Foldable Canopy

This application is a continuation of PCT Pat. App. No. PCT/US25/23708, filed on 2025 Apr. 8, which claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 19/085,828, filed on 2025 Mar. 20, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/748,638, filed on 2025 Jan. 23, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/644,334, filed on 2024 May 8, the contents of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.

Not Applicable.

The various aspects and embodiments described herein relate to a retractable canopy.

This application is related to the Application Ser. No. 63/644,334, filed on May 8, 2024, the entire contents of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Canopies are widely used for providing portable shade and shelter in various outdoor settings, such as markets, sports events, and recreational activities. Traditional canopies often require multiple individuals to set up and collapse due to their cumbersome mechanisms and the need for simultaneous adjustment of multiple structural elements. These designs can be particularly challenging to deploy or fold.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved canopy.

The folding canopy is a portable structure designed for single-user operation, featuring a cable and pulley system connected to a pull handle at its outer periphery that enables smooth deployment and retraction without the need to step underneath. The canopy includes telescoping support legs with adjustable heights, three rolling feet equipped with wheels for mobility during deployment, and one stationary foot with a high-friction surface for stability. Curved sliding feet navigate uneven terrain, while pivoting elongate members and central hubs ensure structural alignment and stability. The canopy transitions seamlessly between folded and deployed positions, providing a versatile, durable, and user-friendly solution for outdoor shade and shelter.

A folding canopy is designed to provide shade in a deployed position and to fold compactly for storage. The canopy includes multiple telescoping support legs configured to support the structure on a surface. A central upper hub is positioned at the top of the canopy, and a central lower hub is located below it. When the canopy is in the folded position, the central upper hub and the central lower hub are separated. A plurality of elongate members are pivotably connected to one another. A first elongate member is pivotably attached to the central upper hub, and a second elongate member is pivotably attached to the central lower hub. The first and second elongate members are also pivotably connected to each other. When the central lower hub and the central upper hub are forced closer together, the elongate members pivot outward, pushing the support legs outward. Other elongate members are arranged in pairs and are pivotably connected to one another by stabilizing brackets. The pairs are connected to the support legs to stabilize the canopy in the deployed position. A handle is positioned near one of the support legs and is operatively connected to a cable. The cable is routed to and through the central upper hub and is attached to the central lower hub. A series of pulleys guide the cable through the system. Pulling the handle causes the cable to exert force on the central lower hub, moving it closer to the central upper hub. This movement causes the elongate members to push the support legs outward, transitioning the canopy from the folded position to the deployed position without requiring a user to step underneath since the handle is located at the outer periphery.

The elongate members are arranged in pairs that are attached to an upper corner bracket. The upper corner bracket is attached to the upper portion of the upper leg of the support legs. The pairs of elongate members are also attached to a sliding bracket that slides along the upper leg as the canopy transitions between folded and deployed positions.

The handle is removably secured to one of the support legs. When the canopy is folded, the handle is positioned near the upper portion of the upper leg. When the canopy is deployed, the handle is positioned near the lower portion of the upper leg. This placement of the handle facilitates easy operation during both deployment and retraction.

Each support leg is telescoping and consists of an upper leg and a lower leg. The upper leg has at least one hole, and the lower leg has multiple holes spaced along its length. A middle bracket is positioned between the upper leg and the lower leg. The middle bracket includes a pin that is removably inserted into the hole in the upper leg and any one of the holes in the lower leg. This arrangement allows the user to adjust the extension or retraction of the support legs to set a height of the canopy.

The lower leg includes a foot with a front portion and a rear portion. Both the front and rear portions are curved upward. These curved portions allow the foot to slide over the surface and traverse uneven obstacles. This design assists the user in deploying and folding the canopy with ease.

The canopy includes four support legs, one of which has a stationary foot. The stationary foot is configured to remain fixed in place when the canopy transitions between the folded and deployed positions. The support leg opposite the stationary foot includes a sliding foot. The sliding foot is aligned along a line extending from the stationary foot to the opposite leg. This alignment allows the opposite leg to move straight back during deployment. The other two support legs each have a sliding foot aligned along lines extending from the stationary foot to their respective legs. These alignments ensure the sliding feet can traverse uneven terrain during deployment and folding.

Each support leg may include a pair of wheels attached to the lower portion of the upper leg. The wheels are designed to facilitate rolling movement during deployment or retraction. The wheels are also aligned as discussed in relation to the sliding foot. The sliding foot and wheels allow the canopy to be easily deployed and collapsed.

The stationary foot includes a high-friction surface on its underside. This surface resists sliding and enhances stability during deployment and retraction.

