UMBRELLA MOUNT SYSTEM

Abstract

An adjustable mount and handle to support an umbrella onto a tube is disclosed. The present invention permits a user attach the umbrella to a tube or post and quickly and easily adjust the angle at any time. Thus, an individual can be shaded by the umbrella without having to manually hold the umbrella themselves.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to umbrellas and, more particularly, to an adjustable mount and handle for securing an umbrella onto a tube.

Exposure to sunlight for prolonged periods of time can lead to various health conditions such as, but not limited to, sunburn, heat sickness, and skin cancer. Consequently, shade is important to help protect from constant sun exposure that may otherwise occur at, for example, the beach or while in a desert region. You can attach the mount to an exposed tube on the vehicle and the attach the umbrella to it. An umbrella is a popular method for shading from the sun, but that conventionally requires a user manually grasping the umbrella. This can be particularly burdensome when the user has other things they would prefer to be doing, such as sitting with friends.

As can be seen, there is a need for an umbrella mount that can mount an umbrella to a tube of a vehicle or post for support and is angularly adjustable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an umbrella mount comprises: a first clamp arm; a second clamp arm pivotally coupled to the first clamp arm about a first axis, the second clamp arm defining at least one clamp arm hole, and the first clamp arm and the second clamp arm being configured to compressibly couple to a post or vehicle; a swivel plate pivotally coupled to the second clamp arm about a second axis, the swivel plate defining a plurality of swivel plate holes along a perimeter thereof; and a handle post integral with the swivel plate, the handle post defining an opening configured to receive an umbrella handle that supports an umbrella.

In another aspect of the present invention, an umbrella mount system comprises an umbrella; an umbrella handle coupled to and supporting the umbrella; and an umbrella mount comprising: a first clamp arm; a second clamp arm pivotally coupled to the first clamp arm about a first axis, the second clamp arm defining at least one clamp arm hole, and the first clamp arm and the second clamp arm being configured to compressibly couple to a post; a swivel plate pivotally coupled to the second clamp arm about a second axis, the swivel plate defining a plurality of swivel plate holes along a perimeter thereof; and a handle post integral with the swivel plate, the handle post defining an opening that receives an umbrella handle that supports the umbrella.

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

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of the present disclosure and should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modifications, alterations, combinations, and equivalents in form and function, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention, shown removed from a post;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a detailed exploded view illustrating a swivel plate and a handle of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a section view of the embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a section view of the embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a section view of the embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the handle holding clamp arms and to the post;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the adjustment of the angle of the swivel plate and post.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The subject disclosure is described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure such that one skilled in the art will be enabled to make and use the present invention. It may be evident, however, that the present disclosure may be practiced without some of these specific details.

Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is an adjustable umbrella mount and umbrella mount system that may be quickly and easy connected and adjusted. As stated above, while sitting out in the direct sunlight, individuals are often in need of protection from that sunlight. The invention claimed here solves this problem. This adjustable mount with umbrella handle will hold the umbrella at any angle to a post for the best protection from the sun. Previously, individuals were forced to manually hold an umbrella. The present invention allows a user to be hands free while still benefiting from the shade of an umbrella. It is also fully adjustable to any angle needed. Thus, a high level of customization can be achieved with a simple adjustment process, improving the user experience and improving the sun protection provided by the umbrella.

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, the adjustable umbrella amount is generally provided with a first clamp arm 10, a second clamp arm 16, a swivel plate 28, a handle post 32, and a handle 40.

The first clamp arm 10 and the second clamp arm 16 are substantially C-shaped and are hingedly connected to one another via a hinge tab 12 integral with the first clamp arm 10 and a corresponding hinge tab slot 18 defined in the second clamp arm 16. There are different size C-shaped opening to choose from in the first and second clamp to fit different diameter tubes. Once the hinge tab 12 is inserted into the hinge tab slot 18, they may be coupled together via a connector, such as a hinge screw 20 and a hinge screw nut 22. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, an adjustable handle 14 with a grip 15 is provided at an opposite side of the clamp arms 10, 16 to adjustably connect the arms 10, 16 to one another (via coupling in the handle slot 34) such that they can accommodate slightly different size posts 58 and to squeezably engage the post 58, in use.

The second clamp arm 16 further includes a pair of swivel adjustment shoulders 24 that define respective swivel adjustment post holes 26. In use, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, at least one of these holes 26 align with one of a plurality of swivel plate holes 30 that are defined along a perimeter of the swivel plate 28. The holes 16, 30 operably engage one another via a short quick release pin 48. A center screw couples with a nut 54 to function as a pivot rod 52 for the swivel plate 28. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the nut 54 is received in a relief 47 formed on a bottom side of the handle post 36. As shown in FIG. 8, the swivel plate 28 can be rotated above the pivot rod 52 to adjust the angle of a retained umbrella pole 56 (as described in greater detail below). The short quick release pin 48 makes it easy to adjust, as a user can simply pull it out of the holes 26, 30 rotate the swivel plate 28 to a desired position, and insert the quick release pin 48 back through the respectively aligned holes 26, 30 to lock the swivel plate 28 in angular position.

As shown in FIG. 3, an umbrella handle opening 46 is formed in the handle post 32 for receiving the handle 40. To secure the handle 40 to the rest of the assembly, a long quick release pin 50 is provided to extend through pin holes 50 laterally defined in the handle post 32. As shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, The handle 40 defines pin holes 42 therethrough to align with the pin holes 38 of the handle post 32. The long quick release pin 50 is configured to extend through both sets of pin holes 38, 42 to secure the handle 40 and the umbrella pole 56 (which may also have a hole defined therethrough) to the handle post 32. To ensure alignment of the handle 40 relative to the handle post 32, a raised nub 44 is provided on an upper rim of the handle 40, which sits on top of the handle post 32 when assembled. The handle post 32 has a handle detent 36 formed on an upper surface thereof to matingly engage the nub 44. This ensures proper alignment so that the long quick release pin 50 can easily lock the umbrella into place.

The handle 40, in use, secures with the umbrella pole 56. In certain embodiments, it may be permanently attached, such as via an adhesive. As described above, the design of the assembly facilitates easy and quick adjustment of the umbrella mount to adapt it for varying scenarios and needs of the end user. The components may be formed from various appropriate materials, such as plastics and metals, such that the functionality described herein is achieved.

To use the umbrella mount, the above-described steps may be followed. A post/tube 58 is identified for attaching an umbrella thereto. The first clamp arm 10 and the second clamp arm 16 are opened and fit around the post 58. The clamp arms 10, 16 are rotated closed, with the adjustable handle 14 pulling the arms 10, 16 together to compress against the post 58 and be retained in place. The swivel plate 28 can be rotated to a desired position and locked into place by inserting the short release pin 48 into the swivel plate hole 30 that is aligned with a swivel adjustment post hole 26. The handle 40 is inserted into the opening 46 in the handle post 32, with the nub 44 being aligned with the detent 36. The long quick release pin 50 is inserted through the handle post 32, thus securing the umbrella fixedly to the umbrella mount, with the post 58 supporting the assembly such that shade is provided to the user(s) in need of protection from the sun.

While one or more preferred embodiments are disclosed, many other implementations will occur to one of ordinary skill in the art and are all within the scope of the invention. Each of the various embodiments described above may be combined with other described embodiments in order to provide multiple features. Furthermore, while the foregoing describes a number of separate embodiments of the apparatus and method of the present invention, what has been described herein is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Other arrangements, methods, modifications, and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are therefore also considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the claims that follow.

While apparatuses and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components or steps, the apparatuses and methods can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the elements that it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted. Moreover, the use of directional terms such as above, below, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, and the like are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward or upper direction being toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward or lower direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figure.

Claims

1. An umbrella mount comprising:

a first clamp arm;

a second clamp arm pivotally coupled to the first clamp arm about a first axis, the second clamp arm defining at least one clamp arm hole, and the first clamp arm and the second clamp arm being configured to compressibly couple to a post;

a swivel plate pivotally coupled to the second clamp arm about a second axis, the swivel plate defining a plurality of swivel plate holes along a perimeter thereof; and

a handle post integral with the swivel plate, the handle post defining an opening configured to receive an umbrella handle that supports an umbrella.

2. The umbrella mount of claim 1, wherein the first axis and the second axis are perpendicular to one another.

3. The umbrella mount of claim 1, wherein one swivel plate hole of the plurality of swivel plate holes to angularly position the swivel plate relative to the second clamp arm.

4. The umbrella mount of claim 3, further comprising a first quick release pin extending through the one swivel plate hole and the at least one clamp arm hole.

5. The umbrella mount of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable handle that releasably couples a distal end of the first clamp arm and a distal end of the second clamp arm.

6. An umbrella mount system comprising:

an umbrella;

an umbrella handle coupled to and supporting the umbrella; and

an umbrella mount comprising: a first clamp arm; a second clamp arm pivotally coupled to the first clamp arm about a first axis, the second clamp arm defining at least one clamp arm hole, and the first clamp arm and the second clamp arm being configured to compressibly couple to a post; a swivel plate pivotally coupled to the second clamp arm about a second axis, the swivel plate defining a plurality of swivel plate holes along a perimeter thereof; and a handle post integral with the swivel plate, the handle post defining an opening that receives an umbrella handle that supports the umbrella.

7. The umbrella mount system of claim 6, wherein the first axis and the second axis are perpendicular to one another.

8. The umbrella mount system of claim 6, wherein the handle post defines a detent, and the umbrella handle comprises a nub that engages the detent to position the handle post.

9. The umbrella mount system of claim 8, further comprising a first quick release pin extending through the one swivel plate hole and the at least one clamp arm hole.

10. The umbrella mount system of claim 9, further comprising a second quick release pin, and wherein the umbrella handle defines a transverse hole extending therethrough, the transverse hole being receiving the second quick release pin therethrough.