US2142851A - Sunshade - Google Patents

Description

C. L. JOLLY Jan. 3, 1939.

sunsmum,

Original Filed June 17, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet l Char/e5 L- (Jo/{y BY HT 7' ORA E1 C. L. JOLLY Jan. 3, 1939.

SUNSHADE lllllllll lll 1 Sheets-Sheet 2 ll HI mun Ch ar/as L $444 774 C. L. JOLLY Jan' 3, 1939.

SUNSHADE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed June 1 '7, 19155 [II/17E TOR C'fiar/esL. Joly Qmw 7h. 4407 HTTOEZI/EY C. L. JOLLY Jan. 3, 1939.

SUNSHADE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed June 17, 1935 a dqcuum 7h. W

HTTOENEY [IV/ENTOR clwrles L. c/o/l Patented Jan. 3, 1939 PATENT OFFICE I SUNSHADE Charles L. Jolly, Wilmar, Calif.

Application June 17, 1935, Serial No. 27,009 Renewed April 20, 1938 11 Claims.

This invention relates to beach shelters, and is a continuation, in part, of my application entitled Beach shelter originally filed December 22, 1932, Serial Number 648,426, and renewal of which was made February 26, 1934, and which has since issued December 10, 1935, as Patent No. 2,023,813.

In the provision of beach shelters it is a prime requirement that the structure shall be simple in 1 its construction and may be readily folded or moved to its operative position without the manipulationv of a complicated mechanism, and shall, in its folded position, provide a package of small compass, thus making its desirable for use on camping trips or on short excursions to the beach or the mountains. Such structures, for the most part, at the present time, have taken the form of beach umbrellas or tents. It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a beach shelter which shall have all of the desirable advantages and privacy of a tent, but which may be folded and unfolded with the ease of manipulation of an umbrella.

The present invention contemplates provision of a foldable canopy having longitudinal flexible ribsand a lateral flexible rib, the longitudinal ribs being so pivoted together as to make it possible to unfold the shelter to a desired position, while the lateral rib or ribs yieldably hold the shelter in its unfolded and operative position and make it possible to provide a canopy which may assume-a shape substantially that of a segment of a sphere, or, if desired, an elongated shell-shaped structure, the opposite edges of which may meet the ground and form a complete shelter of greater than body length.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a view in front elevation looking into the shelter in its unfolded position, and here it is performing the usual function of an umbrella.

Fig. 2 is a view in end elevation showing the shelter disclosed in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view in end elevation showing the shelterof Fig. 1 with the canopy portion folded and the lateral rib flexed.

4 is a view in perspective showing .the shelter completely folded and, in effect, tied into a compact bundle.

Fig. 5 is a view in transverse section through the shelter, as seen on the line 55 of Fig. 1, and particularlydiscloses the connection for the lateral rib.

Fig. 6 is a view in transverse section through the shelter taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, but showing another form of lateral rib secured to one of the longitudinal ribs intermediate its ends and having detachable connections with the outermost longitudinal ribs of the canopy. 5

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view in elevation showing a structure by which the shelter may be detachably fastened to supporting stakes, and which also makes it possible to secure the shelter in a desired angle positionwith relation to the stakes.

Fig. 8 is a view in side elevation showing the stake fastening structure and the pivot fitting of the canopy. r

Fig. 9 is a view in central vertical section through the stake fastening structure and the pivot, as seen on the line 9-9 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 10 is a view in horizontal section, on the line Ill-l9 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a view in vertical section showing the adjusting means of the pivot fitting as seen on the line ll-ll of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a view of the pivotal mounting for the longitudinal ribs with the cap omitted, as seen on the line I 2-I2 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 13 is a view in elevation looking into the 5 shelter when unfolded and shows a modified form of the invention embodying a plurality of short lateral ribs engaging successive longitudinal ribs. The figure further shows by dotted lines a flexed position of the shelter when the opposite ends of the longitudinal ribs are separated, whereby a complete shelter covering is provided extending to the ground on both sides.

