Rotation base for umbrella

An umbrella assembly includes a rotation base. The rotation base can include a foot pedal for alternately enabling rotation and locking rotation of the umbrella assembly relative to the base. The actuator assembly can include a pin held in place by a clip for locking and enabling the rotation.

CROSS REFERENCE

BACKGROUND

Field

This disclosure generally relates to umbrellas and particularly to large outdoor umbrellas.

Related Art

Large outdoor umbrellas can include a canopy assembly supported by an upright pole. The canopy assembly can include a canopy supported by a plurality of ribs and struts. The canopy can be used in outdoor spaces to provide protection from the sun, rain, and other environmental elements. Large outdoor umbrellas can be of a center pole or cantilevered type. Both umbrella types can include various features to facilitate positioning of the canopy (e.g., opening, closing, and/or tilting).

SUMMARY

In one aspect, an umbrella base, includes a first support coupled to a fixed base or ground support. The first support includes a plurality of enclosed apertures extending from a first opening on a top surface of the first support to a second opening on a bottom surface of the first support. A second support rotatably couples to the first support. An actuator pivotably couples to the second support. The actuator includes a foot pedal disposed at a first end and pin disposed at a second end of the actuator opposite the foot pedal. The pin has a free end disposed away from the second end of the actuator and a fixed end coupled to the second end of the actuator. A spring is between the foot pedal and the first support. The spring biases the pin into any one of the plurality of enclosed apertures. Depression of the foot pedal retracts the pin from any one of the plurality of enclosed apertures.

In another aspect, the actuator has a removable clip coupled to the second end of the actuator. The removable clip includes a slot receive the fixed end of the pin.

In another aspect, the second support has a slot that surrounds the pin in at least a locked configuration.

In another aspect, first support has an open aperture formed in an outer periphery between two adjacent enclosed apertures. The open aperture receives the pin.

In another aspect, the pin has a narrowed region adjacent to the free end.

In another aspect, the pin has a tapered surface in a middle section of the pin.

In another aspect, the enclosed apertures comprise a tapered surface extending from the first opening toward the second opening, the tapered surface of the enclosed apertures engage the tapered surface in the middle section of the pin.

In another aspect, the fixed end of the pin has a notch.

In another aspect, the second end of the actuator has a correspondingly shaped slot to receive the notch of the fixed end of the pin.

In another aspect, the second end of the actuator has a removable clip hat includes the notch-shaped slot.

In another aspect, the actuator has a ring shaped body disposed between the first end and the second end thereof. The clip is secured to an inner periphery of the ring shaped body.

In another aspect, the clip has a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a gap disposed therebetween, the gap receive a span of the ring shaped body.

In another aspect, the gap faces radially outwardly and the clip encloses a radially inward side of the span of the ring shaped body.

In another aspect, the actuator has a ring shaped body disposed between the first end and the second end thereof.

In another aspect, includes an umbrella pole mount, wherein the ring-shaped body surrounds the umbrella pole mount.

In another aspect, the pin is coupled to a span of the ring-shaped body opposite the foot pedal.

In another aspect, a clip coupled to the pin. The clip has a gap to receive a span of the ring shaped body.

In another aspect, the clip is positioned between the span of the ring shaped body and the umbrella pole mount such that clip is retained on the second end of the actuator.

In one aspect, the umbrella base, includes a first support coupled to a fixed base or ground support. The first support includes a plurality of apertures extending from an opening on a surface of the first support. A second support rotatably coupled to the first support. An actuator pivotably coupled to the second support. The actuator includes a controller disposed at a first end. A pin assembly disposed at a second end of the actuator opposite the controller. The pin assembly includes a pin having a free end disposed away from the second end of the actuator and a fixed end secured to the second end of the actuator by a clip. The controller is retract the pin from any one of the plurality of apertures. The pin is insertable into any one of the plurality of apertures.

In another aspect, the clip has a slot. The slot receives a notch on the fixed end of the pin.

