Umbrella base

Abstract

An umbrella base is comprised of a body portion having a billboard surface for advertising a company, organization, products, service or the like. The billboard surface can be provided on a separate removable billboard plate placed on the top of the body portion, which allows the advertising message to be easily changed. In its preferred construction, the body portion has at least one ballast cavity, and preferably multiple ballast cavities, and is constructed in separable parts to permit a selected ballast to be added to the ballast cavities in order to add a desired ballast weight to the umbrella base. The umbrella base can also be provided with casters, including locking casters, so that the umbrella base and its advertising message can be easily moved across a surface from one location to the another.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/533,737, filed Dec. 29, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the use of umbrellas, and in particular, to umbrella bases used to hold umbrellas in an upright position.

Outdoor and patio umbrellas (collectively referred to as patio umbrellas) are widely used in personal, recreational and commercial settings. Typical commercial purchasers of patio umbrellas include hotels, resorts, restaurants, cafes, pubs and coffee houses. Because of their widespread use and the visual exposure they provide to users and passers-by, patio umbrella's have been popular as a media for corporate advertising. As more people spend time outside and become more educated about the harmful effect of the sun's direct rays, the demand for patio umbrella's is likely to increase along with the opportunity for providing advertising centered around the patio umbrella. Heretofore, such advertising has been limited to imprinting or otherwise incorporating company names, product names, logos and the like directly on the umbrella's fabric covering, where the advertising is within normal sight lines of persons situated at a distance from the umbrella, however, where the advertising cannot be easily viewed by persons close in, such as persons seated under the umbrella.

Therefore, there is a need for increasing the opportunities for corporate and other types of advertising associated with the patio umbrella that have not heretofore existed. There is also a need to provide a vehicle for corporate advertising associated with patio umbrella's that is visually prominent and within sight-lines of people seated or standing underneath or close to the umbrella in a manner not provided by conventional advertising specialty umbrella's. These needs are fulfilled by the present invention by means of a novel umbrella base capable of providing a visible advertising message beneath the umbrella held by the base.

There is also a need for an improved umbrella base that can easily be moved from one location to the other and that can be adapted to support umbrellas of different sizes and weights and in different weather environments. Weight is an important issue for patio umbrella bases. A user or manufacturer must normally determine the weight required to support a patio umbrella for given conditions. This determination depends on several variables, including the weight and span of the patio umbrella to be supported, and the location and environmental conditions in which the patio umbrella is to be used. For example, a heavier base would be more suitable for a patio umbrella that is to be used in an exposed outdoor area where wind loads are frequently high. On the other hand, if the patio umbrella is to be used in a relatively sheltered or non-exposed area, such as inside a large building or sheltered area, or underneath a table, a lighter base would suffice. Too much weight is undesirable because the base would be excessively heavy and difficult to move. The added weight may also lead to increased shipping costs. Insufficient weight would make the umbrella susceptible to being toppled by wind or other forces.

Heretofore, different umbrella bases having different weights have typically been designed for different use environments. For example, umbrella bases using a form of cast iron or metal bottom plate have been popular for supporting outdoor patio umbrellas that are quite large and heavy and that require a heavy and stable umbrella base for adequate support. A conventional cast iron base will typically weigh about fifty to seventy pounds. Such weight is adequate to support some patio umbrellas in some environments, however, it may be inadequate depending on weather conditions and the umbrella size. Also, metal bases are susceptible to corrosion which results not only in the deterioration of its outer appearance, but also creates a problem when rust particles stain the surrounding support surfaces such as wood or concrete. Protective coatings such as rust resistant paint and even high cost powder coatings have been used to help alleviate this problem, however, in high traffic areas repeated contact with tables and chairs can cause scratches in the surface coatings allowing the metal beneath the protected surface to rust.

Another known form of an umbrella base is a simple, typically hemispherical block of concrete having an imbedded vertical pipe for receiving the end of an umbrella. Such bases are heavy, unattractive and difficult to move, and not well adapted for many use environments.

Yet another umbrella base design that has heretofore been used is a base that is rotationally or blow molded from plastic to form a one piece hollow body similar in construction to a milk container. This molding process produces low cost, rust resistant parts, however, the parts generally are large and bulky and cosmetically unattractive. Also, they are produced with a relatively thin and uniform wall thickness making it difficult to attach the necessary structural tubing to hold the umbrella shaft. Rotationally or blow molded bases are usually located in a predetermined location and then filled with suitable fluid ballast such as water through a small fill opening to provide the weight necessary to support the umbrella. Once filled, they are very difficult to move without the draining of the fluid ballast.

The difficulty in moving conventional umbrella bases is a significant drawback. As the sun transitions throughout the day, the shade from the umbrella moves from one location to another. If tables and chairs have been arranged below the umbrella to shade the early morning sun, by afternoon these chairs and tables are now in the direct sunlight. The umbrella themselves have been designed to allow for some sun correction by allowing the user to tip or angle the umbrella to offset the suns movement. However, because of the difficulty in moving existing umbrella bases and because the offset angle of the umbrella only offers minimal shade adjustments, users usually need to move their table and chairs to the new shaded area as the day progresses.

The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned shortcomings of previous umbrella bases by providing for an improved umbrella base that, in its various novel aspects, provides an advertising message, is relatively compact, is adapted to aesthetically pleasing profiles and adapted to top surfaces for readily visible advertising messages, has structural integrity, and allows the user to select a desired base weight depending on size and weight of the umbrella to be held and environmental conditions in which it will be held. The present invention also provides an umbrella base that, regardless of its weight, can be transported or maneuvered from one location to another with relative ease, and that can be readily locked into a set location after it has been moved.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one of its aspects, the present invention provides an umbrella base comprised of a body portion with a billboard surface on which advertising indicia is provided for advertising a company, organization, product, service or the like. The billboard surface can be any surface of the umbrella base that is readily visible to persons in the vicinity of the umbrella base, and could include top surfaces and/or vertical sidewall surfaces. The base further includes an umbrella holding structure accessible from the top of the body portion to receive the support shaft of an umbrella for holding the umbrella in an upright position. Preferably, the billboard surface includes a top, substantially flat horizontal surface that surrounds the umbrella holding structure. In another aspect of the invention, the top billboard surface is removable from the top portion of the body such that advertising messages on the umbrella base can be interchanged by replacing one top billboard surface with another top billboard surface.

In a further aspect of the invention, the body portion of the umbrella base is comprised of a ballast housing assembly which includes a lower portion having at least one ballast cavity that can be filled with a ballast material, such as water, sand, steel shot, iron, lead, concrete, cement. The housing assembly further includes a top portion that removably fits onto the lower portion of the housing assembly to cover the at least one ballast cavity. The removable cover portion provides access to the ballast cavity without the need for narrow fill openings for the ballast material, and permits aggregate ballast materials such as sand or cement to be distributed evenly within the cavity. The ballast cavity is optionally divided into smaller cavities such as by partition walls disposed in the cavity. Multiple cavities facilitate even distribution of the ballast material within the lower ballast holding portion of the housing and minimize shifting of the ballast material within the base when the base is moved or tipped. They also facilitate the use of relatively small easy to handle ballast containers sized and shaped to fit within the cavities. Specific cavity volumes can also be provided to predetermine the amount of ballast weight that will be added for a given ballast material.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, at least one closable fill opening is provided in the top cover portion of the housing assembly to permit the at least one the ballast cavity in the lower housing portion to be filled with a ballast material without having to remove the top cover of the housing assembly. For bases having multiple ballast cavities, a closable fill opening is provided for each cavity.

