Umbrella having structural rib configured to receive electrical components and associated wiring

• US 20070074751A1
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Published: 04/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ATLeisure
• Original Assignee: Southern Sales & Marketing Group Incorporated (Griffon Corporation)
• Inventors: Fraser, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 7,604,015 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 135/98
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/1027 with means for generating solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 3/04 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/06 the fastening being onto or by the lampholder
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/0005 of sources having contact pins, wires or blades, e.g. pinch sealed lamp F21V19/001 takes precedence
• 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: Y10S 135/91 Illuminated cane or umbrella

Abstract

An umbrella has a first support member, a plurality of ribs supported by the first support member, and a canopy supported by the plurality of ribs. At least one of the plurality of ribs has, in cross section, a bottom wall, first and second upstanding side walls extending upward from the bottom wall, and a web extending between the first and second side walls at a location intermediate the bottom wall and the upper side wall ends. The web and upper portions of the first and second side walls form a channel. A first hole extends through the web, and a second hole extends through the bottom wall generally in coaxial alignment with the first hole. In a disclosed embodiment, a light bulb is disposed within either or both of the first and second holes, and an insulated electrical conductor runs along the length of the rib within the channel to connect the light bulb to a source of electrical power.

Claims

1. An umbrella, comprising:

a first support member;

a plurality of elongated ribs supported by said first support member; and

a canopy supported by said plurality of elongated ribs,

wherein at least one of said plurality of elongated ribs has, in cross section,

a bottom wall;

a first upstanding side wall extending upward from said bottom wall to an upper side wall end;

a second upstanding side wall extending upward from said bottom wall to the upper side wall end;

a web extending between said first and second side walls at a location intermediate said bottom wall and said upper side wall ends, said web and portions of said first and second side walls above said web forming a channel;

a first hole extending through said web; and

a second hole extending through said bottom wall generally in coaxial alignment with said first hole.

2. The umbrella of claim 1, further comprising:

an electrical component located within at least one of said first and second holes; and

an insulated electrical conductor extending along the length of at least one of said ribs within said channel thereof for connecting said electrical component to a source of electrical power.

3. The umbrella of claim 2, further comprising a solar panel, and wherein said source of electrical power comprises a battery charged by said solar panel.

4. The umbrella of claim 1, wherein the upper side wall end of the first and second upstanding side walls comprise a rim portion configured to support the canopy.

5. The umbrella of claim 4, wherein the rim portion is rounded to reduce wear on the canopy.

6. The umbrella of claim 2, wherein the electrical component comprises at least one of a light, fan, speaker, or insect repelling device.

7. The umbrella of claim 2, wherein the electrical component is a light, and wherein the light is selected from the group consisting of a light emitting diode, an incandescent bulb, and a fluorescent lamp.

8. The umbrella of claim 3, wherein the solar panel is located on top of the first support member.

9. An umbrella, comprising:

a first support member;

a plurality of elongated ribs supported by said first support member; and

a canopy supported by said plurality of elongated ribs,

wherein each of said plurality of elongated ribs has, in cross section,

a bottom wall;

a first upstanding side wall extending upward from said bottom wall to an upper side wall end;

a second upstanding side wall extending upward from said bottom wall to the upper side wall end;

an upper surface connected to said first and second side walls, wherein the upper surface comprises a channel;

a first hole extending through said channel; and

a second hole extending through said bottom wall generally in coaxial alignment with said first hole.

10. The umbrella of claim 9, wherein one or more of the plurality of elongated ribs is formed by pressing an indention in a length of metal tubing.

11. The umbrella of claim 10, wherein the metal tubing is generally rectangular in cross section.

12. The umbrella of claim 9, further comprising:

an electrical component located within at least one of said first and second holes; and

an insulated electrical conductor extending along the length of at least one of said ribs within said channel thereof for connecting said electrical component to a source of electrical power.

13. The umbrella of claim 12, further comprising a solar panel, and wherein said source of electrical power comprises a battery charged by said solar panel.

14. The umbrella of claim 9, wherein the upper side wall end of the first and second upstanding side walls are rounded to support the canopy.

15. The umbrella of claim 12, wherein the electrical component comprises at least one of a light, fan, speaker, or insect repelling device.

16. The umbrella of claim 12, wherein the electrical component is a light, and wherein the light is selected from the group consisting of a light emitting diode, an incandescent bulb, and a fluorescent lamp.

17. The umbrella of claim 13, wherein the solar panel is located on top of the first support member.