Umbrella Apparatus

• US 20120073616A1
• Filed: 12/06/2011
• Published: 03/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LakeSouth Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: World Factory Incorporated
• Inventors: Kuelbs, Gregory G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,375,966 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 135/16
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2023/0012 Ground supported umbrellas or sunshades on a single post, e.g. resting in or on a surface there below
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/1027 with means for generating solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/1036 with means for promoting air movement, e.g. ventilation holes, fans, ventilators, special shape for ventilation, suction means
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/1045 with a misting device having at least one nozzle for spraying a fluid, e.g. water
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 25/143 automatic
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 3/00 Sticks combined with other objects
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 3/04 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/03 rechargeable by exposure to light
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/006 General building constructions or finishing work for buildings, e.g. roofs, gutters, stairs or floors; Garden equipment; Sunshades or parasols
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0096 Fans, e.g. ceiling fans forced cooling of lighting devices characterised by the arrangement of fans F21V29/67
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 5/0035 using evaporation
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 5/0046 using natural energy, e.g. solar energy, energy from the ground
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 30/272 Solar heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/72 in street lighting
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/54 Free-cooling systems

Abstract

An umbrella apparatus having a canopy portion hingedly coupled to a pole portion. The umbrellas apparatus includes a rechargeable electrical power system that provides electrical power to an electromechanical opening and closing system and a light assembly. A solar energy system is conductively coupled to the rechargeable electrical power system and is utilized to collect and convert solar energy to electrical energy for recharging the electrical power system.

Claims

1. An umbrella apparatus, comprising:

a pole portion;

a canopy portion hingedly coupled to the pole portion;

a rechargeable electrical power system for providing electrical power to the umbrella apparatus;

a solar energy system carried by a multi-piece power unit, the power unit being carried by the pole portion above the canopy portion, the solar energy system being adapted to collect solar energy and convert the solar energy into electrical energy, the solar energy system being conductively coupled to the rechargeable electrical power system, such that the solar energy collected and converted into electrical energy recharges the rechargeable electrical power system;

an electromechanical opening and closing system for opening and closing the canopy portion, the electromechanical opening and closing system being conductively coupled to and powered by the rechargeable electrical power system; and

a light subassembly carried by the canopy portion.

2. The umbrella apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electromechanical opening and closing system comprises:

an electric motor carried by the pole portion;

a control system for controlling the electric motor;

a gear system coupled to the electric motor; and

a cable and pulley system coupled to the gear system and the canopy portion;

wherein the opening and closing of the canopy portion is achieved by the electric motor in response to selective operation of the control system.

3. The umbrella apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control system comprises:

a receiver conductively coupled to the electric motor; and

a decoder conductively coupled to the receiver for decoding an encoded signal from a transmitter.