Umbrella anchoring apparatus

Abstract

A beach umbrella anchoring and stabilizing device configured to stabilize a beach umbrella on a sandy surface includes an elongated support shaft, an anchoring container, and multiple gussets. The support shaft extends along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end and includes a hollow interior configured to receive a beach umbrella support post. An anchoring container is coupled to the distal end and includes an open top with an upper perimeter edge substantially surrounding the support shaft, a closed bottom defining a substantially planar surface, and at least one sidewall extending therebetween. Multiple gussets extend radially between the support shaft and the sidewall. Each of the gussets extends from the closed bottom in a proximal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A beach umbrella anchoring and stabilizing device configured to stabilize a beach umbrella with respect to an anchoring surface, comprising:
 an elongated support shaft extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the elongated support shaft comprises a hollow interior configured to receive at least a portion of a beach umbrella support post;   an anchoring container coupled to the elongated support shaft, the anchoring container comprising an open top having an upper perimeter edge substantially surrounding at least a portion of the elongated support shaft and a closed bottom defining a substantially planar surface, the anchoring container further comprising at least one sidewall extending between the upper perimeter edge and the closed bottom in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; and   a plurality of gussets extending radially between the elongated support shaft and the at least one sidewall, wherein each of the plurality of gussets extends from the closed bottom in a proximal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis,   wherein:   the substantially planar surface comprises a plurality of vaulted portions wherein each of the plurality of vaulted portions corresponds to each of the plurality of gussets, the plurality of vaulted portions elevated relative to the closed bottom; and   each of the vaulted portions configured to accommodate a volume of sand to anchor the anchoring container relative to the sand.   
     
     
         2 . The beach umbrella anchoring and stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the elongated support shaft is disposed proximal to the upper perimeter edge of the anchoring container. 
     
     
         3 . The beach umbrella anchoring and stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of gussets are spaced at equal intervals around the elongated support shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The beach umbrella anchoring and stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of gussets comprises a first side surface, a second side surface, and a top surface, wherein each of the first side surface and the second side surface extend between the closed bottom and the top surface. 
     
     
         5 . The beach umbrella anchoring and stabilizing device of  claim 4 , wherein the top surface of each of the plurality of gussets is disposed distal to each of the proximal end of the elongated support shaft and the upper perimeter edge of the anchoring container. 
     
     
         6 . The beach umbrella anchoring and stabilizing device of  claim 4 , wherein the top surface is concave between the at least one sidewall and the elongated support shaft such that a midpoint of the top surface is positioned distal to a height of the plurality of gussets at either the sidewall or the elongated support shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The beach umbrella anchoring and stabilizing device of  claim 4 , wherein a height of the plurality of gussets tapers from the sidewall to the elongated support shaft such that the top surface is inclined from the closed bottom to the sidewall. 
     
     
         8 . The beach umbrella anchoring and stabilizing device of  claim 4 , wherein each of the plurality of gussets comprises a depth between the first side surface and the second side surface, wherein the depth tapers from the closed bottom towards the top surface. 
     
     
         9 . The beach umbrella anchoring and stabilizing device of  claim 8 , wherein the depth tapers from the closed bottom toward the top surface such that the top surface is more narrow than a distance between the first side surface and the second side surface at the closed bottom. 
     
     
         10 . The beach umbrella anchoring and stabilizing device of  claim 8 , wherein the depth is substantially consistent along the height of the plurality of gussets. 
     
     
         11 . The beach umbrella anchoring and stabilizing device of  claim 1 , further comprising a reservoir disposed between each of the plurality of gussets, wherein the reservoir is configured to retain a volume of sand. 
     
     
         12 . The beach umbrella anchoring and stabilizing device of  claim 11 , wherein a portion of the substantially planar surface forms a base of the reservoir. 
     
     
         13 . The beach umbrella anchoring and stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of vaulted portions of a first anchoring container are configured to receive the plurality of gussets of a second anchoring container when the first anchoring container and the second anchoring container are in a stacked configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The beach umbrella anchoring and stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of gussets extend in a proximal direction from the closed bottom such that a height of the one or more of the plurality of gussets is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and a width of the one or more of the plurality of gussets is substantially perpendicular relative to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         15 . The beach umbrella anchoring and stabilizing device of  claim 14 , wherein the height of the one or more of the plurality of gussets is at least twice the width of the one or more of the plurality of gussets.