Flexible Canopy Shade Cover

Abstract

A flexible canopy shade cover is a portable shade device that can be used in a wide range of functional applications. One version is for frame supported structures and a second version is for surface areas. In each version, a flexible flat fabric panel is designed to optimize shade area and provide maximum sun protection. The flexible flat fabric panel is made of a shade enhanced material that is flexible, light-weight, durable and UV50+ coated. The panel encloses a resilient spring steel frame that provides structural flexibility and support when the par el is in its various configurations. For frame supported structures, the flexible flat fabric panel employs grommets mounted on each side that serves as pivot attachment interface. Spring loaded clips attach the panel to various frame members. The jaws of the clips clamp the grommets, the steel spring frame and the panel ends to a frame member, thereby attaching the flexible flat fabric panel to a frame structure. For surface area applications, the flexible flat fabric panel has weight pockets, liquid weight pockets sewn to the bottom semicircular ends of the panel that serve as the pivot attachment interface. A weight block, external to the flexible fabric flat panel attached to the bottom semicircular ends of the panel will also serve as the pivot attachment interface. A weight material placed in the pockets or the weight blocks provides the weight mass to anchor the panel ends to a surface. A solid weight material of small granules or objects placed in the weight pockets, in weight sleeves inserted in the weight pockets or in weight block containers serve as the attachment means. Fluids poured in liquid bladders that are inserted into the weight pockets or in liquid bladders built in the liquid weight pockets or in a weight block sealed containers serve as attachment means. In both embodiments, when the ends of the flexible flat fabric panel are brought together, the panel pops into a flexible canopy shade cover configuration. If the ends are set on a surface and twisted into a figure eight, the flexible flat fabric panel collapses into a compact circular configuration that is convenient for transport and storage.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flexible canopy shade cover-F used for outdoor frame (F) mounting, comprising:
 flexible light-weight fabric   shade pattern-F   shade cover-F   shade cover panel-F   spring-loaded steel frame   pivot points   grommets   spring-loaded clips   toggle cord   
     
     
         2 . A flexible light-weight fabric that is durable, color fast, shade enhanced and UV50+ coated to serve as a surface cover for flexible canopy shade cover-F  claim 1 . 
     
     
         3 . A shade pattern-F design made by connecting the ends of two extended semicircles each having radius r and extended length l. The width of the said pattern-F is 2 times the radius and the length is equal to the sum of 2 times the radius plus the extended length. 
     
     
         4 . A shade cover-F surface defined by shade pattern-F of  claim 3  using flexible light-weight fabric  claim 2 . The perimeter of said cover-F has a fabric sleeve sewn to it to encase a spring-loaded steel frame. 
     
     
         5 . A spring-loaded steel frame constructed of a heavy gauge rod whose ends are connected by a steel sleeve to provide structural support and flexibility to shade cover-F  claim 4 . Said frame changes shape when a compressing force is applies to each end; it can be folded into stacked concentric circles for storage, lay flat as a frame for positioning, and pop into an arched canopy when its ends are brought together. Fiberglass, nylon, stainless steel, bamboo and various plastic polymer materials can be used as long as they are non-toxic, light-weight, flexible, strong and spring retention characteristics. 
     
     
         6 . A shade cover panel-F comprising a spring loaded steel frame  claim 5  enclosed in fabric sleeve of shade cover-F  claim 4 . Said panel-F assumes various functional shapes  claim 5  for flexible canopy shade cover-F  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . Pivot points are located on opposite ends of shade cover panel-F  claim 6  at positions adjacent to spring loaded steel frame  claim 5  on the perimeter of said panel-F  claim 6 . Said pivot points are aligned to each other at equal angular distances from the semicircle radius point of shade pattern-F  claim 3 . Holes are punched into said shade cover-F  claim 4  to accept grommets. These locations are not fixed and vary depending upon mounting application. 
     
