Abstract:
An apparatus for anchoring an umbrella having a generally cylindrical container structure, having a bottom panel area securely attached to the cylindrical center structure, the bottom panel having a generally concentric opening to the interior of the central structure which is adapted to permit an umbrella pole&#39;s lower portion to protrude therefrom for placement on a sand base. A panel with an upper opening is attached to the cylindrical central structure. The upper opening panel is configured to receive an umbrella pole and an amount of sand sufficient to provide support for the pole and ballast for the umbrella. At least one strap is attached at one end of the central structure and is of sufficient length to wrap over the umbrella pole runner and around the pole and through the spokes to secure the umbrella support structure, eliminating wobbling and keeping the umbrella from flying across the sand.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of co-pending application U.S. Ser. No. 61/388,996 filed Oct. 1, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to improved devices and methods for anchoring umbrellas and similar objects prone to wind exposure. The invention is also suitable for securing a small craft, such as a sail boat, canoe, raft and the like against their being pulled away from the shore by wind, tide and swells created by larger craft in the vicinity. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional beach umbrellas suffer from a tendency toward flight during windy conditions, causing at least inconvenience if not out right damage or injury. 
     The subject system provides a new anchoring system for securing umbrellas during dangerous blowing conditions. 
     The anchoring device of the present invention works in conjunction with the sand and beach, not against them, just borrow the available sand for ballast and return it when it is time to take down the umbrella. Additionally, in accordance with the invention, an umbrella can be adjusted to almost any angle when it is needed and on all kinds of beach sand, whether rocky, pebbly, hard and compact, soft and powdery or granular. 
     The subject system provides stability from the top of the umbrella construction, above the umbrella runner and through the spokes of the umbrella support structure. This mechanism eliminates wiggling and wobbling and even in the event that the umbrella tips over, the ballast will keep the umbrella from flying across a beach. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject anchoring apparatus for an umbrella construction has a container or container-like portion for accommodating ballast, and one or more strapping mechanisms for securing weight ballast to a deployed umbrella. One preferred embodiment of the subject design comprises: (a) a generally cylindrical central structure; (b) a bottom panel area securely attached to the cylindrical central structure, the bottom panel having a generally concentric opening to the interior of the central structure adapted to permit an umbrella pole&#39;s lower portion to protrude therefrom for placement upon a sand base; (c) an upper opening panel securely attached to the cylindrical central structure, the upper opening panel configured to receive an umbrella pole and an amount of sand sufficient to provide support for the pole and ballast for the umbrella, the upper opening panel having a closure configured to enclose sand ballast and an umbrella pole deployed through the upper panel; and (d) at least one fixed length or adjustable length strap securely attached at one end to the anchor cylindrical central structure of sufficient length to wrap over the umbrella pole runner and engage and secure, as by tying or clasping, the umbrella runner and pole. As used herein “central structure” refers to the principle ballast containing portion of the device, as well as its generally central location. It will be recognized in accordance with the teachings below, the anchoring ballast can be off-set as may be desired in differing deployments of the device and method. 
     The adjustable length strap is preferably a pair of adjustable straps each securely attached to the anchoring apparatus at one end and each having a complementary clasping device at the other end of each strap. The adjustable straps are fabric webs such as canvas, nylon, cotton, polyester and vinyl fabrics and blends thereof. The complementary clasping devices are preferably snap buckles, and particularly adjustable buckle type connectors, and including cam buckles, and hook and loop fasteners. Preferably, the adjustable strap is securely stitched to the anchoring apparatus at one end thereof. The central structure may utilize one or more pig-tail straps to which longer strapping or webbing may be attached as desired or necessary. 
     Other shapes for the central structure are possible, each having complementary side, bottom or top panels. Besides the aforementioned cylindrical shape, for example, square and rectangular containers may be utilized. 
     In preferred embodiments of the subject design of the anchoring apparatus the upper opening panel closure is a drawstring with a cinching barrel clip. The upper opening flap or panel, the central cylindrical panel and the bottom panel are typically fabric panels, securely stitched together. Typically, the subject apparatus will be manufactured by combining separate panel sections; however, larger sections encompassing more than one panel or section at a time may be utilized where convenient or desired. The fabric panels are preferably made of canvas, nylon, cotton, polyester and vinyl fabrics and blends thereof, and may be integrally stitched together from separate panels, or the fabric panels are provided by one or more fabric templates. Two to six hundred denier fabrics have been found to work particularly well in the present application, however other materials, including injection molded plastics can be used to fabricate the central structure. 
