Beach umbrella with tie-down

Abstract

A beach umbrella provides an elongated support shaft having a pointed distal end inserted into a soft surface, and a proximal folding canopy positioned below an upper terminal end of the support shaft. The folding canopy provides a fabric panel stretched over a plurality of ribs engaged with the support shaft and extending radially from it to form a downwardly convex external surface. A flexible strut has a grommet fitted over the upper terminal end of the support shaft and an opposing eyelet engaged with a tensioned securing line. The securing line is fixed at a distal end to a stake driven into the soft surface so the line forms a downwardly divergent angle with the support shaft. The flexible strut lies in contact with the external surface of the fabric panel and is shaped to engage one of the ribs such that the fabric panel is sandwiched between the rib and the flexible strut.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0001] Applicant(s) hereby incorporate herein by reference, any and all U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and other documents and printed matter cited or referred to in this application.

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to restraint systems; particularly of the guy-wire type, and more particularly to a restraint for use in securing a beach umbrella in place.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] The following art defines the present state of this field: Maul et al., U.S. 245,580 describes a parasol attachment consisting of the two strands or cords connected to the parasol, and combined with the slide, through which the cords or strands are passed, and in which they are crossed.

[0006] Barcus, U.S. Pat. No. 1,150,731 describes a parasol having a cover on which stars are indicated relatively to a position on the cover which serves to indicate Polaris, and a stick for the parasol having an end secured to the cover at the said position, by which the said parasol may be pointed as desired and may be rotated with the stick as its axis.

[0007] Higdon, U.S. Pat. No. 1,315,497 describes a portable, collapsible dressing room comprising four corner posts adapted to be forced into the ground, four top rails extending between and detachably supported on the upper ends of the posts, and a single piece of foldable fabric permanently secured to three of said top rails and detachably secured to the fourth rail.

[0008] Brown, U.S. Pat. No. 2,519,430 describes a portable booth comprising a flat circular base member, a plurality of vertical post members detachably secured at their bottom ends to said base member in circumferential spaced relation, a horizontal annular member frictionally secured to said post members in vertical spaced relation with respect to said base member and mounted for slidable movement on said post members, a cylindrical flexible curtain depending from the periphery of said annular member and terminating adjacent said base member, a plurality of rigid rings secured to and encircling said curtain in vertical spaced relation, loop elements formed on said rigid rings and slidably receiving said post members, elastic bands secured to and encircling said curtain intermediate said rigid rings, and an auxiliary flexible curtain element depending from said annular member adjacent the inside of said curtain defining a clothes storage space between the auxiliary element and said curtain.

[0009] D'Ulisse et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,477,453 describes s net adaptor for converting an umbrella to a substantially insect-proof shelter for personnel, comprising a circular dome-shaped portion made up of a plurality of wedge-shaped sections of a net-like material cut on a bias and joined together laterally with their uppermost terminal portions defining a relatively small circular opening permitting passage therethrough of the uppermost end of the umbrella's supporting pole, and their lowermost terminal portions defining a relatively large circular opening whose diameter is approximately the same as that of the umbrella top's largest diameter, gripping means at least a part of which is secured to the under side of said dome-shaped portion and adapted to establish a firm grip on the umbrella's top surface so as affirmatively to prevent relative movement between the dome-shaped portion and the umbrella's top surface, sidewall sections extending from the lowermost terminal portions of said wedge-shaped sections down to the ground which supports. the vertically positioned umbrella's supporting pole, and means for securing the said sidewall sections to the ground, whereby to keep the adaptor firmly positioned in place covering the umbrella and forming a tent-like shelter for personnel with the umbrella top forming a roof and the adaptor's sidewall sections forming the sides of the shelter.

[0010] Hulin, U.S. Pat. No. 3,498,305 describes a collapsible tent comprising: a pyramidally shaped top panel of flexible material having a circular lower edge and an upwardly pointing apex; a side panel of flexible material having an endless upper edge secured to the circular lower edge of said top panel; a plurality of elongated webbing strips secured to the downwardly facing side of said top panel, each of said webbing strips extending from a first point on the lower edge of said top panel, across the apex of said top panel and to a second point on said lower edge of said top panel on the opposite:side of said lower edge from said first point, said webbing strips crossing each other at said apex and each of said webbing strips having a pair of free end portions at opposite ends. thereof; engaging means secured to the downwardly facing side of said top panel and detachably engaging the free ends of said webbing strips to form bights in each webbing strip adjacent the lower edge of the top panel; a first-rigid ring having an outer periphery configured and dimensioned to mate with the inner periphery of said side wall panel adjacent the upper edge of the side wall panel, said first rigid ring extending through the several bights formed by said webbing strips and lending rigid support to the side wall panel of the tent; additional webbing strips secured to the upwardly facing surface of said top panel directly over some of said first mentioned webbing strips, each of said additional webbing strips being secured through said top panel to one of said first mentioned webbing strips and extending across the apex of said top panel; a suspension ring passed under said additional webbing strips at the apex of said top panel for suspending said tent; a second rigid ring having an outer periphery configured and dimensioned to mate with the inner periphery of the lower portion of said side wall panel; a plurality of spaced, flexible ties on the interior of said side wall panel tied around, and detachably retaining, said second rigid ring in a horizontal position in contact with the inner periphery of the lower portion of said side wall panel; a plurality of anchor rods each baying a hook-shaped portion at one end for detachably engaging said second rigid ring and anchoring said second rigid ring to the ground; and an adjustably colsable vertically extending closure element in said side panel.

