The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for providing shade. More specifically, the present invention is a sun shade comprising lower portions suspended from the upper shade-providing portion, where the lower portions can be folded inside the upper shade-providing portion and secured with a fastening means and can be handheld.
Umbrella devices having an upper canopy portion and a handle can be used to provide the user with shade. However, sun radiation can still penetrate the user through the top and particularly the open sides, as umbrella devices only have an upper canopy portion. Traditional umbrellas fail to provide adequate protection against ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Since ultraviolet radiation causes skin cancer and many other health problems, having an umbrella with a maximum protection against the sun light will be useful. More importantly, it can be difficult to attempt to hold an umbrella in hand when the user is engaged in an activity which requires both hands, such as pushing a wheelchair or stroller. It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a multi-function, attached and detachable, rain shielding and sunshade device having a suspended button or button-less lower portion. This will partially block sun radiation affecting the user through the sides of the umbrella to provide shade and promote health, where the umbrella also comprises a base capable of snapping on to the handle portions of a wheelchair or stroller device to free the user's hands. However, the present invention can be handheld if needed. The present invention is able to promote health by providing the user additional shade from the harmful rays of the sun, while also shielding rain waters. The suspended lower portion can be altered into different shapes and can be designed into different themes and patterns so wider ranges of consumers are encouraged to use the present invention.
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is a sun shade apparatus comprising lower portions suspended from the upper shade-providing portion. The suspended lower portions may be folded inside the upper shade-providing portion, and secured with a fastening means. The upper shade-providing portion is connected to a stand and the present invention may also be handheld in the user's hand. The present invention is multi-functional, protecting and shielding the user from the natural elements and can be made from suitable materials with or without ultraviolet protection. Three embodiments of the present invention are hereinafter described, where one does not precede the other.
In reference to
In reference to
The upper shade 3 horizontally extends from the top of the outer pole 22 but the upper shade 3 comprises a curvature. The upper shade 3 comprises a plurality of ribs 31, a plurality of panels 32, and a plurality of couplings 33. The plurality of panels 32 is connected to the plurality of ribs 31 from the top side. The plurality of ribs 31 and the plurality of panels 32 are formed into an umbrella or canopy for providing shade for its user. The plurality of couplings 33 is connected to the inside surface of the upper shade 3. The material used in the upper shade 3 can be any suitable material that may be focused on blocking sun rays and shielding rain waters. More so, the material may be UV shielding to protect the user from harmful UV rays.
The suspended lower shade 4 hangs from the edge of the upper shade 3 in order to provide additional shade. The suspended lower shade 4 further comprises a plurality of fastening means 41 which is positioned equally apart. The plurality of couplings 33 for the plurality of fastening means 41 is positioned on the interior of the upper shade 3. When the suspended lower portion is folded inside and tucked away, the plurality of fastening means 41 thereon can attach to the plurality of couplings 33 to be secured. The suspended lower shade 4 may be detached to increase portability. The material used in the suspended lower shade 4 can be any suitable material that may be primarily focused on blocking sun rays and at the same time shielding rain waters. More so, the material may be UV shielding to protect the user from harmful UV rays.
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The at least two adjustable stands 2 extend vertically from the curved convex surface of the at least two horizontal poles 11 and connected to the at least two vertical poles 12 in the at least two bottom stands 1. The at least two adjustable stands 2 are perpendicular to the at least two horizontal poles 11. The at least two adjustable stands 2 comprise two telescopic poles from each adjustable stands 2 which are at least two inner poles 21 and at least two outer poles 22. The at least two inner poles 21 comprise at least two openings 211, at least two springs 212, and at least two buttons 213. The at least two buttons 213 comprise a wider diameters than the at least two openings 211 on the at least two inner poles 21 and the at least two buttons 213 have a dome shape. The at least two springs 212 are inserted into the at least two openings 211 and then the back sides of the at least two buttons 213 are connected to the at least two springs 212. The front side of the at least two buttons 213 are exposed out from the at least two openings 211. Since the backside diameters of the at least two buttons 213 are larger than the at least two openings 211, the at least two buttons 213 do not separate from the at least two inner poles 21. The at least two springs 212 are disposed upon the backing of the at least two buttons 213 to keep the at least two buttons 213 at an at-rest extended position. The at least two outer poles 22 comprise a plurality of holes 221 which are spaced equally apart. To extend/retract the at least two outer poles 22, the at least two buttons 213 are pushed down to allow the at least two outer poles 22 to slide up or down. When the at least two buttons 213 are released at the desired aperture location allow the at least two buttons 213 to extend to its at-rest position through one of the plurality of holes 221, thereby locking the at least two outer poles 22 in place. Because of the connection between the at least two inner poles 21 and the at least two outer poles 22, the length of the at least two adjustable poles can be changed according to the user's preference. At least two inner poles 21 and the at least two outer poles 22 are made from aluminum in order to keep the weight to the minimum and to keep the necessary strength.
