IES20020277A2 - A sunshade - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable sunshade 1 comprises a support frame 2, a shade3 and a bag 4 with an integral pocket 51 for a removable pillow 52 defining a headrest for location underneath the shade 3. The shade 3 can be adjusted to follow the path of the sun. The bag 4 has a carrying handle 50 which can also be used to anchor the shade 3 and the frame 2 to the headrest. <Figure 8>

Description

The invention relates to a sunshade and in particular to a portable sunshade for use on the beach or the like.

Various sunshades are known. However, these are cither generally large, unwielding, difficult to use and/or ineffective in use, or smaller cheaper shades which are ineffective and easily damaged.

There is therefore a need for an improved sunshade which will overcome at least some of these problems.

Statements of Invention According to the invention there is provided a portable sunshade apparatus comprising a bag, a shade, a support frame for supporting the shade in use, the bag defining a headrest having a pillow and the frame and shade being receivable within the bag for carrying and storage.

In a preferred embodiment the bag has a pocket for housing the pillow. Preferably the pillow is removable from the pocket.

In one embodiment the sunshade comprises frame mounting means for securing the frame to the bag, in use. rri anoirier erriuouirnerii ine sunsnaue comprises snaue mounting means tor securing the shade to the bag, in use. -..τι......... : io 0 P rjs'i H Ϊ JENK02/C/IES -2In a particularly preferred embodiment the bag has a carrying handle and the mounting means is at least partially defined by the carrying handle.

Preferably the shade has releasable engagement means for releasably engaging the carrying handle, in use. The releasable engagement means may comprise a loop which is opened to receive the carrying handle extending from the bag and closed to secure the shade to the bag. Usually there are at least two laterally spaced-apart loops. Preferably the loop is fixed to the shade.

In a preferred embodiment the frame mounting means is provided by the bag. Preferably at least portion of the frame is received within the bag, in use, to provide the frame mounting means.

In one arrangement the frame comprises a base and uprights for extending from the base. The base may be formed by a pair of side frame members which are spacedapart to accommodate the pillow, the side frame members have a front end and a rear end.

Typically the base comprises a cross member extending between the side frame members at the rear end thereof.

Preferably the front ends of the side frame members are free ends.

In a preferred embodiment the side frame members are received inside the bag, in use, to provide a frame mounting means.

Preferably the uprights are adjustably mounted to the base. Usually the uprights are mourned for pivotal movement relative to the base.

JENK02/C/IES -3In one arrangement the base includes a cross member and the uprights are mounted to the cross member.

Preferably the shade is mounted to the uprights. Ideally the shade projects forwardly over the bag, in use. Most preferably the shade is releasably mounted to the uprights. The shade may comprise mounting rods for engagement in corresponding receivers of the uprights.

Typically the shade is of canvas material extending between the rods.

In one embodiment the frame comprises frame elements of wood.

Preferably the bag is of canvas material.

In one embodiment the sunshade comprises a bracket for mounting the sunshade to a sunbed, sunchair or the like. Preferably the bracket comprises a first receiver for mounting to the sunshade and a second receiver for mounting to a sunbed. Typically the first and second receivers comprise slots. The first and second receivers may be oppositely directed.

The invention also provides a portable sunshade apparatus comprising a bag, a shade, a support frame for supporting the shade, in use, the bag defining a headrest and the frame and shade being receivable within the bag for carrying and storage, the bag having a carrying handle defining at least portion of a mounting means for mounting the support frame and/or the shade to the headrest.

The invention further provides a portable sunshade apparatus comprising a bag, a shade, a support frame for supporting the shade, in use, the bag defining a headrest and the frame and shade being receivable within the bag for carrying and storage, the JENKO2/C/IES -4frame comprising a base which is at least partially received within the bag in use to secure the frame relative to the headrest.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only in which:Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a sunshade according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of assembled frame elements of the sunshade; Fig. 3 is a rear end view of the assembled frame elements of the sunshade; Fig. 4 is a side view of the assembled frame elements of the sunshade; Fig. 5 is a side, partially cross-sectional view of part of the assembled frame elements; Fig. 6 is a top plan view on Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the comer mounting of the assembled frame elements; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an assembled sunshade; Fig. 9 is a side view of the sunshade, in use: and JENKO2/C/IES - 5 Fig. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the sunshade in use mounted on a sunbed.

Detailed Description Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a sunshade 1 according to the invention which comprises a support frame 2, a shade 3 and a bag 4 defining a headrest for location underneath the shade 3.

In more detail, the frame 2 comprises a base defined by a pair of side frame members 10, 11 having a front free end 10a, 11a and a rear end 11a, lib. A cross frame member 12 extends between the side members 10, 11 at the rear ends 10b, lib thereof to reinforce the base. The cross member 12 is mounted to the side frame members 10, 11 using a modular connector fitting comprising pins at each end of the cross member 12, each engagable in a hole in the side frame members 10, 11. Wing nuts 13 are used at each corner to releasably lock the cross member 12 to the side member 10, 11. Uprights 15, 16 extend upwardly at the rear ends 10b, lib of the side members. The uprights 15, 16 are adjustable by releasing the wing nuts 13.

The canopy or shade 3 comprises a sheet of fabric material such as canvas which terminates in seams 21, 22 in which re-enforcing rods 23, 24 are slidably received. The rods 23, 24 include downwardly depending portions 23a, 24a at the rear ends thereof which engage in corresponding slots 25, 26 in the uprights 15, 16, on assembly.

In use, the various frame members and canopy are stored as a kit in the bag 4. For assembly, the name members 10, 11, 12, 10, 16 and the shade 3 are removed and readily assembled as illustrated. The shade is of a high quality material that provides +50 UVF (Ultra Violet Protection Factor) Strong protection against the ageing ο 2 Q 11 JTNKO2/C/IES - 6 effects of ultra violet light on the skin. The face is one of the most common sites of skin cancer, for the obvious reason that it is exposed more than other parts of the body to the sun. Also many people complain that having their heads exposed to strong sun causes headache.

The bag 4 has an integral pocket 51 in which a cushion or pillow 52 is received. The cushion 52 may be removable from the bag, for example, for cleaning. In use, the bag with the integral pillow 52 provides the headrest 4 for a user. The pillow may be filled with any suitable material, however beads of thermoplastic material such as polystyrene is particularly suitable because it readily adapts to the beach surface and the user’s head and is considerably more comfortable and useful therefore than an inflatable pillow.

Frame mounting means for releasably mounting the bag 4 to the frame, on assembly, is provided by inserting the free ends 10a, 11a of the side members 10, 11 into the open mouth of the bag 4. In this way the headrest is effectively located to the frame for comfort of the user and assists in the stability of the assembly to resist disturbance by wind or the like.

The bag 4 has a carrying handle 50 which also partially defines a shade mounting means. Tn use, the handle 50 is led around the uprights 15, 16 and is engaged in loops 60 carried by the canopy 3. The loops 60 are opened, for example using releasable fasteners such as Velcro material to receive the handle 50. In this way the handle 50 acts with the loops 60 to secure the shade 3 and hence also the frame to the headrest/bag 4 thus further enhancing the stability of the sunshade, in use.

The shade 3 can tilt forward and back depending on the position of the sun. The wing nuts 13 pioirude liuough small openings 30 ni 'die Side of the bag SO that they can be tightened easily when in use. This arrangement also keeps the frame in the JENKO2/C/IES -7bag when carrying it by holding the cross bar 12. This is an alternative way of carrying the bag to the beach.

The fabric loops 60 on the shade with Velcro fastenings have two functions. They secure the protruding part of the rods 23a/24a to the shade when it is not in use and they also hold the strap 50 in place to fully secure the shade to the bag and frame when it is in use.

Referring in particular to Fig. 10 there is illustrated a sunshade having a bracket 70 for mounting the sunshade to another article such as a sunbed, sunchair or the like. The bracket 70 has a first receiver defined by a first slot 71 and a second receiver defined by a second slot 72. The first slot 71 is used to engage the cross member 12 of the frame, and the second slot 73 is used to engage a sunbed 75 as illustrated. Thus, the bracket 70 provides a simple and cheap element which can be used to readily attach the sunshade to another article.

The frame is simple and quick to assemble/disassemble and is readily portable in view of its lightness. A user is fully supported by the headrest while lying on the front or back. The frame is adjustable to allow the shade to adjust in accordance with the movement of the sun. However, the frame and shade are safely and firmly secured to the headrest/bag. The frame is preferably of timber from a renewable and sustainable source.

The sun lounger attachment is designed to fit a variety of sized loungers. The slot 73 is large enough to attach to very wide lounger backs, but because of the length of the end section of this slot it will also stay in place on narrower loungers. mi ι i · . ι i · r . ι r , ι i . , > ι ι i . , . . M. . . jne bunsnaue ib CAiieiiiciy ngnt anu cuimuimine ιυ cany it) me ueacn Lining cunei the carrying strap or by gripping the cross bar. Other items like books, sun creams and towel can be carried in the bag. It may be brought to the beach practically fully JENK02/C/IES assembled in the bag and only takes a couple of minutes to erect ready for use. It is also compact enough to pack away in a suitcase or holdall.

The sunshade is anchored by the weight of the user’s head from the effects of gusts 5 of wind, unlike sun umbrellas which are ineffective, unstable and often dangerous at times of windy conditions, and which often are unusable on such occasions.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in detail.

Claims (5)

1. A portable sunshade apparatus comprising a bag, a shade, a support frame for supporting the shade in use, the bag defining a headrest having a pillow and the frame and shade being receivable within the bag for carrying and storage.

2. A sunshade as claimed in any preceding claim comprising frame mounting means for securing the frame to the bag, in use.

3. A sunshade as claimed in any preceding claim comprising shade mounting means for securing the shade to the bag, in use.

4. A portable sunshade apparatus comprising a bag, a shade, a support frame for supporting the shade, in use, the bag defining a headrest and the frame and shade being receivable within the bag for carrying and storage, the bag having a carrying handle defining at least portion of a mounting means for mounting the support frame and/or the shade to the headrest.

5. A portable sunshade apparatus comprising a bag, a shade, a support frame for supporting the shade, in use, the bag defining a headrest and the frame and shade being receivable within the bag for carrying and storage, the frame comprising a base which is at least partially received within the bag in use to secure the frame relative to the headrest.