Abstract:
A personal canopy apparatus connectable to a separate structure. The canopy apparatus includes a main spine connectable to the separate structure, a top spine pivotally connected in a generally forwardly extending orientation to an upper end of said main spine, and a retractable canopy. The canopy includes two flexible covers each supported along a proximal edge by the top spine. A leading edge support arm and battens are supportively connected to each of the covers and are pivotally connected at a proximal end about one of two closely spaced third pivotal axes at a distal end of the top spine. When each of the covers are open in a fan-like manner, the support arms extend laterally in opposite directions from the top spine to form a leading edge of the canopy. The support arms, covers and battens are stored in closely aligned fashion within a substantially hollow length of said top spine.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not applicable 
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable 
   INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
   Not applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates generally to devices and apparatus for providing personal protection from the weather elements, namely sun, rain and wind, and more particularly to a retractable personal canopy apparatus for an individual which is connectable to a separate support structure and having uniquely configured features thereof. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   For those who work and play in the outdoors, whether hunting, fishing, boating, stadium watching, camping, beach going, farming, gardening, relaxing and the like, where the activity places the individual in a situation where the elements of weather such as excessive sunlight, wind and rain, or the presence of insects, cause an individual discomfort and/or impose excessively adverse weather or environmental conditions, a broad array of inventions have been developed to offer various levels of protection from those conditions. The following U.S. and foreign patents are known to applicant which represent a broad array of such devices and apparatus for providing physical comfort when individuals are subjected to the elements of nature:
         U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,232 to De Rosa   U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,286 to Russo   U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,954 to Rogers   U.S. Pat. No. 4,809,724 to Fuser   U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,120 to Ziolkowski   U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,363 to Kidwell   U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,109 to Kent, Jr.   U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,020 to Byers   U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,411 to Kolb   U.S. Pat. No. 4,433,699 to Schultes   U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,252 to Pilz   U.S. Pat. No. 3,032,046 to Coonradt   U.S. Pat. No. 4,389,057 to Richard, Jr.   U.S. Pat. No. 5,932,258 to Francois   U.S. Pat. No. 4,440,187 to Fiddler   U.S. Pat. No. D378,540 to Becker   U.S. Pat. No. 3,007,735 to Cohn   U.S. Pat. No. 4,086,931 to Hall   U.S. Pat. No. 3,890,989 to Kuxhouse   U.S. Pat. No. 4,069,833 to Johansson   U.S. Pat. No. 5,263,505 to Yeom   U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,002 to Tashchyan   U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,882 to Harbaugh   U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,881 to Villa   U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,547 to Derlinga   U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,405 to Foster   U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,190 to Akin   U.S. Pat. No. 4,865,381 to Van Rogue   U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,625 to Uchtman   U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,650 to Gonzalez, Jr.   U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,797 to Rogers   U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,256 to Pawsey   U.S. Pat. No. Des. 399,367 to Sieland   U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,281 to Pappalardo   U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,067 to James   U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,838 to Brabant   U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,849 to Scott   DE3536049A1 to Fantasia GmbH   FR1250940A to Glatz   GB2216850A to Balurn Limited       

   A number of these prior art disclosures are somewhat more related to the present invention. For example, the Pilz &#39;252 patent discloses a sun protection device with a fan-like sunshade coupled to a support pole via a pivotal joint. 
   In the &#39;046 patent, Coonradt discloses a collapsible awning for use on small boats, one of the applicant&#39;s targeted modes of use for the present invention. However, Coonradt teaches that the awning panel has edge flaps and wraps around a frame and secured by fasteners thereto. A separate clamp is used to attached the Coonradt device to a gunnel of a small boat. 
   Schultes, in the &#39;699 patent and Johansson in the &#39;833 patent also discloses sunshade frames which are retractable from a semi-circular shape to a compact pole-like shape. 
   Kolb in U.S. Pat. No. &#39;411 also discloses a portable sunshield constructed of PVC piping for quick attachment to a bracket assembly of a fisherman&#39;s chair. In U.S. Pat. No. &#39;020, Byers, teaches a retractable fisherman&#39;s sunshade wherein, when the fisherman stands up to stretch or to reel in a fish, the sunshade will automatically pivot upwardly out of the way of the head and shoulders of the fisherman. 
