Hand-held motorized umbrella

Abstract

In one example, an umbrella is provided including a hub, a plurality of arms, a plurality of stretchers, a canopy, a runner, and a motor. Each of the plurality of stretchers is coupled to the hub. Each of the plurality of stretchers is coupled to one of the plurality of arms. The canopy has a maximum diameter and extends over the hub and arms. The runner is moveable from a first position to a second position along an advancement distance. Each of the stretchers is coupled to the runner. The advancement distance of the runner is no more than 6.7% of the maximum diameter of the canopy. The motor is coupled to the runner. The motor is adapted to move the runner from the first position to the second position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An umbrella comprising:
 a hub;   a plurality of arms, wherein each of the plurality of arms is coupled to the hub at one of a plurality of first joints;   a plurality of stretchers, wherein each of the plurality of stretchers is coupled to one of the plurality of arms;   a canopy extending over the hub and arms, wherein the canopy comprises a maximum diameter;   a runner moveable from a first position to a second position along an advancement distance, wherein each of the plurality of stretchers is coupled to the runner at one of a plurality of second joints and the advancement distance is no more than 6.7% of the maximum diameter of the canopy; and   a motor coupled to the runner, wherein the motor is adapted to move the runner along the advancement distance from the first position to the second position.   
     
     
         2 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first joints each comprise a shoulder extending from one of the plurality of arms, wherein the shoulder is adapted to be positioned within a T-shaped joint slot defined by a bottom of the hub. 
     
     
         3 . The umbrella of  claim 2 , wherein rotation of the arms within the first joints is restricted by a notch formed into the arm, wherein the notch is shaped to rest against an outer surface of the hub while the runner is at or near the first position. 
     
     
         4 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of ribs, wherein each of the plurality of ribs extends outwardly from one of the plurality of arms and each of the plurality of arms is more rigid than each of the plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         5 . The umbrella of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of ribs are made of carbon fiber. 
     
     
         6 . The umbrella of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a shaft comprising a handle portion, wherein the motor is embedded within the shaft; and   a brace having a first end coupled to the shaft and a second end coupled to one of the plurality of ribs.   
     
     
         7 . The umbrella of  claim 4 , wherein the canopy includes a plurality of sleeves and each of the plurality of sleeves is adapted to receive at least one of the plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         8 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein the hub comprises a top and a bottom, and the bottom of the hub defines a cavity adapted to receive the runner while the runner is in the second position. 
     
     
         9 . The umbrella of  claim 8 , wherein:
 while the runner is in the first position the umbrella is open, each of the plurality of first joints are arranged to be closer to the top of the hub than the plurality of second joints; and   while the runner is in the second position the umbrella is closed, each of the plurality of second joints are arranged to be at least close to the top of the hub than the plurality of first joints.   
     
     
         10 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is adapted to move from the first position to the second position in no more than 3 seconds. 
     
     
         11 . An umbrella comprising:
 a hub comprising a top and a bottom;   a plurality of arms, wherein each of the plurality of arms is coupled to the hub;   a plurality of stretchers, wherein each of the plurality of stretchers is coupled to one of the plurality of arms; and   a runner moveable from a first position to a second position, wherein each of the plurality of stretchers is coupled to the runner and the bottom of the hub defines a cavity adapted to receive the runner while the runner is in the second position.   
     
     
         12 . The umbrella of  claim 11 , further comprising a motor coupled to the runner, wherein the motor is adapted to move the runner from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         13 . The umbrella of  claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of ribs, wherein each of the plurality of ribs extends outwardly from one of the plurality of arms and each of the plurality of arms is more rigid than each of the plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         14 . The umbrella of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a shaft comprising a handle portion, wherein the motor is embedded within the shaft; and   a brace having a first end coupled to the shaft and a second end coupled to one of the plurality of ribs.   
     
     
         15 . An umbrella comprising:
 a hub;   a shaft coupled to the hub, comprising a handle portion;   a plurality of arms, wherein each of the plurality of arms is coupled to the hub;   a plurality of ribs, wherein each of the plurality of ribs extends outwardly from one of the plurality of arms and each of the plurality of arms is more rigid than each of the plurality of ribs;   a plurality of stretchers, wherein each of the plurality of stretchers is coupled to one of the plurality of arms;   a runner moveable from a first position to a second position, wherein each of the plurality of stretchers is coupled to the runner; and   a brace having a first end coupled to the shaft and a second end coupled to one of the plurality of ribs.   
     
     
         16 . The umbrella of  claim 15 , wherein the first end of the brace is rotatably coupled to the shaft. 
     
     
         17 . The umbrella of  claim 16 , wherein an outer surface of the shaft defines an opening and the first end of the brace comprises a projection sized to fit within the opening of the shaft. 
     
     
         18 . The umbrella of  claim 17 , further comprising a covering element adapted to the be coupled to the shaft and to cover the opening of the shaft to secure the projection of the brace to the shaft. 
     
     
         19 . The umbrella of  claim 15 , wherein the second end of the brace is slidably coupled to the one of the plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         20 . The umbrella of  claim 19 , further comprising a canopy extending over the hub, the plurality of arms, and the plurality of ribs, wherein the canopy comprises a plurality of canopy ties, each of the plurality of canopy ties is coupled to the one of the plurality of ribs, and while the runner is in the first position, slidable movement of the brace along the one of the plurality of ribs is restricted by one of the plurality of canopy ties.