Abstract:
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a wind umbrella, for providing a wind barrier with the functionality and convenience of an umbrella. The wind umbrella includes a central post, a spine assembly comprising a plurality of ribs and support rods, and a covering. Further, the wind umbrella includes a surface spike, multiple connectors, multiple hinges and multiple joints, which enable it as a collapsible device and securely anchor the wind umbrella in a surface. In operation, the present invention provides a user a lightweight, half umbrella like, portable device which when opened lays horizontally on the surface extending a barrier, generally quarter sphere in shape, perpendicularly from the ground up.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to the field of providing protection to persons and, more particularly, protection from wind for persons in stationary locations outdoors, or other occurrences, such as blown sand, the sun, small objects and other such examples as may be encountered. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Recreational outdoor people are often looking for a way to enhance their experience. From recreational games to protective eyewear to barriers against the wind and other unwanted elements and interruptions. Popular on the beaches of today are large umbrella structures and fan-like structures mounted on poles to provide protection against the sun and wind. However, when set up, such devices are commonly capable of providing minimal wind protection. Consequently, beachgoers may be forced to carry a variety of instruments to produce a make-shift barrier to protect themselves. 
     Typically, beachgoers are loading items into their vehicle, transporting those items some distance to a final location and setting up those items on the sandy surface. Consequently, convenience, portability and functionality are key ingredients to any item designed for use on the beach. The ability to provide a complete wind barrier with the ease of use of a standard umbrella may provide a distinct advantage over other devices. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a wind umbrella capable of collapsing and opening like an umbrella for easy loading and transporting as well as easy set up, wherein the wind umbrella is situated horizontally on the surface, such as a sandy beach, and extends a barrier, generally quarter sphere in shape, perpendicularly from the ground up 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a wind umbrella, for providing a wind barrier with the functionality and convenience of an umbrella. The wind umbrella includes a central post, a spine assembly comprising ribs and support rods and a covering. Further, the wind umbrella includes a surface spike, connectors, hinges and joints, which enable it as a collapsible device and securely anchor the wind umbrella in the ground. In operation, the present invention provides a user a lightweight portable device which when opened lays horizontally on the surface extending a barrier, generally quarter sphere in shape, perpendicularly from the ground up. 
    
    
     It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the general description serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The numerous advantages of the present invention may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which: 
     FIG. 1A is an isometric view illustrating a wind umbrella in an open position in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 1B is an isometric view illustrating the wind umbrella in a partially collapsed position, with a traveling connector released from a locking mechanism, in accordance with exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2A is an illustration of a surface spike and a connection point to a central post of the wind umbrella in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2B is an illustration of the hollow enclosure formed by the surface spike; 
     FIG. 3 is an elevation view illustrating the wind umbrella in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating the wind umbrella in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring, generally, to FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrations of exemplary embodiments of a wind umbrella  100  are shown. Wind umbrella  100  includes a central post  102 , a surface spike  108  and a spine assembly comprised of six ribs  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  and  130  with a first edge  134  and six support rods  140 ,  142 ,  144 ,  146 ,  148  and  150 . The spine assembly may be comprised of any number of ribs and support rods without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Additionally, a covering  154 , connector  160 , traveling connector  162 , hinged joints  170 ,  172 ,  174 ,  176 ,  178  and  180  and pivoting joint  182  are included. It is contemplated that the number of joints and connectors may vary to accommodate other embodiments. Anchoring loops  190  and  192  are connected to rib  120  and rib  130  respectively, and are capable of engaging securing means such as metal stakes  194  and  196  to provide further stability to wind umbrella  100 . The combination of rib  120  and rib  130  comprise a first edge  134 . 
     In the current embodiment central post  102  is a solid metal shaft with a first end  104  and a second end  106 , which provides the support framework upon which the spine assembly is mounted. In other embodiments central post  102  may be a hollow tube to decrease weight. A locking mechanism  103 , shown in FIG. 1B, engages traveling connector  162 , securing wind umbrella  100  in the open position. Locking mechanism  103  is included between first end  104  and second end  106  on central post  102 . Central post  102  may be composed of steel, aluminum or any other suitable metals. Further, central post  102  may be composed of very rigid plastic, composite, wood, fiberglass and the like. In the present embodiment central post  102  is of a single pre-determined length, however, it is contemplated that it may be telescopic, that is selectively extendable, to allow the user to determine the best length for use. 
