Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to the field of umbrellas and more particularly, relates to an umbrella with an adjustable modular structure and shape.

Background Art

Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background is described in connection with umbrellas for blocking rain or sun. Generally, umbrellas have been in use before in the art and are typically used in an outdoor setting, such as in an outdoor patio, balcony, garden, cafe, and the like to provide shade and protection against the elements.

The ordinary umbrella usual includes a central mast with folding flexible frame of ribs disposed in “spoke-like” arrangement to form a supporting frame which is usually covered with a rain and sun resisting fabric or other flexible material suitably fastened thereto. A ferrule slides up and down the mast and carries ribs which are pivotally connected to the fabric supporting ribs, as well as to the ferrule. Generally, a locking means is used to located about the mast, over which the ferrule passes, and engages the ferrule to maintain the umbrella in open or raised position.

For example, United States Patent Number 5,806,547 entitled, “Combination umbrella and gazebo,” discloses a combination umbrella and gazebo that can be used as an umbrella or a gazebo. The combination includes a frame, a canopy, and a side. The canopy is affixed to the frame and has an open position and a closed position. The side is affixed to the canopy and has an extended position in which the combination functions as the gazebo and a retracted position in which the combination functions as the umbrella. And, the side achieves its extended and retracted positions by turning a crank which causes a first cord that is operatively connected to eight second cords which are operatively connected to eight third cords which are operatively connected to the side to displace half as much as each of the eight third cords so as to reduce the amount of turning of the crank required to lower and raise the side.

United States Patent Number 6,199,570 entitled “Combination cooler/carrier and umbrella” discloses an umbrella and cooler or carrier vessel comprising a main mast, a flexible umbrella frame operatively arranged at one end of the mast, means to maintain the flexible frame of the umbrella in spaced apart stand-off relation with respect to the main mast when the umbrella is collapsed and lowered, a vessel arranged at the opposite end of the mast and surrounding it, the distance of the side walls of the vessel from the mast and the distance at which the flexible frame of the umbrella is maintained from the mast by the spacing stand-off means being approximately equal to permit the flexible umbrella frame to surround the vessel.

United States Patent Number 8,104,492, entitled, “Adjustable offset umbrella” discloses an adjustable offset umbrella with a generally vertical main pole and a sliding member slidably mounted to the main pole. The sliding member includes a locking mechanism for securing it at a desired location along the main pole. One end of an arm is associated with the sliding member, and the other end supports an umbrella canopy. A winding mechanism is associated with the sliding member and moves with it. A line extends from the winding mechanism to the umbrella canopy. Operating the winding mechanism opens and closes the umbrella canopy, and moving the sliding member up or down the main pole adjusts the angle of the canopy with respect to the main pole.

United States Patent Number 10,051,931, entitled, “Umbrella apparatus” discloses an improved umbrella apparatus with a portable umbrella with a support column having a container for holding a removable water tank with a pump for pumping misting water to misters that are attached to the perimeter edges of the umbrella. Solar panels are attached to the topside of the umbrella for charging rechargeable batteries to power the pump mechanism. The apparatus is useful for shade and cooling at the beach or at a sports game.

Disclosure of the Invention

The present invention discloses a modular umbrella comprising: an umbrella frame comprising: an upper hub attached to a first end of a support pole, a plethora of upper hinge connectors pivotably positioned radially around the upper hub; an upper support portion connected to each of the plethora of upper hinge connectors to extend radially from the upper hub; a lower support portion connected to each of the upper support portions; a sliding coupler attached to each of the upper support portions; a support arm connected to each of the sliding couplers; a lower hinge connector connected to each of the support arms; a lower hub slidable positioned around the support pole and connected to each of the lower hinge connectors wherein the lower hinge connectors are pivotably connected radially around the lower hub, wherein the lower hub moves up or down which moves the support arm to extend the upper support portion; a base that supports a second end of the support pole wherein the base comprises a top plate having a top plate support pole aperture through the top plate to allow passage of the support pole through the top plate; a bottom plate opposite the top plate; a support pole receiver connected to the bottom plate and aligned to receive the second end of the support pole; a first platform support connected to the bottom plate and to the top plate to separate the bottom plate and the top plate; and a second platform support connected to the bottom plate and to the top plate to separate the bottom plate and the top plate wherein the second platform support is positioned opposite the first platform support.

