WIND RESISTANT CANOPY

Abstract

A canopy for providing shade in sunlight has a stanchion connected to a crossbeam and a sunshade with two straps attached to the back. Each of the straps has an anchor. The anchor may be a pouch into which sand may be placed to hold the canopy in place. Wind blows the canopy up to a horizontal position and maintains it there in both heavy and light winds. Additional support legs may be used when there is insufficient wind to hold the canopy up.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Utility application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 61/481,356 filed on May 2, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER

Not Applicable

PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

FIELD

The present invention relates to apparatuses and systems for providing shade from sunlight and more particularly to a portable, light weight and wind-resistant canopy.

BACKGROUND

The use of beach umbrellas is known in the prior art. More specifically, beach umbrellas are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations. A myriad of designs crowds the prior art and have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

A constant difficulty encountered by operators of beach umbrellas is the high winds and gusts encountered on a beach and elsewhere. Umbrellas are frequently blown away due to these winds. Several attempts have been made to design an umbrella or other canopy that will withstand high winds and gusts without falling over or blowing away.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,893 discloses a beach umbrella safety system. The system includes an anchor member comprising a container in the form of a beach bag for containing a weighing medium such as sand.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,681 discloses an anchor device for the use on the stake of a beach umbrella. The anchor device includes a flight that extends helically around the main body.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,296,693 discloses a beach umbrella support. The support is formed by a collapsible container which can be filled with solid or liquid material to give it stability.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,369 discloses a ground anchoring arrangement for attachment to the pole of a beach umbrella. The arrangement includes a spiral screw which is attached to one end of the rod, while the other end of the rod is attachable to a handle rotator.

Yet another example is U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,411 which discloses a beach umbrella safety base. The base includes a collar which is inserted over the staff of a beach umbrella and has four pivotable struts.

The aforementioned patents do not describe a canopy which provides increased stability and wind resistance by working with the pressure and forces exerted by wind on a canopy. Rather, they attempt to counter these forces by providing more rigid structures, additional anchors, flow-through vents and other half measures that even when combined do not consistently overcome the difficulties.

It is therefore desirable to provide a canopy that provides shade and has a diminished capacity to be blown over or away by high winds and/or gusts.

It is also desirable to provide a canopy that provides shade, is wind-resistant and easily transported and stored.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a wind-resistant canopy for providing shade from sunlight, has a diminished capacity for being disturbed by high winds, and is easily stored and transported.

A wind resistant canopy comprises a stanchion, a crossbeam, and a sunshade having a front and a back, wherein the front of the sunshade is attachable to the crossbeam and the back of the sunshade is attached to two straps, and each strap has an anchor. The canopy may also include a sleeve at the front of the sunshade or a series of loops at front of sunshade for engaging the crossbeam. The anchor may be a pouch that may be filled with sand or other substance and may include a hole through which a stake or other object may be inserted. The crossbeam and stanchion may be connected by means of a T joint, which may optionally be pivotable. The crossbeam may be a single unitary body or may be comprised of two or more arms. The stanchion may be a mainstay and telescoping strut. The sunshade, sleeve, straps and anchor may be made from a single piece of material. The canopy may also include a lintel and secondary legs for supporting the back of the sunshade when there is minimal wind, and may include a secondary sleeve for the lintel or a series of loops for the lintel. The sunshade may only filter specific wavelengths.

In another embodiment, a wind resistant canopy may comprise two stanchions, a crossbeam, and a sunshade having a front and a back, wherein the front of the sunshade is attachable to the crossbeam and the back of the sunshade is attached to a strap having an anchor. The back of the sunshade may be attached to two straps, each having an anchor. The canopy may also include a support leg attachable to the back of the sunshade.

In another embodiment, a wind resistant canopy may comprise a stanchion, a crossbeam and a sunshade having a front and a back, wherein the front of the sunshade is attachable to the crossbeam and the back of the sunshade is attached to two straps, and each strap has an anchor. The canopy may also include a sleeve at the front of the sunshade and a T joint for attaching the crossbeam and the stanchion. The stanchion may be a mainstay and telescoping strut. The sunshade, sleeve, straps and anchor may be made from a single piece of material. The canopy may also include a lintel and secondary legs.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a light weight, transportable and storable canopy.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wind-resistant canopy.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims. There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a canopy in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the sunshade of the canopy shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the sunshade of the canopy shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a canopy in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view an alternative embodiment of a sunshade in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view an alternative embodiment of a sunshade in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 7a is a front view of a T joint in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 7b is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a T joint in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 7c is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a T joint in accordance with the principles of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

FIG. 1 shows a wind-resistant canopy 10 in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Canopy 10 may be supported by stanchion 12. Stanchion 12 may be comprised of a lower mainstay 14 and a an upper strut 16 that telescopes out of the mainstay 14 and allows vertical adjustment of the canopy's height. Once the strut is telescoped out to provide the desired height, its position may be secured by lock 18 which may be any suitable locking mechanism, such as for example a twist lock, a pin lock, a grip lock or the like which allows the positioning of the mainstay 14 and strut 16 relative to each other to be substantially fixed. The mainstay 14 and strut 16 may be of a rigid material or of a somewhat flexible material, such as for example PVC pipe, that may alleviate or damp the effect of wind gusts and/or buffeting on the canopy 10.

