Abstract:
A retractable umbrella includes a canopy with supporting ribs and a shaft with a handle located on a proximal end thereof. Inside the shaft resides an electric motor and a gearing mechanism for power transmission. When activated, the electric motor actuates the gearing mechanism to extend and retrieve the canopy from and into the shaft.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/858,794, filed Jul. 26, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a retractable umbrella that deploys and retracts the canopy portion of the umbrella from within a tubular shaft. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     None will doubt the effectiveness of an umbrella for keeping a person dry while walking in the rain. Their simple but effective design has served mankind well over the years with minimal changes to its basic design. However, all umbrellas suffer from one (1) common flaw in that they must be positioned an arms lengths away from the user&#39;s body before deploying. This is to allow the ribs of the umbrella to fold up from the bottom to their protective top position. Such a restriction often means the user must get slightly wet when getting out of a motor vehicle, or stepping outside from a building with no protective awning or overhang. A similar problem exists when returning to a protective space as well. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which umbrellas can be deployed and retracted in a radically different manner to address the above mentioned problems. The development of the retractable umbrella fulfills this need. 
     The apparatus is an umbrella system that deploys from the top down versus the bottom up arrangement of conventional umbrellas. A central tube functions as an umbrella support, a handle, and a storage container. A generally circular canopy, supported by a plurality of ribs is driven in and out of a top of the tube by a central worm gear shaft. Upon reaching maximum deployment, each rib bends downward, as restricted by the canopy, to form a typical umbrella shape. Other components such as pivot bases, a rotating ring, a snap ring, a cap assembly, and a wiper disk aid in this process. Since the canopy extends from the top of the shaft, it can be held close to one&#39;s body, thus offering increased protection when contrasted with prior art umbrella systems. The mechanism is powered by a small electric motor, which receives electrical power from batteries located in a shaft portion of the handle. Operation of the invention is controlled by a power switch located near the handle. Various logos, symbols, and graphics could be printed on the canopy as well for marketing purposes. 
     Prior art in this field consists of automated umbrella systems and umbrella systems having off-set and angled canopies. Umbrella systems with off-set and angled canopies provide limited relief to the problems associated with non-overhead protection during deployment of the canopy. The angled or off-set nature of the canopy affords a user the ability to better position the umbrella in the rain while a user is under the cover of an ancillary structure, but because the canopy of these devices still open by the ribs folding up and out, this provides a limited remedy. Prior art automated umbrella systems employ motors and transmission gearing to extend and retract the canopy, but the canopy is not extended from within, and retracted into, the central shaft of the umbrella. Furthermore, these systems still suffer from the restriction associated with the ribs folding up and out during deployment of the canopy. It is desirous to have an umbrella system that does not employ a rib and canopy configuration that opens radially from a bottom of the central umbrella shaft, but to rather open radially from a top of the central umbrella shaft. It is further desirous to restrict the radial motioning of the ribs to an area that is above a user holding the umbrella so as to obviate the need to hold the umbrella away from a user&#39;s body upon deployment of the canopy. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide an umbrella system that deploys the canopy of the umbrella from a top portion of the central shaft of the umbrella so that the umbrella can be held in close proximity to a user&#39;s body during deployment. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide a means to deploy and retract the canopy in an automated manner. 
     It is a further object of this invention to extend and retract the canopy of the umbrella from within the central shaft so that, after immediate use, residual water from the canopy is contained within the shaft, thus obviating the need to exercise caution as to where to place the umbrella after use. 
     An added benefit of the invention is to provide a squeegee element that assists with removing water from the canopy as it is retracted into the central shaft. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The apparatus comprises an umbrella having a central shaft, a canopy assembly, and a motorized gearing assembly that automatically extend and retract a canopy from a top end the central shaft. The central shaft is provided with a battery section to hold at least one (1) battery to supply electrical power to the motor assembly. Another battery section is provided for storage of extra batteries. A control switch enables selective control of the connectivity between each battery and the motor assembly. 
