A self-draining canopy that includes a covering, an orthogonal support structure, and a drainage system. The covering can have a substantially quadrilateral shape in a horizontal plane. The orthogonal support structure can be coupled to the covering. When erected, non-vertical elements of the orthogonal support structure that the covering rests upon can be positioned substantially orthogonally within the horizontal plane. A natural contour of the formed canopy can automatically direct environmental substances deposited upon the top surface toward the corners of the canopy where the drainage system is installed. The drainage system can transport environmental substances from the top surface of the canopy to an outlet location. Transportation of the environmental substances can be provided by the force of gravity. The drainage system can prevent the accumulation of environmental substances on the top surface of the canopy and deformation of the canopy due to such accumulations.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to the field of shelters and, more particularly, to a self-draining canopy.

Portable shelters like the “pop-up” or portable canopy105shown in illustration100ofFIG. 1are owned and used by many people to provide protection from sun and rain during outdoor activities, such as parties and bar-be-ques. The portability of the portable canopy105is provided by a light-weight and collapsible support structure115with an attached covering110. When the support structure115is locked into place, the edges of the covering110are stretched along the sides of the support structure and the center of the covering is lifted upwards to create the canopy105shape. Generally, conventional canopy's establish a 45 degree (from horizontal) angle of the covering110in that the canopy's structural support (peaking at an apex) form an upwardly sloping 45 degree angle. The result of this arrangement is that once weight is added to the sloped covering portions, the fabric of the covering will generally deform to create a pocket (see depressed area135and water pool140). This pocket traps water during raining events, which becomes standing water that runs downward in a somewhat chaotic manner. Hence, the periphery of the canopy105“drips” due to this run-off causing humans seeking shelter under the canopy to get abnormally soaked when entering/exiting the canopy105. Further, when multiple canopy's are combined to increase area of protection, the edges where these canopies meet are highly subject to water run-off leaking between the joined canopies. This is an unresolved problem that has not been highly recognized in the field nor corrected, which is a recognized (by our inventors) shortcoming overcome by this disclosure.

Many support structures115are configured to produce a quadrilateral (e.g., square or rectangular) frame. This results in the covering110being formed into the shape of a square or rectangular pyramid (i.e., a square or rectangular base with triangular sides having a common vertex). The corners of the square or rectangular base typically correspond with the vertical supports or legs of the support structure, as shown in illustration100.

When rain130falls on the portable canopy105, as shown in illustration120, the natural contour of the covering110directs the rain130towards the base of the triangular side. Over time, the rain130accumulates into a water pool140and the weight of the water pool140creates a depressed area135in the covering110. Eliminating the water pool140requires a person to be able to be under the depressed area135and push against the depressed area135(i.e., return the depressed area135to its original contour). Over time, exposure to the weight of the water pool140deforms the contour of the covering110, reducing the overall life of the canopy105.

What is needed is a solution that allows the water pool140to drain off of the canopy's105covering110. Such a solution would modify the natural contour of the covering110to utilize gravity.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One aspect of the present invention can include a self-draining canopy that includes a covering, an orthogonal support structure, and a drainage system. The covering can be made from a water-resistant material and can have a substantially quadrilateral shape in a horizontal plane. The orthogonal support structure can be coupled to the covering. The orthogonal support structure can vertically position edges of the covering at a first height and can vertically lift a center point of the covering to a second height that is higher than the first height to form a canopy. The orthogonal support structure (at a 90 degree angle) represents a modification of a conventional canopy support structure (at a 45 degree angle) described in the prior art and detailed in the background and inFIG. 1. Hence, embodiments of the disclosure modify a conventional roof support structure by rotating support members by 45 degrees (making them substantially orthogonal (+/−5 degrees). When erected, non-vertical elements of the orthogonal support structure that the covering rests upon can be positioned substantially orthogonally within the horizontal plane. A natural contour of the formed canopy can automatically direct environmental substances deposited upon the top surface toward the corners of the canopy's substantially quadrilateral shape. A drainage system can be installed near the corners of the canopy. The drainage system can transport environmental substances from the top surface of the canopy to an outlet location. Transportation of the environmental substances can be provided by the force of gravity. The drainage system can prevent the accumulation of environmental substances on the top surface of the canopy and deformation of the canopy due to such accumulations.

