Patent Application
20130160804
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to portable devices to provide shade from the sun. More specifically, a sun shade which is buoyant and can provide shade to users while in a swimming pool or other body of water. The shade is based upon a structure similar to an umbrella which is of common known in the art. The fabric cover for said umbrella is opaque so as to prevent the penetration of the rays of the sun. The frame of the umbrella is equipped with flotation devices which function to keep the structure afloat. The sun shade is oriented so the flotation devices are oriented toward the sun to protect the user from the sun's harmful rays. The shade is collapsible and can be placed in a carry bag for easy transport.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art generally is directed to various structures, such as chairs, small swimming pools to which various attachments to umbrellas to provide shade from the sun. Generally the devices which are in the nature of a covered or shaded swimming pool have the covers clamped or otherwise attached to the side of said swimming pool. Additional prior art discloses a buoyant frame attached to a rigid support over which shade material is stretched. Another structure comprises a folding chair with an elongated back from which shade material is suspended, said shade material being attached by cord or string to the forward end of extensions incorporated in the arms of said chair thereby forming a space under said shade material for the occupant.
Additional prior art discloses an umbrella from which shade material generally of a design similar to a window shade is suspended and wherein said suspended shade material is oriented towards the sun.
The invention provides a collapsible sun shade in the general form of an umbrella, which is commonly known in the art. The material stretched over the umbrella frame is generally opaque so as to provide shade from the sun.
Attached to a portion of the circumference of the umbrella are buoyant devices. In the preferred embodiment, the flotation device is elongate, extruded foam plastic, such as styrofoam, which is generally of a circular cross section. These elongate plastic items are generally sold as floatation aids and commonly referred to as “noodles”. Two pieces of noodles are employed, one longer than the other. The longer noodle is affixed to a portion of the outer circumference of the umbrella by first piercing the foam plastic with the ends of the ribs of the umbrella frame. The noodle is affixed to said umbrella by flexible strips of material, fixedly attached to the fabric of said umbrella at one end and removably attached to said fabric at the other end by the use of material such as Velcro®. A second shorter “noodle” with a central cavity longitudinally therethrough is affixed to the handle of said umbrella to maintain an angular flotation attitude. In an alternative embodiment, the “noodles” could be substituted using inflatable bladder structures fixedly attached to said umbrella circumference and said umbrella handle as previously described.
A further understanding of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
A first embodiment of the present invention shall be discussed with reference to
The umbrella portion of the invention, 1, comprises a central support member, 10, having a first, or top, end (not shown), and a second, or bottom, end, (also not shown) with a plurality of support members, 15a, 15b, extending therefrom. Support members 15b are rotatably attached to support members 15a in such configuration as to provide support to members 15a when said members are in an extended position. A circular opaque covering, 20, having an inside, 23, and an outside, 25 and a diameter that is slightly less than the diameter of said support members, 15a, is fixedly attached to members 15a, such that the ends, 17, of said support members, 15a, extend beyond said opaque cover, 20.
The floatation portion of said invention comprises two buoyant members 30, 35 formed in the preferred embodiment of buoyant foam plastic, such as Styrofoam®. Said members having a generally circular cross-section and a long axis therethrough. Said Styrofoam members are frequently used to provide buoyancy to an individual in a swimming pool, or the like, and are frequently referred to as “noodles”.
Buoyant member 30 is substantially longer than buoyant member 35. Buoyant member 35 has a longitudinal bore hole 37 which is approximately equal to the diameter of central support member 10.
In condition for use, said ends, 17, are inserted into said longer buoyant member, 30, at several points along its length. Longitudinal attachment strips, 28 having a first end, not shown attached to the outside of said opaque cover, 25. A second end, 29, is removably attached to the inside, 23, of said opaque covering, 20, by such well known removable means as Velcro® strips.
Said bottom end of said central support, 10, is inserted into said longitudinal hole in said shorter buoyant member, 35. A connection strip, 37 comprising a longitudinal flexible strip of material having Velcro® attached to one of the two ends of said longitudinal strip can be tightly wrapped around said shorter buoyant member, 35, to prevent unwanted longitudinal movement along said central support member, 10.
In an alternative embodiment inflatable plastic bladders can be substituted for said styrofoam “noodles”. Said bladders can be fixedly attached to said opaque cover and to said central support at the same locations thereon as said longer buoyant member, 30, and said shorter buoyant member, 35.
The invention has been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof. It will be understood, however, that modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. The invention is not limited to the specific mechanical structures illustrated in the preferred embodiments for folding sun shades, but instead, is intended to cover any buoyant, foldable umbrella used as a sun shade.