     The canopy assembly comprises a canopy affixed to a plurality of ribs. Each rib is a semi-rigid member that flexes without plastic deformation. The canopy assembly configuration is such that, when deployed and in an extended state, a preferential curvature is formed to force an outer edge of the canopy downward. The canopy extends from within the central shaft when being deployed and retracts back into the central shaft when being stowed. During deployment, each rib protrudes from a top opening of the shaft and is forced in a tangential direction, whereby the preferential curvature forces the canopy assembly to take an extended and downward shape. During retraction, each rib withdraws back into the top opening of the shaft and is forced in a centripetal direction, whereby each rib draws back into the shaft. As the canopy assembly is retracted into the shaft, the canopy makes contact with a squeegee member located at the top of the shaft. This squeegee member wipes clear water that has wetted the canopy as the canopy is drawn across the squeegee member. The configuration of the squeegee member is such that it forces the water to collect onto the squeegee and fall from the apparatus. 
     Distal ends of each rib are attached to the motorized gearing assembly, which is housed within the central shaft, and comprises a worm gear along with moving plates. A cap is provided at a top of the shaft to cover the opening of the shaft and provided a channel through which the canopy assembly travels. The cap also directs each rib in the preferred direction as the canopy assembly is extended and retracted. The motor comprises a reversible, direct current, stepper motor with a cylindrical output shaft. The motor is further provided with an encoder to track the location of a rotor to obviate overextension in any one (1) direction. The control switch enables selective supply of electrical power to the motor for rotation of the motor in either direction, which in turn drives the worm gear in a desired direction. Driving the worm gear in a first direction forces the canopy assembly out of the shaft, whereas driving the worm gear in a second direction forces the canopy assembly into the shaft. 
     The shaft comprises a shell with a plurality of channels and grooves that guide the motorized gearing assembly. Each moving plate of the motorized gearing assembly is equipped with corresponding grooves to interlock with the groves of the shell. The channels enable each rib to be guided within the shaft as the canopy assembly traverses the length of the shaft during operation. The plurality of plates forms a pivot assembly that enables controlled and selected traversing motion about the worm gear. As the motor is energized in a given rotational direction, the worm gear rotates and the pivot assembly traverses the worm gear causing the ribs to deflect against the cap and squeegee. As the ribs deflect, the canopy assembly exits the central shaft and results an umbrella canopy formation. The processor and encoder interrupt electrical power when the pivot assembly has traversed a pre-determined distance of the shaft so as to prevent over extension. As the motor is energized in an opposite direction, the worm gear rotates and the pivot assembly traverses the worm gear causing the ribs to be guided in by the cap and squeegee. As the ribs are guided, the canopy assembly retracts into the central shaft. The processor and encoder interrupt electrical power when the pivot assembly has traversed a pre-determined distance of the shaft so as to prevent over retraction. 
     Surfaces of the central shaft and the canopy may be provided with indicia for display to improve the aesthetics and appeal of the apparatus. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an elevation view of a retractable umbrella  10  in a deployed arrangement in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2 a    is an isometric view of the retractable umbrella  10  in a collapsed arrangement in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2 b    is an enlarged isometric view of the distal end of a shell  31  showing the crenels  32  for the ribs  82  of the retractable umbrella  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a section view along line A-A as seen in  FIG. 2 a    of the retractable umbrella  10  depicted with a rib pivot assembly  60  and a canopy assembly  80  in a fully retracted position in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a developed section view of the retractable umbrella  10  depicted with the rib pivot assembly  60  and the canopy assembly  80  in a partially extended position in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a developed section view of the retractable umbrella  10  depicting the canopy assembly  80  in a fully deployed arrangement in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded isometric view of the rib pivot assembly  60  of the retractable umbrella  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  retractable umbrella 
               20  floating cap assembly 
               22  plate 
               24  squeegee 
               26  fastener 
               27  lock washer 
