Abstract: An umbrella has an intermediate point of equilibrium between its fully open and closed positions, which reduces the peak force required to move the umbrella in either direction. To actuate the umbrella, a resiliently flexible steel band is able to not only carry tension to pull the umbrella open, but the band also has sufficient rigidity to operate in compression to push the umbrella closed. The band's flexibility allows it to feed through a small sidewall hole in the mast as well as snake through a hinge on an umbrella mast that can tilt. Manually sliding an actuator sleeve upward closes the umbrella. Sliding the sleeve down opens the umbrella. Although lifting to close and lowering to open may seem counterintuitive at first, such action greatly reduces the maximum force required to operate the umbrella.

Abstract: A sunshade base includes a base, a swivel seat to which a support tube of a sunshade is mounted, a retaining member fixed to the swivel seat, and a braking device. The swivel seat includes a flange rotatably received in a recessed portion of a top face of the base. The braking device is mounted in the base and includes a rod movable in the base and a braking arm having a first end fixed to the rod and a second end releasably engaged with the retaining member. The second end of the braking arm is biased to engage with the retaining member to thereby lock the swivel seat. The rod is operable to disengage the second end of the braking arm from the retaining member to thereby allow free rotational movement of the swivel seat relative to the base.

Abstract: A telescopic umbrella, such as a sunshade, that includes a lower upright stand pipe and a telescopic pipe arranged in a displaceable and arrestable manner therein. The telescopic umbrella also includes a canopy articulated on the telescopic pipe, it being possible for the canopy to be opened and closed by means of a sheathed cable or Bowden control running within the telescopic pipe and controlled by a control device. The control device is attached to the telescopic pipe so that the opening/closing movement of the umbrella canopy is uncoupled from the telescopic mechanism of the umbrella.

Abstract: An umbrella is provided that includes a lower pole portion, an upper pole portion, a canopy coupled with the upper pole portion, a crank, and a rotation mechanism. The upper pole portion is rotatably coupled with the lower pole portion. The crank is configured to articulate the canopy. The rotation mechanism is configured to apply a force to the upper pole portion. The rotation mechanism is at least partially located between the crank and the lower pole portion.

Abstract: Canopy conducting mechanism for hand held umbrellas is disclosed. The canopy conducting mechanism is especially useful for electrical umbrellas although may be used for manually operated umbrellas as well. The canopy conducting mechanism has short movement between open and closed states of the umbrella and is based on pin and slide joints between the umbrella ribs and between canopy conducting member, allowing for strutless canopy (i.e. a canopy without stretchers extending between the umbrella post and the ribs). Umbrella rib having a flexible end especially useful for strutless umbrellas is also disclosed. Strutless electrical umbrella comprising said canopy conducting mechanism and flexible end ribs is also disclosed, including single-folding and multi-folding canopy embodiments.

Abstract: A winch for opening and closing an umbrella includes a winch drum mounted within an elongate support tube of the umbrella, to rotate about a longitudinal axis thereof. A threaded shaft is coaxial and rotationally fast with the drum. A line is fixed at one end to the drum and at other end to a sleeve, to which struts are pivotally connected, each strut being associated with a canopy-supporting rib. A travelling nut is engaged with the threaded shaft and blocked for rotation relative to the tube. A guide is fixed to the nut for guiding the line onto the drum, and a motor is also enclosed in the support tube and drivingly connected to the winch drum.

Abstract: Harmful effects of the sun are becoming more prominent than they have been in the past. Thus, appropriately shielding ourselves from the sun has become ever more important. Unfortunately, applying sunscreens to infants may not be preferable thus sunshade umbrellas have been developed that clamp onto a stroller and are user positionable to provide shade to the infant located thereunder. Unfortunately, as the stroller I moved with respect to the sun, the orientation of the umbrella must be varied in order to ensure the infant is in adequate shade. Not applicable to just stroller umbrellas, an automated position in system for an umbrella is thus disclosed. The automated positioning system orients the canopy of the umbrella in relation to the sun so that shade at a predetermine location is provided thereunder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a manual-opened and auto-closed umbrella, which utilizes two springs provided around a shaft and therein accompanying with a runner and a frame to control the umbrella being opened manually and closed automatically. The umbrella is to be opened manually that compresses the springs at the same time, and by a touch to automatically close the umbrella. The manual-opened and auto-closed umbrella therefore obtains a certain utilization and improvement.

