Intelligent shading objects including a rotational hub assembly, a pivot assembly, and a single shading element

Abstract

A shading object includes a base unit, a support unit coupled to the base unit, and a rotation hub assembly, the rotation hub assembly coupled to the support unit and rotatable in a circular direction about the rotation hub assembly. The shading object also includes a control housing, the control housing coupled to the rotation hub assembly, the control housing having one or more motor assemblies installed therein. The shading object includes a pivot assembly, a shading element frame, and one or more shading elements, the shading element frame coupled to the pivot assembly, the pivot assembly to rotate the shading element frame and the one or more shading elements about the pivot assembly axis.

1 . A shading object, comprising:
 a base unit;   a support unit coupled to the base unit;   a rotation hub assembly, the rotation hub assembly connected to the support unit and rotatable in a circular direction about the support unit   a control housing, the control housing connected to the rotation hub assembly, the control housing having one or more motor assemblies installed therein;   a pivot assembly, the pivot assembly connected to the control housing and   a shading element frame and a single shading element positioned within the shading element frame, the shading element frame connected to a top surface of the pivot assembly, the pivot assembly to rotate the shading element frame and the single shading element about a pivot assembly axis, and   the shading element frame having four sides, the single shading element comprising a fabric that is positioned within an interior of the four sides.   
     
     
         2 . The shading object of  claim 1 , the base unit including one or more weight compartments, the one or more weight compartments housing removable weights to provide stability to the shading object. 
     
     
         3 . The shading object of  claim 2 , the one or more weight compartments positioned in a circular fashion with the support unit as a reference point. 
     
     
         4 . The shading object of  claim 1 , the base unit further comprising a power adapter, the power adapter coupled to an external power source. 
     
     
         5 . The shading object of  claim 1 , the rotation hub assembly comprising a controller, and a motor, the controller communicating a signal to the motor to cause the motor to rotate the shading element about a central vertical axis or rotational hub assembly axis. 
     
     
         6 . The shading object of  claim 1 , further comprising a light sensor, a controller and a motor, the light sensor to generate and communicate an intensity signal to a controller, the controller to process the intensity signal and communicate a command to the motor to move the rotational hub assembly based at least in part of the communicated command. 
     
     
         7 . The shading object of  claim 1 , the control housing further comprising a control panel to receive inputs to control operation or movement of the shading object. 
     
     
         8 . The shading object of  claim 1 , the control housing further comprising a wireless transceiver and a speaker, the wireless transceiver to receive audio signals and communicate the received audio signals to one or more speakers for playing of the audio signals. 
     
     
         9 . The shading object of  claim 1 , the control housing further comprising a wind sensor and a controller, the wind sensor to monitor wind speed and to communicate a signal to the controller, the controller to generate a command to the pivot assembly to lower the shading element frame. 
     
     
         10 . The shading object of  claim 1 , the control housing further comprising a projector, the projector to project light or images on a surface of the one or more shading elements. 
     
     
         11 . The shading object of  claim 1 , the control housing further comprising a controller and another motor, the controller to receive a signal to rotate the pivot assembly, the controller to communicate the received signal to the another motor, the another motor to cause rotation of the pivot assembly and the shading element frame. 
     
     
         12 . The shading object of  claim 1 , the shading element frame further comprising a counterweight assembly to offset a weight of the single shading element and provide stability to the shading object, the shading element frame to be located a distance above the ground surface and the counterweight assembly to be positioned on an end of the shading element frame opposite to the single shading element. 
     
     
         13 . The shading object of  claim 1 , the shading element only covering a portion of the shading element frame, the shading element frame including a single opening within a boundary of the shading element frame and the single opening not including the shading element. 
     
     
         14 . The shading object of  claim 1 , the shading element further comprising photocells, the photocells being located on a surface of the one or more shading elements. 
     
     
         15 . The shading object of  claim 14 , further comprising an energy collection unit and a power supply, the photocells generating electrical energy, the electrical energy being stored in the energy collection unit and transferred to the power supply. 
     
     
         16 . The shading object of  claim 1 , the shading element frame not including any ribs within the boundaries of the frame. 
     
     
         17 . The shading object of  claim 1 , the control housing and the shading element frame and shading element to rotate 360 degrees to track a light source.