US3313929A

US3313929A - Illuminated umbrella

Info

Publication number: US3313929A
Application number: US415931A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward L Schiavone
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-12-04
Filing date: 1964-12-04
Publication date: 1967-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 1984-04-11

Description

April l1, 1967 E. L.. scr-uAvcNE ILLUMINATED UMBRELLA Filed Deo. 4, 1964 3 m l T 3 m 3 nu v e M 3 V J W 1 w L. l m u JHM I.) m .L 2 .8 7 4 2l J. 7.. 6 f l HU o 9 u 3 F Z/m T w 1 United States Patent O 3,313,929 ILLUMINATED UMBRELLA Edward L. Schiavone, 10502 Insley St., Silver Spring, Md. 20902 Filed Dec. 4, 1964, Ser. No. 415,931 1 Claim. (Cl. 240--2) This invention relates to outdoor furniture, and more particularly to an umbrella of the type used fat the beach or on the lawn to provide shelter against the sun in the daytime but which also can be used Ias a highly decorative article at night.

More particularly, one of the objects of this invention is to provide 'a beach umbrella having a self contained source of illumination which can provide an ornamental light for evening social gatherings.

A further object of the invention is to provide an umbrella which will more efficiently provide a source of shade against the sunlight during the daytime hours and which will also provide a source of diffused illumination for the evening hours.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel form of fluorescent electric tubular llamp bulb which can be supported by a single socket position at one end.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the tart after reading the following specication in connection with the annexed drawing, in which:

FIG. l is a cross-sectional elevation of a preferred form of illuminated umbrella constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention; FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-section on an enlarged scale of the upper portion of the umbrella pole showing the arrangement for mounting a fluorescent tube within the pole; FIG. 3 is a crosssection taken on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-section on an enlarged scale of the fabric covering for the umbrella.

Turning now to a detailed descn'ption of the invention, the numeral indicates an elongated tubular pole which provides the main support for the umbrella, which can be fabricated of steel or one of the light metals, such as aluminum or magnesium.

As is the usual `case with so-called beach umbrellas, the lower end of the pole 11 may be pointed to facilitate planting the umbrella in the sand or the soil where it is to be used.

Secured at the upper end of the pole is a flange 12, provided with a series of radially arranged eyes 13 to provide pivotal connections for the flexible ribs 14. A ferrule 15, slidable .on the pole, provides pivotal support 16 for the lower ends of a series of struts 17, the upper ends of these struts having the usual pivotal connections 18 at a medial point of each of the ribs 14. Attached to the ribs is a semi-spherical fabric covering indicated generally by numeral 19, and retractable detent means 20, attached to the pole 110, holds the lferrule in the proper position to support the fabric in its outspread position when the umbrella is opened -as shown in FIG. l.

For at least a portion -of the distance betwen the flange 12 and the lower position of the ferrule 15, a series of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced openings 21 are provided in the pole 10. These openings, or windows, are designed to give as much exposure as is possible to Ia tubular source of light 22 contained within ice the pole in alignment with the openings. This light source can be either an incandescant, or fluorescent electric lamp. While the longitudinal opening would provide for la maximum distribution of light, it will be evident that decorative effects may be secured by substituting a series of circular openings, or random patterns of geometrically designed openings, or the like.

Support for a fluorescent lamp 22 may be provided by the insertion into the pole from its upper end, of a circular socket 23 for engagement with the electrical connectors 24 lat one end of the lamp. The socket can be positioned in the pole, either by means of spot welding, or by an inward deformation of the pole itself such as by spinning an annular bead, indicated by numeral 25. After the lower end of the fluorescent tube has been inserted in the socket, a second socket 26 can be inserted into the pole and `connected with the other set of connectors 27. The top of the pole is preferably closed by a threaded cap 28, while the lamp assembly is secured in place by means of a coil spring 29 positioned between the cap and the upper socket.

While it would be possible to contain the usual starter and ballast mechanisms for the fluorescent lampI within the pole itself, in the form of umbrella shown in the drawings these devices are provided elsewhere and a four wire electrical cable 30, having a connector plug 31 for attachment to an appropriate starting and lighting circuit is introduced into the interior of the pole through an opening 32 so that one pair of conductors may be connected with the socket 23 while the other pair of connectors extends upwardly, as indicated by numeral 33 to connect with the upper socket 26.

When the tubular light is turned on its illumination will pass through the openings 21 to provide a substantially uniform area of light about the entire 360 degree 'area around the pole sufficient to provide illumination Ifor nearby objects. Light falling on the underside of the fabric covering 19 will also cause the fabric to take on a subdued glow when viewed from a distance. In addition the appearance of the umbrella can .be enhanced if multi-colored panels are used in this covering or designs coated thereon. Furthermore if it is desired to increase the amount of light supplied to the area below the umbrella the underside of the fabric may be covered with a reflectorized coating 34 such :as a flexible paint containing dispersed aluminum particles.

Having disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention it will be evident that various changes and improvements may be made by those skilled in the art which would come within the scope of the annexed claim.

I claim:

An illuminated umbrella comprising, a tubular supporting member, a retractable canopy assembly having a lightreflective lower surface supported at one end of the tubular member, a removable cap means closing said one end of the tubular member, an elongated electric lamp means contained within said tubular member adjacent said one end, Pfirst and second socket means within the tubular member supporting the lamp means, at the respective ends thereof, `and resilient means bearing longitudinally against one of the socket means for holding the lamp means in place, said tubular member having la plurality of slotted openings for viewing said lamp means.

(References on following page) References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Beatty 240-642 Goldberg 2406A2 Finkel 24U-6.42

Olds 240-13 Brennan et al. 24U-6.42

Evans 240-6.42

3,124,307 3/1964 Hoskins et al. 24U-11.4 3,179,792 4/1965 Weiss 24U-411.4

FOREIGN PATENTS 105,924 3/ 1927 Austria.

NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD M. SHEER, Assistant Examiner.