Patent Application
20080308139
The present invention relates, in general, to improved sun repelling shade umbrellas and, more particularly, this invention relates to reflective overlays for existing shade umbrellas.
Shade umbrellas, such as beach and patio table umbrellas, stop a significant percentage of the sun's rays from penetrating, but that is not necessarily sufficient for some unusually sensitive users, or those who wish to spend a great deal of a day at a beach under an umbrella. Prior to the conception and development of this invention, there has been little that such users could do about insufficient shade umbrella aside from adding lots of sunscreen lotion to their bodies.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,848, Parsons discloses a reflective mesh lattice work forming a shade umbrella for reflecting heat and sun, but Parsons' emphasis is on improved air circulation to keep it cooler under the umbrella.
Chinese patent No. 1,765,255 discloses a reflecting umbrella, primarily for night-time visibility, but sun-shading is mentioned as another function. At least one reflecting sun-shade umbrella, the Windbrella SolarTech, is commercially available, but one must purchase and transport the entire umbrella assembly.
The present invention provides a reflective overlay for shade umbrellas that is both functional and decorative. A substantially circular reflective member has a central aperture for positioning on a host umbrella. Built into the periphery are a multiplicity of flaps with gaps between adjacent flaps and at least two attachment means connected to the outer periphery at said gaps for removably attaching the reflective overlay at the periphery of a host umbrella dome. Optionally, the reflective overlay may have folding radial support ribs emanating from a ring defining a central aperture.
It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a separate overlay to increase the sun repellence of a shade umbrella.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a detachable beach umbrella appliance that will decrease the temperature underneath a shade umbrella.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an attractive, readily transportable reflective overlay that is convenient for use by vacationers who desire better sun reflectance when renting beach umbrellas.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive and convenient means of being able to vary the amount of sunlight coming through a shade umbrella.
In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.
Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.
At the outer periphery of overlay 10, multiple flaps 20 have been attached or preferably built in to provide a scalloped edge so as to improve the appearance and provide some additional shade when the sun angle is low. Also attached along the periphery between flaps are hold-down loops 18, which temporarily secure the overlay 10 to the host umbrella 16. The loops may be rigid, flexible, or preferably, elastic. Preferably, there is a hold-down loop at every rib end of the host umbrella to ensure that wind does not blow the overlay off.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the overlay is connected to its own rib structure to make the overlay foldable for separate storage and transportation in it own case.
While a presently preferred and alternative embodiment of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
