WO2017175183A1

WO2017175183A1 - Portable sunshade, in particular for providing shelter and shade to pets

Info

Publication number: WO2017175183A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/052000
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniela Eliana PIZZIGONI; Emilio MARCOSANO
Original assignee: Texy S.R.L.S.
Priority date: 2016-04-08
Filing date: 2017-04-07
Publication date: 2017-10-12

Abstract

A portable sunshade (9) comprises a canopy (10) convertible between a first closed and folded configuration and a second open and arched configuration, and at least one connecting element (14) connectable to the canopy (10) so that, tightening such connecting element (14) between opposite points of the canopy (10), the latter remains in the open and deployed configuration, so as to create a compartment defined by the connecting element (14) and the canopy (10).

Description

Portable sunshade, in particular for providing shelter and shade to pets Technical sector The present invention lies, in general, in the field of equipment for outdoor activities; in particular, the utility model relates to a portable sunshade, in particular to provide shelter and shade for pets.

Prior Art

Equipment is known such as tents and sunshades, used in particular for outdoor activities, such as camping, that are suitable to provide shelter from the sun.

Such equipment is presented in various forms, such as a simple square or rectangular tarp supported by a pair of sticks that hold up two flaps, or tents with more complex forms (for example of the igloo type or with a hemispherical shell) supported by a structure of folding poles in turn secured to the ground by stakes.

However, the known solutions of the type just described are rather bulky and more and more complex and laborious to assemble, disassemble and store. Moreover, sunshade tents of this type are designed almost exclusively for human beings and for placement on a fixed and stable level surface wherein stakes can be secured.

One problem that arises when one is practicing an activity out of doors, is for example that of ensuring adequate comfort for pets, especially when they are subjected to high temperatures. This may occur, for example, when one is in an open field, on the beach or on a boat, where the animal cannot find shelter from the sun. This, understandably, may cause serious problems for the animal's health. However, it is evident that the aforementioned solutions are not designed for the animals, nor for this kind of application, as they are structured and dimensioned to provide for the comfort and needs of a human user who employs the tool in certain situations. In practice, the assembly kit of conventional tents and sunshades is too heavy and bulky with an assembly too complex to justify their use for a pet (or for the same human being who does not wish to bring along bulky and difficult-to-assemble equipment). This results in the absence of practical, economical and convenient solutions to safeguard the health of pets in particular.

Summary of the invention One object of the present invention is to provide a solution for the easy assembly and disassembly of a sunshade tent, which can be used in the most diverse conditions.

To obtain such result, a sunshade according to the present invention is described hereinafter, with the term 'sunshade' meaning generically a piece of equipment adapted to constitute a shelter in particular from the sun (in the examples illustrated herein, it concerns a tent).

The sunshade comprises a panel or foldable canopy, which can be easily stretched and arched in such a way as to give it a form suitable to accommodate the user (human or, more preferably, animal), for example a semi-cylindrical shape.

The sunshade is configured so that webbings or straps (single or in pairs) are connected to the panel, conveniently fitted on the free end with connecting means capable of joining the straps together (for example, when these ends are in an overlapped position) or to connect the individual straps to the canopy. In this way, with the straps connected to the opposite ends of the flexible panel or canopy, it becomes possible to retain the canopy in an arched position.

Moreover, in one embodiment of the invention, it becomes possible to determine the span of the arch of the canopy by adjusting the length of the straps and/or the length of the section in which they overlap; for example, the longer the straps (and/or the less their ends overlap), the wider and flatter will be the opening of the canopy when it is in a semi- cylindrical configuration. Conversely, the shorter the straps are (and/or the longer the section over which they overlap), the greater will be the curvature of the arc described by the canopy, and therefore closer to a semicircular shape. Alternatively, or in combination, with the straps, it is possible to hold the canopy in a deployed and raised position by means of a flat panel that forms a sort of floor or bottom surface for the sunshade.

It is evident that a similar configuration, extremely simple and compact, allows one to obtain a shelter, mainly for pets, which is easy to transport, easy to assemble and easy to use, in the sense that it is sufficient to connect the two straps to obtain a shaded space where the animal may find shelter. In addition, such a sunshade has an intrinsically stable structure which may support itself (by making the canopy of a sufficiently rigid fabric), or be supported by one or more reinforcing ribs in a more rigid material than that of the canopy, without requiring the flexible metal or plastic poles that are commonly used for conventional tents.

In this way, it is not only simple to assemble and disassemble, but also to position the product on unstable or delicate surfaces, such as the bridge of a boat.

To increase the stability of the sunshade, it is possible to place, for example at the corners of the panel that forms the canopy, pouches that can be ballasted to increase the stability of the sunshade.

