Portable wind screen

Abstract

A portable wind screen is provided, including: a sheet of material having a sheet first end and sheet second end; a first pole coupled with the sheet of material adjacent to the sheet first end; a second pole coupled with the sheet of material adjacent to the sheet second end; a first handle connected to a connection portion of the wind screen; a second handle connected to a second connection portion of the wind screen, and an engagement means configured to selectively engage the first handle and the second handle with each other.

Description

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to improvements to wind screens, and more particularly to a portable wind screen with improved portability and improved visibility.

Portable wind screens are useful to block weather elements such as wind, sun and rain, and to provide privacy or concealment. Therefore, portable wind screens have useful applications in public or private areas and in areas of varying weather patterns. Portable wind screens are typically made of a fabric supported in a generally upright position by poles that are attached to the fabric by methods such as sewing or heating. The poles are generally of sufficient length to have a protruding end that can be pushed into the ground to stand the wind screen upright. This configuration, however, often limits use of portable wind screens to areas with ground soft enough to receive the protruding ends of the poles, yet firm enough to form a secure connection with the protruding ends. Additionally, portable wind screens are not properly securable in an upright position while being used on a man-made surface, such as a deck, a patio or pavement.

Portable wind screens often include at least three sections defined by the poles and sheet of material in order to provide protection from the elements on the three sides of the user. For example, the user may position himself/herself such that the wind screen provides protection for the user's left side, right side, and back. Currently, wind screens provide sections having the same shape and/or size, thus providing an equal amount of protection on all sides of the user. However, many users may prefer to have varying amounts of protection on their various sides based on personal preferences, such as visibility.

Therefore, it is desirable for a wind screen to have improved portability and an improved level of protection on the user's different sides.

SUMMARY

A first aspect of the present invention is a sheet of material having a sheet first end and a sheet second end. The portable wind screen further includes a first pole coupled with the sheet of material adjacent to the sheet first end and a second pole coupled with the sheet of material adjacent to the sheet second end. Furthermore, a first handle is connected to a connection portion of the wind screen adjacent to the sheet first end and a second handle is connected to a portion of the portable wind screen adjacent to the sheet second end. An engagement means is configured to selectively engage the first and second handle with each other.

In another aspect of the present invention, the wind screen is configured to include a storage configuration where the sheet first end is adjacent to the sheet second end and the wind screen generally defines a substantially cylindrical shape. Furthermore, when the wind screen is in the storage configuration, the first handle extends through the second handle and the connector of the first handle middle portion engages the connector of the second handle middle portion. Additionally, the first handle may wrap around the wind screen when the wind screen is in the storage configuration.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the wind screen includes a base having a substantially flat bottom surface and defining a pair of receptacles, each of which is configured to respectively receive one of the first and second poles.

In another aspect of the present invention, the sheet of material includes a first section, a second section, and a third section. The first section of material includes a top edge and a bottom edge being substantially unparallel with each other. The second section of material includes a top edge and a bottom edge being substantially parallel with each other and the third section includes a top edge and a bottom edge substantially unparallel with each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a wind screen embodying the principles of the present invention, the wind screen having a sheet of material and a plurality of support poles, where the poles have substantially equal heights and having tapered end portions;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a second embodiment of a wind screen embodying the principles of the present invention, the wind screen having a plurality of poles of varying heights received by a base;

FIG. 3a is a top view of the wind screen similar to the wind screen shown in FIG. 1 and folded about a midpoint of the sheet of material; and

FIG. 3b is a side view of the wind screen in FIG. 3a rolled-up into a storage configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a portable wind screen 10 having a sheet of material 12 with a first end 14 and a second end 16. The sheet of material 12 is preferably a substantially wind-resistant material, such as a fibrous material, canvas, or a polymeric material. More preferably, the sheet of material is a tarpaulin comprised of a suitable material such as polyethylene. The sheet of material 12 may be a single, unitary sheet of material or may be comprised of plurality of integrated panels. The sheet of material 12 may be relatively rigid or it may be relatively flexible. The sheet of material 12 may include various colors or patterns as desired by the user, or the sheet of material 12 may be transparent. Additionally, the sheet of material 12 may include commercial advertisements or logos. Furthermore, the sheet of material 12 may include a camouflage in order to conceal the user during activities such as hunting.

Alternatively, the sheet of material 12 may be comprised of a material that is not substantially wind-resistant, such as mesh. This configuration may provide privacy or concealment without blocking the flow of air through the wind screen 10.

