The field of the invention and its embodiments relate to barriers that can be used to mitigate the effects of the environment and provide an additional layer of privacy. In particular, a barrier may comprise an angled awning that has a wind barrier. The barrier may be positioned as a standalone item or in conjunction with an existing structure such as a fence, barricade, or the like.
Removable and/or permanent barriers are often found to border and define property lines, especially in highly populated urban areas. Further, such barriers provide an element of privacy over congested areas and can provide a more serene environment to a piece of property. Even still some barriers may be helpful in preventing the effects of the environment such as sun light, wind, rain, and the like from being felt by the occupants. While various barriers can provide some privacy and weather shielding effects, these barriers leave a lot to be desired.
In many locations there are laws or covenants that govern the particular appearance and/or height of such barriers. For example, some barriers may become unstable when they are too tall and may cause injury if they were to fall unintentionally. Even yet, some barriers may obstruct views in which others have a right. Shade, especially in the summer months, can be a valuable commodity. However, many conventional shade producing barriers such an umbrellas or awnings cover a limited area and may have a number of parts and require a substantial supporting structure.
Thus, there is a need for a privacy and shade producing barrier that is aesthetically pleasing, yet can be easily secured to a supporting structure. The barrier should be of a height that injuries can be limited and/or prevented as well as covering a large area. The present invention and its embodiments meets and exceeds these objectives.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,290,552 pertains to a portable awning comprising a flexible shading element, an attachment strap for anchoring the shading element to an existing vertical support structure, and poles for maintaining the shading element at a vertically elevated position with respect to the surface of the ground. The shading element is constructed from a waterproof material such as canvas or nylon and substantially protects a user from overexposure to inclement environmental conditions, including direct sunlight, wind, rain, and snow. The poles and the attachment strap are easily disengaged from the shading element, and the shading element is foldable, thereby providing a portable awning which is easily disassembled in order that it be transported between locations or stored between successive uses.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,796,359 pertains to a portable fence supported awning that includes a flexible sheet mounted on a frame that has a rear frame cross member and two sets of lateral frame members. The two sets of lateral frame members are attached to the fence and can support the awning in various positions to provide the desired cover. The lateral frame members can be pivoted into and the flexible sheet can be folded into a compact state for carrying and storage.
U.S. Patent Application 2004/0089426 pertains to an improvement directed towards the privacy, shade, and aesthetic properties of a rigid barrier fence or wall or an outdoor patio. The preferred embodiment is a screen panel with visual and audio impairment properties that extends upward from the top of a barrier wall and effectively increases the overall wall height. Other embodiments affix a shade or aesthetic combination accessory from a barrier fence or wall, roof, or roof support member.
Various devices are known in the art. However, their structure and means of operation are substantially different from the present disclosure. The other inventions fail to solve all the problems taught by the present disclosure. At least one embodiment of this invention is presented in the drawings below and will be described in more detail herein.
Generally, the present invention and its embodiments relate to an apparatus to enhance a privacy of a fenced area. The apparatus may include a first support member. The first support member may include top and bottom sections. The bottom section of the first support member may be secured to a first fencing pole. The apparatus may also include a second support member. The second support member may include the top and bottom sections. The bottom section of the second support member may be secured to a second fencing pole. The apparatus may further include an initial fabric piece attached to and spanning in between the first and second support members. The initial fabric piece may form a wind barrier.
A system to enhance a privacy of a fenced area is also disclosed. The system may include a first support member. The first support member may include top and bottom sections. The bottom section of the first support member may be secured to the top section of a first fencing pole using one or more pin based fasteners. The system may also include a second support member. The second support member may include the top and bottom sections. The bottom section of the second support member may be secured to the top section of a second fencing pole using one or more pin based fasteners. Furthermore, a wind barrier may be attached and span a distance between the top sections of the first and second support members.
A method to enhance and protect a privacy of a fenced area is also disclosed. The method may include securing a bottom section of a first support member to a top section of a first fencing pole using one or more pin based fasteners. In addition, the bottom section of a second support member may be secured to the top section of a second fencing pole using the one or more pin based fasteners. Furthermore, a wind barrier may be provided by attaching a fabric piece to the top sections of the first and second support members.
In general, the present invention succeeds in conferring the following, and others not mentioned, benefits and objectives.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that increases privacy for a surrounding area.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that is capable of limiting wind and blown debris.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that is portable and lightweight.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that can be used for providing shade to an area.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that is capable of withstanding inclement weather conditions.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that can selectively permit blown air (i.e. a breeze, wind) to pass therethrough.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that has multiple points of securement to create a rigid and safe structure.
The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.
Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.
Referring now to
In this particular embodiment, support mechanisms 111 are used to couple the support members 102 to the existing support structure, which may be fencing, as shown in the drawing. In other embodiments the support members 102 may be coupled to fencing poles, fencing boards, concrete barriers, trees, housing and other buildings, and various other temporary and permanent structures or combinations thereof. Various mechanisms of coupling to these structures are further described in
The support members 102 are generally comprised of a first section 103 and a second section 105, with the first section 103 being coupled to the second section 105. The angle formed between the first section 103 and second section 105 may vary from about 90° to about 180°. In some embodiments, the relative positions of the first section 103 and the second section 105 may be capable of being automatically (i.e. mechanically) or manually manipulated to compensate for factors such as wind, sun, and the like. In other embodiments, the position of the first section 103 and the second section 105 is fixed.
In other embodiments, the support members 102 are height adjustable. Either or both of the first section 103 and the second section 105 may be capable of being extended through the addition of additional lengths coupled thereto, or having telescoping properties to enable varying height/length adjustments. This enables, for example, the first section 103 to be lengthened or shortened to enable more or less protection and privacy. This lengthening/height adjustable feature coupled with the potential angling, as described above, provides a wide range of flexibility to the present invention in terms of adjustability and customizability for the user.
The first length of material 104 is preferably a continuous piece of material that spans a distance between support members 102. The material has receiving areas 116 (see
The first length of material 104 may be a wind barrier 106 as described further in
Additionally, there may be a fastening mechanism 109 disposed on any of the ends of the first length of material 104. This would allow the first length of material 104 to be separated at this fastening mechanism 109 juncture. In practice, this would allow for the separation of or attachment of varying numbers of sections of the present invention. Thus, a user may desire to have only three sections of the present invention, but later decide a fourth is needed. The use can then simply use the fastening mechanism 109 from one end of the first length of material 104 to the fastening mechanism 109 on another end of the first length of material 104. The user now has four coupled sections of the present invention.
The fastening mechanism 109 may take a number of forms including, but not limited to, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, clips, and the like or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the fastening mechanism 109 may allow for the attachment/detachment of a second length of material 108, as shown in
In
In
In
The joint member 107 shown is used to define the angle between the first section 103 and the second section 105. The joint member 107 may articulate, in some embodiments, to enable independent adjustment of the angle of a support member 102. Fasteners 130 may be used to securely couple the first section 103, second section 105, and joint member 107. A securement mechanism 132 may be affixed to one end of the support member 102 as previously described.
The support mechanisms 111 may also be capable of receiving a fastener 130 to securely couple the support mechanism 111 to a structure such as a fence as described above. The number and position of the support mechanisms 111 may vary and may be selected depending on the weight and structural strength of the components used in the construction of the apparatus. However, in some instances, the support mechanisms 111 and fasteners 130 are not required as the present invention may not be coupled to a vertical structure but may be anchored or otherwise held and supported by the ground.
Referring now to
In some embodiments, there may be not a suitable structure for use with the anchoring mechanism 122. In such instances, it would be preferable, in some embodiments to have an eyehook or other reinforced opening on the first and/or second length of material. This would allow a line and anchor or other tie down mechanism to be used. In such embodiments, the line may be coupled to the first/second length of material's opening and to the ground, existing supporting structure, or the like or some combination thereof. Such lines and anchoring systems are known in the art and any suitable measure depending on the conditions, weight of the invention, and other considerations that need to be taken into account.
A resealable mechanism 120 can be used to selectively allow the wind barrier 106 to be in an open or closed position. When in an open position, an element, such as wind, can be allowed to pass through thereby removing strain placed on the apparatus by the blowing air. An open wind barrier can allow the structure to be placed in a more permanent position without subjecting it to the potential damage from the wind. In another configuration, the wind barrier 106 may be used to let water pass through. Depending on the angle formed by the support member 102, water may pool on a surface of the first length of material 104. By opening the wind barrier 106 the water can be allowed to pass through thereby preventing any accumulated water weight that could damage the apparatus.
In other embodiments, the wind barrier 106 may have varying positions, shapes, and arrangement/composition of components. In some instances, the wind barrier 106 may simply comprise a slit, such as a semi-circular slit, in the first length of material 104. This slit would allow the aforementioned elements to pass through as needed. Such a slit may be a permanent fixture and have no sealing mechanism. In other embodiments, the wind barrier 106 may comprise a mesh material coupled to one side of the first length of material 104. The mesh material may be coupled at least at a first point and second point above and below or on either side of an opening or aperture in the first length of material 104. Such an embodiment would also not require, but could have, a resealable mechanism if so desired. The variations described herein are only intended to be illustrative and it may be apparent to those of skill in the art that various other configurations, materials, and the like may be used and are contained under the purview of this invention.
Referring now to
The first length of material 104 has the wind barrier 106 as described in
Further, in some embodiments, the first length of material 104 may be supported or held on the support member 102 via a cap/lid member 133. The cap member 133 is preferably a flap of material that rests on a terminal end of the first section 103 of the support member 102 as shown. The cap member 133 may be flipped up or otherwise moved from its position relieving the support provided therefrom to adjust the first length of material 104. Such a cap member 133 may also aid in preventing slippage of the first length of material 104 thereby potentially limiting the maintenance on which a user musty exert in maintaining the apparatus.