The stationary foot may include a plurality of spikes extending from its bottom surface. The spikes are designed to penetrate the surface to further prevent movement and increase stability during deployment and retraction.

The sliding foot is positioned higher than the contact patch of the wheels with the surface when the lower leg is fully retracted into the upper leg. This configuration ensures the canopy can roll on the wheels without interference from the sliding foot.

The handle is attached to a latch located on the lower portion of the upper leg. The latch secures the handle in place and maintains the canopy in the deployed position when fully extended.

The elongate members may be pivotally connected at their ends using a pivoting bracket. The pivoting bracket includes a cavity that receives one end of an elongate member and a slot that receives the other end of another elongate member. As the canopy transitions from folded to deployed, the angle between the elongate members increases. In the deployed position, one elongate member engages the slot in the bracket, reinforcing the connection and enhancing structural integrity.

The deployment process involves pulling the handle to tension the cable while standing outside the canopy's periphery. The tensioned cable draws the lower hub closer to the upper hub, pivoting the elongate members and pushing the support legs outward. During folding, the reverse process is used. The support legs slide on their feet or roll on wheels, and the stationary foot remains fixed for stability. Adjustments to the telescoping legs allow the user to set the desired height by aligning and locking the legs using the middle bracket. The sliding feet and wheels work together to navigate uneven terrain. The canopy design ensures smooth operation during deployment and retraction without requiring the user to step under the canopy.

The various aspects described herein relate to a folding canopydesigned for ease of use by a single person. The canopyincludes a pull handle(see) operatively connected to a cableand a series of pulleys, which allows a single user to traverse the canopyfrom a folded position to a fully deployed position without the need to walk underneath the structure. The canopyis supported by a plurality of telescoping legs, three of which has wheelsfor easy rolling movement during deployment and retraction, while one leg includes a stationary footwith a high-friction surface(see) to prevent sliding during use. This combination of a stationary foot, rolling feet, and the pull handleensures the canopycan be deployed and retracted by a single user, even over uneven terrain.

More particularly, the folding canopyis a structure configured to provide shade when in a deployed position and fold into a compact, stored configuration when in a folded position for storage. The canopycomprises a plurality of telescoping support legs, each consisting of an upper legand a lower leg, as shown in. These legsare adjustable in length and configured to support the canopyon a surface, which may include uneven terrain such as grass or rocky ground. The lower legincludes a foot(see), which in some cases may be stationary and equipped with a high-friction surfaceto help the user traverse the canopyto a fully deployed configuration during use and to traverse the canopy back to a folded position for storage. The other legsmay include sliding feetand wheels configured to move across the surface, facilitated by their curved frontand rearportions with upward curvature.

The canopyis initially traversed to the deployed configuration by pulling the support leg opposite the stationary support leg away from the stationary support leg. When the user has traversed the canopy about 75% to the fully deployed position, the user traverses the canopy to the fully deployed position by pulling on the handle. By doing so, a central lower hubis drawn toward a central upper hub, which was initially fully separated when the canopyis in the folded position. As shown in, the central hubsandare connected to a plurality of elongate members, which are tubular to minimize weight while maintaining structural strength. The elongate membersare pivotably connected to one another. Some of the elongate membersform pairs of tubular members(see) that pivot with respect to each other. Each pair includes a first elongate memberpivotably attached to the central upper huband a second elongate memberpivotably attached to the central lower hub. Other first and second elongate membersare pivotably connected to each other via stabilizing brackets(see), allowing controlled pivoting and reinforcement during deployment.

The elongate membersare configured such that when the central lower hubis drawn closer to the central upper hub, the elongate memberspush the support legsoutward. This action transitions the canopyfrom the partially folded position to the fully deployed position. Other pairsof elongate membersare attached to the support legsto stabilize the canopyin the deployed position. Specifically, as shown in, the elongate membersare connected to the upper portionof the upper legvia an upper corner bracket, and to the lower portionof the upper legvia a sliding bracket. As shown in, the upper corner brackethouses pulleysand aperturesthrough which pinsare inserted to define rotational axes for the pulleysand the elongate members.

The canopyincludes a handle(see) positioned adjacent to one of the support legs. Preferably, the support leg directly opposite the stationary support legor any of the other stationary support leg. The handleis connected to a cable, which is routed to the central upper huband down to the central lower hubvia a series of pulleys. The cableis attached to the central lower huband, when tensioned by pulling the handle, applies an upward force to the central lower hub. This force draws the central lower hubtoward the central upper hub, thereby activating the elongate membersto extend the support legsoutward.

A series of pulleysare placed to guide the cableduring this operation. The cable is shown as being internally routed in the tubular membersbut it is also contemplated that the cable may be externally routed. Pulleysare mounted to the upper corner brackets, pivoting joints of the elongate members, and the central upper hub. This arrangement ensures that the cableis routed efficiently and reduces friction during the deployment process.

