US2981256A

US2981256A - Protective and reflective device

Info

Publication number: US2981256A
Application number: US590255A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gerald A Besnah
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1956-06-08
Filing date: 1956-06-08
Publication date: 1961-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 1978-04-25

Description

April 25, 1961 G. A. BESNAH PROTECTIVE AND REFLECTIVE DEVICE Filed June 8, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l April 25, 1961 G. A. BESNAH 2,981,256

PROTECTIVE AND REFLECTIVE DEVICE Filed June 8, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 tates amass Patented Apr. 25, 1961 The subject invention is concerned with a protective and reflective device for a reclining individual and is particularly concerned with an enclosure that reflects light rays, keeps undesirable materials from the user and affords privacy.

Individuals interested in absorbing lightrays, such as sun bathers or users of sun lamps generally enjoy this activity in a reclining position. In this position certain problems are presented, particularly where the mdividual involved is a sun bather on a sandy beach. The effect of the wind blowing across the sand or the ground may be irritating. Moreover, other users in the immediate area may kick sand or otherwise annoy the reclining indiw'dual. Accordingly, it is seen to be desirable to have a type of enclosure which affords some measure of privacy for the sunbather. When an enclosure is used in this fashion, as shown in the subject invention, the walls can then be so positioned as to beneficially increase the ordinary intensity of the light rays on the reclining individual.

This type of enclosure would generally be used by sun bathers at a beach or park, and it would be desirable to have an enclosure that can be collapsed into a compact, lightweight, portable unit.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a reflective device enclosing a reclining individual.

Another object of the subject invention is to provide a protective and reflective device that surrounds a reclining individual and beneficially increases the natural intensity of light rays falling on the individual.

A further object of the subject invention is to provide an outdoor protective and reflective device that includes ground contacting elements enablingthe device to be set up on any type of a generally horizontal surface.

Still another object of the subject invention is to provide an outdoor protective and reflective device that includes associated portions allowing the walls of said device to be pitched relative to the supporting surface.

A further object of the subject invention is to provide anoutdoor protective and reflective .device that can be collapsed to form a compact, lightweight, portable unit.

Other objects will be apparent from the following description when read inconnection'with the drawings, in

which: v Fig. l is an isometric view showing the protective and: reflective device in the open position Fig. 2 is an elevation view of an intersection of the walls of the device showingthe walls in partially pitched position;

Fig. 3 is new similarito Fig. 2 showing the walls the full pitched positi n; r Fig. 4 isan end view'of the left side wall shown in Fig. 1 in various pitched positions ing element attached thereto; W 5 is an enlarged isometricvie'w of a ground contacting element;'

with a ground t of an embodiment may be used for forming the panels.

,: end panels 31 panels 29-.and 37, respectively,

. arc and fold alongside panels 28 Fig. 6 is an enlarged isometric view of another embodiment of a ground contacting element;

Fig. 7 is an isometric view, partly broken away, showing the protective and reflective device in partially folded position;

Fig. 8 is an isometric view showing the device in fully folded position; and

center bar 21 by

hinges

24 and 26. Left side wall 27- is seen to comprise a plurality of

side panels

28, 29, 30 and 31 with intersecting or pitching means 33 associating one end of side wall 27 with one end of front panel 22.

Side wall 34 is similar to and corresponds with side wall 27 and comprises

side panels

36, 37, 38. and 39, which are similar to and correspond with

side panels

28, 29, 30 and 31. Intersecting or pitching means 41 is similar'to and corresponds to pitching means 33 and associates one end of side wall 34 with front panel 23.

It should be understood that pitching means 41 operates in the same manner as pitching means 33, and accordingly, only the function of pitching means 33-which joins side wall 27 to front wall 20 will be described, it being understood .thatpitching means 41 functions in the same manner in joining side wall 34 to front wall 20.

It will be noticed that the side panels of

side walls

27 and 34 gradually diminish in height toward their. free ends. Endpanels 28 and 36.are seen to be the same height as

front panels

22 and 23 while

intermediate panels

29, 30, 37 and 38 decrease in height and

free end panels

31 and 39 are the smallest in height. The diminishment in height of the side walls is possible as the reclining individuals head will generally be positioned near the front wall 20 where the greatest height affords the most protection. The walls of the protective device are preferably formed of aluminum to afford a high degree of reflection and lightness of weight, and the decrease in size of the intermediate and free end and cost of the device. However, the invention is not to be considered to be limited to any particular relation of size between the panels or to panels made of aluminum as any light weight material, such as plastic orcloth, In the aluminum embodiment shown the edges are turned over, as indicated, for example, by edge 40 on panel 39 for easy, safe.

