SUN SHELTER

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. An adjustable sun shelter for use with a deck chair or sun lounge, comprising: a. a base, b. a shade canopy, and c. a support structure, the support structure extending upwardly from the base and supporting the shade canopy in an operational condition spaced above the base at a height at which in use, the shade canopy overlies a deck chair or sun lounge, in the operational condition, the shade canopy having a leading end and a fixed trailing end and having an extended state and a retracted state, the leading and trailing ends being spaced apart a greater distance in the extended state than in the retracted state, and the shade canopy being adjustable between the respective extended and retracted states to adjust the extent to which shade cast by the shade canopy falls on a deck chair or sun lounge by adjusting the spacing between the leading and trailing ends by movement of the leading end relative to the fixed trailing end.

2.-3. (canceled)

4. A sun shelter according to claim 1, the shade canopy including a shade material which is supported about its edges within a frame.

5.-7. (canceled)

8. A sun shelter according to claim 1, retraction of the canopy from the extended state to the retracted state being by sliding or telescoping movement.

9. A sun shelter according to claim 8, the shade canopy comprising two shade screens, a first of the screens being fixed and a trailing end of the fixed screen forming the fixed trailing end of the shade canopy, and a second of the screens being movable so that movement of the second screen relative to the first screen retracts or extends the shade canopy.

10. A sun shelter according to claim 9, each of two shade screens including shade material and the shade material of the screens being offset so that retraction of the shade canopy from the extended state to the retracted state involves the shade material of one screen overlying the shade material of the other screen.

11.-16. (canceled)

17. A sun shelter according to claim 1, retraction of the canopy from the extended state to the retracted state being by folding movement of a leading section of the shade canopy relative to a trailing section.

18. A sun shelter according to claim 1, retraction of the canopy from the extended state to the retracted state being by roller retraction and the shade canopy including a section of shade material in the shade canopy that is configured to be rolled about the roller, the section of shade material being free of structural support.

19. A sun shelter according to claim 18, the shade material of the shade canopy being supported within a frame except towards the fixed trailing end of the shade canopy, the frame having two or more sliding sections, so that the shade canopy is configured to be retracted and extended by relative movement of the sliding sections and by the shade material rolling onto or off the retraction roller.

20. A sun shelter according to claim 18, the retraction roller forming the fixed trailing end of the shade canopy.

21. A sun shelter according to claim 1, the shade canopy being generally flat or planar, or curved.

22.-25. (canceled)

26. A sun shelter according to claim 1, the support structure supporting the shade canopy in a cantilevered manner.

27. (canceled)

28. A sun shelter according to claim 1, the support structure comprising a pair of arms that extend from the base into connection with the shade canopy and the respective arms of the pair of arms being provided on opposite sides of the sun shelter.

29. A sun shelter according to claim 1, the base having a length that is greater than its width and the base being arranged to cooperate with a weight to support the sun shelter in a stable.

30.-34. (canceled)

35. A combination sun lounge and adjustable sun shelter, comprising: a. a sun lounge, b. a shade canopy, and c. a support structure, the support structure extending upwardly from the sun lounge and supporting the shade canopy in an operational condition spaced above the sun lounge at a height at which in use, the shade canopy at least partly overlies a reclining surface of the sun lounge, in the operational condition, the shade canopy having a leading end and a fixed trailing end and having an extended state and a retracted state, the leading and trailing ends being spaced apart a greater distance in the extended state than in the retracted state, and the shade canopy being adjustable between the respective extended and retracted states to adjust the extent to which shade cast by the shade canopy falls on the sun lounge by adjusting the spacing between the leading and trailing ends by movement of the leading end relative to the fixed trailing end.

36. (canceled)

37. A combination according to claim 35, the sun lounge having a pair of spaced apart side frame members and the reclining surface being between the frame members, and the shade canopy having a pair of spaced apart side frame members and a shade material bridging between the frame members, the support structure comprising a pair of support posts one each of which is connected to a respective side frame member of the sun lounge and each of which extends to a respective side frame member of the shade canopy to space the shade canopy above the sun lounge.

38. A combination according to claim 37, the support posts being pivotably connected to the side frame members of the sun lounge and the shade canopy, so that rotation of the support posts about the pivot connection with the side frame members of the sun lounge shifts the shade canopy relative to the sun lounge.

39.-42. (canceled)

43. A combination according to claim 37, the support structure further including a pair of rear support posts extending from opposite sides of the shade canopy at or adjacent the trailing end of the shade canopy and extending into engagement with the sun lounge, the rear support posts being adjustably connectable to the sun lounge.

44. A combination according to claim 43, the rear support posts being telescopically received in guide sleeves and the position of the rear support posts within the sleeves being adjustable.

45. A combination according to claim 37, the shade canopy being formed with removable shade material and the support posts and the side frame members being collapsible into storage areas formed adjacent to or in the side frame members of the sun lounge.

46. A combination according to claim 45, the storage areas being open channels into which the support posts and side frame members of the shade canopy are configured to be rotated.

