Ground Anchoring Umbrella Stand

Abstract

The present disclosure provides for a novel ground anchoring umbrella stand comprising a sleeve and a plurality of opposing pairs of forked anchor legs having horizontal sections extending radially from the sleeve and transitioning downwardly to vertical sections such that the umbrella stand may be freestanding and may be thrust into the ground for anchoring of the umbrella stand and an umbrella by a user's foot, on dry land or in a submerged environment. In a preferred embodiment, the horizontal sections of the anchor legs are adapted to torsionally strain between the sleeve and the vertical sections of the anchor legs such that, in an anchored position, the umbrella stand can self-return to an upright position upon the exertion and release of external forces acting upon the stand. The sleeve is preferably configured to securely receive a pole such as for a beach umbrella, a tent, a volleyball net, and a fishing pole. The sleeve further includes an aperture and a threaded locking bolt perpendicular to the sleeve such that the locking bolt extends through the aperture of the sleeve to engage a pole. The sleeve also includes a cup holder handle for holding a drinking cup of user and for removal of the stand from the ground.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to improvements in umbrella stands and more particularly relates to stabilizer-retention devices for beach, yard, or patio umbrellas which will substantially increase the ground retention forces and lateral stability of such umbrellas thereby alleviating or preventing overturning forces exerted by steady winds and/or gusts from causing an umbrella to overturn and become dislodged from the ground.

Description of the Related Art

People in many different recreations often enjoy being outdoors, and umbrellas are frequently employed to provide an area of shade or shelter to protect people and their equipment from direct sun rays and the associated heat.

Various different types of umbrellas are well known. One well known type of umbrella is a hand-held rain umbrella. Hand-held rain umbrellas are typically lightweight, are not very strong, and are not easily securable to objects. Accordingly, recreational users do not typically employ rain umbrellas to provide shade in their recreational environment.

Another well known type of umbrella is a beach umbrella. Conventional beach umbrellas typically include a single linear pole with a sharpened end of the linear pole which is feebly embedded into the sand by exerting a downward force on the pole while moving it in a back and forth manner. Such embedding often proves difficult without additional tools and is not well suited for gusts of winds often experienced on beaches and in open fields. Such umbrellas are often overturned and uplifted from the ground by wind or wind gusts and whisked down the beach, damaging the umbrellas and exposing other persons to risk of injury upon impact. The conventional mounting of such conventional beach umbrellas cannot suitably withstand the shear forces exerted upon the singular linear pole by wind or gusts of wind.

Another type of umbrella is a patio umbrella. Patio umbrellas typically have a relatively thick linear pole supported by a pole holder having relatively wide, solid, and heavy stand that sits atop the ground intended to prevent tipping over. For example, one typical stand for a patio umbrella weighs approximately 20 to 35 pounds, has a substantially circular and conically shaped heavy base with a flat bottom with a diameter that is approximately 18 to 24 inches, and a pole holder that extends an additional 12 to 16 inches upwardly from the top of the conically shaped heavy base. Such umbrellas stands need to have such a wide base, a long pole holder on top of the large base, and be of such a relatively heavy weight, all in an attempt to safely hold such heavier patio umbrellas from tipping over. The mobility of such heavy base stands is limited as they are difficult to maneuver. Moreover, the solid and flat bottom bases are not suitable for a sandy beach environment as the flat bottoms are difficult to orient atop the sand, making it difficult to position the supported umbrella; and water from waves and tides can easily washout the sand from beneath the flat bottomed heavy base causing it to intermittently submerge and reorient the supported umbrella against the intentions of a user. The weight of the base makes it difficult to relocate. Accordingly, recreational beachgoers do not typically employ such heavy base stands to support umbrellas to provide shade.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,908,067 issued on Jun. 21, 2005 to Clasen discloses a complicated assembly having two pipes welded together at their ends with an internal spring in the upper pipe attached to an internal foot pedal mechanism inside the lower pipe; the assembly has a spike that is hand screwed onto the bottom of the lower pipe; the welded pipes must be balanced and held in place by a user's hands and the spring loaded foot pedal hammer can slide up and down inside the lower pipe with the user's foot to make contact with the spike to force the spike into the ground directly beneath the vertical axis of the lower pipe and any umbrella pole that would be mounted in the upper pipe. U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,748 issued on Jul. 2, 2002 to Girard discloses another stand that must be balanced and held in place by a user's hands while a user can outwardly thrust downward away from the spike on a fixed foot pedal extended outwardly from the spike while a user's hands push laterally against the stand to attempt to drive the spike into the ground. An umbrella pole can then be balanced by a user's hands and held in place against the stand while a strapping mechanism can then be placed around the stand and the umbrella pole to hold the umbrella pole against the stand.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,211,283 issued on Aug. 13, 1940 to Mercer, U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,304 issued on May 23, 1989 to Morgulis and U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,495 issued on Oct. 6, 1992 to Jacinto et al. all disclose umbrella anchor assemblies where the lower end of the assembly defines a screw-type thread and where a handle is provided at an intermediate portion of the assembly such that when it extends perpendicularly thereto it may be rotatably driven in a plane parallel to the ground such as to impart rotation to the assembly and gradually insert the anchor assembly into the ground.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,196 issued on Dec. 21, 1993 to Fanti discloses a wide flat plate having a centrally disposed upwardly extending projection which screws into a cylindrical portion of an adapter which has a vertically extending projection with ribs or flanges to thence screw into the bottom of a hollow support rod which has a threaded upper end which thence connects to a threaded coupling fitting, where the bottom end of a threaded umbrella pole can screw into the threaded coupling fitting; the user can then use the complicated assembly to dig a large hole in the ground using the wide flat plate bottom base like a shovel to excavate sand to form a vertical cavity in the ground where the user thence positions the wide flat plate bottom base of the assembly into the cavity and then uses a shovel to shovel sand into the cavity on top of the wide flat plate bottom to use the weight of the sand on top of the wide flat plate bottom for ground retention.

Accordingly, there is a need for a compact portable lightweight and strong anchoring stand apparatus for securely supporting an umbrella pole against overturning by winds or gusts that may be easily positioned and/or repositioned at the option and intention of the user without complex assembly and set up.

A need exists for an umbrella stand which allows adjustment of the height of a supported umbrella by allowing vertical adjustment of the umbrella pole by a user into and out of the ground while the umbrella pole is centrally positioned within and supported by the umbrella stand.

Tipping or other failures of conventional umbrella stands can be damaging to umbrellas and pose a hazard or risk to people and damage to other structures, which can be costly.

It has been found that conventional umbrella stands such as those having flat base-plates or corkscrews can be difficult to carry, difficult to set up, and limited to application in certain limited environments. There is accordingly a need for umbrella anchor stands which do not exhibit these undesired properties.

As disclosed in this application, the inventor has discovered novel and unique devices and methods for anchoring and supporting poles of recreational users such as patio umbrella poles or beach umbrella poles, which exhibit superlative properties without being dependent on heavy, immobile, components.

Ground anchoring stands and methods according to embodiments of the present invention offer the potential to significantly reduce the risk of tipping of umbrella poles and other poles as disclosed herein.

The devices and methods disclosed herein avoid many of the drawbacks of existing methods and devices which rely on expensive complexities, heavy weights, or digging and filling cavities.

Although significant advancement has been made in creating umbrella stands that demonstrate limited anchor uses, there is no indication that any such devices or methods have elongated anchor legs providing elastic deformation ground retention as disclosed herein and which may be efficiently and effectively used upon both dry or wet ground including in a submerged or partially submerged aqueous environment such as a beach where water from waves and tides do not easily washout the sand from beneath the stand.

While conventional umbrella stands typically must be laid down or balanced by a user's hands when not anchored in the ground, embodiments of the present invention can conveniently be positioned or stored freestanding self-balanced while unattended and unanchored; and conveniently, embodiments of the present invention may also be anchored through hands-free thrusting into the ground by a user's foot or feet.

Embodiments of the present invention provide for anchoring stands and methods as defined in the annexed claims which provide for improved mobility, set up, and anchoring characteristics in order to efficiently anchor the stands and the umbrellas of various types to many surfaces of interest in a multitude of environments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one prospect of the present invention to provide a novel ground anchoring stand which can be freestanding on its own and efficiently thrust into the ground to securely support various types of poles of a user, such as for an umbrella, tent, or fishing pole, in a multitude of environments.

It is also an aim of the present invention to provide an improved ground anchoring stand without complicated screws, magnets, springs and hammers, that is preferably of economical and unitary construction, overcoming the complexities and limitations of conventional stands.

The following presents a simplified summary of the present disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented herein.

Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a ground anchoring umbrella stand preferably comprising a hollow cylindrical sleeve adapted to receive and support an umbrella pole, wherein said sleeve is positioned between opposing pairs of forked anchor legs. In embodiments of the present invention, the umbrella pole is free to move upward and downward in relation to the ground, as the umbrella pole is free to slideably move vertically within the sleeve. Each of the forked anchor legs connected to the sleeve preferably has a horizontal section extending radially from the sleeve and transitioning downwardly to a vertical section positioned perpendicular to the horizontal section with a spiked tip for anchoring the umbrella stand into the surface of the earth. In a preferred embodiment, each horizontal section is adapted to torsionally strain between the sleeve and the vertical section of the anchor leg.

In one embodiment, the radially extending horizontal section is characterized as having a sufficient length and modulus of elasticity to self-return the sleeve of the umbrella stand to an original anchored position from a strained anchored position upon the release of a force that may be intermittently exerted by a wind or gust upon an umbrella when supported by the sleeve.

In a preferred embodiment, the ground anchoring umbrella stand is a unitary construction, where the sleeve is forged with the pairs of forked anchor legs. The vertical section of each anchor leg may be characterized as having a length relative to the length of the other anchor legs such that the umbrella stand may achieve an freestanding balanced position while unattended and unanchored, standing upright on top of the surface of the ground. In such embodiments, the umbrella stand may also achieve an anchored position with nearly synchronous submersion of the forked anchor legs into the surface of the ground upon the placement of the user's foot atop one of the anchor legs.

In a preferred embodiment, the horizontal axis of the horizontal sections of the first pair of forked anchor legs is configured coplanar with and intersects the horizontal axis of the horizontal sections of the second pair of forked anchor legs. Embodiments of the present invention enable the horizontal sections of the first pair of forked anchor legs to undergo torsional strain when a horizontal force such as a force exerted by winds or gusts is exerted upon the sleeve in a direction substantially orthogonal or perpendicular to such horizontal sections of the first pair of anchor legs.

Embodiments of the present invention allow submersion of the forked anchor legs beneath the surface of the ground without digging or shoveling of sand. As disclosed, embodiments enable elastic deformation ground retention, where embodiments of the present invention are capable of returning the umbrella stand to an original position from a strained position upon release of a horizontal force exerted by a wind or gust.

In some embodiments, the horizontal section of the forked anchor leg is characterized as having a length shorter than the length of the vertical section of the forked anchor leg.

In other embodiments, the vertical sections of the first pair of forked anchor legs are characterized as having a length greater than the length of the vertical sections of the second pair of forked anchor legs.

In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve of the ground anchoring umbrella stand comprises a slender elongated handle member connected to the upper section of the sleeve. The handle member is preferably adapted to receive a hand grasp of the user for upward movement of the umbrella stand from an anchored position for removal from the ground. The handle member is also conveniently used for carrying the umbrella stand. In another embodiment, the sleeve of the ground anchoring stand comprises a cup holder handle preferably forged with the sleeve, or connected to the sleeve, for conveniently holding a drinking cup of a user of the anchor stand, for upward movement of the umbrella stand from an anchored position for removal from the ground, as well as for conveniently carrying the umbrella stand.

In one embodiment, the umbrella stand may also have a square-shaped or rectangular-shaped elongated rod member, such that each corner of the square- or rectangular-shaped rod member is connected to one of the forked anchor legs.

In yet another embodiment, the sleeve further comprises at least one aperture having internal threads as well as a threaded bolt positioned substantially perpendicular to the sleeve, such that the threaded bolt is configured to screw through the aperture and engage an umbrella pole that is positioned within the sleeve. Embodiments of the present invention enable such bolt to engage the umbrella pole either before or after the umbrella pole is thrusted into the surface of the earth, at the option of the user.

In yet another preferred embodiment, a ground anchoring stand is provided comprising a hollow sleeve configured to closely surround and securely receive a pole of a user of the anchor stand and comprising a plurality of slender elongated right-angle shaped anchor legs, facilitating hands-free thrusting of the anchor stand into the surface of the ground. The anchor leg preferably has a substantially horizontal section rigidly connected to the sleeve, extended outward from the sleeve and configured for engagement by a foot of the user for thrusting the anchor stand legs into the surface of the ground. Embodiments of the present invention enable a user to thrust the anchor stand legs into the ground either before or after the pole of the user is embedded into the surface of the ground, at the option of the user. The vertical sections of the anchor legs may have a pointed end adapted to securely anchor into the surface of the ground. In a preferred embodiment, the vertical section of the right-angle shaped anchor leg disposed at the outward distal end of the horizontal section such that when an external force is applied to a pole secured by the sleeve, the sleeve imparts torsional stress upon the horizontal sections of the right-angled anchor arms which are positioned between the sleeve and the vertical section of the anchor legs embedded in the ground, enabling elastic deformation ground retention of the stand in an anchored position. Embodiments of the present invention allow the umbrella stand to self-return an original upright anchored position after being subject to a strained anchored position upon the release of an external force exerted upon the sleeve, while either anchored upon dry land or immersed in an underwater environment.

In a preferred embodiment, the anchor stand comprises an arrangement of at least three, and preferably more, elongated right-angle shaped anchor legs configured to achieve an unattended upright freestanding balanced position and a first anchored position that is capable of elastic deformation ground retention through elastic torsional deformation of at least one horizontal section of a slender elongated right-angle shaped anchor leg, which is capable of returning the stand to the first anchored position from a strained anchored second position upon release of a horizontal force exerted thereupon the pole by a wind or gust.

The horizontal section of the forked anchor leg is preferably characterized as having a length extending sufficiently outward from the sleeve such that the foot of the user may be positioned directly on top of and in alignment with the vertical axis of the vertical section of the anchor leg, for directly thrusting the anchor leg into the ground.

In another embodiment, the ground anchoring stand further comprises a cup holder that may be connected to the sleeve, or may be connected to one of the anchor legs, for conveniently holding a drinking cup of a user of the anchor stand.

In one embodiment, the ground anchoring stand further comprises an aperture having internal threads and a threaded locking bolt positioned perpendicular to the sleeve and configured to screw through the aperture to engage a side of a pole of the user when said pole is positioned within the sleeve. Embodiments of the present invention enable the user to engage the pole with the locking bolt, to prevent vertical movement of the pole relative to the stand, either before or after the anchor legs of the stand are thrusted into the surface of ground, at the option of the user. Embodiments also enable a user to engage the pole with the locking bolt, to prevent vertical movement of the pole relative to the stand, either before or after the pole is thrusted into the surface of the ground, at the option of the user.

In yet another embodiment, the sleeve may have a transverse base bar positioned within the bottom of the sleeve to suspend the pole and prevent it from extending through the bottom of the sleeve.

As disclosed herein, the ground anchoring stand of the present invention may be used to secure and support a beach umbrella pole, a patio umbrella pole, a tent supporting pole, a volleyball net supporting pole, a flagpole, a basketball goal supporting pole, and a handle end of a fishing pole.

The ground anchoring stand is preferably a unitary construction forged from a material selected from a group consisting of steel, plastic, resin, and rubber.

Also disclosed herein is a method for setting up a ground anchoring umbrella stand as disclosed herein, which comprises the steps of placing the umbrella stand upon the ground in a first upright unattended and free-standing position; placing the first foot of the user atop the first forked anchor leg of the first opposing pair of forked anchor legs; placing the second foot of the user atop the second forked anchor leg of the first opposing pair of forked anchor legs; and thrusting the ground anchoring umbrella stand downwardly into the ground by vertically maneuvering the user's body from a first elevated position to a second elevated position through the user's sagittal plane.

The method may also include the step of supporting a substantial entirety of the user's body weight in a substantially upright standing position frontally balanced by the second opposing pair of forked anchor legs.

In one embodiment, the step of thrusting the ground anchoring umbrella stand downwardly into the ground includes submerging the entirety of the two pairs of forked anchoring legs beneath the surface of the ground.

In one embodiment, the step of placing the first foot of the user atop the first forked anchor leg includes coaxially aligning the first foot with the vertical axis of the vertical section of the first forked anchor leg. The step of placing the second foot of the user atop the second forked anchor leg may include coaxially aligning the second foot with the vertical axis of the vertical section of the second forked anchor leg.

In embodiments of the present invention, the method may further include inserting an umbrella pole through the sleeve and allowing the umbrella pole to freely slide vertically through the sleeve during the step of thrusting the ground anchoring umbrella stand downwardly into the ground.

In embodiments of the present invention, the method may also include inserting an umbrella pole through the sleeve and downwardly thrusting the umbrella pole into the ground after the step of thrusting the ground anchoring umbrella stand downwardly into the ground.

