Patio Umbrella Holder With Expanding Ferrule Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing umbrella holder designs face challenges in balancing portability, stability, and ease of use, particularly in diverse outdoor settings, with limitations in adaptability, cumbersome assembly, and location dependency.
Innovation Solution
An umbrella holding device comprising a grip nut, base, and ferrule, with a funnel-shaped base interior and flexible ferrule, that securely anchors umbrellas in patio holes, featuring a locking mechanism and drainage channel, and adaptable to different sizes and ground conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional heavy stands or bases are used to secure umbrellas, then stability is improved, but portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The umbrella holder is divided into two main segments: a lightweight removable holder body and a stationary base with a hole. The holder contains the ferrule and grip mechanism, while the base provides anchoring. This segmentation allows the holder to be portable yet stable when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The ferrule acts as an intermediary component between the umbrella shaft and the holder body. It is a flexible sleeve that inserts over the umbrella shaft and expands within the holder to create a secure connection, transferring stability from the holder structure to the umbrella without requiring heavy materials.
2Ease of operation
If clamp-on designs are used to attach to existing fixtures, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The holder base is designed with a universal interface - a simple hole that can be installed in various surfaces (decks, patios, tables, railings). The holder body can be inserted into this hole and adapted to different umbrella sizes through the adjustable ferrule, making it versatile for multiple locations and applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The ferrule is designed as a flexible, expandable component rather than a rigid fixed structure. It can dynamically adjust its diameter to fit different umbrella shaft sizes and expand within the holder body to secure various umbrella types, providing adaptability across different configurations.
3Weight of moving object
If anchors or stakes driven into ground are used, then portability is improved, but stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The holder base acts as a counterweight anchor point. Instead of driving stakes into the ground, the base with its hole provides a counterbalancing foundation that the holder body connects to. This creates stability through the anchored base structure rather than through ground penetration, maintaining portability while achieving stability.
4Stability of the object's composition
If heavy materials like metal or concrete are used for stands, then stability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The holder employs composite construction - the base can be made from lightweight materials (plastic, aluminum, or wood) rather than heavy metal or concrete. The structural stability is achieved through the design geometry and the ferrule expansion mechanism rather than material density, making manufacturing easier and more versatile.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder design changes the stability parameter from material-dependent (heavy materials) to geometry-dependent (ferrule expansion ratio, holder body shape, base anchoring). This allows stability to be achieved through design parameters rather than material selection, simplifying manufacture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides secure, portable, and convenient umbrella anchoring with enhanced stability and ease of use across various outdoor environments, including patios, decks, and beaches, while preventing loosening and debris entry.
Implementation Method 1
The ferrule can be composed of a flexible material that expands outward when inward pressure is exerted by the funnel-shaped base interior
Implementation Method 2
The funnel-shaped base interior can be lined with a friction-enhancing material to increase the grip on the ferrule
Data Source
AI summary
An umbrella holding device designed for secure placement in a hole on a patio, porch, or pool deck. The device comprises a grip nut, a base, and a ferrule. The grip nut features a grip exterior and interior, with the interior partially threaded. The base has a grip portion and a patio extension, with the patio extension designed to fit into the patio hole and the grip portion configured to engage with the grip nut thread. The base interior is substantially funnel-shaped. The ferrule, which can be inserted into the grip hollow, has a top and at least one tang. When the threaded exterior portion engages the grip nut thread, the ferrule is pushed into the base interior, and the funnel-shaped base interior exerts inward pressure on the ferrule.