Patent Publication Number: US-2011057077-A1

Title: Pool Skimmer Mount Umbrella Support System

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/238,122 filed Aug. 28, 2009. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A. Field of the Invention 
     The field of the present invention relates generally to systems used for supporting an umbrella or like device by on a surface, such as a pool deck. In particular, the present invention relates to umbrella support systems that are used to support an umbrella over a surface so as to shade the surface from the sun. Even more particularly, this invention relates to such umbrella support systems that interact with a pool deck and are utilized to support an umbrella over the surface of a pool. 
     B. Background 
     Many people enjoy spending time in a pool or laying on a deck that is next to the pool. Typically, the time of year when people enjoy being in or by the pool is in the summer or the warmer days of the spring and fall, which is when the sun is warm enough to make the water enjoyable. Although the warm weather and heat of the sun draws people to a pool, including backyard pools, the heat of the sun is typically too much for the person to be exposed to the entire time that they are in or next to the pool. Besides being hot (sometimes very hot), direct exposure of the human skin to the rays of the sun can result in a sunburn, which can be very uncomfortable or even painful. In addition, most people are aware that long term exposure of human skin to the direct rays of the sun can damage the skin, resulting in premature age spots and/or dryness of the skin, and lead to skin cancer. Although the use of lotions and creams are known to provide a certain amount of protection to the skin, they are only beneficial if actually applied to the skin and to the extent they remain on the skin during swimming or other water activities. Generally, the lotions and creams do nothing to reduce the heat of the sun&#39;s rays, which in severe circumstances can cause heat stroke or other heat-related injury. 
     One common method of attempting to be cool on a hot summer day is to sit or lay under the shade provided by an umbrella. Most people who have backyard pools have at least a free standing umbrella or an umbrella that is part of a table/chair arrangement to provide shade next to a pool. Most free standing umbrellas have a stand comprising a portion that receives the umbrella&#39;s support pole and a weighted portion, which may be filled with sand, water, concrete or other material, that rests on the pool deck or other surface next to the pool. The portion that receives the support pole is typically configured as either a small upwardly disposed tube (e.g., a pipe) having a screw member that anchors the bottom of the support pole or an aperture in which the bottom of the support pole is inserted and then anchored to the weighted portion. 
     Although an umbrella placed poolside is useful for providing shade to those who are sitting or laying down next to the pool, such as directly on the pool deck, in a chaise lounge or on a chair positioned around a table on the deck, they are not that useful for providing shade to persons in the pool. While a person who is swimming in a pool typically does not need to have shade because they are immersed in and moving through the water, people generally do not spend most of their time in the pool swimming. As well known to pool owners, those who go to a pool and pool manufacturers, most people at a pool tend to either sit on a pool step or other structure in the pool, stand or sit on the bottom of the pool (in the shallow end) or float on a mat or other device. Although being in the water of a pool can keep part of the person cool and prevent damage or harm from the sun, the part of the person out of the water is exposed to the sun&#39;s rays and can get sunburned or otherwise harmed. In addition to harm, being exposed to the sun can be uncomfortably hot. 
     Some pools have trees or structures which provide some shade to persons who are in the pool for at least part of the day, depending on the angle of the sun and the position of the tree or structure. Unfortunately, the person using the pool cannot beneficially adjust the location of the shade by moving the tree or structure to a position where the sun is blocked and the resulting shade is over the pool where the person is in the water. With regard to the use of umbrellas, a person can use a freestanding umbrella next to the pool in an attempt to provide shade for a person in the water. Typically, however, the adjustments available to the umbrella support pole or the umbrella itself are not sufficient to provide shade over the water surface at all times of the day, particularly when the sun is directly overhead, such as the hours around noon or so, which is when the shade is most needed. In addition, even though some of the freestanding umbrella stands can be moved to different places next to the pool, most of them are not configured to be easily moved and, due in part to the weighted portion and length of the support pole, are in fact somewhat difficult to move. 