The umbrella may further comprising a canopy attached over the umbrella frame. The umbrella may further comprising a top positioned on the top plate. The umbrella may also include a bottom plate adapted to receive one or more pavers. The plethora of upper hinge connectors comprise 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 and the upper support portion, the lower support portion and the lower hinge connector comprise 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12. The plethora of upper hinge connectors comprise 4, 6, or 8 and the upper support portion, the lower support portion and the lower hinge connector comprise 4, 6, or 8. The umbrella may further comprising one or more gazebo panels attached to the canopy to extend downwardly to form a gazebo. The umbrella may further comprising a locking means to lock the umbrella frame in the open position, wherein the locking means comprises a rope operably connected to the lower hub to allow the rope to move the lower hub upwardly to extend the umbrella frame and a locking cleat to secure the rope and umbrella in the open position. The first platform support, the second platform support or both further comprise a shock to assist in raising and lowering the top plate. The umbrella may further comprising a third platform support positioned adjacent to the first platform support and the second platform support and a forth platform support positioned opposite the third platform support. The third platform support, the fourth platform support or both further comprise a shock to assist in raising and lowering the top plate. The umbrella may further comprising a platform support locker positioned about the first platform support, the second platform support or both to lock the top plate at a specific height.

The present invention provides a method of assembling a modular umbrella comprising the steps of: positioning a base by positioning a bottom plate on a surface, wherein the bottom plate comprises a support pole receiver attached to the bottom plate to receive a support pole; positioning one or more weighted objects on the bottom plate; connecting two or more platform supports to the bottom plate; positioning a top plate over the bottom plate by connecting the top plate to the two or more platform supports; extending the two or more platform supports to a desired height from the surface to set the top plate height; securing the two or more platform supports at the desired height; positioning a top on the top plate, wherein the top comprises a top aperture and the top plate comprises a top plate aperture that align; inserting a support pole through a top aperture and through a top plate aperture and into a support pole receiver on the bottom plate; positioning a lower hub slidably on the support pole; connecting a plethora of lower hinge connectors to the lower hub; connecting a support arm to each of the plethora of lower hinge connectors; connecting a sliding coupler to each of the support arms; sliding each of the sliding couplers on to an upper support portion; slidable engaging a lower support portion into the upper support portion; attaching an upper hinge connector to each of the upper support portions; connecting each of the upper hinge connectors to an upper hub; attaching the upper hub to the support pole; and attaching a canopy to the upper support portions and the lower support portions. The method may further comprising the step of connecting a rope to the lower hub such that pulling the rope will move the lower hub upwardly and attaching the rope to a cleat connected to the base. The plethora of lower hinge connectors comprise 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 and the upper support portion, the lower support portion and the lower hinge connector comprise 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12. The plethora of upper hinge connectors comprise 4, 6, or 8 and the upper support portion, the lower support portion and the lower hinge connector comprise 4, 6, or 8. The first platform support, the second platform support or both further comprise a shock to assist in raising and lowering the top plate. The method may further comprising the step of a third platform support positioned adjacent to the first platform support and the second platform support and a forth platform support positioned opposite the third platform support. The method may further comprising the step of connecting one or more gazebo panels attached to the canopy wherein the one or more gazebo panels extend downwardly to the surface to form a gazebo. Description of the Drawings

For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the umbrella and stand.

FIGURE 2 is a side view of one embodiment of the umbrella and stand.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the umbrella.

FIGURE 4 shows an exploded diagram of the upper hub.

FIGURE 5 shows an exploded diagram of the lower hub.

FIGURE 6 is exploded diagram of the support arm and sliding coupler.

FIGURE 7 is an elevation view of the base.

Description of the Invention

While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the invention.

