Dual-use portable sunshade apparatus

Abstract

A portable sunshade apparatus is disclosed for use with, for example, a recreational chair. In one embodiment, the sunshade apparatus has two side supports. Each side support has one or more of: an attachment provision, a vertical support leg, one or more radial support arms, a ratchet assembly connecting the radial arms to the vertical support leg, and a horizontally extending arm connected to an end of the radial support arms. A canopy element extends between the horizontally extending arms of each side support. The ratchet assembly and the attachment provision include features that allow the canopy to be adjusted in a variety of directions. In some instances, the canopy element is used for displaying promotional messages.

1 . A portable sunshade apparatus comprising:
 a shade;   a ridged support panel;   an articulating support frame affixed to the ridged support panel and the shade, the articulating support frame including joints and configured to articulate about the joints to position the shade with respect to the ridged support panel; and   at least one securing strap affixed to the ridged support panel and configured to wrap around an external object and brace the ridged support panel up against the external object.   
     
     
         2 . The portable sunshade apparatus of  claim 1 , the shade further comprising:
 a jointed frame covered; and   a flexible opaque sheath, the jointed frame having a substantially rectangular shape and shade joints enabling the jointed frame to fold substantially in half, the flexible opaque sheath enveloping the jointed frame.   
     
     
         3 . The portable sunshade apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the shade includes frills extending outward. 
     
     
         4 . The portable sunshade apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the ridged support panel has a substantially filled-in rectangular shape and provides support for the shade when buried. 
     
     
         5 . The portable sunshade apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the articulating support frame includes a substantially rectangular section and the joints enable the substantially rectangular section to warp substantially into a parallelogram shape. 
     
     
         6 . The portable sunshade apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the articulating support frame, the shade, and the ridged support panel fold together into substantially the same plane. 
     
     
         7 . The portable sunshade apparatus of  claim 1 , the at least one securing strap comprising:
 two Velcro straps affixed to opposing sides of the ridged support panel and configured to secure to one another.   
     
     
         8 . The portable sunshade apparatus of  claim 1 , further including one or more of:
 a sleeve adapted to accommodate a folded sunshade apparatus; or   carry-straps attached to a surface of the portable sunshade apparatus and or/to a surface of the sleeve.   
     
     
         9 . The portable sunshade apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the shade further comprises:
 flexible opaque material configured for receiving markings applied through any of ink, sublimation, paint, or adhesive.   
     
     
         10 . The portable sunshade apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the articulating support frame further comprises:
 a rectangular frame wherein the first length of the rectangular frame spins about a first axis and the second length of the rectangular frame spins about a second axis, the first length additionally affixed to the shade and the second length including two perpendicular poles affixing to the ridged support panel.   
     
     
         11 . The portable sunshade apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the articulating support frame is configured to lock at predetermined articulation configurations. 
     
     
         12 . The portable sunshade apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the articulating support frame is configured to force fit to predetermined articulation configurations. 
     
     
         13 . The portable sunshade apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the articulating support frame further comprises:
 speakers; and   auditory apparatus.   
     
     
         14 . The portable sunshade apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the ridged support panel further comprises:
 A media player pocket.   
     
     
         15 . A portable sunshade apparatus comprising:
 a shade including a jointed frame covered with a flexible opaque sheath, the jointed frame having a substantially rectangular shape and shade joints enabling the jointed frame to fold substantially in half, the flexible opaque sheath enveloping the jointed frame and including frills extending outward from the jointed frame;   a ridged support panel having a substantially filled-in rectangular shape and configured to brace against the frame of a chair and provide supportive resistance against the ground when buried;   an articulating support frame affixed to the ridged support panel and the shade, the articulating support frame including articulation joints and configured to articulate about the articulation joints to position the shade with respect to the ridged support panel, wherein the articulation joints enable the shade to rotate about a first axis and the ridged support panel to rotate about a second axis, and enable the articulating support frame to warp into alternate polygonal shapes; and   at least one Velcro strap affixed to the ridged support panel and configured to wrap around the frame of the chair and brace the ridged support panel up against the frame of the chair.