Patent Publication Number: US-2023151636-A1

Title: Canopy system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments of the invention relate to canopies for providing shade from the sun and protection from the elements 
     BACKGROUND 
     Humans benefit greatly from receiving appropriate amounts of sunlight. However, overexposure to the sun can be harmful to the skin and over time can cause skin cancer. Overexposure to the elements such as heat and wind can cause heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and general discomfort. These symptoms are common when spending many hours at the beach, at a sports game, or other outdoor environment where sun is prevalent. 
     In the current market, tents and sunshades are available which can be deployed in the outdoors which provide shade or shelter from the sun and elements. However, many of these systems must be deployed in specific environmental conditions. For example, some canopies cannot be deployed during periods of high wind, have complicated setup protocols which require multiple people to perform tasks simultaneously, or may even require setup to be performed while there is sufficient wind. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This summary is provided to introduce a variety of concepts in a simplified form that is disclosed further in the detailed description of the embodiments. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     The embodiments provided herein relate to a canopy system is disclosed, including a first frame member and a second frame member. A canopy includes a first channel to receive the first frame member therethrough and a second channel to receive the second frame member therethrough in a windy condition, or a third channel to receive the second frame member in a calm condition (no wind). A first rope extends from a left side of the first frame member and a second rope extends from a right side of the first frame member. At least one anchor affixed to an end of each rope and at least one anchor affixed to the ends of the first frame member and the second frame member to retain the canopy in a suitable position. 
     In some embodiments, in a calm (no wind) condition, a canopy includes a first channel to receive the first frame member therethrough and a third channel to receive the second frame member therethrough. The first rope extends from a left side of the first frame member and a second rope extends from a right side of the first frame member, and a third rope extends from left side of the second frame member and a fourth rope extends from a right side of the second frame member. 
     The canopy system which can be readily and efficiently deployed to provide shade and shelter from the sun and/or elements (i e., wind, rain, hail, snow, etc.). The canopy system includes a canopy supported by a frame which provides structural support to the canopy when deployed. The frame is secured to the ground surface using anchors and ropes that are held by anchors/or sandbags to retain the canopy system in a suitable position during periods of extended use. The canopy system can be deployed during periods of high winds and other inclement weather during which many other canopy systems cannot be deployed. The canopy system can also be well displayed during period of no wind situation. 
     The canopy system provides an efficient and convenient means to prevent overexposure to the sun and/or elements in an environment which has excessive sun exposure (e.g., at the beach, at a sporting event, outdoor concert, outdoor event venue, etc.) By using the canopy as a shade form the sun, those shaded by the canopy receive a reduction in ultraviolet (UV) light which is a part of the sun’s light spectrum. The canopy system includes anchors and sandbags which allow the canopy to be retained in position during high winds. 
     In one aspect, the first, second, and third channels allow the user to selectively position the frame members on the canopy. In one example, the first and second channels are utilized for the windy configuration which allows the canopy to be deployed during high winds. The first and third channels are utilized in the calm configuration when there is little to no wind in the environment wherein the canopy is positioned. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the embodiments, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by references to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of the canopy system in a configuration suitable to be deployed during periods of high wind, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a perspective view of the canopy system in a configuration which is deployable in a calm (not windy) environment, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a top plan view of the canopy, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a perspective view of the canopy system frame sections, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  5    illustrates perspective view of the anchors of the canopy system, according to some embodiments; and 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a perspective view of the sandbags of the canopy system, according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are set forth in this application. Any specific details of the embodiments are used for demonstration purposes only, and no unnecessary limitation or inferences are to be understood therefrom. 
     Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of components related to the system. Accordingly, the device components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 
     In general, the embodiments described herein relate to a canopy system which can be readily and efficiently deployed to provide shade and shelter from the sun and/or elements (i.e., wind, rain, hail, snow, etc.). The canopy system includes a canopy supported by a frame which provides structural support to the canopy when deployed. The frame is secured to the ground surface using anchors and/or sandbags to retain the canopy system in a suitable position during periods of extended use. The canopy system can be deployed during periods of high winds and other inclement weather during which many other canopy systems cannot be deployed. 
