WO2016030561A1 - Sun umbrella - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sun umbrella (1) including a series of spokes (2) having fabric (3) stretched between same that is designed to throw shade, and connected to a mechanism (4) which enables the arrangement of the spokes to be changed such that the sun umbrella assumes at least one folded position (A) and an operational unfolded position (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5). The mechanism includes a shaft (5) and a plurality of rings (6) stacked and swivably mounted around said shaft, at least two spokes joined to different rings and, given that the mechanism includes a braking device (7), is manually operable and able to stop the relative movement between the rings.

Description

 D E S C R I P C I O N

"A sunshade" Technical sector of the invention

 The invention relates to a sunshade suitable for projecting a shadow to protect itself from the sun and which allows the projected shadow surface to be adjusted to adapt it to different places and needs. Background of the invention

 There are known sunshades intended to cast shade and that allow to adopt a folded position, suitable for transport, and an operative deployed position, suitable for shelter from the sun. There are known removers provided with rods and a fabric that allow folding and unfolding as if it were an umbrella, such as those described in documents ES1024843U or ES1060738U or ES1056592. However, these sunshades do not allow you to adjust the shadow surface they cast, since their rods have to be completely open so as not to impede access to the shadow area.

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to disclose a sunshade that allows to regulate the shadow it casts and thus to adopt different operative positions in which it projects different shadow surfaces.

It is another objective of the present invention to disclose a sunshade that allows its accommodation in narrow places where it is not possible to locate the known sunshades. Explanation of the invention.

The sunshade of the present invention is one of those comprising a series of rods between which a fabric intended for shadow projection extends and which are linked to a mechanism that allows varying the arrangement of the rods so that the sunshade adopts at least a folded position and a position operative deployed.

In essence, the sunshade is characterized in that the mechanism comprises an axis and a plurality of rings superimposed and rotatably mounted around said axis, at least two rods being attached to different rings, and because the mechanism comprises a brake device, operable manually, able to block the relative movement between the rings, in this way it is achieved, adjust the position of the rods so that the fabric is deployed forming the necessary amount of shadow and be able to block the position of the rods in that position, so that you can choose the opening angle of the sunshade.

It is also known that the rods are firmly attached to the rings, oriented perpendicular to the axis, comprising an equal number of rods and rings, each rod attached to a respective ring, thus being able to unfold the fabric essentially perpendicular to the axis. , maximizing the projected shadow for a desired circular sector and preventing the ends of the rods from being low.

According to another feature of the invention, the rings form a stack, a bearing being arranged between each two rings, said bearing being able to be a friction bearing or an axial, dry or lubricated sliding washer, preferably made of plastic, and which allows rotation Smooth rings, making no noise. It is also known that the fabric is attached to all the rods and extends from the upper rod to the lower rod, the fabric length being preferably the same between every two consecutive rods, that is between every two rods attached to two adjacent rings, so that the fabric travels through all the rods and thus a better distribution of the fabric is achieved.

It is also known that the length of the fabric is the same between every two consecutive rods, that is between every two rods attached to two adjacent rings, so that when the rods are fully opened the fabric between each Pair of rods determines the same circular sector, allowing the wind resistance of the fabric arranged between each pair of rods to be the same.

It is also known that the sunshade is adapted to form a second closed deployed position loose when the lower rod rotates a full turn, the lower rod being aligned with respect to the upper rod, in which by arranging the rest of the rods equidistant from each other, the fabric between the rods is loose, allowing a first type of finish in which at the edges of the sunshade waves are formed by the effect of the slack of the fabric and would allow the rapid evacuation of water in case of rain through the channel that forms the slack

The sunshade is also adapted so that, after reaching the second closed loose position, and continuing to rotate the lower rod, determine a third tense closed deployed position, in which a second type of finish is achieved in which the edges of the sunshade remain essentially straight and tense. Preferably, in this third position deployed tightly closed, the lower rod will be aligned with the next rod to achieve a better finish and decrease wind resistance. Naturally, it is contemplated that the fabric may be larger to allow the rods to continue rotating, so that the fabric sectors form a helical structure.

