US20080053496A1 - Outdoor umbrella with built-in electro control panel - Google Patents
Outdoor umbrella with built-in electro control panel Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080053496A1 US20080053496A1 US11/514,817 US51481706A US2008053496A1 US 20080053496 A1 US20080053496 A1 US 20080053496A1 US 51481706 A US51481706 A US 51481706A US 2008053496 A1 US2008053496 A1 US 2008053496A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- control
- outdoor umbrella
- recited
- control circuitry
- umbrella
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45B—WALKING STICKS; UMBRELLAS; LADIES' OR LIKE FANS
- A45B3/00—Sticks combined with other objects
- A45B3/02—Sticks combined with other objects with illuminating devices
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45B—WALKING STICKS; UMBRELLAS; LADIES' OR LIKE FANS
- A45B2200/00—Details not otherwise provided for in A45B
- A45B2200/10—Umbrellas; Sunshades
- A45B2200/1009—Umbrellas; Sunshades combined with other objects
- A45B2200/1027—Umbrellas; Sunshades combined with other objects with means for generating solar energy
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45B—WALKING STICKS; UMBRELLAS; LADIES' OR LIKE FANS
- A45B2200/00—Details not otherwise provided for in A45B
- A45B2200/10—Umbrellas; Sunshades
- A45B2200/1009—Umbrellas; Sunshades combined with other objects
- A45B2200/1036—Umbrellas; Sunshades combined with other objects with means for promoting air movement, e.g. ventilation holes, fans, ventilators, special shape for ventilation, suction means
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45B—WALKING STICKS; UMBRELLAS; LADIES' OR LIKE FANS
- A45B3/00—Sticks combined with other objects
Definitions
- FIG. 5 is a slight alternative of the control panel according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- the plurality of fan blades 33 is spacedly mounted to the driving rotor 32 such that when the driving rotor 32 is driven to rotate, the fan blades 33 are swinging for creating airflow under the awning arms 12 within the shading area, so as to provide a ventilating effect as an additional function for the outdoor umbrella.
- the awning frame 20 further comprises a plurality of awning supporting member 25 each of which is movably extended from the functional umbrella hub 21 to the respective awning arms 22 for movably supporting the awning frame 20 to move between the folded position and the unfolded position.
- each of the fan blades 33 is made of soft fabric material so that when the driving rotor 32 is in an idle position, the fan blades are suspended at the functional umbrella hub 21 , and when the driving rotor 32 is in an operative rotating position, the fan blades 31 are swinging by means of centrifugation force for creating the ventilating effect in the shading area.
- the fan blades 33 are made of soft fabric materials, they do not interfere with the normal operation of the outdoor umbrella because their shape is changeable for fitting the folding and unfolding operation of the outdoor umbrella.
- the functional umbrella hub 21 further has a speaker compartment 214 and at least one audio outlet 215
- the outdoor umbrella further comprises an audio system 50 , as a built-in sound system, comprising a speaker unit 51 supported within the speaker compartment 214 of the functional umbrella hub 21 to align with the audio outlet 215 , wherein when the audio signal is input at the control panel 40 via the audio outlet, the audio signal is transmitted to the speaker unit 51 for generating an audio sound as an additional function for the outdoor umbrella, as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings.
- the audio system 50 further comprises a sealing holder 52 mounted at the supporting frame 10 at a position adjacent to the control panel 40 for holding the portable music player 90 in the sealing holder 52 in a waterproof enclosing manner.
- the portable music player 90 is substantially protected from adverse environment factors and weather condition.
- Each of the extending cables 401 has the connector head 60 extended to the functional umbrella hub 21 through the hollow supporting shaft 11 for electrically connecting the corresponding electric appliance such that the outdoor umbrella is adapted for incorporating with the electric appliances as add on electric appliances, such as the ventilation arrangement 30 , to provide additional functions of the outdoor umbrella when the corresponding electric appliance is mounted at the functional umbrella hub 21 and is electrically connected to the connector head 60 .
- the outdoor umbrella may form different embodiments with different combinations of electrical appliances.
- the outdoor umbrella comprises the audio system 50 , the light arrangement 70 , but not the ventilation arrangement.
- the illumination elements 72 are embodied as the ring-shape light tube 73 .
Landscapes
- Walking Sticks, Umbrellas, And Fans (AREA)
Abstract
An outdoor umbrella for electrical appliances includes a supporting frame, an awning frame, and an electro-control panel. The awning frame includes a functional umbrella hub suspendedly supported by the supporting frame for supporting the electrical appliances in position, a plurality of awning frames radially and outwardly extended from the functional umbrella hub, and an awning supported by the awning arms to define a shading area under the awning. The electro-control panel includes a control circuitry and a control device. The control circuitry has an input terminal adapted for electrically connecting to a power source, and a plurality of control terminals for selectively connecting to the electrical appliances respectively. The control device is electrically connected to the control circuitry for selectively controlling each of the electrical appliances in an on-and-off manner.
Description
- 1. Field of Invention
- The present invention relates to an umbrella, and more particularly to an outdoor umbrella with built-in an electro-control panel which is capable of controlling at least one electrical appliance provided on the outdoor umbrella in an on-off manner.
- 2. Description of Related Arts
- A conventional outdoor umbrella usually comprises a supporting frame, an awing frame movably supported on the supporting frame, and an awning fabric supported on the awning frame for proving shading in a shading area under the awing fabric. Conventionally, the outdoor umbrella is usually foldable so that when it is not in use, the outdoor umbrella can be folded into a compact size for convenient transport and storage.
- People usually use the conventional outdoor umbrella for a wide variety of outdoor activities. For example, people may use the outdoor umbrella during camping for providing some sort of shielding from sunlight. Very often, when people are using the outdoor umbrella in outdoor environment, they need something more, apart from shading, to accomplish their intended activities. For instances, they require light during night time and they may need fans when the weather is too hot. As a result, they may bring their own light and fans to the intended activities and this may create great trouble to them.
- Therefore, this is the main disadvantage to conventional outdoor umbrella in that a typical outdoor activity usually requires a wide range of electrical appliances, such as lighting devices, audio devices, or ventilating devices for providing extra support to the activities being held. Thus, users of the conventional outdoor umbrella usually need to bring their own electrical appliances and plan in advance as to how to securely locate those electrical appliances. For example, they have to plan in advance as to how to mount lighting devices onto the outdoor umbrella. They also have to consider how to get power to light up all the electrical appliances.
- As a matter of fact, there exist some outdoor umbrellas which comprise some sorts of built-in electrical appliances such as lighting devices. However due to power availability, mounting limitation and ease of control, there are currently very few, if not no, comprehensive outdoor umbrella which is capable of providing electrical appliances other than lighting devices. In worse situations, one may need to prepare a lot of batteries for powering up all of the electrical appliances.
- Another problem, however, may exist. Since the outdoors umbrellas have to support many electrical appliances with proper electrical connection, it becomes more difficult for the usual folding or unfolding mechanisms to operate. In short, the electrical appliances may actually affect the operation of the outdoor umbrellas so as to defeat the very purpose of having those outdoor umbrellas.
- Furthermore, even if one incorporates a wide variety of electrical appliances onto the outdoor umbrella, and manages to acquire the necessary power, one may face control problem for these electrical appliances, in that different electrical appliances may require different control switches and electrical connections. As a result, the user of the present may feel that it is difficult and inconvenient to comprehensively control all the electrical appliances of the outdoor umbrella.
- A main object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor umbrella which comprises a built-in electro-control panel, which is capable of providing one-stop comprehensive control to a wide variety of electrical appliances installed onto the outdoor umbrella in an on-off manner, so as to minimize the hassle of separately controlling the electrical appliances by different controllers.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor umbrella which comprises a built-in electro-control panel, which is capable of optimally coordinating a plurality of electrical appliances on the outdoor umbrella so as to optimally and comprehensively controlling the operation thereof.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor umbrella comprising a built-in electro-control panel, which is capable of fitting into a wide variety of outdoor umbrella adopting different sources of electrical power.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor umbrella which comprises a built-in electro-control panel which does not affect the normal operation of the outdoor umbrella so as to facilitate a widespread application of the present invention.
- Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides an outdoor umbrella for electrical appliances, comprising:
- a supporting frame;
- an awning frame which comprises a functional umbrella hub suspendedly supported by the supporting frame for supporting the electrical appliances in position, a plurality of awning frames radially and outwardly extended from the functional umbrella hub, and an awning supported by the awning arms to define a shading area under the awning; and
- an electro-control panel, which is supported at the supporting frame that the electro-control panel is located at a user-hand reachable position, comprising:
- a control circuitry having an input terminal adapted for electrically connecting to a power source, and a plurality of control terminals for selectively connecting to the electrical appliances respectively; and
- a control device electrically connecting to the control circuitry for selectively controlling each of the electrical appliances in an on-and-off manner.
