The invention relates to a device comprising a cloth and folding means configured and suitable for folding the cloth out to a first position in which the cloth is folded out and, in a situation of use of the device, forms a sunshade, and for folding the cloth in to a second position in which the cloth is folded in. The invention also relates to a method for folding such a cloth in and out.

Many embodiments of such a device and such a method are known. These have the drawback that, when the device is placed on a ground surface, parts of the cloth come closer to the ground surface during folding in and out than in the folded-out position. This means that objects such as a table and chairs, which are situated under the cloth or in the immediate vicinity of the device, or the deviee have to be displaced so as to enable the folding in or out. The present invention now provides a solution for this.

The invention provides for this purpose a device of the type stated in the preamble, characterized in that the folding means comprise an articulated arm, this articulated arm comprising at least two articulations which are pivotally connected with outer ends by means of connecting means provided for this purpose, such that in a situation of use of the device, when the device is placed on a ground surface, all parts of the cloth are always situated at a determined desired minimum distance, at least 90 cm, more preferably at least 120 cm, still more preferably at least 150 cm, from the ground surface during folding in and out. The device also provides a method for folding such a cloth in and out, characterized in that the folding in and out takes place such that in a situation of use of the device, when the device is placed on a ground surface, all parts of the cloth are always situated at a determined desired minimum distance, at least 90 cm, more preferably at least 120 cm, still more preferably at least 150 cm, from the ground surface during folding in and out.

Because all parts of the cloth are always situated at the minimum distance from the ground surface diiring folding in and out, it is no longer necessary to displace objects such as a table and chairs, which are situated under the cloth or in the immediate vicinity of the device, or the device so as to enable the folding in or out.

The invention will be further elucidated herembelow on the basis of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention, More or less schematically in the drawings:

- figure 1 shows a view of a prior art device during folding in or out of the cloth, a first view of the device according to the invention during folding in a route of the cloth, and a second view of the device according to the invention with folded-out cloth;

- figure 2 shows a cross-section of folding means forming part of the device according to the invention during folding in or ont;

- figure 3 shows a partially perspective top view and a partially perspective bottom view of the device according to the invention with folded-out cloth; and

figure. 4 shows perspective top views of the device according to the invention during folding in and out of the cloth and with folded-out cloth.

The topmost view in figure 1 shows how, in a known device ( 1'), parts of the cloth (2') come closer to a ground surface (Ο') during folding m and out (A'-B') than in the folded- out position, and the shown table and the objects thereon impede the folding in or out.

The device (1) according to the invention shown in the two lower views of figure 1 comprises a cloth (2) and folding means (3) for folding the cloth (2) out to a first position (A) in which the cloth (2) is folded out and forms a sunshade, and for folding the cloth (2) in to a second position (B) in which the cloth (2) is folded in. According to the invention, the folding means (3) comprise an articulated arm (31) which comprises in the given exemplary embodiment three articulations (32-34) which are pivotaEy connected to each other with outer ends by means of connecting means (37-38). The articulated arm (31) enables all parts of the cloth (2) to always be situated at a determined desired minimum distance (C), here 150 cm, from the ground surface (O) during folding in and out (A-B).

The device (1) according to the invention shown in the figures also comprises a stand (4) configured and suitable for supporting the cloth (2) and the folding means (3). The stand (4) comprises here an upright (43) and a base (44), this all as normal. In the given example the folding means (3) comprise two articulated arms (31), each with three articulations (32- 34). In both articulated arms (31) the first articulation (32) is pivotally connected with an outer end to the stand (4) or the upright (43) by means of first connecting means (36). A device according to the invention can generally comprise one or more articulated arms, each with two or more articulations.

The folding means (3) also comprise two rods (35) which are each pivotally and slidably connected with an outer end to the stand (4) or the upright (43) by means of fourth connecting means (39), and are pivotally connected with another outer end to an articulated arm (31) or a first articulation (32) by means of fifth connecting means (40). The folding means (3) also comprise two cables (41) which are each attached with an outer end to an articulated arm (31) or the connecting means (38) between a second articulation (33) and a third articulation (34). Each cable (41) is attached with another outer end to the fourth connecting means (39). In the given example the two cables (41) ran through the inside of the upright (43) to the fourth correcting means (39). The number of rods will generally., although not necessarily always, be equal to the number of cables and to the number of articulated arms. The device (1) further comprises operating means (42) for operating the folding means (3), It is thus possible to fold the cloth (2) in and out by means of the operating means (42), wherein all parts of the cloth (2) are always situated at a determined desired minimum distance (C), here 150 cm, from the ground surface (O). In the given exemplary embodiment the device (1) also comprises an adjoining cloth (on the other side/to the right of the upright 43 in the drawings) which is folded in and out synchronously by means of known folding means, in the given exemplary embodiment by means of the same operating means (42). It is thus possible for a single stand to support a plurality of cloths and folding means according to the invention, optionally combined with one or more known cloths and folding means. It is also possible to use a plurality of devices according to the invention in combined form so as to thus cover a greater surface area. The device can for instance also serve as rain cover/umbrella. It will be apparent that the invention is not limited to the given exemplary embodiment but that diverse variants which will be obvious to a skilled person are possible within the scope of the invention.

Reference numerals used device

cloth (sunshade)