US20050077018A1

US20050077018A1 - Sunshade

Info

Publication number: US20050077018A1
Application number: US10/961,130
Authority: US
Inventors: Christina Kimpton; Benjamin Kimpton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-10-08
Filing date: 2004-10-08
Publication date: 2005-04-14

Abstract

A face sunshade for sunbathing use. In order to reflect sunlight, the sunshade is formed of a lightweight nylon/polyester or metallic aluminum material. The lightweight material envelops a frame consisting of two metal rings that are connected on the top center of each ring by a thin flat metal rod, creating a self-support structure. The rings, connected by the thin metal rod, form a cylinder canopy shape, which supports the sunshade when open and in use. The sunshade can be folded into a small lightweight structure, and placed into a carrying bag for easy carrying and storage. The carrying bag also converts into a pillow for the user when the sunshade is in use.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shade that protects the face from the sun while sunbathing, and more particularly a shade that is foldable, easy to store, and provides full coverage with minimal adjustments.
As more information is learned about the various harmful effects of sun exposure on skin, an assortment of sunshields and sun shelters have been formed to address concern the public has about dangerous UV sunrays.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,651,847 issued to Carole C. Casamassina on Mar. 28, 1972, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,379,349 issued to Betty D. Lawson on Apr. 12, 1983, shows devices that are both sunshields and tote bags, but unlike the present invention, these devices do not fold down to a simple flat compressed form when not in use.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,298 issued to Chen Y. Lin on Aug. 5, 1995, shows a sunshade arrangement containing several retractable posts, but unlike the present invention, the device includes many pieces. The leg posts of the device have spikes on the lower ends to pierce into the sand on the beach, yet unlike the present invention, users may accidentally pierce their skin with the sharp objects.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,210 issued to Thomas W. King and Annette King on Jun. 3, 1997 shows a face covering sunshield, but unlike the present invention, the user must wear this sunshield directly on the face, which may cause sweat in areas where the sunshield has direct contact with skin and a feeling of discomfort on a warm, humid day.
Each of these inventions attempts to shelter the user's face from sun or wind. Some are flexible and collapsible, while others are part of lawn or beach furniture. However, these inventions still contain difficulties that are not found in the present invention.
Sunbathing requires exposure of portions of the body to the sun. While many enjoy sunbathing, direct exposure to the sun may result in eye irritation and sunburn on sensitive areas of the skin, such as the face. There have been a variety of methods attempting to solve this problem including placing a towel over the face or using beach umbrellas, sunscreen and sunglasses. Yet, using a towel to cover the face while sunbathing often causes insufficient ventilation leading to uncomfortable breathing and sweating. Furthermore, beach umbrellas are often bulky to carry as well as to store, and entail the user to move the umbrella consistently as the sun changes positions through out the day. Other types of shelters often consist of many support rods that make these structures difficult to set up or bulky to carry. U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,217 issued to Paul Rice on Oct. 20, 1998, shows a sun-shelter consisting of a floor and canopy attached to the floor. Yet unlike the present invention, this sunshade contains numerous parts and pieces for the user to deal with.
Sunglasses are common devices used to protect the eyes from the sun. Nonetheless, sunglasses are easy to loose and expensive to replace multiple times. Also, sunglasses only shield the eye area of the face, leaving the rest of the face exposed and unprotected. Although sunglasses do provide great protection for the eyes, they are not “one-size-fits-all.” For example, an adult's sunglasses would not fit properly on a child's face thus allowing sun to peep in to the child's eyes, defeating the purpose of the child wearing sunglasses.
Various sunscreens have become a popular method to protect skin from the sun, but these lotions can become only partially effective due to their tendency to wash off and wear off because of sweat or pool/beach water. Also these lotions are not able to protect the eyes from the glare of the sun. Their effect can be strengthened when used collectively with other items such as an umbrella or towel covering the face. Yet, the usage of a towel over the face can remove an application of sunscreen. Both doctors and scientist claim that prolonged exposure to the sun without protection can cause not only sunburn but also eye cataracts and skin cancer, so one shouldn't take any chances on sunscreen wearing off.
Thus, there is a need for an invention that protects the face from the sun, yet is inexpensive, easily stored/carried, and gives guaranteed protection to the whole face.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention improves upon the various previous methods of sun protection and cited patents by being effortless to use, lightweight, convenient, portable, as well as containing features that enable comfortable air circulation and easy storage.
The sunshade is constructed of a lightweight material that does not permit bright sunrays to transmit by reflecting sunlight away. The covering is formed into a cylinder canopy shape by enveloping a frame consisting of two metal rings connected on the top center of each ring by a thin metal reinforcement rod. An alternative embodiment forms the cylinder shape with a frame consisting of two metal rings connected on the top center of each ring by a thin spiral metal reinforcement rod. Such a cylinder canopy shape provides for simple assembly as well as strengthens the firmness and sturdiness of the structure, without fastening it to the ground. Also, the diameter of the sunshade is spacious enough to encompass sufficient air circulation and allow the occupant, if they choose, to use a small pillow to rest their head on while sunbathing.
The thin metal reinforcement rod is attached to the metal rings so that it is free to rotate about the spot of attachment toward the top center of the rings. Thus, to open the sunshade for use, the metal rings are turned apart in opposite directions till the cylinder canopy shape is formed. The rings are turned inward to close the sunshade so that it forms a small compressed configuration, providing for easy storage or transport of the device.
In the alternative embodiment the thin spiral reinforcement rod is also attached to the metal rings. The thin spiral reinforcement rod operates like a slinky or accordion. Thus, to open the sunshade for use, the metal rings are pulled apart from one another until the cylinder canopy shape is formed. The rings are pushed together, causing the thin spiral reinforcement rod to compress and the sunshade to collapse into a small compact configuration for easy storage and transport.
The sunshade also is equipped with a small carrying bag to carry the compressed sunshade with more ease. The bag is constructed of a similar lightweight material as the sunshade and contains a shoulder carrying strap as well as a handle. Inside the bag, a small soft foam cushion is sewn in, so the user may employ the bag as a pillow while using the sunshade to sunbathe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of the present invention deployed.
FIG. 2 is an environmental perspective view of the frame of the present invention deployed.
FIG. 3 is an environmental perspective view of the carrying bag of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the present invention is a sunshade that has a lightweight covering (10) stretching over a frame (20), shown in FIG. 2, for protecting a user's face from the sun's bright light. The lightweight covering (10) envelops the frame (20), which has a first ring (30) and a second ring (40). Connected on the top center of both first and second ring (30, 40) by one thin reinforcement rod (50).
The lightweight covering (10) includes sheathings (60) along the sides (70). The sheathings (60) are made to encase the first ring (30), the second ring (40), and the reinforcement rod (50).
The covering (10) is made of lightweight material, preferably polyester, nylon, or a nylon/polyester blend. The lightweight covering (10) provides UV protection by deflecting sunlight, and is also lightweight enough to create a breathable, cool temperature setting for the sunbather. The covering's (10) lightweight allows the present invention not to collapse, as well. Plastic or metallic aluminum are materials that can also be used for the covering (10). The covering (10) is made out of one continuous piece of material but also can be made by stitching multiple sheets together.
The frame (20) has a first ring (30) and a second ring (40) attached together by a thin reinforcement rod (50), which slightly touches both first and second rings (30, 40). The thin reinforcement rod (50) is preferably flat, and like the first and second rings (30, 40), is formed of a lightweight metal material such as aluminum or steel. In an alternative embodiment, the thin reinforcement rod (50) coils in a spiral configuration and contracts and expands like an accordion or metal spring. In both embodiments, the thin metal reinforcement rod (50) in combination with the first ring (30) and second ring (40) forms the cylinder canopy shape of the present invention.
The present invention is put together for use by turning the first ring (30) apart from the second ring (40) in opposite directions until the cylinder canopy shape is formed. When the first ring (30) is turned in an opposite direction apart from the second ring (40), reinforcement rod (50) is then unwrapped or unfurled because of lack of pressure keeping first ring (30), second ring (40), and reinforcement rod (50) together. Typically, first ring (30), second ring (40), and reinforcement rod (50) are held together in a compact fashion until use via any conventional strap.
In an alternative embodiment, the present invention is assembled for use by pulling the first ring (30) apart from the second ring (40). Once the present invention is in its cylinder canopy structure, it will remain in this form without attaching the present invention to the ground with items such as stakes. The cylinder shape also allows the present invention to provide ample shade and full coverage. Even on windy days, the present invention will remain standing because of the cylinder shape and the weight of the users head and upper shoulders inside the present invention.
