Abstract:
A collapsible canopy system comprises an inflatable canopy cover, which may itself comprise a plurality of inflatable frame members, the frame members forming a top frame having a first end and a second end, and a back frame having a first end and a second end, the first end of the top frame being attached to the first end of the back frame and one or more flexible shade panels, wherein at least one of the flexible shade panels is disposed between the plurality of frame members forming the top frame. The system may comprise a canopy housing itself comprising an air pump configured to pump air into at least a portion of the inflatable canopy cover, a mechanism for attaching the canopy housing to another object, and a storage compartment configured to retain the inflatable canopy cover when it is in a deflated state.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/302,543, filed Mar. 2, 2016, and entitled KART KANOPY, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to a protective canopy and associated housing. In particular, but without limitation, the present disclosure relates to a collapsible and retractable canopy that may protect a user from sun, rain, or other objects and may be attached to other objects, such as golf carts. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0003]    In recent years, wheeled push carts for carrying golf bags have become popular with golfers who walk golf courses. These golf push carts typically have three or four wheels that form a stable base and hold a golf bag at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. They also typically have a handle extending from an area near the top of the golf bag that can be used to push the cart and to attach accessories. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the term “golf carts” may be used to refer to these types of carts, rather than to motorized driving golf carts in which a driver and one or more passengers can sit. 
         [0004]    Some golf carts have an umbrella holder as an accessory attached to the handle, in recognition of the need golfers have for rain and sun protection. Sun protection is especially crucial since the sunniest days encourage golfers to stay out for many hours. As golfers become more aware of the risks of excessive sun exposure, such as skin cancer, more golfers require adequate sun protection while golfing. While an umbrella can provide some protection, there are some limitations to its effectiveness in an umbrella holder. One main limitation is that the area of shade provided by the umbrella changes size, shape, and location based on the position of the sun. When a golfer is stationary and not moving the golf cart, the golfer may position him or herself in the shade, but when the golfer is pushing the cart, he or she must necessarily stand and walk near the handle. This location may be underneath the umbrella, but the shade cast by the umbrella may be in a different location, and the golfer may still be exposed to direct sunlight. Another limitation to umbrellas in umbrella holders is that they are prone to being blown away even in light winds. It is also impractical for a golfer to hold an umbrella in hand while pushing a golf cart. Therefore, a need exists for convenient, lightweight protective covers that remedy these problems. A need exists for apparatuses that can be conveniently attached to objects, including golf carts, to provide adequate shade and other protection for users. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    One aspect of the present disclosure provides a collapsible protective canopy comprising a plurality of inflatable frame members, the frame members forming a rectangular top frame having a first end and a second end, and a rectangular back frame having a first end and a second end, the first end of the rectangular top frame being attached to the first end of the rectangular back frame. The protective canopy may further comprise at least one diagonal frame member attached to the second end of the rectangular top frame and the second end of the rectangular back frame. The canopy may further comprise one or more flexible shade panels, wherein at least one of the flexible shade panels is disposed between the plurality of frame members forming the rectangular top frame. 