The pull handleand cableenable a single user to operate the canopywithout the need to walk underneath the structure. Once the canopyreaches the deployed position, the handleis secured onto a latchon one of the support legsto maintain tension in the cableand lock the canopyin the deployed position. This arrangement eliminates the need for additional tools or external assistance to secure the canopyduring use.

The canopyis equipped with three legsthat include wheels, allowing the user to easily roll those support legs during deployment or retraction to the folded position. For the rolling support legs, the wheelsmay be attached to the lower portionof the upper legvia brackets(see), which allow the wheelsto rotate freely. The stationary footon the fourth legis configured to prevent unintended movement during operation so that a single person can deploy and fold the canopy. The user can walk backwards while the stationary support legremains in position. The other three support legs having wheels and curved feet roll over the terrain. The user then pulls the canopy to the fully deployed position for the last about 25% of the travel and locks the canopy in place by pulling the handle and attaching the handle to the latch.

Additionally, a spaceris positioned between the central upper huband the central lower hubto prevent the central lower hubfrom getting too close to the central upper hub. If it is too close, then the members would become over-center and lock into place which would prevent the canopy from being collapsible unless someone imparts a force to bring it back from the over center position.

The canopyincludes a cover(see), which provides shade and protection from sunlight. The coveris supported by the elongate membersin the deployed position, forming a stable and tensioned configuration that effectively shelters the area beneath it. When not in use, the canopymay be stored in a bag to prevent dust accumulation, with the telescoping legsfully retracted and the elongate membersfolded inward. In the folded position, the canopyoccupies minimal space during storage or transport.

Referring now to, these figures illustrate the progression of the canopyas it transitions from the folded position to the fully deployed position, highlighting the dynamic change in the angle,(see) formed between the elongate members.

depicts the canopyin its folded position. In this configuration, the anglebetween the elongate membersis minimized. Additionally, as shown in, the elongate memberis pivotably connected to the central upper hub, while the second elongate memberis pivotably connected to the central lower hub. Elongate membersof the canopy may also be pivotably attached to each other via stabilizing brackets(see). Other elongate membersmay form pairs(see). In the folded position, the central upper huband the central lower hubare spaced apart, as shown in, resulting in a collapsed structure where the angleis relatively small, reflecting the compact arrangement of the canopyfor storage or transport.

demonstrates an intermediate stage as the canopyis traversed from the folded position toward the fully deployed position. During approximately, the last 25% of the travel to the deployed position, as the handleis pulled, tension is applied to the cable, which draws the central lower hubcloser to the central upper hub. This action causes the elongate membersto pivot about their respective stabilizing bracketsand connection points at the hubsand. As the elongate memberspivot outward, the angle(see) between the first and second elongate membersincreases. This pivotal movement drives the telescoping support legsoutward, expanding the canopy structure.

illustrates the canopyin its fully deployed position. In this configuration, the angle,between the elongate membershas reached its maximum, representing a stable and reinforced structure. The central upper huband central lower hubare now closer together. The elongate membersare extended outward, and supports the cover.

The progression of angle, from its minimal value in the folded position shown into its maximum in the deployed position shown inillustrates the deployment process. This change is achieved by the pivotal movement of the elongate members, facilitated by the traversal of the central lower hubtoward the central upper hub.

Referring now to, and IE, the same provide detailed views of the upper corner bracketand illustrate how the cableis routed through the structural components, including its transition into the hollow cavity(see) of the tubular elongate member. These figures highlight key structural and functional features that facilitate the deployment and operation of the canopy.

shows an overall perspective of the upper portion of the canopy, with the cableextending vertically toward the upper corner bracketfrom the handle. The cableis operatively connected to the handleand routed through the upper corner bracketto exert force on the central lower hubtoward the central upper hub. As the handleis pulled, the tensioned cabledrives the deployment of the canopy.

provides a closer view of the routing of the cableand its interaction with the upper corner bracket. The cableis guided over the pulleys, which is rotatably attached to the upper corner bracket. One is positioned on the outer side of the upper leg and the other is positioned on the inner side of the upper leg. The cableis routed over the upper legand guided into the hollow cavity(see) of the elongate member. The upper corner brackethas a plurality of aperturesthrough which pins(see) are inserted to hold the pulleys and define rotational axes for the pulleysand the elongate members. These rotational axes enable the pivoting motion of the elongate membersas the canopy transitions between folded and deployed positions.

