Patent Publication Number: US-10772400-B2

Title: Umbrella holder

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/659,418 filed on Apr. 18, 2018. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an improved umbrella holder. Umbrellas are commonly installed upon porches and patios to provide shade and comfort to users. One such method involves installing an umbrella through a centralized hole disposed through a patio table. This method, however, is not ideal as poor contact between the umbrella and the patio table can lead to instability. Instability of an umbrella installed in a patio table may lead to the umbrella tilting, rotating or collapsing. 
     Therefore, there exists a need in the known art for a device that is capable of securing an umbrella to an object apparatus while providing enhanced stability to the umbrella to prevent tilting, rotating or collapsing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of umbrella holders now present n the known art, the present invention provides an improved umbrella holder wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the s when suspending an umbrella over a desired location. 
     The present system comprises a cylindrical member. The cylindrical member has an upper end opposite of a lower end. Furthermore, the cylindrical member defines an interior cavity therein. A ring clamp is disposed at the upper end of the cylindrical member. The ring clamp is securing to the cylindrical member such that a slot is defined between the upper end of the cylindrical member and the ring clamp. 
     The ring clamp defines an opening wherein a first end is disposed opposite a second end. A hole is defined in each of the first end and the second end. The hole of the first end corresponds to the hole of the second end. A tightener is disposed through the hole of the first end and the hole of the second end. 
     In an additional embodiment, the improved umbrella holder further comprises a plurality of apertures linearly disposed upon a rear surface of the cylindrical member. 
     In a further embodiment, the improved umbrella holder further comprises a plurality of fasteners corresponding to the plurality of apertures such that the plurality of fasteners secures the improved umbrella holder to a vertically-extending object. 
     In another embodiment, the improved umbrella holder defines an opening at the bottom end of the cylindrical member. 
     In yet another embodiment, the improved umbrella holder defines a point at the bottom end of the cylindrical member. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the improved umbrella holder defines a protrusion from the ring clamp on each of the first end and the second end thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the improved umbrella holder. 
         FIG. 2A  shows a close-up view of an upper end of a cylindrical member of the improved umbrella holder. 
         FIG. 2B  shows  FIG. 2B , a front view of the upper end of the improved umbrella holder. 
         FIG. 3  shows a close-up view of a bottom end of a cylindrical member of the improved umbrella holder. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the improved umbrella holder in use. 
     
    
    
     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 improved umbrella holder. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the improved umbrella holder. The improved umbrella holder  10  comprises a cylindrical member  11 . The cylindrical member  11  is made of a rigid material. Furthermore, the cylindrical member  11  is composed of a break-resistant material, such as to enable sufficient performance and enhanced protection during storms or winds. 
     The cylindrical member  11  defines an open upper end  12  disposed oppositely a bottom end  13 . In the shown embodiment, the cylindrical member  11  is tubular. The tubular cylindrical member  11  defines an interior volume. The interior volume is dimensioned to receive a pole, such as an umbrella pole, therein. When used upon an umbrella pole, the umbrella will be suspended above a desired area at a desired height. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2A , there is shown a close-up view of an upper end of the improved umbrella holder. The cylindrical member  11  comprises a ring clamp  21  at the upper end  12  of the cylindrical member  11 . The ring clamp  21  is secured to the upper end  12  of the cylindrical member  11  at a rear surface thereof. In the shown embodiment, the rear surface defines a flat surface  22 . The flat surface  22  provides convenience to a user when mounting the improved umbrella holder  10  upon a vertically-oriented structure. 
     The ring clamp  21  is secured to the upper end  12  of the cylindrical portion  11  at a rear surface thereof, such that a slot  23  is defined between the upper end  12  of the cylindrical member  11  and the ring clamp  21 . The slot  23  is defined such that the circumference of the ring clamp  21  can be adjusted independently of the cylindrical member  11 . Independent adjustability of the circumference of the ring clamp  21  allows for an umbrella to be securely held within the cylindrical member  11  without tension being exerted upon the entire cylindrical member  11 . 
     The ring clamp  21  comprises a pair of arms  24  extending outwardly from the cylindrical member  11 . An opening  25  is defined between the pair of arms  24 . A hole  26  is defines in a central portion of each of the pair of arms  24 . A first hole of the first arm corresponds to a second hole of the second arm. 
     In one embodiment, a plurality of apertures is disposed linearly upon a rear surface of the cylindrical member  11 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , a first aperture  30  of the plurality of linearly disposed apertures is positioned such as to be accessible through the slot  23 . In the shown embodiment, a fastener  31  is configured to extend through the first aperture  30  such as to secure the upper end  12  of the cylindrical member  11  to a vertical surface. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2B , there is shown a front view of the upper end of the improved umbrella holder. A tightener  27  is disposed through the hole of each of the pair of arms  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, the tightener  27  comprises a threaded rod  28  with a knob  29  disposed on an end thereof. In a further embodiment, a protrusion  35  is defined on each of the pair of arms  24  on the ring clamp  21 . The protrusions  35  are configured to prevent overtightening of the ring clamp  21  around an umbrella. Overtightening of the ring clamp  21  around an umbrella pole may damage the umbrella that is stored in the improved umbrella holder  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a close-up view of a bottom end of the improved umbrella holder. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom end  13  of the cylindrical member  11  defines a drainage opening  32 . The drainage opening  32  allows for the exit of fluids, such as rainwater, that enter the cylindrical member  11 , as well as convenience when cleaning the improved umbrella holder. 
     Additionally, in another embodiment, the bottom end  13  of the cylindrical member  11  defines a pointed structure  33  extending downward therefrom. In the illustrated embodiment, the pointed structure is rounded, such as to avoid injuries associated with sharp objects. The pointed structure  33  allows for the improved umbrella holder to, among other objects, be placed into the ground. 
     Furthermore, the pointed structure  33  is oriented such that the rear surface of the cylindrical member  11  extends downward to a greater linear distance than a front surface of the cylindrical member  11 . This greater linear extension allows access to a second aperture  34  of the plurality of apertures. The second aperture  34  is configured to secure the bottom end  13  of the cylindrical member  11  to a vertical surface, as the first aperture is configured to secure the upper end of the cylindrical member to the vertical surface. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the improved umbrella holder in use. In use, the improved umbrella holder is secured to a stable structure. In the shown embodiment, the improved umbrella holder is secured to a vertical post of a deck rail. An umbrella  36  in inserted into the upper end  12  of the cylindrical member  11  of the improved umbrella holder. Once the umbrella  36  is set to a desired vertical relative to the cylindrical member  11 , the tightener of the ring clamp  21  is engaged, such that the circumference of the ring clamp  21  is adjusted to amply secure the umbrella  36 . 
     It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing 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.