FOLDABLE CANOPY

Abstract

A foldable canopy in which the right side members are rotatable towards the left side members and the left side members are rotated towards the first right side members such that the angles between the first and second top sides and respectively coupled side members decreases such that in a folded configuration, the first and second left side hinges are closer to the first hub than to the second hub and the first and second right side hinges are closer to the second hub than to the first hub.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to canopies and shade structures, and more particularly, to a foldable canopy, and in particular, to a foldable canopy preferably for use in connection with portable and/or folding furniture, for example and not limitation, outdoor chairs, such as by way of example and not limitation, camping chairs, lounger chairs, lawn chairs, beach chairs, and the like.

Although canopies for portable and foldable chairs are known, the present invention provides advantages heretofore unrealized, as will become clear from the figures and disclosure herein. For example, conventional canopies are known from U.S. Design Pat. Nos. D725,424 and 10,472,850. However, the known prior art cannot and does not achieve the advantages nor provide the functionality of the present invention.

For example, U.S. Design Pat. No. D725,424 has only one linkage mechanism on each side thus providing only limited foldability. On the other hand, while U.S. Pat. No. 10,472,850 may provide for alternative foldability, folding or collapsing of the canopy structure described and illustrated therein is disadvantageously limited to an extremely elongated collapsed configuration that does not at all lend itself to being packaged and/or transported separately (or together) in a sufficiently and adequately smaller configuration. Based thereon, it can be seen that the known prior art cannot and does not achieve the objectives of the present invention, which includes but are not limited to, the ability to be folded into a smaller configuration than heretofore known.

Based thereon, it can be seen that the state of the art is still deficient in the recognition and the ability to achieve the advantages achieved by the present invention. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an improved foldable canopy that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art and achieves the advantages disclosed and contemplated herein, all of which are provided by the embodiments and figures disclosed herein.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

It is thus an objective of the present invention to overcome the perceived deficiencies in the prior art and achieve the advantages disclosed herein.

For example, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a foldable canopy that can achieve a smaller folded or collapsed configuration than heretofore known or achieved with prior art constructions.

As but another example, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a foldable canopy that can be stored and/or transported in a package or container smaller than heretofore known or achieved with prior art canopy constructions.

Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from a consideration of the images and figures and ensuing disclosure.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, methods of operation and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction, illustration and description hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

Therefore, to overcome the perceived deficiencies in the prior art and to achieve the objects and advantages set forth above and below, preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to, generally speaking, a foldable canopy. For example, in a first preferred embodiment, the foldable canopy comprises a first top member having a first end and a second end; a second top member having a first end and a second end; a first right side member having a first end and a second end; a second right side member having a first end and a second end; a first left side member having a first end and a second end; a second left side member having a first end and a second end; a first hub and a second hub; the first end of the first right side member is coupled to the first hub; the first end of the second right side member is coupled to the first hub; the first end of the first left side member is coupled to the second hub; the first end of the second left side member is coupled to the second hub; a first right side hinge for coupling the second end of the first right side member to the first end of the first top member; a second right side hinge for coupling the second end of the second right side member to the first end of the second top member; a first left side hinge for coupling the second end of the first left side member to the second end of the first top member; and a second left side hinge for coupling the second end of the second left side member to the second end of the second top member; wherein as the first right member and the second right side member are rotated towards the first left side member and the second left side member and as the first left side member and the second left side member are rotated towards the first right side member and the second right side member, the angles between the first and second top sides and respectively coupled side members decreases such that the first and second left side hinges are closer to the first hub than to the second hub and the first and second right side hinges are closer to the second hub than to the first hub when the foldable canopy is in a fully folded position.

