Canopy Device

Abstract

A canopy device includes a canopy membrane, first and second engagement members configured for being releasably securable to a chair, and first and second pairs of posts. The first pair of posts has first ends independently pivotally coupled to the first engagement member and second ends coupled to the canopy membrane. The second pair of posts has firsts ends independently pivotally coupled to the second engagement member and second ends coupled to the canopy membrane. The canopy membrane is reconfigurable from a collapsed configuration to a deployed configuration as the second ends of the posts are pivoted away from each other.

1 . A canopy device comprising:
 an engagement mechanism configured to be coupled to a support member;   a first post including a first end and an opposite second end;   a second post including a first end and an opposite second end;   a first movable member coupled to the engagement mechanism, the first end of the first post being coupled to the first movable member so that the first post can be moved to different positions relative to the support member;   a second movable member coupled to one of the first movable member or the engagement mechanism, the first end of the second post being connected to the second movable member so that the second post can be moved to different positions relative to the support member, the first post being movable relative to the second post; and   a canopy membrane coupled to the second ends of the first and second posts, the canopy membrane reconfigurable between a collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The canopy device of  claim 1 , wherein the first movable member is rotatably connected to the support member via the engagement mechanism, the engagement mechanism being releasably securable to the support member. 
     
     
         3 . The canopy device of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement mechanism includes a platform, and the first movable member is connected to the platform and rotatable relative thereto when a force is applied to the first movable member that exceeds a first force. 
     
     
         4 . The canopy device of  claim 3 , wherein the second movable member is rotatable relative to the first movable member when a force is applied to the second movable member that exceeds a second force, the second force being greater than the first force. 
     
     
         5 . The canopy device of  claim 1 , further comprising an axle extending outwardly from and coupled to the engagement member, the first and second movable members being rotatably disposed on and axially aligned with the axle. 
     
     
         6 . The canopy device of  claim 1 , wherein the canopy membrane moves from the collapsed configuration to the deployed configuration as the second ends of the first and second posts are moved away from each other, and from the deployed configuration to the collapsed configuration as the second ends of the first and second posts are moved toward each other. 
     
     
         7 . A canopy device comprising:
 a canopy membrane;   an engagement member releasably securable to a support structure;
 a pair of posts having first ends and opposite second ends, the first end being movably coupled to the engagement member and the second ends being coupled to the canopy membrane, wherein the canopy membrane is reconfigurable between a collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration. 
   
     
     
         8 . The canopy device of  claim 7 , wherein the pair of posts is a first pair of posts and the engagement member is a first engagement member, the canopy device further comprising:
 a second engagement member releasably securable to the support structure; and   a second pair of posts having first ends movably coupled to the second engagement member and second ends coupled to the canopy membrane.   
     
     
         9 . The canopy device of  claim 7 , wherein each of the posts is movable independent of the other post relative to the support structure. 
     
     
         10 . The canopy device of  claim 7 , wherein the first ends of the pair of posts can pivot about a common axis. 
     
     
         11 . The canopy device of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second pairs of posts exert forces directed outwardly and away from the canopy membrane when the first and second engagement members are secured to the support structure and the canopy membrane is in its deployed configuration, thereby applying tension upon the canopy membrane. 
     
     
         12 . The canopy device of  claim 11 , wherein the forces exerted by the first and second pairs of posts are substantially dissipated when the canopy membrane is in its collapsed position. 
     
     
         13 . The canopy device of  claim 7 , wherein the pair of posts includes a first post and a second post, the first post is movably mounted to the engagement member and movable relative thereto in response to the application of a force that exceeds a first force. 
     
     
         14 . The canopy device of  claim 13 , wherein the second post is rotatable relative to the first post in response to the application of a force that exceeds a second force, the second force being greater than the first force. 
     
     
         15 . The canopy device of  claim 7 , wherein the canopy membrane moves from the collapsed configuration to the deployed configuration as the second ends of the posts are moved away from each other, and from the deployed configuration to the collapsed configuration as the second ends of the posts are moved toward each other. 
     
     
         16 . A canopy device, comprising:
 a canopy membrane being placeable in a first configuration and in a second configuration;   an engagement member releasably securable to a support structure;   a first movable member;   a second movable member rotatably coupled to the first movable member;   a first elongate member including a first end coupled to the engagement member and a second end coupled to the first movable member; and   a second elongate member including a first end coupled to the second movable member and a second end coupled to the canopy membrane.   
     
     
         17 . The canopy device of  claim 16 , wherein the engagement member comprises:
 a bracket having a first portion releasably securable to the support structure, and a second portion; and   a third pivot member rotatably coupled to the second portion of the bracket.   
     
     
         18 . The canopy device of  claim 16 , wherein the first end of the first elongate member is rotatably coupled to the engagement member. 
     
     
         19 . The canopy device of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a third movable member coupled to the second end of the second elongate member; and   a fourth movable member rotatably coupled to the third movable member, the canopy membrane being coupled to the fourth movable member so that the second end of the second elongate member is pivotally coupled to the canopy membrane.   
     
     
         20 . A canopy device and support structure, comprising:
 a support structure having a support frame;   a canopy membrane reconfigurable between a deployed configuration and a collapsed configuration, the canopy membrane being movable between an overhead position and a retracted position relative to the support structure;   a first elongate member including a first end movably coupled to the support frame and an opposite second end coupled to the canopy membrane;   a second elongate member including a first end movably coupled to the support frame and an opposite second end coupled to the canopy membrane, wherein the canopy membrane is movable from its collapsed configuration to its deployed configuration upon rotation of the first end of the first elongate member in the first direction and the first end of the second elongate member in the second direction, and the canopy membrane is movable from its overhead position to its retracted position upon rotation of the first ends of the first and second elongate members in the second direction.   
     
     
         21 . The canopy device and support structure of  claim 20 , wherein the first ends of the first and second elongate members are independently rotatable about an axis in a first direction and an opposite second direction, 
     
     
         22 . A canopy device that can be coupled to a support structure having a frame, the canopy device comprising:
 a mounting mechanism that can be coupled to the frame;   a first elongate member that is movably coupled to the mounting mechanism at a first location;   a second elongate member that is movably coupled to the mounting mechanism at the first location; and   a canopy member coupled to the first elongate member and to the second elongate member, each of the first elongate member and the second elongate member being movable about the first location, the canopy member being disposable in a collapsed configuration and in a deployed configuration.   
     
     
         23 . The canopy device of  claim 22 , wherein the mounting mechanism includes a first rotatable member to which the first elongate member is coupled and a second rotatable member to which the second elongate member is coupled, the first rotatable member being movable relative to the second rotatable member. 
     
     
         24 . The canopy device of  claim 22 , wherein the first rotatable member frictionally engages the second rotatable member. 
     
     
         25 . The canopy device of  claim 25 , wherein the first and second elongate members are independently movable about the first location.