     The one method of anchoring an umbrella on a sand base comprises the steps of: (i) locating a position to place an umbrella; (ii) deploying the lower end of an umbrella pole through an anchoring apparatus, the anchoring apparatus having: (a) a generally cylindrical central structure; (b) a bottom panel area securely attached to the cylindrical central structure, the bottom panel having a generally concentric opening to the interior of the central structure adapted to permit an umbrella pole lower portion to protrude therefrom for placement upon a sand base; (c) an upper opening panel configured to receive an umbrella pole and an amount of sand sufficient to provide support for the pole and ballast for the umbrella, the upper opening panel having a closure configured to enclose the sand ballast and an umbrella pole deployed through the upper panel; and (d) at least one adjustable length strap securely attached at one end to the anchor cylindrical central structure of sufficient length to wrap over and engage one or more ribs of an umbrella construction and around the umbrella pole; (iii) placing the anchoring apparatus with the lower portion of the pole extending there through upon the sand and so that the lower portion of the pole extends into the sand; (iv) filling the anchoring apparatus with sufficient sand to support the umbrella pole and provide ballast; and (v) engaging the upper section of the vertical pole above the ribs of the umbrella with one or more adjustable web straps securely attached at one end to a first point of the anchoring apparatus. In preferred embodiments, the web straps are adjustable in length and are attached at each far end to a second point of the anchoring apparatus. 
     In other methods and embodiments, an umbrella pole may be affixed to the side of the central container structure providing ballast as well as within and through the central container structure. 
     The subject improved system may be made and used in accordance with the apparatus and methods described in detail below. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent when the detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments of the invention are considered with reference to the accompanying drawings, which should be construed in an illustrative and not limiting sense as follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the subject apparatus. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an elevated side view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1  in one stage of the method of use. 
         FIG. 4  is an elevated side view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1  during another stage of the method of use. 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of one method of employing the apparatus. 
         FIG. 6  is an illustration of an additional method of employing the apparatus. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the apparatus of the invention wherein the cylindrical central structure and the upper panel are constructed of a single, integral piece of material. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic detail depicting an umbrella support structure secured with strapping in another embodiment of the subject apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The subject improved apparatus has several important elements as detailed herein below. It will be recognized that many of the fabric panels deployed herein will be stitched together, using hems or piping as appropriate. 
     The subject anchoring apparatus  10  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The main compartment will be a generally cylindrical central structure which is preferably a flexible fabric or bag  12  constructed of a versatile fabric or cloth such as canvas or nylon, that will be strong, sturdy, and flexible. Other materials may also be used. Near the top of the flexible bag cylinder  12  is upper opening panel  19 . Between the main part of the bag  12  and the upper opening panel  19  is seam  20 . It should be recognized that the main cylindrical central structure  12  and the upper opening panel  19  may be constructed of a single integral piece of material, or it may be constructed by separate panels of material. The upper opening panel  19  may have folds, gussets, or pleats sewn into it as well. At the top pf upper opening panel  19  is opening  22  which allows access to the interior of the bag. Around the outer edge of the opening is a tubular hem  18  which will be stitched into the bag  18  as a means of finishing the edge of the opening  22 . Further, within the hem  18 , a drawstring  14  will be threaded for use in cinching the bag closed during use, as will be described below. The hem  18  will have opening  17  which will allow the drawstring  14  to be threaded through the hem  18  around the top edge of the opening  22 . The drawstring  14  will be threaded through a cinching barrel clasp  16 . The barrel clasp  16  will preferably be made of plastic but may be made of metal or other suitable material. Optionally, there may be an attachment loop  15  sewn into the base of the bag  12 , which may be a loop of fabric, a plastic ring, or any other type of loop for securing the ends of the drawstring  15  to the outer side of the bag  12 , thereby preventing the ends of the drawstring from being pulled into the hem  18  or from coming completely unthreaded. 