The invention contemplates other housing assembly configurations with separable parts for accessing internal filling ballast cavities, including a housing assembly having a housing top open at the bottom and a bottom cover plate that can be removed for filling the ballast cavities while the umbrella base is turned upside down.

The foregoing ballast housing assembly can readily be combined with the advertising billboard aspect of the invention. The top cover portion of the housing assembly preferably has a substantially flat and laterally extending top surface with a center opening for the umbrella holding structure, which is suitably a cylindrical pipe anchored to the lower portion of the housing assembly. This top surface can alternatively provide a billboard surface for advertising indicia or a support surface for a removable billboard plate that can be readily replaced with other billboard plates to change the advertising message.

In still another aspect of the invention, the lower portion of the housing assembly is provided with casters to allow the base to be readily moved from one location to another, and with position locking mechanisms for locking the base in a set position when it is not being moved. In one embodiment, at least one of the casters, and suitably two or more casters, has a locking mechanism that is activated by the user. When the base is ready to be moved, the user mechanically unlocks each caster that has a locking mechanism and rolls the base to a new location. After the base is moved the user activates the wheel locks again to prevent any further rolling movement. In the preferred embodiment, the casters are wheel casters and the locking mechanisms engage the caster wheels to prevent rolling of the wheels.

In another embodiment of the invention, the lower portion of the housing assembly includes casters and deployable support feet. At least three, and suitably more support feet are provided for stability and are attached to the lower portion of the housing assembly so that the feet can be lowered to engage the ground to take the weight of the umbrella base off of the casters, and retracted for lowering the base back onto the casters for rolling. In the preferred embodiment, the deployable support feet are provided in the form of spring-loaded user activated cam devices, and are preferably located at or somewhat beyond the perimeter of the housing assembly for ease of access and maximum stability.

Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved umbrella base that can be used to advertise products, services, company names, company logos, names and symbols of organizations such as universities, and the like. It is another object of the invention to provide an improved umbrella base having at least one readily accessible ballast cavity that can be easily filled with a suitable ballast material and that facilitates providing variable ballast weights to accommodate different uses and use environments. It is a further object of the invention to provide an umbrella base that can be easily moved from one location to another, and that can be rendered immobile at a set location. It is still another object of the invention to provide an umbrella base which is aesthetically pleasing, that is durable in outdoor weather, yet is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. One or more the foregoing objects may be attained in a particular embodiment of the invention and a particular embodiment of the invention need not attain all of the foregoing objects. Also, other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, the accompany drawings and the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. is a perspective view of one embodiment of an umbrella base according to the present invention, shown supporting an umbrella shade.

FIG. 2 is an exploded top perspective view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view thereof showing housing attachment screws exploded therefrom.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along lines 4-4 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along lines 5-5 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view thereof showing one locking wheel caster in the unlocked position.

FIG. 7 is fragmentary cross-sectional view thereof showing one locking wheel caster in the locked position.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a locking wheel caster for use on an umbrella base according to the invention shown in the locked position.

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of a wheel lock bracket for the locking wheel caster shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional thereof with the wheel of the caster wheel shown in dashed lines.

FIG. 11 is an exploded top perspective view thereof, showing insertable ballast forms and containers for adding ballast weight to the umbrella base.

FIG. 12 is top perspective view of another embodiment of an umbrella base in accordance with the invention showing the use of support feet with wheel casters and showing the support feet in a retracted position to allow rolling of the base on the wheel casters.

FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view thereof.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view thereof showing one of the wheel casters and retracted support feet in greater detail.

FIG. 15 is top perspective view thereof showing the support feet in extended position to prevent rolling of the base.

FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view thereof.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view thereof showing one of the casters and extended support feet in greater detail.

FIG. 18 is a an exploded view thereof.

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of one of the support feet shown in FIGS. 12-18.

FIG. 20 is an top perspective view of yet another umbrella base in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 21 is a bottom perspective view thereof.

FIG. 22 is an exploded top perspective view thereof.

FIG. 23 is a top perspective view of the lower portion of the housing assembly of the umbrella base shown in FIGS. 20-22.

FIG. 24 is a top plan view of the lower portion of the housing assembly.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the umbrella base taken along lines 25-25 in FIG. 20, with the top section of the split umbrella shaft support pipe separated from the lower section.

FIG. 25a is a fragmentary view thereof taken along lines 25A-25A in FIG. 25.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the lower housing taken along lines 26-26 in FIG. 23.

FIG. 27 is a top perspective view of a simplified embodiment of an umbrella base in accordance with the aspect of the invention wherein an advertising message is provided on the umbrella base.

FIG. 28 is an exploded top perspective view thereof.

FIG. 29 is a top perspective view of a variation of the simplified embodiment the invention shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 30 a cross-sectional view of a further simplified embodiment of an umbralla base in accordance with the invention showing a relatively flat non-rolling umbrella base capable of being filled with a ballast material.

FIG. 31 is a bottom plan view thereof.

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the umbrella base shown in FIGS. 30-31.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a novel umbrella base of the type used to hold the shaft of an umbrella such as a patio umbrella. In its various aspects the umbrella base of the invention provides mobility, can be stabilized once it reaches its predetermined location, has operative components that can be easily be removed and attached, such as for filling the base with a ballast material, and provides. an easily viewed advertising display, including an interchangeable display.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-11 show an embodiment of the invention and components thereof, wherein the umbrella base is a rolling umbrella base which is generally hexagonal in shape, which displays an advertising message, and which is capable of being locked in a set position after it has been moved. Base 25 is comprised of a body portion in the form of housing assembly 27, and an umbrella holding structure associated with the housing assembly for holding the support shaft 31 of an umbrella shade 30 as shown in FIG. 1. The umbrella holding structure is provided in the form of a cylindrical support pipe 40 having an open top end 41 for receiving the umbrella shaft. Shaft locking mechanisms such as thumb screws 42 are suitably provided on the support pipe to allow the umbrella support shaft to be secured within the pipe. The support pipe can suitably be made from schedule 40 steel pipe which is powder-coated for protection against rust, or from other materials, such as stainless steel, aluminum, fiberglass or plastic.

