SHADING ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A shading attachment assembly for attaching to a removable roof platform are described herein. The shading attachment assembly may include a base having a longitudinal member with a first end and a second end opposite of the first end, the longitudinal member further includes an underside to mate with a surface of a removable roof platform, and a rod that extends outward from the first end of the longitudinal member. The assembly may further include an L arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the L-arm rotatably attached to the rod and the second end of the L-arm to receive an end of an umbrella shaft.

Claims

1. A shading attachment assembly to attach to a removable roof platform, comprising: a base having a longitudinal member with a first end and a second end opposite of the first end, the longitudinal member further includes an underside to mate with a surface of a removable roof platform, a rod that extends outward from the first end of the longitudinal member; and an L arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the L-arm rotatably attached to the rod and the second end of the L-arm to receive an end of an umbrella shaft.

2. The shading assembly of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal member having a longitudinal plate with a first end and a second end opposite of the first end of the longitudinal plate, a vertical member extending downward from the first end of the longitudinal plate, and wherein the rod extends outwardly from the vertical member.

3. The shading assembly of claim 2, wherein the vertical ember is a vertical plate that extends downward from the first end of the longitudinal plate.

4. The shading assembly of claim 2, further comprises another vertical member that extends downward from the second end of the longitudinal plate, and another rod extends outwardly from the other vertical member.

5. The shading assembly of claim 4, wherein the other vertical ember is another vertical plate that extends downward from the second end of the longitudinal plate.

6. The shading assembly of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal member is made of a metal.

7. The shading assembly of claim 1, further comprising a screw to insert into to a through hole in the longitudinal member to secure the base to the removable roof platform.

8. The shading assembly of claim 1, wherein the L-arm comprises a first arm member and a second arm member, the first arm member being an elbow arm member and having a first end and a second end opposite of the first end, the second arm member have a first end and a second end opposite of the first end, the first end of the first arm member having an opening for receiving an end of the rod, the second end of the first arm member connected to the first end of the second arm member, and the second end of the second arm member to receive the end of the umbrella shaft.

9. The shading assembly of claim 8, further comprising a locking component to secure the L-arm in a single position relative to the rod.

10. The shading assembly of claim 9, wherein the locking component is a locking screw.

11. The shading assembly of claim 1, further comprising an umbrella with an umbrella shaft, the umbrella shaft having an end to insert into the second end of the L-arm.

12. The shading assembly of claim 1, wherein the base further includes another rod that extends outward from the second end of the longitudinal member, and the shading assembly further includes another L arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the other L-arm rotatably attached to the other rod and the second end of the L-arm to receive an end of another umbrella shaft.

13. A removable roof platform, comprising: a platform base having a bottom to place on a roof, a first top longitudinal surface, a second top longitudinal surface, and a third top longitudinal surface, the first top longitudinal surface, the second top longitudinal surface, and the third top longitudinal surface oriented transversely with respect to each other; a rod extending laterally from the platform base from a side of the base that is orthogonal to the first top longitudinal surface, the second longitudinal surface, and the third top longitudinal surface; and an L-arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the L-arm rotatably attached to the rod and the second end of the L-shape arm to receive an end of an umbrella shaft.

14. The removable roof platform of claim 13, wherein the L-arm comprises a first arm member and a second arm member, the first arm member being an elbow arm member and having a first end and a second end opposite of the first end, the second arm member have a first end and a second end opposite of the first end, the first end of the first arm member having an opening for receiving an end of the rod, the second end of the first arm member connected to the first end of the second arm member, and the second end of the second arm member to receive the end of the umbrella shaft.

15. The removable roof platform of claim 14, further comprising a locking component to secure the L-arm in a single position relative to the rod.

16. The removable roof platform of claim 13, further comprising another rod extending laterally from the platform base from another side of the base that is orthogonal to the first, second, and third top longitudinal surfaces.

17. The removable roof platform of claim 16, further comprising another L-arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the other L-arm rotatably attached to the other rod and the second end of the other L-shape arm to receive an end of another umbrella shaft.

