CA3019033A1

CA3019033A1 - Mounting apparatus

Info

Publication number: CA3019033A1
Application number: CA3019033A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Cory Strangeways
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-09-28
Filing date: 2018-09-28
Publication date: 2020-03-28

Abstract

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a mounting apparatus having a support assembly having a substantially horizontal support member that extends horizontally from a first side to a second side and adapted to be mounted to a mounting place such that the substantially horizontal support member abuts a substantially horizontal area of the mounting place; the substantially horizontal support member having a front surface, a rear surface and a downwardly projecting element positioned between the first side and the second side; the substantially horizontal support member having at least one mounting place attachment means;
the support assembly including at least one upper attachment point and a corresponding at least one lower attachment point, the at least one upper attachment point positioned on the front surface of the substantially horizontal support member; the corresponding at least one lower attachment point positioned on the rear surface of the substantially horizontal support member;
and at least one strap extending between the at least one upper attachment point and the corresponding at least one lower attachment point.

Description

MOUNTING APPARATUS
FIELD
The present invention relates to a mounting apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus which can be used to mount articles which normally must be held (such as, but not limited to, an umbrella) so that user's hand remain free. It is contemplated that the mounting apparatus allows the article to be mounted to a variety of places, including a person, a chair, or other anything else suitably shaped for attachment. In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the mounting apparatus may provide support for a variety of useful articles, such as but not limited to an umbrella, a solar panel, an antenna, and storage pockets.
BACKGROUND
Many useful articles require a user to actively hold the article despite not requiring much attention during use. Requiring the user to hold the object restricts the user's ability to use his/her hands for other things. It will be also appreciated that other useful articles may not necessarily need to be held but may require specialized mounting equipment to be setup.
For example, an umbrella is useful since it can protect a user from environmental conditions if it is in place, but often does not require the user to actively do anything besides setting it up.
Depending on the type of umbrella (such as a rain umbrella or sun umbrella), a user may either need to hold it or provide specialized mounting conditions so that the umbrella can be used in a hands-free fashion.
Rain umbrellas are typically composed of a central shaft with a handle at the bottom and a series of radially distributed arms at the top which are covered in a waterproof or water-resistant material.
Rain umbrellas may be collapsible or non-collapsible. A collapsible umbrella may have a telescoping central shaft and folding arms which allow the umbrella to fit comfortably in a bag when not in use. A non-collapsible umbrella merely pivots the arms towards the central shaft when not in use. Both types or rain umbrella require someone to hold the umbrella by the handle to protect things from the rain.

On the other hand, sun umbrellas are typically much larger than rain umbrellas and may be supported by a large central shaft or an articulating arm which supports the umbrella from above and may further be connected to a weighted stand. Sun umbrellas also use radially distributed arms, but the arms are covered in a material which is opaque and not necessarily waterproof or water-resistant. Central shaft sun umbrellas may be pointed at the base so that they can be inserted into the ground for support or may be inserted into a weighted stand.
With both of these types of umbrellas, the means of supporting the umbrella can be limiting. For rain umbrellas, a person must always hold, or in some way prop-up the umbrella, which can cause fatigue for the user if the umbrella must be supported for an extended period.
Holding the umbrella also limits the user's use of his/her hands. For sun umbrellas, the umbrella either needs to be inserted into soft ground (which may not be available) or needs to be supported by a purpose-built support stand which can be inconvenient or cumbersome to use.
These same principles extend to many other useful articles. A solar panel can passively collect power which can be used to power/charge electronic devices but needs to be mounted somewhere that adequately faces the sun. An external antenna may provide greater reception for an electronic device but also needs some sort of mounting apparatus to provide this benefit.
Even a properly mounted pocket can provide a user a way to keep an object conveniently accessible while relieving the user of need to constantly hold it.
Therefore, what is needed is a mounting apparatus which can provide a versatile means of mounting a variety of useful articles to a variety of places, supports, and structures which were not necessarily intended to support the useful articles or which can be worn by a user without requiring the user to hold or prop up the useful article thereby allowing users to keep their hands free.
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention provides a mounting apparatus that allows a useful article to be attached to a place or a person such that the mounting apparatus may provide hands-free use of an article without the need for a custom external support structure. It is further contemplated that the mounting apparatus may be mounted to a variety of readily available objects such as chairs, railings, or similar objects with sufficient attachment areas.