47.-59. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0135] In order that the invention may be more fully understood, some embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures in which:

[0136] FIG. 1 illustrates one form of a free-standing personal sun shelter according to the embodiment of the present invention with the shade canopy of the sun shelter in an extended state, whereby sheets of shade material are releasably attached to one or more extendable members.

[0137] FIG. 2 is a side view of the sun shelter of FIG. 1.

[0138] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sun shelter of FIG. 1 in a retracted state.

[0139] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sun shelter of FIG. 1 in a collapsed state but with the shade material of the shade canopy removed for clarity.

[0140] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative form of a free-standing personal sun shelter according to the embodiment with the shade canopy of the sun shelter in an extended state, whereby the leading end of a roll of shade material is releasably attached to the front end of the extendable member.

[0141] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the sun shelter of FIG. 5 in a retracted state.

[0142] FIG. 7 shows the base of the sun shelter of FIG. 5 with a weight applied to the base.

[0143] FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative form of a free-standing personal sun shelter according to the embodiment with the shade canopy of the sun shelter in an extended state, whereby a screen or panel of shade material enclosed within a rigid frame is co-operatively engaged along the length of respective extendable members by way of a receiving guide, channel, rail or track.

[0144] FIG. 9 illustrates the sun shelter of FIG. 1 with side shade sheets applied to one side of the sun shelter.

[0145] FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative form of a free-standing personal sun shelter according to the embodiment with the shade canopy of the sun shelter in a partially retracted state, whereby sheets of shade material are releasably attached to one or more extendable side frame members.

[0146] FIG. 11 illustrates a combination sun lounge and adjustable sun shelter according to the embodiment with the shade canopy of the sun shelter in a partially retracted state.

[0147] FIG. 12 is a side view of the combination sun lounge and adjustable sun shelter of FIG. 11.

[0148] FIG. 12a shows the collapsing sequence of the support structure of FIG. 12.

[0149] FIG. 13 shows a combination sun lounge and adjustable sun shelter according to the embodiment with the shade canopy of the sun shelter in a partially retracted state, whereby sheets of shade material are releasably attached to one or more extendable side frame members.

[0150] FIG. 14 illustrates the combination sun lounge and adjustable sun shelter of FIG. 13 in a partially retracted condition.

[0151] FIGS. 15 and 16 show a support structure for use with the combination sun lounge and adjustable sun shelter of FIGS. 11 to 14, whereby in FIG. 15, sheets of shade material are releasably attached to one or more telescopically extendable side frame members.

[0152] FIG. 17 shows the arrangement of FIGS. 15 and 16 as employed in a full combination of sun lounge 180 and shade canopy 181.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0153] FIG. 1 illustrates one form of personal sun shelter 10 according to the embodiment. The sun shelter 10 is shown in place relative to a sun lounge 11 that is shown in broken line. The sun lounge 11 takes a standard form in which it includes a flat bed section 12 and an inclined head section 13. Legs 14 elevate the sun lounge 11 above the ground. The upper surface 15 of the bed section 12 and the head section 13 is a reclining surface for a person to sit or recline on.

[0154] The sun shelter 10 is customised for use with the single sun lounge 11. The shelter 10 is therefore constructed for the provision of shade substantially just to the sun lounge 11 and as will become apparent from the discussion that follows, more accurately cast or projected shade can be provided by sun shelters according to the embodiment as compared to the traditional form of umbrellas discussed above.

[0155] The sun shelter 10 includes a base 18, a shade canopy 20 and a support structure 22. The base 18 is formed to have a rectangular back end 24 and a central spine 25. The corners of the rectangular back end 24 can be permanently connected, or alternatively, the corners can be disconnectable so that the components of the base 18 can be disassembled.

[0156] The shade canopy 20 has a leading end 30 and a fixed trailing end 31 (see FIG. 2). In FIG. 1, the shade canopy 20 is shown in an extended state, in which the leading end 30 is spaced at a maximum distance from the trailing end 31. The shade canopy 20 casts maximum shade in this extended state.

[0157] The shade canopy 20 includes two curved sheets or sections of shade material 32, 33 that are generally parallel but slightly offset vertically so that in a retracted state of the shade canopy 20, the section 33 overlies the section 32. The shade sections 32 and 33 could alternatively be flat sections and still overlap in the same manner. The shade sections 32 and 33 are each supported within a respective frame 34 and 35 which are telescopically connected. Thus, the side frame members 36 of the frame 34 are telescopically received within the side frame members 37 of the frame 35 to form extendable members on either side of the shade material 32, 33. It is to be noted that the frames 34 and 35 are U-shaped, so that the trailing edge of the material section 32 and the leading edge of the material section 33 are able to closely overlap in the extended state of the shade canopy 20 as illustrated, without the interposition of frame components between them.

