CANTILEVERED UMBRELLA

Abstract

A cantilevered umbrella includes a base, a mast, a cantilevered arm, a canopy, and an air shock system. The mast has a first end and a second end. The first end of the mast is connected to the base. The cantilevered arm has a first end and a second end. The first end of the cantilevered arm is pivotally connected to the second end of the mast. The canopy is connected to the cantilevered arm and has a covering and a frame. The frame is moveable between an inflated position and a deflated position. The air shock system has at least two gas springs and is at least partially deposed within the frame of the canopy. The gas springs assist with moving the frame of the canopy between the inflated and deflated position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to umbrellas, and more particularly, cantilevered umbrellas.

BACKGROUND

Cantilevered umbrellas are well known in the art. Traditional cantilevered umbrellas have a dome-shaped canopy that is suspended from a cantilevered arm. Because of this suspension, traditional cantilevered umbrellas can be cumbersome to operate and position to ensure that coverage is maximized.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a cantilevered umbrella includes a base, a mast, a cantilevered arm, a canopy, and an air shock system. The mast has a first end and a second end. The first end of the mast is connected to the base. The cantilevered arm has a first end and a second end. The first end of the cantilevered arm is pivotally connected to the second end of the mast. The canopy is connected to the cantilevered arm and has a covering and a frame. The frame is moveable between an inflated position and a deflated position. The air shock system has at least two gas springs and is at least partially deposed within the frame of the canopy. The gas springs assist with moving the frame of the canopy between the inflated and deflated position.

In another alternative embodiment, a cantilevered umbrella includes a base, a mast, a cantilevered arm, a canopy, and an air shock system. The mast has a first end and a second end. The first end of the mast is connected to the base. The cantilevered arm has a first end and a second end. The first end of the cantilevered arm is pivotally connected to the second end of the mast and is moveable between a raised position and a lowered position. The canopy is connected to the cantilevered arm and has a covering and a frame. The frame has an inflated position and a deflated position. The air shock system has at least two gas springs and is at least partially deposed within the cantilevered arm and the frame of the canopy. At least a first gas spring from the at least two gas springs assists with moving the cantilevered arm between the raised position and the lowered position and at least a second gas spring from the at least two gas springs assists with moving the frame of the canopy between the inflated position and the deflated position.

In yet another embodiment, a cantilevered umbrella includes a base, a mast, a cantilevered arm, a canopy, and an air shock system. The mast has a first end and a second end. The first end of the mast is connected to the base. The cantilevered arm has a first end and a second end. The first end of the cantilevered arm is pivotally connected to the second end of the mast. The canopy is connected to the cantilevered arm and has a covering and a frame. The frame is moveable between an inflated position and a deflated position. The air shock system has three gas springs and is deposed within the mast, the cantilevered arm, and the frame of the canopy. At least a first gas spring from the three gas springs assists with moving the cantilevered arm between the raised position and the lowered position and at least a second gas spring from the three gas springs assists with moving the frame of the canopy between the inflated position and the deflated position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features, advantages, and other uses of the present apparatus will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a cantilevered umbrella in an open state;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the cantilevered umbrella in a closed state;

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing that illustrates how the cantilevered umbrella is lowered and closed;

FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing that illustrates how the cantilevered umbrella can be tilted;

FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the cantilevered umbrella in an open state;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the alternative embodiment of the cantilevered umbrella in a first partially closed state;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the alternative embodiment of the cantilevered umbrella in a second partially closed state;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the alternative embodiment of the cantilevered umbrella in a closed state;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the alternative embodiment of the cantilevered umbrella in a first partially opened state;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the alternative embodiment of the cantilevered umbrella in a second partially opened state;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the alternative embodiment of the cantilevered umbrella with a rotator lever;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of the cantilevered umbrella in an opened position;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary, detail view of a mast of the second alternative embodiment of the cantilevered umbrella in a tilted position;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a frame of the second alternative embodiment of the cantilevered umbrella in the opened position;

FIG. 15 is a schematic drawing representing the inner workings of a mast, a cantilevered arm, a connecting member of the second alternative embodiment of the cantilevered umbrella in the opened position; and

