Tilting sun blockers catch the eye and the rays

Sometimes the next best thing to a dose of sunshine is finding shelter from it in the cool shade of a patio umbrella. More umbrellas are taking on fresh angles to spare users the hassle of hustling respective chairs or lounges around to flee rays as the sun shifts throughout the day.

From Design Within Reach, the modern Tuuci Razor Shade Platform consists of an ultra-thin flat canopy that rotates 360 degrees. Designer Dougan Clarke plucked its features from the marine industry, including a specially designed racing cam cleat and pulley system that lets shade worshipers effortlessly raise, lower and skew the canopy.

Components are made with weather-enduring marine-anodized aluminum, stainless steel and UV-stabilized materials. The umbrella, $1,350, comes in green, orange, silver and white. Pick up a complementing wheeled or stationary stand for $500.

For $209 to $369, the Meridian Round Sunbrella from Crate & Barrel looks traditional but tilts to its users' will. Along with an easy-turn crank, the umbrella includes a mildew-resistant canopy that blocks 98 percent of UV rays. A rustproof aluminum pole is finished a bronze powder coat. Stands run $99 to $129.

Each of these sun blockers offers a new slant on keeping cool.

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This article appeared on page L - 6 of the San Francisco Chronicle