Improved sail-shaped sunshade

The present patent application for industrial invention relates to an improved sail-shaped sunshade, which is especially adapted to be used in strong wind conditions.

The peculiarities and advantages of the present invention will become evident after a short description of the prior art represented by patent IT1344639.

First of all, it must be noted that the sunshade claimed in the aforementioned patent was expressly devised to resist strong winds.

It was clear that a sunshade with traditional structure had a very few possibilities of withstanding strong winds.

As it is known, the fabric of a traditional sunshade is normally fixed to a series of metal ribs that depart radially from the tip of a central support column.

The ribs are associated with a corresponding series of actuation arms that are actuated by a collar that slides along the support column.

When the collar is in the lowest end point, the metal ribs are forced by the arm to remain in a substantially vertical position all around the support column.

In such a condition the fabric that is fixed to the metal rib is "gathered" around the support column, with a substantially conical profile.

When the collar slides upwards until the upper end point, the ribs open towards the top of the support column, with a sloping profile, such that the fabric opens up completely, assuming a dome-shaped or pyramidal profile.

In both cases, a concavity that is perimetrally closed by the fabric is formed under the sunshade, such that the gusts of strong wind penetrating inside said concavity find no escape way regardless of the wind direction. In such a condition, the wind energetically pushes the fabric of the sunshade from down upwards, in such a manner that the entire sunshade may bend uncontrollably, with the risk of being pulled down.

Based on a similar assumption the holder of the aforementioned Italian patent devised a solution that allowed the sunshade to withstand the action of strong winds, without bending or being pulled down.

For a better understanding of the prior art, reference is made to the attached "Prior Art" drawing, wherein:

- Fig. 3 shows the sunshade claimed in the aforementioned priority IT1344639 in closed position

- Fig. 4 shows the same sunshade in open position before the actuator inverts the curvature of one of the ribs

- Fig. 5 show the same sunshade after the actuator has inverted the curvature of the rib, consequently opening the jib.

As shown in the aforementioned figures, the sunshade claimed in the prior art is provided with an articulated rib (20) subject to the action of an actuator that allows for inverting the curvature of its free end, when the sunshade is brought in open position.

As a matter of fact, while the free ends of all the other ribs (21 ) are faced downwards, the free end of the aforementioned rib (20) is faced upwards in order to impose the same configuration on the piece of fabric (22) fixed on it.

More precisely, the actuator that allows for inverting the curvature of the rib (20) consists in a cable (23), the upper end (23a) of which is fixed above the free end of the rib (20).

The lower end (23b) of the cable (23), which is preferably provided with an eyelet, is disposed along the support column (2) of the sunshade (under the fabric in any case) because of the return action exerted on the cable (23) by a bush mounted on top of the support column (and therefore above the fabric). In such a context the downward traction of the lower end of the cable allows for curving the rib (20) upwards, together with the edge of the fabric (22).

The traction of the cable (23) has an additional consequence, i.e. the vertical opening, above the fabric (22), of a small piece of fabric (24), which substantially consists in a jib disposed in intermediate position between said cable (23) and said upward-bendable rib (20).

The acquisition of the latter position is fundamental for the sunshade of the invention, because the jib (24), which acts as a helm, spontaneously assumes a position parallel to the wind direction and correctly orientates the entire fabric (22), regardless of the wind direction.

In view of the above, the sunshade is subject to two different forces, the first force pushing it towards the ground and the second force pushing it in the direction imposed by the strong wind. These forces impose an inclination and allow the sunshade to find a new balance, avoiding any uncontrollable stress on the fabric.

The additional advantage claimed in the prior art IT1344639 refers to the fact that, while directing an edge of the fabric upwards, the bendable rib creates a permanent ventilation point for the air flowing because of the strong wind inside the dome-shaped or pyramidal concavity formed by the fabric.

In view of the above, the sunshade is not subject to the uncontrolled dangerous oscillation that would be otherwise imposed by the strong wind.

Nevertheless a careful examination of the prior art identified some drawbacks that significantly reduce its functional efficacy.

