Miniature canopy apparatus for shading head and neck of a sunbather

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for shading a sunbather's head and neck from the sun. The apparatus includes a canopy having a plurality of spaced apart ribs affixed thereto. A first end of each of the ribs is hingedly connected to and radiates from a first hub. There is a plurality of spaced apart braces having a first end hingedly connected to and radiating from a second hub and a second end of each of the braces is hingedly connected to one of the ribs. Further included is a mechanism that is engageable with each of the first and second hubs for extending and retracting the canopy. There is also a base member having at least three legs pivotally connected together. A top portion of the base member is hingedly connected to a second end of at least one of the ribs for supporting the canopy a predetermined height above ground.

1 . An apparatus sized for shading at least one of a sunbather's head and neck from sun, said apparatus comprising:
 (a) a canopy having a plurality of spaced apart ribs affixed thereto for supporting said canopy in an extended open position, a first end of each of said ribs being hingedly connected to and radiating from a first hub;   (b) a plurality of spaced apart braces each having a first end hingedly connected to and radiating from a second hub and a second end of each of said braces being hingedly connected to one of said ribs for supporting said ribs when said canopy is in said extended open position;   (c) a means engageable with each of said first and second hubs for extending and collapsing said canopy; and   (d) a base member having at least three legs pivotally connected together and capable of extending outwardly into an open position and folding inwardly into a closed position, a top portion of said base member being hingedly connected to a second end of at least one of said ribs for supporting said canopy a predetermined height above ground when said canopy is in said extended open position.   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said means includes a drawstring engageable with a first aperture in an end portion of a cylindrical member attached to said second hub, said cylindrical member sized to fit in a second aperture located in said first hub, said drawstring is pulled causing said cylindrical member to raise and enter into said second aperture to a point where said second hub contacts said first hub in turn causing said braces to raise and expand said ribs and canopy into said extended open position until said drawstring is released to allow said braces, ribs and canopy to collapse into a retracted closed position. 
   
   
       3 . An apparatus, according to  claim 2 , wherein said means further includes a latch member attached to one of said legs for engaging and holding said drawstring in a taut position while said canopy is in said extended open position. 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further includes a pillow attachable to a bottom portion of said base member. 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus, according to  claim 4 , wherein said pillow is made from a water resistant material. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus, according to  claim 4 , wherein said apparatus further includes a beach towel attachable to an underside of said pillow. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said canopy is made from a water resistant material. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said base member is made from one of plastic and metal.