illustrates the integration of the upper corner bracketwith the upper portion(see) of the upper leg. The cableis routed through the upper corner bracket, over the pulleysand enters the hollow cavityof the elongate memberwhich is oriented toward the central upper and lower hubs,. This design ensures that the cableis enclosed, reducing the risk of external interference. The figure also shows how the pulleyis rotatably attached to the upper corner bracket, allowing smooth movement of the cablewhen the user pulls on the handle and when the cable is retracted during folding.

provides a further exploded view of the upper corner bracket, illustrating the alignment of components for assembly. The pulleyis inserted into the bracketand aligned with its respective apertures. Pinssecure the pulleyin place, ensuring that it rotates freely as the cableis tensioned. This figure also shows the routing of the cableover the pulleybefore it transitions into the hollow cavityof the elongate member.

focuses on the detailed structure of the upper corner bracket. The cavityof the upper corner bracketreceives the upper portionof the upper leg, creating a connection therebetween. The upper corner brackethas three slots. The two outer slots receives the elongate members which extend out to the other support legs. The middle slot receives the pulleyand the elongate member. The cable is routed over the pulley at the outer side of the upper legas shown in, the pulleydisposed within the middle slot shown in, and into a cavity(see) of the elongate member. The elongate member rotateably attached to the middle slot extends toward the central upper and lower hubs,. This arrangement allows the cableto transition smoothly from the external pulleyand over internal pulley then into the internal cavityof the elongate member, protecting the cable for snagging during repeated use of the canopy and protection from external elements.

These figures collectively demonstrate the structure of the upper corner bracketin guiding the cableand connecting the elongate membersand upper leg. By routing the cableover the pulleysand into the hollow cavityof the tubular elongate members, the system achieves efficient force transmission, contributing to the smooth deployment and retraction of the canopy. This design ensures that the cableis securely enclosed and that the elongate membersare properly supported and aligned during operation.

Referring now to, the same illustrate the structural and functional relationships of the components of the canopy, particularly the upper central hub, elongate members, the spacer and how these components interact with the cableand pulleysduring deployment to the deployed position and retraction to the folded position. These figures highlight how the various components direct the movements of the elongate membersto traverse the canopy between folded and deployed positions.

provides a broad perspective of the canopyin its partially deployed state. For example, when the user pulls on the support leg opposite the stationary support leg, the canopy may be deployed to the position shown in. The rest may be completed by the handle. Some of the elongate membersare shown forming scissor-like connections(see) between the telescoping legs. These members are organized into pairsthat are pivotally attached to one another and to the telescoping legsvia upper corner bracketand a sliding bracket(see). The canopyis supported by the telescoping legs, which include upper legsand lower legs(see).

zooms in on the upper central hub, illustrating its role in coordinating the pivotal connections of the elongate members. The upper central hubincludes multiple slots(see) into which the elongate membersare pivotally attached. As the canopy transitions between the folded and deployed positions, the upper and lower central hubs,move closer to each other or further away from each other.

focuses on the attachment of the elongate membersto the upper central huband their interactions with the pulleysand cable. The figure highlights how the cableis routed over pulleyto efficiently transmit force from the handleto the central lower hub. The elongate membersare shown in pivotal arrangements, which allow them to fold together when the canopy is in its collapsed state and spread apart when the canopy is deployed. The pivotal attachment to the upper central hubof the elongate memberhousing the cableis achieved through bracket(see). The pulleyis rotationally attached to the bracket. The bracket is stationarily attached to the elongate member. The bracketis pivotally attached to the slot. The cableis rounted over the pulley.

illustrates the detailed assembly of the elongate membersat their connections to the upper central hub. Each elongate memberhas end portions that are aligned with the slots(see) of the upper central hub. Pins or fasteners secure the elongate membersin place while allowing them to pivot freely. This configuration permits the elongate membersto change angles during deployment, facilitating the transition from the folded position to the fully deployed position. The cableis shown routed through the structure to exert force on the central lower hubwhen the canopy is traversed from the folded position to the deployed position.

provides a close-up exploded view of the connection between the upper central huband elongate members. The hubfeatures slots. One of the slotsreceive bracketconnected to the elongate members. The bracketincludes holesthat align with holesin the elongate member, allowing them to be secured with pins. Additionally, the pulleyis shown rotatably attached to the bracketby aligning holewith holeson the bracket. The pulleyis positioned within the bracket, and this entire assembly is inserted into slotof the upper central hub. A pin is inserted through the aligned holes of the bracket, pulley, and slot, enabling the assembly to rotate as necessary during folding and deployment.

The cableis routed over the pulleyin the upper central hub. The cableis then routed downward to the lower central hub.

The spacer(see) is attached to the upper central hubat protrusionto prevent the central upper huband central lower hubfrom over-centering or locking up during deployment.