BACKGROUND
Transportable or “pop-up” canopies have become ubiquitous in many locations of leisure, including beaches, lakes, sporting events, and anywhere where relief from the sun or other elements is sought. Most existing canopies rely upon an arrangement of poles and truss elements to expand and form an enclosure to support an opaque tarp, but more recent versions of these devices have come to use inflatable components in place of rigid poles. The size of the inflatable canopies mandate that separate, powered electrical pumps be brought to inflate the devices, but there are problems associated with the use of such pumps. It is difficult to mate the pump and the canopy support so that they connect properly, and outdoor environments often lack a power supply to properly energize the pump. The present invention seeks to overcome certain drawbacks of the prior inflatable canopy systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an inflatable canopy tent that when deflated can be folded or rolled into a very compact configuration, and when inflated expands quickly and effortlessly into a double arched configuration suitable for providing shade, temporary shelter from rain, and comfort. The present invention uses a portable, rechargeable battery-powered fan or pump that can inflate the canopy tent in approximately two minutes without the need for an external AC power supply, eliminating the need for power outlets and electrical cords. The fan is quickly attached to the canopy using a specifically designed inflation valve that permits rapid inflation and deflation using the portable fan. The valve includes a pliant flapper with a nipple that deflects the flapper during deflation so that the pump can quickly deflate the canopy. In a preferred embodiment, the columns inflate in a sequence that promotes rapid inflation and more importantly allows the canopy to be quickly deflated. These, and other features of the invention will best be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of the invention below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 an elevated, perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of a base of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged, elevated perspective view of an inflation valve on the canopy;
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the operation of the flapper valve in the presence of the fan;
FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the flapper valve without the presence of the fan;
FIG. 6 is an elevated, perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a deflated state;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the canopy with the primary arch inflated and the secondary arch uninflated;
FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the intersection of the two inflatable arches at the point of intersection;
FIG. 9 is the completion of the inflation sequence where the secondary arch is inflated;
FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the primary and secondary arch to review the perforated panels;
FIG. 11 is the entire canopy deflated and folded into a carrying bag;
FIG. 12 is an elevated, perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention with attachable coverings;
FIG. 13 is an elevated, perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention where adjacent canopies are coupled; and
FIG. 14 is an elevated, perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention including a parabolic extension.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a portable, inflatable canopy 10 of the present invention comprising a tarp 12 (shown in shadow to show the underlying structure) attached onto two intersecting and interconnected inflatable arches 14. The dome-shaped flexible tarp 12 may preferably be a thin sheet of substantially opaque material made of a water resistant, flame retardant fabric or material that can block the rays of the sun and shelter occupants from rain without absorbing moisture and becoming weighted down. Such fabrics are preferably plastic in nature, such as polyester, and water repellant (hydrophobic), with sufficient robustness to last multiple seasons of use without tearing or fraying. The tarp 12 is attached along seams directly to the arches 14 in a permanent attachment so that the tarp 12 cannot blow off or become dislodged from the arches 14, although other forms of attachment are within the scope of the invention (e.g., hook and loop type fasteners). The tarp 12 extends down and over the exterior sides of the four columns 18 of the arches 14, and form a dome-like configuration over the arches. When fully inflated, the tarp 12 is extended so as to be taut to prevent the tarp from flapping in the wind and creating unwanted noise to the occupants. The tarp 12 is preferably capable of receiving graphics and is colorable with multiple colors for aesthetics and promotional purposes such as advertisements or affiliation with clubs and/or organizations.