First and second rings (30, 40), are the basis of the cylinder shape, each having exactly the same diameter, which allows for sufficient air to circulate through the present invention. This aspect is important because when the user puts its head and upper shoulders into the present invention for use, the top of the present invention shifts closer to the users face because the applied body weight on the first and second rings (30, 40) bends the first and second rings (30,40) downward, thus bringing whole structure closer to the ground. If the first and second rings (30, 40) were of different diameter, a slope, measured from the first ring (30) to second ring (40), would be present along the length of the present invention. Consequently, when the user puts its weight into the present invention for use, the top of the present invention shifts and becomes even closer to the users'face causing insufficient air ventilation and the feeling of being “closed in.” Preferably the first ring (30) and the second ring (40) are the same size, because similar sizes yield the present invention to be simplistic and easy to use. Yet, rings of different sizes can also be employed in an alternate embodiment if the first ring (30) is of a smaller diameter than the second ring (40). An arrangement such as this would also be desirable because when the present invention shifts towards the users face, the hot air will rise upward and out of the sunshade. Allowing to the user to sunbathe comfortably. Also, in addition to the cylinder shape, a semi-circle shape may be employed in because of its small configuration.
The diameter of the first and second rings (30, 40) is big enough to fit the head and upper shoulders of the user, and also allow for ample air circulation. The length of the sunshade is long enough to provide sufficient coverage from the sun in these areas. The sunshade diameter and length are small enough not to allow children to use the present invention as a piece of playground equipment, climbing on or through the structure. The size of the present invention is not so large that the average sunbather would look awkward using the present invention at the beach or in any other public atmosphere. Yet, the sunshade is large enough to provide sufficient ventilation and sun coverage.
To close the present invention the first and second rings (30, 40) are turned inward so that it forms a small compact item, making the present invention easy to carry and store. In the alternative embodiment the first and second rings (30, 40) are pushed together like an accordion or slinky, so that the present invention forms a small compact item. In the alternative embodiment, provided hook and loop straps are attached on the sides (70) of the compressed configuration to keep it compact.
Shown in FIG. 3, the present invention also is equipped with a small carrying bag (80) to carry the compressed configuration with more ease. The bag is constructed of nylon or polyester material and has a shoulder carrying strap (90) as well as a handle (100), both made out of a durable material such as nylon or polyester much like the straps typically used on a conventional duffel bag. The bag also contains a zipper (110) for easy opening and closing of the carrying bag (80). Inside the carrying bag, a small cushion (120), made of soft foam, is sewn in. Thus, the user may employ the carrying bag (80) as a pillow while using the present invention to sunbathe. When the user is finished sunbathing they can compress the present invention, place it in the carrying bag (80), zip up the bag, and carry around with little effort.
The present invention has benefits not present in other known sunshields in that the present invention is extremely lightweight, very easy to assemble and efficient and simple in design due to its few parts and pieces.
Having illustrated the present invention, it should be understood that various adjustments and versions might be implemented without venturing away from the essence of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and should be interpreted as any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A sunshade, comprising:

a frame, wherein said frame has at least one ring; and

a covering in communication with said frame.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said frame has at least one rod.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one ring is flexible.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said at least one ring returns to the original position of said at least one ring after being bent.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein said at least one rod is in communication with said at least one ring.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein said at least one rod is flexible.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said at least one rod returns to the original position of said at least one rod after being bent.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said covering is a flexible material.

9. The device of claim 1 further comprising sheathing in communication with said frame.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said frame is inside said sheathing.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein said sheathing is in communication with said covering.

12. The device of claim 1, in combination with a carrying case, said carrying case comprising:

A main body;

at least one strap in communication with said main body;

at least one handle in communication with said main body;

at least one zipper in communication with said main body; and

at least one plush area in communication with said main body.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said strap is a shoulder strap.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein said zipper is a means for opening and closing said carrying case.