Modular Outdoor Umbrella Systems

Abstract

Techniques are disclosed for modular outdoor umbrella systems comprising an umbrella frame, a substantially transparent canopy and a substantially opaque canopy. Initially, the substantially transparent canopy is removably installed on the umbrella frame by a user. This first canopy provides warmth and visibility during the colder seasons while providing protection from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. During the warmer seasons, the user interchanges the canopy with a substantially opaque canopy. This second canopy provides shade and cooling effect. The decision to interchange is based on a number of factors. These include performance attributes of the canopies, the prevailing environmental conditions and personal preference(s) of the user. In embodiments, a multiplicity of canopies are provided that can be modularly and removably installed by the user as needed based on the above factors. In other variations, a heatshield cover is provided that can be removably deployed over an underlying transparent canopy based on the above factors.

1 . A method of providing a modular umbrella system, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing an umbrella frame;   (b) providing a first umbrella canopy with a first set of performance attributes including a visible light transmission (VLT) of greater than 15%, an infrared light transmission (IRT) of greater than 20%, and a haze value of less than 10%;   (c) providing a second umbrella canopy with a second set of performance attributes including a VLT of less than 15% and an IRT of less than 20%; and   (d) removably installing by a user on said umbrella frame, one of said first umbrella canopy and said second umbrella canopy based on said first set of performance attributes and said second set of performance attributes, environmental conditions where said modular umbrella system is located, and in accordance with one or more personal preferences of said user.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , keeping at least one of said first umbrella canopy and said second umbrella canopy removably installed on said umbrella frame for a minimum of one month. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further providing an infrared-blocking umbrella canopy to be removably installed by said user on said umbrella frame when an ambient temperature of said environmental conditions is below 75° F., and further providing a light-blocking umbrella canopy to be removably installed by said user on said umbrella frame when said ambient temperature is equal to or above 75° F. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first umbrella canopy and said second umbrella canopy changes at least one of said performance attributes in response to one or more of an ultraviolet light, a thermal stimulus and an electrical stimulus. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first umbrella canopy and said second umbrella canopy comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film selected from the group including aliphatic polyether TPU and aliphatic polycaprolactone TPU. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further providing one or more additional umbrella canopies, wherein one of said first umbrella canopy, said second umbrella canopy and said one or more additional umbrella canopies is removably installed on said umbrella frame, and wherein each of said one or more additional umbrella canopies have performance attributes specific to seasonal conditions. 
     
     
         7 . An outdoor umbrella system, comprising:
 (a) an umbrella frame;   (b) a first umbrella canopy with a first set of performance attributes including a visible light transmission (VLT) of greater than 15%, an infrared light transmission (IRT) of greater than 20%, and a haze value of less than 10%; and   (b) a second umbrella canopy with a second set of performance attributes including a VLT of less than 15% and an IRT of less than 20%;   wherein one of said first umbrella canopy and said second umbrella canopy is removably installed on said umbrella frame by a user based on said first set of performance attributes and said second set of performance attributes, atmospheric conditions where said outdoor umbrella system is located, and in accordance with one or more personal preferences of said user.   
     
     
         8 . The outdoor umbrella system of  claim 7 , wherein said first umbrella canopy comprises an optically clear polymer sheet. 
     
     
         9 . The outdoor umbrella system of  claim 7 , wherein said second umbrella canopy comprises a fabric material. 
     
     
         10 . The outdoor system of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of said first umbrella canopy and said second umbrella canopy comprises one or more of a photochromic, a thermochromic and an electrochromic material. 
     
     
         11 . The outdoor umbrella system of  claim 7 , wherein said first umbrella canopy provides ultraviolet (UV) radiation protection and is tinted to a color selected from the group consisting of amber, sepia, blue, green, red, pink, grey, yellow, orange, violet, green and any visually perceptible color. 
     
     
         12 . The outdoor umbrella system of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of said first umbrella canopy and said second umbrella canopy blocks at least 98% of ultraviolet-A (UVA) and at least 98% of ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation. 
     
     
         13 . The outdoor umbrella system of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of said first umbrella canopy and said second umbrella canopy comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film selected from the group including aliphatic polyether TPU and aliphatic polycaprolactone TPU. 
     
     
         14 . The outdoor umbrella system of  claim 13 , wherein said TPU film includes one or more of a hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) and another ultraviolet (UV)-stabilizing additive. 
     
     
         15 . The outdoor umbrella system of  claim 7 , further comprising one or more additional umbrella canopies, wherein one of said first umbrella canopy, said second umbrella canopy and said one or more additional umbrella canopies is removably installed on said umbrella frame, and wherein each of said one or more additional umbrella canopies have performance attributes specific environmental conditions. 
     
     
         16 . The outdoor umbrella system of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of said one or more additional umbrella canopies is fully transparent and is removably installed by said user on said umbrella frame for maximizing warmth while providing ultraviolet (UV) radiation protection. 
     
     
         17 . The outdoor umbrella system of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of said first umbrella canopy and said second umbrella canopy comprises infrared-blocking nanoparticles. 
     
     
         18 . An outdoor umbrella system, comprising:
 (a) an umbrella frame and a flexible translucent canopy, wherein said flexible translucent canopy blocks greater than or equal to 80% of ultraviolet-A (UVA) and greater than or equal to 80% of ultraviolet-B (UVB) portions of sunlight incident on said outdoor umbrella system; and   (b) a flexible heatshield cover removably installed by a user onto said flexible translucent canopy, wherein said flexible heatshield cover one of absorbs and reflects at least 70% of visible and at least 70% of infrared portions of said sunlight.   
     
     
         19 . The outdoor umbrella system of  claim 18 , wherein said flexible heatshield cover is removably installed onto said flexible translucent canopy by said user using one or more attachment mechanisms selected from the group including clips, button snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, zippers, magnets, elastic bands, cord and eyelet systems, tension straps, buckles, clamps, hooks, adhesive strips, pressure-sensitive adhesive pads, channels or tracks, seam integration, snap-on panels, elastic hems, magnetic zippers, rotational fasteners, clip-on rings, sliding tabs, and interlocking sections. 
     
     
         20 . The outdoor umbrella system of  claim 18 , wherein said flexible heatshield cover is removably installed onto said flexible translucent canopy by said user based on respective properties of said flexible translucent canopy and said flexible heatshield cover, atmospheric conditions surrounding said outdoor umbrella system, and one or more personal preferences of said user.