The present invention relates generally to a modular canopy and table frame assembly.
Very few leisure time activities rival that of spending a warm summer day in a swimming pool. Whether it is a large, in-ground, Olympic size pool, or a small backyard above ground pool, the relaxation and comfort that is derived from swimming is a healthy benefit for all. However, one (1) thing that quickly takes away from this pleasure occurs when swimming under bright sunlight conditions.
Not only are the rays of the sun uncomfortably hot, they are also detrimental to the health of one's eyes and skin. Any cautious individual who ventures into a pool must repeatedly apply sun block lotion and even with such lotion a person will typically get out even after a brief period of time due to sun exposure. Accordingly, the need has developed for a means of generating shade near a pool that addresses the aforementioned problems. The use of the canopy and table frame assembly allows pool users the ability to swim in their backyard pool in shady conditions thereby enjoying increased usability of their pool in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective.
The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a canopy and table frame assembly.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a canopy assembly, comprising a frame, adapted to be anchored to a ground surface and a top face removably attached to the frame via a plurality of fasteners. The top face is configured to cover an area of ground. The frame further comprises a first plurality of vertical support members, a second plurality of vertical support members, a pair of horizontal support members laterally disposed between the first and second plurality of vertical support members, a first cross member attached to first ends of the pair of lateral horizontal support members and a second cross member attached to second ends of the pair of lateral horizontal support members. The top face is removably attached to the pair of horizontal support members, the first cross member, and the second cross member.
The canopy assembly further comprises a first lateral shade, a second lateral shade and an end shade. The first lateral shade and the second lateral shade is removably attached to one (1) of the pair of horizontal support members and the end shade is removably attached to the second cross member. There is at least one (1) mid-member attached to and spanning a distance between each of the pair of horizontal support members. The top face is removably attached to each mid-member. The frame further comprises a plurality of corner braces, each attached to one (1) of the first plurality of vertical support members. The frame also comprises a plurality of cantilever braces, each attached to one (1) of the second plurality of vertical support members. The first lateral shade and second lateral shade are each partially attached to a respective adjacent one of the pair of horizontal support members and the first cross member. The second plurality of vertical support members is fixed into the ground surface by removable attachment to an anchor stake. The anchor stake further comprises a corkscrew shape.
The canopy assembly also comprises a frame, adapted to be anchored to a ground surface; a top face removably attached to the frame via a plurality of fasteners and a table having a planar surface, adapted to be partially supported by a sidewall of a swimming pool and affixed to a lower portion of the frame. The top face is configured to cover an area of ground. This canopy assembly further comprises a first plurality of vertical support members; a second plurality of vertical support members; a pair of horizontal support members laterally disposed between the first and second plurality of vertical support members; a first cross member attached to first ends of the pair of horizontal support members; and, a second cross member attached to second ends of the pair of horizontal support members. The top face is removably attached to the pair of horizontal support members, the first cross member, and the second cross member.
This canopy assembly also comprises a first lateral shade, a second lateral shade and an end shade. The first lateral shade and the second lateral shade is removably attached to one (1) of the pair of the lateral horizontal support members and wherein the end shade is removably attached to the second cross member. There is at least one (1) mid-member attached to and spanning a distance between each of the pair of horizontal support members, wherein the top face is removably attached to each mid-member. The frame further comprises a plurality of corner braces, each attached to one (1) of the first plurality of vertical support members. The frame further comprises a plurality of cantilever braces, each attached to one (1) of the second plurality of vertical support members. Each of the second plurality of vertical support members is fixed into the ground surface by removable attachment to an anchor stake. The anchor stake further comprises a corkscrew shape.
The table further comprises a plurality of braces, each connected into one (1) of the first plurality of vertical support members. The table also comprises a plurality of drain apertures within the planar surface; a plurality of slots within the planar surface and a plurality of securement straps. Each of the straps is passed through each slot to adaptably secure the table to an upper framing member the sidewall of the swimming pool. The first lateral shade and second lateral shade are each partially attached to a respective adjacent one of the pair of horizontal support members and the first cross member.
