Swingset frame shade

A swingset frame shade has a canopy top. The canopy top is bounded by and has a canopy front support, a canopy rear support, a canopy right upper support, and a canopy left upper support. A right panel is connected to the canopy top at a canopy right upper support. A extends canopy right front support extending downwardly from the canopy right upper support and a canopy right rear support extends downwardly from the canopy right upper support. The canopy right front support and the canopy right rear support join together at a right lower tip. A left panel connects to the canopy top at a canopy left upper support. A canopy left front support extends downwardly from the canopy left upper support and a canopy left rear support extends downwardly from the canopy left upper support.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of swingset frame shades.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

A variety of prior art references describe various structures for a swing set frame shade. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,715,095 entitled Outdoor Playground With Shading Apparatus by inventor Paul Hsieh published May 6, 2014 the abstract discloses, “An outdoor playground includes a first and a second entertainment units connected with each other. The first entertainment unit includes a first utility frame configured to allow a predetermine entertainment function to be carried out by the first utility frame and a first shading apparatus detachably mounted on the first utility frame for effectively shielding the first utility frame. The second entertainment unit includes a second utility frame configured to allow a predetermine entertainment function to be carried out by the second utility frame, and a second shading apparatus detachably mounted on the second utility frame for effectively shielding the second utility frame so as to allow the entertainment function to be carried out under shading.”

Also for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,198 entitled Canopy Apparatus For Children's Swings by inventor Gerald E. Castlebury published Feb. 6, 1990 the abstract discloses, “A canopy apparatus (10) for conventional A-frame swing constructions (100) wherein the canopy apparatus (10) comprises a pair of support units (11) operatively connected to the horizontal support bar (103) of the swing set (100) and a cover unit (12) operatively attached to and suspended from the pair of support units (11).”

Also for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,802,328 entitled Adjustable Canopy of a Swing Set by inventor Steve Lin published Oct. 10, 2004 the abstract discloses, “An adjustment device of an adjustable canopy of a swing set includes a fixed part, an engaging part, and an adjustable part. The fixed part is joined to the frame of a swing set, and has locating hooks. The engaging part is securely connected to the fixed part, and has engaging protrusions on an outer side, which have convexly curved surfaces, and plasticity. The adjustable part, to which a covering part of the canopy is connected, has concavely curved sections spaced around an annular inner side. The locating hooks are connected to the adjustable part such that the adjustable part can turn relative to the fixed part. The concavely curved portions contact the convexly curved protrusions. The inner side of the adjustable part depresses the convexly curved protrusions when force is exerted on the adjustable part so that the canopy covering part can be adjusted.”

Also for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,753,216 entitled Mist Producing Device for Playground with Sun Shade Apparatus by inventor Paul Hsieh published Jun. 17, 2014 the abstract discloses, “A play set with a mist device which includes a mist frame unit supported through a framework of the play set. The mist frame unit has a hollow body allowing water passage and comprises a flexible hose member mounted onto the framework, wherein a portion of the flexible hose member is constructed into a hose ring encircling a slide unit; a water inlet provided at a first end of the mist frame unit for connecting to a water source; and a plurality of mist producing units provided along the mist frame unit arranged for producing mist such that a preset mist surrounding area is defined within which the play set is located, therefore the mist can reach all play units of the play set, including the slide unit through the hose ring at an angle which is greater than 270°, thereby providing a cooling effect to the mist surrounding area.”

Also for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,783,329 entitled Sun Shade Apparatus by inventor Paul Hsieh published Jul. 22, 2014 the abstract discloses, “A sun shading apparatus includes a supporting frame, a shading frame and a shading fabric. The supporting frame includes first and second leg frames, and a supporting bar extended between the first and the second leg frames, while the second leg frame has third and fourth mounting slots. The shading frame includes first and second coupling joints each having a V-shaped cross section, first and second frame members, and a reinforcing frame, wherein the supporting bar is extended between the first and second coupling joints. The first and the second frame member are coupled with the first coupling joint and the second coupling joint respectively, while the reinforcing frame is extended between the first and second frame member and the supporting bar to form a support platform. The shading fabric is detachably mounted on the support platform for shading adverse weather condition.”

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A swingset frame shade has a canopy top. The canopy top is bounded by and has a canopy front support, a canopy rear support, a canopy right upper support, and a canopy left upper support. A right panel is connected to the canopy top at a canopy right upper support. A extends canopy right front support extending downwardly from the canopy right upper support and a canopy right rear support extends downwardly from the canopy right upper support. The canopy right front support and the canopy right rear support join together at a right lower tip. A left panel connects to the canopy top at a canopy left upper support. A canopy left front support extends downwardly from the canopy left upper support and a canopy left rear support extends downwardly from the canopy left upper support. The canopy left front support and the canopy left rear support join at a left lower tip.

A canopy left front line and a canopy left rear line support the canopy top. The canopy left front line is connected to the left front canopy corner. The canopy left front support connects to the canopy left upper support. The canopy left rear line is connected to the left rear canopy corner. The canopy left upper support is connected to the canopy left rear support.

The right panel is formed in a right triangular shape. The canopy right front support, the canopy right rear support, and the canopy right upper support are formed as flexible rods arranged along the edges of the right triangular shape. The right lower tip, the right front canopy corner, and the right rear canopy corner form vertices of the right triangular shape.

The right front canopy corner is connected to a canopy right front line, and the right rear canopy corner is connected to a canopy right rear line. The left panel is formed in a left triangular shape, and the canopy left front support, the canopy right left support, and the canopy left upper support are formed as flexible rods arranged along the edges of the left triangular shape. The left lower tip, the left front canopy corner, and the left rear canopy corner form vertices of the left triangular shape. The left front canopy corner is connected to a canopy left front line, the left rear canopy corner is connected to a canopy left rear line. The canopy top has a top right sleeve receiving the canopy right upper support, and the canopy top has a top left sleeve receiving the canopy left upper support. The canopy right upper support is retained between a front right pocket formed at the right front canopy corner and a rear right pocket formed at the right rear canopy corner. The canopy left upper support is retained between a front left pocket formed at the left front canopy corner and a rear left pocket formed at the left rear canopy corner.

The canopy top with the right panel and the left panel is mounted to a swingset frame. The swingset frame further includes a top horizontal frame support. The top horizontal frame support has a left apex connection and a right apex connection. A front left diagonal support and a rear left diagonal support connect together at the left apex connection. A front right diagonal support and a rear right diagonal support connect together at the right apex connection. A right horizontal support connects between the front right diagonal support and the rear right diagonal support. A left horizontal support connects between the front left diagnosed support and the rear left diagonal support.

For improved reinforcement and stability, upgraded hardware can provide more robust structure. The canopy right upper support and the canopy left upper support are optionally formed as telescopic rods. The canopy right upper support and the canopy left upper support are formed as metal telescopic rods having coaxial translational mechanical engagement. The canopy left front line and the canopy left rear line are formed as rods.

The following call out list of elements can be a useful guide for referencing the element numbers of the drawings.20frame21top horizontal frame support22front right diagonal support23rear right diagonal support24front left diagonal support25rear left diagonal support26right horizontal support27left horizontal support28right apex connection29left apex connection30swings31right swing32left swing33right swing seat34left swing seat35right swing right chain36right swing left chain37left swing right chain38left swing left chain39swing connection40canopy41canopy top42canopy front support43canopy rear support44canopy right upper support45canopy left upper support46canopy right front support47canopy right rear support48canopy left front support49canopy left rear support50canopy line connection system51right panel52left panel53canopy right front line54canopy left front line55canopy right rear line56canopy left rear line57right panel lower line58left panel lower line59canopy edge61collar connector62hook connector63edge retainer hook64swivel joint65telescoping mechanism66rotating rod67collar set screw68frame bolt69soldiered -on ring71front right pocket72front left pocket73rear right pocket74rear left pocket75top right sleeve76top left sleeve77first top strap78second top strap80buckle81right lower tip82left lower tip83left front canopy corner84left rear canopy corner85right front canopy corner86right rear canopy corner87right triangular shape88left triangular shape90pull strap end91buckle slot92fabric strap

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As seen inFIG. 1, the present invention begins with a frame20a swing set. The users swing on the swings and often need shade. However, not all swing sets come with a shade. Accordingly, the present invention fits over the swingset frame20.

A frame20has a top horizontal frame support21. At a right apex connection28, the top horizontal frame support21connects to a top portion of a front right diagonal support22and a rear right diagonal support23. At a left apex connection29, the top horizontal frame support21connects to a top portion of a rear left diagonal support25, and a front left diagonal support24. A right horizontal support26extends between the front right diagonal support22and the rear right diagonal support23. A left horizontal support27extends between a front left diagonal support24and a rear left diagonal support25.

A pair of swings30can be suspended from the top horizontal frame support21. A right swing31has a right swing seat33. The right swing seat33is supported at a right swing right chain35and a right swing left chain36. Similarly, a left swing32can have a left swing seat34. The left swing seat34has a left swing right chain37and a left swing left chain38. A swing connection39connects the swing chains to the top horizontal frame support21. The swing connection39can be a threaded bolt having an eyelet that threads to a threaded opening of the top horizontal frame support21.