               29  gap 
               30  tube assembly 
               31  shell 
               32  crenel 
               33   a  spline groove 
               33   b  rib groove 
               34  land 
               35   a  first snap ring groove 
               35   b  second snap ring groove 
               36  internal thread 
               37  external thread 
               38  battery section 
               39  end cap 
               40  drive assembly 
               41  motor 
               42  motor shaft 
               43  shaft flat 
               44  encoder 
               48  drive coupling 
               49  set screw 
               51  worm gear 
               52  worm shaft 
               54  flight 
               55  landing 
               56  threaded aperture 
               58   a  first snap ring 
               58   b  second snap ring 
               60  rib pivot assembly 
               61  rib pivot top 
               62  upper pivot groove 
               63  parallel key spline 
               64  channel 
               66  rib pivot bottom 
               67  lower pivot groove 
               68  pivot bottom channel 
               71  core 
               72  core flight 
               73  core flat 
               74  core base 
               75  core tooth 
               76  tooth trough 
               77  base channel 
               78  rib rotating ring 
               79  ring opening 
               80  canopy assembly 
               81  cloth 
               82  rib 
               83  rib eye 
               84  rib tip 
               85  rib curve 
               91  switch 
               92  battery compartment 
               93  battery 
               94  battery contact 
               95  spare battery compartment 
               96  spare battery 
               97  processor 
               98  indicia 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 6 . However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a retractable umbrella (herein referred to as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a means to deploy an umbrella in the unique manner of extending a rain-protective canopy assembly  80  from a distal end of a carrying tube assembly  30  and collapsing the canopy assembly  80 , after use, back into the carrying tube assembly  30 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an elevation view of the apparatus  10  in an extended position according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The tube assembly  30  is comprised preferably of a thermoplastic material and constructed from a plurality of injection-molded parts to form the shell  31 , the battery section  38 , and the end cap  39 . The proximal end of the shell  31  is provided with an internal thread  36  (see  FIG. 3 ) into which the external thread  37  (see  FIG. 3 ) on the battery section  38  are attached. A three-position switch  91 , which controls a drive motor  41  (see  FIG. 3 ), is disposed in the shell  31  in proximity to the internal threads  36 . 
     The battery compartment  92  (see  FIG. 3 ) and the spare battery compartment  95  (see  FIG. 3 ) comprise opposite ends of the battery section  38 . Each end of the battery section  38  is equipped with external threads  37  (see  FIG. 3 ) for attachment of, or to, successive portions of the tube assembly  30 , the difference being that the battery compartment  92  (see  FIG. 3 ) is provided with battery contacts  94 , (see  FIG. 3 ) to complete the electrical circuitry. The threaded connection of the battery section  38  to the shell  31  improves the efficacy of servicing the batteries  93  (see  FIG. 3 ). An end cap  39 , also provided with internal thread  36  (see  FIG. 3 ), is attached to the proximal end of the battery section  38  for convenient access to the spare batteries  96  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     It is envisioned that some surface portions of the tube assembly  30 , or the canopy assembly  80  may comprise various indicia  98  which may provide script or logos based upon a user&#39;s preference and may include images such as, but not limited to, business names/logos, personal names, symbols, lines, pictures, and the like, in various colors and patterns, to further customize and personalize the apparatus  10 . 
     The canopy assembly  80  comprises a cloth  81  supported on and attached to a plurality of formed ribs  82  (see  FIG. 3 ). The cloth  81  may be comprise a single piece of material, or a plurality of pieces stitched, or otherwise fastened together, to form a covering layer over the extended ribs  82  (see  FIG. 3 ) to protect a user from rain. The cloth  81  may be a woven nylon, or some such material, provided with some measure of impermeability to water. The cloth  81  may be cut on the bias to take advantage of certain characteristics inherent in textile preparation and finishing, and further provided with a hem in either a straight of scalloped configuration. The cloth  81  may be of a single color, or alternately, of more than one (1) color pieced together in any manner to suit the taste of a user. 
