US20250092711A1

US20250092711A1 - Tiltable partial canopy

Info

Publication number: US20250092711A1
Application number: US18/889,347
Authority: US
Inventors: David Michael St Clair; Ashley Dawn Stone
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: ST CLAIR, DAVID MICHAEL
Priority date: 2023-09-20
Filing date: 2024-09-18
Publication date: 2025-03-20
Also published as: WO2025064589A1

Abstract

A tiltable partial canopy for two chaise lounges side by side using a tension strap that spreads the canopy open to its maximum extent. The tension strap passes through tensioners to frictionally retain the canopy at a desired tilt angle.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a tiltable partial canopy.

BACKGROUND ART

Hotels and resorts provide outdoor chaise lounges to customers for lounging outside for extended periods. For example, many hotels and resorts provide chaise lounges around swimming pools. Owners of residences also may own outdoor chaise lounges.
Often users of chaise lounges wish to use a plurality of chaise lounges side by side, so one or more companions can be close by.
Chaise lounges may need to be moved to different locations. For example, users may want to bring chaise lounges to the beach. However, in many beach resorts, although the resorts are near the beach, the beaches themselves are public property, and hotels and resorts therefore cannot permanently place chaise lounges on the beach for use by their customers.
When lounging outside during the day, users are exposed to the sun.
Users of outdoor chaise lounges may want to have both shade from the sun for parts of their chaise lounges (typically the head area), and also a view of their surroundings or of other people (such as children) when lounging outside. However, the angle of the sun changes during the day, so a fixed partial canopy will not provide shade over desired parts of a chaise lounge at certain times of the day. But a full canopy will obstruct a user's view of the surroundings and other people.
Hotels and resorts may provide cabanas, or bounded areas that can receive two or more chaise lounges side by side, but the cabanas are not movable because they are made from frames that are fixed to the ground.
Hotels and resorts may have locations at which frames for cabanas can be left overnight or longer periods, but the frames for the cabanas must be built in place, which incurs substantial labor and materials costs, as opposed to frames that can be assembled from parts that are shipped from a manufacturer.
If a canopy is tilted to provide shade from the sun, but it starts to rain, it is desired to be able to tilt the canopy to protect from the rain.
Thus, there is a long felt but unmet need for a device that can provide shade for desired parts of two or more side by side chaise lounges during the entire day, and also a view of surroundings and people. Preferably, this device can be easily assembled from parts shipped from a manufacturer, or disassembled and collapsed for transportation and storage.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,036,033 to Fisher, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a portable canopy and beach shelter construction having a hinge allowing changing of the angle of the device.
US Patent Application Publication 20070295380 to Glaeser, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a foldable pavilion with articulated arrangements on hubs on both sides of the roof for changing the inclination of the roof element. Moving the tensioning braces changes the tensioning angle and the size of the roof element. Paragraph says previously known beach shells can only be moved as a whole, and previously known such shells are suitable only as partial sun protection.
Korea patent application publication KR200175249Y1 to Bank Chang Sik, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a sunshade tent with a frame that can be tilted.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,612,268 to Bobucky, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a portable canopy assembly (forming a partial canopy) with a canopy frame, but does not appear to provide for adjusting the angle of the canopy.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,402,544 to Artim, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a canopy that appears only to be fully open or fully closed, but discloses a flexible strap interconnecting most of the U-shaped members to assist in obtaining desired spacing of the members in the unfolded position (Abstract).
