Patent Publication Number: US-11035145-B2

Title: Portable sun-shade assembly

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to portable shade structures such as sun shades (also known as sunshields) which may be used (but not limited by use) for outdoor recreational activities such as camping. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge. 
     It is common for people to enjoy picknicking and camping in pleasant outdoor locations. Where the weather is hot it may be desirable to make use of a shade cover such as a canopy made from flexible material for use such as tarpaulin. The tarpaulin is used for blocking sunlight and covering any objects or persons positioned under the shade cloth. Typically a large piece of shade cloth having a suitable shape may be positioned on a plurality of tent poles to erect a sun-shade structure. It is also common to position camping tents and other structures below such shade cloths to provide an additional barrier from the sun and rain. One of the problems associated with such sun shade assemblies, as identified by the inventor(s) is that they have a limited effect in controlling the temperature below the shade cloth. Therefore, it is desirable to provide an improved sun-shade assembly that addresses some of the shortcomings of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In an aspect, the invention provides a portable sunshade assembly comprising: an in-use top flexible sheet spaced away from an in-use bottom flexible sheet wherein during use in an extended configuration the top and bottom flexible sheets comprise respective surfaces and are arranged to define a space there-between to provide a plurality of passages located between the first and second sheets to allow air to pass in a direction from a first side of the top and bottom flexible sheets to a second side of the top and bottom flexible sheets. 
     In an embodiment, the portable sunshade assembly further comprises: 
     a first plurality of openings positioned at or adjacent the first side of the flexible sheets for entry of air into the passages; and 
     a second plurality of openings positioned at or adjacent the second side of the flexible sheets to allow air to exit out of said passages. 
     In an embodiment, the portable sunshade assembly comprises a plurality of internal walls extending between the top and bottom flexible sheets to form side walls defining said passages. 
     In an embodiment, the plurality of said internal walls are substantially parallel to each other to define said air flow paths positioned in between the top and bottom sheets. 
     In an embodiment, an in-use upper portion of the internal wall is fastened to the top sheet and an in-use lower portion of the internal wall is fastened to the bottom sheet. 
     In an embodiment, each of the top and bottom flexible sheets is generally rectangular, each sheet having respective lengths and widths. 
     In an embodiment, said plurality of internal walls extend generally along the length or along the width of the top and bottom sheets. 
     In an embodiment, the internal walls extend substantially continuously in a direction from a first end of the top and bottom sheets to a second end of the top and bottom sheets. 
     In an embodiment, peripheral portions of the top sheet and/or bottom sheets comprise a coupling arrangement to allow the peripheral portions to be coupled to a support member to position the sunshade assembly in a generally upstanding position. 
     In an embodiment, the coupling arrangement comprises a plurality of eyelets provided along the peripheral portions of the top and/or bottom sheets adapted to receive supporting pins provided on said supporting members. 
     In an embodiment, corner portions of the top sheets are provided with said eyelets and wherein corner portions of the bottom sheet are provided with a loop fastener for receiving and being fastened to the support members positioned adjacent said corner portions of the top and bottom sheets during use. 
     Preferably, in a folded or collapsed configuration the spacing between the top and bottom sheets can be reduced to allow the top and bottom sheets of the sunshade assembly to be stowed away. 
     In an embodiment, the top and/or bottom sheets comprise one or more tensioning members to tension the top and/or bottom sheets during use in the extended configuration. 
     In an embodiment, the tensioning member comprises a loop provided along an edge portion of the top and/or bottom sheet. The loop may be coupled to the supporting members. The support posts (S) also be coupled to one or more strings to maintain the post (S) in a substantially upright position. 
     In an embodiment, at least said top sheet and preferably both top and bottom sheets are substantially impermeable to water (water-proof) and sunlight. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view (see-through internal view) of a sun-shade assembly  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the sun-shade assembly  100 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the sun-shade assembly  100 . 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of inset A shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is an isolated view of side loop strap  117 . 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of inset B shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is an isolated view of corner loop strap  122 . 
         FIG. 8  is an in-use side perspective view of the sun-shade assembly  100 . 
         FIG. 9  is a second in-use side perspective view of the sun-shade assembly  100 . 
         FIG. 10  is an in-use corner view of the sun-shade assembly  100 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1 to 8  illustrate an improved portable sun-shade assembly  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The portable sun-shade assembly  100  is made from flexible sheets  110  and  120  which can be spaced apart to allow flow of air between the sheets  110  and  120  when positioned in an extended or unfurled configuration. During periods of non-use, the sheets  110  and  120  can be compressed and folded or rolled in a straightforward manner for stowing. 