In this embodiment, the sheet of material 12 is coupled with a first pole 18 adjacent to the sheet first end 14 and a second pole 20 adjacent to the sheet second end 16. The sheet of material 12 and the respective poles 18, 20 may be coupled via any suitable method, such as by forming a sleeve 22 for each respective pole 18, 20. The sleeve 22 is preferably comprised of a strip of material 24 connected to the sheet of material 12 via any suitable method such as sewing or melting the respective materials 12 and 24 together. Alternatively, the sleeve 22 may be formed by wrapping the sheet of material 12 into a circle and connecting the edge of the sheet of material 12 to itself via an appropriate method. As shown in FIG. 1, a third pole 26, a fourth pole 28, a fifth pole 30 and a sixth pole 32 may also be coupled to the sheet of material 12 via any suitable method. The portable wind screen 10 may include any appropriate number of poles, but preferably includes at least the first pole 18, the second pole 20, the third pole 26, and the fourth pole 28 in order to form three adjustable sections discussed in further detail below.

The poles 18, 20, 26, 28, 30, and 32 are preferably hollow tubes comprised of a rigid material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The tubes also preferably have a top cap 34 and a bottom potion 36. Each of the top caps 34 preferably has a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the sleeves 22 in order to prevent each of the poles from sliding out of their respective sleeves 22. The bottom portions 36 of the poles are configured to position the wind screen 10 in an upright position. In this embodiment, the bottom portions 36 have a tapered portion 38 in order to be easily buried in a suitable surface such as sand or sod.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an alternative embodiment of the bottom portions 36 will now be discussed. The poles 18, 20, 26, 28, 30, and 32 each include a bottom portion 36 configured to mount into a base 40. The base 40 includes a substantially flat bottom surface 41 that is configured to lay flat along any relatively flat surface. The base 40 is also configured to have dimensions and a weight to hold the wind screen 10 in an upright position (as shown). In one embodiment, the base 40 is comprised of a plurality of two inch by four inch (2″×4″) wooden boards, but any suitable materials of appropriate size and weight may be used. Additionally, a supplemental stabilizing means, such as an adhesive (not shown) attached to the bottom of the base 40 or ropes (not shown) connected to the base 40 or to the portable wind screen 10, may be used to more effectively secure the wind screen 10 in the upright configuration. Furthermore, additional base portions may be provided, such as a portion (not shown) extending out of the back side of the base.

The base 40 may include a plurality of receptacles 42 configured to matingly receive the respective bottom portions 36 of the poles. The receptacles 42 may be substantially cylindrical-shaped and the bottom portions 36 preferably also have a substantially cylindrical-shape. The bottom portions 36 of the poles and the receptacles 42 may include any other suitable shapes, such as rectangular, triangular, or star shapes.

Referring back to FIG. 1, a first handle 44 and a second handle 46 are coupled to a connection portion 48 and 60, respectively, of the portable wind screen 10. In one embodiment, the first handle 44 includes a pair of first handle base portions 50, 52 connected to the connection portion 48 adjacent to the sheet first end 14. The connection portion 48 may be a portion of the sheet of material 12 or a portion of one of the respective poles 18, 20. The first handle 44 includes a first handle middle portion 54 having a connector 56 configured to selectively engage the second handle 46, as discussed further below. Similar to the first handle 44, the second handle 46 includes a pair of second handle base portions 57, 58 connected to a second connection portion 60 of the portable wind screen 10 adjacent to the sheet second end 16. The second handle 46 similarly includes a second handle middle portion 62 having a connector 64 configured to selectively engage the first handle middle portion 54, as discussed further below.

In another embodiment (not shown), the first handle 44 may only include a single base portion connected to the connection portion 48. The second handle 46 in this configuration may include either one or two base portion(s) connected to the second connection portion 60. If the second handle 46 includes one base portion connected to the second connection portion 60, then the two handles 44, 46 preferably connect to each other via their respective un-attached ends. If the second handle 46 includes two base portions connected to the second connection portion 60, then the first handle preferably extends through a loop defined by the second handle 46 in order to form a connection.

At least one of the respective handles 44, 46 preferably includes an engagement means in order to selectively engage the first handle and the second handle with each other. In one embodiment, the engagement means includes a fastener having easily-attachable and easily-detachable features, such as snaps, buttons or a hook-and-loop configuration. One such hook-and-loop components is a VELCO® brand hook-and-loop fastener. In another embodiment, the engagement means includes at least one handle that is configured to tie around another handle, or to form a tied knot with another handle.

