POWERED SUN UMBRELLA

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention is in the technical field of umbrellas. More particularly the invention is in the field of sun umbrellas.

Relevant prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 9,526,306 which describes an umbrella assembly which automatically opens and closes. Depending upon the embodiment, the umbrella assembly can be fully automated or partially automated. The umbrella assembly is configured to be coupled to a variety of different types of structures as described below. In one embodiment, the umbrella assembly has an elongated housing, a plurality of elongated ribs configured to be at least partially housed within the housing, a canopy coupled to the elongated ribs, where the canopy is configured to be housed within the housing, a position control assembly configured to be at least partially housed within the housing, and at least one stop member coupled to the housing. The position control assembly includes a drive member configured to move the elongated ribs between a closed position in which the canopy is housed within the housing, and an open position in which the portions of the elongated ribs extend outside the housing. The position control assembly further includes at least one rib steering device coupled to each of the elongated ribs. The rib steering device is configured to control the angle of the elongated rib relative to the axis. The rib steering devices also stabilize the canopy to withstand an upward force of environmental elements. The stop member is configured to support the elongated ribs when the elongated ribs are in the open position and stabilize the canopy to withstand a downward force of environmental elements.

However, an umbrella which effectively modulates sunlight passing through is lacking in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Therefore, the present invention is a powered sun umbrella. In a first embodiment, the umbrella achieves customizable light transmission by having the umbrella have openings in the canopy and having it rotate over time. An alternative design that would not require rotation over time can instead be achieved by having two polarized canopies. The user can rotate the angles of one of the canopies as desired. When the polarization is perpendicular, there will be minimal light transmission. When it is parallel, there will be half light transmission.

According to an aspect of the present invention disclosed herein, there is provided an umbrella, comprising: a shaft; a first canopy; and a second canopy, wherein: the first canopy has alternating solid material and open sections; the second canopy has alternating solid material and open sections; the first canopy is attached to the shaft above the second canopy; and the first canopy and the second canopy are configured to rotate relative to each other around the shaft.

According to an another aspect of the present invention disclosed herein, there is provided an umbrella, comprising: a shaft; a first canopy; and a second canopy, wherein: the first canopy is made of a polarized translucent material; the second canopy is made of a polarized translucent material; the first canopy is attached to the shaft above the second canopy; and the first canopy and the second canopy are configured to rotate relative to each other around the shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exploded view of an umbrella with two overlapping canopies with missing sections.

FIG. 2A is an illustration of the operation of the umbrella of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is an illustration of a canopy of the umbrella of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an umbrella with polarized canopies.

FIG. 4A is an illustration of the operation of the umbrella of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4B is another illustration of the operation of the umbrella of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exploded view of an umbrella with two overlapping canopies with missing sections.

Shaft 30 is a pole that makes up the body of the umbrella. The pole, or shaft, can rises up from a handle. There can be provided inside the shaft tension springs that assist the umbrella in opening and closing. A center spring allows the shaft of the umbrella to become shorter or longer and acts as a propel in the opening motion of the umbrella. Not all umbrellas are telescopic, therefore not all umbrellas will have a center spring. A runner that slides up and down the tube or shaft of the umbrella when it is opened and closed can also be provided along with a stretcher that stretches out the canopies when the umbrella is in its open position running from the runner and connects to the canopy can also be provided, but some embodiments will always be in open position.

First canopy 10 and second canopy 20 are connected to shaft 30. First canopy 10 is on top. Second canopy 20 is below. Both first canopy 10 and second canopy 20 have sections made from solid materials, e.g., fabrics or plastics. Cotton is frequently used; it must be closely woven and may or may not have a plastic finish to increase its protective qualities. Teflon, a light-weight, quick-drying, coating is common. In addition to the sections with solid materials, first canopy 10 and second canopy 20 have sections which are missing, i.e., open air.

FIG. 2A is an illustration of the operation of the umbrella of FIG. 1.

First canopy 10 and second canopy 20 can rotate in one direction or in either direction. An electric motor can be provided to actuate the rotation of the umbrella, or a hand crank can be used to generate energy like a wind-up toy, with a few spins of the hand crank allowing the umbrella to rotate for an extended period of time.

FIG. 2B is an illustration of a canopy of the umbrella of FIG. 1.

One or more of the canopies can be provided with blinds to open or close the sections having solid materials. In some embodiments additional canopies can be provided arranged similarly with open sections.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an umbrella with polarized canopies.

Canopy 100 is a polarized translucent material, an optical filter that lets light waves of a specific polarization pass through while blocking light waves of other polarizations.

The polarized canopies do not require the umbrella to rotate in order to distribute sunlight evenly.

FIG. 4A is an illustration of the operation of the umbrella of FIG. 3.

The user can adjust the angle of the canopies relative to each other to adjust sun allowance. Parallel polarization of the canopies will allow half of the sun rays to pass through.

FIG. 4B is another illustration of the operation of the umbrella of FIG. 3.

In FIG. 4B, perpendicular polarization of the canopies will block the sun completely.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed.

Figures are also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.