US2886047A

US2886047A - Portable sun and wind shield

Info

Publication number: US2886047A
Application number: US577841A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leland F Healy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1956-04-12
Filing date: 1956-04-12
Publication date: 1959-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 1976-05-12

Description

May 12, .1959 L. F. HEALY PORTABLE SUN AND WIND SHIELD 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 12, 1956 INVENTOR.

.lz 4/1/04 12544 V I II May 12, 1959 F. HEALY PORTABLE sum AND WIND sump 3 Sheets-$heet 2 w jgNVENTOR.

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Filed April 12, 1956 1959 1.. F. HEALY PORTABLE SUN AND WIND SHIELD May 12,

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 12, 1956 VENTORL 195/74 4 lay/v0 PORTABLE SUN AND WIND SHIELD Leland F. Healy, Long Beach, Calif.

Application April 12, 1956, Serial No. 577,841

4 Claims. (Cl. 135-5) This invention relates to a portable canopy or shade adapted to be erected temporarily on a beach, lawn or other out-of-door surface as a shield against the sun and Wind for one or more persons seated or resting thereunder.

It is an object of this invention to provide a sun and wind shield of the character described which, when not in use, may be rolled up similarly to a window shade and parts thereof folded to form a compact package subject to being readily and easily stored, transported and handled and as readily unrolled and set up for use.

It is another object to provide a sun and wind shield such as described, which includes a novel means for temporarily anchoring the shield in an erected position in the ground or to the surface over which it is desired to provide a protective canopy.

Another and important object is to provide a canopy or shield such as described wherein legs for anchoring the shield element in an erected position are arranged in a novel manner so as to be movable between a folded and retracted position lying in small compass alongside the shield element when the latter is rolled up, and an unfolded and extended position whereby the legs may be pushed into the ground or otherwise anchored thereto or to the surface over which the shield element is erected.

It is another object of this invention to provide a portable shield such as described which may be set up at various elevations over a person or persons lying or seated thereunder as well as angularly adjusted, best to serve as a sun and wind shield.

Further it is an object to provide a device such as described wherein the flexible shield element may be transparent, opaque or translucent and made of cloth or plastic materials as desired, and will be securely held under tension as a protective canopy or shield when in use.

I will describe only one form of portable sun and wind r shield embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a sun and wind shield embodying the present invention shown in one position of use in full lines and in another position of use in dotdash lines;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device shown in Fig. 1, as it would appear in a different position of use than shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the sun shade in rolledup and collapsed position of non-use;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary, part sectional and part elevational view of the device as when in the rolledup and collapsed position shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the main joint of one of the telescopic and extensible legs;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 6--6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 4;

United States Patent-O Fig. 8 is an elevational view of one of the legs as fully 1 extended from the leg housing, with one end of the latter broken away and in section to show the detent means for preventing detachment of the leg from the housing.

Fig. 9 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of one end of the main housing for the roll-up type shield element of the device;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the other end of the main housing;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary elevational view partly in section of one of the joints in the telescopic legs of the device; and

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on the line 12-12 of Fig. 11.

One embodiment of the present invention as shown in the accompanying drawings includes an elongated flexible shield or shade element 1 and a spring-loaded roller 2 on which the element 1 may be wound and unwound. An elongated supporting means or housing 3 serves as a support for the roller 2 and is provided with means 4 for anchoring the housing to the ground or surface over which the shield element 1 is to be extended as a canopy or shade for one or more persons. On the free end of the shield element 1 is means 5 for securing the element to the ground or other surface over which the shield element is extended as a canopy or shade for example as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The shield element 1 may be made of? any opaque or translucent cloth or plastic material of any suitable colors or made of a transparent plastic material which is treated or colored to filter out objectionable rays of the sun, provided the material used, in any case will be flexible and capable of being rolled upon and unrolled from the roller 2.

t The supporting means or housing 3 for the roller 2 may be in any suitable form to serve as support for the roller and as a body by which the device, as a compact package, readily may be carried, stored or transported. The housing 3 is provided with a slot 6 extending the full length thereof to provide for extension and retraction of the shield element, and is formed as a tube of light material, such as aluminum or a plastic having a strength and durability somewhat comparable to aluminum, or similar light metal.

