INFLATABLE FLOATABLE SUNSHADE

Abstract

An inflatable floatable sunshade is provided. Generally, the inflatable floatable sunshade includes a pentagon shaped inflatable frame forming a support for a canopy, wherein the frame is floatable when inflated. Further, the frame may include a pentagon shaped base with five vertices; five vertical tubes, each vertical tube extending from each vertex of the base; and five horizontal tubes, each horizontal tube extending between two adjacent vertical tubes and parallel to the base. The canopy or cover is not inflatable and is removably coupled to the inflatable frame, the canopy providing shade. The inflatable frame may also include six independently inflatable regions, each inflatable region having an airport.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

This invention relates generally to sunshade and more particularly to an inflatable floatable sunshade.

State of the Art

The utilization of a sunshade is commonplace, particularly around a pool or other similar body of water. Conventional sunshades are supported on a pool deck or supported by a rod that may be planted within and supported by the pool bottom. These lack in the ability to be easily moved and to provide shade at any location on the pool or the like body of water. Further, conventional sunshades are not floating sunshades and further does not include the ability to be inflated.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved inflatable floatable sunshade.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to inflatable floatable sunshade for providing shade. Generally, the inflatable floatable sunshade includes an inflatable frame forming the support for the sunshade, wherein the frame is floatable when inflated. The sunshade further includes a canopy or cover that is coupled to the inflatable frame, the sunshade providing shade.

An embodiment includes an inflatable floatable sunshade comprising: a pentagon shaped inflatable frame comprising six independently inflatable regions, each inflatable region having an airport; and a canopy coupled to the frame to provide shade.

Another embodiment includes an inflatable floatable sunshade comprising: a pentagon shaped inflatable frame, the frame comprising: pentagon shaped base with five vertices; five vertical tubes; and five horizontal tubes, wherein: each vertical tube extends vertically from one vertex of the pentagon shaped base; each vertical tube comprises a bend to form a canopy support portion that terminates at an inflatable central canopy member; and each horizontal tube extends between two adjacent vertical tubes adjacent the bends of the vertical tubes, wherein the horizontal tube is substantially parallel to the base; and a non-inflatable canopy removably coupled to the frame to cover the central canopy member and the canopy support portions of the vertical tubes.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee. A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the Figures, and:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inflatable floatable sunshade according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a frame of an inflatable floatable sunshade according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is yet another a perspective view of a frame of an inflatable floatable sunshade according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 4 is a zoomed in perspective view of an inflatable floatable sunshade according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to inflatable floatable sunshade.

Referring to the figures, FIGS. 1-4 depict an embodiment of the inflatable floatable sunshade 10 comprising an inflatable frame 12 and a cover 14. The sunshade 10 is a unique inflatable water flotation product that provides shade from the sun. In operation, the sunshade 10 may be inflated and placed in a swimming pool or other body of water, thereby allowing a user to relax under the comfort of the sunshade 10. A user can extend his or her swim time by obtaining relief from the sun periodically or staying under and playing all day. Although this is not a pool toy and not designed specifically for children, it may be a great additional tool for parents (with proper supervision) to help keep kids shaded. It is perfect for those who are not able to be in the sun for long periods of time due to medical issues or for those who prefer not to be directly exposed to the sun while still enjoying the outdoors and water.

In embodiments, the sunshade 10 may be completely inflatable and made with professional grade vinyl. Professional grade vinyl is not a thin plastic inflatable that is normally seen in inflatable pool toys nor is it a combination of several hard and soft materials. This vinyl is nonporous, water resistant, and scratch resistant. By utilizing this professional grade vinyl, the sunshade 10 is a floating shade designed to move with the user. Not every water sunshade can float properly. There is a required air to material ratio to keep an item continuously standing to successfully float.

Additionally, the sunshade 10 comprises an inflatable frame 12 that is a unique pentagon design. The inflatable frame 12 may include a base 16 having a pentagon shape with five vertices 18, five vertical tubes 20, and five horizontal tubes 30. Each vertical tube 20 extends vertically from one vertex 18 of the pentagon shaped base 16. Each vertical tube further comprises a bend 22 to form a canopy support portion 24 that terminate at an inflatable central canopy member 26. Each horizontal tube 30 extend between two adjacent vertical tubes 20 adjacent the bends 22, wherein the horizontal tube 30 is substantially parallel to the base 16. The pentagon design of the inflatable frame 12 allows the sunshade 10 to distribute the weight of the material evenly through the vertical tubes 20 that form part of the frame 12. In addition, the horizontal tubes 30 and base 16 operate to respectively support the top and bottom of the vertical tubes 20 of the sunshade 10 so the plurality of vertical tubes 20 do not drift/move apart and/or collapse while floating. The base 16, vertical tubes 20 and horizontal tubes 30 work together to provide a secure frame 12 that is central to the steadiness and sturdiness of the sunshade 10.

