Abstract:
The present invention provides an umbrella fan which includes a pole, an upper hub, main umbrella support members, a lower hub, lower umbrella support arms and a main umbrella fabric cover attached to the main umbrella support members. At least one misting element is attached to the main umbrella support members to direct a misting spray downwardly to an area under the fabric cover of the umbrella.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a misting umbrella. More specifically, it relates to a umbrella which has at least one misting element attached to direct a spray of water downwardly to an area under a main umbrella fabric cover. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     A variety of umbrellas have been proposed. Many types and styles of umbrellas exist but none have been heretofore proposed which provide a misting element which directs a spray of water downwardly to an area under a main umbrella fabric cover. A number of different inventors have proposed the provision of misting elements on lounge chairs and the like to cool persons lying in the sun. See for example, Schafer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,617; Dome, U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,596; Aspinall, U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,731; Gibson, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,339 and Gange, U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,342. While such devices do provide some cooling to the individual, lying in the sun can be hazardous with risks of sun burn and even skin cancer. 
     The primary purposes of umbrellas over their many years of existence has been to provide shade and to provide shelter from rain. Thus, one on the main purposes of an umbrella is being challenged and contradicted by the present invention. Rather than providing an umbrella to shelter a person from the rain, the umbrella is being utilized to provide shade and to actually apply water to such person for additional comfort and cooling. 
     There remains a need for an umbrella which is lightweight, collapsible, portable and which utilizes one or more misting elements to direct a spray of water downwardly to an area under a main umbrella fabric cover. With such an arrangement, protection from the dangerous rays of the sun is provided while allowing the at least one misting element to provide cooling for individuals seated or standing beneath the umbrella. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In its simplest form the present invention provides a misting umbrella comprising a pole; an upper hub; a plurality of main umbrella support members; a lower hub; a plurality of lower umbrella support arms; a main umbrella fabric cover attached to said main umbrella support members; and at least one spray member attached to at least one of said main umbrella support members, said at least one spray member directed downwardly and connected to a supply of water. 
     Preferably said at least one spray member comprises a plurality of spray members, each spray member attached to one of said main umbrella support members. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the invention a distribution ring provides a supply of water to plural distribution lines attached to said plurality of spray members. Said distribution ring preferably includes plural “T” shaped distributors connected to form a ring by plural ring lines and connected to one of said distribution lines. Preferably a main supply line provides a supply of water from a pump to said distribution ring. 
     Said main supply line may be connected to said distribution ring by a “T” shaped distributor but is preferably connected to said distribution ring by an “X” shaped distributor. 
     Said supply of water is preferably comprised of tubular lines of a flexible material such a plastic, rubber or nylon. Said tubular lines preferably comprise a main supply line, ring lines and distribution lines. 
     Said distribution ring is preferably flexible so as to allows said main umbrella support members to be moved from an open to a closed position in a normal manner. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the invention a shut off valve is also provided to allow intermittent use of said at least one spray member at desired intervals. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a misting umbrella of the present invention in an open position. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of an umbrella of the present invention in a closed position. 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of a misting umbrella of the present invention with the fabric cover removed. 
     FIG. 4 is an isometric view showing the details of a distribution ring according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is an isometric view showing a main supply line connected to said distribution ring by a “T” shaped distributor. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the Figures, the umbrella  5  includes a pole  10 . Pole  10  has an upper end  16  and a lower end  18 . A cap  12  is provided on upper end  16  of pole  10 . The cap  12  is secured to upper end  16  of pole  10  by means of a cap screw  14 . A hole  19  is provided from pole  10  for a pin  24  which will be described in greater detail hereinafter. 
     An upper hub  30  is provided which includes notches  32  for pivotal mounting of main umbrella support members  40 . Main umbrella support members  40  are provided which each include an inner portion  42 , a central portion  46  and an outermost portion  44 . The innermost portion  42  of main umbrella support member  40  is pivotally attached in notch  32  of hub  30 . Outermost portion  44  of main umbrella support member  40  are secured within a pocket  124  of a main umbrella fabric cover  120 . A lower support block  20  is provided which is held in position against downward movement by lower support block pin  24  which, as previously indicated, is inserted through hole  19  and the lower end  18  of pole  10 . A lower hub  50 , which includes notches  52 , is also provided. A plurality of lower umbrella support arms  60  having a first end pivotally attached to in notches  52  of lower hub  50  and having a second end pivotally attached to central portion  46  of main umbrella support members  40 . Each of these connections are pivotal connections which allows the umbrella to be opened and closed between an open position and a closed position in the well known manner. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that a singular main umbrella fabric cover  120  is provided in the manner which is most commonly practiced with existing patio umbrellas. Such main umbrella fabric cover  120  is formed out of generally triangular segments  122  as shown in FIG.  2 . These triangular segments  122  are sewn together. If desired, an additional piece of fabric  124  may be provided over a central portion of the main umbrella fabric cover  120 . As shown in FIG. 1, each of the main umbrella support members  40  are attached within pockets  124  of the main umbrella fabric cover  120 . 
     As will be obvious, the lower hub  50  is adapted for sliding motion on pole  10  allowing the umbrella to be moved from an open position to a closed position. Such operation is well known in the art. 
     Referring now to the operation of the mist generating portion of the invention, a pump  61  is provided which is connected to an electrical source (not shown). A supply of water is provided through a hose line  62 . The output of the pump is provided to a main supply line  70 . A shut-off valve  72  is provided preferably at a location near the base of pole  10  to allow a user to turn the mist on and off as desired. As shown, the main supply line  70  is attached to pole  10  by connectors  120 . The main supply line  70  is connected tightly to the pole  10  and runs between the pole  10  and the lower support  20 , lower hub  50  and upper hub  30 . 
     The main supply  70  is preferably connected to a distribution ring  80  which is formed of a number of individual water distributors as will be hereinafter discussed. Preferably, an “X” shaped distributor  100  is provided having an input end  102  connected to main supply line  70 . Two lateral outputs  104  are connected respectively by ring lines  82  to “T” shaped connectors  110  as best shown in FIG.  4 . The “X” shaped distributor  100  also has an output  106  which is connected directly to a distribution line  90  which carries the water directly to a spray member  92 . 
     Each “T” shaped distribution member  110  has a pair of lateral outputs  114  which form a portion of the distribution ring  80  and have an output  116  which are connected to a distribution line  90 . Each of the distribution members  100 ,  110  are attached to a main umbrella support member  40  by means of connectors  120  as best shown in FIG.  4 . The distribution lines  90  pass through an opening  91  in the outer ends  44  of the main support  40  and are connected to spray members  92 . 
     In use, once the pump  61  is turned on and valve  72  opened, water flows through main supply line  70 , through distribution ring  80  to the distribution lines  90  and a spray is emitted downwardly by spray members  92 . It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that a variety of different spray member configurations could be utilized to provide a fine mist or even a heavy shower, if desired. The spray is directed downwardly to an area beneath the umbrella fabric  120  as best shown in FIG.  1 . 
     The present invention provides a lightweight and portable misting umbrella which provides both shade from the sun as well as a refreshing mist of water to provide for additional cooling to those located beneath the umbrella.