Multi-purpose convertible device and application of use

A multi-purpose convertible device interchangeably convertible from a shovel mode to an anchor mode, wherein, when in the shovel mode, the convertible device removes earthen material to form an opening, and when in the anchor mode, the earthen material is positioned on a portion of the convertible device to weigh down the convertible device such that the convertible device resists displacement by typically encountered environmental conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a multi-purpose convertible device. More particularly, this invention relates to a device capable of transitioning between a shovel mode and an anchor mode and is useful in preparing the ground area in which the device is to be set, in driving the device into the ground, and in maintaining the device's position within the ground. The invention further relates to an exemplary application of the convertible device as an integrated outdoor umbrella assembly.

2. Background of the Invention

Signs, posts, outdoor umbrellas, and other items typically inserted into the ground for support provide specific problems in terms of positioning and stability. For example, an opening oftentimes needs to be first created to ease the positioning of the item. Accordingly, shovels are often employed to create the opening. Additionally, once the item is inserted into the opening, it is often difficult to maintain the position of the item when the item is exposed to its environmental conditions. That is, winds and precipitation often displace the item and may cause it to “fly away”. Accordingly, what is needed is a single device capable of creating an opening and in anchoring the item to the ground. Such an item will eliminate the need to carry a separate digging device, such as a shovel, and will reduce the likelihood that the item will move from its position once anchored in the ground.

A particularly exemplary application of the present invention is in the area of outdoor umbrellas. A significant problem encountered in water sport activities and other sun-related activities is the problem of providing a place where participants may have temporary respite from the sun. For health and comfort reasons, it is often desirable to provide a shady retreat from the sun, wind screening, and the like, especially for all day activities that may be recreational or otherwise.

Installing a temporary sun screen, such as an umbrella, requires a support for the umbrella pole other shading device. Many people have discovered that the ground is seldom suitable to easily drive an umbrella pole into it to the depth required for supporting the umbrella during even light breezes. The difficulties encountered in supporting umbrella poles are quite significant as attested to by the fact that many patents are directed to solving this problem. In fact, persons who have gone to the beach, pool, or park with an umbrella are typically well aware of the problems involved in securely mounting an umbrella. Firmly affixing the umbrella pole in the ground, within a reasonable time, typically requires equipment designed for this purpose. Ground conditions may include dried dirt, grassy areas, sand, clay, gravel, moisture, and many other variations.

Therefore, various corkscrew devices, heavy metallic poles, hammers, and the like have been used to anchor the umbrella. Such devices, while for the most part effective, have significant drawbacks. For instance, carrying to the beach a twenty-pound metallic pole to make a hole in the sand is undesirable, especially since this will typically be carried along with many other items such as chairs, coolers, and the like. Hammers may be used to drive in umbrella poles, but eventually ruin the umbrella poles by creating unplanned stresses on components, such as connectors, not designed to be impacted.

Logistical problems arise. Regardless of the device selected, extra planning and care is needed to insure that the device actually reaches the destination where it can be used. If forgotten, of course, such devices are useless. Normally, many other items are also desirably carted to the destination so that logistics works strongly against reliable arrival of special anchors, digging tools and the like. Furthermore, even if one manages to remember to bring the special, and usually costly, device to the desired location, there remains the problem of remembering to take it back. Such devices are especially susceptible to being lost after use by neighbors who inevitably encounter the same problem. As well, due to the need to remove items in the dusk, after the eyes have become accustomed to bright light, the device may be left at the location due to oversight.