Referring back to FIG. 2, another engagement means configuration is shown. The first handle 44 includes a connector 59 extending generally perpendicularly to the first handle 44 and having a first fastener surface 61 and a second fastener surface 63 configured to engage each other in order to form a closed-loop. More specifically, the first fastener surface 61 and a second fastener surface 63 may be hook-and-loop fasteners or snapping fasteners as discussed above. During engagement between the handles 44, 46, the second handle 46 is received within the closed-loop of the connector 59.

The embodiment including a pair of closed-loop handles 44, 46 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be particularly advantageous because it provides improved support. More specifically, the two handles 44, 46 are engaged with each other via an engagement means, and may be held together by the user. Therefore, even if the engagement means is not engaged or if it fails, the handles 44, 46 will still be adjacent to each other when in a storage configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the portable wind screen 10 shown includes a first section 66 having a first height H1, a second section 68 having a second height H2, and a third section 70. The three sections 66, 68, 70 may be adjusted to protect different sides of the user's body from the wind, sun, or other elements. Similarly, the three sections may also be adjusted to conceal different sides of the user's body from the view of other people or of animals. For example, the first section 66 may protect a user's right side, the second section 68 may protect a user's rear, and the third section 70 may protect the user's left side. The first height H1 and the second height H2 are substantially equal in the wind screen 10 shown in FIG. 1, thus providing an equal amount of vertical protection for the use's sides and rear. Typical heights H1, H2 for the wind screen 10 vary based on the user's size and the desired application of the wind screen. However, in one embodiment, the heights H1, H2 are each approximately equal to 48 inches.

The respective sections 66, 68, 70 may have varying lengths depending on the user's preferences and the application of the wind screen 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the second section 68 has a length L1 and the third section 70 has a length L2, wherein the respective lengths L1, L2 are substantially unequal. The wind screen 10, where the length L1 is substantially greater than the length L2, is especially desirable for multiple users. Typical lengths L1, L2 for the wind screen 10 also vary based on the user's size and the desired application of the wind screen. However, in one embodiment, the length L1 is approximately equal to 72 inches and the length L2 is approximately equal to 48 inches.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the first section 66 of the wind screen 10 has a varying height. More specifically, a top edge 71 of the first section 66 and a bottom edge 73 of the first section are substantially unparallel. More specifically, the left side 72 of the first section, which is defined by the first pole 18, has a left side height H3 (as shown in FIG. 2); and the right side 74 of the first section 66, which is defined by the third pole 26, has a right side height H4 (as shown if FIG. 2). The left side height H3 is substantially smaller than the right side height H4, thus providing the wind screen 10 user more visibility near the first pole 18 than near the second pole 26. This configuration is especially desirable for a user who wishes to have more protection for the rear portion of his/her body and more visibility for the right of his/her body.

The third section 70 of the wind screen 10 shown in FIG. 2 also includes a top edge 76 that is substantially unparallel with the bottom edge 78. Therefore, the wind screen 10 user is provided with additional visibility on his/her left side near the second pole 20.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the wind screen 10 preferably includes at least one pocket located on the sheet of material 12. The pocket 80 may be comprised of the same material of the sheet of material 12, or a different material may be used. For example, a substantially transparent material, such as a screen may be used such that the pocket contents are visible. The pocket 80 may be a self-contained pocket, or it may use the sheet of material 12 to define a pocket inner surface.

The wind screen 10 preferably includes a storage configuration where the wind screen 10 is rolled-up into a substantially cylindrical shape that is more effective for storage and for transportation due to its compact nature. The process by which the wind screen 10 is rolled-up into the storage configuration will now be discussed.

First of all, the portable wind screen 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a midpoint line 82, which is an imaginary line running parallel with the poles and which is located approximately half way between the first end 14 and the second end 16. The wind screen 10 is folded along the midpoint line 82, as shown in FIG. 3a, such that the first end 14 and second end 16 are substantially adjacent to each other.

Secondly, the wind screen 10 is next rolled-up from the midpoint 82 towards the first and second ends 14, 16 in the general direction of the arrow 84 shown in FIG. 3a. Once the wind screen 10 is rolled up completely, it generally defines a substantially cylindrical shape 86 shown in FIG. 3b. This substantially cylindrical shape 86 improves the portability and storability of the wind screen 10.

Finally, the storage configuration process is completed by engaging the first handle 44 and the second handle 46 together as discussed earlier. This configuration, known as the storage configuration 88, is shown in FIG. 3b.

In one embodiment of the storage configuration, as shown in FIG. 3b, the first handle 44 wraps around the entire wind screen 10 in order to secure the wind screen in its substantially cylindrical shape 86. More specifically, the handle 44 is connected to the wind screen at a first point 44a. The handle next wraps through the second handle 46 at a second point 44b. Next, the handle 44 wraps around the back of the wind screen 10 and to the front of the wind screen 10 at point 44c. Finally, the handle 44 wraps around the front of the wind screen 10 and engages with the second handle 46 at point 44d. In this embodiment, the first handle 44 is much longer than the second handle 46, as shown in FIG. 3a.

