Patent Grant
9706834
This disclosure relates generally to accessories for a beach goer, and relates more particularly to a portable, compact, and integrated beach umbrella and table system.
Outdoor enthusiasts, such as beach goers, enjoy the advantages of various ancillary items to enhance their beach going experience, such as beach umbrellas, beach towels, pails, shovels, floatation devices, surf-riding instruments, radios, coolers, etc. One item to enhance their experience even greater is a portable, compact table, designed specifically for beach goers so that they may place various items at an elevated position, away from the beach sand's surface. Beach tables, however, are often considered a superfluous item, and because of the numerous other items a beach goer already must trek to the beach, the beach goer may decide not to bring the item. Instead, beach goers will merely place their items on a towel, precariously in the sand, or rely on other items not designed for use as a “table.” For example, beach goers may rely on a cooler's surface to place items away from the sand's surface, but this inhibits the ability to regularly access the cooler. i.e. everything must be removed from atop the
It is an object of the exemplary embodiments described herein to disclose a compact, portable, integrated beach umbrella and table system that when in a stowed (collapsed) position, the system is in a compact form to allow for easy storage and/or travel.
It is a further object of the invention to provide for a table system that is configured to be integrated with a patio-style type umbrella. Since such umbrellas are used for general use, cook-outs, Bar-b-ques, pool parties, and the like where food and beverages are common place, users may benefit, whether the setting is personal residential, or a commercial restaurant, resort, hotel, etc.
In general, an exemplary embodiment of an integrated beach umbrella and table system comprises; a support post, a collapsible umbrella coupled to the support post, and a collapsible table also coupled to the support post.
In an exemplary embodiment, an integrated beach umbrella and table system comprises a support post whereon an umbrella support frame couples to the support post and is configured to expand and collapse about the support post. An umbrella canopy is configured to couple to the umbrella support frame. The system further comprises a table surface support frame, wherein the table surface support frame comprises a plurality of armature elements that, in one configuration, couple to an anchor hub and a central hub. The anchor hub and the central hub engages the support post and couples to at least a portion of the plurality of armature elements, wherein at least one or both of the anchor hub and the central hub slides to produce a first expanded position and a second collapsed position of the plurality of armature elements. A table surface generally comprises a fabric-type material and couples to the table surface support frame.
Among exemplary embodiments, the table surface support frame comprises a plurality of armature elements, wherein the plurality of armature elements comprises; a plurality of first armature elements, and a complimentary plurality of second armature elements. Each of the plurality of first armature elements comprises a first armature first end pivotally coupled to the central hub; each of the plurality of second armature elements comprises a second armature first end pivotally coupled to the anchor hub, and a second armature second end pivotally couples to a point positioned along a length of its complimentary first armature element.
Among the exemplary embodiments, when the table surface support frame is in the first expanded position, a first armature second end of each of the plurality of first armature elements is substantially co-planar with the central hub, and in an exemplary embodiment, couples to a perimeter portion of the table surface.
The various exemplary embodiments may comprise some, all, or none of the following. An embodiment may comprise one end of the support post to comprise a helical configuration to facilitate auguring the support post into a surface so as to maintain the support post in a substantially upright position. Embodiments may also comprise; a channel that extends longitudinally along the support post, and a key-type portion that protrudes inwardly from an inner diameter of at least one of the anchor hub and the central hub to interface with the channel. The key-type portion is configured to fit within the channel of the support post to inhibit torsional rotation of at least one of the anchor hub and central hub about the support post. In some embodiments; each of the plurality of first armature elements further comprise telescopic portions that are expandable to accommodate varying sizes of table surfaces, the support post may comprise a pivoting mechanism between the collapsible umbrella and the collapsible table to facilitate tilting the collapsible umbrella, and/or the collapsible table may be rotatable about the support post.
Exemplary embodiments of the system may comprise various novelty elements. For example, embodiments may comprise the table surface to comprise various cup holders and storage bins, pockets, sleeves, etc. Moreover, the support post of the system may be separable, wherein the support post separates into a support post first section and a support post second section. In an embodiment the support post first section supports the umbrella support frame, and the support post second section supports the table surface support frame. In still yet another embodiment the system may comprise an electronic device support frame to support at least one of a smartphone, tablet, and video display, and in association with such device support frame, the umbrella canopy may comprise solar cell elements to convert sunlight to a useable electrical current, wherein the useable electrical current is transmitted via a suitable conduit to the electronic device support frame to provide electrical power for the at least one of the smartphone, table, and video display.
A more complete understanding may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the above illustrative FIGS. In the FIGS., the same reference numbers refer to the same elements and steps throughout the FIGS.
Elements and steps in the FIGS. are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily rendered according to any particular sequence. For example, steps that may be performed concurrently or in different order are illustrated in the FIGS. to help to improve understanding of exemplary embodiments.
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the FIGS. illustrate the general manner of construction, however, descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques can be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring integrated beach umbrella and table systems and their methods of manufacture. Additionally, elements in the FIGS. are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, any illustrative dimensions of elements in the FIGS. can and may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve the understanding of embodiments of integrated beach umbrella and table systems and their methods of manufacture.
Exemplary embodiments described herein may be described in terms of functional block components and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be realized by any number of hardware components configured to perform the specified functions and to achieve various results. For example, integrated beach umbrella and table systems may employ various frames and/or beach umbrella and table supports and table surface components, e.g., tubular structures and/or solid support elements, hinges, pins, clips, fittings, support posts, canopies, canopy/table fabrics and the like, which may carry out a variety of functions. In addition, the integrated beach umbrella and table systems may be practiced in conjunction with any number of settings, such as for beach going, general camping, travel, residential/commercial use, etc.
