U.S. patent application number 17/371266 was filed with the patent office on 2022-01-13 for assembly for an umbrella and an umbrella comprising the assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is ShelterLogic Corp.. Invention is credited to Christian M. Otis.
Application Number | 20220007802 17/371266 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005763216 |
Filed Date | 2022-01-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220007802 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Otis; Christian M. |
January 13, 2022 |
ASSEMBLY FOR AN UMBRELLA AND AN UMBRELLA COMPRISING THE
ASSEMBLY
Abstract
An assembly for an umbrella, wherein the umbrella comprises (i)
a first pole and a canopy coupleable to the first pole and (ii) a
second pole to which the assembly is coupleable, wherein the
assembly includes a collar securable about the second pole; an arm
coupled to the collar, wherein the arm is rotatable relative to the
collar between at least a closed position and an open position; at
least one tab depending from the arm; at least a first opening
associated with the collar; wherein in the closed position the at
least one tab is positioned in the at least first opening and
wherein in the open position the at least one tab is not positioned
in the at least first opening. The invention is also directed to an
umbrella including the aforementioned assembly.
Inventors: |
Otis; Christian M.; (New
Haven, CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ShelterLogic Corp. |
Watertown |
CT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005763216 |
Appl. No.: |
17/371266 |
Filed: |
July 9, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
63050680 |
Jul 10, 2020 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45B 2023/0012 20130101;
A45B 23/00 20130101; A45B 19/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45B 19/04 20060101
A45B019/04; A45B 23/00 20060101 A45B023/00 |
Claims
1. An assembly for an umbrella, wherein the umbrella comprises (i)
a first pole and a canopy coupleable to the first pole and (ii) a
second pole to which the assembly is coupleable, wherein the
assembly comprises: a collar securable about the second pole; an
arm coupled to the collar, wherein the arm is rotatable relative to
the collar between at least a closed position and an open position;
at least one tab depending from the arm; at least a first opening
associated with the collar; wherein in the closed position the at
least one tab is positioned in the at least first opening and
wherein in the open position the at least one tab is not positioned
in the at least first opening.
2. The assembly claimed in claim 1, wherein: when the arm is in the
open position, the first pole is telescopically couplable to the
second pole; and when the arm is in the closed position, rotation
of the arm in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise
direction about the longitudinal axis of the second pole
facilitates the insertion of the second pole into a surface in
which the second pole is to be inserted.
3. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, comprising: at least a
second tab depending from the arm; and at least a second opening
associated with the collar; wherein when the arm is rotated
relative to the collar from the open position to the closed
position, the at least second tab is positionable in the at least
second opening.
4. The assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least first
opening is formed between two spaced apart flanges extending from
the collar.
5. The assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least second
opening is the opening formed by the collar itself.
6. The assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least first
opening is the opening formed by the collar itself.
7. The assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least second
opening is formed between two spaced apart flanges extending from
the collar.
8. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arm is hingedly
coupled to the collar.
9. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arm comprises a
first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the arm is
hingedly coupled to the collar and wherein the assembly further
comprises a handle coupled to the second end of the arm.
10. The assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the handle is
spinnable on the second end of the arm.
11. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, comprising: a collar member
coupled to the collar, and a second collar coupled to the collar
member, wherein the collar member is positioned intermediate the
collar and the second collar, wherein the collar member is
spinnable relative to the first-mentioned collar and the second
collar to facilitate rotation of the arm in at least one of a
clockwise and counterclockwise direction about the longitudinal
axis of the second pole.
12. An umbrella comprising: a first pole and a canopy coupled to
the first pole; a second pole; and an assembly secured to the
second pole, wherein the assembly comprises: a collar secured about
the second pole; an arm coupled to the collar, wherein the arm is
rotatable relative to the collar between at least a closed position
and an open position; at least one tab depending from the arm; at
least a first opening associated with the collar; wherein in the
closed position the at least one tab is positioned in the at least
first opening and wherein in the open position the at least one tab
is not positioned in the at least first opening.