     In  FIG. 1  showing a preferred embodiment, on the bag  12  is point of attachment  23 . At the point of attachment  23 , strap  28  is connected to the bag  12 . This connection may be made by any suitable and durable means of attaching including rivets, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, adhesives, or stitching. Not seen in the figure is the matching point of attachment connecting strap  24  to the bag  12 , which would be connected in the same fashion as point of attachment  23 . 
     The straps  24  and  28 , will be made of a strong, durable and flexible material or webbing, such as canvas, nylon or the like. At the loose ends of straps  24  and  28  are complementary buckles  26  and  30  (respectively) that may be adjustably connected. It will be recognized that a variety of means may be used to connect the ends of the straps  24  and  28  to each other, and buckles  26  and  30  may be replaced by any of them, including none. The straps  24  and  28  may be of equal or unequal lengths, and further may also be adjustable. In some alternative embodiments, a single strap may be used. As described further below, the straps will be used to engage the umbrella ribs and upper pole. 
     Shown in  FIG. 1  is an optional mesh pocket  44  made of elastic or stretchable fabric. The mesh pocket  44  may be sewn or glued onto the bag  12 , and may be used to store the straps  24  and  28  when the bag is not in use. Further shown in  FIG. 1  is an optional accessory pocket  32 . The accessory pocket  32  will be sewn or glued onto the outside of bag  12 , having in this embodiment a flap  38  over the opening of the pocket, and may optionally have a zipper closure  34 . Typically, the zipper  34  would have a zipper pull  36  to facilitate the use of the zipper. Other closures and flap designs may be used. Hook and loop fasteners are also useful in such applications. 
     It will be recognized that the sand bag anchor may be constructed in a variety of ways from a variety of materials without departing from the spirit of the invention. One such contemplated alternative includes a change of material at optional seam  20  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Typically seam  20  is the point at which the bag  12  will begin to narrow when the opening  22  is cinched closed. In some embodiments of the sand bag anchor  10 , the main part of the bag  12  may be constructed of a hard plastic, or relatively less flexible and sturdier type of material, while the material above seam  20  may be made of any kind of fabric or material, including a relatively less sturdy and more flexible material. A hard plastic container could readily incorporate an injection molded beach cooler. The flexible bag-like containers could incorporate insert bags for convenience in some embodiments, or bladder-like bags could be used to contain liquid ballast. 
     In  FIG. 2 , the bottom plan view of the anchoring apparatus  10  may be seen. In the center of a bottom panel  11  is a concentric opening  42  through which the lower portion of an umbrella pole may protrude when the anchoring apparatus is in use. The edge  40  of the opening  42  will be sturdily stitched with a hem or piping to reinforce the opening and prevent tearing. Also seen in this view is the underside of optional accessory pocket  32 , optional zipper pull  36 , optional mesh pocket  44 , drawstring  14  and the optional loop  15 . 
       FIG. 3  shows an elevated view of the anchoring apparatus  10  as it may be used. The anchoring apparatus  10  has been placed on a sand base  46 , and the umbrella pole  50  has been inserted into the apparatus and passed through the hole in the bottom of the apparatus so that the lower portion of the pole  52  may be embedded about 6 to 10 inches down into the sand base  46 . 
       FIG. 4  shows the anchoring apparatus  10  as deployed in  FIG. 3 , in a further step of the method of use. Here, the drawstring  14  has been pulled tight thereby cinching the top opening  60  of the anchoring apparatus. When the top 60 is cinched around the umbrella pole  50 , pleats or gussets  66  and  64  are formed, folding in toward the pole. Not shown in this figure is optional cinching barrel clasp  16  which may be used to keep the drawstring  14  cinched closed around the umbrella pole  50 . 
     In  FIG. 5 , a series of steps are shown illustrating how to use the anchoring apparatus. In Step  1 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , the umbrella pole is passed through the anchoring apparatus, and embedded about 6 to 8 inches into the sand below. In step  2 , the anchoring apparatus is filled with sand to support the umbrella pole and act as ballast for the umbrella. Any suitable amount of sand may be used, relative to the environmental conditions. A day with high winds will require more sand to anchor the umbrella than a calm day with no wind. In step  3 , the straps are wrapped up and around the umbrella runner and pole and secured with a latch, thereby anchoring the umbrella to the weight of the sand in the anchoring apparatus. 
