Extendable Umbrella Stand

Abstract

A light-weight holder for the handle of an umbrella includes a cup at the top of an extendable shaft. The extendable shaft may include an inner rod within an outer tube, with a friction lock between the rod and the tube. The relative position between the rod and the tube is infinitely adjustable. The bottom end of the tube includes plurality of slots arranged to receive an outwardly extending adjustment means, which also serves an a depth gauge for an anchor pin. The anchor pin extends through a lower bushing in the tub, and terminates in a tapered tip.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/006,943 filed Jun. 3, 2014.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of umbrella stands and the like, and more particularly, to an umbrella or similar stand with an extendable cup and an extendable spike to secure the stand to the ground.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An umbrella is commonly used to provide shade and to shield against rain, and various configurations of umbrellas are known. For example, rain umbrellas are typically lightweight but are most often meant to be held in one's hand while the holder is moving about. Consequently, these types of umbrellas are impractical for hands-free use. Also, once this type of umbrella is opened up, the length of the shaft is set and cannot be extended.

A beach umbrella typically includes a rigid pole with a relatively sharp bottom end which is configured to be inserted in the sand. As with the hand-held rain umbrella, the length of the pole is set, as is the configuration of the sharp bottom end of the pole.

Another drawback of known umbrellas is that the parasol portion of the umbrellas is affixed to the shaft. In a strong wind, the parasol portion is often turned inside out, resulting in damage to the entire umbrella.

Thus, there remains a need for a compact portable stand which is configured to retain the handle of an umbrella. The stand should define an extendable pole, as well as extendable spike to present a compact package. The present invention is directed to filling these and other needs in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses these drawbacks in the art by providing a light-weight holder for the handle of an umbrella. The holder includes a cup at the top of an extendable shaft. The extendable shaft preferably comprises an inner rod within an outer tube, with a friction lock between the rod and the tube. In this way, the relative position between the rod and the tube is infinitely adjustable. The bottom end of the tube includes a plurality of slots arranged to receive an outwardly extending adjustment means, which also serves as a depth gauge for an anchor pin. The anchor pin extends through a lower bushing in the tub, and terminates in a tapered tip.

The stand herein described can be used for a variety of other applications, and not just for umbrellas, such as for example fishing poles. These and other features and advantages of this invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and can be understood in detail, more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side section view of an umbrella stand in accordance with this invention, with the top end of the stand shown on the left and the bottom end of the stand shown on the right.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates a presently preferred embodiment of an umbrella stand 10 of this invention. The top of the stand comprises an elongate nipple 12, in the form of a tube, preferably formed of PVC, although any appropriate material may be used. An upper, removable cap 14 covers the top of the nipple 12. The nipple 12 is inserted into a lower cap 16 and secured thereto, preferably with epoxy although the nipple 12 and lower cap 16 may be formed together as a unit. Preferably, the upper cap is retained by an umbilical 18 so that the upper cap can be removed from the nipple 12 and remains attached to the stand 10. The nipple 12 also defines a upper edge 20 into which a slot 22 is formed. The slot 22 is sized to receive and retain the umbilical 18 to hold the upper cap 14 when it is removed from the nipple so that an umbrella or the like is positioned within the stand 10.

One end of the umbilical 18 is secured to the upper cap 14, such as with epoxy 24, or similar material. The other end of the umbilical 18 is secured to the lower cap 16 with epoxy 26, or similar material.

Together, the nipple 12, the upper cap 14, and the lower cap 16 form an umbrella receiving assembly 28. The umbrella receiving assembly 28 is secured to a telescoping shaft 30 with epoxy 32 or other appropriate material. So that the umbrella receiving assembly 28 is securely attached to the shaft 30, a pin 33 is preferably inserted through the lower cap and through an upper end 35 of the shaft 30. The pin 33 is shown in FIG. 1 as extending beyond the outer surface of the lower cap 16 for illustration purposes but is preferably cut off flush with the outer surface of the lower cap.

The shaft 30 moves in and out of a tube or sleeve 34. A friction lock 36 is mounted to a lower end 38 of the shaft 30. The friction lock 36 allows the shaft 30 to be positioned to any point within the sleeve 34 to the extent of its travel.

A lower end 40 of the sleeve 34 includes a plurality of angled slots 42 which serve as a depth gauge for an anchor pin 44. The anchor pin 44 tapers to a somewhat rounded point configured to be thrust into the ground to hold the umbrella stand up. A handle 46 can be moved up and down to position the anchor pin 44 to various heights, and then a horizontal arm 48 may then be slotted into one of the plurality of slots 42, thereby positioning the anchor pin to a selective depth in the ground. The anchor pin 44 preferably extends through an anchor pin bushing 50 secured to the inside surface of the lower end of the tube 34.

The principles, preferred embodiment, and mode of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. This invention is not to be construed as limited to the particular forms disclosed, since these are regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Moreover, variations and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. An umbrella stand comprising:

an umbrella receiving assembly comprising: a top end defining an elongate nipple in the form of a tube, the nipple having an upper edge defining open top; an upper, removable cap configured to cover the top of the nipple; a lower cap below and configured to retain the nipple and having a bottom end; an umbilical having a first end secured to the upper cap and a second end secured to the lower cap; and a slot formed in the upper edge of the nipple sized to receive and retain the umbilical; and

a telescoping shaft assembly secured to and extending below the lower cap, the shaft assembly comprising: a shaft having an upper end and a lower end; a pin inserted through the lower cap and through the upper end of the shaft; a hollow sleeve having an open upper end configured to slidingly receive the shaft so that the shaft can freely move in and out of the sleeve; the sleeve also having a lower end; a friction lock on the lower end of the shaft to reversibly hold the shaft within the sleeve; an anchor pin within the lower end of the sleeve, the anchor pin having a lower end defining a rounded point to be thrust into the ground; a plurality of angled slots formed in the lower end of the sleeve; and a handle coupled to the anchor pin and arranged to selectively slide into an angled slot in the sleeve.

2. A stand comprising:

a receiving assembly comprising an open topped tube having a closed bottom; and

a telescoping shaft assembly extending below the receiving assembly, the shaft assembly comprising a shaft attached to the closed bottom of the receiving assembly; a hollow sleeve configured to slidingly receive the shaft, the sleeve having a bottom end; and an anchor pin arranged to slide within the sleeve and to selectively extend below the bottom of the sleeve.

3. The stand of claim 2, wherein the receiving assembly is configured to receive a handle of an umbrella.

4. The stand of claim 2, wherein the receiving assembly comprises:

a top end defining an elongate nipple in the form of a tube, the nipple having an upper edge defining open top;

an upper, removable cap configured to cover the top of the nipple;

a lower cap below and configured to retain the nipple and having a bottom end; and

an umbilical having a first end secured to the upper cap and a second end secured to the lower cap.

5. The stand of claim 4, further comprising a slot formed in the upper edge of the nipple sized to receive and retain the umbilical.

6. The stand of claim 2, wherein the shaft defines a lower end and further comprising a friction lock on the lower end of the shaft to reversibly hold the shaft within the sleeve.

7. The stand of claim 2, further comprising:

a plurality of angled slots formed in the lower end of the sleeve; and

a handle coupled to the anchor pin and arranged to selectively slide into one of the plurality of angled slots in the sleeve.