[0158] It will be readily understood that by pushing the leading end 30 in the direction arrow A, the side frame members 36 of the frame 34 will be telescopically received within the side frame members 37 of the frame 35, so that the spacing between the leading end 30 and the trailing end 31 reduces. The effect is that the shade producing area of the shade canopy 20 also reduces. Thus, the shade that is cast on or applied to the sun lounge 11 can be reduced.

[0159] The extent to which the side frame members 36 are telescopically received within the side frame members 37 is at the discretion of a person using the sun lounge 11. The leading end 30 can be pushed inwardly to bring the shade canopy 20 to a fully retracted state or to a position short of that state. In some forms of the embodiment of the invention, in the fully extended state, the shade canopy has a length of about 2 m from the leading end 30 to the trailing end 31, and the leading end 30 can be pushed inwardly a distance of approximately 0.75 m, but it is at the discretion of the person using the sun lounge 11 as to whether they retract the shade canopy 20 fully that distance, or whether they retract a lesser distance. The telescopic connection between the respective side frame members 36 and 37 can have a frictional component, so that the frame 34 will retain the retracted position once retracting pressure applied to the leading end 30 is removed. Types of telescopic connections have been described earlier herein and those forms of connections can be applied to the telescopic connection between the side frame members 36 and 37.

[0160] FIG. 2 is a side view of the FIG. 1 arrangement with the sun lounge 11 shown in broken line, and shows the distance D that the frame 34 can be shifted inwardly into the frame 35 for retracting the shade canopy 20. FIG. 2 also shows an optional bracing member 38 that can be applied to bridge between the back end 24 of the base 18 and the support structure 22 to stiffen the support structure 22.

[0161] FIG. 3 shows the same side view as FIG. 2, but with the frame 34 partially retracted into the frame 35. The retraction is about two thirds of the full distance D.

[0162] FIG. 2 clearly shows that in the extended state of the shade canopy 20, the leading end 30 extends slightly beyond the feet end 39 of the bed section 12, while the trailing end 31 extends beyond the free edge 39 of the head section 13.

[0163] Moreover, it will be readily apparent from the dimensions of FIGS. 1 to 3, that the spacing of the shade canopy 20 from the reclining surface 15 is much closer than in traditional umbrellas, which typically place the canopy at well over a 2 m spacing from the reclining surface 15. In contrast, the spacing between the reclining surface 15 and the shade canopy 20 in the sun shelter 10 is more likely to be in the region of 1 m.

[0164] FIGS. 1 to 3 also illustrate the support structure 22 which extends upwardly from the base 18 to support the shade canopy 20 in the operational condition overlying the reclining surface 15 of the sun lounge 11. The support structure 22 supports the shade canopy 20 in a cantilevered manner. As shown in the figures, the support structure 22 extends at the region of the bed section 12 which is adjacent the head section 13. Thus, as clearly shown in FIG. 2, the remaining area of the bed section 12 is free of the supporting structure 22 so that a person using the sun lounge 11 is freely able to access the sun lounge 11. Moreover, the position of the support structure 22 allows a table or the like to be positioned to the side of the bed section 12 without being impeded by the support structure 22.

[0165] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the support structure 22 comprises arms or posts 45 that connect at a lower end to the base 18 and at an upper end to the fixed trailing end 31 of the canopy 20. The support structure 22, comprising only the arms 45, can be built or constructed in a manner that is sufficiently robust to support the canopy 20. However, the bracing member 38 can be added if further support is required. Further bracing members can be applied if required, such as between the arms 45 and the side frame members 37 of the frame 35.

[0166] A unique advantage of the embodiment is the ability to provide cantilevered support to the sun canopy 20 so as to provide the access advantages discussed above and to provide full length shade coverage of the sun lounge 11. To facilitate this and to prevent tipping of the sun shelter 10, the base 18 extends through the spine 25 for a substantial portion of the length of the canopy 20 in the extended state so as to provide an upwards resistant force to any downward pressure inadvertently applied to the front end of the shade canopy. This is evident from FIG. 2, in which the base 18 extends to a position to underlie the frame 34 of the shade canopy 20. While the extent to which the spine 25 needs to underlie the shade canopy 20 will vary depending on other parameters such as the weight of the base 18, a combination of size or foot print and weight can determine the forward extent to which the spine 25 needs to extend to provide stable support of the sun shelter 10.

[0167] It is also apparent from the figures, that the base 18 fits closely to the side edges of the sun lounge 11 so that the projection of the base 18 beyond the sides of the sun lounge 11 is minor and somewhat dependant on connecting with the support structure 22. The base 18 does not extend beyond the foot end 38 of the sun lounge 11, but rather, extends beneath the bed section 12 of the sun lounge 11. This of course is dependent on the position of the sun lounge 11 relative to the base 18.