In another embodiment, the method includes inserting an umbrella pole through the sleeve, engaging the pole to prevent vertical movement of the umbrella pole relative to the stand, and downwardly thrusting the umbrella pole and umbrella stand downwardly into the ground during the step of thrusting the ground anchoring umbrella stand downwardly into the ground.

The newly conceived embodiments are designed to advantageously adjust the anchoring properties such as, stability, positioning, orientation relative to the ground, and/or pull-out activity. Uniquely, the newly conceived structures and characteristics of this ground anchoring stand has led to a marked increase in anchoring and ground-retention ability over conventional umbrella stands.

Surprisingly, the inventor has found that when a ground anchoring umbrella stand is provided according to a first aspect of the present invention, the ground anchoring umbrella stand has a combination of good mechanical strength and structural integrity, with good anchoring protection and, at the option of the user, may provide either short or long term stability for an umbrella pole when the ground anchoring umbrella stand is inserted into the ground. Due to the structure and orientation of embodiments of the ground anchoring umbrella stand disclosed herein, the device when used contains very little material and weight, making it easily portable by a user from one location to another yet firmly stable upon thrusting into the ground.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ground anchoring umbrella stand apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view thereof, the rear elevational view being a mirror image of the front elevation view;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view thereof with an exemplary umbrella pole and umbrella;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view thereof and an exemplary foot of a user;

FIG. 9A is a front elevation view thereof and an exemplary foot of a user;

FIG. 9B is a front elevation view thereof;

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view thereof and an exemplary foot of a user;

FIG. 11 is a front elevation view thereof and exemplary feet of a user; and

FIG. 12 is a front elevation view thereof and an exemplary pole.

FIG. 13 is another perspective view of an embodiment thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For a further understanding of the nature and function of the embodiments, reference should be made to the following detailed description. Detailed descriptions of the embodiments are provided herein, as well as, the best mode of carrying out and employing the present invention. It will be readily appreciated that the embodiments are well adapted to carry out and obtain the ends and features mentioned as well as those inherent herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, persons of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following disclosure is illustrative only and not in any way limiting, as the specific details disclosed herein provide a basis for the claims and a representative basis for teaching to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. It should be understood that the devices, materials, methods, procedures, and techniques described herein are presently representative of various embodiments. Other embodiments of the disclosure will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure.

For purposes of clarity and orientation with respect to a person, referred to herein as a user, it is noted that a transverse (also known as axial or horizontal) plane is an X-Z plane, parallel to the ground. A frontal (also known as coronal) plane is a Y-X plane, perpendicular to the ground, which (in humans) separates the anterior from the posterior, the front from the back, the ventral from the dorsal. A sagittal (also known as lateral) plane is an Y-Z plane, perpendicular to the ground, which separates left from right. Objects are coplanar if they all lie in the same plane. For example, one axis is coplanar with another axis when the two axes lie in the same plane.

As used herein, “axis” means a real or imaginary straight line about which a three-dimensional body is symmetrical. A “vertical axis” means an axis perpendicular to the ground (or put another way, an axis extending upwardly and downwardly). A “horizontal axis” means an axis parallel to the ground.

As used herein, “elastic deformation” means a temporary shape change of an object upon application of a force that is self-reversing after the force is removed, so that the object returns to its original shape and position. In other words, elastic deformation is a change in shape (and first position) of a material of an object upon exertion of a stress exerted by a force, where the change in shape (and position) is self-recoverable after the stress exerted by the force upon the material is removed. In the context of embodiments of the present invention, elastic deformation ground retention includes a temporary torsional change in shape of a slender elongated anchor leg member upon application of external torsional moments (torque forces) along the horizontal axis of the member causing a torsional deformation of the horizontal section of the anchor leg, as discussed further hereinbelow.

As used herein, “ground retention” means the resistance against and ability to withstand withdrawal from the ground.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-4, the basic constructional details and principles of operation of the ground anchoring umbrella stand apparatus 100 for receiving and supporting an umbrella pole according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be discussed.

In FIG. 1, a ground anchoring umbrella stand apparatus 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is provided. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the umbrella stand 100 comprises a hollow cylindrical sleeve 102 adapted to receive and laterally support an umbrella pole 104 of an umbrella 103 of a user, such that the umbrella pole 104 may extend through the sleeve 102. In a preferred embodiment, the umbrella pole 104 may slide and extend (illustrated by arrow 200 in FIGS. 3 and 9A) through the sleeve 102 either before or after the umbrella pole 104 is driven into the surface of the ground 114, at the option of the user, thereby allowing adjustment to the height of the umbrella 103 while supported within the umbrella stand 100.

In relation to the ground 114, the sleeve 102 has an upper section 102a extending downwardly to a lower section 102b thereof. In one embodiment, the lower section 102b of the sleeve 102 is centrally disposed between and connected to at least one opposing pair of elongated forked anchor legs 106, 108. As illustrated in FIG. 2, one forked anchor leg 110 opposes another forked anchor leg 112, and together comprise an opposing pair of anchor legs 110, 112, making the shape of a fork, where the forked anchor legs 110, 112 are disposed on opposite sides of the sleeve 102.

In a preferred embodiment, the lower section 102b of the sleeve 102 is centrally disposed between and connected to a first opposing pair of elongated forked anchor legs 106, 108 and a second opposing pair of elongated forked anchor legs 110, 112, as illustrated in a perspective view in FIG. 1 and in a top view in FIG. 7. As further illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, each forked anchor leg 106, 108, 110, 112 has a horizontal section 106a, 108a, 110a, 112a which preferably extends sufficiently radially from the sleeve 102 for the user to place the user's foot 116 (FIG. 9A) on top of the horizontal section 106a, 108a, 110a, 112a of the anchor leg 106, 108, 110, 112 for thrusting the anchor stand 100 into the ground 114.

In a preferred embodiment, the horizontal section 106a, 108a, 110a, 112a is characterized as elongated, substantially cylindrical, and torsionally elastic. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the horizontal section 106a, 108a, 110a, 112a transitions downwardly to a vertical section 106b, 108b, 110b, 112b disposed perpendicular to the horizontal section 106a, 108a, 110a, 112a. In such embodiments, each horizontal section 106a, 108a, 110a, 112a is adapted to torsionally strain between the sleeve 102 and the vertical section 106b, 108b, 110b, 112b upon the exertion of external forces acting upon the sleeve 102 and upon the vertical section 106b, 108b, 110b, 112b causing torsional stresses upon the horizontal section 106a, 108a, 110a, 112a which disposed between the sleeve 102 and the vertical section 106b, 108b, 110b, 112b.

Referring to FIG. 1, the horizontal section 106a, 108a, 110a, 112a of the forked anchor leg 106, 108, 110, 112 is preferably characterized as having a length that is shorter than the length of the vertical section 106b, 108b, 110b, 112b of the forked anchor leg 106, 108, 110, 112. In one embodiment, the vertical sections 106b, 108b of the first pair of forked anchor legs 106, 108 are characterized as having a length greater than the length of the vertical sections 110b, 112b of the second pair of forked anchor legs 110, 112.

In a preferred embodiment, the bottom of the vertical section 106b, 108b, 110b, 112b ends with a spiked tip 106c, 108c, 110c, 112c for penetrating the ground 114, for anchoring the umbrella stand 100 into the surface 114 of the earth.

Due to the easily displaceable nature of beach sand around an umbrella pole conventionally inserted into the sand and in light of the prevailing windy conditions well known to be found along beaches, it is often observed that strong winds and gusts of wind exert horizontal forces which tend to rotate the upper end of the umbrella toward the ground so as to overturn the umbrella.

The arrow 202 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary horizontal force which may be exerted upon the umbrella 103, umbrella pole 104, and stand 100 from a wind or gust.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the exemplary force 202 is substantially horizontal relative to the ground such as a force exerted by wind or gusts acting upon the sleeve 102 of the umbrella stand 100.

The arc arrow 204 in FIG. 4 illustrates that the sleeve 102 of the stand 100 tangentially moves along arc 204 as a result of force 202.

