An intelligent umbrella includes a light sensor to generate a light intensity measurement, a motor to move the light sensor about an azimuth axis, the light sensor generating a plurality of light intensity measurements and associated locations. The intelligent umbrella also includes a controller to receive the plurality of light intensity measurements from the light sensor, and to identify a highest light sensor measurement of the plurality of light sensor measurements and an associated location. The controller generates and communicates a command including the associated location to a motor, which receives the command and moves the light sensor to the associated location. The controller moves a light sensor about an elevation axis, determines a peak intensity value and corresponding elevation location, and moves the light sensor to the corresponding elevation location.

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a portable shelter, whether being of the type having a floating canopy or an umbrella. The shelter includes a support including an upright. A canopy is supported by the support. The canopy includes an expandable frame, and a sheet of material supported by the frame. The frame includes retractable ribs supporting the sheet. The frame also includes a stretcher arrangement for stretching out each rib from the support. The stretcher arrangement includes a first stretcher for coupling between the support and the rib; and a second stretcher for coupling to the first stretcher.

A sunshade mounting mechanism comprises a first connecting sleeve (3); a second connecting sleeve (4) disposed on the top of the bearing rod (2); a pin shaft (5); the first connecting sleeve (3) is rotatably connected to the second connecting sleeve (4) through the pin shaft (5), and a center line of rotation of the first connecting sleeve (3) intersects with the transverse direction of the main rod (11); the bearing rod (2) has a first through hole (20) for allowing the pin shaft (5) to pass through. In this mounting mechanism, the mounting angle and position of the main rod relative to the bearing rod can be freely adjusted. The pin shaft is allowed to pass through the periphery of the top of the bearing rod on the basis of connecting the first connecting sleeve and the second connecting sleeve. In this way, the connection of the three components, i.e., the first connecting sleeve, the second connecting sleeve and the bearing rod can be achieved by only one pin shaft. The mounting mechanism is simplified, the connection strength can be greatly increased, and the service life is greatly prolonged.

A locking structure for a banana canopy sunshade is specifically provided, and belongs to the field of banana canopy sunshades. The locking structure for the banana canopy sunshade is assembled on an adjustment sleeve. By cooperation between the insertion rod and the crank, the locking structure for the banana canopy sunshade solves the following problem: During adjustment of a height of the existing banana canopy sunshade on a support rod, a bolt needs to be used to fix the banana canopy sunshade on the support rod. As a result, it is more tedious in the adjustment of the banana canopy sunshade on the support rod, the operating intensity of a user is increased, and the operating efficiency is affected.

The sunshade/shield structure invention is practical, portable, and effective in skin care protection and prevention of skin cancer. It can be made as a commercial use product with less portability features or a residential/consumer model which is portable and can be disassembled and reassembled quickly via pins and or shock cords like camping hike tents. Its aerodynamic design is wind resistant and porous so water during a storm won't pool and stress the frame. It can be made of metal materials that are powder coated or high-impact absorbing, UV-protected plastics. The ground frame/base can be extended in length or width for custom chair fitting and stability because the frame sleeves in and out. A sand or ground anchor can be used in the yard or on the beach instead of the ground stand. The leg post interfaces with both ground and sand anchor bases. The ground frame will have two roller wheels so moving will be easy. Tip the shade back and touch the wheels to the hard surface for easy relocating.

A connecting mechanism for connecting a long rod and a short rod of an umbrella comprises a rod connector and two detachable decorating parts. The rod connector has a long groove at a top of the rod connector for receiving the long rod. The rod connector is connected to a middle portion of the long rod. The rod connector has a U-shaped groove at a bottom of the rod connector for receiving an end of the short rod. The end of the short rod is rotatably connected to the rod connector through a connecting pin. The two decorating parts are respectively disposed at a front side and a back side of the rod connector to shelter the connecting pieces such as bolts, so that the overall appearance is improved. Moreover, the rod connector is easy to mount, and the decorating parts are detachable and easy to replace.

An umbrella includes a vertical support having a track carried on an outer surface of the vertical support, the track extending longitudinally, and a canopy configured to switch between an open state and a closed state. The umbrella also includes a sliding collar coupled to the vertical support and configured to slidingly engage the vertical support to control an angle of the canopy with respect to the vertical support, a first arm coupled between the sliding collar and the canopy, and a second arm coupled between the vertical support and the first arm. The sliding collar has a housing defining a recess, an activation button slidingly received by the recess of the housing and switching between an extended state and a retracted state, and a locking device carried by the housing. The locking device is configured to pivot about the housing to selectively engage the track in the extended state.

The invention is for an umbrella base (10) that is transported in a flat pack and is assembled by attaching two brace elements (22) to end plate assemblies (22) to form a frame and then loading store-bought slabs (52) onto the frame to serve as ballast elements. The end plate assemblies (20) include castors (36) that provide mobility and the umbrella base (10) includes a deck (18), so that the ballast elements (52) are covered.

A canopy structure of an outdoor sunshade umbrella comprises an upper umbrella hub, a lower umbrella hub, umbrella ribs, and a support rod. One end of the umbrella rib is rotatably mounted on the upper umbrella hub, and one end of the support rod is rotatably mounted on the lower umbrella hub. The other end of the support rod is rotatably connected to a middle part of the umbrella rib. The canopy can be folded or unfolded by moving the lower umbrella hub away from or towards the upper umbrella hub through external force. A cross-section of the umbrella rib is elliptical which includes a long rib, a short rib, and an elastic connecting device. Both the long rib and the short rib are hollow structures, and one end of the short rib has a narrowed portion that facilitates insertion into the long rib.

A modular support and storage assembly that can be installed into a ground anchor hole. The assembly includes five support sleeves that are fixed into a base anchor. The support sleeves are housed inside a post. A skirt sits atop the base anchor. An upper collar and an upper anchor host are situated atop the support sleeves. An anchor element is inserted into and through the assembly and into a ground anchor hole and fixes the assembly to the ground. The assembly is modular in that one or more sub-assemblies can be used to accommodate varying numbers of support structures, such as swing arms that hold electronic devices, towels, beverages, and electronic devices.