Portable shade structures employing non-snag hooks
AssigneeGale Group, Inc.
InventorMartin E. Pruesner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A portable shade structure includes a structural framework with space supports, and hook-receiving holes along some of the supports. A removable fabric cover fits across the structural framework, and has plural hooks attached at spaced locations dimensioned to removably fit into the hook-receiving holes of the support. Each hook has a curved return which permits the hook to be engaged within a corresponding hole, but which provides a smooth surface that reduces snagging when the hook is moved across, or is stored against the fabric cover.
Claims12
A portable shade structure comprising:
- a structural framework including a plurality of spaced supports with hook-receiving holes along the supports;
- a removable flexible cover dimensioned to fit across and be supported by the structural framework;
- plural hooks attached at spaced locations to the flexible cover, each hook dimensioned to removably fit into one of the hook-receiving holes of the spaced supports;
- means along each hook for preventing snagging of the hook on the flexible cover, defined by each hook having an elongated member having a first shank portion attached at one end to the flexible cover, the first shank portion lying generally parallel to the adjacent support when the hook is fitted in the corresponding hole;
- the elongated member having a first return curve at the end of the shank opposite the one end and extending the elongated member in a second direction opposite to the direction of the first shank portion;
- the elongated member having a second return curve adjacent the first return curve and spaced from the first shank portion, the second return curve extending the elongated member opposite from the direction between the first and second curves;
- the elongated member having a second shank portion extending from the second return curve;
- and wherein
- the second shank portion extends outwardly with respect to the direction of the first shank portion;
- said elongated member comprises a continuous length of bent stock having two generally parallel legs, each leg having said first and second return curves.
A non-snagging hook for use in attaching a removable fabric shade cover to a free-standing structural framework comprising:
- an elongated member having a first shank portion;
- the elongated member having a first return curve at one end of the first shank portion extending the elongated member in a second direction generally opposite to the direction of the first shank portion;
- the elongated member having a second return curve adjacent the first return curve and spaced from the first shank portion, the second return curve extending the elongated member in a direction generally opposite from the direction between the first and second return curve;
- the elongated member having a second shank portion extending from the second return curve;
- and wherein the elongated member comprises a continuous length of bent stock having two generally parallel legs, each leg having the first and second shank portions and the first and second return curves, the second shank portion extending outwardly with respect to the direction of the first shank portion said legs spaced apart by a common bridging portion which is generally normal to both legs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.