Wind-Inflated Sun Shelter

Abstract

A sun shelter that is a portable system to block the direct rays of the sun, providing a shaded area beneath a fabric canopy. The wind enters through a large opening and exits through smaller vents, creating increased air pressure thereby inflating the canopy. The canopy includes pockets that are weighed down to prevent movement of the shelter. The opening is secured with anchored guy lines. To decrease transportation weight, the pockets and anchors are filled with local materials.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to portable shelters. The present invention relates more specifically to wind-inflated shelters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sunlight, combined with the depletion of the earth's ozone layer, has presented discomfort and, to many, a health hazard, particularly those with a “fair” skin complexion, who enjoy the outdoors. Due to the effects of direct exposure to the sun's rays, may individuals are required to limit their time in direct exposure to the sun when choosing to be outdoors. Typical shade systems, including umbrellas, fabric-based shades that flutter in the wind, and rigid frames with a canopy, do not provide areas of shade with consistent protection from the direct rays of the sun. This is particularly true as the sun moves throughout the day, causing the shaded area beneath typical shade systems to move. Additionally, other shade systems are often susceptible to being blown over by the wind, introducing the risk of injury as they fall over or tumble with the wind. Typical shade systems have canopies that are elevated from the ground and allow direct sunlight to penetrate from the sides and beneath the shelter.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a sunshade solution that is affixed to the ground at the corners, using localized materials to be inserted into pockets built into the sunshade to hold it down. It is an objective of the present invention to provide a sunshade that contacts the ground, significantly sealing off most of the direct rays of the sun from penetrating into the protected area, with sunlight only being able to penetrate the shelter at the perimeter of the structure, at the ground, from areas where wind enters and escapes, providing the pressure that inflates and supports the structure. It is an objective of the present invention to use fabric and a collapsible pole to capture the wind, using only the wind as the means to inflate and support the shelter, thereby being easily portable, assembled, convenient to pack and unpack, and move from one location to another. It is an objective of the present invention to provide a significant area of consistent shade with more headroom beneath the shelter than typical shade systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a sun-shelter that is a portable system used to block the direct rays of the sun from the area beneath the sunshade, providing a shaded area beneath the fabric canopy. The system includes a fabric canopy that is inflated using the energy of the wind, capturing the wind at the front of the sun-shelter, and directing it into the sun-shelter, increasing the pressure within the sun-shelter, thereby inflating the fabric canopy. A frame made up of collapsible poles at the front of the fabric canopy holds open the front of the fabric canopy to capture the wind and direct it within the fabric canopy. The frame consists of collapsible poles within a seam of the fabric canopy, located at the windward side of the fabric canopy and supported in a configuration that is tied to anchors located in front (opening) of the sun-shelter thereby holding up, and open, the sun-shelter frame against the force of the wind. Wind creates the pressure within the fabric canopy and then passes through the sun-shelter, escaping through vents on the sides and rear of the sun-shelter, along the base of the fabric canopy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a back perspective view of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the interior of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the interior of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the grommets of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an anchor of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a sunshade, or sun shelter, product that is designed to be assembled with the opening facing directly into the wind. The wind provides the energy to inflate the sun shelter and provide the desired shade. The sun shelter blocks the direct rays from the sun and provides shade to areas beneath the fabric canopy.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the present invention comprises a sun shelter. A fabric canopy 100 comprises the main body of the sun shelter. The canopy 100 may be constructed from any suitable lightweight material, such as nylon or polyester. The fabric of the canopy 100 may be constructed using a ripstop technique. The material of the canopy 100 may include blackout, light diffusion, light modification, and/or waterproof properties. The canopy 100 may be constructed from a single piece of material, or the canopy 100 may be constructed from multiple panels that are joined.

The canopy 100 forms a front opening 101. The front opening 101 allows occupants to enter and exit the canopy 100. The canopy 100 is oriented with the front opening 101 facing into the wind. As the wind enters the front opening 101, the air pressure from the wind causes the canopy 100 to lift and provide space for the occupants. The edge of the canopy 100 includes a seam or a series of loops around the front opening 101. A flexible pole 102 is secured around the front opening 101. For example, the flexible pole 102 is inserted through the seam or loops around the front opening 101. The ends of the flexible pole 102 are secured into the ground. The flexible pole supports the front opening 101 and holds open the front opening 101, allowing wind to enter the canopy 100 through the front opening 101. In some embodiments, the flexible pole 102 is collapsible or constructed from multiple segments.