     Central post  102  is an anchoring and support device. In operation central post  102  is placed horizontally upon the surface where wind umbrella  100  is to be located. This will allow a user to place items upon central post  102 , such as beach blankets, beach chairs, and the like, providing greater support and stability to wind umbrella  100 . Central post  102  may be designed to connect holders for other devices, such as cups, coolers, beach bags and the like, which may provide further weight and anchoring support. In one embodiment central post  102  is a three quarter inch diameter metal shaft. The diameter of central post  102  may be of any size contemplated by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     Pivoting joint  182  is disposed at second end  106  of central post  102 . Pivoting joint  182  is comprised of a snap lock joint, which connects surface spike  108  to central post  102 . Pivoting joint  182  may be a variety of designs as contemplated by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Connector  160  is a metal connector disposed upon first end  104  of central post  102 . Connector  160  is a hinged connector from which extends ribs  120  through  130 . This hinged connection enables wind umbrella  100  to be collapsible. Connector  160  connects one end of each of the ribs  120  through  130  at equally spaced points to enable the generally quarter sphere shape of wind umbrella  100 , however, the ribs may be positioned to support a structure which may take a variety of shapes. It is contemplated that connector  160  is capable of connecting a plurality of ribs and should not be read as limited to the number specified herein. Connector  160  may be composed of steel, aluminum or any other suitable metals as well as very rigid plastic, composite, wood, fiberglass and the like. 
     Connector  160  may be generally disposed upon first end  104 , however, not at the termination point of central post  102 , thus, a section of central post  102  may extend beyond connector  160 . It is contemplated that in such an embodiment central post  102  may simply terminate in a closed end or may include another joint disposed upon the section extending beyond connector  160 , which may connect a second surface spike. The second surface spike may be a solid metal shaft, a very rigid plastic shaft or any other suitable material capable of anchoring in a surface, or it may be of the same general description as surface spike  108  which will be described later. 
     Traveling connector  162  is a metal connector disposed on central post  102 , generally between locking mechanism  103  and second end  106 . Traveling connector  162  is capable of moving up and down central post  102  and is a hinged connector from which extends support rods  140  through  150 . Traveling connector  162  connects one end of each of the support rods  140  through  150  at equally spaced points to enable the generally quarter sphere shape of wind umbrella  100 , however, the support rods may be positioned to support a structure which may take a variety of shapes. It is contemplated that traveling connector  162  is capable of connecting any number of support rods and should not be read as limited to the number specified herein. 
     Traveling connector  162  is capable of achieving a locked position, signifying wind umbrella  100  has achieved its open position, by engaging with locking mechanism  103  and includes a release button  164  to release it from locking mechanism  103 , allowing it to travel central post  102 . Alternately, locking mechanism  103  may extend through traveling connector  162  in order to lock it in place, allowing a user to manually depress locking mechanism  103  to release traveling connector  162 . The movement capabilities and hinged connection with support rods of traveling connector  162  farther enable wind umbrella  100  to be collapsible. The metal, of which traveling connector  162  is composed, may be steel, aluminum or any other suitable metal. Further, connector  162  may be composed of very rigid plastic, composite, wood, fiberglass or other materials, which would enable its functionality. 
     Metal stakes  194  and  196  may be composed of steel, aluminum or very rigid magnesium and the like. Further, they may be composed of very rigid plastic, composite, wood, fiberglass or any other suitable material, which enables their functionality. Metal stakes  194  and  196  form an “L” shape so that they can engage anchoring loops  190  and  192 . Each metal spike may be shaped in any form, so long as it allows each metal spike to engage an anchoring loop, as contemplated by one of ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, each spike is of a size, which enables it to be stored in hollow  116  (shown in FIG.  2 B). 
     Surface spike  108 , shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, is a hollow metal spike with a first end  110 , a second end  112  and a cap assembly  114  enclosing hollow  116 . In other embodiments the metal, of which surface spike  108  is composed, may be steel, aluminum or any other suitable metals or it may be very rigid plastic, composite, wood, fiberglass or other materials, which would enable its functionality. Surface spike  108  provides an anchor for wind umbrella  100  by implanting in the surface upon which wind umbrella  100  is placed. If the surface is not amenable to implantation, such as rock and the like, then by its connection at first end  110  with pivoting joint  182  of central post  102 , surface spike  108  can be adjusted to a position which allows it to lay horizontally in linear relation to central post  102 . Further, pivoting joint  182  allows surface spike  108  to be adjustable to a variety of positions in order to accommodate changed surface conditions. Surface spike  108  may be constructed with materials, which give it substantial weight. Thus, enabling surface spike  108 , when unable to implant in the surface, as a weighted anchor for wind umbrella  100 . 
     Second end  112  is circumferentially threaded to connect cap assembly  114 . In one embodiment cap assembly  114  is composed of the same metal as surface spike  108  and forms a pointed end of surface spike  108 . In other embodiments, the metal of which cap assembly  114  is composed may be steel, aluminum or any other suitable metal or it may be very rigid plastic, composite, wood, fiberglass or other materials, which enable its functionality. Second end  112  may include a variety of connecting mechanisms to secure cap assembly  114  to it as may be contemplated by one of ordinary skill in the art. Cap assembly  114  may also; include a variety of connecting mechanisms so long as it matches the connecting mechanisms included on second end  112  to enable a coupling with second end  112 . Further, cap assembly  114  may be shaped in any way to enable implantation of surface spike  108  in any surface. It is contemplated that wind umbrella  100  may have any number of cap assembly  114  attachments suitable for coupling with second end  112  of surface spike  108 . 
     Hollow  116 , of surface spike  108 , is capable of storing metal stakes  194  and  196  within. Thus, surface spike  108  is of sufficient length to include within hollow  116  such metal stakes. Hollow  116  may be capable of holding any number of metal stakes and should not be read as limited to only holding metal stakes  194  and  196 . 
     The spine assembly, shown in FIGS. 1A,  1 B,  3  and  4 , forms a generally quarter sphere shaped support apparatus for covering  154 . The shape of wind umbrella  100  may take a variety of forms as may be contemplated by one or ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. In one embodiment the spine assembly is made up of the six ribs  120  through  130 , the six support rods  140  through  150  and the first edge  134 . First edge  134  is the combination of ribs  120  and  130 . Ribs  120  and  130  are spaced one hundred eighty degrees from each other and form a flat edge, which is situated on the surface upon which wind umbrella  100  is located. Alternately, ribs  120  and  130  may be situated either greater than or lesser than one hundred eighty degrees relative to each other, still providing first edge  134  to whatever shape wind umbrella  100  may take. 
     Anchoring loop  190  is connected to rib  120  at the end of the rib opposite its connection to connector  160  and anchoring loop  192  is connected to rib  130  at the end of the rib opposite its connection to connector  160 . Anchoring loops  190  and  192  may be engaged by securing means  194  and  196  to hold first edge  134  in a secure horizontal position on the surface. Metal stakes  194  and  196  may take a variety of forms, anchoring loops  190  and  192  may also take a variety of forms as may be contemplated by one of ordinary skill in the art, so long as their forms enable engagement with one another. 
     When wind umbrella  100  is in the open position the ribs and support rods extend covering  154  in a quarter sphere shaped form, which is generally perpendicular to the surface. As mentioned previously, the number of ribs and support rods may vary yet still enable the quarter sphere shape and collapsibility of wind umbrella  100 . Each rib is connected to covering  154  at one end, that being the end that is not connected to connector  160 . This connection may occur through a pocket designed in the covering within which the rib may be inserted, an adhesion process or any other suitable means, which accomplishes the coupling of covering  154  to the end of the rib. 
     Hinged joints  170  through  180  are located between the connected ends of each rib. Hinged joint  170  connects an end of each support rod  140  through  150  to each corresponding rib  120  through  130 . The hinged functionality further enables the collapsibility of wind umbrella  100 . Hinged joint  170  is a metal hinge and may be composed of steel, aluminum, very rigid magnesium and the like. Further, hinged joint  170  may be composed of a very rigid plastic, composite, wood, fiberglass or any other suitable material, which enables its functionality. 
     Covering  154 , shown in FIGS. 1A,  1 B and  3 , spans the entire spine assembly. As discussed when wind umbrella is in the open position the covering extends to form a generally quarter sphere shape. It is enabled to accomplish this through the connection point covering  154  has with each rib  120  through  130  of the spine assembly. It is contemplated that covering  154  may be attached to each rib at multiple points. Further, covering  154  is coupled with connector  160 , however, in other embodiments covering  154  may not be connected with connector  160 . 
     Covering  154  is composed of a transparent elastic, sheet plastic material. It is contemplated that covering  154  may be composed of any type of material, transparent or non-transparent, which is capable of enabling the function of wind umbrella  100 , such as cloth, vinyl, canvas and the like. Further, covering  154  may be of a rigid material with separate hinged joints between various panels of the rigid material to enable it to provide the same collapsible functionality, such as fiberglass, composites and the like. 
     FIG. 3 shows covering  154  may contain a first set of lateral support structures  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316  and  318 . This first set may be enabled through a variety of methods and processes, such as double stitching, by developing lateral pockets, within which rigid pieces of material may be inserted, or any other suitable methods and processes which would enable a user to provide wind umbrella  100  with greater structural support and stability. A second set of lateral support structures  320 ,  322 ,  324 ,  326  and  328  may be included within covering  154 . This second set may be enabled through the same methods and processes as mentioned above, providing the same functionality. 
     It is contemplated that the first and second set of lateral support structures may be integrated within the spine assembly or attached by hinged joints, pivoting joints and the like, to the spine assembly. These lateral support structures may be composed of metal, plastic or any other suitably rigid material capable of providing structural support and stability. 
     It is believed that the wind umbrella of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely an explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.