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the second alternative embodiment of the cantilevered umbrella in a closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-2 show a cantilevered umbrella 20 having a base 30, a mast 40, and a canopy 50. FIG. 1 shows the cantilevered umbrella 20 in an open state, while FIG. 2 shows the cantilevered umbrella 20 in a closed state. The base 30 may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic or metal. The base 30 may have a rectangular-shape with an opening 31. The opening 31 allows a dense material, such as sand, to be placed in the base 30, which can help prevent the cantilevered umbrella 20 from leaning or tipping over from a gust of wind.

The mast 40 is elongated and extends longitudinally upward from the base 30. The mast 40 can extend vertically or substantially vertically. The mast 40 is substantially hollow, which allows for the mast 40 to house a pulley system 60. The mast 40 may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic or metal.

The mast 40 is comprised of a first portion 41, a second portion 42, and a third portion 43. The first portion 41 is spaced a longitudinal distance from the second portion 42, and the second portion 42 is spaced a longitudinal distance from the third portion 43. The first portion 41 is positioned closest to the base 30, and the third portion 43 is positioned furthest away from the base 30. The second portion 42 is positioned between the first portion 41 and the third portion 43. The cross-section of first portion 41 is largest near the base 30 and tapers near the second portion 42, such that the cross-section of the first portion 41 has the same general size as the cross-section of the second portion 42. The cross-section of the second portion 42 may have a generally circular shape to allow for rotation of the second portion 42 in relation to the first portion 41. A plurality of elongated grooves 44 extend longitudinally on the second portion 42. The plurality of elongated grooves 44 are used by a slide assembly 70 for engagement.

The slide assembly 70 has a first handle 71, a second handle 72, and a center portion 73. The first handle 71 is spaced a longitudinal distance from the second handle 72. The center portion 73 is between the first handle 71 and the second handle 72. The first handle 71 is closer to the first portion 41 of the mast 40 than the second handle 72, and the second handle 72 is closer to the third portion 43 of the mast 40 than the first handle 71. The first handle 71, the second handle 72, and the center portion 73 have a substantially hollow area that surrounds the second portion 42 of the mast 40 that must be large enough for the slide assembly 70 to be slid longitudinally along the second portion 42 of the mast 40. The first handle 71 and the second handle 72 each have an aperture 74, 75 that extends longitudinally through it. These apertures 74, 75 create the handles that assist with the operation of the cantilevered umbrella 20.

The first handle 72 has a lowering button 76 and a tilt button (not shown). The lowering button 76 and the tilt button are substantially similar and may be oval buttons that extend out of the first handle 71 on opposite sides. The tilt button releases only the slide assembly 70 so that cantilevered umbrella 20 remains in the open state. The lowering button 76 releases both the slide assembly 70 and the pulley system 60 so that the cantilevered umbrella 20 may be returned to the closed state. These functions will be discussed further later.

At a free end 45 of the mast 40, a cantilever arm 46 extends away from the mast 40 toward the canopy 50. The cantilever arm 46 is attached to the free end 45 of mast 40 and the middle of a primary external arm 54 of the canopy 50 using fixed hinges 47, 48. A free end 78 of the primary external arm 54 is also attached to the slide assembly 70 near the second handle 72 using a fixed hinge 49. The fixed hinges allow the canopy 50 to be tilted using the slide assembly 70 when the canopy 50 is in the open state.

As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the canopy 50 is comprised of a covering 51 and a frame 52. The frame 52 has an external end cap 53, the primary external arm 54, a plurality of secondary external arms 55, a center arm 56, and a plurality of internal arms 57. Five secondary external arms 55 are shown and six internal arms 57, although this number could vary as long as the number of external arms 54, 55 and the number of internal arms 57 are the same. The external arms 54, 55 extend away from the external end cap 53 and are equidistant from one another. The center arm 56 is hollow and extends downward away from the external end cap 53. Near a free end 58 of the center arm 56, an internal end cap 59 rests when the cantilevered umbrella 20 is in the open state. Each of the internal arms 57 are hingedly attached to the internal end cap 59 and to one of the external arms 54, 55 so that the angle θ between the external arms 54, 55 and the internal arms 57 can change when the internal end cap 59 is extended away from the center arm 56 by the pulley system 60.

The covering 51 is attached to the frame 52 so that covering 51 is between the external arms 54-55 and the internal arms 57. The covering 51 may also be attached so that it is between the external end cap 53 and the center arm 56. The covering 51 may be made of any suitable material that provides adequate protection from the sun, such as nylon. The covering 51 could also contain a waterproof material to provide protection from rain.

The pulley system 60 that is housed inside the mast 40 is comprised of a spring 61, a first pulley 62, a second pulley 63, a third pulley 64, a first fixed end 65, a second fixed end 66, a first cable 67, and a second cable 68. The spring 61 is attached in the first portion 41 of the mast 40 near the base 30 and extends toward third portion 43 of the mast 40. The first pulley 62 is located near the location where the second portion 42 and the third portion 43 meet. The second pulley 63 is located in the slide assembly 70 near the location where the primary external arm 54 attaches to the slide assembly 70. The third pulley 64 is located between the external end cap 53 and the center arm 56 of the canopy 50. The first fixed end 65 is located in the first portion 41 of the mast 40 near the base 30 and the location where the spring 61 is attached. The second fixed end 66 is located in the slide assembly 70 near the location where the primary external arm 54 attaches to the slide assembly 70. The first cable 67 is attached to the spring 61 on one end, loops over the first pulley 62, and is attached on the other end at the first fixed end 65. The second cable 68 is attached to the second fixed end 66, loops over the second pulley 63 and the third pulley 64, and is attached on the other end at the internal end cap 59 of the canopy 50.

FIGS. 3-4 show the operation of the cantilevered umbrella 20. To open the cantilevered umbrella 20 from the closed state, the slide assembly 70 is pulled upwards toward the free end 45 of the mast 40 using the first handle 71 and second handle 72. This causes the first cable 67 to stretch the spring 61, which provides the energy needed to raise the cantilevered umbrella 20. This also causes the second cable 68 to pull the internal end cap 59 toward the center arm 56, which opens the canopy 50 and moves the cantilever arm 46 away from the mast 40. Once the canopy 50 is fully opened to provide the maximize amount of coverage, a latch 77 in the slide assembly locks the second cable 68 into place so that no movement of the second cable 68 is possible between the second pulley 63 and the internal end cap 59. This latch 77 is released when the lowering button 76 is pressed. Once the latch 77 is engaged, the cantilevered umbrella 20 may be tilted by pressing the tilt button and raising or lowering the slide assembly 70 along the second portion 42 of the mast 40. The tilt button must be pressed while the slide assembly 70 is raised or lowered.

To return the cantilevered umbrella 20 to the closed state, the lowering button 76 on the slide assembly 70 is pressed and held while the slide assembly 70 is lowered toward the base 30. This causes the internal end cap 59 to move away from the center arm 56, the canopy 50 to collapse, and the cantilever arm 46 to toward the mast 40. When the cantilevered umbrella 20 is fully closed, the external arms 54, 55 of the canopy 50 will be substantially parallel to the mast 40.

An alternative embodiment of a cantilever umbrella 120 is in FIGS. 5-11. In the cantilever umbrella 120, an air shock system (not shown) is used to open and lower the cantilever umbrella 120. The cantilevered umbrella 120 has a base 130, a mast 140, and a canopy 150. A cantilever arm 146 is attached to the mast 140 via a connecting body 141. Away from the connecting body 141, the cantilever arm 146 is attached to an end cap 153. A secondary arm 147 extends from the end cap 153, such that the secondary arm 147 is direct across from the cantilever arm 146 on the opposite side of the end cap 153. An arm bar 168 is attached to a free end 145 of the secondary arm 147. An aperture 149 extends through the arm bar 168 on the end that is away from where the arm bar 168 is attached to the secondary arm 147.

