GB2402060A

GB2402060A - A ground penetrating support apparatus for umbrellas

Info

Publication number: GB2402060A
Application number: GB0311726A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Alty
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-05-22
Filing date: 2003-05-22
Publication date: 2004-12-01
Anticipated expiration: 2023-05-22
Also published as: GB2402060B; GB0311726D0

Abstract

A support apparatus 1 for supporting umbrellas, parasols or other similar items in a generally upright position comprises a ground penetrating portion 10, a body part engagement portion 20 and a support portion 30, where in use the body part engagement portion may be a foot plate (21 figure 4) acted on by a user to force the ground penetrating portion into the ground which also inhibits rotation by use of one or more spikes 12 and 14. The support portion may be metallic and includes a stop means such as a locking pin (36 figure 5) and apertures 38 arrangeable in a number of configurations to engage and control the extent to which a handle of an umbrella is supported. Other embodiments include a method of manufacturing a support apparatus and a method of supporting an umbrella are included.

Description

1 2402060 Improvements in and Relating to Support Apparatus

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to support apparatus, to methods of manufacturing a support apparatus, and to a method of providing support.

Background to the Invention

Support apparatus suitable for supporting umbrellas, parasols and other similar items in a generally upright position can be conveniently used in a number of situations. For example, a handle/pole portion of an umbrella or parasol can be inserted into a tube connected to a weighted base to support the parasol in an upright position and thereby provide shelter in the garden.

However, weighted bases are by their nature heavy and difficult to move.

An alternative to using a support apparatus including a weighted base is to drive the handle/pole portion of umbrella or other item directly into the ground. This technique can be used to support a parasol on a beach, or when fishing to support an umbrella. However, it may be difficult to force the pole portion of the item to be supported into the ground, or the ground may be soft and therefore unable to produce effective support.

It is an aim of preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide an easy to use, effective support for umbrellas, parasols and the like. It is a further aim of preferred embodiments of the present invention to overcome f some disadvantage of the prior art, whether described in herein or otherwise.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a support apparatus comprising a ground penetrating portion, a body part engagement portion and a support portion, wherein the body part engagement portion is arranged to be lo acted on by a user to in use force the ground penetrating portion into the ground and wherein the support portion is arranged to in use receive and support an umbrella.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a support apparatus, the method including the step of: providing a ground penetrating portion, a body part engagement portion and a support portion, wherein the body part engagement portion is arranged to be acted on by a user to in use force the ground penetrating portion into the ground, and wherein the support portion is arranged to in use receive and support an umbrella.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of supporting an umbrella, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a support apparatus comprising a ground penetrating portion, a body part engagement portion and a support portion; (b) acting on the body part engagement portion to force the ground penetrating portion into the ground; and (c) providing an umbrella to be received and supported by the support portion.

Suitably, the support portion comprises an elongate hollow member. Suitably, the support portion is arranged to in use receive and support a handle portion of an umbrella to be supported.

Suitably, the support portion comprises stop means arranged to in use engage the end of a handle portion of an umbrella to be supported. Suitably, the stop means is arranged to in use control the extent of a handle portion lo of an umbrella received by the support portion. Suitably, the stop means is arrangeable in any one of a plurality of configurations to in use control the extent of a handle portion of an umbrella received by the support portion.

Suitably, the stop means comprises a locking pin and an aperture formed in the support means. Suitably, the stop means comprises a plurality of pairs of opposed apertures disposed along the length of the support means. Suitably, each pair of opposed apertures is arranged to receive the locking pin.

Suitably, the body part engagement portion extends from the support portion. Suitably, the body part engagement portion comprises a foot engagement portion. Suitably, the body part engagement portion comprises a foot plate extending from opposed sides of the support portion.

Suitably, the body part engagement means is arranged to in use contact the ground and inhibit rotation of the support apparatus. Suitably, the body part engagement portion is releasably coupled to the support portion. Suitably, the body part engagement portion is arrangeable in any one of a plurality of positions along the support portion to in use control the extent to which the ground penetrating portion can be in use forced into the ground.

Suitably, the support apparatus comprises a plurality of ground penetrating portions. Suitably, each ground penetrating portion comprises a spike. Suitably, a first ground penetrating portion comprises an end part of the support portion. Suitably, a second and optionally a third ground penetrating portion extend from the body part lo engagement portion.