Firstly, it was noted that in order to invert the position of the upward-bendable rib, the user must exert a strong traction force on the cable that acts as actuator, also in order to overcome the resistance opposed by the edge of fabric associated with the bendable rib.

In fact, the practical experience showed that such a resistance is overcome efficaciously only on condition that the user, while exerting the downward traction of the cable, uses his other hand to push the free end of the bendable rib from down upwards.

Therefore, users with a lower physical strength may find it difficult to cause the desired change in the position of the sunshade.

At the same time, it was noted that the fabric of such a sunshade suffers from the stress that is repeatedly transmitted when changing the position of the bendable rib.

As a matter of fact, the fabric tends to get significantly deformed, forming bumps and wrinkles and loosening uncontrollably, thus impairing the configuration of the aerodynamic profile, as well as its functionality and resistance under the wind thrust.

An additional drawback of the prior art refers to the fact that the bendable rib must have a different, and most of all, sophisticated expensive structure with respect to the other ribs. The structure requires the presence of a hinge (or articulation) point to allow for inverting the curvature of the free end in a non-traumatic way.

In view of the aforementioned assumptions, the idea of the present invention is to eliminate the two drawbacks of the prior art as illustrated above.

More precisely, the sunshade of the invention was devised in order to avoid the effort needed to invert the position of the bendable rib provided in the pre-existing sunshades.

At the same time, according to the sunshade of the invention, when in operating conditions, the jib can be perfectly stretched in vertical position in order to use the wind thrust at best.

In view of the above the jib can orientate the entire sunshade in the desired position parallel to the wind with extreme rapidity and precision.

These purposes have been achieved based on two innovative technical-functional solutions that have been introduced in the sunshade of the invention. The first solution provides for replacing the bendable rib of the prior art with a substantially rigid rib that is originally shaped in such manner to direct its free end permanently upwards.

It can be otherwise said that such an innovative rib is composed of a first portion connected to the support column, which is usually curved downwards, and a second portion with opposite radius of curvature, being considerably bended upwards.

Because of this provision, the user is no longer required to make the tiring operation aimed at inverting the position of the bendable rib of the sunshade and consequently of the edge of the fabric associated with it.

Moreover, the fact that the rib is originally bent upwards ensures that the portion of the fabric - just like the jib - can be perfectly adjusted, right from the installation, to this particular position of the rib.

The second innovative solution of the sunshade according to the invention refers to the provision of a cable adapted to be pulled downwards.

Such a cable, however, no longer controls the inversion of the position of the bendable rib, as in the prior art, but simply generates the vertical opening of a jib comprised between the cable and the upward- curved rib.

In view of the above, the traction to be exerted on the cable is definitely low and can be advantageously exerted by anyone.

Additionally, the new independent actuation of the jib - which no longer occurs together with the actuation of a bendable rib - ensures that the jib can have a perfectly stretched position in order to optimize its aerodynamic performance.

For explanatory reasons the description of the invention continues with reference to the additional attached drawing, which only has an illustrative, not limiting value, wherein:

- Fig. 1 is a top view of the new sunshade of the invention;

- Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same sunshade. With reference to these figures, generally speaking, the sunshade of the invention (1 ) has a substantially traditional configuration.

The sunshade (1 ) is provided with a support column (2), on the top of which ribs (3) are hinged radially to support a piece of fabric (4).

At approximately half of their length the ribs (3) are associated with corresponding arms (not shown in the attached figures) pivoted at the base with a collar (not shown in the attached figures) adapted to slide along the support column (2).

In a traditional logic, the upward and downward sliding of the collar respectively produces the opening or closing of the ribs (3) by means of the arms associated with it.

According to the new sunshade, the ribs (3) are shaped in such a manner to have a sloping (or convex) profile when the sunshade is open, i.e. a position for which the free end of the ribs is faced downwards,

However, as mentioned above, one (3a) of the ribs is shaped in such a manner to have a concave profile in the ending section, when the sunshade is open, i.e. a position for which the free end (3a') is faced upwards, imposing a similar position to the fabric (4) fixed to it.