     In  FIG. 6 , an alternative method for using the anchoring apparatus is illustrated. In this method, in step  1 , the umbrella is embedded into the sand about 6 to 8 inches deep, without being inserted into the anchoring apparatus. Instead, in step  2 , the anchoring apparatus is placed on the windward side of the umbrella, and filled with sand as required by the environmental conditions. Then in step  3  the straps are wrapped up and over the pole runner of the umbrella and secured to the anchoring apparatus as before. Placing the anchoring apparatus slightly windward of the umbrella provides better leverage for balancing the umbrella on a slightly windier than normal day. 
     There are options for placing the anchor apparatus; first, near the base of an umbrella, like a traditional anchor; or surrounding the umbrella pole, by inserting the pole though the drawstring top and the exit port or hatch at the bottom of the bag. Optionally, a side-mounted tube may guide an umbrella pole past the anchor ballast portion to the sand located below. Alternatively, the anchor structure can be positioned by placing it near the base of the umbrella on the side the wind is coming from. 
     In  FIG. 7 , another embodiment of the anchor apparatus is shown in which the generally cylindrical central structure is constructed in one piece (no seam) with the upper opening panel. The bottom of the central structure may or may not have a central opening through which the lower portion of an umbrella pole may protrude when the anchor structure is in use. The one-piece structure is otherwise similar to the structure constructed of separate panels in construction and in use. 
     As mentioned, one or more straps of varying or adjustable length will be affixed to or fastened to the anchor bag. It will be recognized, however, that some embodiments may include umbrellas fitted with or pre-fabricated with strapping affixed thereto for subsequent attachment to the anchoring portion of the apparatus. 
     In  FIG. 8 , the underside of an open umbrella is shown, as viewed when looking up into the umbrella mechanism. The umbrella features a portion of a main umbrella pole  110 , and an umbrella pole runner having lower portion  115  and upper portion  116 . Runner upper portion  116  connects via hinges (not shown) to lower ribs  120   a ,  120   b ,  120   c , and  120   d . Runner lower portion  115  engages spring clip  117  in lower pole  110  to maintain the umbrella in an open position. As shown in this figure, upper ribs  130   a  and  130   b  are movably secured to the apex of the umbrella structure (also not shown) and serve to maintain the support and shape of umbrella fabric  150  when the umbrella is deployed for use. In this view, umbrella fabric portion  150  is behind the umbrella structure and a number or portions of such fabric are indicated by reference numerals  150 . Further in  FIG. 8 , it is shown how the strap  140   a - d  of the subject design may be entwined and engaged around the runner  115 ,  116  and pole  110  structures of the umbrella forming assembly  100 . As shown here, one preferred way to use the strap would be by having the first part of the strap  140   a  coming from the subject anchor bag or device at ground level, not shown, being brought up between lower ribs  120   a  and  120   d , and wrapped around the upper part of umbrella pole  110 . This is illustrated as section  140   b  of the strap passing in front of the umbrella pole  110 , and then wrapping behind the umbrella pole  110 , emerging as strap section  140   c , which is then threaded between section  140   b  and umbrella pole  110  before being passed back down between lower ribs  120   b  and  120   c  and down to the anchoring device and reattached. 
     Suitable materials for fabricating the subject anchoring apparatus include nylons, polyesters (e.g. PET) and polyolefin (e.g. PE and PP resins) thermoplastic molding resins, as well as cotton, canvas, plastic film and other cloth materials. 
     All such materials are commercially available from a variety of sources as are the buckles, strapping and various metal and plastic fasteners. Preferred embodiments will utilize adjustable straps and clasps or similar closures. However, it will be recognized that a strap of sufficient length (e.g. about 12 ft) can be tied via knots and need not use a clasp. 
     Example 
     An anchor apparatus was provided substantially in accordance with the description of  FIG. 1  above. The bag portion was made of polyester fabric and the straps were made of nylon 600 D webbing material. Approximately 50 pounds of sand ballast was enclosed in the anchor structure which was engaged with typical beach umbrellas of about 4 ft and 9 ft width (i.e. diameter) when open. The anchor structure was shown to maintain umbrella stability in steady wind conditions up to 30 MPH winds, and withstood occasional larger gusts. This embodiment of the anchor also had carrying straps, plastic clips and a zippered pocket to store other items. 
     The invention now being fully described, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention set forth herein.