In another aspect, the clip is secured to an inner periphery of the actuator between the inner periphery and the umbrella pole mount such that the clip is retained on the second end of the actuator.

In another aspect, the pin extends through a slot in the second support and into any one of the plurality of apertures of the first support to prevent the umbrella base from rotating.

In another aspect, the slot is oriented in a direction transverse to the rotational axis of the second support.

In another aspect, the slot in the second support has a length and a width. The length being greater than a diameter of the pin such that the pin can move along the slot along an arc as the second end of the actuator pivots with respect to the second support.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be limiting. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the systems, devices, and methods and/or other subject matter described in this application will become apparent in the teachings set forth below. The summary is provided to introduce a selection of some of the concepts of this disclosure. The summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of any subject matter described herein

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various features and advantages of the systems, devices, and methods of the technology described herein will become more fully apparent from the following description of the examples illustrated in the figures. These examples are intended to illustrate the principles of this disclosure, and this disclosure should not be limited to merely the illustrated examples. The features of the illustrated examples can be modified, combined, removed, and/or substituted as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the principles disclosed herein.

Umbrella Assembly

FIG.1illustrates an umbrella assembly100. The umbrella assembly100can be a cantilever type umbrella assembly. The umbrella assembly100can include a canopy assembly110. The canopy assembly110can include a plurality of struts112and/or ribs114. The struts and ribs112,114can support a canopy (not shown). The canopy can be a fabric or other suitable structure for providing shade or shelter thereunder. In an open configuration, the canopy assembly110can provide shade and protection from environmental elements. The canopy assembly110can be coupled to an upright pole116. The canopy assembly110can be coupled to the upright pole116by a transverse member, such as a boom115. The upright pole116can include an upper end116aand a lower end116b. The canopy assembly110can be coupled to the upright pole116, e.g., by the boom115or directly in a configuration in which the pole116directly supports the canopy assembly110from directly below. The lower end116bof the upright pole116can be coupled to a base assembly120.

The base assembly120can include a mount126. The mount126is configured to support an umbrella stem or an umbrella pole. The mount126can couple to the lower end116b. The lower end116bcan include a hollow portion for receiving the mount126. The mount126can be a tubular cylinder. The mount126can include a flange on a lower end for assembly with the base assembly120(e.g., by one or more mechanical fasteners).

The base assembly120can include one or more support members122. The support members122can project outwardly from a center of the base assembly120. The supports members122can project radially outwardly from the center of the base assembly120(e.g., hub and spoke). The support members122can enhance the stability of the umbrella assembly100. In one embodiment, the support members122support a housing that can enclose structural components of the base assembly120, e.g., a plate configured to be bolted to a ground surface.

It can be desirable to change the orientation of the canopy assembly110(e.g., to accommodate movement of one or more user or the sun). However, cantilever type umbrellas, like the umbrella assembly100, can be difficult to maneuver because of the configuration of the boom115, the weight to be moved and other considerations. One solution to this problem is to rotate the canopy assembly110, the boom115, and the upright pole116about a vertical axis that extends vertically through the base assembly120. Various rotation mechanisms exist; however, these rotation mechanisms can be cumbersome to operate, difficult to repair, and/or expensive to manufacture. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved base assembly120to facilitate rotation of the canopy assembly110.

Actuator Assembly

The base assembly120can include an actuator assembly140. The actuator assembly140can be operable by a user to enable and disable rotation of the upright pole116relative to the base assembly120.

FIG.2further illustrates the actuator assembly140. The actuator assembly140can include a base support144. The base support144can include a lower flange145. The lower flange145can include a plurality of apertures therein (e.g., around an outer periphery thereof) for receiving a respective plurality of bolts191. The bolts191can couple to the support members122(not shown) through one or more frame members (not shown) of the base assembly120to support the actuator assembly140relative to a ground surface. The base support144can securely couple the actuator assembly140with the base assembly120(e.g., by the bolts191and/or other mechanical fasteners).