For example, the cap members 133 can be removed and the first length of material 104 slid down the length of the first section 103 thereby allowing the first length of material 104 to be retracted. Additionally, this cap member 133 enables this retraction to be accomplished without having to remove the entire apparatus to do so. It is preferable that the securement mechanism 132, in this case a cap, remains over the end of the support member 102 to prevent rain water and other objects from entering an open end of the support member 102.
In an example scenario, the first and second support members (109 and 114) may each include top and bottom sections. The top and bottom sections may be rods or hollow tubes that are attached to a connecting component. The top and bottom sections may be attached at an angle (0 to 180 degrees) based on a structure (such as curved) or a position (such as bended) of the connecting component. Furthermore, the top and bottom sections may be detachable on demand.
The bottom section of the first support member 109 may be attached to the first fencing pole 102 using pin based fasteners (134 and 136). The pin based fasteners (134 and 136) may be secured to the first fencing pole 102 with one or more screws, bolts, among other mechanisms. In an example scenario, the pin based fastener 134 may be secured to a top position on the first fencing pole 102. The pin based fastener 136 may be secured to a middle position on the first fencing pole 136. Furthermore, the bottom section of the first support member 109 may be attached to the pin based fasteners (134 and 136). The bottom section may be attached by inserting the bottom section into the pin based fasteners (134 and 136) and securing the bottom section with pins inserted through holes in the bottom section and the pin based fasteners (134 and 136).
The bottom section of the second support member 114 may be secured to the second fencing pole 112 using pin based fasteners with actions similar to how the bottom section of the first support member 109 is secured to the fencing pole 102. An initial fabric piece 117 may next be attached to the first and second support members (109 and 114) to form a wind barrier. The initial fabric piece 117 may include a cloth, a leather, a plastic sheet, and/or a composite material, among others. Folds (or receiving areas) on the side(s) of the initial fabric piece 117 may be inserted on to the first and second support members (109 and 114) to attach the initial fabric piece 117. Alternatively, Velcro strap(s) on the side(s) of the initial fabric piece 117 may be used to secure the initial fabric piece 117 to the first and second support members (109 and 114).
The initial fabric piece 117 may span a distance between the first and second support members (109 and 114). The top section of the initial fabric piece 117 may span in between the top sections of the support member (109 and 114) and extend above the fence 118. The top section of the initial fabric piece 117 may form the wind barrier and also act to extend a privacy barrier of the fence 118.
In an example scenario, the initial fabric piece 117 may be a section of a continuous fabric that is overlaid on the fence 118 to form the wind barrier and extend the privacy barrier of the fence 118. Alternatively, the initial fabric piece 117 may be one of many pieces of disjointed fabrics that form the wind barrier. In an example scenario, a third support member 119 may be attached to a third fencing pole 121. A subsequent fabric piece 123 may be attached to the second and third support members (114 and 119). The subsequent fabric piece 123 may extend the wind barrier (and privacy barrier) formed by the initial fabric piece 117.
Furthermore, a length of the initial fabric piece 117 may equal a length of the subsequent fabric piece 123. The fabric pieces (117 and 123) may form the wind barrier over the fence 118 in which the fencing poles (109, 114, and 119) may be equally spaced. Alternatively, the length of the initial fabric piece 117 may differ from the length of the subsequent fabric piece 123 (in correlation with the positioning of the fencing poles 109, 114, and 119). The fabric pieces (117 and 123) may form the wind barrier over the fence 118 in which the fencing poles (109, 114, and 119) are unevenly spaced.
In yet another alternative scenario, the initial fabric piece 117 and/or the subsequent fabric piece 123 may cover only the top sections of the attached support members (109, 114, and 119). As such, the fabric pieces (117 and/or 123) may cover only an area above the fence 118 (and not overlap with the fence 118). As a result, the fabric pieces (117 and/or 123) may be created with less material and it may cost less to form the wind barrier.
An angle between the top and bottom sections of the support member 109 may be adjustable from 0 to 180 degrees in relation to the fencing pole 102. The angle may automatically be adjusted by actuators on the component connecting the top and bottom sections of the support member 109. The angle may also be adjusted manually by bending the support member 109. The angle may be adjusted based on a number of external environmental signals and/or manual input to maximize wind deflection, privacy protection, and/or shade generation by the wind barrier. Some of the environmental signals may include a position of the sun, an amount of external lighting, a time of day, a speed and direction of the wind, and/or a level of sound, among others.
Examples of attaching the support member 109 to the fencing pole 102 using top and bottom fasteners (134 and 136) were not provided in a limiting sense. Other scenarios and embodiments may be used to attach a bottom section of the support member 109 to a top section of the fencing pole 102.
A method to enhance and protect a privacy of a fenced area is also described. The method may include securing a bottom section of a first support member to a top section of a first fencing pole using one or more pin based fasteners. The bottom section of a second support member may also be secured to the top section of a second fencing pole using the one or more pin based fasteners. Furthermore, a wind barrier may be provided by attaching a fabric piece to the top sections of the first and second support members.
Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.
This application is a Continuation In Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/225,058, filed Aug. 1, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62199369 | Jul 2015 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15225058 | Aug 2016 | US |
Child | 16123880 | US |