Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention provide a canopy system. The canopy system may include: a canopy that includes a shaft and a canopy ball coupled to the shaft; a double socket arm connected to the canopy via the canopy ball; and a mount, the mount having a mounting ball, the mount connected to the double socket arm via the mounting ball, the canopy system thus configured for a wide range of canopy articulation with respect to the mount. Alternative embodiments are provided for the shaft, double socket arm and mounts.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/581,612, filed Dec. 29, 2011. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to an apparatus that includes a canopy, a/k/a an umbrella or parasol. More specifically, but without limitation, embodiments of the invention include an articulating arm for positioning the canopy and may also include a specially-configured mounting bracket. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Canopies can be utilized to shield a user from rain, sun, or other environmental conditions. Known canopies have many disadvantages, however. For instance, fixed canopies often suffer from limited ranges of articulation. They may, for example, only tilt along a single plane. Although patio table stands are common, fixed canopies typically have limited mounting options for other applications. Improved canopy systems are therefore needed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Embodiments of the invention solve one or more of the shortcomings described above by affixing a canopy ball onto a shaft of the canopy, and coupling a double- socket arm between the canopy ball and a mounting ball. The double-socket arm provides a wide range of articulation in multiple planes. Embodiments of the invention also provide brackets for the mounting ball that are configured to cooperate with a chair, a bench seat, or other furnishings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the following drawings, wherein: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a canopy system, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a canopy system, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3A  is an exploded assembly view of a portion of a canopy, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of a canopy ball, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an exploded assembly view of a portion of a canopy, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a double-socket arm, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a double-socket arm, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a double-socket arm, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a double-socket arm, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a chair mounting bracket, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the chair mounting bracket illustrated in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a chair mounting bracket, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a chair mounting bracket, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a chair mounting bracket, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a canopy system coupled to a chair, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a bench seat mounting bracket, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 16  is a side view of the bench seat mounting bracket illustrated in  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a bench seat mounting assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 18  is a side view of the bench seat mounting assembly illustrated in  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a canopy system coupled to a bench seat, according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a canopy system that includes a mosquito net, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a canopy system, according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a canopy  105  is coupled to a mounting ball  130  on a base  135  via a double-socket arm  125 . The canopy  105  includes a cover  110 , shaft  115 , and a canopy ball  120 . The canopy  105  may include vents (not shown) typical in a wind-resistant umbrella. A frame (not shown) of the canopy  105  may be constructed, for example, of metal. A covering on the canopy  105  may be nylon or other fabric as required by application demands. The shaft  115 , canopy ball  120 , double-socket arm  125 , and/or mounting ball  130  may be fabricated using wood, metal, plastic, fiberglass, and/or other rigid material, according to design choice. In embodiments of the invention, the canopy  105  may be collapsible. The shaft  115  may be telescopic. 
         [0028]    In use, the double-socket arm  125  retains the canopy ball  120  and the mounting ball  130  to provide an articulated coupling between the base  135  and the canopy  105 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a canopy system, according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a canopy  205  may include a contoured handle  210  and canopy ball  220  on a shaft  215 . The canopy  205  may include vents (not shown) typical in a wind-resistant umbrella. A frame (not shown) of the canopy  205  may be constructed, for example, of metal. A covering on the canopy  205  may be nylon or other fabric as required by application demands. The shaft  215  and/or canopy ball  220  may be fabricated using wood, metal, plastic, fiberglass, and/or other rigid material, according to design choice. In embodiments of the invention, the canopy  205  may be collapsible. The shaft  215  may be telescopic. 
