CA2423742A1 - The shade buddy i - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is intended to hold the shaft of an Umbrella, canopy or garden torch etc.
securely through a deck or table to provide shade or shelter. The device is portable and can be attached 1v most wooden or composite plank style decks, tables, docks etc. The device is particularly well suited for camping or boating excursions as it is small and lightweight. It replaces the much heavier and bulkier water-filled plastic or cast iron pedestal supports commonly used with shade umbrellas etc. A further feature of the device is that it be temporarily or permanently mounted to the surface that ii is attached to while allowing the umbrella or whatever the device is holding to be removed for storage.
More permanent or security attachment is facilitated with the use of an additional fastener which will require hand-tools.

Description

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I _ This invention will enable an Individual to hold an umbrella or any round material from 'h" to 1 3/8" ' diem. Maximum securely to any material that has an opening of 3/8" wide by 3"
long and 3" in diameter and from 1/8" thick to 2" think material that said will rest upon.

2. a) The invention consists oftwo metal 3/8" X 18 thread per inch by 1" long thumb screw bolts.
b) One steel cylinder or other material of similar sn~eagth with two 3/8" X 18 threads par inch tapped holes, one at a distance of %s" for the top t'dge of the said cylinder, the other hole 3/8" X 18 threads per .
inch directly below the ~tst hole at a distance of 2" from top edge of cylinder_ c) One round steel disc or similar material or compatible with material in paragraph "B" as these two pieces are joined together by means, of welding or any other mean of similar strength. This said disc will be 3" in diameter 3/16" thick and a hole drillod and tapped ~/. X 20 threads per inch directly in the center of fiat side of disc.
d) One threaded rod'/" x 20 threads per inch by 2 '~." long.
e) One 3/8" square rod 3" in total length.
f) One nylon round cylinder 1 5/16" outside diameter ~ 1" inside diameter 5"
un length with two holes r~"diameter set at the same position as the holes on cylinder motioned in paragraph "B".

3. a) Items mentioned in paragraph 2 "H" and 2"C" are joined togmther by means of welding or any other means of similar strength. Item 2"C" with item 2"B" standing upright with holes in item 2"B" standing at the furthest position from item 2"C". --b) Item 2"D" is then welded or any other means of similar strength at a 90 degree angle with item 2"E"
sec at a position of 1 ha" center on flat.

4. a} item 3"H" is them screwed into item 3"A" once item 3"H" has protruded item 3"H" item 3"a" end is penned over to prevent item 3"b" froto separating from item 3"A". _. ' 5. item 2"A" are then screwed into item 3"A" which can be screwed onto any said 'item in paragraph 1.

6. Item 2"F" is used for smaller diameter objects that would not be held securely without its use.
Purpose of this invention is to allow an individual to have a shady spot from the sun yr enjoy a rain day without going inside. 'Ibis invention is lightweight and c9m easily be taken anywhere with no tools noeded for assembly or use. All you need is an opening large enough to accommodate item mentioned in paragraph 2"E".
Item 2"D" is then unscrewed from item 3"A" to desired opening. Then item 2"D"
is tamed 90 degrees --from opening and item 3"A" is then pulled up so that it stays stationary while item 3"A" is screwed down.
once item 3"A" is secure with item 2"E" you can then insert umbrella or any round object into item 2"B", ' -then item 2"A" are screwed in to hold any object that was inserted into item 2"H" . i.e. doctc, picnic table or .__ wooden deck area.
No heavy bases are needed any morn to hold items secure even in winds up to 30 mph.
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Description of the drawi~~gs Figure a Item I is the Umbrella shah: that mates to the rod bolder ZF
Item2A is the fasteners that hold the umbrella shaft Item 2B is the shaft holder it is a s~euring means of hUld~ng the shah Iterx~ 2C is a flange with a threaded hole in the center of it, Item ZD is the threaded portion ul'the T clamp which is attached to 2E
Item 2E the 'r damp assembly Item 2F is the insert, which helps lit smaller diameter shafts to the shaft holder 2B
ltcm 3 is th.e alternate fastener.

lfigerre 1 Itern 2C Itod / Shaft Ifolder Flange (continued) 2B and 2C would typically be a welded component. 2i1 and 2B could be molded as a single; component using engineering resrn5.
Figure 1 l.tem 2D '1(',clamp thread The 'C clamp thread rs typically but nut limited l~'~< X20 dreads pen inch.
The tlyeads can be engaged into the clamp bar by threading, press fit, welding, pinning, etc. It is the intent that the threaded rod and bar become a ~.iryl~ assembly. The T clamp (2D & 2E) i;ould be a metal cast piece or- a rrretallie thread insert: molded into a plastic component ur over-molded metal and plastic or- rubber component )figure .1 Item 2E T-clamp bar The T clamp is selected For its ability ft between the Gaps ofthe timbers oTErlost wooden outdoor yard decks and tables. The advanta~;c of the T clamp is that it can tibhtly grip varying thickness uFrttaterial typically fourld in the .Cabrica.tion ofwooden decks and picnic fables. The T-clamp bar member is made oCrne;t~tllic square stock.
Typical but nor limited to 3/8" sduare in size. It's length is typically 3 - 4. inches but not limited to any specific length. The T clamp consists of a threaded shaft (2d) coupled to a crow member (2e)- The threaded shall- is designed to engap,e the Vase oCitern 2b.
Fiigure I item 2F Insert The invention comes with an insert to help pos:itiorr the shaft, The insert i5 npt limited to a cylinder but can be made as a tapered element to provide additional holding force. Tlie insert can also be used t.o pre>te~-t the sur.lacc Knish o:f the shad,. T he insc;rt cttn also provide support iv small dimension shahs and thin walled materials Item 3 Secondary Fastener A further feature of the device could incorporate a hole to Cacilitate the addition of an auxiliary fastener to improve clamping Security and to thwart attempted theft etc.