13. The umbrella as claimed in claim 12, wherein: when the arm is
in the open position, the first pole is telescopically couplable to
the second pole; and when the arm is in the closed position,
rotation of the arm in at least one of a clockwise and
counterclockwise direction about the longitudinal axis of the
second pole facilitates the insertion of the second pole into a
surface in which the second pole is to be inserted.
14. The umbrella as claimed in claim 12, comprising: at least a
second tab depending from the arm; and at least a second opening
associated with the collar; wherein when the arm is rotated
relative to the collar from the open position to the closed
position, the at least second tab is positionable in the at least
second opening.
15. The umbrella as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least first
opening is formed between two spaced apart flanges extending from
the collar.
16. The umbrella as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least first
opening is the opening formed by the collar itself.
17. The umbrella as claimed in claim 12, wherein the arm comprises
a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the arm is
hingedly coupled to the collar and wherein the assembly further
comprises a handle coupled to the second end of the arm.
18. The umbrella as claimed in claim 12, comprising: a collar
member coupled to the collar, and a second collar coupled to the
collar member, wherein the collar member is positioned intermediate
the collar and the second collar, wherein the collar member is
spinnable relative to the first-mentioned collar and the second
collar to facilitate rotation of the arm in at least one of a
clockwise and counterclockwise direction about the longitudinal
axis of the second pole.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly for
facilitating the inserting and/or removing an umbrella into and
from the sand, and in particular, to an improved design and
construction of an assembly therefor and to an umbrella comprising
the improved assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the umbrella is a
beach umbrella.
[0002] Sand augers/sand anchors are known in the art. One such
example is described in U.S. Design Pat. No. D630,834, with an
exemplary image shown as FIG. 10 herein.
[0003] In the above prior art example, handles are provided to
assist in inserting and/or removing the sand auger in and from the
sand, respectively. After the sand auger is inserted into the sand,
an umbrella with a post (not shown) is inserted into the post with
the sand auger/anchor for providing shade to the user as is well
understood in the art.
[0004] However, it has been discovered that improvements to such
umbrella constructions are desired, especially to facilitate the
insertion and removal of the sand auger/sand anchor (and ultimately
the umbrella) into/from the sand. For example, it is known that
driving a sand anchor/auger into the sand gets more difficult the
deeper that it advances, which can be attributed to at least two
(2) factors, e.g. (i) the friction of sand created by the
increasing surface area against the sand anchor/auger and (ii) sand
pressure increases the deeper the sand anchor/auger advances.
[0005] Thus, it is desirable, and it has been found to be
achievable, to improve such umbrella constructions to facilitate at
least the insertion of the sand anchor/sand auger into the sand by
incorporating a new and improved assembly and construction as
disclosed herein.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an objective of the present invention to overcome the
deficiencies in the prior art.
[0007] For example, it is an objective of the present invention to
provide an assembly for an umbrella, such as a beach umbrella, that
provides for increased ease of insertion and removal of the sand
anchor/sand auger into/from the sand.
[0008] It is a further objective of the present invention to
provide an umbrella that includes an assembly that provides for
increased ease of insertion and removal of the sand anchor/sand
auger into/from the sand.
[0009] Reference to sand anchor and sand auger may be used
interchangeably and are intended to mean the same structure as
disclosed herein.
[0010] The present invention achieves the aforementioned objectives
as well as others as disclosed herein and is thus generally
directed to preferred embodiments as disclosed herein.
[0011] For example, in a first preferred embodiment, the present
invention is directed to an assembly for an umbrella, wherein the
umbrella comprises (i) a first pole and a canopy coupleable to the
first pole and (ii) a second pole to which the assembly is
coupleable, wherein the assembly comprises a collar securable about
the second pole; an arm coupled to the collar, wherein the arm is
rotatable relative to the collar between at least a closed position
and an open position; at least one tab depending from the arm; at
least a first opening associated with the collar; wherein in the
closed position the at least one tab is positioned in the at least
first opening and wherein in the open position the at least one tab
is not positioned in the at least first opening.