handling, smoothness, and strengthening "of the panel. Also, in the Fig. 1 embodiment itwill be noted that free and 39 are connected. to adjacent panels 30 and '38 by hinges 52 and 53, respectively, so that

panels

31 and 39 can swingoutwardly' in a 180 alongside panels 30 and 38. Hinges 54 and 55 connect intermediate. panels 30 and 38 toadjacent so that panels 30 and 38 can swinginwardly in.a 180 arc and fold alongside

panels

29 and 37. Hinges 57 and panels 29 and37 to

end panels

28 and 36,.respectively, so that

panels

29 and 37 can swing outwardly in a 180 hinges, (not. shown) on pitching means v41 'co nnect'

end panels

28 and 36 to-front panels'22 and 23, respectively,

so that

panels

28 and 36 can swing inwardly in a "arc I and fold; alongside.

panels

22, and 23; Thus, the reflective. device is shortened by collapsing into a compact, portable unit.

portions

42 and 43 mounted at their lower. ends onpivots 1. .45 and 50, respectively, .to' r lower corners of end panel 28 and'front panel 22,'respectively. As more clearly seen in Figs-2 and 3 corner porpanels will decrease the weight,

arc: and fold intermediate 58 connect intermediate and 36. Hinges 59 and 1 Pitchingor corner means comprises a .pair of triw angular

shaped corner tions

42 and 43 have elongated

arcuate slots

44 and 46 formed in their upper sections. Threaded

pins

47 and 43 are fixedly mounted in adjacent upper corners of

panels

22 and 28 and adapted to project through and slidably t in

slots

44 and 46, respectively. Wing nuts 49 and 51 are threaded on

pins

47 and 48 for locking, the pins in any selected position along the slots.

A plurality of elements shown as ground contacting supports 62 may be attached by hinges 63 to

side walls

27 and 34. Only one element is shown in Fig. 1 but more than one could be attached on each side wall if such support is desired. At the same time it should be emphasized that the protective device can be usedwithout any supporting elements mounted on

side walls

27 and 34. For example, on a sandy base, such as a beach, the side walls could be forced down into the sand thereby supporting themselves. However, supports62 will be found helpful, particularly if a strong wind is blowing against the walls.

In the foot element 62 shown in Fig. l a foot member 64- is attached to hinge 63 and projects outwardly therefrom in operable position. A circular shaped foot pad 66 is fastened at the outer end of member 64 to give a larger supporting surface. A brace 67is loosely connected at one end to the outer end of member 64 and angles upwardly toward wall 34 terminating at a hook 70 which can be selectively connected to any one of a plurality of loops 68 fastened in side wall 34. Due to the hinged connection 63 brace 67 can be detached from loop 68 and the element 62 folded flat against side wall 34.

Another embodiment showing a foot element appears in Fig. where a hinge 69 is used in the same manner as in Fig. 1. Foot element 71 comprises a foot member 72 extending from hinge 69 with a brace member 73 hingedly connected at the outer end of foot member 72. A rail 74 is fastened to the outside of side wall 34 and includes a runner 76 slidably mounted therein and having a loop 77 for engagement with a hook 75 on the end of brace 73. A wing nut 78 is threadedly engaged with runner 76 and in contact with-rail 74 so that tightening of wing nut 78 will lock runner 76 in any selected position along rail 74. Element 71 can also be folded flat along side wall 34 by loosening wing nut 78 and allowing runner 76 to move to the top of rail 74.

Still another embodiment showing a foot element appears in. Fig. 6 where a sliding stake element 31 is used to penetrate the surface on which the protective device is placed. Stake element 81 comprises a shaft 82 having a point 83 at one end and an internally formed slot 84 at the other end. A threaded pin 86 is mounted in wall 27 to project either on the outside or inside of the wall and is illustrated in Fig. 6 as projecting on the inside of side wall 27. Pin 86 passes through slot 84 .and has a wing nut 87 threaded thereon so that stake 81 can be selectively locked in any'desired vertical position with respect to side wall 27. 1

The

foot element embodiments

62 and 71 shown in Figs. 1 and 5 can be used on any surface although they maybe particularly practical where the surface is difficult to penetrate, such 'as hard ground, stone' or concrete.

The'ernbodiment 81 shownin Fig. 6' would ,beparticularly useful in s'oft'gr'ound or sand to aid-in supporting the protective device. 1

. A screened-enclosure 91 may be formed 1n each side 7 wall 27 and '34, as shown in Fig. l, to permit ventilation topa'ss through the side walls and over the 'individual rcclin'inginside. lf "ventilation" is not; desired, this screened enclosure can be covered-by flaps 92 {mounted ;onhinges (notshownlon the inside of the *side walls.

When the enclosures 91 are open, ,fiaps 92m locked in upward'open position by pivoted latches 93L Another embodiment of the protective and reflective f device'isfshown in Fig. 9 where it is used ;on' an elevated gem-2 and structure shown asfia got 191 having crossed le itl3 andv horizontal pro ecting an 104. The same.

numbers are used in Fig. .9 to designate elements similar to elements appearing in the embodiment shown in Fig. l. Openings or cut out sections 196 are formed in

end panels

218, 31, 36 and 39 so that the entire unit when piaccd on cot 101 will be supported on projections 104. When the protective device is used on an elevated structure, as the illustrated cot 101, the device will be constructed of a size to conform to the shape of the cot where the cot will be of a type having the projecting horizontal portions 104.

When the protective and reflective device shown in Fig. 1 is in use, the walls may be pitched or maintained relatively perpendicular to the ground surface. When the walls are not pitched relative to the ground the intersccting or pitching means are only used to associate the front and side walls, but in this position some reflection or increased intensity of the light rays will be available. However, when the walls are pitched by using the pitching means, greater beneficial effect of the reflection of the light rays off the walls will be realized. To' adjust the

walls

29, 27 and 34 of the embodiment shown inFig. l to a pitched position wing nuts 49 and S1 of pitching means 33 are loosened. Only the operation of pitching means 33 will be described, it being understood that pitching means 41 operates in the same manner. The walls 20' and 27 are then pitched out and pins 47 and 48 will slide in

slots

44 and 46 to the desired position. A small degree of pitch may be established, such as shown in Fig. 2 or the maximum pitch utilized, as shown in Fig. 3, and the wing nuts 49 and 51 thereupon tightened to lock the walls in the desired pitched position. Foot elements, such as the preferred embodiment 71 shown in Fig. 5, are then adjusted by sliding runners 76 in rails 74 to the corresponding desired position where members 72 will be horizontal to the surface. Foot elements 71 are the preferred embodiment as the runners 76 can be selectively locked in an infinite number of positions whereas foot elements 62. shown in Fig. l are restricted in their various positions to the number of loops fastened to wall '34.

The pitched positions of the walls are more clearly shown by the dash dotted lines in Fig. 4 where side wall 27 is s'hownin approximately the same positions establishedby the corner pitching means 33 in Figs. 2 and 3.

When it is desired to fold up the protective device for easy portability, the foot elements 71, if they are being used, are first folded up alongside the

walls

27 and 34, and the corner means 33 and 41 are-placed in the unpitched position shown in Fig. 1. Free end panels .31 and 39 are then folded outwardly on hinges 52 "and 53, respectively, up against'intermediate panels 30 and 38, respectively. The two sets of panels '30, 31 and 38, 39 are then folded inwardly on hinges 54 and 55, respectively, upagainst intermediate panels 29 and"37,' respectively. J The two sets ofpanels 29, 3t), 31 and 37, 38, 39 are then folded outwardly on hings 5'7 and 58, respectively, 'up against end panels 28 and 36', respectively.

The t'w'o setsofpanels 28, 29, 30,131 and 36, 37, 38,39 are then folded inwardly on hinges 59and the hinges (not shown)v on corner means 41, respectively, up against front panels 22' and 23,respect'ively'. The two sets of panels 2-2, 28, 29, 30,31hand23, 36,137, 38, 39' are then folded inwardlylon" hinges 24"a'nd- 25, respectively, about center-bar 21 to form afcompact portableunines shown in Fig. 8. i

.inf Fig-T7 where the device is illustrated in partly folded The direction offfolding clearly shown byihe position. The completely 'folded unitappear'sin Big. 8.

center bai' "21- for ease in carrying. Fastening ,means lfiz connects panels 22 and;23 to "prevent th e'devicefrom opening in closed position; and 'c'oinprisesla 109 133,

' whichrhay'be leather, fastenedjto panel 22 and a book 134 fastened to .panel to ffit'i-through and engage an opening inthe end ofloop 133. 'Aplil tflity of fas ing means 132 can be used, if desired, spaced along

end panels

22 and 23.

It is understood that the open shape of the protective device is not limited to the shape shown in Fig. 1. Various other combinations of folded panels can be used.

