Compact portable sunshade for face protection

Abstract

A portable compact sunshield apparatus for the head of a sunbather includes a substantially rectangular and planar base, hanging hooks, and an expandable canopy assembly. The canopy assembly further includes a plurality of inverted substantially U-shaped support members forming substantially 90-degree angles between two vertical segments and a horizontal segment of each said support member. An opaque material covers at least the horizontal segments of at least two of the inverted U-shaped support members, and two pivot means are attached to said rectangular and planar base for movably combining free ends of said vertical segments of the inverted U-shaped support members. Substantially open side areas, preferably with screen sections, allow for air flow.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/818,407 filed Jul. 3, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to face sunshades removable from outdoor furniture and, more particularly, this invention relates to lightweight removable sunshades for outdoor lounge chairs with improved air circulation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, sunbathers and the like have tried numerous ways to protect their face and eyes from the sun. Sunbathers reclined facing the sun often will place an article of clothing over the face. While offering sun protection, poor airflow around the face results in warm and uncomfortable conditions around the head.

Some styles of chairs and chaise lounges for outdoor use have been designed with built-on sunshields or canopies. U.S. Pat. No. 270,224 illustrates a folding adjustable canopy for deck chairs. U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,653 discloses a chaise lounge having an adjustable canopy. U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,157 discloses a sunbathing chair which includes a built in collapsible sun shield.

There is also prior art for sunshades removable from outdoor chairs. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,093,305, Staroste discloses a collapsible sunshade that clamps onto the side frame of a lounge chair. Ziolkowski in U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,120 discloses a canopy designed primarily for folding lawn chairs. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,405, Foster et al teach a removable sunshade attachment for the back of lounge chairs. There are four drawbacks common to the prior art for removable sunshades. One is the focus on attaching the apparatus to tubular metal frames of lounge chairs. While these may still be common, lounge chairs made of all plastic are in abundance. Another drawback is the extension of the shields somewhat along the sides and back, as well as overhead, thus restricting cross ventilating air flow. A third problem is keeping the face fully covered when reclined and the sun is relatively low in the sky. Finally, the size and weight may make it inconvenient for a person to carry to the beach or pool when they have a number of other items to transport.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a portable compact sunshield apparatus for the head of a sunbather and includes a substantially rectangular and planar base, hanging hooks, and an expandable canopy assembly. The canopy assembly further includes a plurality of inverted substantially U-shaped support members forming substantially 90-degree angles between two vertical segments and a horizontal segment of each said support member.

An opaque material covers at least the horizontal segments of at least two of the inverted U-shaped support members, and two pivot means are attached to said rectangular and planar base for movably combining free ends of said vertical segments of the inverted U-shaped support members. Substantially open side areas, preferably with screen sections, allow for air flow. Another option is to have screen material making up a rear panel of the canopy assembly.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a small, portable sunshade for sunbathers that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a removable sunshade for lounge chairs that will offer complete and adjustable shielding of the entire face regardless of sun angle.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a compact, portable sunshade that can be used on numerous types of chairs as well as directly on the sand of a beach.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable sunshade that still allows for significant air flow past the users head.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a portable adjustable sunshade that allows air flow around the user's head while restricting the entry of insects.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above, it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable sunshade deployed on a plastic lounge chair.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention in a retracted position.

FIG. 3 provides a depiction of the invention being used in conjunction with a beach blanket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, the portable sunshade apparatus 10 is shown deployed on the back of a reclining outdoor lounge chair 30 forming somewhat of a cabana for just the head. The base 16 of the sunshade is temporarily attached to the back of the chair 30 with at least two hooks 14, which can optionally be bendable and/or removable. The opaque shade material 12, having an SPF rating of at least 30, is attached to and supported by substantially rigid frame members 15. The frame members 15 converge at and are movably attached on each side of the base 16 to a pivot mechanism 18. This pivot mechanism 18 can be any one of numerous examples in the prior art, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,405, U.S. Pat. No. 4,093,305, or U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,120, all incorporated herein by reference. The sides of the apparatus are substantially open to allow air flow and preferably are covered with a screen material 15. While not shown, it is also preferred that the top panel closest to the base 16 also be a screen.

In FIG. 2, the sunshade apparatus is shown in the retracted ready-to-transport position. The base 16 can be made of any substance capable of firmly holding the pivot mechanism 18 in place. The frame support members 15 converge at the pivot mechanism 18 and are free to rotate. Preferably, the pivot mechanism includes a position locking feature, such as a spring loaded pin, to hold the sunshade open or closed to the desired degree. The sun-blocking material is preferably something strong and thin, such as nylon, but any durable material with an SPF rating of at least 30 would be sufficient. The chair-mounting hooks 20 are preferably bendable and replaceable so that the sunshade can be mounted on all types of chairs. They could be removed and stored for use on the sand of a beach only.

FIG. 3 depicts an alternative use of the apparatus independent of a chair. In this case, the base 16, with or without the hooks, is placed on one end of a beach blanket 32. The support members 15 covered with the sun-shielding material 12 are shown attached to the pivot mechanism 18. On the sides, and optionally the rear-most panel, there is lightweight, flexible screen material 14. The sun-blocking material 12 would preferably extend slightly down the sides as well. A distinguishing feature of the shade apparatus is its compact nature because it is designed to cover only the head of the user.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same, it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A portable sunshield apparatus comprising:

a) a substantially rectangular and planar base;

b) an expandable canopy assembly including:

(i) a plurality of inverted substantially U-shaped support members;

(ii) an opaque material covering at least said horizontal segment of at least two of said inverted U-shaped support members;

(iii) two pivot means attached to said rectangular and planar base for movably combining free ends of said inverted U-shaped support members; and

(iii) substantially open side areas; and

c) at least two hanging hooks protruding from top edge of said rectangular base in substantially same plane as said rectangular base.

2. The portable sunshield apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said expandable canopy assembly has a flexible screen panel proximal top edge of said rectangular and planar base.

3. The portable sunshield apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined length of said substantially rectangular and planar base is between about ten to about 20 inches.

4. The portable sunshield apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined width of said substantially rectangular and planar base is between about twelve to about twenty inches.

5. The portable sunshield apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said substantially open side areas contain screens.

6. The portable sunshield apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said at least two hanging hooks are removable.

7. The portable sunshield apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said at least two hanging hooks are bendable.

8. The portable sunshield apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said opaque material has an SPF rating of at least 30.

9. The portable sunshield apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein a portion of said opaque material in said canopy assembly is screen material.

10. The portable sunshield apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein substantially U-shaped support members form substantially 90-degree angles between two vertical segments and a horizontal segment of each said U-shaped support member.