Umbrella base

Abstract

An umbrella base is comprised of a body portion having a billboard surface for advertising a company, organization, products, service or the like. The billboard surface can be provided on a separate removable billboard plate placed on the top of the body portion, which allows the advertising message to be easily changed. In its preferred construction, the body portion has at least one ballast cavity, and preferably multiple ballast cavities, and is constructed in separable parts to permit a selected ballast to be added to the ballast cavities in order to add a desired ballast weight to the umbrella base. The umbrella base can also be provided with casters, including locking casters, so that the umbrella base and its advertising message can be easily moved across a surface from one location to the another.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60 / 533,737, filed Dec. 29, 2003.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention generally relates to the use of umbrellas, and in particular, to umbrella bases used to hold umbrellas in an upright position. [0003] Outdoor and patio umbrellas (collectively referred to as patio umbrellas) are widely used in personal, recreational and commercial settings. Typical commercial purchasers of patio umbrellas include hotels, resorts, restaurants, cafes, pubs and coffee houses. Because of their widespread use and the visual exposure they provide to users and passers-by, patio umbrella's have been popular as a media for corporate advertising. As more people spend time outside and become more educated about the harmful effect of the sun's direct rays, the demand for patio umbrella's is likely to increase along with the opportunity for providing advertising centered around t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016] In still another aspect of the invention, the lower portion of the housing assembly is provided with casters to allow the base to be readily moved from one location to another, and with position locking mechanisms for locking the base in a set position when it is not being moved. In one embodiment, at least one of the casters, and suitably two or more casters, has a locking mechanism that is activated by the user. When the base is ready to be moved, the user mechanically unlocks each caster that has a locking mechanism and rolls the base to a new location. After the base is moved the user activates the wheel locks again to prevent any further rolling movement. In the preferred embodiment, the casters are wheel casters and the locking mechanisms eng

Problems solved by technology

Heretofore, such advertising has been limited to imprinting or otherwise incorporating company names, product names, logos and the like directly on the umbrella's fabric covering, where the advertising is within normal sight lines of persons situated at a distance from the umbrella, however, where the advertising cannot be easily viewed by persons close in, such as persons seated under the umbrella.

Weight is an important issue for patio umbrella bases.

Too much weight is undesirable because the base would be excessively heavy and difficult to move.

The added weight may also lead to increased shipping costs.

Insufficient weight would make the umbrella susceptible to being toppled by wind or other forces.

Such weight is adequate to support some patio umbrellas in some environments, however, it may be inadequate depending on weather conditions and the umbrella size.

Also, metal bases are susceptible to corrosion which results not only in the deterioration of its outer appearance, but also creates a problem when rust particles stain the surrounding support surfaces such as wood or concrete.

Protective coa

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