The canopy 14 is not inflatable and is removably coupled to the frame and covers the central canopy member 26 and each of the canopy support portions 24 of the vertical tubes 20. The canopy 14 may be held in place through a friction fit, or in other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, the canopy 14 may have one or more coupling members 15, such a hook-and-loop fastener, to releasably couple the canopy 14 to the frame 12. These one or more coupling members 15 hold the canopy 14 in a secure place, even if a portion of the frame 12 were to deflate.

In order for the base 16, vertical tubes 20 and horizontal tubes 30 to be secure, the circumference of the tubes must be large enough in order to allow proper air flow and thick enough to hold the weight of the canopy 14. The grade of nonporous vinyl provides enough weight to keep it in place while it floats to prevent the unit from easily flying away. Tethers are also included to secure the unit. The open sides provide plenty of air flow and ventilation, and the dome structure allows heat to rise away from the body keeping the user cool. This is not a product to replace sunscreen as the sun can reflect off the water causing a sunburn. It is designed to provide shade and relief from direct sun exposure.

In embodiments shown, the sunshade 10 is a larger product designed to house 5+ people at a time. It is small enough for any size pool but large enough to enjoy at the lake. Each side may be 58-60″ long. The base 16, each vertical tube 20 and each horizontal tube may be 23-28″ in circumference. Each side allows 1-2 people to rest on its inflatable tube comfortably. It will be understood that this is just an example of one embodiment of the sunshade 10 and other sizes may be developed and utilized without departing from the scope of the invention.

The sunshade 10 has a few unique features that provide extra stability. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the frame 12 comprises a six independent inflatable zones, namely a first zone 40, a second zone 41, a third zone 42, a fourth zone 43, a fifth zone 44 and a sixth zone 45. Each zone comprises its own airport (not shown). Referring to FIG. 3, the first zone 40 is depicted in red and comprises the base 16. The second through sixth zones 41-45 are each formed of one vertical tube 20 and one horizontal tube 30. As shown, the second zone 41 is depicted in blue, the third zone 42 is depicted in yellow, the fourth zone 43 is depicted in green, the fifth zone 44 is depicted in purple, and the sixth zone 45 is depicted in black. These independently inflatable zones 40-45 are important because, if for some reason, the base 16, a vertical tube 20 or a horizontal tube 30 us punctured, only one inflatable zone would deflate. This allows the other zones to remain inflated to help maintain the shape of the frame 12 and thereby preventing a complete collapse of the frame 12. Deflation would be a slow process and the structure would deflate on a tilt or side to help prevent 100% collapse of all sides at the same time. In at least this way, there are safety features of the sunshade 10 that prevent total collapse on top of a user.

This embodiment of the sunshade 10 may be expanded in scope to include different sizes, convenient additions such as cup holders, cell phone pouches and several different removable shade or canopy 14 options such as mesh/combinations vinyl and mesh tops etc. This may include customizable sunshades 10.

The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit and scope of the forthcoming claims.

Claims

1. An inflatable floatable sunshade comprising: a pentagon shaped inflatable frame comprising six independently inflatable regions, each inflatable region having an airport; anda canopy coupled to the frame to provide shade.

2. The inflatable floatable sunshade of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a pentagon shaped base with five vertices; five vertical tubes; and five horizontal tubes.

3. The inflatable floatable sunshade of claim 2, wherein each vertical tube extends vertically from one vertex of the pentagon shaped base.

4. The inflatable floatable sunshade of claim 3, wherein each vertical tube comprises a bend to form a canopy support portion that terminates at an inflatable central canopy member.

5. The inflatable floatable sunshade of claim 4, wherein each horizontal tube extends between two adjacent vertical tubes adjacent the bends of the vertical tubes, wherein the horizontal tube is substantially parallel to the base.

6. The inflatable floatable sunshade of claim 5, wherein the canopy is not inflatable and is removably coupled to the frame to cover the central canopy member and the canopy support portions of the vertical tubes.

7. The inflatable floatable sunshade of claim 5, wherein the six independently inflatable zones comprise a first zone that includes the base, and a second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth zones that each include one vertical tube and one horizontal tube.

8. An inflatable floatable sunshade comprising: a pentagon shaped inflatable frame, the frame comprising: pentagon shaped base with five vertices;five vertical tubes; andfive horizontal tubes, wherein: each vertical tube extends vertically from one vertex of the pentagon shaped base;each vertical tube comprises a bend to form a canopy support portion that terminates at an inflatable central canopy member; andeach horizontal tube extends between two adjacent vertical tubes adjacent the bends of the vertical tubes, wherein the horizontal tube is substantially parallel to the base; anda non-inflatable canopy removably coupled to the frame to cover the central canopy member and the canopy support portions of the vertical tubes.

9. The inflatable floatable sunshade of claim 8, wherein the pentagon shaped inflatable frame comprises six independently inflatable regions, each inflatable region having an airport.

10. The inflatable floatable sunshade of claim 7, wherein the six independently inflatable zones comprise a first zone that includes the base, and a second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth zones that each include one vertical tube and one horizontal tube.