A control system 160 is located near a joint 142 between the mast 140 and the connecting body 141. The control system 160 has a body 161, a handle 162, a first lever 163, and a second lever 164. The body 161 has a substantially triangular shape and is attached flush to the mast 140 near the connecting body 141. The handle 162 also has a substantially triangular shape and is attached flush to the body 161. An aperture 165 is formed in the handle 162 away from the joint 142 between the mast 140 and the connecting body 141. The first lever 163 and the second lever 164 are formed within the body 161 of the control system 160 away from the joint 142 between the mast 140 and the connecting body 141. The first lever 163 allows the cantilever umbrella 120 to collapse, and the second lever 164 allows the cantilever umbrella to collapse at the joint 142 between the mast 140 and the connecting body 141.

As shown in FIG. 11, a rotator lever 190 may be attached to the control system 160 near the joint 142 between the mast 140 and the connecting body 141. The rotator lever 190 is elongated and has an aperture 191 formed in it near the end that is away from the control system 160. The rotator lever 190 can be used to rotate the cantilever arm 146, the secondary arm 147, and the canopy 150.

When the cantilever umbrella 120 is open, as shown in FIG. 5, the cantilever umbrella 120 may be rotated from the base 130 by moving the mast 140 along rotational path R. To close the cantilever umbrella 120, as shown in FIGS. 6-8, the first lever 163 is twisted, which allows air to slowly exit from a one-way valve (not shown) in the air shock system. As gravity slowly collapses the canopy 150, the secondary arm 147 moves toward the cantilever arm 146 until the secondary arm 147 is substantially parallel to the cantilever arm 146 and the canopy 150 is collapsed between the secondary arm 147 and the cantilever arm 146. The arm bar 148 is then used to push the secondary arm 147 into the canopy 150 until the canopy 150 locks into the cantilever arm 146 and the secondary arm 147 through the use of a snapping mechanism (not shown) on the canopy 150. Once the snapping mechanism is activated to lock the canopy 150 into the cantilever arm 146 and the secondary arm 147, the second lever is twisted to release the joint 142 between the mast 140 and the connecting body 141 and fully close the cantilever umbrella 120. The air shock system is used to ensure that the cantilever arm 146, the secondary arm 147, and the canopy 150 fall slowly and safely.

Referring to FIGS. 9-10, the cantilever umbrella 120 may be opened from the closed state by raising the cantilever arm 146, the secondary arm 147, and the canopy 150 until a latch (not shown) in the joint 142 between the mast 140 and the connecting body 141 is engaged. This holds the cantilever arm 146 into position. The arm bar 148 is then pulled away from the cantilever arm 146 until the angle between the cantilever arm 146 and the secondary arm 147 is approximately 180 degrees and the secondary arm 147 locks into place through the use of a latch (not shown). The arm bar 148 may then be moved so that it is flush with the secondary arm 147 and is out of view.

Yet alternative embodiment of a cantilever umbrella 220 is shown in FIGS. 12-16. In the cantilever umbrella 220, an air shock system 270 is used to open and close the cantilever umbrella 220. FIG. 12 shows the cantilevered umbrella 220 in an opened position, where the canopy 250 is inflated and the cantilevered arm 260 is substantially perpendicular to the mast 240. The cantilevered umbrella 220 has a base 230, a mast 240, a canopy 250, and a cantilevered arm 260. The base 230 is similar to the base 30. The base 230 may include a locking collar 235 positioned on the outer surface of the base 230 adjacent to and surrounding the mast 240. The locking collar 235 allows the mast 240 to be rotated relative to the base 230 when the locking collar 235 is loosened.

The mast 240 is similar to the mast 40. The mast 240 may include a first portion 241 adjacent to the base 230 and a second portion 242. Between the first portion 241 and the second portion 242, a joint 243 may be present that allows the second portion 242 to be rotated or tilted in respect to the first portion 241 when a lever handle 244 is released, which is shown in FIG. 13.

