Patent Application
20230323697
The invention relates to a mobile parasol base. The invention also relates to an assembly of a parasol base according to the invention and at least one parasol mounted onto said parasol base.
Patio parasols are well known in which a parasol canopy is mounted to a parasol base to provide shade for a deck, patio, garden, or the like. If the parasol is of a so-called free-arm parasol, then its centre of gravity is no longer directly above the parasol base, considerable torque is be exerted on the mount and may tend to cause the parasol to topple over. Even when the parasol canopy is not extended (folded out), breezes can exert forces on the parasol canopy tending to topple it. In applications where the parasol will be used in only a single, fixed location, a parasol can e.g. be bolted to an in-ground parasol base, providing a sufficiently secure mount to resist such torque. However, in many applications it may be desirable to be able to move the parasol around to various locations, or to be able to store the parasol when not in use without an parasol base being left in place.
Such applications call for a mobile or portable parasol base, in particular a wheeled mobile parasol base. The mobile parasol base must also be able to withstand the forces exerted by the parasol without toppling, and without being anchored to the fixed world. Known mobile parasol bases are typically made of concrete, marble or granite to provide sufficient weight to the mobile parasol base or are designed to support separate heavy counterweights, such as concrete blocks or tiles, which are positioned removably on top of a parasol base frame.
Both options lead to a number of problems in practice. However, as such, moving of the known parasol bases is heavy and therefore laborious and inconvenient. Moreover, the upper surface of the concrete counterweight degrades in the course of time, which not affects the original colour of the parasol base, but also stimulates the growth of e.g. moss, bacteria, and fungi. Furthermore, the uniform (monochrome) aesthetical appearance of the concrete parasol base is often considered as unattractive. Secondly, the cost of shipping heavy weight makes it economically impractical to include the counterweights along with the parasol's package. And often, these counterweights will have to be purchased separately by a consumer in a separate store. In addition, there is the problem of the parasol owner or installer having to haul the heavy parasol base or heavy counterweights to the location where the parasol will be used, which may easily lead to injury to the person. Furthermore, part from the fact that wheeled mobile parasol bases are relatively easy to be relocated, wheeled mobile parasol bases suffer from the drawback that the weight to be borne by and on top of a wheel supported frame of the parasol base is limited, which will affect the stabilization of a parasol connected to said wheeled parasol base. There is a need for a more attractive wheeled parasol base which can be installed and transported in a more user-friendly manner. There is also a need to improve the stabilization and/or a load capacity of a wheeled parasol base.
It is a first object of the invention to provide an improved mobile parasol base without suffering from one or more of the abovementioned drawbacks.
It is a second object of the invention to provide an improved wheeled mobile parasol base without suffering from one or more of the abovementioned drawbacks.
At least one of these objects can be achieved by the parasol base, in particular a mobile parasol base according to the invention, comprising: a support base, one or more counterweight blocks supported by said support base. Preferably, the support base is formed by a support frame, which support frame comprises at least three mutually fixed arms extending in different directions, wherein adjacent arms mutually enclose an accommodating space and/or wherein the arms mutually enclose one or more accommodating spaces, wherein each accommodating space is typically configured to accommodate at least a mass increasing substance and/or mass increasing component, in particular a counterweight block; optionally, one or more, preferably removable, counterweight blocks inserted or insertable or creatable into at least one accommodating space, preferably, the parasol base comprises a plurality of wheels, wherein each wheel is connected by means of a wheel bracket to the support base, in particular to a terminal portion of an arm, and wherein each arm is preferably provided with at least one support element for supporting at least a portion of at least one counterweight block, such that, preferably, a lower side of each counterweight block is positioned below an upper side of the wheels. The wheeled mobile parasol base according to the invention has several advantages. A first advantage over known heavy, single-piece parasol bases is that the parasol base according to the invention makes use of modular counterweights which can be inserted, typically individually, into an accommodating space, which renders the base weight of the parasol base (without counterweights) relatively low, which facilitates handling, transportation, and manual displacement of the parasol base. Additionally, it is conceivable that in fact the accommodating space itself is configured for receiving and holding a mass increasing substance. To this end preferably at least one accommodating space, preferably each accommodating space, comprises at least a bottom wall and a circumferential wall, said bottom and circumferential wall together defining a mass receiving space. This allows a mass increasing substance and/or mass increasing component, such as a counterweight block, to be easily deposited into the accommodating space. Another advantage of the wheeled parasol base according to the invention is that a fixed support frame is used, which makes the support frame relatively robust and firm. Typically, the support frame is free of any hingeable portions and/or moving components, which makes the support frame less vulnerable, and which is in favour of the load capacity of the parasol base. Moreover, at least one accommodating space, preferably each accommodating space, and the support frame may be formed out of a single piece. This makes the parasol base even more firm and robust. Apart from the mutually fixed arms which increases the load capacity of the parasol base, the load capacity is further increased by lowering the centre of gravity of the parasol base due to the improved positioning of the counterweight blocks below an upper side (upper level) of the wheels. This improved load capacity allows a parasol base with a certain weight to be loaded with a relatively large parasol, optionally a free-arm parasol, and/or allows the parasol to be stably used in more turbulent weather conditions. The terminal portion of each arm can be formed by an outer end of each arm, but may also be formed by a part of the arm facing away from the centre of the parasol base (where the arms come together). The wheel bracket is typically fixed, for example by screwing and/or clamping, to an arm, wherein preferably the arm comprises an opening and/or a slot with which the wheel bracket can co-act. To this end, the wheel bracket is preferably provided with an upwardly protruding element, such as a pin, which can be inserted into said slot and/or opening of an arm, such that the wheel bracket is fixed to said arm. The parasol base according to the invention is configured for supporting and/or co-acting with at least one parasol. It is conceivable that the parasol base according to the invention is configured to simultaneously support and/or co-acts with a plurality of parasols. It is also imaginable that the wheeled parasol base according to the invention is configured to support other objects, like umbrellas, tent poles or (traffic or information) signs.
