Portable, collapsible wind screen

The present invention relates to collapsible camping gear and party equipment.

Outdoor activities are occasionally held in windy weather conditions, in a steady or intermittent breeze strong enough to interfere with the enjoyment of eating or ordinary conversation. Without resorting to holding activities inside an enclosed structure or tent, it is useful to be able to block said breeze with a portable means that is easy to set up and sturdy enough to withstand ordinary wind conditions.

The prior art includes several devices that act as wind screens and are reasonably portable. U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,286 to Russo teaches a portable canopy for bleacher seats, U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,319 to Shultz teaches a rigid plastic screen that is detachable into equally-sized sections, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,402 to Clary shows a screen of adjustable size that needs to be braced by attachment to external contacts. The present invention's features are easily distinguishable from these and other devices.

The present invention was developed to use tubular steel bracing and folding mechanisms available with portable canopies, as well as low-cost connector mechanisms, hinges and retractable pins. The invention is collapsible into a three-foot long, one-foot-in-diameter configuration that fits easily into a bag for storage and carrying.

It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible wind screen structure that is stable under ordinary wind conditions.

It is another object of the invention that the device be light-weight and easy to assemble.

It is another object of the invention that the device be available with Velcro™ connectors with which to attach wind screens comprised of a variety of materials.

It is another object of the invention to be constructed of easy-to-obtain connectors and metal tubing.

It is another object of the invention that it be easy to set up and not require an extensive manual to master in order to use the invention.

It is another object of the invention that it be quickly and easily folded for stowage, and fit into a cylindrically-shaped bag when collapsed.

The present invention is a single structure frame comprised of metal tubing, hinges, retractable pin connectors, and Velcro™ fasteners, said structure supporting a cloth or plastic wind screen attached via said fasteners

The wind screen is comprised of a tough fabric or plastic sheeting impermeable to wind. These fabrics include acrylic, polyester, nylon, and other outdoor-use fabrics.

When assembled, the frame is supported by folding legs that snap down and support the frame in a vertical position. The legs can be braced with sandbags or other weights in high-wind situations.

The metal tubing is configured such that the long vertical members are comprised of two separate pieces of tubing that slide into each other, held in the open position by retractable pins. The long horizontal members are hinged in the middle and are held in the open position by retractable pins.

The set up of the invention is comprised of approximately a dozen simple moves to open, unfold, or slide open pieces of metal tubing and snap then into the full open position with the retractable pins. Storage is the reverse, and the length of the individual members is designed to enable the entire structure to be held in a bag.

FIG. 1 . Overview diagram of invention assembled

FIG. 2 . Invention frame

FIG. 3 . Invention frame partially collapsed

FIG. 4 . Side view of invention leg assembly

FIG. 5 . Invention leg assembly partially collapsed

FIG. 6 . Close up of invention leg assembly

FIG. 7 . Close-up of spring-loaded bolt

FIG. 8 . Side view of spring-loaded bolt

FIG. 9 . Top-down view of junction between vertical and horizontal bar

FIG. 10 . Bottom-up view of junction of legs and bottom horizontal bar

FIG. 11 . Collapsed invention

The invention 100 as shown in FIG. 1 is a wind screen comprised of a fabric or plastic screen 150 and a frame, the screen 150 held to the frame with a plurality of Velcro® connectors 151 , constructed from a set of tubular metal sections that are connected together with hinges and retractable pins. The frame is supported at the bottom by two retractable legs on each side of the frame, braced by a horizontal brace 152 , which legs can be weighted for stability.

In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , the vertical sections 101 , 102 and 103 , 104 slide into each other for storage, and when pulled out to their maximum length are held at that position by retractable pins 105 , 106 .

The horizontal sections 107 , 108 and 109 , 110 are hinged in the middle for storage and are held in their extended positions by retractable pins 113 , 114 placed near the hinges 111 , 112 . Hinges 115 , 116 and 125 , 126 at the juncture of the horizontal sections and vertical sections of the frame allow the horizontal sections to fold against the vertical sections. At no time does the assembly come apart, but the entire apparatus remains connected by hinges.

In FIGS. 2 and 3 , at the bottom corners of the invention where the hinged vertical and horizontal sections come together are two bracing members 117 , 118 which are hinged in the middle and snap together with their own retractable pins 119 , 120 .

In FIG. 4 . the inventions legs 131 , 130 are shown, which fold up against each of the lower vertical sections 118 , 120 as in FIG. 5 . The top-down view of FIG. 9 shows where the vertical section 101 meets the upper horizontal section 107 , hinged by hinge 115 . In FIG. 10 , a bottom-up view of the junction of the frame vertical member 102 and bottom horizontal member 109 with the legs, the longer leg 130 and the shorter leg 131 deploying from the junction, rotating around hinges 140 and 141 , one pair on each side of the frame bottom. The legs are held in their extended positions by retractable pin 142 and bracing member 132 as in FIG. 7 .

As designed, the longer and shorter leg can be further braced by placing a weight, such as a sandbag, on each of them after they are snapped into position.

The invention is designed to be covered by a cloth or plastic screen 150 , attached at the top, bottom, and sides by means of a plurality of hook and loop fasteners 151 . By placing the invention at the correct orientation against the wind, the invention will stop the movement of air behind the invention screen and remain stable and upright.

In the preferred embodiment, the screen is cloth, the metal comprising the tubular frame is light-gauge steel, and the folded-up length of the screen is between 2½ and 3 feet.

Although the invention has been described as a preferred embodiment, equivalent features may be employed and substitutions made within this specification without departing from the scope of the invention as recited in the claims.