[0011] Matsuda, U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,693 describes A folding umbrella including a central shaft, a movable frame consisting of ribs coupled to one end of the shaft, an unfurlable material coupled to the frame and a belt swingingly coupled at one end to an edge of the material whereby the umbrella may be furled not only when the umbrella is folded up but also when the umbrella is not folded up.

[0012] Furey, U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,893 describes a beach umbrella anchoring system comprising an anchor member comprising a container, in the form of a beach bag, for containing a weighting medium, such as sand, and a connector for connecting the container to a beach umbrella restraining device; and a beach umbrella restraining device comprising a flexible cable member, a releasable connector fixed to one end of the cable for releasably connecting the cable to a beach umbrella, a second releasable connector, fixed to the other end of the cable, for releasably connecting the cable member to the connector of the anchor member, and a third releasable connect or, slidingly attached to the cable member intermediate the ends thereof for releasably attaching the cable member to the beach umbrella. The anchoring system may be supplied in the form of a kit comprising the anchoring member (beach bag) the restraining device, and a sand shovel for filling the container member with sand. The provision of the container member in the form of a beach bag allows the system to be readily carried to the beach along with other paraphernalia. The system serves to anchor beach umbrellas against being overturned and flailing about in sudden or unexpected gusts of wind.

[0013] Stark, U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,128 describes an umbrella having one or more magnetic fasteners attached thereto strategically located to provide support of an open umbrella to a metallic surface on a vehicle so that the umbrella can be self-supported adjacent the opening of a vehicle such as the door opening or trunk and would withstand and be supported on the surface in rains or wind. The device permits the user to have both hands free for removing or placing small children or articles in a vehicle.

[0014] Murray et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,833 describes a general purpose sand anchor, including: a paddle shaped anchor base, curved like the face of a spade shovel, for use as a hand-held shovel for digging the hole into which it will be placed; a line, with one end joined to the anchor base at the center of its wider part and the other end joined to the anchor base at the end of its narrower part; a hook, which attaches to an object to be secured, joined to the line at a point above its connection to the center of the wider part of the anchor base; and a handle, which is used to remove the anchor base from the sand, joined to the line at a point above its connection to the end of the narrower part of the anchor base.

[0015] Wilson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,865 describes a tie-down for a table umbrella for preventing damage to a table umbrella. The tie-downs for a table umbrella include a plurality of rigid elongate members which are essentially made of stiff wire with each having a first hook-like end and a second hook-like end both of which are adapted to attach to a table and an umbrella; and also includes a plurality of coupling members each of which is essentially a flat, rigid strip-like piece having a plurality of holes spaced therealong for coupling a respective pair of elongate members one of which is attached to the table and the other of which is attached to the umbrella.

[0016] The prior art teaches a beach umbrella safety system, tent securing lines, a sand anchoring system, dressing booth anchorage, umbrella net securement, folded umbrella securement, tie-downs for an umbrella, magnetic fastening of an umbrella, and decorative securement for a parasol, but does not teach a beach umbrella anchor line adapted for engagement with a beach umbrella in a manner to hold the umbrella in a fixed position against a wind force.

[0017] The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.

[0019] A beach umbrella provides an elongated support shaft having a pointed distal end inserted into a soft surface, and a proximal folding canopy positioned below an upper terminal end of the support shaft. The folding canopy provides a fabric panel stretched over a plurality of ribs engaged with the support shaft and extending radially from it to form a downwardly convex external surface. A flexible strut has a grommet fitted over the upper terminal end of the support shaft and an opposing eyelet engaged with a tensioned securing line. The securing line is fixed at a distal end to a stake driven into the soft surface so the line forms a downwardly divergent angle with the support shaft. The flexible strut lies in contact with the external surface of the fabric panel and is shaped to engage one of the ribs such that the fabric panel is sandwiched between the rib and the flexible strut.

[0020] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method of use of such apparatus that provides advantages not taught by the prior art.

[0021] Another objective is to provide such an invention capable of shading a sunbather.

[0022] A further objective is to provide such an invention capable of withstanding a wind force.

[0023] A still further objective is to provide such an invention capable of being positioned and secured in a minimum amount of time with a minimum amount of effort.