It is also possible to attach to the sunshade a mattress, such as of an inflatable type, which may be used to increase the animal's comfort or to allow it to float on water, while still protected from the sun.

Once the reinforcements are removed or repositioned, the canopy may be folded on itself (accordion or otherwise), until it closes into the configuration shown, for example in figure 4, demonstrating how, once disassembled, the sunshade object of this invention is both extremely compact and easy to carry. As already mentioned, the adjustable straps on one hand give stability to the sunshade, and on the other regulate its shape and dimensions, while at the same time provide a very small layout, great simplicity in construction and remarkable economy and simplicity of manufacture and use.

The aforementioned and other objects and advantages are achieved, according to one aspect of the invention, by a sunshade having the features defined in claim 1. Preferential embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims. Brief Description of the Figures

The functional and structural features of some preferred embodiments of a sunshade according to the invention will now be described. Reference is made to the appended drawings, wherein:

- figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a sunshade according to one embodiment of the present invention;

- figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a sunshade according to another embodiment of the present invention;

- figures 3A and 3B are a schematic top view and a schematic front view of a sunshade according to the present invention, respectively in a flattened and arched configuration;

- figure 4 is a schematic view of the sunshade according to one embodiment of the present invention when said sunshade is in a folded condition; and

- figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a sunshade according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Before explaining in detail a plurality of embodiments of the invention, it should be clarified that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the configuration of the components provided in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may assume other embodiments and may be implemented or achieved in essentially different ways. It should also be understood that the phraseology and terminology have descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting.

Initially referring to figure 1, a portable sunshade 9 comprises a canopy 10 convertible between a first closed and folded configuration (shown, for example, in figure 4), and a second open and deployed configuration. In the deployed position, the canopy 10 can assume an arched profile (conveniently, the semi-cylindrical or tunnel configuration of the illustrated example). According to a non-illustrated embodiment, the canopy 10 may be deployed so as to present two or more sloping walls (so as to create a triangular, trapezoidal, etc. sectional tunnel), and/or to provide walls perpendicular to each other (to create a square, rectangular, etc. sectional tunnel). To obtain this effect, it is possible, for example, to have one or more folding lines on the canopy 10, along which the canopy 10 is free to flex and articulate to allow the user to deploy the canopy 10 in the desired configuration.

One or more flexible reinforcements 12 are conveniently associable with the canopy 10 along a first transverse direction X, in order to tighten the structure and support the canopy 10 in a curved position. Optionally, the reinforcements 12 may be removable bands of semi-rigid material which, once the canopy is folded, may be inserted between the folds of the canopy itself and retained therein to increase the compactness and convenience of transport of the sunshade 9.

The sunshade 9 comprises at least one connecting element 14 (preferably a webbing or strap) connectable to the canopy 10 in such a way as to retain this canopy 10 in the open and deployed position to create a compartment defined by the canopy 10 and by such connecting element 14. In this way, tightening or connecting the connecting element 14 between two separate points (conveniently, two opposite points) of the canopy 10 in the open and deployed position, such canopy 10 will remain in the open and deployed configuration. Conveniently, the connecting element 14 is secured or securable to the canopy 10 near or at two opposite edges of such canopy 10. For example, a webbing, strap or other connecting element 14 may be provided with an end already attached to the canopy 10 so that, securing the free end to the opposite side or edge of the canopy 10, the latter remains in the deployed or arched configuration. According to a non-illustrated embodiment, the connecting element 14 may be a planar or panel element adapted to form in whole or in part the portable sunshade 9 when the canopy 10 is in the open and deployed position. Such base panel is secured or securable to the canopy 10 along all or part of the length of two opposite sides or edges of the canopy 10 by, for example, hinge, hook, button, Velcro, etc. means, so as to retain such canopy 10 in the open and deployed position. Preferably, the base panel is hinged on one side of the canopy 10, so that the sunshade 9 is easily foldable into a compact configuration, wherein the connecting element 14 is already joined to the canopy 10, and may be articulated with respect to the latter. Conveniently, the connecting panel 14 may have a square or rectangular shape. In addition, the base panel may in turn be foldable, in such a way as to have a limited encumbrance in the closed configuration and be able to extend in a flat configuration when the canopy 10 is to be retained in the open and deployed position. According to one embodiment, the connecting element 14 may be a mat (preferably made at least partly of a plastic material with a spongy consistency). Conveniently, the mat can be sewn along the canopy 10, and may be secured to the opposite edge in a releasable way using a Velcro strap and/or buttons or other coupling means.

