Illuminated solar umbrella

Abstract

A self-contained, maintenance free, rechargeable lighting system for use with a canopy to provide illumination in the absence of sunlight. By utilizing solar energy, the system is free of electrical cords, thereby making it usable in a variety of applications where electrical outlets are either not readily accessible or may present a safety concern.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An umbrella, comprising: 
 a canopy;    a support member;    a frame supporting said canopy, said frame being slidingly engaged on said support member to move said canopy between an open position and a closed position;    a solar collector mounted on said umbrella;    one or more lights mounted on said umbrella;    an energy storage component in electrical communication with said solar collector and with said one or more lights, said energy collector storing energy collected by said solar collector and illuminating said one or more lights.    
     
     
         2 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , further comprising a power manager in electrical communication with said solar collector and said storage component, said power manager controlling the flow of power to and from said energy storage component.  
     
     
         3 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein said support member comprises a conduit, and wherein electrical communication between said at least one light and said storage component is provided by wires positioned in said conduit.  
     
     
         4 . The umbrella of  claim 3 , wherein said conduit is located within said support member.  
     
     
         5 . The umbrella of  claim 3 , wherein said conduit is exterior of said support member.  
     
     
         6 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein said storage component comprises one or more batteries.  
     
     
         7 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more lights are light emitting diodes.  
     
     
         8 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein said canopy has a top side and an opposite underside, and wherein said solar collector is mounted to said top side of said canopy and said one or more lights is mounted to said underside of said canopy.  
     
     
         9 . A method for illuminating an area under a canopy, comprising: 
 a. Placing means for collecting solar energy atop said canopy;    b. Routing energy produced by said solar collecting means to energy storing means;    c. Affixing illumination means on the underside of said canopy; and    d. Routing energy stored in said energy storing means to said illumination means.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said illumination means comprises low power lighting.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said collecting means comprises a solar collector.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising a power manager, wherein said power manager routes energy from said collecting means to said energy storing means when said collecting means are generating energy.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said power manager routes energy from said energy storing means to said illumination means.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said energy storing means comprises a rechargeable battery.  
     
     
         15 . A system for illuminating an area under a canopy comprising: 
 a. Means for collecting solar energy mounted on said canopy;    b. Means for illumination mounted on said canopy;    c. Means for storing energy collected by said collecting means; and    d. A power manager, in electrical connection with said collecting means, said illumination means and said energy storing means.    
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said power manager routes energy from said collecting means to said energy storing means when said collecting means is generating energy.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said power manager routes energy from said energy storing means to said illuminating means.