WO2019036781A1

WO2019036781A1 - Awning for swimming pools and outdoor areas

Info

Publication number: WO2019036781A1
Application number: PCT/BR2018/050287
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harry HOVING JUNIOR
Original assignee: Hoving Junior Harry
Priority date: 2017-08-22
Filing date: 2018-08-13
Publication date: 2019-02-28
Also published as: BR202017017938U2; US20210131138A1

Abstract

The present utility model relates to an awning used to cover outdoor areas and to protect same from inclement weather. The innovative aspect of the awning lies in the ease with which it can be transported and erected, and also in its versatility. These attributes are the result of the modular structural design thereof, which has a small number of components, which, in addition to being lightweight and non-complex, allow the structure to be adapted to various use situations.

Description

"Tent for pools and outdoor areas"

Utility Model Field

[1] This utility model (MU) refers to a tent for swimming pools and outdoor areas intended for protection against solar radiation during outdoor activities. This device consists of a cover whose support rods can be firmly fixed to the walls of swimming pools or even on a flat horizontal ground.

Description of prior art

The general change of the modern population from a rural environment to an urban environment has led to a certain standardization of social habits, in particular, those destined for group leisure. It has become very common for the individual living in large cities to devote much of their free time to periods of family recreation in open areas and often in the presence of swimming pools. In order to enjoy such moments without inconvenience, effective protection against solar radiation is highly recommended, especially at times and regions with higher solar incidence. One of the simplest ways to protect against the sun's rays is to physically block its passage, preventing it from reaching people's skin. The roofs, umbrellas, awnings, tents, etc., have fulfilled this function over time. However, the movable covers are not generally designed to be used inside the swimming pools, and when they are, they do not have an efficient form of fixation and stabilization.

[2] This utility model is intended to be a practical and simple solution to such a demand. Some devices bear some resemblance to the current model, such as that disclosed in US6708706. This document protects a utility model consisting of a large table-top mobile structure that supports a retractable fabric cover. This structure can be moved by means of wheels and can also be fixed in the desired place, on the swimming pool, by suction cups that adhere to the floor that surrounds it. Although this device fulfills the function of producing a protective shade on the pool, it is a structure large, heavy and difficult to install, when compared to the model analyzed here. In addition, the mode of attachment also differs from this. While the structure described in the patent may be stabilized by suction cups located on each of its four legs, which adhere to the horizontal surface, located next to the pool, the utility model (MU) is secured to the vertical walls of the pool.

[3] Patent US7229059B1 relates to a multiple use device whose main feature is to be able to be secured by means of strong suction cups on any flat and smooth surface, whether horizontal or vertical. What allows this flexibility of application is that it consists of a fixed part and a movable, interchangeable part. The fixed part consisting of at least one rod with a suction cup at one of its ends, and at the other, several vertical rods can be engaged, which may carry volleyball nets, basketball baskets, banners and, suns Although similar, especially with regard to attachment with suction cups, this device does not present the specific concept of a structure which, with four or two stems as a base, covers a certain area providing shade, as the utility model proposes. Thus, it is clear that the major difference is that the patent US7229059B1 has a generic application only, making no reference to the concept of the structure presented in this MU.

[4] Also in the same line as the previous artifact is document US7503540B2. The technology shown in this document consists of a suction cup assembly, connection, and stem support. The suction suction cup can be placed almost on any surface, provided it is smooth and flat, and can be dry or wet. It can be coupled with rods for the most diverse purposes, such as support for volleyball nets, umbrellas, etc. Like the device US7229059B1, the focus of the utility model is only on the securing member, i.e., the suction cup.

[5] Other devices have a different concept to provide pool protection. The artifact described in US20100186793A1 consists of a semi-spherical hinged structure covered by a screen. One of the distinguishing characteristics of the utility model, and the main difference with respect to the current MU, is the its mobility, since it does not comprise any fastening element to any substrate, such as wall or floor. The structure is designed to float with the convex side up, giving protection and shade to the individuals under its perimeter.