[0012] In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is
directed to an umbrella comprising a first pole and a canopy
coupled to the first pole; a second pole; and an assembly secured
to the second pole, wherein the assembly comprises a collar secured
about the second pole; an arm coupled to the collar, wherein the
arm is rotatable relative to the collar between at least a closed
position and an open position; at least one tab depending from the
arm; at least a first opening associated with the collar; wherein
in the closed position the at least one tab is positioned in the at
least first opening and wherein in the open position the at least
one tab is not positioned in the at least first opening.
[0013] In a specific preferred embedment, the umbrella is a beach
umbrella.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The above set forth and other features of the present
invention are made more apparent in the ensuing Description of the
Preferred Embodiments when read in conjunction with the attached
drawings, wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly for facilitating
the inserting and/or removing of an anchor auger into and from the
sand, shown in a closed position, constructed in accordance with
preferred embodiments of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1,
shown in an open position, also constructed in accordance with
preferred embodiments of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1 shown
in the open position, and without one of the collars coupled
thereto and constructed in accordance with preferred embodiments of
the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 3;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembly shown in FIGS.
1-4, in the closed position;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the arm of the assembly
shown in FIGS. 1-5, constructed in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIGS. 1-5,
shown in an open position, and mounted to a pole with an anchor
auger at one end of the pole;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an umbrella comprising the
assembly of FIGS. 1-5;
[0023] FIG. 8A is a close up of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 8,
highlighting the arm of the assembly in the open position;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIGS. 1-5,
shown in an closed position, and mounted to a pole; and
[0025] FIG. 10 is a view of an anchor auger for a beach umbrella as
described in the prior art.
[0026] Not all features in every figure has a reference number but
like reference numbers refer to like parts in the figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Reference is now made to the Figures and following text for
a disclosure of the construction of an improved assembly for
facilitating the inserting and/or removing of a sand anchor/sand
auger into and from the ground, and in particular, to an improved
design and construction of the assembly therefor and to an umbrella
comprising the improved assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the
umbrella is a beach umbrella and the ground would therefore be
sand.
[0028] Generally speaking, the present invention is directed to an
assembly for use with an umbrella (i.e. a beach umbrella
preferably), and an umbrella (e.g. a beach umbrella) including the
preferred assembly therefor. As known in the art, beach umbrellas
may comprise two (2) poles or posts (the terms "pole" and "post"
are used interchangeably herein and intended to refer to the same
structure(s) as indicated herein), one coupled to the sand
anchor/auger and a second post/pole connected to the canopy of the
umbrella and telescopically coupled thereto (e.g. either the first
pole/post is removably insertable into the opening of the second
pole/post or the second post/pole is removably insertable into the
opening of the first pole/post).
[0029] In a preferred embodiment and generally speaking, the
present invention is directed to an assembly for facilitating the
driving of the bottom pole/post (i.e. with the sand anchor/auger)
into the ground (e.g. sand).
[0030] Reference is thus first made to FIGS. 1-7 that shows an
assembly, generally indicated at 10, constructed in accordance with
one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention. As
should be understood, assembly 10 is preferably provided as part of
a larger assembly, namely an umbrella, generally indicated at 100
and shown in FIG. 8, where the umbrella preferably comprises (i) a
first pole 110 and a canopy 120 coupleable to the first pole 110
and (ii) a second 130 pole to which the assembly 10 is coupleable.
Second pole 130 preferably comprises a sand anchor 140 (or sand
auger 140, used interchangeably and meaning the same thing as the
sand anchor) at a distal end 130B of second pole 130. In this way,
insertion/removal of the second pole 130 into/from the ground
surface (e.g. sand) is achieved by inserting/removing the sand
anchor/auger 140 into/from the ground surface.
[0031] In accordance with preferred embodiments of the present
invention, assembly 10 preferably comprises at least a first collar
20 securable about/on the second pole 130 (e.g. FIGS. 7, 8, 8A, 9).
Assembly 10 also preferably comprises a second collar member 22
that mates with/on an inner neck/ring 29 on collar 20 so as to
allow collar member 22 to spin freely relative to collar 20 and
pole 130. Assembly 10 preferably also comprises a third collar 23.
