbrellas that extend from the sand. However, the earth's rotation about the sun changes the angle between the umbrella and the sun. Thus, the beach goers must continually position the umbrella to effectively block sunlight.

[0007] Other beach goers take tents to the beach with them to provide a shaded area to avoid direct exposure to sunlight. However, it is illegal to pitch tents on many beaches located on the eastern shore of the United States. Further, many communities consider the tents an eyesore and have instituted ordinances to outlaw the use of tents on beaches.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide a sun shade that is easily attachable to a beach umbrella for effectively blocking direct sunlight to a person seated under or near the umbrella.

[0009] It is another object of the invention to provide a beach umbrella that comprises a detachable sun shade or drape.

[0010] It is a further object of the invention to provide a drape that can attach to various sized beach umbrellas.

[0011] It is still another object of the invention to provide a sun shade that is easily storable and can be readily attached to a beach umbrella.

[0012] It is another object of the invention to provide a sun shade that offers more shade that a conventional umbrella while offering less shade than a tent.

[0013] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a detachable drape.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a beach umbrella having the detachable drape affixed thereto.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a side view of the clip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words "right," "left," "lower" and "upper" designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made.

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a detachable drape 1. A clip or fastening means 3 is affixed at an upper end of the drape 1 via a fastening loop 5. The fastening loop 5 comprises elastic material. Slits 7 are provided in drape 1 near the lower end for accepting stakes 17, as shown in FIG. 2. The stakes 17 secure the lower edge of the drape to the sand on the beach. It should be realized that modifications to the drape may be made such that it can be secured to solid surfaces such as concrete and asphalt.

[0019] Lips 9A and 9B are provided at the upper and lower edges of the drape for adding rigidity. The lips ensure that the drape is fully stretched widthwise, or left to right, when the drape is being deployed. It should be noted that weights or other means may be used to secure the lower edge of the detachable drape such that the drape does not flutter in a free manner during windy conditions.

[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates an umbrella 2 that comprises a detachable drape 1. The umbrella typically comprises ribs 13 attached to a support pole 11. A cloth panel 15 covers the ribs 13. In the preferred embodiment, the drape 1 is attached to an edge of the cloth panel 14. However, it is contemplated that the drape 1 may be attached to the ribs 13. Stakes 17 secure the lower edge of the drape and hold the drape 1 in place while it is deployed. Otherwise, the drape would tend to flap and provide inadequate shade during windy conditions.

[0021] FIG. 3 depicts the clip 3. The clip 3 comprises a metal loop 21 for accepting the fastening loop 5. Jaws 25 and 27 engage the edge of the cloth panel 14. Locking strip 23 engages jaw 25 and forces it against jaw 27 such that the drape 1 is securely fastened to umbrella 2. The locking strip 23 is pulled away from jaw 25 to disengage jaw 25 from jaw 27 and allow the drape 1 to be removed from umbrella 2.

[0022] In the preferred embodiment, the drape is comprised of a lightweight mesh-type cloth material. However, it is contemplated that the drape may comprise other fabric or flexible material. A rigid portion such as a steel or wooden rod may be provided at the upper and lower edges of the drape for adding rigidity to the drape. The drape may also include stake loops affixed to the bottom of the drape. The typical length of the drape is 6 feet, while the typical length is 3 feet. It should be realized that the dimensions of the drape may vary according to the size and shape of the umbrella to which the drape is to be attached.

[0023] Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations can be implemented without departing from the basic concept. It is to be understood, however, that such modifications and variations will fall within the full scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A sun shade for fastening to an umbrella, said sun shade comprising: a strip of flexible material; and a fastening means attached at one end of said flexible material for attaching said sun shade to the umbrella.

2. The sun shade of claim 1 further comprising a means for accepting a stake to secure the strip of flexible material to a surface consisting of sand, concrete or asphalt.

3. The sun shade of claim 1 wherein said strip of flexible material comprises cloth.

4. The sun shade of claim 1 wherein said flexible material comprises a perforated cloth.

5. The sun shade of claim 1 wherein said fastening means comprises a clip.

6. The sun shade of claim 1 wherein said fastening means comprises buttons or snaps.

7. The sun shade of claim 1 further comprising at least one loop for accepting a stake to secure the strip of flexible material to a surface such as sand, concrete or asphalt.

8. The sun shade of claim 1 further wherein said strip of flexible material comprises at least one lip located at an end thereof.

9. A sun shade comprising: a strip of cloth comprising at least one slit for accepting a stake; and, a clip attached at an end of said strip of cloth.

10. The sun shade of claim 9 wherein said strip of cloth is mesh.

11. The sun shade of claim 9 further comprising

12. An umbrella comprising: a center post on which radially extending ribs are mounted; a cloth panel supported on said radially extending ribs; and, a detachable drape attached to said ribs or cloth panel.

13. The umbrella of claim 12 wherein said detachable drape comprises a strip of cloth.

14. The umbrella of claim 12 wherein said detachable drape comprises a strip of mesh cloth.

15. The umbrella of claim 12 wherein said detachable drape includes a slit for accepting stakes.

16. The umbrella of claim 12 wherein said detachable drape includes a loop for accepting stakes.

17. The umbrella of claim 12 further including an attachment means for attaching said detachable drape to either the ribs or cloth panel.

18. The umbrella of claim 17 wherein said attachment means includes a clip.

19. The umbrella of claim 17 wherein said attachment means includes buttons or snap fasteners.

20. The umbrella of claim 17 wherein said detachable drape comprises a lip located at an end thereof.