GB2478121A

GB2478121A - Aerodynamic parasol

Info

Publication number: GB2478121A
Application number: GB201003100A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jamal Uddin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-02-24
Filing date: 2010-02-24
Publication date: 2011-08-31
Anticipated expiration: 2030-02-24
Also published as: GB2478121B; GB201003100D0

Abstract

An aerodynamic parasol 10 comprises an elongate support member 12 having a ground end 34 and a finial end 32, and a plurality of rigid elongate rectilinear rib elements 14 which are connected to the support member 12 at the finial end 32 by a radially movable hinge mechanism 37. A runner mechanism 16 is provided for pivotably moving the rib elements 14 between a stowage position and an erected position at which the rib elements 14 are perpendicular to the support member 12. The canopy element 20, in the erected position, is drawn taut by radially outwards movement of a pivot axis of the hinge mechanism 37 to form the planar or substantially planar surface. A substantially flat canopy is more likely to withstand strong winds.

Description

Aerodynamic Parasol The present invention relates to an aerodynamic parasol, particularly but not necessarily exclusively for use in a beach environment.

Parasols are widely used on beaches by typically being directly embedded in the sand or with a weighted base, for examp'e, at tables outside neighbouring bars and restaurants.

However, with on and off shore winds being common at beach areas due to the fluctuating land and sea temperatures, often the parasols will act as wind traps and be blown over.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem.

According to the present invention, there is provided an aerodynamic parasol comprising an elongate support member having a ground end and a finial end, a plurality of rigid elongate rectilinear rib elements which are connected to the support member at or substantially at the finial end by a radially movable hinge mechanism, a runner mechanism for pivotably moving the rib elements between a stowage position and an erected position at which the rib elements are perpendicular to the support member, a holding mechanism for releasably holding the rib elements in their perpendicular erected position, and a canopy element which is attached to and overlies the rib elements, the canopy element in the erected position being drawn tauter by radially outwards movement of a pivot axis of the said hinge mechanism to form a planar or substantially planar surface.

Preferable and/or optional features of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 23, inclusive.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a side elevational view of one embodiment of an aerodynamic parasol, in accordance with the invention and in an erected condition; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the parasol, shown in Figure 1 and from below; Figure 3 shows an enlarged cross-sectional portion of part of the holding mechanism, rib elements, and runner mechanism; Figures 4a and 4b show diagrammatic plan views of an expandable and contractible hinge mechanism to which the rib elements are attached at the finial end; Figure 5 shows an elevational view of part of the holding mechanism, rib elements, and runner mechanism, similar to Figure 3 but not in cross-section; and Figure 6 shows a top plan view of the parasol, shown in Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown one embodiment of an aerodynamic parasol which comprises an elongate support member 12, a plurality of rib elements 14, a runner mechanism 16 for raising the rib elements 14, a holding mechanism 18 for holding the rib elements 14 in their raised or erected state, and a canopy element 20 for providing shade to a user.

The elongate support member 12 in this embodiment is height-adjustable by having a lower ground-engageable pole element 22 and a canopy-support mast element 24 which is telescopically extendable from and retractable into the pole element 22. A detent or locking mechanism 26 is provided at or adjacent to one end of the pole element 22 for holding the mast element 24 in a selected state of extension or retraction. The detent or locking mechanism 26 may include a lever 28 having a cam portion 30 at its pivot axis, the cam portion 30 providing releasable wedging or pushing engagement with the mast element 24 when the lever 28 is in a locked position.

The support member 12, typically being plastics, metal or wood, is rectilinear and centrally provided so as to extend from a finial end 32 at or adjacent to which the rib elements 14 are provided straight to a ground end 34 for location in the ground or a weighted base. Although not hingable in this embodiment, a releasably lockable hinged joint may be provided partway along the support member 12, typically being partway along the mast element 24. This allows for orientation of the rib elements 14 without needing to remove and relocate the pole element 22.

The support member 12 has a circular or substantially circular lateral cross-section along its longitudinal extent. However, it may preferably be a more aerodynamic cross-section, such as oval. In use, the narrow side of the oval cross-section is thus positioned to face the predominant direction of the wind.

Each rib element 14 may be one-piece and is hingably connected to the support member 12 at or adjacent to the finial end 32. Preferably, very little or no support member 12 protrudes above the rib elements 14.

To cover any potential opening at the finial end 32 between the support member 12 and the rib elements 14, a finial cap 36 is provided. The finial cap 36 has an aerodynamic outer surface 38 which is part-spherical or part-ovoidal. In this case, the finial cap 36 is less than hemispherical, thereby lowering its profile and thus air-resistance. However, the finial cap 36 may have a hemispherical outer surface.

The rib elements 14 are equi-angularly spaced around the support member 12, and are hinged from a radially movable hinge mechanism 37 extending around a collar 39 which is, preferably, fastened to the body of the mast element 24. The said hinge mechanism 37 comprises a wire coil 41 which allows radial expansion and contraction within the collar body and thus radial outwards movement of all the rib elements 14 simultaneously. The proximal ends 48 of the rib elements 14 are hingably connected to the wire coil 41, and the proximal ends 48 include cam elements 51. The collar 39 may be provided with guide channels 39a for entraining the slidable movement of the proximal hinge ends 48 of the rib elements 14 and the pivoting of the cam elements 51 all within the collar body. In this case, the wire coil 41 would extend through apertures or slots 39b in the side walls of the guide channels. The apertures or slots would typically be elongate in a radial direction to accommodate expansion and contraction of the wire coil 41. The collar 39 includes a radially outwardly extending top flange 43 against which the rib elements 14 bear and slide when reaching their fully extended perpendicular extent.

Each rib element 14 has a length, a depth and a width. The depth extends in a general vertical direction when the parasol 10 is erected, and the width extends in a general horizontal direction. Preferably, to prevent or limit flexing of the rectilinear rib element 14 the depth may be greater than the width. A lateral cross-section of the rib element 14 is preferably aerodynamic, and thus may be circular or more preferably elliptical.

The runner mechanism 16 includes a runner hub 40 which is generally cylindrical and slidably received on the mast element 24, and a plurality of rigid rectilinear struts 42 which are pivotably engaged with a runner collar 44 which rests on the runner hub 40 at one end and hingably connected to respective rib elements 14 at the other end. The hinge connection 46 of the struts 42 to the rib elements 14 is partway between the ends 48, 50 of the rib elements 14, and preferably between the hinge mechanism 37 of the rib elements 14 and their midway points 54.

Each strut 42 is also preferably aerodynamically shaped about its lateral extent. As such, a lateral cross-sectional shape may be circular or elliptical. In the latter case, the narrow edge of the elliptically shaped strut 42 is preferably facing towards a vertical plane when the parasol 10 is erected and in use.

The canopy element 20 is preferably a one-piece blank of pliantly flexible material, such as fabric. The canopy element 20 is also preferably opaque to provide shade and overlies the rib elements 14. In this embodiment, the canopy element 20 extends uninterruptedly from or substantially from the proximal end 48 of each rib element 14 at or adjacent to the hinge mechanism 37 to the free distal end 50. The canopy element 20 does not overhang the distal ends 50, but a depending perimeter skirt may be provided, and preferably the canopy element 20 is devoid of vents.

The canopy element 20 is attached to the rib elements 14 at at least three points spaced apart along the longitudinal extents of the rib elements 14. In this case, the attachment points 56 are at or adjacent to the distal end 50, at or adjacent to the proximal end 48, and substantially midway therebetween.

The hinging of the rib elements 14 is such that they can be pivoted so as to be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the support member 12, and thus coplanar or substantially coplanar. As the runner hub 40 is pushed towards the finial end, the struts 42 urge the rib elements 14 radially outwards via the cam elements 51 such that the hinge mechanism 37 expands. Compare Figure 4b with Figure 4a. In this erected condition, the overlying canopy element 20 is drawn taut by the struts 42, hinge mechanism 37 and cam elements 51 acting together. The taut canopy element 20 thereby defines a planar or substantially planar upper surface 58, bar the finial cap 36.

In the erected condition, the finial cap 36 has a sufficient rim diameter to overlie the pivot axes of the hinges 50 of the rib elements 14 and the inner edge 60 of the canopy element.

The rib elements 14 are held in the perpendicular erected position by the struts 42 and the runner hub 40. The holding mechanism 18 is partly incorporated with the runner mechanism 16. Tn this case, the holding mechanism 18 includes a pin element 62 which is receivable laterally through the runner hub 40. A spring 64 may also be included around the exterior of the mast element 24 between the runner hub 40 and the finial end 32. This acts as a buffer which together with the top flange 43 resists and limits uplift of the rib elements 14 beyond the perpendicular caused by wind being caught beneath the canopy element 20.

The proximal ends of the struts may also include a similar expandable and contractible hinge mechanism as mentioned above, along with the aforementioned cam elements at proximal ends of the struts.

A cam arrangement could also be considered at the pivotable joint between the struts and the rib elements to further extend the rib elements radially outwards and thus tighten the canopy element.

Although the cam elements are provided on the rib elements and/or struts, they could additionally or alternatively be incorporated into the finial end collar and/or the runner collar.

Although the cam elements are preferable, since they provide positive engagement of the rib elements at all times with the finial end collar, they could be dispensed with. In this case, the radially movable hinge mechanism without the cam elements would simply be relied upon.

The rib elements may be independent of each other, instead of being interlinked by the wire coil of the hinge mechanism. In this case, the cam elements would be beneficial to maintain positive engagement with the finial end collar. However, the cam elements could be dispensed with as long as radial movement of the rib elements was still permitted.