The base support144can couple to a lower support148of the actuator assembly140. The lower support148can include or can be a planar flange. The lower support148can be rigidly coupled to the base support144. The lower support148can be integrally formed with the base support144.

The lower support148can support an upper support152of the actuator assembly. The upper support152can be rotatable relative to the lower support148. The upper support152can be rotatable about a central axis153of the base assembly120. The upright pole116can rotate about the central axis153.

The upper support152can be coupled to the mount126. The upper support152can be rigidly coupled to the mount126. The mount126can rotate with the upper support152relative to the lower support148and/or the base support144. The mount126can be coupled to the upper support152by one or more mechanical fasteners (not shown), by welding or by other joining method that is appropriate for the load conditions that are present.

The upper support152can couple to an actuator156. The actuator156can be pivotably about a pivot172relative to the upper support152. The actuator156can include a foot pedal160. The actuator156can include a lock end176. The foot pedal160and the lock end176can be on opposite ends of the actuator156. The pivot172can be between the lock end176and the foot pedal160. The pivot172can comprise one or more pivot members (e.g., pins, rods or other axle or member configured for efficient rotation).

The actuator assembly140can include a spring178. The spring178can engage the upper support152on a lower end of the spring and the actuator156on an upper end of the spring. The upper end of the spring178can engage with the foot pedal160. The foot pedal160can be biased away from the upper support152by the spring178(e.g., upwardly). The lock end176can be biased into engagement with the upper support152by the spring178(e.g., downwardly).

The lock end176can include or can be coupled with an assembly that includes a pin164. The lock end176can be directly connected to the pin164. The pin164can be or can include an elongate member. The pin164can include a head or fixed end164band free end164a. The free end164acan extend from the lock end176. The free end164acan extend downwardly from the lock end176toward the lower support148. The free end164acan extend through the upper support152and into the lower support148. The pin164can couple upper support152to the lower support148. The pin164can function to lock the position of the upper support152with respect to the lower support148(e.g., to prevent or to limit rotation). The position of the pin164can be adjusted by the actuator156.

In some examples, the pin164is separate from the actuator156and is attached thereto by a coupling device. For example, the actuator assembly140can include a clip168. The clip168can mechanically couple to the lock end176of the actuator156. The clip168can be removable from the lock end176. The pin164can couple to the clip168. The clip168can couple the pin164with the actuator156at the lock end176.

With reference toFIG.3, the actuator assembly140can include an inner support146. The inner support146can rigidly couple to the upper support152. The inner support146can be coupled to the upper support152by one or more mechanical fasteners147. The inner support146can include a groove146afor supporting a plurality of bearings180. The bearings180can engage with a groove148bof the lower support148. The lower support148can be slidingly engaged with respect to the inner support146by the plurality of bearings180.

The lower support148can include a groove148a. The groove148acan support a plurality of bearings182. The plurality of bearings182can support the upper support152. The upper support152can include a lower surface or groove152a. The groove152aengage with the bearings182. The upper support52can be rotatable relative to the lower support148through the plurality of bearings180,182. The plurality of bearings180and the plurality of bearings182can be held in place by the assembly of the inner support146with the upper support152and the lower support148therebetween.

The pin164can include the free end164a. The free end164acan be received within an aperture188of the lower support148. The aperture188can extend from an upper surface to a lower surface of the lower support148(e.g., through a thickness of the lower support148). The aperture188can be one of a plurality of apertures188, as shown inFIG.13. The aperture188can be sized to receive the free end164aof the pin164. The aperture188can include a tapered surface or opening189.

The pin164can include the fixed end164b. The fixed end or head164bcan be coupled with the clip168. The clip168can include a slot168a. The slot168acan be sized to receive the fixed end164bof the pin164. The head or fixed end164bof the pin164can be mechanically engaged within the slot168a. The fixed end164bcan be mechanically engaged within the slot168asuch that a movement of the pin164in at least one direction relative to the clip168is prevented. For example, the pin164can slide out of the slot168abut is generally blocked by having one or more overlapping surfaces that overlap with overlapping surfaces of the clip168. The overlapping surfaces can extend in a direction transverse to the axis153. The overlapping surfaces can generally prevent movement of the pin164relative to the clip168in a direction parallel to or along the axis153but can allow motion transverse to the axis153when the clip168and the pin164are not assembled to the actuator156.