U.S. Pat. No. 8,267,106 to Jordache, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a frame with a collapsible canopy that is either fully retracted or fully deployed, having arch members that move along tracks.
US Patent Application Publication 20140183900 to Mobley, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a load covering device for rapid deployment, including a full canopy.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,125,350 to Dunn, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a collapsible frame having 5 struts with a canopy that can be expanded.
None of these provides a device that can provide both shade from the sun for parts of two or more side by side chaise lounges during the entire day, and also a view of surroundings and people, when lounging outside.
Further, devices that provide collapsible partial canopies that can be tilted usually use inverted square arch shaped ribs carrying the fabric of the canopy, with the ends of the ribs mounted on complex hinges, so that each rib rotates around the hinges independently of the other ribs (except to the extent pulled by the fabric), so that retention of the canopy in a spread configuration requires mechanisms near the hinges to prevent undesired rotation of the ribs closing the canopy. This requires that the mechanisms provide substantial frictional force, because of the low moment arm near the hinges.
Also, with this configuration, each of the ribs must be rotated independently to tilt the canopy, except to the extent that the canopy can pull other ribs to the tilted position. Thus, the canopy can only be tilted as a whole by pulling or pushing on the edge rib (a rib at the edge of the canopy) furthest in the desired tilt direction, so that the edge rib pulls the fabric of the canopy and all the other ribs (which are attached to the canopy) to tilt the canopy as a whole. The canopy cannot be tilted as a whole simply by pushing or pulling on any other ribs in the desired tilt direction, because at least the edge rib would fail to rotate, so the canopy would collapse between the edge rib and the rib being pushed or pulled. Thus, additional ribs would also need to be pushed or pulled to tilt the canopy as a whole. Also, if a user has hands that are dirty (because of suntan lotion or otherwise), tilting the canopy would cause the fabric or ribs of the canopy to become dirty, which would be difficult to clean. Thus, it would be desirable to tilt the canopy by touching something other than the canopy or its ribs.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device that can provide both shade from the sun for parts of two or more side by side chaise lounges during the entire day, and also a view of surroundings and people.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a device that has a simple device for simultaneously spreading the partial canopy, including preventing undesired rotation of the members that carry the canopy fabric from collapsing the partial canopy, and for allowing easy tilting of the partial canopy as a unit, without requiring substantial frictional force near hinges for the canopy.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a device that can be easily tilted without making the fabric or ribs of the canopy dirty.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The above and other objects are achieved by a tiltable partial canopy that includes a bottomless collapsible and expandable substantially rectangular frame formed from a front member, a rear member, and two side members. The side members define the width of the frame. A spreadable and collapsible canopy substantially spans the width of the frame, having first and second edges substantially parallel to the front member and the rear member, and is detachably rotatably mounted to rotate around a horizontal axis. The horizontal axis is substantially parallel to the front member and the rear member, and is substantially between the front and rear members, and substantially coplanar with, or above, a plane containing the frame. The canopy is spreadable to form an opened partial canopy having a maximum extent that is less than 180 degrees when the first and second edges are rotated around the horizontal axis in opposite directions. Tensioners are attached to the front and rear members of the frame. A detachable tension strap is attached at a first end to a first edge of the canopy, passes through the tensioners, and is detachably attached at a second end to a second edge of the canopy. The tension strap has a strap length that spreads the canopy to substantially the maximum extent when the first end of the strap is attached to the first edge of the canopy, then passes through the tensioners, and then the second end of the strap is attached to the second edge of the canopy, to frictionally retain the opened canopy tilting at a desired and adjustable tilt angle between the front and rear members of the frame.