The upper retractable shade 5 extends horizontally from the top of the at least two outer poles 22. The upper retractable shade 5 comprises a plurality of ribs 31, a plurality of panels 32, and a plurality of couplings 33. The plurality of panels 32 is connected to the plurality of ribs 31 from the top side. The plurality of ribs 31 comprises a curved shape and is capable of being folded in a fashion similar to the sunshade portion of a conventional pram stroller device. The plurality of panels 32 is stretched out over the plurality of ribs 31 to provide a shading means. The plurality of couplings 33 is connected to the inside surface of the upper retractable shade 5. The material used in the upper retractable shade 5 can be any suitable material that may be focused on blocking sun rays and shielding rain waters. More so, the material may be UV shielding to protect the user from harmful UV rays.
The suspended lower shade 4 hangs from the edge of the upper shade 3 in order to provide additional shade. The suspended lower shade 4 further comprises a plurality of fastening means 41 positioned equally apart. The plurality of couplings 33 for the plurality of fastening means 41 is positioned on the interior of the upper shade 3. When the suspended lower portion is folded inside and tucked away, the plurality of fastening means 41 thereon can attach to the plurality of coupling to be secured. The suspended lower shade 4 may be detached to increase portability. The material used in the suspended lower shade 4 can be any suitable material that may be primarily focused on blocking sun rays and at the same time shielding rain waters. More so, the material may be UV shielding to protect the user from harmful UV rays.
The present invention, the third embodiment can be adjusted either horizontally or vertically and can be attached in a back-facing manner to the handles of a baby stroller to provide a retractable sunshade device for the individual pushing the stroller. In reference to
The at least two adjustable stands 2 extend vertically from the curved convex surface of the at least two horizontal poles 11 and connected to the at least two vertical poles 12 in the at least two bottom stands 1. The at least two adjustable stands 2 are perpendicular to the at least two horizontal poles 11. The at least two adjustable stands 2 comprise two telescopic poles from each which are at least two inner poles 21 and at least two outer poles 22. The at least two inner poles 21 comprise at least two openings 211, at least two springs 212, and at least two buttons 213. The at least two buttons 213 comprise a wider diameters than the at least two openings 211 on the at least two inner poles 21 and the at least two buttons 213 have a dome shape. The at least two springs 212 are inserted into the at least two openings 211 then the back sides of the at least two buttons 213 are connected to the at least two springs 212. The front side of the at least two buttons 213 are exposed out from the at least two openings 211. Since the backside diameters of the at least two buttons 213 are larger than the at least two openings 211, the at least two buttons 213 do not separate from the at least two inner poles 21. The at least two springs 212 are disposed upon the backing of the at least two buttons 213 to keep the at least two buttons 213 at an at-rest extended position. The at least two outer poles 22 comprise a plurality of holes 221 which are spaced equally apart. To extend/retract the at least two outer poles 22, the at least two buttons 213 are pushed down to allow the at least two outer poles 22 to slide up or down. When the at least two buttons 213 are released at the desired aperture location allow the at least two buttons 213 to extend to its at-rest position through one of the plurality of holes 221, thereby locking the at least two outer poles 22 in place. Because of the connection between the at least two inner poles 21 and the at least two outer poles 22, the length of the at least two adjustable poles can be changed according to the user's preference. At least two inner poles 21 and the at least two outer poles 22 are made from aluminum in order to keep the weight to the minimum and to keep the necessary strength.
In reference to
The suspended lower shade 4 hangs from the edge of the flat retractable shade 6 in order to provide additional shade. The suspended lower shade 4 further comprises a plurality of fastening means 41 positioned equally apart. The plurality of couplings 33 for the plurality of fastening means 41 is positioned on the interior of the flat shade. When the suspended lower portion is folded inside and tucked away, the plurality of fastening means 41 thereon can attach to the plurality of coupling to be secured. The suspended lower shade 4 may be detached to increase portability and allow the user to hold the invention in their hand. The material used in the suspended lower shade 4 can be any suitable material that may be primarily focused on blocking sun rays and at the same time shielding rain waters. More so, the material may be UV shielding to protect the user from harmful UV rays.
The suspended lower shade 4 can be buttoned or unbuttoned to the upper shade 3 depending on different conditions. In reference to
It is important to note the variations the invention may take depending on the market or by choice of the manufacturer. Most notably, the present invention may be independently used or used as an attachment for a stroller, wheelchair, or any other suitable product where the user may desire shade from the sun or rain. Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/544,096 filed on Oct. 6, 2011.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61544096 | Oct 2011 | US |