In another preferred embodiment, the foldable canopy comprises a first top member having a first end and a second end; a second top member having a first end and a second end; a first right side member having a first end and a second end; a second right side member having a first end and a second end; a first left side member having a first end and a second end; a second left side member having a first end and a second end; a first hub and a second hub; the first end of the first right side member is coupled to the first hub; the first end of the second right side member is coupled to the first hub; the first end of the first left side member is coupled to the second hub; the first end of the second left side member is coupled to the second hub; a first right side hinge for coupling the second end of the first right side member to the first end of the first top member; a second right side hinge for coupling the second end of the second right side member to the first end of the second top member; a first left side hinge for coupling the second end of the first left side member to the second end of the first top member; and a second left side hinge for coupling the second end of the second left side member to the second end of the second top member; wherein the first right member and the second right side member are rotatable towards the first left side member and the second left side member and the first left side member and the second left side member are rotatable towards the first right side member and the second right side member such that the first and second left side hinges are closer to the first hub than to the second hub and the first and second right side hinges are closer to the second hub than to the first hub when the foldable canopy is in a fully folded position.

In still another preferred embodiment, the foldable canopy comprises a first top member having a first end and a second end; a second top member having a first end and a second end; a first right side member having a first end and a second end; a second right side member having a first end and a second end; a first left side member having a first end and a second end; a second left side member having a first end and a second end; a first hub and a second hub; the first end of the first right side member is coupled to the first hub; the first end of the second right side member is coupled to the first hub; the first end of the first left side member is coupled to the second hub; the first end of the second left side member is coupled to the second hub; a first right side hinge for coupling the second end of the first right side member to the first end of the first top member; a second right side hinge for coupling the second end of the second right side member to the first end of the second top member; a first left side hinge for coupling the second end of the first left side member to the second end of the first top member; and a second left side hinge for coupling the second end of the second left side member to the second end of the second top member; wherein with the first right member and the second right side member rotated towards the first left side hinge and the second left side hinge and with the first left side member and the second left side member rotated towards the first right side hinge and the second right side hinge, the first and second left side hinges are closer to the first hub than to the second hub and the first and second right side hinges are closer to the second hub than to the first hub when the foldable canopy is in a fully folded position; and at least 50% of each of the first right side member, the second right side member, the first left side member, and the second left side member are all under arches formed by the first and second top members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above set forth and other features of the invention are made more apparent in the ensuing Description of the Preferred Embodiments when read in conjunction with the attached Drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a foldable canopy frame constructed in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention in an open position;

FIGS. 2A and 2B (which may also collectively be referred herein as “FIG. 2”) are perspective views of the foldable canopy frame of FIG. 1 constructed in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, and in partially closed position;

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C (which may also collectively be referred herein as “FIG. 3”) are perspective views of the foldable canopy frame of FIG. 1 constructed in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, and in fully folded position;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the foldable canopy frame of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate hinges 45, 50, 55, 60 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5C illustrates hinges 45, 50, 55, 60 as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the foldable canopy frame of FIG. 1 with an exemplary fabric canopy, thus comprising a fully constructed foldable canopy in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 7A is an illustration of the canopy in prior art U.S. Pat. No. 10,472,850 and FIGS. 7B and 7C are photos taken along the lines noted in FIG. 7A of an actual product shown in U.S. Pat. No. 10,472,850 illustrating the existence of walls “W” that prevent the rotation of the respective canopy members and the folding of the canopy as disclosed and claimed herein.

Identical reference numerals in the figures are intended to indicate like parts, although not every feature in every figure may be called out with a reference numeral.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to the figures in connection with the following disclosure of preferred embodiments of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, the present invention is directed to a foldable canopy preferably for use in connection with portable furniture, for example and not limitation, outdoor chairs, such as by way of example and not limitation, camping chairs, lawn chairs, lounger chairs, beach chairs, and the like.

Reference will thus now be made to FIGS. 1-6 in connection with the following disclosure of preferred embodiments of a foldable canopy, generally indicated at 10, constructed in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention.

In accordance with a first embodiment, foldable canopy 10 comprises a first top member 12 having a first end 12A and a second end 12B; a second top member 15 having a first end 15A and a second end 15B; a first right side member 18 having a first end 18A and a second end 18B; a second right side member 20 having a first end 20A and a second end 20B; a first left side member 22 having a first end 22A and a second end 22B; and a second left side member 24 having a first end 24A and a second end 24B.