   The weather shelter invented by Kent in U.S. Pat. No. &#39;109 teaches a weather shelter having a multi-positional placement adjustment and formed of an arcuate lightweight framework over which a flexible cover is stretched and anchored. A portable canopy attachment invented by Kidwell in U.S. Pat. No. &#39;363 also teaches a portable device insertable into the ground and having a horizontally extendable canopy member for sun and rain protection. 
   In U.S. Pat. No. &#39;724, Fuser teaches a sunshade holder uniquely attachable to the side margins of the back of a lawn or beach-type chair for weight economy and simplicity. Another sunshade umbrella connectable to the back of a chair is taught by Rogers in U.S. Pat. No. &#39;954. The unique arrangement for interconnection to the back of the seat in conjunction with a conventionally configured umbrella provides a simplistic shade structure for a user positioned on the seat. 
   A collapsible canopy device by Russo in U.S. Pat. No. &#39;286 includes an arcuate telescoping support member positioned at each side margin of a protective canopy utilized, for example, at an outdoor football game. A fold-up umbrella by De Rosa in U.S. Pat. No. &#39;232 teaches an umbrella with a telescoping tubular standard centrally positioning a flexible cover made of panels arranged in a circular pattern. The angle between each radially extending rib or batten is variable so as to regulate the size of the umbrella pattern. 
   The present invention provides a personal canopy apparatus for protecting an individual from the elements while in a seated or a standing position and offering a uniquely deployable two section canopy which is supported and pivotally extendable in radial or fan-like fashion from the forward distal end of the top spine of the device. By a unique arrangement of pivotal axes, a broad array of protective orientation for the user is achievable. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention is directed to a personal canopy apparatus for an individual or individuals which is connectable to a separate structure enabling its use in a variety of applications, including that found in a boat. The canopy apparatus includes a main spine connectable at a lower end thereof to the separate structure, a top spine pivotally connected in a generally laterally extending orientation to an upper end of said main spine and a retractable canopy. The canopy includes two flexible covers each supported along a proximal edge thereof by said top spine. A leading edge support arm and a plurality of battens are supportively connected to each of the covers, support arms and battens pivot connected at a proximal end thereof about one of two closely spaced third pivotal axes to a distal end of the top spine whereby, when each of the covers are open in a fan-like manner, the support arms extend laterally in opposite directions from the top spine to form a leading edge of the canopy with the battens arranged in a spaced apart array radiating from the third pivotal axis. The support arms, covers and battens are stored in closely aligned fashion within a substantially hollow length of said top spine. 
   It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a personal canopy apparatus offering various levels of comfort and protection which will protect the user in a seated or standing position from the elements of sun, wind and rain or insects without substantially interfering with outdoor activity such as in fishing from a boat. 
   It is another object of this invention to provide a uniquely configured arrangement of main spine and top spine pivotally connected together and supporting a fan-like deployable canopy section from either one or both sides of the top spine for added versatility. Attachable back, side and front panels offer additional levels of comfort, cover and protection. 
   Still another object of this invention is to provide a personal canopy which includes attachable side, back and front panels which afford additional levels of comfort, cover and protection. 
   A unique arrangement of pivotal axes of a personal canopy apparatus of the present invention satisfies yet another object of this invention by greatly expanding the positional versatility and adjustability through multiple pivotal axes between respective spine members and attaching member for greater weather protection. 
   Another object of the canopy apparatus is to be compact, taking up minimal space when not deployed and portable to be taken off particular separate structure and stored or used in another application by attaching to a different structure. 
   Still another objective is to minimize the wind resistance to enable use in windy conditions or while moving. 
   In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the invention in its deployed in-use position. 
       FIG. 2  is another front perspective view of the invention shown in FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the invention of FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 4  is still another front perspective view of the invention of  FIG. 1  wherein only one half of the retractable canopy is in the in-use position. 
       FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the invention of  FIG. 1  showing the canopy in a tilted position. 
       FIG. 6A  is a side elevation view of the invention of  FIG. 1  in an extended height position of the canopy. 
       FIG. 6B  is a view similar to  FIG. 6A  showing the canopy in a more lowered retracted position. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the locking arrangement associated with the upright main spine of the invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of the invention of  FIG. 1  with the canopy fully stored in the top spine which is in a folded non-use position against the main spine. 
