12/03/2023
Bigfoot Shade Prototype #2 is now in service! It had a successful first outing at the girls Triple Crown Softball Tournament in Escondido, CA. π₯
Prototype #2 is utilizing a standard 10'x10' "Master Canopy" from Amazon.
This canopy is slightly lighter and smaller than the Coleman 13'x13' that's been in heavy use throughout this year with Prototype #1. It's also slightly less expensive.
The Bigfoot Shade System comes with a unique custom heavy duty slip on cover. The larger case we made for the Coleman also features a folding rigid handle that provides the option of pushing the canopy while in the upright position in addition to a dolly configuration on two wheels.
Back to Prototype #2:
It features all new aluminum axel supports compared to the painted steel used on #1. Both are using custom 3D printed plates which marry the wheel hardware to the canopy legs, as well as provide the connection points for the support axels. The support axels are snapped together when the canopy is put into the collapsed state.
The Bigfoot Shade system bolts onto standard off the shelf canopies and requires no customization of the canopies. This means you can even easily move the system over to a new canopy if you ever wear out your current one.
So what's next?
We're planning to get some user testing and feedback with Prototype #2. Overall seeing how a consumer who is not the inventor does using and operating the system ππ€
Meanwhile, we're looking to get costs down on some of the parts, then we will likely proceed to offer our first systems to beta consumers in San Diego County.
Thank you for your support and stay tuned! π