Thus, unlike conventional canopy structures, the disclosed improved canopy ensures no uncontrolled depressed area135exists where water is able to pool (140). Instead, water run-off is directed to a drain (e.g.,410) built onto the top portion of the canopy structure, which mitigates the formation of depressed areas due to water pooling on a top of a canopy. Water (that would otherwise pool) is directed and controlled using an interior channel (e.g.,417) linked to the top drain (e.g.,410), so that humans entering/exiting the canopy do not get wet from water run-off. Further, the drain that prevents a creation of a depressed area on a top of the canopy due to water weight extends the life of the canopy itself by minimizing the weight-induced distortions of conventional designs.

Another aspect of the present invention can include a drainage system for a canopy having an orthogonal support structure (e.g., rotated approximately 45 degrees from a conventional canopy structure) that is comprised of multiple drainage apparatuses. The drainage apparatuses can transport environmental substances from a top surface of the canopy to an outlet location. Transportation of the environmental substances can be provided by a force of gravity in conjunction with a natural contour of the canopy. The natural contour of the canopy can be created by the orthogonal support structure and can automatically direct environmental substances deposited upon the top surface toward the drainage apparatuses. Each drainage apparatus can prevent the accumulation of the environmental substances on the top surface of the canopy and deformation of the canopy due to such accumulations. Each drainage apparatus can include a drain and a transport element. The drain can establish one or more apertures through the canopy to allow passage of the environmental substances. The transport element can be connected to the drain and can permit the environmental substances to move from the drain to the outlet location through an enclosed space.

Yet another aspect of the present invention can include a method that begins by supporting a canopy with an orthogonal support structure. The non-vertical elements of the orthogonal support structure that the canopy rests upon can be positioned substantially orthogonally within a horizontal plane. Upon exposure of the canopy to rain, rain that has fallen on a top surface of the canopy can be directed toward an installed drainage system using a natural contour of the canopy in conjunction with a force of gravity. The natural contour of the canopy can be induced by the orthogonal support structure. The rain can then be transported from the top surface of the canopy to an outlet location by the drainage system. The outlet location can be proximate to ground level. The drainage system can introduce one or more apertures through the canopy. Further, the drainage system can prevent the accumulation of the rain on the top surface of the canopy and deformation of the canopy due to a weight of such accumulations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention can be a system and/or method that embodies a solution for draining water and other environmental substances from the top surface of a canopy. Such a solution can form the canopy using an orthogonal support structure (rotated 45 degrees from a conventional canopy structure, such as shown inFIG. 1) with a water-resistant covering. The natural contour of the covering, as created by use of the orthogonal support structure, can direct water towards the corners of the covering to a drainage system. The drainage system can then transport the water from the covering to an outlet location. One of ordinary skill recognizes that variations of the respective angles detailed herein as illustrative examples are able to be modified so long as water-run off is controlled to minimize the water pooling problems present in conventional canopies. Thus, in one embodiment, a five degree angle variation (from a 90 degree angle of a true orthogonal support structure) can be implemented in conjunction with the drainage system to an equivalent effect. In other contemplated embodiments, a ten, fifteen, twenty, and twenty five degree angle is able to be utilized. The greater the angle, additional structural elements for drainage direction may need to be provided, such as adding explicit channels or contours for water run-offs into the top portion of the canopy. For simplicity of expression, the disclosure generally refers to the support structure as orthogonal, which is a significant embodiment, while use of other angles as described herein are explicitly contemplated for other embodiments and should be considered within scope of the disclosure. The diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems and/or methods according to various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2is a block diagram presenting the components of a self-draining canopy200in accordance with embodiments of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. The self-draining canopy200can conform to the general definition of a canopy, as is understood in the Art. That is, the self-draining canopy200can be a covering205draped over a support structure210to provide shade and/or cover to people and/or things beneath.

The covering205of the self-draining canopy200can be of a size, shape, and materials that is similar to the variety of existing canopies and compatible with the size, shape, and bearing capacity of the support structure210. It can be preferred that the covering205be of a water-resistant material as rain or water accumulation is of concern.

The covering205can be coupled to the support structure210using conventional means. The support structure210of the self-draining canopy200can orthogonally support the covering205; a conventional support structure115, as shown inFIG. 1, can provide diagonal support for the covering110.

The orthogonal support structure210can include multiple legs215, a perimeter frame220, and canopy support225. As is known in the Art, the legs215can be the vertical supports of the canopy200with the perimeter frame220laterally connecting the legs215to provide stability. For simplicity in discussion, the self-draining canopy200can have four legs215whose positions are the corners of a square in the horizontal plane. In various embodiments orthogonal structure210can vary in angle (from 90 degrees) by five degrees, ten degrees, fifteen degrees, twenty degrees, twenty five degrees and angles in between. Additional measures to aid in directing/controlling a flow of water are contemplated for angles that vary from the ninety degree baseline detailed herein.

It should be noted that the self-draining canopy200can utilize different quantities of legs215that are positioned to define other geometrical shapes in the horizontal plane without deviating from the spirit of the present invention.

The canopy support225can be the component of the self-draining canopy200that direct supports (i.e., comes into contact with) the covering205. The canopy support225of the self-draining canopy200can include a vertical support member230, angled support members235, and planar support members240. While similar components are used in the support structures of conventional canopies, the orientation of the non-vertical components235and240can be unique to the self-draining canopy200.

As in conventional canopies, the vertical support member230can lift a center point of the covering205a predetermined height above the height established by the legs215. The planar support members240can connect the bottom of the vertical support member230to the perimeter frame220. Unlike similar components of conventional canopies, the planar support members240of the self-draining canopy200can be orthogonally connected to the perimeter frame220with respect to the horizontal plane. Though difficult to visualize, this key point can be graphically illustrated in subsequent Figures.

The angled support members235can be elements that comprise the hypotenuses of the right triangles that they form with the vertical support member230and planar support members240. That is, the angled support members235can connect the top of the vertical support member230to the perimeter frame220at a point where the planar support members240connect to the perimeter frame220. The covering205can directly rest upon the angled support members235.

The orthogonal support of the canopy support225can allow the covering205to naturally direct rain/water down towards the corners. Conventional canopies with diagonal support of the covering205have support components or a natural contour that directs rain/water away from the corners towards the middle of the lateral face where the rain/water accumulates.

The components of the orthogonal support structure210can be connected to each other using suitable means and can utilize approaches and/or techniques taught by conventional canopies. For example, the collapsible diagonal support structure115ofFIG. 1can be modified to become a collapsible orthogonal support structure210.

Near the corners where the rain/water is directed, the self-draining canopy200can have a drainage system245. The drainage system245can include drains250and transport elements255. The drain250can be an element that introduces one or more apertures in the covering205that allow rain/water to pass through to a connected transport element255.

The transport element255can be the means that allows the rain/water to flow from the drain250to a designated outlet location. For example, the transport element255can be a piece of tubing connected to the drain250with the outlet location being the opposite end of the tubing. As another example, the transport element255can be integrated into the legs215. That is, the legs215can have an interior channel that is connected to the drains250.

It should be noted that the drainage system245can handle substances other than rain/water, including, but not limited to, sand, soil particulates, snow, ice particulates, sleet, dust, ash, liquid solutions, other non-hazardous or non-detrimental liquids, and combinations thereof.

FIG. 3depicts isometric views305and330of an example embodiment of the self-draining canopy in accordance with embodiments of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. The example embodiment of the self-draining canopy illustrated in views305and330can represent a physical configuration of the components presented inFIG. 2.

The example of the self-draining canopy presented in views305and330can have an orthogonal support structure with a square base; the legs325can represent the corners of the square and the perimeter frame322can comprise the sides by laterally connecting the legs325, as is typical of conventional canopies, seeFIG. 1.

As shown in the isometric side view305, the vertical support member315can lift the center point of the covering310, also like conventional canopies. However, unlike conventional canopies, angled support members320can be connected to the midpoints of each side of the perimeter frame322and the top of the vertical support member315. In a conventional canopy, the angled support members320can be omitted or connected to the top of the legs325to form a regular square pyramid.

The connection of the angled support members320to the perimeter frame322can be aligned with the planar support members335, as shown in the top view330. In the top view330, the canopy support comprised of the vertical support member315, angled support members320, and planar support members335can be fully appreciated. Essentially, the vertical support member315, angled support members320, and planar support members335can represent two king post trusses that orthogonally intersect at the vertical support member315.

Again, if such a configuration is used in a conventional canopy, the angled support members320and planar support members335can be positioned on the diagonal of the square base. It is this diagonal alignment that directs rain/water away from the corners of the base towards the middle of the side where it can accumulate and deform the canopy.

Since the position of the angled support members320are orthogonal and not diagonal, the expected pyramidal shape of the covering310can be thought of having been rotated 90° in the horizontal plane. That is, the edges of the pyramid, represented by the angled support members320, do not align with the corners of the square base as in a square pyramid. Additionally, the lateral sides of the expected pyramidal shape cannot be completely flat due to the legs325pulling the midpoint of the base edge of the lateral side to the corner of the square base. As a result, the covering310can have a natural contour312on the diagonal that slopes downward towards the legs325. The force of gravity can direct rain/water that falls on the covering310along the natural contour312towards the legs325.

The purpose for having this diagonally-directed the natural contour312can be better seen in the isometric top view330. Since rain/water is naturally directed towards the corners of the square base, the drainage system340can be positioned at the corners to remove the rain/water from the covering310. Therefore, rain/water cannot accumulate on top of the covering310and deformation to the covering310by the weight of accumulated water can be prevented, which can extend the overall life of the self-draining canopy.

FIG. 4presents enlarged illustrations400and425of example embodiments of the drainage system of the self-draining canopy in accordance with embodiments of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. The example embodiments of the drainage system shown in illustrations400and425can be used within the context of the self-draining canopy200ofFIG. 2and the example embodiments of the self-draining canopy inFIG. 3.

Illustration400can show an embodiment of the drainage system that utilizes the leg of the orthogonal support structure as the transport element415. In such an embodiment, the drain410can be installed in the covering405above or proximate to the leg415. The drain410can be as simple as a hole made with a grommet (to keep the edges of the hole from fraying and/or tearing) and can include mesh or other means for preventing debris from passing into, and potentially blocking, the transport element415.

The legs415of the orthogonal support structure can have an interior channel417for rain/water to flow through. Thus, the leg can act as the transport element415of the drainage system. This embodiment can be particularly suited for orthogonal support structures that are already designed to use hollow legs415(e.g., pipes and tubes).

The interior channel417can be of a diameter to provide a flow rate that reduces the possibility for the rain/water to back-up and accumulate on the covering405. The interior channel417can run the entire height of the leg415with the rain/water exiting at the bottom of the leg and into the surrounding ground. In this case, the bottom end of the leg415can be the outlet location420of the transport element415for the rain/water.

Alternately, the outlet location420can exist at a point above the bottom of the leg. For example, a hole or spout can pierce through the sidewall of the leg415to the interior channel417three inches above the bottom of the leg415. In such a configuration, it can be preferred that the outlet location420include additional means to further transport the rain/water away from the immediate area.

For example, a threaded hose connector can be integrated into the outlet location420. A standard garden hose can then be connected to the outlet location420of the transport element415to empty the rain/water at a further distance, reducing the amount of rain/water discharged to the area around the self-draining canopy.

Illustration425can present a more complex implementation of the drainage system. In this embodiment, the drain430can be installed within the covering405near to the leg440of the orthogonal support structure. Since the leg440is not being used as a component of the drainage system, the drain430need not be positioned directly above or very close to the top of the leg440. Additionally, the leg440need not be hollow as in illustration400.

The transport element435can be a length of tubing that is attached to the drain430at one end and the open end that can act as the outlet location450. As shown in illustration425, the end of the transport element435that attaches to the drain430can require a gradation in size like a funnel. The amount of gradation can depend on the size of the drain430.

The transport element435can be coupled to the leg440using one or more securement means445to prevent the transport element435from being inadvertently moved. The securement means445can be implemented in a variety of ways that are commensurate with the leg440and transport element435. The securement means445should not exert undue force upon the transport element435that the transport element435is deformed or its functionality compromised.

In another embodiment, the securement means445can be integrated into the leg440.

The transport element435can vary in length, but should be of a length that positions the outlet location450near to the ground. An advantage of this embodiment can be the ability to connect the outlet location450of the transport element435to a suitable container455. The container455can be of any size or shape, providing it has an opening that allows the outlet location450to connect to or be placed within.

The use of a container455to collect the rain/water from the drainage system can have many benefits. Firstly, the saturation of the ground in the immediate area of the self-draining canopy can be reduced because the rain/water is collected and not discharged. The container455can be removed and remotely emptied when full.

Secondly, the collected rain/water can be used. In a camping setting, the collected rain can be treated to become potable drinking water. In a backyard setting, the collected rain can be used to water plants and trees, reducing the amount of water paid for to perform that task.