The housing assembly 27 is seen to comprise a lower portion 50 (sometimes. referred to as the “lower housing”) and top cover portion 60 (sometimes referred to as the “housing cover”), both of which are preferably fabricated of an injection or structural foam molded polymer with UV resistance, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), but which could be fabricated of other materials. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lower housing 50 has an internal compartment bounded by bottom wall 54, outer sidewalls 52, and a central cylindrical retaining sleeve structure 51 that extends upwardly from bottom wall 54 for receiving support pipe 40. This internal compartment is divided into separate ballast cavities 53 by upstanding partition walls 56. At least one, and preferably all of these ballast cavities are filled with a ballast material, which in FIGS. 4-7 is shown as concrete and denoted by the numeral 55, but which could be any other suitable ballast material selected by the user, such as, water, sand, gravel, steel shot, iron, lead, or cement. By providing defined cavity volumes, the user can add different defined weights to the umbrella base by selecting from different ballasts or ballast materials. For example, assuming the total volume of the three cavities is one cubic foot, the following are examples of weights that can be added to the base depending on the ballast material selected: 62 lbs using one cubic foot of water, 100 lbs using one cubic foot of dry sand, 137 lbs using one cubic foot of concrete, or 193 lbs using one cubic foot of Portland cement. The total weight of the umbrella base would be the sum of the added ballast weight and the weight of the other components of the base. If, for example, the other components weighs 30 lbs and the ballast cavity has a volume of one cubic foot, by selecting either water, dry sand, concrete, or Portland cement as a ballast material, the umbrella base can be made to weigh 92 lbs or 130 lbs or 167 lbs or 223 lbs, respectively. Such a selection would be made according to the nature of the umbrella to be held and its use environment. For example, the ability to add a heavy ballast weight would allow for the use of heavier umbrellas having large diameter canopies (not shown), and for the holding umbrellas in environments which present significant wind loads.

As later described, the ballast cavities of the lower housing portion of the housing assembly can be configured to receive a ballast container which is filled with a ballast material or contains a ballast weight. Such containers may be a rigid containers of a fixed size and shape or non-rigid containers such as cloth or plastic bags for holding a volume of ballast material that fits within the ballast cavities. It is also understood the lower housing 50 can be constructed with no partition walls such that there is only one large ballast cavity. It will further be appreciated that more or less partition walls can be used to segment the ballast cavity of the housing assembly into a greater number or lesser number of ballast cavities than the number of ballast cavities. illustrated in the drawings.

The top cover portion 60 of housing assembly 27 has a flat, laterally extending top wall 61, which includes a raised perimeter rim 61a and a raised central collar 61b that receives the top portion of the upwardly projecting retaining sleeve 51 of the lower housing 50, when the housing cover is placed on the lower housing. As best shown in FIG. 3, top cover portion 60 also includes outer downwardly extending sidewalls 62 adapted to slide over and engage the sidewalls 52 of the assembly's lower housing 50 to provide a continuous and visually pleasing skirt around the perimeter of the umbrella base that inhibits entry of moisture into the ballast cavities through the perimeter of the base. For uses in particular wet environments, it may be desirable to add a sealing material, such an adhesive backed open or closed cell foam or tubing, between the sidewalls 52, 62 of the two halves of the housing assembly.

The top cover and lower portion of the housing assembly are held together by finger releasable snap latches 32 spaced around the perimeter of the housing cover, which insert into corresponding latch channels 32a formed on the perimeter of the lower housing portion. As shown in FIG. 5, each of the snap latches 32 on the housing assembly's top cover is suitably provided in the form of molded-in resilient latch member having a lead-in tapered surface 33. Upon placing the top cover 60 over the lower housing portion 50, this lead-in surface rides up on the ramped surface 37 formed in the latch channel 32a of the lower housing portion, causing the latch member to deflect outward until it snaps over the back edge of the ramped surface into the locked position shown. In their locked position, the ends of the snap latches are accessible from the bottom the housing assembly as shown in FIG. 3, so that top cover 60 can be unlocked from the bottom housing 50 by pressing the snap latches outwardly one-by-one to disengage them from their locked condition. Added securement for these separable parts of the housing assembly can be provided by means of screws 43 inserted through the bottom of the lower housing portion (see FIG. 2). This additional screw attachment will prevent possible breakage of the snap latches 32 and/or unintended opening of the housing assembly in unforeseen hostile conditions, for example, if the umbrella base were to blow over in a storm.

The umbrella base 25 is also provided with casters to allow the base to be moved from one location to another with minimum physical effort. The illustrated casters are standard off-the-shelf wheel casters 65 having a frame 68, suitably fabricated of zinc plated forged steel, and caster wheels 69, which are preferably non-marking, shock resistant polyurethane wheels for economy and long life. As best shown in FIG. 4, the wheel casters 65 are mounted in perimeter recesses 57 formed in the bottom wall 54 of the lower housing 50. The wheel casters are mechanically attached to the lower housing by self-taping screws 67, which tap into holes 64a in hole bosses 64 located behind the bottom wall recesses 57.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 and 11, at least one and suitably two or more of the wheel casters 65 of the umbrella base have a locking mechanism for locking the caster wheels 69 before and after the base is moved. By locking the wheel casters, the umbrella base can be stabilized against unwanted movement at its set location. The locking mechanism is preferably provided in the form of a brake assembly 80 installed on the casters as best illustrated in FIG. 8.

Referring to FIGS. 8-10, the brake assembly is comprised of a sheet-metal bracket 75 having parallel side walls 75a that fit within the frame 68 of the wheel caster 65. The bracket side walls 75a include aligned axial holes 76 that receive the caster's axle 66, and two sets of locking tabs 77 that engage with the edges of frame 68 to prevent the bracket 75 from rotating about the axle when installed. A foot actuatable ON-OFF pedal brake 85 is pivotably attached to the sheet-metal bracket 75 by means of a rivet 81 or other mechanical means. This pedal brake can suitably be fabricated of metal or molded plastic and includes a depressor cam 82 (see FIGS. 6 and 7), which pushes down on the depressible locking strip 78 of sheet-metal bracket 75 when the pedal is pivoted downward from the “Off” position shown in FIG. 6 to the “ON” position shown in FIG. 7. In the “OFF” position the locking strip 78 is in its relaxed position off of the caster wheel and the caster wheel is free to rotate. When rotated to the “ON” position, the depressor cam rides up over dimple 74 on the locking strip 78 and pushes the locking strip inwardly until the edges 79 of the cupped end of the strip contact the rolling surface of the caster wheel 69. The sheet metal bracket 75 is suitably fabricated of a spring tempered stainless steel capable of supplying a constant brake force against the caster wheel when the pedal 85 is in the rotated down “ON” position.

It is understood that other constructions of the brake assembly are possible. For example, the sheet-metal bracket 75 of the brake assembly could be incorporated into the metal frame 68 of the wheel caster as a one-piece assembly.

As best seen in FIGS. 4, 5 and 11, the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-11 further includes a removable billboard plate 70 having a top billboard surface 73 to which advertising indicia, such as company and other organization logos, trademarks or service marks L (collectively referred to herein as “company logos”) are applied. The billboard plate has an outer perimeter edge 70a and center opening 70b, and is sized and shaped to fit onto the top wall 61 of the housing assembly's top cover portion 60 within the recessed area in the top wall defined by the top wall's raised perimeter rim 61a and raised central collar 61b. Preferably, the recessed area has a uniform depth and the billboard plate a corresponding uniform thickness so that the top of the billboard plate is substantially flush with the top of raised perimeter rim 61a. It is noted that in this embodiment the billboard plate is advantageously raised above the ground to enhance its visibility. In this raised position, company logos L or other advertising indicia applied to the billboard plate will be within normal viewing angles of persons standing or sitting near an umbrella held by the base, will less likely be scuffed or damaged, and will be less likely to be covered by foreign materials, such as by leaves or the like, which would obstruct the advertising message on the billboard plate. Also, by being removably attached to the housing assembly, the billboard plate 70 can be replaced by billboard plates with other advertising indicia such that the advertising messages used on the umbrella base can be readily changed.