     The ribs  82  (see  FIG. 3 ) preferably comprise a semi-rigid thermoplastic material having a good measure of flexibility, yet being able to return to a shape capable of supporting the cloth  81  with a taut presentation. Disposed at the proximal end of each rib  82  is a rib eye  83 , which is generally a torus comprised of the same constituent material as the rib  82 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The distal end of each rib  82  (see  FIG. 3 ) is formed with a preferential rib curve  85  (see  FIG. 4 ), which turns the outer edge of the canopy assembly  80  downward in order to present a more favorable profile in a windy condition. The cloth  81  is fastened to the ribs  82  (see  FIG. 3 ) in a plurality of locations by the use of adhesives, or other means, to keep said cloth  81  from gathering too much in one (1) location, or from stretching askew. The cloth  81  is secured to the end of each rib  82  (see  FIG. 3 ) and covered with a protective, preferably rubberized, rib tip  84 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 a   , an isometric view of the apparatus  10 , and  FIG. 2 b   , an enlarged isometric view of the distal end of the shell  31  according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. A floating cap assembly  20  is located at the distal end of the tube assembly  30 . The floating cap assembly  20  comprises a squeegee  24  and a backing plate  22  attached to the distal end of a centrally located worm gear  51  (see  FIG. 3 ) preferably by means of a threaded fastener  26 . The squeegee  24  preferably comprises a circular piece of a nitrile compound having a durometer suitable for the intended purpose of wiping water from the cloth  81  (see  FIG. 1 ) as the canopy assembly  80  (see  FIG. 1 ) is retracted into the shell  31 . The plate  22  preferably comprises a circular piece of thermoplastic intended to hold the squeegee  24  in contact with the cloth  81  (see  FIG. 1 ). It is understood that other materials may be utilized in the fabrication of the squeegee  24  and the plate  22  without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The plate  22  and the squeegee  24  are both provided with a central aperture (not shown) to be secured by the fastener  26 . The prevailing torque on the fastener  26  is maintained by the use of a lock washer  27 . The lock washer  27  preferably comprises a metal internal star lock washer; however, other types and materials may be substituted without changing the scope of the apparatus  10 . The floating cap assembly  20  does not contact the shell  31  at any time and provides a gap  29  through which the canopy assembly  80  (see  FIG. 3 ) passes for deployment. 
     The shell  31  is formed with a plurality of alternate internal lands  34  and spline grooves  33   a  equally spaced around the perimeter and oriented along the longitudinal axis of said shell  31 . The spline grooves  33   a  in the shell  31  accommodate the parallel key splines  63  (see  FIG. 6 ) of the rib pivot assembly  60  (see  FIG. 6 ). The spline grooves  33   a  extend from the distal end of the shell  31  to a point along the interior of said shell  31  to correspond to the maximum length of travel for the rib pivot assembly  60  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
     The rib grooves  33   b  are formed in the middle portion of the internal lands  34  at the distal end of the shell  31 . These rib grooves  33   b  primarily direct the ribs  82  (see  FIG. 3 ) out of the shell  31  through the gap  29  between said shell  31  and the floating cap assembly  20 . The rib grooves  33   b  are oriented at an angle to the face of the lands  34  and end as crenels  32  in the wall of the shell  31 . The crenels  32  provide the actual spaces for the passage of the ribs  82  (see  FIG. 3 ) while the cloth  81  (see  FIG. 1 ) of the canopy assembly  80  (see  FIG. 1 ) is accommodated in the gap  29 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 , section views of the apparatus  10 , in various stages of deployment, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. A motor  41  is retained in the shell  31  by a first snap ring  58   a  placed into a first snap ring groove  35   a  and a second snap ring  58   b  placed into a second snap ring groove  35   b . The snap rings  58   a ,  58   b  are common internal snap rings of a size appropriate to the diameter of the shell  31  and the diameter of the housing of the motor  41  provided with two (2) apertures for installation and removal with standard needle-nosed snap ring pliers. It may be necessary to incorporate other provisions into the shell  31  to stay any additional undesirable relative movement of the housing of the motor  41 , however, it is understood that any such eventualities do not modify the scope or intent of the present apparatus  10  and this preferred embodiment does not preclude any other embodiment. 
     The motor  41  comprises any of a variety of commercially available, copper wound, low voltage, small frame, reversible, direct current, stepper motors  41  with a cylindrical output shaft  42 , preferably equipped with a shaft flat  43  capable of generating sufficient torque to induce the desired motion in the rib pivot assembly  60 . The motor  41  is provided with an encoder  44 , which tracks the precise location of the rotor to assure that the drive assembly  40  is not overdriven in any one (1) direction. The motor  41  is electrically powered, through a three-position switch  91  and the processor  97 , by the battery  93  located within the battery compartment  92 . A set of spare batteries  96  can be carried on board the apparatus  10  in the spare battery compartment  95 . 
     The three-position switch  91  preferably has two (2) momentarily “ON” positions, one (1) to raise, or deploy the canopy assembly  80 , and one (1) to retract said canopy assembly  80 , and a spring-biased neutral position in which no power flows to the motor  41 . The output from the encoder  44  on the motor  41  is translated through the processor  97  to assure that said motor  41  has not reached the maximum number of turns of the output shaft  42  in any direction prior to energizing said motor  41  in that direction. 