Foldable canopy 10 also preferably comprises a first hub 31A and a first clip 32A and a second hub 31B and a second clip 32B.

As illustrated in the figures, first end 18A of the first right side member 18 is coupled to the first hub 31A, first end 20A of the second right side member 20 is coupled to the first hub 31A, a first end 22A of the first left side member 22 is coupled to the second hub 31B, and first end 24A of the second left side member 24 is coupled to the second hub 31B. Coupling the aforementioned first ends to the respective hubs is well known in the art and may be achieved with bolts, rivets, or the like. Hubs 31A and 31B permit rotation of the respective first ends coupled thereto as would be well understood in the art.

In accordance with the present invention, foldable canopy 10 comprises a first right side hinge, generally indicated at 45, for coupling the second end 18B of the first right side member 18 to the first end 12A of the first top member 12, a second right side hinge, generally indicated at 50, for coupling the second end 20B of the second right side member 20 to the first end 15A of the second top member 15, a first left side hinge, generally indicated at 55, for coupling the second end 22B of the first left side member 22 to the second end 12B of the first top member 12, and a second left side hinge, generally indicated at 60, for coupling the second end 24B of the second left side member 24 to the second end 15B of the second top member 15.

As also illustrated in the figures, foldable canopy 10 also preferably comprises a first linkage assembly, generally indicated at 70, coupled between the first right side member 18 and the second right side member 20 to maintain a predetermined distance between the first right side member 18 and the second right side member 20 when the foldable canopy 10 is an open condition (e.g. FIG. 1) and to permit the first right side member 18 and the second right side member 20 to move towards each other to permit collapsing of the foldable canopy 10 and to permit foldable canopy 10 to maintain a partially folded configuration, i.e. FIGS. 2A, 2B.

Similarly, foldable canopy 10 also preferably comprises a second linkage assembly, generally indicated at 80, coupled between the first left side member 22 and the second left side member 24 to maintain a predetermined distance between the first left side member 22 and the second left side member 24 when the foldable canopy 10 is an open condition (e.g. FIG. 1) and to permit the first left side member 20 and the second left side member 24 to move towards each other to permit collapsing of the foldable canopy 10 and to permit foldable canopy 10 to maintain a partially folded configuration, i.e. FIGS. 2A, 2B.

Reference is now made specifically to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, which all show foldable canopy frame 10 from different angles in a fully folded position in accordance with the present invention.

As illustrated in the figures, the first right side hinge 45 permits the first right side member 18 to rotate relative to and under the first top member 12; the second right side hinge 50 permits the second right side member 20 to rotate relative to and under the second top member 15; the first left side hinge 55 permits the first left side member 22 to rotate relative to and under the first top member 12; and the second left side hinge 60 permits the second left side member 24 to rotate relative to and under the second top member 15. Also, in this way, it can be seen that the first right side member 18, the second right side member 20, the first left side member 22, and the second left side member 24 are all under arches formed by the top members 12, 15. More specifically, at least 50% of each of the first right side member 18, the second right side member 20, the first left side member 22, and the second left side member 24 are all under arches formed by the top members 12, 15 when viewed from a front view as in FIG. 4. In a specific embodiment, at least 75% of each of the first right side member 18, the second right side member 20, the first left side member 22, and the second left side member 24 are all under arches formed by the top members 12, 15 when viewed from a front view as in FIG. 4.

As can thus be seen (e.g. comparing FIG. 4 to FIG. 3A for exemplary purposes), as the first right member 18 and the second right side member 20 rotate in the clockwise (CW) direction towards the first left side member 22 and the second left side member 24, and as the first left side member 22 and the second left side member 24 rotate in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction towards the first right side member 18 and the second right side member 20, the angle α between the first and second top sides and the respectively coupled side members decreases (i.e. compare the angles α₁ (see FIG. 4) vs the decreasing angles α₂ (see FIG. 3A)) such that in a fully folded configuration (i.e. FIG. 3), the first and second left side hinges 55, 60 are closer to the first hub 31A than to the second hub 32A and the first and second right side hinges 45, 50 are closer to the second hub 32A than to the first hub 31, all of which is clearly seen in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C.

