The present invention is an anchor for a beach umbrella or the like. The umbrella anchor of the present invention includes generally an anchor bag configured to receive the end of a conventional beach umbrella shaft and an upper harness provided for securing the upper end of the umbrella shaft to the anchor bag. The anchor bag is filled with sand or other earthen material removed from a hole into which the anchor bag is placed while the umbrella anchor of the present invention is being deployed. An upper harness is mounted on the umbrella shaft and then releasable connected to an anchor bag harness fixed to the anchor bag. The umbrella anchor may further include a storage bag for receiving the anchor bag and proximal end of the beach umbrella when the umbrella is closed for storage, or for holding miscellaneous items when the umbrella is opened and anchored.

A weight system for containing fill material for supporting a free-standing object, comprising a container defining an interior chamber adapted to contain the fill material and a closure system. The closure system is arranged to allow the container to be configured in a closed configuration and an open configuration. Fill material is arranged within the interior chamber when the container is in the open configuration.

There is provided a structure support arrangement for supporting a structure, the structure support arrangement comprising: a body member; a nesting formation defined on the body member and configured to prevent lateral movement of the structure support arrangement in at least one transverse direction when the structure support arrangement is nested with a further structure support arrangement; and a post receiving formation defined on the body member and configured for receiving a support post to support the structure.

A device is disclosed for facilitating the anchoring of a structure to a medium. For example, the disclosed device may facilitate anchoring an umbrella assembly into sand. The device is operable to inject a liquefying fluid into a medium upon a downstroke so as to facilitate liquefication within an area of the medium. The structure is then inserted into the area of the medium where liquefication has occurred by creating a vacuum within the structure, upon an upstroke, which facilitates the insertion operation. For example, a stand structure for holding the umbrella assembly may be inserted into the sand using the techniques herein. The medium displaced by the insertion operation has the geometrical contours of the structure such that the structure easily slides into the medium. The vacuum draws a portion of the medium into the structure and creates a seal that facilitates compacting of the medium and provides a superior anchoring strength.

A device is disclosed for facilitating the anchoring and release of a structure to a medium, such as sand. The device is operable to inject a liquefying fluid into a medium upon a down stroke so as to facilitate liquefication within an area of the medium. The structure is simultaneously inserted into the area of the medium where liquefication has occurred by creating a vacuum within the structure, upon an upstroke, which facilitates the insertion operation. The distal end of the structure to be anchored is fitted with at least one protrusion for increasing the holding force of the medium. If desired, the distal end of the structure is also fitted with at least one fin operable under selective control of a user for reducing the holding force on the structure. In one embodiment, the user, when desiring to release the structure, rotates the structure, thereby rotating the fin. The fin, rotating within the liquefied medium, serves to reduce the holding force of the medium with respect to the structure, thereby allowing for easier removal of the structure by a user.

Embodiments include apparatuses for providing a portable upright stand. A portable upright stand can include a pole for suspending objects such as string lighting, protective coverings, etc. The pole can be coupled to a base such that electrical wiring may extend through the pole and the base. The portable upright stand can also include a reservoir that can enclose at least a portion of the pole such that the pole can be stabilized by the reservoir. The reservoir can have a first opening for filling the reservoir with water and a second opening for draining water. The portable upright stand can also have a shell that can be configured to surround the reservoir as dcor or as a protective covering.

A modular ballast system for supporting objects uses tubing such as pipes of appropriate size for the required ballast. Once in place, the empty pipes are filled with a watery mix (slurry) of sand, silt, gravel, soil, cement or other generally available material to generate a majority of the ballast weight. A two piece clamping mechanism provides fixed placement attachment points suitable for attachment by supported structures. The lower piece of the clamping mechanism sits under the ballast tubing and is designed to both support and disperse the anticipated weight of the objects with minimal impact on the surface beneath it. The upper piece of the clamping mechanism mates to the lower clamping piece and completes a full 360 degree collar around the ballast tubing to create a durable clamping mechanism that both captures the weight and position of the ballast tubing and prevents the ballast tubing from shifting.

A weight system for containing fill material for supporting a free-standing object, comprising a container defining an interior chamber adapted to contain the fill material and a closure system. The closure system is arranged to allow the container to be configured in a closed configuration and an open configuration. Fill material is arranged within the interior chamber when the container is in the open configuration.

An umbrella base includes a body having a central passageway therethrough, an upper surface having a first configuration, a lower surface having a second configuration, and an outer peripherally-extending surface extending between the upper surface and the lower surface. The first configuration of the upper surface and the second configuration of the lower surface are correspondingly sized and configured so that when a second umbrella base is vertically stacked on top of and rested on the umbrella base, the first configuration of the upper surface of the umbrella base fits within the second configuration of the lower surface of the second umbrella base, and when the umbrella base is vertically stacked on top of and rested on the second the umbrella base, the first configuration of the upper surface of the second umbrella base fits within portions of the second configuration of the lower surface of the umbrella base.

A portable holder for securing a shaft of an item to a ground surface. The holder has a flexible base and a sleeve. The base has a center, a perimeter, a center hole disposed through the center and an upwardly projecting lip coupled to the perimeter. The base has a plurality of openings spaced around the perimeter for use with one or more stakes. The sleeve is coupled to the base and configured to receive a portion of the shaft. The sleeve has an internal bore aligned with the center hole in the base. When the shaft is received by the sleeve, the shaft passes through the bore, through the center hole, and into the ground surface. The sleeve has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having a plurality of gripping protrusions, and a plurality of securing straps coupled to the outer surface of the sleeve.