Umbrella with cooling misting screen

Abstract

An umbrella incorporates a misting system to provide a curtain of mist outside a user placement area within a perimeter defined by the umbrella, assuming substantially windless conditions. Misting nozzles project the curtain of mist downward and slightly radially outward relative to a central axis of the umbrella. The curtain of mist reduces heat transfer to the area covered by the umbrella from the ambient environment outside that area, thereby providing a cooling effect without causing persons sitting under the umbrella to become wet. The misting system employs flexible tubing and can be easily and compactly stored, brought out of storage for a social occasion and placed on a patio table, and then removed following the occasion for compact storage.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The disclosure relates generally to umbrellas. More particularly, the disclosure relates to patio umbrellas. BACKGROUND [0002] At outdoor social gatherings in a hot climate, guests often sit under an umbrella for protection from the sun. Despite avoiding direct exposure to the sun, however, such guests can still be subjected to high ambient temperatures. Some conventional umbrellas attempt to address this issue by providing a cooling mist to the guests. For example, some such umbrellas create a mist under the umbrella, which causes persons sitting under the umbrella to become wet. This effect may distract guests at social gatherings from conversation and may make them uncomfortable. Other conventional umbrellas provide a curtain of mist that separates the guests from the hot ambient environment while providing a cooling effect. [0003] While permanent or semi-permanent structures such as large tent canopies can easily be adapted to include plumbing at the perim...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] According to various embodiments, an umbrella incorporates a misting system to provide a curtain of mist substantially outside a user placement area within a perimeter defined by the umbrella, assuming substantially windless conditions. Misting nozzles project the curtain of mist downward and slightly radially outward relative to a central axis of the umbrella. The curtain of mist reduces heat transfer to the area covered by the umbrella from the ambient environment outside that area. In this way, persons sitting under the umbrella can enjoy cooler temperatures when the ambient environment is hot.

[0015] Various implementations may provide certain advantages. Because the misting nozzles project the curtain of mist outward relative to the central axis of the umbrella, the curtain of mist provides a cooling effect without causing persons sitting under the umbrella to become wet. Further, the misting system employs flexible tubing and can be easily and compactly stored, brought out of storage for a social occasion and placed on a patio table, and then removed following the occasion for compact storage.

Problems solved by technology

Despite avoiding direct exposure to the sun, however, such guests can still be subjected to high ambient temperatures.

For example, some such umbrellas create a mist under the umbrella, which causes persons sitting under the umbrella to become wet.

This effect may distract guests at social gatherings from conversation and may make them uncomfortable.

While permanent or semi-permanent structures such as large tent canopies can easily be adapted to include plumbing at the perimeter to create a curtain of mist, it is much more difficult to create such a structure that is easily and compactly stored, brought out of storage for a social occasion and placed on a patio table, and then removed following the occasion for compact storage once again.

Such an umbrella is not normally suited for outdoor social gatherings.

The misting device is fitted with wheels and is transportable, but the bulk of the base makes compact storage difficult, if not impossible.

In addition, the umbrella disclosed in the '866 patent cannot be folded for compact storage.

As a result, the occupant of the chair becomes wet.

Further, although the chair folds up, the umbrella does not, thus precluding compact storage.

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