         [0030]    Advantageously, the canopy  205  may be used in either portable applications or in fixed applications. In portable applications, a user may grasp the canopy  205  using the contoured handle  210 . In fixed applications, the canopy  205  is coupled to the base  135  via the double-socket arm  125 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 3A  is an exploded assembly view of a portion of a canopy  105 , according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 3A , a portion of the canopy  105  may include a cavity  305  in the shaft  115 . The cavity  305  is configured to receive a threaded insert  310 . In the illustrated embodiment, the canopy ball  120  includes a neck  315 , wrench surfaces  320 , and a threaded aperture (not shown). The threaded aperture (not shown) is also configured to cooperate with the threaded insert  310 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of a canopy ball, according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment the canopy ball  120  includes a threaded aperture  325  but does not include a neck or wrench surfaces. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is an exploded assembly view of a portion of a canopy  205 , according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the contoured handle  210  may include a cavity  405 . The canopy ball  220  may include a neck  425 , wrench surfaces  430 , and a threaded aperture (not shown). An insert  410  may include a smooth portion  415  and a threaded portion  420 . The smooth portion  415  of the insert  410  is configured to be inserted into the cavity  405 . The treaded portion  420  is configured to be inserted into the threaded aperture in the canopy ball  220 . 
         [0034]    Variations to the configurations illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 4  are possible. For instance, the threaded insert  310  could be substituted for the insert  410  in  FIG. 4 . Likewise, the insert  410  could be substituted for the threaded insert  310  in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3A . Moreover, the canopy ball  120  illustrated in  FIG. 3B  could be substituted for the canopy ball  120  illustrated in  FIG. 3A  or the canopy ball  220  illustrated in  FIG. 4 , according to design choice. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 5 through 8  illustrate alternative embodiments for the double-socket arm  125 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a double-socket arm, according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a front panel  505  may be coupled to a rear panel  510  via a threaded shaft  520 . One end of the threaded shaft  520  is coupled to a “T” handle  515  and an opposite end of the shaft  520  is affixed to a retainer  525 . In operation, the “T” handle  515  may be rotated about an axis  530  (the longitudinal axis of the threaded shaft  520 ). Tightening the “T” handle  515  draws the front panel  505  closer to the rear panel  510 , reducing the size of sockets  535  and  540 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a double-socket arm, according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the “T” handle  515  may be replaced with a lever handle  605 . In use, the lever handle  605  may be rotated about the axis  530 . Tightening the lever handle  605  draws the front panel  505  closer to the rear panel  510 , reducing the size of sockets  535  and  540 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a double-socket arm, according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the “T” handle  515  illustrated in  FIG. 5  may be replaced with a cam lever  705 . In operation, the cam lever  705  may first be extended along the axis  530 . Rotating the cam lever  705  about the axis  530  provides initial tightening. Final tightening may be achieved by rotating the cam lever  705  about the axis  710  into the final closed position illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The axis  710  may be defined by the pivot point  715 . Tightening the cam lever  705  draws the front panel  505  closer to the rear panel  510 , reducing the size of sockets  535  and  540 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a double-socket arm, according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , a front panel  805 , a middle panel  815 , and a rear panel  810  are be retained by a threaded shaft  825 . One end of threaded shaft  825  is coupled to a cam lever  820 . An opposite end of the threaded shaft  825  is coupled to a retainer  830 . In operation, the cam lever  820  may be rotated about axis  835 . Axis  835  is defined according to pivot point  840 . Tightening the cam lever  820  draws the front panel  805  closer to the rear panel  810 , reducing the size of sockets  535  and  540 . 
         [0040]    Variations to the double-socket arms illustrated in  FIGS. 5-8  are possible. For instance, in alternative embodiments, the retainer  525  could be integrated into the rear panel  510 . Similarly, the retainer  830  could be integrated into the rear panel  810 . Moreover, any of the embodiments described with reference to  FIGS. 5-8  could also include pivot points and/or springs between opposing panels. 
