WO2002011578A2

WO2002011578A2 - Sun shade

Info

Publication number: WO2002011578A2
Application number: PCT/IB2001/001432
Authority: WO
Inventors: Colin Garfield Page Taylor
Original assignee: Colin Garfield Page Taylor
Priority date: 2000-08-10
Filing date: 2001-08-10
Publication date: 2002-02-14
Also published as: WO2002011578A3; AU2001279991A1

Abstract

A collapsible sun shade (10) is provided which in use has a support pole (12) positioned at or near one edge of one or more lengths of shade material (18). The length(s) of material (18) is (are) attached to a cross-bar (14) which is movably attached to the support pole (12) at or near the top thereof, and is supported in an operative condition by a frame (16) which is attached to the cross-bar (14) and/or to the support pole (12).

Description

SUN SHADE

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a collapsible sun shade.

Conventional sun shades or umbrellas have a central support pole which supports a concave canopy. The concave shape of the canopy results in a fairly large surface area of the canopy being exposed to the force of a wind, and the central support pole tends to act as a fulcrum, thereby making the sun shade unstable and therefore unsuitable for use as a sun shade in windy conditions. The applicant has therefore identified a need for a sun shade which is suitable for use as a sun shade in windy conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a collapsible sun shade comprising: a support pole adapted to be located substantially upright in use; a cross-bar movably attached to the support pole at or near the top thereof in use; a length of a shade material attached at or near one end to the cross-bar; and a frame attached to the cross-bar and/or to the support pole to support the length of shade material in use to provide an area of shade. -?-

The cross-bar and frame may be arranged in a substantially planar configuration in an operative state so as to support the shade material in use in a substantially planar configuration.

The cross-bar may comprise a single element which may be moved off the support pole when not in use, for storage purposes.

Alternatively, the cross-bar may comprise two elements hingedly attached to the support pole on either side thereof, the elements being movable between a storage position in which they abut the support pole and an operative position in which they are substantially at right angles to the support pole.

in plan view, the cross-bar may be straight or V-shaped or any other suitable shape.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cross-bar or each element thereof includes a cavity along its length, into which the length of shade material may be rolled when not in use.

The frame may comprise one or more arms attached to the support pole or to the cross-bar, and to one another.

For example, the frame may be triangular in plan view with an apex of the triangle attached to the support pole, i.e. formed from three arms.

Alternatively, the frame may be designed to form with the cross-bar, a shape which is rectangular in outline.

Further alternatively, the frame may be designed to be X-shaped, with two adjacent ends of the X attached to the ends of the cross-bar. Preferably, the frame includes one or more struts located in use between the support pole and an arm of the frame to support the frame in use.

Each arm of the frame may be formed from two or more parts which are either hingedly attached to one other so that the frame may be folded to abut the support pole in the storage position, or where a first part retracts into a second part, which then may be folded about a hinge to abut the support pole in the storage position.

As a further alternative, the frame may be demountable from the cross-bar and/or the support pole for storage purposes.

The mode of connection of the cross-bar to the support pole and/or of the frame tb the support pole and/or cross-bar, may be designed to permit the frame to be angled in more than one position relative to the support pole, to increase or decrease the area of shade.

The length of shade material may be removably or permanently attached to the cross-bar in any suitable manner.

The sun shade may include a secondary pole adapted to be located substantially upright and spaced from the support pole in use, to provide additional support for the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1a and 1b are plan and side views respectively of a first sun shade of the invention;

Figures 2a and 2b are plan and side views respectively of a second sun shade of the invention; and Figures 3a and 3b are plan and side views respectively of a third sun shade of the invention

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Figures 1 a and 1 b, there is shown a sun shade 10 consisting of a support pole 12, a cross-bar 14, a frame 16, and two lengths of shade material 18 supported on the frame 16.

The support pole 12 is formed in two sections, a first section 20 having a pointed end 22 for insertion into the ground, and being hollow, and a second section 24 adapted to slide in the first section 20 and to be secured in position by means of a clasp 26. A universal joint (not shown) is located on the second section 24 to permit a portion of the second section located above the universal joint to be tilted.

