Retrofit motor and control for patio umbrellas

• US 7,188,633 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2003
• Issued: 03/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael Anthony Zerillo
• Original Assignee: Michael Anthony Zerillo
• Inventors: Zerillo, Michael Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn; David R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hawk; Noah Chandler
• Application Number:
  US10/737,330
• Publication Number:
  US 20050133077A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,182 Days
• Field of Search: 135/20.3, 135/96, 135/98, 135/99, 135/16, 135/22, 135/908
• US Class Current: 135/20.3
• 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 2025/003 Accessories not covered by groups A45B25/24 - A45B25/30
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/1063 with tables
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 23/00 Other umbrellas
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 25/143 automatic

Abstract

An electric opening and closing device that retrofits to new and existing patio and market umbrellas. Such umbrellas are commonly used to provide shade outdoors, and are usually installed through a hole in the center of a table or mounted freestanding in a support base. The invention consists of a low voltage reversible electric motor that attaches to the upper end of the umbrella mast, a cable reel driven by the motor, a length of cable with one end affixed to the cable reel and the opposite end affixed to the umbrella yoke, electric control switch, remote control means, and electric supply means.

Claims

1. An electric device configured to open and close a patio umbrella canopy, the device being adapted to be removed from one patio umbrella and detachably attached to another patio umbrella, the patio umbrella comprising a canopy opening and closing means, the device being adapted as a means to drive the canopy opening and closing means, the device comprising:

a reversible electric motor and gear means driving a cable reel affixed in a motor housing;

the motor housing having means to detachably attach to the patio umbrella;

a length of cable having means to detachably attach one end to the cable reel and means to detachably attach the opposite end to the canopy opening and closing means;

a means to provide electricity;

a control housing located separately and attachable at a different location from the motor housing, the control housing having means to detachably attach to the patio umbrella;

the control housing comprising a motor controller having means to receive the electricity;

the motor controller comprising electric cable means to the motor and a manual switch means and a remote controllable switch means to selectably connect and disconnect the electricity to the motor for controlling motor start and stop and direction of rotation for driving the cable reel to collect and dispense the cable for driving the canopy opening and closing means and causing the canopy to open and close and stop;

a transmitter having means to control the remote controllable switch and remotely activate the device to selectably open and close and stop the canopy.