The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within
The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items.
The present invention describes a canopy with a side table (herein referred to as the “apparatus”) 10, which provides a sun cover for at least a portion of an above ground swimming pool 100 and a table 80 having a planar surface at a location around the perimeter and above a sidewall of that swimming pool 100. The preferred embodiment of the apparatus 10 is configured to be built around a four foot (4 ft.) high swimming pool 100, however, other embodiments can be accomplished by the incorporation of an elevated platform having the pool side table 80 located approximately forty eight inches (48 in.) above that platform.
Referring now to
A pair of parallel lateral horizontal members 32 is attached perpendicularly at either end of a first cross member 34a and a second cross member 34b. The abutting joints of the lateral horizontal members 32 and the cross members 34a, 34b are mitered at appropriate intersecting angles to provide a smooth fit and a full penetration weld. At least one (1) mid-member 36 is positioned between the lateral horizontal members 32 and continuously welded, with appropriate bead, around the perimeter of each end to permanently secure the mid-member 36. The mid-member 36 spans the distance between the lateral horizontal members 32. The frame 20 is provided with a protective coating, or plating, to inhibit corrosion. The lateral horizontal members 32, with the attached cross members 34a, 34b and the mid-member 36, are subsequently attached to an upper end of the vertical supports 22, 24 in such a way as to form a unitary frame 20 having a generally planar top face 30. The top face 30 is configured to constitute a larger area than an area bounded by the vertical supports 22, 24 and therefore the top face 30 is displaced toward the swimming pool 100 so as to have a portion cantilevered over the swimming pool 100. A cantilever brace 44 is installed, preferably by welding, between each of the first vertical supports 22 and the respective lateral horizontal member 32. The cantilever brace 44 is installed on the side of the first vertical support 22 toward the cantilevered portion of the top face 30 so as to reinforce the structural integrity of the frame 20. The cantilever brace is configured to be oriented at approximately a forty five degree (45°) angle with the normal. A corner brace 42 is installed, preferably by welding, between each second vertical support 24 and the respective lateral horizontal member 32 as well as between each second vertical support 24 and the respective end of the first cross member 34a attached between the second vertical supports 24. These corner braces 42, oriented in two (2) perpendicular planes, are positioned at a forty five degree (45°) angle with the normal. The corner braces 42 reinforce the structural integrity of the frame 20.
A top face cover 46 is attached to an upper side of the structural members 32, 34a, 34b and 36 of the top face 30 with a plurality of evenly spaced top face cover ties 48. The top face cover 46 is preferably composed of a cotton canvas material and as such may be presented in a wide variety of colors and/or designs to suit the taste of a user. The top face cover 46 may be impregnated with such preservatives as may be necessary to impede the deterioration of the fabric due to normal weathering. The top face cover 46 may also be treated to block the transmission of the ultraviolet radiation band of sunlight. The top face cover ties 48 are preferably configured be lengths of a textile material secured to a lower side of the top face cover 46, preferably by stitching, in such a manner as to allow two (2) dangling ends of each top face cover tie 48 to be tied around the members 32, 34a, 34b and 36 of the top face 30. In an alternate embodiment the top face cover ties 46 may be configured to be portions of the top face cover 46 provided with the complimentary parts of a hook-and-loop fastener, such as VELCRO®, which can be wrapped around the structural members 32, 34a, 34b and 36 and secured to itself so as to attach the top face cover 46 to the top face 30.
A first lateral shade 50 and a second lateral shade 60 are attached to each of the lateral horizontal members 32. The first lateral shade 50 and the second lateral shade 60 are configured to be similar rectangular, welded, tubular shade frames 52 each having a shade cover 54 as more clearly illustrated in
Referring now to
An alternate embodiment of the apparatus 10 may be configured to be constructed with either steel or PVC pipe and applicable plumbing fittings, such as elbows, tees, reducers, and the like, in order to produce a product which is more adaptable to a particular user's circumstances.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by an enabled individual in a simple and straightforward manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus 10, it would be installed as indicated in
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/061,920 filed Oct. 9, 2014, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
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