NZ536471A - Umbrella supporting device - Google Patents

Abstract

A umbrella supporting device 1, for use in association with an umbrella, includes a stay with telescopic sections 3,4, clamp means 10 to lock the stay at a desired length and securing means 8 for attaching the stay to the umbrella.

Description

Our ref: DEA004 Patents Form No. 5 No. 536471 Dated: 9 November 2004 PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION 40 UMBRELLA SUPPORTING DEVICE AND ASSEMBLY I, Dean Dalton, a New Zealand citizen, of 59 Rhine Street, Island Bay, Wellington, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, 45 and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 1 p—— « -'..-..V* W ft* UMBRELLA SUPPORTING DEVICE AND ASSEMBLY TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to an umbrella supporting device and assembly. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to an umbrella supporting device and assembly for use in preventing an umbrella from being inverted, uplifted or overturned by wind breezes, air movements and the like.

BACKGROUND ART Umbrellas, particularly beach umbrellas, are prone to being inverted, uplifted or overturned by gusts of wind as they are usually speared into the sand by an umbrella pole that may be lifted out by upward air movements placing pressure on the underside of the umbrella 15 canopy. Such occurrences can be potentially hazardous as the umbrella may injure the user or other beach goers. Further, such incidences can also be inconvenient, particularly with damage to an umbrella making it unusable.

It is a non-limiting object of the invention to provide an umbrella supporting device and 20 assembly which overcomes at least some of the abovementioned problems, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a broad aspect of the invention there is provided an umbrella supporting device for use in association with an umbrella, the device including at least one stay wherein an end of the stay is adapted, in use, to be anchored about a ground surface and wherein the stay is adapted with a securing means configured and arranged about the length of the stay, in use, to enable the stay to be attachable to a said umbrella to support the said umbrella.

The stay is desirably substantially elongate in form, and is more desirably a pole adapted with a pointed tip, in use, to enable the pole to be speared into a ground surface. Alternatively, the stay may be cable or a substantially planar sheet, wherein one end of the 2 cable or sheet is permanently or releasably attachable to an umbrella canopy and the other end of the cable or sheet is adapted, in use, to be anchored about a ground surface. Advantageously the sheet is adapted with a transparent section or window and is made from an ultraviolet stabilised material.

Preferably the umbrella supporting device is adapted with at least one umbrella supporting member attachable, in use, to the said umbrella to stabilise the said umbrella against forces acting on the umbrella.

Optionally the stay may be permanently or releasably attachable to an anchoring member, desirably in the form of a base member of a sufficient size and weight, in use, to anchor the stay and brace the umbrella against forces acting on the umbrella. The base member may be integral with the stay and formed as an extension therefrom.

The securing means desirably includes at least one aperture provided in and adjacent the distal end of the stay and a fastening means. Preferably the aperture is of sufficient size, in use, to receive the fastening means adapted, in use, to be threaded through the aperture and secured to the said umbrella.

According to a second broad aspect of the invention there is provided an umbrella supporting assembly, the assembly including at least one umbrella supporting device in accordance with the first aspect of the invention and an umbrella device, the device including an umbrella having an umbrella canopy being supported by a pole, the umbrella canopy being adapted with an anchoring means, wherein the securing means of the umbrella supporting device is attachable to the anchoring means of the umbrella device, in use, to support the umbrella against forces acting on the umbrella.

Preferably the anchoring means is a substantially elongate tip configured and arranged between the umbrella canopy and the umbrella frame, wherein an end of the tip is attached to the canopy of the umbrella and the opposite end of the tip is attached to the frame, in use, to allow a security tie member to be threaded therebetween. 3 Alternatively the anchoring means is at least one aperture provided in the umbrella canopy, the aperture being of a sufficient size, in use, to allow a security tie member to be threaded therethrough. The aperture is advantageously adapted with a grommet, in use, to reduce chaffing of the tie member when threaded through the aperture.

According to a third broad aspect of the invention there is provided an umbrella supporting assembly in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, wherein the lower end of the stay is adapted to be inserted into a base member.

The base member is desirably integral with the stay and moulded therefrom, but can be permanently or releasably attached about the lower end of the stay.

According to a fourth broad aspect of the invention there is provided an umbrella device in accordance with the second aspect of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention will now be illustrated, by way of 20 example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: illustrates an umbrella supporting device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; illustrates a side view of an umbrella supporting assembly; illustrates an anchoring means attached to an umbrella; and illustrates an umbrella supporting assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1: Figure 2: Figure 3: Figure 4 4 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to figure 1, an umbrella supporting device generally referred as 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, is illustrated.

The umbrella supporting device 1 is intended to be used in association with an umbrella 12, as shown in figure 2, for supporting the umbrella 12 in weather conditions, and more particularly in adverse weather conditions. More specifically, the device 1 may be useful in stabilising the umbrella 12 against gusts of wind.

It will be appreciated that references herein to an umbrella refers to the combination of an umbrella frame supporting an umbrella canopy and a centrally aligned pole extending from the underside of the umbrella canopy.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention the umbrella supporting device 1 desirably includes a substantially elongate, tubular and rigid stay 2 having an upper member 3, a lower member 4 and a securing means 5 provided about the length of the upper member 3.

In use, the lower member 4 of the stay 2 is driven or speared into sand or any other ground surface such that the stay is anchored into the sand or ground surface in a substantially upright position, as shown in figure 2.

For purposes of ease of description, references herein to sand will refer to any type of 25 ground surface without limiting the application of the device 1 in any way. For example, the stay 2 may be inserted into soil having grass surfaces and the like. It will be appreciated that the stay 2 can be anchored at various angles with respect to ground level depending on the direction of wind and setting up preferences. Desirably the umbrella 12 is arranged at an acute angle with respect to ground level with the umbrella canopy 13 30 facing into the wind so as to minimise gusts of wind moving underneath the umbrella canopy 13 and consequently uplifting the umbrella or inverting the umbrella canopy 13.

The stay 2 is preferably in the form of a pole or stake, and is desirably made from a lightweight durable and resilient metal such as, advantageously, aluminium or other such alloy or steel. However, it will be appreciated that the stay 2 can be made from any suitable durable and resilient material including metal, a metal alloy, a plastics material, 5 timber or any combination thereof.

According to an alternative aspect of the invention the stay 2 is in the form of a rope or cable (not shown), wherein, in use, one end of the cable is secured to the umbrella 12, preferably the umbrella canopy 13, and the other end of the cable is secured to an 10 anchoring member (not shown) or otherwise secured to the umbrella pole 14. The anchoring member can be in the form of a peg means (not shown) or hook means that may be anchored into the sand, but is more desirably in the form of a base member (not shown) of a sufficient size and weight to anchor the stay 2 and brace the umbrella 12 against gusts of wind or otherwise.

It will be appreciated that, in operation, the cable must be sufficiently taut to stabilise the umbrella 12 and resist movement of the umbrella in the wind. It will be seen that two or more spaced apart cables may be desirable in some applications to support the umbrella 12 in extreme windy conditions, and that the cables may desirably be arranged in a triangular 20 configuration or otherwise to increase the support provided to brace the umbrella 12 in a desirable position.

According to a further alternative aspect of the invention the stay 2 consists of a substantially planar sheet (not shown), wherein an end of the sheet is attachable to the 25 periphery of a umbrella canopy 13 and the opposite end of the sheet is attachable to one or more anchoring members, thereby securing the sheet between the canopy 13 and the sand. The sheet may be attached to the umbrella canopy 13 using any known attachment means such as, for example, domes or a zip fastener. The anchoring members to which the opposite end of the sheet is attached are desirably in the form of a peg means (not shown) 30 which can be securely anchored into the sand. 6 Preferably the sheet is made from a flexible and resilient material such as, for example, tarpaulin or polyester, and further the material may be waterproof or water resistant so that the sheet can be used to advantageously shelter a user from rain or other weather elements. Even further, the sheet may be transparent or be provided with a transparent section or 5 window for visibility purposes. Desirably the sheet and/or the transparent sheet, section or window is adapted with an ultraviolet (UV) shield to protect the umbrella 12 and/or user from the adverse effects of the sun.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the lower member 4 of the stay 2 defines a 10 cavity (not shown) of a sufficient diameter to receive the upper member 3. The stay 2 is assembled by inserting a length of the upper member 3 into the cavity of the lower member 4 through an aperture (not shown) provided at the distal end of the lower member 4 with respect to the sand. Advantageously the lower member 4 may be adapted with a lip or rim (not shown) about the outer wall of the lower member 4 for guiding the upper member 3 15 into the cavity of the lower member 4, and desirably the lip is located adjacent the distal end of the lower member 4.

Preferably the stay 2 can be extended telescopically (not shown) so that the length of the stay 2 can be adjusted according to the height of the umbrella 12 used in conjunction with 20 the device 1 and/or when arranged on uneven ground. Further, the telescopic sections enable the stay 2 to be conveniently collapsed for storage purposes. In this embodiment of the invention, the stay 2 is desirably adapted with a releasable clamping member 9 arranged adjacent the distal end of the lower member 4. In use, a length of the upper member 3 is secured within the cavity of the lower member 4 by activating the clamping 25 member 9 using a lever 10.

Desirably the proximal end of the lower member 4 is adapted with a pointed tip 11 so that the stay 2 can be easily inserted or speared into the sand. The lower member 4 may additionally be adapted with a splayed skirt (not shown) adding further stability to the stay 30 2 when anchored into the sand. The skirt is desirably integral with the lower member 4, but can alternatively be permanently or releasably attached about the proximal end of the lower member 4. 7 The device 1 optionally includes at least one umbrella supporting member (not shown), in use, adapted to be configured and arranged between the stay 2 and the umbrella pole 14. Desirably the supporting member is arranged such that it is in a substantially horizontal position and adjacent the distal end of both the stay 2 and the umbrella pole 14 so as to 5 avoid obstructing persons or objects beneath the canopy 13 of the umbrella 12. In this embodiment of the invention the supporting member is releasably attachable to the stay 2 and the umbrella pole 14, although in an alternative embodiment of the invention the supporting member may be permanently fixed to the stay 2 and/or the umbrella pole 14. The supporting member can be formed from any known durable and resilient material such 10 as, for example, metal, a metal alloy or any combination thereof.

It will be appreciated that, in use, two or more stays 2 may be attached to the umbrella 12 in spaced apart positions as necessary, and that multiple stays may be useful in conditions where the wind direction is variable. Further, adjacent stays 2 may be connected by umbrella supporting members (not shown) to provide added stability.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the stay 2 includes a securing means 5 which comprises an aperture 7 provided in an end cap 6, the end cap 3 being located over the distal end of the upper member 3. A fastening means 8 desirably in the form of a tie 20 member is shown to pass through the aperture 8. It will be appreciated, however, that any other known fastening or securing means, such as clamps or clips or other such fastening devices, may be substituted. Alternatively the upper member 3 of the stay 2 may be adapted with a hook (not shown), configured and arranged, in use, to slot through an aperture (not shown) provided in the canopy 13 of the umbrella 12.

The end cap 6 is made out of any durable and resilient material such as, for example only, a moulded plastics material, metal or any combination thereof, and is permanently or releasably attached to the distal end of upper member 3. Preferably the end cap 6 is permanently attached using a suitable attachment means such as, for example, welding or 30 stapling and/or with a permanent adhesive. In the alternative embodiment of the invention, the end cap 6 is releasably attached using bolts, screws and the like. 8 The aperture 7 extends through the width of the end cap 6 and is of a sufficient size to enable the fastening means 8 to be threaded through. The aperture 7 may additionally be adapted with a metal ring or grommet (not shown) made out of a rubber material or any other suitable protective material to reduce chaffing of the fastening means 8 when 5 threaded through the aperture 7. Preferably the fastening means 8 is a security tie member 8 made from rope, cabling or any other flexible and resilient material. In use, the tie member 8 is threaded through the aperture 7 and is subsequently fastened to the umbrella 12 used in conjunction with the device 1. Additionally, the area about the grommet on the canopy of the umbrella 12 may be reinforced to allow for additional loading from external 10 forces.

Referring to figures 2 and 3, an umbrella supporting assembly, generally referred to as 16, according to a second embodiment of the invention, is illustrated. 1 5 The umbrella supporting assembly 16 includes a stay and a securing means that is similar to the stay and securing means as described with reference to the stay 2 and the securing means 5 and their associated features. Therefore it will not be repeated with reference to figures 2 and 3.

In this embodiment of the invention the umbrella 12 is adapted with an anchoring means 17 for the fastening means or tie member 8 to be attached thereto, thereby securing the stay 2 to the umbrella 12. Preferably the anchoring means 17 is in the form of a substantially elongate tip 17 made from brass or a plastics material, although other materials, such as a metal or a metal alloy, can also be used. The anchoring means 17 is arranged in a gap 18 25 between the canopy 13 and the frame 15 of the umbrella 12. An end of the tip 17 may be sewn into the canopy 13 and the opposite end of the tip 17 may be attached to the frame 15 of the umbrella 12 using any known attachment means such as, for example, an adhesive means. In operation, the stay 2 can be attached to the umbrella 12 by wrapping an end of the tie member 8 around the tip 17, as shown in figure 3. The tie member 8 is then 30 threaded through the aperture 7 provided in the end cap 6 of the stay 2 and subsequently tied securely to the opposite end of the tie member 8. It will be appreciated that the location of the anchoring means 17 is not limited to the gap 18 between the canopy 13 and 9 the frame 15, but can be configured and arranged at any location about the umbrella 12 such as, for example, the pole 14.

It is envisaged within an alternative aspect of the invention that the anchoring means 17 is in the form of an aperture (not shown) provided in the canopy 13 of the umbrella 12, the aperture being of a sufficient size to enable a tie member 8 to be threaded through. Further, the aperture may be adapted with a grommet (not shown) to reduce chaffing of the tie member 8 when threaded through the aperture. The grommet can be made out of any known protective material such as, for example, a rubber material.

The assembly 16 may further include a bracing member or strap (not shown) attachable between the top of the umbrella pole and the anchoring means to brace and support the anchoring means. Any suitable and durable material may be used to make the bracing strap including, for example, a lightweight aluminium strap.

Referring to figure 4, an umbrella supporting assembly, generally referred to as 19, according to a third embodiment of the invention, is illustrated.

The umbrella supporting assembly 19 includes a stay, a securing means and an umbrella 20 that is similar to the stay, securing means and umbrella as described with reference to the stay 2, the securing means 5 and the umbrella 12 and their associated features. Therefore they will not be repeated with reference to figure 4.

In this embodiment of the invention the lower member 4 of the stay 2 is adapted to be 25 inserted into a base member 20, the base member 20 being either integral with the lower member 4 and moulded therefrom. Alternatively, the base member 20 is permanently or releasably attached about the proximal end of the lower member 4.

It will be appreciated that the base member 20 will be of a sufficient weight to anchor the 30 stay and restrain movement of the stay in most gusts of wind. Preferably the base member 20 is made from a durable and resilient material such as, for example only, timber, metal, concrete, a plastics material or any combination thereof.

According to a fourth embodiment of the invention there is provided an umbrella device (not shown), the device including an umbrella having an umbrella canopy being supported by a pole. The umbrella is adapted with an anchoring means of a kind similar to that described with reference to the anchoring means 17 and its associated features, and 5 therefore it will not be repeated.

It is envisaged that the anchoring means, in use, allows a stay to be attachable to the umbrella canopy to stabilise the umbrella in windy conditions.

The invention includes either the features of the preferred embodiment of the invention to allow an umbrella supporting device 1 to be retrofitted, or the invention may include the preferred embodiment of the invention being configured and arranged with a custom designed umbrella integral thereof. Alternatively the invention may include a custom designed umbrella.

It will be appreciated that materials used for components of the invention include any suitable and durable materials, for example only but not limited to, timber, metal, plastics materials, fabrics, rubber, glass or any combination thereof.

Wherein the aforegoing reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that changes may be made to the above described embodiments of the invention without departing from the principles taught herein.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Additional advantages of the present invention will become apparent for those skilled in the art after considering the principles in particular form as discussed and illustrated. Thus, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described or illustrated, but is intended to cover all alterations or modifications which are 30 within the scope of the appended claims. 11

Claims (18)

1. An umbrella supporting device for use in association with an umbrella, the device including at least one stay wherein an end of the stay is adapted, in use, to be anchored about a ground surface, and wherein the stay is adapted with telescopic sections adapted to enable adjustability of the length of the stay, a clamp means to secure and lock the desired length of the stay, and a securing means configured and arranged about the length of the stay, in use, to enable the stay to be attachable to a said umbrella to support the said umbrella.
2. An umbrella supporting device according to claim 1 wherein the stay is substantially elongate and tubular in form.
3. An umbrella supporting device according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the proximal end of the stay is adapted with a pointed tip, in use, to enable the stay to be speared into a ground surface.
4. An umbrella supporting device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the stay is formed from a rigid material.
5. An umbrella supporting device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the stay is formed from metal or a metal alloy.
6. An umbrella supporting device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the stay is formed from aluminium or an aluminium alloy.
7. An umbrella supporting device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the stay is a pole.
8. An umbrella supporting device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the stay is adapted with at least one umbrella supporting member 12 attachable, in use, to the said umbrella to stabilise the said umbrella against forces acting on the said umbrella.
9. 9. An umbrella supporting device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the stay is permanently or releasably attachable to an anchoring member.
10. 10. An umbrella supporting device according to claim 9 wherein the anchoring member is a base member of a sufficient size and weight, in use, to anchor the stay and brace the said umbrella against forces acting on the said umbrella.
11. 11. An umbrella supporting device according to claim 10 wherein the base member is integral with the stay and formed as an extension therefrom.
12. 12. An umbrella supporting device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the securing means includes at least one aperture provided in and adjacent the distal end of the stay and a fastening means, the aperture being of sufficient size, in use, to receive the fastening means, and wherein the fastening means, in use, is threaded through the aperture and secured to the said umbrella.
13. 13. An umbrella supporting assembly, the assembly including at least one umbrella supporting device in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 12 and an umbrella device, the device including an umbrella including an umbrella canopy being supported by a pole, the umbrella canopy being adapted with an anchoring means, in use, to allow a stay to be attachable to the umbrella canopy to support the umbrella against forces acting on the umbrella, wherein the anchoring means is a substantially elongate tip configured and arranged between the umbrella canopy and the umbrella frame, an end of the tip being attached to the canopy of the umbrella and the opposite end of the tip being attached to the frame, in use, to allow a security tie member to be threaded therebetween. 13
14. 14. An umbrella supporting assembly, the assembly including at least one umbrella supporting device in accordance with one of claims 1 to 12 and an umbrella device, the device including an umbrella including umbrella canopy being supported by a pole, the umbrella canopy being adapted with an anchoring means, in use, to allow a stay to be attachable to the umbrella canopy to support the umbrella against forces acting on the umbrella, wherein the anchoring means is at least one aperture provided in the umbrella canopy, the aperture being of a sufficient size, in use, to allow a security tie member to be threaded therethrough.
15. 15. An umbrella supporting assembly according to claim 14 wherein the aperture is adapted with a grommet, in use, to reduce chaffing of the tie member when threaded through the aperture.
16. 16. An umbrella supporting assembly according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the securing means of the umbrella supporting device is attachable to the anchoring means of the umbrella device, in use, to support the umbrella against forces acting on the umbrella.
17. 17. An umbrella supporting device substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.
18. 18. An umbrella supporting assembly substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. DEAN DALTON By his Agents SCHUCH & COMPANY per: 14