Fig. 14 is a view in transverse section taken on the line 14- of Fig. 13, showing the lateral 5 rib structure.

-Fig. 15 is a fragmentary view in transverse section showing another form of lateral rib structure.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary view showing a lateral rib having pivotal joint between its longitudias seen nal ribs.

Fig. 17 is afragmentary view in section showing another modified form of lateral rib.

Fig. 18 is a view in front elevation showing the shelter unfolded and disclosing the use of a plurality of contiguous flexible lateral ribs.

Fig. 19 is a view in side elevation showing the shelter mounted upon stakes in the manner as shown in detail -in Figs. 7, 8, 9, and 10.

Fig. 20 is a view in front elevation showing the shelter mounted upon supporting stakes and disclosing the application of the clamping means shown in detail in Figs. 7, 8, 9, and 10.

Referring more particularly to the drawings,

l and H indicate pivot units disposed at opposite ends of a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs l2. As particularly shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings, these ribs are separately formed with eyes l3 which receive rivets H by which the ribs are pivotally secured between circular discs l5 and IS. The discs are spaced from each other by a center boss I! and lugs l8 and 19. It will, of course, be understood that various other forms of pivotal connections may be provided, but this has proved to be acceptable in the present instance.

Mounted upon the back of the disc I5 is a spacing disc 20. This disc, as is shown in Fig. 11, is formed with a plurality of lugs 2| which are arranged circumferentially on one side of the disc and may receive an adjusting lug 22 carried by a disc l5. Diametrically opposite the lug 22 on disc I5 is a lug 23 which tends to hold the faces of discs and in parallel. alignment. Mounted centrally of the disc 20 is a set screw 24 which is secured to the disc 20 and extends through a central opening in, the boss I! of the disc 15. Set screw also extends through the disc l5 and is threaded at its outer end as indicated at 25, to receive wing nut 26 by which it may be adjustably set.

interposed between the wing nut and outer face of the disc I6 is a cup 21, which is provided with a circumferential flange 28 which extends down over the marginal edges of discs I5, I6, and 20 when in its locked position. This cup is formed with a series of V-shaped serrations 29 in its marginal edge, which serrations are designed to actuate the various longitudinal ribs l2 and which may be locked in position to receive these ribs when the shelter is in either a folded or unfolded position.

The structure thus described comprises the hub elements l0 and II. It may be desirable to temporarily mount these hubs on stakes 30 which may be driven in the ground so that the hubs may be supported at a distance from the ground to give added head room under the shelter. Various means might be provided to accomplish this result but, in the present instance, the disc 20 is shown as formed with a fettle 3| having lugs 32 and 33 at its opposite sides. The lugs 32 engage the ends of a stirrup 34 which may be swung around the stake when it is positioned within the fettle to embrace the same. The lu 33 carries a latch member in the shape of a ball 35 pivoted to the lugs 33 and adapted to swing over the looped end 36 of the stirrup 34. Carried upon the loop off the bail is a fastening loop 31. This pivots upon the loop of-the bail and has two prongs 38 which may swing over the loop portion 36 of the stirrup and swing around the stake 30 in an embracing position, at the same time preventing the stirrup from becoming disengaged and unlocked. Due to this arrangement the hub elements I!) and H may be secured to the stakes at any desired elevation and quickly locked in position or released therefrom.

The longitudinal ribs I2 are of steel and have considerable flexibility, although when formed they are set to normally remain arcuate. Attention is directed to Fig. 12, where it will be seen that the ends of the ribs are of different lengths so that, when the structure is folded, all of the ribs may lie parallel to each other, even though they are each mounted on a different pivotal axis, the axes collectively arranged along the circumference of a circle. The ribs are covered with a suitable fabric covering, generally indicated at 39, so that, when the structure is unfolded, the ribs will assume a definite spaced relation to each other. This spaced relation is maintained by means of a lateral rib 40 which, in one form of the invention, is shown as extending transversely along an equatorial line of segment representing the canopy, and which is shown in Figs. 1 and 5 as being secured to the outermost longitudinal ribs l2 of the set. It is preferable that the lateral rib 40 shall be pivotably connected with the longitudinal ribs so that it may be twisted to lie in the general plane of the folded shelter and may thereafter be tied in with the shelter, as shown in Fig. 4. By reference to Fig. 5 it will be seen that the pivotal connection comprises a U-shaped plate 4| embracing the outermost longitudinal rib i2 and carrying a bolt 42 which holds it in position and also provides a pivot for the ends of the lateral rib 40. A nut 43 secures the bolt and the other parts in place.