       FIG. 9  is an enlarged perspective view of a lower portion of the main and top spine of FIG.  8 . 
       FIG. 10  is a top plan schematic view of the canopy and top spine of the invention. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 12  is a front elevation view of an upright partially transparent protective front panel attachable to the apparatus of FIG.  1  and FIG.  11 . 
       FIGS. 13A  to  13 E depict side elevation views of various configurations of use of the invention. 
       FIG. 14  is an enlarged perspective view of the distal end portion of the top spine of the invention with the top end cover removed for clarity. 
       FIG. 15  is a view similar to  FIG. 14  with the top end cover and upper tensioning knob in place. 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the distal end portion of the top spine channel member. 
       FIG. 17  is an exploded view of the pivotal attachment of the leading edge support arm and radially extending battens about one of the pivotal axes positioned at the distal end portion of the main spine. 
       FIGS. 18A ,  18 B, and  18 C depict various modes of attaching the device to a separate support structure. 
       FIG. 19  a perspective view of a lower attaching bracket attachable to a gunnel bench seat, console of a boat, pedestal boat seat, railing or other types of structures of a boat. 
       FIG. 20  is an enlarged perspective view of the floor attachment of FIG.  18 B. 
       FIG. 21  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 22  is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 23  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 24  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to  FIGS. 1  to  5 , a preferred embodiment of the invention is there shown generally at numeral  10 . This personal canopy apparatus  10  which, in this case, is sized for use by an individual but may also be up-scaled for two or more individuals and includes an elongated rigid top spine  12 , an elongated rigid upright spine  16  and a canopy  14 . The upright or main spine  16  is formed of two telescoping members  26  and  28  which facilitate vertical telescopic height positioning of the canopy  14  and top spine  12  as will be described herebelow. 
   The lower main spine member  28  is pivotally releasably attached along axis  76  to the base of a swivel seat S by a universal mount  18  which is attachable to the upper pedestal support P of the boat seat S having a back B and a seating panel or support C. The upper end portion of the main spine  16  is interconnected to a proximal end of the top spine  12  by a pivotal tilt connection arrangement  22 . This tilt connection  22  has a pivotal axis  74  which is oriented at an acute angle to the main spine  16  and the top spine  12 . 
   As best seen in  FIG. 8 , the tilt connection  22  includes mating connector halves  23  and  25  connected together at the proximal ends of the upper member  26  and the top member  24  of the main spine  16  and top spine  12 , respectively. A tensioning knob  27  provides loosening of this pivotal joint  22  for the angular adjustment of the top spine  12  about the axis  74  which is then resecured by tightening the knob  27 . Features of this tilt connection  22  will be described in more detail herebelow. 
   In this preferred embodiment  10 , the top spine  12  extends, when adjusted about axis  76  of the main spine  16  as shown, generally forwardly from the tilt connection  22 . The forward or distal end of the top spine  12  terminates in a canopy support mechanism  20 . The retractable canopy  14  is comprised of two flexible water tight or water resistant covers  66  and  68  which are deployable and retractable about pivotal axes  70  and  72  as seen in  FIGS. 2 and 4  and described in more detail as best seen in FIG.  10 . Each of the flexible covers  66  and  68  are supported at a leading edge thereof by a leading edge support arm  34  each of which is pivotally connected at a proximal end thereof to the respective pivotal axis  70  or  72 . A plurality of evenly spaced battens  48 , each sewn into or concealed within covering layer portions of each of the covers  66  and  68 , are also pivotally connected at a proximal end thereof about axes  70  and  72  and radiate outwardly therefrom in fan-like fashion as each of the flexible covers  66  and  68  are opened in the direction of arrows G and H, respectively. 
   As seen in  FIG. 4 , only one of the flexible covers  66  in this case or  68 , may be separately deployed with the other flexible cover  68  held in a stored configuration within the top spine member  24  as will be described herebelow. Moreover, as seen in  FIG. 5 , the entire canopy  14  may be oriented to one side or the other as pivotally adjusted about pivotal axis  74  where wind or sun protection from that direction is desired. 