         [0041]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,885 issued to Carnevali on Dec. 8, 1998 is hereby incorporated by reference for its description of a universally positionable mounting device that is consistent with a variant of the double-socket arm embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 . U.S. Pat. No. 7,090,181 issued to Biba et al. on Aug. 15, 2006 is incorporated by reference for its description of a ball and socket mounting assembly that is consistent with a variant of the double-socket arm embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a chair mounting bracket, according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , one end of a chair mounting bracket  905  is configured to receive the mounting ball  130 . In addition, the chair mounting bracket  905  has a mounting portion  910  that includes mounting holes  915 . The chair mounting bracket  905  is configured to cooperate with a chair. Alternative chair mounting brackets are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 11-13 .  FIG. 10  is a side view of the chair mounting bracket  905  illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a chair mounting bracket  1105  that includes a pedestal mount portion  1110 , according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a chair mounting bracket  1205  that includes a swivel plate  1210 , according to an embodiment of the invention. The swivel plate  1210  is configured to rotate about a normal axis passing through a center of the swivel plate  1210 , such rotation being with respect to other portions of the chair mounting bracket  1205 .  FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a chair mounting bracket  1305  that includes a locking pin  1310 , according to an embodiment of the invention. The locking pin  1310  is configured to cooperate with a base plate (not shown) such that the chair mounting bracket  1305  can swivel about a longitudinal axis of the locking pin  1310 . The locking pin  1310  is also configured to be suitably retained in the base plate (not shown) during use.. 
         [0044]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a canopy system coupled to a chair, according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , a canopy  105  is coupled to the chair mounting bracket  1105  via the double socket arm  125 . A canopy  205  could be substituted in place of the canopy  105 . A portion of the chair mounting bracket  1105  is disposed between a floor of the dinghy  1410  and the chair  1405 . In alternative embodiments, chair mounting brackets  905 ,  1205  or  1305  could be used instead of the chair mounting bracket  1105 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a bench seat mounting bracket  1505 , according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , a bench seat mounting bracket  1505  is configured to receive a mounting ball  130 . In addition, the bench seat mounting bracket  1505  has a mounting portion  1515  that includes mounting holes  1515 .  FIG. 16  is a side view of the bench seat mounting bracket  1505  illustrated in  FIG. 15 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a bench seat mounting assembly  1705 , according to an embodiment of the invention. The arm  1710  includes through-holes  1715  and is configured to receive the mounting ball  130 . A retaining plate  1720  includes threaded holes  1725 . Handle screws  1730  are configured to cooperate with the through holes  1715  and the threaded holes  1725 . In use, a portion of a bench seat (not shown in  FIG. 17 ) is disposed between the arm  1710  and the retaining plate  1720 .  FIG. 18  is a side view of the bench seat mounting assembly illustrated in  FIG. 17 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a canopy system coupled to a bench seat, according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 19 , a canopy  105  may be coupled to a bench seat mounting assembly  1705  via a double socket arm  125 . A canopy  205  could be substituted in place of the canopy  105 . The bench seat mounting assembly  1705  is affixed to bench seat  1905  as described above with reference to  FIG. 17 . In an alternative embodiment, the bench seat mounting bracket  1505  could be used instead. As  FIG. 19  illustrates, bench seat  1905  is consistent with seats found, for example, in a canoe  1910 . Bench seats may also be found in kayaks or other small watercraft. In embodiments of the invention, bench seat mounting bracket  1505  and/or bench seat mounting assembly  1705  may also be applicable to patio benches, lawn chairs, or other types of furnishings. 
         [0048]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a canopy system that includes a mosquito net, according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 20 , a mosquito net  2005  can be connected to the cover  110 , for instance by stitching, snaps, zipper or other suitable fastener. Such mosquito netting could be included with any of the canopy systems disclosed herein. 
         [0049]    In conclusion, embodiments of the invention provide, among other things, a canopy with an articulating arm. Alternative mounting brackets are also disclosed. Those skilled in the art can readily recognize that numerous variations and substitutions may be made in the invention, its use and its configuration to achieve substantially the same results as achieved by the embodiments described herein. Accordingly, there is no intention to limit the invention to the disclosed exemplary forms. In addition, although references are made to embodiments of the invention, all embodiments disclosed herein need not be separate embodiments. In other words, many of the features disclosed herein can be utilized in combinations not expressly illustrated or described.