To facilitate the understanding of this invention, a number of terms are defined below. Terms defined herein have meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the areas relevant to the present invention. Terms such as “a”, “an” and “the” are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration. The terminology herein is used to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their usage does not delimit the invention, except as outlined in the claims.

FIGURE 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the umbrella and stand. FIGURE 1 shows the umbrella assembly 10, where the umbrella 12 is supported by the support pole 14 and held in position by the base 16. A canopy 17 is stretched across the umbrella 12. The base 16 is positioned in the upper position.

FIGURE 2 is a side view of one embodiment of the umbrella and stand. FIGURE 2 shows the umbrella assembly 10, where the umbrella 12 is supported by the support pole 14 and held in position by the base 16. A canopy 17 is stretched across the umbrella 12. The base 16 is positioned in the lower position.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the umbrella. FIGURE 3 shows the umbrella assembly 10, where the umbrella 12 is supported by the support pole 14 and held in position by the base 16. The umbrella portion 12 includes a top hub 18 coupled to the support pole 14 at the top. The upper hub 18 is adapted to receive numerous upper hinge connectors 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, and 20h positioned radially around the upper hub 18 to form an umbrella with 8 panels. Attached to each of the upper hinge connectors 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, and 20h is an upper support portion 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g, and 22h that extends to a lower support portion 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, 24e, 24g and 24h. A support arm 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 26e, 26f, 26g, and 26h is connected to a sliding coupler 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, 28e, 28f, 28g, and 28h, which is slidably positioned and locked on the upper support portion 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g, and 22h to provide support as the umbrella 12 and the canopy (not shown) is open and closed. The sliding coupler 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, 28e, 28f, 28g, and 28h can be moved, positioned and locked anywhere about the length of the upper support portion 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g, and 22h and in some embodiments the sliding coupler 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, 28e, 28f, 28g, and 28h can be moved, positioned and locked anywhere about the length of the lower support portion 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, 24e, 24g and 24h as the upper support portion 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g, and 22h and can be moved from a closed position to an open position and returned to the close position. The support arm 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 26e, 26f, 26g, and 26h is also coupled to a lower hinge connectors 30 position opposite the sliding coupler 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f, 30g, and 30h. The lower hinge connection 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f, 30g, and 30h is connected to a lower hub 32 which is slidably positioned on the support pole 14. The lower hub 32 can move up and down the support pole 14 to raise and lower the upper support portion 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g, and 22h thus opening and closing the umbrella. The lower hinge connection 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f, 30g, and 30h and the sliding coupler 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, 28e, 28f, 28g, and 28h articulate independently to allow the support arm 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 26e, 26f, 26g, and 26h to support the upper support portion 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g, and 22h as a lower hub 32 moves up and down the support pole 14. In operation, with the umbrella 12 in the closed position. The lower hub 32 is positioned on the support pole 14 such that the upper support portion 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g, and 22h and lower support portion 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, 24e, 24g and 24h are positioned relatively perpendicular to the floor. As the lower hub 32 is moved upwardly on the support pole 14, the lower hinge connectors 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 3 Of, 30g, and 3 Oh and the sliding coupler 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, 28e, 28f, 28g, and 28h articulate to move the support arm 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 26e, 26f, 26g, and 26h upwardly, which in turn moves the upper support portion 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g, and 22h outwardly from the support pole 14. The position of the lower hub 32 can be used to adjust the extension of the upper support portion 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g, and 22h and the lower support portion 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, 24e, 24g and 24h to control the umbrella 12.

FIGURE 4 shows an exploded diagram of the upper hub 18. The upper hub 18 includes a top 34 positioned above a first top plate 36 and a second top plate 38 separated by numerous upper hinge connectors 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, and 20h. The first top plate 36 includes a first top plate aperture 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 40f, 40g, and 40h and the second top plate 38 includes a second top plate aperture 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g, and 42h. The first top plate aperture 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 40f, 40g, and 40h and the second top plate aperture 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g, and 42h are aligned with the upper hinge connector aperture 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, 44e, 44f, 44g, and 44h such that an upper fastener (not shown) may be used to secure the first top plate 36 and the second top plate 38 to the upper hinge connector 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, and 20h. The second top plate 38 also includes a top support pole aperture 46 positioned to accommodate the support pole (not shown).

