Abstract:
A floating canopy or shading device designed to provide shaded areas to swimming pools, lakes, and other bodies of water traditionally lacking in shade. In one embodiment, the canopy is an umbrella attached to a weighted buoy that floats on a body of water. In one embodiment, the weighted buoy may include a float connected to a ballast via one or more rods that serves as a counterweight.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/064,550, filed on Oct. 16, 2014, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates to shade devices and more particular to a shade device or floating umbrella in a body of water, such as a pool. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Various floating umbrella type designs are known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,645 (Engler) describes a floating assembly for swimming pools having a pole with a float connected to the middle, a hinged anchor weight at the bottom end, and various structures such as an umbrella, a net basket for games, and a tetherball game attached to the upper end. The umbrella embodiment has a tray attached above the float. One problem with Engler is that all the embodiments attach to a central shaft. This is an issue because the buoy may become imbalanced and lose stability in the water. Further, Engler hinges the ballast weight, which creates an issue for manufacturing and durability for the device. Engler&#39;s drink tray connects to the shaft via a pivotal connection. This may increase the overall stability of the device but undermines the functionality of the drink tray as it will be susceptible to wave action in the pool. As another example, U.S. Patent Publication No. US20140110413 (Kelly et al.) describes a floating valet that can be used to hold personal items while in the water. Kelly shows a floating plate or disc with multiple receptacles for drinks and other personal items along with a water proof bag for protecting items that may be damaged by water. One problem with Kelly is that the device must be anchored in a body of water to a single location. The valet floats but must be anchored in order to support an umbrella. This anchoring prohibits movement of the shaded area around the body of water and also requires a body of water with a bed that allows for a drilled anchor to be installed (e.g., not a plastered swimming pool). 
         [0006]    A need exists for an improved method and system for weighting and supporting umbrellas and other shade providing structures in a water setting that allows for shading of an area in a body of water. 
         [0007]    The embodiments provided in this disclosure solve various problems existing in the prior art, including separating the umbrella and canopy structure and allowing the buoy to independently float while weighted in the body of water without having to be anchored. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    In one embodiment of the disclosed application is a commercially available umbrella that floats on a weighted buoy device and provides shade to an area within a recreational swimming pool or other body of water where persons may gather. In some embodiments, the device may be used to prevent or reduce evaporation from the surface of a swimming pool. An additional embodiment of the device holds drinks on the float portion of the weighted buoy. Finally, a plurality of floats may be coupled together to provide sufficient floating structure for a larger canopy or a plurality of canopies. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present invention. The invention may be better understood by reference to one or more of these drawings in combination with the detailed description of specific embodiments presented herein. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a floating canopy device with a commercially available umbrella. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates another embodiment of a floating device without a commercially available umbrella. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded diagram of the floating device of  FIG. 2  according to one embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the floating device of  FIG. 2  according to one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Various features and advantageous details are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known starting materials, processing techniques, components, and equipment are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the invention in detail. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, and not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions, and/or rearrangements within the spirit and/or scope of the underlying inventive concept will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. The following detailed description does not limit the invention. 
         [0015]    Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. 
         [0016]    The disclosed embodiments provide significant advantages over the prior art because of the simplicity of design and the ability to float and remain upright in water. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a floating canopy device  100 . Device  100  includes weighted buoy  9  with canopy structure  8  to provide a shaded area. In one embodiment, the canopy is a commercially available umbrella. Weighted buoy  9  is attached to canopy  8  via shaft  7 , which in one embodiment is a commercially available umbrella shaft. In one embodiment, weighted buoy  9  comprises underwater ballast  4  connected to float  10  by rod  1 . Underwater ballast  4  serves as a counterweight to the floating canopy for better stability. The ballast can be made of various materials, including coated grey cast iron or aggregate filled high-density polyethylene. Ballast  4  is generally cylindrical in shape, approximately 6 inches in diameter by 3 inches deep. Float  10  is preferably made in a circular or disc shaped structure and in some embodiments may be considered a floating ring, but can comprise various other structures depending on the intended uses of the float. In one embodiment, float  10  and ballast  4  are connected by rod  1 . Rod  1  serves as a moment arm for float  10  that balances the canopy device  100  in an upright position and keeps the device from tipping over. In one embodiment, the length of rod  1  is adjustable or extendable based on the size, shape, and/or weight of canopy  8 . In operation, once weighted buoy  9  is fully assembled, umbrella shaft  7  is inserted into float  10 . In some embodiments, shaft  7  may also be inserted into rod  1 . In all positions, shaft  7  is rigidly coupled to rod  1  in a substantially straight position such that they do not bend or hinge in relation to each other. When canopy or umbrella  8  is at least partially opened, it provides shade in a swimming pool, lake, or other body of water at the location of the user&#39;s choice. In one embodiment, device  100  is configured to hold beverages or drinks in cup holders integrated into float  10 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged illustration of weighted buoy  9  from  FIG. 1 , without an umbrella coupled to the buoy. In one embodiment, float  10  is comprised of lower shell piece  10   b  and upper shell piece  10   a  that may be glued or otherwise fastened together. The two shell pieces fit around specially designed foam insert  5 , shown in  FIGS. 3-4 . In one embodiment, each shell piece is made of an injection molded plastic. In one embodiment, upper shell  10   a  comprises a plurality of cup holders  6  for holding drinks above water when the device is floating in a body of water. In other embodiments, upper shell  10   a  may include a plurality of flat sections or other attachments (not shown) to hold food, drinks, or other items. 