Suitably, the support apparatus is substantially symmetrical about a medial plane.

Suitably, the support apparatus is manufactured from a metallic material.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a support apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a side view of a support portion of the support apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a side view of a body part engagement portion of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a plan view of the body part engagement portion of Figure 3; and Figure 5 shows a plan view of a locking pin suitable for use in the stop means of the apparatus of Figure 1.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

Figure 1 shows a side view of a support apparatus 1 lo according to an embodiment of the present invention. The support apparatus 1 comprises a ground penetrating portion 10, a body part engagement portion 20, and a support portion 30. To use the support apparatus 1 to support an umbrella a user forces the ground penetrating portion 10 into the ground by pushing on the body part engagement portion 20 with a foot. The support apparatus 1 is held upright in the ground, and an umbrella handle can then be inserted into the support portion 30. The support portion receives and supports the umbrella handle. Figures 2 to 5 show components of the support apparatus 1 in more detail.

The body part engagement portion 20 comprises a foot plate 31 arranged to be acted on by a user to force the ground penetrating portion 10 into the ground. The foot plate 31 extends from opposite sides of the support portion 30, allowing a user to jump on the support apparatus 1 with both feet and strongly push the support apparatus 1 into the ground. This allows a user to easily push the support apparatus 1 into the ground without the need for a hammer, mallet or other tools.

When in use the body part engagement means 20 also contacts the ground to control the depth of ground penetration by the ground penetrating portion 10, and also inhibits rotation of the support apparatus 1.

The extent to which the support apparatus 1 must be forced into the ground to provide a stable support will depend on the softness of the ground. For example, if the support apparatus 1 is used in soft sand on the beach to support a lo large beach umbrella, it may be desired to force the ground penetrating portion 10 deep into the sand to provide a stable support. Alternatively, if the support apparatus is used on a lawn or river bank it may be unnecessary to force the ground penetrating portion 10 deep into the ground.

The body part engagement portion 20 is arrangeable in one of two positions along the support portion 30 to in use control the extent to which the ground penetrating portion 10 can be in use forced into the ground. The body part engagement portion 20 comprises a collar 22 extending from the foot plate 21 and communicating with an aperture 23 formed in the foot plate 21. The support portion 30 is passed through the collar 22 and the aperture 23 in the foot plate 21, and fixed in position with a locking nut (not shown) which can pass through opposed pairs of apertures 34 and 36 in the support portion 30 and apertures 25 in the collar 22. The opposed pair of apertures 36 is arranged proximate to the end of the ground penetrating portion 10 and the opposed pair of apertures 34 is arranged relatively further from the end of the ground penetrating portion 10.

By arranging the body part engagement portion 20 close to the end of the ground penetrating portion 10 the support apparatus 1 is suitable for insertion into relatively firm ground, and by arranging the body part engagement portion further from the end of the ground penetrating portion 10 the support apparatus 1 is suitably for insertion into relatively soft ground. In addition, by positioning the body part engagement portion 20 correctly, the user is prevented from inserting the support apparatus 1 so far lo into the ground that it becomes very difficult to remove.

The ground penetrating portion 10 comprises a spike 12 formed at the end of the support portion 30 adapted to ease insertion of the support apparatus 1 into the ground.

The ground penetrating portion 10 further comprises a pair of secondary spikes 14 extending from the lower surfaces of the body part engagement portion 20. The secondary spikes help to ensure the support apparatus 1 is securely fixed by insertion into the ground. The spikes 12,14 are suitably of metal, and hardened to prevent damage being caused by stones or other hard materials in the ground.

The support portion 30 comprises an elongate hollow member in the form of a tube 32 arranged to receive and support a handle portion of an umbrella to be supported.

To enable the support apparatus 1 to support an umbrella at a suitable height above the ground the support portion comprises stop means arranged to in use engage the end of a handle portion of an umbrella to be supported. The stop means can be arranged in a range of positions to control the extent of a handle portion of an umbrella received by the tube 32. The stop means comprises a locking pin 36 arrangeable to pass through any one of a plurality of pairs of opposed apertures 38 formed in the tube 32. Figure 5 shows a suitably locking pin 36 comprising a pull ring 37, a shaped end 38 to ease insertion of the pin to the apertures 38 and a resiliently biased nipple 39 to prevent the pin 36 from slipping out of the apertures 38.