2 For example, in one embodiment the present mounting apparatus may provide a support structure for an umbrella which is mounted to a chair to provide the user with hands-free protection from environmental conditions without the need to hold the umbrella or have a specialized umbrella stand.
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a mounting apparatus, having a support assembly having a substantially horizontal support member that extends horizontally from a first side to a second side and adapted to be mounted to a mounting place such that the substantially horizontal support member abuts a substantially horizontal area of the mounting place, the substantially horizontal support member having a front surface, a rear surface and a downwardly projecting element positioned between the first side and the second side, the substantially horizontal support member having at least one mounting place attachment means located on at least one of the front surface and the rear surface, the support assembly including at least one upper attachment point and a corresponding at least one lower attachment point, the at least one upper attachment point positioned on the front surface of the substantially horizontal support member the corresponding at least one lower attachment point positioned on the rear surface of the substantially horizontal support member and at least one strap extending between the at least one upper attachment point and the corresponding at least one lower attachment point.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides an umbrella attached to the above mounting apparatus. In this embodiment, in addition to the above, the mounting apparatus further includes a first pivot assembly supported at a first side of the support assembly; a second pivot assembly supported at a second side of the support assembly; a plurality of curved ribs each having a first end and a second end, the plurality of curved ribs including a front rib and a back rib; wherein the first end of each curved rib is secured to the first pivot assembly and the second end of each curved rib is secured to the second pivot assembly; and at least one piece of flexible material is secured to the plurality of curved ribs to form a canopy when in an extended position;
wherein in a non-extended position the plurality of curved ribs are positioned downward behind the support assembly and in the extended position the plurality of curved ribs are pivoted forward such that the front rib is positioned in front of the support assembly and the back rib is positioned behind the support assembly in a closer to horizontal position than vertical position with respect to the mounting place.

3 In yet another embodiment, the above mounting apparatus (without the umbrella) further comprises a solar panel; wherein the solar panel is connected to the support assembly at a first side of the support assembly by a first support arm and is connected to the support assembly at a second side of the support assembly by a second support arm. It a related embodiment, the mounting apparatus further comprises a first pivot assembly connected between the first support arm and the first side of the support assembly and a second pivot assembly connected between the second support arm and the second side of the support assembly such that the solar panel can pivot around the support assembly.
In yet another embodiment, the mounting apparatus with an umbrella (discussed above) further comprises a solar panel; wherein the solar panel is secured to an exterior facing side of the canopy.
In yet another embodiment, any of the mounting apparatus embodiments discussed above may include one or more additional features. Such features include at least one pocket attached to the support assembly. In some embodiments, it is contemplated that a suitable power cable runs between the pocket and the solar panel so that a device may be charged while it is being simultaneously stored in the pocket.
Finally, in yet another embodiment, any of the previous mounting apparatus embodiments can further comprise a padded yoke which extends forwardly from the front surface of the horizontal support member, wherein the at least one upper attachment point is located at a front surface of the padded yoke. This padded yoke includes a forward opening arch and may provide additional comfort for a user (around the neck and/or shoulders) when the mounting apparatus is worn.
DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
The present invention will be better understood in connection with the following Figures, in which:
Figure 1 is a front view of a mounting apparatus, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, showing the mounting apparatus mounted to a chair with no useful article attached to the mounting apparatus;
Figure 2 is a rear view of the mounting apparatus of Figure 1 mounted to a chair;

4 Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the mounting apparatus of Figures 1 to 3 being worn by a user;
Figure 4 is a side view of the mounting apparatus, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, mounted to a chair with a canopy umbrella attached to the apparatus;
Figure 5 is a rear view of the mounting apparatus in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, mounted to a chair with a canopy umbrella and a solar panel attached to the mounting apparatus; and Figure 6 is a rear view of the mounting apparatus in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention, mounted to a chair with only a solar panel attached to the mounting apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Detailed descriptions of some preferred embodiments are provided herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be embodied in many forms not specifically described here. The specific details presented are not intended to be limiting, but rather provide a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to employ a desired embodiment of the present invention.
The present invention provides a mounting apparatus that allows a useful article to be attached to a place or a person such that the mounting apparatus may provide hands-free use of the article without the need for an additional, custom external support structure. The present invention need not be limited to any one of the useful articles described herein and may allow a variety of different articles to be attached/removed as desired. It is further contemplated that the mounting apparatus may be mounted to a variety of readily available objects such as chairs, railings, or similar objects with sufficient attachment areas, as will be discussed in further detail below.
In the context of the present invention, it will be appreciated that -a useful article" may be any article which provides some benefit to a user substantially independent of any active user input.
Within the present description, examples are given of an umbrella, a solar panel, a sign, an antenna, and one or more pockets (e.g., to hold a cellphone, a cup, etc.). These examples are not intended

