Beach Umbrella Base with Detachable Projections and Ballast
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beach umbrella support stands are not user-friendly, require projections to be driven into the ground, are clumsy to carry, and are only suitable for low winds.
Innovation Solution
An umbrella base comprising an elongated element with receiving means for the umbrella pole, transversal members, and a flexible member that can be ballasted to stabilize the base, allowing it to keep an umbrella upright even in moderate to high winds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If projections are driven into the ground to provide support, then the support stand can resist wind forces, but the device becomes difficult to operate and requires manual ground penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the ground-penetration function from the support structure by separating the anchoring mechanism (projections) from the base body. The projections are made detachable and can be stored within the base when not in use, eliminating the need for permanent ground attachment while maintaining stability when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The base is pre-designed with integrated storage cavities and recesses that hold the projections in a ready-to-deploy position. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for complex assembly during setup - users simply attach the pre-positioned projections to the base and drive them into the ground together as a unit.
2Reliability
If projections are integrated into the base for support, then the structure provides stability, but the device becomes clumsy and difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into modular components: the base body and the detachable projections. This segmentation allows the projections to be separated from the base for compact storage during transport, while being quickly reattached when stability is needed at the destination.
Solution Approach 2:
The projections are designed to nest within recesses or cavities in the base structure when not in use. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall volume during transport while maintaining structural integrity, making the device compact and easy to carry without sacrificing stability when deployed.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple base structure is used, then the device is easy to manufacture and transport, but it cannot provide sufficient support in moderate to high winds
Solution Approach 1:
The base structure incorporates adjustable elements such as movable weights, extendable projections, or adjustable feet that can be configured based on wind conditions. This dynamic adaptability allows a relatively simple base structure to provide enhanced stability when needed without requiring a completely complex design from the outset.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
An umbrella base for keeping an umbrella upright, comprising: an elongated element comprising a first end and a second end; wherein, during use, the elongated element is arranged substantially vertical; wherein the first end comprises receiving means for receiving a pole of the umbrella for holding the umbrella upright; wherein the second end comprises: a first transversal through hole through the elongated element; and a second transversal through hole through the elongated element substantially rotated over 90 degrees relative to the first transversal through hole; a first transversal member arrangeable through the first through hole; a second transversal member arrangeable through the second through hole; and a flexible member comprising an opening for, during use, having the elongated element arranged in the opening, and the flexible member on both transversal members both transversally extending from the respective transversal through holes in both directions for receiving ballast on the flexible member for stabilizing and/or fixating the umbrella base.