The result of this arrangement is that the entire canopy structure has flexibility longitudinally and laterally, making it possible to move the hubs Ill and l l toward each other to increase the arc of the longitudinal ribs, as well as the arc of the lateral rib, and making it possible to move the hubs Ill and H away from each other to flex the longitudinal and lateral ribs, thus providing a longitudinal shallow shelter as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 13 in the drawings. Due to this arrangement the canopy may be used as a sunshade or a complete covering, serving the purpose of a tent and permitting one or more persons to lie flat beneath it.

In the form of the invention described in Figures 13 to 18 inclusive, various modifications in the lateral r ib construction are shown. In Figures 13 and 14 a lateral rib is shown which comprises a series of rib sections 44 which are pivotally associated with adjacent longitudinal ribs l2. lateral rib is shown in which a rib section 45 is disposed between adjacent ribs with an eye 46 and the other end being formed with a loop or stirrup 4'! adapted to be held in position with relation to a rib l2 under the tension of the fabric 39. In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 16, a lateral rib section is shown and indicated at 48, which section terminates in eyelets 49 hinged together by a pin 50 at a point intermediate its ends. The lateral rib structure shown in Fig. 1'7 comprises fittings 5|, one of which is carried by each of the longitudinal ribs and which flttings have an intermediate connecting member 52. In the form of the modification shown in Fig. 18, three lateral ribs are provided, one, the ribill previously described, and two other ribs, 53, which engage the outermost longitudinal ribsat their ends and cross each other and the lateral ribs at a point intermediate their ends.

The structure shown in ,Figs. 19 and 20 may be any one of the shelters previously described, indicating the manner in which it is mounted upon the stakes 30. In operation of the present invention, the canopy is assembled with relation to the hubs l0 and II and with the wing nuts 26 of the hubs loosely positioned upon the threaded ends 25 of the bolts 24. The cups 2'! of each hub are thus loosely arranged with relation to the ends of the longitudinal ribs 12. Normally, the shelter is tied in the loop shown'in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The ends of the folded structure, as indicated at 54, may be untied so that In Fig. 15 another form of composite the structure will assume the position generally indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. In this position the longitudinal ribs and the intermediate sections of fabric will be folded in bellows fashion, while the lateral rib 40 will be oppositely flexed from the position it will assume when the shelter is unfolded. The canopy may then be swung upwardly, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3, at which time the lateral rib 40 will assume the position indicated by dotted lines in the Fig. 3. The lateral rib may then be forced to swing on its pivots 42 to assume a position within the shelter as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. In this position the shelter will be held opened without danger of collapse; In order, however, to fasten the longitudinal ribs so they will not accidentally close, the wing nut 26 may be tightened, forcing the prongs of the serrations 29, carried by the cup 21, in between the various longitudinal ribs l2 and thus clamping them in a separated position so that they can not accidentally fold. If it is desired to mount the shelter on stakes 30, this may be done by manipulating and locking members 34- and 3! around the stakes. When the shelter is to be folded, the lateral rib is swung upon its pivots M in a direction parallel to the longitudinal ribs and in a manner to again assume the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3, after which the canopy may be collapsed and the lateral rib twisted on its pivots 42 to lie in a plane parallel therewith. The ends 54 of the folded structure may then be tied through the loop, as shown in Fig. 4.

Attention is directed to the fact that the canopy structure is entirely flexible, that is to say, its longitudinal ribs may flex toward and away from an extreme arcuate position to a relatively flat position, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 13, this being particularly possible due to the flexibility of the lateral rib dd.