         [0019]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded diagram of the components of weighted buoy  9  from  FIG. 2 . The exploded view shows foam insert  5  as it would appear between upper shell piece/section  10   a  and lower shell piece/section  10   b . Foam insert  5  has the necessary size, shape, and material density to allow the weighted buoy and umbrella to float. In one embodiment, foam insert  5  is approximately 18 inches in diameter and 3 inches deep and provides the necessary buoyancy to keep device  100  floating in the water. In one embodiment, upper section  10   a  is approximately the same size as lower section  10   b . In this embodiment, optional drain holes  12   b  are shown on lower shell  10   b , which allow any water in float  10  to exit. In one embodiment, drain holes  12   b  may be coupled to drain holes  12   a  (see  FIG. 4 ) at the bottom of each cup holder  6 , which allows water to exit the cup holders. One embodiment may include a locking device to tighten and/or secure the umbrella shaft  7  to weighted buoy  9 . For example, locking device may comprise ferrule  2  and nut  3  such that when tightened, umbrella shaft  7  is locked into place with float  10  and rigidly coupled to rod  1 . In this embodiment, ballast  4  includes built in male threads  4   a  for securing ballast  4  to rod  1 , which may include corresponding female threads  1   b  on the inside diameter of rod  1 . The opposite end of rod  1  terminates with male threads  1   a , which may be secured into corresponding female threads on upper float portion  10   a . Likewise, upper shell piece/section  10   a  is coupled to an upper portion of rod  1  via a threaded engagement. Nut  3  may be attached to ferrule  2  by a threaded engagement, such that ferrule  2  extends through an inner conduit or hole of float  10 . In some embodiments, different lengths of rod  1  may be utilized for different weights and sizes of canopy  8 . Such rods are easily removable and replaceable by a user of device  100 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cross section drawing of weighted buoy  9  from  FIG. 2 . In one embodiment, ballast  4  may be hollow and be filled with aggregate or cement to achieve a desired weight. Once filled, ballast  4  can then be plugged with cap  4   b  to prevent the weighted compound from escaping. Upper shell  10   a  may connect to lower shell  10   b  with an interrupted annular snap latch  14 . Upper shell  10   a  may contain a series of drains  12   a  in cup holders  6  which allow water to flow out of cup holders  6 . In between upper shell  10   a  and lower shell  10   b  is foam insert  5  that creates the buoyancy for weighted buoy  9  and/or device  100 . Foam insert  5  has a cut out in the center  5   a  for the center connections of upper shell  10   a  and lower shell  10   b . In addition, foam insert  5  contains a plurality of cutouts  5   b  matching cup holders  6  and cup holder drains  12   a  and  12   b . In one embodiment, ferrule  2  fits securely inside float  10  and may contain a swage feature on its lower end that holds the ferrule securely in place. Ferrule  2  extends through the top of the upper float portion  10   b  to connect with nut  3 . Ferrule  2  contains male threads to securely connect to nut  3 . Nut  3  tightens down on ferrule  2  with a series of female threads. When securely tightened, the combination of the lower ferrule and the nut create a friction fit to secure canopy shaft  7  in place. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, a plurality of weighted buoys may be coupled together to provide sufficient floating structure for a larger canopy. In one embodiment, a larger canopy comprises a plurality of supporting poles or shafts, each one configured to insert into a weighted buoy. One or more of these buoys may include a plurality of cup holders. In one embodiment the weighted buoy includes a built in audio speaker. In one embodiment the umbrella may include a system to pump and atomize water to create a water vapor mist. In one embodiment the canopy may be replaced with a light pole. In one embodiment the canopy may be replaced with a signal flag on a pole. In one embodiment a tool receptacle may be attached to the weighted buoy for additional storage of items. In one embodiment the canopy may include a series of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights. In another embodiment the canopy may be replaced with a camouflaged canopy to provide cover for hunters. In still another embodiment small motors may be mounted to the bottom of the float so the buoy could be remotely positioned or retrieved by an end user. 
         [0022]    Many other variations in the configurations of the rod, float, ballast, canopy, and umbrella are within the scope of the invention. For example, the canopy may be comprised of many different materials or structures. As another example, the rod could be replaced with a flexible device that connects the weight to the float. It is emphasized that the foregoing embodiments are only examples of the very many different structural and material configurations that are possible within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0023]    Although the invention(s) is/are described herein with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention(s), as presently set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention(s). Any benefits, advantages, or solutions to problems that are described herein with regard to specific embodiments are not intended to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all the claims. 
         [0024]    Unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements. The terms “coupled” or “operably coupled” are defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless stated otherwise. The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements. Similarly, a method or process that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more operations possesses those one or more operations but is not limited to possessing only those one or more operations.