FIG. 1 shows a stanchion 12 comprised of two components that telescope, thereby providing both horizontal adjustment and a collapsed, portable position, specifically when the strut 16 is inserted within mainstay 14. Optionally, a stanchion may be a single, unitary body or may be comprised of a plurality of components that may be assembled into a stanchion and disassembled for portability. Optionally, more than one stanchion may be used.

The crossbeam 20 may be balanced in the manner of a double cantilever, extending outward from the top of the strut 16 where it attaches to the stanchion 12 at a T joint 22. Crossbeam 20 may be a single unit or be comprised of a first and second arm that attach separably to T joint 22 or may be attached pivotally such that they may be folded down flush with the stanchion 12 when not in use. Crossbeam 20 may be made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, e.g. PVC pipe, similar to strut 16. If more than one stanchion is used with a canopy, as may be optionally desirable, the crossbeam may optionally assume a more lintel type structure rather than the double cantilever shown in FIG. 1.

The sunshade 30 may be comprised of a lightweight flexible sheet of cotton, vinyl, polyester or other similar material. The sunshade 30 may be preferably lightweight and flexible such that a breeze may lift the sunshade into a substantially horizontal position and remain suspended in such a position. The wind may blow the sunshade 30 into a concave shape. When the sunshade assumes a concave shape, a very light breeze may be sufficient to maintain the sunshade in a substantially horizontal position forming a canopy due to forces exerted according to Bernoulli's principle. Thus, the canopy 10 in accordance with the principles of the invention may be characterized as wind-resistant but may also be appreciated as working in concert with, rather than in opposition to, the wind. The sunshade may block substantially all sunlight or other light or optionally may be transparent to specific wavelengths or optionally include a window of clear material.

At the distal end of the sunshade 30 may be two straps 36 that extend outward from the sunshade 30 and have anchors 38 at their distal ends. In this embodiment, the anchors 38 are comprised of pouches accessible through openings 40. Sand or other material within the vicinity of the canopy 10 may be inserted into the pouches of anchors 38. By weighing down the pouches 38, they may secure the canopy 10. In this embodiment, there are two straps with anchors attached to the sunshade. Optionally one strap and anchor may be used or optionally three or more anchors may be used.

FIG. 2 and show the sunshade 30 without the stanchion 12 and crossbeam 20 attached. Sunshade 30 may include a sleeve 32 at its forward end 42 through which crossbeam 20 may extend. Sleeve 32 may be formed by folding part of the sunshade over itself and stitching it together to form seam 44. Sleeve 32 may optionally be open at either end or may be sealed at each end. Sleeve 32 may include an aperture 34, optionally reinforced by a grommet, through which the stanchion 12 may attach to the T joint 22. While this embodiment shows a single continuous sleeve, a canopy may optionally utlize a plurality of smaller sleeves or a series of loops similar to belt loops. The back end of sunshade 30 may include two straps 36 that extend distally and may include anchors 38.

As may be seen more clearly in FIG. 3, straps 36 and anchors 38 may be formed from the same unitary piece of material as the entire sunshade 30. Anchors 38 may be formed by folding a material over on itself at the end of strap 36 and sewn together at seam 40 to form a pouch. Optionally, anchors 38 may be of a different material or different configuration.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a canopy 50 in accordance with the principles of the invention. Sunshade 52 may have a sleeve 56 sewn into its front may allow a crossbeam to securely engage the sunshade 52 for its entire width. In this embodiment, sleeve 56 is sealed at both ends. A crossbeam is inside sleeve 56 and is removably affixed to stanchion 66 at T joint 64 which protrudes through grommet 54. In this embodiment, stanchion 66 is comprised of a single steel pole and is not formed from a mainstay and telescopically extendable strut. Optionally, the stanchion may be comprised of a plurality of elongate components that may be assembled to form a stanchion and disassembled for portability. For example, it may be desirable to provide a stanchion comprised of three elongate rods that are removably attachable to form the stanchion and may be detached from one another in order to be stored or transported.

Stanchion 66 also includes a base 70. While the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 does not incorporate a base into the stanchion, it may be optionally desirable to include a base 70 as shown here. Base 70 may be lightweight and broad or may be smaller and relatively heavy. Optionally base 70 may be comprised of or incorporate any of the features known in the art to improve securement of a stanchion to the ground or to aid in firmly engaging an umbrella pole with sand or other other soft material, such as for example a threaded, screw-in base.