The billboard plate 70 is mechanically attached to the top wall 61 of the housing assembly's top cover portion 60 by means of self-threading screws 71. Screws 71 are seen to screw into screw holes formed in bosses 72 formed on the underside of the billboard plate to fit into corresponding recesses 72a in the housing cover's top wall 61. While the billboard plate self aligns and is retained on the top wall 61 by means of the rim 61a and center collar 61b, mechanical attachment by screws 71 will prevent dislodgment of the billboard plate when the umbrella base is tipped or moved, and will deter theft of the logo bearing billboard plates. The billboard plate can alternatively be provided without a mechanical attachment or with other forms of attachment such as molded-in snap attachments.

It is seen that billboard plate 70 provides a readily visible top billboard surface 73 which surrounds the support pipe holding the umbrella shaft 31. Preferably, advertising indicia are applied to this top surface about the support pipe (such as shown by the two logos L. The advertising indicia can be located on and about, and cover any portion of the top billboard surface 73 to provide a desired advertising display, and can be applied or otherwise provided on this surface in any number of ways, including by silk-screening or painting the indicia directly on the top surface of the plate or by applying separate multi-colored labels or laminates bearing an advertising message. A suitable label having clear UV resistant lamination 90 can be permanently applied to the billboard plate as shown in FIG. 4 to protect the advertising message from scratching or deterioration. This process allows for up to four color processing that can match the necessary requirements of large organizations for using their licensed logos. Alternatively, the advertising indicia can be provided by molded-in raised or depress letters with texturing to give a three dimensional effect for eye-catching customer appeal, and could be illuminated by an internal light source within the umbrella base 25. This could be accomplished with fiber optics, light emitting diodes (LED), light emitted through the billboard plate 70 by a light source within the umbrella base 25, or by other means known in the art.

It shall be understood that the invention is not limited to an umbrella base having a removable billboard plate, and that the top cover portion of the housing assembly can have a billboard surface integral with the top wall of the cover portion. In this case advertising indicia such as company logos L would be applied or otherwise provided directly on the top wall 61 of the housing assembly's top cover portion 60. Also, it is contemplated that the sidewalls 62 of the umbrella base could provide billboard surfaces for advertising indicia instead of, or in addition to the housing cover's top wall 61. These sidewall logos, which are represented by logos L2 in FIGS. 1-3, would also be readily visible to persons in the vicinity of the base. However, persons standing or sitting somewhat away from the base would have the better view of these logos.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 11, support pipe 40, which as previously described holds and supports umbrella support shaft 31, is mechanically attached to the lower portion 50 of the housing assembly by means of a threaded nut 47 or equivalent threaded part mechanically attached to the inside bore 46 of the lower end of the support pipe. The nut 47 can be press fit, pinned, welded or permanently attached by other means know in the art. One advantage of using a stock hexagon nut 47 is cost while the other is that the points of the hex head can easily provide surface contact for press fitting or welding to the inside surface of bore 46. By using a hex headed part, openings between the hex points and the inside bore 46 of the support pipe 40 are advantageously created. These openings allow water that enters the top 41 of support pipe to drain around the nut 47 and down through drain openings 49 formed at the bottom of the central sleeve structure 51 of lower housing portion 50. By providing a route for water to escape, potential rust damage to the steel components can be prevented.

The bottom of the central sleeve structure 51 of the lower portion of the housing assembly is adapted to receive a cap screw assembly comprised of a standard threaded bolt or cap screw 48, washer 59 and threaded locking nut 63 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Again, one advantage of this design is that off the shelf or standard components can be used that are economical yet made to very high tolerances. The threaded components of this assembly suitably have a robust one inch diameter by eight threads per inch and are constructed of zinc-plated or hot dipped galvanized steel for corrosion resistance. The locking nut 63 is installed into anti-rotate ribs 38 at the bottom of central sleeve structure 51, which center and prevent locking nut from rotating during installation of cap screw 48 through the sleeve structure's bottom opening 39. The ribs 38 also allow water or moisture to escape through the central sleeve structure as previously discussed. When assembled, the cap screw assembly firmly secures and stabilizes the support pipe 40, which becomes the support for the umbrella support shaft 31. and its umbrella shade 30. A suitable raised stand-off structure can be provided on the underside of the bottom wall of the sleeve structure to prevent washer 59 from blocking drain holes 49.

FIG. 11 illustrates examples of self-contained ballasts that can be added to the ballast cavities of the lower portion 50 of the housing assembly, instead of the cavities being filled with a ballast material as earlier described. One example is a rigid fillable container 86 having a fill opening 87 and container lid 87a that fits within one of the ballast cavities. Such containers can suitably be blow molded from an inert plastic material such as HDPE for strength and economy, and can be filled with sand, gravel, water, or other suitable ballast material, depending on the desired ballast weight. Such a container would be provided for each of the ballast cavities in the housing; in this case three containers would be required. The rigid fillable containers are easily removed from the ballast cavities of the housing assembly to lighten the umbrella base. This is desirable if the base must be lifted and carried, such as when it is stored or relocated a substantial distance, for example from one commercial venue to another. Once removed from the umbrella base, the relative small size and lower individual weight of the ballast containers make them easy to stack, transport and store separate from the base.

Instead of using a rigid fillable ballast container, ballast can alternatively be provided in a non-rigid container, such as tie or zip bag 88. Such containers would normally be used with aggregate ballast materials only, but have the advantage of being inexpensive and easily stored and transported. Their shapes are also fluid, allowing them to easily conform to the configuration of the ballast cavities.

As a further alternative, ballast can be added to the ballast compartments 53 of the base by means of a fixed ballast form 89, which could be an enclosed rigid container pre-filled with a ballast material or liquid, or a pre-formed block of material of a predetermined weight, such as concrete. Such ballast forms could also provide utilitarian components for the umbrella base such as one or more batteries to serve as a power source for umbrella lights or the like.

FIGS. 12 -19 depict an embodiment of the invention wherein the wheel caster locking mechanisms shown in FIGS. 8-10 are replaced with support foot assemblies 105 having cam-operated support feet 103 that deploy to stabilize the umbrella base 25 once its position has been set. FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 show the cam-operated feet in the up or non-deployed position. In this position the user can roll the umbrella base on the wheel casters 65 as in the previously described embodiment. FIGS. 15-17 show the feet in their deployed position, where the umbrella base is raised up on the feet so that it can no longer roll. It is seen that the deployed feet contact the ground beyond the perimeter of the housing assembly for enhanced stability. FIGS. 14,17,18 and 19 show in greater detail the construction of the support foot assemblies and how they attach to the umbrella base.