     The canopy system provides an efficient and convenient means to prevent overexposure to the sun and/or elements in an environment which has excessive sun exposure (e.g., at the beach, at a sporting event, outdoor concert, outdoor event venue, etc.) By using the canopy as a shade form the sun, those shaded by the canopy receive a reduction in ultraviolet (UV) light which is a part of the sun’s light spectrum. The shade provided by the canopy provides a cooler climate when the user (e.g., a person or animal) are shaded by the canopy and prevents over exposure to UV radiation which is known to cause sunburn and cancer 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of the canopy system  100  in configuration suitable to be deployed during periods of high wind (herein referred to as the “windy configuration  101  A canopy  103  extends over a first frame member  105  and a second frame member  107  which are secured to the ground surface  109  via anchors  111  positioned at the ends of the first frame member  105  and the second frame member  107 . The first frame member  105  is positioned at the front  113  of the canopy system  100  and the second frame member is positioned rearward (i.e., towards the rear  115 ) of the canopy system  100 . In the windy configuration  101  the first frame member  105  and the second frame member  107  are positioned about 2-feet apart from one another to provide sufficient support to the canopy system  100  during high winds. A first rope  117  extends from the left side  119  of the first frame member  105  and a second rope  121  extends from the right side  123  of the first frame member  105 . The first rope  117  and second rope  121  are each secured to the ground surface  109  via at least one anchor and/or sandbag  125 . The canopy  103  extends to the rear  115  to provide a sufficient coverage area such that users may stand, sit, and move under the canopy  103  while being protected from the sun and elements. 
     In some embodiments, the first frame member  105  and the second frame member  107  extends through a first channel  129  and a second channel  131  formed between the layers of the canopy  103 . The first channel  129  and second channel  131  retain the canopy  103  in position to prevent the canopy  103  frame becoming detached. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a perspective view of the canopy system  100  in a configuration which is deployable in a calm (not windy) environment. Hereinafter, the configuration illustrated in  FIG.  2    is referred to as a “calm configuration”  200 . In reference to the calm configuration  200 , the first frame member  105  is positioned at the front  113  of the canopy  103  and the second frame member  107  is positioned at the rear  115  of the canopy  103 . The first frame member  105  extends through the first channel  129  and the second frame member  107  extends through a third channel  201 . The first rope  117  extends from the left side  119  of the first frame member  105  and the second rope  121  extends from the right side  123  of the first frame member  105 . A third rope  203  extends from the left side  119  of the second frame member  107  and a fourth rope  205  extends from the right side  123  of the second frame member  107 . Each rope  117 , 121 , 203 , 205  are anchored to the ground surface  109  via anchor and/or sandbags  125 . The first frame member  105  and second frame member  107  are anchored to the ground surface  109  via the anchors  111   
       FIG.  3    illustrates a top plan view of the canopy  103  which may be constructed of a fabric or other suitable material which is flexible, lightweight, and of a material which provided at least partial UV protection. The first channel  129 , second channel  131 , and third channel  201  are positioned between the layers of the canopy  103  to allow the first frame member  105  and second frame member  107  (see  FIGS.  1 - 2   ) to extend therethrough. As described above, the user selectively positions the second frame member  107  in either the second channel  131  (in the windy configuration) or the third channel  201  (in the calm configuration). Reinforced bands  300  are provided on the front  113  to strengthen and reinforce he structure of the canopy  103 . The canopy  103  is constructed to have dimensions suitable for shading at least one human when properly deployed. One skilled in the arts will readily understand that the canopy system  100  can be constructed in various sizes, shapes, and configurations. For example, the canopy  103  may have a rectangular, square, circular, or oblong shape, among others. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates a perspective view of the first frame member  105  and second frame member  107  which are separable into frame sections  400  to allow the first frame member  105  and second frame member  107  to collapse when not in use. The collapsibility allows the first and second frame members  105 , 107  to be easily transported and stored by reducing their length. A string  401  is positioned through the interior  403  of each frame section  400  to keep the frame sections together when not connected. Further, the string  401  can be pulled at an end to aid in reconnecting the first ends  405  and second ends  407  of the frame sections  400 . 
       FIG.  5    illustrates perspective view of the anchors  111  of the canopy system Each anchor  111  may be positioned at least partially underneath the ground surface such that the anchors retain the canopy system on the ground in a suitable position and to ensure the canopy system is not moved by the wind, or by accidental contact. The anchors  111  have a tip portion  500  which facilitates the penetration of the ground surface and to allow the anchors to be at least partially buried therein In some embodiments, the anchors  111  are conically shaped 
       FIG.  6    illustrates a perspective view of the sandbags  125  of the canopy system. Each sandbag includes a container  600  filled at least partially with sand or another medium which provides weight to retain the canopy system on the ground and prevents the canopy system from moving due to wind or accidental contact. The opening  601  of the sandbags  125  may be tied to close the opening  601 . 
     Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination. 
     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the following claims.