It will thus be seen that the structure here described will provide a shelter of relatively large dimensions when unfolded, but may easily be collapsed and folded into a package of small compass, the parts being rugged in their design and not liable to get out of order.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention as now known to me, it will be understood that various changes'gnay be made in the combination, construction, and arrangement of parts by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by U. S. LettersPatent is: v

1. A sunshade having a plurality of arched bows, all pivotally connected together at their opposite ends, a fabric cover secured to the bows, and an extending means in the form of a semiflexible lateral rib pivotally attached to the two outside bows and bendable into an arc transversely to. the arch of the bows to hold the bows in an extended position.

2. A sunshade as claimed in claim 1, the said extending means being flexible and bendable into 7 a reverse bend for folding the bows together.

covering being foldable with all of the bows contiguous, and the bows being bendable into a smaller arch to form a loop with the ends of thebows forming a loose-knot to form a ring-like parcel of the sunshade.

4. A sunshade having a plurality of arched bows, a pair of hubs forming a pivotal connection for the opposite ends of the bows, a fabric cover secured to the bows, an extending means in the form of a semi-flexible lateral rib pivotal- 1y connected to the two outside bows and bendable into an arc transverse to the arch of. the bows to hold the bows extended, the said extending means, when the shade is extended, engaging substantially the'apex of the arch of the bows, and a diagonal extending means connecting the two outside bows and intersecting the first mentioned extending means when the shade is in the extended position.

5. A sunshade as claimed in claim: .4, the

diagonal extending means being attached to one of the outside bows and having a hook to engage the other outside bow.

6. A sunshade having a plurality of arched bows, a pair of hub structures forming a pivotal connection for the opposite ends of all of the bows, a fabric cover secured to the bows, an extending means pivotally connected to one of the bows and having thrust hooks to engage the two outside bows and hold the sunshade in an extended position with the bows spread apart.

7. A sunshade having a plurality of arched bows, all pivotally connected together at their opposite ends, a fabric cover secured to the bows, an extending means of at least semi-rigid material attached to each bow and engaging the next adjacent bow, the said extending means being adapted to retain any number or all of the bows spaced apart with the fabric cover in its extended position.

8. A sunshade having a plurality of arched bows, all pivotally connected together at their opposite ends, a fabric cover secured to the bows, a resilient extending means attached to each bow and engaging the next adjacent how, the said extending means being adapted to retain any number or all of the bows spaced apart with the fabric extended, each of the extending means being pivotally connected to one bow and having a thrust hool: to engage the next adjacent bow.

9. A sunshade having a plurality of arched bows, all pivotally connected together at their opposite ends, a fabric cover secured to the bows, a resilient extending means attached to each bow and engaging the next adjacent how, the said extending iaeans being adapted to retain any number or all 9f the bows spaced apart with the fabric extended, the extending means between each pair of bows being pivotally connected to a pair of adjacent bows and having a hinge for folding each extending means when collapsing.

the sunshade and folding the fabric.

10. A sunshade comprising in combination, a plurality of arched bows, a fabric cover secured to said bows, a pair of hubs, each hub having a pair of discs spaced apart by rivets, the end of each bow being pivoted on a rivet, a clamping attachment, the hub discs having a perforation, a bolt extending through-the said perforation and secured to a clamping plate, said clamping plate having jaws thereon to engage a stake and a clamping cap mounted on the bolt with fax means to tighten the clamping cap to secure the clamping plate to the hub discs.

11. A sunshade comprising in combination, a plurality of arched bows, a fabric cover secured to said bows, a pair of hubs, each hub having a pair of discs spaced apart by rivets, the end of each bow being pivoted on a rivet, a plurality of arched bows, a fabric secured to said bows, a pair of hubs, each having the ends of the bows pivotally connected thereto, a clamping plate, a centering means between the clamping plate and the hub, jaws on the clamping plate to engage a stake, a clamping cap having a plurality of teeth on its peripheral edges, and means to tighten the clamping cap on the hub and the clamping plate to engage the bows between the various teeth and thereby retain the bows in anextended position.

CHARLES L. JOLLY.

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