Patent Application
20200224447
The present invention relates to portable shade structures such as sun shades (also known as sunshields) which may be used (but not limited by use) for outdoor recreational activities such as camping.
Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge.
It is common for people to enjoy picknicking and camping in pleasant outdoor locations. Where the weather is hot it may be desirable to make use of a shade cover such as a canopy made from flexible material for use such as tarpaulin. The tarpaulin is used for blocking sunlight and covering any objects or persons positioned under the shade cloth. Typically a large piece of shade cloth having a suitable shape may be positioned on a plurality of tent poles to erect a sun-shade structure. It is also common to position camping tents and other structures below such shade cloths to provide an additional barrier from the sun and rain. One of the problems associated with such sun shade assemblies, as identified by the inventor(s) is that they have a limited effect in controlling the temperature below the shade cloth. Therefore, it is desirable to provide an improved sun-shade assembly that addresses some of the shortcomings of the prior art.
In an aspect, the invention provides a portable sunshade assembly comprising: an in-use top flexible sheet spaced away from an in-use bottom flexible sheet wherein during use in an extended configuration the top and bottom flexible sheets comprise respective surfaces and are arranged to define a space there-between to provide a plurality of passages located between the first and second sheets to allow air to pass in a direction from a first side of the top and bottom flexible sheets to a second side of the top and bottom flexible sheets.
In an embodiment, the portable sunshade assembly further comprises:
a first plurality of openings positioned at or adjacent the first side of the flexible sheets for entry of air into the passages; and
a second plurality of openings positioned at or adjacent the second side of the flexible sheets to allow air to exit out of said passages.
In an embodiment, the portable sunshade assembly comprises a plurality of internal walls extending between the top and bottom flexible sheets to form side walls defining said passages.
In an embodiment, the plurality of said internal walls are substantially parallel to each other to define said air flow paths positioned in between the top and bottom sheets.
In an embodiment, an in-use upper portion of the internal wall is fastened to the top sheet and an in-use lower portion of the internal wall is fastened to the bottom sheet.
In an embodiment, each of the top and bottom flexible sheets is generally rectangular, each sheet having respective lengths and widths.
In an embodiment, said plurality of internal walls extend generally along the length or along the width of the top and bottom sheets.
In an embodiment, the internal walls extend substantially continuously in a direction from a first end of the top and bottom sheets to a second end of the top and bottom sheets.
In an embodiment, peripheral portions of the top sheet and/or bottom sheets comprise a coupling arrangement to allow the peripheral portions to be coupled to a support member to position the sunshade assembly in a generally upstanding position.
In an embodiment, the coupling arrangement comprises a plurality of eyelets provided along the peripheral portions of the top and/or bottom sheets adapted to receive supporting pins provided on said supporting members.
In an embodiment, corner portions of the top sheets are provided with said eyelets and wherein corner portions of the bottom sheet are provided with a loop fastener for receiving and being fastened to the support members positioned adjacent said corner portions of the top and bottom sheets during use.
Preferably, in a folded or collapsed configuration the spacing between the top and bottom sheets can be reduced to allow the top and bottom sheets of the sunshade assembly to be stowed away.
In an embodiment, the top and/or bottom sheets comprise one or more tensioning members to tension the top and/or bottom sheets during use in the extended configuration.
In an embodiment, the tensioning member comprises a loop provided along an edge portion of the top and/or bottom sheet. The loop may be coupled to the supporting members. The support posts (S) also be coupled to one or more strings to maintain the post (S) in a substantially upright position.
In an embodiment, at least said top sheet and preferably both top and bottom sheets are substantially impermeable to water (water-proof) and sunlight.
Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:
The advantages of the presently described embodiment of the sun-shade assembly 100 may be well understood by referring to
The air flow passages are provided by a plurality of internal walls 115 that extend transversely between the internal surfaces of the two sheets 110 and 120 to interconnect the sheets 110 and 120 to provide the air flow passages 125 extending in a general direction from the first end 101 to a second end 102. In the preferred embodiment, the internal walls 115 are substantially arranged in a parallel and spaced apart arrangement to provide parallel air passages that in turn provide a plurality of air flow passages in between the two sheets 110 and 120. Whilst, the preferred embodiment illustrates parallel internal walls 115 it must be understood that internal walls 115 may be arranged in other non-parallel arrangements without departing from the scope of the presently described invention. Furthermore, non-continuous internal walls (that do not extend for the entire length or width of the sheets 110 and 120) may also be provided in alternative embodiments. By way of example, the internal walls 115 may only extend for half the length (L) of the top and bottom sheets 110 and 120. Lateral side walls denoted by 115A and 115B with a height (h) [extend between lateral side portions of the top sheet 110 and bottom sheet 120] and a length (I) [extending between the first side 101 and the second side 102] also form the walls for defining respective air flow passages 125 (best shown in
The internal walls 115 also comprise a plurality of oval openings 113 to allow air to flow between adjacently arranged passages 125. It would be understood that the number of the openings provided in the internal walls 115 may be varied. Moreover, the shape of the openings 113 is also not limited.
Referring to
In the preferred embodiment, the spaced apart top and bottom sheets 110 are rectangular having a length (L) and a width (W). However, the invention is not limited by shape and the top and bottom sheets may be provided any regular or non-regular shape or size. By way of example, the top and bottom sheets 110 and 120 may be circular in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the top and bottom sheets may be in the shape of a regular or irregular polygon.
Turning to
In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term “comprises” and its variations, such as “comprising” and “comprised of” is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features.
It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.
The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019900116 | Jan 2019 | AU | national |
