Curved Weather Shield Frame for Hands-Free Rain and Sun Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing umbrella holders do not provide complete hand and arm freedom for users, especially in inclement weather, and there is a need for a body-mounted solution that protects from both sun and rain without restricting hand use.
Innovation Solution
A weather shield apparatus with a molded body panel, adjustable waist belt, and a support frame that extends upward from the user's back, supporting a waterproof shield assembly over the head, utilizing connector fittings and shoulder straps for stability and adjustability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional umbrella holder is used, then the user is protected from precipitation and sunlight, but the user's hands and arms are restricted in their freedom of movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the umbrella holding function from the user's hands and transfers it to a body-mounted holder. The support frame with connector fittings is attached to the user's body (waist belt and shoulder straps), allowing the umbrella to be held automatically while the user's hands remain free for other tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of the support frame, connector fittings, waist belt, and shoulder straps. This intermediary structure transfers the burden of holding the umbrella from the user's hands to their body, enabling hands-free operation while maintaining protection.
2Ease of operation
If a body-mounted umbrella holder is designed, then the user's hands are left free, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mounting system into distinct components: a waist belt portion with connector fittings for lower body support, and shoulder straps with connector fittings for upper body support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall assembly while achieving hands-free operation.
3Ease of operation
If the support frame is made adjustable, then the fit and comfort are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through the waist belt and shoulder straps, which can be modified in length and positioning. The connector fittings are designed to engage at multiple positions along the support frame, allowing users to adjust the mounting height and angle according to their personal comfort and anatomical needs.
Data Source
AI summary
A weather shield apparatus includes a shield holder having a molded body panel with a curved shape providing ends joined to a lengthwise adjustable waist belt having a waist buckle, a support interface attached to a rear surface of the body panel, a support frame adapted to engage and extend upward from the support interface, the support frame having a cushion pad on a side facing the body panel, and a first weather shield assembly comprising a curved shield frame covered in waterproof sheet material, the curved shield frame having connector fittings projecting downward adapted to mate to compatible connector fittings at an uppermost extremity of the support frame.