As seen inFIG. 2, a canopy40can be installed to the frame20. The canopy40has a canopy top41shown as a generally rectangular sheet of fabric. The canopy top41has a canopy front support42, a canopy rear support43, a canopy right upper support44, and a canopy left upper support45. The canopy right upper support44and the canopy left upper support45can be made of fiberglass rods fit into sleeves or attached by a hook and loop tape straps to the canopy top41. The canopy top41is formed as a panel of fabric such as a woven plastic polymer fabric. The canopy top41preferably has ultraviolet resistance impregnated in the fabric of the canopy top41. The canopy front support42and the canopy rear support43can be an elongated elastic cord suspended in tension, or can be a fiberglass rod made of multiple sections. When the lengthwise dimension of the canopy is made adjustable, the canopy front support42and the canopy rear support43are preferably made of elastic cord.

The embodiment as seen inFIG. 2has a pair of triangular panels. Each triangular end panel has three sides and three vertices. Each of the three vertices is a distal point which is a tip. Each of the sides is attached to a fiberglass rod such as by straps, or by a sleeve. The fiberglass rods can be made in a tent pole style construction with the vertex connections as a pair of pockets for receiving the ends of the fiberglass rods. The pair of pockets can be arranged with pocket openings at 60° angle to each other. In this way, the canopy top41can be supported by the pair of triangular side panels. The canopy front and rear supports can be angled at 60° to each other, and preferably have a midpoint strapped to the diagonal supports of the swingset frame. The canopy right front line53secures to the front right diagonal support22. The canopy right rear line55secures to the right rear diagonal support23. The canopy left front line54secures to the front left diagonal support24. The canopy left rear line56secures to the rear left diagonal support25. The left and right panels also have a lower line that connects to the horizontal supports of the swingset frame.

More specifically, the canopy left front support48can be connected to the front left diagonal support24. The canopy left rear support49can be connected to the rear left diagonal support25. The canopy right front support46can be connected to the front right diagonal support22. The canopy right rear support47can be connected to the rear right diagonal support23. The right horizontal support26preferably connects to a right tip of the canopy. The left horizontal support27preferably connects to a left tip of the canopy. The canopy has a rectangular canopy top41and a pair of triangular panels on each side. Each of the triangular panels has a vertex at a distal portion of the triangular panel. Each distal point is a tip.

The canopy top41has four corners including a left front canopy corner83, a left rear canopy corner84, a right front canopy corner85, and a right rear canopy corner86. The canopy left upper support45has a pair of ends that terminate at the left front canopy corner83and the left rear canopy corner84. The canopy right upper support44has a pair of ends that terminate at the right front canopy corner85and the right rear canopy corner86. The left triangular panel is defined by three vertices of the left triangle which are the left lower tip82, the left front canopy corner83, and the left rear canopy corner84. The right triangular panel is defined by three vertices of the right triangle which are the right lower tip81, the right front canopy corner85, and the right rear canopy corner86. The right front canopy corner85and the right rear canopy corner86are at the same height which are both mounted above the right lower tip81. The left front canopy corner83and the left rear canopy corner84are at the same heights which are both mounted above the left lower tip82. The right triangular panel has a right triangular shape87, and the left triangular panel has a left triangular shape88.

The lower tips of the triangular panels can receive a grommet with a strap or line through the grommet or instead of a grommet at the top, nylon woven fabric strap can be stretched to the lower tip. The fabric strap or line preferably has a length and tension adjustment using a pair of buckles80. The free ends of the fabric strap or line can be retained by the buckles80which are sliding mounted on the fabric strap or line. The buckles80can have an upper opening and a lower opening. In the case of a fabric strap buckle, the upper opening and a lower opening can be formed as buckle slots91. The fabric strap92can end at a pull strap end90. A user pulls on the pull strap end90to tighten the fabric strap92on the buckle slots91at the buckle80. Pulling on the pull strap tightens the fabric strap92on the buckle slots91at the buckle80.

As seen inFIG. 3, a right panel lower line57can connect a right lower tip81to the right horizontal support26, and a left panel lower line58can connect a left lower tip82to the left horizontal support27.

The canopy top41including the canopy front support42, the canopy rear support43, the canopy right upper support44, and the canopy left upper support45are flexible and secure to the frame20with a canopy line connection system50. The right panel51is formed as a triangle and extends from the rectangular canopy top41. The right panel51has a canopy right front line53, and a canopy right rear line55. The canopy right front line53secures to the front right diagonal support22. The canopy right rear line55secures to the right rear diagonal support23. The canopy left front line54secures to the front left diagonal support24. The canopy left rear line56secures to the rear left diagonal support25.

The canopy side edge59is formed at a junction of the right panel51and the canopy top41along the canopy right upper support44. Similarly, the canopy side edge59is formed at a junction of the left panel52and the canopy top41along the canopy left upper support45. Accordingly, the canopy has a canopy right side edge and a canopy left side edge. An edge retainer lock63can be formed as a hook for retaining fabric along the canopy edge59. The edge retainer lock63is preferably formed as a clip that can extend from the canopy right upper support44or the canopy left upper support45. If the canopy right upper support44and the canopy left upper support45are formed as rods, the retainer lock63can be a socketed member fitting to an end of the rod. The retainer lock63could also be clipped to the end of the rod rather than socketed to the end of the rod.

As seen inFIG. 4, a lower view shows that the frame supports the canopy top41. A first top strap77and a second top strap78can be stitched to the canopy top41and strapped around the top horizontal frame support21. The fiberglass rods forming the canopy right upper support44and the canopy left upper support45can be pocketed or strapped to the canopy top41. The canopy right upper support44can be pocketed to the canopy top41at a front right pocket71, and a rear right pocket73. The canopy left upper support45can be pocketed to the canopy top41at a front left pocket72and a rear left pocket74. Preferably, a top right sleeve75can be formed as a hook and loop tape strap sleeve, or a strap pair with a buckle. The top right sleeve75can be stitched to the canopy top41and secure the canopy top41to the canopy right upper support44. Similarly, a top left sleeve76can be stitched to the canopy top41and secure the canopy top41to the canopy left upper support45. The top left sleeve76can also be made as a hook and loop tape strap sleeve, or a strap pair with a buckle. The top right sleeve75and the top left sleeve76could also be made as stitched loops which would require a user to insert the fiberglass rod through the loops during assembly.

Again the canopy line connections secure the canopy to the frame. The canopy right front line53secures to the front right diagonal support22. The canopy right rear line55secures to the right rear diagonal support23. The canopy left front line54secures to the front left diagonal support24. The canopy left rear line56secures to the rear left diagonal support25. The canopy line connections align the right apex connection28and the left apex connection29to the canopy right upper support44, and the canopy left upper support45. The tension in the canopy front support42, and the tension in the canopy rear support43can flex the canopy right upper support and the canopy left upper support to have a slight bow shaped profile as seen inFIG. 4as the cord is pulled taught.

As seen inFIG. 5, upgraded connection hardware can improve connection for high wind speed situations which is a reinforced version of the main embodiment shown inFIGS. 2, 3. The upgraded hardware connection version has a pair of rigid retaining rods that clamp to the diagonal portion of the swingset frame instead of flexible fiberglass rods that form flexible a triangular frame. The upgraded connection hardware method is more like a canopy version and the flexible triangular frame method is more like a tent version. In the upgraded connection hardware version ofFIG. 5, tools may be required for assembly.

Instead of a hook and loop tape strap, or a rope buckle, a collar connector61can be formed as a clamp that wraps around the right or left horizontal frame member. A hook connector62can connect the right or left tip of the canopy to the collar connector61at an eyelet formed on the collar connector61. Additionally, an edge retainer hook63can retain the canopy at the canopy edge59if the interior pocket is insufficient to hold the fiberglass rod, such as in case of high wind. A swivel joint64can be made as a ball joint that secures the canopy edge59. The ball joint can connect to a rotating rod66that mounts to the diagonal member also at a collar connector61formed as a clamp. The swivel joint64can be connected to a rigid rod as the canopy left front support48, the canopy right front support46, the canopy left rear support49, or the canopy right rear support47. The canopy right upper support44and the canopy left upper support45can be formed as a telescoping mechanism65instead of a simple fiberglass pole. The telescoping mechanism65can be a pair of fiberglass rods, or a metal rod inside a tube in telescopic connection.

A soldered ring69or a welded ring can form an eyelet that receives the hook connector62. The collar preferably has a collar set screw67for bolting to the swingset frame. The frame bolt68bolts the horizontal frame member to the diagonal frame member. Thus, the present invention can be made as a lightweight flexible structure having only fiberglass rods, fabric and hook and loop tape straps. The present invention can also be made as a heavier structure using the upgraded connection hardware. The lightweight flexible structure is wind resistant because the hook and loop tape straps can detach from the swingset frame in high wind, and be reinstalled afterwards. The heavier structure resists the wind and may not need to be removed.