[0168] The sun shelter 10 is intended to collapse, principally for storage. Thus the connections between the arms 45 and the side frame members 37 and the back end 24, are rotatable connections comprising ratchet arrangements or releasably engaged rotating joints, such as a Hirth indexing mechanism or ‘dog clutch’ with cam release. These connections can be sufficiently robust to maintain the arms 45 in the position shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 (with the bracing member 38 added if required). The connections are thus of the kind in which the arms 45 can be rotated relative to the back end 24 to an upright position which can be maintained and the frames 35 can be rotated relative to the arms 45 to a relatively horizontal position which can be maintained, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. With respect to FIGS. 3 and 4, to achieve the collapsed condition shown in FIG. 4, the frame 34 is telescopically retracted into the frame 35, and the arms 45 and the frames 35 are rotated relative to each other and to the back end 24, In FIG. 4, the shade material of the canopy 20 has been releasably detached for clarity, but the side frame members 36 are shown fully telescopically received within the side frame members 37.

[0169] As will be apparent from FIG. 4, the sun shelter 10 can collapse significantly into a relatively flat form for storage when not required. Given the flat collapsed form, multiple sun shelters can be stacked beside each other or on top of each other.

[0170] FIGS. 5 and 6 show an alternative sun shelter 50 which includes a shade canopy 51 that includes a retraction roller 52. The shade canopy 51 further includes a leading end 53 and a fixed trailing end which comprises the retraction roller 52. Shade material 54 is secured at one end to the leading end 53 and at the other end the shade material 54 wraps about the retraction roller 52. The shade canopy 51 includes a leading frame 55 which includes extendable side frame members 56 and end frame member 57, to which the shade material 54 is secured. The extendable side frame members 56 are telescopically received within side frame members 58 of a trailing frame 59 and the shade material 54 is not secured to the side frame members 56 or 58.

[0171] A support structure 60, comprising upstanding arms or posts 61 and bracing members 62 and 63 supports the shade canopy 51, while the ends of the upstanding arms 61 remote from the base 64 supports the retraction roller 52.

[0172] The sun shelter 50 includes a base 64 that comprises a central spine 65 and a pair of cross-members 66. Lower or bottom ends of the upstanding arms 61 and the bracing members 62 connect to the cross-members 66 in any suitable manner.

[0173] FIG. 7 illustrates a form of ballast that can be applied to the base 64 where additional weight is required to stabilise the sun shelter 50. In FIG. 7, a weight vessel 67 is configured to be placed over and nest with the base 64. The weight vessel 67 can be hollow for receiving liquid, such as water and the vessel can include a port through which water can be introduced and emptied. Alternatively, the weight vessel 105 can be solid, such as of concrete.

[0174] In use, the retraction roller 52 can be activated to retract the shade material 54 and by movement of the shade material 54 in the direction of arrow A, the extendable side frame members 56 of the leading frame 55 retract telescopically into the side frame members 58 of the trailing frame 59 as the shade material 54 wraps about the roller 52 as shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, the leading frame 55 has retracted fully telescopically into the trailing frame 59, so that FIG. 6 illustrates the fully retracted condition of the sun shelter 50.

[0175] Conversely, extension of the leading frame 55 telescopically out of the trailing frame 59 extends the shade material 54 back to the position shown in FIG. 5.

[0176] As described earlier herein, the retraction roller 52 can be spring biased or motor driven, or a manual handle could be provided for its rotation. A ratchet arrangement or a releasably engaged rotating joint within the retraction roller 52 could be provided to enable the leading frame 55 to be retracted to positions intermediate the fully retracted position, which is the position at which the end frame member 57 engages the openings of the side frame members 58.

[0177] With reference to FIG. 5, this shows that the shade material 54 is free of structural support along the side edges.

[0178] FIGS. 5 and 6 also show slidable and pivotable connections 70 between the side frame members 58 and the upstanding arms 61 and further slidable and pivotable connections 71 between the side frame members 58 and the bracing members 63. These slidable and pivotable connections 70 and 71 facilitate the movement shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 that allows the leading end 53 to move relative to the fixed trailing end 52. As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the end frame member 57 rises upwardly as the shade material 54 is retracted onto the retraction roller 52.

[0179] FIG. 8 shows an alternative form of sun shelter 80 which is shown in an overlying position relative to the sun lounge 11 of the earlier figures. The sun shelter 80 includes a base 81 which is partly obscured but which includes a central spine 82 and a lateral cross member 83. A support structure 84 comprises a first generally upright post 85 and a second generally angled beam 86. The angled beam 86 comprises first and second portions 87 and 88. The post 85 and the beam 86 are provided on either side of the sun shelter 80.

[0180] The support structure 84 supports a shade canopy 90. The shade canopy 90 comprises shade screens or panels 91 and 92. The shade screen 91 is slidably supported in the first portion 87 and the shade screen 92 is slidably supported in the second portion 88.

[0181] The lower end of the post 85 connects to the lateral cross member 83 and that connection can be a disconnectable connection for dismantling purposes.

[0182] The shade screen 91 of the shade canopy 90 is fixed to the first portion 87 so that it has a fixed trailing end 93. The shade screen 92 is slidably received within tracks or grooves 94 of the second portion 88 so that the leading end 95 of the shade screen 92 can slide relative to the fixed trailing end 93 of the shade screen 91. The shade screen 92 can be frictionally received within the tracks or grooves 94 so as to maintain the selected position of the screen 92 within the tracks or grooves 94, or pin openings can be employed in the second portion 88 and the frame of the screen 92 for receipt of a locating pin. Other arrangements can be employed.

