Beach umbrella stabilizer

Abstract

A beach umbrella stabilizer comprising an outer tubular sleeve and a telescoping inner tubular sleeve which interact to form an impact-type slide hammer arrangement is disclosed. The inner tubular sleeve of the stabilizing device can be forced into the sand by the slide hammer arrangement. After the stabilizing device is securely anchored into the sand, a beach umbrella can be attached to the end thereof by means of a clamp. The height of the stabilizing device can be adjusted thus permitting the overall height of the beach umbrella to be similarly adjusted.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates, in general, to a stabilizing device for a beach umbrella and, more particularly, to a beach umbrella stabilizer that securely anchors a beach umbrella into the sand.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] One of the problems in erecting a beach umbrella is to anchore the beach umbrella into the sand so that it is not easily turned over by the wind, etc. Individuals typically improvise apparatus or methods to stabilize a beach umbrella. To the inventor's knowledge, no devices are presently available which can be used to stabilize a beach umbrella in the sand and which permit the adjustment of the height of the beach umbrella after the device and the beach umbrella have been securely anchored into the sand.

[0003] In view of the foregoing, it has become desirable to develop a device that securely anchors a beach umbrella into the sand and which permits the adjustment of the height of the beach umbrella after the device and the beach umbrella have been anchored into the sand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides a solution to the problem of anchoring a beach umbrella into the sand preventing the umbrella from being readily turned over by the wind, etc. The present invention involves a beach umbrella stabilizer comprising an outer tubular sleeve and a telescoping inner tubular sleeve that interact to form an impact-type slide hammer arrangement. In this manner, the beach umbrella stabilizer can be “pounded” into the sand, and after being securely anchored into the sand, a beach umbrella can be attached to the end of the stabilizer by means of a clamp. In addition, the height of the beach umbrella stabilizer can be adjusted, thus permitting the overall height of the beach umbrella to be adjustable. In this manner, the beach umbrella is securely anchored into the sand and the overall height of same can be adjusted after anchoring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the beach umbrella stabilizer of the present invention.

[0006] FIG. 2 is a top end view of the beach umbrella stabilizer of the present invention.

[0007] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the beach umbrella stabilizer taken across section-indicating lines 3-3 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0008] Referring now to the drawings where the illustrations are for the purpose of describing the preferred embodiment of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention described herein, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the beach umbrella stabilizer 10 of the present invention. The beach umbrella stabilizer 10 is comprised of an outer tubular sleeve 12, an inner tubular sleeve 14 received within outer sleeve 12 and slidingly movable therein in a telescoping relationship, and a turn screw 16. The outer sleeve 12 and the inner sleeve 14 are typically fabricated from a metallic material. A clamp 18 (shown in phantom) is typically attached to end 20 of outer sleeve 12. The end of a support pole for a beach umbrella (not shown) is received within clamp 18 in order to attach the beach umbrella to the beach umbrella stabilizer 10.

[0009] Referring now to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of the beach umbrella stabilizer 10 is shown. The outer sleeve 12 is provided with an inner shoulder 22 at the approximate longitudinal midpoint of the outer sleeve 12. In addition, an inner shoulder 24 is provided adjacent end 26 of outer sleeve 12. Both inner shoulder 22 and inner shoulder 24 are provided with bores 28, 30, respectively, therethrough. Bores 28 and 30 are sized so as to slidingly receive the inner sleeve 14. Turn screw 16 is threadably received through end 26 of outer sleeve 12 and through inner shoulder 24 permitting the tip 32 of turn screw 16 to engage the surface of inner sleeve 14. A circumferential flange 34 is attached to the surface of inner sleeve 14 and is sized so as to engage the inner shoulder 22 provided in outer sleeve 12.

[0010] When it is desired to erect a beach umbrella, the end of inner sleeve 14 is inserted into the sand. A tip 36 is provided on the end of inner sleeve 14 in order to assist in the insertion of the end of inner sleeve 14 into the sand. After insertion of the end of inner sleeve 14 into the sand, the outer sleeve 12 is moved downwardly on inner sleeve 14 causing circumferential flange 34 on inner sleeve 14 to contact inner shoulder 22 on outer sleeve 12. By successively raising the outer sleeve 12 with respect to the inner sleeve 14 and then lowering the outer sleeve 12 so that circumferential flange 34 on inner sleeve 14 contacts inner shoulder 22 on outer sleeve 14, the inner sleeve 14 is forced into the sand. In essence, the combination of the outer sleeve 12 and the inner sleeve 14 acts as an impact-type slide hammer forcing the end of inner sleeve 14 into the sand. When the end of inner sleeve 14 has been received into the sand sufficiently so that the beach umbrella stabilizer 10 is securely anchored therein, turn screw 16 can be threadably advanced through the end 26 of outer sleeve 12 and through inner shoulder 24 causing its tip 32 to contact the surface of inner sleeve 14. In this manner, the overall height of the beach umbrella stabilizer 12 can be adjusted. After the overall height of the beach umbrella stabilizer 12 has been adjusted, the end of the support pole for the beach umbrella can be received within clamp 18, thus securing the beach umbrella to the beach umbrella stabilizer 10.

[0011] Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing. It is understood that all such modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability, but are properly within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A beach umbrella stabilizing device comprising an outer tubular sleeve having first and second inwardly directed shoulders in a spaced-apart relationship therein, said first and second inwardly directed shoulders each having a bore therethrough, an inner tubular member received through said bores in said first and second inwardly directed shoulders in said outer tubular member and telescopically movable within said outer tubular member, said inner tubular member having an outwardly directed flange attached thereto, longitudinal movement of said outer tubular member with respect to said inner tubular member causing said first inwardly directed shoulder on said outer tubular member to contact said outwardly directed flange on said inner tubular member causing said inner tubular member to move in the same direction as said outer tubular member.

2. The stabilizing device as defined in

claim 1 further including a thumb screw arrangement received through said outer tubular member and said second inwardly directed shoulder permitting the end of said thumb screw to contact said inner tubular member to adjust the position of said outer tubular member with respect to said inner tubular member.

3. The stabilizing device as defined in

claim 1 further including a clamp device receivable on one end of said stabilizing device permitting a beach umbrella to be operatively attached to said stabilizing device.