Self-adjusting sun shade assembly
AssigneeSolbello, Inc.
InventorPaul T. James
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a sun shade assembly. Particularly, the assembly includes a sail that releasably attaches to a pair of ribs, providing shade to the user. At least one support arm can be used to reinforce the ribs. A mast provides height to the assembly and includes an anchor that allows the assembly to be secured into a support surface (e.g., sand). The ribs and support arms rotate about the mast, thereby self-adjusting the direction of sail in response to the wind blowing. The assembly further includes a tension adjuster that can be tightened or loosed to control the rotation of the ribs and support arms in response to wind conditions.
Claims22
A sun shade assembly comprising:
- a pair of ribs defined by a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each rib is attached to a pivot cap;
- a sail with a front edge comprising a channel sized and shaped to house each rib such that the ribs extend across the edge;
- a mast comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is operably connected to the pivot cap, wherein the pivot cap can freely rotate about the mast;
- at least one support arm with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the support arm is attached to a rib and the second end of the support arm is attached to a slider configured to move up and down the mast;
- and
- an anchor operably connected to the second end of the mast;
- wherein the pivot cap, ribs, slider, and support arms are configured to rotate about the mast in response to blowing of the wind.
(canceled)
(canceled)
The assembly of claim 21, wherein the tension adjuster is configured to permit the pivot cap, slider, ribs, and support arms to freely rotate about the mast, not rotate about the mast, or any level of rotation therebetween.
A method of using a sunshade, the method comprising:
- positioning the anchor of a sun shade assembly in a support surface, wherein the sun shade assembly comprises:
- a pair of ribs defined by a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each rib is attached to a pivot cap;
- a sail with a front edge comprising a channel sized and shaped to house each rib such that the ribs extend across the edge;
- a mast comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is operably connected to the pivot cap, wherein the pivot cap can freely rotate about the mast;
- at least one support arm with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the support arm is attached to a rib and the second end of the support arm is attached to a slider configured to move up and down the mast;
- and
- an anchor operably connected to the second end of the mast;
- wherein the sun shade assembly self-adjusts in response to the blowing of the wind.
The method of claim 22, wherein the tension adjuster can be adjusted to allow the pivot cap, slider, ribs, and support arms to freely rotate about the mast, not rotate about the mast, or any level of rotation therebetween.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.