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 supporting a free-standing object comprising a container defining an interior chamber, the container comprising at least one side wall, a lower wall, and an upper wall, where the upper wall is configured to define a fill opening and a closure system comprising first and second closure portions. The first closure portion is arranged to define a first side of the fill opening. The second closure portion is arranged to define a second side of the fill opening. The closure system is arranged to allow the container to be configured in a closed configuration in which the first closure portion engages the second closure portion substantially to prevent access to the interior chamber through the fill opening and an open configuration in which the first closure portion is disengaged from the second closure portion to allow access to the interior chamber through the fill opening.

The present invention provides methods and systems for a retainer apparatus that includes a scoop having an exterior surface and an interior surface with a central opening and a predetermined length. A retention device has a base with a length greater than the length of the central opening of the scoop and a flange portion extends upwardly from the base portion and contains at least one opening.

A dual function article carrier is converted into a position marker for use within a crowd after carrying the articles to a desired position. A smaller member slides with an intermediate member that slides with a larger base member. The intermediate member with the smaller member extends from the base member as a carrier. As a position marker the smaller member with a ribbon or pennant on top extends from the intermediate member. Members are slid and held together in a storage condition. Lock pins in holes connect the members. A sleeve is centered in a bucket while it is filled with sand. A lid with a hole is connected to the bucket. The sleeve extends upward. A bottom of the large member is held within the sleeve. Garments and towels are held on arms extended through a member.

An umbrella support apparatus is an adapter device for supporting the shaft of an umbrella or parasol in an upright position. A first jaw panel and a second jaw panel as clamping members to support the shaft within a weighted base, with the first jaw panel and the second jaw panel releasably mounted to the weighted base. A shaft of the umbrella positioned through a shaft aperture in the first jaw panel and the second jaw panel, extending into the attached weighted base. A hinge assembly rotatably connects the first jaw panel to the second jaw panel to enable a user to attach the weighted base or adjust the shaft of the umbrella. Opposite the hinge assembly, a locking mechanism releasably fixes the first jaw panel and the second jaw panel together to prevent the shaft of the umbrella from deflecting within the shaft aperture.

A base having an expandable central chamber which, in the expanded state, forms a sleeve with an end open to the top for receiving a rod, a base element and at least one expandable connecting chamber connecting the central chamber to the base element.

Embodiments include systems, methods, and 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 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.

An umbrella assembly including a central shaft, the central shaft having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a canopy coupled to the first end of the central shaft; an auger extending from the second end of the central shaft; a collar/hub nonslideably coupled to the central shaft and spaced from the auger; a plurality of legs, each of the plurality of legs having a first end and a second end; wherein the first end of each of the plurality of legs is coupled to the collar/hub, the second end of each of the plurality of legs extends towards the auger, and the collar/hub remains in a fixed position with respect to the central shaft when the second end of each leg extends outwardly from the central shaft to a deployed position and returns towards the central shaft from its deployed position to a stowed position; and a flexible material having an opening through which the central shaft extends and wherein the second end of each leg is coupled to the flexible material.

A weight system for supporting a free-standing object comprising first and second upper panels, a least one side panel, a lower panel, and a closure system. The panels are joined to define an upper wall and at least side wall, with the first and second upper panels defining a fill opening in the upper wall and a container defining an interior chamber. The closure system is arranged to allow the container to be configured in a closed configuration in which access to the interior chamber through the fill opening is substantially prevented and an open configuration in which access to the interior chamber through the fill opening is allowed.