     What is needed is an improved umbrella support system that is particularly useful for supporting an umbrella over the water surface of a pool in a manner that provides shade over the water so as to protect and comfort a person in the pool from the sun&#39;s rays. The preferred umbrella support system should be configured to position an umbrella over the pool in a manner that blocks the sun&#39;s rays to shade a portion of the water surface so a person can stand, sit or float in or on the water with significantly less risk of sunburn or other damage to their skin or being uncomfortable due to the heat of the sun&#39;s rays. The umbrella support system should be configured for use by most backyard or even commercial pools by utilizing an existing in-ground component of the pool. The preferred umbrella support system should be easy to set up and easy to use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The umbrella support system of the present invention provides the benefits and solves the problems identified above. That is to say, the present invention discloses an umbrella support system that easily and directly provides shade over a portion of the pool so as to shade a person who is standing, sitting or floating in or on the water. The preferred umbrella support system attaches to a portion of a pool&#39;s existing filter system, without reducing its performance, to receive a support pole having an umbrella which provides shade to at least a portion of the water in the pool. Preferably, the umbrella support system also includes an attachment apparatus that holds beverage containers and/or supports food, drinks and other items below the umbrella and above the water for easy access and use by persons who are in the pool. 
     The umbrella support system is utilized to support an umbrella generally over the water surface of a pool. In a primary embodiment of the present invention, the umbrella support system comprises a skimmer basket configured to be received in a deck associated with the pool, a modified basket plate integral with or attached to the top of the skimmer basket, a support pole having a first end and a second end, a modified deck plate configured to be placed in a surface of the deck above the basket plate, an umbrella attachment mechanism at or near the first end of the support pole for attaching the umbrella to the first end of the support pole and a basket plate engagement mechanism at or near the second end of the support pole for engaging the support pole with at least one of the basket plate and the skimmer basket so as to support the support pole above the deck with the umbrella over the water surface. The deck plate has a deck plate body and a deck plate aperture through the deck plate body, with the deck plate aperture being sized and configured to allow the support pole to pass therethrough to the basket plate where it engages the basket plate and/or the basket. The support pole extends upward from the deck and outward to position the first end of the support pole, and therefore the umbrella, over the surface of the water where the umbrella will provide shade for persons in the pool. An attachment apparatus is configured to attach to and hang below the umbrella to support beverage containers, drinks, food and other items above the water surface for access to persons in the pool. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment apparatus is supported below the umbrella by an attachment pole that is connected to an attachment connector at the umbrella. 
     Accordingly, the primary aspect of the present invention is to provide an umbrella support system that provides the benefits described above and solves the problems presently associated with presently available umbrella support systems. 
     It is a primary aspect of the present invention to provide an umbrella support system that easily and directly shades a portion of the water in a pool by supporting the umbrella in a generally hanging position over the water surface. 
     It is also an important aspect of the present invention to provide an umbrella support system that utilizes an existing component of the pool filtering system to support an umbrella over the surface of the pool water so it shades a portion of the water. 
     It is also an important aspect of the present invention to provide an umbrella support system that supports an umbrella over the surface of the water by utilizing the deck of the pool and the pool&#39;s skimmer basket to support a pole that positions the umbrella over the pool surface. 
     It is also an important aspect of the present invention to provide an umbrella support system generally having an umbrella, a support pole sized and configured to extend the umbrella over the water surface of a pool, an umbrella attachment mechanism to attach the umbrella to the first end of the support pole and pool skimmer mounting mechanism to support the second end of the support pole at the deck around the pool. 
     The above and other aspects and advantages of the present invention are explained in greater detail by reference to the attached figures and the description of the preferred embodiment which follows. As set forth herein, the present invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, mode of operation and combination of the above presently described and understood by the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiments and the best modes presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an umbrella support system configured according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown with the support pole mounted in the deck and the umbrella disposed over the water surface of a pool; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded side view of the umbrella support system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an alternative embodiment of the umbrella support system of  FIG. 1  showing use of telescoping pole members with the umbrella disposed over the water surface of a pool; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded side view of the umbrella attachment mechanism utilized with the umbrella support system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the deck plate utilized with the umbrella support system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded side view of the basket plate engagement mechanism utilized with the umbrella support system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the basket plate utilized with the basket plate engagement mechanism of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternative basket plate engagement mechanism for use with the umbrella support system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the basket plate utilized with the basket plate engagement mechanism of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded side view of an alternative basket plate engagement mechanism for use with the umbrella support system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the basket plate utilized with the basket plate engagement mechanism of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of an alternative configuration for the umbrella support system of the present invention shown with the basket plate engagement mechanism of  FIG. 10  and utilizing an alternative umbrella attachment mechanism; 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of a beverage holder attachment apparatus shown in use with the umbrella support system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of a table attachment apparatus shown in use with the umbrella support system of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of a combination beverage holder and table attachment apparatuses shown in use with the umbrella support system of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the figures where like elements have been given like numerical designations to facilitate the reader&#39;s understanding of the present invention, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are set forth below. The enclosed text and drawings are merely illustrative of one or more preferred embodiments and, as such, disclose one or more different ways of configuring the present invention. Although specific components, materials, configurations and uses are illustrated, it should be understood that a number of variations to the components and to the configuration of those components described herein and in the accompanying figures can be made without changing the scope and function of the invention set forth herein. For instance, although the figures and description provided herein show certain shapes and configurations for the various components of an umbrella support system, those skilled in the art will understand that this is merely for purposes of simplifying this disclosure and that the present invention is not so limited. 
     An umbrella support system that is manufactured out of the materials and configured pursuant to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown generally as  10  in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . The umbrella support system  10  generally comprises an umbrella  12 , support pole  14 , deck plate  16 , basket plate  18  and pool filter/skimmer basket  20 . As will be explained in more detail below, the umbrella support system  10  is configured to support the pole  14  above the surface  22  of deck  24  around a pool  26  in a manner that positions the umbrella  12  substantially over the water surface  28  of the pool  26 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  12 . Typically, the umbrella support system  10  of the present invention will utilize the existing skimmer basket  20  of pool  26  that is part of the pool&#39;s filter system. Alternatively, the user can be provided with a new skimmer basket  20  that is integral with or removably attached to basket plate  18  to use with his or her pool filtration system. Umbrella  12  can be any type of umbrella that is configured to be supported by a standard support pole with the modifications described below (as may be necessary) to hang or otherwise be disposed below the outwardly extending first end  30  of support pole  14 . As explained in more detail below, the second end  32  of support pole  14  will be supportedly engaged with basket plate  18  and/or basket  20 . Although a standard, vertical umbrella pole can be utilized with the present invention, it is preferred that support pole  14  be configured to dispose the umbrella  12  over the water surface  28  of pool  26 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . A standard umbrella pole, which is generally configured to be substantially straight, will only result in the umbrella  12  being straight above the deck plate  16  instead of over the water surface  28  of pool  26 , as is desired for the preferred use of the present invention. 
     The umbrella  12  is attached at or near the first end  30  of support pole  14  utilizing an umbrella attachment mechanism  34  configured to support the umbrella  12  with the top or apex of the umbrella  12  directed upward so that it may spread out over the water surface  28 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , where the user desires shade. In a preferred embodiment, the umbrella attachment mechanism  34  is configured for the umbrella  12  to removably attach to the support pole  14 . Various attachment mechanisms, which are generally well known in the art, can be utilized to connect the umbrella  12  to the first end  26  of support pole  14  such that umbrella  12  hangs over water surface  28 . Preferably, umbrella attachment mechanism  34  connects the umbrella  12  to the first end  26  of support pole  14  in a manner that allows some movement of umbrella  12  in response to blowing wind. If desired, however, a relatively stiff or a rigid member, such as a rod, pole, tube or the like, can be utilized instead of a pivoting or flexible umbrella attachment mechanism  34  to reduce or even eliminate any swaying of umbrella  12 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the umbrella attachment mechanism  34  comprises a ball and seat apparatus having a ball  36  attached to a rod  38  that is supported by the first end  30  of support pole  14  and a seat device  40  connected to the umbrella  12  that pivotally receives the ball  36  therein, as best shown in  FIG. 4 , to allow the umbrella  12  to pivot or sway below the first end  30  of support pole  14 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . Rod  38  is received through pole aperture  42  at or near the first end  30  of support pole  14 . In a preferred embodiment, an end cap  44  is placed at the open first end  30  of support pole  14 . In an alternative embodiment, the umbrella  12  is provided with a connecting member  46 , such as a hook, at the top or apex of umbrella  12 , that is configured to removably connect to a hanging support member  48 , such as the chain shown in  FIG. 12 , in a manner that allows umbrella  12  to hang over the portion of the water surface  28  where the user desires shade while using pool  26 . As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, many different types of connecting members  46  can be utilized instead of the hook, such as clips and the like, and many different types of support members  48  can be utilized instead of the chain, including rope, wire, cable or the like. Alternatively, support member  48  can be a stiff member such as a tube, pipe, rod or the like. 
     Support pole  14  for use with the umbrella support system  10  of the present invention should be configured to dispose umbrella  12  over the portion of the pool  26  the user desires to shade. As best shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3  and  12 , the support pole  14  is generally configured in an upside down J configuration, with the long end of the “J” (i.e., the second end  32 ) being engaged with basket  20 , as described below and the short end of the “J” having umbrella attachment mechanism  34  to interconnect the umbrella  12  and support pole  14 . In the preferred configuration, support pole  14  comprises a plurality of interconnecting or interlocking tubular members, such as first pole member  50  and second pole member  52  in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , that are connected together to form the desired length and shape. In a preferred embodiment, a tube connector  54  is utilized to connect the adjacent ends of the first  50  and second  52  pole members, as best shown in  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, the adjacent ends of the pole members  50 / 52  can be sized and configured for interlocking engagement. In the embodiment of  FIG. 12 , support pole  14  also comprises a third pole member  56  and a fourth pole member  58 . Although support pole  14  may be provided as a single piece pole of the desired length, a multiple piece support pole  14  has the benefit of allowing the user to disconnect pole members  50 / 52  or  50 - 54  when the umbrella support system  10  is not needed (e.g., during winter when the pool is not being utilized) for ease of handling and storage. In addition, a modular pole configuration reduces the cost of shipping and storing umbrella support system  10  for the manufacturer and retailer. In one embodiment, support pole  14  is configured to allow the user to select the desired lengths of one or more of pole members  50 / 52 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , each pole member  50 / 52  can comprise two separate members  50   a / 50   b  and  52   a / 52   b  that are telescopically or otherwise configured to extend or retract in length as may be desired by the user depending on the size of pool, target area for the shade, overhang height of surrounding structures or vegetation and/or other factors. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the various pole submembers  50   a / 50   b  and  52   a / 52   b  connect using a retractable pin and multi-aperture arrangement. As well known in the art, other types of extension systems may also be applicable to the support poles  14  utilized with the umbrella support system  10 . The support pole  14  can be made out of a variety of different materials, including plastic, composites or metal. The material should be corrosion resistant and, preferably for ease of handling, of reasonable weight. In one embodiment, the support pole  14  is made out of aluminum which is powder coated for improved performance. 
     Deck plate  16  and basket plate  18 , best shown in  FIGS. 4 through 6 , will replace the existing or standard deck plate and basket plate which are utilized with the pool&#39;s filtering system. As well known, the pool filtering system includes an intake that draws water from the pool  26  toward a system of filters that filters, and in some cases heats, the water and then pumps it back in to the pool  26 . The typical intake includes a removable skimmer basket  20  that prefilters the water to remove the larger debris so as to prevent excessive clogging of the filters and damage to the pumps that push or pull the pool water through the filters. Skimmer basket  20  resides at the bottom of a chamber that is covered by the standard deck plate, which is primarily solid so that people can walk over it without falling into the chamber. A standard basket plate is configured to enclose skimmer basket  20  in a manner that still allows water and debris to be drawn into skimmer basket  20 . Periodically, the pool operator or owner removes the basket  20  from the chamber to dispose of the larger debris. 
     The deck plate  16  of the present invention includes a solid deck plate body  60  with a deck plate aperture  62 , which will typically be positioned at or near the center of deck plate  16  as best shown in  FIG. 5 , that is sized and configured to receive the support pole  14 , or at least the relevant pole member (i.e., member  52 ) therethrough. In a typical configuration, support pole  14  will have a round cross-section, requiring a circular configuration for deck plate aperture  62  that is only slightly larger than the outside diameter of the second end  32  of support pole  14 . Preferably, the outer peripheral edge  64  of the deck plate  16  is beveled to allow a portion of the deck plate  16  to sit inside of the chamber where skimmer basket  20  is positioned such that the upwardly disposed top surface of deck plate  16  is substantially planar with the surrounding deck surface  22 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  12 . As with the standard deck plate, the deck plate body  60  of deck plate  16  should be configured to allow people to walk across the deck plate  16  when walking on the deck  24  and the support pole  14  of umbrella support system  10  is not in place. As with standard deck plates, various plastic and composite materials are generally suitable for deck plate  16 . 
     The umbrella support system  10  of the present invention utilizes a basket plate engagement mechanism  66  at or near the second end  32  of support pole  14  for engaging the support pole  14  with the basket plate  16  and/or the skimmer basket  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  and  12 - 15 . Basket plate  18  is sized and configured to securely attach to the top of basket  20 , as best shown in  FIG. 8 . Basket plate  18  will comprise a solid basket plate body  68  that is sufficiently strong enough to support the second end  32  of support pole  14  in a generally vertical configuration, as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3  and  12 . The outer or peripheral edge  70  of the basket plate body  68  is sized and configured to engage and be supported by the upper peripheral edge  72  of the basket  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Preferably, the basket plate  18  is removably attached to basket  20 , as is generally typical for existing lids or other covers for skimmer baskets  20 , so the user may remove it as necessary to remove the leaves and other trash material, which are received in basket  20  through the relatively large trash apertures  73  in basket plate  18 , that are trapped in the basket  20  as part of the pool&#39;s filtration system. 
     A variety of different basket plate engagement mechanisms  66  can be utilized with the umbrella support system  10  of the present invention. In  FIGS. 1 through 3 ,  6  and  7 , the basket plate engagement mechanism  66  comprises a tube insert member  74  that is sized and configured to be received in the open second end  32  of support pole  14 , as best shown in  FIG. 6 , a connector  76  that connects to the tube insert member  74  and secures it to the basket plate  18  and a basket plate aperture  78  sized and configured to allow a portion of connector  76  to pass through the basket plate  18  so that it may connectedly engage the tube insert member  74  and secure it to the top surface  80  of basket plate  18 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the connector  76  is a bolt, the tube insert member  74  has a cooperatively threaded aperture  82  that is sized and configured to receive the connector/bolt  76  and the basket plate aperture  78  is generally configured as a slot. When connector  74  is threadably inserted into the aperture  82  and tightened, tube insert member  74  is clamped to the top surface  80  of basket plate  18 . In use, the second end  32  of support pole  14  is positioned over the tube insert member  74  and then pushed down to engage the tube insert member  74  inside its open second end  32 . With the support pole  14  through the deck plate aperture  62  of deck plate  16  and the deck plate  16  in position in deck  24 , the tube insert member  74  sufficiently supports the second end  32  of support pole  14  as the first end  30  thereof extends outwardly over the water surface  28  of pool  26  with the umbrella  12  hanging from the first end  30  of support pole  14 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
     An alternative basket plate engagement mechanism  66  is shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . In this embodiment, a bracket  84  is fixedly attached to the top surface  80  of basket plate  18 . The bracket  84  defines an upwardly disposed pole receiving section  86  that is sized and configured to receive the second end  32  of support pole  14  therein and connect thereto using a connector  76 , such as a bolt, screw or the like. Alternatively, a pin or pin-like device can be inserted through the bracket  84  to engage the second end  32  of support pole  14 . When engaged with the second end  32  of support pole  14 , the bracket  84  connects the support pole  14  to the basket plate  18 . With deck plate  16  positioned in deck  24 , the bracket  84  secures the second end  32  of support pole  14  so the first end  30  thereof may extend outward over the water surface  28  of pool  26  while supporting the umbrella  12  therefrom. 
     Another alternative embodiment for the basket plate engagement mechanism  66  is shown in  FIGS. 10 through 12 . In this embodiment, the basket plate aperture  78  in basket plate  18  is positioned at or near the center of the basket plate  18  and is sized and configured to receive the second end  32  of the support pole  14  therethrough. Preferably, basket plate aperture  78  is sized so as to be only slightly larger than the size (i.e., diameter) of the second end  32  of support pole  14  to support the support pole  14  in cooperation with the deck plate  16  positioned in deck  24 . In one configuration for this embodiment, a tube insert member  74 , sized and configured to be received inside the open second end  32  of support pole  14 , is positioned at the bottom wall  88  inside basket  20  to engage the second end  32  of support pole  14  to better support the support pole  14  when the first end  30  thereof extends outwardly over the water surface  28  of pool  26  with the umbrella  12  hanging therefrom, as shown in  FIG. 12 . If desired, a pin or other device can be utilized to securely connect the second end  32  of support pole  14  with the tube insert member  74  inside basket  20 . As with the previous embodiments, trash apertures  73  are configured to allow pool water and the debris associated therewith to flow through basket plate  18  into basket  20 . 
     The preferred configuration of the umbrella support system  10  of the present invention also includes an attachment apparatus  90 , shown on  FIGS. 13 through 15 , that can further increase the use and enjoyment of umbrella support system  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 13-15 , the attachment apparatus  90  is configured to be supported below umbrella  12  and, in the preferred configuration, above the water surface  28 . In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 13 , attachment apparatus  90  comprises a beverage holder  92  configured to hold a plurality of cans, bottles or other beverage containers  94 . Preferably, the beverage holder  92  is also configured to hold ice or other material or otherwise is configured to keep the drinks in containers  94  cold for improved enjoyment of the user. In a preferred embodiment, the beverage holder  92  has a removable, securable lid or other closing device that allows the user to open the beverage holder  92  and place ice or other cold materials inside. In an alternative embodiment, shown in  FIG. 14 , the attachment apparatus  90  is a refreshment table  96  that provides a flat surface on which the user can place drinks (including drinks in glass  98 ), food (such as the chips  100 ) and other snack-related items (such as dip  102 ). In the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 15 , the attachment apparatus  90  is a combination beverage holder  92  and refreshment table  96  that can be utilized to hold a plurality of beverage containers  94  and food and food related items  100 / 102 . In a preferred embodiment, the attachment apparatus  90  is attached to an attachment support  104  that supports the attachment apparatus  90  below the umbrella  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 13-15 . Preferably, the attachment support  104  is a tube, pole, rod or like member that is stiff so as to limit movement of the attachment apparatus  90  relative to the umbrella  12 . A attachment connector  106  is utilized to interconnect the attachment apparatus  90  with the umbrella  12 . Attachment connector  106  can be a threaded male end that threadably engages a threaded female end, a removable pin/aperture combination, a retractable pin/aperture device, a twist and lock mechanism or a variety of other devices that are utilized to connect, preferable removably connect, a tubular member to another structure (i.e., the attachment support  104  to the umbrella  12 ). One advantage of the attachment apparatus  90  shown in  FIGS. 13-15  is that it will not float away from the user, as is typical of many of the pool refreshment holders currently available. Various configurations of beverage holder  92  and refreshment plate  96  are generally well known to those skilled in the art. 
     In use, the user will replace his or her existing deck plate and basket plate with the specially configured deck plate  16  and basket plate  18  described above. In one embodiment, basket plate  18  will be attached to the user&#39;s existing basket  20 . In another embodiment, the user will be supplied with a combination basket plate  18  and basket  20  configured for use with the umbrella support system  10  of the present invention. Depending on the configuration utilized for the basket plate engagement mechanism  66  and whether supplied as a single component with basket plate  18 , the user will either put the components together or, if already constructed, merely place the basket plate  18  and basket  20  inside the skimmer chamber and then place the deck plate  16  at the top of the chamber, preferably at least generally planar with the surrounding deck. In a preferred embodiment, support pole  14  is formed from two or more pole members, such as pole members  50  and  52 . Utilizing an umbrella attachment mechanism  34 , such as those described above, the user connects the umbrella  12  to the support pole  14  at or near the first end  30  thereof. Utilizing the basket plate engagement mechanism  66 , the second end  32  of support pole  14  is engaged with the basket plate  18  and/or basket  20  to generally support the support pole  14  upward from the deck  24  with the first end  30  of support pole  14  positioned outwardly such that the umbrella  12  is disposed over the surface water  28  of pool  26 . Once in place, umbrella  12  will provide shade to persons in pool  26  to prevent sunburns or other sun/heat related problems. If desired, prior to positioning the umbrella  12  over the water surface  28  the user can connect one of the attachment apparatuses  90  described above to the umbrella  12 , utilizing attachment pole  104  and attachment connector  106  (or like devices), so that he or she can have cold beverages, food and/or other items easily available while to them while relaxing in pool  26  under the shade provided by the umbrella support system  10  of the present invention. 
     While there are shown and described herein a specific form of the invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but is susceptible to various modifications and rearrangements in design and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, it should be noted that the present invention is subject to modification with regard to any dimensional relationships set forth herein and modifications in assembly, materials, size, shape and use. For instance, there are numerous components described herein that can be replaced with equivalent functioning components to accomplish the objectives of the present invention.