The cantilevered arm 260 is pivotally connected to an end of the mast 240 that is opposite the base 230. A joint 261 may be positioned between the cantilevered arm 260 and the mast 240. Adjacent to the joint 261, a support collar 262 may be provided that includes a first portion 263 and a second portion 264. The first portion 263 of the support collar 262 is adjacent to the mast 240, and the second portion 264 of the support collar 262 is adjacent to the cantilevered arm 260. The first portion 263 and the second portion 264 may individually have a generally triangular shape but cumulatively have a substantially L-shaped configuration to provide addition support when the cantilevered umbrella 220 is in an opened position.

The canopy 250 is similar to the canopy 50 and is comprised of a covering 251 and a frame 252. The covering 251 is similar to the covering 51 and may be provided on top of the frame 252. FIG. 14 shows the frame 252, which is comprised of a plurality of first ribs 253, a plurality of second ribs 254, a plurality of third ribs 255, a first hub 256, a second hub 257, a third hub 258, and a connecting member 259. A rope 280 may be attached to the canopy 250 near the first hub 256 on top of the covering 251 to assist with opening and closing the canopy 150.

Although the length of each individual rib in each plurality of ribs may vary, the plurality of first ribs 253 are generally the longest ribs and the plurality of third ribs 255 are generally the shortest ribs when comparing the plurality of ribs to one another. The length of each individual first ribs 253 may gradually increase around the canopy 250, such that the first rib 253 that is directly opposite the cantilevered arm 260 is the longest. The number of ribs in each set of plurality of ribs may vary. As shown, there are seven first ribs 253, eight second ribs 254, and four third ribs 255. There is one less first rib 253 in the exemplary embodiment because the cantilevered arm 260 is functioning as the eighth first rib 253. It is anticipated that the frame 252 could include the additional first rib 253, in which case the cantilevered arm 260 would not need to serve as the additional first rib 253 and the frame 252 would instead be suspended from the cantilevered arm 260.

To assemble the frame 252, one end of each first rib 253 is pivotally connected to the first hub 256. The plurality of first ribs 253 may be spaced in an equidistant manner around the circumference of the first hub 256. The first hub 256 is connected to one end of the connecting member 259, and the other end of the connecting member 259 is connected to the third hub 258. The connecting member 259 may be telescoping to assist with the opening and closing of the cantilevered umbrella 220.

One end of each third rib 255 is pivotally connected to the third hub 258. The plurality of third ribs 255 may be spaced in an equidistant manner around the circumference of the third hub 258. The other end of the each third rib 255 is pivotally connected to one first rib 253 and positioned near the first hub 256. In the exemplary embodiment, there are twice as many first ribs 253 as third ribs 255, so only every other first rib 253 has a third rib 255 connected to it. Similar to first ribs 253 and the third ribs 255, one end of each second rib 254 is pivotally connected to the second hub 257. The other end of each second rib 254 is pivotally connected to one first rib 253 and positioned near the distal end of the first rib 253. Once assembled, the centers of the first hub 256, the second hub 257, and the third hub 258 may be coaxially aligned.

To assist with the opening and closing of the cantilevered umbrella 220, the air shock system 270 may be provided, which is shown in FIG. 15. The air shock system 270 may include a first gas spring 271, a second gas spring 272, a third gas spring 273, a first actuator 274, and a second actuator 275. The first actuator 274 corresponds to a first button 245 on the mast 240, and the second actuator 275 corresponds to a second button 246 on the mast 240. The first button 245 and second button 246 may be used to operate the cantilevered umbrella 220. The first gas spring 271 may be affixed within the second portion 242 of the mast 240, the second gas spring 272 may be affixed within the cantilevered arm 260, and the third gas spring 273 may be affixed within the connecting member 259 of the canopy 250. The first gas spring 271 and the third gas spring 273 may each have a one-way air valve 278, 279 that is moveable between an opened position, where air can escape the gas spring 271, 273 to allow the gas spring 271, 273 to contract, and a closed position, where air cannot escape the gas spring 271, 273 and the gas spring 271, 273 will elongate as force is applied to it.

