Abstract:
A method for stabilizing a beach umbrella includes the steps of configuring a one or more bags, each having a reclosable top opening, and having attachment cords at the upper and lower ends of each bag, filling the bags with a medium such as sand or water, and suspending the bags from the umbrella by affixing each either to the pole or above the junctures of the canopy struts and the pole, or at the junctures of the longer and shorter canopy struts.

Description:
This method describes a means to stabilize an umbrella, typically of the type known as a “beach umbrella”, and of the type typically having a central shaft inserted into the sand at the beach. Such a beach umbrella is typically destabilized by the wind, which can cause it to shift to an unwanted position, or, in some cases, to be pulled out of the sand entirely, and be blown away, and/or interfere with other people or materials on the beach. 
     DESCRIPTION OF PREVIOUSLY AVAILABLE SYSTEMS 
     A traditional beach umbrella is shown in  FIG. 7 . This beach umbrella consists of a canopy  21  supported by struts  19 . A pole  15  is affixed to the struts. In operation, the end of the pole is simply inserted into the sand  16 . This type of beach umbrella is lightweight and easy to transport. But wind can easily dislodge this type of umbrella, irritating both the owner and nearby beachgoers. 
     Another traditional version of the beach umbrella is shown in  FIG. 6 . This version has a canopy and struts similar to the umbrella shown in  FIG. 7 , and further rests on a weighted base. Although this type of arrangement can be fairly stable, it is unwieldy and awkward to transport, and to carry onto the beach. 
     A number of other patents have issued to remedy this and similar situations. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 7,520,485 (Giannetto) for a “Multi-Mode Beach Umbrella Anchor”. This umbrella anchor has a spike at the end of the umbrella pole which is driven into the sand. Another design of this nature may be shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,007,703 (Brooks, III) for an “Umbrella with an integral anchoring structure”, as shown in  FIG. 8  (prior art), wherein the umbrella pole has an auger-shaped assembly  28  integrally formed at the bottom, which can be screwed into the sand. 
     The present design provides for a stable beach umbrella which is lightweight and easy to transport and install, overcoming the shortcomings of the previously used versions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE METHOD 
     The method described herein has the function of stabilizing a beach umbrella, preventing the disruption of the umbrella by the wind. 
     In accordance with a first aspect of the invention the method first requires the configuring of a bag having a top opening which can be repeatedly opened and closed, the bag having an upper attachment cord. 
     In accordance with a second aspect of the invention the bag is filled with a medium, such as sand or water. 
     In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, the bag is suspended from the umbrella by tying the upper attachment cord to the umbrella pole, or to the outer spokes of the umbrella. 
     In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention the bag further has a lower attachment cord which is tied to the umbrella pole. 
     In accordance with a fifth aspect of the invention the bag is waterproof. 
     In accordance with a sixth aspect of the invention the bag has a tab at its closed end, and also has reinforcement material at its open end, the lower attachment cord being attached to the tab at one end, and the upper attachment cord is slidingly affixed to the bag at its open end. 
     In accordance with a seventh aspect of the invention two or more bags are configured, wherein the bags each have a reclosable top opening, and a upper attachment cord affixed in proximity to the top opening. 
     In accordance with an eighth aspect of the invention, all of the bags are filled with a medium, and the bags then suspended from the umbrella by tying each of the upper attachment cords above the intersection of two umbrella struts. 
     In accordance with a ninth aspect of the invention the bags comprise an inner lining. 
     In accordance with a tenth aspect of the invention the linings are waterproof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       These, and other aspects of the method may be understood by referring to the drawings contained herein, in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a bag in accordance with a first embodiment of the present method. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a bag in accordance with a second embodiment of the present method. 
         FIG. 3  depicts an umbrella stabilized by two bags in accordance with a third embodiment of the present method. 
         FIG. 4  depicts an umbrella stabilized by a single bag in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present method. 
         FIG. 5  Depicts a bag for use with the present method viewed from the mouth end, with the mouth open. 
         FIG. 6  Depicts a typical prior art beach umbrella standing on a base. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a typical prior art beach umbrella with the pole inserted into the sand. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a prior art beach umbrella with an augur at lower end of the pole. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Summary of Reference Numbers 
     In the present application, the following reference numbers are used in connection with the elements of the drawings included herewith.
