Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090007945 | LIGHT SUPPORT ADAPTER - A light support system is provided for a structure for supporting a light device thereon. The system can comprise a deployable member and a retention mechanism. The deployable member can have an exterior surface onto which the light device can be mounted. The deployable member can be selectively movable from a stowed position to an extended position in which the member can support the lighting device. The member can be engaged in order to retain or lock the member in at least one of the stowed and extended positions. | 01-08-2009 |
20090056776 | QUICK CONNECTOR FOR SHADE STRUCTURE - A connector is provided to connect a structural rib of a structure to another rib or portion of the structure, such as an umbrella. The connector comprises first and second ends, and can include a reinforcing rib and/or a closure member. The second end comprises at least one recess extending from a side of the connector. The recess can comprise an open end configured to be coupled to a mounting member of an umbrella hub or rib and a closed end configured to rest on or retain the mounting member. The reinforcing rib can extend between the first and second ends of the connector to enhance its strength. The closure member, if present, can be biased to allow or restrict access to the open end of the recess to retain the mounting member in the closed ends thereof. | 03-05-2009 |
20090071519 | UMBRELLA STRUCTURE - An umbrella is provided that comprises a canopy and a support structure upon which the canopy is supported. The canopy can comprise a first panel and a second panel. The support structure can comprise a spacer configured to provide a gap separating the first and second panels to permit air to be vented through the canopy. A method of venting an umbrella is also provided wherein the method comprises providing a plurality of gaps in the canopy extending substantially horizontally, when the umbrella is open, between at least one pair of adjacent ribs and located along the at least one pair of adjacent ribs, and providing a plurality of spacers mounted on the at least one pair of adjacent ribs to open the gaps when the umbrella is on use. | 03-19-2009 |
20090260664 | QUICK CONNECTOR HUB FOR SHADE STRUCTURE - An umbrella hub is provided which can comprise a central portion, a body, and a retention mechanism. The central portion can be configured to receive to an umbrella pole. The body extends between the central portion and an outer periphery of the hub and can comprise an engagement section adjacent to the outer periphery. The engagement section can be configured to receive an end portion of an umbrella structural member. The retention mechanism can be disposed within the engagement section and can comprise an elongate channel having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion can be located between the second portion and the outer periphery of the body and have a width less than the width of the second portion. | 10-22-2009 |
20100032106 | ADJUSTABLE AWNING SUPPORT JOINT - An awning can include a support member, an extension member, and an adjustment device. The extension member can have a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The first end of the extension member can coupled with an edge of a cloth. The adjustment device can include at least two positioning frames coupled to the support member and a Y-shaped support frame disposed between the positioning frames. The Y-shaped support frame can have an upper fork, a lower fork, and a base coupled to the second end of the extension member. The adjustment device can be configured to pivotally move the extension member upward and downward. The longitudinal axis of the extension member can be disposed at a range of angular positions relative to a horizontal axis. | 02-11-2010 |
20100059094 | ADJUSTABLE RIB CONNECTORS - The present inventions relate generally to connectors for interconnecting members of shade structures (e.g. umbrellas and pavilions), such as support ribs and hubs. The connectors can be incorporated or attached to support ribs of shade structures to enable the support ribs to extend from the hubs at various angles to accommodate different shaped canopies. The connectors include an adjustable portion that enables the support ribs to extend to desired points on the periphery of the canopy at an angle that deviates from the angle of the hub channels, which are disposed around the periphery of the hubs. | 03-11-2010 |
20100147344 | BASES AND BRACES FOR SUPPORT POLES, SUCH AS POLES FOR PAVILIONS AND UMBRELLAS - Bases are disclosed that comprise a projecting portion designed to receive over it the hollow end of a pole or other elongate member, which may form part of a structure such as a pavilion or umbrella. The projecting portion of the base comprises wedges that move in response to the end of the pole moving over the projecting portion and in so moving, the wedges increase the effective cross section of the projecting portion to engage the inner surface of the end of the pole and to thereby stabilize the structure on a support surface, such as the ground. Braces are also disclosed that pull together adjacent poles of a pavilion to make the structure more rigid. | 06-17-2010 |