The first gas spring 271, the second gas spring 272, and the third gas spring 273 are connected by a plurality of pulleys 276 and a plurality of cables 277. As shown, one cable 277 connects the first actuator 274 to the one-way air valve 279 of the third gas spring 273. A second cable 277 connects an end of the third gas spring 273 to a fixed point 283 in the connecting member 259 near the third hub 258. A third cable 277 connects the third gas spring 273 to a fixed point 284 in the mast 240. A fourth cable 277 connects the first gas spring 271 to a point 285 on the cable 277 that connects the first actuator 274 to the one-way air valve 279 of the third gas spring 273. A fifth cable 277 connects the second actuator 275 to the one-way air valve 278 of the second gas spring 272. A sixth cable 277 connects an end of the second gas spring 272 to a fixed point 282 in the connecting member 259 near the third hub 258. The pulleys 276 assist with guiding the cables 277 through the second portion 242 of the mast 240, the cantilevered arm 260, and the connecting member 259 of the canopy 250.

FIG. 16 shows the cantilevered umbrella 220 in a closed position, where the canopy 250 is deflated and the cantilevered arm 260 is substantially parallel to the mast 240. To keep the cantilevered umbrella 220 in the closed position, the rope 280 is tied around the mast 240 near the base 230. To open the cantilevered umbrella 220, the rope 280 is untied. When the rope 280 is untied, the first gas spring 271 will expand to urge the cantilevered arm 260 upward toward the opened position, where the cantilevered arm 260 is substantially perpendicular to the mast 240. This occurs because the natural state of the first gas spring 271 is uncompressed. The second button 246 is then pressed to activate the second actuator 275, which in turn opens the one-way air valve 278 on the second gas spring 272. As air exits through the one-way air valve 279 on the second gas spring 272, the second gas spring 272 contracts to inflate the canopy 250 by decreasing the length of the connecting member 259, which raises the plurality of first ribs 253.

To close the cantilevered umbrella 220, the first button 245 and the second button 246 are pressed. This may be done at the same time. Because this is the second time the second button 246 has been pressed, the second actuator 275 will deactivate, which in turn closes the one-way air valve 278 on the second gas spring 272. When first button 245 is pressed, the first actuator 274 is activated, which in turn closes the one-way air valve 279 on the third gas spring 273 to allow the third gas spring 273 to expand. As the third gas spring 273 expands, the connecting member 259 of the canopy 250 increases in length, which lowers the plurality of first ribs 253. The cantilevered arm 260 and the canopy 250 can then be manually pushed toward the mast 240 until the cantilevered arm 260 is substantially parallel with the mast 240. The rope 280 on the canopy 250 can then be tied around the mast 240 near the base 230 to secure the cantilevered umbrella 220 in the closed position.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to a certain specific embodiments, modification may now suggest itself to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and various changes in form and detail may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is understood that the invention will be limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cantilevered umbrella, comprising: a base;a mast having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the mast is connectable to the base;a cantilevered arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the cantilevered arm is pivotally connected to the second end of the mast;a canopy connectable to the cantilevered arm and having a covering and a frame, wherein the frame is moveable between an inflated position and a deflated position; andan air shock system having at least two gas springs and at least partially deposed within the frame of the canopy, wherein the gas springs assists with moving the frame of the canopy between the inflated position and the deflated position.

2. The cantilevered umbrella of claim 1, wherein at least one of the gas springs has a one-way air valve that can be opened to allow the gas spring to compress as air exits the gas spring.

3. The cantilevered umbrella of claim 1, the mast further comprising: a first portion adjacent to the base; anda second portion adjacent to the cantilevered arm, wherein the first portion is pivotally connected to the first portion to allow rotation of the second portion in relation to the second portion.

4. The cantilevered umbrella of claim 1, further comprising: a locking collar positioned adjacent to the mast and the base and moveable between a locked position and a unlocked position, wherein the mast can be rotated in respect to the base when the locking collar is in the unlocked position and the mast cannot be rotated in respect to the base when the locking collar is in the locked position.

5. The cantilevered umbrella of claim 1, further comprising: a support collar having a first portion adjacent to the mast and a second portion adjacent to the cantilevered arm, wherein the first portion and the second portion are in communication when the cantilevered arm is generally perpendicular to the mast.

