Beach umbrella anchor with an integral shovel

A beach umbrella anchor with an integral shovel. The beach umbrella anchor has a central member with a handle at a first end and a shovel at a second end. An aperture is positioned in between the first end and the second end of the central member where a first end of a length of rope can be inserted and secured. A second end of the rope is then attached to a beach umbrella, which is planted in the ground. The shovel is used to dig a hole large enough to encompass the beach umbrella anchor, which is then buried within the hole. This securely anchors a beach umbrella such that it can stay in a desired position in windy conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an anchoring device. More specifically, the present invention relates to an anchoring device designed to secure a beach umbrella in the ground.

Spending time at a beach during warm weather is a popular activity for many individuals. While the higher temperatures allow for enjoyment of the outdoors, specifically the enjoyment of waterfront and shoreline property, a hot sun beating down can be irritating and potentially dangerous. Extended exposure to sun can be uncomfortable, as well as cause overheating, sunburns and dehydration. A convenient device used to block the sun and create shade is a beach umbrella.

The beach umbrella is an oversized umbrella with a spiked end that is inserted into the ground and opened to create a portable canopy shielding individuals who are positioned underneath. However, because the umbrella is large, it is prone to catching gusts of wind and therefore be uprooted. This can be particularly problematic in beaches that are located in windier areas. If a gust of wind dislodges the umbrella from its location, it is not only an inconvenience for the umbrella users, but can potentially become a dangerous projectile to those in the immediate and extended surrounding areas.

Devices are known in the prior art that are designed to anchor down a beach umbrella. Some devices provide a bag that can be filled with heavy material and tethered to the pole of a beach umbrella. However, these devices only offer anchoring power commensurate with readily available material that can fit within the bag, which can be limiting in many situations. Other devices teach umbrellas having a shovel-like end attached directly to the umbrella pole. These devices can be cumbersome to use and are limited in that an umbrella pole must be lowered very deep into the ground to offer sufficient security in windy conditions. Additionally, many consumer beach umbrellas are made of a top pole portion and a top umbrella portion, and these devices are limited to securing the bottom pole portion without securing the top umbrella portion. Yet other devices offer simply tie-down ropes, which are limited to being used with a separate and potentially not readily available anchoring device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of beach umbrella anchoring devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a beach umbrella anchor with and integral shovel wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when wishing to secure a beach umbrella in windy conditions. The present system comprises a central member having a handle at one end and a shovel head an opposing end. There is an aperture placed along the central member, where a length of rope can be inserted therethrough. A first end of the rope is secured at the aperture while a second end is attached to a beach umbrella. The shovel head can be used to dig a hole, wherein the central member can be buried therein, thus conveniently and effectively anchoring a beach umbrella.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the beach umbrella anchor with an integral shovel. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now toFIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the beach umbrella anchor with an integral shovel. The beach umbrella anchor10comprises a central member12having a planar surface with a proximal end14and a distal end11. An opening17is disposed at the proximal end14, configured for a user's hand to fit therethrough in order to assist a user when digging. A shovel head15is positioned at the distal end11, comprising a flat surface13with sidewalls16extending upwards from two edges and a rear edge of the flat surface13. The shovel head15has an open end18positioned opposite the distal end11of the central member12, wherein sidewalls are absent from the open end18. In some embodiments of the beach umbrella anchor10, the open end18of the shovel head15is configured in a pointed shape19in order to penetrate the ground more easily.

Referring now toFIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of the beach umbrella anchor with an integral shovel having rope encircled around the central member. The central member12of the beach umbrella anchor10further comprises a central aperture20disposed at an intermediate position relative to the proximal end14and distal end11of the central member12. A portion21of the central member12is narrowed, such that the width of that portion21is less than the width of the shovel head15and the proximal end14.

The central aperture20is sized to receive a length of rope22therethrough. A first end of the rope22is configured to prevent the first end thereof from sliding through the central aperture20. For example, in one embodiment of the beach umbrella anchor10, a stopper element that is larger than the central aperture20is secured to the first end of the rope22. In an alternative embodiment, the first end of the rope22is configured into a knot that is larger than central aperture20, preventing the rope from sliding therethrough. When the rope22is not in use, it may be coiled around the narrow portion of the21central member12for convenient storage. The narrow shape of that portion juxtaposed with the wider distal end14and the wider shovel head15prevents the coil of rope from unexpectedly sliding off the central member12when not in use.

Referring now toFIG. 3, there is shown a cut away view of the beach umbrella anchor secured to a beach umbrella and buried in sand. In use, a beach umbrella30is inserted into the ground. For example, it may be driven into the sand37on a beach. The length of rope22is extended from the central aperture20of the beach umbrella anchor10and secured to the pole32of the beach umbrella30. The beach umbrella anchor10is placed at a distance from the beach umbrella30so as to ensure that the rope22is held taught. The beach umbrella anchor10can then be fully buried in the sand37, securing it in position. The beach umbrella30can be positioned such that the exterior of the umbrella portion31faces toward the wind38, reducing the force applied from the wind to the umbrella. The rope22secured to the beach umbrella anchor10ensures that the beach umbrella is not uprooted by the wind.

The shovel head15of the beach umbrella anchor10may be used to dig a hole to place the beach umbrella anchor therein, offering a convenient tool that is integral with the beach umbrella anchor10, and thus readily available. The embodiment of the shovel head15having a pointed shape at the open end thereof may offer enhanced digging abilities in certain sand conditions, allowing a user to dig a hole more efficiently than with a flat edged shovel.