Apparatus and Method for Holding and Tilting an Umbrella

• US 20090314319A1
• Filed: 06/01/2009
• Published: 12/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Resort Umbrella Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: Resort Umbrella Solutions, LLC
• Inventors: Bauer, Richard, Young, David, Tegel, Robert G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,926,496 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 135/16
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 11/00 Umbrellas characterised by their shape or attachment
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 17/00 Tiltable umbrellas
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/1063 with tables

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for holding and tilting an umbrella. The apparatus comprises at least one spring connected to an umbrella pole so that operation of the spring(s) moves the umbrella pole so as to adjust the pole angle of the umbrella. The apparatus also comprises a pivot for the umbrella pole that allows angular motion of the umbrella pole. The apparatus also comprises a rotary bearing capable of rotating around an axis of the umbrella pole. The spring(s) and the pivot can be connected to the rotary bearing. The present apparatus can also include a shade umbrella and an outdoor table. Methods for tilting an umbrella are also provided.

Claims

1. An apparatus that holds and tilts a shade umbrella having an umbrella pole and a canopy, wherein the umbrella pole defines a pole angle with a surface below the canopy, the apparatus comprising:

at least one spring connected to the umbrella pole so that operation of the spring(s) moves the umbrella pole from a first position to a second position and the umbrella pole is maintained in the second position;

wherein the umbrella pole has different pole angle when in the second position compared to the first position;

a pivot for the umbrella pole that allows angular motion of the umbrella pole; and

a rotary bearing capable of rotating around an axis of the umbrella pole;

wherein the spring(s) and the pivot are connected to the rotary bearing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus comprises one or more locks or latches for maintaining extension or retraction of the spring(s).

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the spring(s) are gas spring(s).

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spring(s) are not parallel to the umbrella pole.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a bracket disposed between the spring(s) and the rotary bearing, and the bracket engages the umbrella pole below the pivot so as to maintain a selected pole angle.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the apparatus further comprises a housing that surrounds the spring(s) and the bracket.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a holder for the umbrella pole and a handle on the holder, wherein operation of the handle disengages the umbrella pole from the bracket.

8. An apparatus for holding and tilting a shade umbrella providing shade over an outdoor table, wherein the shade umbrella comprises an umbrella pole and a canopy at a top end of the umbrella pole, the apparatus comprising:

at least one spring connected to the umbrella pole so that the umbrella pole moves when the spring(s) extends or retracts;

a pivot that engages the umbrella pole at or near the table top, so that the umbrella pole pivots when an end of the umbrella pole moves, thereby changing a pole angle formed by the umbrella pole and the table top or ground;

wherein the pivot and the spring(s) are connected to the table.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the spring(s) are gas spring(s).

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a rotary bearing connected to the table, and the gas spring(s) and the pivot are connected to the rotary bearing so that the umbrella pole is capable of rotation around its axis or an elliptical path.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a housing that surrounds the springs, and the housing is disposed on the table top, and the rotary bearing is mounted on the housing.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a bracket attached to the rotary bearing that connects the gas spring(s) to the rotary bearing.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pivot is connected to or integral with the rotary bearing, and the pivot divides the umbrella pole into upper and lower pivoting sections, and the upper pivoting section of the umbrella pole is greater than ⅔

of the length of the umbrella pole.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a holder for the umbrella pole and a latch and a handle that are integral with the holder, wherein the holder is connected to the springs.

15. An apparatus that holds and tilts a shade umbrella having an umbrella pole and a canopy, wherein the umbrella pole defines a pole angle with a surface below the canopy, the apparatus comprising:

a holder for receiving an umbrella pole;

a latch at an end of the holder opposite from the umbrella;

a handle on the holder and connected to the latch, so that operation of the handle releases or engages the latch;

a rotary bearing capable of rotating around an axis of the umbrella pole;

a bracket extending down from the rotary bearing, wherein the latch engages the bracket on operation of the handle; and

at least one spring connected to the holder and the bracket, wherein the spring(s) has at least first and second positions, wherein the umbrella pole has different pole angle when in the second position compared to the first position, and the engagement of the latch and the bracket maintains the umbrella pole at a selected pole angle.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising one or more magnets which can be engaged with the rotary bearing to restrain rotation.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the bracket has teeth, and the latch is configured and positioned to engage the teeth of the bracket.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a housing that surrounds the bracket, the latch and the springs.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising one or more straps connected to the holder, wherein the straps are adapted to fit over pins on an umbrella pole.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a bias connected to the handle so as to bias the handle in a direction where the latch is engaged with the bracket.