Also, any systems and/or methods described are merely exemplary applications for the integrated beach umbrella and table systems, and the integrated beach umbrella and table systems may employ any number of conventional techniques for manufacturing, distributing, marketing, packaging, shipping, selling, and the like.
Various exemplary embodiments may be applied to any system or method to produce any beach umbrella and table system. Turning now to the FIGS.,
Among various exemplary embodiments, table surface support frame 120 comprises a plurality of armature elements 130 wherein the plurality of armature elements 130 comprises a plurality of first armature elements 135, and a complimentary plurality of second armature elements 140. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that for most embodiments, the term “complimentary” defines that, for each of the plurality of first armature elements, there is a corresponding second armature element associated with it. It will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that while the preferred embodiment disclosed herein describes first and second armature elements suitably coupled together to form the table surface support frame, other armature configurations comprising additional or fewer armature configurations are contemplated by this disclosure. Moreover, while the plurality of armature elements disclosed herein are discussed in relation to coupling to an anchor hub and central hub, other coupling configuration may be employed. For example, armature elements may couple directly to the support post; other armature actuation and/or securing mechanisms, such as levers, pulleys, ropes, tabs, springs, and the like. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that while this disclosure describes primarily an integrated table in conjunction with a beach umbrella, an integrated table may be employed by any umbrella system, for example, residential or commercial patio-style type umbrellas. Moreover, an integrated table is not limited to be incorporated solely with various umbrella systems, but rather may be employed by any support structure comprising a support post that the collapsible/expandable integrated table may couple to, for example, portable canopy structures, fence posts, and any other tubular elements.
Continuing with a preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of first armature elements 135 comprises a first armature first end 137 that pivotally couples to a central hub 150. Each of the plurality of second armature elements 140 comprises a second armature first end 142 that pivotally couples to an anchor hub 160, and each of the plurality of second armature elements 140 comprises a second armature second end 144 that pivotally couples at a point along a length of its complimentary first armature element 135.
In an exemplary embodiment, anchor hub 160 and central hub 150 engage a lower portion of support post 101 and below umbrella support frame 110, and in one embodiment the positioning of the hubs along support post 101 may be adjustable so that table surface support frame 120 may be employed by a user at various table setting heights. At least one or both of anchor hub 160 and central hub 150 may slidably engage with support post 101, wherein either one or both of anchor hub 160 and central hub 150 slides to produce a first expanded position, as depicted by
With continued reference to
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment and with reference to
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment and with reference to
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, integrated beach umbrella and table system 100 comprises umbrella canopy 112 and table surface 122. Umbrella canopy 112 and table surface 122 may comprise any material that may be coupled and/or secured to their respective plurality of armature elements and/or support post 101. Umbrella canopy 112 and table surface 122 may comprise any variety of materials, either natural or synthetic.
In accordance with various exemplary embodiments and with return reference to
In accordance with various exemplar embodiments and with reference to
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of an integrated beach umbrella and table system and its method of manufacture, and turning now to
The method (620), wherein assembling the table surface support frame comprises; assembling a plurality of armature elements by assembling a plurality of first armature elements (650), and assembling a complimentary plurality of second armature elements (660).
Assembling the plurality of first armature elements (650) comprises pivotally affixing a first armature first end to the central hub (652), wherein the central hub is affixed proximate a lower portion of the support post that is below the umbrella support frame. With reference to
The method (635), wherein providing the table surface comprises; providing a fabric type material (770), and coupling the first armature second end of each of the plurality of first armature elements to a perimeter portion of the table surface (772).
Among the methods described herein, the methods may further comprise; forming a channel that extends longitudinally along the support post, and incorporating a key that protrudes inwardly from an inner diameter of the central hub. The key is configured to fit within the channel of the support post to inhibit torsional rotation of the central hub about the support post.
Exemplary methods may also comprise assembling each of the plurality of first armature elements to further comprise assembling a first armature telescopic portion that may be expandable to accommodate varying sizes of table surfaces.
The methods of manufacture may also comprise providing one end of the support post to comprise a helical configuration to facilitate augering the support post into a surface to maintain the support post in a substantially upright position. The methods of manufacture may comprise providing the support post to comprise a pivoting mechanism between the collapsible umbrella and the collapsible table to facilitate tilting the collapsible umbrella, and some methods may comprise providing the collapsible table that is rotatable about the support post. The methods of manufacture may also provide for integrated cup holders, storage bins, electronic device support frames, integrated solar power supply and distribution elements, and any other relevant accessories now known, developed in the future, or well known to those skilled in the art.
Among the exemplary methods described herein, and although a particular order of actions is illustrated in
In the foregoing specification, integrated beach umbrella and table systems have been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing from the scope of the integrated beach umbrella and table system as set forth in the claims. The detailed description and FIGS. are illustrative, rather than restrictive, and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the various exemplary embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the exemplary embodiments should be determined by the claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by merely the examples described.
For example, the steps recited in any method or process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the specific order presented in the claims. Additionally, the components and/or elements recited in any article, system, apparatus and/or device claims may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the claims.
Benefits, other advantages and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to particular embodiments; however, any benefit, advantage, solution to problem or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage or solution to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or components of any or all the claims.
As used herein, the terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “having”, “including”, “includes” “is” or any variation thereof, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, system, device, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, system, device, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials or components used in the practice of integrated beach umbrella and table systems, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same.
As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of integrated beach umbrella and table systems and their methods of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.
The terms “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “bottom,” “side,” “under,” “over,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of integrated beach umbrella and table systems and their methods of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as directly or indirectly connected in a physical, mechanical, electrical, magnetic, or other manner.
This disclosure claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application 62/390,974 filed Apr. 15, 2016; the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
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