     The advantages of the presently described embodiment of the sun-shade assembly  100  may be well understood by referring to  FIGS. 1 to 10  which show the sun-shade assembly  100  in the extended or unfurled configuration. The sun-shade assembly  100  comprises two spaced apart flexible sheets  110  and  120  that are spaced apart to provide a plurality of air flow passages  125  to allow air to pass in a direction from a first side  101  of the top and bottom flexible sheets  110  and  120  to a second side  102  of the top and bottom flexible sheets  110  and  120 . 
     The air flow passages are provided by a plurality of internal walls  115  that extend transversely between the internal surfaces of the two sheets  110  and  120  to interconnect the sheets  110  and  120  to provide the air flow passages  125  extending in a general direction from the first end  101  to a second end  102 . In the preferred embodiment, the internal walls  115  are substantially arranged in a parallel and spaced apart arrangement to provide parallel air passages that in turn provide a plurality of air flow passages in between the two sheets  110  and  120 . Whilst, the preferred embodiment illustrates parallel internal walls  115  it must be understood that internal walls  115  may be arranged in other non-parallel arrangements without departing from the scope of the presently described invention. Furthermore, non-continuous internal walls (that do not extend for the entire length or width of the sheets  110  and  120 ) may also be provided in alternative embodiments. By way of example, the internal walls  115  may only extend for half the length (L) of the top and bottom sheets  110  and  120 . Lateral side walls denoted by  115 A and  115 B with a height (h) [extend between lateral side portions of the top sheet  110  and bottom sheet  120 ] and a length (I) [extending between the first side  101  and the second side  102 ] also form the walls for defining respective air flow passages  125  (best shown in  FIG. 1 ). Lateral side wall  115 A forms one of the walls for a first passage  125 A located adjacent the first lateral side of the top and bottom sheets  110  and  120 . Similarly, lateral side wall  115 B forms one of the walls for a second passage  125 B that is located adjacent the second lateral side of the top and bottom sheets  110  and  120 . 
     The internal walls  115  also comprise a plurality of oval openings  113  to allow air to flow between adjacently arranged passages  125 . It would be understood that the number of the openings provided in the internal walls  115  may be varied. Moreover, the shape of the openings  113  is also not limited. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  and without being bound by theory, the inventors have hypothesized that the provision of the air flow passages  125  allows air to flow into the passage from a first end  101  of the sun-shade assembly and flow out of the second end  102  of the sunshade assembly  100 . The flow of the air through the air flow passages  125  provides a cooling effect by allowing cooler air to flow into the space in between top and bottom sheets  110  and  120 . The inventors have carried out some preliminary experiments and noted that the provision of the sun shade assembly  100  can significantly reduce temperature under the sun-shade assembly  100 . Therefore, the provision of the spacing between the top and bottom sheets  110  and  120  in combination with the internal walls  115  that form air flow passages  125  provides the advantageous effect of cooling the spacing between the top and bottom sheets  110  and  120 . The provision of the internal walls  115  also provides a reinforcing effect to the sun-shade assembly  100  and results in uniform thickness or spacing between the top and bottom sheets  110  and  120 . The spacing between the top and bottom sheets  110  and  120  also controls the volume of air that can flow in between the top and bottom sheets  110  and  120  thereby preventing the top and bottom sheets  110  and  120  from becoming separated due to sudden flow of air in between the top and bottom sheets  110  and  120 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the spaced apart top and bottom sheets  110  are rectangular having a length (L) and a width (W). However, the invention is not limited by shape and the top and bottom sheets may be provided any regular or non-regular shape or size. By way of example, the top and bottom sheets  110  and  120  may be circular in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the top and bottom sheets may be in the shape of a regular or irregular polygon. 
     This to  FIGS. 6 to 7 and 8 to 10 , the sun-shade assembly  100  may be erected by being supported at corner portions by supporting posts S. Each corner of the top and bottom sheets  110  and  120  is provided with coupling arrangements  119  in the form of respective straps  112  and  122  that are attached to the top and bottom sheets  110  and  120 . The straps  112  and  122  each include eyelets or reinforced openings which are adapted to receive supporting pins (P) positioned on respective top portions of the support posts (S). Once again, the coupling arrangement  119  is provided to couple the supporting posts (S) with the sun-shade assembly  100  may be varied without departing from the scope of the invention described herein. The coupling arrangement  119  also include straps  117  and  127  that are attached along respective peripheral side portions of the top and bottom sheets  110  and  120 . Each of the straps  117  and  127  also include eyelets or reinforced openings that can receive supporting pins (P) on top of supporting posts (S) to attach the top and bottom sheets  110  and  120  to the supporting posts (S). Additionally, the Tensioning ropes (T) may be fastened to the supporting posts (S) to maintain the posts (S) in a substantially upright position. 
     In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term “comprises” and its variations, such as “comprising” and “comprised of” is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features. 
     It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. 
     The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.