The particular embodiments of the invention illustrated and described are to be considered illustrative only. The present invention includes such other modi- =fications and equivalents as may readily occur to those skilled in the art, within the scope of the appended claims.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A protective and reflective device constructed for placement on the ground comprising a plane surface reflective front wall having a predetermined length, a pair of side walls, each of said side walls being connected to hinged corner portions connecting said side walls and said front wall, said side walls extending outwardly from said front wall along the ground, said corner portions located at the intersection of said walls and having hinge connections, each of said portions having slots formed therein, and means mounted on said walls for selective, engagement with said slots for determining the pitch of said walls relative to the ground, said walls being hinged in sections and arranged to collapse upon themselves to form a compact portable unit.

2. A protective and reflective device constructed for placement on the ground comprising a front wall having a predetermined length and positioned to form an angle with the ground, a pair of side walls, each of said side walls being connected at one end with an end of said front wall and extending outwardly therefrom along the ground, said side walls diminishing in height toward their free ends, corner portions located at the intersection of said walls, each of said portions comprising a pair of hinged together triangular shaped parts having an elongated slot formed therein, each of said parts pivotally mounted on one of said walls, holding means mounted on said walls and selectively engageable along said slots for determining variations in pitch of said walls relative to the ground, and elements associated with said walls and adapted to be placed in contact with the ground for maintaining said walls in said pitched position, said walls hinged in sections and adapted to collapse upon themselves to form a compact portable unit.

3. A protective and reflective device as set forth in claim 2 in which said elements comprise slotted stakes slidably mounted on said walls and fastening means associated with said walls being operable to maintain said stakes in a selected vertical position with respect to said walls.

4. An outdoor protective and reflective device constructed for placement on the ground comprising a front wall having a predetermined length greater than its height and positioned to form an angle with the ground, a pair of side walls, each of said side walls associated at one end of said front wall and extending outwardly therefrom along the ground, said side wall diminishing in height toward their free ends, corner portions located at the intersections and pivotally mounted along the bottom edge of said walls with slots formed therein, holding means integral with said walls and slidably positioned in said slots for selective engagement therewith for determining variations in pitch of said walls relative to the ground, elements hingedly mounted on said walls and projecting outwardly therefrom along the ground, each of said elements having a member pivotally mounted on its free end and extending upwardly and adapted for selective '6 engagement along the outside of said walls to maintain said walls in one of said selected pitched positions, said walls, portions and elements hinged to be folded upon themselves to form a compact portable unit.

5. An outdoor protective and reflective device constructed for placement on the ground comprising a front wall having a predetermined length greater than its height and positioned'to form an angle with the ground, said front wall including a center bar with a hinged front panel on either side, a pair of side walls, each of said side walls associated with one end of each of said hinged panels and including a plurality of hinged side panels di minishing in height toward their free ends, corner portions located at the intersections and pivotally mounted along the bottom edge of said walls with arced slots forming therein, holding means integral with said walls and slidably positioned in said slots for selective engagement therewith for determining variations in pitch of said Walls relative to the ground, elements hingedly mounted on said walls and projecting outwardly therefrom along the ground, each of said elements having a member pivotally mounted on its outward free end and extending upwardly and inwardly for selective engagement along the outside or" said walls to maintain said walls in one of said selected pitched positions, said hinged side panels foldable upon themselves onto each of said hinged front panels and said front panels foldable about said center bar to form a compact portable unit, a carrying handle mounted on said center bar and fastening means associated with the ends of said side panels to maintain said unit in folded position.

6. An outdoor protective and reflective device as set forth in claim 5 in which said walls are formed of light weight metal.

7. An outdoor protective and reflective device constructed for placement on the ground comprising a front wall having a predetermined length, a pair. of side walls, each of said side walls being connected at one end to an end of said front wall and extending outwardly therefrom along the ground, corner portions located at the intersection of said walls and hingedly associated for 180 swinging movement of one relative to one other, each of said portions having a pair of hinged together triangular shaped parts having an elongated slot formed therein, each of said parts pivotally mounted on one of said walls, holding means mounted on said walls and selectively engageable along said slots for determining variations in pitch of said walls relative to the ground,

and elements associated with said walls and adapted to be placed in contact with the ground for maintaining said walls in said pitched position, said walls hinged in sections and adapted to collapse to form a compact portable unit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 827,483 Voorhees July 31, 1906 1,412,302 Wittmann Apr. 11, 1922 1,733,756 Rittenhouse Oct. 29, 1929 1,734,505 Swanfeldt Nov. 5, 1929 1,740,486 Wheelock Dec. 24, 1929 1,930,404 Wagner Oct. 10, 1933 2,078,975 Roberts May 4, 1937 2,294,046 Cser Aug. 25, 1942 2,308,109 Rundquist Jan. 12, 1943 2,576,384 Bentley Nov. 27, 1951 2,675,807 Pursel Apr. 20, 1954