Abstract: The invention relates to an extension arm (6) that is arranged on a carrier (4) in such a way that it can pivot about the axis (18) thereof by means of a steering rod (20), and can be blocked in the pivoted position. Said steering rod (20) is arranged on a sleeve (44) that can be pivoted about the extension arm (6), can engage with the extension arm in different rotational angle positions, and can be directly or indirectly blocked on the carrier. According to the invention, a first coupling part (40) fixed to the extension arm (6) co-operates with a second coupling part (42) arranged on the sleeve (44) and acting in the axial direction. Furthermore, the steering rod (20) comprises a supporting element (56) that co-operates with a counterpart (58) arranged on the extension arm (6), in order to displace the second coupling part (42) in the axial direction by means of the steering rod (20). In this way, the extension arm can be pivoted and blocked in a simple manner with one hand.

Abstract: An umbrella includes a shade orientating device arranged between upper and lower sections of a post. The upper section supports a shade. The shade orientating device includes upper and lower sleeves respectively fixed to upper and lower sections. A sphere is attached to the upper sleeve and is rotatably received in the lower sleeve. A bolt extends from an upper hemisphere of the sphere to threadingly fix to the upper sleeve, while a plurality of dimples is distributed on a surface of a lower hemisphere. A controller, movably mounted to the lower sleeve, includes a pin engageable with the dimples and the controller is movable to selectively bring the pin into engagement with a selected one of the dimples thereby fixing the upper central post section and thus the shade carried thereby at a desired orientation with respect to the lower central post section.

Abstract: An umbrella includes a shade orientating device arranged between upper and lower sections of a post. The upper section supports a shade. The shade orientating device includes an upper segment mounted to the upper post section, an intermediate segment connected to the upper segment by a first pivot, a lower segment mounted to the lower post section and connected to the intermediate segment by a second pivot. Thus, the upper segment is rotatable with respect to the intermediate segment about the first pivot pin and the rotation of the upper segment is controlled by a first controller. The intermediate segment is rotatable with respect to the lower segment about the second pivot pin and the rotation of the intermediate segment is controlled by a second controller. Arbitrary combinations of the rotations of the upper and intermediate segments orientate the shade at any desired direction.

Abstract: The tilt mechanism has a pair of tubular members and a catch which is fixedly mounted in the upper member and pivotally mounted in the lower member to permit tilting of the two members relative to each other. A pin is mounted in the lower member and is biased into one of several recesses in the lower end of the catch in order to hold the sections in either an upright or a tilted position relative to each other. A coil spring is used to bias the pin into a recess of the catch. Pulling down on the pin allows the tubular members to be tilted relative to each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a side-supporting umbrella. A collar is installed on a mast, and able to slide along the mast in a continuously variable manner, and pivotally connected to a supporting arm of a canopy. A movement of the collar sequentially actuates another movement of the pivotally interlinked supporting arm to adjust the tilt of the canopy, and the collar can be fixed at any position of the mast by a locking element. Thus, the canopy can be adjusted to any tilt attitude in response to the solar radiation coming from any direction. Besides, a controlling line of the present is inside-installed in order to prevent the line from exposure to the environment and avoid wear or damage of the line and then prolong the life of the umbrella and promote the operating safety.

Abstract: The present invention is an umbrella that is opened by pulling down on ropes connected to each of its arms. Since ropes are used to both open the umbrella and to keep it from opening too wide, there are no rigid parts that can break other than the central pole and each arm. The central pole and each arm can be easily replaced since the parts are held together by ropes and knots.

