WO2011012969A2

WO2011012969A2 - A shade structure for beach, garden and open-space use in general

Info

Publication number: WO2011012969A2
Application number: PCT/IB2010/001824
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giancarlo De Pasquale
Original assignee: Giancarlo De Pasquale
Priority date: 2009-07-27
Filing date: 2010-07-26
Publication date: 2011-02-03
Also published as: ITTA20090003A1; WO2011012969A3; ITTO20120153U1

Abstract

A shade structure for beach, garden and open- space use in general, and particularly suitable for individual use in a reclining position. The present invention serves as a "sunshade", a category of articles substantially marketed in the form of umbrellas. Known articles of this sort have a wood or metal structure and a fabric canopy, and are both bulky and awkward to handle. The present invention differs substantially from the former in terms of both structure and strictly individual use. As shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, the invention is characterized by a low-mounted, arc-shaped canopy for use in a reclining position, and can be set up quickly and easily. When dismantled, the component parts of the structure are compact enough to fit into a bag.

Description

A SHADE STRUCTURE FOR BEACH, GARDEN AND OPEN-SPACE USE IN GENERAL

BACKGROUND ART

As is known, articles, which are technically "sunshades", are marketed for providing shade from the sun in open spaces , such as beaches , gardens , terraces , etc., and normally comprise small or large umbrellas with a more or less circular canopy.

Known articles of this sort comprise a wood or metal structure and a fabric canopy, and are invariably bulky and awkward to handle, i.e. to carry from one place to another, for beach use, for example.

For use in open residential spaces, ballast is also required to stabilize the supporting pole.

When used on beaches, more often with the user in a reclining than a sitting position, and so requiring a larger shade area, the high- fitted canopy and movement of the sun produce a rapid change in shade, thus continually exposing parts of the user's body to the sun.

Though a sunshade for leisure use, in the same way as conventional umbrellas, the present invention differs substantially in terms of both structure and strictly individual use .

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a shade structure, particularly for beach, garden and open-space use in general, which is lightweight, can be assembled quickly, and is easy to handle and carry.

The structure according to the invention is designed so it can be set up quickly and easily, and, when dismantled, is compact enough to fit into a bag.

The shade structure according to the invention is highly reliable and safe, and is easy to produce using readily available parts and materials.

As such, the present invention is also competitive economically.

The above and other aims explained below are achieved by a shade structure, for beach, garden, and open-space use in general, in accordance with the present invention, and which comprises a canopy supported by a lightweight structure.

The canopy or sunshade may substantially comprise a rectangular cane mat, which is characteristically rigid lengthwise of, and fully flexible crosswise to the interlaced canes, so it can be rolled up tightly. Alternatively, the canopy may comprise a mat of synthetic strips or any fabric that can be stiffened perpendicular to the supporting structure.

Such stiffening is necessary to achieve lateral stability of the structure as a whole.

The canopy, hereinafter referred to simply as a "mat", is provided, along the two longitudinal edges of one of its two faces, with two tubular pockets, in which to insert the supporting structure, and which comprise strips of fabric or similar synthetic material, stitched to the mat .

The supporting structure comprises two thin flexible rods, in turn comprising a number of thin hollow tubes made of fibreglass or other flexible material, connected end to end by short connecting sleeves, and strung on a thin elastic cord.

The elastic cord serves to hold the tubes of each rod together, for faster, easier assembly and disassembly.

Each rod, which is preferably longer than the mat, may comprise a varying number of individual tubes, depending on the size required.

The first and last tube of each rod are fitted on their free ends with preferably metal tips, similar to the connecting sleeves.

Once inserted inside the tubular pockets on the mat , the two rods are connected at both ends by two rigid tubes - hereinafter referred to as "end tubes" - made of fibreglass, aluminium or other lightweight material .

The end tubes are bent 90° at both ends, i.e. are fitted with curved fittings into which the tips of the two rods are inserted.

To set up the structure according to the present invention, the two end tubes are brought closer together by means of two thin tensioning straps, shorter than the rods, so that the rods flex to form the structure into an arc shape.

For easy connection, the two end tubes are fitted with click-on fasteners that attach to similar fasteners on the ends of the tensioning straps.

The radius of the arc can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the tensioning straps by means of an adjusting device, to achieve a higher, shorter or lower, longer structure.

When assembled, as described above, and placed on the ground, the structure according to the invention provides shade from the sun by means of the mat, and allows the user to lie underneath.

Because the mat is closer to the ground than ordinary marketed canopies, the shade travels less in relation to the movement of the sun, and so lasts longer.

If a mat much shorter than the supporting rods is preferred to improve ventilation, the structure according to the invention, when assembled, allows the mat to slide along the supporting rods to adjust the shade area .

For beach or garden use, the structure according to the invention can be secured quickly to the ground using (preferably four) plastic stakes with grooves on the top end, which click onto the end tubes. This is advisable in windy conditions, in which case, the tensioning straps may be removed.

Being made of flat strips of nylon laid on the ground, the tensioning straps, even if not removed, in no way affect performance of the structure according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred, non- limiting embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which -.