Preferably, the arms extend evenly across a cross-sectional plane of the parasol base. This means that in case n arms are applied, wherein n≥3, the angle enclosed by two adjacent arms will be 360/n degrees. Such an even distribution of the arms across the cross-section of the parasol base typically leads to a balanced load capacity. Hence, preferably, the accommodating spaces have substantially identical sizes. This also allows to use counterweight blocks with uniform dimensions, which is in favour of the user-friendliness of the parasol base. Preferably, the support frame comprises four arms, preferably four mutually fixed arms extending, from a centre portion of the base, in different directions. More preferably, said four arms are cruciform, wherein adjacent arms have a mutually perpendicular orientation. The arms of the support frame preferably enclose at least one receiving space for receiving part of a parasol shaft and/or for receiving part of a base tube configured to receive (a part of) a parasol shaft. The base tube may for example be provided with a screw or bolt or other mechanical fixating element to fixate the parasol shaft within the base tube. However, it is also conceivable that the base unit is provided with an inner diameter, for example by making use of an adapter ring, which inner diameter matches with the outer diameter of the parasol shaft to stabilize the parasol shaft in the base tube. This results in a relatively stable configuration of the base tube and the parasol shaft, and hence the parasol base and the parasol shaft, and/or may contribute to a more stable positioning of the parasol shaft, and thus the parasol as such. Preferably, the receiving space is substantially cylindrical. In this way, the co-action between the receiving space and the parasol shaft can be further optimized. It is conceivable that the substantially cylindrical receiving space tapers from the upper part towards a lower part of the receiving space. Preferably, the parasol base comprises a base tube configured to receive a parasol shaft, wherein the at least one receiving space is provided with at least one locking element, and wherein the base tube is provided with at least one counterlocking element configured to co-act with said locking element for securing the base tube in axial direction (vertical direction). More preferably, the at least one locking element comprises: at least one locking slot, preferably a plurality of locking slots provided in the base tube, at least one protrusion, preferably a plurality of locking protrusions, and a provided to the support frame and preferably located within the receiving space, wherein at least one locking protrusion is configured to be located in at least one locking slot, in coupled condition of the support frame and the base tube. It is imaginable that the locking protrusion(s) will, preferably resiliently, deform during insertion of the base tube into the receiving space, and will lock the base tube in place in a final position of the base tube in the receiving space. In this case, each locking element may act as snapping element. It is also imaginable that the locking protrusion(s) will not deform during installation of the base tube, wherein each locking protrusion may, for example, be formed by a substantially rigid notch. Each locking protrusion may act as guiding element for guiding the locking slot, wherein the guiding element may comprises opposite guiding surfaces. Preferably the height of at least one locking protrusion matches the width of at least one locking slot. Installation of the base tube may be realized by simply downwardly moving the base tube in the receiving space. It is imaginable that the at least one locking element and at least one counterlocking element define a bayonet lock closure, wherein, typically, a linear downward movement may be followed by axial rotation of the base tube. Preferably, the base tube is made of metal and/or plastic.
It is preferred that a bottom surface of the receiving space is provided with a drainage hole. As such, water seeping down from the shaft may be discharged without accumulating inside the parasol base.
