Reversibly attachable shade for mobility aids

Abstract

The invention comprises an overhead shade device adapted to be attached to a mobility aid. The invention has an elongate shaft having an upper end and a lower end. The shaft is attached to the mobility aid at the shaft's lower end in a manner that holds the shaft functionally vertically. A shade is attached to the upper end of the shaft. The shade may be an umbrella-type shade, or a fan, or other functionally horizontal surface that shades the user when deployed. In one embodiment of the invention, the perimeter of the shade when opened includes a base side and an arc of less than 360 degrees, and more preferably, an arc of less than about 200 degrees. The base side does not extend significantly beyond the outer edge of one side of the user and/or mobility aid when said shaft is held in a functionally vertical orientation. The area of the shade may be continuously variable between its limits.

1 . A shading device for shading the user of a mobility aid, said shading device comprising:
 a. a shaft, said shaft having an upper shaft-end and a lower shaft-end;   b. a shade;   c. a shade connector means for attaching said shade to said upper shaft-end; and,   d. a shaft attachment means for attaching said lower shaft-end to the mobility aid wherein the shaft is attached in a functionally vertical orientation.   
   
   
       2 . A shading device according to  claim 1  wherein said shade connector means is a rotatable joint having an axis of rotation, and wherein said shade rotates about said axis of rotation between a functionally horizontal orientation when the shade is in a deployed configuration and a functionally vertical orientation when the shade is in a non-deployed configuration. 
   
   
       3 . A shading device according to  claim 2  wherein said rotatable joint comprises a locking means for holding said shade in the deployed configuration. 
   
   
       4 . A shading device according to  claim 3  wherein said locking means comprises an adjustable friction member. 
   
   
       5 . A shading device according to  claim 3  wherein said shade comprises a support block and an end-piece, and wherein said locking means comprises a pin that is inserted into aligned holes in said support bock and said end-piece when the shade is in the proper position. 
   
   
       6 . A shading device according to  claim 3  wherein said locking means comprises a toothed rachet and a pawl. 
   
   
       7 . A shading device according to  claim 1  wherein said shaft attachment means comprises:
 a. at least one pair of interdigitating frictional collars, wherein one collar of said pair frictionally engages said shaft, and the other collar of said pair frictionally engages the mobility aid; and,   b. a means of increasing the friction between said frictional collars and their respective shaft or mobility aid.   
   
   
       8 . A shading device according to  claim 1  wherein said shaft attachment means comprises:
 a. an upper frictional collar engaging the mobility aid;   b. a lower frictional collar engaging the mobility aid, wherein at least one of said upper frictional collar and said lower frictional collar is hinged;   c. an upper tab held frictionally by said upper frictional collar, said upper tab comprising a hinged dog formed to accommodate said shaft wherein said shaft is immobilized against said lower tab by said hinged dog when said hinged dog is tightened against said shaft;   d. an adapter having an upper end and a lower end;   e. means for connecting said upper end of said adapter to said shaft lower end;   f. a lower tab held frictionally by said lower frictional collar; and,   g. a means of attaching said adapter lower-end to said lower tab.   
   
   
       9 . A shading device according to  claim 1  wherein the length of said shaft is adjustable. 
   
   
       10 . A shading device according to  claim 1  wherein the shaft is telescoping. 
   
   
       11 . A shading device according to  claim 10  further comprising a frictional annulus on said shaft for fixing the length of said shaft at a desired length. 
   
   
       12 . A shading device according to  claim 1  wherein the surface area of said shade in the deployed configuration is continuously adjustable. 
   
   
       13 . A shading device according to  claim 1  wherein said shade is a fan-type shade. 
   
   
       14 . A shading device according to  claim 1  wherein the perimeter of said shade has the form of an irregular polygon. 
   
   
       15 . A shading device according to  claim 1  wherein the perimeter of said shade includes a base side. 
   
   
       16 . A shading device according to  claim 15  wherein when said base side is positioned over the outer edge of one side of the user and mobility aid when the shaft is held in a functionally vertical orientation, no more than about 30% of the surface area of the shade extends beyond the left or right outer edges of the user and mobility aid. 
   
   
       17 . A shading device according to  claim 15  wherein when said base side is positioned over the outer edge of one side of the user and mobility aid when the shaft is held in a functionally vertical orientation, no more than about 10% of the surface area of the shade extends beyond the left or right outer edges of the user and mobility aid. 
   
   
       18 . A shading device according to  claim 1  further comprising a reversible articulation between said connector means and said shaft, wherein said shade and said connector means are reversibly removable from said shaft. 
   
   
       19 . A shading device for shading a user, said shading device comprising
 a. a shaft; and,   b. a shade, wherein the perimeter of said shade includes a base side wherein when the base side is positioned over the outer edge of one side of the user when the shaft is held in a functionally vertical orientation, not more than about 30% of the surface area of the shade extends beyond the outer edge of the right or left side of the user.