BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view of a sunshade in accordance with the present invention, wherein a canopy is unfolded.
FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, wherein the canopy is folded.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view, partially sectioned, of a portion of the sunshade in FIG. 1, illustrating a first connecting member and a mounting sleeve.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the sunshade in FIG. 1, illustrating a positioning member in a state disengaged from the first connecting member.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a second connecting member and a reel.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along plane 6-6 in FIG. 3.
FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, wherein the positioning member is disengaged from the first connecting member and wherein a lever of the second connecting member is in a released state.
FIG. 8 is a side view similar to FIG. 2, wherein the sunshade is in a fully folded state.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged view, partially sectioned, of a portion of the sunshade in FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1, a sunshade in accordance with the present invention comprises a main frame 1 and a canopy support frame 2 to which a canopy 3 is mounted. The main frame 1 includes a supporting rod 12 around which a mounting sleeve 14 is mounted. A holding sleeve 18 is pivotably mounted to an upper end of the supporting rod 12. An arcuate tube 11 is slidably extended through the holding sleeve 18 and includes an elbow 25 mounted to a first end thereof and a reel 13 mounted to a second end thereof.
The canopy support frame 2 includes a suspension member 24 coupled to the elbow 25. An example of the canopy support frame 2 is disclosed in Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,156 to allow folding/unfolding operation of the canopy 3. The entire content of U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,156 is incorporated herein by reference. Nevertheless, other canopy support frames allowing folding/unfolding operation of the canopy 3 can be used.
A cable (not shown) includes an end attached to and operable by a handle 131 of the reel 13 so as to be movable in a retracting direction and a releasing direction. The other end of the cable is coupled to the canopy support frame 2 for folding (or unfolding) the canopy 3 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) when the cable moves in the retracting (or releasing) direction, which is conventional.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a connecting rod 15 is mounted between the supporting rod 12 and the second end of the arcuate tube 11. A first connecting member 16 extends outward and upward from the mounting sleeve 14 and includes a slot 161 in which a first end 151 of the connecting rod 15 is received. The first end 151 of the connecting rod 15 is pivoted by a pin 162 to the first connecting member 16, allowing the first end 151 of the connecting rod 15 to be pivotable between a first position (see FIG. 3) in the slot 161 of the first connecting member 16 and a second position (see FIG. 8) outside the first connecting member 16. A positioning member 19 (in the form of a sleeve in this example) is slidably mounted on the connecting rod 15 and movable between a first position engaged with the first connecting member 16 (see FIGS. 3 and 6) for retaining the first end 151 of the connecting rod 15 in the slot 161 of the first connecting member 16 and a second position disengaged from the first connecting member 16 (see FIGS. 4 and 7), allowing pivotal movement of the connecting rod 15 relative to the first connecting member 16.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a second connecting member 17 is mounted to the second end of the arcuate tube 11. In this embodiment, the second connecting member 17 is a quick-release including a substantially C-shaped body (not labeled) having a slit 176 in a circumference thereof. The body includes a longitudinal hole 170 so as to be mounted around the arcuate tube 11. Two lugs 175 are formed on two ends of the C-shaped body and include aligned holes (not labeled). A lever 173 includes a screw 174 pivotally connected to an end thereof. The screw 174 is extended through the aligned holes of the lugs 175 and then coupled with a nut (not labeled). Two ears 171 are formed on the circumference of the body and opposite to the slit 176. Referring to FIG. 6, a second end 152 of the connecting rod 15 is pivotally received in a space between the ears 171 by extending a pin 172 through aligned holes (not labeled) of the ears 171 and a hole (not labeled) in the second end 152 of the connecting rod 15. When the lever 173 is in a clamping position shown in FIG. 6, the second connecting member 17 is fixedly clamped on the arcuate tube 11 whereas the second end of the arcuate tube 11 is supported by the connecting rod 15. When the lever 173 is in a released position shown in FIG. 7, the second connecting member 17 is slidable along the arcuate tube 11 (or the arcuate tube 11 is slidable relative to the second connecting member 17).
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, in a case that the canopy 3 is folded, to further collapse the sunshade, the positioning member 19 is disengaged from the first connecting member 16 (i.e., the positioning member 19 is moved toward the second end 152 of the connecting rod 15) and the lever 173 is pivoted to the released position. A user may hold a gripping handle 132 on the reel 13 with only one hand and pull the arcuate tube 11 downward. The arcuate tube 11 will slide downward to a fully folded position (see FIG. 8), allowing easy carriage and transportation of the sunshade. Unfolding of the sunshade can be achieved through reverse operation. An easy-to-operate sunshade is thus provided.
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the supporting rod 12 may include a coupling member 121. In this example, the coupling member 121 is a ring mounted around the supporting rod 12 and includes a protrusion 122 with a notch 123. When the arcuate tube 11 is in the fully folded position, a projection 133 on the reel 13 is engaged and, thus, retained in the notch 123 of the protrusion 122. Thus, the arcuate tube 11 is reliably retained in place when the sunshade is in the fully folded state.
If desired, the mounting sleeve 14 may be slidable relative to the supporting rod 12 to allow adjustment of the tilting angle of the canopy 3, such as the arrangement disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,156. Further, the supporting rod 12 and the arcuate tube 11 may include two or more sections telescopically received one in another.
Although a specific embodiment has been illustrated and described, numerous modifications and variations are still possible. The scope of the invention is limited by the accompanying claims.
Patent Application
20080041431
