CN216866213U

CN216866213U - Portable canopy assembly and rib for deployable canopy with support

Info

Publication number: CN216866213U
Application number: CN202090000380.8U
Authority: CN
Inventors: M·A·弗雷泽
Original assignee: M AFuleize
Current assignee: M AFuleize
Priority date: 2019-01-22
Filing date: 2020-01-22
Publication date: 2022-07-01
Anticipated expiration: 2030-01-22
Also published as: EP3914791A4; AU2019100254B4; EP3914791A1; WO2020150773A1; AU2019100254A4; JP3235780U; EP3914791B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable canopy assembly and ribs for a deployable canopy having supports. The assembly includes a support; and an expandable shelter for being supported by the support member and being expanded to shelter at least one person. The canopy includes ribs extending from the support. Each rib includes one or more proximal elements pivotally mounted to the support. Each rib further includes a distal member extending from the proximal member and configured to move outwardly to deploy the canopy when the proximal member is pivoted in a first direction. Advantageously, the distal element may be pulled down only one at a time to lift the attached proximal element and extend the rib, which is advantageous in windy conditions, or pulled down together to lift the proximal element and extend the rib.

Description

Portable canopy assembly and rib for deployable canopy with support

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a portable canopy assembly and ribs for a deployable canopy having supports. The utility model has particular, but not exclusive, application to beach shelters, umbrellas and other similar outdoor shelters.

Background

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

Skin cancers and other skin lesions from the sun are increasing at an alarming rate. To minimize skin damage, beach travelers may take beach umbrellas to go to the beach. The umbrella can be plugged into sand and deployed to provide a shelter for beach travelers.

However, in practice, beach umbrellas tend to be blown away in the wind. Therefore, the roof of a beach umbrella often rests on sand to stabilize the umbrella. Resting the umbrella in this manner can undesirably result in beach travelers needing to crouch awkwardly under the umbrella and often providing only partial sun protection because a portion of the beach travelers is exposed.

Other types of shelters are also known. Semi-enclosed deployable shelter has flexible ribs that extend to the ground to tension the shelter. These shelters undesirably lack air flow and sufficient height to provide proper ventilation and cooling for their occupants, and can be difficult to collapse.

Large "scissor-type" action shelters have extendable legs that require two or more people to erect. These shelters are difficult to transport to and from the beach easily.

Known shelters rely on the wind to remain open to provide sufficient space for their occupants. Often, there is not enough wind to keep these shelters open enough, with the result that beach travelers do not stay long, do not enjoy the time on the beach, or do not use any shelter at all, thereby increasing their susceptibility to skin cancer.

There are two main types of existing umbrellas: i.e. large golf-type umbrellas folded over 1m in length or compact "handbag" umbrellas that are folded using a tri-fold mechanism for convenience to be small enough to fit inside a handbag or satchel. Both types of folding may expose the outer top "wet" surface of the overcap when closed. Compact handbag umbrellas require a complex opening and closing process, involving many components that must be small in order to achieve a compact fold. This undesirably results in many fragile umbrellas having a short service life and eventually being wasted.

The preferred embodiments provide improved shelter for beach travellers and umbrellas for protection from rain and the sun.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable shelter assembly comprising:

a support member; and

an expandable shelter for being supported by the support and expandable to shelter at least one person, the shelter comprising ribs extending from the support, each rib comprising:

one or more proximal elements pivotally mounted to the support, an

A distal element extending from the proximal element and configured to move outward to deploy the canopy when the proximal element is pivoted in a first direction.

Advantageously, the distal elements can be simply pulled down one at a time to lift the associated proximal element and extend the rib, which is advantageous in windy conditions, or pulled down together to lift the proximal element and extend the rib.

The distal and proximal elements may be folded together when the shelter (e.g., umbrella) is folded such that the outer surfaces of the deployed canopy, supported by the ribs, are folded together. Advantageously, moisture from rain may be contained within the collapsed shelter, the outer surface of which (i.e. the inner surface of the deployed canopy) is dry.

