Foldable Umbrella Base with Retained Shape
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional umbrella bases with ballast materials are cumbersome for transport, storage, and shipping due to their weight and size, making them expensive and difficult to move to different locations.
Innovation Solution
A foldable umbrella base with rigid components and lightweight materials that can retain shape when ballast is inserted, allowing for easy transport, storage, and packaging, while maintaining structural integrity to support an adult's weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional umbrella bases with ballast materials are used, then the umbrella can be kept upright, but the base becomes heavy and difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The umbrella base is divided into separate components: a collapsible container structure and ballast material. The container can be folded into a compact form for transport, while the ballast material is loaded separately and poured into the container at the destination, resolving the contradiction between stability and transportability.
Solution Approach 2:
The base structure transitions from a static rigid form to a dynamic collapsible form. The container includes foldable walls and a removable lid, allowing it to be compressed into a small package for shipping and then expanded at the use location to provide the necessary stability.
2Reliability
If traditional umbrella bases with ballast materials are used, then the umbrella can be kept upright, but the base occupies large storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The base system is segmented into a collapsible container and separate ballast material. When stored, only the compacted container is needed, occupying minimal space. The ballast material can be stored separately or purchased at the destination, dramatically reducing the volume required for storage and shipping.
Solution Approach 2:
The container walls are designed to nest within each other when collapsed, similar to a nested doll structure. The lid can be placed inside the folded container, creating a compact package that minimizes storage volume while maintaining the ability to form a stable base when assembled.
3Ease of operation
If foldable container is used for umbrella base, then transport and storage become easier, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The container structure uses different material properties in different locations: rigid materials for the walls and lid to maintain structural integrity, and flexible or foldable joints for the collapsing mechanism. This local differentiation allows the base to be both easy to transport and strong enough to support the umbrella when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is constructed using composite materials that combine rigidity for structural support with foldability for compact storage. The assembly includes rigid walls, a rigid lid, and flexible connecting elements that allow collapsing while maintaining strength when assembled, resolving the contradiction between transport ease and structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable umbrella base may include a cross-piece having a ground engaging portion and an upright receptacle configured to receive an umbrella pole. The foldable umbrella base may also include a foldable container comprising a ballast retaining space configured to receive and retain a ballast material. The foldable umbrella base may also include a foldable cover configured to be disposed over the foldable container to enclose the foldable container and cross-piece while permitting the umbrella pole to extend therethrough. A first plurality of retainers may be coupled to a side surface of the foldable container may be configured to receive and hold a corresponding first plurality of rigid members such that the first plurality of retainers can provide structural support to the foldable container, whereby the foldable container can retain a shape upon receiving the ballast.