The pin can include a body164c. The body164ccan be between the free end164aand the fixed end164b. The body164ccan be coupled within the upper support152. The upper support152can include an aperture186. The aperture186can extend from an upper surface to a lower surface of the upper support152(e.g., through a thickness of the upper support152). The free end164aof the pin164can be located beneath the lower surface of the upper support152, e.g., by extending all the way through the aperture186. Engagement of the free end164awithin the aperture188and engagement of the fixed end164bwith the actuator156and/or the engagement of the body164cwith the aperture186can fix the rotation of the upper support152relative to the lower support148.

The actuator assembly140can have a locked configuration and a rotation configuration. In the locked configuration, the pin164engages with the lower support148to fix the upper support152(and mount126) with the lower support148(and base support144). The actuator assembly140can be biased into the locked configuration by the spring178acting on the actuator156. The spring178can apply a force on the foot pedal160. The force can engage the pin164on the lock end176into the aperture188shown inFIG.3or any one of the apertures shown inFIG.13.

FIGS.4and5show the actuator assembly140in a rotation configuration. In the rotation configuration, the foot pedal160is in a depressed position or configuration compared to the position of the foot pedal160in the locked configuration. In a depressed configuration, the spring178can be at least partially compressed. The depressed configuration for the foot pedal160can move the lock end176of the actuator156into a raised position or configuration. In the raised configuration, the lock end176can lift the free end164afrom the aperture188and/or the body164cat least partially from the aperture186. The removal of the pin164from engagement with the lower support148can enable rotation of the upper support152relative to the lower support148. The rotation can be facilitated by the plurality of bearings180and/or the plurality of bearings182.

FIGS.6-7show further detail of the actuator assembly140, including the actuator156, the clip168and the pin164. The actuator156can include the foot pedal160. The foot pedal160can include a planar flange. The foot pedal160can include one or more grip enhancing elements (e.g., a rubber member, raised protrusions or the like) to assist the user in engaging the foot pedal160.

The actuator156can include an actuator body194. The actuator body194can be generally ring-shaped. The actuator body194can include a central aperture195(seeFIG.8). The central aperture195can be sized to receive or pass over the mount126. The central aperture195can be surrounded by a radially inner periphery. The actuator body194can be angled relative to the foot pedal160. The foot pedal160can be at an upward incline to the actuator body194such that a foot will engage the top surface of the pedal160at a position above a plane of the actuator body194which will be generally transverse to the axis153, e.g., horizontal in some examples.

The actuator body194can include one or more flanges192,193. The flanges192,193can be on opposite sides of the mount126. The flanges192,193can be oriented transverse to a plane of the body194, e.g., can be bent portions of the body194. The flanges192,193can each include an aperture aligned along a pivot axis190. The pivot axis190can be aligned with the pivot172(shown inFIG.2). The foot pedal160and the lock end176can be offset from the pivot axis190.

The lock end176can include the clip168. The clip168can be removably coupled to the actuator body196at the lock end176of the actuator156. The clip168can include the slot168a. The actuator body196at the lock end176can include a cut-out177. The cut-out177can align the clip168with the lock end176. The cut-out177can prevent movement of the clip168relative to the lock end176in one or more directions, e.g., generally transverse or tangential to the actuator body196.

FIG.8shows a bottom perspective view of the actuator156. The foot pedal160and/or the body194can include an extension199. The extension199can be a narrow flange portion of the material of the actuator156. The extension199can couple to the upper end of the spring178. The extension199can be received within the upper end of the spring178.

The actuator156can be formed from a single material, e.g., a single monolithic expanse of material. The single material can be a steel, aluminum, or other metallic sheet. The actuator156can be formed in part by a stamping process. The foot pedal160, flanges192,193, the body194, extension199and/or the aperture195can be formed in part by a bending process. The foot pedal160, flanges192,193, the body194, extension199and/or the aperture195by bent regions or cut-out portions of a single sheet of material.