[0183] The trailing end 96 of the shade screen 92 can overlap with the leading end (which is obscured) of the shade screen 91 in the extended state of the shade canopy 90 so as to prevent or minimise passage of sunlight between the respective screens 91 and 92. Similar to the other sun shelters described herein, the leading end 95 of the shade screen 92 can be retracted to adjust the extent to which the sun shelter 80 shades the sun lounge 11.

[0184] The shade screen 91 can be movable within the first portion 87 for collapsing purposes. Thus, it can be arranged to shift forward within the first portion 87 for the purposes of collapsing the sun shelter 80 for storage.

[0185] The respective screens 91 and 92 are shown at an angle to each other. This is not essential and in alternative arrangements, the screens 91 and 92 can be parallel for example, so that retraction of the screen 92 causes it to partially or fully overlie the screen 91.

[0186] FIG. 9 illustrates the sun lounge 10 of FIGS. 1 to 4, but includes additional detachable side shade sheets 100 and 101. These shade sheets 100 and 101 can provide protection from both direct and reflected sun light that would otherwise enter the space below the shade canopy 20 laterally.

[0187] The shade sheet 100 connects to the side frame member 37 of the frame 35 at a top end and extends downwardly from the shade canopy 20 and into connection with the rotating joint 102 of the base 18. The connection with the shade canopy 20 can be a removable or releasable connection, so that the shade sheet 100 can be connected or added to the sun shelter 20 only when required and the shade sheet 100 can be connected to either side of the sun shelter 20 depending on the direction of incoming sunlight. The connection with the shade canopy 20 and the form of the shade sheet 100 can also allow the shade sheet 100 to extend and retract sideways in a concertina form. As illustrated, the shade sheet 100 can be arranged to open and close like a hand fan, so as to have an apex at the rotating joint 102 and to have a concertina, generally triangular configuration when open.

[0188] The shade sheet 101 is fitted in the opposite direction to the shade sheet 100, so that the apex is at the side frame member 37 and the shade sheet 101 can fan out in a concertina form, with one end of the triangular form being attached to the rotating joint 102.

[0189] The shade sheets 100 and 101 can be provided on each side of the sun shelter 10, or they can be disconnectable so that they can be interchanged from one side of the sun shelter 10 to the other.

[0190] FIG. 10 is a further embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 illustrates a sun shelter 110 that employs a different form of shade canopy 111. The sun shelter 110 employs a base 112 and a support structure 113 comprising a main upright 114 and bracing members 115 and 116.

[0191] The shade canopy 111 is formed of two shade sheets 120 and 121 that are suspended between side frame members 124 and 126, and end members 128 respectively. The shade sheets 120 and 121 are hingedly connected at hinge connection 122. The shade canopy 111 also includes an additional shade screen 123 which is connected to the main upright 114 by its respective side frame members 129.

[0192] Retraction of the shade canopy 111 is by rotating the shade sheet 121 about the hinge connection 122. In the sun shelter 110, the shade sheet 121 can be rotated through approximately 180° from a position in which it is coplanar with the shade screen 120 and in which it thus forms an overall generally flat or planar canopy 111, to a position in which it substantially overlies the shade sheet 120. A ratchet arrangement or a releasably engaged rotating joint can be incorporated in the hinge connection 122 so that the shade sheet 121 can be positioned at an angle to the shade sheet 120, such as shown in FIG. 10, and which the angle of inclination is about 35°.

[0193] The various bases that have been illustrated in the drawings can themselves be telescopic to provide added length. In the base 18, which is shown in several figures, the central spine 25 (see FIG. 1) can be made telescopic so that its length can be adjusted by retraction or extension. This can be useful for collapsing the sun shelter or for increasing the resistance to tipping.

[0194] FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative form of the embodiment in which a combination of a sun lounge 130 and an adjustable sun shelter comprising a shade canopy 131 is provided in a single integrated unit. In FIG. 11 and the figures that follow, the sun lounge forms a base rather than the separate bases that are shown in the arrangements of FIGS. 1 to 10.

[0195] The sun lounge 130 is of a similar kind to the sun lounges illustrated earlier herein, except that the side frame members 132 each include receptacles in the form of elongate open channels or cavities 133 for storage purposes as will be described later herein.

[0196] A support structure for the shade canopy 131 is provided comprising support posts 134 and 136 that extend from the side frame members 132 of the sun lounge 130 to the side frame members 135 of the shade canopy 131. The support posts 136 are optional but are intended to increase overall rigidity. The support posts 134 are pivotably connected to the side frame members 132 and 135 so that rotation of the support posts 134 about the pivot connection with the side frame members 132 of the sun lounge 130 shifts or repositions the shade canopy 131 relative to the sun lounge 130. FIG. 11 shows the shade canopy 131 in an operational condition spaced above the sun lounge 130 at a height at which in use, the shade canopy 131 at least partly overlies the reclining surface of the sun lounge.