   As seen in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the telescoping features of the upright spine  14  are there shown wherein the upper spine member  26  may be moved downwardly in the direction of arrow D and then resecured by locking collar  30  by locking handle  32  as seen in  FIG. 7  to secure the desired telescopic relationship. By this arrangement, the height of the canopy  14  and top spine  12  are easily adjustable vertically without sacrificing protective overhang forwardly of the user seated in the swivel boat seat S. 
   In  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the canopy  14  has been stored within the top spine  12  in a manner described herebelow and pivotally connected about axis  74  into a stored position generally alongside of the main spine  26  and there locked in place by the suitable tensioning of knob  27 . 
   As will be more fully appreciated at this point in the description of the present invention, there are substantial benefits to forming each of the main and top spines  16  and  12 , respectively into the arcuate configuration shown. The clearance with the back B of the swivel seat S by this arcuate configuration allows the main spine mount  18  to be shorter and thus closer to the base of pedestal P, additional head clearance is provided beneath the arched configuration of the center of top spine  12  and the unique side protection offered as shown in  FIG. 5  when the entire canopy  14  is pivoted about axis  74  is easily achievable. 
   Canopy and Canopy Support 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 14  to  17 , the details of the canopy support assembly  20  and canopy storage arrangement within the top spine member  24  of the top spine  12  are there shown. As best seen in  FIGS. 14 and 16 , the elongated top spine member  24 , generally formed by metal or plastic extrusion, includes upright strengthening webs extending centrally therealong and storage cavities  58  which are accessible by side access slots  56  formed along either side portion of this elongated oval shaped section configuration. Each rigid leading edge support arm  34 , interconnected by a plastic molded coupling  64  of a mounting boss  36  or  36 ′, is mounted about one of the pivotal axis  70  or  72 . A support shaft  40  in alignment with each of the pivotal axes  70  and  72  provide the support for rotation only of each of the mounting bosses  36  and support arms  34 . 
   Variable tensioning of the pivoting movement effort of each of the leading edge support arms  34  in the direction of arrows G and H in  FIG. 10  is regulated by the tensioning produced by rotation of tensioning knobs  42  and  60  in the direction of arrow L. The elongated threaded fastener  44  acting on threaded boss  46  against a tensioning plate  38  urges each of the mounting bosses  36  against a compression spring  53  and spacer  54  shown in FIG.  17 . 
   Each of the battens  48  are also mounted about the corresponding pivot shaft  40  and are pivotal about the corresponding pivotal axes  70  or  72 . The proximal end  50  of each batten  48  is looped as best seen in FIG.  17  and mounted between the mounting boss  36  and the spacer  54 . Again, by tensioning knobs  42  and  60 , the compressive force exerted on the mounting boss  36  and the looped proximal ends  50  of each of the battens  48  regulate the ease with which each of the canopy portions is deployable and storable. 
   As best seen in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the storage cavities  58  accessible via longitudinal slots  56  provide for the easy storage of the battens  48 , cover  66  or  68  (not shown for clarity) and leading edge support arm  34  of each canopy half. Likewise, deployment is effected by simply pivotally moving the leading edge support arm  34  out from the cavity  58  through the corresponding longitudinal access slot  56  as seen in FIG.  14 . Once each of the leading edge support arms  34  are individually fully deployed in the direction of arrows G and H in  FIG. 10  to fully tension each of the flexible covers  66  and  68 , respectively, the mating tensioning knobs  42  and  60  best seen in  FIG. 15  are then utilized to provide adequate tension to hold the leading edge support arms  34  in the forwardly deployed position. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 11  to  13 , various additional panel options and apparatus positioning are there described. In  FIGS. 11 and 12 , two alternate embodiments of a front screen positionable in front of the user for wind and sun protection are there shown at  90  and  100 , respectively. In  FIG. 11 , the front screen  99 , which attaches along the leading edge of canopy  14  as by zipper or VELCRO along  94 , includes a large flexible transparent area  92 . The front screen  100  in  FIG. 12  also includes a zipper  104  for attachment to the leading edge of the canopy and tie straps  106  (or zippers or VELCRO) which facilitate attachment to a lower rear panel  96  which is separately attached to the rearward margin of the canopy  14 . Wind slits  108  formed as arcuate cuts in the lower portion of this front panel  100  reduce wind load while also maintaining reasonable protection against driving rain. 
