Patent Application
20050279396
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to head shades, and more particularly to umbrella-like shades that are supported above a user's head by shoulder supported frame and that includes speakers.
2. Description of Related Art
Umbrellas are used for protection from the sun and rain. Nettings are used over the head and body to protect against biting insects. The typical umbrella has a stem that must be held, and so the user's hands are not completely free. Hats and helmets can be worn too, but in the hot sun such can get hot because of a lack of ventilation underneath.
In 1866, J. Henry Jennings was issued U.S. Pat. No. 53,149, which described a mosquito netting covering a flexible bow frame and worn over the user's head like a large closed hood.
A shoulder-mounted head sunshade was described by B. Washington in U.S. Pat. No. 1,217,542, issued in 1917. Such also comprised a bow frame covered with fabric that could be folded up when not in use. A waist belt helped stabilize two side braces.
H. T. Pistole describes a similar head covering in U.S. Pat. No. 1,803,538, issued in 1929. The benefit of use of such was the free circulation of air around the head and the unencumbered movement of the user's body and limbs.
An umbrella hat is described by C. C. Riordon in U.S. Pat. No. 2,227,554, issued in 1941. The shade resembles a typical umbrella and it is supported by a collapsible frame and hat band.
A body-attached umbrella is described by U. Thorton in 1948 in U.S. Pat. No. 2,434,526. A harness that belts over the shoulders and around the user's chest carries four supports that hold the umbrella aloft over the user's head.
A fan folding portable shelter arrangement is described by Jack S. Wear'n in U.S. Pat. No. 3,190,300, issued in 1963. A number of shade-fabric supporting rib bows are gathered at two sides at respective pivot points. These allow the shade to be folded back out of the way or for storage.
An attachable portable umbrella is shown mounted to the user's shoulders in U.S. Pat. No. 4,203,457, issued in 1980 to Meyer Friedman. Guy wires are strung to keep the umbrella in the proper position over the head on two shoulder-attached struts.
A large beach blanket size fan-folding head shade is described by Kyle K. Kondo in U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,288, issued in 1992. It protects its users from the sun on the beach while they are laying down.
A personal umbrella support is described by Olman Dompe in U.S. Pat. No. 5,263,837, issued in 1993. A backpack type unit with shoulder straps supports an otherwise ordinary umbrella from behind and over the user's head.
A head protection device described as an automatic safety helmet uses spring loaded bows on a pair of pivots that will snap out over a user's head to protect it. U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,590, issued in 1999 to Eugen Fleisch. A triggering mechanism allows the head protecting covering to be kept folded back during normal use.
A retractable canopy/hood held erect by a backpack frame is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,024,264, issued in 2000. Solar panels are included to drive ventilation fans. An atomizer for a vaporized mist can be added to afford additional cooling of the user's head behind a mosquito netting.
A wide belt and thin shoulder straps for a traditional umbrella are described by Ronnie Hadley in U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,521, issued in 2003.
What is needed is a head shade that is light weight, adjustable, and equipped to accommodate modern personal electronic devices.
Briefly, a head shade embodiment of the present invention comprises a shade fabric stretched over a collapsible set of bow frames. These all join externally at bow pivots on the left and right sides that are at ear height. The shade and bows can all be folded back out of the way. Interior to each bow pivot, loudspeakers are included that allow the user to listen to music and other audio. The bow pivots are fastened to the tops of left and right stems. Such stems are attached by adjustable hinges to a shoulder yoke and body straps. The straps are anchored to a belt worn around the waist of the user to stabilize the stems and bow pivots.
An advantage of the present invention is a head shade is provided that does not touch a user's head while being used.
Another advantage of the present invention is a head shade is provided that places speakers that not touch a user's head or ears while being used.
A further advantage of the present invention is a head shade is provided that is adjustable to a wide range of user body types.
A still further advantage of the present invention is a head shade is provided that is light weight.
The above and still further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of specific embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
A video projector 150 could also be included in the shoulder frame or pivots to project a video image on the underside of fabric shading 102 hanging over the front of the user's eyes. For example, a so-called “heads up display.” The area between bows 104 and 105 would be particularly good.
Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, such is not intended to limit the invention. Modifications and changes will no doubt become apparent to those skilled in the art, and it is intended that the invention only be limited by the scope of the appended claims.
