A twist lock mechanism for easily achieving a secure locking relationship between an outer member and an inner member is provided for use on an umbrella with a ball-joint based for adaptive orientation, and a spike receiving base or anchoring base mechanism.

The invention features a shade apparatus adapted to provide shade to an individual or individuals while they are outside and in need of shade from sunlight. Aspects of embodiments of the present invention contemplate a shade apparatus that is easily portable and easily adapted to the sun's changing positions, thereby providing the individual/user with shade from sunlight.

A support structure including an umbrella having an extension pole, and a base capable of being positioned on a bottom surface of a pool wherein the base has a through-hole. An umbrella base connector is seated within the through-hole. An articulating mechanism is adjustably coupled to the at least one extension pole of the umbrella and to the umbrella base connector, a first connector has a top end attached to the extension pole of the umbrella, and further has a first adjustable portion opposed from the top end. A second connector has a bottom end attached to the umbrella base connector, and further has a second adjustable portion opposed from the bottom end. The first adjustable portion is rotatably affixed to the second adjustable portion such that the umbrella and the extension pole of the umbrella are articulated relative to a stationary position of the base.

A support structure including an umbrella having an extension pole, and a base capable of being positioned on a bottom surface of a pool wherein the base has a through-hole. An umbrella base connector is seated within the through-hole. An articulating mechanism is adjustably coupled to the at least one extension pole of the umbrella and to the umbrella base connector, a first connector has a top end attached to the extension pole of the umbrella, and further has a first adjustable portion opposed from the top end. A second connector has a bottom end attached to the umbrella base connector, and further has a second adjustable portion opposed from the bottom end. The first adjustable portion is rotatably affixed to the second adjustable portion such that the umbrella and the extension pole of the umbrella are articulated relative to a stationary position of the base.

A canopy tension system for an umbrella. The umbrella comprises a frame having a pole with a rib assembly at one end, the rib assembly comprising a plurality of ribs an end cap assembly attached to a distal end of each rib, the end cap assembly including a channel with an adjustable depth for receiving the rib; and a canopy attached to the end cap assembly of each rib of the frame. The end cap assemblies are adapted to modify the tension of the canopy to prevent excessive or insufficient tension when the canopy is mounted by adjusting the depth of one or more channels before the distal end of the rib is inserted.

A canopy tension system for an umbrella. The umbrella comprises a frame having a pole with a rib assembly at one end, the rib assembly comprising a plurality of ribs an end cap assembly attached to a distal end of each rib, the end cap assembly including a channel with an adjustable depth for receiving the rib; and a canopy attached to the end cap assembly of each rib of the frame. The end cap assemblies are adapted to modify the tension of the canopy to prevent excessive or insufficient tension when the canopy is mounted by adjusting the depth of one or more channels before the distal end of the rib is inserted.

An intelligent umbrella includes a wireless communication transceiver to receive commands or messages from a mobile computing device and an integrated computing device, the integrated computing device including one or more memory devices, one or more processors and computer-readable instructions stored in the one or more memory devices. The computer-readable instructions are executable by the one or more processors to receive the commands or messages, via the wireless communication transceiver from the mobile computing device and to generate instructions, signals, commands and/or messages, based, at least in part on the received commands or messages from the mobile computing device. The computer-readable instructions are executable by the one or more processors to communicate the generated instructions, signals, commands or messages to one or more assemblies of the intelligent umbrella to cause the one or more assemblies of the intelligent umbrella to move in a specified manner.

An intelligent umbrella includes a wireless communication transceiver to receive commands or messages from a mobile computing device and an integrated computing device, the integrated computing device including one or more memory devices, one or more processors and computer-readable instructions stored in the one or more memory devices. The computer-readable instructions are executable by the one or more processors to receive the commands or messages, via the wireless communication transceiver from the mobile computing device and to generate instructions, signals, commands and/or messages, based, at least in part on the received commands or messages from the mobile computing device. The computer-readable instructions are executable by the one or more processors to communicate the generated instructions, signals, commands or messages to one or more assemblies of the intelligent umbrella to cause the one or more assemblies of the intelligent umbrella to move in a specified manner.

An umbrella assembly can be assembled using L-shaped elongate members pivotably coupled with upper and lower hubs for supporting and actuating an umbrella cover. The L-shaped elongate members can be pivotably coupled together and paired such that a lateral portion of each of the elongate members extends opposite the other lateral portion within the pair and pivotably coupled with one of the upper hub and the lower hub. The lateral portions pivotably coupled within rib-receiving slots corresponding to one of the upper hub and the lower hub and secured within the rib-receiving slots by one of an upper hub cap and a lower hub cap.

An umbrella assembly can be assembled using L-shaped elongate members pivotably coupled with upper and lower hubs for supporting and actuating an umbrella cover. The L-shaped elongate members can be pivotably coupled together and paired such that a lateral portion of each of the elongate members extends opposite the other lateral portion within the pair and pivotably coupled with one of the upper hub and the lower hub. The lateral portions pivotably coupled within rib-receiving slots corresponding to one of the upper hub and the lower hub and secured within the rib-receiving slots by one of an upper hub cap and a lower hub cap.