For purposes of illustration, FIG. 4 illustrates a front elevation view of the stand 102 anchored in the surface of the ground 114 with the sleeve 102 of the stand 100 rotated to an exemplary angled position 206, which is less than 90 degrees to the ground 114, as a result of the exemplary force 202, because of the elongated 120 (FIG. 5) nature of the structure of the horizontal section 106a and respective torsional elasticity thereof. Referring to FIG. 4, because the vertical sections 106b, 108b of the anchor legs 106, 108 are embedded into the ground 114 where ground resistant forces 208 prevent rotation of the embedded vertical sections 106b, 108b of the anchor legs 106, 108, the horizontal force 202 acting upon the sleeve 102 results in elastic deformation in the form of torsional strain of the horizontal sections 106a, 108a which are disposed between the sleeve 102 and the vertical sections 106a, 108a of the anchor legs 106, 108. In other words, the elastic deformation of the horizontal sections 106a, 108a having an elongated circular shaft as illustrated in FIG. 4 is caused by torsional moments (or torque) acting along the horizontal axis 122 of each of the horizontal sections 106a, 108a. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the elastic deformation is self-recoverable in the direction illustrated by arrow 210 in FIG. 4 when the stress exerted by the force 202 is removed, such that the umbrella stand 100 is self-recoverable to an upright position upon release of the force 202 as illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, in embodiments of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the horizontal section 106a, 108a, 110a, 112a of the anchor leg 106, 108, 110, 112 extending radially from the sleeve 102 is characterized as having a sufficient length and modulus of elasticity to self-return the sleeve 102 of the umbrella stand 100 to an original anchored position as exemplified in FIG. 6 from a strained anchored position as exemplified in FIG. 4 upon the release of the force 202 exerted by a wind or gust upon the umbrella 103 and umbrella pole 104 while secured within and supported by the sleeve 102 and, for example, the respective reversal of the torsional strain of the horizontal sections 106a, 108a of the anchor legs 106, 108 as illustrated by arrow 210 in FIG. 5. Embodiments of the present invention utilize the work-energy principle for elastic materials, that is, the fact that the work done by external forces such as wind and gusts is stored as elastic energy. Strain energy is stored in an elastic material upon deformation, and in embodiments of the present invention, strain energy may be stored in the horizontal sections 106a, 108a, 110a, 112a of the forked anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112. The external work undertaken on an elastic horizontal section 106a, 108a, 110a, 112a in causing it to distort from its originally unstressed state is transformed into strain energy which is a form of potential energy. The strain energy in the form of elastic deformation is mostly recoverable in the form of mechanical work, and in embodiments of the present invention the recoverable form of mechanical work is exemplified in restoring the sleeve 102 of the umbrella stand 100 to its original upright position relative to the ground and hence restoring the supported umbrella pole 104 to the user's originally intended position and orientation accordingly.

In one embodiment, the anchor stand 100 may preferably have the following dimensions: the diameter of each anchor leg 106, 108, 110, 112 is % inch; the length of each horizontal section 106a, 108a, 110a, 112a is 4 inches; the length of each vertical section 106b, 108b, 110b, 112b is 9 inches; the length of the sleeve 102 is 16 inches and the inside diameter of the sleeve 102 is 1⅝ inch. Such slender elongated anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112 are preferably in the form of a slender cylindrical rod or bar. In such embodiment, the weight of the umbrella stand 100 is only 1½ lbs., facilitating highly efficient mobility for a user as well as facilitating ease of anchoring by a user at the user's desired positioning and orientation relative to the ground 114. The cross-sections of the horizontal sections 106a, 108a, 110a, 112a of the slender elongated anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112 are preferably circular, and most preferably have a substantially constant diameter along the length of the anchor leg 106, 108, 110, 112. As exemplified in FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, the vertically disposed sleeve 102 is preferably cylindrical. In another embodiment, the vertically disposed sleeve 102 may be a hollow square tube (not shown).

The ground anchoring umbrella stand 100 is preferably anchored in an initial upright position relative to the ground 114 as illustrated in FIG. 6.

The penetration and submersion of the vertical sections 106b, 108b, 110b, 112b of the forked anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112 beneath the surface of the ground 114 as can be seen in FIG. 6 enables elastic deformation ground retention capable of returning the umbrella stand 100 to an original position from a strained position upon release of a horizontal force 202 exerted by a wind or gust. Submersion of the horizontal sections 106a, 108a, 110a, 112a and vertical sections 106b, 108b, 110b, 112b of the forked anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112 beneath the surface of the ground 114 as can be seen in FIG. 10 enables further elastic deformation ground retention capable of returning the umbrella stand 100 to an original position from a strained position upon release of a horizontal force 202 exerted by a wind or gust.

When the bottom end of an umbrella pole is conventionally inserted into the sand, the sand provides zero or minimum restorative action for the embedded umbrella pole to any applied overturning force due to the poor shearing resistance characteristics of sand.

Moreover, the nature and characteristics of webbing and of flat wide bases in conventional umbrella stands structurally preclude the elastic deformation ground retention achievements that are provided through embodiments of the present invention.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, because the upward resistive force 209 imparted by the ground 114 upon the horizontal section 108b of the anchor leg 108 is relatively small due to the slender structural nature of the horizontal section 108a of the anchor leg 108, that horizontal section 108a of the anchor leg 108 is allowed to slightly submerge (as illustrated by 207) further downward into the ground upon exertion of the exemplary external force 202 upon the sleeve 102, thereby allowing a temporary pivoting 204 of the sleeve 102 relative to the ground 114, as exemplified in FIG. 4. The pivoting 204 of the sleeve 102 due to the exemplary horizontal force 202 imparts torsional elastic straining of the horizontal sections 106a, 108a of the anchor legs 106, 108 in light of the ground resistant forces 208 resisting lateral rotation of the embedded vertical sections 106b, 108b, as illustrated in FIG. 4, and such torquing effect results in an opposite righting effect 210 which causes the umbrella stand 100 to self-return the sleeve 102 to its original upright position upon release of the external force 202, providing elastic deformation ground retention for the supported umbrella pole 104 and umbrella 103.

As noted above, elastic deformation is a change in shape of a material of an object upon exertion of a stress exerted by a force, where the change in shape is self-recoverable after the stress exerted by the force upon the material is removed. Referring to FIGS. 4-6, in the context of embodiments of the present invention, elastic deformation ground retention means a torsional change in shape of at least one slender elongated horizontal section 106a, 108a upon exertion of a torsional stress by exertion of an external torque force along the horizontal axis 122 of the elongated horizontal sections 106a, 108a causing a torsional deformation (or twisting) of the elongated horizontal section 106a, 108a of the anchor legs 106, 108. In one embodiment, the torsional deformation of a horizontal section 106a, 108a may be thought of as an elastic twisting of a horizontal section 106a, 108a.

In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the horizontal axis 122 of the elongated horizontal sections 106a, 108a of the first pair of forked anchor legs 106, 108 is configured coplanar with and intersects the horizontal axis 124 of the elongated horizontal sections 110a, 112a of the second pair of forked anchor legs 110, 112. In such embodiment, it is apparent from this disclosure that when the first and second pairs of anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112 are anchored into the surface 114 of the ground, the horizontal sections 106a, 108a of the first pair of forked anchor legs 106, 108 exhibit torsional strain upon an exertion of an above ground 114 horizontal force 202 such as from wind or gusts of wind (illustrated by arrow 202 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) applied to the sleeve 102 in a direction substantially orthogonal to said horizontal sections 106a, 108a of said first pair of anchor legs 106, 108.

The elongated nature of the anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112 and preferred radially spaced 212 arrangement of the anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112 as exemplified in FIGS. 6-8, enable a user to efficiently embed the anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112 beneath the surface 114 of the ground upon thrusting (illustrated by arrow 216 in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9A) at least one anchor leg such as the anchor leg 112, as illustrated in FIGS. 8-10.

FIG. 8 illustrates embodiments of the present invention and at least one exemplary manner of using the ground anchoring umbrella stand 100 to anchor the anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112 of the stand 100 into the surface 114 of the ground in an angled position 214, to efficiently achieve successful ground-retention by the stand 100 for the umbrella pole 104 at the user's desired angle for the umbrella pole 104 and umbrella 103. In distinction to conventional beach umbrella stands, the unique ground anchoring stand 100 of this invention may securely stabilize and provide improved ground-retention for the pole 104 of a beach umbrella 103, without needing to shovel, hoe or dig up sand and without needing to use the weight of sand by filling up cavities, in order to provide effective stabilizer-retention force to retain the umbrella pole 104 securely in place in the sand 114 in an angled position 214 relative to the ground 114. Moreover, as further illustrated in FIG. 8, embodiments of the present invention enable a user to efficiently anchor the anchors legs 106, 108, 110, 112 of the stand 100 into the surface 114 of the ground in an angled position 214 by the placement of the user's foot 116 directly on top of and in coaxial alignment with the vertical section 106b, 108b, 110b, 112b such as the vertical section 112b of the anchor leg 112 as illustrated in FIG. 8, facilitating ease of anchoring by a user at the user's desired positioning and angled orientation relative to the ground 114.