Abstract: An anti-slip opening and closing device for an umbrella is described, which comprises a rope reeled on a roller positioned on a pole of the umbrella. The roller is screwed with a reel having a friction disc. The friction disc is set inside a notch of a ratchet wheel. An elastic accessory is positioned between the roller and the ratchet wheel for pushing the friction disc to lean against the ratchet wheel. A block part is disposed to resist the ratchet wheel reversing. A bearing positioned at a side of the reel leans against beads of a cap positioned on the pole. When the reel is rotated clockwise, the roller and the reel are screwed together, and the rope is reeled by the roller. Hence, the umbrella is opened due to the pull of the rope, and the roller is not reversed by the obstruction of the block part. On the other hand, the reel is backed from the roller by rotating counterclockwise and leans against the beads.

Abstract: Radially disposed ribs for supporting the canopy of an umbrella are pivotally connected by a crown mounted on the outer end of a rod. A sleeve is in external sliding relationship with the rod. Struts are pivotally connected to the sleeve, each strut being associated with one of the ribs for splaying the ribs and collapsing them inwardly. A support tube is connected by a coaxial shaft to the rod, and the sleeve is telescopically received in the support tube. The shaft is threaded and rotated by motor, opposing ends of the threaded shaft being supported for rotation in first and second journals fixed within the support tube and the rod, respectively. A threaded nut fixedly connected to the sleeve is engaged with the threaded shaft for moving the sleeve along the rod between extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: A lock mechanism mounted in a large umbrella includes a sliding sleeve including an aperture on surface of a lower extension, a telescopic shank including a lower tube fixed in a handle and a sliding upper tube, a lock device disposed in the upper tube such that disposing a resilient projection of the lock device through holes of the tubes may fasten the shank, an actuation assembly for receiving the extension and including a transverse opening and a spring biased actuation member having a portion disposed in the aperture for locking the extension in a closed position of the umbrella, the actuation member including a trigger, and a spring biased rib fixing assembly disposed between the handle and the actuation assembly. Pushing the trigger will disengage the portion with the aperture to open the umbrella. Operating the lock device will effect a subsequent multi-sectional length adjustment of the shank.

Abstract: A pagoda-shaped umbrella includes a center post, a crown fixed to an upper end of the center post, a runner movable along the center post, a plurality of ribs each coupled to the runner by a stretcher, and a canopy supported by the ribs. A canopy retainer is mounted to the canopy to move to the topmost position when the canopy is open. A collar movably fits over the center post between the runner and the crown and a pair of slide bars extending from the collar, along opposite sides of the center post and movably through openings defined in the crown. Upper ends of the bars are fixed to the canopy retainer. When the runner is moved upward to drive the stretchers and the ribs for opening the canopy, the runner gets into contact with and thus drives the collar upward, which in turn causes upward movement of the retainer to the topmost position thereby shaping the canopy as a pagoda.

Abstract: A structure with a retractable cover, for example, a gazebo with a hanging umbrella, where the retractable cover is connected by a pull cord to a winding device, wherein operation of the winding device allows the user to open or retract the cover. If the structure will not be used for a long period, or if there is strong wind, the cover can be closed very easily without the need to dismantle the structure.

Abstract: A handle assembly for umbrellas includes a switch connected to the frame which is received in the handle and the switch is accessed via an opening defined in the handle. An operation member is rotatably mounted to the handle and positioned a first position and a second position. The first position of the operation member is located to cover the switch and the second position of the operation member is located to uncover the switch. The operation member can be replaced by a cap which is pivotably or rotatably connected to the handle to cover or uncover the switch.

Abstract: An improved, durable and versatile umbrella frame assembly is provided to more readily endure abusive weather conditions and that may be quickly, easily and inexpensively repaired. In addition, the assembly is also easily modified to accommodate umbrella canopies of different sizes and shapes. In addition, an improved umbrella operating system is provided to permit simple opening, positioning, and locking of an umbrella while allowing the frame to freely rotate about the pole regardless of the degree to which it is opened, while the pole is held in a stationary position. The assembly includes a pair of hub members mounted about a pole member wherein the main hub member is slidable up and down the pole. A pulley system with a locking cam member may be employed to allow the umbrella to safely and easily open to any desired position. A locking stabilizer arm may be used to secure the main hub member in the fully open position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a winch, particularly for driving an umbrella, comprising a rope drum (48a) which is driven by a hand crank (24) and winds up a rope (28). Functioning of the winch is improved by the fact that said winch is provided with a feeler (100) which responds to the direction of entry of the rope when the rope (28) is fully unwound or to the winding of the rope onto the rope drum (48a). Said feeler (100) is connected to a locking member (102) that cooperates with a stop (104) if winding occurs in the wrong direction, said stop (104) being assigned to the rope drum (48a) and locking the wrong winding direction.

Abstract: An umbrella frame includes an upper shaft part 2 and a lower shaft part 1, the two parts being connected by a tilting joint to enable the upper part to tilt with respect to the lower, a runner 4 sliding on the lower shaft part 1, for spreading a cover on the umbrella frame into its unfurled configuration when slid upwardly, and an actuator connected to the upper shaft part 2 and passing down the shaft, through or past the runner 4 when in its upper position with the umbrella open, to an operating location on the lower shaft part 1, the actuator being accessible at its lower end to allow an operator to tilt the upper shaft part 2.

Abstract: An electric opening and closing device that retrofits to new and existing patio and market umbrellas. Such umbrellas are commonly used to provide shade outdoors, and are usually installed through a hole in the center of a table or mounted freestanding in a support base. The invention consists of a low voltage reversible electric motor that attaches to the upper end of the umbrella mast, a cable reel driven by the motor, a length of cable with one end affixed to the cable reel and the opposite end affixed to the umbrella yoke, electric control switch, remote control means, and electric supply means.

Abstract: A sunshade includes a hollow lower rod, a hollow upper rod located above the lower rod, and a tipping device mounted between the upper rod and the lower rod. The tipping device includes a lower connector, an upper connector, a connecting lever, a drive plate, a tensile spring, and a slide. Thus, the sunshade is disposed between an upright state and an inclined state by controlling the lift cord, so that the tipping device is operated easily and conveniently, thereby facilitating the user operating and tipping the sunshade.

Abstract: An angle adjusting device for the canopy of a hang umbrella includes a cantilever divided into a left-sectional cantilever and a right-sectional cantilever, with a connecting plug inserted in between the interiors of the left-sectional and the right-sectional cantilever. The left-sectional cantilever is secured with one end of the connecting plug and the right-sectional cantilever fitted around the other end of the connecting plug by a tightening bolt. By so designing, the outer portion of the cantilever, which is connected with the canopy, can be rotated and adjusted in different angles. Thus, the canopy of the hang umbrella can be adjusted and turned forward and backward as well as leftward and rightward.

Abstract: An umbrella assembly is provided that comprises a canopy frame, a support pole, an extension mechanism, and a canopy deployment mechanism. The support pole has a first member that has a first end and a second end and a second member. The second member is coupled with the canopy frame and with the first member and is movable relative to the first member between a retracted position and an extended position. The extension mechanism is configured to be driven by a crank handle to move the second member between the retracted position and the extended position. The canopy deployment mechanism is configured to be driven by a crank handle independently of the extension mechanism to open and close the canopy frame.

Abstract: An automated canopy positioning system for providing solar protection is disclosed. The automated canopy positioning system orients the canopy of the umbrella in relation to the sun so that a shade at a predetermined location is provided thereunder. The system has a canopy for providing shade in response to light impacting the upper surface, a first photodetector for detecting the amount of light in the shaded area and for generating a photocurrent in response to the light incident thereon, a control circuit for receiving the photocurrent and for generating a control signal in dependence thereon, and a positioning mechanism coupled with the canopy for spatially orienting the canopy in response to the control signal.

Abstract: An automated umbrella assembly includes an outer housing having a bottom wall, a top wall and a peripheral wall. A tube is rotatably mounted in the housing. The tube extends upwardly toward an aperture in the top wall and has an open upper end. An inwardly extending threaded lip is attached to an inner surface of the tube. An umbrella includes a shaft having a top end and a bottom end. A plurality of gores is attached to the top end. The gores are selectively positioned in a collapsed position or in an extended position. The shaft has a threaded outer surface and is threadably coupled to the lip. The shaft is extended outwardly through the aperture when the tube is rotated in a first direction and pulled into the outer housing when the tube is rotated in the second direction. A motor is mechanically coupled to the tube.

Abstract: A sunshade structure includes an upright rod, a drive motor, a drive shaft, a pulley, a slide, a skeleton, a lift cord, and a control device. In practice, the control switch of the control device is pushed to start the drive motor to operate the sunshade structure, so that the sunshade structure is expanded or collapsed automatically in a wire manner. Alternatively, the wireless receiver of the control device receives a signal from a remote controller to start the drive motor to operate the sunshade structure, so that the sunshade structure is expanded or collapsed automatically in a wireless manner. Thus, the sunshade structure is expanded or collapsed automatically without needing a manual work, thereby saving the user's energy.

Abstract: A tilting umbrella with an adjustable cover includes an adjustable cover and a shaft. An upper joint is provided centrally of the cover having a positioning ball to be received in an upper connector formed on top of the shaft. Hence, the cover is adjustable to have an oblique angle relating to the shaft as desired for sheltering sunshine from any directions effectively.

Abstract: An umbrella assembly comprising a base, a pole mounted on the base extending upwardly and outwardly from the base, a carriage slidably mounted on the pole, and an umbrella frame including an adapter releasably engagable with the carriage. A handle is rotatably mounted on the pole, and a cable is coupled at one end to the handle and coupled at another end to the umbrella frame such that by rotating the handle, the cable is retracted and the umbrella is opened, and by rotating the handle in the opposite direction, the cable is released, the umbrella is collapsed, and the carriage is slidable along the pole. The cable is coupled to the adapter such that the adapter may be releasably secured to the umbrella frame to allow the umbrella frame to be tilted and secured in an inclined position.

Abstract: A retractable device of sun shading suspensory umbrella mainly comprises an upper and lower support umbrella rods, ribs and hand cranking device. The diameter of the upper support umbrella rod is less than the lower support umbrella rod. The upper umbrella rod is located within the low portion of the retractable device. The hand cranking retractable device is equipped within lower portion of the lower support umbrella rod. The hand cranking retractable device is a worm with a handle, which connects with an active worm gear and a driven worm gear separately on both sides. The active worm gear and driven worm gear separately connects to entwined wire rope first rotating wheel and second through axletree. One end of the first wire rope is wired to first rotating wheel. The other end is securely mounted to lower umbrella tray. One end of the first wire rope is wired to second rotating wheel, the other end of said second wire rope is securely mounted to upper support umbrella rods.

Abstract: An outdoor umbrella includes an operation device including a ring-shaped slider joint slidably connected to a shaft of the outdoor umbrella in a vertical movable manner, a locking stopper fitted in a locker hole of the shaft in an inwardly movable manner, a resilient unit for applying an urging pressure against the locking stopper to normally urge and retain the locking stopper extending into the locker hole so as to lock up the slider joint on the shaft, and a handle device for driving the locking stopper in an outwardly movable manner to move away from the locker hole so as to unlock the slider joint from the shaft.

Abstract: An umbrella device which has a shank, an umbrella-like cap formed as a membrane and a driver. The membrane is connected to the shank and is caused by the driver to move from a position of rest where it droops limply around the shank to an open position where it is essentially horizontal due to the centrifugal forces of the membrane produced by the rotation of the membrane by the driver.

Abstract: Umbrella shaft for a hanging umbrella, having a shaft part (20,26) and a rope drive (22), which connects a slide (16) and a crown (8) of the umbrella, the slide and the shaft part being coupled axially to one another when the umbrella is open. In order to improve the operability, the rope drive is designed as a rope winch (22) which can be connected to the slide (16), the rope (28) running essentially coaxially with the axis of the umbrella shaft.

Abstract: An umbrella with pneumatic activation, specifically a portable, foldable umbrella, for the protection of persons from the rain and sun, and to be employed in fixed installations of one or more umbrellas as well, to protect crops, objects, or surfaces that require controlled protection, outdoor tables, beaches, and patios as principal examples of operation and use with individual or centralized control. When connected together, a group of umbrellas are controlled with a unified command, or through an automated system with temperature and water sensors. An automatic compressor could be provided to activate and deactivate the system, and it also could be activated within a closed circuit with a pressurized air storage chamber.

Abstract: An improved, durable and versatile umbrella frame assembly is provided to more readily endure abusive weather conditions and that may be quickly, easily and inexpensively repaired. In addition, the assembly is also easily modified to accommodate umbrella canopies of different sizes and shapes. In addition, an improved umbrella operating system is provided to permit simple opening, positioning, and locking of an umbrella while allowing the frame to freely rotate about the pole regardless of the degree to which it is opened, while the pole is held in a stationary position. The assembly includes a pair of hub members mounted about a pole member wherein the main hub member is slidable up and down the pole. A pulley system with a locking cam member may be employed to allow the umbrella to safely and easily open to any desired position. A locking stabilizer arm may be used to secure the main hub member in the fully open position.

Abstract: A sunshade includes a post including an upper tube and a lower tube, one of which is telescopically received in the other. One of the upper tube and the lower tube has a cord hole through which a lower end of a cord extends to outside of the post. A reel includes a handle having a shaft formed on an end thereof. The shaft is rotatably supported by the post yet allows relative telescopic movement between the upper tube and the lower tube. The shaft has a portion outside the post, with the lower end of the cord being attached to the portion of the shaft. The lower end of the cord is wound around the portion of the shaft when the cord is moved in a retracting direction.

Abstract: An openable and obliquely rotatable umbrella comprises a rod body having an upper shaft and a lower shaft; an upper cell set firmly secured to the upper shaft; a lower cell set installed to the upper shaft and the lower shaft; two pulleys installed on the upper shaft; a rotatable tilting means installed between the upper shaft and the lower shaft; a spring installed at a lower end of the interior of the lower shaft; a pull line having a lower end connected to the spring; and an upper end thereof winding through the lower pulley and then being connected to the lower cell set; and a control switch installed to a distal end of an umbrella rib; and a button controlling two pull lines. By the movement of the button of the control switch, the orientations of the umbrella in expanding and folding operation are adjustable.

Abstract: A side post umbrella includes a side post to which a side arm is mounted by an arm retainer that is a tubular member receiving an end of the side arm therein. A rib skeleton is hung on the side arm and supports a shade. A shade rotating device is provided for rotating the side arm and thus the shade, including a cylinder rotatably received in the arm retainer and fixed to the side arm to be rotatable in unison therewith. A drive bar is pivotally connected to the cylinder for manually rotating the cylinder. A latch bar having a latch pin is movable with respect to the cylinder between a latched position where the latch pin engages a securing plate to secure the side arm and thus the shade at a corresponding angular position and a released position where the latch pin disengages the securing plate to allow for free rotation of the side arm and the shade. A helical spring is arranged between the latch bar and the cylinder to bias the latch pin toward the latched position.

Abstract: An umbrella canopy orientating drive is applied to a large-sized umbrella. The umbrella has a central rod comprised of an upper section to which a canopy is attached and a lower section positionable on a fixed surface. The umbrella canopy orientating device includes a diverging portion having a skirt-like opening to receive the lower section of the central rod; a tube portion receiving the lower end of the upper section of the central rod; a pair of pin holes formed on the diverging portion; a pin hole formed through the upper end of the lower section; and a pin inserted through the pin holes of the diverging portion and the pin hole of the lower section to pivot the diverging portion and lower section, whereby the upper section and thus the canopy are allowed to rotate about the pivot pin with respect to the lower section between a neutral position and an inclined position to orientate the canopy in an inclined direction with respect to the lower section.

Abstract: A sunshade includes a post including an upper tube and a lower tube, one of which is telescopically received in the other. One of the upper tube and the lower tube has a cord hole through which a lower end of a cord extends to outside of the post. A reel includes a handle having a shaft formed on an end thereof. The shaft is rotatably supported by the post yet allows relative telescopic movement between the upper tube and the lower tube. The shaft has a portion outside the post, with the lower end of the cord being attached to the portion of the shaft. The lower end of the cord is wound around the portion of the shaft when the cord is moved in a retracting direction.

Abstract: A self-tilting connector mechanism of an umbrella is disclosed. The mechanism comprises a seat, a tilting head seat, a pulling shaft, a steel cable and a linking shaft. The seat and the tilting head seat are each provided with a pulley. Using a locking means to position the linking shaft between the tilting head seat and the pulling shaft, such that the pulling shaft is inserted into the through hole of the small tubular section of the seat, and a restoration spring is provided between the pulling shaft and the tubular section, and a steel cable is wound at the pulleys of the seat and the tilting head seat, and the steel cable is mounted to the handle rotating shaft of the main shaft of the umbrella, by rotating adjustment of the hand, the opening, tilting, reverse-tilting and closing of umbrella can be obtained.

Abstract: An umbrella includes a center rod having upper and lower sections. A canopy is attached to an upper end of the upper section. A lower end of the lower section is mounted to a base positionable on a fixed surface for supporting the central rod in an upright manner. A canopy orientating device is arranged between a lower end of the upper section and an upper end of the lower section. The canopy orientating device includes a skirt-like diverging opening formed in the lower end of the upper section and defined by opposite inclined side walls. The upper end of the lower section is received in the diverging opening.

Abstract: The invention discloses a large portable umbrella which relates to the technical field of large foldable umbrella.

Abstract: A hydraulic umbrella includes a housing assembly that has a perimeter wall for defining an interior space. A main shaft member has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is positionable within the interior space of the housing. The second portion is positioned external to the housing. A plurality of spoke members is pivotally coupled to a distal end of the second portion. A canopy portion is operationally coupled to the plurality of spokes. The plurality of spoke members provides support for the canopy portion. The plurality of spoke provides a mechanical interface between the main shaft member and the canopy portion. The canopy portion is moveable from the stored position to the deployed position when a distal end of the first portion of the main shaft member extends through the upper aperture.

Abstract: A lawn or patio umbrella with an integral lighting system that utilizes cold cathode ray tubes, light emitting diodes (LED's), or florescent lights, to provide relatively bright outdoor light for reading and other activities that require relatively high light intensities is provided. In one embodiment, a modular, electrically powered lawn or patio umbrella in which lighting systems, such as those utilizing cold cathode tubes, LED's, or florescent lights; cooling systems, such as those utilizing electric fans or misting systems; and motorized retraction systems; can be selectively interchanged is provided.

Abstract: Harmful effects of the sun are becoming more prominent than they have been in the past. Thus, appropriately shielding ourselves from the sun has become ever more important. Unfortunately, applying sunscreens to infants may not be preferable thus sunshade umbrellas have been developed that clamp onto a stroller and are user positionable to provide shade to the infant located thereunder. Unfortunately, as the stroller I moved with respect to the sun, the orientation of the umbrella must be varied in order to ensure the infant is in adequate shade. Not applicable to just stroller umbrellas, an automated position in system for an umbrella is thus disclosed. The automated positioning system orients the canopy of the umbrella in relation to the sun so that shade at a predetermine location is provided thereunder.

Abstract: A dual direction-swinging device for an umbrella, which comprises a hollow shaft, rib and an umbrella panel mounted onto the top of the rib, characterized in that the shaft is provided with a rolling device interlinked to the rib and the direction-swinging device having a seat, a swinging head and a triggering mechanism, the trigger device is within the seat and has two fixing plates having a first fixing hole and a second fixing hole, a worm gear having two ends mounted with a pivot shaft mounted the two fixing plate to the first fixing hole; a worm gear with a wheel shaft having a lathering face, the tangential face of the hole is corresponding to the lathering face for mounting, an umbrella shape gear is coupled to the lower section of the conic shape gear to receive the rotating force transmitted from the rolling device, the worm gear and the umbrella gear are coupled, and the umbrella gear and the gear section at the bottom end of the swinging head are coupled so that the umbrella panel can be adjusted t