FIGURE 5 shows an exploded diagram of the lower hub 32. The lower hub 32 includes a first lower plate 48 and a second lower plate 50 separated by lower hinge connectors 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f, 30g, and 30h. The first lower plate 48 includes a first lower plate aperture 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, 52f, 52g, and 52h and the second lower plate 50 includes a second lower plate aperture 54a, 54b, 54c, 54d, 54e, 54f, 54g, and 54h. The first lower plate aperture 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, 52f, 52g, and 52h and the second lower plate aperture 54a, 54b, 54c, 54d, 54e, 54f, 54g, and 54h are aligned with the lower hinge connector aperture 56 such that a lower fastener (not shown) may be used to secure the first lower plate 48 and the second lower plate 50 and the lower hinge connector 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f, 30g, and 30h. The first lower plate 48 includes a first lower plate support pole aperture 58 and the second lower plate 50 includes a second lower plate support pole aperture 60.

FIGURE 6 is exploded diagram of the support arm 26a and sliding coupler 28a. The support arm 26a includes a lower attachment 62a at one end and an upper attachment 64a at the other end. The upper attachment 64a is pivotably attached to tab 66a which is fitted to sliding coupler 28a. The lower attachment 62a is attached to the lower hinge connector 30a.

The present invention includes a modular umbrella that includes numerous components and configurations however each of the components are removable and replaceable to allow the umbrella to be reconfigured and modified as needed. This allows the umbrella to be configured from a small 4 panel canopy umbrella to a large 8 or 10 panel canopy umbrella. Similarly, the shape of the umbrella may be changed from round to oval or from square to rectangular, or from hexagonal or octagonal by changing the upper support portion and lower support portion and the canopy covering them. In some cases, the support arm may be changed. In addition, the various components may be changes to accommodate environments that have harsh conditions. For example, the components may be made from corrosion resistant material, heavy duty material, lighter materials, or other materials known to the skilled artisan. Such modifications may be in the form of the substitution of the upper support portion, lower support portion support arms, upper hub, the lower hub or fasteners used to connect components with strengthened, stronger, larger, smaller or otherwise modified components.

The present invention illustrates an 8 panel umbrella the canopy (not shown) in the figures. The umbrella canopy has 8 panels formed from the 8 upper support portion attached to the upper hub and the support arms attached to the upper support portion and the lower hub. The upper hub and the lower hub may be exchanged for an upper hub having more than 8 or less than 8 apertures (e.g., 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or more) to accommodate the desired number of upper support portions and support arms. For example, an upper hub and a lower hub may be used, which contains 4 apertures each to allow the use of 4 upper support portions and 4 support arms to create a 4 panel umbrella. Similarly, a 6 panel umbrella may be formed using an upper hub and lower hub having 6 apertures each to accommodate 6 upper support portions and 6 support arms. The same may be said for a 10 panel umbrella using an upper hub and lower hub that have 10 apertures each to support 10 upper support portions and 10 support arms. In addition, the shape of the umbrella may be altered by changing the number of upper support portions, and the relative length of the upper support portion and lower support portion. In addition, the upper hub and lower hub may be configured for multiple configurations. The upper hub and lower hub may have apertures for 4, 6, 8, and 10 upper support portions and 4 support arms to allow a single hub to be used for multiple configuration allowing expansion as necessary. An oval umbrella configuration may be obtained by adjusting the lengths of the lower support portions connected to the upper support portions such that the panels at the ends are longer than the panel separating them. As such, custom umbrellas can be formed through the use of custom shaped canopy panels in conjunction with the desired length upper support portion and lower support portion to achieve the desired length and thus the shape of the canopy. A simple example of this may be seen in a 4 panel umbrella using an upper hub and a lower hub that are connected to for upper support portions, and for support arms. The first pair of upper support portions opposite one another include a lower support portion that is extended and the second pair of upper support portions include a lower support portion that is not fully extended. When the umbrella panels are fitted to these 4 upper support portions and lower support portions, a general oval shape is formed for the umbrella. In another embodiment the umbrella may be converted into a gazabo through the substitution of the desired length upper support portion and lower support portion. In addition, the lower support portion may be specifically configured to accept the additional side panels of the gazabo.

