US3197820A

US3197820A - Sun shade

Info

Publication number: US3197820A
Application number: US307118A
Authority: US
Inventors: Sr Theodore F Au Claire; Raymond M Becker
Original assignee: PERMALUM IND Inc
Current assignee: PERMALUM IND Inc
Priority date: 1963-09-06
Filing date: 1963-09-06
Publication date: 1965-08-03
Anticipated expiration: 1982-08-03

Description

g- 1965 T. F. AU CLAIRE, sR., ETAL 3,197,820

SUN SHADE Filed Sept. 6. 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet Z 16.30 60 36 11 5a 66 A 58 a 4 4,

AT-rozA/EYs 965 T. F. AU CLAIRE, sR., ETAL 3,197,820

SUN SHADE Filed Sept. 6, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS E4 YMOA/D M. BECKER AA/D BY 72/500025 EAL/614M235: 77/042071, mefim'wmfaflwmmdwm United States Patent 3,197,829 SUN SHADE Theodore F. Au Claire, Sr., and Raymond M. Becker, Petoslrey, Mich, assignors to Permalum Industries, Inc., Harbor Springs, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Sept. 6, 1963, Ser. No. 307,118 10 Claims. (Cl. 2063) The present invention relates to sun shades and more particularly to architectural structures of the type utilized for shading areas from the rays of the sun yet allowing air to freely flow through the structure.

The invention has for a primary object the provision of a new and improved sun shade which is constructed of a plurality of joined together, longitudinal strips of fiat material which are bent in a manner to provide an integral structure which is light, strong and easy and economical to fabricate.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved sun shade of the type described in which individual strips of a single configuration can be assembled together in a variety of ways to produce a number of structures of different aesthetic appearances.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved sun shade of the type described in which the individual pre-formed strips are easily assembled together in an integral structure by conventional fastening means such as rivets.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved sun shade structure of the type described which can be easily secured to supporting structures such as building posts or mullions.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention are accomplished by the provision of a new and improved sun shade structure comprising a plurality of joined together longitudinal strips of flat sheet material such as aluminum or other metal. Each of the strips is bent at a plurality of positions along its length with the axes of the bends running generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of the strips. The strips are formed with pairs of adjacent parallel bends, the axes of adjacent pairs being non-parallel to one another forming a series of alternate trapezoidal and parallelogrammical segments along the strips. The trapezoidal segments can be alternately of narrow and wide configuration along the length of the strips and adjacent strips can be positioned relative to one another in several ways more fully described in the following detailed description to produce structures having dilferent aesthetic appearances.

In another embodiment of the invention the bends are not sharp to produce distinct trapezoidal segments but are gently curved to form a more flowing appearance for the structure. p

A better understanding of the present invention will be had by reference, to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of a portion of sun shade constructed in accordance with the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the portion of the sun shade illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed view looking in the direction of the arrows 4 of FIG. 2 illustrating one means for attaching the sun shade to a mullion or post;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a single strip utilized in the sun shade of FIG. 1 before it is bent to shape with the axes of the bends shown in dotted lines;

FIG. 6 is a plan view similar to FIG. 5 but illustrating the strip thereof after it is bent to shape;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the bent strip of FIGL6;

. FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the bent strip taken substantially along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front view of another embodiment of a sun shade constructed of the strips shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 but assembled in a different relation to one another than that shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 1tllii of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of yet another embodiment of a sun shade constructed of the strips illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of still another embodiment of a sun shade constructed of strips illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken substantially along line l414 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a top view of the sun shade of FIG. 13 looking in the direction of the arrows 15; and

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of a sun shade of the present invention utilizing gently curved strips rather than sharply bent strips.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 one embodiment of a sun shade constructed in accordance with the features of the present invention and indicated generally by the reference numeral 20. The sun shade 20 is shown as it is installed vertically adjacent a vertical mullion or post 22 in a typical installation wherein high angle rays from the sun are 'prevented from penetrating an area 24 behind the structure while low angle rays and air flow is readily per .itted therethrough.

The sun shade 29 is comprised of a plurality of joined together, longitudinally extending strips 26 which are formed of a piece of flat strip material 28 (FIG. 5). The strip 28 is bent at a plurality of positions along its length along a plurality of axes 3t}, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46 and 48 (FIG. 5) extending generally transverse to a longitudinal axis 50 of the strip.