More specifically, each support foot assembly includes a frame structure 101, suitably fabricated of HDPE or polypropylene plastic, having an inner part 101a and outer part 101b. As shown for example in FIG. 14, the inner part 101a of the frame structure of each support foot assembly is secured by wheel caster 65 and wheel caster screws 67 into one of the bottom wall recesses 57 in the lower portion of the housing assembly. The outer part of the frame structure extends beyond the perimeter of the housing assembly and carries a cam-screw 102 in a cam-screw opening 108. Cam tabs 109 are provided on the perimeter of the cam-screw for engaging internal cam surface 107 in the cam-screw opening as hereinafter described. A support foot 103, which contacts the ground when deployed, is attached to the bottom of the cam-screw by a self-threading screw 104. Both the cam-screw and support foot are preferably fabricated of a strong and durable material such as a glass filled nylon or polyester base resin, and as shown in FIG. 14 are spring biased in the up position by coil spring 106, which is preferably constructed from corrosion resistant stainless steel.

Once a location has been set and the user wishes to stabilize the umbrella base 25, he or she does so by inserting a coin, such as a quarter 110 or a special tool into the slot 111 formed in the top of cam-screw 102, and pushing down and rotating the cam-screw clockwise, as depicted by the arrows in FIGS. 14 and 17. Such a downward and clockwise turning motion will engage the top surface of cam follower 113 into and under the cam surface 107 formed in cam-screw opening 108. As the user continues rotation of the cam-screw 102, the foot 103 contacts the pavement 112. Upon contact, the top of the cam follower 113 of the cam tab 109 pushes upward on the underside of cam surface 107, raising the caster wheel 69 off pavement 112 as shown by arrows 115 in FIG. 17. Once the correct height 115 has been reached, the cam detent 114 on the cam follower 113 (see FIG. 19) mates with a detent 116 formed in the cam surface 107 to mechanically lock these parts together so as to prevent further rotation. The foregoing procedure is repeated for each of the support foot assemblies 105, and as the user does so, the wheel casters of the umbrella base 25 will be lifted off the ground 112, transferring the weight of the base to the support feet 103. At such time the user wishes to unlock the feet 105, he or she can insert a quarter 110 or special tool into slot 111 and by turning the cam-screw 102 counter-clockwise to override the detent and raise the support foot to the unlock position as shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14.

It is contemplated that the umbrella base 25 shown in FIGS. 1-19 can be shipped assembled, partially assembled, or unassembled. Preferably, it comes unassembled, and with the support pipe, billboard plate and caster wheels removed . The ballast material for the housing assembly can be shipped separately or purchased by the user according to the user's needs.

To assemble the umbrella base, the billboard plate 70, if not preinstalled, is first placed on top of the housing cover 60 and screws 71 inserted as shown in FIG. 11 to secure the billboard plate. When placing the billboard plate onto the housing cover, the screw bosses 72 on the bottom of the plate must be placed in the corresponding holes in the housing cover. The wheel casters 65 are then attached to the bottom of the lower housing in perimeter recesses 57 by means of screws 67, after which the support pipe 40 is installed. The support pipe is installed by first placing lock nut 63 into the housing's central sleeve structure 51 and then inserting the cap screw 48, on which washer 59 has been placed, into the bottom opening 39 of the central sleeve structure, and threading it through the lock nut. The lower end of the support pipe with its embedded nut 47 is then inserted into the sleeve 51 and screwed onto the end of the cap screw which projects through lock nut 63. With the lower housing and support pipe in their upright position, the ballast cavities are filled with a selected ballast material. (If filled ballast containers or fixed form ballasts such as shown in FIG. 11 are used, they are simply placed in the ballast cavities.) To prevent the ballast material from entering the snap latch channels 32a and other surrounding openings not part of the ballast cavities, these openings can be covered during the ballast fill. Removable adhesive protective coverings that fit over these openings can suitably be provided for this purpose. Once the ballast cavities are filled and the above-mentioned protective coverings removed, the housing cover and billboard plate are placed over the top support pipe and lower housing so that the support pipe 40 (with thumb locking screw 42 removed) slides through the center openings 61c, 70b in the housing cover and billboard plate, and so that the outer sidewalls 62 of the housing cover slides over the sidewalls 52 of the lower housing while the snap latches 32 slide into latch channels 32a, The top cover is pushed down until the snap latches lock, and the unit is then tipped up to install screws 43. Finally, the thumb screws are replaced on the support pipe, which is now ready to receive the shaft of an umbrella. It will be understood that screws 43 are optional and are not required to secure the housing cover to the lower housing.

To change an advertising message, the billboard plate 70 can be exchanged with another billboard plate. This is accomplished by removing the top cover of the housing assembly and then removing screws 71, which hold the billboard plate to the top cover of the housing assembly. A new billboard plate is then screwed onto the top cover and top cover reinstalled as above-described. It will be understood that alternative constructions of the umbrella base are possible that provide for other assembly steps or the elimination of steps. For example, the billboard plate could be provided without screw attachments and possibly in two halves or in more segments to allow the billboard plate to be removed without any disassembly of the housing.

FIGS. 20-26 show a variation of the embodiment of the umbrella illustrated in FIGS. 12-19. In this variation, the umbrella base 131 has a generally square shape with four wheel casters 65a and four support foot assemblies 105a located at the four corners of the housing. The support foot assemblies in this embodiment are essentially identical to the support foot assemblies 105 shown in FIGS. 12-19, except that here the frame structure for the assemblies are integral with the lower portion of the housing. Other alternative structures are included in this embodiment. One is the addition of structure that allows ballast cavities in the housing assembly to be filled without removing the top portion of the housing. Another is found in the construction of the support pipe. And yet another involves an internal construction of the housing assembly which prevents moisture from reaching the ballast fill in the ballast cavities.

In this embodiment, the support pipe 132 is split into two sections, namely, top section 133 and bottom section 134, having joinable ends 133a and 134a, with optional rivet holes 163a and 163b, which align when the ends are joined and which receive a plastic rivet or the like (not shown) for holding the joined ends together. Each of these sections has a thumb screw 135. The split support pipe further includes a threaded nut 136, which is suitably secured in the pipe by a roll or spring pin 144, and which projects from the pipe's bottom end 137 so as to eliminate the need for a separate locking nut. Using this embodiment, installation of the support pipe is simplified as hereinafter described. Also, the split pipe advantageously allows the umbrella base to be used under tables that will not accommodate a long support pipe, and where the extra length of the support pipe is not needed. In these situations the top section of the support pipe is simply removed.