In addition, the present invention can be converted into a gazebo. In such a configuration the umbrella includes panels fitted over the upper support portions and support arms. The top of a gazebo panel is attached to the end of each of the umbrella panels. Once the top of each of the gazebo panels are attached, the sides of adjacent gazebo panels are connected. The bottom of the gazebo panels may be secured to pavers or bricks or secured via spikes driven into the ground. From this configuration a gazebo may have 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or more umbrella panels and gazebo panels. Similarly, the gazebo panels may be formed into a single panel that wraps around the umbrella panels attaching at the top. The attachments may be weather tight through the addition of a flap or other weather proofing mechanism known to the skilled artisan.

FIGURE 7 is an elevation view of the base 16. The base 16 includes a bottom plate 68 opposite a top plate 70. The top plate 70 includes a top plate support pole aperture 72 that extends through the top plate 70. The bottom plate 68 includes a support pole receiver 74 to receive and secure the bottom end of the support pole 14 to the bottom plate 68. The top plate 70 and the bottom plate 68 are separated by platform supports 76a, 76b, 76c and 76d. Each of the platform supports 76a, 76b, 76c and 76d are attached to the bottom plate 68 by a bottom support receiver 78a, 78b, 78c and 78d and attached to the top plate 70 through top support receiver 79a, 79b, 79c and 79d. The platform supports 76a, 76b, 76c and 76d are used to position the top plate 70 at the desire distance from the bottom plate 68. The platform supports 76a and 76b are positioned across from one another and platform supports 76c and 76d are positioned across from one another and adjacent to 76a and 76b. In some embodiments, a lower support device 80 may be used to further support and align the platform supports 76a and 76b or 76c and 76d. In other embodiments lower support device 80 may be used to further support and align the platform supports 76a, 76b, 76c and 76d. The lower support device 80 includes on one side a vertical support 82a and vertical support 82b each extending upwardly from the bottom plate 68 and connecting to a horizontal support 84a. A support holder 86a is positioned on the vertical support 82a stabilize and align the platform supports 76a. The lower support device 80 includes on the opposite side a vertical support 82c and vertical support 82d each extending upwardly from the bottom plate 68 and connecting to a horizontal support 84b. A support holder 86b is positioned on the vertical support 82d to stabilize and align the platform supports 76b. The lower support device 80 may also include a support device pole aperture 88 positioned between vertical support 82b and vertical support 82c and aligned with the top plate support pole aperture 72 and the support pole receiver 74 to stabilize and align the support pole 14 when inserted. A support pole tube 90 may be inserted into support device pole aperture 88 and the support pole receiver 74, wherein the support pole tube 90 may be slightly larger than the support pole 14 to allow for the insertion and removal of the support pole 14. In some embodiments, the platform supports platform supports 76a, 76b, 76c and 76d may be adjustable struts which assist in raising and lowering the top plate 70. The platform supports platform supports 76a, 76b, 76c and 76d may all be struts or one or more may be struts. In one embodiment on platform supports platform supports 76a and 76b are struts. The adjustable struts may be a fluid filled strut (e.g., gas filled struts) that aids in the movement of the adjustable struts and the platform supports 76a, 76b, 76c and 76d and in turn the movement of the top plate 70 and the height of the top plate 70. The bottom plate 68 includes a weight area 92 which is size and position to accept weights to secure the base 16 during the operation of umbrella 12. The weight area 92 is sized to accept garden pavers, pavers or bricks.

The platform supports 76a, 76b, 76c and 76d may include a locking collar that attaches to the adjustable struts to lock the strut in the desired position and in-tum positions the top plate 70 at the desired height. The locking collar may be a simple compression fitting, locking clamp, pin and aperture or any other locking device know to the skilled artisan. The locking collar my be on 1, 2, 3 or all 4 platform supports. In the present invention the locking collar is located on 2 of the platform supports specifically the opposed platform supports.