As a means for supporting the spring-loaded roller 2 in the housing 1 so that the roller will function in the same manner as a conventional window-shade roller, portions of the material forming the housing at one end of the latter are struck inwardly to form ears 7 to which a cross piece 8 is welded or rigidly secured by any suitable manner (see Fig. 9). This cross piece is provided with a round opening 9 for reception of the usual rotatable trunnion 10 on one end of the roller 2. The housing 1 at its other end (see Fig. 10) is provided with similar ears 11 to which a cross piece 12 is detachably secured by means of fasteners such as screws 14. The cross piece 12 is provided with an opening 15 of non-circular cross-section for reception of the similarly shaped trunnion 16 (see Fig. 4) on the other end ofthe roller 2. Caps 17 are removably mounted on and close the open ends of the housing 3. This arrangement makes it possible readily to mount in the housing 3 the roller 2 with the shield element 1 fastened thereto and rolled thereon. Should it be desired to change the roller 2 and element 1 thereon for substituting a shield of a different kind of material or of different color, this may be accomplished by detaching one of the caps 17 and the cross piece 14 and replacing them after the substitution is made.

It should be noted that no details of the spring-loaded roller 2 are here shown, except the trunnions 10 and 16 and spring 16a, it being understood that the roller emrangement as provided in a conventional window-shade roller, whereby the flexible element 1 will be retainedin any position in which it is unrolled and is subject to being rewound by manipulation in the same manner as a window-shade. However, when the anchoring means on the free end of the shield element 1 is engaged with the ground as a support for the element, theelement willbe held in extended position, and is subject to being rewound on the roller 2 only when the anchoring means 5 is free from holding or anchor contact with the ground. The retention of the element 1 in any position to which it may be unrolled from the roller 2 is desirable to prevent rewinding of the element While setting up the means 5 for supporting the shield element.

The means 4 on the housing 1 for anchoring the housing to the ground or other surface over which the shield is to be extended, includes a pair of telescopic legs 18. These legs are mounted in a tubular housing 19 extending along the side of the housing 1 opposite the slot'6. The housing 19 is secured to the housing 3 by means of suitable straps 20 and a bracket 20a fixed to the housing 3. When fully retracted, the legs 18 are contained in the housing 19 with only the outer ends thereof protruding somewhat therefrom, but preferably not beyond the ends of the main housing 1, whereby these protruding ends may be grasped for extending the legs into position of use.

Each of the legs 18, as here shown, comprises two

tubular sections

22 and 23 telescopically connected, and rod section 24 telescopically connected with the section 23. The larger and inner leg section 22 is provided at its inner end with a plug 25 having a bifurcated outer end hinged as at 26 to a lug 27 on a cylindrical mounting plug 28 rotatably and slidably mounted in the-housing 19. A detent member 29 on the housing 19 is operable to prevent withdrawal of the mounting plug 28 from the housing but will permit of rotation of the plug 28 when the leg 18 is inclined from the vertical in a direction normal to the axis of the plug 28 and housing'19, the leg being otherwise free to be inclined by reason of the hinge connection with the plug 28.

As a means for holding the

leg sections

22, 23 and 24 against moving axially from any position in which they may be extended relative to one another, the outer ends of the

sections

22 and 23 are tapered and provided with axially extending slits 30. These ends are externally screw threaded to receive nuts 31 having tapered bores. When the nuts 31 are tightened, the portions between the-slits 30 act as clamping jaws to bind against the

sections

22 and 23 respectively, and hold them against axial movement.

A tubular member 33 is fixed to the freeend of the shield element 1 in any suitable manner and serves as a support for the shield as well as a housing for telescopic legs 34 corresponding to the legs 18. The legs 34-are mounted in and adjustable relative to the member 33 in the same manner as the legs 18 connected with housing 19. Figs. 1 and 2 show how the

legs

34 and 18 may be arranged to anchor and supportthe shield element 1 and associated parts in various positions.

The bracket 20a is located centrally of theends ofthe main housing 3 and is U-shaped to serve as a means for pivotally connecting thereto an inverted U-shaped handle 36 by which the device, while in collapsed position as shown in Fig. 3, readily may be carried.