It is disclosed that the sunshade comprises a total of eight rods, the length of the fabric between each two consecutive rods being sufficient for the circular sector formed by two consecutive rods to reach 60 ° so that when the fabric is completely open they can make up a hexagon.

In another variant embodiment, the sunshade comprises two rods attached to each ring, allowing more combinations between the fabric joints and the rods, so that more than one fabric portion can be advantageously used.

In a variant embodiment, the two rods attached to the same ring form an angle of 180 degrees to each other, so that when the fabric is attached to one of the rods of each ring and extends from an upper rod to a lower rod, so that two fabrics can be arranged, joined together to one of the rods of the pair of rods of each ring, in the unfolded position the fabric according to a double helix that allows to project a thicker shade.

In another variant embodiment the fabric is attached to the two rods that are attached to the same ring, allowing the rings to rotate freely with each other as the fabric is only attached to the rods of the same ring. According to this variant, when the two rods attached to the same ring form an angle of 60 ° to each other, it is allowed to form a sunshade which in its unfolded position has a hexagonal plan.

It is also known that the brake device comprises two press bodies, between which the superimposed rings are arranged and which form a package with them, the press bodies having the ability to approach or move away from each other and adopt two brake positions. and release, which axially compress or distend the plurality of superimposed rings to block or allow, respectively, their relative movement.

According to another characteristic of the invention, at least one of the press bodies is integral with the shaft, so that when the plurality of rings is compressed in addition to preventing its relative movement, the assembly formed by them is also prevented from turning with respect to the axis.

It is also known that the press bodies are subject to the action of elastic means that tend to arrange them in their brake position, that is at a distance from each other such that they axially compress the plurality of rings; the brake device comprising drive means adapted to overcome the force of said elastic means and to arrange the press bodies in their release position, that is sufficiently separated to allow free rotation of the rings around the axis.

According to another feature, the sunshade further comprises a regulation screw to regulate the strength of the elastic means.

It is also known that the elastic means comprise a spring acting on traction, a terminal or end of the spring being connected to one of the press bodies with relative movement capacity with respect to it, the compression of the spring being able to be regulated accordingly and with it the force that it exerts on the press bodies .

It is also known that the actuating means comprise a cam or an eccentric manually maneuverable, in order to be able to brake and release the rods easily by means of a turning movement. It is also known that the drive means further comprise a lever for manually moving the cam, so that an operator can easily operate the cam.

It is also known that the axis comprises means for fixing to a post and means for fixing to a wall support, allowing the sunshade to be supported both on a post and on a wall.

Brief description of the drawings

 To complement the description that is being made and in order to facilitate the understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to the present specification in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

Fig. 1 shows a front sectional view of the sunshade of the present invention;

 Fig. 2 shows a sectional side view of the sunshade of the present invention;

 Fig. 3 shows the sunshade mounted on a pole in its folded position; Fig. 4 shows the sunshade mounted on a pole in a first deployed position;

 Fig. 5 shows the sunshade mounted on a pole in a second deployed position; Y

Fig. 6 shows the sunshade mounted on a pole in a third deployed position; Fig. 7 shows a second variant embodiment of the lens hood in its folded position;

 Fig. 8 shows the second variant embodiment in an unfolded position;

 Fig. 9 shows a third variant embodiment of the lens hood in its folded position;

 Fig. 10 shows the third variant embodiment of the sun visor in an unfolded position; and Fig. 1 1 shows the detail of a ring of the third embodiment variant.

Detailed description of the drawings

 Fig. 1 shows a section of the mechanism 4 of the sunshade 1 of the present invention. As will be seen, the mechanism 4 allows the arrangement of the rods 2 to be varied so that the sunshade 1 adopts several positions, among which a folded position A and several operative deployed positions B1, B2, B3 stand out. The mechanism 4 further comprises an axis 5 and a plurality of rings 6 superimposed and rotatably mounted around said axis 5, at least two rods 2 being attached to different rings 6. The mechanism 4 further comprises a brake device 7, manually operable , capable of blocking the relative movement between the rings 6.