FIG. 9A and FIG. 10 illustrate embodiments of the present invention and at least one exemplary manner of using the ground anchoring umbrella stand 100 to anchor the anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112 of the stand 100 into the surface 114 of the ground where the sleeve 102 of the anchor stand 100 is substantially upright in a position substantially perpendicular to the ground 114. In distinction to conventional beach umbrella stands, the unique ground anchoring stand 100 of this invention may securely stabilize the pole 104 of a beach umbrella 103, without needing to hoe or dig up sand to create cavities and without needing to use the weight of sand by filling up cavities, to provide effective stabilizer-retention force to retain the umbrella pole 104 securely in place in the sand 114 in a vertical position relative to the ground 114. Moreover, as further illustrated in FIG. 9A and FIG. 10, embodiments of the present invention enable a user to efficiently anchor the anchors legs 106, 108, 110, 112 of the stand 100 into the surface 114 of the ground in a user's desired vertical orientation by the placement of the user's foot 116 directly on top of and in coaxial alignment (e.g., 126) with the vertical section 106b, 108b, 110b, 112b of the anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112, such as the vertical section 112b of the anchor leg 112 as illustrated in FIG. 10, facilitating ease of anchoring by a user at the user's desired positioning and vertical orientation (e.g., 214) relative to the ground 114.

FIG. 9B illustrates the ground anchoring stand 100 having a sleeve 102 having first and second pairs of forked anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112, wherein the vertical section 106b, 108b, 110b, 112b of each anchor leg 106, 108, 110, 112 is characterized as having a length relative to the length of the other respective anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112 such that the umbrella stand 100 achieves a freestanding, balanced position while unattended and unanchored resting upright atop the surface 114 of the ground. Referring initially to FIG. 9B, the anchor stand 100 achieves an anchored position as exemplified in FIG. 10 with substantially synchronous submersion and embedding of the radially spaced 212 forked anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112 into and beneath the surface 114 of the ground. Such submersion is preferably achieved in an efficient, hands-free manner, upon the placement and thrusting of a user's foot 116 on top of at least one of the anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112 as illustrated in FIG. 9A and FIG. 10.

In distinction to conventional beach umbrellas, the unique ground anchoring stand 100 of this invention as disclosed herein makes the beach umbrella 103 much more stable and inherently safer for protecting other beach goers from possible injury or endangerment.

As used herein, hands-free submersion means that the anchor stand 100 of the present invention may be anchored into the ground 114 by thrusting said anchor stand 100 in a downward direction using a foot 116 of a user without requiring use of the user's hands. Embodiments of the present invention enable the ground anchoring umbrella stand 100 to be anchored into the ground 114 without use of a person's hands, including without needing to balance the umbrella anchor stand 100 with a person's hands to maintain an upright freestanding position relative to the ground, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, since the umbrella stand 100 is self-balancing.

Embodiments of the present invention enable a user to anchor the umbrella stand 100 of the present invention into the ground 114 with a mere thrust of a user's foot 116 (or feet 116, 118), obviating the necessities and actions required by conventional umbrella stands such as corkscrew-like rotation by a user's hands, balancing by a user's hands, rotation of hinged parts, wrapping with velcro straps, screwing of loose anchor screws and/or hammering of stand components against other stand components.

In a preferred embodiment, as can be seen in FIGS. 5-7, the horizontal axis 122 of the horizontal sections 106a, 108a of the first pair of forked anchor legs 106, 108 is configured coplanar with and intersects the horizontal axis 124 of the horizontal sections 110a, 112a of the second pair of forked anchor legs 110, 112, enabling substantially synchronous submersion of the forked anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112 relative to the surface of the ground 114 upon the placement of the user's foot 116 atop at least one of the anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112.

In such embodiment of the present invention, the forked anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112 enable easy and efficient anchoring of the umbrella stand 100 by a user, because the entirety of the horizontal sections 106a, 108a, 110a, 112a and vertical sections 106b, 108b, 110b, 112b of the forked anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112 may be more efficiently submerged beneath the surface of the ground 114, as illustrated in FIG. 10, due to the elongated nature and orientation 212 of the forked anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112.

Referring to FIG. 9A, embodiments of the present invention effectively eliminate or mitigate nearly any unintended toppling or overturning forces effectively imposed by a user using conventional hammer-pedal type umbrella stands through the outwardly downward force exhibited by the user's foot upon an outward hammer-pedal causing lateral movement of such umbrella stand against the intentions of the user, thus requiring a user's to counter-balance such conventional stand against such lateral forces with the user's hands in an inefficient attempt to achieve the user's desired position and orientation relative to the ground. Embodiments of the present invention facilitate unidirectional, axially downward forces effectuated on the ground anchoring umbrella stand 100 and optionally upon an umbrella pole 104, when a user operates the ground anchoring umbrella stand 100. For example, when two feet 116, 118 are placed atop two anchor legs as illustrated in FIG. 11, then no toppling or overturning forces are exerted upon the ground anchoring umbrella stand 100 and the umbrella pole 104 when a user thrusts the anchor stand 100 downwardly into the ground 114 while the umbrella pole 104 is either, at the option of the user, previously embedded into the surface 114 of the ground or not yet embedded into the surface 114 of the ground, as illustrated in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12. Since a user's feet are depressed directly atop and in vertical coaxial 126, 128 alignment with the vertical section 106b, 108b, 110b, 112b of the anchor leg 106, 108, 110, 112, there is no unintended toppling or overturning force exerted upon the ground anchoring umbrella stand 100 and/or the umbrella pole 104 when the user thrusts the ground anchoring umbrella stand 100 into the ground 114.

In other words, embodiments of the present invention enable a user to firstly position the umbrella pole 104 at the user's desired position, where the desired position may be for example embedded into the surface 114 of the ground, as seen in FIG. 12, at the user's desired angle 218 relative to the ground 114 (e.g., an angle which effectively provides desired shade from the sun), and enable the user to secondly anchor the umbrella stand 100 into the ground 114 without affecting the desired position of the umbrella pole 104 which is embedded in the ground 114.

In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve 102 of the ground anchoring umbrella stand 100 further comprises a slender elongated handle member 130 connected to the upper section 102a of the sleeve 102. The handle member 130 may be welded to the side of the sleeve 102 and preferably disposed coplanar with the vertical axes 126, 128 of the vertical sections 110b, 112b of the anchor legs 110, 112, as illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 11. The handle member 130 is preferably adapted to receive a hand grasp of the user for uplifting of the umbrella stand 100 from an anchored position for removal from the ground 114. The handle member 130 may also be conveniently used for carrying the umbrella stand 100.

The ground anchoring umbrella stand 100 is preferably of unitary construction, wherein the handle 130, sleeve 102 and forked anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112 are forged from steel. In another embodiment, the handle 130 and forked anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112 are welded onto the sleeve 102.

In one embodiment, the ground anchoring umbrella stand 100 further comprises a cup holder handle 150 (FIG. 13) preferably forged with the sleeve 102, or rigidly connected to the sleeve 102, or rigidly connected to one of the anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112, wherein said cup holder handle 150 is adapted to receive a hand grasp of the user for upward movement of the umbrella stand 100 from an anchored position for removal from the ground 114 and for conveniently holding a drinking cup of a user of the anchor stand 100 optionally before or during said removal of the anchor stand 100 from the ground and while carrying the umbrella stand 100 upon said removal.

In one embodiment, the umbrella stand 100 may also have a square-shaped or rectangular-shaped elongated rod member 144 (FIG. 13) such that each corner of the square- or rectangular-shaped rod member 144 is connected to one of the forked anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112, to accommodate additional foot placement. In such embodiment, the square- or rectangular-shaped rod member 144 may, in one example, be connected to the forked anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112 preferably at the location where the horizontal section 106a, 108a, 110a, 112a of each anchor leg 106, 108, 110, 112 transitions to each respective vertical section 106b, 108b, 110b, 112b of each anchor leg 106, 108, 110, 112, as exemplified in FIG. 13.

As illustrated in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, since an umbrella pole 104 can freely yet securely slide (illustrated by arrow 200 in FIG. 9) through the sleeve 102 centrally disposed between the forked legs 106, 108, 110, 112, the umbrella pole 104 may be inserted into the sleeve 102 whilst the umbrella stand 100 is in an upright free-standing position relative to the ground 114 prior to thrusting (illustrated by arrow 216 in FIG. 9A) the anchor stand legs 106, 108, 110, 112 into the ground 114. During such use, the sleeve 102 glidingly engages and supports the umbrella pole 104 upright relative to the ground 114 and allows the umbrella pole 102 to slide (illustrated by arrow 200 in FIG. 9A) through the sleeve 102 as the user downwardly thrusts (illustrated by arrow 216 in FIG. 9A) the umbrella stand 100 into the ground 114.

In one embodiment, the sleeve 102 further comprises at least one aperture 132 having internal threads as well as a threaded locking bolt 134 positioned substantially perpendicular to the sleeve 102 and configured to rotate through the aperture 132 to horizontally engage the side of an umbrella pole 104 that is positioned within the sleeve 102, as illustrated in FIG. 7, to prevent sliding movement of the umbrella pole 104 relative to the sleeve 102, thereby locking the umbrella pole 104 within the sleeve 102 (which means preventing the independent movement illustrated by arrow 200 in FIG. 9A of the pole 104 relative to the sleeve 102). A hand grip 136 is attached to the outer end of the locking bolt 134 disposed outside the sleeve 102, configured to receive the grasp of a user for rotating the locking bolt 134 through the aperture 132 to engage an umbrella pole 104 positioned within the sleeve 102. In a preferred embodiment, a threaded nut 138 is welded to the outside surface of the sleeve 102 in alignment with the aperture 132 such that the locking bolt 134 is configured to rotate through the threaded nut 138 and aperture 132 to engage an umbrella pole 104 positioned within the sleeve 102. Embodiments of the present invention enable such locking bolt 134 to engage the umbrella pole 104 either before or after the umbrella pole 104 is extended through the sleeve 102 and thrusted (illustrated by arrow 220 in FIG. 12) into the surface 114 of the earth, at the option of the user.

At the option of the user, the user may fixedly engage the side of the umbrella pole 104 with the locking bolt 134 of the sleeve 102 to prevent the sliding (illustrated by arrow 200 in FIG. 9A) of the umbrella pole 104 relative to the sleeve 102 as the user downwardly thrusts (illustrated by arrow 216 in FIG. 9A and arrow 220 in FIG. 12) both the umbrella stand 100 and the umbrella pole 104, which is locked within the sleeve 102 by engagement of the locking bolt 134, into the ground 114. Thus, embodiments of the present invention enable the user to optionally use the anchor stand 100 to thrust and embed the umbrella pole 104 itself into the surface 114 of the ground, wherein the user may optionally embed the umbrella pole 104 into the surface 114 of the ground in a hands-free manner, by the user thrusting 216 the anchor stand 100 into the ground 114 by placing the user's foot (or feet) atop one or more anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, since an umbrella pole 104 can freely yet securely slide (illustrated by arrow 200 in FIG. 9A) and extend (illustrated by arrow 220 in FIG. 12) through the sleeve 102 centrally disposed between the forked legs 106, 108, 110, 112 and embed (illustrated by arrow 220 in FIG. 12) into the ground 114, the umbrella pole 104 may preferably be inserted into the sleeve 102 whilst the umbrella stand 100 is already in a desired anchored position relative to the ground 114, at the option of the user. Such embodiments of the present invention enable the user to optionally slide (illustrated by arrow 200 in FIG. 9A and illustrated by arrow 220 in FIG. 12) the umbrella pole 104 through the sleeve 102 of such anchored stand 100 to embed 220 the umbrella pole 104 into the surface 114 of the ground to an optional depth that achieves the user's desired height and position of the umbrella pole 104 of the umbrella 103 relative to the ground 114. When an umbrella pole 104 is disposed within and supported by an anchor stand 100 which is optionally anchored in the ground 114 as disclosed herein, embodiments of the present invention enable adjustment of the height and positioning of the umbrella pole 104 relative to the ground 114 without requiring any adjustment of the anchor stand 100, overcoming efforts and difficulties encountered by conventional umbrella stands.

In distinction to conventional beach umbrellas, the unique and novel ground anchoring umbrella stand 100 of this invention makes the beach umbrella much more stable and inherently safer, for protecting other beach goers from possible injury or endangerment.

The plurality of anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112 provides increased static skin-frictional pull-out resistance by the ground 114 when embedded in the ground 114, providing improved resistance against a dislodgement of the beach umbrella pole 104 and respective umbrella 103 in relation to the ground. Moreover, the exertion of wind and/or gusts forces 202 upon a beach umbrella 103 and pole 104 secured in a ground anchoring umbrella stand 100 of the present invention also causes an increase in the frictional pull-out resistance and resulting ground-retention of the ground anchoring stand 100. This is because such horizontal wind forces 202 translate to lateral forces exerted upon the skin of the plurality of legs 106, 108, 110, 112 underground, which lateral force is resisted by the ground, and such resistance by the ground equates to pressure 222 being exerted by the ground upon the skin (surface area) of the embedded vertical sections 106b, 108b, 110b, 112b of the anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112; and such pressure 222 results in an increase in skin friction and hence an increased resistance against pull-out and thus an improved retention of the anchoring umbrella stand 100 within the ground 114.

As indicated herein, the unique and simple structure of embodiments of this invention results in significant increase in the stability and retention of beach umbrellas in multiple situations including, for instance, when the umbrella pole 104 is not embedded in the sand (as illustrated in FIG. 9A) as well as when the umbrella pole 104 is embedded in the sand (as illustrated in FIG. 12).

Embodiments of the present invention enable a user to achieve improved anchoring of an umbrella pole 104 through elastic deformation ground retention in combination with more convenient removal of an embedded umbrella pole 104 with the sleeve handle 130 and pole locking bolt 134. The pole locking bolt 134 and the handle 130 of the sleeve 102 may be used to remove the umbrella pole 104 from the ground, by a user conveniently grasping the handle 130 of the stand 100 and pulling in an upward movement, thereby utilizing the ground anchoring umbrella stand 100 to remove the umbrella pole 104 itself from the ground, in embodiments of the present invention.

Unlike conventional umbrella stands which have wide flat bottom plates, spikes or corkscrews disposed directly beneath the vertical axis of the supported umbrella pole that structurally obstruct and prevent the thrusting of the umbrella pole itself into the ground, embodiments of the present invention enable the umbrella pole 104 to freely move upward and downward in relation to the ground while positioned and supported with the sleeve 102 of the anchor stand 100 as the umbrella pole 104 may slideably move 200 within the sleeve 102 enabling a user to thrust 220 the umbrella pole 104 itself into the ground, in a movement that is vertically independent of the umbrella stand 100. Embodiments of the present invention allow a user to adjust the umbrella height while positioned within and supported by the anchor stand 100, by downward thrusting 220 of the umbrella pole 104 itself into the ground or by uplifting movement (e.g., 200) of the umbrella pole 104 itself in relation to the ground 114, independent of any maneuvering or vertical movement of the anchor stand 100 by the user while the stand 100 is anchored in the ground 114. Such is particularly advantageous for users of umbrella poles which have a fixed length. Since embodiments of the present invention enable the umbrella pole 104 to be embedded into the ground 114 while laterally and securely supported by the umbrella stand 100, embodiments of the present invention allow the umbrella pole 104 to provide additional vertical pull-out resistance for the umbrella 103 by the skin-frictional resistance exerted by the ground 114 upon the embedded portion of umbrella pole 104.

In one embodiment, a ground anchoring stand 100 is provided comprising a hollow sleeve 102 having a central vertical axis 140, and the sleeve 102 forms a socket that is configured to telescopically receive and closely surround and secure a pole 104 of a user of the anchor stand 100. The pole 104 may be a fishing pole, a tent support pole, a pole supporting a volleyball net, a pole supporting a basketball goal, a flagpole, a patio umbrella pole, or a beach umbrella pole 104 as exemplified in FIG. 3. The ground anchoring stand 100 comprises a plurality of slender elongated right-angle shaped anchor legs 106, where each anchor leg 106 has a torsionally elastic, substantially horizontal section 106a rigidly connected to the sleeve 102. The horizontal section 106a is preferably characterized as having a horizontal axis 122. The horizontal section 106a extends outward from the sleeve 102 and the horizontal section 106a is configured for engagement by a foot 116 of the user, for hands-free thrusting 216 of the plurality of anchor stand legs 106 into the surface 114 of the ground, optionally before or after the pole 104 of the user is optionally embedded into the surface 114 of the ground. The right-angle shaped anchor leg 106 has a substantially vertical section 106b with a pointed end 106c adapted to securely anchor into the surface of the ground. The vertical section 106b is preferably characterized as having a vertical axis 142 parallel to the central vertical axis 140 of the sleeve 102. The vertical section 106b of the right-angle shaped anchor leg 106 is disposed at the outward distal end of the horizontal section 106a such that an external force 202 applied the sleeve 102 imparts torsional stress upon the horizontal section 106a disposed between the sleeve 102 and the vertical section 106b of the anchor leg 106 for elastic deformation ground retention of the stand 100 in an anchored position. Such embodiments of the present invention aid in returning the stand 100 to an original anchored position from a strained anchored position (e.g., 206) upon release of an external force 202 exerted upon the sleeve 102, such as from the force 202 of winds acting upon the pole 104 and sleeve 102, while the stand 100 is anchored either within dry land or within ground immersed in an underwater environment.

For example, referring to FIG. 8, the ground anchoring stand 100 may be anchored into the ground 114 by thrusting 216 and embedding the vertical sections 110b, 106b, 112b into the ground 114 in an angled position 214 (e.g., at any desired angle between 10 degrees and 90 degrees, at the option of the user, such as at a 30 degree angle, a 45 degree angle, or a 60 degree angle, as examples) relative to the ground 114 such that the hollow sleeve 102 may receive the handle end of a fishing pole 104 of a user, to maintain the fishing pole 104 at the user's desired angle 214 relative to the ground 114. It should be appreciated from this disclosure that the ground anchoring stand 100 provides a safe fishing pole holder that can be installed at nearly any location for coastal fishing (e.g., upon dry land or in an environment submerged with water), that can be quickly and easily set up by thrusting 216 the stand 100 into the ground 114 to allow safe and easy ingress and egress of a fishing pole 104, that can be easily adjusted in height and pole 104 angle 214 relative to the ground 114 and that can be constructed out of a weather-resistant material.

In a preferred embodiment, the ground anchoring stand 100 comprises an arrangement of at least three or more slender elongated right-angle shaped anchor legs 106, 110, 112 configured around the sleeve 102 of the ground anchoring stand 100 to achieve an unattended upright freestanding balanced position relative to the ground 114 and a first anchored position capable of elastic deformation ground retention through elastic torsional deformation of at least one horizontal section (e.g., 106a or 110a or 112a) of a slender elongated right-angle shaped anchor leg (e.g., 106 or 110 or 112) capable of returning 210 the stand 100 to the first anchored position from a strained anchored second position (e.g., 206) upon release of a horizontal force 202 exerted upon the pole 104 and sleeve 102 by a wind or gust.

In one such embodiment, the horizontal section 112a of the forked anchor leg 112 is characterized as having a length extending sufficiently outward from said sleeve 102 such that the vertical axis 126 of the foot 116 of the user may be positioned directly on top of and in coaxial alignment with the vertical axis 126 of the vertical section 112b of the anchor leg 112, as illustrated in FIG. 9A, for thrusting 216 the anchor leg 112 into the ground 114.

In one embodiment, the ground anchoring stand 100 further comprises a cup holder 146 preferably clipped 148 to the sleeve 102 (as shown in FIG. 13) or connected to an anchor leg 106 for receiving and holding a drinking cup (not shown) of a user.

In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve 102 further comprises an aperture 132 having internal threads and a threaded locking bolt 134 disposed substantially perpendicular to the sleeve 102 and configured to rotate through said aperture 132 for engaging a side of the pole 104 after said pole 104 is extended through said sleeve 102 to prevent vertical movement 200 of the pole 104 relative to the stand 100 optionally before or after the anchor legs (e.g., 106, 108, and 110) are thrusted 216 into the surface 114 of the ground.

In another embodiment, the sleeve 102 further comprises a transverse base bar (not shown) connected to and disposed within and at the bottom of the lower section 102b of the sleeve 102, where the transverse base bar is sized to prevent downward extension of the pole 102 through the bottom of the sleeve 102. In such embodiment, when the pole 104 is inserted into the top opening of the sleeve 102, the bottom of the pole 104 will engage the transverse base bar disposed within the bottom of the lower section 102b of the sleeve 102, such that the transverse base bar vertically supports the pole 104 by preventing the pole 104 from extending through the bottom opening of the sleeve 102.

The ground anchoring stand 100 is preferably a unitary construction forged from a material selected from a group consisting of steel, plastic, resin, and rubber.

Embodiments of the present invention provide novel methods for setting up a ground anchoring umbrella stand 100 as well as for anchoring or securing umbrellas, umbrella poles, and fishing poles to a ground surface 114. In one embodiment, a method for setting up a ground anchoring umbrella stand 100 comprises the steps of providing a ground anchoring umbrella stand 100 having a hollow cylindrical sleeve 102 sized for an umbrella pole 104 to extend therethrough, where the sleeve 102 has a pole locking bolt 134 to optionally prevent vertical movement 200 of the pole 104 relative to the sleeve 102, the sleeve 102 has an upper section 102a extending downwardly to a lower section 102b thereof, the lower section 102b being centrally disposed between and connected to a first opposing pair of forked anchor legs 110, 112 and a second opposing pair of forked anchor legs 106, 108. Each forked anchor leg 106, 108, 110, 112 has a horizontal section 106a, 108a, 110a, 112a extending radially from the sleeve for the placement of a user's foot 116 and transitioning downwardly to a vertical section 106b, 108b, 110b, 112b having a vertical axis disposed perpendicular to said horizontal section 106a, 108a, 110a, 112a. The bottom end of the vertical section 106b, 108b, 110b, 112b has a spiked tip 106c, 108c, 110c, 112c on the end for anchoring the stand 100 relative to the surface 114 of the earth. The method further comprises placing the umbrella stand 100 upon the ground 114 in a first upright unattended and free-standing position, as illustrated in FIG. 9B. The method includes placing a first foot 116 of the user on top of the first forked anchor leg 112 of the first opposing pair of forked anchor legs 110, 112 as illustrated in FIG. 9A and placing a second foot 118 of the user on top of the second forked anchor leg 110 of the first opposing pair of forked anchor legs 110, 112. The method further comprises thrusting the ground anchoring umbrella stand 100 downwardly into the ground 114 by vertically maneuvering the user's body from a first elevated position relative to the ground to a second elevated position through the user's sagittal plane.

In one embodiment, as can be seen in FIG. 11, the method may further comprise a step of supporting a substantial entirety of the user's body weight in a substantially upright standing position frontally balanced by the second pair of forked anchor legs 106, 108.

In another embodiment, the step of thrusting the ground anchoring umbrella stand 100 downwardly into the ground 114 includes submerging the entirety of the two pairs of forked anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112 beneath the surface of the ground 114.

In yet another embodiment of the method, the step of placing the first foot 116 of the user on top of the first forked anchor leg 112 includes coaxially aligning the first foot 116 with the vertical axis 126 of the vertical section 112b of the first forked anchor leg 112, as can be seen in FIG. 9A. The step of placing the second foot 118 of the user on top of the second forked anchor leg 110 may further include coaxially aligning the second foot 118 with the vertical axis 128 of the vertical section 110b of the second forked anchor leg 110, as can be seen in FIG. 11.

In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes inserting an umbrella pole 104 through the sleeve 102 and allowing the umbrella pole 104 to freely slide 200 through the sleeve 102 during the step of thrusting 216 the ground anchoring umbrella stand 100 downwardly into and deeply penetrating the ground 114. Such thrusting by the user preferably achieves relatively deep penetration of the anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112 into the ground 114, such as for instance, preferably 9 inches or more into the surface of the ground 114.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the method includes inserting an umbrella pole 104 through the sleeve 102 and downwardly thrusting 220 the umbrella pole 104 into and deeply penetrating the ground 114 after the step of thrusting 216 the ground anchoring umbrella stand 100 downwardly into the ground 114.

In another embodiment, the method comprises inserting an umbrella pole 104 through the sleeve 102, engaging the pole 104 with the pole locking bolt 134 to prevent vertical movement of the umbrella pole 104 relative to the stand 100, and downwardly thrusting both the umbrella pole 104 and umbrella stand 100 downwardly into and penetrating the ground during the step of thrusting 216 the ground anchoring umbrella stand 100 downwardly into the ground 114.

It should be appreciated from the above example embodiments and explanations that the compact portable lightweight strong umbrella stand is configured to be easily and quickly moved to multiple locations without requiring assembly; and when stored it may be stood upright freestanding on its own due to its pairs of fixed forked anchor legs and does not require significant storage space. It should also be appreciated that the stand 100 may be effectively used upon dry or wet ground, including in a submerged or partially submerged aqueous environment such as a beach where water from waves and tides do not easily washout the sand from beneath the stand 100 due to the elongated nature and configuration of the anchor legs 106, 108, 110, 112 embedded in the ground 114.

It should also be appreciated from the above that the sleeve and fixed forked anchor leg base of the present disclosure has a relatively narrow footprint as compared to conventional umbrella stands (e.g., having wide flat bases) described above to enable the umbrella stand to be compact, portable, and lightweight for both recreational and commercial use, and enable the umbrella stand to be used on dry ground, on ground occasionally or intermittently exposed to flowing water, or in a submerged ground in an underwater environment. This relatively narrow footprint of forked legs and unitary construction in part enables the umbrella stand of the present disclosure to be: (a) attached to a variety of grounds in a variety of environments; (b) carried in relatively small bags relatively the same size as those for collapsible foldable chairs; (c) easily carried by hand by beach goers; and (d) readily positioned in the sand either with or without use of a person's hands.

Claims

1. A ground anchoring umbrella stand comprising:

a hollow cylindrical sleeve adapted to receive and support an umbrella pole, said sleeve having an upper section extending downwardly to a lower section thereof, the lower section centrally disposed between and connected to a first opposing pair of elongated forked anchor legs and a second opposing pair of elongated forked anchor legs, each forked anchor leg having a horizontal section extending radially from the sleeve for the placement of a user's foot and transitioning downwardly to a vertical section disposed perpendicular to said horizontal section, each horizontal section adapted to torsionally strain between the sleeve and the vertical section, said vertical section ending with a spiked tip for anchoring the umbrella stand into the surface of the earth.

2. The ground anchoring umbrella stand of claim 1, wherein the radially extending horizontal section is characterized as having a sufficient length and modulus of elasticity to self-return the sleeve of the umbrella stand to an original anchored position from a strained anchored position upon release of a force exerted by a wind or gust upon an umbrella when supported by the sleeve.

3. The ground anchoring umbrella stand of claim 1, wherein said ground anchoring umbrella stand is a unitary construction, said sleeve forged with said first and second pairs of forked anchor legs, wherein the vertical section of each anchor leg is characterized as having a length relative to the length of the other anchor legs such that the umbrella stand achieves an unanchored position freestanding upright atop the surface of the ground and an anchored position upon substantially synchronous submersion of the forked anchor legs into the surface of the ground upon the placement of the user's foot atop at least one of the anchor legs.

4. The ground anchoring umbrella stand of claim 1, wherein the horizontal axis of the elongated horizontal sections of the first pair of forked anchor legs is configured coplanar with and intersects the horizontal axis of the elongated horizontal sections of the second pair of forked anchor legs, such that when the first and second pairs of anchor legs are anchored into the surface of the ground said horizontal sections of the first pair of forked anchor legs exhibit torsional strain upon exertion of a horizontal force applied to the sleeve in a direction substantially orthogonal to said horizontal sections of said first pair of anchor legs.

5. The ground anchoring umbrella stand of claim 1, wherein the horizontal section of the forked anchor leg is characterized as having a length shorter than the length of the vertical section of the forked anchor leg.

6. The ground anchoring umbrella stand of claim 1, wherein the vertical sections of the first pair of forked anchor legs are characterized as having a length greater than the length of the vertical sections of the second pair of forked anchor legs.

7. The ground anchoring umbrella stand of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical sleeve comprises a cup holder handle connected to the upper section thereof, said cup holder handle adapted to receive a hand grasp of the user for upward movement of the umbrella stand from an anchored position for removal from the ground while conveniently holding a drinking cup of a user and for carrying of the umbrella stand and cup upon said removal.

8. The ground anchoring umbrella stand of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical sleeve comprises a slender elongated handle member connected to the upper section thereof, said handle member adapted to receive a hand grasp of the user for upward movement of the umbrella stand from an anchored position for removal from the ground and for carrying of the umbrella stand upon said removal.

9. The ground anchoring umbrella stand of claim 1, further comprising a square-shaped or rectangular-shaped elongated rod member, wherein each corner of said rod member is rigidly connected to one forked anchor leg.

10. The ground anchoring umbrella stand of claim 1, wherein the sleeve further comprises at least one aperture having internal threads and a threaded bolt disposed substantially perpendicular to the sleeve, the threaded bolt configured to screw through said aperture for engaging the umbrella pole when extended through said sleeve to prevent vertical movement of the umbrella pole relative to the stand optionally before or after the umbrella pole is driven into the surface of the ground.

11. A ground anchoring stand comprising:

a hollow sleeve having a central vertical axis, said sleeve configured to closely surround and securely receive a pole of a user of the anchor stand;

a plurality of slender elongated right-angle shaped anchor legs enabling hands-free thrusting of the anchor stand into the surface of the ground, the anchor leg having a substantially horizontal section rigidly connected to said sleeve and extended outward from said sleeve, said horizontal section configured for engagement by a foot of the user optionally before or after the pole of the user is optionally embedded into the surface of the ground, and a substantially vertical section with a pointed end adapted to securely anchor into the surface of the ground, said vertical section of the right-angle shaped anchor leg disposed at the outward distal end of the horizontal section such that an external force applied the sleeve imparts torsional stress upon the horizontal section disposed between the sleeve and the vertical section of the anchor leg for elastic deformation ground retention of the stand in an anchored position.

12. The ground anchoring stand of claim 11, the anchor stand comprising an arrangement of at least three or more slender elongated right-angle shaped anchor legs configured to achieve an unattended upright freestanding balanced position and a first anchored position capable of elastic deformation ground retention through elastic torsional deformation of at least one horizontal section of a slender elongated right-angle shaped anchor leg capable of returning the stand to the first anchored position from a strained anchored second position upon release of a horizontal force exerted thereupon the pole by a wind or gust.

13. The ground anchoring umbrella stand of claim 11, wherein the horizontal section of the forked anchor leg is characterized as having a length extending sufficiently outward from said sleeve such that the vertical axis of the foot of the user may be positioned directly atop and in coaxial alignment with the vertical axis of the vertical section of the anchor leg, for thrusting said anchor leg into the ground.

14. The ground anchoring stand of claim 11, the stand further comprising a cup holder connected to said sleeve or to said anchor leg for receiving and holding a cup of a user.

15. The ground anchoring stand of claim 11, wherein the sleeve further comprises an aperture having internal threads and a threaded locking bolt disposed substantially perpendicular to the sleeve and configured to rotate through said aperture for engaging a side of the pole after said pole is extended through said sleeve to prevent vertical movement of the pole relative to the stand optionally before or after the anchor legs are thrusted into the surface of ground.

16. The ground anchoring stand of claim 11, wherein the sleeve further comprises a transverse base bar connected to and disposed within the bottom of said sleeve, the transverse base bar sized to prevent downward extension of the pole through the bottom of the sleeve.

17. The ground anchoring stand of claim 11, wherein the pole is selected from a group consisting of a beach umbrella pole, a patio umbrella pole, a tent support pole, a volleyball net supporting pole, a flagpole, a basketball goal supporting pole, and a handle end of a fishing pole.

18. The ground anchoring stand of claim 11, wherein said ground anchoring stand is a unitary construction forged from a material selected from a group consisting of steel, plastic, resin, and rubber.

19. A method for setting up a ground anchoring umbrella stand comprising the steps of:

providing a ground anchoring umbrella stand having a hollow cylindrical sleeve sized for an umbrella pole to extend therethrough with a pole locking bolt to optionally prevent vertical movement of the pole relative to the sleeve, the sleeve having an upper section extending downwardly to a lower section thereof, the lower section centrally disposed between and connected to a first opposing pair of forked anchor legs and a second opposing pair of forked anchor legs, each forked anchor leg having a horizontal section extending radially from the sleeve for the placement of a user's foot and transitioning downwardly to a vertical section having a vertical axis disposed perpendicular to said horizontal section, said vertical section ending with a spiked tip for anchoring the stand upon the surface of the earth;

placing the umbrella stand upon the ground in a first upright unattended and free-standing position;

placing the first foot of the user atop the first forked anchor leg of the first opposing pair of forked anchor legs;

placing the second foot of the user atop the second forked anchor leg of the first opposing pair of forked anchor legs;

thrusting the ground anchoring umbrella stand downwardly into the ground by vertically maneuvering the user's body from a first elevated position to a second elevated position through the user's sagittal plane.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of supporting a substantial entirety of the user's body weight in a substantially upright standing position frontally balanced by the second pair of forked anchor legs.

21. The method of claim 19, the step of thrusting the ground anchoring umbrella stand downwardly into the ground includes submerging the entirety of the two pairs of forked anchor legs beneath the surface of the ground.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of placing the first foot of the user atop the first forked anchor leg includes coaxially aligning the first foot with the vertical axis of the vertical section of the first forked anchor leg.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of placing the second foot of the user atop the second forked anchor leg includes coaxially aligning the second foot with the vertical axis of the vertical section of the second forked anchor leg.

24. The method of claim 19, further comprising inserting an umbrella pole through the sleeve and allowing the umbrella pole to freely slide through the sleeve during the step of thrusting the ground anchoring umbrella stand downwardly into the ground.

25. The method of claim 19, further comprising inserting an umbrella pole through the sleeve and downwardly thrusting the umbrella pole into the ground after the step of thrusting the ground anchoring umbrella stand downwardly into the ground.

26. The method of claim 19, further comprising inserting an umbrella pole through the sleeve, engaging the pole to prevent vertical movement of the umbrella pole relative to the stand, and downwardly thrusting the umbrella pole and umbrella stand downwardly into the ground during the step of thrusting the ground anchoring umbrella stand downwardly into the ground.