The body portion of this embodiment is similar to the previous embodiment. More specifically, a body portion in the form of housing assembly 139 has a lower ballast holding portion 140, and a top cover portion in the form of a cover plate 141 secured to the lower portion of the assembly by means of top screws 143. Advertising indicia, such as a company logo L, are provided on a separate billboard plate 145 having screw bosses 146 that fit into screw boss holes 176 in the cover plate 145, which is attached by screws 180. The lower portion of the housing assembly has outer perimeter sidewalls 147 and an inner wall structure 149 inside of the outer perimeter sidewalls. The inner wall structure 149 supports the cover plate 141 and the billboard plate 145 within the outer perimeter walls of the lower housing portion, and creates an interior compartment which is divided into four equal sized ballast cavities 151 by partition walls 153. The partition walls terminate at an center ring wall 155, which surrounds a central cylindrical retaining sleeve structure 157 that holds the split support pipe 132. Sleeve structure 157 having anti-rotating ribs 158 (seen in FIG. 24) holds the support pipe in substantially the same fashion as described in the earlier embodiments. However, in this case installation of the support pipe is simplified because the cap screw 48 can be screwed directly into the pipe's projecting nut 136 after the bottom end of the support pipe is placed into the sleeve structure. The support pipe is prevented from rotating because the projecting nut engages in the anti-rotating ribs 158 when the pipe bottoms out in the sleeve structure. Also, mating detent element 142a, 142b prevent the top section of the split pipe from rotating in the bottom section.

It is noted that both cover plate 141 and billboard plate 145 of the housing assembly have turned-down perimeter edges 141a and 145a. In the case of the cover plate, these edges fit over the lower housing's inner wall structure as shown in FIG. 25 when the cover plate is placed on the lower housing. In the case of the billboard plate, the turned-down edges rest on the cover plate and raise the billboard surface up so that it is substantially flush with the top of the lower housing's outer perimeter sidewalls 147; they also produce a space under the cover plate to accommodate a fill opening structure as hereinafter described.

The inner wall structure and center ring wall of the lower housing of this embodiment effectively isolate the ballast compartments from the joints that occur between top cover plate and lower housing's perimeter sidewalls 147, and between the sleeve 157 and the center openings 152, 154 of the cover plate and billboard plate. It is at these joints that entry of moisture into the housing assembly is most likely to occur. The inner wall structure 149 creates a perimeter buffer space 159, and inner ring wall 155 creates interior buffer space 161. Drain holes, such as drain holes 165 and 167, are provided at the bottom of both of these buffer spaces to allow moisture collected in these spaces to drain from the housing assembly. Also, outside and inside O-rings 156, 160 can be provided on the underside of the housing cover in order to hermetically seal the ballast cavities. Sealing of these two parts can be accomplished in any number of ways known in the art, including using sealing compounds.

The corners of the lower housing are seen to have shoulder structures 169 that extend from angled corner portions 171 of the perimeter sidewalls. Each of the shoulder structures have a cam-screw opening 108a for receiving cam-screws 102, to which the support feet 103 are attached. The cam screws 102, support feet 103 and associated springs 106 of the support foot assemblies in this embodiment are identical to the cam screws, support feet and springs of the support foot assemblies in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12-19. Also, the support feet are deployed in the same manner as previously described to take the weight off of the wheel casters 65, which, as best shown in FIG. 22, are attached by screws 67 into corner recesses 173 formed in the underside of the lower housing behind the support foot assemblies. These corner recess have back walls 174, and screw bosses 174a on the top side of the back wall to receive the caster screws 67.

To allow the ballast cavities 151 to be filled without removing cover plate 141, a ballast fill opening 175 is provided in the top cover plate of the housing above each of the ballast cavities. These openings each have an upwardly projecting collar 177 with and external thread and an associated internally threaded lid 179, which screws onto the collar. Thus, it is seen that ballast cavities can be filled by simply removing the billboard plate 145 and unscrewing lids 179. The billboard plate is secured to the top cover plate by screws 180, so removing the billboard plate will first require the removal of these screws, which insert from the bottom of the lower housing through screw openings 176 in the cover plate into screw bosses 146 on the bottom of the billboard plate.

As in the previous embodiments the top cover and bottom portions of the housing assembly, along with the billboard plate 145 and fill opening lids 179, can be suitably be fabricated as injection or structural foam molded polymer (e.g. HDPE or polypropylene) parts having high UV resistance.

FIGS. 27-29 show simplified embodiments of the invention wherein advertising indicia for presenting an advertising message are provided on an umbrella base having a body portion in the form of a weighted base plate without ballast cavities and without wheel casters. In these embodiments, the base is not a rolling base, but a base that must be lifted to move it from one location to another.

Referring to FIGS. 27 and 28, umbrella base 181 is comprised of a square shaped base plate 183 suitably fabricated of a suitable material such as cast iron or steel that provides sufficient weight to the base to hold an umbrella upright in normal conditions. An umbrella holding structure is provided on the base plate in the form of pipe retaining sleeve 185, and an umbrella shaft support pipe 186 that fits into the top end of the sleeve. The pipe retaining sleeve can be integrally formed on the base plate or provided as a separate part attached to the base plate, such as by providing the sleeve with a threaded end that can be screwed into a threaded opening (not shown) in the center of the base plate. Similarly, the support pipe can be an integral extension of the pipe retaining sleeve, or a separate part as shown that slides into and is retained by the sleeve. A support pipe can also be provided that is configured for attachment by a cap nut as described below in connection with embodiments shown in FIGS. 30 and 31.

The base plate 183 of the umbrella base 181 is seen to include a flat billboard surface 187 surrounding pipe retaining sleeve 185 and support pipe 186, with advertising indicia in the form of a company logo L being provided on this surface about the pipe retaining sleeve. This logo will be readily visible to persons seated or standing near the umbrella supported by the base. The billboard surface can be provided directly on the top surface of base plate 183 or, as illustrated, by a thin billboard plate 189, which is placed on top of the base plate and which has a center opening 191 to accommodate the sleeve 186. The top of base plate is suitably provided with a shallow recess 193 to receive the billboard plate; preferably this recess has a depth that substantially corresponds with thickness of the billboard plate. This recess produces a raised perimeter rim 195 around the edges of the base plate that surrounds the billboard plate when the billboard plate is placed in the recess. If desired, separate attachments can be provided for the billboard plate, such as screw bosses on the bottom of the billboard plate and screw boss holes in the base plate similar to those described in the previous embodiment.

FIG. 27 illustrates a variation of the simplified umbrella base shown in FIG. 25, wherein the umbrella base 197 has a circular base plate 199 instead of a square base plate, and wherein the advertising indicia (company logo L) are provided on a circular billboard surface instead of a square one as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28. As FIGS. 27 through 29 illustrate, the base plate of the simplified umbrella base of the invention can be provided in any variety of shapes.

In both the FIGS. 27-28, and FIG. 29 embodiments, advertising indicia can be provided on the billboard surfaces of the bases in a number of different ways as earlier described, and can cover any desired portion of the billboard surface in any arrangement. For example, a single large logo can cover substantially the entire billboard surface as indicated in FIG. 29, or separate logos can be distributed about the surface is indicated in FIG. 27. Also, where a separate billboard plate is used, the plate can suitably be fabricated of plastic, such as UV resistant HDPE or polypropylene. As in the previously described embodiments, such billboard plates can be readily exchanged to change the advertising message on the umbrella base.