As can also be seen in Fig. 1, the rods 2 are firmly attached to the rings 6, oriented perpendicular to the axis 5 and comprise an equal number of rods 2 and rings 6, each rod 2 being attached to a respective ring 6. It is envisioned that rods 2 can be separated from their corresponding rings 6 for disassembly. It is also envisioned that the rods 2 can be foldable allowing a compact form of transport and storage to be adopted. The different rings 6 of the mechanism 4 form a stack, a bearing 9 being arranged between each two rings 6 which allows the rotation of the rods 2 when the brake device 7 does not act on said ring stack 6. The bearings 9 can be bearings of friction, such as axial washers of dry or lubricated sliding, for example of plastic material. It is observed both in Fig. 1 and in Fig. 2 that the brake device 7 comprises two press bodies 10, between which the rings 6 are superimposed and which form a package with these, having the press bodies 10 ability to approach or move away from each other and adopt both brake and release positions, which axially compress or distend the plurality of superimposed rings 6 to block or allow, respectively, their relative movement. At least one of the press bodies 10, specifically the upper press body 10, is integral with the axis 5, so that when the plurality of rings 6 is compressed in addition to preventing its relative movement, the assembly formed by them is also prevented from turning with respect to axis 5. Said press bodies 10 are in turn subject to the action of elastic means 1 1 that tend to arrange them in their brake position, that is at a distance from each other such that they axially compress the plurality of rings 6 ; the brake device 7 comprising drive means 12 adapted to overcome the force of said elastic means 1 1 and to arrange the press bodies 10 in their release position, that is sufficiently separated to allow free rotation of the rings around to the axis 5. It is envisaged that the lower press body 10 can move between 1 and 2 millimeters, which will serve to provide sufficient clearance between the rings 6 to allow the rotation of the rods 2. The mechanism 4 further comprises a regulation screw 13 for regulating the force of the elastic means 1 1. These elastic means 1 1 comprise a spring 14 that acts on tension, a terminal or end of the spring 14 being connected to one of the press bodies 10 with relative movement capacity with respect to it , the compression of the spring 14 being able to be adjusted accordingly and with it the force it exerts on the press bodies 10. Naturally, it is expected that at least one of the press bodies 10 may in turn act as a ring 6, at least one of the rods being attached thereto. The actuation means 12 comprise a cam 15 manually maneuverable by means of a lever 16 which serves to arrange the press bodies 10 in their release position so that the rods 2 can be rotated and arrange the fabric 3 of the sunshade 1 in an unfolded operating position, as will be illustrated below. Upon reaching the desired deployed operating position, the The same lever 16 is used to arrange the press bodies 10 again in the brake position to fix the deployed operating position.

It is observed in Figs. 1 and 2 that the axis 5 of the mechanism 4 is provided with fixing means 17 which allow said mechanism 4 to be fixed to a post 18 or an umbrella foot. The shaft 5 illustrated in Fig. 2 may be additionally or alternatively provided with anchoring means for arranging the sunshade 1 on a wall support to form a canopy, or even on the floor to form a separation screen.

As can be seen the mechanism 4 of the sunshade 1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is provided with a series of rods 2 between which a fabric 3 will be extended, as will be seen later. This fabric 3 can be for example a vinyl, acrylic, PVC fabric, etc. intended for shadow projection. It is envisaged that the elements that make up mechanism 4 are essentially made of aluminum or stainless steel.

The sunshade 1 will preferably be composed of eight rods 2, the fabric 3 being attached to all the rods 2, extending from the upper rod 2a to the lower rod 2b, as illustrated in Figs. 3 to 6, in which Fig. 3 is first shown in the folded cup 1 in the folded position A, with the rods 2 aligned so that the fabric 3 between the rods forms gaps, and in Figs. 4 to 6 the sunshade 1 deployed in various operating positions B1, B2, B3. Naturally, it is envisaged that other operative positions can be adopted by varying the rotation between the rods 2 with each other so that the fabric 3 forms a larger or smaller circular sector. Although in Figs. 3 to 6 shows the sunshade 1 mounted on a post 18, the sunshade 1 could alternatively be mounted on a wall or wall support, so that, anchored in the wall, it could be deployed leaving the upper rod 2a applied against the wall and the lower rod 2b also applied against the wall leaving the fabric 3 forming a circular sector of approximately 180 degrees protruding from the wall as a canopy or visor. In this way, it would be possible to cast shadow on a wall without using a foot. In the same way, the sunshade 1 could be arranged in a corner, with the rods 2 deployed occupying the available surface, example 90 degrees so that the fabric 3 casts shadow in that corner.

To deploy the sunshade 1 starting from the folded position A shown in Fig. 3, until it adopts an operative deployed position B1, B2, B3 the operator must first operate the brake device 7 by means of the lever 16 to release the rods 2 When these are released and can rotate freely, the operator takes one of the rods 2, preferably the lower rod 2b, and will rotate it separating it from the upper rod 2a so as to unfold the fabric 3 of the sunshade 1 so that it forms a circular sector that will cast the desired shadow. After obtaining the desired shade, the operator will lock the rods 2 in that position by the same brake device 2. For example, Fig. 4 shows a first operative deployed position B1 in which the sunshade 1 casts a shadow in the form of a circular sector of 90 degrees. To obtain a better finish, it is recommended that the length of the fabric 3 be the same between every two consecutive rods 2, that is between every two rods 2 of the two adjacent rings 6 attached.

Continuing with the rotation of the rods 2, other operating positions can be selected as necessary until reaching 360 degrees. As can be seen in Fig. 5, when the lower rod 2b is made a complete rotation, it will be aligned with the upper rod 2a, the fabric 3 being loose between the rest of the rods 2, arranged for example equidistant. In this position a second deployed position B2 is determined, in which the sunshade 1 is closed and with the fabric 3 loose. If the length of the fabric 3 between each two consecutive rods 2 is sufficient for the circular sector formed by two consecutive rods to reach 60 degrees, it will be achieved that after adopting the second deployed position B2, when continuing the rotation, it is possible to achieve a third deployed position B3 closed, with the fabric 3 taut as illustrated in Fig. 6.

Fig. 7 shows a second variant embodiment of the sunshade 1, provided with two rods 2 in each ring 6 arranged at an angle of 180 degrees, as seen in Fig. 7 in its folded position A. It is noted that The mechanism 4 of this second variant embodiment of the sunshade 1 is the same to that described above and shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but instead of being provided with each ring 6 of a rod 2, each ring 6 has two rods 2 arranged at an angle of 180 degrees. It is noted that the fabric 3 is attached to one of the rods 2 of each ring 6 and extends from an upper rod 2a to a lower rod 2b. Naturally, since each ring 6 is provided with a pair of rods 2, it will be necessary to have two fabrics 3, each of which will extend from one of the upper rods 2a to one of the lower rods 2b, each fabric 3 being a attached to a rod 2 of each pair of rods 2 of each ring 6. In this way, when unfolding the sunshade 1 until adopting the deployed position B4 shown in Fig. 8, the fabrics 3 of the sunshade 1 will adopt a double helix shape allowing, in addition to a more attractive visual effect, that the projected shadow be more dense, since it will be necessary for the light to pass through the two fabrics 3.

Fig. 9 shows a third variant embodiment of the sunshade 1 in its folded position A in which the fabric 3 is attached to the two rods 2 that are attached to the same ring 6, forming each pair of rods 2 attached to the same ring 6 an angle of 60 degrees, so that the fabric 3 attached to each pair of rods 2 and provided with a straight end, forms a portion of a hexagon, as illustrated in the detail of Fig. 1 1. In this variant, mechanism 4 will also be analogous to that described above and shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In this third variant, the sunshade 1 can take a closed shape in a hexagonal plan in the deployed position B5 shown in Fig. 10. Advantageously, since the fabric 3 is not joined between the rods 2 of different rings 6, the portions can rotate freely, being able to adopt other intermediate positions in which the portions are superimposed. It is also provided in other variants of embodiment of the sunshade 1 that the rods 2 of the same ring 6 can form other angles, for example if the rods form an angle of 45 degrees, the sunshade 1 may take a closed shape in an octagonal plan.

Although in this second and third variant embodiment the sunshade 1 mounted on a post 18 is shown, the sunshade 1 could alternatively also be mounted on a wall or wall bracket, in the manner described above, to form a canopy, or even on the floor to form a separation screen.