It is conceivable that adjacent arms of the support frame enclose at least one reinforcement rib and preferably multiple reinforcement ribs. The reinforcement ribs can further contribute to the stability and/or rigidity of the support frame. Preferably a terminal portion of at least one, preferably each arm is provided with a plurality of arm reinforcement ribs. These arm reinforcement ribs may extend from the terminal portion of the arm either perpendicularly and/or parallel to the arm. These ribs may yield a better structural integrity of the parasol base, such as a higher torsional stiffness. However, primarily these arm reinforcement ribs are configured to strengthen the portion where the wheels are connected to the arm, to prevent the wheel, and in particular the wheel bracket, from being torn through the parasol base. It is conceivable that an interior portion of the terminal portion of each arm is threaded, such that the wheel bracket can be easily screwed into the arm. This is in particular beneficial in case the support frame is formed out of a single piece.
In yet a further preferred embodiment, the support frame is made of a single piece. Such embodiment benefits of a relatively simple configuration and may also positively contribute to the ease of use. The support frame may for example be at least partially made of plastic. Preferably, the support frame is substantially entirely made of plastic. It is for example conceivable that the plastic comprises one or more plastic materials. Non-limiting examples of plastic materials which can be applied are Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PET-P and/or PET-G), Polycarbonate (PC), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS and/or ABS-PC), Polyethylene (PE), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), High-Density Polyethylene (HPDE), Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA), Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA), Polyamide 6 (Pa6), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC, HPVC and/or CPVC). Suitable production processes to produce such a single piece support frame are thermoforming and injection-moulding. The most preferred production process typically depends on the exact design of the support frame.
Each wheels is typically positioned underneath at least a portion, in particular the terminal portion, of an arm. The wheel bracket is typically connected to a centre portion of the wheel, and preferably extends from there in upward direction toward the above positioned arm. The wheel bracket may be a unilateral wheel bracket, wherein the wheel bracket only faces a single side of the wheel, but is typically more preferred, from a constructional point of view, to apply a bilateral wheel bracket, wherein the wheel bracket partially encloses opposite sides of the wheel. This bilateral wheel bracket is typically fork-shaped. Typically, each wheel bracket is at least partially positioned underneath at least a portion, in particular the terminal portion, of an arm. This positioning will commonly improve the carrying capacity of the parasol base as such.
The wheels may also be referred to as casters. The wheels (or casters) are commonly made of at least one of the materials chosen from the group consisting of: rubber, plastic, nylon, aluminium, or stainless steel. It is imaginable that at least one wheel has a fixed orientation with respect to the arm to which the wheel is connected. Such a fixed wheel is also referred to as rigid caster, and is configured to roll along a straight line path. It is typically (also or alternatively) preferable that at least one wheel is displaceably connected, in particular pivotably connected, to one of the arms. Such a wheel is often also referred to as a swivel caster. Like the simpler rigid caster, a swivel caster incorporates a wheel mounted to a—typically fork-shaped—wheel bracket including a swivel joint above the wheel allowing a lower part of the wheel bracket, and hence the wheel as such, to freely rotate about a vertical axis of rotation, typically (but not necessarily) about 360°, thus enabling the wheel to roll in any direction. It is conceivable that all wheels of the parasol base are swivel casters. Often, either all wheels or swivel casters or some wheels are rigid casters and at least one other wheel is a swivel caster. Other wheel types, such as omnidirectional wheels and/or spherical wheels may also be used. One or more wheels used in the parasol base according to the invention may be provided with a brake or a brake feature, which prevents the wheel from turning. This is commonly achieved using a lever, mounted onto the wheel presses, which is able to press a brake cam against the wheel. It may also be advantageous, in particular in case of a swivel caster, to apply a lock or a locking feature, mounted onto the wheel bracket, which is configured to realize an additional rotational lock on a vertical shaft of the wheel bracket so that neither the shaft can rotate or the wheel can turn, providing very rigid support. Preferably, each wheel has a (horizontal) axis of rotation. Preferably, the lower side of each counterweight block is positioned in between an upper side of the wheels and said axis of rotation of the wheels. Although it is imaginable that a lower side of the counter blocks is positioned underneath the axis of rotation of the wheels, which could lead to a further improved stabilization of the parasol base, such a positioning might affect the transportability of the parasol base, in particular on uneven ground. Hence, it is typically preferred to position the lowest point (the lower side) of the counterweight blocks in between the upper level (upper side) of the wheels and the axis of rotation of the wheels, to find a balance between load capacity improvement and transportability of the wheeled parasol base according to the invention. Preferably, at least one support element is positioned below an upper side of the wheel. A counter weight block resting on said support element will therefore also be positioned below said upper side of the wheel to lower the centre of gravity of the parasol base as much as reasonably possible (taking the desired unhindered transportability into account). The counterweight blocks may be entirely positioned on top of the support element, but it is also imaginable that a part of a counterweight extends below said support element (in installed condition). Preferably, at least one support element is at least partially formed by a protruding rim, preferably laterally protruding rim, which more preferably extends in a substantially horizontal direction. It is imaginable, and even favourable, in case each arm is provided with at least two support elements for supporting two different counterweight blocks. Preferably, each arm is provided with at least two support elements positioned in two different accommodating spaces. Often, but not necessarily, at least one support element defines a lower side of each arm, which allows the counterweight blocks to be supported by (rather than suspended or hung onto) the support elements. It is favourable in case at least, and preferably each, support element is provided with at least one opening configured to receive a downwardly protruding bulge of a counterweight block. This fixates and stabilizes the counterweight block with respect to the support structure, and hence with respect to the support base, in particular the support frame.