Collars 20 and 23 are preferably and respectively securely or
coupled to pole 130 by rivet(s), screw(s), bolt(s), press-fitting,
friction-fitting, and/or otherwise. Collar 23 can mate with/on an
inner neck/ring (not shown) on collar member 22 or collar member 22
can mate with/on an inner neck/ring (not shown) on collar member
23, since either way the objective is achieved, namely, to allow
collar member 22 to spin freely relative to collar 20, collar 23,
and pole 130.
[0032] Constructed in this way, collar member 22 is positioned
intermediate the collar 20 and the second collar 23, wherein the
collar member 22 is spinnable relative to the first-mentioned
collar 20 and the second collar 23 to facilitate rotation of the
arm 30 in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise
direction about the longitudinal axis of the second pole. As should
now be understood, having collar member 22 able to freely spin
about pole 130 and relative to collars 20, 23 permits and
facilitates a user to grab/hold collar member 22 while the user
would rotate handle 30 as disclosed below.
[0033] Assembly 10 also comprises an arm, generally indicated at
30. As should be understood from the figures, arm 30 is rotatable
relative to the collar 20 between at least a closed position (i.e.
FIGS. 1, 5) and an open position (FIGS. 2, 3, 4). As should thus be
understood, arm 30 can rotate roughly 270 degrees from its closed
position to its open position and from its open position to its
closed position. Preferably, the first end 30A of arm 30 has
openings 31A, 31B (see FIG. 3) dimensioned to receive a pin, joint,
bolt, screw or the like (see reference number 29, FIG. 1), which is
also inserted through aligned openings in flanges 21A, 21B on
collar 20 (see FIG. 2). This provides for the hinged coupling of
the arm 30 to the collar 20. Preferably, flanges 21A, 21B are
integrally formed/molded on collar 20.
[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the second end 30B of the arm 30
is configured to receive a handle 40. Preferably, the handle 40 is
spinnable (i.e. as shown by arrows A, B of FIG. 5) on the second
end 30B of the assembly 10, which facilitates the rotation of the
arm as disclosed below.
[0035] Arm 30 preferably has at least one tab 32 depending from the
arm 30. Correspondingly, collar 20 has at least one opening 24
associated with the collar 20. Preferably, the opening is formed
between two spaced apart flanges 25A, 25B extending from the collar
20. In such a configuration, when the arm 30 is in the closed
position, the at least one tab 32 is positioned in the at least
first opening 24. It should thus be understood that when the arm 30
is in its open position, the at least one tab 32 is not positioned
in the at least first opening 24. Preferably, flanges 25A, 25B are
integrally formed/molded on collar 20.
[0036] In a particularly advantageous preferred embodiment, the arm
30 includes at least at least a second tab 34 depending from the
arm 30. And, as illustrated in the figures, collar 20 has at least
a second opening 26 (e.g. FIG. 3) formed by the collar itself. In
this way, when the arm 30 is rotated relative to the collar 20 from
the open position to the closed position, the at least second tab
34 is aligned with and positionable in the at least second opening
26 associated with (and formed by) the collar 20. Preferably, tabs
32 and 34 are integrally formed/molded on arm 30.
[0037] It should be understood that reference to the tabs disclosed
above being "first" or "second" is not intended to imply a
particular "primary" or "secondary" tab, nor are the references to
the openings intended to imply a preferred "primary" or "secondary"
opening. That is, it should be understood that the providing of
either tab 32, 34 (but preferably both) improves the construction,
functionality of the present invention, and reduces the stresses
upon the hinge joint located at the first end 30A of the arm and
the flanges 21A, 21B of collar 20.
[0038] Reference is now made to FIGS. 8, 8A, which illustrate the
umbrella 100 constructed in accordance with preferred embodiments
of the present invention. For example, FIGS. 8, 8A illustrate that
when the arm 30 is in the open position, the first pole 110 is
telescopically couplable to the second pole 130. Preferably first
pole 110 is insertable into second pole 130 so as not to interfere
with assembly 10 mounted onto the outer surface of second pole
130.
[0039] Reference is also now made to FIG. 9, which identifies the
longitudinal axis (i.e. in the direction of the line P) of the
second pole 130. With this axis as a reference, it can be seen and
understood that when the arm 30 is in the closed position, rotation
of the arm in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise
direction (see arrows CW, CCW) about the longitudinal axis of the
second pole 130 facilitates the insertion or removal of the second
pole 130 (e.g. the sand anchor 140/auger 140) into a surface (e.g.
sand) in which the second pole 130 is inserted.