[0197] The shade canopy 131 is formed like the shade canopy 111 and has two shade screens 138 and 139 that comprise side frame members 135, respective leading and trailing end cross-members 143 and 144 and shade material 142 extending between the side frame members 135. The side frame members 135 of the shade screens 138 and 139 are hingedly connected at hinge connection 140. The shade canopy 131 is adjustable in the same manner as the shade canopy 111 to adjust the extent to which shade cast by the shade canopy 131 falls on the sun 130. Each of the shade screens 138 and 139 have shade material 142 extending between the side frame members 135 and the shade material 142 can be continuous from the leading end 143 to the trailing end 144, or separate sections of shade material of equal or differing dimensions can be included in the respective shade screens 138 and 139. The shade material 142 can be releasably attached to the side frame members 135 by way of fastening or attachment devices (for example, press studs), provided at specific points around the perimeter of the shade material 142 that connect to co-operating respective fastening or attachment devices located on the respective side members 135. The releasable attachment of the shade material 142 to the side frame members 135 facilitates collapse or retraction of the shade canopy 131 as described later herein. The leading and trailing ends 143 and 144 are cross members that are removably connected to opposite ends of the side frame members 135 and that provide structural rigidity to the shade canopy 131.

[0198] Upper and lower bracing struts 146 hingedly connect between the support posts 134 and the respective side frame members 132 and 135 of the sun lounge 130 and the shade canopy 131 to brace the support posts 134 in position. The connections are adjustable so that the angle of the support posts 134 to vertical can be adjusted as preferred by a user of the sun lounge 130, by tilting the support posts 134 towards the rear or front of the sun lounge 130. This enables in the shade canopy 131 to move relative to the sun lounge 130 horizontally back and forward, to adjust the extent to which shade cast by the shade canopy 131 falls on the sun lounge 130. This arrangement can be complementary to the adjustment provided by rotating the shade screen 139 about the hinge 140, or it can be the sole form of adjustment if the shade canopy is formed of a single shade screen, or roll of shade material, without a hinged portion. The connections can be adjustable in any suitable manner and for example, the bracing struts 146 can be releasably pin connected to the side frame members 132 and 135, with the side frame members 132 and 135 including a plurality of openings to accept a pin that extends through an end of the bracing struts 146. The lower bracing strut 146 that connects to the side frame member 132 can be shifted or repositioned to either the forward or rear side of the support post 134 depending on the desired angle or tilt of the support post 134 relative to the side frame member 132.

[0199] A benefit of the combination of FIG. 11 is that the shade canopy 131 can be readily detached and removed, or collapsed or retracted and the support structure folded away into the channel 133 so that a person using the sun lounge can have full sun exposure without any visible physical presence of the support structure of the shade canopy 131. Accordingly, the shade canopy 131 can be formed so that the shade material 142 and the cross members 143 and 144 can be removed and optionally stored beneath the sun lounge (see FIG. 12). The lower bracing struts 146 can be folded relative to the support posts 134 to a storage position, while the upper bracing struts 145 can also be folded into a storage position relative to the side frame members 135. The support posts 134 and the side frame members 135 can be rotated into a mutually parallel position and collapsed downwards into the open storage channels 133 for storage, while the support posts 136 can be detached from hinged connection with the side frame member 135 and rotated and collapsed downwards into the open storage channels 133 for storage. Alternatively, the upper and lower bracing struts can be disconnected from the respective support posts 134 and side frame members 135 and also be stored in the open channels 133. The channels 133 can be covered or closed by a lid if provided, to conceal the components stowed within them from view.

[0200] In the combination of FIG. 11, with the shade material 142 and the cross members 143 and 144 removed, and with the side frame members 135 of the shade screen 139 fully folded over the side frame members 135 of the shade screen 138 to shorten the overall length of the side frame members 135, the support posts 134 can pivot about the lower pivot into the open storage channels 133, while remaining pivotally connected to the side frame members 132 and 135. The arrows shown in FIG. 12 show the sequence of retraction and collapse of the side frame members 135 of the shade canopy 131 and support structure with 1) the arrow A.sub.1 showing side frame member 135 of the shade screen 139 being folded backwards over the side frame member 135 of the shade screen 138, 2) the arrow A.sub.2 showing the upper bracing strut 146 being folded upwardly parallel to the side frame member 135 following the pin connection to the support post 134 being released, 3) arrow A.sub.3 showing the lower bracing strut 146 being folded upwardly parallel to the support post 134 following the pin connection to the side frame member 132 being released, the 4) arrow A.sub.4 showing the support post 134 and the corresponding side frame members 135 of the shade screens 138 and 139 being folded downwardly into the open storage channel 133 (which is not visible in the side view of FIGS. 12) and 5) the arrow A.sub.5 showing the support post 136 being folded downwardly in the opposite direction to the support post 134 into the open storage channel 133, following the pin connection to the side frame member 135 being released.

[0201] FIG. 12a shows the collapsing sequence described above in relation to FIG. 12 in more detail, but only in respect of the side frame member 135 and the support post 134 FIG. 12a shows the open storage channel 133 formed in the side frame member 132 of the sun lounge 130, which has a width, depth and length to accommodate the support post 134 and the side frame member 135 of the shade screens 138 and 139 in a folded state. The upper and lower bracing struts 146 have been omitted for clarity. Thus, FIG. 12a shows in side view, the side frame member 135 of the shade screen 139 partially folded backwards over the side frame member 135 of the shade screen 138 according to the arrow A.sub.1 shown in FIG. 12 and the support post 134 and the corresponding side frame members 138 and 139 being folded downwardly according to the arrow A.sub.4 of FIG. 12. Upon further folding or collapsing, each of the support post 134 and the corresponding side frame members 138 and 139 are accommodated within the channel 133.

[0202] The combination comprising an integrated sun lounge and adjustable sun shelter shown FIGS. 11 and 12 provides an alternative to the separate free-standing and adjustable sun shelter of FIGS. 1 to 10 but advantageously, still provides for shade adjustment and similarly practical, facile and convenient operation.

[0203] FIGS. 13 and 14 show a further combination of a sun lounge 150 and an adjustable sun shelter comprising a shade canopy 151 which is provided in a single integrated unit.

[0204] The sun lounge 150 is of a similar kind to the sun lounges illustrated earlier herein, and the side frame members 152 each include receptacles in the form of elongate open channels 153 for storage purposes as will be described later herein.

[0205] A support structure comprising a pair of support posts 154 extend from the side frame members 152 of the sun lounge 150 to the side frame members 155 of the shade canopy 151. The support posts 154 are pivotably connected to the side frame members 152 and 155. The side frame members 155 are articulated members, so that they can be folded for storage purposes as described later herein. Rotation of the support posts 154 about the pivot connection with the side frame members 152 of the sun lounge 150 can shift or reposition the shade canopy 151 backwards or forwards and will lift or lower the shade canopy 151 in that movement. This allows the height of the shade canopy 151 to be adjusted. The shade canopy 151 can remain in a horizontal plane in the backwards or forwards movement. FIG. 14 shows the shade canopy 151 in an operational condition spaced above the sun lounge 150 at a height at which in use, the shade canopy 151 at least partly overlies the reclining surface of the sun lounge.

[0206] The shade canopy 151 is formed like the shade canopy 111 and has three shade screens 156 to 158, with the side frame members 155 of the shade screens 156 and 158 hingedly connected to opposite ends of the shade screen 157. The shade screens 156 to 158 can be locked together longitudinally in the position shown in any suitable manner such as by removable pins to form a rigid horizontal canopy. The shade screens 156 to 158 can also hinge or pivot relative to each other as the side frames 155 thereof are connected to each other by suitable hinges. Each of the shade screens 156 to 158 comprises separate side frame members that make up the full side frame members 155 and each of the shade screens 156 to 158 has a separate sheet of shade material resiliently stretched between the side frame members and removably connected thereto, so that the shade material can be removed when required for storage, such as beneath the sun lounge 150 in the same manner as shown in FIG. 12. The shade material can be releasably attached to the side frame members 155 in the same way as described above including fastening or attachment devices (for example, press studs), provided at specific points around the perimeter of the shade screens156 to 158.

[0207] The shade canopy 151 is adjustable in the same manner as the shade canopy 111 of FIG. 10 to adjust the extent to which shade cast by the shade canopy 151 falls on the sun 150 by rotation of the shade screen 158 upwardly relative to the shade screen 157.

[0208] Further rear support posts 160 are pivotally connected to the rear or trailing end of the side frame members 155 and slidingly engage the side edges of the head section 161 of the sun lounge 150. The sliding engagement between the rear support posts 160 and the head section 161 comprises the head section 161 including guiding sleeves, brackets or tubes 162 into which the support posts 160 extend, for sliding movement upwardly or downwardly so as to raise or lower the height of the shade canopy 151.

[0209] The leading and trailing ends 163 and 164 are cross members that are removably connected to opposite ends of the side frame members 155 and that provide structural rigidity to the shade canopy 151. The cross members163 and 164 are removable for the purpose of collapsing the support structure for storage purposes.

[0210] The rear support posts 160 can be positioned at predetermined points in the sleeves, brackets or tubes 162, such as by pins that extend though the posts 160 and the sleeves 162. In that locked condition, the support posts 154 are also fixed in the selected orientation. Lowering or raising the rear support posts 160 within the sleeves, brackets or tubes 162 can facilitate rotation of the support posts 154 for selecting the desired position of the shade canopy 151.

[0211] Bracing struts similar to those shown in FIG. 12 can be employed with the support posts 154.