In a preferred embodiment, a terminal portion of each arm has a reduced thickness with respect to the thickness of a remaining portion of each arm, wherein each wheel is connected to a terminal portion (having the reduced thickness) of an arm. This support frame design allows the arms, and hence the support elements, to be positioned at a level below the upper side of the wheels, while at the same time providing sufficient and even improved robustness and rigidity to the arms.
It is conceivable that facing support elements of adjacent arms are integrally connected with each other. In this manner, an open, semi-open, of closed support wall (bottom wall) can be realized for supporting a mass increasing substance and/or mass increasing component, such as a counterweight block. In this embodiment, it is also imaginable that the terminal portions of adjacent arm are also mutually connected by an upstanding (typically substantially vertical) circumferential wall, which would lead to one or more, either separated or interconnected, container-like accommodating spaces configured to accommodate a mass increasing substance, such as a counterweight block. In this manner, the support frame, including the support elements (bottom walls) and circumferential walls could be integrally connected, and preferably made out of a single piece. It is conceivable that the support frame enclosed a single accommodating space for receiving a mass increasing substance and/or mass increasing component. This single accommodating may, as such, be composed of a plurality of interconnected accommodating space segments. Typically, each arm is preferably formed by at least one beam. These beams could be made of a solid material, but preferably each beam is formed by a (hollow) extrusion profile. Typically each beam is made of metal. It is imaginable that each arm is formed by a plurality of interconnected beams. This allows, for example, to realize the aforementioned preferred embodiment in which a terminal portion of each arm has a reduced thickness with respect to the thickness of a remaining portion of each arm, without having to post-process or cut-away a part of the beam, which is efficient and saves material losses and production time. To this end, it is preferable that each arm is formed by a plurality of interconnected beams having mutually different beam lengths. It is favourable in case at least two arms are formed out of at least one shared beam. This will increase the strength and load capacity of the support frame and hence of the parasol base. Typically, the arms define together a single planar plane, typically a substantially horizontal plane.
Preferably, at least two arms are interconnected by at least one cross-bar, more preferably positioned at a distance from the centre portion of the parasol base, wherein each cross-bar is configured to support at least one counterweight block. Each cross-bar may is typically fixed to adjacent arms, in particular to one or more support elements of adjacent arms. Preferably, each outer end of each cross-bar is enclosed in between an upper and a lower support element of an arm, wherein said two support elements mutually enclose a cross-bar insertion space. Possibly, the counterweight blocks are slid laterally (in a substantially horizontal direction) into (a lateral access opening of) the accommodating space, wherein the blocks will slide over the aforementioned upper support element, without being hindered by the cross-bar (lying underneath said upper support element). By supporting the outer ends of a cross-bar by the lower support elements, unwanted detachment of the cross-bar, can be prevented or at least counteracted, which thus leads to an improved reliability and durability and load capacity of the parasol base according to the invention. It is also conceivable that the counterweight blocks are positioned into the accommodating space from a substantially vertical direction. Hence, the counterweight blocks can be vertically inserted and a top panel can be positioned upon or above at least part of the counterweight blocks after said blocks have been installed.
Preferably, each counterweight block comprises a container with at least one filling opening for filling the container with a mass increasing substance, such as sand or water, wherein said at least one filling opening is preferably closable by a closing lid and/or by the top panel (if applied). Preferably, each counterweight block comprises a container, wherein said container comprises at least one bottom wall and at least one circumferential wall connecting to said bottom wall, wherein the circumferential wall defines a filling opening of the container for filling the container with a mass increasing substance, such as sand or water. Hence, the filling opening of the container may be formed by an open upper side of the container, which can be closed off by a lid and/or by the top panel (if applied). Preferably the parasol base comprises one or more closing lids, wherein each lid is configured to co-act with, preferably to be clamped onto, a circumferential wall of a container for substantially closing the container. The lid may be formed by the top panel (if applied) being to simultaneously close off a plurality of the containers, and/or may be formed by individual lids, wherein each lid is configured to close off a container, and wherein the lids are preferably at least partially covered by the top panel (if applied). Preferably, the top panel directly covers, and preferably directly engages, the support frame and/or the counterweight block(s), without intermediate plate or structure in between. This simplifies the construction of the parasol base, and reduces the cost price of the parasol base as such.
