Portable sunshade

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a portable sunshade comprising a mast structure extending in a generally vertically direction, means for attaching the mast structure at its lower end to a support structure, a boom extending outwardly from the mast structure, having first and second ends, the first end being movably attached to the mast structure, a hub assembly attached to the second end of the boom, a plurality of elongated support ribs extending radially from the hub assembly, each of said support ribs, having one end rotatably attached to the hub assembly, a canopy positioned over the elongated support ribs and fastened thereto, the canopy having an opening in it corresponding to a predetermined position along the boom, and a boom support strut pivotably attached at one end to the upper end of the mast structure, and at the other end pivotably secured to boom at a predetermined position along the length of it, the boom support strut extending through the opening in the canopy at the point where it is connected to the boom.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A portable sunshade comprising: 
 a mast structure extending in a generally vertical direction, means for attaching said mast structure at its lower end to a support structure,    a boom extending outwardly from said mast structure, having first and second ends, said first end being movably attached to said mast structure,    a hub assembly attached to said second end of said boom,    a plurality of elongated support ribs extending radially from said hub assembly, each of said support ribs having one end rotatably attached to said hub assembly,    a canopy positioned over said plurality of elongated support ribs and fastened thereto, said canopy having an opening in it corresponding to a predetermined position along said boom, and    a boom support strut pivotably attached at on end to the upper end of said mast structure,    and at the other end pivotably secured to said boom at a predetermined position along the length of it, the boom support strut extending through said opening in said canopy at the point where it is connected to said boom.    
     
     
         2 . The portable sunshade of  claim 1 , wherein said support structure comprises a base consisting of a vertically extending tubular column to which is attached at its lower end a support frame extending horizontally from the point where said column is affixed to it.  
     
     
         3 . The portable sunshade of  claim 2 , wherein said support frame supports the resting of the wheels of a vehicle.  
     
     
         4 . The portable sunshade of  claim 2 , wherein said support frame is stabilized by the edge of a hot tub or Jacuzzi unit resting on it.  
     
     
         5 . The portable sunshade of  claim 1 , wherein the means of pivotably connecting said boom support strut to said mast structure is a collar surrounding the mast structure having extended ears, said boom support strut being interposed between said ears and secured thereto by means of a bolt extending through holes in said ears and through said strut.  
     
     
         6 . The portable sunshade of  claim 1 , wherein said canopy is secured to said support ribs by means of pockets around its periphery on the underside thereof enveloping the outer ends of said support ribs.  
     
     
         7 . The portable sunshade of  claim 1 , wherein said hub comprises a pair of opposing plates, each plate having a plurality of holes therein, rib plugs corresponding to the number of support ribs separating said plates, and bolts extending through said plates and said rib plugs, securing said rib plugs between said plates, and allowing them to rotate about vertical axes.  
     
     
         8 . The portable sunshade of  claim 1 , wherein each of said rib plugs has a projection from a side thereof adapted to serve as means for connecting one of said support ribs to said hub assembly.  
     
     
         9 . The portable sunshade of  claim 1 , wherein said boom is affixed to said mast structure by means allowing said boom to be positioned at any desired location along the length of said mast structure.  
     
     
         10 . The portable sunshade of  claim 1 , wherein said means for attaching said mast structure to said support structure is a clamp which clamps both the support structure and the mast structure to each other in a fixed relationship.  
     
     
         11 . The portable sunshade of  claim 10 , wherein said support structure is an extension attached to the back of a vehicle for attaching items thereto.  
     
     
         12 . The portable sunshade of  claim 11 , wherein said extension has a vertically extending tubular component, and, wherein the mast structure of said sunshade and said tubular component are clamped together in side by side relationship.  
     
     
         13 . A portable sunshade comprising: 
 a base having sufficient stability to maintain said sunshade in a fixed position,    a mast structure positioned on said base extending vertically therefrom,    a boom extending outwardly from said mast structure, having first and second ends, said first end being movably attached to said mast structure,    a hub assembly attached to said second end of said boom,    a plurality of elongated support ribs radially extending from said hub assembly, each of said support ribs having one end rotatably attached to said hub assembly,    a canopy positioned over said plurality of elongated support ribs and fastened thereto, said canopy having an opening in it corresponding to a predetermined position along said boom, and    a boom support strut pivotably attached at on end to the upper end of said mast structure,    and at the other end pivotably secured to said boom at a predetermined position along the length of it, the boom support strut extending through said opening in said cover at the point where it is connected to said boom.