FIG.9shows an elevation view of the pin164. The pin164can include a longitudinal axis214. The pin164can include the fixed end164b. The fixed end164bcan include a notch202. The notch202can include or can be partly defined by an upper flange206. The upper flange206can extend outwardly, e.g., can be an outwardly flared flange. The notch202can include or be partly defined by a narrow portion204. The narrow portion204can be narrower than the upper flange206and/or the body164cof the pin164, as can be seen in the view ofFIG.9.

The body164ccan include a tapered portion209. The tapered portion209can be a chamfer or fillet. The tapered portion209can taper from a larger diameter of the body164cto a smaller diameter of the free end164a. The free end164acan include a rounded tip212. The tapered portion209can interface with the tapered opening189of the aperture188. The pin164can engage within the aperture188, but due to manufacturing tolerances and/or inaccuracies, the interface of the pin164with the aperture188can have unwanted space, gap, or play. The tapered portion209and the tapered opening189can interface in a manner that reduces and/or eliminates the space, gap, or play. The free end164acan be inserted into the aperture188until the tapered portion209contacts the tapered opening189. Accordingly, the tapered portion209and the tapered opening189can reduce the play in the connection between the upper support152and the lower support148that results from the unwanted space. Overall this can reduce unwanted rotation of the umbrella100in the locked configuration.

As shown inFIGS.10A-Band11, the clip168can include a gap221. The gap221can include an upper side221aand a lower side221b. The gap221can receive a span of the actuator body194at the lock end176. The span the actuator body194can be received between the upper and lower sides221a,221b. The span the actuator body194can extend on one or more sides of the cut-out177. The clip168can be assembled with the actuator body194at the lock end176in an outward or circumferential direction to place the span within the gap221. The gap221can be faced outwardly from or away from the central aperture195. The gap221can enclose a portion of the radially inner periphery aligned with the span the actuator body194.

The clip168can include an outwardly curved portion223. The curved portion223can disposed within the gap221. The curved portion223can be outwardly curved with respect to the central aperture195when the clip168is coupled with the actuator body194. The clip168can be assembled on the lock end176the actuator body194with the outwardly curved portion223disposed within the cut-out177. The surface of the cut-out177can overlay the outer surface of the outwardly curved portion223such that relative movement of the clip168relative to the actuator body196at the lock end176is reduced, minimized or eliminated.

The slot168acan be T-shaped. The slot168acan include a widened region215and a narrow region219. The widened region215can extend laterally of the narrow region219. The widened region215can include upper and/or lower surfaces215a,215b. The upper and/or lower surfaces215a,215bcan be generally orthogonal relative to a longitudinal axis of the narrow region219. The slot168acan receive the pin fixed end164b. Together the narrow region219and the widened region215can form a T-shaped opening of the slot168a, e.g., when the pin164has a T-shaped profile. The upper flange206of the notch202can be received within the widened region215. The narrow portion204of the notch202can be received within the narrow region219. The lower surface215bcan prevent removal of the fixed end164bfrom the slot168ain a least one direction. The at least one direction can be along the longitudinal axis214.

One problem with existing rotation bases for umbrella assemblies is parts that are easily broken and/or difficult to replace. Accordingly, the assembly including the clip168and the pin164can make the clip168and/or the pin164easily replaceable. Optionally, the clip168and the pin164can require no mechanical fasteners to attach with the actuator156. A spacing between an inner periphery of the actuator body196at the lock end176and the mount126can be less than a length necessary to insert the clip168over the span of the lock end176with the actuator coupled with the upper support152(e.g., by the pivot172). Accordingly, the clip168can be assembled with the actuator156before the actuator156is coupled to upper support152. The mount126can help to maintain the clip168and/or the pin164attached with the actuator156. Although the clip168will normally securely connect to the actuator156, the clearance between the mount126and the clip168can be small enough that the clip will not completely separate from the actuator156if partially dislodged.