- These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an outdoor umbrella according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the outdoor umbrella according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the ventilation arrangement according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the control panel according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 5 is a slight alternative of the control panel according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of the functional umbrella hub according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the electro-control panel according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 8A toFIG. 8C are schematic diagrams of different combinations of electrical appliances according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 9 is an alternative form of the supporting frame of the outdoor umbrella according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 10A andFIG. 10B are schematic diagrams of the outdoor umbrella according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating that the control panel can be mounted on different position. - Referring to
FIG. 1 toFIG. 4 , andFIG. 6 andFIG. 7 of the drawings, an outdoor umbrella according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, in which the outdoor umbrella comprises a supportingframe 10, anawning frame 20, aventilation arrangement 30, and aconnector head 60. - The
awning frame 20 comprises afunctional umbrella hub 21 suspendedly supported by the supportingframe 10, a plurality ofawning arms 22 radially and outwardly extended from thefunctional umbrella hub 21, and anawning 23 supported by theawning arms 22 to define a shading area under theawning 23. - The
functional umbrella hub 21 further comprises a functional appliance for electrically connecting with theconnector head 60, wherein the functional appliance comprises is embodied as a wide range of electrical appliances adapted for being installed onto the outdoor umbrella, such as theventilation arrangement 30. - The
ventilation arrangement 30 comprises aventilation power unit 31 supporting at thefunctional hub 21, adriving rotor 32 rotatably and coaxially mounted at an outer wall of thefunctional umbrella hub 21 to electrically couple with theventilation power unit 31, and a plurality offan blades 33. - The plurality of
fan blades 33 is spacedly mounted to thedriving rotor 32 such that when thedriving rotor 32 is driven to rotate, thefan blades 33 are swinging for creating airflow under the awning arms 12 within the shading area, so as to provide a ventilating effect as an additional function for the outdoor umbrella. - According to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
umbrella frame 10 comprises a hollow supportingshaft 11 adapted for securely standing on a ground surface for suspendedly supporting theawning frame 20 and theventilation arrangement 30. On the other hand, theawning frame 20 further comprises anupper housing 24 suspendedly supported by the hollow supportingshaft 11, in which theawning frame 20 is radially extended from theupper housing 24 for moving between a folded position and an unfolded position. When theawning frame 20 is in the folded position, the awning frame is pivotally folded towards each other to form a compact structure of the outdoor umbrella, and when theawning frame 20 is in the unfolded position, theawning frame 20 is radially, outwardly and pivotally extended to shade sunlight in the shading area defined by theawning 23. - Moreover, the
awning frame 20 further comprises a plurality of awning supportingmember 25 each of which is movably extended from thefunctional umbrella hub 21 to the respectiveawning arms 22 for movably supporting theawning frame 20 to move between the folded position and the unfolded position. - In order to control an operation of the
ventilation arrangement 30, the outdoor umbrella further comprises acontrol panel 40 supported at the supportingframe 10 to electrically control theventilation arrangement 30, wherein thecontrol panel 40 comprises acontrol switch 41 operatively connected to theventilation power unit 31 to adjustably control the operation parameters, such as rotational speed, of thedriving rotor 32 so as to control the operation of thedriving rotor 32 for generating an optimal airflow of the outdoor umbrella. - Thus, the hollow supporting
shaft 11 of the supportingframe 10 has anupper portion 111 coupling with theawning frame 20, wherein theventilation arrangement 30 further comprises an extendingcable 34 electrically extending from thecontrol panel 40 to theventilation power unit 31 through the supportingshaft 11 so as to conceal the extendingcable 34 in a hidden manner. As a result, the extendingcable 34 is physically protected and aesthetically hidden by the hollow supportingshaft 11 so as to maintain the maximum lift span and optimal aesthetic appearance of the present invention. - Referring to