5 to be limiting. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any article which can provide a benefit by being available on a worn or mounted apparatus may be attached to the mounting apparatus without departing from the scope of the present invention.
FIGS. 1 to 6 depict various embodiments of the present mounting apparatus, with and without additional elements. All the figures depict the same base exemplary mounting apparatus structure with optional padded yoke 30. The depicted exemplary mounting apparatus comprises two main components: support assembly 10; and straps 20. Each of these components will be discussed in more detail below.
Support assembly 10 comprises a substantially horizontal support member 11 that horizontally extends between a first side and a second side and includes a front surface, a rear surface and a downwardly projecting element 12. The substantially horizontal support member 11 provides support for at least one mounting place attachment means 13. It will be appreciated that the mounting place attachment means can be any suitable means for attaching the horizontal support member to the desired mounting location. In these embodiments, the mounting place attachment means 13 is a pair of vertically aligned hook and loop fastener rings which are adapted to be secured around a substantially horizonal post (such as the crossbar of a chair back) and located on the rear surface of the horizontal support member 11, although other arrangements are also contemplated such as hooks or elasticized cords. In other embodiments, it is contemplated that mounting place attachment means 13 is a pair of horizontally aligned hook and loop fastener rings which are adapted to be secured around a substantially vertical post and located on the rear surface of the horizontal support member 11.
It is further contemplated that the mounting place attachment means 13 can alternatively be located on the rear surface of substantially horizontal support member 11, the front surface of substantially horizontal support member 11, and/or the front or rear surfaces of downwardly projecting element 12 of substantially horizontal support member 11 as required by the particular end-user application. It will further be appreciated that the downwardly projecting element 12 can be considered an integral part of the substantially horizontal support member 11 and as such the front and rear surfaces of substantially horizontal support member 11 can be considered conterminous,

6 co-extensive and/or synonymous with the front and rear surfaces of the downwardly projecting element 12.
In this way it is contemplated that the mounting place attachment means 13 can be oriented in a variety of ways in order to accommodate a variety of mounting surfaces. As a result, a user of the present invention can use the attachment means 13 in connection with straps 20 to provide a flexible mounting system that can be adapted to mount the present invention to a nearly limitless variety of potential mounting surfaces, including but not limited to chairs, walls and fences, all of which could have vertical or horizontally oriented mounting points.
In this embodiment, the downwardly projecting element 12 includes two rear attachment points 15 on the rear surface of the horizontal support member 11. Although the figures depict the mounting apparatus with two rear attachment points 15, any number of rear attachment points 15 equal to or greater than one may be used. As seen in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, rear attachment points 15 are depicted as grommeted holes. Those skilled in the art will understand that any suitable form of attachment (e.g., hook and loop fasteners, buckles, rings, etc.) may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Moreover, in other embodiments it is also contemplated that rear attachment points 15 can alternatively be located on the rear surface of the horizontal support member 11.
As seen in FIGS. 1 to 6, support assembly 10 further includes an optional padded yoke 30 which includes a forward opening arch 31 and which extends forward from a top of the substantially horizontal support member 11. The padded yoke 30 provides neck and shoulder support for the mounting apparatus when it is being worn by a user 50 (shown in FIG. 3). In some embodiments it is contemplated that the padded yoke 30 and horizontal support member 11 are a single unitary component while in other embodiments it is contemplated that these two components can be separate components suitably attached together, among other arrangements that will be readily appreciated by the skilled person.
In embodiments where the padded yoke 30 is present, padded yoke 30 provides a front surface for front attachment points 14. In a similar manner to rear attachment points 15, there may be any number of front attachment points 14 equal to or greater than one. Front attachment points 14 may also be any suitable form of attachment (although depicted in one embodiments as the same grommeted holes as rear attachment points 15) and it will be readily appreciated that front