Figure 1 shows a view in perspective of the shade structure as a whole ;

Figure 2 shows a spread-out view in perspective of the underside of the canopy, i.e. mat, complete with the two tubular supporting rod pockets;

Figure 3 shows the component parts of one of the two supporting rods prior to assembly;

Figure 4 shows how the supporting rod is assembled; Figure 5 shows an assembled supporting rod;

Figure 6 shows a spread-out view in perspective of the mat, with the two supporting rods inserted inside the tubular pockets;

Figure 7 shows a view in perspective of one of the two end tubes, for connecting the two supporting rods, fitted with two short nylon straps with click-on end fasteners ;

Figure 8 shows a detail in perspective of the tip of one of the two supporting rods connected to a curved fitting on an end tube;

Figures 9 and 10 show one of the two nylon tensioning straps rolled up and unrolled respectively, and fitted with click-on fasteners at the ends, and an intermediate length-adjusting device;

Figure 11 shows a detail of the tensioning strap fastened to the nylon strap on the end tube;

Figures 12 and 13 show views in perspective of the invention assembled, and how the mat slides along the supporting rods; Figure 12 shows the mat positioned centrally, and Figure 13 the mat positioned at one end;

Figure 14 shows one of the stakes designed to fit to the end tubes to secure the structure to the ground in strong wind conditions;

Figure 15 shows a detail of one of the stakes attached to the end tube;

Figure 16 shows the structure as a whole, fitted with the stakes.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Number 1 in the accompanying drawings indicates as a whole a shade structure for beach, garden and open- space use in general, and which comprises a canopy 2, hereinafter referred to as a mat, with parallel tubular pockets 3 along the edges 4 of the mat.

Mat 2 is characterized by being fairly rigid crosswise, i.e. perpendicular to the tubular pockets, and fully flexible lengthwise, so as to adapt to the arc shape of the assembled structure and roll up when not in use. In other words, mat 2 has different degrees of rigidity in two perpendicular directions, and the greater rigidity perpendicular to the tubular pockets braces the flexible rods 5 to prevent collapse of the rods and ensure stability of the shade structure even in the event of transverse stress .

Flexible rods 5 are formed by connecting individual tubes 6 end to end by means of short sleeves 7. The individual tubes of each rod are strung on an elastic cord 8.

The ends of the rods are fitted with tips 9, which fit inside cylindrical seats 10 of end tubes 11 fitted with curved fittings 12.

Each end tube has two appendixes 13 defined by short nylon straps, each with a click-on fastener 14.

The structure tensioning straps 15 are fitted on the ends with click-on fasteners 14 for connection to similar fasteners on the end tubes.

To adjust the arc of the structure, the tensioning straps are fitted with length adjusters 16.

The non- limiting embodiment shown of the shade structure for beach, garden and open- space use in general according to the invention is assembled as follows :

mat 2 is first laid out with its underside face, fitted with tubular pockets 3, facing upwards;

rods 5 are inserted inside pockets 3, aligning and connecting tubes 6 as the rods are inserted;

when the rods come out at the other end, tips 9 are inserted inside cylindrical seats 10 on end tubes 11; tensioning straps 15 are then connected by click-on fasteners 14 to appendixes 13 of a first of the two end tubes ;

holding down the second end tube, the tensioning straps are pulled to arc the structure, and therefore the mat;

the free ends of the tensioning straps are fastened to the second end tube ;

and the lightweight structure so assembled is turned over and ready for use.

Particularly in windy conditions, the structure can be secured to the ground using stakes 17 with grooves 18 which click onto the end tubes.

The structure is dismantled even more easily.

Once dismantled, the component parts of the structure can be rolled up inside the mat and bagged.

The aims of the present invention are thus clearly achieved.

Changes may obviously be made to the structure as described herein without, however, departing from the scope of the invention.

Moreover, all the component parts may be replaced with technical equivalents .

In other words, any changes may be made in terms of materials, size, and shape, providing they are compatible with the specific use proposed.

Claims

1) A shade structure (1) for beach, garden and open- space use in general, comprising a supporting structure (5, 11, 15) with two rods (5) flexible into an arc shape; and a canopy (2) fitted to the two rods (5) ; the canopy (2) having two different degrees of rigidity in two perpendicular directions; the greater rigidity being crosswise to the rods (5) to brace the rods (5) when arced; and the lesser rigidity being tangent to each point along the arc shape of the rods (5) .

2) A shade structure as claimed in the foregoing Claims, characterized in that the canopy (2) comprises, along the edges of its two long sides, two tubular pockets (3) into which the rods (5) are inserted.

3) A shade structure as claimed in one or more of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that the rods (5) comprise a number of connectable members (6) .

4) A shade structure as claimed in one or more of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that the supporting structure comprises two end tubes (11) ; and respective fittings (12) for connecting the ends of the rods (5) rigidly to the ends of the end tubes (11) .

5) A shade structure as claimed in one or more of the foregoing Claims, characterized by comprising at least one strap (15) shorter than and connectable to the rods (5) to form the rods into the arc shape.

6) A shade structure as claimed in Claims 4 and 5, wherein the strap (15) is connected between the two end tubes (11) .

7) A shade structure as claimed in Claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the length of the strap (15) is adjustable to adjust the radius of the arc shape.

8) A shade structure as claimed in one or more of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that the canopy (2) is slidable along the rods (5) to adjust the position of the shade area.

9) A shade structure as claimed in one or more of the foregoing Claims, when dependent on Claim 4, characterized by comprising a number of stakes (17) connectable to the end tubes (11) to secure the supporting structure (5, 11, 15) to the ground.