Light reflecting and directing umbrella apparatus and systems and methods utilizing such apparatus capable of shifting its shape for the purpose of manipulating and directing light from a light source in both a symmetrical and asymmetrical manner to illuminate a particular subject in a various manners for stage, studio, motion picture and still photography.

Disclosed is a back-type expanding and opening foldable sunshade apparatus. The back-type expanding and opening foldable sunshade apparatus can be used directly on the back of a person or used together with a backpack by placing in the backpack, can adjust the opening extent and position of the shade in a lockable manner, and the width of the shade is expanded transversely when opening, thereby shading more effectively; and during use, the shade can be quickly opened, and when being not in use, the shade can be easily folded into a small device on the back or concealed in an interlayer of a backpack, thus being convenient and attractive.

A portable shelter includes a frame structure with a plurality of pole structures. In some embodiments, a pole structure includes telescopically movable pole portions and a spring-biasing mechanism configured to bias one pole portion away from the other. In some embodiments, a center hub structure of the portable shelter includes a locking mechanism for engaging one of the pole portions to interfere with telescopic movement of the pole structure. In some embodiments, a pole structure includes a flexible portion attached to a first rigid portion, and a second rigid portion that is movable relative to the first rigid portion. The second rigid portion is pivotable or telescopically movable between a first position in which the second rigid portion overlaps the first rigid portion such that the flexible portion is free to flex, and a second position in which the second rigid portion overlaps and restrains the flexible portion.

A tablet docking station comprising a tablet dock configured for receiving a tablet, an upper post extending from the tablet dock, and an extension arm extending from the upper post. The spray tubing can be mounted to the extension arm. The spray tubing provides a water mist for cooling a user when the spray is activated. The tablet docking station optionally includes a fan assembly including a fan housing. The spray tubing has one or more spray outlets configured to provide a water mist for evaporative cooling of an area near a user. The tablet docking station may provide an electronic control for the fan assembly providing a fan control speed adjustable by a graphical use interface on the tablet.

An adjustable personal sun shelter to overlie a free-standing or integrated sun lounge or deck chair of the kind commonly occupied by a user while sunbathing beside a swimming pool. The adjustable personal sun shelter includes a base and a support structure that suspends a shade canopy in a cantilevered state above an underlying sun lounge at an optimal height to project shade over the sun lounge. The shade canopy is adjustable by a user to vary the amount of sunlight or shade received when occupying the underlying sun lounge. The shade canopy is adjustable by an extendable central member or by two or more parallel extendable side members, to which shade material is fastened. The shade canopy has a moveable leading end and a fixed trailing end. In the operational condition of the sun shelter, the length of the shade canopy can be increased by extending the leading end of the shade canopy relative to the trailing end, or the length can be decreased by retracted the leading end.

A collapsible canopy apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a canopy mounted onto a collapsible frame. The frame includes flexible and resilient spring members that are biased in an upright position. The spring members include arcuate regions that define the arcuate shape of the frame. The spring members are interconnected at flex points that enable the spring members to fold relative to one another by twisting and bending actions. These actions enable a user to collapse the frame into a folded, storable configuration. A harness disposed in an interior of the canopy includes a waistband and shoulder straps for enabling a user to fasten the canopy to his or her torso and suspend the canopy therefrom. The shoulder straps include fasteners configured to removably attach to the interior of the canopy. Slide ribs disposed on an interior of the canopy enable vertical adjustment of the waistband.

A portable shelter includes a frame structure with a plurality of pole structures. In some embodiments, a pole structure includes telescopically movable pole portions and a spring-biasing mechanism configured to bias one pole portion away from the other. In some embodiments, a center hub structure of the portable shelter includes a locking mechanism for engaging one of the pole portions to interfere with telescopic movement of the pole structure. In some embodiments, a pole structure includes a flexible portion attached to a first rigid portion, and a second rigid portion that is movable relative to the first rigid portion. The second rigid portion is pivotable or telescopically movable between a first position in which the second rigid portion overlaps the first rigid portion such that the flexible portion is free to flex, and a second position in which the second rigid portion overlaps and restrains the flexible portion.

A sunshade tent comprises a frame assembly and sheet assemblies. The frame assembly comprises legs, first and second rafters. Each of the legs comprise a first connection mechanism, horizontal connecting members configured to be fixedly attached to a first end of each of the legs, and a mounting base positioned proximal a second end of each of the legs. The first rafters are detachably attached to a corresponding one of the legs via the first connection mechanism at an inclination relative to the horizontal connecting members. At least one of the second rafters is fixedly attached to a corresponding one of the horizontal connecting members via second interlocking elements. Each of the sheet assemblies comprise grooves for detachably attaching to a corresponding one of the second rafters via first interlocking elements.

The present disclosure describes a sun shade and a parking shade for a parking lot that includes a plurality of parking spots and one or more driving lanes. One sun shade includes: a panel that is configured to be inflated with a lifting gas to create a buoyant force and comprises hooks or eyelets for attaching tethers; one or more photochromic surfaces that reversibly darken on exposure to ultraviolet radiation and are arranged on a top surface of the panel, wherein portions of the panel that overlap with the one or more photochromic surfaces are transparent; and one or more photovoltaic units that are arranged on the top surface of the panel.

An aerodynamic umbrella includes a dual durometer skeleton forming an aerodynamic rectangular dome of an apex and a plurality of triangles extending from the apex thereof over a motorcyclist. A front triangle portion thereof is attached to a motorcycle at multiple points on a motorcycle handlebar and front end. A waterproof translucent skin is attached to the skeleton and a portion of the skin attached to the front isosceles triangle and a dome portion over a motorcyclist head is transparent. A remainder of the waterproof translucent skin is highly colored for safety purposes. A rear skirt is attached to the rear triangle on a side opposite the apex. The rear skirt portion is wedged between the motorcyclist and a seat of the motorcycle when sat upon by the motorcyclist to provide an adjustable point of attachment of the umbrella to the motorcycle and to the motorcyclist versus a rear spoiler.