The transverse axes include pairs of adjacent axes which are arranged in non-parallel relation to one another such as the

pairs

32 and 34, 36 and 3%, 4t and 42, and 44 and 46 forming trapezoidal

shaped segments

52, 54, 56 and 58 respectively. These trapezoidal segments are isosceles trapezoids with their parallel side of edges lying along

longitudinal edges

60 and 62 of the strips 28. Also, the trapezoidal segments are preferably sized so they comprise Wide segments 52 and 56 positioned alternately with

narrow segments

54 and 58 along the length of the strip. Formed between the

segments

52, 54, 56 and 53 are addi t

ional segments

64, 66 and 68 respectively which take the form of parallelograms.

When the strips 26 are bent into shapes as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 they can then be assembled together to form a structure such that the sun shade 20 as well as other structures of dilferent appearance and characteristics to be hereinafter described.

For ease in description of the various configurations in which the strips can be assembled to form sun shade structures, the wide trapezoid segments will be designated withthe letter W and the narrow segments with the letter N. The long parallel edge of the segments W will be designated by the letter Z and the short edge thereof will be designated with letter s. The long parallel edge of the segments N will be designated with the letters ll and the short parallel edges thereof with the letters ss. The parallelogram shaped segment will be designated by the letter F.

Referring now to the sun shade 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the bent strips 26 are positioned with their longitudinal axes 50 in parallel relation. Adjaa cent parallel strips 26 are positioned in relation to one another so that the segments W on one strip partially overlie the segments N on an adjacent strip with the edges s of one overlying segment W facing in the same direction as the edge ll of the segment N which is overlain. It will be seen from FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 that the sun shade 26 presents a distinct appearance different from other sun shade configurations to be described. Moreover, it can be seen from FIG. 3 that only the suns rays which lie at angles less than an angle (FIG. 3) will pass through the shade 20 to illuminate the area 24-. The individual strips 26 are aligned relative to one another with their longitudinal axes Stir in parallel arrangement in a common plane 82 as seen in FIG. 3 and the strips may be joined together by appropriate means such as rivets 84.

In order to secure the sun shade 20 between the mull'ions 22, the mullions are provided with a series of slots 22a (FIG. 4) through which extend tabs 26a provided at the ends of the strips 26. These tabs are bent over against the side of the mullion after the sun shade is properly in place.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10 there is illustrated another embodiment ofa sun shade indicated by the reference numeral 120 which is constructed from the individual strips 26 arranged in a difi'ferent manner than in the sun shade 20. The strips 26 are again arranged with their longitudinal axes St) in parallel relation in a com: mon plane 82 (FIG. 10) and it can be seen that the suns rays greater than the angle ,8 will not penetrate them to the area 24 while rays at lower angles and air flow will freely pass through the sun shade 12 0. The strips may be secured together by any suitable means.

The individualstrips 26 of the sun shade 120 are arranged in relation to one another so that a segment N of one strip partially overlies a segment W of an adjacent strip. Moreover, the edges ll of the overlying segments N are positioned to face in the same direction as the edges s of the adjoining segments W on adjacent strips. This arrangement presents a strikingly different appearance for the sun shade 120 in comparison to the sun shade 20 although the individual strips 26 in both are identical.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, there is illustrated another embodiment of a sun shade 22% which is constructed from the individual strips 26. In this embodiment the longitudinal axes d of the strips are again in parallel relation in a common plane 82 but the angle is much greater than in the previous embodiments allowing amuch greater passage of light. 1 In the sun shade 220 the individual strips 26 are arranged with their segments W and N lying in parallel planes which are normal to the common plane 82 and the segments N and W on one strip are arranged to completely overlie the segments N and W respectively on. an adjacent strip. The sun shade 220 is different in appearance from either of the two previously described embodiments.

. Referring now to FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 there is illustrated yet. another embodiment of a sun shade 32th which is constructed from the individual strips 26. In this embodiment the longitudinal axes 50 of the strips are again arranged in parallel relation however the axes of adja cent strips are staggered'so that they lie alternately in

parallel planes

82a and 82b respectively (FIG. 15). The segments W on the strips are positioned to partially overlie segments N on adjacent strips with the edges s of the overlying segments W facing in the same direction as the edges ss of adjacent segments W. The strips 26 are positioned with their segments W and N lying in parallel planes which are normal to the planes 82m and 82b and the strips can be easily joined together in any suitable manner such as by riveting. Again the sun shade 32% presents a different appearance than the three previously described embodiments although the same strips 26 are utilized.

