Collapsible personal canopies

Abstract

A collapsible canopy device includes an assembly including a water-resistant canopy operatively attached to a resilient, flexible metallic band extending around a perimeter of the water resistant canopy, the assembly having attached thereto at least one holder extendible from the assembly, wherein the assembly is reversibly collapsible via twisting and folding the assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A collapsible canopy device, comprising:
 an assembly comprising a water resistant canopy operatively attached to a resilient, flexible metallic band extending around a perimeter of the water resistant canopy, the assembly having attached thereto at least one holder extendible from the assembly, wherein the assembly is reversibly collapsible via twisting and folding the assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible canopy device of  claim 1  wherein the holder is configured to be grasped by a user 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible canopy device of  claim 2  wherein the holder is formed from a flexible material. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible canopy device of  claim 3  wherein the flexible materials is attached to the assembly at a first end thereof and is attached to the assembly at a second end thereof to form a handle extending from the assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible canopy device of  claim 2  wherein the holder comprises a first section attached to the assembly and a second section articulatably attached to the first section via a joint. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible canopy device of  claim 5  wherein the second section is adjustable in length. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible canopy device of  claim 6  wherein the second section is telescopically adjustable in length via a plurality of telescoping sections. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible canopy device of  claim 1  wherein the holder is configured to be used as a chin strap to retain the assembly on the head of a user. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible canopy device of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of suction cup attachment devices for attachment to a window. 
     
     
         10 . The collapsible canopy device of  claim 1  wherein the canopy is waterproof. 
     
     
         11 . The collapsible canopy device of  claim 10  wherein the canopy is air proof, airtight or gas impermeable. 
     
     
         12 . The collapsible canopy structure of  claim 1  wherein the canopy is circular, oval, or rectangular with smooth corners. 
     
     
         13 . The collapsible canopy device of  claim 1  wherein the resilient, flexible metallic band comprises a flat spring metal. 
     
     
         14 . The collapsible canopy device of  claim 1  further comprising a perimeter band attached to the perimeter of the canopy through which the resilient, flexible metallic band passes. 
     
     
         15 . The collapsible canopy device of  claim 5  wherein first section encompasses the resilient, flexible metallic band to further stabilize the collapsible canopy device. 
     
     
         16 . The collapsible canopy device of  claim 8  wherein the chin strap comprises an elastic material. 
     
     
         17 . The collapsible canopy device of  claim 1  wherein the canopy is in operable connection with an inflatable bladder, and the device further comprises a valve attached to the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         18 . The collapsible canopy device of  claim 17  wherein the bladder comprises the canopy. 
     
     
         19 . The collapsible canopy device of  claim 17  wherein the bladder comprises the canopy and a second canopy, the canopy and the second canopy being sealably connected around a perimeter thereof to form the bladder. 
     
     
         20 . A collapsible device, comprising:
 an inflatable bladder in operative connection with a canopy, the canopy and the inflatable bladder being in operative connection with a resilient, flexible metallic band extending around a perimeter of the inflatable bladder and the canopy, and a valve attached to the inflatable bladder, wherein the collapsible device is reversibly collapsible via twisting and folding the collapsible device.