20100175732 | UMBRELLA HUB WITH CORD LOCK FEATURE - An umbrella hub is provided that is operative to engage an umbrella cord for maintaining an umbrella in an open position. The hub can comprise a hub body, an aperture, a passage section, and an engagement section. The hub body can comprise a series of projections extending outwardly from the hub body. The aperture can be formed in one of the projections of the hub body. The aperture can be configured to allow the cord to pass therethrough. Further, the passage section can be configured to allow the cord to pass freely therethrough. Finally, the engagement section can be configured to engage the cord to prevent upward movement of the cord relative to the hub body. | 07-15-2010 |
20100192996 | UMBRELLA HINGE - An umbrella assembly is provided that comprises a canopy assembly and support rods connected by a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly allows the canopy assembly to alternate between both deployed and folded positions, as well as opened and closed, by a single tension member that can be controlled by an actuation device such as a crank. The hinge assembly can also interlock, stabilizing the canopy assembly. | 08-05-2010 |
20100224225 | QUICK CONNECTOR FOR SHADE STRUCTURE - A connector is provided to connect a structural rib of a structure to another rib or portion of the structure, such as an umbrella. The connector comprises first and second ends, and can include a reinforcing rib and/or a closure member. The second end comprises at least one recess extending from a side of the connector. The recess can comprise an open end configured to be coupled to a mounting member of an umbrella hub or rib and a closed end configured to rest on or retain the mounting member. The reinforcing rib can extend between the first and second ends of the connector to enhance its strength. The closure member, if present, can be biased to allow or restrict access to the open end of the recess to retain the mounting member in the closed ends thereof. | 09-09-2010 |
20100269871 | UMBRELLA HANDLE - Umbrella handle assemblies are provided for maintaining a position of a canopy relative to a support pole of an umbrella. The handle assemblies can be slidable along the pole, but can also be actuated to cause the assemblies to be generally fixed at a given longitudinal position along the pole in order to maintain an open or closed position of the canopy. The handle assemblies can comprise a handle that can be actuated to cause a brake component of the assemblies to engage with the pole to secure the handle assembly relative to the pole. | 10-28-2010 |
20110017249 | UMBRELLA HUB WITH CORD LOCK FEATURE - An umbrella hub is provided that is operative to engage an umbrella cord for maintaining an umbrella in an open position. The hub can comprise a cord retention mechanism. For example, the hub can comprise upper and lower hub portions that form a hub body and a cord retention mechanism comprising an aperture extending through the hub body, a recess disposed within the upper or lower hub portion, and a pair of engagement members disposed in the recess. The cord lock mechanism can be configured to allow the cord to pass freely in a first direction while preventing movement of the cord therethrough in a second direction that is opposite the first direction or to pass freely in both the first and second directions. | 01-27-2011 |
20110132418 | UMBRELLA HUB WITH CORD LOCK FEATURE - An umbrella hub is provided that is operative to engage an umbrella cord for maintaining an umbrella in an open position. The hub can comprise a cord retention means. The cord retention means can be located within a portion of and/or behind, abutting, and/or at the base of at least a portion of one connection cavity of the hub. The cord retention means can comprise a passage that is configured to receive a cord therethrough and extend along at least a portion of the hub. The cord retention means can be configured to allow the cord to pass freely in a first direction while preventing movement of the cord therethrough in a second direction that is opposite the first direction or to pass freely in both the first and second directions. | 06-09-2011 |
20110209732 | QUICK CONNECTOR HUB FOR SHADE STRUCTURE - An umbrella hub is provided which can comprise a central portion, a body, and an engagement section. The central portion can be configured to receive to an umbrella pole. The body can extend between the central portion and an outer periphery of the hub with the engagement section being located adjacent to the outer periphery thereof. The engagement section can be configured to receive and constrained the movement of an end portion of an umbrella structural member. | 09-01-2011 |
