Wind-Resistant Umbrella Shingles and Mesh Venting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional beach umbrellas are prone to being dislodged by strong winds, posing safety risks and causing injuries and property damage due to their inability to resist wind gusts exceeding 20 mph.

Innovation Solution

A wind-resistant umbrella design featuring a mesh layer and a series of shingles with grommets that allow air to flow through, preventing the umbrella from being uprooted by wind, as the shingles are designed to move freely and allow wind to escape, while being anchored securely.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional beach umbrella with a single central support pole and bell-shaped canopy is used, then the umbrella provides shade and protection from sunlight, but it cannot resist wind gusts exceeding 20 mph and is easily dislodged from the sand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind resistanceVSAvoidresistance to wind gusts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The canopy is divided into multiple shingles arranged in an overlapping configuration, with each shingle being a separate component that can move independently. This segmentation allows wind to flow through the gaps between shingles rather than building up pressure against a single rigid canopy structure, thereby increasing wind resistance while maintaining shade protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shingles are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to flex and shift in response to wind conditions. The lower edge of each shingle is non-adhered and freely moves upward in response to air currents, while the top edge remains adhered through grommets. This dynamic behavior enables the canopy to adapt to varying wind speeds and pressures, preventing dislodgment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If the canopy is made with a large surface area to provide adequate shade, then sun protection is improved, but the lifting force from wind gusts increases, making the umbrella more susceptible to being pulled out of the ground

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecanopy surface areaVSAvoidlifting force from wind

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the canopy have different properties: the top edge of each shingle is adhered through grommets to provide structural support, while the bottom edge is non-adhered to allow free movement. This local differentiation of constraints enables the canopy to maintain its shape for shade protection while allowing wind to pass through, reducing overall lifting force

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If screw-in augers are used to bury the umbrella support pole in the sand to resist wind gusts, then the umbrella can withstand stronger winds, but the auger can still be dislodged by wind gusts in excess of about 20 mph

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity in sandVSAvoidstrength of anchoring system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The design converts the harmful effect of wind pressure into a beneficial venting mechanism. The gaps between shingles and the movement of individual shingles create pathways that allow wind to escape through the canopy structure, transforming the wind's lifting force into a controlled flow that reduces overall pressure on the anchoring system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design effectively resists wind gusts, keeping the umbrella securely in place even in high winds, preventing dislodgment and ensuring user safety, while also providing ventilation and shade.

Implementation Method 1

a lower mesh layer defined by an upper surface and an opposed lower surface, and an upper layer comprising a plurality of shingles... one or more apertures positioned adjacent to a top shingle edge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow through mesh and shingles: Porosity

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of upper grommets, each upper grommet comprising a lower surface defined by one or more arms that extend away from the lower surface... the one or more upper grommet arms extend through the one or more shingle apertures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS11602203B1Wind-resistant umbrella comprising a plurality of shingles

Publication Date: 2023.03.14 SERRELL DAVID C

AI summary

The invention is directed to an umbrella comprising a plurality of shingles attached to a webbed or mesh support. The umbrella includes a plurality of shingles attached in an overlapped orientation to a lower mesh layer. Each shingle is supported by a pair of grommets to prevent the shingles from moving and/or rotating in response to the wind. The shingles and mesh arrangement allow air to be vented through the umbrella canopy. As a result, the umbrella effectively resists wind and air gusts that commonly cause conventional umbrellas to be uprooted from the sand and/or damaged.