Shading apparatus

• US 5,396,915 A
• Filed: 12/02/1993
• Issued: 03/14/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John P. Bomar
• Original Assignee: John P. Bomar
• Inventors: Bomar, John P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Lanna
• Application Number:
  US08/161,195
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 135/16, 135/19, 135/21, 403/96, 403/97, 403/391, 403/397, 248/900, 248/514, 248/534, 248/289.1
• US Class Current: 135/16
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 11/00 Umbrellas characterised by their shape or attachment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32368 including radial interengaging tongue and slot or serrations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7141 Plural channels in connector
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7176 Resilient clip

Abstract

A shading apparatus (10) for use with a riding lawnmower mounts to the seat or other suitably stable part. A shader (12) is of sufficient diameter to shade the rider of a riding lawnmower under most conditions. The shader (12), typically an umbrella is supported by a single shaft (14). Shaft (14) is next inserted into umbrella support bracket (36), a cylindrical receptacle dimensioned to provide a snug fit. The umbrella support bracket (36) can be pivotally connected to a support flange (34) by connection means. The connection means can be a wing nut (26) penetrating both the bracket (36) and the flange (42). Support flange (34), in turn is connected to the riding lawnmower by a plurality of screws (32). Radial ridges on complementary surfaces (40a, 42) hold the umbrella (12) in position under normal conditions. However, should the umbrella strike a limb, the force imparted to the shaft (14) overcomes the friction forces between surfaces (40a, 42a) allowing the umbrella to fall away from the source of the impact.

Claims

1. A shading apparatus for attachment to a riding mower comprising:

(a) a shader comprising an umbrella said umbrella having a vertical centerpost, said centerpost having a releasable clamp means attached to one end, said centerpost is coupled to a supporting shaft by said releasable clamp means such that said centerpost is positioned parallel, and spaced apart from said shaft;

b) pivotal attachment means attaching said shaft to said riding mower, said attachment means comprising;

(i) a shader support bracket removably attached to said shaft, said shader support bracket comprising a bracket body defining a central cavity, said cavity dimensioned to engage said shaft, and a bracket head extending from said bracket body, said bracket head having a centrally located second hole, said bracket head further comprising a second ridged surface;

(ii) a support flange with a base attached to said mower and a flange portion rotatably attached to said shader support bracket, said base having a plurality a screw holes therethrough, said flange portion extending perpendicularly from said base and having a first centrally located hole and a first ridged surface, wherein said pivotal attachment means maintains the shader in a first position by the first and second ridged surfaces which allow said shader to collapse from the first position upon impact with a fixed object.

2. The shading apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first ridged surface complements said second ridged surface such that the frictional force between said first and second ridged surfaces may be overcome by a predetermined force applied to the shader.

3. The shading apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second hole align allowing the connection of said bracket and said flange by connection means.

4. The shading apparatus of claim 3 wherein said connection means comprise a wing nut and bolt.

5. A shading apparatus for attachment to a riding mower comprising:

(a) a shader comprising an umbrella said umbrella having a vertical centerpost, said centerpost having a releasable clamp means attached to one end, said centerpost is coupled to a supporting shaft by a releasable clamp means such that said centerpost is positioned parallel, and spaced apart from said shaft;

b) pivotal attachment means attaching said shaft to said riding mower, said attachment means comprising;

(i) a shader support bracket removably attached to said shaft, said shader support bracket comprising a bracket body defining a central cavity, said cavity dimensioned to engage said shaft, and a bracket head extending from said bracket body, said bracket head having a centrally located second hole, said bracket head further comprising a second ridged surface;

(ii) a support flange with a base attached to said mower and a flange portion rotatably attached to said shader support bracket, said base having a plurality a screw holes therethrough, said flange portion extending perpendicularly from said base and having a first centrally located hole and a first ridged surface, said first ridged surface complements said second ridged surface such that the frictional force between said first and second ridged surfaces may be overcome by a predetermined force applied to the shader, said first and second hole aligning to allow the connection of said bracket and said flange;

wherein said pivotal attachment means maintains the shader in a first position by the first and second ridged surfaces which allow said shader to collapse from the first position upon impact with a fixed object, and

(c) connection means attaching said shader support bracket and said support flange comprising a wing nut and bolt.