18. The removable roof platform of claim 13, further comprising an umbrella with an umbrella shaft, the umbrella shaft having an end to insert into the second end of the L-arm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example, and not limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which:

[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates an example removable roof platform according to some embodiments.

[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates an example shading apparatus secured to a removable roof platform according to some embodiments.

[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates an example shading attachment assembly according to some embodiments.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded view of the shading attachment assembly of FIG. 3.

[0010] FIG. 5 shows an underside of the longitudinal member illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 according to some embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates an example platform with rods according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a shading attachment assembly is disclosed herein that may be attached to a removable roof platform. As previously noted, removable roof platforms, such as the PITCH HOPPER, offer very little protection from the sun, which can result in diminished work productivity and even health issues. The shading attachment assembly to be described herein may be easily assembled and attached to a removable roof platform and provides shade from the sun even when the sun moves across the sky during a normal day.

[0013] To provide the actual shade from the sun, one or more umbrellas may be attached to the shading attachment assembly as will be further described herein. Because the shading attachment assembly may be constructed from a metal, the shading attachment assembly is very durable providing strong support for the umbrella[s]. The shading attachment assembly may further include locking components to prevent the one or more umbrellas from moving, as well as from being blown away when strong winds are present.

[0014] In various embodiments, the shading attachment assembly may include a base with one or two rods that extend laterally outwardly from the base, and one or two L-arms that are rotatably attached to the one or two rods via first ends of the one or two L-arms that have open ends at the first ends to receive the rods. For these embodiments, second ends of the L-arms that are opposite from the first ends of the L-arms are configured to receive the ends of umbrella shafts. In some embodiments, the base may be bracket base that is configured to be affixed to, for example, a removable roof platform.

[0015] For the embodiments, the shading attachment assembly to be described herein may be quickly and easily disassembled for ease of transportation. Because the shading attachment assembly can be easily disassembled, it may be used on different removable roof platforms. Note that although in the above, the shading attachment assembly is described as being attached to a removable roof platform, in various alternative embodiments, the shading attachment assembly may be used with other types of platforms in other contexts and environments.

[0016] According to other embodiments of the present disclosure, a removable roof platform is disclosed herein that comprises a platform base and at least one shading assembly (e.g., L-arm with an umbrella) for providing shade to a user and that may be directly connected to the removable roof platform with one or more rods (that extends outwardly from the removable roof platform) without being attached to the removable roof platform via a bracket base as was the case above.

[0017] For example, in some embodiments, the removable roof platform includes a platform base with a bottom for placing onto a surface, such as a pitched roof surface, and a first, a second and a third top longitudinal surfaces, the first, the second and the third top longitudinal surfaces oriented transversely with respect to each other. A rod may extend laterally from the platform base from a side of the base that is orthogonal to the first, second, and third top longitudinal surfaces. And an L-arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the L-arm rotatably attached to the at least one rod and the second end of the L-shape arm to receive an end of an umbrella shaft.

[0018] In some embodiments, the removable roof platform further includes a second rod that extend laterally from the platform base from another side of the base that is orthogonal to the first, second, and third top longitudinal surfaces. The removable roof platform may further include a second L-arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second L-arm rotatably attached to the second rod and the second end of the second L-shape arm to receive an end of another umbrella shaft. For these embodiments, because the umbrellas are attached to the rotatable L-arms, the umbrellas may be movable relative to a platform base of the removable roof platform to provide shade to a user even when the sun moves across the sun. Further, the components of the removable roof platform are designed to be easily disassembled for transport. In some embodiments, the umbrellas to be employed may have slits in their canopy to allow strong winds to blow through the canopy on windy days.

[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates an example removable roof platform according to some embodiments. As illustrated, the removable roof platform 2 includes a bottom (not shown) for placement onto a surface or surfaces, such as the surface or surfaces of a pitched roof. On the topside of the removable roof platform 2 are a first top longitudinal surface 4a, a second top longitudinal surface 4b and a third top longitudinal surface.

