Umbrella gizmo

Abstract

A device for mounting an umbrella in front of the operator on a riding lawn mower. The fixed base of the device attaches to the lawnmower structure in front of the seat mesial the operator's legs. An offset frame pivotally attached at it's lower end to the fixed base is configured to clear the operator's hands as he or she moves the mower's steering levers. The frame can be easily rotated forward, lowering the umbrella, for traversing under low tree branches and for mounting and dismounting the mower. The umbrella is rotationally mounted in the upper end of the vertical frame allowing it to turn when it comes in contact with stationary objects, such as a walls, fences, hedges etc. while the mower is traveling parallel to them.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An umbrella support device for mounting in front of the operator's seat of a lever steering type riding lawnmower, comprising: 
 an offset frame, the lower end of the offset frame mounted on the mower's structure mesial said operator's legs and below said operator's seat, said offset frame configured to clear said operator's hands when moving the steering levers, the upper end of said offset frame configured to receive the lower end of an umbrella's shaft.    
     
     
         2 . An umbrella support device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said lower end of said offset frame is pivotally mounted to said mower's structure allowing said operator to pivot the umbrella forward and aft.  
     
     
         3 . An umbrella support device as defined in  claim 2 , further including pivoting means and locking means to secure said offset frame in a desired position.  
     
     
         4 . An umbrella support device as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the locking means may include ball and spring plungers, detents, friction assemblies, and the like.  
     
     
         5 . An umbrella support device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the upper end of said offset frame is configured to rotationally receive the lower end of the umbrella's shaft.  
     
     
         6 . An umbrella support device as defined in  claim 5 , further including spindle means mounted on the lower end of said umbrella's shaft, the spindle means provides for rotation in said upper end of said offset frame and for vertical adjustment when said offset frame is in a vertical position.  
     
     
         7 . An umbrella support device as defined in  claim 1 , further including an umbrella.  
     
     
         8 . An umbrella support device for mounting in front of the operator's seat of a lever steering type riding lawnmower, comprising: 
 an offset frame, the lower end of the offset frame pivotally mounted on the mower's structure mesial the operator's legs and below said operator's seat, allowing said operator to lower a mounted umbrella by pushing it forward and to raise it to a vertical position by pulling it aft, said offset frame configured to clear said operator's hands when moving the steering levers, the upper end of said offset frame configured to rotationally receive the lower end of an umbrella's shaft, the lower end of the umbrella shaft mounted in spindle means providing for rotation and for vertical adjustment in said upper end of said offset frame, and an umbrella.