Canopy device

Abstract

The present canopy device relates in general to a device that may be used to provide a level of protection from the sun and rain using natural elements such as sand and air. More specifically, the present canopy device utilizes a three part support system including two tethers that may be grounded, for example, with sand from the beach, or stakes, and a rod that may be grounded within said sand. Said tethers and rod may be attached to a cover, said cover fabricated in such a way as to capture flowing air. Unlike with an umbrella, the air may provide a further level of stability to the overall structure of the canopy device. The canopy device is also designed to be easily set up, taken down, and transported.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A canopy device, comprising:
 a cover to provide protection from the sun and rain;   a support structure secured to and extending from said cover;   a first tether, wherein said first tether is attached to a first portion of said cover;   a second tether, wherein said second tether is attached to a second portion of said cover;   a first anchor used to provide grounding support, wherein said first anchor is attached to said first tether; and   a second anchor used to provide grounding support, wherein said second anchor is attached to said second tether.   
     
     
         2 . The canopy device of  claim 1 , wherein said support structure comprises a first rod, whereby the distal end of said first rod is grounded in the earth, and the proximal end of said first rod is perpendicularly connected to a second rod, said second rod being housed in said cover. 
     
     
         3 . The canopy device of  claim 1 , wherein said support structure comprises:
 a first rod, whereby the distal end of said first rod is grounded in the earth;   a T-joint, wherein the proximal end of said first rod is attached to the bottom of said T-joint;   a second rod, which is placed within a first cross portion of said T-joint, said second rod being housed within said cover; and   a third rod, which is placed within a second cross portion of said T-joint, said third rod being housed within said cover.   
     
     
         4 . The canopy device of  claim 3 , wherein said cover is substantially square in shape, said cover having a straight side, and three concavely arced sides. 
     
     
         5 . The canopy device of  claim 4 , wherein said cover further comprises a pocket extending the length of said straight side of said cover, within which said second rod and said third rod of said support structure are housed. 
     
     
         6 . The canopy device of  claim 5 , wherein said pocket further comprises an opening through which said second rod and said third rod are inserted. 
     
     
         7 . The canopy device of  claim 6 , wherein said first rod is comprised of aluminum, said T-joint is comprised of PVC, said second rod is comprised of PVC, and said third rod is comprised of PVC. 
     
     
         8 . The canopy device of  claim 6 , wherein said first rod is comprised of aluminum, said T-joint is comprised of aluminum, said second rod is comprised of aluminum, and said third rod is comprised of aluminum. 
     
     
         9 . The canopy device of  claim 6 , wherein said first tether comprises the same material as said cover, the proximal end of said first tether being attached to said cover in a first corner opposite of said pocket and the distal end of said first tether being attached to said first anchor, and said second tether comprises the same material as said cover, the proximal end of said second tether being attached to said cover in a second corner opposite of said pocket and the distal end of said second tether being attached to said second anchor. 
     
     
         10 . The canopy device of  claim 6 , wherein said first tether comprises a first nylon strap, the proximal end of said first nylon strap being attached to said cover in a first corner opposite of said pocket and the distal end of said first nylon strap being attached to said first anchor, and said second tether comprises a second nylon strap the proximal end of said second nylon strap being attached to said cover in a second corner opposite of said pocket and the distal end of said second nylon strap being attached to said second anchor. 
     
     
         11 . The canopy device of  claim 10 , further comprising a first tether adjustor and a second tether adjustor. 
     
     
         12 . The canopy device of  claim 11 , wherein said first tether adjustor comprises a first plastic nylon buckle, and said second tether adjustor comprises a second plastic nylon buckle. 
     
     
         13 . The canopy device of  claim 12 , wherein said first anchor comprises:
 a first bag, within which a grounding substance is placed; and   a first fastener for securely closing said first bag;   and wherein said second anchor further comprises:
 a second bag, within which said grounding substance is placed; and 
 a second fastener for securely closing said second bag. 
   
     
     
         14 . The canopy device of  claim 13 , further comprising a scoop, which is used to move said grounding substance into said first bag and said second bag. 
     
     
         15 . A method of providing protection from sun and rain using a canopy comprising the steps of:
 placing a first rod and a second rod within a pocket of a cover;   joining said first rod and said second rod with a T-joint, such that said first rod and said second rod form a horizontal line;   attaching a third rod to said T-joint, such that said third rod is substantially perpendicular to said horizontal line formed by said first rod and said second rod;   grounding said third rod in the Earth; and   grounding further said canopy to the Earth by using at least two additional anchors;   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of:
 filling a first bag with a grounding substance, said first bag attached to the distal end of a first tether, the proximal end of said first tether being attached to said cover;   filling a second bag with said grounding substance, said second bag attached to the distal end of a second tether, the proximal end of said second tether being attached to said cover;   sealing said first bag and said second bag with a fastener; and   placing said first bag and said second bag at a distance from said third rod such that a line drawn from the points where each rests forms a triangle and provides adequate grounding support for said canopy.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of:
 grounding said canopy to the Earth using a first stake, said first stake releasably attached to the distal end of a first tether, the proximal end of said first tether being attached to said cover;   grounding said canopy to the Earth using a second stake, said second stake releasably attached to the distal end of a second tether, the proximal end of said second tether being attached to said cover.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of adjusting said first tether and said second tether using a first tether adjustor and a second tether adjustor such that said cover is at a distance from the ground to provide adequate protection from sun and rain. 
     
     
         19 . A canopy device, comprising:
 a cover to provide protection from the sun and rain;   a support structure secured to said cover, having an adjustable rod extending from a first portion of said cover;   a first adjustable tether, wherein said first adjustable tether is attached to a second portion of said cover;   a second adjustable tether, wherein said second adjustable tether is attached to a third portion of said cover;   a first eyelet substantially near the distal end of said first adjustable tether; and   a second eyelet substantially near the distal end of said second adjustable tether.   
     
     
         20 . The canopy device of  claim 19 , further comprising a first stake, releasably attached to said canopy device, that is placed through said first eyelet to secure said canopy device to the ground, and a second stake, releasably attached to said canopy device, that is placed through said second eyelet to secure said canopy device to the ground.