The umbrella may be locked in the up position through various locking means. For example, a winding mechanism may be associated with the lower hub by extending a line from the winding mechanism to the lower hub such that as the winding occurs the line pulls the lower hub upwardly to extend the support arm upwardly, which in turn moves the upper support portion outwardly from the support pole. The winding mechanism may be a simple crank that has a lock ratchet, or locking tab to secure it in the upward position. Another locking means may be a simple cleat or locking cleat that are self locking, grip self lock cleat, etc. For example, the umbrella assemble may include a rope attached to the lower hub such that the pulling of the rope causes the lower hub to raise upwardly to extend the support arm upwardly, which in turn moves the upper support portion outwardly from the support pole. The rope may be tied to a cleat or slipped into a self locking cleat. To close the umbrella the rope is freed from the cleat and the lower hub lowers and lowers the upper support portion closing the umbrella.

In operation, with the umbrella 12 in the closed position. The lower hub 32 is positioned on the support pole 14 such that the upper support portion 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g, and 22h and lower support portion 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, 24e, 24g and 24h are positioned relatively perpendicular to the floor. As the lower hub 32 is moved upwardly on the support pole 14, the lower hinge connectors 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f, 30g, and 30h and the sliding coupler 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, 28e, 28f, 28g, and 28h articulate to move the support arm 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 26e, 26f, 26g, and 26h upwardly, which in turn moves the upper support portion 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g, and 22h outwardly from the support pole 14. The position of the lower hub 32 can be used to adjust the extension of the upper support portion 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g, and 22h and the lower support portion 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, 24e, 24g and 24h to control the umbrella 12.

In some embodiments, the top plate 70 may include a tabletop of a size relatively equal to the top plate 70. However, in other embodiments the top plate 70 may be larger than the top plate 70 and resemble a table. When the top plate 70 is the size of a table that tabletop may be the size of an end table, a cocktail table, a coffee table, a kitchen table or a dinning table depending on the specific configuration. In addition, the canopy panels of the umbrella may be configured to accommodate the shape of the table. For example, a dinning table may include an 8 panel oval umbrella that provided cover to the rectangular dinning table. Similarly, a cocktail table may include a 4 panel square canopy umbrella. These are meant to be nonlimiting examples, and merely illustrative of the different shapes for the umbrella and the table.

The present invention includes numerous alterations that allow the full customization of the umbrella system. The umbrella system allows a customization of the canopy by changing the upper support portion length, the lower support portion length or both. For example, the upper support portion and the lower support portion may be extended to provide more area for the canopy and as such accommodate a larger table. Similarly, the upper support portion and lower support portion may be made shorter to accommodate a smaller canopy and a smaller table. As stated above the table size may be altered as necessary to provide larger or smaller table surfaces. In addition, the height of the top plate may be changed to allow for a standing table, as seen it many receptions or at a normal seating height to accommodate dining. The umbrella system of the present invention can be used to form a standing table covered by an umbrella in the early part of the evening and converted into a dining table covered by an umbrella. As the evening progresses. Given the modular nature of the present invention, the umbrella system can be disassembled relatively quickly and the components easily stored for transport or storage. Similarly, the umbrella system of the present invention may be carried unassembled to the desired area and quickly assembled into a full umbrella with the canopy cover and a table surface.

In addition, the modular nature of the present invention allows components to be replaced as they wear and tear or are damaged. The components may also be replaced as necessary to expand the umbrella system as the needs of the owner grow, for example, a 4 panel umbrella can be easily converted into a 6 panel umbrella, a 8 panel umbrella, a 8 panel umbrella or even larger as a gazebo configuration.

It will be understood that particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention can be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.

The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.” The use of the term “or” in the claims is used to mean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternatives are mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definition that refers to only alternatives and “and/or.” Throughout this application, the term “about” is used to indicate that a value includes the inherent variation of error for the device, the method being employed to determine the value, or the variation that exists among the study subjects.

As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.