Claims

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N E S ~ \ - A sunshade (1), comprising a series of rods (2) between which a fabric (3) intended for shadow projection extends and which are linked to a mechanism (4) that allows the arrangement of the rods for the sunshade to adopt at least one folded position (A) and one deployed position (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5) operative, characterized in that the mechanism comprises an axis (5) and a plurality of rings (6 ) superimposed and rotatably mounted around said axis, at least two rods attached to different rings, and because the mechanism comprises a brake device (7), manually operable, capable of blocking the relative movement between the rings. 2. - A sunshade (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the rods (2) are firmly attached to the rings (6), oriented perpendicular to the axis. 3. - A sunshade (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rings (6) form a stack, a bearing (9) being arranged between each two rings. 4. - A sunshade (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the bearings (9) are friction bearings. 5. A sunshade (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the bearings (9) are axial dry or lubricated sliding washers 6. - A sunshade (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an equal number of rods (2) and rings (6), each rod attached to a respective ring. 7. - A sunshade (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fabric (3) is attached to all the rods (2) and extends from the upper rod (2a) to the lower rod (2b) . 8. - A sunshade (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of the fabric (3) is the same between each two consecutive rods (2), that is between each two rods attached to two rings ( 6) adjacent. 9. - A sunshade (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is adapted to form a second closed deployed position (B2) loosely when turning the lower rod (2b) a complete turn, the lower rod aligned ( 2b) with respect to the upper rod (2a), in which the rest of the rods are equidistant from each other, the fabric between the rods is loose 10. - A sunshade (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is adapted to, after reaching the second deployed position (B2) closed loosely and continuing the rotation of the lower rod (2b) determine a third deployed position (B3) closed tight in which the rest of the rods equidistant from each other are arranged, the fabric between the rods is taut. 1 1. A sunshade (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a total of eight rods (2), the length of the fabric (3) being between each two consecutive rods sufficient for the circular sector formed by two consecutive rods reach 60 °. 12. A sunshade (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises two rods (2) attached to each ring (6). 13. - A sunshade (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the two rods (2) attached to the same ring (6) form an angle of 180 ° to each other. 14. - A sunshade (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fabric (3) is attached to one of the rods (2) of each ring (6) and extends from an upper rod (2a) to a rod lower (2b). 15. - A sunshade (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the fabric (3) is attached to the two rods (2) that are attached to the same ring (6). 16. - A sunshade (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the two rods (2) attached to the same ring (6) form an angle of 60 ° to each other. 17. - A sunshade (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brake device (7) comprises two press bodies (10), between which the superimposed rings (6) are arranged and formed with these a package, the press bodies having the ability to approach or move away from each other and adopt separate brake and release positions, which axially compress or distend the plurality of superimposed rings to block or allow, respectively, their relative movement. 18. A sunshade (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one of the press bodies (10) is integral with the shaft (5), so that when the plurality of rings (6) is compressed in addition to preventing their relative movement the set formed by these is also prevented from turning with respect to the axis. 19. A sunshade (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the press bodies (10) are subject to the action of elastic means (1 1) that tend to arrange them in their brake position, that is to a distance from each other such that axially compress the plurality of rings (6); the brake device comprising drive means (12) adapted to overcome the force of said elastic means and to arrange the press bodies in their release position, that is sufficiently separated to allow free rotation of the rings around the axis (5). 20. A sunshade (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it further comprises a regulation screw (13) to regulate the force of the elastic means (1 1). 21. A sunshade (1) according to any one of claims 19 to 20, characterized in that the elastic means (1 1) comprise a spring (14) that acts on tension, a terminal or end of the spring being connected to one of the press bodies (10) with relative movement capacity with respect to it, being able to regulate consequently the compression of the spring and with it the force that it exerts on the press bodies. 22. - A sunshade (1) according to any one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the actuating means (12) comprise a manually maneuverable cam (15). 23. - A sunshade (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the actuating means (12) further comprise a lever (16) for manually moving the cam (15). 24. A sunshade (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shaft comprises means for fixing (17) to a post (18). 25. A sunshade (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axis comprises means for anchoring to a wall support.