Preferably, at least one, and more preferably, each container comprises at least one. preferably linear, drainage channel (or gutter) to drain (rain) water away from (an accommodating space for) the mass increasing substance. This prevents undesired wettening and fouling of the mass increasing substance by (rain) water (or any other liquid dropped onto the parasol base). Said drainage channel(s) is(/are) preferably formed by an upper section of the circumferential wall of the container. Here, it is e.g. conceivable that the drainage channel is formed by a deformed wall part, in particular circumferential wall part, of the container. However it is also conceivable that a side wall, in particular circumferential wall of the parasol base, in particular the support frame, which partially defines the accommodating space, and/or at least one counterweight block is provided with a, preferably linear, drainage channel, preferably wherein at least a part of said drainage channel is downwardly inclined in a direction facing away from the centre of the support frame. The drainage channel is preferably located near at an upper edge, more preferably an upper outer edge of the container. Said drainage channel may for example be situated adjacent and/or parallel to, a part of, the circumferential wall part of the container and/or the upward rim of a lid of the container. Preferably, each drainage channel is provided with an at least partially, and preferably entirely, inclined bottom surface. In a preferred embodiment the drainage channel is downwardly inclined in a direction facing away from the centre of the support frame. In order to ensure a good drainage of (rain) water a lowest point of the bottom surface of said drainage channel is preferably provided with a drainage hole. The angle of the drainage channel may for example be situated between 10 and 40 degrees, preferable 25 degrees. Preferably, said drainage hole is provided such that water is discharged from the drainage channel between an inner wall (interior wall) of at least one accommodating space and an exterior wall of the parasol base. Hence, said drainage hole may connect the drainage channel to an underneath drainage space enclosed by spaced, preferably vertical, walls of the parasol base, in particular an inner wall defining a part of at least one accommodating space, and a spaced outer wall defining an exterior wall of the parasol base. That is, the parasol base may be provided with a double circumferential wall, such that water can be discharged therebetween. This allows to discharge the water in a way that is unobtrusive to the eye, which leaves the exterior of the parasol base clean. More preferably, a lowest point of the bottom surface of said drainage channel is formed by at least one corner piece or corner section of said counterweight. To this end the at least one corner piece, in particular the lowest point of the bottom surface, may be provided with at least one drainage hole, which allows water to be discharged to the surroundings. However, it is furthermore conceivable that the lowest point is situated elsewhere along the drainage channel, or that the water is discharged along the sides of the container. The (rain) water may thus be discharged to the surroundings by means of a drainage hole provided in the drainage channel and/or corner piece, or may be drained along the side of the container or counterweight block, as long as it is prevented that the (rain) water could flow into a container. This prevents that (rain) water will flow into the container, and hence may foul the container and/or the mass increasing substance contained by said container, and furthermore prevents damage of the parasol base e.g. due to frost. Preferably, the top panel (if applied) covers the drainage channels at least partially, and preferably substantially entirely. This prevents the drainage channels to be seen be persons, and reduces the amount of water to be discharged via the drainage channels.
It is advantageous in case each container is configured to support the top panel (if applied), to distribute the downward force (gravitational force) exerted by the top panel (and possible additional external loads) over a relatively large surface area, to stabilize the top panel and to prevent peak stress in the parasol base, which could lead to damage. Here, it is in particular advantageous in case each container is provided with a plurality of upstanding (vertical) ridges (baffles), wherein at least one of those ridges extends to a top surface (top level) of the container to support an overlaying top panel. One or more of these ridges may divide the container into a plurality of compartments. To improve the rigidity of the (hollow) container, it is favourable in case at least two ridges have a perpendicular orientation with respect to each other, and/or wherein outer ends of each ridge are connected to another container part. It is further favourable that each container can be secured with respect to the support frame. To this end, the support frame and/or each counterweight block, in particular each container, may be configured to realize a clamp connection, a snap connection (click connection) and/or other kind of lock connection to lock the container in place with respect to the support frame, as a result of which undesired removal of the container from the support frame can be prevented. This clamp connection or snap connection can, for example, be realized by providing the support frame and/or the container with one or more locking hooks, in particular clamping hooks and/or snapping hooks, which hooks are configured to co-act with a recess or other type of counterlocking element to secure the container with respect to the support frame. Preferably, at least one clamp connection and/or snap connection and/or other kind of lock connection is realized at or near the corners of the parasol base, and hence near the terminal portions of the arms (and/or corner pieces connected thereto) of the support frame.
