Umbrella assembly structured for use in high wind conditions

Abstract

An umbrella frame structured for use in a strong wind conditions such as those conditions frequently encountered on a boat traveling at relatively high speeds. An umbrella frame assembly includes a reinforcing assembly connected thereto in a supportive, operative orientation thereby providing a stable support for an umbrella canopy which can remain open even during travel of the boat. The frame assembly can be modified to support canopies of varying shapes and sizes and the frame assembly can be easily removed, for storage purposes, from a supporting base which may be mounted on or connected to a boat.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An umbrella assembly structured for use during strong wind conditions, said umbrella assembly comprising: 
 a) a frame assembly including an elongated support pole,    b) said frame assembly comprising a plurality of ribs and a plurality of struts movably connected to said support pole,    c) said plurality of ribs and said plurality of struts collectively disposable in an open position and in a closed position, and    d) a reinforcing assembly connected to said frame in a supporting orientation relative to at least a correspondingly one of said plurality of ribs and struts.    
     
     
         2 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein said reinforcing assembly is selectively positionable into and out of said supporting orientation.  
     
     
         3 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 2  wherein said reinforcing assembly is removably connected to said frame.  
     
     
         4 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein said reinforcing assembly is removably connected to said frame.  
     
     
         5 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein said reinforcing assembly comprises at least one auxiliary strut having an elongated configuration connected in supporting relation to at least one of said plurality of ribs or one of said plurality of struts when said reinforcing assembly is in said supported orientation.  
     
     
         6 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 5  wherein said auxiliary strut is interconnected between two correspondingly positioned ones of said plurality of ribs and said plurality of struts.  
     
     
         7 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 6  wherein said auxiliary strut comprises a first end connected to said one correspondingly positioned rib and a second end connected to said one correspondingly positioned strut.  
     
     
         8 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 7  wherein at least one of said first or second ends is removably connected to a respective one of said correspondingly positioned ribs and struts.  
     
     
         9 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 8  wherein the other of said first or second ends is movably connected to a respective one said correspondingly positioned ribs and struts.  
     
     
         10 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 7  wherein said auxiliary strut is removably connected to both of said correspondingly positioned ones of said plurality of ribs and said plurality of struts.  
     
     
         11 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein said reinforcing assembly comprises a plurality of auxiliary struts, each auxiliary strut connected in supporting relation to a different at least one of said plurality of ribs or at least one of said plurality of struts to define said supporting orientation.  
     
     
         12 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 11  wherein each of said plurality of auxiliary struts is interconnected to a different pair of correspondingly positioned ones of said plurality of ribs and struts.  
     
     
         13 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 12  wherein each of said plurality of auxiliary struts is movably connected to one and removably connected to the other of a respective pair of ribs and struts.  
     
     
         14 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 12  wherein each of said plurality of auxiliary struts is removably connected to each of a respective pair of said ribs and struts.  
     
     
         15 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 12  wherein said plurality of auxiliary struts are equal in number to the number of pairs of correspondingly positioned ribs and struts.  
     
     
         16 . An umbrella assembly structured for use during strong wind conditions, said umbrella assembly comprising: 
 a) a frame assembly comprising a support pole and a plurality of ribs connected to said support pole and structured to support a canopy thereon,    b) said frame assembly further comprising a plurality of struts each movably interconnected between said support pole and a correspondingly disposed rib,    c) a reinforcing assembly connected to said frame in supporting relation to at least one pair of correspondingly disposed ribs and struts, and    d) said plurality of ribs and struts collectively movable relative to said support pole for orientation of said frame in either an open position or a closed position.    
     
     
         17 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 16  wherein said plurality of said ribs and struts are collectively positioned to dispose said canopy in a substantially outwardly extending, flat orientation when said frame assembly is in said open position.  
     
     
         18 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 16  further comprising a base connected in supporting relation to said support pole and mounted on a marine craft.  
     
     
         19 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 18  wherein said support pole is removably connected to said base.  
     
     
         20 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 16  wherein said reinforcing assembly comprises at least one auxiliary strut interconnected in a supporting orientation between said one pair of supporting ribs and struts, when said frame assembly is in said open position.  
     
     
         21 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 20  wherein said one auxiliary strut is pivotally connected to one and removably connected to the other of said one pair of ribs and struts.  
     
     
         22 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 20  wherein said one auxiliary strut is removably connected to said one pair of ribs and struts.  
     
     
         23 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 16  wherein said reinforcing assembly comprises a plurality of reinforcing struts each connected in a supporting orientation to a different pair of correspondingly disposed ribs and struts at least when said frame assembly is said open position.  
     
     
         24 . An umbrella assembly structured for use during strong wind conditions, said umbrella assembly comprising: 
 a) a frame assembly comprising a support pole and a plurality of ribs connected to support pole and structured to support a canopy thereon,    b) said frame assembly further comprising a plurality of struts each movably interconnected between said support pole and a correspondingly disposed rib,    c) said plurality of ribs and struts collectively movable relative to said support pole for orientation of said frame assembly in either an open position or a closed position,    d) a reinforcing assembly comprising a plurality of auxiliary struts each connected in a supporting orientation to a different pair of correspondingly disposed ribs and struts at least when said frame is in said open position, and    e) a base structured to be mounted on a marine craft and connected in supporting relation to said support pole.    
     
     
         25 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 24  wherein said plurality of ribs and struts are collectively structured to dispose said canopy in a substantially outwardly extending, flat orientation when said frame assembly is in said open position.  
     
     
         26 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 24  wherein said support pole is removably connected to said base.  
     
     
         27 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 24  wherein each of said auxiliary struts are removably disposed in said supporting orientation.