   In  FIGS. 13A  to  13 E, various positions and protective panel accessories are there shown. In  FIG. 13A , the invention  10  is shown in its stored position with the top spine  12  in the stored position adjacent to the main spine  16  as previously described. In  FIG. 13B , the entire apparatus  10  is moved rearwardly in the direction of arrow J by mount assembly  18  with respect to pedestal P of swivel seat S. 
   In  FIG. 13C , the addition of the front protective panel  90  of FIG.  11  and the side protective panel  96  attached along a trailing edge of the canopy  14  as shown in  FIG. 11  are depicted. In  FIG. 13D , a transparent side panel  95  is there shown while in  FIG. 13E , the substantial pivotal movement about axis  76  in the direction of arrow K of the entire device  10  is there shown which provides for weather protection from the rear or back side of the user when the canopy  14  is deployed and also shows an alternate stored position of the device  10  when the canopy is fully stored within the top spine  12 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 18 ,  19  and  20 , various embodiments of the means for attaching the device  10  to various support structures are there shown. In  FIG. 18A , the previously described swivel seat mount bracket  18  is there shown attached to a boat swivel seat S while in  FIG. 18B , a floor bracket  82  into which the lower end  80  of the main spine  16  is releasably connectable. The floor mounting bracket  82  shown in  FIG. 20  includes a cavity  84  for receiving the mating lower end  80  of the main spine  16  and is attachable by flanges and attaching fasteners (not shown) to the deck of, for example, a boat, dock or outdoor deck. Slots  88  receive the molded lower end  80  of the main spine  16  as earlier described in  FIG. 9  after which tensioning handle  78  secures this arrangement for later quick release. 
   In  FIG. 18C , the canopy apparatus  10  is shown connected at the lower end  80  of the main spine  16  to a butt seat R which is typically found on a fishing boat and the like. In  FIG. 19 , a mounting bracket  110  is there shown which provides cavity  112  and slots  114  for releasable interconnection of the molded lower end  80  of the main spine  16 . This bracket embodiment  110  is connectable by orthogonally oriented flanges  116  to, for example, the gunnel of a boat, a bench-type seat and the like. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 21  to  24 , several additional embodiments of the invention are there shown. All of these embodiments include the canopy apparatus  10  as previously described. 
   In  FIG. 21 , this embodiment  120  also includes a relatively short in height wrap-around side and back panel protector  122 . This protector  122  includes side panels  124  and  128  and a rear panel  126  all of which are attached by zipper, VELCRO or snaps along the side and back margins  123  of the canopy apparatus  10 . 
   The embodiment  130  in  FIG. 22 , includes an elongated side and back protector shown generally at  132  which also includes two front panel protectors  134  and  136  which are separable along a vertical separation line  138  by zipper, VELCRO or snaps. Again, this embodiment  130  includes conventional connectors of snaps, VELCRO or zipper along the leading edge  142  and the side and rear margins of the canopy apparatus  10 . 
   In  FIG. 23 , this embodiment  150  again includes the canopy apparatus  10  as previously described, the protector panel arrangement  132  as described in  FIG. 22 , and a lower protector  152  which includes side and back panels  162  along with front panels  154  and  156  which are separate releasably connectable along vertical separation line  158 . This lower protector  152  is attached along  160  by zipper, VELCRO or snaps. The length of the lower protector  152  is such as not to extend to the ground or support surface M but rather to leave a gap therebetween for air movement and circulation. 
   In the embodiment  170  shown in  FIG. 24 , the lower protector panel  152  as previously described with respect to  FIG. 23  has been extended by ground panel  172  which releasably attaches along  180  to the lower protector  152 . This ground protector extends down to the ground or support surface M having a side and back panel  182  and front panels  174  and  176  which are weighted at their lower margins for establishing and maintaining contact with support surface M. The front panels  176  and  178  are separable along vertical line of separation  178  by zipper, VELCRO or snaps. 
   All of these embodiments  120 ,  130 ,  150  and  180  may have these side, back and front panel additions fabricated of either flexible woven material or may alternately be formed of screen material for enhanced circulation. With respect to the embodiment  170  shown in  FIG. 24 , the screen or material being utilized will also render this embodiment  170  to be relatively insect-free. 
   While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in what are conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be afforded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent apparatus and articles.