US20080083441A1

US20080083441A1 - Adjustable beach umbrella assembly

Info

Publication number: US20080083441A1
Application number: US11/538,505
Authority: US
Inventors: Darrin M. Smutzer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-10-04
Filing date: 2006-10-04
Publication date: 2008-04-10

Abstract

An adjustable beach umbrella assembly has a securing mechanism to attach it to the beach or ground, and then has an umbrella securing mechanism to securely and adjustably hold a beach umbrella in a desired place through an attachment mechanism.

Description

This invention relates to a beach umbrella and a beach umbrella assembly and, more particularly, to an adjustable beach umbrella assembly which can be adjusted to various heights and also, can be firmly mounted into the ground or beach surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Beach umbrellas are becoming an increasingly popular sight in many outdoor areas. These beach umbrellas are a convenient way to provide a shady place to rest and cool off and a way to help prevent harmful sun exposure and sun burns. They are especially useful at the beach, sporting events, or other outdoor areas where a person will be exposed to the sun for long periods of time and not have access to shade or other sun blocking methods.
For these beach umbrellas to be useful, they must be lightweight and portable so that the user can easily take them to their destination, install them, and remove them without excessive effort. These devices must also be sturdy enough to withstand gusts of wind, people bumping into them, and other environmental factors. Therefore, the adjustment mechanism must not only be convenient and easy to use but it must also form a secure and stable locking position.
Furthermore, these beach umbrellas must be adjustable for different heights. An adjustable beach umbrella assembly will need to accommodate both adults and children. Also, people lying directly on the sand, lying on a beach chair, or sitting in a lawn chair must also be accommodated. A beach umbrella that can adjust to these various heights will be a useful invention.
The beach umbrella must also be able to stay positioned in the upright position despite a wide variety of environmental conditions. However, if the beach umbrella is to be inserted into the ground or sand, it must be able to easily make that secured connection. Finally, this device must be sturdy enough to withstand a variety of environmental conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among the many objectives of the present invention is the provision of an adjustable beach umbrella assembly which can be adjusted to various heights to accommodate the user.
A further objective of the present invention is the provision of an adjustable beach umbrella assembly which is easily adjusted to the desired position and securely locked into place.
A still further objective of the present invention is the provision of an adjustable beach umbrella assembly which is portable and easy to transport from one desired location to the next.
Moreover, an objective of the present invention is the provision of an adjustable beach umbrella assembly which can easily be bored into the ground and can be held into place in a secure and stable manner.
A further objective of the present invention is the provision of an adjustable beach umbrella assembly which does not require extra tools or equipment to be bored into the ground.
These and other objectives of the invention (which other objectives become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings as a whole) are met by providing an adjustable beach umbrella assembly which has a securing mechanism to attach it to the beach or ground and securely and adjustably holds the beach umbrella in a desired place through an attachment mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of adjustable beach umbrella assembly 100 of this invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of adjustable beach umbrella 202 of adjustable beach umbrella assembly 100 of this invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of adjustable beach umbrella stem 102 of adjustable beach umbrella assembly 100 of this invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a top perspective view of locking pin 104 of adjustable beach umbrella assembly 100 of this invention.

FIG. 5 depicts an exploded view of adjustable beach umbrella assembly 100 of this invention.

FIG. 6 depicts a top plan view of locking assembly 106 of adjustable beach umbrella assembly 100 of this invention.

FIG. 7 depicts a block diagram of adjustable beach umbrella assembly 100 of this invention.

Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same part appears in more than one figure of the drawings, the same number is applied thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with the present invention, the adjustable beach umbrella assembly is provided. The adjustable beach umbrella assembly has a beach umbrella stem and an accompanying beach umbrella. The beach umbrella, or other suitable umbrella, is releasably locked into a desired position through an attachment mechanism on the adjustable beach umbrella stem. Consequently, the adjustable beach umbrella assembly is designed to be adjustable to accommodate for users of varying sizes or other varying circumstances.
Also, the adjustable beach umbrella assembly has a securing mechanism which attaches it into the ground and forms a secure and stable connection. The adjustable beach umbrella assembly is meant to be used on the beach, in the grass, or on any other suitable semi-rigid surface. When the adjustable beach umbrella assembly is positioned in the ground, it forms a secure and stable attachment.
Referring to FIG. 1, adjustable beach umbrella assembly 100 has an adjustable beach umbrella 202 and adjustable beach umbrella stem 102. Adjustable beach umbrella 202 has beach umbrella canopy 208 and beach umbrella pole 204. On beach umbrella pole 204 is a series of locking bores 206.
Adjustable beach umbrella stem 102 has main support pole 108, upper receiving arm 110, and lower receiving arm 112. Main support pole 108 has attachment end 216 and securing end 214 which are oppositely disposed from each other. In the preferred embodiment, securing end 214 has auger 116 which bores into beach or ground 114 to create a secure and stable position for adjustable beach umbrella assembly 100 and hence adjustable beach umbrella 202.
Adding FIG. 2 to the consideration, the structure of adjustable beach umbrella 202 can clearly be seen. Adjustable beach umbrella 202 has beach umbrella canopy 208 and beach umbrella pole 204. Beach umbrella pole 204 has attachment end 216 and canopy end 212 which are oppositely disposed from each other. Beach umbrella canopy 208 attaches to beach umbrella pole 204 at canopy end 212.
Attachment end 216 has a series of locking bores 206. Locking bores 206 are located in a variety of positions along beach umbrella pole 204. Attachment end 216 inserts into locking assembly 106 and is securely held in the desired position through the interaction of the desired locking bore 206 and locking assembly 106.
Adding FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 to the consideration, the structure of adjustable beach umbrella stem 102 can clearly be seen. Adjustable beach umbrella stem 102 has main support pole 108 and locking assembly 106. Locking assembly 106 has upper receiving arm 110 and lower receiving arm 112. Upper receiving arm 110 and lower receiving arm 112 are perpendicular to main support pole 108 and are parallel to each other.
Upper receiving arm 110 has upper securing loop 122 at the end oppositely disposed from main support pole 108. The diameter of upper securing loop 122 is greater than that of beach umbrella pole 204. Also, upper receiving arm 110 has upper receiving arm sleeve 128 extending downward from upper securing loop 122. The diameter of upper receiving arm sleeve 128 is greater than that of beach umbrella pole 204. Locking pin aperture 118 is bored through upper receiving arm sleeve 128. Locking pin 104 is permanently attached to upper receiving arm 110 through locking pin chain 120.
Lower receiving arm 112 has lower securing loop 126 oppositely disposed from main support pole 108. The diameter of lower securing loop 126 is greater than that of beach umbrella pole 204. As an optional embodiment, lower receiving arm 112 has lower receiving arm sleeve 124 extending upwardly from lower securing loop 126. The diameter of lower receiving arm sleeve 124 is greater than that of beach umbrella pole 204.
In one embodiment, beach umbrella pole 204 slides through upper securing loop 122, upper receiving arm sleeve 128 into lower receiving arm sleeve 124 and lower securing loop 126 so that beach umbrella pole 204 is pitched to main support pole 108. Since the diameter of beach umbrella pole 204 is less than that of upper securing loop 122, upper receiving arm sleeve 128, lower receiving arm sleeve 124, and lower securing loop 126, beach umbrella pole 204 is able to easily slide through the combination.
The user aligns a desired locking bore 206 with locking pin aperture 118. The place of alignment is determined by the height the user wishes to place adjustable beach umbrella 202. The alignment of desired locking bore 206 with locking pin aperture 118 creates a pin receiver. Then, the user secures the placement by placing locking pin 104 through the pin receiver perpendicular to upper receiving arm sleeve 128.
Adding FIG. 7 to the consideration, various changes or modifications of adjustable beach umbrella assembly 100 can clearly be seen. Beach umbrella canopy 208 can be any shape or size so long as it provides adequate shade for the user. Adjustable beach umbrella 202 is connected to attachment mechanism 300. Then, the entire adjustable beach umbrella assembly 100 is bored into the surface through securing mechanism 302.
While in the preferred embodiment, upper securing loop 122, upper receiving arm sleeve 128, lower receiving arm sleeve 124, lower securing loop 126, and locking assembly 106 are the attachment mechanism, any attachment method is acceptable as long as it provides a secure and adjustable attachment. For example, in an alternate embodiment, lower receiving arm sleeve 124 is eliminated. Lower securing loop 126 is present on lower receiving arm 112. Lower securing loop 126, upper receiving arm sleeve 128, and upper securing loop 122 have diameters larger than beach umbrella pole 204.
Beach umbrella pole 204 slides through upper securing loop 122, upper receiving arm sleeve 128, and lower securing loop 126. The user aligns desired locking bore 206 with locking pin aperture 118 which forms the pin receiver. The desired locking bore is chosen based on the particular height of adjustable beach umbrella 202 the user desires. This position is secured through the attachment with locking pin 104 being inserted through pin receiver perpendicular to upper receiving arm sleeve 128.
Another suitable attachment mechanism 300 for adjustable beach umbrella 202 is a threaded cylinder. Upper receiving arm 110 can have a threaded socket instead of locking assembly 106. Locking bores 206 can be replaced with a threaded version of beach umbrella pole 204. In this embodiment, threaded socket on upper receiving arm 110 has a reciprocal relationship with threaded beach umbrella pole 204.
The user can place a threaded version of beach umbrella pole 204 into a threaded socket provided on the attachment mechanism 300 and adjust the position to the desired height. Lower receiving arm sleeve 124 can be threaded and cooperate with threaded beach umbrella pole 204. Also, lower receiving arm sleeve 124 can be unthreaded and provide stability and support for adjustable beach umbrella 202.
Also, a suitable attachment mechanism 300 may a journal bolt with an appropriate securing nut assembly. Beach umbrella pole 204 has a series of locking bores 206. Locking bores 206 are sized in proportion to the journal bolt. Upper receiving arm 110 has a journal bolt chain or locking pin chain 120 to form a permanent attachment with the journal bolt and securing nut chain to form a permanent attachment with the securing nut.
In this embodiment, the diameter of beach umbrella pole 204 is less than that of upper securing loop 122, upper receiving arm sleeve 128, lower receiving arm sleeve 124, and lower securing loop 126. Thus, the user slides beach umbrella pole 204 through upper securing loop 122, upper receiving arm sleeve 128, lower receiving arm sleeve 124, and lower securing loop 126. Then, the user aligns the desired locking bore 206 with locking pin aperture 118. The desired locking bore 206 varies based on the particular height of adjustable beach umbrella 202 the user wishes. Then, the journal bolt or locking pin 104 is inserted though this alignment and the securing nut is fastened to the journal bolt using attachment mechanism 300 to form a secure and stable attachment between adjustable beach umbrella 202 and adjustable beach umbrella stem 102.
Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, securing mechanism 302 is auger 116. Securing mechanism 302 can be any suitable device so long as it provides a secure and stable attachment with the surface. For example, securing mechanism 302 can be a staking mechanism. Securing end 214 can be formed into a stake in which the user can use to drive the adjustable beach umbrella assembly 100 into the ground 114. The staking mechanism provides a secure and stable attachment with the ground.
This application—taken as a whole with the specification, claims, abstract, and drawings—provides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure.
Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this method and apparatus can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular art. Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure.

Claims

1. An adjustable beach umbrella assembly comprising:

a) the adjustable beach umbrella assembly having an adjustable beach umbrella and an adjustable beach umbrella stem;

b) the adjustable beach umbrella having a beach umbrella pole and a beach umbrella canopy;

c) the beach umbrella pole having a canopy end where the beach umbrella pole attaches to the beach umbrella canopy;

d) the beach umbrella pole having an attachment end where the beach umbrella pole attaches to the adjustable beach umbrella stem; and

e) the beach umbrella stem having an attachment mechanism to releasably join the attachment end to the adjustable beach umbrella stem.

2. The adjustable beach umbrella assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a) the attachment end having at least one locking bore;

b) the attachment end inserting into a locking assembly on the adjustable beach umbrella stem;

c) the locking assembly having an upper receiving arm and a lower receiving arm;

d) the upper receiving arm having an upper receiving arm sleeve, a locking pin and at least one locking pin aperture;

e) the lower receiving arm having a lower receiving arm sleeve;

f) the at least one locking bore on the attachment end aligning with the at least one locking pin aperture; and

g) the alignment being secured by the placement of the locking pin through the at least one locking bore.

3. The adjustable beach umbrella assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a) the attachment end having at least one locking bore;

b) the attachment end inserting into a locking assembly;

c) the upper receiving arm having an upper securing loop, an upper receiving arm sleeve, a locking pin and at least one locking pin aperture;

d) the upper securing loop and the upper receiving arm sleeve having a diameter larger than that of beach umbrella pole;

e) the attachment end inserting into the locking assembly;

4. The adjustable beach umbrella assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a) the adjustable beach umbrella stem having a securing mechanism which attaches it into the ground in secure and stable manner; and

b) the adjustable beach umbrella stem having a locking assembly on the adjustable beach umbrella stem to receive the adjustable beach umbrella.

5. The adjustable beach umbrella assembly of claim 4 further comprising:

a) the adjustable beach umbrella stem having a main support pole, an upper receiving arm and a lower receiving arm;

b) the upper receiving arm and the lower receiving arm being secured to the main support pole;

c) the main support pole having a securing end;

d) the securing end having an auger thereon:

e) the auger being adapted to bore into the ground in order to create a secure and stable position for the adjustable beach umbrella assembly and the adjustable beach umbrella.

6. The adjustable beach umbrella assembly of claim 5 further comprising:

a) the adjustable beach umbrella having a beach umbrella canopy and a beach umbrella pole;

b) the beach umbrella pole having the attachment end and a canopy end oppositely disposed therefrom;

c) the attachment end having at least one locking bore;

d) the adjustable beach umbrella stem including a locking assembly; and

e) the at least one locking bore cooperating with the locking assembly to provide a desired position for the beach umbrella.

