Portable shade
OwnerMichael E. Henley, Thomas E. McConnellinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A collapsible shade device that includes two side panels connected by an intermediate sheet. Frame members are attached to the side panels and the frame members unfurl the side panels when the shade is in a deployed configuration, and the frame members can be coiled into a collapsed configuration for more convenient movement and storage of the shade device. One embodiment of the device is adapted to fit over a car seat to inhibit temperature increases on the surface of the seat. Another embodiment of the device is adapted to fit over a stroller to block sunlight, wind, insects, and the like from the stroller's occupant. Another embodiment of the device is adapted to fit over a stroller to also protect the occupant from inclement weather.
Claims21
A collapsible shade adapted to partially block sunlight and capable of being positioned in both a deployed and collapsed configuration, the shade comprising:
- a first and second side panel joined by an unsupported intermediate sheet, wherein the first side panel, second side panel, and intermediate sheet are made of a flexible material;
- a first resilient frame member fastened to the first side panel, the first resilient frame member adapted so as to unfurl the first side panel and hold the first side panel in tension when the shade is in the deployed configuration, the first resilient frame member also capable of being bent into at least one loop when the shade is in the collapsed configuration;
- and
- a second resilient frame member fastened to the second side panel, the second resilient frame member adapted so as to unfurl the second side panel and hold the second side panel in tension when the shade is in the deployed configuration, the second resilient frame member also capable of being bent into at least one loop when the shade is in the collapsed configuration;
- wherein the looped first frame member at least partially overlays the looped second frame member when the shade is in the collapsed configuration.
A method of attaching a collapsible shade to a car seat that has an outer surface, the shade comprising:
- a first side panel supported by a resilient first frame member;
- a second side panel supported by a resilient second frame member;
- and
- an unsupported intermediate sheet that attaches the first side panel to the second side panel;
- the shade capable of being changed between a collapsed configuration, wherein the first and second frame members are bent into overlapping coils, and a deployed configuration, wherein the first and second frame members unfurl the first and second side panels respectively;
- the method comprising:
- changing the shade from a collapsed configuration to a deployed configuration;
- and
- fitting the shade over the outside surface of the car seat.
A method of attaching a collapsible shade to a stroller that has an outer surface, the shade comprising:
- a first side panel supported by a resilient first frame member;
- a second side panel supported by a resilient second frame member;
- and
- an unsupported intermediate sheet that attaches the first side panel to the second side panel;
- the shade capable of being changed between a collapsed configuration, wherein the first and second frame members are bent into overlapping coils, and a deployed configuration, wherein the first and second frame members unfurl the first and second side panels respectively;
- the method comprising:
- changing the shade from a collapsed configuration to a deployed configuration;
- and
- fitting the shade over the outside surface of the stroller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.