Auger-anchored beach umbrella

Abstract

An auger-anchored beach umbrella has a canopy member for supporting the canopy and a pole member for anchoring the umbrella in the ground. The canopy member has a lower tubular element within which is formed an axial lumen. The pole member has an upper element which slides snugly into the axial lumen of the canopy member. The pole member has a motor element, within which is enclosed a reversible electric motor. Coupled to the motor's shaft is an auger. The motor is electrically connected to one or more batteries and to a switch. The user inserts the pole member into the ground by activating the switch in the forward direction, thereby causing the auger to bore into the ground. In the preferred embodiment, the user grasps a handle attached to the upper element to guide the pole member into the ground and to exert a supplemental downward force on it. After the auger is firmly anchored in the ground, the canopy member is mounted on the pole member by sliding the axial lumen over the upper element of the pole member. When the beach umbrella is removed from the ground, the canopy member is removed from the pole member. The user activates the switch in the reverse direction, thereby causing the auger to disengage from the ground. In the preferred embodiment, the user grasps the handle to guide the pole member out of the ground and to exert a supplemental upward force on it.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] Beach umbrellas are used to create an area shaded from the sunlight beneath the umbrella canopy. They are particularly useful for bathers at a beach or swimming pool, where there is generally a lack of trees or roofed structures to provide shade. Because a bather's skin is largely exposed, there is a greater need to provide protection from harmful ultraviolet rays, which may cause sunburn or melanomas. The shade and shelter provided by a beach umbrella is also useful in protecting a bather's valuables and shielding perishable items from direct sunlight. [0002] The principal problem with beach umbrellas has been finding a means of securely anchoring them in the ground. Lack of secure anchoring places a limit on the size of the umbrella canopy that can practically be utilized, since larger canopies are heavier and more vulnerable to gusts of wind. Lack of secure anchoring also makes it impractical to utilize mechanisms for tilting the umbrella canopy...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] The present invention is directed to a device that satisfies the need for a beach umbrella having a motor-driven anchoring device. The spreadable canopy is typical in design for umbrella canopies as they are presently known in the art. Due to the improved anchoring afforded by the present invention, however, a canopy larger than those typically found on beach umbrellas may be utilized. The improved anchoring of the present invention also enables the use of a jointed canopy member by which the canopy may be tilted in the direction of the sun so as to maximize the area of shade cast by the canopy.

[0010] In an alternate embodiment, the auger is detachable from the motor shaft so that it may be replaced if damaged. This feature also enables the use of one or more alternate augers designed for different ground conditions.

Problems solved by technology

The principal problem with beach umbrellas has been finding a means of securely anchoring them in the ground.

Lack of secure anchoring places a limit on the size of the umbrella canopy that can practically be utilized, since larger canopies are heavier and more vulnerable to gusts of wind.

Lack of secure anchoring also makes it impractical to utilize mechanisms for tilting the umbrella canopy in the direction of the sun so as to maximize the shaded area.

However, each of these references suffers from the disadvantage of depending on the physical strength of the person inserting or burying the umbrella pole in the ground.

Frail individuals and children may lack the requisite physical strength to effectively utilize these anchoring devices.

Even a robust individual may have difficulty when the ground is hard.

Moreover, manual insertion or burial is laborious and time-consuming, and it often does not achieve the depth of ground penetration needed to securely anchor the umbrella.

Images