20110214705 | HUBS FOR SHADE STRUCTURES - A shade structure is provided, such as an umbrella, particularly a large free-standing umbrella, which can have a variable geometry. In some embodiments, the umbrella can comprise multiple sets of ribs supporting a canopy structure and having a mechanism associated with each set of ribs for influencing the angle or elevation of the rib sets. | 09-08-2011 |
20120024329 | MOVABLE BASE WITH WHEELS DEPLOYABLE BY CYCLIC DRIVING ASSEMBLY - A ratcheting assembly can include a housing, a ratcheting gear, a first ratchet pawl, a motion translation member, and a ratcheting actuation member. The ratcheting gear can rotatably mount within the housing and include a plurality of ratchet teeth and an eccentric opening. The eccentric opening can include a rotational center of the ratcheting gear. The first ratchet pawl can mount to the housing adjacent to the ratcheting gear to allow rotation in a first direction and to hinder rotation in a second direction opposite the first direction. The motion translation member can mount within the opening such that rotation of the ratcheting gear can cause a movement of the motion translation member via rotation of the eccentric opening. The ratcheting actuation member can mount to the housing and include a second ratchet pawl. The second ratchet pawl can mount to the ratcheting actuation member adjacent to the ratcheting gear such that actuation of the ratcheting actuation member in the first direction can cause a rotation of the ratcheting gear and actuation of the ratcheting actuation member in the second direction opposite the first direction does not cause a rotation of the ratcheting gear. | 02-02-2012 |
20120024330 | MOVABLE BASE WITH WHEELS DEPLOYABLE BY REVERSIBLE DRIVING ASSEMBLY - A ratchet assembly includes an elongated shaft, a gear housing, a ratcheting member, and an arm. The elongated shaft can have a gear and be supported by the gear housing to allow rotation about a primary axis of the shaft. The ratcheting member can mount in the housing and be biased toward the gear to engage with the gear hindering relative rotation about the shaft axis in a first direction and allowing rotation about the shaft axis in a second direction opposite the first direction. The ratcheting member can rotatably mount within the housing about a second axis. The arm can couple to the gear housing in a first configuration to provide torque to rotate the housing about the shaft axis in the first direction when the arm is pressed downward. The arm can also be coupled to the gear housing in a second configuration to rotate the housing about the shaft axis in a second direction opposite the first direction when the arm is pressed downward. | 02-02-2012 |
20120025050 | MOVABLE BASE WITH CONTROL SURFACE - In a further embodiment, a method of controlling a base assembly can be provided. An actuation member can be pumped to deploy one or more wheels to lift a base assembly on said wheels. Further, a pin can be received in a holding portion on a semi-planar contoured surface in response to the pumping of the actuation member. The wheels can be held in a deployed position via the pin being held in the holding portion. Further pumping of the actuation member can separate the pin from the holding portion and retract the wheels from the deployed position. | 02-02-2012 |
20130146740 | SHAPE RETAINING FOLDABLE UMBRELLA BASE - A foldable umbrella base may include a cross-piece having a ground engaging portion and an upright receptacle configured to receive an umbrella pole. The foldable umbrella base may also include a foldable container comprising a ballast retaining space configured to receive and retain a ballast material. The foldable umbrella base may also include a foldable cover configured to be disposed over the foldable container to enclose the foldable container and cross-piece while permitting the umbrella pole to extend therethrough. A first plurality of retainers may be coupled to a side surface of the foldable container may be configured to receive and hold a corresponding first plurality of rigid members such that the first plurality of retainers can provide structural support to the foldable container, whereby the foldable container can retain a shape upon receiving the ballast. | 06-13-2013 |
20130192771 | FREE ARM UMBRELLA - A free arm umbrella includes a fixing plate ( | 08-01-2013 |
20130276843 | UMBRELLA QUICK FRAME ASSEMBLY SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An umbrella hub is provided that comprises an inner portion, an outer periphery, a lower portion and an upper portion. A plurality of vertical grooves is disposed in the outer periphery and is configured to receive umbrella ribs or struts. A plurality of grooves extends transverse to the vertical grooves. A retention member is disposed in each of the transverse grooves. A first configuration of the hub permits deflection of the retention member such that a transverse pin coupled with the umbrella ribs or struts can be inserted into the transverse groove in which the retention member is disposed. A second configuration of the hub prevents deflection of the retention member such that inadvertent withdrawal of the pin from the transverse groove in which the retention member is disposed is prevented. | 10-24-2013 |
