U.S. patent application number 13/459195 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-22 for wind resistant canopy.
Invention is credited to Charles Crimi.
Application Number | 20120291830 13/459195 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47174018 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120291830 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Crimi; Charles |
November 22, 2012 |
WIND RESISTANT CANOPY
Abstract
A canopy for providing shade in sunlight has a stanchion
connected to a crossbeam and a sunshade with two straps attached to
the back. Each of the straps has an anchor. The anchor may be a
pouch into which sand may be placed to hold the canopy in place.
Wind blows the canopy up to a horizontal position and maintains it
there in both heavy and light winds. Additional support legs may be
used when there is insufficient wind to hold the canopy up.
Inventors: |
Crimi; Charles; (Boynton
Beach, FL) |
Family ID: |
47174018 |
Appl. No.: |
13/459195 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61481356 |
May 2, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/117 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 15/58 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/117 |
International
Class: |
E04H 15/58 20060101
E04H015/58 |
Claims
1. A wind resistant canopy comprising: a stanchion; a crossbeam; a
sunshade having a front and a back; wherein the front of the
sunshade is attachable to the crossbeam and the back of the
sunshade is attached to two straps, each strap having an
anchor.
2. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 1 further comprising a sleeve
at the front of the sunshade.
3. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 1 further comprising a series
of loops at front of sunshade.
4. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 1 wherein the anchor is a
pouch.
5. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 1 wherein the anchor includes
a hole.
6. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 1 further comprising a T
joint that connects the crossbeam and the stanchion.
7. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 6 wherein the T joint is a
pivoting T joint.
8. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 1 wherein the crossbeam
comprises two arms.
9. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 1 wherein the stanchion
comprises a mainstay and a telescoping strut.
10. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 1 wherein the sunshade, the
straps and the anchors are formed from a single piece of
material.
11. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 1 comprising a lintel and
two secondary legs attachable to the lintel.
12. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 11 wherein the sunshade has
a secondary sleeve for engaging the lintel.
13. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 11 wherein the sunshade has
a series of loops for engaging the lintel.
14. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 1 sunshade blocks specific
wavelengths of light.
15. A wind resistant canopy comprising: two stanchions; a
crossbeam; a sunshade having a front and a back; wherein the front
of the sunshade is attachable to the crossbeam and the back of the
sunshade is attached to one or more straps having an anchor.
16. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 15 wherein the back of the
sunshade is attached to two straps, each having an anchor.
17. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 15 further comprising at
least one support leg attachable to the back of the sunshade.
18. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 15 wherein the sunshade
blocks specific wavelengths of light.
19. A wind resistant canopy comprising: a stanchion; a crossbeam; a
sunshade having a front and a back; wherein the front of the
sunshade is attachable to the crossbeam and the back of the
sunshade is attached to two straps, each strap having an anchor; a
sleeve at the front of the sunshade; wherein the anchor is a pouch;
a T joint for attaching the crossbeam and the stanchion; stanchion
is mainstay and telescoping strut the sunshade, sleeve, straps and
anchor are made from a single piece of material
20. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Utility application claims priority to Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/481,356 filed on May 2, 2011, which is
hereby incorporated by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER
[0003] Not Applicable
PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX
[0004] Not Applicable
FIELD
[0005] The present invention relates to apparatuses and systems for
providing shade from sunlight and more particularly to a portable,
light weight and wind-resistant canopy.
BACKGROUND
[0006] The use of beach umbrellas is known in the prior art. More
specifically, beach umbrellas are known to consist basically of
familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations. A myriad
of designs crowds the prior art and have been developed for the
fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
[0007] A constant difficulty encountered by operators of beach
umbrellas is the high winds and gusts encountered on a beach and
elsewhere. Umbrellas are frequently blown away due to these winds.
Several attempts have been made to design an umbrella or other
canopy that will withstand high winds and gusts without falling
over or blowing away.
[0008] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,893 discloses a beach
umbrella safety system. The system includes an anchor member
comprising a container in the form of a beach bag for containing a
weighing medium such as sand.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,681 discloses an anchor device for the
use on the stake of a beach umbrella. The anchor device includes a
flight that extends helically around the main body.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,296,693 discloses a beach umbrella support.
The support is formed by a collapsible container which can be
filled with solid or liquid material to give it stability.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,369 discloses a ground anchoring
arrangement for attachment to the pole of a beach umbrella. The
arrangement includes a spiral screw which is attached to one end of
the rod, while the other end of the rod is attachable to a handle
rotator.
[0012] Yet another example is U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,411 which
discloses a beach umbrella safety base. The base includes a collar
which is inserted over the staff of a beach umbrella and has four
pivotable struts.
[0013] The aforementioned patents do not describe a canopy which
provides increased stability and wind resistance by working with
the pressure and forces exerted by wind on a canopy. Rather, they
attempt to counter these forces by providing more rigid structures,
additional anchors, flow-through vents and other half measures that
even when combined do not consistently overcome the
difficulties.
[0014] It is therefore desirable to provide a canopy that provides
shade and has a diminished capacity to be blown over or away by
high winds and/or gusts.
[0015] It is also desirable to provide a canopy that provides
shade, is wind-resistant and easily transported and stored.
SUMMARY
[0016] Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is
to provide a wind-resistant canopy for providing shade from
sunlight, has a diminished capacity for being disturbed by high
winds, and is easily stored and transported.
[0017] A wind resistant canopy comprises a stanchion, a crossbeam,
and a sunshade having a front and a back, wherein the front of the
sunshade is attachable to the crossbeam and the back of the
sunshade is attached to two straps, and each strap has an anchor.
The canopy may also include a sleeve at the front of the sunshade
or a series of loops at front of sunshade for engaging the
crossbeam. The anchor may be a pouch that may be filled with sand
or other substance and may include a hole through which a stake or
other object may be inserted. The crossbeam and stanchion may be
connected by means of a T joint, which may optionally be pivotable.
The crossbeam may be a single unitary body or may be comprised of
two or more arms. The stanchion may be a mainstay and telescoping
strut. The sunshade, sleeve, straps and anchor may be made from a
single piece of material. The canopy may also include a lintel and
secondary legs for supporting the back of the sunshade when there
is minimal wind, and may include a secondary sleeve for the lintel
or a series of loops for the lintel. The sunshade may only filter
specific wavelengths.
[0018] In another embodiment, a wind resistant canopy may comprise
two stanchions, a crossbeam, and a sunshade having a front and a
back, wherein the front of the sunshade is attachable to the
crossbeam and the back of the sunshade is attached to a strap
having an anchor. The back of the sunshade may be attached to two
straps, each having an anchor. The canopy may also include a
support leg attachable to the back of the sunshade.
[0019] In another embodiment, a wind resistant canopy may comprise
a stanchion, a crossbeam and a sunshade having a front and a back,
wherein the front of the sunshade is attachable to the crossbeam
and the back of the sunshade is attached to two straps, and each
strap has an anchor. The canopy may also include a sleeve at the
front of the sunshade and a T joint for attaching the crossbeam and
the stanchion. The stanchion may be a mainstay and telescoping
strut. The sunshade, sleeve, straps and anchor may be made from a
single piece of material. The canopy may also include a lintel and
secondary legs.
[0020] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a light weight, transportable and storable canopy.
[0021] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
wind-resistant canopy.
[0022] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached
specification and appended claims. There has thus been outlined,
rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in
order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be
better understood, and in order that the present contribution to
the art may be better appreciated. There are features of the
invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form
the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a canopy in accordance with
the principles of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the sunshade of the
canopy shown in FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the sunshade of the canopy shown
in FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
a canopy in accordance with the principles of the invention;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view an alternative embodiment of a
sunshade in accordance with the principles of the invention;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view an alternative embodiment of a
sunshade in accordance with the principles of the invention;
[0029] FIG. 7a is a front view of a T joint in accordance with the
principles of the invention;
[0030] FIG. 7b is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a T
joint in accordance with the principles of the invention;
[0031] FIG. 7c is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a T
joint in accordance with the principles of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention
in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and to the
arrangements of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out
in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology
and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description
and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0033] FIG. 1 shows a wind-resistant canopy 10 in accordance with
the principles of the present invention. Canopy 10 may be supported
by stanchion 12. Stanchion 12 may be comprised of a lower mainstay
14 and a an upper strut 16 that telescopes out of the mainstay 14
and allows vertical adjustment of the canopy's height. Once the
strut is telescoped out to provide the desired height, its position
may be secured by lock 18 which may be any suitable locking
mechanism, such as for example a twist lock, a pin lock, a grip
lock or the like which allows the positioning of the mainstay 14
and strut 16 relative to each other to be substantially fixed. The
mainstay 14 and strut 16 may be of a rigid material or of a
somewhat flexible material, such as for example PVC pipe, that may
alleviate or damp the effect of wind gusts and/or buffeting on the
canopy 10.
[0034] FIG. 1 shows a stanchion 12 comprised of two components that
telescope, thereby providing both horizontal adjustment and a
collapsed, portable position, specifically when the strut 16 is
inserted within mainstay 14. Optionally, a stanchion may be a
single, unitary body or may be comprised of a plurality of
components that may be assembled into a stanchion and disassembled
for portability. Optionally, more than one stanchion may be
used.
[0035] The crossbeam 20 may be balanced in the manner of a double
cantilever, extending outward from the top of the strut 16 where it
attaches to the stanchion 12 at a T joint 22. Crossbeam 20 may be a
single unit or be comprised of a first and second arm that attach
separably to T joint 22 or may be attached pivotally such that they
may be folded down flush with the stanchion 12 when not in use.
Crossbeam 20 may be made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, e.g.
PVC pipe, similar to strut 16. If more than one stanchion is used
with a canopy, as may be optionally desirable, the crossbeam may
optionally assume a more lintel type structure rather than the
double cantilever shown in FIG. 1.
[0036] The sunshade 30 may be comprised of a lightweight flexible
sheet of cotton, vinyl, polyester or other similar material. The
sunshade 30 may be preferably lightweight and flexible such that a
breeze may lift the sunshade into a substantially horizontal
position and remain suspended in such a position. The wind may blow
the sunshade 30 into a concave shape. When the sunshade assumes a
concave shape, a very light breeze may be sufficient to maintain
the sunshade in a substantially horizontal position forming a
canopy due to forces exerted according to Bernoulli's principle.
Thus, the canopy 10 in accordance with the principles of the
invention may be characterized as wind-resistant but may also be
appreciated as working in concert with, rather than in opposition
to, the wind. The sunshade may block substantially all sunlight or
other light or optionally may be transparent to specific
wavelengths or optionally include a window of clear material.
[0037] At the distal end of the sunshade 30 may be two straps 36
that extend outward from the sunshade 30 and have anchors 38 at
their distal ends. In this embodiment, the anchors 38 are comprised
of pouches accessible through openings 40. Sand or other material
within the vicinity of the canopy 10 may be inserted into the
pouches of anchors 38. By weighing down the pouches 38, they may
secure the canopy 10. In this embodiment, there are two straps with
anchors attached to the sunshade. Optionally one strap and anchor
may be used or optionally three or more anchors may be used.
[0038] FIG. 2 and show the sunshade 30 without the stanchion 12 and
crossbeam 20 attached. Sunshade 30 may include a sleeve 32 at its
forward end 42 through which crossbeam 20 may extend. Sleeve 32 may
be formed by folding part of the sunshade over itself and stitching
it together to form seam 44. Sleeve 32 may optionally be open at
either end or may be sealed at each end. Sleeve 32 may include an
aperture 34, optionally reinforced by a grommet, through which the
stanchion 12 may attach to the T joint 22. While this embodiment
shows a single continuous sleeve, a canopy may optionally utlize a
plurality of smaller sleeves or a series of loops similar to belt
loops. The back end of sunshade 30 may include two straps 36 that
extend distally and may include anchors 38.
[0039] As may be seen more clearly in FIG. 3, straps 36 and anchors
38 may be formed from the same unitary piece of material as the
entire sunshade 30. Anchors 38 may be formed by folding a material
over on itself at the end of strap 36 and sewn together at seam 40
to form a pouch. Optionally, anchors 38 may be of a different
material or different configuration.
