Illuminating umbrella having solar powered illumination structure

Abstract

An illuminating umbrella includes a canopy, a frame, a rechargeable battery, a film-shaped solar power device, and a flexible light-emitting device. The canopy has an inner surface and an opposite outer surface. The frame supports the canopy. The rechargeable battery is received in the frame. The film-shaped solar power device is spread on the outer surface of the canopy and electrically connected with the rechargeable battery. The flexible light-emitting device is attached on the inner surface of the canopy. The rechargeable battery is electrically connected to the flexible light-emitting device for providing electrical power to the flexible light-emitting device. The flexible light-emitting device is an organic light-emitting diode or a polymer light-emitting diode.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An umbrella comprising:
 a canopy comprising an inner surface and an opposite outer surface;   a frame supporting the canopy;   a rechargeable battery received in the frame;   a film-shaped solar power device spread on the outer surface of the canopy and electrically connected with the rechargeable battery, the solar power device being configured for converting solar power into electric power and thereby charging the rechargeable battery; and   a flexible light-emitting device attached on the inner surface of the canopy, the rechargeable battery being electrically connected to the flexible light-emitting device for providing electrical power to the flexible light-emitting device.   
     
     
         2 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a rod and a plurality of ribs pivotally connected to the rod, the canopy being connected to the ribs. 
     
     
         3 . The umbrella of  claim 2 , wherein the ribs are pivotally connected to the rod by a first connector, the ribs extend radially from the first connector that is affixed to a top end of the rod, each rib has a supporting bar with one end pivotally connected to the each rib, and the other end pivotally connected to a second connector, the second connector is movable along the rod, and the supporting bars extend radially and outwardly from the second connector. 
     
     
         4 . The umbrella of  claim 2 , wherein the rod is hollow and receives the rechargeable battery therein. 
     
     
         5 . The umbrella of  claim 2 , wherein the frame further comprises a hollow handle at a bottom end of the rod, the rechargeable battery is received in the rod or the handle. 
     
     
         6 . The umbrella of  claim 5 , further comprising a switch assembled onto the handle for controlling the power going from the solar power device to the rechargeable battery, or from the rechargeable battery to the light-emitting device. 
     
     
         7 . The umbrella of  claim 5 , further comprising a USB interface port placed on a terminal of the handle, the USB interface port is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery for charging an external electrical device. 
     
     
         8 . The umbrella of  claim 2 , further comprising a light sensor placed mounted onto the rod and is electrically connecting with the switch, for detecting ambient light level. 
     
     
         9 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the canopy is no larger than 100 μm. 
     
     
         10 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein the solar power device further comprises a protective layer made of TiO 2  and placed on an outer surface thereof for absorbing UV light. 
     
     
         11 . The umbrella of  claim 10 , wherein the protective layer has a thickness ranging from 10 nm to 20 nm. 
     
     
         12 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein the light-emitting device is an organic light-emitting diode or a polymer light-emitting diode.