FIG. 2 toFIG. 3 of the drawings, each of thefan blades 33 is made of soft fabric material so that when the drivingrotor 32 is in an idle position, the fan blades are suspended at thefunctional umbrella hub 21, and when the drivingrotor 32 is in an operative rotating position, thefan blades 31 are swinging by means of centrifugation force for creating the ventilating effect in the shading area. Thus, one may appreciate that since thefan blades 33 are made of soft fabric materials, they do not interfere with the normal operation of the outdoor umbrella because their shape is changeable for fitting the folding and unfolding operation of the outdoor umbrella. - In order to effectively and efficiently create adequate degree of airflow within the shading area, the driving
rotor 32 further comprises a plurality of angled blade hinges 321 securely attaching inner ends of thefan blades 33 respectively at a predetermined angle, such that when the drivingrotor 32 is driven to rotate, thefan blades 33 are inclinedly swinging with respect to the drivingrotor 32 so as to create an effective and efficient airflow within the shading area. - The
ventilation power unit 31 comprises a ring-shapedinduction coil 311 supported in thefunctional umbrella hub 21 to coaxially align with the drivingrotor 32 so as to drive the drivingrotor 32 to rotate by induction. - The
control panel 40 further comprises atemperature sensor 42 supported by the supportingframe 10 for detecting an ambient temperature and asensor circuit 43 which is electrically communicating with thetemperature sensor 42 and is arranged in such a manner that when the ambient temperature is higher than a user-preset temperature, thesensor circuit 43 automatically activates theventilation power unit 31 to drive the drivingrotor 32 to rotate to create the airflow in the shading area. In other words, theventilation arrangement 30 can either be activated manually through thecontrol panel 40, or by ambient temperature rising above a predetermined threshold. In the latter case, theventilation arrangement 30 is activated automatically by thesensor circuit 43. - Furthermore, the
control panel 40 further comprises a circuit transformer 44 electrically connecting with theventilation arrangement 30 for transforming an AC power from an external power source to a DC power for theventilation power unit 31. Thus, theventilation arrangement 30 is adapted for being powered up by an external power source for prolonged use of the ventilation system. Alternatively, theventilation arrangement 30 can also be powered by rechargeable batteries for shorter usage duration. - As a further alternative, the outdoor umbrella can further comprise a solar
energy power system 100 which comprises a solarenergy collection board 110 and a solarenergy conversion circuit 120 mounted on the supportingframe 10. The solarenergy collection board 110 is adapted to collect solar energy from sunlight, wherein the sunlight will be transformed to electric energy by the solarenergy conversion circuit 120 for providing adequate power to operate the electrical appliances installed on the outdoor umbrella. The transformed energy is to be stored by arechargeable battery 130 electrically connected with the solarenergy conversion circuit 120. - In order to securely mount the
ventilation arrangement 30 onto the supportingframe 10 and theawning frame 20, thefunctional umbrella hub 21 of theawning frame 20 has anupper portion 211 coupling with theawning arms 22 via theawning supporting members 25, alower portion 212 receiving theventilation power unit 31 therein, and arotor seat 213 provided at an outer wall of thelower portion 212 to retain the drivingrotor 32 in a rotatably movable manner. - Apart from the ventilation system, the outdoor umbrella according to the preferred embodiment is meant to accommodate a wide range of other electrical appliances so as to provide a wide range of accessory functions to outdoor activities.
- According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
functional umbrella hub 21 further has aspeaker compartment 214 and at least oneaudio outlet 215, whereas the outdoor umbrella further comprises anaudio system 50, as a built-in sound system, comprising aspeaker unit 51 supported within thespeaker compartment 214 of thefunctional umbrella hub 21 to align with theaudio outlet 215, wherein when the audio signal is input at thecontrol panel 40 via the audio outlet, the audio signal is transmitted to thespeaker unit 51 for generating an audio sound as an additional function for the outdoor umbrella, as shown inFIG. 6 of the drawings. - The
control panel 40 further comprises anauxiliary input 45 for communicatively connecting to aportable music player 90 to receive the audio signal therefrom, such that thecontrol panel 40 transmits the audio signal to thespeaker unit 51 for music broadcasting. Theaudio system 50 of the present invention is adapted to play music originated from a wide variety of conventionalportable music players 90, such as CD players, DVD players, MP3 and the like for providing the maximum number of audio options for the user of the present invention. - The
audio system 50 further comprises a sealingholder 52 mounted at the supportingframe 10 at a position adjacent to thecontrol panel 40 for holding theportable music player 90 in the sealingholder 52 in a waterproof enclosing manner. Thus, theportable music player 90 is substantially protected from adverse environment factors and weather condition. - Referring to
FIG. 4 of the drawings, in order to further enhance the source by which audio sound signal can be acquired, thecontrol panel 40 further comprises aradio broadcasting circuit 46 for receiving radio wave as the audio signal, such that thecontrol panel 40 transmits the audio signal to thespeaker unit 51 for radio broadcasting. As such, theaudio system 50 is also capable of processing radio signal for delivering radio sound signal as the audio signal as mentioned above. - The
audio system 50 further comprises anaudio transmitting cable 53 extending from thecontrol panel 40 to thespeaker 51 through the hollow supportingshaft 11 so as to transmit the audio signal from thecontrol panel 40 to thespeaker unit 51 via theaudio transmitting cable 53 securely received in the hollow supportingshaft 11. - Alternatively, the
audio system 50 further comprises awireless transmission link 54 for wirelessly transmitting the audio signal from thecontrol panel 40 to thespeaker unit 51, wherein thewireless transmission link 54 comprises awireless transmitter 541 integrated with thecontrol panel 40 and awireless receiver 542 which is integrated with thespeaker unit 51 and is wirelessly communicating with thewireless transmitter 541 to wirelessly transmit the audio signal from thecontrol panel 40 to thespeaker unit 51. In this situation, theaudio transmitting cable 53 may not be necessary, yet it can still be used in conjunction with thewireless transmission link 54 to cater for different needs. - Accordingly, the
control panel 40 further comprises acontrol circuitry 47 operatively connecting to thespeaker unit 51 of theaudio system 50 to selectively operate and control thespeaker unit 51, and adisplay screen 48 electrically connected to thecontrol circuitry 47 for displaying an operation status thereof. As a result, the user is able to conveniently monitor the operation of theaudio system 50 in a single display device, i.e. thedisplay screen 48. - The
speaker unit 51 comprises a plurality of speakers radially supported within thespeaker compartment 214 of theawning frame 20 for creating a stereo surround sound effect when the audio signal is transmitted to thespeaker unit 51. - In order to enhance the sound quality delivered by the audio system, the
functional umbrella hub 21 further has aresonance chamber 2141 formed at thespeaker compartment 214, wherein thespeaker unit 51 further comprises asubwoofer speaker 511 supported at theresonance chamber 2141 for generating special sound quality of the audio sound output from thespeaker unit 51, as shown inFIG. 6 of the drawings. - The
functional umbrella hub 21 further comprises ahub body 216 having a plurality ofhinges 2161 for respectively coupling with theawning arms 22 in a radially extending manner preferably via theawning supporting arms 25, and aninterior cavity 2162 for theconnector head 60 disposing therein. - More specifically, the
functional umbrella hub 21 further comprises afunctional hub 217, which is downwardly extended from thehub body 216 to communicate with theinterior cavity 2162 thereof, having thespeaker compartment 214 and theaudio outlet 215, wherein the functional appliance is built-in with thefunctional hub 217 that the speaker is securely supported within thespeaker compartment 214 at theaudio outlet 215 such that thefunctional umbrella hub 21 is adapted for not only operatively incorporating with the outdoor umbrella via thehub body 216 but also providing the additional function for the outdoor umbrella via thefunctional hub 217 to enhance a practical use thereof. - Referring to
FIG. 6 of the drawings, the functional appliance further comprises alight arrangement 70 provided at a bottom side of thefunctional hub 217 for electrically connecting with theconnector head 60 so as to generate a light illumination as another additional function for the outdoor umbrella. More specifically, thelight arrangement 70 comprises a ring-shapedlight housing 71, having aconnector inlet 711 for electrically connecting to theconnector head 60, mounted to the bottom side of thefunctional hub 217, and a plurality ofillumination elements 72 spacedly and coaxially mounted at thelight housing 71 for illuminating an area under theawning arms 22, i.e. the shading area. Note that theillumination elements 72 are a plurality of LEDs electrically and spacedly mounted at thelight housing 71. - The
functional hub 217 is integrally extended from thehub body 216 to form a one-piece integral hub for allowing theconnector head 60 extending into thefunctional hub 217 from theinterior cavity 2162 of thehub body 216. - The
functional umbrella hub 21 further comprises a mountingunit 218 for detachably mounting thefunctional hub 217 under thehub body 216, wherein the mountingunit 218 comprises aretaining panel 2181 integrally formed at the bottom side of thehub body 216, and at least afastening element 2182 detachably fastening thefunctional hub 217 at theretaining panel 2181 to detachably mount thefunctional hub 217 to thehub body 216. - The
light arrangement 70 may also comprise a ring-shapedlight tube 73 mounted at thelight housing 71 for illuminating an area under theawning arms 22. Thus, the light tube is capable of providing uniform line of light source for the shading area, a shown inFIG. 8C of the drawings. - Referring to