By applying fillable counterweight blocks, the initial weight can be kept relatively low, which is in favour of transporting and handling the blocks. In order to further reduce weight, it may be preferable that the container does not comprise its own closing lid, wherein the closing off of the container(s) is realized by means of the (central) top panel.
The parasol base preferably comprises at least one counterweight block. It is also conceivable that the counter-weight block comprises multiple counterweight block parts. The counter weight block may for example comprises four counter weight block parts which are mutually connected, wherein each counter weight block part van be inserted into an accommodating space defined by adjacent arms of the support frame. It is also conceivable that the top panel (if applied) and at least one counterweight block are mutually connected or that at least one counterweight block forms integrally part of the top panel. Such embodiment may further simplify the configuration of the parasol base and reduce the number of components.
It is imaginable that, in installed condition, each counterweight block extends with respect to the terminal portion of each adjacent arm. In this manner the arms, and hence the support frame as such, can be protected by the counterweight blocks once installed. Preferably, at least a part of at least one counterweight block has a substantially triangular cross-section, more preferably an isosceles triangle having two sides of equal length, and/or a frustoconical cross-section. This shape typically matches the shape of the accommodating space, as a result of which the empty space within an accommodating space and when the counterweight block(s) is/are installed can be kept to a minimum. Preferably, at least one counterweight block has an increasing cross-section in upward and/or downward direction. This changing cross-section across the height of the counterweight blocks could be used to allow the counterweight blocks to be installed in a predefined manner into the accommodating space, and could prevent wrongful, for example upside-down, installation of the counterweight blocks. Moreover, the changing cross-section across the height of the counterweight blocks could be used to shift the centre of gravity in downward direction and/or more towards the centre portion (central zone) of the parasol base. Preferably, all counterweight blocks are identical. It is, however, also imaginable that at least two counterweight blocks have distinctive shapes and/or dimensions. The counterweight blocks are typically at least partially rigid, and may e.g. at least partially be composed of concrete, although it is also conceivable to apply one or more flexible counterweight blocks, such as e.g. sand bags or water bags. The counterweight block typically, though not necessarily, comprises a housing, preferably a plastic housing, wherein said housing may form integral part of the support frame. Here, the housing typically comprises a bottom wall and at least one side wall, wherein said bottom wall and at least one side are connected to adjacent arms to define a container-like accommodating space to accommodate a mass increasing substance. In this exemplary embodiment, the housing of the counterweight block, integrated with the support frame, will not be removable from the support frame.
Preferably, a part of a circumferential wall of each counterweight block defines a part of a peripheral edge of the parasol base. The peripheral edge of the parasol base preferably surrounds (encloses) all arms and wheels of the parasol base. Preferably, an end surface of each arm is connected to a corner piece defining a part of a peripheral edge of the parasol base. The corner pieces make part of the support frame of the parasol base. Preferably, each corner piece is connected tightly and/or locked with respect to an arm. Preferably, the orientation between a corner piece and an adjacent arm is substantially fixed. The corner pieces protect the arms of the support frame, and, moreover, can be used to provide additional functionality the support frame as will be elucidated below. It is, for example, imaginable that, in installed condition, each corner piece is connecting, at opposite sides, to (a circumferential wall of) at least two counterweight blocks, which allows the formation of a substantially closed peripheral edge of the parasol base. The parasol base may further comprise a top panel, in particular a tile, configured to at least partially cover the support frame and/or the counterweight block(s), wherein the support frame and/or the counterweight block(s) is/are provided with a plurality of upward rims, which upward rims together define a top panel insertion space in which the top panel is, preferably releasably, positioned. Each corner piece preferably comprises a support surface for supporting a top panel positioned on top of at least a portion of each corner piece. Hence, the corner piece may be configured, and is preferably configured, to bear the top panel at least partially. Typically the top panel is additionally supported by the arms and/or the counterweight blocks of the parasol base. However, the corner pieces may be used together to lock the top panel in place, at least within a horizontal plane, and possibly also in a vertical plane. To this end, each corner piece may, for example, provided with at least one upward rim, wherein the upward rims together define a top panel insertion space for insertion of a top panel, such that at least a part of the arm and a part of the counterweight blocks is covered by said top panel. An inner surface of each