     
         8 . Grommets are attached to shade cover panel-F  claim 6  by aligning the female and male connectors over the pivot point holes  claim 7  and compressing them. The diameter opening of said grommets allow clamping jaws to pass through them thereby attaching said panel-F  claim 6  to a mounting frame. For this embodiment, Size 10 grommets are used. The grommets can be made of steel, brass, rubber or plastic polymer and have varied outline shapes. The pivotal and attachment functions are achieved utilizing the mounting frame as the attachment and pivot points, the grommets as a means to reach the pivot points and spring-loaded clips to make the attachments. 
     
     
         9 . Spring-loaded clips have two clamping jaws whereby one jaw is inserted through the center of grommet  claim 8  and the other jaw passes over the outside edge of frame of flexible shade cover panel-F  claim 6  thereby attaching said grommet  claim 8 , a portion of said panel-F  claim 6  and the enclosed section of spring loaded steel frame  claim 5  of said panel-F  claim 6  to a mounting frame. For this embodiment, said clips having a jaw opening of 4.0 cm and clamping depth of 4 cm. It would be more appropriate that the mounting frame have two rigid/semi-rigid attachment locations that are opposite and horizontal to each other and separated by a distance suitable to mount said panel-F  claim 6 . When said clips are inserted through the grommets  claim 8  and attached to a mounting frame, the ends of said panel-F  claim 6  are brought towards each other and said panel-F  claim 6  pops into an arched canopy. The clamping jaws do not have to close entirely on the mounting frame as long as there is enough pressure to keep said panel-F  claim 6  in place. For small dimension mounting frames, it would benefit if the jaws could attach to a supportive structure beyond the frame contact to be effective. The opening and depth of the clamping jaws should be large enough to attach to different mounting frames. Said clips can be moved to relocate or adjust flexible canopy shade cover-F  claim 1  on mounting frame. Other clips, clamps or straps can be used, but spring loaded clips work well. 
     
     
         10 . A toggle cord attached to top of shade cover panel-F  claim 6  whose length can be adjusted using the toggle clamp thereby putting tension on the rear section of flexible canopy shade cover-F  claim 1  to provide additional structural support and make fine horizontal adjustments. 
     
     
         11 . A flexible canopy shade cover-S used for various outdoor surfaces (S), comprising:
 shade pattern-S   weight pockets   shade cover-S   shade cover panel-S   weights   
     
     
         12 . A shade pattern-S is identical to shade pattern-F  claim 3  except weight pockets are added to each end of said pattern-S. The weight pocket design conforms to the semicircular perimeter ends of said shade pattern-S having a depth extending inward on a line from outside edge of said pattern-S and perpendicular to a line crossing said pattern-S defining the top of said pocket. A weight pocket opening faces the front of said pattern-S and sized to accept weights or weight sleeves. The design of weight pocket is proportional to the size of flexible canopy shade cover-S  claim 11 . 
     
     
         13 . A shade cover-S has a surface area defined by shade pattern-S of  claim 12  that uses special flexible light-weight fabric  claim 2 . The perimeter of said shade cover-S has a fabric sleeve sewn to it that encases a spring-loaded steel frame  claim 5 . 
     
     
         14 . A shade cover panel-S is formed when spring loaded steel frame  claim 5  is enclosed in the fabric sleeve of shade cover-S  claim 13 . Said panel-S assumes various functional shapes for flexible canopy shade cover  claim 11 . 
     
     
         15 . Weight or weight sleeves are inserted into each weight pocket  claim 12  of flexible shade cover panel-S  claim 14  to anchor said panel-S  claim 14  to a surface. Said weight or weighted sleeves are heavy enough to hold said panel-S  claim 14  in place. The weight can be natural material or manmade. When the weighted ends of said panel-S  claim 14  are brought together, said panel-S  claim 14  pops into an arched canopy. To adjust the width, height and location of said flexible canopy shade cover-S  claim 11 , simply move said weight pockets on the surface to get the proper shape. The flexibility, ease of installation and adjustability of flexible canopy shade cover  claim 11  provides improves shade and sun protection.