The (three) rib elements required to open the canopy arms can be substantially parallel and/or stacked when the canopy is collapsed to advantageously form an extremely compact canopy for storage, and when expanded to form an expanded canopy. The distal element may be positioned between the proximal elements when stacked.

The distal elements may be further configured to move inwardly to collapse the canopy when the proximal elements are pivoted in a second direction opposite the first direction. The first direction may be an upward direction. The ends of the proximal elements may be brought together during deployment of the shelter adjacent the distal elements to form a strong triangular structure.

The distal element may be pivotally mounted to at least one of the proximal elements and may pivot in a direction opposite the proximal elements.

At least one of the proximal elements may comprise a holder for holding the distal element. At least one of the proximal elements may include a guide that allows the distal element to slide therethrough. The distal element may include a barrier for preventing free sliding through the guide. The obstruction may comprise a circular configuration. The deployable shelter may include a canopy that prevents further rotation of the proximal member.

The shelter may comprise a stretcher for unfolding the ribs from the support. The shelter may include a slide (runner) that travels along the support to actuate the stretcher. The shelter may include a lock for locking the slide in position when the shelter is deployed. In both versions, where the main arm and the auxiliary bearing arm are connected to the central bearing, these are fixed articulated positions, unlike umbrellas with a sliding mechanism for opening and closing them, where only the top main arm is fixed in its position and the lower bearing arm is connected to the moving slider.

The canopy may include a biasing means (e.g., a spring) for biasing the slider to open and deploy the canopy. The canopy may include a button to release the slide to slide along the support under the influence of the biasing means.

The proximal element may comprise two or three elements. These elements may include an upper element, a lower element, and an outer upper element that rotates to open or close around the upper and lower elements. Each element may comprise a rod.

The canopy assembly also includes one or more anchors for anchoring the canopy and includes a receptacle for receiving material.

The container may comprise a sheet material. The anchors may include respective straps extending from the periphery of the canopy. The strip may comprise a sheet. The strips may comprise corner strips. One or more of the strips may include a respective internal notch.

The support may comprise spikes for nailing into hard ground (e.g. sand or grass). The support may comprise a rod for releasable fastening to the spikes, which rod may also act as a hammer to hammer the spike(s) into the sand or grass.

The shelter can be deployed in two steps, namely: a first step of opening the shelter and a second step of tightening the shelter. The top cover may comprise a sheet of material. The canopy may include ribs supporting the canopy. In one embodiment, the ribs may expand axially to tighten the cap. Each rib may include a lock for locking the rib in the deployed configuration. In another embodiment, the ribs may be pivotally deployed to extend and possibly tighten the top cover. Each rib may include a limiter for limiting pivoting. The cap may be tightened by the rib pushing against it. The shelter may comprise a stretcher for stretching the ribs from the support. The shelter may comprise a slide for travelling along the support to actuate the stretcher. The canopy may include a lock for locking the slide in place when the canopy is deployed.

The canopy assembly can be folded for storage in a purse. The shelter may be square or round. The assembled shelter may be of sufficient height to accommodate a standing person or to be held in the hand in the same manner as an umbrella is held. The ribs or supports may comprise lightweight resilient tubes (e.g. aluminium or fibre reinforced material).

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a rib for a deployable shelter having a support, the rib comprising:

one or more proximal elements pivotally mounted to the support; and

a distal member extending from the proximal member and configured to move outwardly to deploy the shelter when the proximal member is pivoted.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for assembling a portable shelter assembly, the method comprising:

an upright support;

supporting a deployable shelter with a support, the shelter comprising ribs extending from the support, each rib comprising:

one or more proximal elements pivotally mounted to the support, an

A distal element extending from the proximal element and configured to move outward to deploy the canopy when the proximal element is pivoted in a first direction; and

the shelter is unfolded to shelter at least one person.