upward rim of a corner piece preferably has an angular (hooked) shape, which is preferably substantially complementary with respect to an outer surface of a corner of the top panel, such the top panel corners, and hence the top panel as such, can be locked and held in place by the corner piece of the support frame. Preferably, an outer part of a circumferential wall of each counterweight block is provided with an upward rim, wherein the rims together define a top panel insertion space for insertion of a top panel, such that at least a part of the arm and a part of the counterweight blocks is covered by said top panel. Preferably an inner surface of all upward rims together is designed to co-act or lie adjacent or near to an outer surface of the top panel. Preferably, the top panel is locked by the upward rims within said top panel insertion space, at least in a horizontal plane. The upward rims may mutually be positioned at a distance from each other, which allows it, for example, to secure merely the corners of the top panel. It is, however, also imaginable that the upward rims together form a substantially closed circumferential upward rim. It is imaginable that at least one upward rim makes integral part of the support frame. However, often (separate) corner pieces are provided to the support base, in particular the support frame, to form the upward rim(s). Preferably, an end surface of each arm of the support frame is connected to and/or forms a corner piece provided with an upward rim for defining the top panel insertion space. The top panel is preferably releasably positioned within the top panel insertion space and can therefore easily be removed and/or replaced. The top panel is typically completely enclosed by the adjoining upward rims. In this way, the top panel can be protected against e.g. breakage. Preferably the parasol base according to an aspect of the present invention is a modular parasol base, which makes it easier and lighter to move the parasol base (in steps) to another location. The top panel may have a decorative upper surface, which is generally more attractive than traditional concrete. Moreover, the top panel preferably covers the support base, in particular the support frame, and the counterweight(s) at least partially, which will improve the lifetime of the parasol base. Moreover, in this way, the exposure of the support base, in particular the support frame, and the counterweight(s), to weather influences, in particular rain, can be reduced, which will reduce the risk of fouling and/or the growth of moss and fungi onto at least a part of said support base, in particular said support frame, and the counterweight(s). The top panel is typically a flat panel, in particular a tile. The tile is typically at least partially made of ceramic, and/or plastic and/or stone. The top panel typically has a square or oblong shape. The top panel is preferably releasably positioned within the top panel insertion space and can therefore easily be removed and/or replaced. It is imaginable that the top panel is modular top panel which is composed of a plurality of, preferably interconnected or interconnectable, panel pieces. Preferably a top surface of the top panel is smooth to impede growth of e.g. moss, bacteria, and fungi on top of said panel. Preferably, the top panel is impermeable to water. An additional advantage of applying the top panel is that the top panel obviously also has a certain mass, as a result of which the top panel has a counterweight function, which allows the actually intended counterweight(s) to be designed, in a lighter, and hence smaller, and more practical manner. Preferably, the top panel, in particular the tile is typically at least partially made of plastic, ceramic, glass, and/or stone, such as marble, concrete and/or granite. It is imaginable that the top panel is formed by a laminate of layers, such as e.g. a core layer and a decorative layer affixed on top of said core layer. The top panel typically has a square or oblong shape. The top panel is used to cover at least a substantial part the support frame and a part of the counterweight parts. This is not only attractive from an aesthetical point of view, but also shields the (often corrosion sensitive) support frame substantially from weather conditions, which is in favour of the lifetime of the parasol base. Moreover, the top panel prevents the—preferably fillable—counterweight blocks to open and to drain its mass increasing substance. Since the top panel is a flat panel only covering a top side of the support frame (and a top side of the counterweight blocks), the top panel typically has a limited weight and can be installed relatively easily. The top panel is typically provided with a decorative design at its top surface. The top panel may be a monolith panel, but may also be a laminated panel consisting of a plurality of interconnected layers. The top panel is considered as part of the parasol base according to the invention. Preferably, the height of the upward rims of the corner pieces and/or the circumferential wall of the counterweight blocks is substantially identical to the height of the top panel. This allows the upwards rims to connect smoothly to an upper surface of the top panel, which not only is preferred from an aesthetical point of view, but also improves the cleanability of the top panel as fouled water is able to easily flow from the top panel. Moreover, in this manner, the vulnerable and sharp (corner) edges of the top panel can be protected and covered by the collective of upward rims, which is in favour of the lifetime of the parasol base, and prevents personal injuries.