As can also be seen, when the first right member 18 and the second right side member 20 are rotated towards the first left side hinge 55 and the second left side hinge 60 and when the first left side member 22 and the second left side member 24 are rotated towards the first right side hinge 45 and the second right side hinge 50, the first and second left side hinges 55, 60 are closer to the first hub 31A than to the second hub 32A and the first and second right side hinges 45, 50 are closer to the second hub 31B than to the first hub 31A when the foldable canopy is in a fully folded position as seen in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C.

In this way, and as also can be seen in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, in a fully folded configuration, the first right side member 18 and the second right side member 20 are rotated inwardly and towards hinges 55 and 60 and the first left side member 22 and the second left side member 24 are rotated inwardly and towards hinges 45 and 50, and are under the top members 12, 15 as disclosed and illustrated herein.

As also can be seen, to fold foldable canopy 10, the first right side member 18 and the second right side member 20 are each rotated clockwise and towards hinges 55 and 60 (see the arrow CW as seen from the perspective of looking at FIGS. 3A, 4); and the first left side member 22 and the second left side member 24 are each rotated counterclockwise and towards hinges 45 and 50 (see the arrow CCW also as seen from the perspective of looking at FIGS. 3A, 4).

Reference is also now made to FIG. 5 which shows the preferred construction of hinges 45, 50, 55, and 60 all/each of which are preferably identically constructed. That is, all/each of the hinges 45, 50, 55, and 60 are preferably all of a two (2) piece construction, i.e. sections A, B, coupled together with a pin, all as would be understood in the art. The respective end pairs of the members as disclosed above (i.e. 18B, 12A; 20B, 15A; 22B, 12B; and 24B, 15B) are preferably adhered, glued, riveted, bolted and/or otherwise adhered to the respective sections A, B of the respective hinges to ensure structural integrity of the foldable canopy 10. In this way, it can be seen that the first right side member 18 and the second right side member 20 can be rotated inwardly and towards hinges 55 and 60 and that the first left side member 22 and the second left side member 24 can be rotated inwardly and towards hinges 45 and 50. And because of the close proximity/alignment of the ends of the members as disclosed above (i.e. 18B and 12A; 20B and 15A; 22B and 12B; and 24B and 15B), it can be seen that the first right side member 18 and the second right side member 20 cannot be rotated outwardly (i.e. cannot be rotated counterclockwise, i.e. as seen from the perspective of looking at FIGS. 3A, 4) beyond that shown in e.g. FIG. 4 and that the first left side member 22 and the second left side member 24 cannot be rotated outwardly (i.e. cannot be rotated clockwise, i.e. as seen from the perspective of looking at FIGS. 3A, 4) beyond that shown in FIG. 4 without possible damage being done to the hinges or the respective side and/or top members.

Reference is briefly made to FIG. 6, which illustrates a fully constructed foldable canopy, as FIG. 6 illustrates foldable canopy 10 with a canopy 100, preferred made of fabric and/or any other flexible material, which is coupled to members 12, 15, 18, 20, 22, and 24 in any one or more conventional ways thereby completing the construction of a foldable canopy constructed in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention.

Clips 32A and 32B are dimensioned for preferably being clipped onto the frame of the portable furniture, for example and not limitation, outdoor chairs, such as by way of example and not limitation, camping chairs, lounger chairs, lawn chairs, beach chairs, and the like. Such clips could be coupled to the frame by friction fit and/or any additional securing means if desired and/or warranted.

As can thus also be understood from the disclosure and figures, in a preferred embodiment of opening foldable canopy 10, the present invention may comprise the steps of rotating both sides outwardly to the max open position, opening the canopy 100, and pushing down the side linkages 70, 80. In a preferred embodiment of closing the foldable canopy 10, the present invention may comprise the steps of unlocking the side linkages 70, 80, partially folding the foldable canopy 10, and the folding both sides as disclosed and claimed herein (e.g. yielding the fully folded configuration in e.g. FIG. 3A)

While the present invention is disclosed in the figures, it is particularly of note that FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 4, 5A, 5B, and 6 show hinges 45, 50, 55, 60 unfolded, i.e. in the fully open position while FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 5C show the hinges 45, 50, 55, 60 folded, i.e. in the closed position(s).