[0212] The shade canopy 151 and the structure supporting it can be retracted or disassembled so that a person using the sun lounge 150 can have full sun exposure without any visible presence of the support structure or the shade canopy 151. Accordingly, the shade canopy 151 can be formed so that the shade material of the shade screens 156 to 158 and the cross member 163 can be removed and optionally stored beneath the sun lounge, for example as shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 14 shows the components of the shade canopy 151 and the supporting structure with the shade material of the shade screens 156 to 158 and the cross member 163 removed, so that the side frame member 155 can be folded. The support posts 160 are slidably lowered within the guide sleeves, brackets or tubes 162 and the side frame members 155 are folded to a position behind the head section, where they are unobtrusive and generally out of view. The support posts 154 can be rotated and collapsed downwards into the open channels 133 for storage. The channels 153 can be covered or closed by a lid if provided, to conceal the components stowed within them from view.

[0213] FIGS. 15 and 16 show an alternative support structure that is proposed for combination sun lounges and adjustable sun shelters similar to the type shown in FIGS. 11 to 14. The support structure illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16 is shown associated with an open storage channel 165 that will be formed in side frame members of a sun lounge, such as the side frame members 132 of the sun lounge 130.

[0214] The support structure of FIGS. 15 to 17 comprises a scissor style arrangement comprising a support post 166 that is pivotably anchored at a lower end thereof within the channel 165 and a support post 167 that is pivotably connected to the support post 166 at pivot connection 168. The pivot connection 168 is approximately half way along the length of the respective support posts 166 and 167, although the position of the pivot connection can change as required. The pivot connection 168 is by an axle that separates the support post 166 from the support post 167 so that in a folded or collapsed condition of the support structure, the side frame member 170 (to be hereinafter described) can be positioned between the posts 166 and 167.

[0215] The lower end of the support post 167 can slide within the storage channel 165 towards and away from the anchored lower end of the support post 166 as the support post 166 rotates about the lower anchor.

[0216] The upper end of the support post 167 is pivotably connected at 169 to the side frame member 170 of the shade canopy 171 that the support posts 166 and 167 support, such as by a fixed pin or rivet or the like. The upper end of the support post 166 is pivotably connected to the side frame member 170 by a removable pin connection 169 so that the upper end of the support post 166 can be released from connection with the side frame member 170 to collapse the support structure.

[0217] FIG. 15 shows the support structure fully expanded and with a pin connection made between the upper end of the support post 166 and a pin connector (not shown) at the opening 172 in the side frame member 170 and the opening 173 of the support post 166 (see FIG. 16). For adjustment purposes, the pin connector can be inserted through alternative openings 174 or 175 in the side frame member 170. This will raise or lower the shade canopy 171. Further openings can be provided for further height adjustment.

[0218] With the pin connection made between the upper end of the support post 166 and the opening 172 in the side frame member 170, the support posts 166 and 167 are fixed in the crossed manner shown. While the lower end of the support post 167 need not be fixed in place, the preference is that fixing does occur. Accordingly, the lower end of the support post 167 can be fixed by pin connection, or a ratchet arrangement can be employed. Alternatively, other forms of fixing can be employed.

[0219] The side frame member 170 is a telescopic member comprising a main section 177 and a telescopic front section 178. The telescopic front section 178 can telescope rearwardly into the main section 177 for collapse of the support structure. Also, the telescopic front section 178 can extended or retracted to adjust the forward length of the shade canopy 171 to adjust the shade that is cast on the sun lounge below the shade canopy.

[0220] FIG. 16 shows the support structure of FIG. 15 in a partly collapsed condition. In FIG. 16, the shade material of the shade canopy and any front and rear cross members have been removed and the pin connection with the upper end of the support post 166 and the side frame member 170 has been removed. The telescopic front section 178 has been telescoped rearwardly into the main section 177. The support structure can now be collapsed and as shown in FIG. 16, the support post 166 can be rotated downwardly, which also rotates the support post 167, the lower end of which slides away from the lower end of the support post 166 within the storage channel 165. The side frame member 170 can rotate about the pivot connection with the upper end of the support post 167 downwardly, so that all of the support structure can collapse into the storage channel 165.

[0221] The support structure of FIGS. 15 to 17 can advantageously provide robust and rigid or stiff support for the shade canopy by virtue of the scissor configuration of the support posts 166 and 167. This is particularly the case if the lower end of the support post 167 is fixed in place in the erected condition. Further, expansion and collapse of the support structure is simple.

[0222] The shade canopies of FIGS. 11 to 14 are hingedly connected as shown, but it is to be appreciated sliding mechanisms could also be employed, such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or rails or tracks can be employed, whereby the rail or track can incorporate rollers, as previously described herein.

[0223] Where any or all of the terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprised” or “comprising” are used in this specification (including the claims) they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components, but not precluding the presence of one or more other features, integers, steps or components.

[0224] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiment described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0225] Future patent applications may be filed in Australia or overseas on the basis of or claiming priority from the present application. It is to be understood that the following provisional claims are provided by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of what may be claimed in any such future application. Features may be added to or omitted from the provisional claims at a later date so as to further define or re-define the invention or inventions.