The holding mechanism may be in other forms, such as a windable pulley system, an internal spring mechanism for assisting manual sliding of the runner hub, and or a sprung detent for automatically latching the runner hub in the erected condition.

The holding mechanism may also be adapted to hold the runner hub at an intermediate condition which is spaced from the position of the erected condition in a direction away from the finial end. In this way, the rib elements and canopy element can be partly splayed but not fully erected to the perpendicular and planar positions.

When the holding mechanism is released and the runner hub is slid fully down, the rib elements and struts are brought parallel or substantially parallel to the support member for stowage.

The support member is preferably tubular and hollow, but may be solid or at least in part solid.

The support member may also be a cantilevered support instead of a central rectilinear support. The rib elements and the canopy element are suspended from the cantilevered support and the finial end is beneath the canopy element rather than above.

It is thus possible to provide an aerodynamic parasol for beach environment use. The parasol can also be used in other environments, such as in a snow environment or even in a domestic environment. The parasol is more aerodynamic by providing a planar taut canopy element and coplanar rib elements, and thus less likely to catch the wind. By also providing for aerodynamically shaped support member, rib elements and especially finial cap, air resistance from winds, such as on and off shore sea breezes, is markedly reduced. The radially moveable hinge mechanism increases the tautness of the canopy element, again resisting breezes.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. An aerodynamic parasol comprising an elongate support member having a ground end and a finial end, a plurality of rigid elongate rectilinear rib elements which are connected to the support member at or substantially at the finial end by a radially movable hinge mechanism, a runner mechanism for pivotably moving the rib elements between a stowage position and an erected position at which the rib elements are perpendicular to the support member, a holding mechanism for releasably holding the rib elements in their perpendicular erected position, and a canopy element which is attached to and overlies the rib elements, the canopy element in the erected position being drawn tauter by radially outwards movement of a pivot axis of the said hinge mechanism to form a planar or substantially planar surface.
2. An aerodynamic parasol as claimed in claim 1, wherein the canopy element extends uninterruptedly between the distal ends and proximal ends of the rib elements.
3. An aerodynamic parasol as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the canopy element extends from the distal end of the rib elements to the proximal end.
4. An aerodynamic parasol as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the canopy element is attached to each rib element at the proximal end, the distal end, and partway therebetween.
5. An aerodynamic parasol as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hinge mechanism includes a cam element for extending an associated rib element so that the canopy element is draw taut.
6. An aerodynamic parasol as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cam element is at a proximal end of the rib element.
7. An aerodynamic parasol as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a finial cap having an aerodynamic uniformly part spherical or part ovoidal outer surface.
8. An aerodynamic parasol as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the said hinge mechanism includes a wire coil to which the rib elements are pivotably connected in equi-angularly spaced relationship.
9. An aerodynamic parasol as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rib elements have an aerodynamic lateral cross-section for reducing air resistance.
10. An aerodynamic parasol as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the runner mechanism includes a runner hub which is slidable on the support member, and a plurality of struts which are hingably connected to the runner hub at one end and to the rib elements at the other end.
11. An aerodynamic parasol as claimed in claim 10, wherein the in use struts urge the rib elements to expand the said hinge mechanism.
12. An aerodynamic parasol as claimed in claim 11, wherein the struts have an aerodynamic lateral cross-section for reducing air-resistance.
13. An aerodynamic parasol as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer surface of the finial cap is solely part-spherical to reduce air-resistance.
14. An aerodynamic parasol as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a radius of the outer surface of the finial cap to the pole is or is less than a radius to a perimeter edge of the finial cap.
15. An aerodynamic parasol as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the canopy element is a one-piece blank.
16. An aerodynamic parasol as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the canopy element is devoid of vents.
17. An aerodynamic parasol as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding mechanism can releasably hold the rib elements in at least one secondary position partway between the perpendicular erected position and the stowage position.
18. An aerodynamic parasol as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each rib element has a thickness and a depth which are different from each other
19. An aerodynamic parasol as claimed in claim 18, wherein the depth of each rib element is greater than the thickness so as to in use prevent or limit flex.
20. An aerodynamic parasol as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support member is telescopic.
21. An aerodynamic parasol as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support member is hingable to adjust a position of the canopy element.
22. An aerodynamic parasol as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding mechanism includes a spring which is received around the support member at or adjacent to the finial end.
23. An aerodynamic parasol as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding mechanism is at least in part included with the runner mechanism.
24. An aerodynamic parasol as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support member is elongate and rectilinear, being centrally provided relative to the rib elements and the canopy element.
25. An aerodynamic parasol as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the rib elements and canopy element are suspendable from the support member.
26. An aerodynamic parasol substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.