Umbrella Apparatus

Abstract

An umbrella apparatus having a canopy portion hingedly coupled to a pole portion. The umbrellas apparatus includes a rechargeable electrical power system that provides electrical power to an electromechanical opening and closing system and a light assembly. A solar energy system is conductively coupled to the rechargeable electrical power system and is utilized to collect and convert solar energy to electrical energy for recharging the electrical power system.

1 . An umbrella apparatus comprising:
 a pole portion having a hollow interior;   a canopy portion hingedly coupled to the pole portion, the canopy portion having a plurality of rib members;   a rechargeable electrical power system for providing electrical power to the umbrella apparatus;   a solar energy system carried by the pole portion above the canopy portion, the solar energy system having a module releasably coupled to the pole portion, the solar energy system being configured to collect solar energy and convert the solar energy into electrical energy, the solar energy system being conductively coupled to the rechargeable electrical power system such that the solar energy collected and converted into electrical energy recharges the rechargeable electrical power system;   a lighting system carried by the canopy portion, the lighting system being conductively coupled to and powered by the rechargeable electrical power system, the lighting system having a light subassembly positioned along at least one of the rib members;   an electromechanical opening and closing system for opening and closing the canopy portion, the electromechanical opening and closing system being conductively coupled to and powered by the rechargeable electrical power system; and   a control system for remotely controlling the operation of the rechargeable electrical power system;   wherein the opening and closing of the canopy portion is achieved by the electromechanical opening and closing system in response to selective operation of the control system.   
     
     
         2 . The umbrella apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the control system comprises:
 a receiver conductively coupled to the electric motor;   a remote transmitter for transmitting an encoded signal to the receiver; and   a decoder conductively coupled to the receiver for decoding the encoded signal from the transmitter.   
     
     
         3 . The umbrella apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the electromechanical opening and closing system comprises:
 a motor carried by the pole portion; and   a cable and pulley system coupled to the motor and the canopy portion.   
     
     
         4 . The umbrella apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the electromechanical opening and closing system further comprises:
 a gear system.   
     
     
         5 . The umbrella apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a line winding shaft rotatably driven by the motor;   wherein the line winding shaft is disposed within the hollow interior of the pole portion.   
     
     
         6 . The umbrella apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a crank housing coupled to the pole portion, the crank housing having switches for controlling the operation of the rechargeable electrical power system.   
     
     
         7 . The umbrella apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the light subassembly is recessed within at least one of the rib members. 
     
     
         8 . The umbrella apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the rib members includes a channel; and
 wherein a wire conductively coupled to the light subassembly is recessed within the channel.