A series of pockets 103 are sewn into the lower edge of the canopy 100. The pockets 103 include openings at the top edges of the pockets 103. The pockets 103 can be filled with sand, or other locally available weighted materials, such as sand or rocks, to weigh down the canopy 103 in opposition to the wind. The pockets 103 are sized to be large enough to hold a variety of densities of material while still securing the canopy 100 against the wind. Between the pockets 103, the edge of the canopy 100 lifts to form wind vents 104, allowing the air pressure inside the canopy 100 to be relieved. The pockets 103 may be positioned closer together to increase the height of the wind vents 104, or the pockets 103 may be positioned further apart to decrease the height of the wind vents 104. The position of the pockets 103 and height of the air vents 104 can be varied to adjust the amount of sunlight that it able to enter through the air vents 104.

A series of guy lines 105 are attached at one end to the front opening 101. The other end of each guy line 105 is attached to an anchor 106. The anchors 106 are secured into the ground. The guy lines 105 and anchors 106 secure the canopy 100 against the wind, preventing the canopy 100 from being moved by the wind.

Referring to FIGS. 5-6, the interior of the canopy 100 is shown. In the preferred embodiment, the pockets 103 are sewn onto the canopy 100. The air pressure inside the canopy 100 causes the edges of the canopy 100 between the pockets 103 to lift from the ground, forming wind vents 104. The wind vents 104 allow the air pressure from the wind to escape the interior of the canopy 100.

Referring to FIG. 7, an edge of the canopy 100 is shown. One or more grommets 107 are fixed to the leading edge of the front opening 101 of the canopy 100. The grommets 107 provide a reinforced connection point for the guy lines 105. Each guy line 105 is connected to a grommet 107 to support the canopy 100 against movement caused by the wind.

Referring to FIG. 8, an anchor 106 is shown. In the preferred embodiment, the anchor 106 comprises a fabric bag 108. The anchor 106 has an opening 109 with a closing mechanism 110. For example, the closing mechanism 110 may be a drawstring or strap. The anchors 106 are filled with locally available weighted material, such as sand or rocks. Each guy line 105 is connected to an anchor 105.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A sun shelter comprising: a canopy;a front opening;a flexible pole;one or more wind vents;the front opening formed by a front edge of the canopy;the flexible pole being connected to the front opening; andthe one or more wind vents formed by a lower edge of the canopy.

2. The sun shelter of claim 1, further comprising: one or more guy linesthe one or more guy lines fixed to the front opening.

3. The sun shelter of claim 2, further comprising: one or more anchors;the one or more anchors connected to the one or more guy lines.

4. The sun shelter of claim 3, further comprising: one or more grommets fixed to the front opening;the one or more guy lines being connected to the grommets.

5. The sun shelter of claim 1, further comprising: one or more pockets;the one or more pockets fixed to the canopy.

6. The sun shelter of claim 5, wherein the one or more pockets are filled with sand.

7. The sun shelter of claim 1, wherein the flexible pole is collapsible.

8. The sun shelter of claim 1, wherein the canopy further comprises a flexible fabric.

9. A sun shelter comprising: a canopy;a front opening;a flexible pole;one or more wind vents;one or more weighted pockets;the front opening formed by a front edge of the canopy;the flexible pole being connected to the front opening;the one or more wind vents formed by a lower edge of the canopy; andthe one or more weighted pockets fixed to the canopy.

10. The sun shelter of claim 9, further comprising: one or more guy lines;the one or more guy lines fixed to the front opening.

11. The sun shelter of claim 10, further comprising: one or more anchors;the one or more anchors connected to the one or more guy lines.

12. The sun shelter of claim 11, further comprising: one or more grommets fixed to the front opening;the one or more guy lines being connected to the grommets.

13. The sun shelter of claim 9, wherein the weighted pockets are filled with sand.

14. The sun shelter of claim 9, wherein the flexible pole is collapsible.

15. The sun shelter of claim 9, wherein the canopy further comprises a flexible fabric.

16. A sun shelter comprising: a canopy;a front opening;a flexible pole;one or more wind vents;one or more weighted pockets;one or more guy lines;one or more anchors;the front opening formed by a front edge of the canopy;the flexible pole being connected to the front opening;the one or more wind vents formed by a lower edge of the canopy;the one or more pockets fixed to the canopy;the one or more guy lines connected to canopy; andthe one or more guy lines connected to the one or more anchors.

17. The sun shelter of claim 16, wherein the one or more weighted pockets are filled with sand.

18. The sun shelter of claim 16, further comprising: one or more grommets fixed to the front opening;the one or more guy lines being connected to the grommets.

19. The sun shelter of 16, wherein the flexible pole is collapsible.

20. The sun shelter of claim 16, wherein the canopy further comprises a flexible fabric.