U.S. patent application number 10/942497 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-16 for umbrella base with wheels.
Invention is credited to Alfred J. Bilotti.
Application Number | 20060054206 10/942497 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36032584 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060054206 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bilotti; Alfred J. |
March 16, 2006 |
Umbrella base with wheels
Abstract
An umbrella base is provided for use with a patio umbrella. The
umbrella base has a base shell, a shaft coupled to the base shell
for receiving the pole of the patio umbrella, and at least one
wheel assembly coupled to the base shell.
Inventors: |
Bilotti; Alfred J.;
(Huntington Beach, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Raymond Sun
12420 Woodhall Way
Tustin
CA
92782
US
|
Family ID: |
36032584 |
Appl. No.: |
10/942497 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/16 ; 135/44;
248/129 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 12/2238 20130101;
A45B 11/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/016 ;
135/044; 248/129 |
International
Class: |
A45B 3/00 20060101
A45B003/00 |
Claims
1. An assembly, comprising: a patio umbrella having a pole; and an
umbrella base having: a base shell; a shaft coupled to the base
shell for receiving the pole; and at least one wheel assembly
coupled to the base shell.
2. The assembly of claim 1, further including at least one foot
coupled to the base shell, wherein the at least one foot has the
same height as the at least one wheel assembly.
3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein there are three feet and one
wheel assembly positioned in spaced apart manner about the base
shell.
4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one wheel assembly
includes: a bracket coupled to the base shell; and a wheel
rotatably secured to the bracket.
5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the base shell has a bottom
surface, and the at least one wheel assembly is coupled to the
bottom surface under the base shell.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to outdoor and patio
umbrellas, and in particular, to an umbrella base that is adapted
for use in supporting outdoor and patio umbrellas.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Outdoor patio umbrellas have become increasingly popular as
more and more people are beginning to conduct more outdoor
activities. For example, outdoor dinner parties and events are
becoming more common, and patio umbrellas have been useful in
providing shade to tables and chairs that have been placed outdoors
for these events.
[0005] In this regard, it is often necessary to move the patio
umbrellas from one location to another. In other words, mobility of
a patio umbrella has been important as this mobility enhances the
utility and value of a patio umbrella. Unfortunately, the patio
umbrella itself is very heavy, and the base on which the patio
umbrella is supported is usually even heavier than the patio
umbrella. It is difficult for a single person to move a patio
umbrella and its base, and the task often requires two or more
people.
[0006] Thus, there remains a need to provide a patio umbrella that
can be conveniently moved around.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a
patio umbrella that can be conveniently moved around.
[0008] To accomplish the above objectives, the present invention
provides an umbrella base for use with a patio umbrella. The
umbrella base has a base shell, a shaft coupled to the base shell
for receiving the pole of the patio umbrella, and at least one
wheel assembly coupled to the base shell. The wheel assembly can be
provided under the base shell to remain hidden and unobstrusive,
which also minimizes the tripping of a person over the wheel
assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an umbrella base according
to one embodiment of the present invention shown in use with a
conventional patio umbrella.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the umbrella base of FIG.
1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the umbrella base of FIG.
1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the wheel assembly of the
umbrella base of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a front plan view of the wheel assembly of the
umbrella base of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a side plan view of the umbrella base of FIG. 1
shown with the umbrella base being tilted upwardly for
transportation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] The following detailed description is of the best presently
contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description
is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the
purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the
invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the
appended claims.
[0016] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an umbrella base 10 according to one
embodiment of the present invention. The umbrella base 10 has a
generally circular base shell 12 having a cylindrical shaft 14
extending from about the center of the top surface 16 thereof. The
cylindrical shaft 14 has a cylindrical bore that is adapted to
receive the bottom portion of the pole 18 of a conventional patio
umbrella. A threaded bolt 22 extends through an opening (not shown)
in the shaft 14 so that the bolt 22 can be adjusted to press
against the pole 18, thereby securing the pole 18 inside the bore
of the shaft 14.
[0017] A plurality of feet 24 are provided in spaced-apart manner
around the bottom surface 26 of the base shell 12. A wheel assembly
28 is also provided on the bottom surface 26 of the base shell 12.
The wheel assembly 28 and the feet 24 are considered to be support
members, and are spaced apart from each other by around the same
radial distance so that the wheel assembly 28 and the feet 24 can
stably support the base shell 12 on the ground or other planar
surface. There is preferably a total of at least three support
members, at least one wheel assembly 28 and at least two feet 24,
or at least two wheel assemblies 28 and at least one foot 24. FIGS.
1-6 illustrate the provision of three feet 24 and one wheel
assembly 28 spaced apart so that the three feet 24 occupy the
twelve o'clock, three o'clock and six o'clock positions, with the
wheel assembly 28 occupying the nine o'clock position. The height
of each feet 24 and the wheel assembly 28 are the same so as to
provide the base shell 12 with a horizontal orientation.
[0018] The base shell 12 can be made from a metal material, such as
cast iron or aluminum, and is provided with a weight that is
sufficient to support a conventional patio umbrella 20. The
cylindrical shaft 14 can be made of cast iron, steel or molded
plastic in one piece and attached to the base shell 12 with a
washer and screw (not shown). The feet 24 can also be made (e.g.,
cast or molded) in one piece with the base shell 12, or made from
plastic.
[0019] Each wheel assembly 28 has two spaced-apart wheel units 30.
Two wheel units 30 are provided to facilitate a more stable rolling
motion for the umbrella base 10. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate one wheel
unit 30, the other wheel unit 30 being identical. Each wheel unit
30 has a housing 32 that is made of cast iron, steel or molded
plastic. A bracket 34 having a recess 36 is secured to the bottom
of the housing 32 by one or more threaded bolts 38. The bracket 34
has two opposing side walls 40, and a wheel 42 is secured for
rotation between the side walls 40 about a shaft 44 whose ends are
secured to the side walls 40 by caps 46. The wheel 42 can be made
of nylon or rubber. The two wheel units 30 shall be parallel and
are attached to the housing 32 with the wheel 42 facing
outwardly.
[0020] There are two ways to secure the housing 32 to the base
shell 12. For example, the housing 32 can be molded as part of the
base shell 12. Alternatively, the bracket 34 is securely fastened
to the base shell 12 by the threaded bolts 38.
[0021] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the umbrella base 10 being placed
stably on the ground supporting a patio umbrella 20. When it is
desired to move the umbrella base 10 and the patio umbrella 20
supported thereon, the user can grip the pole 18 of the patio
umbrella 20 and tilt the patio umbrella 20 towards the direction of
the wheel assembly 28. The wheels 42 of the wheel assembly 28 allow
the umbrella base 10 to be easily pivoted upwardly in the manner
shown in FIG. 6. The user can then push or pull the combined base
10 and umbrella 20 by using the wheels 42 to roll the combined base
10 and umbrella 20 on the ground. When the user reaches the desired
location for the patio umbrella 20, the user can tilt the umbrella
base 10 downwardly about the wheels 42 to reach the orientation
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 again.
[0022] Thus, the present invention provides an umbrella base 10
that has a simple wheel assembly that allows the umbrella base 10
to be tilted and then rolled from one location to another location.
In addition, the wheel assembly 28 and its wheels 42 are provided
underneath the base shell 12 so that the wheels 42 can be hidden
from view, and not pose any risk of tripping any person who happens
to walk by the wheel assembly 28.
[0023] While the description above refers to particular embodiments
of the present invention, it will be understood that many
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit
thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such
modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the
present invention.
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