Shading System And Method Of Use
Patent No. US11255103 (titled "Shading System And Method Of Use") was filed by Truist Bank on Jun 9, 2021.
What is this patent about?
’103 is related to the field of portable shade structures , specifically systems designed for easy transport and setup to provide shade in outdoor environments. The background acknowledges the limitations of existing shading solutions, which often suffer from instability in windy conditions or are too cumbersome for convenient transport and assembly. The patent aims to address these shortcomings by offering a more practical and user-friendly shading system.
The underlying idea behind ’103 is to create a self-supporting shade canopy that can be quickly deployed and is resilient to wind. This is achieved by using a segmented frame that can be easily assembled on-site, combined with a flexible canopy designed to be partially supported by the wind. The system also incorporates an anchoring mechanism to maintain stability.
The claims of ’103 focus on a portable shade system comprising a segmented frame, a canopy, a cord, an anchor, and a container. The frame sections are connected by an aligning component, allowing them to transition between a compact transport configuration and a supporting configuration. The canopy's suspension end attaches to the frame, while the trailing end is designed to be partially supported by wind. The cord and anchor provide additional stability, and the container serves both as a transport case and an anchor.
In practice, the system works by first assembling the frame from its individual sections, using the internal cable or other aligning component to maintain alignment. The canopy is then attached to the frame, allowing its trailing end to billow in the wind, creating a shaded area. The cord and anchor are used to secure the structure, preventing it from being dislodged by strong gusts. The container, when emptied, can be filled with sand or other heavy materials to act as a robust anchor.
The key differentiation from prior art lies in the combination of portability, wind-resistance, and ease of assembly . Unlike rigid canopies that are prone to wind damage, this system utilizes a flexible canopy that works with the wind. The segmented frame and integrated container/anchor further enhance portability and simplify setup, making it a more practical solution for outdoor shading needs compared to traditional, bulky alternatives.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the mid-2010s when ’103 was filed, shade structures at a time when shade structures were typically implemented using multiple support poles and tensioned canopies. When hardware or software constraints made lightweight and easily transportable shade solutions non-trivial, systems commonly relied on fixed or semi-fixed installations rather than easily deployable, portable designs.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner approved the application because the prior art, whether considered individually or in combination, did not disclose a novel shade system. This system uniquely combines a frame made of aligned sections that engage with the ground, a canopy suspended from one end of the frame and lifted by wind force, a cord that can be coupled to an anchor, and a container that serves both as an anchor and a carrying bag for the system's components. While prior art teaches a wind-suspended canopy, it does not teach the anchor/carrying bag combination.
Claims
This patent includes 21 claims, with independent claims numbered 1, 14, 17, and 21. The independent claims generally focus on systems and methods for providing shade using a frame, canopy, cord, and anchor, where the system is transportable in a container. The dependent claims elaborate on specific features, components, and configurations of the system and method described in the independent claims.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
Patent Family
File Wrapper
The dossier documents provide a comprehensive record of the patent's prosecution history - including filings, correspondence, and decisions made by patent offices - and are crucial for understanding the patent's legal journey and any challenges it may have faced during examination.
Date
Description
Get instant alerts for new documents
US11255103
- Application Number
- US17343107
- Filing Date
- Jun 9, 2021
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Aug 12, 2037
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents