Did You Know...
...that the inventor of the electric motor was a blacksmith named Thomas Davenport? Described as "a brilliantly unsuccessful inventor", Davenport invented the first rotary electric motor. In 1836 he headed out -- on foot -- from his Vermont home to file a patent application at the Patent Office in Washington, D.C. By the time he got there, he had squandered away his money and couldn't afford the $30 filing fee so he turned around and went home. When he later mailed in his application with money he'd raised, the Patent office was destroyed in a fire. He did finally get credit for his invention on Feb. 5, 1837.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7631653 | Apparatus for automated movement of an umbrella Apparatus and methods are provided for automated movement of an umbrella. An apparatus can be manually or automatically actuated to move the umbrella so as to provide more or less shade as desired by the user. For example, an apparatus is provided which can automati... | 12/15/2009 |
| 7591274 | Economically constructed and environmentally protective umbrella formed with one-piece frame An umbrella comprises: a central shaft having an upper hub formed on a top portion of the central shaft; an one-piece frame having a plurality of rib assemblies integrally formed with an upper ferrule and a lower ferrule, with the upper ferrule secured to the upper ... | 09/22/2009 |
| 7392816 | Adjustable shade-providing building structure A shade structure includes a vertical column and a roof having a cover, a framework supporting the cover, and a mount attached for rotational adjustment to a top of the column and supporting the roof on the column. The framework includes a triangularly-shaped main b... | 07/01/2008 |
| 7353583 | Method of forming an umbrella canopy A method of forming an umbrella canopy having a substantially continuously aligned decorative pattern displayed thereon, wherein the canopy is of the type used on large, outdoor and/or recreational umbrellas. The method includes forming an elongated sheet of canopy ... | 04/08/2008 |
| 7347428 | Weighted sunscreen A weighted sunscreen for outdoor use, which includes a shade having an elongated post with a first end, a second end, and a canopy attached to the first end, a weight, to which the second end is attached, a platform comprising an upper side upon which the weight is ... | 03/25/2008 |
| 7328714 | Tangle-free umbrella grip adapted for hanging to a closed item A grip for an umbrella is provided on an outer wall with a through hole; at least one annular groove having a start point communicating with the through hole and a terminal point; a hook located at the terminal point of the groove; and an elastic strap having an inn... | 02/12/2008 |
| 7328715 | Umbrella safety locking and release device A device that releases an operating collar from an open position on the mast of an opened beach or patio umbrella in the presence of a strong wind, allowing the umbrella canopy to close thereby diminishing the wind force acting on the umbrella. The device includes a... | 02/12/2008 |
| 7323983 | Device for alerting when umbrella is left behind The present invention is for an umbrella with a device, called the umpod, built into the handle of the umbrella. When detached from the handle, the umpod serves as a receiver of a pulsating RF signal, or other electronic communication, sent from the handle of the um... | 01/29/2008 |
| 7318444 | Hub assembly for an umbrella frame An umbrella frame provides a stable and enduring support for an umbrella canopy while also allowing canopies of varying shapes and sizes to be mounted thereto. The umbrella frame includes a hub assembly, namely, a main hub member mounted about a central pole member ... | 01/15/2008 |
| 7293573 | Umbrella frame and operating system An improved, durable and versatile umbrella frame assembly is provided to more readily endure abusive weather conditions and that may be quickly, easily and inexpensively repaired. In addition, the assembly is also easily modified to accommodate umbrella canopies of... | 11/13/2007 |
| 7255119 | Slim safety runner and multiple-fold umbrella thereof A slim safety umbrella runner includes a push button having a pivotal portion formed on a bottom portion of the push button and insertably engaged in a pivotal cavity formed in a bottom rim of the runner, with the push button pivotally biasing a resilient protrusion... | 08/14/2007 |
| 7246629 | Beach umbrella One embodiment of a beach umbrella comprises a telescopic shank and a folding radial frame including ribs each including a first segment, a second segment, and a hinge pivotably interconnecting the segments, and spreaders each having one end pivotably connected to t... | 07/24/2007 |
| 7213869 | Hold down A hold down may include a weight associated with a coupling mechanism that is configured to removably couple to a foot of an awning support arm assembly. An RV awning and hold down system may include: an awning assembly having at least one support arm assembly disco... | 05/08/2007 |
| 7210490 | Super mini umbrella The invention relates to a super mini umbrella, which has a shorter length for facilitating carrying by people. The umbrella includes a shaft having its lowest tube with many impressions covered with glue to insert into a connector in a handle of the umbrella. A run... | 05/01/2007 |
| 7185665 | Golf bag umbrella An umbrella for use in a golf bag for protecting items stored in the golf bag, the umbrella comprising: a telescopic shaft including an upper sliding tube, and a lower support tube for slidingly receiving a portion of the upper sliding tube, the lower support tube h... | 03/06/2007 |
| 7178535 | Umbrella with improved hub An improved umbrella includes a durable hub including a number of spherical rotating joint knuckles captured in a hub body. The joint knuckles provide rotational movement of rib and spreader elements which support a flexible umbrella cover. The joint knuckles provid... | 02/20/2007 |
| 7156114 | Angle adjusting device for the canopy of a hang umbrella An angle adjusting device for the canopy of a hang umbrella includes a cantilever divided into a left-sectional cantilever and a right-sectional cantilever, with a connecting plug inserted in between the interiors of the left-sectional and the right-sectional cantil... | 01/02/2007 |
| 7128076 | Automated canopy positioning system An automated canopy positioning system for providing solar protection is disclosed. The automated canopy positioning system orients the canopy of the umbrella in relation to the sun so that a shade at a predetermined location is provided thereunder. The system has a... | 10/31/2006 |
| 7125133 | LED lighting system for patio umbrella A lighting system is provided for use with a patio umbrella or gazebo. The lighting system has a battery housing or power source, and at least one wire branch, with each wire branch releasably attached to a corresponding one of the ribs of the patio umbrella, or to ... | 10/24/2006 |
| 7097380 | Positioning structure of a beach umbrella A positioning structure of a beach umbrella is provided that includes a positioning apparatus to connect with a lower tube of the umbrella. The apparatus has a flat plate for forcing the lower tube being inserted into ground easily. A handle has a rod to engage with... | 08/29/2006 |
| 7096875 | Animal umbrella A creative, protective play space device for children comprising an umbrella like structure which represents an animal, and in which the extremities of the animal, such as the head and the tail, extend beyond the end of the umbrella ribs, and fall toward the ground,... | 08/29/2006 |
| 7065918 | Weighted fishing leader drag apparatus A weighted fishing leader drag apparatus is in the form of an elongated hydrodynamically shaped body having a plurality of resilient wings mounted to its outer surface. When the leader drag apparatus is pulled in the opposite direction of the water current, the wing... | 06/27/2006 |
| 7040593 | Universal attachment umbrella holder A universal attachment umbrella holder for providing a portable umbrella holder that can be attached to various objects. The universal attachment umbrella holder includes an adjustable base assembly having a pair of support arms and a clamping arm to permit clamping... | 05/09/2006 |
| 7036519 | Umbrella and leash for pets Combination animal leash and umbrella includes a center post with a closeable umbrella cover that fits convexly over the leash attached to the inside of the umbrella. In a preferred embodiment, the extending support post of the umbrella is articulatable. ... | 05/02/2006 |
| 7011100 | Skeleton for ear-shaped umbrella A skeleton for an umbrella includes multiple sets of rib members, each of which includes a main rib, a first link connected to the main rib, and a stretcher connected at an outer end to the first link. Two opposite sets of the rib members are further provided with a... | 03/14/2006 |
| 7007703 | Umbrella with an integral anchoring structure An umbrella with an integral anchoring structure is provided. The umbrella includes a post having a lower end for insertion into the ground, and an upper end for supporting an umbrella top. The umbrella includes an integral spiral shaped anchoring structure formed o... | 03/07/2006 |
| 6964403 | Miniature flag holder The present invention is a one piece molded miniature flag holder used to display the smallest sized flags, banners or pennants on computers, cash registers, refrigerators, filing cabinets or walls and partitions for decorative purposes. The flag holder displays the... | 11/15/2005 |
| 6959715 | Umbrella for departing auto passenger A procedure for an umbrella-assisted departure on a rainy day through a door opening used to exit from a vehicle, in which an open umbrella is clamped to the top edge of the door so that the site of attachment correlates to the bottom hand-held location on the umbre... | 11/01/2005 |
| 6948506 | Umbrella with a rotatable canopy An umbrella includes a notch member aligned with an elongate stem along an axis for connection with a rib assembly, a canopy mounted on the notch member, and a runner slidably sleeved on the stem and connected to a stretcher assembly to stretch or retract the rib as... | 09/27/2005 |
| 6941958 | Umbrella device An umbrella device which has a shank, an umbrella-like cap formed as a membrane and a driver. The membrane is connected to the shank and is caused by the driver to move from a position of rest where it droops limply around the shank to an open position where it is e... | 09/13/2005 |
| 6926018 | Hands free umbrella A hands free umbrella includes an umbrella having a pole that has a bottom end and a top end. A canopy is attached to the top end of the pole. A handle is attached to the bottom end of the pole and extends downwardly away therefrom. The handle has a bottom side, a t... | 08/09/2005 |
| 6907894 | Collapsible protective shelter device having dielectric and fire-resistant properties A dielectric, fire-resistant shelter apparatus is disclosed which affords temporary protection to individuals exposed to the open environment. The shelter apparatus includes a protective canopy which is movable between an open position for providing temporary cover ... | 06/21/2005 |
| 6866053 | Beach umbrella having telescopic shank A telescopic shank of beach umbrella invention for facilitating height adjustment and storage is provided. In one embodiment, the shank comprises an upper support tube and a lower sliding tube comprising a top fastening mechanism the fastening mechanism including an... | 03/15/2005 |
| 6866052 | Party display assembly A party display assembly for supporting a plurality of ornamental objects includes an elongated rod having an upper end and a lower end. A canopy has an upper surface and a lower surface. A coupler is attached to the lower surface for selectively coupling the upper ... | 03/15/2005 |
| 6571814 | Windproof umbrella A windproof umbrella comprises a canopy including an upper canopy, a lower canopy not equal to upper canopy in size, and a vent hole provided in the center portion of the lower canopy; and a multiple frame including a shank, stationary hubs fixed on the s... | 06/03/2003 |
| 6488254 | Multi-functional adjustable umbrella base A multi-functional adjustable umbrella base includes a base support, and a stem rotary arrangement supported by the base support for selectively rotating the supporting stem of an outdoor umbrella and for securely locking up any of its movement. The stem ... | 12/03/2002 |
| 6481450 | Handle mechanism for an automatic multiple-folded umbrella A handle mechanism of an automatic folding umbrella which comprises body edges two sides of which are installed with a first spring, respectively, and a guiding track, respectively; further, a penetrating hole being formed at the center of the body; a sto... | 11/19/2002 |
| 6446930 | Umbrella base An umbrella stand having an outer decorative surface is provided, for use with a large, outdoor-style umbrella. The outer surface of the stand is formed on an exterior shell that is fabricated out of a corrosion-resistant material, such as Aluminum. A wei... | 09/10/2002 |
| 6401737 | Umbrella replacement canopy The present invention provides an umbrella with a detachable canopy or vent top. The umbrella includes: a canopy, where the canopy may be detachably coupled to a frame; and a vent top, wherein the vent top may be detachably coupled to the canopy. In the p... | 06/11/2002 |
| 6390107 | Double-story umbrella A double-story umbrella includes an upper umbrella, and a lower umbrella detachably coupled with the upper umbrella and operatively opened to be a beach umbrella or a big umbrella having large shielding area; whereby upon uncoupling of the upper and lower... | 05/21/2002 |