Commonly, the parasol base is configured to support a stem part and/or shaft part of a parasol. This stem part or shaft part is typically fixed, e.g. by means of screws and/or clamping, onto the parasol base. To this end, it is favourable in case the parasol base comprises a base bracket and/or a base tube, which is typically positioned on top of and secured with respect to the support frame and/or—if applied—the top panel. The base bracket is configured to be stably support a parasol, and is typically at least partially insertable into a parasol shaft. The base bracket may be a static (rigid) base bracket, although it is typically more preferred that the base bracket comprises a stationary part, mounted onto the support frame, and a rotatable part, pivotably connected to said stationary part and allowing a parasol shaft, once mounted, to be (axially) rotated. Preferably a clamping structure is used to (releasably) clamp the base bracket onto the support frame, in particular at least one upper beam of said support frame. The clamping structure may comprise bolts and/or pins guided through through-holes of the support frame, wherein an upper outer end of each bolt and/or pin is preferably configured to co-act, either directly or indirectly, with the base bracket, and wherein and a lower outer end of each bolt and/or pin is preferably configured to co-act, either directly or indirectly, with a base plate of the clamping structure, positioned within or underneath the support frame, in particular at least one upper beam of said support frame. Said base plate is configured to (firmly) keep the base bracket in place. The clamping structure, which is configured to be clamped onto the support frame, to stabilize the base bracket and to hold the base bracket in place, makes it possible to transmit all or most of the forces exerted (by a parasol) onto the base bracket to the support frame rather than to the top panel. This means that the typically vulnerable top panel will not, or predominantly not, be exerted to (considerable) forces during use of the parasol base, which is in favour of the lifetime of the top panel, and hence of the parasol base as such. It is also conceivable that at least one base bracket forms part of a parasol which is configured for co-action with at least one parasol base. The base tube is configured to accommodate a lower outer end section of the parasol shaft. The base tube may be connected to the aforementioned base bracket. However, it is typically preferred that the base tube is connected, preferably locked, to the parasol base. A base bracket may in this latter case be omitted. Further details on a preferred connection between the parasol base and the (optional) base tube are given below.
The invention also relates to a parasol base, in particular a mobile parasol base according to the invention, comprising a support base, one or more counterweight blocks supported by said support base, and preferably a top panel, in particular a tile, configured to at least partially cover said support base and/or said counterweight block(s), wherein the support base comprises at least one support element for supporting at least a portion of at least one counterweight block, such that a lower side of each counterweight block is positioned below an upper side of the wheels.
The invention also relates to an assembly of a parasol base according to the invention and at least one parasol, preferably removably, mounted onto said parasol base. In this patent document, frequently reference is made to “the support frame”, although it is conceivable that in various of described embodiments instead of a support frame another type of support base can be used. In these embodiments, the expression “support frame” could be replaced by “support base”.
Expressions like “horizontal” and “vertical” are relative expressions related to the parasol base, wherein “vertical” means in a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the parasol base, and wherein “horizontal” means in a direction parallel to or coinciding with said plane defined by the parasol base.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are set out in the following non-limitative clauses.
The present invention will hereinafter be further elucidated on the basis of non-limitative exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures, wherein;
The figure illustrates that a pair of opposing arms 3 is formed by a shared bottom beam 9 or a shared upper beam 11. A pair of second beams 10 and 10′, 12 and 12′ are connected to the shared beams 9 and 11 respectively, thereby forming the arms 3. The arms 3 extending in the directions R2 and R3 are constructed by the shared bottom beam 9. On a upper side of the shared bottom beam 9 the two second beams 10 and 10′ are attached. Said pair of second beams 10, 10′ are attached to the upper side of the shared bottom beam 9 on opposite sides of the shared upper beam 11. The shared upper beam 11 is shared by the arms extending in the directions R1 and R4. On a bottom side of the shared upper beam 11, on opposite sides of the shared bottom beam 9, the pair of second beams 12 and 12′ is attached. Hence the support frame 2 is formed by a plurality of interconnected beams 9, 10, 10′, 11, 12, 12′ having mutually different lengths.
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In particular, the arm reinforcement ribs 73 may increase torsional stiffness of the parasol base 60.
The above-described inventive concepts are illustrated by several illustrative embodiments. It is conceivable that individual inventive concepts may be applied without, in so doing, also applying other details of the described example. It is not necessary to elaborate on examples of all conceivable combinations of the above-described inventive concepts, as a person skilled in the art will understand numerous inventive concepts can be (re)combined in order to arrive at a specific application.
The verb “comprise” and conjugations thereof used in this patent publication are understood to mean not only “comprise”, but are also understood to mean the phrases “contain”, “substantially consist of”, “formed by” and conjugations thereof.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026286 | Aug 2020 | NL | national |
| 2026287 | Aug 2020 | NL | national |
| 2027775 | Mar 2021 | NL | national |
This application is the United States national phase of International Application No. PCT/NL2021/050509 filed Aug. 17, 2021, and claims priority to The Netherlands Patent Application Nos. 2026286 filed Aug. 18, 2020, 2026287 filed Aug. 18, 2020, and 2027775 filed Mar. 18, 2021, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/NL2021/050509 | 8/17/2021 | WO |
