Sun shade assembly comprising improved noise dampening characteristics

Abstract

The invention is a sun shade assembly. Particularly, the assembly includes a sail that includes an attachment at one end thereof that provides a noise dampening characteristic to the sail. In use, as wind flows below and above the sail, the attachment flaps in response to the air flow. Because the attachment is constructed from one or more soft and/or pliable materials, the flapping motion is relatively quiet compared to sun shade assemblies that lack an attachment. As a result, enjoyment of the disclosed assembly is increased.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sun shade assembly comprising:
 a sail defined by:
 a leading edge and an opposed trailing edge; 
 at least one side edge positioned between the leading and trailing edges; 
 a top face and an opposed bottom face; 
   an attachment comprising a first edge, second edge, and one or more side edges, wherein the first edge is attached at the trailing edge of the sail;   wherein the attachment is constructed from silk, satin, sateen, mesh, or combinations thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The sun shade assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one mast, a support defined by at least one arm or rib, or both. 
     
     
         3 . The sun shade assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment is positioned along an entire length of the trailing edge. 
     
     
         4 . The sun shade assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment lacks a coating. 
     
     
         5 . The sun shade assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the sail is constructed from nylon, polyester, vinyl, rayon, canvas, acrylic fabric, neoprene, linen, polypropylene, hemp, cotton, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The sun shade assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the sail comprises a coating on the top face, bottom face, or both. 
     
     
         7 . The sun shade assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the coating has an ultraviolet protection coefficient rating of 30 or more in accordance with ASTM D6544. 
     
     
         8 . The sun shade assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the coating is selected from one or more of urethane polyurethane, polyethylene, resin, epoxy, polystyrene, rubber, lacquer, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The sun shade assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the leading edge of the sail has a length that comprises a channel that spans the length. 
     
     
         10 . The sun shade assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the channel comprises one or more apertures along the leading edge. 
     
     
         11 . The sun shade assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment is permanently attached to the trailing edge of the sail. 
     
     
         12 . The sun shade assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment is releasably attached to the trailing edge of the sail. 
     
     
         13 . The sun shade assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment has a length of about 3-20 feet and a width of about 0.1-3 feet. 
     
     
         14 . A method of using the sun shade assembly of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 positioning the attachment on the trailing edge of the sail;   stabilizing the sail leading edge with a support, mast, or both to anchor the assembly in the ground;   wherein the sail and attachment blow or float in response to wind.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the blowing or floating in the wind has a lower noise level compared to a sail without an attachment. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein movement of the sail in response to the wind is decreased compared to a sail without an attachment. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the attachment is permanently attached to the trailing edge of the sail. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the attachment is releasably attached to the trailing edge of the sail. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the attachment has a length of about 3-20 feet and a width of about 0.1-3 feet. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the attachment lacks a coating and the sail comprises a coating on the top face, bottom face, or both.