GB2232887A

GB2232887A - Sun shade

Info

Publication number: GB2232887A
Application number: GB8909661A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roderick Heap
Original assignee: P H D S Ltd
Current assignee: P H D S Ltd
Priority date: 1989-04-27
Filing date: 1989-04-27
Publication date: 1991-01-02
Anticipated expiration: 2009-04-27
Also published as: GB8909661D0; GB2232887B

Abstract

A sun shade is described which comprises a canopy (10) opaque to at least ultra-violet light, two rods (16) secured to the canopy in spaced and generally parallel relationship to one another, and two arcuate, resilient, tensioning bows (20) extending between the respective rods (16), in planes transverse to the plane of the two rods (16) the bows (20) being arranged, in use, to rest on the ground and to support the canopy (10) above the ground. The bows may be made in sections, linked together by elasticated string, for easy disassembly and transport. The sunshade may be held in position by sandbags over the bows. <IMAGE>

Description

SUN SHADE The present invention relates to a sun shade.

The invention seeks to provide an alternative sun shade to an umbrella which offers improved coverage and which is more versatile and convenient to use.

According to the present invention, there is provided a sun shade, comprising: a) a canopy opaque to at least ultra-violet light, b) two rods secured to the canopy in spaced and generally parallel relationship to one another, and c) two arcuate, resilient, tensioning bows extending between the respective rods, in planes transverse to the plane of the two rods, the bows being arranged, in use, to rest on the ground and to support the canopy above the ground.

Preferably, the tensioning bows are releasably fitted into sockets on the ends of the rods so that the sun shade may be collapsed when not in use.

For ease of transportation, each of the tensioning bows may conveniently be formed of a plurality of sections having mutually interlocking ends.

Advantageously the sections are tubular and an elasticated string is passed through the sections to maintain the sections together.

If the canopy is opaque only to ultra-violet light, then it acts as a screen to prevent sun burn but does not interfere with the user's vision. Alternatively, however, the material of the canopy may be opaque to visible light as well as ultra-violet light so that the sun shade may act as a conventional parasol.

Because the bows resting on the ground are arcuate, the shade may be rocked to locate the canopy at the desired angle relative to the ground. Sand bags, or the like, may be placed on the bows to prevent undesired rocking once the shade is in the required position.

It is an advantage of the invention that the canopy can be elongate so as to provide coverage for the full body without making the shade unduly bulky. A conventional circular umbrella cannot be used to provide full body coverage unless the canopy and the frame are too large to be transported with ease.

If desired, the canopy may include in addition to the rectangular area which is maintained in tension by the bows, end flaps or side flaps to afford increased coverage.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a perspective view of a sun shade of the invention.

The shade in the drawing comprises a canopy 10 in the form of a rectangular sheet of material of approximately two meters by one meter, that it to say large enough to shade an adult. At its narrower ends 12, the material of the canopy 10 is folded over and sewn along the lines 14 to provide sleeves for rods 16.

The rods 16 project beyond the width of the canopy 10 and have sockets 18 which receive the ends of two resilient bows 20. Each bow is made up of three tubular section 20a, 20b and 20c the ends of which fit one inside the other. An elasticated string (not shown) passes down the centre of all three sections and is secured at its ends to the sections 20a and 20c respectively.

In the disassembled state of the sun shade, the bows 20 are unplugged from the ends of the rods 16 and the three sections are carried side by side. The entire sun shade then consists of a few lengths of rod wrapped inside a sheet of material.

To erect the shade, the rods 16 are slotted into the sleeves at the ends of the canopy and the bows are unfolded. As the ends of the sections line up with one another, they automatically snap into place to form a single length of flexible tubing somewhat longer than the length of the canopy. The bows 20 are now bent and plugged into the sockets 18 of a rods 16 at the ends of the canopy and tension the canopy 10.

If the bowls 20 are fully semi-circular, then the centre of gravity of the canopy will lie above the line of contact of the bows with the ground regardless of the inclination of the shade. The shade can therefore be rocked into any desired position and be maintained in that position by placing a weight, such as a sand bag, over the bows 20.

If desired, end and/or side flaps may be formed as part of the canopy 10 so that the flaps may form a complete enclosure around the frame to afford protection from the sun both from above and from the sides. If such additional flaps as provided, they may form a convenient means of anchoring the shade to the ground. For example, they may be fitted with pockets to be filled with sand and have eyelets to permit them to be secured to. the ground by means of tent pegs. In the case of side flaps, tie cords may be supplied to secure the flap to the bows 20

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A sun shade, comprising: a) a canopy opaque to at least ultra-violet light, b) two rods secured to the canopy in spaced and generally parallel relationship to one another, and c) two arcuate, resilient, tensioning bows extending between the respective rods, in planes transverse to the plane of the two rods, the bows being arranged, in use, to rest on the ground and to support the canopy above the ground.
2. A sun shade as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tensioning bows are releasably fitted into sockets on the ends of the rods so that the sun shade may be collapsed when not in use.
3. A sun shade as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the tensioning bows is formed of a plurality of sections having mutually interlocking ends.
4. A sun shade as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sections of the tensioning bows are tubular and an elasticated string is passed through the sections to maintain the sections together.
5. A sun shade as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the canopy includes in addition to the rectangular area which is maintained in tension by the bows, end flaps and/or side flaps to afford increased coverage.
6. A sun shade constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as -illustrated in the accompanying drawing.