Actuator Assembly Operation

The actuator assembly can be moved between the locked configuration ofFIG.2and the rotation configuration ofFIG.4. The locked configuration locks, e.g., prevents, minimizes, or reduces rotation of the mount126and thereby the umbrella canopy of the umbrella assembly100coupled thereto. The rotation configuration shown inFIG.4allows rotation of the mount126and thereby the umbrella canopy of the umbrella assembly100coupled thereto. A user can select the configuration by use of the foot pedal160. A user can enter the rotation configuration by stepping on or otherwise depressing the foot pedal160to raise the pin164out of engagement with the lower support148(e.g., any of the apertures188). The upright pole116and umbrella canopy assembly110can then be rotated relative to the lower support148about the rotation axis153. A user can enter the locked configuration by releasing the foot pedal160to allow the pin164to engage within the aperture188. In some variations the pin164will automatically enter the nearest aperture188due to the action of the spring178. In other embodiments, the rotation configuration can be maintained without continuous pressure on the foot pedal160. For example, the base assembly can include a latch to hold the position of the foot pedal160. Entering the locked configuration can also include aligning the aperture188with the aperture186by rotation of the upright pole116. The dome tip212of the free end164aand/or a tapered surface189of the aperture188can also help to align slightly misaligned aperture186,188. If the pin164is misaligned from the nearest aperture188by less than the diameter of the shaft of the pin between the dome tip212and the tapered portion209, the pin can self align into the aperture by the integration of the tip212and the tapered opening189.

FIG.12shows further detail of the upper support152. The actuator156pivots about the pivot172between the locked and rotation configurations. As the lock end176lifts or lowers the pin164, the pin164moves along a curve centered on the pivot172. Accordingly, the aperture186can be a slot or have a diameter greater than the diameter of the body164cto allow for the pin164to be inserted or removed from the aperture186at an angle. If the aperture186is a slot, the slot can have a major axis or length186bthat is longer than a minor axis or width186a(e.g., oval or elliptical). The length186bcan be aligned along a radial direction of the upper support152. The width186acan be aligned transverse to the radial direction. By aligning the width186ain the circumferential direction there is less play among the rotation base in the locked configuration than were the entire aperture186of a larger diameter.

The upper support152can be generally circular. The upper support152can include an outer periphery152b. The outer periphery152bcan be generally circular. The outer periphery152bcan include one or more cut-outs152d,152e. The cut-outs152d,152ecan be sized to receive the flanges192,193of the actuator156. The pivot172can be aligned with the cut-outs152d,152e. Each of the cut-outs152d,152ecan include an aperture therein for receiving the pivot member of the pivot172.

An upper surface of the upper support152can include a recess152c. The recess152ccan engage with and/or retain the lower end of the spring178. The recess152ccan maintain alignment of the spring178with the upper support152. The recess152ccan extend less than one-half the thickness of the upper support152from the top surface thereof toward the bottom surface. In another embodiment, the recess152ccan be a protrusion for engaging with the spring178.

The upper surface of the upper support152can include one or more recessed portions152f. The recessed portions152fcan include alignment grooves and/or apertures for attaching the mount126with the upper support152.

FIG.13shows further detail of the lower support148. The lower support148can be generally circular. The lower support148can include an outer periphery148c. The outer periphery148ccan be generally circular. The lower support148can include the plurality of aperture188. The plurality of apertures188can extend around the outer periphery148c. The plurality of aperture188can extend entirely around the outer periphery148c, at discrete intervals.