A substantially triangular jib (5) is radially fixed onto the fabric (4), in correspondence of the upward-curved rib (3a).

The lower longitudinal border of the jib (5) is sewn directly to the fabric (4), whereas the free upper longitudinal border is provided with a groove (5a) wherein an actuation cable (6) is inserted.

Such a cable (6) is provided with a first section (T1 ) with substantially horizontal direction and a second section (T2) with substantially vertical direction; it being provided that the two sections (T1 , T2) are joined by means of a return element (7) substantially situated on top of said support column (2).

In fact, the first section (T1 ) is adapted to operate above the fabric (4) and is inserted in the groove (5a) of the jib (5); it being also provided that the end (6a) is fixed to the free end (3a') of the upward curved rib (3a). The second section (T2) is adapted to slide inside the support column (2); it being also provided that the lower end of the second section (T2), which is suitably provided with an eyelet (6b), comes out of a hole obtained on one side of the support column (2) at a height that can be easily reached by the user's hand.

After illustrating the invention completely, this description continues by illustrating the operating mode of the invention with reference to the aforementioned Figures 1 and 2.

After opening the sunshade a portion of the fabric (4) - the one associated with the upward curved rib (3a) - has a similar upward direction, creating a sort of vent section for the dome-shaped profile defined by the remaining sections of the fabric (4) - the ones associated with the ribs (3) that are normally curved downwards.

It is worthless saying that the provision of the vent section favors the evacuation of the air brought under the fabric (4) by the wind and reduces the risk that the entire sunshade may bend or fall down because of a particularly strong wind.

It must be noted that, after opening the sunshade (1 ), the jib (5) is maintained in non-operating position above the fabric (4), whereas the actuation cable (6) is maintained in a tension-free position, in which the first section (T1 ) substantially rests, together with the entire jib (5), against the fabric (4), whereas the second section (T2) is contained, for most of its length, inside the support column (2), with the end provided with eyelet (6b) protruding from the hole.

In such a context the next operation consists in unfolding the jib (5) upwards, in such manner that the it operates as a helm in order to favor the spontaneous orientation of the sunshade (1 ) according to the wind direction, as expressly shown in figures 1 and 2.

Of course, the vertical unfolding of the jib (5) can be obtained by means of a simple, easy downward traction exerted in correspondence of the end provided with eyelet (6b) of the second section (T2) of the cable (6). In fact, because of the downward traction of the cable (6), the first section (T1 ) is stretched between the end (3a') of the upward curved rib (3a) and the return element (7) and, consequently, the jib (5) is lifted upwards.

The latter effect is produced because the first section (T1 ) of the cable (6) is inserted into the groove (5a) provided in the upper border of the jib (5).

Obviously, the need to unfold the jib (5) is especially felt in presence of strong winds.

However, it is recommended that the user of the sunshade of the invention (1 ) always unfolds the jib (5) vertically, also in case of weak winds or in lack of wind.

In fact, the decision to constantly keep the jib (5) in operating position is an efficacious precaution if the winds get suddenly stronger, with gusts that may put the position and integrity of the sunshade (1 ) in danger.

Moreover, it must be noted that the support column (2) is provided with fixing means (not shown in the enclosed figures) on which the eyelet (6b) is fixed when the cable (6) is pulled; it is worthless saying that such a fixing prevents the cable (6) from be accidentally loosened, making the jib (5) loose tension.

According to a preferred embodiment the fixing means may be provided in the sliding collar that enables the opening and the closing of the ribs (3) and may consist in a special seat adapted to house the eyelet (6b) of the cable (6) exactly and firmly.

It is understood that the jib (5) spontaneously returns to its non- operating position when the sunshade (1 ) of the invention is closed.

As a matter of fact, the simple closing of the ribs (3) and most of all the closing of the upward curved rib (3a) will spontaneously generate an upward traction of the second section (T2) of the cable (6) and, consequently, a loss of tension of the first section (T1 ) of the cable (6) and a new loosening of the jib (5).