Referring now to FIG. 16 there is illustrated another embodiment of a sun shade 420 which is comprised of strips 26a which are slightly different in configuration than the strips 26 previously described. The strips 26a are formed of thin flat strip material having bends at a plurality of positions along the length thereof. The bends are not sharp as in the case of the strips 26 but are gentle and flowing and include pairs of adjacent non-parallel general axes such as axes $5, es and 88 indicated on FIG. 16 of the drawings. Accordingly, the strips are divided into somewhat trapezoidal shaped segments W and N which are roughly similar to the trapezoidal segments N and W previously described. Again, the sun shade 420 is diiferent in appearance than the other embodiments previously described although the strips 26a are formed with the same basic principle as the strips 26.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto since many modifications may be made, and it is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A sun shade comprising a plurality of joined together, longitudinally extending strips having longitudinal axes arranged in parallel relation to one another, each of said strips formed of a piece of flat material and having bends therein at a plurality of positions along the length thereof on axes generally transverse of'said longitudinal axis, said transverseaxes including pairs of adjacent axes extending in non-parallel relation to one another to form trapezoidal shaped segments in said strips, said strips positioned relative to one another so that segments in adjacent strips partially overlie one another and are partially offset from one another.

2. A sun shade comprising a plurality of joined together, longitudinally extending strips having longitudinal axes arranged in parallel relation to one another, each of said strips formed of a piece of fiat material and having bends therein at a plurality of positions along the length thereof on axes generally transverse of said longitudinal axis, said transverse axes including pairs of adjacent axes extending in non-parallel relation to one another to form a plurality of trapezoidal shaped narrow segments and wide segments, positioned alternately along the length of each strip, said strips adjoined relative to one another so that a narrow segment on one strip partially overlies and is adjacent to a wide segment onan adjacent strip and so that the lastmentioned narrow segment is partially offset from the lastrnentionedwide segment.

3. A sun shade as defined in claim 2 wherein said strips are positioned relative to one another so that the narrow segments in one strip adjoin and partially overlie the wide segments in an adjacent strip.

4. A sun shade as defined in claim 3 wherein the long and short edges of adjoining segments in adjacent strips face in the same direction.

5. A sun shade as defined in claim 4 wherein adjacent strips are alternately staggered outwardly with the edges of adjoining adjacent segments lying in parallel relation to one another.

6. A sun shade as defined in claim 2 wherein said narrow and wide segments are isosceles trapezoids with the parallel edges thereof lying along longitudinal edges of said strips.

7. A sun shade as defined in claim 6 wherein each of said narrow and wide segments include a long and a short parallel edge, said strips positioned relative to one another .so that a short parallel edge on a wide segment is faced in the same direction as a long parallel edge on a narrow segment of an adjoining adjacent strip and the long parallel edges of said adjoining segments face in opposite directions.

8. A sun shade as defined in claim 6 wherein said t-rapezoids are separated by parallelograms.

'9. A sun shade as defined in claim 6 wherein each of said narrow and wide segments includes a long and a short parallel edge, said strips positioned relative to one another so that a long parallel edge on a narrow segment of one strip is faced in the same direction as a short parallel edge on a wide segment of an adjoining adjacent strip and the short parallel edges of said adjoining segments face in opposite directions.

10. A sun shade as defined in claim 9 wherein fastening means are provided for securing said adjoining segments of adjacent strips together positioned between the short parallel edges thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,990,923 7/61 Macias-Sarria 18963 3,045,325 7/ 62 Mabie 1'8982 X 3,072,230 1/ 63 Gelert 18982 HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A SUN SHADE COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF JOINED TOGETHER, LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING STRIPS HAVING LONGITUDINALLY AXES ARRANGED IN PARALLEL RELATION TO ONE ANOTHER, EACH OF SAID STRIPS, FORMED OF A PIECE OF FLAT MATERIAL AND HAVING BENDS THEREIN AT A PLURALITY OF POSITIONS ALONG THE LENGTH THEREOF ON AXES GENERALLY TRANSVERSE OF SAID LONGITUDINAL AXIS, SAID TRANSVERSE AXES INCLUDING PAIRS OF ADJACENT AXES EXTENDING IN NON-PARALLEL RELATION TO ONE ANOTHER TO FORM TRAPEZOIDAL SHAPED SEGMENTS IN SAID STRIPS, SAID STRIPS POSITIONED RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER SO THAT SEGMENTS IN ADJACENT STRIPS PARTIALLY OVERLIE ONE ANOTHER AND ARE PARTIALLY OFFSET FROM ONE ANOTHER.