The plurality of apertures188can each extend through the lower support148. In some embodiments, the plurality of apertures188are only recesses within the lower support148(e.g., that do not extend fully through). The plurality of apertures188can be fully enclosed (e.g., 360°). One or more of apertures188can be open apertures188a, which are apertures that are open to the periphery of the lower support148on one or more sides. The apertures188acan be between enclosed apertures188. The open apertures188acan align with respective bolts of the plurality of bolts191that attach the base support144with the base assembly120. The open sides of the apertures188acan facilitate assembly of the base support144with the base assembly120by the bolts191. This can allow the base support144to be more compact (e.g., without the open side of the aperture188a, the bolts191could only be assembled at a wider diameter than the periphery148c, in some implementations). By retaining pin engaging features, such as the tapered opening189, the open apertures188aare able to provide a continuous distance between adjacent apertures even while accommodating assembly, as described above.

Certain Terminology

Terms of orientation used herein, such as “top,” “bottom,” “proximal,” “distal,” “longitudinal,” “lateral,” and “end,” are used in the context of the illustrated example. However, the present disclosure should not be limited to the illustrated orientation. Indeed, other orientations are possible and are within the scope of this disclosure. Terms relating to circular shapes as used herein, such as diameter or radius, should be understood not to require perfect circular structures, but rather should be applied to any suitable structure with a cross-sectional region that can be measured from side-to-side. Terms relating to shapes generally, such as “circular,” “cylindrical,” “semi-circular,” or “semi-cylindrical” or any related or similar terms, are not required to conform strictly to the mathematical definitions of circles or cylinders or other structures, but can encompass structures that are reasonably close approximations.

Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain examples include or do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more examples.

Conjunctive language, such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain examples require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

SUMMARY

Several illustrative examples of umbrellas have been disclosed. Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain illustrative examples and uses, other examples and other uses, including examples and uses which do not provide all of the features and advantages set forth herein, are also within the scope of this disclosure. Components, elements, features, acts, or steps can be arranged or performed differently than described and components, elements, features, acts, or steps can be combined, merged, added, or left out in various examples. All possible combinations and subcombinations of elements and components described herein are intended to be included in this disclosure. No single feature or group of features is necessary or indispensable.

Any portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed or illustrated in one example in this disclosure can be combined or used with (or instead of) any other portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed or illustrated in a different example or flowchart. The examples described herein are not intended to be discrete and separate from each other. Combinations, variations, and some implementations of the disclosed features are within the scope of this disclosure.

Further, while illustrative examples have been described, any examples having equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, and/or combinations are also within the scope of this disclosure. Moreover, although certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein, not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular example. For example, some examples within the scope of this disclosure achieve one advantage, or a group of advantages, as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages taught or suggested herein. Further, some examples may achieve different advantages than those taught or suggested herein.

Some examples have been described in connection with the accompanying drawings. The figures are drawn and/or shown to scale, but such scale should not be limiting, since dimensions and proportions other than what are shown are contemplated and are within the scope of the disclosed invention. Distances, angles, etc. are merely illustrative and do not necessarily bear an exact relationship to actual dimensions and layout of the devices illustrated. Components can be added, removed, and/or rearranged. Further, the disclosure herein of any particular feature, aspect, method, property, characteristic, quality, attribute, element, or the like in connection with various examples can be used in all other examples set forth herein. Additionally, any methods described herein may be practiced using any device suitable for performing the recited steps.

For purposes of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects, advantages and features of the inventions have been described herein. Not all, or any such advantages are necessarily achieved in accordance with any particular example of the inventions disclosed herein. No aspects of this disclosure are essential or indispensable. In many examples, the devices, systems, and methods may be configured differently than illustrated in the figures or description herein. For example, various functionalities provided by the illustrated modules can be combined, rearranged, added, or deleted. In some implementations, additional or different processors or modules may perform some or all of the functionalities described with reference to the examples described and illustrated in the figures. Many implementation variations are possible. Any of the features, structures, steps, or processes disclosed in this specification can be included in any example.

In summary, various examples of umbrellas have been disclosed. This disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed examples to other alternative examples and/or other uses of the examples, as well as to certain modifications and equivalents thereof. Moreover, this disclosure expressly contemplates that various features and aspects of the disclosed examples can be combined with, or substituted for, one another. Accordingly, the scope of this disclosure should not be limited by the particular disclosed examples described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims.