Portable wind-resistant shade structure
OwnerAndrea Lynn Brouwers, Robert Brouwersinventors
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Abstract
The invention provides a portable, free-standing shade structure that is resistant to wind. The inventive shade structure can comprise a frame and a sheet, or canopy, that is connected to the frame under tension at two or more different heights to create an uneven, hypar conformation in the sheet. The uneven, hypar conformation of the sheet transfers wind force to the frame so as to press the frame against the surface upon which the shade structure rests, thereby making the inventive shade structure resistant to the movement, tipping, lift, and vibration that typically results when a portable shade structure is exposed to wind.
Claims15
A shade structure frame, comprising:
- a) a plurality of pillars, wherein said plurality of pillars have at least two different lengths;
- b) a plurality of rigid cross members;
- c) a first connecting means adapted to connect said plurality of pillars to said plurality of rigid cross members by a rigid connection;
- and
- d) a second connecting means adapted to connect said plurality of rigid cross members to one another;
- wherein connecting said plurality of pillars to said plurality of rigid cross members by said first connecting means and connecting said plurality of rigid cross members to one another by said second connecting means produces a frame that is adapted to (i) connect to a sheet, and (ii) produce a hypar shape in said sheet when said sheet is connected to said frame;
- wherein said second connecting means is adapted to detachably connect said plurality of rigid cross members to one another.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.