Preferably, detaching the second end of the tension strap from the second edge of the canopy allows the canopy to be collapsed, and the canopy can be detached from the frame, and the members of the rectangular frame and the tensioners can be collapsed for storage and transportation. At a later time, the members of the rectangular frame and the tensioners can be assembled and the canopy can be detachably remounted to rotate around the horizontal axis, and the tension strap can be reattached to the edges of the canopy through the tensioners to frictionally retain the opened canopy tilting at a desired and adjustable tilt angle between the front and rear members of the frame.
Preferably, the maximum extent of the opened partial canopy is less than 120 degrees.
Optimally, the maximum extent of the opened partial canopy is less than 90 degrees.
Preferably, the members of the rectangular frame are all removable and detachable from each other into separate members.
Preferably, two of the members of the rectangular frame are hingedly attached to the remaining two of the members, and the remaining two of the members are hinged near the middle to be foldable, so that the remaining two of the members can be folded to collapse the frame for storage and transportation.
Preferably, the tensioners are tension blocks attached to the front and rear members.
In other words, the invention is a portable fixably angularly adjustable canopy partial shade for a plurality of chaise lounges that includes a bottomless collapsible and expandable rectangular frame formed from a front member, a rear member, and two side members, all detachably attached to each other, with the frame being large enough to receive the chaise lounges side by side. A plurality of ribs, each shaped as a flat arch with rounded corners, substantially spanning the width of the frame, and high enough to clear the chaise lounges, is rotatably mounted to rotate around a horizontal axis substantially parallel to the front member and the rear member, substantially between the front and rear members, and substantially coplanar with, or above, a plane defined by the frame. A spreadable and collapsible canopy having front and rear edges is mounted on the ribs, wherein the canopy is spreadable to form an opened canopy having a maximum extent of less than 180 degrees when the first and second edges are rotated around the horizontal axis in opposite directions. Tension blocks attached to the front and rear edges of the frame. A detachable tension strap detachably attachable to the front edge of the canopy and attached to the rear edge of the canopy, and passing under the front and rear edges of the frame, and through the tension blocks, has a length so that the tension strap spreads the canopy open when the ends of the strap are attached to the edges of the canopy and the strap passes though the tension blocks, to provide friction to maintain tension in the tension strap, and to frictionally retain the opened canopy tilting at a desired and adjustable tilt angle between the front and rear members of the frame. Detaching the tension strap collapses the canopy, and the canopy can be detached from said rectangular frame. The members of the rectangular frame and the tension blocks can be disassembled for storage and transportation. At a later time, the members of the rectangular frame and the tensioners can be assembled and the canopy can be detachably remounted to rotate around the horizontal axis, and the tension strap can be reattached to the edges of the canopy to frictionally retain the opened canopy tilting at a desired and adjustable tilt angle between the front and rear members of the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention in the opened configuration.