7. The adjustable beach umbrella assembly of claim 6 further comprising:

a) the main support pole including the locking assembly;

b) the locking assembly including the upper receiving arm and the lower receiving arm; and

c) the upper receiving arm having an upper receiving arm sleeve, a locking pin and a locking pin aperture.

8. The adjustable beach umbrella assembly of claim 7 further comprising:

a) the locking pin fitting into a locking pin aperture;

b) the locking pin being permanently attached to the upper receiving arm with a locking pin chain; and

c) the lower receiving arm including a lower receiving arm sleeve.

9. In a device for positioning a beach umbrella wherein the beach umbrella has a beach umbrella pole and a beach umbrella canopy, the improvement comprising:

a) an adjustable beach umbrella stem having a securing mechanism which attaches it into the ground in secure and stable manner; and

b) the adjustable beach umbrella stem having an attachment mechanism on the adjustable beach umbrella stem to receive the adjustable beach umbrella.

10. The device of claim 9 further comprising:

c) the main support pole having a securing end;

d) the securing end having an auger thereon:

11. The device of claim 10 further comprising:

a) the beach umbrella pole having an attachment end and a canopy end oppositely disposed therefrom;

b) the attachment end having at least one locking bore;

c) the adjustable beach umbrella stem including a locking assembly; and

d) the at least one locking bore cooperating with the locking assembly to provide a desired position for the beach umbrella.

12. The device of claim 11 further comprising:

a) the main support pole including a locking assembly;

b) the locking assembly including the upper receiving arm and the lower receiving arm; and;

13. The device of claim 12 further comprising:

a) the locking pin fitting into a locking pin aperture;

c) the lower receiving arm including a lower receiving arm sleeve.

14. A method of temporarily positioning an adjustable umbrella in a desired position comprising:

a) providing an adjustable beach umbrella and an adjustable beach umbrella stem;

b) providing a beach umbrella pole and a beach umbrella canopy for the adjustable beach umbrella;

c) attaching the adjustable beach umbrella pole to the adjustable beach umbrella stem;

d) providing the adjustable beach umbrella stem with a main support pole, an upper receiving arm and a lower receiving arm with the upper receiving arm and the lower receiving arm secured to the main support pole;

e) providing a securing end for the main support pole with a ground securing means thereon; and

f) providing an attachment mechanism to support the beach umbrella pole in relation to the upper receiving arm and the lower receiving arm.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

a) providing an auger on the securing end; and

b) boring the auger into the ground surface in order to create a secure and stable position for the adjustable beach umbrella assembly and the adjustable beach umbrella.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

a) sliding the beach umbrella pole through the upper receiving arm sleeve and then into the lower receiving arm sleeve;

b) securing the beach umbrella pole in the adjustable beach umbrella stem with the attachment mechanism; and

c) using the beach umbrella canopy.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

a) aligning a locking bore on the beach umbrella pole with a locking pin aperture in the upper receiving arm sleeve to form a pin receiver; and

b) inserting a holding pin through the pin receiver.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

a) aligning the beach umbrella pole substantially parallel to the main support pole; and

b) adjusting a height of the adjustable beach umbrella.

19. In a beach umbrella assembly having an adjustable beach umbrella and an adjustable beach umbrella stem, the improvement comprising:

a) the beach umbrella assembly being adjustable to a desire position due to the adjustable beach umbrella and an adjustable beach umbrella stem;

d) the beach umbrella pole having an attachment end where the beach umbrella pole attaches to the adjustable beach umbrella stem;

e) the beach umbrella stem having an attachment mechanism to releasably join the attachment end to the adjustable beach umbrella stem;

f) the attachment end having at least one locking bore;

g) the attachment end inserting into a locking assembly on the adjustable beach umbrella stem;

h) the locking assembly having an upper receiving arm and a lower receiving arm; and

i) the upper receiving arm having an upper receiving arm sleeve, a locking pin and at least one locking pin aperture.

20. The adjustable beach umbrella assembly of claim 20 further comprising:

a) the attachment end having at least one locking bore;

b) the attachment end inserting into a locking assembly;

e) the attachment end inserting into the locking assembly;

f) the at least one locking bore on the attachment end aligning with the at least one locking pin aperture;

g) the alignment being secured by the placement of the locking pin through the at least one locking bore;

h) the lower receiving arm having a lower receiving arm sleeve;

i) the at least one locking bore on the attachment end aligning with the at least one locking pin aperture; and

j) the alignment being secured by the placement of the locking pin through the at least one locking bore and the at least one locking pin aperture.