[0020] In various embodiments, when the removable roof platform 2 is placed on a pitched surface, such as a pitched roof, a user may stand or kneel on the first top longitudinal surface 4a or the third top longitudinal surface 4c (note that the third top longitudinal surface 4c is not clearly visible in FIG. 1). The second top longitudinal surface 4b has a width 7 that is narrower than the widths of the first top longitudinal surface 4a and the third top longitudinal surface 4c. Note that in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 the first top longitudinal surface 4a and the third top longitudinal surface 4c include a plurality gripping features (e.g., the rectangular protrusions) to provide secured footing for users. In FIG. 1, a plurality of screw anchors has been drilled/inserted into the second top longitudinal surface 4b of the removable roof platform 2 to receive screws to secure a shading attachment assembly 20 (see, for example, FIGS. 2, 3, and 4) to the removable roof platform 2 as will be further described herein.

[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a shading apparatus 10 secured to a removable roof platform 2 according to various embodiments. The shading apparatus 10 includes an umbrella 12, which further includes an umbrella shaft 12a and a canopy assembly 12b. The shading apparatus 10 further includes a shading attachment assembly 20, which includes an L-arm 30 and a base 40. In various embodiments, at least portions of the L-arm 30, may be made of a hollow metallic (e.g., iron or steel) tube and may be designed to rotate relative to the base 40. The base 40, in various embodiments, may also be made of a metal and may be mounted to, for example, a surface of the removable roof platform 2, such as the second top longitudinal surface 4b of the removable roof platform 2 of FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the shading attachment assembly 20 including screws 44 for securing the shading attachment assembly 20 to the removable roof platform 2 via through holes 46. FIG. 4, on the other hand, is a partially exploded view of the shading attachment assembly 20 of FIG. 3. In various embodiments, the screws 44 may be screwed into the screw anchors 6 of the removable roof platform 2 to secure the shading attachment assembly 20 to the removable roof platform 2.

[0023] In various embodiments, the shading attachment assembly 20 may comprise of an L-arm 30 and a base 40. The base 40 includes a longitudinal member 50 (see FIG. 4), which may be a bracket, with a first end 52a and a second end 52b opposite of the first end 52a. Extending downward from the first end 52a and the second end 52b are vertical plates 54a and 54b, respectively. The longitudinal member 50 having an underside 48 (see FIG. 5) to mate with a surface (e.g., the second top longitudinal surface 4b) of the removable roof platform 2. The longitudinal member 50, as illustrated in FIG. 4, has a width 49 that is the same or smaller than the width 7 of the mating surface (e.g., the second top longitudinal surface 4b) of the removable roof platform 2. Additionally, rods 42a and 42b extends laterally and outwardly from the vertical plates 54a and 54b, respectively.

[0024] In FIG. 3, the L-arm 30 is rotatably attached to the base 40 via rod 42a. That is, in some embodiments, the end of the L-arm 30 to be connected to the rod 42a may be open/hollow to receive the rod 42a. As noted above, on the opposite side of the base 40 is another rod 42b that extends outwardly from the base for attaching the L-arm 30 to the opposite side of the base 40 for repositioning the L-arm 30, or to rotatably attach an additional L-arm 30 to add another L-arm 30 and another umbrella 12 to provide additional shade.

[0025] The L-arm 30, in various embodiments, may may have a first end 31a and a second end 31b and may comprise of a first arm member 34, which may be an elbow member, and a second arm member 36, which may be an extension member to extend the length of the L-arm 30. The first end 31a of the L-arm 20 may be rotatably attached to rod 42a or 42b of the base 40. The second end 31b is configured to receive an end of the umbrella shaft 12a. That is, in some embodiments, the second end 31b may have an end with an opening to receive the an end of the umbrella shaft 12a.

[0026] The first arm member 34 has a first end and a second end opposite of the first end (in FIGS. 3 and 4 the first end being the end of the first arm member 34 nearest to the base 40). The second arm member 36 also has a first end and a second end opposite of the first end, where the first end of the second arm member 36 is nearest to and mates with the second end of the first arm member 34. That is, the first end of the second arm member 36 may have an opening (e.g., a female connector) for receiving a dowel portion 35 (e.g., a male connector) at the second end of the first arm member 34, where the dowel portion 35 has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the opening of the first end of the second arm member 36. Note that un alternative embodiments, the first end of the second arm member 36 may instead be a male connector, while the second end of the first arm member 34 may be the female connector. Also, note that the naming convention used herein for naming the ends of the first arm member 34 and the second arm member 36 as a first end or a second end is based on which end is nearest to the base 40 (e.g., from right to left in FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0027] In various embodiments, the L-arm 30 may include three locking components 32a, 32b, and 32c, which in this case, are three locking screws, such as eye or wing screws or other types of locking components/mechanisms, to be screwed through nuts 33 (e.g., welded nuts). These locking components 32a, 32b, and 32c may be used to lock into place certain components of the shading attachment assembly 20. For instance, locking component 32a may be used to lock the L-arm 30 into a single position relative to the base 40 so that the L-arm 30 does not rotate around the rod 42a when heavy winds pushes the canopy of the umbrella 12. Locking component 32b may be used to secure the second arm member 36 to the first arm member 34, while locking component 32c may be used to lock the umbrella shaft 12a to the L-arm 30.

[0028] FIG. 5 shows the underside 48 of the longitudinal member 50 of base 40 according to some embodiments. The underside 48 may be designed to mate with a surface of a removable roof platform 2, or any other types of platforms that a user may stand or kneel on.

[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates a platform base 102 with rods 142 according to various embodiments. That is, in some embodiments, rods 142 may be directly incorporated into the platform base 102 such that one or two L-arms 30 may be directly attached to the platform base 102 via the rods 142.

[0030] The platform base 102 includes a bottom (not shown in FIG. 6) and three top longitudinal surfaces (e.g., a first top longitudinal surface 104a, a second top longitudinal surface 104b, and a third top longitudinal surface 104c) that are transversely oriented with respect to each other (only two of them are visible in FIG. 6), the same as the three top longitudinal surfaces 4a, 4b, and 4c of the movable roof platform 2 of FIG. 1. The rods 142 extends laterally from the platform base 102 from the sides 154a and 154b of the platform base 110 that are orthogonal to the first, second, and third top longitudinal surfaces 104a, 104b, and 104c of the platform base 102.

[0031] Although not illustrated in FIG. 6, one or two L-arms 30 may be rotatably attached to one or both of the rods 142. For example, an L-arm 30 to be attached may have a first end and a second end, the first end of the L-arm 30 rotatably attached to a respective rod 142 and the second end of the L-arm 30 may be configured to receive an end of an umbrella shaft 12a. Since the L-arm 30 has previously been described, and for succinctness, no further description of the one or two L-arms 30 that may be rotatably attached to the rods 142 will be discussed herein.

[0032] According to some alternative embodiments, a shading assembly that includes only one of the L-shaped end portions of the longitudinal member 50such as the vertical plate 54a, a small portion of the top flat plate that extends just past the first pair of through holes 46, and the L-arm 30 rotatably attached to the rod 42a as shown in FIG. 3. That is, in this embodiment, a small version of the shading attachment assembly 20 of FIG. 3, is provided where the right side of the base 40 is omitted (e.g., the entire portion to the right of the two left-most through holes 46 are omitted in FIG. 3).

[0033] After reviewing the present disclosure, an individual of ordinary skill in the art will immediately appreciate that some details and features can be added, removed and/or changed without deviating from the spirit of the invention. Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment, an embodiment, additional embodiment(s), various embodiments, or some embodiments, means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment(s) is included in at least one or some embodiment(s), but not necessarily all embodiments, such that the references do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment(s). Furthermore, the particular features, steps, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.