[6] Finally, US20050011134A1 discloses a device consisting of an umbrella which, by means of telescopic rods, can be firmly fixed to the ground. One end of the rods is connected to the upper part of the umbrella structure, while the other ends are fixed to the ground. The final structure has the appearance of a dome in which the upper part is the original sunshade guard. Although the exterior appearance is similar to the M U presented here, its structure and assembly are more complex and the area covered is considerably smaller.

[7] In this way, this utility model represents an innovative improvement for the current structures designed to protect against the sun and other weather, common in open areas.

Objectives of the Utility Model

[8] This utility model aims to offer an improvement to the current solar protection equipment for recreational areas exposed to the environment.

[9] The innovation lies mainly in the greater practicality of transport and assembly of the structure due to the simplicity of installation, lightness and small number of components.

[10] A second purpose of this utility model is to provide greater versatility to the equipment. The concept of modular structure formed by a series of threaded rods allows tents of different sizes to be fitted, adapting them to the extension of the area to be covered. In addition, it is possible to use it in different situations, on grass, earth or even on swimming pools through suction cups. Thus, innovation intends, with the same product, to allow its use according to the necessity of the circumstance, ruling out the requirement of several devices for each different application. [11] Finally, this utility model also aims to reduce production costs, due to the simplicity of the apparatus, which is reflected in the small number of parts and the low final weight.

Brief Description of Utility Model

[12] This utility model refers to a tent for swimming pools and outdoor areas in general. It consists of a structure composed of tubular rods which, when engaged and threaded, form long, hinged and detachable rods, at the lower ends of which are coupled at least one clamping suction cup for each rod; wherein the suction cups are capable of operating in a wet or dry way and are also capable of securing the entire structure to one or more internal faces of a pool.

[13] In one of the versions, the tent is characterized by a dome-like structure composed of four equal, articulated and flexed bow-like stems whose upper ends are joined by a fastening element, forming the top of the dome; said top of the dome comprising a flexible and opaque fabric; the other four lower ends are secured to the side walls of a pool by means of suction cups, forming the horizontal base of the structure.

[14] In another version of the model, intended to be used on the ground, there are no suction cups, since the lower ends of the rods are stuck directly into the ground.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 - The figure reveals the outdoor tent, with detail for the eyelets of the X-band and the ring for fixing the elastic. The last rod is attached to a spit / plastic hook with the elastic in it tied to hold the fabric.

Figure 2 - View of the tent in its version with suction cups for the pool cover.

Figure 3 - View of installed pool tent. Figure 4 - Tent for swimming pools already in place. This cover is provided with only two stems and a horizontal fabric on the frame.

Figure 5 - Side view of the two-rod tent revealing the perpendicular angle between the second segments and the inner wall of the pool.

Detailed Description of the Utility Model

[15] This utility model consists of a pool cover, but can also be installed in open areas such as gardens, fields, sand, beach, etc. The cover consists of a dome-shaped tent, the structure of which comprises a set of four long rods 3, which are formed by a set of small tubular rods 9 threaded one behind the other. The number of rods 9 is variable as a function of the size of the structure to be raised. The four rods 3 are curved in the shape of an arch and held together at one end by a connector, forming the top of the cover 1, which is covered by a fabric 2 that blocks the passage of sunlight. The base of the structure is formed by the lower ends 7 of the rods which may have attachment accessories such as plastic skewers with the hook 4 for the elastic. Each of these four ends is coupled to a clamping suction cup 10, whereby at least one suction cup is provided for each rod. Designed to work on both a dry, wet or even submerged surface, they are designed to firmly attach the entire structure to the pool walls, preferably vertical. The fabric 2 covering the upper part of the frame is held under tension by means of at least four elastics 5, the ends of which connectively draw the fabric 2 at each lower end 7 of the rods by means of rings, the hooks 4 of the skewers attached to them or to each suction cup 10.