Consequently, there remains a need for an anchor assembly that operates to provide a firm anchor in various types of ground, that is lightweight, and that is so compact that it comprises part of the umbrella itself and requires no additional heavy, bulky parts to be carried with or lost at the location of desired use. Those skilled in the art have long sought and will appreciate the present invention that addresses these and other problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above-discussed and other drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior art are overcome or alleviated by a multi-purpose convertible device interchangeably convertible from a shovel mode to an anchor mode, wherein, when in the shovel mode, the convertible device removes earthen material to form an opening, and when in the anchor mode, the earthen material is positioned on a portion of the convertible device to weigh down the convertible device such that the convertible device resists displacement by typically encountered environmental conditions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The multi-purpose convertible device of the present invention transitions between a shovel mode and an anchor mode, thereby allowing items, such as signs, posts, outdoor umbrellas, and any other item that is typically driven into the ground for support, to be readily inserted into the ground and maintained therein. The present convertible device will be more particularly described below with reference to an exemplary application in an outdoor umbrella assembly, where it is to be recognized that this application is exemplary only, and that the device may be utilized in a wide variety of items supported in the ground and which extend therefrom.

The outdoor umbrella assembly of the present invention comprises an outdoor umbrella device attachable to the multi-purpose convertible device, wherein the convertible device transitions between a shovel mode and an anchor mode. The shovel mode assists a user in forming an opening by removing dirt, mud, grassy areas, sand, clay, gravel, rocks, mulch, and many other variations (“earthen material”), from the area in which it is desired to set the device. The anchor mode assists in setting the device in the opening, whereby the device resists displacement from its set position by environmental winds and precipitation to which the device is typically exposed when in use.

The outdoor umbrella device comprises a conventional canopy, such as is seen on beach umbrellas, patio umbrellas, and the like. The outdoor umbrella device further comprises a pole, which may be attached to the canopy in a conventional manner, such that, for example, the canopy can be extended (opened) and retracted (closed).

Accordingly, the outdoor umbrella assembly of the present invention provides shade and protection from the sun and resists displacement from its implanted position by the surrounding environmental conditions. Additionally, the convertible device of the outdoor umbrella assembly provides a multi-purpose shovel/anchor element, thereby easing the process of setting up and stabilizing the outdoor umbrella when the canopy of the outdoor umbrella is in either an open or closed position.

For a further understanding of the inventive features of the present invention, it shall be further described with reference to the figures. However, the following description of the invention is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Referring toFIG. 1, an exemplary outdoor umbrella assembly10comprises an outdoor umbrella device12and a convertible device14. Outdoor umbrella device12comprises a canopy16attached to a pole18. Pole18comprises a canopy positioning element20, as is conventionally known in the art, for opening and closing canopy16.

Referring toFIGS. 1-5, convertible device14comprises an extension element24which receives a terminal end22of pole18. Pole18is secured thereto by an umbrella mounting element26. Umbrella mounting element26may comprise a wide variety of attachment mechanisms, wherein it is preferred that the attachment mechanism releasably receives pole18, such that umbrella device12is detachable from convertible device14. An exemplary umbrella mounting element26comprises, for example, a latch lock mechanism. Additionally, althoughFIG. 1depicts pole18as fitted within extension element24, it is contemplated that pole extension element24, alternatively, may be fitted within pole18by a variety of attachment mechanisms.

Again referring toFIGS. 1-5, convertible device14further comprises a head28, a mode transitioning element30, and a receiver32. Head28is attached to extension element24via mode transitioning element30. Mode transitioning element30allows extension element24to move in an up and down motion such that head28functionally transitions from a shovel mode to an anchor mode. As shown more specifically inFIG. 3, an exemplary mode transitioning element30comprises a swivel screw mechanism, wherein a screw34is inserted through extension element24via holes35located on opposite sides of extension element24and via complementary a screw holes (not shown) located on a plate38, wherein plate38is attached to extension element24and to head28by, for example, molding or welding. The tension of screw34is sufficient such that extension element24may be moved in an up and down direction with relative ease. Additionally, screw34may be tightened to temporarily lock extension element24with receiver32, and loosened to assist in disengaging extension element24from receiver32.

Although plate38is depicted as permanently attached to head28, such as may be accomplished via welding, molding, and the like, attachment may be nonpermanent, such as may be achieved via screws, nails, and the like. Additionally, although mode transition element30comprises a swivel screw mechanism, it is contemplated that it may comprise a variety of mechanisms so long as the mechanism allows the receiver to pivotally move in an upward direction, i.e., in a direction away from receiver24, and in a downward direction, i.e., in a direction towards receiver24, such as is accomplished, for example, by a hinge mechanism.

Receiver32is connected to head28and extends towards a base region40of head28, wherein base region40is opposite to a forward facing region41of head28. Receiver32is configured such that extension element24rests or is otherwise held by receiver when head28is in a shovel mode. In an exemplary embodiment receiver32is welded, molded, screwed or otherwise secured to head28.

Receiver32comprises a holding chamber42which may extend along the entire length of receiver32. Additionally, receiver32is defined by two longitudinally extending side walls44which step up at the distal end of receiver32to form tabs46. Tabs46provide a leverage means whereby extension element24is more securely held to receiver32. That is tabs46serve to cradle or hug extension element24into position. It is further noted that receiver32may comprise additional or alternative means for securing extension element24thereto, wherein the only limitation placed upon the receiver is that it be able to securely hold the extension element when the convertible device is in a shovel mode and that it not obstruct the other components of the outdoor umbrella assembly. Additionally, receiver32should allow for the relatively easy release of extension element24when it is desired to transition the convertible device into the anchor mode. Accordingly, the receiver temporarily locks the extension element into place while the convertible device is in the shovel mode, and disengages the extension element when the convertible device is in the anchor mode. Although it is contemplated that receiver32in and or itself may adequately secure extension element24with receiver32, for further securement of extension element24into receiver32, screw34may be tightened. Consequently, in this embodiment, to release extension element24from receiver32, screw34may be loosened.

An exemplary application of the present invention is now described with reference toFIGS. 1,2and5. Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, once the desired location for setting up the outdoor umbrella assembly is selected, combination convertible device14is positioned into the shovel mode so that the directly underlying earth may be removed to form an opening. Either before or after this time, outdoor umbrella device12is released and removed from convertible device14. To achieve the shovel mode, extension element24is moved in a downward direction (as shown by the arrow) towards receiver32until extension element24is securely positioned onto holding chamber42, and locked to receiver32, for example, by tightening screw34. While utilizing extension element24as a handle and head24as a digger, a user may remove earthen material from the desired location to form an appropriately sized opening.

Referring toFIG. 5, after the opening has been formed, extension element24is released from receiver32and moved in an upward direction (as shown by the arrow) to an upright position, wherein extension element is preferably approximately perpendicular to a top surface48of head28. Once in this anchor mode, a portion of convertible device14including head28is placed into the opening. The dug up earthen material is then placed over the opening to cover at least head28. In this manner, then, the earthen material weighs the outdoor umbrella assembly down to the ground, thereby, reducing the likelihood that the device will uplift or “fly away” when exposed to typically encountered winds and/or precipitation, and, thereby, improving the wind and/or precipitation resistance of the device as compared to conventional outdoor umbrellas. Before or after convertible device14is placed and secured in the opening, outdoor umbrella device12may be reattached to convertible device by attaching pole18to extension element24as discussed above.

Accordingly, as understood by the present disclosure, the present invention provides a unique and non-obvious multi-purpose convertible device capable of being integrated with a conventional outdoor umbrella, and with a wide range of other items supported in the ground. The convertible device is easily transitioned between a shovel mode and an anchor mode. In the shovel mode, earthen material, for example, may be conveniently and easily removed to form an opening. And in the anchor mode, which provides a means whereby the earthen material may be placed atop and around the head of the convertible device to weigh the convertible device and attached outdoor umbrella to the ground, the likelihood of displacement of the outdoor umbrella assembly is when exposed to typical wind conditions and/or typical precipitation is greatly reduced as compared to the displacement that would occur with conventional outdoor umbrellas exposed to the same environmental conditions.