A solar-powered umbrella has a cap structure that is connected by hinges to struts. The struts are relatively rigid and positioned above the umbrella shade and house solar panels. When the umbrella is opened and closed, the struts rotate via the hinges from an open to closed position. When the solar panels are exposed to the sun, light is converted to electrical energy to charge a rechargeable battery. The battery supplies power to one or more USB ports. A user can recharge an electronic device (e.g., smartphone or tablet computer) by connecting to a port of the umbrella using a cable.

A solar power conversion kit allows converting of a standard umbrella into a solar charging umbrella, which can then use solar power to charge electronic devices. The solar charging umbrella is self-sustained, capable of charging electronic devices in locations away from electrical outlets. The umbrella has a rechargeable battery that is recharged by sunlight. When charged, the umbrella's battery can charge devices when sunlight is not available. The umbrella supports simultaneous charging of higher power devices such as tablet computers.

An accessory is provided that includes power supply module, a first functional module, and a second functional module. The power supply module can be configured to be suspended beneath an overhead support, such as a hub of an umbrella. The first functional module is configured to affix to the power supply module and to be powered by the power supply module to provide a user directed function. The second functional module is configured to be detachably coupled to either the power supply module or the first functional module to receive power from the power supply module directly or through the first functional module.

Cooling unit (100, 200) including a base (102, 202) having a housing with control components (110, 112, 212), a cooling tower (104, 204) attached to the base (102, 202) at a first end of the cooling tower (104, 204), the cooling tower (104, 204) having an inner flow path and an exterior surface, and an air distribution system (106, 206) attached to the cooling tower (104, 204) at a second end of the cooling tower (104, 204). The air distribution system (106, 206) has a first enclosure (130), a second enclosure (132) defining an air distribution chamber (126) between the first and second enclosures, a cool air dispenser (138) configured in the first enclosure (130), a warm air (142) dispenser configured in the first enclosure (130) at a location different from the cool air dispenser (138), and a cover (144) disposed on an exterior surface of the second enclosure (132). The control components (110, 112, 212) are configured to convey air through the base (102, 202), the cooling tower (104, 204), and the air distribution system (106, 206) to dispense air through the cool air dispenser (138) and the warm air dispenser (142).

Cooling units are provided. The cooling units include a base having a housing with control components and a cooling tower attached to the base and having an inner flow path and an exterior surface. An air distribution system is attached to the cooling tower and includes an air distribution chamber defined between first and second enclosures, air dispensers are configured in the first enclosure, and a cover is disposed on an exterior surface of the second enclosure. The control components are configured to convey air through the base, the cooling tower, and the air distribution system to dispense air through the cool air dispenser and the warm air dispenser. A cooling unit water supply is arranged to provide cooling water to the air distribution system through the cooling tower and a water treatment module connected to the cooling unit water supply to treat the cooling water.

An electrically-operated umbrella comprises a column (1), an upper tray (2), a lower tray (3), a plurality of long rods (4), a plurality of short rods (5), and an electric air pump (6). One end of each short rod (5) is rotatably connected to the lower tray (3), the other end of each short rod (5) is rotatably connected to the middle portion or the upper portion of the corresponding long rod (4); the column (1) comprises an inner tube (11), and an outer tube (12), the outer tube (12) is sleeved around the inner tube (11); a closed air chamber (A) is defined between the bottom of the inner tube (11) and the bottom or the lower portion of the outer tube (12); the upper tray (2) is connected to the top of the inner tube (11), the lower tray (3) is connected to the outer tube (12) and sleeved around the outer tube (12); the electric air pump (6) is disposed inside the inner tube (11). The present invention is simple in structure, easy and quick to operate, free of lots of structural members, and low in cost. The service life of the umbrella is prolonged, umbrella becomes safer and more reliable in use, and the user experience is greatly improved.

An umbrella apparatus having a canopy portion hingedly coupled to a pole portion. The umbrellas apparatus includes a rechargeable electrical power system that provides electrical power to an electromechanical opening and closing system and a light assembly and an entertainment system. A solar energy system is conductively coupled to the rechargeable electrical power system and is utilized to collect and convert solar energy to electrical energy for recharging the electrical power system. The entertainment system features a USB port and allows users to stream music and control the color of the light assembly.

An umbrella includes a base assembly, a core assembly connected to the base assembly, the core assembly including a skin covering, a tubular assembly; and an electronics housing and an arm expansion assembly connected to the core assembly to expand or retract one or more umbrella arms. The electronics housing includes an opening or a space through which the tubular assembly passes and the electronics housing is located underneath the skin covering. The electronics housing also includes one or more sensor assemblies to capture sensor measurements in an area surrounding the umbrella.

A solar panel awning device may include a solar panel having first and second opposing ends, first and second opposing sides extending between the first and second opposing ends, and first and second opposing major surfaces. The first major opposing surface defines a photovoltaic surface. The solar panel awning device may include first and second arms respectively coupled to the first and second opposing ends of the solar panel, and an actuator coupled to one of the first and second arms and configured to switch the solar panel between an extended position and a retracted position. In the retracted position, the solar panel is flat against a side of a building; in the extended position, the first opposing side is proximal to the side of the building and spaced apart from the side of the building; and the second opposing side is distal to the side of the building.

A shading device includes a base assembly resting on a surface, a support assembly, the support assembly connected to the base assembly; and an expansion assembly, the expansion assembly connected to the support assembly. The shading device further includes one or more arm assemblies, the one or more arm assemblies coupled to the expansion assembly. The one or more arm assemblies including one or more shading arms, one or more shading fabric assemblies, and one or more shading fabric tubes. A shading fabric assembly further includes a first weighted rod, a second weighted rod and shading fabric. The first weighted rod of shading fabric assembly is positioned in an interior portion of a first shading fabric tube and the second weighted rod of shading fabric assembly is positioned in an interior position of a second shading fabric tube.