As can now be seen, the present invention provides for increased and improved versality, advantages, and construction over those designs and constructions shown and described in the prior art. For example and not limitation, the present invention incorporates convenient clips 32A, 32B for easy and advantageous coupling of the foldable canopy to a desired or preferred piece of portable furniture, such as a chair or the like. In addition and most notably, the foldable construction of the present invention provides for an easier and more advantageous ability for the foldable canopy 10 to be stored and/or secured in a backpack or pouch, whether separate from or coupled to (e.g. for traveling with) the furniture (e.g. chair), e.g. in a pouch or coupled to or in a backpack that is used with and/or coupleable and/or connected (e.g. detachable or otherwise) to such portable and/or foldable furniture (e.g. chair(s)).

It is also significant to specifically note that the known prior art cannot fold as disclosed and claimed herein. Reference is thus briefly made to FIG. 7A, which is an illustration of the canopy in prior art U.S. Pat. No. 10,472,850. As can be seen, the canopy of FIG. 7A does not and cannot provide for the right side members to rotate towards the left side members as the angles between the first and second top sides and respectively coupled side members decrease such that in a fully folded configuration, the first and second left side hinges are closer to the first hub than to the second hub and the first and second right side hinges are closer to the second hub than to the first hub. In fact, FIGS. 7B and 7C are photos taken along the lines noted in FIG. 7A of an actual product shown in U.S. Pat. No. 10,472,850 illustrating the existence of walls “W” that prevent the rotation of the respective canopy members and the folding of the canopy as disclosed and claimed herein.

While the present invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example and not limitation, in a preferred embodiment, the first top member, the second top member, and each of the first right side member, the second right side member, the first left side member, and the second left side member are each/all unitary members. However, it is envisioned that any and/or all of the foregoing members may each be comprised of multiple sections adhered together in one or more conventional ways. Although such a construction would appear to be less than desirable from a manufacturing point of view, making the respective members in sub-smaller sections is not intended to design around the scope of the claims and therefore, it is possible and within the scope of the claims that one or more of the disclosed members herein may each be comprised of sections but that such attempt at an alternative design in no way should be construed as a design around of the claims as properly interpreted herein.

The components of the embodiments of the foldable canopy frame herein are preferably made of plastic, metal, and/or combinations thereof as would be understood in the art.

It should also be understood that the sizes of features as provided in the figures are by way of preferred examples and should not be interpreted in a limiting sense.

As used herein, “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to both singular and plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the term “about” refers to a measurable value such as a parameter, an amount, a temporal duration, and the like and is meant to include variations of +/−15% or less, preferably variations of +/−10% or less, more preferably variations of +/−5% or less, even more preferably variations of +/−1% or less, and still more preferably variations of +/−0.1% or less of and from the particularly recited value, in so far as such variations are appropriate to perform in the invention described herein. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the value to which the modifier “about” refers is itself specifically disclosed herein. To the extent used herein, spatially relative terms, such as “right,” “left,” “top,” “beneath,” “under,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, are used for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It is further understood that the terms “front” and “back” to the extent used herein are not intended to be limiting and are intended to be interchangeable where appropriate. As used herein, the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof unless explicitly stated herein.

It will thus be seen that the objectives set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying Figures and images shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It should also be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention described herein and all statements of the scope of the invention that as a matter of language might fill therebetween.

As should now be understood, the present invention overcomes deficiencies in the prior art while also providing the advantages mentioned herein as well as those advantages that should be understood by those skilled in the art. Other advantages and objectives are deemed to be apparent from the disclosure herein. It should also be appreciated that the present invention can be implemented and utilized in numerous ways.

Claims

1. A foldable canopy comprising: a first top member having a first end and a second end; a second top member having a first end and a second end; a first right side member having a first end and a second end; a second right side member having a first end and a second end; a first left side member having a first end and a second end; a second left side member having a first end and a second end;a first hub and a second hub;the first end of the first right side member is coupled to the first hub; the first end of the second right side member is coupled to the first hub; the first end of the first left side member is coupled to the second hub; the first end of the second left side member is coupled to the second hub;a first right side hinge for coupling the second end of the first right side member to the first end of the first top member; a second right side hinge for coupling the second end of the second right side member to the first end of the second top member; a first left side hinge for coupling the second end of the first left side member to the second end of the first top member; and a second left side hinge for coupling the second end of the second left side member to the second end of the second top member;wherein:as the first right member and the second right side member are rotated towards the first left side member and the second left side member and as the first left side member and the second left side member are rotated towards the first right side member and the second right side member, the angles between the first and second top sides and respectively coupled side members decreases such that the first and second left side hinges are closer to the first hub than to the second hub and the first and second right side hinges are closer to the second hub than to the first hub when the foldable canopy is in a fully folded position.

2. The foldable canopy as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a first linkage assembly coupled between the first right side member and the second right side member to maintain a predetermined distance between the first right side member and the second right side member when the foldable canopy is an open condition and to permit the first right side member and the second right side member to move towards each other to partially fold the canopy; anda second linkage assembly coupled between the first left side member and the second left side member to maintain a predetermined distance between the first left side member and the second left side member when the foldable canopy is the open condition and to permit the first left side member and the second left side member to move towards each other to partially fold the canopy.

3. The foldable canopy as claimed in claim 1, comprising a canopy made of fabric and/or other flexible material.

4. The foldable canopy as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first top member is a unitary member, the second top member is a unitary member, and the first right side member, the second right side member, the first left side member, and the second left side member are each unitary members.

5. A foldable canopy comprising: a first top member having a first end and a second end; a second top member having a first end and a second end; a first right side member having a first end and a second end; a second right side member having a first end and a second end; a first left side member having a first end and a second end; a second left side member having a first end and a second end;a first hub and a second hub;the first end of the first right side member is coupled to the first hub; the first end of the second right side member is coupled to the first hub; the first end of the first left side member is coupled to the second hub; the first end of the second left side member is coupled to the second hub;a first right side hinge for coupling the second end of the first right side member to the first end of the first top member; a second right side hinge for coupling the second end of the second right side member to the first end of the second top member; a first left side hinge for coupling the second end of the first left side member to the second end of the first top member; and a second left side hinge for coupling the second end of the second left side member to the second end of the second top member;wherein:the first right member and the second right side member are rotatable towards the first left side member and the second left side member and the first left side member and the second left side member are rotatable towards the first right side member and the second right side member such that the first and second left side hinges are closer to the first hub than to the second hub and the first and second right side hinges are closer to the second hub than to the first hub when the foldable canopy is in a fully folded position.

6. A foldable canopy comprising: a first top member having a first end and a second end; a second top member having a first end and a second end; a first right side member having a first end and a second end; a second right side member having a first end and a second end; a first left side member having a first end and a second end; a second left side member having a first end and a second end;a first hub and a second hub;the first end of the first right side member is coupled to the first hub; the first end of the second right side member is coupled to the first hub; the first end of the first left side member is coupled to the second hub; the first end of the second left side member is coupled to the second hub;a first right side hinge for coupling the second end of the first right side member to the first end of the first top member; a second right side hinge for coupling the second end of the second right side member to the first end of the second top member; a first left side hinge for coupling the second end of the first left side member to the second end of the first top member; and a second left side hinge for coupling the second end of the second left side member to the second end of the second top member;wherein:with the first right member and the second right side member rotated towards the first left side hinge and the second left side hinge and with the first left side member and the second left side member rotated towards the first right side hinge and the second right side hinge, the first and second left side hinges are closer to the first hub than to the second hub and the first and second right side hinges are closer to the second hub than to the first hub when the foldable canopy is in a fully folded position; andat least 50% of each of the first right side member, the second right side member, the first left side member, and the second left side member are all under arches formed by the first and second top members.