US20070235069A1

US20070235069A1 - Mini-cabana

Info

Publication number: US20070235069A1
Application number: US11/513,982
Authority: US
Inventors: Michelle Martin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-09-01
Filing date: 2006-09-01
Publication date: 2007-10-11

Abstract

The mini-cabana is light, portable, adjustable over-head covering that attaches to bleachers at outdoor facilities for sporting events (baseball, football, soccer games, and graduations) and provides over-head covering for one or two individuals to shield them from the natural elements, such as, sun and heat exposure that can cause sunstroke or heat stroke and protection from some light rain exposure. The mini-cabana is rectangular in shape to align with the bleachers and is designed for one or two individuals without obstructing the view of the event for any persons using the mini-cabana, or sitting above, adjacent, or below the mini-cabana user. It is easy to set-up and dismantle and adjust to the height of the individuals using the mini-cabana.

Description

SPECIFICATIONS

Lift: push pin
Overall Height: 48 inches
Leg Tubing Diameter: 0.25 to 0.5 inches
Leg Tubing Material: Aluminum or pvc
Rib Tubing: 2
Tilt: manual Tilt
Mini-Cabana Shade Size: 2.5 to 4.5 sqft
Mini Cabana Shape: rectangular
The mini-cabana covering is made of up light heat resistant polyester Suncryclic, or olefin fabrics material, similar to an umbrella, and is attached to adjustable light metal tubing legs (such as Aluminum) or adjustable durable plastic legs (such as PVC) and has a light metal or plastic clamp on each leg which clamps to the bleachers.
The width of the mini-cabana (drawing sheet M-3, FIGS. 5-7) can range to 1½ feet to 3 feet by 1½ feet deep. The adjustable legs can adjust the height of the cabana from 3′ to 3.5 feet to 4 feet. On each leg are small clamps (drawing sheet M-, FIG. 1, section D) that clamps on to the edge or lip of the bleacher in the front and back. The clamps knob is turn to tighten the clamp on to the bleacher lips or edge to hold the cabana in place.
The mini-cabana is made by fitting ¼″ to ½″ plastic or metal tubing together to slide over each other with push pin (drawing sheet M-1, FIG. 1, section E) on the inner tubing which fits into 3 slots of the outer tubing to allow a minimum height of 3′ and a maximum height of 4 feet.
The over-head covering has a hemmed slot ⅛″ larger than the rib tubing (drawing sheet M-1, FIG. 1, section B) on the two short sides to allow for similar tubing material as the legs to be slipped into the slots. The over-head covering rib tubing protrudes from the over-head covering approximately ½″. That end of the tubing has a male end of the swivel snap joint and is connected to the leg which has the female end of the swivel snap joint (drawing sheet M-1, FIG. 1, section B) that allows for the legs to swivel 90° inward (drawing sheet M-2, FIG. 2) to close the mini-cabana and swivel 90° outward to lock into place to use the cabana.
To open the mini-cabana, push down on the drawstring pin lock and pull to allow slack in the draw string. Stretch the opening of the pouch until there is enough room to take the scrolled mini-cabana from the pouch. Unroll the mini-cabana until the over-head material is strength all the way out on the bleacher. Pull all four legs 90 degree downward and snap the four legs into the lock position (drawing sheet M-1, FIG. 1, section A) and adjust the legs for height of 3′, 3.5′ or 4 feet bleachers (note: you can have the mini-cabana in a tilt position by adjusting the front legs to a lower setting—(drawing sheet M-3, FIGS. 5-7). Loosen the clamps so that the clamp jaws fit around the rear and front edge of the bleachers. Tighten the clamps a little to steady the mini-cabana. To avoid sagging in the min-cabana over head covering, pull the legs on further out has far a possible until the mini-cabana over head cover is taunt, then tighten the clamps. The Mini-Cabana is ready for use by one of two individuals to enjoy an afternoon of fun at a baseball game, graduation, or Nascar racing in comfort from the natural elements without obstructing the view of people around you.
The mini-cabana is dismantled by loosening the clamps from the bleacher lip or edge. Adjust all four legs to the shortest position (drawing sheet M-2, FIG. 2), by pushing in the pin and sliding the inner tubing until it reaches the end of the outer tubing. Snap the legs out of the locked position at the joint (H) and swing each leg inward 90° until the legs are crossing each other. Roll one side of the crossed legs to the other legs like a scroll (drawing sheet M-2, FIG. 3) and place the scrolled mini-cabana in the mini-cabana pouch (drawing sheet M-2, FIG. 4), a light heat resistant polyester Suncryclic, or olefin fabrics material circular pouch in matching color to mini-cabana. The pouch is 2 feet in length and approximately 4″ in diameter with a draw string sown at the opening that has a push pin lock attached to draw the string to secure the tighten draw string when closing the pouch.
The mini-cabana was invented to provide protection to individuals seated on bleachers at an outdoor facility protection from sun, heat, and rain exposure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Sheet M-1 shows the mini-cabana fully extended and clamped to a bleacher with call-outs showing the various mechanisms of the mini-cabana. Sheet M-2 shows how the mini-cabana is broken down and clasped to a folding position and stored in a carrying bag. Sheet M-3 shows how the mini-cabana can be adjusted to allow for various height tilts to block the natural elements.

Claims

1- Protection against sun exposure:

The mini-cabana (Drawing Sheet No. M-1, FIG. 1) is an over-head covering that attaches to bleachers at outdoor facilities where sporting events, like baseball, football, soccer games, and graduations to provide for one or two individuals protection from natural elements exposure, such as sun exposure.

2- Protection against heat exposure:

The mini-cabana (Drawing Sheet No. M-1, FIG. 1) is an over-head covering that attaches to bleachers at outdoor facilities where sporting events, like baseball, football, soccer games, and graduations to provide for one or two individuals protection from natural elements exposure, such as heat exposure.

3- Protection against light rain exposure:

The mini-cabana (Drawing Sheet No. M-1, FIG. 1) is an over-head covering that attaches to bleachers at outdoor facilities where sporting events, like baseball, football, soccer games, and graduations to provide for one or two individuals protection from natural elements exposure, such as light rain exposure.

4- light in weight:

The mini-cabana (Drawing Sheet No. M-1, FIG. 1) is light in weight because it is made from light heat resistant polyester material, similar to an umbrella, light metal tubing or durable plastic tubing for legs, and has a light metal or plastic clamp on each leg which clamps to the bleachers.

5- Portable:

The mini-cabana (Drawing Sheet No. M-1, FIG. 1) is portable to be carried in a carrying bag on the shoulder or by hand.

6- Adjustable:

The mini-cabana has adjustable legs for height and for width to allow for one or two individuals to sit underneath without obstructing the view of the event for any persons sitting above, adjacent, or below.