US20190169873A1 - Floating Shade - Google Patents

Floating Shade Download PDF

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Publication number
US20190169873A1
US20190169873A1 US15/831,384 US201715831384A US2019169873A1 US 20190169873 A1 US20190169873 A1 US 20190169873A1 US 201715831384 A US201715831384 A US 201715831384A US 2019169873 A1 US2019169873 A1 US 2019169873A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
cover
film
large area
tethers
balloons
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US15/831,384
Inventor
Yining Tsao
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US15/831,384 priority Critical patent/US20190169873A1/en
Publication of US20190169873A1 publication Critical patent/US20190169873A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45BWALKING STICKS; UMBRELLAS; LADIES' OR LIKE FANS
    • A45B23/00Other umbrellas
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04HBUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H15/00Tents or canopies, in general
    • E04H15/32Parts, components, construction details, accessories, interior equipment, specially adapted for tents, e.g. guy-line equipment, skirts, thresholds
    • E04H15/62Pegs, stakes or the like
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04HBUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H15/00Tents or canopies, in general
    • E04H15/32Parts, components, construction details, accessories, interior equipment, specially adapted for tents, e.g. guy-line equipment, skirts, thresholds
    • E04H15/58Closures; Awnings; Sunshades
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45BWALKING STICKS; UMBRELLAS; LADIES' OR LIKE FANS
    • A45B23/00Other umbrellas
    • A45B2023/0093Sunshades or weather protections of other than umbrella type
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45BWALKING STICKS; UMBRELLAS; LADIES' OR LIKE FANS
    • A45B2200/00Details not otherwise provided for in A45B
    • A45B2200/10Umbrellas; Sunshades
    • A45B2200/1009Umbrellas; Sunshades combined with other objects
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45BWALKING STICKS; UMBRELLAS; LADIES' OR LIKE FANS
    • A45B2200/00Details not otherwise provided for in A45B
    • A45B2200/10Umbrellas; Sunshades
    • A45B2200/1009Umbrellas; Sunshades combined with other objects
    • A45B2200/1036Umbrellas; Sunshades combined with other objects with means for promoting air movement, e.g. ventilation holes, fans, ventilators, special shape for ventilation, suction means
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63HTOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H27/00Toy aircraft; Other flying toys
    • A63H27/10Balloons
    • A63H2027/1008Anchoring means or weights

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a shelter structure that can provide a large area of shade against sunlight and can be set up and removed quickly and conveniently.
  • the Floating Shade is a lightweight shelter structure that comprises a cover kept airborne by multiple floating balloons.
  • the cover and the balloons are connected to a number of tethers that are attached to the ground by anchors.
  • the cover is lightweight so that its size can be very large and can be kept afloat by a small number of balloons and anchored to a location by small number of simple tethers, while covering areas unable to be covered by traditional tents. It can also be set up quickly to shield large areas from sunlight.
  • the Floating Shade provides relief from the sun without danger or need of time-consuming setup.
  • the cover can serve as a large projection screen for movie projections or light shows. It can also be used to shelter crops to prevent radiative heat loss (frost damage) in cold, dry weather.
  • FIG. 1 depicts the overall structure of the current invention with the first preferred embodiment of the cover.
  • FIG. 2 depicts the second preferred embodiment of the cover, which includes a wire frame supporting a cover film.
  • FIG. 3 depicts the third preferred embodiment of the cover, which comprises a cover film with cuts to reduce air pressure.
  • FIG. 4 depicts the fourth preferred embodiment of the cover, which includes a wire frame system covered with fragmented film materials to generate a tree leaf-like shade and to reduce air pressure.
  • FIG. 5 depicts the fifth preferred embodiment of the cover, which includes multiple film segments to reduce air pressure.
  • the purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a form of coverage with a simple design that reduces the requirement of extensive setup and reliance on heavy grounded structures.
  • the basic concept of the Floating Shade is a cover 2 kept afloat by balloons 1 a , 1 b , 1 c , 1 d .
  • the cover and the balloons are connected to a number of tethers 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d that are attached to the ground by anchors 4 a , 4 b , 4 c , 4 d .
  • the cover 2 projects a large area of shade 8 on the ground (or, if the system is installed over water, the water.)
  • the cover is lightweight so that its size can be very large and can be kept afloat by a few large balloons.
  • the cover and the balloons are anchored to a location by the tethers and anchors. The balloons and the cover can also be set up and retrieved quickly.
  • the cover 2 can comprise a lightweight film that can partially block or filter sunlight.
  • the balloons can be any type of balloons filled with helium or hydrogen gas.
  • the tethers 3 a - 3 d can be thin ropes. The ends of the tethers are tied to anchors 4 a - 4 d .
  • the anchors can be wedges or piles hammered into the ground, or weights (gravity anchors.)
  • the tethers can also be tied to a grounded object such as a tree, a truck, or a fence.
  • the film can be strengthened by a wire frame structure.
  • the second preferred embodiment of the cover 2 b includes a wire frame 9 supporting a cover film 10 .
  • the third preferred embodiment of the cover 2 a comprises a cover film with cuts 5 to reduce air pressure.
  • a wire frame system covered with fragmented film materials similar to a tree leaf-like structure, can be used as the cover.
  • the fragmented film materials 7 are attached to a wire frame system 9 a .
  • the combination becomes the fourth preferred embodiment of the cover 2 c .
  • the construction is easy to retrieve and store.
  • the wire frame systems described above can also take the form of a net or mesh.
  • the balloons and tethers can be attached to the cover not just at the corners but also in the interior of the cover area.
  • the Floating Shade can cover large areas of both land and water.
  • Major potential uses lie in agriculture and conservation—by sheltering crops in the nighttime, radiative heat loss is prevented, preventing frost from killing fruits and depleting soil.
  • the structure would also be put up to shelter coral reefs, blocking them and preventing coral bleaching.
  • Balloons The Skin of the Zeppelin NT airships are known to be among the most resistant and aerodynamic materials. If used for the balloons, they would undoubtedly gain unmatched resistance to weather and damaging objects.
  • the film can block 90% sunlight.
  • Tethers Dyneema SK75 3 mm; a strong yet lightweight rope, it is a replacement to steel ropes. Breaking strength 9,300 lbs. Weight is negligible in calculations.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Tents Or Canopies (AREA)

Abstract

The Floating Shade is a tethered hovering cover made of lightweight film kept afloat by balloons. It can be easily set up to provide solid shade that temporarily blocks off sunlight.

Description

    RELATED APPLICATIONS
  • This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/429,886, filed Dec. 5, 2016, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
  • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Technical Field: The present disclosure relates to a shelter structure that can provide a large area of shade against sunlight and can be set up and removed quickly and conveniently.
  • Description of related art: Currently, traditional shelter structures for providing shade in the outdoors include tents, canopies, umbrellas, and stands. These structures usually are clunky and require long setup time. They also require poles and/or thick ropes to stand. Thus they cannot be conveniently applied to cover large areas or locations not suitable for planting many poles. For example, they are hard to apply over beaches, pools, outdoor events in a park, and sports fields.
  • BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The Floating Shade is a lightweight shelter structure that comprises a cover kept airborne by multiple floating balloons. The cover and the balloons are connected to a number of tethers that are attached to the ground by anchors. The cover is lightweight so that its size can be very large and can be kept afloat by a small number of balloons and anchored to a location by small number of simple tethers, while covering areas unable to be covered by traditional tents. It can also be set up quickly to shield large areas from sunlight. In daytime, the Floating Shade provides relief from the sun without danger or need of time-consuming setup. In nighttime, the cover can serve as a large projection screen for movie projections or light shows. It can also be used to shelter crops to prevent radiative heat loss (frost damage) in cold, dry weather.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 depicts the overall structure of the current invention with the first preferred embodiment of the cover.
  • FIG. 2 depicts the second preferred embodiment of the cover, which includes a wire frame supporting a cover film.
  • FIG. 3 depicts the third preferred embodiment of the cover, which comprises a cover film with cuts to reduce air pressure.
  • FIG. 4 depicts the fourth preferred embodiment of the cover, which includes a wire frame system covered with fragmented film materials to generate a tree leaf-like shade and to reduce air pressure.
  • FIG. 5 depicts the fifth preferred embodiment of the cover, which includes multiple film segments to reduce air pressure.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a form of coverage with a simple design that reduces the requirement of extensive setup and reliance on heavy grounded structures.
  • As depicted in FIG. 1, the basic concept of the Floating Shade is a cover 2 kept afloat by balloons 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, 1 d. The cover and the balloons are connected to a number of tethers 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d that are attached to the ground by anchors 4 a, 4 b, 4 c, 4 d. Under the sunlight, the cover 2 projects a large area of shade 8 on the ground (or, if the system is installed over water, the water.) The cover is lightweight so that its size can be very large and can be kept afloat by a few large balloons. The cover and the balloons are anchored to a location by the tethers and anchors. The balloons and the cover can also be set up and retrieved quickly.
  • The cover 2 can comprise a lightweight film that can partially block or filter sunlight. The balloons can be any type of balloons filled with helium or hydrogen gas. The tethers 3 a-3 d can be thin ropes. The ends of the tethers are tied to anchors 4 a-4 d. The anchors can be wedges or piles hammered into the ground, or weights (gravity anchors.) The tethers can also be tied to a grounded object such as a tree, a truck, or a fence.
  • To protect the lightweight film from tearing, the film can be strengthened by a wire frame structure. Depicted in FIG. 2, the second preferred embodiment of the cover 2 b includes a wire frame 9 supporting a cover film 10.
  • To prevent wind from exerting too much pressure on the cover, slits or cuts can be made on the cover to allow air to pass and relieve pressure. Depicted in FIG. 3, the third preferred embodiment of the cover 2 a comprises a cover film with cuts 5 to reduce air pressure.
  • Alternatively, a wire frame system covered with fragmented film materials, similar to a tree leaf-like structure, can be used as the cover. As seen in FIG. 4, the fragmented film materials 7 are attached to a wire frame system 9 a. The combination becomes the fourth preferred embodiment of the cover 2 c. The construction is easy to retrieve and store.
  • As depicted in FIG. 5, the fifth preferred embodiment of the cover 2 d can also be made up of multiple strips 7 a-7 f for easy retrieval and storage. The strips will leave gaps 6, allowing air to pass but still providing large shade areas on the ground surface.
  • The wire frame systems described above can also take the form of a net or mesh. The balloons and tethers can be attached to the cover not just at the corners but also in the interior of the cover area.
  • The Floating Shade's use as a shelter from the sun surpasses traditional tents. Its nature as a temporary cover allows it to be used not only during the daytime, but at night. The blank cover's underside can also be utilized. With some added décor, it would make a novel decoration at a night festival. Other nighttime uses include serving as a background for a projector, playing movies and laser shows. Alternatively, a single pattern could be projected as decoration at a night market, for presenters and advertisers.
  • The Floating Shade can cover large areas of both land and water. Major potential uses lie in agriculture and conservation—by sheltering crops in the nighttime, radiative heat loss is prevented, preventing frost from killing fruits and depleting soil. The structure would also be put up to shelter coral reefs, blocking them and preventing coral bleaching.
  • Example Design
  • Balloons: The Skin of the Zeppelin NT airships are known to be among the most resistant and aerodynamic materials. If used for the balloons, they would undoubtedly gain unmatched resistance to weather and damaging objects.
  • Manufacturer: ILC, USA
  • Final adjustment and pressure tests are performed in Friedrichsafen.
      • External layer: Tedlar (protective film UV-proof)
      • Intercellular layer: Polyester fabric (tear-resistant)
      • Internal layer: Polyurethane (weldable and leak-proof)
      • Weight: 250 Gramm/m2
      • Tear strength: 285 N/cm (28.5 Kg/cm)
  • Should 12′ balloons be sewn from Zeppelin NT Skin and filled with helium, they would be durable and strong while still being light enough to keep the Tedlar shade floating.
  • 4×24 m3 Helium is required to fill 4 12′ balloons.
  • Cover: DuPont Tedlar; a biaxially oriented film with excellent resistance to weathering, outstanding mechanical properties, and inertness towards many solvents and staining agents.
  • DuPont: DEC_Tedlar_GeneralProperties.pdf
  • Tedlar Aircraft Grade ×64″ wide
      • Weight: 1 kg per 17.8 m2=0.056 kg/m2
      • Tear strength, propagating: 7-9 kN/m=700-900 kgw/m
  • The film can block 90% sunlight.
  • Tethers: Dyneema SK75 3 mm; a strong yet lightweight rope, it is a replacement to steel ropes. Breaking strength 9,300 lbs. Weight is negligible in calculations.
  • Lift calculations:

  • Volume=4πr 3/3=24 m3→if r=6, 24 kg lift by He

  • Surface area=4πr 2=40 m2→(if 250 g/m2)=10 kg

  • Subtract 24−10→Net lift 14 Kg/balloon
  • In conclusion, four balloons, with a total lift of 56 kg, may hold up a 900 square meter Tedlar cover (900 m2×0.056 kg/m2=50 kg) and provide up to 900 m2 of shade. In comparison, 100 Eurmax Premium 10×10 ft (˜3×3 m) Canopy Booths would be required to cover the same area.
  • Although the present disclosure has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they fall within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (7)

1. A shelter system that can provide a large area of shade against sunlight and can be set up and removed quickly and conveniently, the system comprises
a cover comprising a lightweight film with a wire frame system, said lightweight film having a large area for providing the shade, said wire frame system being distributed over the large area of said lightweight film for strengthening and preventing tearing of the film;
a number of floating balloons;
a number of tethers with anchors;
the cover and the balloons being connected to the tethers and anchored to a location.
2. A system of claim 1, wherein said lightweight film comprises a Tedlar film and said tethers comprise Dyneema ropes.
3. A system of claim 1, wherein the lightweight film comprises cuts allowing air to pass to relieve air pressure.
4. (canceled)
5. A system of claim 1, wherein the lightweight film comprises multiple segments with gaps in between to relieve air pressure.
6. A shelter system that can provide a large area of shade against sunlight, can relieve air pressure due to wind and can be set up and removed quickly and conveniently, the system comprises
a cover comprising-a wire frame system attached with fragmented film materials, said wire frame system being distributed over a large area so that said fragmented film materials also covering a large area for providing the shade;
a number of floating balloons;
a number of tethers with anchors;
the cover and the balloons being connected to the tethers and anchored to a location.
7. A shelter system that can provide a large area against radiative heat loss in nighttime and can be set up and removed quickly and conveniently, the system comprises
a cover comprising a lightweight film with a wire frame system, said lightweight film having a large area, said wire frame system being distributed over the large area of said lightweight film for strengthening and preventing tearing of the film;
a number of floating balloons;
a number of tethers with anchors;
the cover and the balloons being connected to the tethers and anchored to a location.
US15/831,384 2017-12-04 2017-12-04 Floating Shade Abandoned US20190169873A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15/831,384 US20190169873A1 (en) 2017-12-04 2017-12-04 Floating Shade

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15/831,384 US20190169873A1 (en) 2017-12-04 2017-12-04 Floating Shade

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20180050784A1 (en) * 2015-03-10 2018-02-22 Antoine Marcel PAULUS Mobile artificial cloud
US11202488B1 (en) * 2020-08-10 2021-12-21 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Sun shade

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20180050784A1 (en) * 2015-03-10 2018-02-22 Antoine Marcel PAULUS Mobile artificial cloud
US11202488B1 (en) * 2020-08-10 2021-12-21 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Sun shade

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