6. The cantilevered umbrella of claim 1, further comprising: a handle connectable to the canopy to assist with securing the canopy in the deflated position.

7. A cantilevered umbrella, comprising: a base;a mast having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the mast is connectable to the base;a cantilevered arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the cantilevered arm is pivotally connected to the second end of the mast and moveable between a raised position and a lowered position;a canopy connectable to the cantilevered arm and having a covering and a frame, wherein the frame having an inflated position and a deflated position; andan air shock system having at least two gas springs and at least partially deposed within the cantilevered arm and the frame of the canopy, wherein at least a first gas spring from the at least two gas springs assists with moving the cantilevered arm between the raised position and the lowered position and a second gas spring from the at least two gas springs assists with moving the frame of the canopy between the inflated position and the deflated position.

8. The cantilevered umbrella of claim 7, wherein the lowered position of the cantilevered arm corresponds to the deflated position of the frame of the canopy and the raised position of the cantilevered arm corresponds to the deflated position of the frame of the canopy.

9. The cantilevered umbrella of claim 7, wherein at least one of the gas springs has a one-way air valve that can be opened to allow the gas spring to compress as air exits the gas spring.

10. The cantilevered umbrella of claim 7, the mast further comprising: a first portion adjacent to the base; anda second portion adjacent to the cantilevered arm, wherein the first portion is pivotally connected to the first portion to allow rotation of the second portion in relation to the second portion.

11. The cantilevered umbrella of claim 7, further comprising: a locking collar positioned adjacent to the mast and the base and moveable between a locked position and a unlocked position, wherein the mast can be rotated in respect to the base when the locking collar is in the unlocked position and the mast cannot be rotated in respect to the base when the locking collar is in the locked position.

12. The cantilevered umbrella of claim 7, further comprising: a support collar having a first portion adjacent to the mast and a second portion adjacent to the cantilevered arm, wherein the first portion and the second portion are in communication when the cantilevered arm is generally perpendicular to the mast.

13. The cantilevered umbrella of claim 7, further comprising: a handle connectable to the canopy to assist with securing the canopy in the deflated position.

14. A cantilevered umbrella, comprising: a base;a mast having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the mast is connectable to the base;a cantilevered arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the cantilevered arm is pivotally connected to the second end of the mast and moveable between a raised position and a lowered position;a canopy connectable to the cantilevered arm and having a covering and a frame, wherein the frame having an inflated position and a deflated position; andan air shock system having three gas springs and deposed within the mast, the cantilevered arm, and the frame of the canopy, wherein at least a first gas spring from the three gas springs assists with moving the cantilevered arm between the raised position and the lowered position and a second gas spring from the at least three gas springs assists with moving the frame of the canopy between the inflated position and the deflated position.

15. The cantilevered umbrella of claim 14, wherein the lowered position of the cantilevered arm corresponds to the deflated position of the frame of the canopy and the raised position of the cantilevered arm corresponds to the deflated position of the frame of the canopy.

16. The cantilevered umbrella of claim 14, wherein at least one of the gas springs has a one-way air valve that can be opened to allow the gas spring to compress as air exits the gas spring.

17. The cantilevered umbrella of claim 14, the mast further comprising: a first portion adjacent to the base; anda second portion adjacent to the cantilevered arm, wherein the first portion is pivotally connected to the first portion to allow rotation of the second portion in relation to the second portion.

18. The cantilevered umbrella of claim 14, further comprising: a locking collar positioned adjacent to the mast and the base and moveable between a locked position and a unlocked position, wherein the mast can be rotated in respect to the base when the locking collar is in the unlocked position and the mast cannot be rotated in respect to the base when the locking collar is in the locked position.

19. The cantilevered umbrella of claim 14, further comprising: a support collar having a first portion adjacent to the mast and a second portion adjacent to the cantilevered arm, wherein the first portion and the second portion are in communication when the cantilevered arm is generally perpendicular to the mast.

20. The cantilevered umbrella of claim 14, further comprising: a handle connectable to the canopy to assist with securing the canopy in the deflated position.