The cross-bar 14 consists of two elements 28, 30, each of which are hingedly attached at 32, 34 to the support pole 12. Thus, the two elements 28, 30 may be moved between a collapsed or storage position in which they abut the support pole 12, and an operative or uncollapsed position, as illustrated, in which they are substantially at right angles to the support pole 12.

Each element 28, 30 of the cross-bar 14 includes an elongate cavity into which the lengths of shade material 18 may be rolled when not in use.

The frame 16 is triangular in plan view and consists of three arms, a first arm 36 consisting of two sections 38, 40 connected by a hinge 42; a second arm 44 consisting of two sections 46, 48 connected by ^"a hinge 50; and a third arm 52 consisting of two sections 54, 56 joined by a hinge 58. In addition, the section 48 of the second arm 44 is connected by means of a hinge 60 to the section 54 of the third arm 52, and likewise the section 46 of the second arm 44 is connected via a hinge 62 to the section 40 of the first arm 36. This enables the frame 16 to be folded so that in the storage position, all the elements of the frame 16 abut the support pole 12.

The frame 16 includes two struts 64 between the support pole 12 and the underside of the arms 36, 52 to support the frame 16 in use.

The sun shade 10 may be used as follows.

In the storage position, all the elements of the sun shade 10 are folded about their various hinges and joints to form a compact bundle. When it is desired to use the sun shade 10, the two sections 28, 30 of the cross-bar 14 are moved about their hinges 32, 34 to a position at which they are substantially at right angles to the support pole 12, and the various elements of the frame 16 are folded out to form the triangular shape illustrated in Figure 1 a. Thereafter, the two lengths of shade material 18 are rolled out of the two sections 28, 30 of the cross-bar 14 and suitably attached to the second arm 44 of the frame 16, so that the lengths of shade material are arranged in a substantially planar configuration, and extend from one side only of the cross-bar 14. It can be seen that the sun shade 10 then provides a suitable area of shade.

Generally, the sun shade 10 will be erected in accordance with the prevailing wind direction, illustrated by the arrow A in Figure 1 b.

The support pole 12 may be made from any suitable material such as steel or a suitable plastics material. The cross-bar 14 may also be made from any suitable material such as for example aluminium or carbon fibre. Likewise, the frame 16 may be made from any suitable material such as aluminium or carbon fibre.

The length of shade material may be any suitable material which will provide an adequate degree of shade.

Referring to Figures 2a and 2b, there is shown a sun shade 100 which is similar to the sun shade 10 except for the construction of the cross-bar and the frame. Thus, like parts will be numbered with the same numbers as in Figures 1 a and 1 b.

The sun shade 100 includes a cross-bar 102 which is V-shaped in plan view as illustrated in Figure 2a and consists of a first section 104 and a second section 106 hingedly attached to the support pole 12.

The sun shade 100 also includes a frame 108 consisting of an arm 110, also hingedly attached to the support pole 12, and including an extension 112, and extensions 1 14, 1 16 from the sections 104, 106 of the cross-bar 102, and support bar 120. From Figure 2a, it can be seen that when the cross-bar 102, the arm 1 10 and the extensions 112, 1 14 and 116 are in their extended positions, the frame has a substantially rectangular outline in plan view.

A length of a shade material 118 may then be stretched across the frame 108 to complete the sun shade 100.

When it is desired to collapse the sun shade into the storage position, the length of shade material 118 is disconnected from the frame 108, the extensions 1 12, 1 14 and 116 are retracted into arm 1 10 and sections 104 and 106 of the cross-bar 102, respectively, the support bar 120 is removed, and the sections 104, 106 of the cross-bar 102 and arm 110 are then moved into the storage position. Referring to Figures 3a and 3b there is shown a sun shade 200 which again is similar to the sun shade 10 of Figures 1 a and 1 b and thus with like parts being numbered with the same numbers.

