Retrofit motor and control for patio umbrellas

• US 20050133077A1
• Filed: 12/17/2003
• Published: 06/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Anthony Zerillo
• Original Assignee: Michael Anthony Zerillo
• Inventors: Zerillo, Michael Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 7,188,633 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 135/20.300
• 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 opening and closing device that retrofits to new and existing patio umbrellas, the device comprising:

a reversible electric motor;

a reel drivingly engaged with the motor;

a housing means for the motor and the reel;

a length of cable affixable at one end to the reel whereby the opposite end of the cable is affixable to the patio umbrella opening and closing means;

a means to affix the housing to the patio umbrella at a location to thereby establish control of the patio umbrella opening and closing means;

a means to provide electricity;

a switch having two means to connect the electricity to the motor, whereby the first means causes the motor to operate in a clockwise rotation and the second means causes the motor to operate in a counter-clockwise rotation, whereby the switch has additional means to disconnect the electricity to the motor to thereby cause the motor to stop operating;

a remote control receiver having two means to connect the electricity to the motor, whereby the first means causes the motor to operate in a clockwise rotation and the second means causes the motor to operate in a counter-clockwise rotation, whereby the receiver has additional means to disconnect the electricity to the motor to thereby cause the motor to stop operating;

a remote control transmitter having means to control the remote control receiver.