A second version of the tent is designed to be used over land or sand often in gardens, open fields or the beach. In this version of the tent, the four suction cups are absent and the lower ends 7 of the plastic spit rods are introduced directly into the soil, at a depth which allows the structure to stabilize. The tent assembly can be assisted by an X 8-shaped tape that is placed open and extended over the ground, marking the area that will be occupied by the structure. Each of the four ends of the ribbon, equipped with an eyelet 6, is pierced by the lower end 7 of each rod which is then stuck in the ground. The elastics 5 which secure the fabric 2 to the top of the cover are tied at its upper ends to the fabric 2 and, at the lower ends, to the rings or hooks 4 fixed to the lower ends 7 of the rods either directly or by means of accessories such as plastic skewers.

In another embodiment, the structure may be comprised of a horizontal fabric cover 11 supported by only two L-shaped rods. This structure is also constituted by a series of square cross-section rods engaged with each other by means of pins or threads, forming long stems. The modular nature of the structure is responsible for its portability and ease of assembly. The rods comprise two segments, a first 13 and a second 12, joined at one of its ends so as to form an angle of 90 ° therebetween. The rods are joined by their first segments 13 by a pivoting point 14 which allows the rotation of one rod relative to another in a plane parallel to the inner face of the pool. Each first segment 13 comprises a lower tip 16 opposite the interface with the second segment, which tip is inserted into a suction cup 10 designed to operate on any smooth flat surface. The rods are positioned in such a way that their second segments 12 always remain parallel to each other and perpendicular to the pool face where the entire structure is secured. These second segments 12 support in the space between them the opaque fabric 11 which provides protection against sunlight.

Therefore, it should be understood that the tent for swimming pools and outdoor areas and their parts and components described are only some of the embodiments and examples of situations which could occur, the actual scope of protection of the utility model is defined in the claims .

Claims

A tent for pools and outdoor areas characterized by a structure composed of tubular rods (9) which, when engaged and threaded together, form long, hinged and collapsible rods (3), in which lower ends (7) are coupled , at least one suction cup (10) for each rod (3); the suction cups (10) being capable of operating in the wet or dry way and are also capable of securing the tent structure to one or more inner faces of a pool.

A tent for swimming pools and outdoor areas according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a size-adjustable structure depending on the number of rods (9) comprised by each of the rods (3).

Swimming pool tent and outdoor areas according to claim 2, characterized in that it has a dome-shaped structure composed of four equal, articulated and flexed bow-like stems (3), the upper ends of which are joined by an element securing the top of the dome (1); said top of the dome (1) comprising a flexible and opaque fabric (2); the other four lower ends 7 are secured to the side walls of a pool by means of suction cups 10 forming the horizontal base of the structure.

Swimming pool tent and outdoor areas according to claim 3, characterized in that the four lower ends of the rods (7) provided with a plastic spike with hook (4) for fixing the elastic are placed directly on the ground without the presence suction cups; (4) of the skewer being attached an end of an elastic (5) whose second end is secured to the fabric (2) covering the frame; the base of this structure is delimited by an X-band (8), the four ends of which have at least one eyelet (6) each, each of which is pierced by each of the lower ends (7) of the four rods (3). Swimming pool tent and outdoor areas according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises two L-shaped rods, each composed of a series of tubular rods of square cross-section comprising two segments, a first segment (13) and a second segment (12), the first and second segments of each rod being joined at a 90 degree interface (15) with each other; the rods are joined in their first segments (13) by a pivot point (14), which allows rotation of one rod relative to the other in a plane parallel to the inner face of the pool; the second segments (12) are arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the inner face of the pool; the space between the second segments houses a flexible and opaque fabric (11); the angularity existing between the first two segments (13) can be adjusted; each first segment (13) comprising a lower tip (16) disposed opposite the interface with the second segment, said lower tip (16) is each inserted in at least one suction cup (10) capable of operating in a dry way or underwater.