Alternatively, the first handle 44 and the second handle may engage each other without either handle wrapping around the wind screen 10.

Other objects, such as beach umbrella may be roll-up within the substantially cylindrical shape 86 of the portable wind screen 10 in order to improve storage and transportation.

It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intending to define the spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A portable wind screen comprising:

a sheet of material having a sheet first end and a sheet second end,

a first pole coupled with the sheet of material adjacent to the sheet first end, the first pole having a tapered portion configured to be received within a support medium;

a second pole coupled with the sheet of material adjacent to the sheet second end, the second pole having a second tapered portion configured to be received within the support medium;

a first handle connected to a connection portion of the portable wind screen adjacent to the sheet first end;

a second handle connected to a second connection portion of the portable wind screen adjacent to the sheet second end;

an engagement means configured to selectively engage the first handle and the second handle with each other;

a base having a substantially flat bottom surface the base defining a first receptacle configured to receive the first pole and the base defining a second receptacle configured to receive the second pole, wherein the base is located substantially only adjacent to the sheet of material.

2. The portable wind screen in claim 1, wherein the first handle includes two first handle base portions and a first handle middle portion the two first handle base portions are each connected to the connection portion, and the first handle middle portion is located between the two first handle base portions; and

wherein the second handle includes two second handle base portions and a second handle middle portion, the two second handle base portions are each connected to the second connection portion, the second handle middle portion is located between the two second handle base portions, and at least one of first handle middle portion and the second handle middle portion includes the engagement means

3. The portable wind screen in claim 2, wherein the first handle middle portion includes the engagement means and the second handle middle portion includes a second engagement means.

4. The portable wind screen In claim 3, wherein the engagement means Includes a first hook-and-loop fastener.

5. The portable wind screen in claim 4, wherein the second engagement means includes a second hook-and-loop fastener.

6. The portable wind screen In claim 1, wherein the engagement means includes a connector having a first fastener and a second fastener configured to selectively engage each other.

7. The portable wind screen in claim 2, wherein the wind screen is configured to include a storage configuration, wherein the sheet first end is adjacent to the sheet second end when the wind screen is In the storage configuration, wherein the wind screen generally defines a substantially cylindrical shape when the wind screen is in the storage configuration, wherein the first handle extends through the second handle when the wind screen is In the storage configuration, and wherein the engagement means couples the first handle and the second handle with each other when the wind screen is in the storage configuration.

8. The portable wind screen In claim 7, wherein the first handle wraps around the wind screen when the wind screen is in the storage configuration.

9. (canceled)

10. The portable wind screen in claim 9, wherein the first pole is substantially perpendicular to the base and the second pole is substantially perpendicular to the base.

11. The portable wind screen In claim 9, the first receptacle and the second receptacle each having a substantially cylindrical shape.

12. A portable wind screen comprising:

a first pole;

a second pole substantially parallel to the first pole; and

a sheet of material having a first end and a second end, the sheet of material being connected to the first pole adjacent to the first end of the sheet of material and being connected to the second pole adjacent to the second end of the sheet, the sheet of material including a first section having a top edge and a bottom edge cooperating to define an angle between 35 and 55 degrees, a second section having a top edge and a bottom edge being substantially parallel with each other and having substantially equal lengths, and a third section having a top edge and a bottom edge cooperating to define a second angle between 35 and 55 degrees to provide more visibility near the first pole than near the second pole.

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. The portable wind screen in claim 12, wherein the sheet of material has a first height measured at the first pole in a direction parallel to the first pole, the sheet of material has a second height measured at a second point along the first section of the sheet in a direction parallel to the first pole, and the second height is substantially greater than the first height.

16. The portable wind screen in claim 15, wherein the sheet of material has a third height measured at a third point along the third section of the sheet in a direction parallel to the second pole, the sheet of material has a fourth height measured at the second pole in a direction parallel to the second pole, and the third height is substantially greater than the fourth height.

17. The portable wind screen in claim 12, wherein the third section of the sheet of material Includes a pocket

18. The portable wind screen in claim 4, wherein the hook-and-loop fastener Is VELCRO®.

19. The portable wind screen as In claim 12, further comprising a base having a substantially flat bottom surface, the base defining a first receptacle configured to receive the first pole and the base defining a second receptacle configured to receive the second pole.