When the locking pin 36 is inserted through the apertures lo 38 proximate to the upper, open end of the tube 32 the umbrella handle is prevented from passing far down the tube 32, thereby supporting the umbrella relatively high above the ground. Alternatively, when the locking pin 36 is inserted through the apertures 38 proximate to the lower, closed end of the tube 32 the umbrella handle can pass far down the tube 32, thereby supporting the umbrella relatively lower to the ground.

The support apparatus 1 can be conveniently manufactured from a metallic material, for example an alloy steel.

However, any suitably strong, hardwearing material could be used.

Thus a support apparatus has been described that offers advantages in term of effectiveness of support, transportability and ease of installation. The support apparatus can be conveniently transported for ease of use away from home, and has applications at the beach, when fishing or in the garden. The apparatus can be used to support umbrellas, parasols and any similar items having an elongated handle, and these other items should be understood to fall within the meaning of the term umbrella.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification lo (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

Claims: 1. A support apparatus comprising a ground penetrating portion, a

body part engagement portion and a support portion, wherein the body part engagement portion is arranged to be acted on by a user to in use force the ground penetrating portion into the ground and wherein the support portion is arranged to in use receive and support an umbrella.
2. A method of manufacturing a support apparatus, the method including the step of: providing a ground penetrating portion, a body part engagement portion and a support portion, wherein the body part engagement portion is arranged to be acted on by a user to in use force the ground penetrating portion into the ground, and wherein the support portion is arranged to in use receive and support an umbrella.
3. A method of supporting an umbrella, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a support apparatus comprising a ground penetrating portion, a body part engagement portion and a support portion; (b) acting on the body part engagement portion to force the ground penetrating portion into the ground; and (c) providing an umbrella to be received and supported by the support portion.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, or method of claim 2 or 3, wherein the support portion comprises an elongate hollow member.
5. The apparatus or method of any preceding claim, wherein the support portion is arranged to in use receive and support a handle portion of an umbrella to be supported.
6. The apparatus or method of any preceding claim, wherein the support portion comprises stop means arranged to in use engage the end of a handle portion of an umbrella to be supported.
7. The apparatus or method of claim 6, wherein the stop means is arranged to in use control the extent of a handle portion of an umbrella received by the support portion.
8. The apparatus or method of claim 6 or 7, wherein the stop means is arrangeable in any one of a plurality of configurations to in use control the extent of a handle portion of an umbrella received by the support portion.
9. The apparatus or method of any one of claims 6, 7 or 8, wherein the stop means comprises a locking pin and an aperture formed in the support means.
10. The apparatus or method of any one of claims 6, 7, 8 or 9, wherein the stop means comprises a plurality of pairs of opposed apertures disposed along the length of the support means arranged to receive the locking pin.
11. The apparatus or method of any preceding claim, wherein the body part engagement portion extends from the support portion.
12. The apparatus or method of any preceding claim, wherein the body part engagement portion comprises a foot engagement portion.
13. The apparatus or method of any preceding claim, wherein the body part engagement portion comprises a foot plate extending from opposed sides of the support portion.
14. The apparatus or method of any preceding claim, lo wherein the body part engagement means is arranged to in use contact the ground and inhibit rotation of the support apparatus.
15. The apparatus or method of any preceding claim, wherein the body part engagement portion is releasably coupled to the support portion.
16. The apparatus or method of any preceding claim, wherein the body part engagement portion is arrangeable in any one of a plurality of positions along the support portion to in use control the extent to which the ground penetrating portion can be in use forced into the ground.
17. The apparatus or method of any preceding claim, wherein, the support apparatus comprises a plurality of ground penetrating portions.
18. The apparatus or method of any preceding claim, wherein each ground penetrating portion comprises a spike.
19. The apparatus or method of any preceding claim, wherein a first ground penetrating portion comprises an end part of the support portion.
20. The apparatus or method of any preceding claim, wherein a second and optionally a third ground penetrating portion extend from the body part engagement portion.
21. The apparatus or method of any preceding claim, wherein the support apparatus is substantially symmetrical about a medial plane.

lo
22. The apparatus or method of any preceding claim, wherein the support apparatus is manufactured from a metallic material.
23. A support apparatus substantially as herein described, with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.