[0024] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In such drawings:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0027] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a strut thereof;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2; and

[0029] FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] The above described drawing figures illustrate the invention in at least one of its preferred embodiments, which is further defined in detail in the following description.

[0031] The present invention is a means for securing an umbrella against a wind force; see FIG. 1. The invention is a combination of a beach umbrella 10 of any ordinary type, and an umbrella securing apparatus 20 of a new design. The beach umbrella 10 provides an elongated support shaft 30 typically of wood or metal or other structural material. This support shaft 30 preferably has a pointed distal end 32 so that it may be more easily inserted or driven into a soft surface 5 such as sand on a beach or garden soil, for instance. The umbrella 10 has a proximally positioned folding canopy 40 positioned below an upper terminal end 34 of the support shaft 30. This is clearly shown in FIG. 1. The folding canopy 40 provides a fabric panel 42 stretched over a plurality of metal flexible ribs 44 engaged with the support shaft 30 and extending radially therefrom as is well known in this type of umbrella construction. The folding canopy 40 forms a downwardly convex external surface 46 clearly shown in FIG. 1.

[0032] The securing apparatus 20 includes an elongate flexible strut 28 made preferably of plastic, and having at one end, a grommet 22 which is fitted over, and thereby secured on, the upper terminal end 34 of the support shaft 30. At the other end of the strut 28 is an eyelet 24 engaged with a tensioned securing line 50 or rope. The securing line 50 is fixed at a downwardly distal end 52 to the soft surface 5 preferably by attachment to a ground stake 60 driven into the soft surface 5, as is well known. This line 50 preferably forms a downwardly divergent angle &agr; with the support shaft 30 and in this manner is able to apply a horizontal lateral component of the counter restraining force to the wind force F whenever the umbrella tends to be driven to one lateral side or the other. If the line were to be parallel with the support shaft, no such righting force would be generated. Preferably, the flexible strut 28 lies in contact with the external surface 46 of the fabric panel 42. The flexible strut 28 provides a shape, preferably an inverted open V-shape, best seen in FIG. 3, enabling engagement of a selected one of the ribs 44 such that the fabric panel 42 is sandwiched between said one of the ribs 44 and the flexible strut 28 as shown in FIG. 4.

[0033] Preferably, the strut 28 is of a length whereby the eyelet 24 is placed exteriorly to the fabric panel 42 as shown in FIG. 1, and in this manner the line engagement, by knot or otherwise, does not interfere with, or damage the fabric panel 42 or the rib 44.

[0034] Preferably, the grommet 22 is of such size as to provide a friction fit on the upper terminal end 34 of the support shaft 30. In this way, the grommet 22 does not tend to walk up the upper terminal end 34 or become separated from it when under tension.

[0035] In operation, the invention is erected as follows: first the distal end 32 of the umbrella 10 is driven into the soft surface 5 and the support shaft 30 is tilted slightly away from the direction of the wind F, as shown in FIG. 1; next, the grommet 22 of the flexible strut 28 is placed over the upper terminal end 34 of the support shaft 30 and forced downwardly into a strong frictional engagement on the support shaft 30 and in contact with the fabric panel 42; the strut 28 being placed in alignment with the wind direction F and extending from the terminal end 34 toward the wind F; next the umbrella fabric panel 42 is opened and secured; and finally, the securing line 50 is attached to the eyelet 24 and to the stake 60 which was previously driven into the soft surface 5 upwind from the support shaft 30. The strut 28 is positioned over one of the ribs 44 of the umbrella 10 and is held there by tension due to the wind force F.

[0036] While the invention has been described with reference to at least one preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that the inventor(s) believe that the claimed subject matter is the invention.

Claims

1. An umbrella with a securing apparatus comprising in combination: a beach umbrella providing an elongated support shaft having a pointed distal end for insertion into a soft surface, and a proximal folding canopy positioned below an upper terminal end of the support shaft; the folding canopy providing a fabric panel stretched over a plurality of ribs engaged with the support shaft and extending radially therefrom, the folding canopy forming a downwardly convex external surface; and an elongate flexible strut having, at one end, a grommet fitted over, and thereby secured on, the upper terminal end of the support shaft, and at the other end an eyelet engaged with a tensioned securing line, the securing line fixed at a distal end thereof to the soft surface and forming a downwardly divergent angle with the support shaft; the flexible strut laying in contact with the external surface of the fabric panel, the flexible strut providing a shape enabling engagement of a selected one of the ribs such that the fabric panel is sandwiched between said one of the ribs and the flexible strut.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the flexible strut is provides an inverted open V-shape.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the strut is of a length whereby the eyelet is placed exteriorly to the fabric panel.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the grommet provides a friction fit on the upper terminal end of the support shaft.

5. The combination of claim 1 further comprising a ground stake secured in the soft surface and engaged with the distal end of the securing line.