[0040] FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a canopy 50 in
accordance with the principles of the invention. Sunshade 52 may
have a sleeve 56 sewn into its front may allow a crossbeam to
securely engage the sunshade 52 for its entire width. In this
embodiment, sleeve 56 is sealed at both ends. A crossbeam is inside
sleeve 56 and is removably affixed to stanchion 66 at T joint 64
which protrudes through grommet 54. In this embodiment, stanchion
66 is comprised of a single steel pole and is not formed from a
mainstay and telescopically extendable strut. Optionally, the
stanchion may be comprised of a plurality of elongate components
that may be assembled to form a stanchion and disassembled for
portability. For example, it may be desirable to provide a
stanchion comprised of three elongate rods that are removably
attachable to form the stanchion and may be detached from one
another in order to be stored or transported.
[0041] Stanchion 66 also includes a base 70. While the embodiment
of FIGS. 1-3 does not incorporate a base into the stanchion, it may
be optionally desirable to include a base 70 as shown here. Base 70
may be lightweight and broad or may be smaller and relatively
heavy. Optionally base 70 may be comprised of or incorporate any of
the features known in the art to improve securement of a stanchion
to the ground or to aid in firmly engaging an umbrella pole with
sand or other other soft material, such as for example a threaded,
screw-in base.
[0042] Sunshade 52 of FIG. 4 may have straps 72 and anchors 74.
Sunshade 52 may also include rear legs 76 which may be attached to
rear lintel 78 that may be placed within sleeve 80. Lintel 78 may
be comprised of a single elongate pole or may be comprised of one
or more components which may or may not disassemble or telescope
within one another. If there is insufficient wind to maintain the
sunshade 52 in an elevated, substantially horizontal position, then
rear legs 76 and lintel 78 may be used to support the rear portion
of the sunshade 52.
[0043] FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a sunshade 90.
Sunshade 90 may have a sleeve 92 that is open at both ends 94 and
has a grommet 96 around aperture 98. Sunshade 90 may also include a
second sleeve 100 for use with rear legs as shown in FIG. 4.
Anchors 102 at the ends of straps 104 are pouches similar to those
of FIGS. 1-3. They may be formed by folding the material over and
stitching seam 106. Anchors 102 may also include tabs 108 having
holes 110. Holes 110 may optionally be supported by grommits as
with aperture 98. Holes 110 may allow the anchors 102 to be
removably affixed to stakes, hooks or other devices for securing an
item in place. This may be useful when the sunshade 90 is utilized
at a location that lacks sand, gravel or other suitable material
for filling the anchor 102.
[0044] FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a sunshade 120
having a series of loops 122 along its front for attachment to a
crossbeam, not shown. Sunshade 120 also shows a series of secondary
loops 124 for attachment to a rod or lintel for support by legs,
also not shown. Sunshade 120 has anchors 126 at the end of straps
128. Anchors 126 in this embodiment are comprised of a weighted
material permanently incorporated into the bottom of straps
128.
[0045] FIGS. 7a-7c show different types of T joints that may be
used for the invention. FIG. 7a shows a stanchion 130 connected to
two cross beams 132 at T joint 134. FIG. 7b shows a T joint 140
that includes a socket 142 for attaching to the top of a stanchion
and a ring 144 for engaging a crossbeam comprised of a single
component.
[0046] FIG. 7c shows a T joint 150 that may have a socket 152 for
engaging a stanchion 154 that may be connected to a gusset plate
156. The gusset plate 156 may be attached to two pivoting sockets
158 that may engage crossbeam arms 160. Sockets 152 and 158 of T
joint 150 may be removably engaged with stanchion 154 and crossbeam
arms 160 or may be permanently affixed and pivoting of the sockets
158 facilitates transport and storage of the stanchion and
crossbeams. It may be preferable for the pivoting sockets to have a
locking mechanism for securing them such that the crossbeam arms
160 are substantially perpendicular to the stanchion 154.
[0047] Whereas, the present invention has been described in
relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood
that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or
suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this
invention. Descriptions of the embodiments shown in the drawings
should not be construed as limiting or defining the ordinary and
plain meanings of the terms of the claims unless such is explicitly
indicated.
[0048] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *