Patent Abstract:
A support stand for a beach umbrella or similar structure that requires support is described. The support stand includes a base plate having an upwardly extending attachment cylinder for receiving a pole of an item the needs support. The bottom of the support stand includes a plurality of pivotally attached projections for extending into the ground to provide support. The projections are biased open but can be selectively folded flat against the bottom of the support stand and then held in place for transportation or storage. The support stand includes a handle and pole attachment features the enable one handed transportation.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     There are no current co-pending applications. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The presently disclosed subject matter is directed towards a beach sun shades. More particularly the present invention relates to beach umbrellas having base plates with pivotal projections for securing in the beach umbrella in place. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Very few leisure time activities can rival spending a warm summer day at the beach. The sun, sand, relaxation, time with family and friends make the beach very popular. However, at times the sun and the heat it produces can be overwhelming. 
     To block the sun many people use beach umbrellas. Beach umbrellas not only provide sun protection but privacy as well. While beach umbrellas have proven very successful they are not without problems. As is well known beach umbrellas are prone to becoming dislodged, falling over, getting blown away, and become hazards. Such actions often damage umbrellas beyond repair, requiring costly replacement. Even slight breezes can create problems. 
     The tendency for beach umbrellas to pull out of the sand is aggravated by not inserting the umbrella far enough. Pushing an umbrella poll into the sand can be difficult even for those that have great physical strength. In addition umbrella surface areas, sand textures, sand moisture, and wind all tend to pull umbrellas out of the sand over time. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a device by which beach umbrellas can be firmly fastened into sand to withstand windy conditions. Preferably such a device would not require great physical strength, pounding into the sand, or even tools. Beneficially such device would enable beach umbrellas to be used in different sand conditions, environmental conditions, and the like. Ideally such devices would be useful with a range of beach umbrellas and would incorporate a mechanism for easily attaching a beach umbrella. Such a device that prevents loss and damage to beach umbrellas would be particularly useful. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The principles of the present invention provide for a support system for attaching beach umbrellas or similar structure to sand so as to withstand windy conditions. 
     A support system in accord with the present invention includes a support base with a top and a bottom and an attachment sleeve that extends from the top. An attachment fastener passes through the support base to retain the attachment sleeve in place. The system further includes first and second triangular-shaped appendage for penetrating into a grade. The first and second triangular-shaped appendages are hinged mounted by first and second hinges to the bottom of the support base. In practice the attachment fastener can pass through the center of the support base while a pole fastener, such as a thumbscrew, is threaded into the side of the attachment sleeve. 
     The first triangular-shaped appendage is beneficially about four inches (4 in.) wide at the base, one inch (1 in.) wide at the tip, and approximately four-and-a-half inches (4½ in.) along each angled side, while the support base is beneficially circular. The support base preferably includes a hanging hook near its perimeter as well as a carrying handle. In practice the support system will further include a third triangular-shaped appendage; a fourth triangular-shaped appendage, a third hinge assembly attaching the third triangular-shaped appendage to the bottom, and a fourth hinge assembly attaching the fourth triangular-shaped appendage to the bottom. The support system is particularly useful for supporting a beach umbrella having a lower support tube, a canopy, a height adjustment system, and an angle adjustment system. In use the lower support tube is inserted into the attachment sleeve. 
     Another support system in accord with the present invention includes a support base having a top and a bottom and an attachment sleeve that extends from the top. An attachment fastener passes through the support base to retain the attachment sleeve in position. The support system further includes a first triangular-shaped appendage, a second triangular-shaped appendage, a third triangular-shaped appendage, a fourth triangular-shaped appendage, a first hinge assembly attaching the first triangular-shaped appendage to the bottom, a second hinge assembly attaching the second triangular-shaped appendage to the bottom, a third hinge assembly attaching the third triangular-shaped appendage to the bottom, and a fourth hinge assembly attaching the fourth triangular-shaped appendage to the bottom. An attachment fastener passes through the center of the support base, while a pole fastener threads into a side of the attachment sleeve. Beneficially the pole fastener is a thumbscrew and the support base is substantially circular. 
     Preferably the support base includes a hanging hook near its perimeter, a carrying handle, and a pair of fastening clamps. The support base can work with a beach umbrella having a lower support tube, a canopy, a height adjustment system, and an angle adjustment system. In that case the lower support tube is inserted into the attachment sleeve. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention 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 a side view of a support system  10  for beach umbrellas  30  that is in accord with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom view of a support base  15  used with the support system  10  shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the support base  15  shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4   a  is detailed view of a triangular-shaped appendages  60  used with the system  10  shown in a deployed state; 
         FIG. 4   b  is detailed view of the triangular-shaped appendages  60  shown stowed; and, 
         FIG. 5  is a section view of the support base  15  taken along line I-I of  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  surface support system for beach umbrellas 
               15  support base 
               20  grade 
               25  beach umbrella 
               30  canopy 
               35  height adjustment system 
               40  angle adjustment system 
               45  attachment sleeve 
               50  lower support tube 
               55  securing fastener 
               60  triangular-shaped appendage 
               65  hinge assembly 
               70  attachment fastener 
               75  hanging hook 
               80  carrying handle 
               85  fastening clamp 
               90  base mounting bracket 
               95  appendage pivot 
               100  spring assembly 
               105  release lever 
               110  first travel path arrow 
               115  second travel path arrow 
               120  opening 
               125  upper opening 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. 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 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. 
       FIG. 1  presents a side view of a support system  10  used to support a beach umbrella  25  according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The support system  10  includes a support base  15  which rests upon a grade  20  such as sand, dirt, grass, gravel, rock or the like. The support base  15  supports the beach umbrella  25 , which has a conventional design. The beach umbrella  25  includes a canopy  30 , a height adjustment system  35  and an angle adjustment system  40 . While  FIG. 1  shows a beach umbrella  25  it should be noted that other similar structures such as a dining canopy, an awning, a tent, or the like also could benefit from the support system  10 . As such it should be understood that the present invention is not necessarily restricted to use with beach umbrellas  25 . However, beach umbrellas  25  can clearly benefit from the present invention. 
     The support system  10  includes an attachment sleeve  45  for holding a lower support tube  50 . The lower support tube  50  is retained in the attachment sleeve  45  by a securing a fastener  55  such as a threaded thumbscrew. The securing fastener  55  and the attachment sleeve  45  provide a strong physical connection that ensures that the lower support tube  50  and subsequently the beach umbrella  25  will not become dislodged from the support base  15  by wind or other forces. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a bottom view of the support base  15 , the support base  15  is envisioned as being approximately ten to twelve inches (10-12 in.) in diameter. However, larger and smaller versions could be produced. Thus the specific size is not intended to be a limiting factor of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the bottom of the support base  15  includes a plurality of triangular-shaped appendages  60  which penetrate into the grade  20  for additional holding power. The triangular-shaped appendages  60  (four (4) shown in the preferred embodiment) are shown in  FIG. 2  folded or stowed state to allow for ease of storage and transport, while  FIG. 1  shows them extended. The folding capability is provided by a hinge assembly  65  at each of the triangular-shaped appendages  60 . 
     Each triangular-shaped appendage  60  is envisioned as being approximately four inches (4 in.) wide at the base, one inch (1 in.) wide at the tip, and approximately four-and-a-half inches (4½ in.) along each angled sides. An attachment  70 , such as a bolt, passes through the center of the support base  15 . The attachment  70  is used to fasten the attachment sleeve  45  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) to the support base  15 . Additionally, the support base  15  includes a hanging hook  75  near the edge of the support base  15 . The hanging hook  75  is used to hang the support base  15  from a standard wall hook for storage. Finally, the support base  15  includes a carrying handle  80  to facilitate carrying the support base  15 . 
     It is envisioned that the support base  15  is made of heavy, dense and strong material such as steel, iron, possibly aluminum, or even a heavy or weighted plastic. The support base  15  beneficially weights approximately ten to fifteen pounds (10-15 lbs). This provides a weighted platform while still enabling easy carrying of the support base  15 . 
       FIG. 3  presents a top view of the support base  15 . The carrying handle  80  is clearly shown. Also shown at the center of the support base  15  are the attachment sleeve  45  and the securing fastener  55 . A pair of fastening clamps  85  is located on support base  15 , beneficially opposite the carrying handle  80 . The fastening clamps  85  hold the lower support tube  50  (partially shown via dashed lines for purposes of illustration) of the beach umbrella  25  when the lower support tube  50  is stored. The fastening clamps  85  enable easy transportation of the support system  10 , including a beach umbrella  25  as one unit. Thus both the support system  10  and the beach umbrella  25  can be carried single handedly via the carrying handle  80 . 
       FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  show detailed views of the triangular-shaped appendages  60  and hinge assemblies  65 . Each triangular-shaped appendage  60  is attached to the support base  15  by a hinge assembly  65 . Each hinge assembly  65  includes a base mounting bracket  90 , an appendage pivot  95 , a spring assembly  100 , and a release lever  105 . Being spring-loaded the triangular-shaped appendages  60  can easily be placed in the deployed or active position as shown in  FIG. 4   a . When the release lever  105  is pressed, the triangular-shaped appendages  60  can each be folded against the bias provided by the spring assembly  100  to the bottom of the support base  15  as shown by a first travel path arrow  110 . When fully folded the triangular-shaped appendages  60  are locked in place by the release lever  105 . This is shown in  FIG. 4   b . Such folding reduces the likelihood of contact with objects, surfaces, or individuals when the support system  10  is being carried. When the release lever  105  releases the triangular-shaped appendages  60  the spring assembly  100  forces the triangular-shaped appendages  60  to pivot on the mounting bracket  90  using the appendage pivot  95  to move along the second travel path arrow  115  for deployment. 
       FIG. 5  presents a section view of the support base  15  taken along line I-I of  FIG. 3  with the support base  15  shown in a partial view due to illustrative limitations. The attachment  70  passes through an opening  120  in the support base  15  to engage the attachment sleeve  45 . Tightening the attachment  70  tightens the attachment sleeve  45  against the support base  15  such that the attachment sleeve  45  is held tight. The lower support tube  50  of the beach umbrella  25  (see  FIG. 1 ) is placed into an upper opening  125  until it is fully seated. Finally, the securing fastener  55  is twisted until contacts the lower support tube  50  to hold it in place. The securing fastener  55  can be disengaged to allow for easy removal of the beach umbrella  25  for storage and transportation. 
     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. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention. While only one particular configuration is shown and described that is for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be used by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. It is envisioned that the support system  10  would be constructed and used in general accordance with  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 5 . The support base  15  along with its associated components could be used with a conventional beach umbrella  25  or manufactured and sold with a specific beach umbrella  25  for use with the support base  15 . Should assembly of the beach umbrella  25  be pursued, standard and well-known manufacturing methods would be applied. In addition, the support base  15  can be used with other devices such as canopies that required a solid support. 
     In use the support system  10  would be carried to a desired spot on the beach, yard, park, or other location where shade and protection is desired. The lower support tube  50  attached to the beach umbrella  25  is disengaged from the fastening clamps  85  and set aside. Next, the triangular-shaped appendages  60  are deployed by releasing the release lever  105  and allowing the triangular-shaped appendages  60  to move along the second travel path arrow  115  as shown in  FIG. 4   b . That process is repeated for each of triangular-shaped appendages  60 . The support base  15  is then placed into the grade by pushing it downward until the lower surface of the support base  15  is against the grade. 
     The lower support tube  50  is then inserted into the attachment sleeve  45  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The inserted lower support tube  50  is then secured in place the use the securing fastener  55 . The beach umbrella  25  is then adjusted in height and angle by use of the height adjustment system  35  and the angle adjustment system  40 , respectively. When use is complete the user would reverse the aforementioned process for storage. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4