The sun shade 200 includes a cross-bar 202 comprising two sections 204, 206 hingedly attached to the support pole 12.

Also attached to the support pole 12 is an arm 208, which forms, together with the cross-bar 202, a T-shape.

The sunshade 200 includes a frame 210 consisting of two arms 212, 214 which cross and are supported by a joint 216. Thus, in plan view, the frame 210 is X-shaped.

The sun shade 200 includes struts 220 to support the frame 210 in use.

A length of shade material 222 may be stretched from the cross-bar 202 to the ends 224, 226 of the frame 210 to be supported in position in use.

When it is desired to store the sun shade 200, the two arms 212, 214 may be removed from the joint 216, the length of shade material 222 may be removed from the frame 210 and cross-bar 202 or may be retracted into cavities within sections 204 and/or 206 of the cross-bar 202, and the two sections 204, 206 of the cross-bar 202 may be hingedly folded about the support pole 12, as may be the arm 208. The whole construction may then be stored as a bundle.

The advantages of the sun shade of the invention are that it is stable in the vertical and horizontal planes, it gives optimum shade taking into account the movement of the sun, it is easy to erect, it is convenient to transport and store, it is lightweight, it is durable and strong, it is suitable for use as a sun shade in windy conditions, and finally it is safe to use.

Claims

1. A collapsible sun shade comprising: a support pole adapted to be located substantially upright in use; a cross-bar movably attached to the support pole at or near the top thereof in use; a length of a shade material attached at or near one end to the crossbar; and a frame attached to the cross-bar and/or to the support pole to support the length of shade material in use to provide an area of shade.

2. A collapsible sun shade according to claim 1 , wherein the cross-bar and frame are arranged in a substantially planar configuration in an operative condition so as to support the length of shade material in use in a substantially planar configuration

3. A collapsible sun shade according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the cross-bar comprises a single element which is moveable off the support pole when not in use.

4. A collapsible sun shade according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the cross-bar comprises two elements hingedly attached to the support pole on either side thereof, the elements being movable between a storage position in which they abut the support pole and an operative position in which they are substantially at right angles to the support pole.

5. A collapsible sun shade according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in plan view, the cross-bar is straight.

6. A collapsible sun shade according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in plan view, the cross-bar is V-shaped.

7. A collapsible sun shade according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cross-bar or each element thereof includes a cavity along its length, into which the length of shade material may be rolled when not in use.

8. A collapsible sun shade according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the frame comprises one or more arms attached to the support pole or to the cross-bar, or to one another.

9. A collapsible sun shade according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the frame is triangular in plan view with an apex of the triangle attached to the support pole.

10. A collapsible sun shade according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the frame is designed to form with the cross-bar a shape which is rectangular in outline.

11. A collapsible sun shade according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the frame is designed to be X-shaped, with two adjacent ends of the X attached to the ends of the cross-bar.

12. A collapsible sun shade according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the frame includes one or more struts located in use between the support pole and an arm of the frame to support the frame in use.

13. A collapsible sun shade according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein each arm of the frame is formed from two or more parts which are hingedly attached to one other so that the frame can be folded to abut the. support pole in the storage position.

14. A collapsible sun shade according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein each arm of the frame is formed from two or more parts wherein a first part retracts into^' a second part, which then can be folded about a hinge to abut the support pole in the storage position.

15. A collapsible sun shade according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the frame is demountable from the cross-bar and/or the support pole for storage purposes.

16. A collapsible sun shade according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the mode of connection of the cross-bar to the support pole and/or of the frame to the support pole and/or cross-bar, is designed to permit the frame to be angled in more than one position relative to the support pole, to increase or decrease the area of shade.

17. A collapsible sun shade according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the length of shade material is removably or permanently attached to the cross-bar in any suitable manner.

18. A collapsible sun shade according to any one of claims 1 to 17, which includes a secondary pole adapted to be located substantially upright and spaced from the support pole in use, to provide additional support for the frame.

19. A collapsible sun shade according to claim 1 , substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the illustrated embodiments.