Shade canopy tensioning assembly

Abstract

A shade canopy tensioning assembly for keeping the fabric of a shade canopy (which includes umbrellas and other shade structures) taut, allowing the shade canopy to maintain its intended appearance, better withstand the elements, and ensure adequate shade provision. The assembly has distinct adjustment assemblies, coupled with at least one length manipulating rod and at least one threaded adjustment nut. These components can work together to tighten or loosen the fabric of a shade canopy when the fabric is attached to the assembly. Also, these components can be seamlessly integrated into shade canopy designs, allowing such designs to maintain their intended aesthetics. Further, these components allow the assembly to be easily adjusted, allowing the fabric of a shade canopy to be tightened or loosened with ease.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shade canopy tensioning assembly comprising:
 a first adjustment assembly;   a second adjustment assembly;   said first adjustment assembly being selectively moveable relative to said second adjustment assembly; and   said first adjustment assembly being affixed to the shade canopy.   
     
     
         2 . The shade canopy tensioning assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a sheath, wherein said sheath comprises at least one groove, at least one structural support for a canopy rib, and at least one hinge at a distal end opposite to said first adjustment assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The shade canopy tensioning assembly of  claim 2  further comprising at least one threaded adjustment nut and at least one length manipulating bolt, wherein said length manipulating bolt traverses at least partially through said first adjustment assembly, through said at least one threaded adjustment nut, and at least partially into said second adjustment assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The shade canopy of  claim 3  wherein said at least one length manipulating bolt is configured and dimensioned to selectively move said first adjustment assembly relative to said second adjustment assembly by rotation of said at least one length manipulating bolt within said at least one threaded adjustment nut. 
     
     
         5 . The shade canopy tensioning assembly of  claim 3  wherein said first adjustment assembly further comprises an adjustment member, a sleeve member, and a first rotation lock, each in removeable connection to one another. 
     
     
         6 . The shade canopy tensioning assembly of  claim 4  wherein said adjustment member comprises at least one canopy attachment point and at least one aperture, wherein said at least one canopy attachment point is configured and dimensioned to allow for a canopy to become removably attached to said first adjustment assembly and wherein said at least one aperture is configured and dimensioned to receive said at least one length manipulating bolt about a horizontal plane of said adjustment member. 
     
     
         7 . The shade canopy tensioning assembly of  claim 4  wherein said adjustment member comprises a first sleeve member insert configured and dimensioned to be inserted and secured into said sleeve member. 
     
     
         8 . The shade canopy tensioning assembly of  claim 6  wherein said first sleeve member insert comprises at least one screw hole dimensioned to align with at least one first screw hole formed on said sleeve member such that at least one screw may traverse each of said first sleeve member insert's screw hole and said sleeve member's first screw hole, thereby securing said first sleeve member insert to said sleeve member. 
     
     
         9 . The shade canopy tensioning assembly of  claim 4  wherein said first rotation lock comprises at least one primary arcuate tab and a second sleeve member insert, wherein said second sleeve member insert is configured and dimensioned to be inserted and secured into said sleeve member. 
     
     
         10 . The shade tensioning assembly of  claim 9  wherein said at least one primary arcuate tab is disposed in sliding engagement with at least one groove of said sheath, wherein said at least one primary arcuate tab is configured and dimensioned to prevent rotation of said at least one first rotation lock and said first adjustment assembly within said sheath, and configured and dimensioned to permit translation of said first rotation lock and said first adjustment assembly within said sheath. 
     
     
         11 . The shade canopy tensioning assembly of  claim 10  wherein said primary arcuate tab and said first rotation lock are enveloped by said sheath, and said sleeve member and said first adjustment assembly are at least partially enveloped by said sheath. 
     
     
         12 . The shade canopy tensioning assembly of  claim 3  wherein said sheath comprises a retaining ring wherein said retaining ring is configured and dimensioned to prevent said first rotation lock from exiting said sheath. 
     
     
         13 . The shade canopy tensioning assembly of  claim 9  wherein said second sleeve member insert comprises at least one screw hole dimensioned to align with at least one second screw hole formed on said sleeve member such that at least one screw may traverse each of said second sleeve member insert's screw hole and said sleeve member's second screw hole, thereby securing said second sleeve member insert to said sleeve member. 
     
     
         14 . The shade canopy tensioning assembly of  claim 3  wherein said at least one threaded nut is coupled to said first adjustment assembly in non-rotating engagement, configured and dimensioned to prevent said at least one threaded nut and said first adjustment assembly from rotating about each other upon a rotational force being applied to said at least one length manipulating bolt, and configured and dimensioned to permit translation of said at least one threaded nut and said first adjustment assembly within said sheath. 
     
     
         15 . The shade canopy tensioning assembly of  claim 3  wherein said at least one threaded adjustment nut is a lock nut. 
     
     
         16 . The shade canopy tensioning assembly of  claim 3  wherein said second adjustment assembly comprising at least one aperture, wherein said aperture is configured and dimensioned to receive said at least one length manipulating bolt about a horizontal plane of said second adjustment assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The shade canopy tensioning assembly of  claim 3  wherein said second adjustment assembly comprises at least a second rotation lock. 
     
     
         18 . The shade canopy tensioning assembly of  claim 17  wherein said second rotation lock comprises at least one secondary arcuate tab in engagement with at least one groove of said sheath, wherein said at least one secondary arcuate tab is configured and dimensioned to prevent rotation of said at least one second rotation lock and said second adjustment assembly within said sheath. 
     
     
         19 . The shade canopy tensioning assembly of  claim 17  wherein said second rotation lock comprises at least one screw hole disposed in alignment with with at least one screw hole formed on said sheath. 
     
     
         20 . The shade canopy tensioning assembly of  claim 3  wherein said at least one length manipulating bolt is of stainless-steel composition and traverses the entire length of said sheath.