Beach umbrella with an incorporated radio set

Abstract

A radio set inside of an elongated hollow support tube of an umbrella, which radio set is electrically connected to a loudspeaker positioned below ribs of the umbrella and a photovoltaic cell which is placed on an outside of the fabric. Radio controls are located on the support tube.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119 of Spanish Utility Model Application No. U200200930, filed Apr. 15, 2002, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present application is directed to umbrellas, and devices that have a radio incorporated into them and other similar devices.

[0004] More specifically the invention deals with an umbrella with an integral radio set which has a loudspeaker system incorporated into it and which is supplied with power by a photovoltaic power cell, allowing normal use of the umbrella with its folding and unfolding operation.

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0006] Some items in daily use incorporate radios as added value. For example, there are torches, caps and cool boxes that have radios incorporated into them. In addition, there are devices that have a more conventional radio, such as portable televisions and others.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The aim of the present invention with a radio incorporated into the umbrella is to provide a means of being able to listen to radio broadcasts whilst being protected from the sun or relaxing in the open air both in the city and equally in the country or on the beach.

[0008] It is normal for people who go out for a walk or on an excursion to use an umbrella or some means to protect themselves from intense sunlight. The use of umbrellas is very common in areas where the amount of sun during the day is high, even reaching the point of producing sunburn to the skin. It is also usually quite normal that during these times of relaxation, the users want to listen to the radio, enjoying music, the news and different programs that are broadcast by commercial radio stations. In order to do this, the user usually carries a portable radio, which can become awkward in having to carry two objects at the same time.

[0009] The present invention consists of an umbrella that has a complete radio incorporated into its construction with the energy supplied by a solar panel that makes it operate and in addition, makes the invention ecological.

[0010] In effect, the umbrella has a tubular body or stem, with a point or peg at the bottom for its introduction into the ground and a piece of cloth assembled on a series of jointed ribs with a sliding device on the stem in order to open out the cloth and to fold it away.

[0011] The umbrella has a radio in the tubular support body or stem. In order to do this, an integrated electronic circuit radio receiver is used. This circuit is controlled by simple push buttons and small revolving control knobs. Said circuit is housed on the inside of the hollow support tube of the umbrella. The push buttons are fit at a suitable height in a recess on the side, in such a way that the movement of the ring that pushes the ribs does not constitute an obstacle in any way for the stated buttons. These knobs or push buttons are for the control of the tuning and the volume.

[0012] The umbrella ribs that extend the cloth when the umbrella is opened are fitted with two loudspeakers. These loudspeakers are of a size that are adequate to produce a clear and powerful sound, arranged in such a way that the umbrella can be folded up completely.

[0013] In turn, it has been envisaged that as the radio is used simultaneously with the umbrella, when there is a high degree of sunlight, the power supply will be by solar energy. In order to do this the umbrella has a photovoltaic cell on its upper surface. The cell will supply enough energy for the radio's needs and will be of a size that is suitable to allow the ribs to be folded down onto the support stem. As these electronic elements are delicate, a piece of fabric can be placed over the cell as a cover. This piece is useful when the umbrella is folded down, avoiding any rough treatment to the cell. The piece of fabric can easily be placed over the cell and removed by a suitable and quick fastener, such as fasteners, a zip or Velcro®.

[0014] The umbrella also has a connection for the use of earphones if it is desired or required to use the radio in a more personal manner. This connection can be in the tubular column next to the controls.

[0015] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the umbrella opened up.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a detail in elevation of the area of the control buttons.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a detail in profile of the area of the control buttons.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a sectional view in elevation of the umbrella.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0021] An umbrella includes a hollow, elongated, support stem or tube (1), at the top of which is a series of jointed ribs (3) arranged radially with a fixing ring (4) that slides up and down on the tube (1). Arranged on the ribs (3) there is a piece of fabric (2) which terminates at the jointed rib (3) ends in order to give maximum extension when the umbrella is opened.

[0022] On the inside of the hollow support tube (1) there is complete radio receiver circuit (7), connected to two loudspeakers (9) fit on the ribs (3) of the umbrella, and a photovoltaic cell (10) to provide the power.

[0023] The two loudspeakers (9) are arranged in respective protective housings and are connected to the radio circuit (7) by suitable wires (13).

[0024] The photovoltaic cell (10), received on the outside of the fabric (2), is connected by a power supply wire (12) to the radio circuit (7) in order to provide the power. Fitted over this photovoltaic cell (10) there is a piece of protector fabric (11) joined by a quick fixing system, e.g. Velcro®.

[0025] On the side of the support tube (1), there is a flattened recess (5) into which a series of buttons and controls (6) are located to control the radio circuit (7) and a connector socket (8) for external earphones.

[0026] The foregoing is considered illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to that fall within the scope of the invention and the appended claims.

Claims

1. Beach umbrella with an incorporated radio set, comprising:

an elongated tubular support, at one end of which is a formed a series of ribs onto which a fabric is fit and joined to ends of the ribs, a ring slidably supported on the tube and fixed to the ribs to open and close the umbrella, and a radio in the support connected to at least one loudspeaker and to a power source.

2. Beach umbrella with an incorporated radio set, according to claim 1, wherein said power source is a photovoltaic cell which is electrically connected to the radio.

3. Beach umbrella with an incorporated radio set according to claim 2, wherein said photovoltaic cell is placed on an outside of the fabric.

4. Beach umbrella with an incorporated radio set according to claim 3, wherein a piece of protective fabric is removably attached over the cell.

5. Beach umbrella with an incorporated radio set, according to claim 1, wherein the at least one loudspeaker is two loudspeakers positioned below the ribs, each housed in a protective casing and connected by wires to the radio set.

6. Beach umbrella with an incorporated radio set, according to claim 1, wherein controls for the radio set are located in a recess below where the ring is slidably supported.

7. Beach umbrella with an incorporated radio set, according to claim 1, further comprising a connector for earphones.

8. Beach umbrella with an incorporated radio set, according to claim 2, further comprising a connector for earphones.

9. Beach umbrella with an incorporated radio set, according to claim 3, further comprising a connector for earphones.

10. Beach umbrella with an incorporated radio set, according to claim 4, further comprising a connector for earphones.

11. Beach umbrella with an incorporated radio set, comprising:

an elongated tubular support, at one end of which is a formed a series of ribs onto which a fabric is fit and joined to ends of the ribs, a ring slidably supported on the tube and fixed to the ribs to open and close the umbrella, and a radio in the support connected to at least one loudspeaker and to a power source,

wherein said power source is a photovoltaic cell which is electrically connected to the radio, and

wherein controls for the radio set are located in a recess below where the ring is slidably supported.

12. Beach umbrella with an incorporated radio set according to claim 11, wherein said photovoltaic cell is placed on an outside of the fabric.

13. Beach umbrella with an incorporated radio set according to claim 12, wherein a piece of protective fabric is removably attached over the cell.

14. Beach umbrella with an incorporated radio set, according to claim 11, wherein the at least one loudspeaker is two loudspeakers positioned below the ribs, each housed in a protective casing and connected by wires to the radio set.

15. Beach umbrella with an incorporated radio set, according to claim 11, further comprising a connector for earphones.

16. Beach umbrella with an incorporated radio set, comprising:

an elongated tubular support, at one end of which is a formed a series of ribs onto which a fabric is fit and joined to ends of the ribs, a ring slidably supported on the tube and fixed to the ribs to open and close the umbrella, and a radio in the support electrically connected to at least one loudspeaker and to a power source,

wherein said at least one loudspeaker is positioned below the ribs, housed in a protective casing and connected by wires to the radio set,

wherein said power source is a photovoltaic cell which is placed on an outside of the fabric, and which is electrically connected to the radio, and

wherein controls for the radio set are located in a recess below where the ring is slidably supported.

17. Beach umbrella with an incorporated radio set according to claim 16, wherein a piece of protective fabric is removably attached over the cell.

118. Beach umbrella with an incorporated radio set, according to claim 16, further comprising a connector for earphones.