     A first end of a drive coupling  48  is attached to the output shaft  42  of the motor  41  and secured with a set screw  49  oriented on the shaft flat  43 . The set screw  49  is preferably of a cup-point style with a hex socket, although other styles could alternately be used. The second end of the drive coupling  48  is attached to a worm shaft  52  of a worm gear  51 . A second set screw  49  is disposed in the second end of the drive coupling  48  to clamp said drive coupling  48  onto the worm shaft  52  in order to positively connect the output shaft  42  of the motor  41  to the worm gear  51 . The drive coupling  48  is preferably any of a variety of rigid couplings having a bore in the first end matching the output shaft  42  and a bore in the second end appropriately sized to accommodate the worm shaft  52 . 
     The worm gear  51  is comprised of a thin, cylindrical worm shaft  52  having a single, raised, rectangular, helical flight  54  uniformly disposed upon the outside diameter of said worm shaft  52 . A cylindrical landing  55  is disposed on the distal end of the worm gear  51  and forms the terminus of the flight  54 . A threaded aperture  56  is centrally disposed in the landing  55  for the attachment of the floating cap assembly  20 . The flight  54  of the worm gear  51  is engaged in a corresponding feature, namely the core flight  72  (see  FIG. 6 ), in the core  71  of the rib pivot assembly  60 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an exploded isometric view of the rib pivot assembly  60 , of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The rib pivot assembly  60  is comprised preferably of a thermoplastic material and constructed from a plurality of injection-molded parts to form a rib pivot top  61 , a rib pivot bottom  66 , the core  71 , and a core base  74 . The rib pivot top  61  is generally an annular ring having a plurality of parallel key splines  63  projecting radially outward and a polygonal pivot top channel  64  having a number of planar faces equivalent to, and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said parallel key splines  63 . Disposed in a lower face of each parallel key spline  63  is a portion of an upper pivot groove  62  arranged such that the center of said upper pivot groove  62  coincides with the center of the pivot top channel  64 . The rib pivot bottom  66  is an annular ring also having a plurality of parallel key splines  63  projecting radially outward from a polygonal pivot bottom channel  68  having a number of planar faces equivalent to, and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said parallel key splines  63 . Disposed in an upper face of each parallel key spline  63  is a portion of a lower pivot groove  67  arranged such that the center of said lower pivot groove  67  coincides with the center of the pivot bottom channel  68 . A rib rotating ring  78 , comprised preferably of a steel, or some other metal, and coated or plated with a corrosion inhibiter, is formed in a circle having a generally square cross-section and a ring opening  79 . It is understood that other materials may be substituted in the fabrication of the rib rotating ring  78  without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . 
     The core base  74  is generally a toothed wheel having a plurality of base teeth  75  equivalent in number and profile to the parallel key splines  63 . The outer diameter of the core base  74  is such that said core base  74  can be fit into the spline grooves  33   a  (see  FIG. 5 ) in the shell  31  (see  FIG. 5 ). The tooth troughs  76  between the base teeth  75  are cut, or formed, to a diameter that permits a sliding fit between the lands  34  (see  FIG. 2 a   ) of the shell  31  (see  FIG. 5 ). The core base  74  is provided with a polygonal base channel  77  matching the pivot top channel  64 . 
     The core  71  is generally an extended polygon with a plurality of core flats  73  to match the planar faces of the pivot top channel  64 . Disposed in the center of the core  71  is a core flight  72  which is the inverse of the worm gear  51  (see  FIG. 3 ) such that said worm gear  51  (see  FIG. 3 ) can be inserted into said core  71 , and further that rotation of said worm gear  51  (see  FIG. 3 ) in either direction will cause said core  71  to traverse the length of said worm gear  51  (see  FIG. 3 ) if said core  71  is held from similarly rotating. 
     The rotating ring  78  is deformed to further enlarge the ring opening  79  in order that said rotating ring  78  may be inserted into the rib eye  83  (see  FIG. 5 ) of each individual rib  82  (see  FIG. 5 ) with the rib curves  85  (see  FIG. 5 ) oriented outwardly. The rotating ring  78  is then deformed back into the original configuration. The rotating ring  78  is placed into the upper pivot groove  62  of the rib pivot top  61  and the ribs  82  (see  FIG. 5 ) are arranged to be spaced between each parallel key spline  63 . The rib pivot bottom  66  is attached, with an appropriate adhesive, or some other means, to the rib pivot top  61  such that the lower pivot groove  67  is in juxtaposition with the upper pivot groove  62  and the rotating ring  78  is captured between said rib pivot top  61  and rib pivot bottom  66  and all parallel key splines  63  are aligned with one (1) rib  82  (see  FIG. 5 ) between each parallel key spline  63 . The core base  74  is attached to the rib pivot bottom  66  with an appropriate adhesive, or some other means, such that the core teeth  75  are aligned with the parallel key splines  63  of the rib pivot bottom  66 . The core  71  is attached with an appropriate adhesive, or some other means, into the aligned pivot top channel  64 , pivot bottom channel  68 , and the base channel  77 . 
     In  FIG. 3  the rib pivot assembly  60  (see  FIG. 5 ) is located near the proximal end of the worm gear  51 . The ribs  82  are arranged vertically with the rib eyes  83  so as to be engaged in the rotating ring  78 , and the rib tips  84  are arranged to be protruding from the crenels  32  (see  FIG. 2 a   ). The cloth  81  (see  FIG. 1 ) lies along the ribs  82  inside of the shell  31 . As the three (3) position switch  91  is engaged in the “UP” position, the motor  41  is energized thus turning the worm gear  51 . The parallel key splines  63  (see  FIG. 6 ) of the rib pivot assembly  60  (see  FIG. 6 ) are engaged into the spline grooves  33   a  of the shell  31  thus preventing said rib pivot assembly  60  (see  FIG. 6 ) from turning with the worm gear  51 . The rib pivot assembly  60  (see  FIG. 6 ) traverses up the worm gear  51  causing the ribs  82  to deflect against the squeegee  24  and the backing plate  22  and forcing said ribs  82  to exit the shell  31  through the crenels  32  (see  FIG. 2 a   ). The cloth  81  (see  FIG. 1 ) exits the shell  31  through the gap  29  at the floating cap assembly  20 . The rib curve  85  (see  FIG. 5 ) naturally configures the canopy assembly  80  to turn downwardly. 
       FIG. 5  depicts the apparatus  10  in the fully deployed configuration as though the switch  91  were held engaged in the “UP” position. In this position, the encoder  44 , located on the motor  41 , has given the processor  97  an output shaft  42  rotational count equivalent to the canopy assembly  80  being fully deployed with the rib pivot assembly  60  being in contact with the landing  55  at the distal end of the worm gear  51 . The processor  97  interrupts the electrical circuit between the switch  91 , the batteries  93 , and the motor  41  and will not permit the rib pivot assembly  60  to be overdriven. The ribs  82  have pivoted about the rib rotating ring  78  and are arranged in a more or less horizontal configuration with the rib curve  85  pointed downward and the cloth  81  stretched taut. Retracting the canopy assembly  80  can be accomplished by engaging the three-position switch  91  in the “DOWN” position, thereby reversing the motor  41  and the connected worm gear  51 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the enabled user in a simple and straightforward manner with little or no training. The apparatus  10  would be configured as indicated in  FIG. 2  upon the initial purchase or acquisition. 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring a model of the apparatus  10  having a desired style to suit the taste of the user; detaching the battery section  38  from the shell  31 ; installing the proper number and style of batteries  93  in the correct orientation into the battery compartment  92 ; installing spare batteries  96  into the spare battery compartment  95  as desired; reattaching the battery section  38  to the shell  31 ; pressing and holding the “UP” position of the switch  91  until such time as the canopy assembly  80  is completely raised; travelling to the desired destination under the protection of the canopy assembly  80 ; and pressing and holding the “DOWN” position of the switch  91  until such time as the canopy assembly  80  is drawn back into the shell  31 . 
     The apparatus  10  is provided with the spare battery compartment  95  so that a fresh set of spare batteries  96  can be carried on-board so as to avoid a loss of power in a time of need. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit to the precise forms disclosed and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles and practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.