Patent Application
20240383575
The present invention relates to watercraft accessories and, more particularly, to a portable, retractable ultraviolet protective sunshade that fits on a river or pool tube.
Inflatable tubes, which are typically doughnut shaped, are a mainstay for those who enjoy floating in a body of water, on a river or in a stream. One negative of using inflatable tubes on the water is the amount of sun exposure encountered by the user's head and upper torso.
Because hats do not provide enough coverage on the upper torso, the prior art has provided ‘tube shades’ to address this negative, but with mixed results. Current tube shades, for instance, are not removable and so cannot be used with a variety of different flotation tubes. Some shades are unsteady in the wind and perform poorly when they are wet. And some shades for pool tubes/loungers are not retractable.
In sum, current tube/lounger shades do not provide full shade/coverage from the sun and the harmful effects of long-term sun exposure. They are also not sturdy, not removable, and flimsy in wind.
As can be seen, there is a need for a portable, retractable ultraviolet (UV) protective sunshade that fits on a river or pool flotation tube.
The removable, retractable UV protective sunshade embodied in the present invention prevents overexposure to the sun while tubing in the water. A person can stay out on the water longer knowing they are protected from the heat and sunburn since the shade material is a UV protective fabric to help block harmful sun rays.
The removable, retractable UV protective sunshade of the present invention is made of UV protective mesh fabric and can protect from the harmful effects of the sun. It is a type of sail shade that is woven perfectly for air movement on the water. The sail shade is woven for air movement, so it does not flap backward on windy days. Water and air must move through it perfectly. The weave is critical to the overall structural functionality of the shade.
The sunshade disclosed herein can be easily adjusted for different tubes-fitting snugly to most river tube headrest pillows. The sunshade assembly provides a front elastic strap that connects to the underlying flotation device, wherein the strap is configured to tighten to fit to most flotation device headrests.
Separately, the relative height or elevation of the sunshade to the flotation tube/device can be adjusted for rider's size. The built-in version of the present invention can easily snap onto the tube headrest.
The present invention sunshade is mountable to the tube headrest from which the shade barrier can be selectively pivoted relative to the user of the flotation tube, thereby protecting the user's head/chest from the sun, or it can be retracted all the way backward for partial or full sun exposure. allow the user to have clear headspace when needed.
In one aspect of the present invention, a sunshade assembly for a flotation device includes a support frame telescopically associated with a backrest of the flotation device, wherein the support frame is configured to selectively adjustment an elevation of the support frame relative to the backrest; and a shade frame pivotably connected to a distal end of the support frame so that a shade barrier is selectively rotatable between a plurality of operative positions over the flotation device.
In another aspect of the present invention, the sunshade assembly for a flotation device further includes the following: one or more upright supports operatively associated with the backrest, wherein a proximal end of the support frame is telescopically associated with the one or more upright supports so that the support frame is selectively and linearly movable between one or more retracted positions and one or more extended positions, wherein each upright support provides a plurality of linearly spaced apart snap holes to which a portion of the proximal end of the support frame can operatively associate with to be selectively movable between the one or more retracted positions and the one or more extended positions; further including one or more snap protrusions provided by the proximal end of the support frame for selectively engaging one of the plurality of linearly spaced apart snap holes; a pivot mechanism that pivotably connects the shade frame to the distal end of the support frame, wherein the support frame provides one or more pivot points that are received inside one or more lumens of the pivot mechanism, wherein the one or more pivot points are two pivot points that are opposing ends of the shade frame; and an ultraviolet shade barrier extending over the shade frame.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, the sunshade assembly for the flotation device further includes a backrest frame that operatively associates with the backrest of the flotation device, wherein the backrest is a C-shape dimensioned to snugly engage at least three sides of said backrest, and wherein a rear surface of the backrest provides attachment points for the one or more upright supports, or, alternatively, wherein the one or more upright supports are directly connected to the backrest.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a portable, retractable ultraviolet protective sunshade assembly that removable attaches to headrest of a river or pool flotation tube by way of a backrest frame. The sunshade assembly provides a support frame that is telescopically associated with the backrest frame, enabling selective elevational adjustments of the support frame relative to the flotation tube. A shade frame is pivotably connected to the opposing end of the support frame so that a shade barrier is selectively rotatable between a plurality of operative positions over the user of the flotation tube as well as out of the way of the user.
Referring to
The shade frame 14 is dimensioned and shaped to support a shade barrier 12. The size and shape of the shade frame 14 need not be the shape shown in the Figures as any geometric or non-geometric shape will suffice if it dimensions to enables the shade barrier 12 to cast enough shade over a desired portion of a user of the flotation device 60 operatively associated with the sunshade assembly 10.
The shade frame 14 may provide one or more pivot points 16 that operatively associate with a pivot mechanism 18 of a support frame 28. The one or more pivot points 16 may be frame inserts as shown in
With that said, in the one (of many) embodiment shown in the Figures, the shell includes two halves (21 and 22) that come together to both rigidly engage the support frame 28 while pivotably coupling to the pivot point(s) 16 of the shade frame 14 to said support frame 28. Within the shell, fastener engagement points 24 may be provided for forming a locked engagement with the support frame 28; for instance, fastener holes 30 adjacent the distal end of the support frame 28 may align with some of the fastener engagement points 24 for receiving a frame fastener 26 through both. The fastener hole 30 may provide a threaded surface or receive a threaded insert 20 that operatively associates with the frame fastener 26.
