Integrated beach umbrella and table system

• US 9,706,834 B1
• Filed: 07/05/2016
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ShadeUSA, LLC
• Original Assignee: ShadeUSA, LLC
• Inventors: Taylor, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Hawk, Noah Chandler
• Application Number:
  US15/201,776
• Time in Patent Office: 378 Days
• 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 2200/1027 with means for generating solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/1054 with containers for storing objects, e.g. box
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/1063 with tables
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 23/00 Other umbrellas
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/44 Article supports adapted to be stuck into the ground posts driven into the ground E04H12/2215
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2003/004 of the umbrella type
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2220/0008 Table or tray, height adjustable on parasol pole
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 37/04 Tables specially adapted for use in the garden or otherwise in the open air, e.g. with means for holding umbrellas or umbrella-like sunshades

Abstract

Disclosed is an integrated beach umbrella and table system that includes a support post, wherein an umbrella support frame couples to the support post and is expandable and collapsible about the support post, and an umbrella canopy couples to the umbrella support frame. The system further includes a table surface support frame assembled from a plurality of armature elements that couple to an anchor hub and a central hub, wherein at least one of the anchor hub and the central hub slidably engages to the support post. The anchor hub and the central hub slide to produce a first expanded position and a second collapsed position of a table surface coupled to the table surface support frame.

Claims

1. An integrated umbrella and table system comprises:

a support post;

an expandable and collapsible umbrella support frame coupled to the support post;

an umbrella canopy coupled to the umbrella support frame;

an expandable and collapsible table surface support frame comprising a plurality of armature elements;

a central hub engaged to the support post and coupled to at least a portion of the plurality of armature elements;

an anchor hub engaged to the support post;

affixed at a position to the support post, below the central hub, and coupled to the at least a portion of the plurality of armature elements;

wherein the central hub is configured to slide along the support post to produce a first expanded position of the table surface support frame and a second collapsed position of the table surface support frame; and

a flexible table surface coupled to the table surface support frame and configured to collapse about the support post in the second collapsed position to enclose the table support frame.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the support post separates into a support post first section and a support post second section, wherein the support post first section supports the umbrella support frame, and the support post second section supports the table surface support frame.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of armature elements comprises;

a plurality of first armature elements; and

a complimentary plurality of second armature elements;

wherein each of the plurality of first armature elements comprises a first armature first end pivotally coupled to the central hub;

wherein each of the plurality of second armature elements comprises a second armature first end pivotally coupled to the anchor hub;

wherein each of the plurality of second armature elements comprises a second armature second end pivotally coupled at a point along a length of its complimentary first armature element.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising:

a channel that extends longitudinally along the support post;

a key that protrudes inwardly from an inner diameter of at least one of the central hub and the anchor hub; and

wherein the key fits within the channel of the support post to inhibit torsional rotation of the at least one of the central hub and the anchor hub about the support post.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of first armature elements further comprises a first armature telescopic portion expandable to accommodate varying sizes of flexible table surfaces.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein in the first expanded position, a first armature second end of each of the plurality of first armature elements is substantially co-planar with the central hub.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein the first armature second end of each of the plurality of first armature elements couples to a perimeter portion of the flexible table surface.

8. The system of claim 3, wherein the flexible table surface further comprises at least one of a cup holder and a storage bin.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising an electronic device support frame to support at least one of a smart-phone, tablet, and video display.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the umbrella canopy comprises solar cell elements to convert sunlight to a useable electrical current, and wherein the useable electrical current is transmitted via a suitable conduit to the electronic device support frame to provide electrical power for the at least one of the smart-phone, table, and video display.

11. A method for manufacturing an integrated beach umbrella and table system comprises:

providing a support post;

affixing an expandable and collapsible umbrella support frame to the support post;

assembling an umbrella canopy and coupling it to the umbrella support frame;

assembling a plurality of armature elements to provide an expandable and collapsible table surface support frame;

engaging a central hub to the support post and coupling it to at least a portion of the plurality of armature elements;

engaging an anchor hub to the support post;

affixing at a position to the support post, below the central hub, and coupling it to the at least a portion of the plurality of armature elements;

wherein the central hub is configured to slide along the support post to produce a first expanded position of the table surface support frame, and a second collapsed position of the table surface support frame; and

providing a flexible table surface to couple to the table surface support frame and configured to collapse about the support post in the second collapsed position to enclose the table support frame.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein assembling the plurality of armature elements comprises;

assembling a plurality of first armature elements; and

assembling a complimentary plurality of second armature elements;

wherein assembling each of the plurality of first armature elements comprises pivotally affixing a first armature first end to the central hub;

wherein assembling each of the plurality of second armature elements comprises pivotally affixing a second armature first end to the anchor hub;

wherein assembling each of the plurality of second armature elements further comprises pivotally affixing a second armature second end at a point along a length of its complimentary first armature element.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

forming a channel that extends longitudinally along the support post;

incorporating a key that protrudes inwardly from an inner diameter of at least one of the central hub and the anchor hub; and

wherein the key is configured to fit within the channel of the support post to inhibit torsional rotation of the at least one of the central hub and the anchor hub about the support post.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein assembling each of the plurality of first armature elements further comprises assembling a first armature telescopic portion that may be expandable to accommodate varying sizes of flexible table surfaces.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein in the first expanded position, a first armature second end of each of the plurality of first armature elements is substantially co-planar with the central hub.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the first armature second end of each of the plurality of first armature elements couples to a perimeter portion of the flexible table surface.