7 attachment points 14 do not have to be the same type of attachment means as rear attachment points 15. In embodiments where the padded yoke 30 has been omitted, front attachment points 14 may be located on the front surface of the horizontal support member 11.
In this embodiment, it is contemplated that front attachment points 14 and rear attachment points 15 provide receiving elements for pairs of strap attachment means 21/22 used by each strap 20. It is contemplated that each strap 20 has a first strap attachment means 21 at a first end of the strap and a second strap attachment means 22 at a second end of the strap 20. First attachment means 21 and second attachment means 22 do not need to be the same type of attachment means; the strap attachment means 21/22 merely need to correspond to the attachment point 14/15 to which they are intended to attach. In some embodiments, it is contemplated that strap attachment means 21/22 are stitches that affix the strap 20 to the underlying surface. In other embodiments, it is contemplated that strap attachment means 21/22 can be cooperating Velcro components or a hook adapted to be received in a corresponding grommeted hole, as seen in FIG.
1.
As can be seen in FIG. 1, in this embodiment support assembly 10 further includes an optionally accessory pocket 80 that is secured to padded yoke 30. As discussed herein, in some embodiments it is contemplated that the accessory pocket further includes a suitable power cable that runs between the pocket and the solar panel so that a device may be charged while it is being simultaneously stored in the pocket.
FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 depict a mounting apparatus mounted to a chair 40. In this embodiment it is contemplated that the mounting place attachment means 13 are secured around the crossbar of the back of the chair 40 while mounted to a chair 40. The mounting place attachment means may be secured to any suitable element by any suitable attachment means. Although depicted as resting behind the back of the chair 40 in this embodiment, it is contemplated that the support assembly 10 may also rest in front of the back of the chair 40 depending on the shape of the chair and the user's preference. As such, mounting place attachment means 13 can also be located on at least one of the front surface of horizontal support member 11, the rear surface of horizontal support member 11 and the front or rear surfaces of the downwardly projecting element 12 of the horizontal support member 11 as required by the particular end user application.
Similarly, it is contemplated that the either the front surface of horizontal support member 11 and/or downwardly projecting

8 element 12 can abut the mounting surface or the rear surface of horizontal support member 11 and/or downwardly projecting element 12 can abut the mounting surface, depending on the needs of the particular end user application.
When mounted to a chair, it is contemplated that straps 20 are each secured to a respective rear attachment point 15 at a first end and are secured to a lower part of the mounting place at a second end. In FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, each strap 20 is depicted as hooking into a rear attachment point 15 (depicted as a grommeted hole) at a first end and hooking onto the bottom of the chair 40 at a second end. Although two straps 20 are depicted, it is contemplated that mounting apparatus may be mounted using only one, or more than two straps 20 as the case may be.
Straps 20 may also be of adjustable lengths to accommodate different mounting place shapes and sizes or different wearing preferences. Adjustable straps may be elasticized or employ strap adjustment buckles or any other suitable means of adjustment. Additionally, straps 20 may be configured to attach to a second attachment means which is better suited for the mounting place.
For example, a strap 20 may attach to attachment points 14/15 with buckles, one of which may then buckle into a hook attachment when mounting to a mounting place.
FIG. 3 depicts a user 50 wearing the mounting apparatus. While being worn, the padded yoke 30 includes a forward opening arch 31 that fits around the neck of the user 50 and the support assembly 10 projects slightly down the upper back of the user 50 between the shoulder blades and the substantially horizontal support member 11 is generally aligned with the shoulders of the user 50.
FIG. 3 also depicts two straps 20 which wrap around each of the arms of the user 50. The straps 20 may connect to a front attachment point 14 and a rear attachment point 15 which are close to the same horizontal side (i.e., both on left or right) of the substantially horizontal support member 11 or may connect to attachment points 14/15 which are on opposite sides (e.g., a strap 20 connects to a front attachment point 14 above the right arm of the user 50 and crosses across the back of the user 50 to a rear attachment point 15 on the left). It is also contemplated that a single strap 20 (worn diagonally across the chest of the user 50) could be employed. It is further contemplated that more than two straps 20 could be used and potentially worn across the chest and around the arms, among other arrangements that will be readily appreciated by the skilled person.

9 Umbrella FIGS. 4 and 5 depict an embodiment of the present mounting apparatus that further includes a retractable umbrella 60. Umbrella 60 comprises a canopy 61 and a plurality of canopy supports which, in the depicted embodiments, are a plurality of curved ribs 62. Canopy 61 may be secured to the plurality of curved ribs 62 by any suitable means that would be known to one skilled in the art. Such means may include sewing, fasteners, or mechanical engagement.
Curved ribs 62 provide a support frame for canopy 61.
It is contemplated that canopy 61 may be made from any suitable waterproof, water-resistant, opaque, and/or ultraviolet blocking material that is known to those skilled in the art. Examples of suitable canopy 61 materials generally include fabrics or flexible plastics, such as vinyl, coated nylon or polyester, or any variety of specially formulated hybrid material.
The canopy can be a single piece which is secured to the curved ribs 62 at various points to form the desired shape or may be separate panels which are secured between each pair of adjacent curved ribs 62.
Similarly, the curved ribs 62 may be made from any material which is suitably flexible, strong, and resilient. Generally, materials which provide increased resistance to wind, rust, and/or corrosion are preferred. Potential materials include fiberglass, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, carbon fiber, graphite, or any other plastics or metals known to those skilled in the art.
The number of curved ribs 62 depicted in the figures should not be considered limiting. Generally, any number of curved ribs 62 which can provide a suitable canopy structure can be used without departing from the scope of the invention.
It is contemplated that the plurality of curved ribs 62 can be extended from a collapsed position to an extended position using pivot assemblies 63 secured at horizontally opposite sides of the substantially horizontal support member 11. Generally, the curved ribs 62 can be extended by pulling the front curved rib 62 forward (since the canopy 61 will pull all subsequent curved ribs to follow) and can be collapsed by pushing the front curved rib 62 backward about the pivot assemblies' 63 rotational axis (since the front curved rib 62 will collide with the remaining curved ribs 62 and push all curved ribs 62 to the collapsed position). The front curved rib 62 may further provide one or more attached straps or handles for easier pulling.

=
Pivot assemblies 63 may each comprise one curved rib connector for each curved rib 62 with an insertion slot for an end of curved ribs 62. In some embodiment, some curved ribs 62 may not connect to the pivot assemblies 63 and may only be embedded in the canopy 61 to provide additional frame definition. Curved rib connectors may rotate around a central shaft enclosed between a pair of stop members. In this way, each curved rib 62 slots into a corresponding curved rib connector in each pivot assembly 63 and may freely rotate around the central shaft while the stop members keep the curved rib connectors from coming off the central shafts. The curved ribs 62 may be retained in the curved rib connector slots using any means known to one skilled in the art, such as crimping, gluing, welding, or other suitable foi ____________________ ins of mechanical engagement. All components of the pivot assemblies 63 may be made from plastic or any other suitable material.
Pivot assemblies 63 may further include a locking mechanism to retain the umbrella 60 in an extended or collapsed position to prevent unintended pivoting of the curved ribs 62. Locking may also be implemented by spring loading the pivot assemblies 63 in one position (i.e., collapsed or extended) and locking into the other position (returning the pivot assemblies 63 to the other position when the lock is released).
FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment, wherein a solar panel 70 is secured to the canopy 61 on an exterior facing side of the umbrella 60. In this embodiment, it is contemplated that solar panel 70 is housed in a protective enclosure and is pivotably secured to a middle portion of one of the curved ribs 62.
Solar panel 70 may provide power to a connected electronic device via a cable which extends around an edge of the canopy 61 or through a hole in the canopy 61. In embodiments where umbrella 60 is intended to be waterproof or water-resistant, the cable preferably uses a waterproof seal around the hole in the canopy 61 (if a hole is used to pass the cable through the canopy 61 rather than around the canopy 61). In some embodiments, it is contemplated that a cable extends between a pocket and solar panel 70, so that a device carried in the pocket can be recharged by power collected by solar panel 70.
Solar Panel without Umbrella FIG. 6 depicts yet another embodiment, wherein a solar panel 70 is attached to the mounting apparatus without an umbrella 60. Solar panel 70 may connect to support assembly 10 via a first support arm 71 which connects to a first side of substantially horizontal support member II and a second support arm 72 which connects to a second side of the substantially horizontal support member 11. wherein the first side of substantially horizontal support member 11 and the second side of substantially horizontal support member 11 are horizontally opposite to each other. Support arms 71/72 may further connect to pivot assemblies, similar to those employed by umbrella 60, such that the solar panel 70 may rotate around support assembly 10 to optimal angles relative to the sun.
In addition to the embodiments discussed above, it is contemplated that an antenna could be attached to the mounting apparatus instead of, or in addition to, any of the above articles objects.
An antenna can be mounted to the support assembly 10 by any suitable means and may further include a pivot assembly (similar to those described above) to allow reorienting. It is contemplated that the antenna could be connected to any compatible electronic device to provide improved reception.
Finally, as discussed above it is contemplated that one or more pockets could be mounted to support assembly 10 by any suitable means. Such pocket may provide a user with a convenient storage location for electronic devices connected to a solar panel or an antenna. Pockets could also be used for cup holders or any other storage needs of a user.
The embodiments described herein are intended to be illustrative of the present compositions; they are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications and changes which are consistent with the description, and which are readily apparent to the person of skill in the art, are intended to be included. The appended claims should not be limited by the specific embodiments set forth in the examples and should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A mounting apparatus, comprising:
a support assembly having a substantially horizontal support member that extends horizontally from a first side to a second side and adapted to be mounted to a mounting place such that the substantially horizontal support member abuts a substantially horizontal area of the mounting place; the substantially horizontal support member having a front surface, a rear surface and a downwardly projecting element positioned between the first side and the second side; the substantially horizontal support member having at least one mounting place attachment means located on at least one of the front surface and the rear surface of the substantially horizontal support member; the support assembly including at least one upper attachment point and a corresponding at least one lower attachment point, the at least one upper attachment point positioned on the front surface of the substantially horizontal support member; the corresponding at least one lower attachment point positioned on the rear surface of the substantially horizontal support member;
and at least one strap extending between the at least one upper attachment point and the corresponding at least one lower attachment point.

2. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support assembly further comprises a padded yoke which projects forwardly from the front surface of the substantially horizontal support member, the padded yoke having a forward opening arch for receiving the user's neck, the at least one upper attachment point being located on a front surface of the padded yoke.

3. The mounting apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the at least one mounting place attachment means is located on the rear surface of the horizontal support member and comprises a loop which can be secured around a post.

4. The mounting apparatus of claim 3, wherein the loop is secured around a post using hook and loop fasteners.

5. The mounting apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising at least one pocket attached to the support assembly.

6. The mounting apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a solar panel, the solar panel connected to the support assembly at a first side of the support assembly by a first support arm and is connected to the support assembly at a second side of the support assembly by a second support arm.

7. The mounting apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:
a first pivot assembly supported at the first side of the support assembly;
a second pivot assembly supported at the second side of the support assembly;
a plurality of curved ribs each having a first end and a second end, the plurality of curved ribs including a front rib and a back rib;
wherein the first end of each curved rib is secured to the first pivot assembly and the second end of each curved rib is secured to the second pivot assembly; and at least one piece of flexible material is secured to the plurality of curved ribs to form a canopy when in an extended position;
wherein in a non-extended position the plurality of curved ribs are positioned downwardly behind the support assembly and in the extended position the plurality of curved ribs are pivoted forward such that the front rib is positioned in front of the support assembly and the back rib is positioned behind the support assembly in a closer to horizontal position than vertical position with respect to the mounting place.

8. The mounting apparatus of claim 7 wherein the flexible material is waterproof or water-resistant.

9. The mounting apparatus of claim 7 or 8, wherein the flexible material is opaque.

10. The mounting apparatus of any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the flexible material may block ultraviolet radiation.

11. The mounting apparatus of any one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising a solar panel, the solar panel is secured to an exterior facing side of the canopy.

12. The mounting apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a first pivot assembly connected between the first support arm and the first side of the support assembly and a second pivot assembly connected between the second support arm and the second side of the support assembly such that the solar panel can pivot around the support assembly.

13. The mounting apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising an antenna.

14. The mounting apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein at least one of the first strap attachment means and the second strap attachment means is a hook and a corresponding at least one of the at least one upper attachment point and the at least one lower attachment point is a hole, wherein the hook is configured to hook into the hole.