[0040] As can now also be seen, the present invention is also
directed to an umbrella 100 that comprises the assembly 10. That
is, the present invention is also directed to an umbrella
comprising a first pole and a canopy coupled to the first pole; a
second pole; and an assembly secured to the second pole, wherein
the assembly comprises a collar secured about the second pole; an
arm coupled to the collar, wherein the arm is rotatable relative to
the collar between at least a closed position and an open position;
at least one tab depending from the arm; at least a first opening
associated with the collar; wherein in the closed position the at
least one tab is positioned in the at least first opening and
wherein in the open position the at least one tab is not positioned
in the at least first opening.
[0041] As should now be appreciated, the benefits of the present
invention over the prior art examples are numerous, including but
not limited to providing an improved assembly for inserting and
removing an umbrella (e.g. the sand anchor/sand auger) into and
from the sand, as well as an umbrella that comprises the assembly
disclosed herein. At the very least, the improved assembly 10
facilitates the insertion of the pole (e.g. preferably with a sand
anchor/sand auger at the end thereof) into the sand.
[0042] It should also be understood that changes and modifications
are achievable while still remaining within the scope of the
present invention. For example, the shape, curvature and/or length
of arm 30 is dictated by both design, aesthetics and leverage
considerations. The arm 30 can also be pinned against the collar 20
and/or post 130 when the arm is in its open position and/or not in
use. Again, the arm 30 includes at least one, and preferably at
least two tabs configured to engage and be received in respective
openings on, in and/or associated with collar 20. The handle is
also preferably free-spinning to assist in rotation of the arm when
driving (or removing) the second pole 130 (e.g. sand anchor/auger
140) into (or from) the ground (e.g. sand). To be clear, when the
arm 30 is needed to "rotate" to drive post 130 into the sand, the
arm 30 is rotated roughly 270 degrees into the closed position
(e.g. from its FIG. 2 to its FIG. 1 positions) where the at least
one (but preferably two) tabs 32, 34 engage with the respective
openings 24, 26 in, on, and/or associated with the collar 20. The
user can hold the free-spinning handle 40 and begin to rotate the
bottom post 130 into the ground, as the free-spinning handle 40 is
designed to allow the user to rotate the post 130 more easily into
the ground. As disclosed above, collar member 22 is also preferably
free-spinning relative to collars 20, 23 to facilitate the rotation
of the arm 30 while supporting post 130 as it is inserted into
and/or removed from the ground.
[0043] Beneficially, the engagement between the tabs 32, 34 and the
corresponding openings 24, 26 provide increased strength and
transfers much of the stress away from the pin/joint (i.e. where
the arm 30 is coupled to the collar 20 by an (e.g.) pin 29). In
essence, the tabs 32, 34 bookend the collar 20 (and the umbrella
post 130) along the longitudinal axis of the arm 30. Once the
bottom post 130 is at the desired position in the sand, the arm 30
can be rotated the roughly 270 degrees back into its open position
of e.g. FIGS. 2, 8 and the first post 110 with the canopy 120 can
be inserted into the post 130 with the arm 30 of assembly 10 still
attached on the collar 20 but out of the way.
[0044] Preferably, the parts of the assembly 10, e.g. the collars
20, 22 and the arm 30, are preferably made of plastic, while the
poles 110, 130, are preferably made of metal, the sand anchor/auger
140 is preferably made of plastic, and the canopy 120 is preferably
made of conventional fabric.
[0045] As thus should now be understood by those skilled in the
art, the present invention overcomes all of the aforementioned
deficiencies while also providing the advantages mentioned herein
as well as those advantages that should be understood by those
skilled in the art.
[0046] Other advantages and objectives are deemed to be apparent
from the disclosure herein. It should also be appreciated that the
present invention can be implemented and utilized in numerous ways.
While the present invention has been described with respect to
preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily
appreciate that various changes and/or modifications can be made to
the invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention.
* * * * *