           1 . first side of a bag for use with the present method.     2 . Lower attachment cord of bag     3 . Closed end of the bag.     4 . Tab at the closed end of the bag with eyelet to hold lower attachment cord.     5 . Upper, open end of the bag     6 . closure fitting for upper attachment cord.     7 . Upper attachment cord of second embodiment of bag for use in present method.     11 . lower attachment cord for use with second bag embodiment.     12 . upper attachment cord for use with second bag embodiment.     13 . Upper, open end of the second bag embodiment.     14 . Lower, closed end of the second bag embodiment.     15 . Umbrella pole     16 . Sand into which umbrella pole is inserted     17 . bags suspended from umbrella struts     18 . upper attachment cord affixed to umbrella     19 . umbrella struts     20 . upper umbrella pole     21 . umbrella canopy     22 . side of first bag embodiment     23 . second side of first bag embodiment     24 . sleeve of umbrella base     25 . umbrella base     26 . reinforcement at upper, open end of bag     27 . struts or spokes affixed to pole     28 . Augur-shaped assembly       

     The Embodiments 
     The solution to the stability problems of previously used beach umbrellas is the use of an appropriately constructed bag which attaches to the existing beach umbrellas of the type shown in  FIG. 7 . The bag may be filled with water or sand, both available at the beach in copious quantities, and available on land as well. The bag or bags are first filled, and then affixed to the umbrella. Means are provided to seal the tops of the bags so that the contents will not be dislodged easily. 
     A first embodiment of this design is shown in  FIG. 4 . The bag  17  is affixed to the umbrella by an upper attachment cord above the junction  18  of struts  27  and the pole  15 . The bag is further affixed to the pole below the struts by means of the lower attachment cord  2 . This application provides for sufficient weight to stabilize the umbrella in lighter winds. In heavier winds a second bag may be affixed to the pole in the same manner as just described. 
     A second embodiment of this present design is shown in  FIG. 3 . In this embodiment the bags are affixed above the junction between the longer struts  19  and the shorter struts  27 . Although two bags are shown in  FIG. 3 , bags can be suspended as shown at any of the other junctions above the intersections of the short and long struts as desired. 
     Typical embodiments of the bags themselves are shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Referring now to the bag of  FIG. 1 , which is shown in perspective view in  FIG. 5 , the bag shown has a length L of 18 inches and a width of 6 inches. The body is formed from a first side  1  and a second side  23 , wherein the two sides are affixed at the sides  22 , typically by adhesive bonding or sewing. A reinforcement layer  26  is affixed to the open end  5  of the bag. The closed end  3  is similarly sealed by means which include adhesive bonding or sewing. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1  a lower attachment cord  2  is secured to the bag by means of an eyelet in a tab  4  which is securely bonded or sewn into the closed end  3  of the bag. When filled with sand to within an inch of the top, this bag weighed 5 pounds. 
     The alternative embodiment 2 provides for an eyelet directly affixed to the closed end  14  of the bag, wherein the closed end must be bonded or sealed off above the area of the eyelet, so that the material in the bag does not escape through the eyelet. 
     As further shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the upper tie cord  7  or  12  is slidingly affixed as a draw string to the upper end of the bag  5 ,  13 , above the reinforcement, to give the structure greater strength to counter the weight of the material within. 
     The embodiment of  FIG. 1  further contains a closure fitting  6 , well known in existing designs for crimping off such a draw string, which may be used to simplify the drawing up of the upper attachment cord to seal off the top end  5 ,  13  of the bag. This same upper attachment cord is also used to affix the bag to the umbrella itself. 
     An alternative embodiment uses mating hook-and-loop strips in proximity to the closed end of the bag, on either inside surface, to seal off the upper end of the bag after it has been filled with either sand or water. 
     The material of the bag may be any kind of robust fabric, or plastic. However, it should be a waterproof material if the bag is intended to be filled with water. An appropriate waterproof bag used in testing the method has a length of 19 inches and a width of 8¾ inches. This bag weighed about 10 pounds when filled near the top with water. 
     Tests have shown that the weight of the bag is not significantly different when filled with sand compared to water. The bags used weighed between 5 and 10 lb., when the dimensions varied between the limits described above, and when the bags were filled to within an inch or two from the top. 
     Although the embodiments describe the present method as being applicable to beach umbrellas, the method is clearly equally applicable to a wide variety of other umbrellas having a canopy supported by spokes or struts, and a central pole. 
     In fact, the present method may be used with other types of devices having a canopy and support struts or spokes on which the bags described herein can be easily attached. An example of such other devices includes awnings, such as those affixed to one side of a roof on a porch, extending over the porch on cantilever arms. 
     While certain embodiments and examples have been used to describe the present method, many variations are possible and are within the spirit and scope of the method. Such variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon inspection of the specification and claims herein. Other embodiments are within the following claims.