Preferably, the sunshade 9 comprises one or more pairs of webbings or straps 14 connected to the canopy 10 so that, by joining the straps 14 to each other, the canopy 10 may retain an arched shape. In practice, the pair of straps 14, when they are joined by, a means such as buckles, Velcro strips or the like, tightens and holds the canopy 10 in a folded position preventing it from bulging and reopening. In this way, the canopy 10 can create a tubular shell (conical, semi-cylindrical, etc.) preferably open at the ends 10b to allow adequate ventilation to provide shelter from the sun to the occupant (human or, in particular, animal).

By way of example, in the arched position, the strap(s) is a chord of an arc or semicircle described by the section of the canopy. Conveniently, the straps 14 are connectable to the canopy 10 and/or mutually (if present in pairs) near one or both of their ends, by means of mutually complementary connecting or engaging means 16, such as buckles, Velcro, buttons, carabiners, etc. Optionally, there are two pairs of straps 14, spaced along a second longitudinal direction Y. Exclusively for illustrative purposes, such second longitudinal direction Y may be made to coincide with the axis of the semi-cylinder formed by the canopy 10 when it is in an arched configuration. In the entire present description and in the claims, the terms and expressions indicating positions and orientations, such as 'longitudinal' or 'transversal', are to refer to the longitudinal axis Y.

Preferably, at least one or more housings 18 are associated with the canopy 10, for example in the form of pouches or pockets, wherein ballast can be placed to stabilize the sunshade 9 with respect to a support surface. Conveniently, such housings may be located near the corners 10a of the canopy 10, for example as in the embodiment illustrated in figure 3 A, wherein the canopy 10 is a rectangular panel. Optionally, one or more stiffening elements 20 may be coupled to the canopy 10 along the second longitudinal direction Y. The presence of the stiffening elements 20, particularly when placed along the sides of the panel forming the canopy 10, helps to maintain the canopy tight and well positioned. According to one embodiment of the invention, a mattress 22, preferably of the inflatable type, is associable with the canopy 10 so that the sides of the mattress 22 (along the second longitudinal direction Y) are parallel and at least partially connected to the lateral portions of the canopy 10 along the same longitudinal direction Y. In this way, the mattress 22 forms a kind of floor for the sunshade, which increases its comfort or even allows its use in water. Furthermore, along the longitudinal sides of the canopy 10, bands or strips 24 may be provided with eyelets 24a which allow the sunshade 9, to be staked, securing it to the ground. Optionally, to the canopy 10 may be attached a handle 26, which facilitates its transport.

Conveniently, the canopy 10 is made at least partially of a heat-insulating and/or heat- reflecting material. Preferably, the canopy 10 is made at least in part of an anti-glare, acrylic-coated fabric.

The advantage gained is that it is an easy-to-carry, easy-to-install and economical-to- produce tool that can effectively offer shelter from the sun for outdoor activities. Several aspects and embodiments of a sunshade according to the invention have been described. It is intended that each embodiment may be combined with any other embodiment. The invention, moreover, is not limited to the described embodiments, but may be varied within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A portable sunshade (9), comprising:

- a canopy (10) convertible between a first closed and folded configuration and a second open and deployed configuration; and

- at least one flexible reinforcement (12), associable to the canopy (10) along a first transverse direction X;

characterized in that at least one connecting element (14) is connectable to the upper part (10) so that, by tightening said connecting element (14) between opposing points of the canopy (10), said canopy (10) remains in the open and deployed configuration to create a compartment defined by the connecting element (14) and the canopy (10).

2. A sunshade according to claim 1, wherein, in the open and deployed configuration, the canopy (10) assumes an arched profile.

3. A sunshade according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting element (14) is a planar element designed to form in whole or in part the floor of the portable sunshade (9) when the canopy (10) is in the open and deployed position, said planar element being secured or securable to the canopy (10) along all or part of the length of two opposing sides of the canopy (10).

4. A sunshade according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting element (14) is a strap.

5. A sunshade according to claim 4, wherein the sunshade (9) comprises at least a pair of mutually connectable straps (14).

6. A sunshade according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the straps (14) have free ends, in proximity of which there are coupling means (16), adapted for making a connection between the two straps (14) of a same pair and/or between one strap (14) and the canopy

7. A sunshade according to claim 5 or 6, wherein there are two pairs of straps (14) spaced along a second longitudinal direction Y.

8. A sunshade according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more housings (18) adapted to accommodate ballasts for stabilizing the sunshade (9) with respect to a support surface are associable with the canopy (10).

9. A sunshade according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one stiffening element (20) which may be coupled to the canopy (10) along said second longitudinal direction Y.

10. A sunshade according to any one of the preceding claims comprising furthermore a mattress (22) associable to the canopy 10 so that the sides of said mattress (22) along the second longitudinal direction Y are parallel and at least partially connected to the lateral portions of the canopy (10) along the same longitudinal direction Y.