         [0006]    Another aspect of the disclosure provides a collapsible canopy system, which may comprise an inflatable canopy cover. The inflatable canopy cover may itself comprise a plurality of inflatable frame members, the frame members forming a top frame having a first end and a second end, and a back frame having a first end and a second end. The first end of the top frame may be attached to the first end of the back frame. The inflatable canopy may comprise one or more flexible shade panels, wherein at least one of the flexible shade panels is disposed between the plurality of frame members forming the top frame. The system may also comprise a canopy housing, which itself may comprise an air pump configured to pump air into at least a portion of the inflatable canopy cover, a mechanism for attaching the canopy housing to another object, and a storage compartment configured to retain the inflatable canopy cover when it is in a deflated state. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a canopy system of the present disclosure comprising a canopy cover in an inflated configuration attached to a canopy housing. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows a back perspective view of a canopy cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows a front perspective view of the canopy cover of  FIG. 2   
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows a back side elevation view of the canopy cover of  FIG. 2   
           [0011]      FIG. 5  shows a left side elevation view of the canopy cover of  FIG. 2   
           [0012]      FIG. 6  shows a right side elevation view of the canopy cover of  FIG. 2   
           [0013]      FIG. 7  shows a top plan view of the canopy cover of  FIG. 2   
           [0014]      FIG. 8  shows a front elevation view of the canopy cover of  FIG. 2   
           [0015]      FIG. 9  shows an exemplary canopy housing apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure retaining a canopy cover in a deflated position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  shows an exemplary canopy housing apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure with some interior components exposed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit its scope. The following description may be best understood with reference to the accompanying numbered figures. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a collapsible canopy system  100  in accordance with the present disclosure. The collapsible canopy system  100  (which may also be referred to solely as a “canopy system”) shown comprises a canopy housing  110 , which will be described in further detail later in the disclosure, and a canopy cover  120  disposed thereon. The canopy cover  120  may be inflatable, flexible, and collapsible into a storage configuration. The mechanism for inflating, collapsing, and storing of the canopy cover  120  will be described in detail later in the disclosure. The collapsible canopy system  100  may be particularly suitable for attachment to a handle of a golf cart, and its overall design may provide many advantages when used in conjunction with a golf cart; however, the collapsible canopy system  100  of the present disclosure should not be construed to be limited to such uses. The canopy system  100  may be attached to other objects or surfaces, such as a stroller or a stationary rail, for example. The canopy cover  120  is shown in its fully inflated configuration and attached to the canopy housing  110  in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the canopy cover  200  (similar to canopy cover  120  of  FIG. 1 ) by itself. As shown, it comprises a frame  225 , which itself may comprise a plurality of “structural frame members” ( 231 - 237 ) and two “diagonal frame members,” ( 261 ,  262 ) as they may be referred to throughout the disclosure. Each of the frame members may comprise substantially hollow, flexible, collapsible tubes. These hollow tubes may be configured as a plurality of individual segments joined together, and be made of fabric, plastics, polymers, or other suitable flexible material. The seams (e.g., seams  227 ,  229 ) show where individual segments may be joined together by stitching, welding, gluing, or any other form of attachment. In other embodiments, the hollow tubes may be formed by a unitary construction, or segments may be joined together at different locations. 
         [0020]    In the configuration shown, the frame  225  of the canopy cover  220  may comprise top frame members (structural frame members)  231 ,  232 ,  233 , and  234 , which form a “top frame”  230 . In the embodiment shown, the top frame  230  is rectangular, but it is contemplated that in other embodiments, the top frame may form a different geometrical shape (e.g., rounded or curved in parts). The frame  225  may further comprise back frame members  235 ,  236 , and  237 , which together with top frame member  234  form a back frame  240 . In the embodiment shown, the back frame  240  is rectangular, but it may be shaped differently in other embodiments. The back frame  240  may be attached to two mounting frame members  251  and  252 . The mounting frame members  251  and  252  may be attached to back frame member  137  as well as to back frame members  235  and  236  for structural support. In some embodiments, the attachment points may allow air to flow from the mounting frame members  251  and  252  and into back frame members  235 ,  236 , and  237  to inflate them. 
         [0021]    The top frame  230  and back frame  240  may be supported at a substantially right angle in relation to one another by diagonal frame members  261  and  262 . In other embodiments, the angle between the top frame and back frame may be more obtuse or acute. The space between the diagonal members  261  and  262  may form a front opening, within which a user may stand in the shade provided by the canopy cover  200 . The diagonal members  261  and  262  are shown attached at approximately 45 degree angles from the top frame  230  and back frame  240 , but in other embodiments, they may be arranged at different angles. 
         [0022]    It is contemplated that in some embodiments, each of the individual frame members may be hollow and inflatable. However, in other embodiments, some of the frame members may be of solid (i.e., non-hollow) construction while others may be of hollow construction. Additionally, some frame members may be thicker than others to provide the desired structural support for a particular embodiment. There may be additional supporting frame members other than the ones shown in  FIG. 2  (e.g., crossing or parallel buttressing members), or the frame members may be arranged in different configurations The variations in configuration may allow for different embodiments to be lighter or heavier, more flexible or less flexible, and more quickly or more slowly inflatable. 
         [0023]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , the canopy cover  200  of  FIG. 2  is shown from a different perspective as canopy cover  300 . The canopy cover  300  comprises several flexible panels between the tubes of the frame  325 . A top shade panel  330  may comprise substantially or completely opaque material and provide shade for a user below. Referring briefly to  FIG. 4 , which shows the canopy cover  400  from a back elevation view, a back shade panel  410  may also comprise substantially or completely opaque material to provide shade from the direction it faces. The back shade panel  410  may also comprise a window  430  within the opaque material that is made of a translucent or transparent material. This window  430  may allow the golfer to stay in the shade and protection provided by the opaque material while walking with the cart while still being able to see where the golfer is walking. The back shade panel  450  may also comprise a cut-out opening  450 . This cut-out opening  450  may be large enough for a golfer to reach his or her hand through and pull a golf club out of his or her bag. The opening  450  may provide the most convenient way to access the golf clubs while the canopy cover is in its inflated position. Because of the way the canopy system may be mounted on a particular golf cart, the canopy cover may sometimes be in the pathway through which golf clubs are usually taken out of the golf bag. 
         [0024]    Turning back to  FIG. 3 , the canopy cover may further comprise side panels  340  and  350 . These side panels  340  and  350  may be transparent or translucent, depending on the embodiment. They may also be interchangeable in some embodiments. Some embodiments may utilize translucent side panels that are somewhat dark and provide some shade while simultaneously allowing a golfer standing inside to see through them. The shade panels  330  and  410  (of  FIG. 4 ), as well as side panels  340  and  350 , may all be formed out of a flexible material that allows the entire canopy cover to collapse and be rolled up and stored when the frame is deflated. Any suitable flexible material may be used, such as fabric, plastic, or polymers. In some embodiments, thin PVC sheeting may be used. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 5 through 8  show the canopy cover of  FIG. 2  from different perspectives for clarity.  FIG. 5  shows a left side elevation view,  FIG. 6  shows a mirror image right side elevation view,  FIG. 7  shows a top plan view, and  FIG. 8  shows a front elevation view. The canopy cover may be made in any suitable size, and may have a variety of shapes without departing from the disclosure. For example, some embodiments may have longer top panels or longer back panels; some may be rounded or curved; some may have only one diagonal frame member; and some may have detachable panels. 
         [0026]    Another aspect of the present disclosure is an apparatus for inflation, deflation, and storage for the canopy cover. The apparatus may be referred to throughout this disclosure as a “canopy housing,” and may include mechanisms by which to attach the canopy cover to a handle of a golf cart (or any other object, such as a railing, pole, stand, other cart handle, etc.).  FIG. 9  shows an embodiment of a canopy housing  900  in accordance with the present disclosure. In the embodiment shown, the canopy housing  900  comprises a substantially cylindrical body  910 . The cylindrical body  910  may be attached to a top side of golf cart handle on its underside. The cylindrical body  910  may be attached using any suitable mechanism, such as hook-and-loop fabric straps, clamps, clips, buttons, or the like. Such attachment mechanisms may be suited to allow a user to install a canopy housing onto a variety of existing golf cart handles themselves, or may be specifically designed to fit a particular make and/or model of golf cart. The canopy housing and canopy cover together are designed to be lightweight, such that even when the canopy cover is fully extended and the golf cart is empty, the weight of the cart canopy would not cause the golf cart to tip or be imbalanced. In some embodiments, the mechanism for attachment to another object may include a mechanism for raising and lowering the height of the entire canopy system. Such mechanisms may include, for example, telescoping poles, springs, folding stands, pistons, or hydraulic lifts. In some embodiments, the mechanism for attachment to another object may include a rotating mechanism, such as a wheel with locking pins, to allow the entire canopy system to articulate forward and backward along an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body  910 . 
         [0027]    Still referring to  FIG. 9 , the canopy housing  900  comprises a top cover  920  that is configured to slide over the canopy cover when it is in a deflated and/or collapsed position and retained within the cylindrical body  910 . In the embodiment shown, the top cover  920  may roll to the front, away from the mounting frame members  940  and  950 . Referring briefly to  FIG. 10 , a rolled-up version of the canopy cover  1050  is shown with a top cover hidden from view. In some embodiments, the collapsed canopy cover may be manually rolled up and tucked into the cylindrical body. In other embodiments, the collapsed canopy cover may be automatically retracted into the cylindrical body  910 . Such a retraction may be accomplished by, for example, a motorized roller, or a mechanical spring-loaded roller, which is not shown. The retraction could alternatively be accomplished by the automatic folding of the canopy cover structure as it gets deflated. Regardless of the mechanism by which the canopy cover is retracted, when the canopy cover is tucked within the cylindrical body  910 , it may be retained by the top cover  920  sliding back over it. Because the canopy cover can be collapsed, retracted, and stored, the canopy housing  900  provides the benefit of being able to keep the canopy cover out of the way and protected from damage when it is not needed. 
         [0028]      FIG. 9  shows how the mounting frame members  940  and  950  may attach to the canopy housing at respective base attachment ends  945  and  955 . These base attachment ends  945  and  955  may attach to a mounting bracket  970  of the canopy housing  900 . The mounting members  940  and  950  may protrude from the cylindrical body  910  through cut-outs  915  and  917 . 
         [0029]    Turning to  FIG. 10 , the canopy housing  1000  is shown with the top cover and a cover for an inflation mechanism housing  1040  removed. The mounting members  940  and  950  shown in  FIG. 9  are not shown in  FIG. 10 . The canopy housing  1000  may also comprise an inflation mechanism  1030 , such as a motorized (or, alternatively, manual) air pump. The inflation mechanism  1030  may push air into the canopy cover through one or more holes in one or more tubes of the canopy cover. In the embodiment shown, a hole  1070  through the cylindrical body  1010  allows the inflation mechanism  1030  to inflate the canopy cover  1050 . It is contemplated that in various embodiments, the inflation hole or holes may be located in different places based on several factors, such as how quickly the canopy cover needs to be inflated or the particular configuration of the inflatable tubes of the canopy cover. 
         [0030]    The inflation mechanism  1030 , if motorized, may be battery-powered.  FIG. 10  shows a battery pack  1035  that may comprise disposable or rechargeable batteries. If rechargeable batteries are used, the canopy housing may further comprise a charging port  1037 . In some embodiments, one or more solar panels may be disposed on the canopy cover or canopy housing to provide power to charge the batteries. In some embodiments, the inflation mechanism may also be a deflation mechanism, such as a motorized air pump that runs in reverse and sucks the air out of the canopy cover. One or more buttons  1055  may be disposed on an outer surface of the canopy housing to initiate inflation and/or deflation, which allow for easy set up and take-down of the canopy cover  1050 . In other embodiments, the canopy cover may be deflated simply by opening or uncovering one or more valves through which air can escape. In such embodiments, excess air may be forced out of the valve or valves when the canopy cover  1050  is manually or automatically rolled or retracted. The valves may be located in any place on the structure of the canopy to allow the air to escape efficiently. 
         [0031]    The canopy housing  1000  may be composed of a substantially rigid, durable material that is suitable for protecting its components from weather or other damage. Suitable materials may include, but are not limited to plastics, metals, and polymers. Various materials may be chosen based on their desirable features, including, for example, their durability, lightness, and their properties when exposed to sunlight for prolonged periods of time. It is contemplated that a suitable material would not be very reflective, such as to avoid causing a glare, and would not retain excessive heat, such as to avoid being too hot to the touch. Further, a suitable material would be fairly resistant to damage from sun exposure, and would likely be waterproof. 
         [0032]    The canopy housing  1000  may comprise various attachment points to the canopy housing  1000  for the structure of the canopy cover when it is fully extended or inflated. The attachment points may be in addition to any attachment points specifically for the inflation of the structure or the attachment points of the mounting members  940  and  950  shown in  FIG. 9 . The attachment points may be coupled to mechanisms for adjusting the position of the canopy cover separately from the canopy housing  1000  when fully extended. For example, the distal ends  1060  and  1080  of the canopy housing may comprise telescoping poles or other raising mechanisms for raising the entire canopy cover vertically, in order to adjust its height for taller users. The distal ends  1060  and  1080  may also comprise a rotating mechanism to allow the entire canopy cover to rotate downward. 
         [0033]    The collapsible canopy and canopy system described in the present disclosure may advantageously allow a golfer to stand underneath the canopy protected from sun, wind, and other hazards. The canopy system itself may be lightweight, easy to install, easy to use, and quick to inflate, deflate, and store. 
         [0034]    The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.