A solar umbrella include: a sun umbrella body, a plurality of photovoltaic modules, a control device and an energy storage device. The sun umbrella body includes a plurality of ribs, umbrella cloth and an umbrella column. The photovoltaic modules are disposed on an outer surface of the umbrella cloth. The control device is electrically connected to the photovoltaic modules and is used for receiving electric energy generated by the photovoltaic modules. The energy storage device is electrically connected to the control device and is used for storing or releasing the electric energy under commands of the control device. The solar umbrella has a sun-shading function and a function of converting solar energy into electric energy simultaneously and can meet more demands of a user.

An umbrella system includes a support pole connected to a rotating tube positioned around a center tube that extends between the support pole and a center support that is connected to an umbrella frame. The rotating tube has one or more helical grooves therein that are engaged by teeth of a hub which is connected to the umbrella frame. As the rotating tube is rotated, the hub is driven along the length of the rotating tube thereby opening and closing the umbrella frame. In one arrangement system includes a motor housing assembly including a plurality of batteries and a motor that includes a driven gear that meshes with a stationary gear which causes rotation of the rotating tube. The system also includes a counterbalance assembly positioned within the rotating tube. The counterbalance assembly includes at least one spring positioned within the rotating tube that provides a counterbalance force.

An arm expansion assembly includes a cable and a hinging assembly and cover; the cable entering a bottom portion of the hinging assembly and cover and enclosed by the hinging assembly and cover. The arm expansion assembly further includes a first arm support assembly and a second arm support assembly, the first arm support assembly connected to a first side of the hinging assembly and cover and the second arm support assembly connected to the second side of the hinging assembly and cover.

A tent frame includes a detachable illumination device with a casing to house batteries, a light source to emit light, a coupler and a first cover. The casing includes a first member. The coupler includes a second member, and one or more electrically-conductive members for electrically connecting the batteries. The second member is movable relative to the first member in a first direction to facilitate engagement/disengagement of the coupler with/from the casing. The second member is immovable relative to the first member in a second direction to prevent the one or more electrically-conductive members from misaligning with the batteries. The first cover is movable relative to the coupler in the first and second directions. When connected to the casing, the first cover pushes the coupler in the first direction toward the batteries and presses the one or more electrically-conductive members against the batteries to ensure electrical connection.

A frame joint connects a plurality of elongate frame members adapted to support a flexible shelter skin. The frame joint includes a first housing having an interior and frame connectors. Each frame connector is adapted to releasably connect an elongate frame member to the first housing. The frame joint includes an electrical source mounted in the interior of the first housing. A light emitting element mounted on the first housing and connected to the electrical source emits light to illuminate an interior of the shelter. The light emitting element is positioned on the first housing to direct light toward the interior of the shelter when the joint is connected to the elongate frame members and the frame members are supporting the flexible shelter skin. The frame joint includes a switch operatively connected to the electrical source and the light emitting element for selectively energizing the light emitting element.

An intelligent umbrella includes an array of solar panels/cells for capturing sunlight and converting into electrical energy, a solar panel charging assembly to receive power from one or more solar assemblies, a rechargeable battery to receive power generated from the solar panel charging assembly, and a processor and a memory, the processor and the memory to receive power from the rechargeable battery; and a wireless transceiver to receive power from the rechargeable battery, the wireless transceiver to communicate messages and/or signals when no external power source is connected to and/or available for the intelligent umbrella. The intelligent umbrella may further comprise a cellular transceiver to receive power from the rechargeable battery, the cellular transceiver to communicate messages and/or signals when no external power source is connected to and/or available to supply power for the intelligent umbrella.

A solar parsasol having a motion sensor switch for controlling an LED light array. Holes are provided in the supporting ribs to house the light array on a single side only, providing greatly increased strength and wind resistance.

An intelligent umbrella includes a base assembly, a center support assembly having one or more arm support assemblies, and one or more arms coupled to the one or more arm support assemblies. The center support assembly is a tubular structure to house electrical and mechanical components. The umbrella includes a computing device, the computing device integrated inside the center support assembly. The computing device includes one or more memory devices, one or more processors and computer-readable instructions stored in the one or more memory devices and executable by the one or more processors. The intelligent umbrella includes a shading fabric. The intelligent umbrella includes a camera, the camera to capture images of an area in proximity to the intelligent shading umbrella, the camera integrated inside the center support assembly.

An article includes a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer-readable instructions executable by a processor in a computing device of an umbrella to receive a communication request from a mobile communications device to receive measurements from one or more environmental sensors of the umbrella; receive environmental sensor measurements from the one or more environmental sensors; store the received sensor measurements in one or more memory devices; and communicate the sensor measurements to the mobile communication device that requested the measurements from the one or more environmental sensors. The article further comprises computer-readable instructions executable by a processor in a computing device to receive a communication request from the mobile communications device to move a component or assembly of the umbrella; communicate a command to a motor assembly to move the motor assembly; and communicate a status of the motor assembly to the mobile communication device.

A shading device includes a base assembly, a support assembly, and an expansion assembly, where the expansion assembly to expand one or more arms to an open position or to retract the one or more arms to a closed position. The shading device includes a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transceiver to receive commands or messages from a mobile computing device to activate one or more assemblies of the shading device; one or more Controller Area Network (CAN) transceivers; and a CAN bus to couple the one or more CAN transceivers to the one or more assemblies. The shading device also includes one or more memory devices; one or more processors; computer-readable instructions executable by the one or more processors to: communicate the commands or messages received from the BLE transceiver to the one or more CAN transceivers, the CAN bus and the one or more assemblies.