Abstract: A support apparatus for a café umbrella has a support arm pivotally attached to a generally vertical pole. In a preferred uneven-arm arrangement, a canopy-supporting end of the arm is further to one side of the pole than a second, actuator-connected end of the arm is to the other side of the pole. An actuator mechanism connected between the pole and the shorter portion of the arm and can be used to raise or lower the canopy supporting end of the arm by moving the second end of the arm respectively toward or away from the pole. A cable assembly runs along the length of the support arm so that one end hangs beneath the canopy supporting end of the arm where it can retain a removable canopy. The other end of the cable assembly is attached to the pole so that when the actuator draws the arm toward the pole and raises its canopy-supporting end, the free end of the cable moves downward so as to collapse the canopy.

Abstract: A rigid metal frame supports a fabric cover to provide a fabric-covered canopy. The frame has a series of the elongate rafters with free ends. Cables in the hem on the margin of the cover are used to apply tension to the cover to pull it taut and secure it to the frame. A tensioning apparatus on at least some of the free ends of the rafters hooks onto the cables and pulls them taut. A sleeve slidably mounted on the free end of the rafter carries the hook. A threaded rod accessible from the free end of the rafter is operatively connected to the sleeve so that rotation of the rod in a first direction applies tension to the cables and rotation in the opposite direction releases the tension. This enables the cover to be applied and removed easily. Vandal-resistant features prevent ready access to rotating the rod.