According to another aspect of the utility model, there is provided a method of opening and closing the shelter, the method comprising:

the slider is moved up to the central support which lifts the lower proximal element and in doing so lifts the upper proximal element and rotates the distal element to open the shelter. To close, the slider may be moved downward, rotating the distal element about the end of the proximal element to close it and lower the proximal element.

Any feature described herein may be combined with any one or more other features described herein in any combination within the scope of the utility model.

Drawings

Preferred features, embodiments and variants of the utility model can be seen from the following detailed description, which provides sufficient information for a person skilled in the art to carry out the utility model. The detailed description is not to be taken as limiting the scope of the foregoing disclosure in any way. The detailed description will refer to the following several figures:

FIG. 1 is a lower perspective view of an assembled portable beach shelter assembly;

FIG. 2 is an exploded side view of the portable beach shelter assembly of FIG. 1 unassembled;

FIG. 3 is a close-up perspective view of the ribs of the beach shelter assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a close-up perspective view of an alternative rib of the beach shelter assembly of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5a-5e show sequential side views of expanding ribs of the portable shelter of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 6e shows a sequential side view of deploying ribs of the portable shelter of fig. 1 according to yet another embodiment of the utility model.

Detailed Description

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a portable beach shelter assembly 100 as shown in FIG. 1. The canopy assembly 100 includes a vertical and central support 102. An expandable shelter 104 is supported by the support 102 and expands to shade a person from sunlight. Four corner anchors 106 are provided for anchoring the shelter 104 to the ground. Advantageously, canopy assembly 100 is wind resistant, whereby the anchors anchor canopy 104 to prevent assembly 100 from being blown away by wind. The assembly 100 is erected by a single person and provides good ventilation.

The anchor 106 includes a base-notch receptacle 108 for receiving sand, water bottles, rock or other similar anchoring material. The container 108 is formed from a sewn sheet of material or other material. The anchors 106 also include respective corner straps 110 that extend from the corner periphery of the canopy 104 to the ground. One or more strips 110 may include an internal storage recess 112.

Turning to fig. 2, the support 102 includes spikes 200 for spiking into sand (e.g., the ground). The support 102 also includes a tubular hammer stem 202 for releasably receiving the nail 200. In turn, the rod 202 is coupled to a tubular vertical rod 204 of the canopy 104.

The deployable shelter 104 includes an attached canopy 206 formed from a sheet of material. The canopy 104 includes four ribs 208 that support the canopy 206 and are pivotally anchored at a crown 209. The canopy 104 also includes a stretcher 212 for deploying the ribs 208 from the support 102. A slider 210 is provided for travel along the support 102 to actuate the stretcher 212. The canopy 104 may include a lock for locking the slide 210 in place when the canopy 104 is deployed.

The canopy assembly 100 can be folded for convenient storage in a handbag carried by a person. The shelter 100 is generally square (fig. 1) and is deployed to at least 1.8 meters long by 1.8 meters wide, or other larger or smaller dimensions, as desired. The assembled shelter 100 may be of sufficient height to accommodate a standing person. The ribs 208 and support 102 comprise lightweight, resilient tubes (e.g., aluminum) to facilitate easy handling by an individual user who can conveniently erect and collapse the assembly 100.

The canopy 104 is initially deployed using the slides 210 and then further deployed to tighten the roof 206 using the ribs 208. Fig. 3 shows a telescoping rib 208 that can be axially expanded to tighten the cap 206. Each rib 208 includes a lock 300 or ratchet type lock for locking the rib 208 in the deployed configuration. The lock 300 includes a spring biased button 302 that protrudes through an adjustment aperture 303 in both sliding

bars

304, 306 to lock the

bars

304, 306 together.

Alternatively, as shown in fig. 4, the ribs 208 may be pivotally deployable to tighten the cap 206. In this manner, during tightening of the top cover 206, the top bar 400 of the rib 208 pivots downward to align 402 with the horizontal bar. Each rib 208 may include a mechanical limiter for limiting downward pivoting beyond 180 ° such that the upstanding ribs 208 are substantially straight.

A method for assembling the portable shelter assembly 100 will now be briefly described.

Initially, the storage bag slides axially off the compressed canopy assembly 100.

Next, the method includes erecting the support 102. The nail 200 slides into the shank 202. The nail 200 is then hammered into the sand by pushing the rod 202 up and down.

Next, the deployable shelter 104 is supported by the support 102. The vertical pole 204 of the canopy 104 slides onto the lower pole 202.

Next, the anchor receptacle 108 is filled with sand to anchor the shelter 104.

Next, the shelter 104 is deployed in two simple steps to comfortably shelter up to two people, namely: a first step of opening the canopy 104 and a second step of tightening the canopy 104. First, the slider 210 moves upward on the vertical rod 204 to unfold the rib 208 supporting the top cover 206. The ribs 208 are then unfolded to tighten the cap 206. Both the slide 210 and the rib 208 may be locked in place.

After the day, the portable module 100 can be conveniently removed and placed back in its storage pocket.

Fig. 5a-5e illustrate an alternative rib 500 for deploying the portable shelter 104 of fig. 1, in place of rib 208, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Like reference numerals refer to like features previously described.

The support 100 includes a pair of fixed

mounts

502a, 502b spaced along the support 100. Each rib 208 includes a pair of

proximal elements

504a, 504b pivotally mounted to respective fixed

mounts

502a, 502b of the support 100. The ribs 208 may extend independently, one at a time.

Referring to the sequence shown in fig. 5a-5e, the distal elements 506 extend from the collective proximal elements 504 and are configured to move outward to deploy the canopy 104 when the proximal elements 504 are pivoted in a clockwise (or upward) direction. Canopy cap 206 prevents proximal member 504 from rotating further than the fully deployed configuration of fig. 5 e.

Advantageously, the distal element 506 may simply be pulled counter-clockwise (or downward) at its free end to lift the proximal element 504 and extend the rib 208. The ends of the

proximal elements

504a, 504b are gathered proximate the distal element 506 during deployment of the canopy 104 to form a secure triangular structure.

Conversely, by pushing upwardly (or clockwise) on the distal member 506 of the deployed canopy 104 shown in fig. 5e at its free end, the distal member 506 may be further configured to move inwardly to collapse the canopy 104 as the proximal member is pivoted 504 in a counterclockwise (or downward) direction (fig. 5e-5 a).

Distal member 506 is pivotally mounted to lower proximal member 504b and pivots in a direction opposite to proximal member 504. The upper proximal element 504a includes a ring retainer for retaining the distal element 506. In this manner, the upper proximal element 504a includes a guide slot that allows the distal element 506 to slide through. The distal member 506 also includes a barrier 508 that includes a rounded underside structure for resisting free sliding through the guides and providing some end point resistance when folding and unfolding the canopy 104.

Turning to fig. 6, the shelter 104 may include four tensioners 212 pivoted at either end for deploying four ribs 500 from the support 102. As previously described, the canopy 104 also includes a slide 210 for traveling along the support 102 for simultaneously actuating the stretchers 212 together, and a lock for locking the slide 210 in place when the canopy 104 is deployed.

The canopy 104 also includes a biasing device (e.g., a spring) for biasing the slide 210 to deploy the canopy 104. The canopy 104 also includes a button to release the slide 210 to slide along the support 102 under the influence of the biasing means.

Each element 504, 506 comprises an elongated rod. As can best be seen in fig. 6a, when the canopy 104 is folded, the members 504, 506 and the stretcher 212 are folded together so that the outer surfaces of the unfolded caps 206 supported by the ribs 500 are folded together. Advantageously, moisture from rain may be contained within the collapsed shelter 104, and the exterior of the collapsed shelter 104 (i.e., the interior surface of the deployed canopy 206) is dry.

The elements 504, 506 and stretcher 212 are substantially parallel and stacked when the canopy is collapsed to advantageously form an extremely compact canopy 104 for storage, and when expanded form an expanded canopy 104. When stacked, the distal element 506 is positioned between the

proximal elements

504a, 504 b.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the utility model.

In one embodiment, the anchor 106 may comprise a pile for embedding in a hard ground (e.g., grass).

In one embodiment, the rib 500 can be used to hold an umbrella that can be folded to half the length of a conventional umbrella. Compact handbag umbrellas fold to similar lengths, but they use complex tri-folds, require many parts, and due to complexity, tend to be inexpensive to manufacture and are often discarded, which is an environmental issue. This tri-fold umbrella also provides a smaller cover diameter than the preferred embodiment described above.

In compliance with the statute, the utility model has been described in language more or less specific as to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the utility model is not limited to the specific features shown or described, since the means herein described comprise preferred forms of putting the utility model into effect. The utility model is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims

1. A portable canopy assembly, the portable canopy assembly comprising:

a support member; and

an expandable shelter for support by a support and expandable to shelter at least one person, the shelter comprising ribs extending from the support, each rib comprising:

one or more proximal elements pivotally mounted to the support, an

2. A portable shelter assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the distal members can be simply pulled down one at a time to lift the associated proximal member and extend the ribs or pulled down together to lift the proximal member and extend the ribs.

3. A portable shelter assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the distal and proximal members are folded together when the shelter is folded such that the outer surfaces of the deployed canopy supported by the ribs are folded together; moisture from rain is contained within the folded shelter, the outer surface of which is the inner surface of the deployed canopy and is dry.

4. A portable shelter assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the elements are substantially parallel and/or stacked when the shelter is collapsed to advantageously form an extremely compact shelter for storage and when expanded form an expanded shelter.

5. The portable shelter assembly of claim 4, in which the distal members are positioned between the proximal members when stacked.

6. The portable shelter assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal members are further configured to move inwardly to collapse the shelter when the proximal members are pivoted in a second direction opposite the first direction.

7. The portable shelter assembly of claim 1, wherein the first direction is an upward direction.

8. A portable shelter assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the ends of the proximal members are brought together adjacent the distal members during deployment of the shelter to form a secure triangular structure.

9. A portable shelter assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the distal member is pivotally mounted to at least one of the proximal members and pivots in an opposite direction to the proximal member.

10. A portable shelter assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one of the proximal members comprises a retainer for retaining the distal member.

11. The portable shelter assembly of claim 1, in which at least one of the proximal members comprises a guide allowing the distal member to slide therethrough.

12. A portable shelter assembly as claimed in claim 11, in which the distal member comprises a barrier for preventing free sliding through the guide.

13. The portable shelter assembly of claim 12, in which the obstacles comprise a circular configuration.

14. The portable shelter assembly of claim 1, in which the deployable shelter comprises a canopy that prevents further rotation of the proximal member.

15. A portable shelter assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the shelter comprises a stretcher for deploying the ribs from the supports and a slide for travelling along the supports to actuate the stretcher.

16. A portable canopy assembly as defined in claim 15 wherein said portable canopy assembly further comprises biasing means for biasing said slides to open and deploy said canopy.

17. A portable canopy assembly as defined in claim 16 further comprising a release to release said slide to slide along said support under the influence of said biasing means.

18. The portable shelter assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the proximal member comprises two members:

a first proximal element pivotally mounted to the support at a first mount fixed to the support; and

a second proximal element pivotally mounted to the support at a second mount fixed to the support, the second mount being spaced from the first mount along the support;

wherein:

the distal element extending from the first proximal element and configured to move outward to deploy the canopy when the first proximal element is pivoted in a first direction; and

the distal end of the second proximal element is configured to slide along the distal element.

19. The portable shelter assembly of claim 1, in which the shelter is an umbrella or beach shelter with weighted perimeter anchors.

20. A rib for a deployable shelter having a support, the rib comprising:

one or more proximal elements pivotally mounted to the support; and

a distal element extending from the proximal element and configured to move outward to deploy the canopy when the proximal element is pivoted.