When the device is in folded or'collapsed position, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6, the member 33 to which the free end of the shield element 1 is secured; lies against the main housing so as to extend partly into. the slot 6 (Fig. 6). The device new forms a compact package subject to being readily carried or stored.

in erecting or setting up the device foruse, .the legs;.18 are pulled out of the housing.19.for example, to the position shown in Fig. 8 so that the telescopic sections 22, .23 and 24 may be extended as desired and the section 24 pushed into the ground to anchor the device in the ground. Following this the legs may be adjusted to support the adjacent end of the element 1' at the desired elevation. The hinge connection of the legs 18 with the rotary mounting plugs 28 makes it possible to adjust the legs to any desired angular position relative to the vertical best to anchor and support the device relative to the ground. In case the device is set up over a hard surface which cannot be penetrated by the legs'18, any suitable means not shown may be employed to fasten or anchor the legs to such a surface.

After anchoring the legs 18, as above noted, the tubular member 33 is pulled out, thereby unrolling the shield element 1 from the roller 2, either the full extent or less than the full extent, best to suit the conditions at hand and the particular user. Next, the legs 34 in the member 33 are pulled out and adjusted as desired (see Figs. 1 and 2) to provide for anchoring the element 1 in place and at the desired elevated position. The hinged and rotary connection of the

legs

18 and 34 with the

members

19 and 33 make it possible to incline the legs as desired in supporting the shield element 1. Fig. 1 shows how the shield 1 may be supported in positions variously inclined longitudinally thereof and at different elevations, or supported in a horizontal position. Fig. 2 shows how the shield 1 may be inclined transversely as desired.

I claim:

1. A portable sun and wind shield comprising: an elongated flexible shield element for shielding from the sun and wind one or more persons seated or resting on the ground or other surface over which said element may be extended; a roller to which one end of said element is connected so that said element may be rolled upon said roller and unrolled therefrom; a support on which said roller is 'rotatably mounted; said support extending alongside said roller; legs connected with the other end of said element for supporting said element above said ground or other surface when unrolled from said roller; members connected with said support for sliding movement axially of the support and rotative movement relative to the support; a pair of legs; and means hingedly connecting said last named legs with said members.

2. A portable sun and wind shield comprising: an elongated flexible shield element for shielding from the sun and wind one or more persons seated or resting on the ground or other surface over which said element may be extended; a roller to which one end of said element is connected so that said element may be rolled upon said roller and unrolled therefrom; a support on which said roller is rotatably mounted; anchoring means for said support connected thereto for sliding movement therealong and rotative movement relative thereto; and means connected with the other end of said element slidable transversely of said element as well as rotatable relative thereto for movement into and from positions supporting said element above said ground or other surface.

3. A portable sun and wind shield comprising: an elongated flexibleshield element for shielding from the sun and wind one or more persons seated or restingon the ground or other surface'over which said element may be extended; an elongated roller to which one end of said element is connected so that said element may be wound upon saidroller and unwound therefrom; an elongated housing in which said roller is supported; extensible legs for supporting said housing above the ground or surface over which said element may be extended; means providing a swivel connection between each of said legs and said housing; a tubular member secured to and extending across the other end of said element; extensible legs for supporting saicllast named member; members slidably mounted in said tubular member and rotatable relative thereto; and meanspivotallyconnecting said last named legs with'said slidably mounted members.

4. A portablesun and windshieldcomprising: an elongated flexible shield element for shielding from the sun and wind one or more persons seated or resting on the ground or other surface over which said element may be extended; an elongated roller to which one end of said element is connected so that said element may be wound upon said roller and unwound therefrom; an elongated housing in which said roller is supported; said housing having a slot through which said element is extensible; a tubular member mounted on said housing; extensible legs; means slidable relative to said tubular member providing a swivel connection between said legs and said tubular member; said legs being movable between a position lying within said tubular member and a position extended therefrom to support said housing above the ground or surface over which the flexible element may be extended; a tubular member secured to and extending across the other end of said element; extensible legs; and means slidable relative to said last named tubular member providing a swivel connection between said last named legs and said last named tubular member; said last named legs being movable between a position lying within said last named tu bular member and a position extended from said last named tubular member as a support therefor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 136,456 Petersen et al Mar. 4, 1873 1,157,115 McIntyre Oct. 19, 1915 1,719,055 Herzer July 2, 1929 2,660,186 Marshall et al Nov. 24, 1953