The mating of the two shell halves 21 and 22 also defines a pivotable engagement point for the pivot points 16. In the one (of many) embodiment shown in the Figures, one or more lumens may be formed by the engagement of the two shell halves about the support frame 28, wherein shade frame inserts (pivot points 16) are pivotably engaged by the one or more lumens, facilitating the selective rotational movement about the pivot point(s) 16. The engaged shell halves 21 and 22 may also provide an arcuate pathway for a distal end of the support frame 28, which has a similar arcuate shape, as shown in
The proximal end of the support frame 28 may provide spaced apart linear members 29. Adjacent each proximal of each linear member 29 may be a snap protrusion 32.
The backrest frame 40 may be two or more C-shaped elements retained in spaced apart relationship by way of frame members 46, wherein each frame member 46 connects adjacent ends of the two or more C-shaped elements by way of fasteners 48. In other embodiments, the backrest frame 40 may be one unitary structure. In either embodiment, a handle or handles 42 may be provided by the backrest frame 40. In some embodiments, the handle or handles 42 may be sufficiently sized holes provided along the backrest frame 40. Along the rear exterior surface of the backrest frame 40 may be fastener holes 44 which allow for connection of upright supports 34 by way of fasteners 50.
In some embodiments, the upright supports 34 are attached directly to the backrest 62 of the flotation device 60. Such direct attachment may include brackets 58 adhered directly to the exterior surface of the backrest 62, wherein the brackets have slots 52 that a lower end of an upright support 34 can slide into and form a locked engagement thereto. The lower end of the upright support 34 may have a flange 54 that rides along the slot 52 of the bracket. In yet another embodiment, the upright support 34 and the bracket 56 may be a unitary element, so that the upright support 34 is directly adhered to the backrest 62. This would eliminate the need for the backrest frame in such embodiments.
Each upright support 34 provides a slot 36 for a linear member 29 of the support frame 28 to operatively associate with, typically by sliding into a lumen defined by the slot 36, along which the linear member 29 can selectively slide. Each upright support 34 provides a plurality of linearly spaced apart snap holes 38 where, in any of the plurality of snap holes 38, a user can selectively engage the snap protrusion 32 of the linear member 29 in a locked engagement. As a result, the support frame 28 telescopically associates with the backrest frame 40, so that the former may selectively move linearly relative to the latter, moving between one or more retracted (lowered) positions and one or more retracted (raised) positions.
The backrest frame 40 may be shaped and dimensioned to snugly engage a backrest 62 of the flotation tube 60. In one embodiment, the C-shape of the backrest frame 40 engages at least three sides of the backrest 62, as illustrated in
The combination of the snug engagement of the C-shape and the strap 66 for engaging the tube loop 64, the backrest frame 40, and so the entire flotation device sunshade 10 can be easily removed from the flotation tube 60. Or, alternatively, the backrest frame 40 can be left attached to the flotation tube backrest 62, while the support frame 28 and the shade frame 14 can be removed from the backrest frame 40, and placed in a stowed condition, as illustrated in
During use, the shade frame 14 can be rotated or pivoted about the pivot points 16 at least 270 degrees along a spectrum of operative position, between a plurality of forward positions substantially parallel with an upper surface 61 of the body of the flotation tube 60 (and thus over a user of the flotation tube 60) and a plurality of rearward positions to allow the user to get sun. A locking pin may be used by the user to lock the shade frame 14 into a desired position of the plurality of operative positions. These selective adjustments can be made manually by the user.
Similarly, the user can selectively adjust the elevation of the shade frame 14 relative to the upper surface 61 of the body of the flotation tube 60 by way of the linear movement facilitated by the upright support 34 disclosed above. This further allows the user to relegate the amount of sun they desire, as well as make the flotation device sunshade 10 adjustable to accommodate differently sized users.
The framing of the flotation device sunshade 10 can be made from various plasticized or metallic materials, which can be extruded, pressed, or additively manufactured. The shade barrier 12 may be made from cloth, mesh, or other UV-protective materials, and because it is removably received on the shade frame 14 can be replaced if broken, faded, or a new design is desired.
The flotation device sunshade 10 will prevent over exposure to the sun and well as the possibility of sun burn, dehydration, heat exhaustion, and the like. Additionally, the present invention can also be used on other outdoor equipment such as kayaks, lawn chairs, or pool chairs that have a headrest or backrest element that the backrest frame 40 can operatively associate with.
As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. And the term “substantially” refers to up to 80% or more of an entirety. Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “aligned” means parallel, substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “transverse” means perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between 55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “length” means the longest dimension of an object. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “width” means the dimension of an object from side to side. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “above” generally means superjacent, substantially superjacent, or higher than another object although not directly overlying the object. Further, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “mechanical communication” generally refers to components being in direct physical contact with each other or being in indirect physical contact with each other where movement of one component affect the position of the other.
The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,” or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments.
In the following description, it is understood that terms such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms unless specifically stated to the contrary.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 63/466,520, filed 15 May 2023, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63466520 | May 2023 | US |
