The disclosure is directed to an element-shielding device, an element-shielding system, and a method for shielding an area.
Environmental elements, such as wind, rain, hail, snow, and the like often gust or otherwise move around an outdoor area in which a user is positioned, creating an uncomfortable environment for the user.
As one non-limiting example, on the beach, gusts of wind or nearby pedestrians can kick up sand on a beachgoer and/or his/her belongings. Not only can this be uncomfortable and frustrating, but it is also very difficult to avoid. Additionally, large gusts of wind can whip around even more sand, such that the sand contacts a beachgoer lying or sitting on the sand. Gusts can further blow away unsecured belongings, like food wrappers, towels, clothing, and more. Gusts can also make it chilly and uncomfortable on cooler days.
In another non-limiting example a hunter may remain stationary in the same area of the woods for hours in conditions that can include gusting wind or precipitation, making it uncomfortable for the hunter.
Accordingly, a device that is configured to prevent wind, sand, precipitation, and the like from penetrating therethrough, thereby providing a more comfortable environment for a user thereof, is desired.
Accordingly, and generally, provided is an element-shielding device, an element-shielding system, and a method for shielding an area.
The disclosure relates to an element-shielding device, including: a first rod including a first stake configured for insertion into the ground; a second rod including a second stake configured for insertion into the ground at a distance from the first stake; and a barrier material disposed between the first rod and the second rod, where the barrier material is extendable and retractable between the first rod and the second rod.
A shielded area may be formed with the first stake and the second stake inserted into the ground and the barrier material at least partially exposed between the first rod and the second rod. The barrier material may include a fabric. The first rod may define a first hollow cavity, and the first stake may be disposed in the first hollow cavity. The second rod may define a second hollow cavity, and the second stake may be disposed in the second hollow cavity. The first stake may be extendable and retractable from the first hollow cavity, and the second stake may be extendable and retractable from the second hollow cavity. The first stake and the second stake may each define a point at an end configured for insertion into the ground. At least one of the first rod and the second rod may define a channel, where the barrier material may be disposed within the channel.
The element-shielding device may further include a reel including an axis, where the barrier material may be extendable and retractable by being wound around the axis of the reel. The reel may be attached to the first rod, where the barrier material may be extendable and retractable by moving at least one of the second rod and the reel away from the other of the second rod and the reel. At least one of the first rod and the second rod may include at least one clip. The at least one clip may be configured to engage with a third rod. The third rod may be a component of another element-shielding device or an accessory. The barrier material may include a camouflage pattern. The barrier material may include an advertisement.
The disclosure also relates to an element-shielding system, including: a plurality of element-shielding devices, each element-shielding device including: a first rod including a first stake configured for insertion into the ground; a second rod including a second stake configured for insertion into the ground at a distance from the first stake; and a barrier material disposed between the first rod and the second rod, where the barrier material is extendable and retractable between the first rod and the second rod.
The plurality of element-shielding devices may be arranged to form a shielded area. The plurality of element-shielding devices may include a first element-shielding device and a second element-shielding device, where the first element-shielding device may be attached to the second element-shielding device and the first element-shielding device may form an angle with the second element-shielding device. The first element-shielding device may be clipped to the second element-shielding device. Each element-shielding device may further include a reel comprising an axis, where the barrier material may be extendable and retractable by being wound around the axis of the reel.
The disclosure also relates to a method for shielding an area, including: providing an element-shielding device including: a first rod including a first stake configured for insertion into the ground; a second rod including a second stake configured for insertion into the ground at a distance from the first stake; and a barrier material disposed between the first rod and the second rod, where the barrier material is extendable and retractable between the first rod and the second rod.
Further embodiments or aspects are set forth in the following numbered clauses:
Clause 1: An element-shielding device, comprising: a first rod comprising a first stake configured for insertion into the ground; a second rod comprising a second stake configured for insertion into the ground at a distance from the first stake; and a barrier material disposed between the first rod and the second rod, wherein the barrier material is extendable and retractable between the first rod and the second rod.
Clause 2: The element-shielding device of clause 1, wherein a shielded area is formed with the first stake and the second stake inserted into the ground and the barrier material at least partially exposed between the first rod and the second rod.
Clause 3: The element-shielding device of clause 1 or 2, wherein the barrier material comprises a fabric.
Clause 4: The element-shielding device of any of clauses 1-3, wherein: the first rod defines a first hollow cavity and the first stake is at least partially disposed in the first hollow cavity; and the second rod defines a second hollow cavity and the second stake is at least partially disposed in the second hollow cavity.
Clause 5: The element-shielding device of clause 4, wherein: the first stake is extendable and retractable from the first hollow cavity; and the second stake is extendable and retractable from the second hollow cavity.
Clause 6: The element-shielding device of any of clauses 1-5, wherein the first stake and the second stake each define a point at an end configured for insertion into the ground.
Clause 7: The element-shielding device of any of clauses 1-6, wherein at least one of the first rod and the second rod define a channel, wherein at least a portion of the barrier material is disposed within the channel.
Clause 8: The element-shielding device of any of clauses 1-7, further comprising a reel comprising an axis, wherein the barrier material is extendable and retractable by being wound around the axis of the reel.
Clause 9: The element-shielding device of clause 8, wherein the reel is attached to the first rod, wherein the barrier material is extendable and retractable by moving at least one of the second rod and the reel away from the other of the second rod and the reel.
Clause 10: The element-shielding device of any of clauses 1-9, wherein at least one of the first rod and the second rod comprises at least one clip.
Clause 11: The element-shielding device of clause 10, wherein the at least one clip is configured to engage with a third rod.
Clause 12: The element-shielding device of clause 11, wherein the third rod is a component of another element-shielding device or an accessory.
Clause 13: The element-shielding device of any of clauses 1-12, wherein the barrier material comprises a camouflage pattern.
Clause 14: The element-shielding device of any of clauses 1-13, wherein the barrier material comprises an advertisement.
Clause 15: An element-shielding system, comprising: a plurality of element-shielding devices, each element-shielding device comprising: a first rod comprising a first stake configured for insertion into the ground; a second rod comprising a second stake configured for insertion into the ground at a distance from the first stake; and a barrier material disposed between the first rod and the second rod, wherein the barrier material is extendable and retractable between the first rod and the second rod.
Clause 16: The element-shielding system of clause 15, wherein the plurality of element-shielding devices are arranged to form a shielded area.
Clause 17: The element-shielding system of clause 15 or 16, wherein the plurality of element-shielding devices comprises a first element-shielding device and a second element-shielding device, wherein the first element-shielding device is attached to the second element-shielding device, wherein the first element-shielding device forms an angle with the second element-shielding device.
Clause 18: The element-shielding system of clause 17, wherein the first element-shielding device is clipped to the second element-shielding device.
Clause 19: The element-shielding system of any of clauses 15-18, wherein each element-shielding device further comprises a reel comprising an axis, wherein the barrier material is extendable and retractable by being wound around the axis of the reel.
Clause 20: A method for shielding an area, comprising: providing an element-shielding device comprising: a first rod comprising a first stake configured for insertion into the ground; a second rod comprising a second stake configured for insertion into the ground at a distance from the first stake; and a barrier material disposed between the first rod and the second rod, wherein the barrier material is extendable and retractable between the first rod and the second rod.
These and other features and characteristics of the present disclosure, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structures and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the disclosure. As used in the specification and the claims, the singular form of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Additional advantages and details of the disclosure are explained in greater detail below with reference to the non-limiting exemplary embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying schematic figures, in which:
For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “end,” “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “lateral,” “longitudinal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments or aspects of the disclosure. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments or aspects disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.
Referring to
In some non-limiting examples, the first rod may have a length of from 1-5 feet long, such as from 2-4 feet long, or from 3-4 feet long.
With continued reference to
The first stake 22 may be movable relative to the first rod 12 so as to be extendable and retractable relative to the second end 16 of the first rod 12. The first stake 22 may have a length extending from the second end 16 of the first rod 12 that may be adjustable.
In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first stake 22 may be at least partially disposed in the first hollow portion of the first rod 12. The first stake 22 may be extendable and retractable from the first hollow portion, such that the first stake 22 may be configured to protrude from the second end 16 of the first rod 12 a predefined distance. The distance at which the first stake 22 may protrude from the first end 16 of the first rod 12 may be adjustable by a user. In some non-limiting examples, the first stake 22 may have a length of from 1-3 feet long, such as 1.5-2.5 feet long. In some non-limiting examples, the first stake 22 may extend up to 1-3 feet from the second end 16 of the first rod 12, such as up to 1-2 feet, such as up to 16-18 inches. In some positions, the first stake 22 may be retracted so as to extend less than 1 foot from the second end 16 of the first rod 12, such as less than 8 inches, less than 6 inches, less than 4 inches, less than 2 inches, less than 1 inch, or 0 inch.
Referring to
As shown in
With continued reference to
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The reel 35 may be attached to the first and/or the second rod 12, 24, and the reel 35 may be attached thereto using any arrangement. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the reel 35 may be welded to the first rod 12 (as in
With continued reference to
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With continued reference to
The shielded area 64 may be formed by arranging a plurality of element-shielding devices 10a, 10b (an element-shielding system 60) (first element-shielding device 10a and second element-shielding device 10b), such that the element-shielding devices 10a, 10b inserted into the ground 52 and having the barrier material 44 exposed may form the shielded area 64 on a lee side of the barrier materials 44. The first element-shielding device 10a may be arranged at an angle relative to the second element-shielding device 10b. The angle between the first element-shielding device 10a and the second element-shielding device 10b may be between 0° and 180°. In some non-limiting examples, the first element-shielding device 10a and the second element-shielding device 10b may be arranged at a right angle (90°), as shown in
With continued reference to
With continued reference to
In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the barrier material 44 may be made of a clear material, a translucent material, and/or an opaque material. The barrier material 44 may have a pattern. The pattern may be ornamental. The pattern may include a camouflage pattern relative to the surroundings of the element-shielding device 10. The barrier material 44 may include an indicia thereon, such as a trademark, a logo, a design, a photograph, text, and the like. The barrier material 44 may include an advertisement thereon.
In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a method for shielding an area from the elements may include providing at least one element-shielding device as described herein. The shielded area may be formed by extending the element-shielding device to the exposed position and inserting the first and second stakes thereof into the ground. In some non-limiting examples, the ground may be a beach, such that the shielded area is shielded from the surroundings of the beach (e.g., wind, precipitation, blowing water, blowing sand, and the like). In some non-limiting examples, the ground may be a hunting area (e.g., woods), such that the shielded area is shielded from the surroundings of the hunting area; optionally, the element-shielding device may have barrier material having a camouflage pattern. In some non-limiting examples, the element-shielding device may include a barrier material having an advertisement thereon, such that the element shielding device may be an advertisement sign inserted into the ground in its exposed position.
Although the disclosure has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/699,060, filed Jul. 17, 2018, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62699060 | Jul 2018 | US |