Sunshade 52 of FIG. 4 may have straps 72 and anchors 74. Sunshade 52 may also include rear legs 76 which may be attached to rear lintel 78 that may be placed within sleeve 80. Lintel 78 may be comprised of a single elongate pole or may be comprised of one or more components which may or may not disassemble or telescope within one another. If there is insufficient wind to maintain the sunshade 52 in an elevated, substantially horizontal position, then rear legs 76 and lintel 78 may be used to support the rear portion of the sunshade 52.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a sunshade 90. Sunshade 90 may have a sleeve 92 that is open at both ends 94 and has a grommet 96 around aperture 98. Sunshade 90 may also include a second sleeve 100 for use with rear legs as shown in FIG. 4. Anchors 102 at the ends of straps 104 are pouches similar to those of FIGS. 1-3. They may be formed by folding the material over and stitching seam 106. Anchors 102 may also include tabs 108 having holes 110. Holes 110 may optionally be supported by grommits as with aperture 98. Holes 110 may allow the anchors 102 to be removably affixed to stakes, hooks or other devices for securing an item in place. This may be useful when the sunshade 90 is utilized at a location that lacks sand, gravel or other suitable material for filling the anchor 102.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a sunshade 120 having a series of loops 122 along its front for attachment to a crossbeam, not shown. Sunshade 120 also shows a series of secondary loops 124 for attachment to a rod or lintel for support by legs, also not shown. Sunshade 120 has anchors 126 at the end of straps 128. Anchors 126 in this embodiment are comprised of a weighted material permanently incorporated into the bottom of straps 128.

FIGS. 7a-7c show different types of T joints that may be used for the invention. FIG. 7a shows a stanchion 130 connected to two cross beams 132 at T joint 134. FIG. 7b shows a T joint 140 that includes a socket 142 for attaching to the top of a stanchion and a ring 144 for engaging a crossbeam comprised of a single component.

FIG. 7c shows a T joint 150 that may have a socket 152 for engaging a stanchion 154 that may be connected to a gusset plate 156. The gusset plate 156 may be attached to two pivoting sockets 158 that may engage crossbeam arms 160. Sockets 152 and 158 of T joint 150 may be removably engaged with stanchion 154 and crossbeam arms 160 or may be permanently affixed and pivoting of the sockets 158 facilitates transport and storage of the stanchion and crossbeams. It may be preferable for the pivoting sockets to have a locking mechanism for securing them such that the crossbeam arms 160 are substantially perpendicular to the stanchion 154.

Whereas, the present invention has been described in relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention. Descriptions of the embodiments shown in the drawings should not be construed as limiting or defining the ordinary and plain meanings of the terms of the claims unless such is explicitly indicated.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wind resistant canopy comprising:

a stanchion;

a crossbeam;

a sunshade having a front and a back;

wherein the front of the sunshade is attachable to the crossbeam and the back of the sunshade is attached to two straps, each strap having an anchor.

2. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 1 further comprising a sleeve at the front of the sunshade.

3. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 1 further comprising a series of loops at front of sunshade.

4. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 1 wherein the anchor is a pouch.

5. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 1 wherein the anchor includes a hole.

6. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 1 further comprising a T joint that connects the crossbeam and the stanchion.

7. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 6 wherein the T joint is a pivoting T joint.

8. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 1 wherein the crossbeam comprises two arms.

9. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 1 wherein the stanchion comprises a mainstay and a telescoping strut.

10. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 1 wherein the sunshade, the straps and the anchors are formed from a single piece of material.

11. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 1 comprising a lintel and two secondary legs attachable to the lintel.

12. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 11 wherein the sunshade has a secondary sleeve for engaging the lintel.

13. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 11 wherein the sunshade has a series of loops for engaging the lintel.

14. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 1 sunshade blocks specific wavelengths of light.

15. A wind resistant canopy comprising:

two stanchions;

a crossbeam;

a sunshade having a front and a back;

wherein the front of the sunshade is attachable to the crossbeam and the back of the sunshade is attached to one or more straps having an anchor.

16. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 15 wherein the back of the sunshade is attached to two straps, each having an anchor.

17. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 15 further comprising at least one support leg attachable to the back of the sunshade.

18. The wind-resistant canopy of claim 15 wherein the sunshade blocks specific wavelengths of light.

19. A wind resistant canopy comprising:

a stanchion;

a crossbeam;

a sunshade having a front and a back;

wherein the front of the sunshade is attachable to the crossbeam and the back of the sunshade is attached to two straps, each strap having an anchor;

a sleeve at the front of the sunshade;

wherein the anchor is a pouch;

a T joint for attaching the crossbeam and the stanchion;

stanchion is mainstay and telescoping strut the sunshade, sleeve, straps and anchor are made from a single piece of material

20. (canceled)