As stated above, the underlying support structure comprises two inflatable arches that connect at the apex 20 corresponding to the horizontal midportions of each arch and extend perpendicular to one another. As explained below, the structure has a unitary primary arch 14A and a secondary arch 14B that is formed of two symmetric halves that attach to the primary arch. A feature of the present invention is the sturdiness of the inflatable structure as compared with prior art canopies. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the radius of the base of each arch is approximately fifteen centimeters, yielding a cross-sectional area A2 of 707 cm2. The area of the square A1 at the bottom of the canopy is 102,400 cm2, so the four columns represent greater than 2% of the area A1 beneath the canopy. When the area of the columns is larger than 2% of the total area beneath the canopy, the present inventors have found that the stability of the canopy is far superior to canopies having lesser ratios. The present design is capable of rapid inflation and deflation despite the large volumes of the support columns due to the particular design of the invention.
As shown in FIG. 2, each column 18 may include at its base a zippered pouch 21 that receives an anchor 16, which is preferably U-or horseshoe-shaped metal weight that extends around or below the inflated portion of the column. The weighted anchors 16 eliminate the need for stakes, hammers, cables, etc. and provides an effective ballast to the canopy. The anchor system eliminates the need for tools, does not rely on cables that can break or fray, and provides for quick disassembly when not in use.
The two arches are constructed so that they meet at the apex of the canopy and share a common space. This allows the support structure to inflate via a single inlet so the user does not have to inflate four (or two) separate columns. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view, partially in shadow, of the intersection of the two inflatable arches at the canopy's apex 20. A feature of the present invention is that the two arches inflate sequentially instead of each column inflating at the same time. That is, the canopy begins in the deflated condition of FIG. 6, then inflates to the half-inflated (primary arch 14A only) condition of FIG. 7, and then to the fully inflated condition of FIG. 9 (and deflates similarly). The benefit of having a primary arch 14A automatically inflate and deflate first is that a first main support is established for the canopy that a single person can hold, whereupon the secondary arch 14B will inflate or deflate only after the first one is largely finished. More significantly, when deflating the canopy, without this sequential deflation of the arches the structure collapses onto itself and the columns can become tangled, twisted, or folded onto themselves, trapping air and preventing or delaying the deflation process. With the sequential deflation, the primary arch 14A deflates and lies along the ground in a cross configuration, whereupon the secondary arch then deflates without interference.
Sequential inflation and deflation is achieved using two perforated panels 100 that locates the attachment of the two halves of the secondary arch 14B. The respective halves of secondary arch 14B are preferably ultrasonically welded to primary arch 14A at the perforated panels 100 at their respective perimeters. The shape of the panels 100 are three dimensional and have a profile that is circular to conform with the wall of the primary arch 14A, and who's shape is the normal projection of a circle (corresponding to the cylindrical arch 14B) onto the surface of the primary arch. This shape is reminiscent of a potato chip but has a surface that conforms with and is defined by the intersection of both the primary and secondary arches. These two panels 100 occlude the entrance to the secondary arch from the inside and restricts air from flowing freely into this secondary arch until the air pressure in the primary arch reaches a certain level nearing complete inflation. To accomplish this, each panel 100 is formed with a plurality of smaller holes 102, that begin to introduce air once the first arch is fully inflated because the air will flow along the path of least resistance. The perforations or holes 102 allow the two arches to be inflated with a single inflation port on the primary arch. Because the arches 14 are airtight, once inflated the arches stay inflated so a constant supply of flowing air is unnecessary with the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the inflatable arches are fabricated of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) although other materials can be substituted within the scope of the present invention.
The present invention can utilize a battery powered portable pump 30 to inflate the support structure when deployment is desired, such as a rechargeable lithium ion battery powered fan system known for lightweight power and ease of mobility. Convenience is realized by the design of an inflation valve 32, shown in FIG. 3, which is incorporated into a base of the primary arch 14A. The inflation valve 32 includes a cap 49 tethered by a cable 51 that can be used to seal the inflation valve when not engaged with the pump 30. The inflation valve 32 and pump 30 allow for hands free operation during the inflation and deflation process, significantly increasing the case with which the canopy is deployed. The inflation valve 32 is formed with an annular rim 33 that defines an air passage to the interior of the primary arch 14A. The valve preferably incorporates an internal flapper valve 35 attached at the internal neck of the inflation valve 32. With the canopy inflated and the pump 30 disengaged (see FIG. 5), the internal pressure inside the inflated canopy biases the flapper valve 35 to a flush position against the shoulder 37 to seal the inflation valve and prevent air from escaping. The inflation valve includes a threaded flange 39 directed outwardly from the annular rim and external to the column 18 in which it is incorporated. When not inflated, cap 49 is screwed onto the flange to prevent air loss through the inflation valve 32. The threaded flange is also configured to receive the portable pump 30 to provide a secure seal that allows hands-free inflation.
