Patent ID: 8069868

Claim:
An umbrella apparatus comprising: a base member adapted to support the umbrella apparatus; a pole portion coupled to the base member, the pole portion having a hollow interior; a canopy portion hingedly coupled to the pole portion; a power module carried by the pole portion above the canopy portion, the power module having an upper portion and a lower portion; a rechargeable electrical power system for providing electrical power to the umbrella apparatus, the rechargeable electrical power system being disposed in the lower portion of the power module; a solar energy system carried by the upper portion of the power module, the solar energy system being adapted to collect solar energy and convert the solar energy into electrical energy, the solar energy system being conductively coupled to the rechargeable electrical power system, such that the solar energy collected and converted into electrical energy recharges the rechargeable electrical power system; a lighting system carried by the canopy portion, the lighting system being conductively coupled to and powered by the rechargeable electrical power system; and an electrical opening and closing system for actuating the canopy between the opened position and the closed position, the opening and closing system being conductively coupled to the rechargeable electrical power system via a conductor and being powered by the rechargeable electrical power system, the opening and closing system being carried at an uppermost portion of the pole portion, the opening and closing system comprising: an electrical motor positioned within the hollow interior of the pole portion and conductively coupled to the rechargeable electrical power system; a transmission operably positioned within the hollow interior and operably associated with the motor; a line winding shaft rotatably coupled to the transmission, the line winding shaft extending parallel with respect to a longitudinal length of the pole, the line winding shaft being positioned within the hollow interior; a pulley system attached to an exterior surface of the pole portion, the pulley system being attached alongside the line winding shaft; and a cable system operably associated with the line winding shaft and the pulley system; wherein the solar energy system is configured so that the degree of exposure of the solar energy system remains the same regardless of whether the canopy is in the opened position or in the closed position; and wherein the umbrella apparatus is adapted to remain in the outdoor location for recharging the rechargeable electrical power system during daylight hours, regardless of whether the canopy is in the opened position or the closed position, and can remain in the outdoor location after daylight hours.