Description of the invention Shade Buddy i_ 'this invention will enable an individual to hold an umbrella or a shaft or rod like material securely to a surfaee such as a picnic ldble~top ur to a wooden deck. "Tire invention as described is intended to be used with no additional tcx~ls rcquired~. It i~ the intention of the device to provide a sirnple and wnvenient, portable installation. The device as intended is to hold an umbrella for shade or aesthetic purposes. The fl.cxibility o.f the device is such that many other objects can be held in a fixed position, a flag, lurch, tent pole, garden implement etc. The materials ~leciad in the invention are metal based.
The invention is not limited to metal components. Engineered resins could also be used in part or in whole to fabricate the mechanism. This device is designed to eliminate the lreavy base typically associated with securing shade u~nbrelias to lawn decks, picnic tables or as the primary support for umbrellas inserted through 3lass or plastic outdoor tables.
lnstailation of the invention is as follows;
By gripping the base of the inverztiun in one hand, and with the T nut rotated fully counter-clockwise exposing the threads. The T nut i5 inserted through the gaps in the deck or tabletop. The T nut is rotated so that it is positioned roughly at right angles to the:
gaps in the deck. 'While simultaneously lifting up on the base (causing the T
nut to engage the underside surfaces of the duck) and rotating the base, the threads engage into the base. Several rotations of the bane will cause the T nut to firmly clamp the buttom-side of the deck surface and cause the base to clamp the topside of the deck surface. The umbrella is then inserted into the tube and the fasteners tightened, Figure 1 Item 2A Shaft securing Meavs The invention as described utilizes inexpensive commonly e.vailable stack.
Commonly available fasteners are incorporated into the mechanism. Standard threaded fasteners are used to secure the shall into Lhe clamp body (2B). As described the invention uses simple threaded I'asterters. The clamps screws as dc,cr'ibed make direct contact with the shaft. Another variant. could contain a plate that moves in conjunction with the screws to provide more Surface contact to the shaft.
The clarzrping corrtportents are not limited to threaded fasier~ur-s Cievis pins, over centre clamps, pipe clamps etc. could be used as a fastening meohanisru A further design embodiment incorporates a spryng loaded shaft locking mechanism A cam based clamp could also be used as a shaft locking mechanism An interference clamp could also be used as a shall looking mechanisrn Figure 1. l.ten~ 2B Rod l Shaft Holder This device can be manufac,~tured to hold speCilic style and sites (diameter) o.f stuck, Typical cornmercial umbrellas have a round tube; frU~YZ 1 /tin to 1 ~/8 i.r~, diamrtur This apparatus (tube) is not limited to clarrtpina round stock.
1t can securely clamp sduare, hexagonal ear other shapes cpmmonly available designed to furtctiorr aS 8. ~haf~. The orientation of the rod cylinder (2b) is typically perpendicular to the clamping surface facilitated by the 1"lau~;e (2c).
Figure 1 Item 2C Rod / Shaft Holder Flslnge The Mange can be a circular or a square piece; which is substantially Iar~;er in diameter than the rod holder (tube). The flange is attached to rod bolder typically by welding. The center of the flange has a threaded hole which engages the threaded rod of the T clamp.
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Claims (5)

1. A clamping device for holding a shaft such as those commonly found in shade and rain umbrellas comprising;
A tube to hold the shaft of the umbrella A tube comprising a flange member perpendicular to the tube A means to secure the shaft of the umbrella to a tube to prevent the umbrella from falling or blowing out of desired position A clamping means to attach the tube in a fixed position through the surface of a deck.

2. An assembly consisting of claim 1 with a clamping means to secure the shaft holding tube to a surface A clamping means consisting of a threaded T member that clamps between the surfacing being clamped and the flange member base of the tube

3. A means to secure the attachment shaft of an umbrella no the tube described in claim 1 by means of a thread fastener, by means of a wedge device to secure the attachment shaft of an umbrella to the tube described in claim1 by means of an over center fastening device to secure the attachment shaft of an umbrella to the tube described in claim1.
by means of an eccentric cam means to secure the attachment shaft of an umbrella to the tube described in claim1

4. An adapter insert to assist in holding the shaft during clamping as defined in claim 1 and 2

5. A secondary means of securing the clamp to a surface by using a secondary fastener through the flange member as outlined in claim 2.