FIG. 2 is a side cutaway view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is the same as FIG. 2 , but showing the canopy tilted towards the rear member in solid line, and showing the canopy tilted towards the front member in dotted line.

FIG. 4 is a perspective closeup view of the tensioning block of the presently preferred embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the presently preferred embodiment, showing two chaise lounges received therein.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative foldable presently preferred embodiment with the canopy collapsed, the frame in the unfolded configuration, and the tension strap detached from the canopy.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the presently preferred embodiment with the canopy collapsed, showing two chaise lounges received therein.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the frame of the embodiment of FIG. 6 in the folded configuration.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION

The presently preferred best modes for carrying out the present invention are illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 1 to 8 .
Referring to FIG. 1 , shown is a presently preferred embodiment 100, comprising a bottomless assembleable and diassembleable substantially rectangular frame 200 formed from a front member 210, a rear member 220, and two side members 230 and 240. The side members 230 and 240 define the width of the frame 200. Preferably, the members 210, 220, 230 and 240 are assembleable and diassembleable by stainless steel lag screws 250 or other mechanisms known to the ordinary artisan. In an alternative presently preferred embodiment, the members 210, 220, 230 and 240 are foldable and shipped or stored in a collapsed configuration (see FIGS. 6 and 8 ), and are expanded for use to form the frame 200. Of course, any other means known by the ordinary artisan can be used to make the frame 200 expandable and collapsible. Preferably bottom pads 270 are provided under the front member 210 and rear member 220 to provide stability for the frame 200, and to provide a surface to support the chaise lounges (especially if the embodiment is on beach sand or some other soft surface), and to hold the tensioners 500 in place. Preferably, the frame 200 has no bottom, so that the frame 200 can be collapsed. Preferably the members are made from recycled composite lumber and stainless steel hardware.
A spreadable and collapsible canopy 300 substantially spans the width of the frame 200 and has first and second edges substantially parallel to the front member 210 and the rear member 220. Preferably, the first edge is a front edge 310 and the second edge is a rear edge 320 (see FIG. 2 ), but these can be reversed.
Preferably, the canopy 300 is detachably rotatably mounted to the frame 200 by being attached to a hinge assembly 400 to rotate around a horizontal axis that is substantially parallel to the front member 210 and rear member 220, substantially between the front member 210 and rear member 220, and substantially coplanar with, or above, a plane containing the frame 200. Preferably, a quick release pin 420 (see FIG. 6 ) or other similar mechanism enables the hinge assembly 400, and therefore the canopy 300, to be detachably mounted to the frame 200.
Preferably, the canopy 300 is spreadable to form an opened partial canopy having a maximum extent that subtends less than the 120 degree arc between the front member 210 and rear member 220 when the first and second edges are rotated around the horizontal axis in opposite directions.
Optimally, the opened partial canopy subtends less than 90 degrees when the first and second edges are rotated around the horizontal axis in opposite directions.
Preferably, the canopy 300 comprises a plurality of inverted square arch shaped ribs that carry a fabric 350 by being attached to the fabric, such as by being sewn in, or by being received in pockets or seams, or in other diverse ways known to the ordinary artisan. Preferably, the fabric is a mesh shade fabric to allow for air ventilation as well as views through the canopy, but the fabric can be made of some other suitable fabric. Preferably, the ribs are tubular.
Preferably, tensioners 500 are attached to the front and rear members of the frame.
A detachable tension strap 600 having a first end (preferably front end 610) and second end (preferably rear end 620 (shown in FIG. 2 )) is detachably attached to a first edge (preferably front edge 310) of the canopy 300 and attached at the rear end 620 to a second edge (preferably rear edge 320) of the canopy 300, and passes through the tensioners 500. Preferably, the tension strap 600 has a strap length that spreads the canopy 300 to its maximum extent when the front end 610 is attached to the front edge 310, then passes through the tensioners 500, and then the rear end 620 is attached to the rear edge 320 of the canopy 300, so that the tensioners 500 create sufficient friction on the tension strap 600 to frictionally retain the opened canopy 300 tilting at a desired and adjustable tilt angle between the front and rear members of the frame, and so that the tilt of the canopy as a whole can be adjusted by pulling only on the tension strap 600. Because the tilt angle of the canopy 600 can be adjusted by manipulating only the strap 600, if the user's hands are dirty, only the strap 600 becomes dirty when the canopy 300 is being tilted. It is much easier to clean the strap 600 than the canopy 300. Thus, the tension strap allows the tilt position of the canopy to be easily changed by hand, yet the tilt angle stays in the desired angle via the tension strap.
Preferably the tension strap 600 is detachable from the canopy 300 by using a buckle 650 mounted near the front end 610 of the tension strap 600. In this manner, detaching the front end 610 of the tension strap 600 from the front edge 310 of the canopy 300 allows the canopy 300 to be collapsed. Because the canopy can be collapsed by manipulating only the buckle 650 and the strap 600, if the user's hands are dirty, only the buckle 650 and strap 600 become dirty when the canopy is detached. It is much easier to clean the strap 600 and buckle 650 than the canopy 300.
Preferably, the canopy 300 can be detached by detaching the hinge assembly 400 from the side members 230 and 240.
Preferably, the members of the frame 210, 220, 230 and 240 and the tensioners 500 can be collapsed (such as by being folded) for storage and transportation.
Preferably also, at a later time and place, the members 210, 220, 230 and 240 of the frame and the tensioners 500 can be assembled or expanded (such as by being unfolded-see FIG. 6 ) and the hinge assembly 400 can be reattached to the side members 230 and 240 of the frame 200, and the canopy 300 can be detachably remounted on the hinge assembly 400 to rotate around the horizontal axis, and the tension strap 600 can be reattached to the front edge 310 and rear edge 320 of the canopy 300 to frictionally retain the opened canopy 300 tilting at a desired and adjustable tilt angle between the front member 210 and rear member 220 of the frame.
Referring to FIG. 2 , shown is a cutaway view from the right side of the embodiment of FIG. 1 along the line 2-2. As can be seen, it is presently preferred that the tensioners 500 comprise tensioner blocks 550 attached to the front member 210 and rear member 220 that bear against the tension strap 600 as it wraps around the lower and outer surfaces of the front member 210 and rear member 220. However, any type of tensioner known to the ordinary artisan can be used for the present invention. As can be seen, the tension strap 600 is taut and spreads the canopy 300 to its full extent.
Referring to FIG. 3 , shown is the same embodiment as in FIG. 2 , but showing the canopy tilted towards the rear member 220 shown in solid line, and showing the canopy tilted towards the front member 210 shown in dotted line.
Referring to FIG. 4 , shown is a perspective view of the tension strap 600 passing over the tensioner block 550 and then wrapping around the lower and outer surfaces of the front member 210.
Referring to FIG. 5 , shown is a perspective view of the presently preferred embodiment in the expanded configuration, with two chaise lounges received being shown in dotted line. Of course, the invention can be configured to receive any number of chaise lounges.
Referring to FIG. 6 , shown is a top plan view of an alternative foldable presently preferred embodiment, with the tension strap 600 detached from the canopy 300, allowing the canopy 300 to accordion fold, such as when not in use. FIG. 6 shows interior hinges 260 on the interior of the side members 230 and 240 near the ends of the side members 230 and 240 (set away from the corners of the frame to accommodate the bottom pads 270 and the tensioners 500), hingedly joining the side members 230 and 240 to the front member 210 and rear member 220, and exterior hinges 280 on the exterior of the side members 230 and 240, near the middle of the side members 230 and 240, allowing the side members 230 and 240 to be folded to collapse the frame 200. With these hinges, the frame 200 is collapsible and expandable for transportation and storage, avoiding the possibility of losing members that have been detached.
The members 210, 220, 230 and 240 being assembleable and disassembleable includes the members being hingedly joined to each other. A member includes a member comprising two portions that are hingedly joined to each other to form the member.
Referring to FIG. 7 , shown is the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention with the canopy 300 collapsed, receiving two chaise lounges.
Referring to FIG. 8 , shown is a perspective view of the alternative presently preferred embodiment of FIG. 6 with the frame 200 in the folded configuration, with the canopy 300 detached, showing interior hinges 260 on the interior near the ends of the side members 230 and 240, and exterior hinges 280 on the exterior near the middle of the side members 230 240.
The present invention provides a cost-effective way of turning two single chaise lounges into a double shade cabana. Normally, a double chaise cabana unit would need to be purchased to provide shade for two persons, which is both costly to make and ship to the site. This invention allows the use of existing chaise lounges to create a double shade cabana for a fraction of the cost of a new cabana. The invention is shippable in a cardboard box, making shipping much easier.
While the present invention has been disclosed in connection with the presently preferred embodiments disclosed herein, it is understood that there may be other embodiments that fall within the scope and spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims. For example, although it is presently preferred that the ribs of the canopy 300 all be attached at one end to the hinge assembly 400 to freely rotate, with the tension strap 600 enabling spreading and moving of the canopy 300, in an alternative embodiment, instead of the tension strap 600, detents or friction points could be provided in the hinge assembly 400 at selected locations, such as every 10 degrees, so that the ribs engage with the detents or friction points to spread the canopy 300 to its maximum extent, or to any other desired extent, by rotating appropriate ribs to engage with applicable detents or friction points. These detents or friction points could be, for example, circular plates with incremental holes and spring-loaded locking pins to provide a position locking device at the hinge assembly 400. In this embodiment, a tension strap would not be necessary. Accordingly, no limitations are to be implied or inferred in the scope of this patent except as specifically and explicitly set forth in the claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

This invention is applicable wherever it is desired to provide a tiltable partial canopy for a cabana that receives two or more chaise lounges.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A tiltable partial canopy, comprising:

a bottomless collapsible and expandable substantially rectangular frame formed from a front member, a rear member, and two side members, said side members defining a width of said frame;

a spreadable and collapsible canopy substantially spanning said width of said frame, having first and second edges substantially parallel to said front member and said rear member, detachably rotatably mounted to rotate around a horizontal axis,

wherein said horizontal axis is substantially parallel to said front member and said rear member, substantially between said front and rear members, and substantially coplanar with, or above, a plane containing said frame,

wherein said canopy is spreadable to form an opened partial canopy having a maximum extent that is less than 180 degrees when said first and second edges are rotated around said horizontal axis in opposite directions;

tensioners attached to said front and rear members of said frame; and

a detachable tension strap having first and second ends, attached at said first end to said first edge of said canopy, passes through said tensioners, and detachably attached at said second end to said second edge of said canopy, having a strap length that spreads said canopy to substantially said maximum extent when said first end of said strap is attached to said first edge of said canopy, then passes through said tensioners, and then said second end of said strap is attached to said second edge of said canopy, to frictionally retain said opened canopy tilting at a desired and adjustable tilt angle between said front and rear members of said frame.

2. A tiltable partial canopy according to claim 1,

wherein detaching said second end of said tension strap from said second edge of said canopy allows said canopy to be collapsed;

whereby said canopy can be detached from said frame;

whereby said members of said rectangular frame and said tensioners can be collapsed for storage and transportation, and

whereby at a later time, said members of said rectangular frame and said tensioners can be assembled and said canopy can be detachably remounted to rotate around said horizontal axis, and said tension strap can be reattached to said edges of said canopy through said tensioners to frictionally retain said opened canopy tilting at a desired and adjustable tilt angle between said front and rear members of said frame.

3. A tiltable partial canopy according to claim 1, wherein said maximum extent is less than 120 degrees.

4. A tiltable partial canopy according to claim 1, wherein said maximum extent is less than 90 degrees.

5. A tiltable partial canopy according to claim 1, wherein said members of said rectangular frame are all removable and detachable from each other into separate members.

6. A tiltable partial canopy according to claim 1, wherein two of said members of said rectangular frame are hingedly attached to the remaining two of said members, and the remaining two of said members are hinged near the middle to be foldable, whereby said remaining two of said members can be folded to collapse said frame for storage and transportation.

7. A tiltable partial canopy according to claim 1, wherein said tensioners comprise tension blocks attached to said front and rear members.

8. A portable fixably angularly adjustable canopy partial shade for a plurality of chaise lounges, comprising:

a bottomless collapsible and expandable rectangular frame formed from a front member, a rear member, and two side members, all detachably attached to each other, said frame being large enough to receive said chaise lounges side by side;

a plurality of ribs, each shaped as a flat arch with rounded corners, substantially spanning the width of said frame, and high enough to clear said chaise lounges, rotatably mounted to rotate around a horizontal axis,

wherein said horizontal axis is substantially parallel to said front member and said rear member, substantially between said front and rear members, and substantially coplanar with, or above, a plane defined by the frame;

a spreadable and collapsible canopy having front and rear edges mounted on said ribs,

wherein said canopy is spreadable to form an opened canopy having a maximum extent of less than 180 degrees when said first and second edges are rotated around said horizontal axis in opposite directions;

tension blocks attached to said front and rear edges of said frame;

a detachable tension strap detachably attachable to said front edge of said canopy and attached to said rear edge of said canopy, and passing under said front and rear edges of said frame, and through said tension blocks, having a length so that said tension strap spreads said canopy open when said ends of said strap are attached to said edges of said canopy and said strap passes though said tension blocks, to provide friction to maintain tension in said tension strap, and to frictionally retain said opened canopy tilting at a desired and adjustable tilt angle between said front and rear members of said frame; and

whereby detaching said tension strap collapses said canopy,

whereby said canopy can be detached from said rectangular frame,

whereby said members of said rectangular frame and said tension blocks can be disassembled for storage and transportation, and

whereby at a later time, said members of said rectangular frame and said tensioners can be assembled and said canopy can be detachably remounted to rotate around said horizontal axis, and said tension strap can be reattached to said edges of said canopy to frictionally retain said opened canopy tilting at a desired and adjustable tilt angle between said front and rear members of said frame.