Tent – canopy – umbrella – or cane – Portable shelter – Umbrella-type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-25
2001-05-22
Kent, Christopher T. (Department: 3635)
Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane
Portable shelter
Umbrella-type
C135S015100, C135S016000, C135S019000, C248S297110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234187
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of shade umbrellas and more particularly to an adjustable shade umbrella.
2. Description of the Related Art
Umbrellas are often used to provide welcome shady relief from the hot sun in areas such as beaches, swimming pools, parks and patios. Some sun umbrellas are designed to be used in conjunction with beach chairs or other outdoor chairs to provide shade for a person sitting in the chair. As the day passes, however, the location of the sun relative to the chair changes, thus necessitating an adjustment in the placement of the umbrella. If the umbrella is not adjustable, the person using the chair may have to repeatedly move the chair as the day passes to maintain adequate shade because of the changing angle of the sun's rays. Moving the chair is inconvenient and frustrating.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,141, to Chen, discloses an adjustable umbrella support which is adapted to be attached to a beach chair. The umbrella support attaches to a tubular side frame of the beach chair and the rod of the umbrella has flexible portions to allow adjustment of the umbrella without moving the chair.
This design, however, has a number of key limitations. For instance, since the support is located on the side frame member, the support is likely to get in the way of a user's arm or shoulder when the user is seated in the chair. Also, when the umbrella is adjusted to a desired shade-producing position, the bending umbrella shaft is likely to be positioned at least partially in front of the user's face and chest. Such placement is uncomfortable and inconvenient. Additionally, since the support is mounted to a side of the chair, the umbrella's range of adjustment is limited and some sun angles cannot be adequately shaded without removing the support and reinstalling it on the other side of the chair. Further, the flexible portions of the umbrella rod may become loose over time; thus, the umbrella may be unable to maintain a chosen position without sagging. Also, breezes may change the umbrella's position.
Some beach chair umbrella embodiments are attached to a beach chair arm rest by a C-clamp or other clamping means. This is undesirable because, first of all, the attachment uses the arm rest and is thus in the way of the person sitting in the chair. Also, such attachment methods have proven somewhat unstable, particularly in windy conditions. The gripping member is also subject to wear, requiring that the clamp be secured tighter and tighter to the chair over time. Further, this clamping means may damage the beach chair.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an adjustable beach chair umbrella that can be adjusted to accommodate a full range of motion while remaining out of the way of a person sitting in the chair. There is a further need for an umbrella that can be attached to a chair and is adjustable without requiring a user to move the chair. Also, there is a need for an adjustable umbrella that maintains its position once adjusted.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an adjustable umbrella apparatus is disclosed having a shuttle adapted to slide along a track. The shuttle has a first interlock portion. A second interlock portion is adapted to engage the first interlock portion to releasably lock the shuttle in a first position. Similarly, a third interlock portion is adapted to engage the first interlock portion to releasably lock the shuttle in a second position. An umbrella rod is connected to the shuttle and is adapted to move with the shuttle.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an adjustable umbrella system is provided comprising an umbrella having a canopy and a shaft supporting the canopy. A connector is attached to a first end of the shaft. The connector is adapted to engage a base and to move longitudinally along the base and rotatably about a longitudinal axis of the base. An interlock on the base engages the connector and releasably locks the connector in a position.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, an adjustable umbrella system is disclosed comprising an umbrella including a rod supporting a canopy at a first end of the rod. The system further includes a connector on a second end of the rod. The connector is adapted to releasably engage a base. A plurality of protrusions extend from the base or the connector. The protrusions are adapted to engage the other of the base or connector to retain the connector in a position relative to the base.
In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention, an adjustable umbrella apparatus is disclosed comprising an umbrella with a canopy and a rod. The apparatus also includes a base and a channel formed in the base. The channel has a longitudinal portion and a transverse portion. A plurality of lock holes are located adjacent the channel. A connector is attached to the umbrella rod and is adapted to slide within the base. The connector includes an interlock which is adapted to engage at least one of the lock holes.
For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain objects and advantages of the invention have been described herein above. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular preferred emnbodiment(s) disclosed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 235106 (1880-12-01), Steiner
patent: 336363 (1886-02-01), Ward
patent: 3879086 (1975-04-01), Moceri
patent: 4809724 (1989-03-01), Fuser
patent: 4871141 (1989-10-01), Chen
patent: 5004134 (1991-04-01), Barry
patent: 5058757 (1991-10-01), Proa
patent: 5110184 (1992-05-01), Stein et al.
patent: 5188331 (1993-02-01), Baines
patent: 5269157 (1993-12-01), Ciminelli et al.
patent: 5297570 (1994-03-01), Conner
Kent Christopher T.
Knobbe Martens & Olson Bear LLP.
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