The pump 30 is formed with a central deflector 43 that may be a plate or grating that extends across the face of the pump air outlet. The central deflector 43 pushes on an outwardly projecting nipple 47 that extends away from the flapper valve into the volume defined by the flange 39. When the pump's deflector 43 bears against the nipple 47, on the flapper valve 35 when the pump 30 is attached to the flange 39 (see FIG. 4). This action causes the flapper valve 35 to deflect and move away from the shoulder 37, creating a free pathway through the inflation valve 32 due to the flexible nature of the flapper valve 35. If not for this feature, the pump would draw the flapper valve closed and prevent deflation of the canopy.
FIG. 6 illustrates the canopy 10 in the deflated configuration. The inflatable arches 14 deflate to a flat, cross-shaped formation that can easily be rolled up or folded up for storage in a carry bag 50 (FIG. 11). Since there are no poles or other rigid truss elements, the present invention is much more portable and lightweight compared with canopies with metal bars and can be carried in a small case or bag.
FIGS. 9 and 10 show the unitary primary arch 14A and the secondary arch 14B formed of two symmetric columns in the shape of half arches. The primary arch 14A is formed of a hollow tube that extends from a first vertically oriented, closed base 71through a horizontally oriented midsection 73 to a second vertically oriented, closed base 77. The inflation valve 32 is mounted to one of the two vertically oriented bases 71, 77. At the midsection 73 are two panels 100, one on cach opposite surface, that are perforated with approximately 3-5 holes that connected the two arches fluidly. Each column 18A,B is formed of a hollow tube that extends from a vertically oriented, closed base 81 to a horizontally oriented open end 83. Both open ends 83 attach to, conform with, and extends from a perimeter of the panel 100 to seal the canopy while enclosing the perforations 102.
FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention wherein the canopy 10 of FIG. 2 includes zippers or hook and loop attachments 50 along the tarp's periphery that are used with mating zippers or hook and loop attachments 52 to releasably secure substantially parabolic panels 60 that enclose the canopy. The panels 60 are easily removed when needed by detaching the connections 50, 52, and can be used to further protect users from wind and/or rain. In a preferred embodiment, the panels 60 may be transparent to allow viewing from inside the canopy while keeping the elements from affecting the occupants.
FIG. 13 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention, whereby two adjacent canopies 10 are joined by an archway 70 that connects the interior of the two canopies. The archway 70 can be connected by the attachments discussed above with respect to FIG. 10 and allow occupants to move between canopies without going outside. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 14, the archway 75 can extend away from the canopy and form a shade/rain extension that increases the shelter's area. The archway 75 is shaped like an orange wedge and includes an arched support member 78 that is in fluid communication with the columns 18 of the arches and inflates with the arches 14 to extend and support the archway 75. The archway may be connected with zippers, hook and loop connectors, snaps, or any other releasable connections.
While the general features and benefits of the present invention have been described and depicted herein, it is to be understood that the scope of the present invention extends beyond those depictions and descriptions herein. A person of ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize and appreciate a number of modifications and substitution to the descriptions herein, and the scope of the invention is intended to include all such modifications and substitutions. Accordingly, unless expressly stated herein, no specific embodiment herein shall be deemed exclusive to the scope of the present invention.
Patent Application
20240279958