FIG. 7 of the drawings, thecontrol panel 40 is preferably embodied as an electro-control panel which is electrically controlled and operated for providing optimal control to the electrical appliances of the outdoor umbrella. - More specifically, the
control panel 40 comprises thecontrol circuitry 47 having aninput terminal 471 adapted for electrically connecting to a power source, and a plurality ofcontrol terminals 472 for selectively connecting to the electrical appliances respectively. Thecontrol panel 40 further comprises acontrol device 49 electrically connecting to thecontrol circuitry 47 for selectively controlling each of the electrical appliances in an on-and-off manner. - In order to connect with the
functional umbrella hub 21, thecontrol panel 40 as the electro-control panel further comprises a plurality of extendingcables 401 electrically extending from thecontrol terminals 472 respectively to theawning frame 20 through the hollow supportingshaft 11 in a pre-wiring manner. - Each of the extending
cables 401 has theconnector head 60 extended to thefunctional umbrella hub 21 through the hollow supportingshaft 11 for electrically connecting the corresponding electric appliance such that the outdoor umbrella is adapted for incorporating with the electric appliances as add on electric appliances, such as theventilation arrangement 30, to provide additional functions of the outdoor umbrella when the corresponding electric appliance is mounted at thefunctional umbrella hub 21 and is electrically connected to theconnector head 60. - Moreover, the electro-control panel further comprises a
panel housing 402 built-in with the supportingframe 10 that thepanel housing 402 is provided at a peripheral wall of the supportingframe 10 to protectively receive thecontrol circuitry 47 in thepanel housing 402. Thus, the user is able to control the electrical appliances by simply operating thecontrol panel 40 at thepanel housing 402. - It is worth mentioning that the
panel housing 402 can be installed on the hollow supportingshaft 11 in different manner. For example, as shown inFIG. 4 of the drawings, thepanel housing 402 can be installed at an outer peripheral surface of the hollow supportingshaft 11. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 5 of the drawings, thepanel housing 402 can be mounted at an outer corner portion of the hollow supportingshaft 11. - The
control device 49 comprises the plurality of control switches 41 which are spacedly provided on thepanel housing 402 and are electrically connected to thecontrol terminals 472 of thecontrol circuitry 47 respectively for manually controlling the corresponding electrical appliances in an on-and-off manner. Moreover, thedisplay screen 48 is provided on thepanel housing 402 and is electrically connected to thecontrol circuitry 47 for displaying an operation status of each of the electrical appliances. - The
control panel 40 as the electro-control panel further comprises anelectric socket 403 which is provided on the supportingframe 10 and is electrically connected to theinput terminal 471 for electrically connecting to a power source, such as an AC power source. - Accordingly, the circuit transformer 44 electrically connects the
electric socket 403 with theinput terminal 471 of thecontrol circuitry 47 for transforming an AC power from the external AC power source to a DC power so as to supply a predetermined amount of electricity to the electric appliances. - The
control circuitry 47 comprises the integratedradio broadcasting circuit 46 and theauxiliary input 45 for communicatively connecting to aportable music player 90, such that thecontrol circuitry 47 provides an added audio function for incorporating with the electric appliances. - The
control device 49 further comprises awireless link circuitry 491 integrated with thecontrol circuitry 47, and aremote control 492 wirelessly communicating to thewireless link circuitry 491 to control thecontrol circuitry 47 for remotely controlling the electric appliances in a wireless manner. - It is worth mentioning that the outdoor umbrella may form different embodiments with different combinations of electrical appliances. Referring to
FIG. 8A of the drawings, the outdoor umbrella comprises theaudio system 50, thelight arrangement 70, but not the ventilation arrangement. Referring toFIG. 8B of the drawings, only thelight arrangement 70 has been installed, and inFIG. 8C of the drawings, one may appreciate that theillumination elements 72 are embodied as the ring-shapelight tube 73. -
FIG. 9 illustrates a slight alternative of the outdoor umbrella in whichawning frame 20 is movably coupled directly at theupper portion 111 of the hollow supportingshaft 11 for folding and unfolding, wherein the electrical appliances are mounted at thefunction umbrella hub 21 for performing the corresponding functions. - Referring to
FIG. 10A andFIG. 10B of the drawings, thecontrol panel 40 can also be mounted at an upper portion of the hollow supportingshaft 11 for controlling the different electrical appliances. - One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.
- It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
Claims (20)
1. An outdoor umbrella for electrical appliances, comprising:
a supporting frame;
an awning frame which comprises a functional umbrella hub suspendedly supported by said supporting frame for supporting said electrical appliances in position, a plurality of awning frames radially and outwardly extended from said functional umbrella hub, and an awning supported by said awning arms to define a shading area under said awning; and
an electro-control panel, which is supported at said supporting frame that said electro-control panel is located at a user-hand reachable position, comprising:
a control circuitry having an input terminal adapted for electrically connecting to a power source, and a plurality of control terminals for selectively connecting to said electrical appliances respectively; and
a control device electrically connecting to said control circuitry for selectively controlling each of said electrical appliances in an on-and-off manner.
2. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 1 , wherein said supporting frame comprises a hollow supporting shaft having an upper portion coupling with said awning frame, wherein said electro-control panel further comprises a plurality of extending cables electrically extending from said control terminals respectively to said awning frame through said hollow supporting shaft in a pre-wiring manner.
3. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 2 , wherein each of said extending cables has a connector head extended to said functional umbrella hub through said hollow supporting shaft for electrically connecting said corresponding electric appliance such that said outdoor umbrella is adapted for incorporating with said electric appliances as add on electric appliances to provide additional functions of said outdoor umbrella when said corresponding electric appliance is mounted at said functional umbrella hub and is electrically connected to said connector head.
4. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 1 , wherein said electro-control panel further comprises a panel housing built-in with said supporting frame that said panel housing is provided at a peripheral wall of said supporting frame to protectively receive said control circuitry in said panel housing.
5. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 3 , wherein said electro-control panel further comprises a panel housing built-in with said supporting frame that said panel housing is provided at a peripheral wall of said supporting frame to protectively receive said control circuitry in said panel housing.
6. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 4 , wherein said control device comprises a plurality of control switches which are spacedly provided on said panel housing and are electrically connected to said control terminals of said control circuitry respectively for manually controlling said corresponding electrical appliances in an on-and-off manner.
7. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 5 , wherein said control device comprises a plurality of control switches which are spacedly provided on said panel housing and are electrically connected to said control terminals of said control circuitry respectively for manually controlling said corresponding electrical appliances in an on-and-off manner.
8. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 4 , wherein said electro-control panel further comprises a display screen which is provided on said panel housing and is electrically connected to said control circuitry for displaying an operation status of each of said electrical appliances.
9. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 5 , wherein said electro-control panel further comprises a display screen which is provided on said panel housing and is electrically connected to said control circuitry for displaying an operation status of each of said electrical appliances.
10. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 7 , wherein said electro-control panel further comprises a display screen which is provided on said panel housing and is electrically connected to said control circuitry for displaying an operation status of each of said electrical appliances.
11. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 5 , wherein said electro-control panel further comprises an electric socket which is provided on said supporting frame and is electrically connected to said input terminal for electrically connecting to said power source.
12. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 10 , wherein said electro-control panel further comprises an electric socket which is provided on said supporting frame and is electrically connected to said input terminal for electrically connecting to said power source.
13. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 11 , wherein said electro-control panel further comprises a circuit transformer electrically connecting between said electric socket and said input terminal of said control circuit for transforming an AC power from said power source to a DC power to said control circuitry for supplying electricity to said electric appliances.
14. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 12 , wherein said electro-control panel further comprises a circuit transformer electrically connecting between said electric socket and said input terminal of said control circuit for transforming an AC power from said power source to a DC power to said control circuitry for supplying electricity to said electric appliances.
15. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 5 , wherein said control circuitry further comprises an integrated radio broadcasting circuit and an auxiliary input for communicatively connecting to a portable music player, such that said control circuitry provides an added audio function for incorporating with said electric appliances.
16. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 7 , wherein said control circuitry further comprises an integrated radio broadcasting circuit and an auxiliary input for communicatively connecting to a portable music player, such that said control circuitry provides an added audio function for incorporating with said electric appliances.
17. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 14 , wherein said control circuitry further comprises an integrated radio broadcasting circuit and an auxiliary input for communicatively connecting to a portable music player, such that said control circuitry provides an added audio function for incorporating with said electric appliances.
18. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 1 , wherein said control device further comprises a wireless link circuitry integrated with said control circuitry and a remote control wirelessly communicating to said wireless link circuitry to control said control circuitry for remotely controlling said electric appliances in a wireless manner.
19. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 7 , wherein said control device further comprises a wireless link circuitry integrated with said control circuitry and a remote control wirelessly communicating to said wireless link circuitry to control said control circuitry for remotely controlling said electric appliances in a wireless manner.
20. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 17 , wherein said control device further comprises a wireless link circuitry integrated with said control circuitry and a remote control wirelessly communicating to said wireless link circuitry to control said control circuitry for remotely controlling said electric appliances in a wireless manner.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US11/514,817 US20080053496A1 (en) | 2006-09-01 | 2006-09-01 | Outdoor umbrella with built-in electro control panel |
| US12/798,411 US9345295B2 (en) | 2006-09-01 | 2010-04-02 | Outdoor umbrella with built-in electro control panel |
| US14/965,853 US20160095398A1 (en) | 2006-09-01 | 2015-12-10 | Outdoor Umbrella with Built-In Electro Control Panel |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US11/514,817 US20080053496A1 (en) | 2006-09-01 | 2006-09-01 | Outdoor umbrella with built-in electro control panel |
Related Child Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US12/798,411 Continuation-In-Part US9345295B2 (en) | 2006-09-01 | 2010-04-02 | Outdoor umbrella with built-in electro control panel |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| US20080053496A1 true US20080053496A1 (en) | 2008-03-06 |
Family
ID=39149829
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US11/514,817 Abandoned US20080053496A1 (en) | 2006-09-01 | 2006-09-01 | Outdoor umbrella with built-in electro control panel |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20080053496A1 (en) |
Cited By (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20100272569A1 (en) * | 2009-04-22 | 2010-10-28 | Carol Benton | Lighted pole fan |
| CN102669901A (en) * | 2012-05-17 | 2012-09-19 | 上海工程技术大学 | Umbrella with solar fan |
| US8745929B2 (en) * | 2011-04-18 | 2014-06-10 | Mansen W. Way | Pivoting shelters |
| US9030829B2 (en) | 2012-10-22 | 2015-05-12 | Oliver Joen-An Ma | Modular accessory |
| USD869718S1 (en) | 2018-02-20 | 2019-12-10 | ZHUN-AN Ma | Umbrella attached light |
| US11111692B1 (en) * | 2020-04-10 | 2021-09-07 | Aduiq Rahman Qureshi | Illuminated structure |
| US11181256B2 (en) | 2018-02-20 | 2021-11-23 | ZHUN-AN Ma | Stand for portable accessory |
| US11578860B2 (en) | 2018-02-20 | 2023-02-14 | ZHUN-AN Ma | Stand for portable accessory |
| US20230172327A1 (en) * | 2021-12-08 | 2023-06-08 | Peter Wood | Easy Open Solar Patio Umbrella Device |
| US20230380557A1 (en) * | 2022-04-05 | 2023-11-30 | Maxton Engineering Ltd. | Umbrella assembly having a modularized drive module |
| US12448807B2 (en) * | 2022-12-31 | 2025-10-21 | Linhai Meideng Lighting Co., Ltd. | Tent top base structure |
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| US20100272569A1 (en) * | 2009-04-22 | 2010-10-28 | Carol Benton | Lighted pole fan |
| US8745929B2 (en) * | 2011-04-18 | 2014-06-10 | Mansen W. Way | Pivoting shelters |
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| USD897019S1 (en) | 2018-02-20 | 2020-09-22 | ZHUN-AN Ma | Umbrella light stand |
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| US11181256B2 (en) | 2018-02-20 | 2021-11-23 | ZHUN-AN Ma | Stand for portable accessory |
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| US11111692B1 (en) * | 2020-04-10 | 2021-09-07 | Aduiq Rahman Qureshi | Illuminated structure |
| US20230172327A1 (en) * | 2021-12-08 | 2023-06-08 | Peter Wood | Easy Open Solar Patio Umbrella Device |
| US20230380557A1 (en) * | 2022-04-05 | 2023-11-30 | Maxton Engineering Ltd. | Umbrella assembly having a modularized drive module |
| US12448807B2 (en) * | 2022-12-31 | 2025-10-21 | Linhai Meideng Lighting Co., Ltd. | Tent top base structure |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |