U.S. patent application number 10/898596 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-27 for electric umbrella stand.
Invention is credited to Wu, Weidan.
Application Number | 20050016571 10/898596 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34069999 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050016571 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wu, Weidan |
January 27, 2005 |
Electric umbrella stand
Abstract
An electrical stand poling umbrella comprises a stand pole, a
sliding seat, a suspending arm, a pulling arm, a frame and a drive
mechanism. The frame includes a fixed joint mounted at a top of a
central rod, a movable joint mounted at a bottom of the central
rod, and multiple upper ribs and lower ribs. The drive mechanism
includes an electromotor, a rope axle linked to the electromotor by
a gear assembly, and a rope having a first end fastened on the rope
axle. The drive mechanism is installed in the movable joint. The
rope has a second end extending in turn through the frame, the
suspending arm, and the pulley and is fastened on the stand pole.
The electromotor is electrically connected with a power supply by a
wire. The drive mechanism will not be dampened in rainy days. The
stand pole has an enough strength for long usage life. In addition,
the electromotor has a lower output power and is highly efficient.
A hand crank is provided on the stand pole for manual
operation.
Inventors: |
Wu, Weidan; (Ningbo,
CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LUMEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SERVICES, INC.
2345 YALE STREET, 2ND FLOOR
PALO ALTO
CA
94306
US
|
Family ID: |
34069999 |
Appl. No.: |
10/898596 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/20.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45B 2023/0037 20130101;
A45B 17/00 20130101; A45B 25/165 20130101; A45B 23/00 20130101;
A45B 2023/0012 20130101; A45B 2023/0043 20130101; A45B 2200/1027
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/020.1 |
International
Class: |
A45B 011/00; A45B
017/00; A45B 023/00; A45B 025/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 24, 2003 |
CN |
03255951.8 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electric umbrella stand comprising: a stand pole; a pulley in
the stand pole; a sliding seat movably mounted outside the stand
pole; a suspending arm; a pulling arm; a frame with a drive
mechanism, the frame having a fixed joint mounted at a top of a
central rod; a movable joint mounted at a bottom of the central
rod; at least one upper rib; and at least one lower rib; where the
suspending arm has two ends, the ends respectively and pivotally
connected to the sliding seat and the fixed joint, where the
suspending arm has a middle portion that is pivotally mounted on a
first end of the pulling arm, where a second end of the pulling arm
is pivotally mounted on a top of the stand pole, where the at least
one upper rib has a first upper rib end pivotally mounted on the
fixed joint, where the at least one lower rib has a first lower rib
end pivotally mounted on the movable joint, where the at least one
lower rib has a second lower rib end pivotally mounted on the
coupler of the at least one upper rib and suspending arm, where the
drive mechanism has an electromotor, where a rope axle is coupled
to the electromotor by a gear assembly, where a first end of a rope
is fastened on the rope axle, where the drive mechanism is
installed onto the movable joint, where a second end of the rope
passes through: the frame, the suspending arm, and the pulley,
where the second end of the rope is fastened to the stand pole, and
where the electromotor is electrically connected to a power supply
via a wire.
2. The umbrella stand of claim 1, further comprising a crank, the
crank being installed on the stand pole, where the second end of
the rope is fastened on the crank.
3. The umbrella stand of claim 1, further comprising: an upper
stationary pulley; a lower stationary pulley; and a central
stationary pulley; where the upper and lower pulleys are mounted at
upper and lower ends of the suspending arm respectively, where the
central pulley is mounted at the top of the central rod, and where
the rope is wound on the upper, lower, and central pulleys.
4. The umbrella stand of claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein the power
supply is a battery installed in a base under the stand pole.
5. The umbrella stand of claim 4, wherein the battery is a
rechargeable battery.
6. The umbrella stand of claim 4, wherein the battery is a solar
battery.
7. The umbrella stand of claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising a
remote controller and a signal receiver to actuate the
electromotor.
8. The umbrella stand of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the electric wire
passes through in turn and hidden within the pipe of the thick rib,
partial sector of suspending arm, pulling arm via a fixed seat on
the top place of the stand pole, finally along the stand pole
downwardly running to and connected with the electric adapter.
9. The umbrella stand of claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the
electric motor is dual-direction rotatable motor.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(a) for Chinese Patent Application No. 02222676.1, filed
Jul. 23, 2003, titled "An Electrical Stand Umbrella."
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a umbrella stand, and more
particularly to an electric umbrella stand.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Leisure sites such as plazas, beaches, or lawns are
generally installed with umbrella stands to provide sunshade
places. A conventional umbrella stand with a suspending arm is
widely used because it has a high umbrella, a large space under the
umbrella, and a good sunshade effect. This conventional stand
umbrella has a crank mounted on a stand pole. By turning the crank
to tighten or loosen a rope, the umbrella can be opened or closed.
However, the umbrella is so big that it is very difficult and
inconvenient to operate the crank.
[0004] There are two patents, U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,258 and U.S. Pat.
No. 5,960,806, that disclose umbrella stands. These patents have no
provisions such that an electric motor is placed onto the suspended
frame of the umbrella for avoiding the damage by weather.
[0005] However, because the electromotor may be installed on the
stand pole outside the umbrella, so it may become damp/wet and
damaged on rainy days. Moreover, as an important support element, a
strength of the stand pole will be lowered if a hole is defined in
the stand pole for installing the electromotor and accordingly the
umbrella has a short term of using life. Furthermore, considered
according to the mechanical principle, the stand pole is the
component that needs a maximum force to draw the rope, so an
electromotor has to output a large power. In addition, because the
crank is eliminated, a user can not open or close the umbrella in
case of a failure of power supply or the electromotor.
[0006] Therefore, an electric umbrella stand that solves the
aforementioned problems is needed.
SUMMARY
[0007] The main objective of the present invention is to provide an
electric umbrella stand, which is reliably operated, and has a long
term of using life and a lower power.
[0008] Another objective of the present invention is to provided an
electric umbrella stand which can be manually operated without
power supply.
[0009] According to an aspect of the invention, an electric
umbrella stand including a stand pole, a pulley within the stand
pole, a sliding seat movably mounted over the stand pole, a
suspending arm, a pulling arm, a frame and a drive mechanism; said
frame having a fixed joint mounted at a top of a central rod, a
movable joint mounted at a bottom of said central rod, and multiple
upper ribs and lower ribs, said suspending arm having two ends
respectively and pivotally connected to said sliding seat and said
fixed joint, and a middle portion pivotally mounted on an end of
said pulling end, the other end of said pulling end pivotally
mounted on a top of said stand pole; said upper ribs each having an
end pivotally mounted on said fixed joint, said lower ribs each
having a first end pivotally mounted on said movable joint, and a
second end pivotally mounted on the respective upper rib and
suspending arm; said drive mechanism having an electromotor, a rope
axle linked to said electromotor by a gear assembly, and a rope
having a first end fastened on said rope axle; characterized in
that said drive mechanism is installed in said movable joint, said
rope has a second end extending in turn passing through the tubing
body of said frame, said suspending arm, and said pulley and
fastened on said stand pole, and said electromotor is electrically
connected with a power supply by a wire. The electric wire is in
turn passing through and hidden within the pipe of the thick rib,
partial sector of suspecting arm, pulling arm, via a fixed seat on
the top place of said stand pole, finally along said stand pole
downwardly running to the electric adapter.
[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, said crank is
installed on said stand pole, and the second end of said rope is
fastened on said crank.
[0011] According to a further aspect of the invention, an upper
crown block and a lower crown block are respectively mounted at the
two ends of said suspending arm, a central crown block is mounted
at the top of said central rod, and said rope is wound on said
crown blocks.
[0012] According to another further aspect of the invention, said
power supply is a battery installed in a base under said stand
pole.
[0013] According to another further aspect of the invention, said
battery is a chargeable battery or a solar battery.
[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, the umbrella
further comprising a remote controller and a signal receiver to
actuate said electromotor.
[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the
following advantages. Because the drive mechanism is under the
umbrella, it will not be dampened, wetted in rainy days and can be
reliably operated. Secondly, the pole without cutting has enough
strength and has a long term of using life. Furthermore, the
movable joint is the position to draw the rope with a minimum
force, so the electromotor has a low output power and a high
efficient. By using the battery, the umbrella can be used in a
situation without power supply. It is advantageous to environment
protection by using the solar battery. By using the remote
controller, it is very easy and convenient for a user to close/open
the umbrella.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an electric umbrella stand
according to the present invention in an open state;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a partially schematic view of a frame of the
umbrella spread with a cloth;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary and enlarged sectional view of a
drive mechanism of the umbrella according to the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the electric umbrella stand
assembled with a solar battery;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a partially schematic view of the frame in the
open state; and
[0021] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the umbrella in a closed
state.
DESCRIPTION
[0022] In this patent, the umbrella stand has a pulley, a stand
pole, an inclined pulling rod, a frame, an inclined supporting rod,
a sleeve, and a rope. An electromotor is installed on the stand
pole. A first gear is mounted on an output axle of the
electromotor, and a second gear engaged with the first gear is
mounted on a rope axle. The rope has a first end connected to the
rope axle, and a second end extending through the pulley, the
inclined pulling rod and inclined support rod to connect with the
frame.
[0023] When the electromotor is actuated to drive the gears, the
rope axle is turned to wind the rope, and the frame is drawn to
open/close the umbrella. Thus, the problem of the crank is
obviated.
[0024] With reference to FIG. 1, an electric umbrella stand
according to the present invention comprises a stand pole (4), a
pulley (9), a sliding seat (8), a suspending arm (16), a pulling
arm (13), a frame and a drive mechanism.
[0025] The frame has a fixed joint (18) on a top of a central rod
(20), a movable joint (24) on a bottom of the central rod (20), a
plurality of upper ribs (21) and lower ribs (22).
[0026] The stand pole (4) is a hollow bar, of which a lower end is
inserted and fastened in a tube (2) by a screw (6). The tube (2) is
installed on a base (1) to prevent the umbrella from upsetting. A
fixed seat (10) is mounted on a top of the stand pole (4), and the
pulley (9) is provided inside an upper portion of the stand pole
(4). The sliding seat (8) is slidably mounted outside a middle
portion of the stand pole (4). The suspending arm (16) has a first
end pivotally mounted on the slidable seat (8) and a second end
pivotally mounted on the fixed joint (18) by pivot pins (not
shown). A movable block (14) is provided on a middle portion of the
suspending arm (16), and the pulling arm (13) has a first end
pivotally mounted on the fixed seat (10) and a second end pivotally
mounted on the movable block (14) by pivot pins (not shown).
[0027] Each of upper ribs (21) has a first end pivotally mounted on
the fixed joint (18); and each of the lower ribs (22) has a first
end pivotally mounted on the movable joint (24). Multiple couplers
(15) are respectively provided on the upper ribs (21) and the
suspecting arm (16) between the movable block (14) and the fixed
joint (18). By the couplers (15), the lower ribs (22) has a second
end pivotally mounted on the upper ribs (21) and the suspending arm
(16). In this embodiment, connected between the movable joint (25)
and the suspending arm (16) is a thick rib (26) with an outer
diameter larger than an outer diameter of the lower ribs (22) to
reinforce the strength of the umbrella.
[0028] With reference to FIG. 2, a cloth (28) is then spread over
the frame and the movable block (14) is exposed from the cloth
(28). With reference to FIG. 1, the cloth (28) is clipped by a clip
(12) on the suspending arm (16), so the umbrella can provided a
sunshade effect.
[0029] With reference to FIG. 3, the drive mechanism includes an
electromotor (29), and a rope axle (34) connected to the motor (29)
by a gear assembly. The gear assembly has a first driving gear (30)
mounted on an output axle of the electromotor (29), a first driven
gear (31) engaged with the first drive gear (30), a second driving
gear (32) coaxial with the first driven gear (31), and second
driven gear (33) engaged with the second driving gear (32) and
mounted on the rope axle (34). A rope (23) has a first end
extending through an aperture of the rope axle (34) and tied a knot
for being fixed on the rope axle (34), and a second end in turn
extending to/through the central rod (20) via the suspending arm
(16), and the pulley (9) and fixed on upper position of the stand
pole (4).
[0030] A wire (27) connected to the electromotor (29) in turn
extends through the thick rib (26), the suspending arm (16), and
the pulling arm (13), and is electrically connected to a first end
of control switch (7) with two modes--forward and backward. The
control switch (7) has a second end electrically connected with a
power supply by an electric adapter (5). The power supply's voltage
can be 220V or 110V, or be transformed into 12V, 24V or 36V by the
electric adapter (5). Of course, a rechargeable battery or a solar
battery can be used as the source of power supply. As shown in FIG.
4, the battery (35) is installed in the base (1). When the battery
(35) is the solar battery, a photoelectric plate (36) is laterally
installed at the top of the stand pole (4) for receiving solar
energy. At the same time, the control switch (7) can be replaced
with a remote controller and a signal receiver to facilitate
operating the umbrella.
[0031] For preventing the rope (23) from wearing, an stationary
pulley (17) and stationary pulley (11) are respectively mounted at
two ends of the suspecting arm (16), and a stationary pulley (19)
is mounted on the top of the central rod (20). The rope (23) is
wound on the stationary pulley (19, 17, 11). A crank (3) is mounted
on the stand pole (4) and the second end of the rope (23) is
connected to the crank (3) for manually operating the umbrella in
case the electric operation is not allowed.
[0032] In use, the control switch (7) is powered on to actuate the
electromotor (29), the first drive gear (30) drive the first driven
gear (31), the second drive gear (32) and the second driven gear
(33) to rotate. Thus, the rope axle (34) is turned to reel in the
rope (23) thereon. The movable joint (24) is pulled upwards by the
rope (23), and the lower ribs (22) and the thick rib (26) are
expanded to unfold the suspending arm (16) and upper ribs (21), as
illustrated in FIG. 5. Because the rope (23) is shortened, the
sliding seat (8) is raised to the peak position to completely
unfold the frame of the umbrella as well as the cloth (28).
[0033] When the control switch (7) is operated in a backward mode,
the electromotor (29) is actuated inversely, so the rope (23) is
loosened and the frame will be automatically folded under the
gravity of weight as shown in FIG. 6.
[0034] The electric wire (27) is passing through in turn and hidden
within the pipe of the thick rib (26), partial sector of suspecting
arm (16), pulling arm (13), then via a fixed seat (10) on the top
place of said stand pole (4), finally along said stand pole (4)
downwardly running to the electric adapter (5).
* * * * *