FIGS. 30-32 show other simplified embodiments of the invention wherein a relatively flat, shallow profile and non-rolling umbrella base has a body portion capable of being filled with a ballast material. Referring first to FIGS. 30 and 31, umbrella base 201 has a body portion in the form of a housing assembly, which includes an upper portion in the form of a housing top 203 having a flat top wall 204, downwardly extending sidewalls 205, and a downwardly inner ring wall 206. The housing assembly further has a lower portion in the form of a bottom cover plate 207 having a center opening 209, This cover plate is removably attached to the housing top 203 by means of attachment screws 211 that screw into screw bosses 213 formed on the underside of the housing top wall 204. Molded-in support feet 215 are suitably provided around the bottom perimeter edges of the bottom cover plate to raise the base slightly when placed on a hard potentially uneven surface. It is noted that the bottom cover plate is sized such that its outer perimeter edge 212 and inner edge 214 mate with and seal against the notched bottom edges 208, 210 of the housing top's sidewalls 205 and inner ring wall 206 when the attachment screws 211 are tightened.

To provide an umbrella shaft holding structure for this embodiment, an upwardly projecting central sleeve 217 is integrally formed on the top wall of housing top 203 for receiving a split umbrella shaft support pipe 132 that is essentially identical to the split support pipe described above in connection with the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 20-26. As in this previously described embodiment, the bottom end of the bottom section of the split support pipe is secured in central sleeve 217 by mean of cap screw 48, which is passed through bottom opening 219 in the sleeve structure and then screwed into the threaded nut 136 projecting from the bottom end of the split pipe. The projecting nut engages anti-rotating ribs 221 formed at the bottom of the sleeve structure to prevent the pipe from rotating in the sleeve. It is also noted that the head of the cap screw is recessed in the center recess 218 formed behind the central sleeve structure, so that it does not touch the ground. Raised stand-offs 222 on the underside of the bottom wall of the sleeve structure prevent the cap screw washer 59 from blocking drain holes 226 in the bottom wall.

In this embodiment, one or more ballast cavities 223 are formed underneath the housing assemblies housing top 203. The illustrated partition walls 225 formed on the underside of the housing top's top wall divides the interior compartment underneath the top wall into separate ballast cavities 223, which can be filled with a desired ballast material. Filling the ballast cavities is accomplished when the base is turned upside down by simply removing bottom cover plate 207 from the housing top 203, pouring the ballast in the ballast cavities, and replacing the bottom cover plate. The resulting weight of the base will depend on the type and amount ballast material used,

Both the housing top 203 with its integral sleeve structure 217, and the bottom cover plate 207 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 30 and 31 are suitably fabricated of inexpensive molded plastic parts. The housing top's top wall will provide a flat billboard surface 227 on which an advertising message can be provided, such as by a molded-in logo or a laminated adhesive label, or by any other suitable means, examples of which are mentioned above. Also, it is contemplated that the ballast cavities of the umbrella base shown in these figures can be pre-filled by the manufacturer and the bottom cover plate permanently sealed to the housing top.

FIG. 32 shows in alternative constructure to the umbrella base illustrated in FIGS. 30 and 31, wherein the plastic bottom cover plate of the base is replaced by a sheet metal plate 229, which is suitably a stamped part. Here the support feet 231 are not molded-in feet, but separate foot pads screwed onto the bottom of the cover plate 229 by attachment screws 211 used to hold the cover plate to the housing top 203. Again, it will be understood that rigid or non-rigid ballast containers, or fixed form ballasts, as above-described, could be used with the shallow profile fillable umbrella bases shown in FIGS. 30-32.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the flat surfaces shown in the illustrated embodiments could be domed surfaces or surfaces of other shapes, so long as the surfaces are readily visible to persons within the vicinity of the umbrella base. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. An umbrella base comprising

a body portion having a bottom and at least one readily visible billboard surface,

an umbrella holding structure accessible from the top of said body portion for receiving the support shaft of an umbrella for holding the umbrella in an upright position, and

advertising indicia provided on the billboard surface of said body portion for conveying an advertising message, such as a company or organization logo, trademark or service mark.

2. The umbrella base of claim 1 wherein said readily visible billboard surface of said body portion is a top billboard surface that surrounds said umbrella holding structure.

3. The umbrella base of claim 2 wherein said advertising indicia are provided on said top billboard surface about said umbrella holding structure.

4. The umbrella base of claim 2 wherein the top billboard surface of said body portion is a substantially flat surface.

5. The umbrella base of claim 1 wherein said umbrella holding structure is comprised of a support pipe having a top open end and a bottom end, and wherein the bottom end of said support pipe is secured of said body portion substantially in the center of said top billboard surface.

6. The umbrella base of claim 1 wherein the billboard surface is removable from said body portion such that advertising messages on the umbrella base can be changed by replacing one top billboard surface with another top billboard surface.

7. The umbrella base of claim 6 wherein said billboard surface is provided by at least one removable billboard plate on the top of said body portion.

8. The umbrella base of claim 7 wherein said removable billboard plate provides a flat top billboard surface.

9. The umbrella base of claim 7 wherein said removable billboard plate is sized and shaped to substantially cover the entirety of the top of said body portion.

10. The umbrella base of claim 7 wherein the top of said body portion has a recessed area defining the top surface of said body portion and wherein said removable billboard plate is sized and shaped to fit within said recessed area.

11. The umbrella base of claim 10 wherein said recessed area is defined at least in part by a raised perimeter rim on the top of said body portion.

12. The umbrella base of claim 11 wherein said removable billboard plate is sized and shaped to fit within said recessed area substantially flush with the said raised perimeter rim.

13. The umbrella base of claim 12 wherein said recessed area has a substantially uniform depth and said removable billboard plate has a substantially uniform thickness.

14. The umbrella base of claim 6 wherein said billboard surface is provided by a removable top billboard plate having an opening for accommodating said umbrella holding structure when the plate is placed on and removed from said body portion.

15. The umbrella base of claim 14 wherein said opening is substantially centered in said billboard plate, and wherein the billboard surface provided by said billboard plate surrounds. said center opening.

16. The umbrella base of claim 1 further comprising casters on the bottom of said body portion, which permit the umbrella base with its advertising indicia to be rolled across a surface from one location to another.

17. The umbrella base of claim 16 wherein said casters include caster locking mechanisms for releasably locking the caster wheels after the umbrella base has been moved to a desired location.

18. The umbrella base of claim 16 wherein said body portion includes deployable support feet which can be deployed to lift the umbrella base off of said casters and which can be retracted to allow the umbrella base to roll on said casters.

19. The umbrella base of claim 1 wherein said body portion has a perimeter defining a footprint, and further comprises

wheel casters on the bottom of said body portion substantially within the footprint thereof, said wheel casters permitting the umbrella base with its advertising indicia to be rolled across a surface from one location to another, and

deployable support feet which can be deployed to lift the umbrella base off of said caster wheels and which can be retracted to allow the umbrella base to roll on said caster wheels.

20. The umbrella base of claim 19 wherein said deployable support feet deploy outside of the footprint of the umbrella base.

21. The umbrella base of claim 1 wherein said body portion includes at least one fillable ballast cavity for receiving a ballast material for adding ballast weight to the umbrella base.

22. The umbrella base of claim 21 wherein said bottom portion has multiple separately fillable ballast cavities, and wherein a ballast material can be added to any one or more of said ballast cavities for adding ballast weight to the umbrella base.

23. The umbrella base of claim 22 wherein body portion has at least three separately fillable ballast cavities.

24. The umbrella base of claim 1 wherein said body portion is comprised of a housing assembly having a lower housing portion and a top cover portion, said lower housing portion including a bottom wall, sidewalls and at least one ballast cavity for receiving a ballast material for adding ballast weight to the umbrella base, and said top cover portion being removably attached to said bottom portion to allow the at least one ballast cavity in said lower housing portion to be filled with a ballast material.

25. The umbrella base of claim 24 wherein said top cover portion includes a substantially flat top wall and downwardly extending sidewalls adapted to slide over and engage the sidewalls of the housing assembly's lower housing portion, and wherein said billboard surface is provided on at least one of the substantially flat top wall and sidewalls of said top cover portion.

26. The umbrella base of claim 25 wherein said top billboard surface is provided by at least one removable billboard plate placed on the top wall of said top cover portion.

27. The umbrella base of claim 26 wherein said removable billboard plate is sized and shaped to substantially cover the entire top wall of the housing assembly's top cover portion.

28. The umbrella base of claim 27 wherein the billboard surface provided by said billboard plate surrounds said umbrella holding structure.

29. The umbrella base of claim 21 further comprising at least one fillable ballast container sized and shaped to fit within said ballast cavity, whereby ballast is added to said ballast cavity by placing a filled one of said fillable ballast containers therein.

30. The umbrella base of claim 29 wherein said fillable ballast container is a rigid container having a closable fill opening, said rigid container being sized and shaped to fit within said at least one ballast cavity.

31. The umbrella base of claim 29 wherein said fillable container is a closable bag.

32. The umbrella base of claim 22 further comprising multiple fillable ballast containers sized and shaped to fit within said ballast cavities, whereby ballast is added to said ballast cavities by placing filled ballast containers therein.

33. The umbrella base of claim 21 further comprising at least one fixed form ballast sized and shaped to fit within said ballast cavity.

34. An umbrella base comprising

a weighted base plate having a readily visible top billboard surface,

an umbrella holding structure on the top of said body portion for receiving the support shaft of an umbrella for holding the umbrella in an upright position, and

advertising indicia provided on the top billboard surface of said base plate for advertising a company, organization, product, service or the like.

35. The umbrella base of claim 34 wherein the readily visible top billboard surface of said body portion surrounds said umbrella holding structure and wherein advertising indicia are provided on said top billboard surface about said umbrella holding structure.

36. The umbrella base of claim 34 wherein the top billboard surface of said body portion is a substantially flat surface.

37. The umbrella base of claim 34 wherein said umbrella holding structure is comprised of an elongated support pipe having a top open end and a bottom end, and wherein the bottom end of said pipe is secured to the top of said body portion substantially in the center of said top billboard surface.

38. The umbrella base of claim 34 wherein the top billboard surface is removable from said base plate such that advertising messages on the umbrella base can be changed by replacing one top billboard surface with another top billboard surface.

39. The umbrella base of claim 38 wherein said top billboard surface is provided by at least one removable billboard plate.

40. The umbrella base of claim 39 wherein said base plate is fabricated of a weighted material and said billboard plate in fabricated of a light weight plastic material.

41. The umbrella base of claim 40 wherein said billboard plate is fabricated of a UV resistant plastic.

42. An umbrella base comprising

a housing assembly having at least one ballast cavity for holding a selected amount of ballast material for providing weight to said housing assembly, said housing assembly having a top with a readily visible top billboard surface, and being constructed in separable portions to allow access to said housing assembly for filling the ballast cavity with a ballast material selected according to the desired amount of ballast weight to be added,

an umbrella holding structure on the top of said housing assembly for receiving the support shaft of an umbrella for holding the umbrella in an upright position, and

advertising indicia provided on the top billboard surface of said housing assembly for advertising a company, organization, product, service or the like.

43. The umbrella base of claim 42 wherein said housing assembly includes a bottom portion containing said at least one ballast cavity and a removable top cover portion.

44. The umbrella base of claim 42 wherein said housing assembly is fabricated of plastic parts.

45. The umbrella base of claim 44 wherein said housing assembly is fabricated of a UV resistant plastic.

46. The umbrella base of claim 42 wherein said housing assembly has multiple separately fillable ballast cavities, and wherein a ballast material can be added to any one or more of said ballast cavities for adding ballast weight to the umbrella base.

47. The umbrella base of claim 42 further comprising casters on the bottom of said housing, said casters permitting the umbrella base with its advertising message to be rolled across a surface from one location to another.

48. The umbrella base of claim 47 further comprising retractable support feet which can be retractably extended to contact the ground and lift the weight of the umbrella base from said casters.

49. An umbrella base comprising

a housing assembly having a top and at least one ballast cavity for holding a selected amount of ballast material for providing weight to said housing assembly, and being constructed in separable portions to allow access to said housing assembly for filling the ballast cavity with a ballast material selected according to the desired amount of ballast weight to be added,

a removable billboard plate for placement on the top of said housing assembly, said billboard plate having a readily visible top billboard surface,

an umbrella holding structure on the top of said housing assembly for receiving the support shaft of an umbrella for holding the umbrella in an upright position, and

advertising indicia provided on the top billboard surface of said billboard plate for advertising a company, organization, product, service or the like.

50. The umbrella base of claim 49 wherein said billboard plate is fabricated of a UV resistant plastic.

51. The umbrella base of claim 49 wherein said billboard plate is. releasably attached to the top of said housing assembly.

52. An umbrella base comprising

a body portion having a top surface,

a removable billboard plate for placement on the top surface of said housing assembly, said billboard plate having a readily visible top billboard surface for advertising indicia which advertises a company, organization, product, service or the like, and

an umbrella holding structure on the top of said housing assembly for receiving the support shaft of an umbrella for holding the umbrella in an upright position.

53. The umbrella base of claim 52 wherein the readily visible top billboard surface of said billboard plate surrounds said umbrella holding structure.

54. The umbrella base of claim 53 wherein the top billboard surface of said body portion is a substantially flat surface.

55. The umbrella base of claim 52 wherein said umbrella holding structure is comprised of an elongated support pipe having a top open end and a bottom end, and wherein the bottom end of said pipe is secured to the top of said body portion substantially in the center of said top billboard surface.

56. The umbrella base of claim 52 further comprising casters on the bottom of said body portion, said casters permitting the umbrella base with an advertising message to be rolled across a surface from one location to another.

57. The umbrella base of claim 56 wherein at least one of said casters has a foot actuatable locking mechanism.

58. The umbrella base of claim 57 further comprising retractable support feet which can be retractably extended to contact the ground and lift the weight of the umbrella base from said casters.

59. The umbrella base of claim 58 wherein said body portion has a defined perimeter and said support feet are located outside of said perimeter to provide added stability to said umbrella base when said support feet are extended.

60. The umbrella base of claim 52 wherein said billboard plate is fabricated of plastic.

61. The umbrella base of claim 52 wherein said billboard plate is fabricated of a UV resistant plastic.