Lighting system for umbrella

Abstract

A solar power lighting device for use on an umbrella, the lighting device including lights attached to the ribs of the umbrella powered by a solar power system attached to a rib of the umbrella and positioned above the umbrella canopy.

1 . A solar power lighting device for an umbrella comprising:
 at least one solar power system;   a fixing device to support the power system on an umbrella rib;   a lighting system; and   a conductive connection between the power system and the lighting system.   
   
   
       2 . The solar powered lighting device of  claim 1  wherein the fixing device attaches from the underside of an umbrella rib and the solar power system is positioned above the umbrella rib. 
   
   
       3 . The solar power lighting device of  claim 1  wherein the lighting system includes multiple lights adapted to be secured to the ribs of an umbrella. 
   
   
       4 . The solar power lighting device of  claim 2  wherein the lighting system includes wires extending along the ribs to each light. 
   
   
       5 . The solar power lighting device of  claim 1  wherein the lighting system includes lights in fixtures adapted to be suspended from umbrella rib tips. 
   
   
       6 . The solar power lighting device of  claim 1  further including at least two solar power systems, each solar power system having an associated fixing device and lighting system. 
   
   
       7 . The solar power lighting device of  claim 1  wherein the solar power system includes a solar panel and a battery. 
   
   
       8 . The solar power lighting device of  claim 7  wherein the solar power system includes a photo-resistor. 
   
   
       9 . The solar power lighting device of  claim 1  wherein the light bulbs are selected from a group consisting of LEDs, incandescent bulbs, fluorescent bulbs, and cold cathode ray tubes. 
   
   
       10 . A method for lighting a patio umbrella comprising the steps of:
 removing the cover of the umbrella from one rib of the umbrella;   sliding a fixing device over the end of the rib of the umbrella and securing the fixing device to the rib;   attaching a solar power system to the fixing device;   attaching the solar power system to a lighting system; and   replacing the cover of the umbrella onto the one rib of the umbrella, such that the solar power system is above the cover of the umbrella and the fixing device is below the cover of the umbrella.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the attachment of light fixtures to the ribs of the umbrella, said light fixtures in electrical communication with the solar power system. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of exposing the solar power system to solar energy.