20130333734 | UMBRELLA CANOPY TILT MECHANISM - In some embodiments, an umbrella canopy tilt mechanism is provided that can include a crank mechanism and an automatic bending mechanism. The crank mechanism includes a crank and a rope. The crank is configured to be swivel-mounted on one end of the curved cantilever of a sunshade umbrella. The automatic bending mechanism is configured to be installed in a shaft of the sunshade umbrella. One end of the rope is configured to connect to the crank. The other end of the rope is configured to extend along the curved cantilever to reach the other end of the curved cantilever. The rope is configured to extend through the shaft and automatic bending mechanism to connect to a lower runner. The lower runner is held and slides on the shaft. An upper runner is fixedly secured to the shaft. The umbrella canopy tilt mechanism can further be provided with a rotation mechanism. | 12-19-2013 |
20140109942 | UMBRELLA - Umbrella assemblies described herein are advantageously configured to with simple yet robust arrangements for securing an umbrella in an open configuration, e.g., with a runner in an elevated position. | 04-24-2014 |
20140111948 | MODULAR ACCESSORY - An accessory is provided that includes power supply module, a first functional module, and a second functional module. The power supply module can be configured to be suspended beneath an overhead support, such as a hub of an umbrella. The first functional module is configured to affix to the power supply module and to be powered by the power supply module to provide a user directed function. The second functional module is configured to be detachably coupled to either the power supply module or the first functional module to receive power from the power supply module directly or through the first functional module. | 04-24-2014 |
20140174254 | MOVABLE BASE WITH WHEELS DEPLOYABLE BY REVERSIBLE DRIVING ASSEMBLY - A ratchet assembly includes an elongated shaft, a gear housing, a ratcheting member, and an arm. The elongated shaft can have a gear and be supported by the gear housing to allow rotation about a primary axis of the shaft. The ratcheting member can mount in the housing and be biased toward the gear to engage with the gear hindering relative rotation about the shaft axis in a first direction and allowing rotation about the shaft axis in a second direction opposite the first direction. The ratcheting member can rotatably mount within the housing about a second axis. The arm can couple to the gear housing in a first configuration to provide torque to rotate the housing about the shaft axis in the first direction when the arm is pressed downward. The arm can also be coupled to the gear housing in a second configuration to rotate the housing about the shaft axis in a second direction opposite the first direction when the arm is pressed downward. | 06-26-2014 |
20140190294 | MOVABLE BASE WITH CONTROL SURFACE - In a further embodiment, a method of controlling a base assembly can be provided. An actuation member can be pumped to deploy one or more wheels to lift a base assembly on said wheels. Further, a pin can be received in a holding portion on a semi-planar contoured surface in response to the pumping of the actuation member. The wheels can be held in a deployed position via the pin being held in the holding portion. Further pumping of the actuation member can separate the pin from the holding portion and retract the wheels from the deployed position. | 07-10-2014 |
20140230867 | CANTILEVER UMBRELLA - Umbrella assemblies described herein are configured to retract and extend, tilt side to side, and open and close. In some embodiments, the umbrella assembly can include a cantilevered beam. The umbrella assembly can further include a tilt mechanism operable to rotate the canopy frame. The umbrella assembly can include a clutch mechanism fixed to the cantilevered beam. | 08-21-2014 |
20140246062 | QUICK ASSEMBLY METHODS AND COMPONENTS FOR SHADE STRUCTURES - A quick connect system is provided for a shade structure. The system includes a hub and a structural member. The hub has a top surface, a plurality of side walls forming a slot therebetween, and a displaceable retention device having a free end disposed at an elevation below the top surface. The displaceable retention device is moveable laterally away from the slot. The structural member has an end configured to swing in the slot. The end has a laterally extending rotation device. The rotation device extends laterally beyond the free end of the displaceable retention device when the end is disposed in the slot. | 09-04-2014 |
20140251394 | QUICK CONNECTOR HUB FOR SHADE STRUCTURE - An umbrella hub is provided that includes a hub body and a plurality of slots. The hub body extends between an outer periphery and a central aperture configured to receive an umbrella pole. The slots comprise a pivot zone configured to receive and retain a mounting pin of an umbrella rib or strut. The hub can be loaded in a generally horizontal direction. Deflectable surfaces enable rigid pins of the umbrella rib or strut to be engaged with the hub for pivoting therein. | 09-11-2014 |
20140251552 | RETRACTABLE AWNINGS - An awning is provided that includes a canopy. The awning includes a canopy frame. The canopy frame includes an inner member configured to be mounted to an upright support such as an exterior wall. The canopy frame also includes a first foldable arm and a second foldable arm. Each of the arms includes an inner portion coupled with the inner member and an outer portion. The canopy frame also includes an outer member coupled with the outer portions of each of the first and second foldable arms. The canopy frame is configured such that upon initial retraction of the canopy, the first foldable arm begins folding prior to the second foldable arm. | 09-11-2014 |
20140305476 | UMBRELLA RIB CONNECTOR - A rib connector is provided that has a first arm, a second arm, and a transverse member. The first arm has an inner wall, a first recess in the inner wall, and an inclined surface that extends toward the first recess. The second arm has an inner wall and a second recess. The second recess is positioned opposite to the first recess. The transverse member is located between the first arm and the second arm. The transverse member connects the first arm and the second arm. The transverse member is disposed adjacent to a space located between the first and second arms. The space is configured to receive an umbrella rib. A varying distance is provided between the inclined surface and the inner wall of the second arm such that the distance is less at a first position along the inclined surface than at a second position along the inclined surface. The first position is between the first recess and the second position. | 10-16-2014 |
20150068566 | CANTILEVER UMBRELLA - An umbrella is provided that has a transverse member mounted canopy control module. The umbrella has a support structure and a canopy. The support structure has a first support member having an upper end and a second support member. The second support member has a first end disposed adjacent to the first support member and a second end disposed away from the first end. The second support member extending along a longitudinal axis disposed transverse to the first support member. The canopy has an upper hub. The upper hub is pivotally coupled with the second support member. The umbrella also has an enclosure disposed at the first end of the second support member. A canopy control mechanism is disposed in the enclosure to alter the configuration of the canopy. | 03-12-2015 |
20150068567 | CANTILEVER UMBRELLA - A cantilever umbrella assembly is provided that includes an upright pole, a runner, a transverse pole, and a canopy. The upright pole includes an upright guide surface. The runner is coupled with the upright pole and has a bearing coupled with the guide surface for guiding the runner along the upright pole. The cantilever umbrella assembly includes a deployable tension member with a first end disposed in the transverse pole and a second end coupled with the canopy. | 03-12-2015 |
20150075574 | CANTILEVER UMBRELLA - An umbrella is provided that has a transverse member mounted canopy control module. The umbrella has a support structure and a canopy. The support structure has a first support member having an upper end and a second support member. The second support member has a first end disposed adjacent to the first support member and a second end disposed away from the first end. The second support member extending along a longitudinal axis disposed transverse to the first support member. The canopy has an upper hub. The upper hub is coupled with the second support member. The umbrella also has an enclosure disposed at the first end of the second support member. A canopy control mechanism is at least partially disposed in the enclosure to alter the configuration of the canopy. | 03-19-2015 |
20150076313 | ROTATION BASE FOR UMBRELLA - An umbrella base is provided that includes a first support, a second support and a control device, which can include a foot pedal. The second support is rotatably coupled with the first support. The foot pedal is coupled with the first support, e.g., at a pivot. The foot pedal has at least one lateral member. The lateral member projects downward from an arm. The lateral member is located on the same side of the second support as the foot pedal. Movement of the foot pedal downward causes lateral members to disengage from the second support permitting the second support to rotate. | 03-19-2015 |