An intelligent shading object, comprises a plurality of shading elements, a shading element deployment mechanism, a support structure, and a base unit. A shading element deployment mechanism deploys a plurality of shading elements independently of each other. A support structure is coupled to the shading element deployment mechanism. A base unit is coupled to the support structure to provide stability to the support structure, the shading element deployment mechanism, and the plurality of shading elements.

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.

An umbrella system includes a collapsible umbrella preferably having a telescoping pole, and including a generally hollow base unit with an auger member attached to a bottom portion thereof. The telescoping pole may be adjustable in height by any suitable means, and is received by the base unit having a pair of handle members extending radially therefrom, so that a user may grip the handle members in order to twist the base unit with the auger member into the ground. Other features may include an attachable table member, attachable drink holders, a removable carrying strap, a rotating collar assembly affixed to the lower portion of the base unit for attachment to a dog leash, and a water misting system for providing a spray water mist beneath the shade of the umbrella.

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.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage devices for providing directions haptically such that sight and hearing can continue unimpeded. In one exemplary embodiment, a wearable device (such as earphones, ear rings, gloves, glasses, or other wearable objects) configured as disclosed herein receives directions to an intended destination for a user, the directions comprising a movement action and a distance to the movement action. The wearable device has multiple haptic output units and generates, through one of those units, a haptic output based on the directions. This allows the user to receive the directions through touch rather than looking at their mobile device or from audio.

Systems and devices for rain equipment. A device removably attachable to a top of an umbrella is provided. The device has a receptacle which may contain a thin, folded umbrella or a folded hat, or any other suitable rain gear. The outside of the device is shaped to resemble cartoon characters, sports related items, team logos, or any other suitable shape. The device is configured to attach to the top of the umbrella by an attachment means which uses a screw, a hook and loop mechanism, or friction.

An intelligent umbrella includes a wireless communication transceiver to receive commands or messages from a mobile computing device and an integrated computing device, the integrated computing device including one or more memory devices, one or more processors and computer-readable instructions stored in the one or more memory devices. The computer-readable instructions are executable by the one or more processors to receive the commands or messages, via the wireless communication transceiver from the mobile computing device and to generate instructions, signals, commands and/or messages, based, at least in part on the received commands or messages from the mobile computing device. The computer-readable instructions are executable by the one or more processors to communicate the generated instructions, signals, commands or messages to one or more assemblies of the intelligent umbrella to cause the one or more assemblies of the intelligent umbrella to move in a specified manner.

A buoyant support (1) for an object (2), with at least the following components: a floating body (3), an insertion sleeve (7) for holding the object (2) and a clamping device (4) with at least one upper-side clamping part (5) and at least one lower-side clamping part (6), Due to the modular construction, the support can be dismantled into its individual parts, in order to thus facilitate the transport thereof. The components of the support are dimensioned such that these can be easily accommodated and stowed in a carrying bag.

A shading system includes a base assembly, core assembly, a sensor expansion module coupled to the core assembly module, wherein the sensor expansion module includes one or more arm support assemblies; one or more arms connected to the one or more arm support assemblies. The base assembly includes one or more motors, one or more processors; one or more memory modules; a base motor controller; and computer-readable instructions, which when executed communicate movement direction and distance instructions to a base motor controller. The base assembly includes one or more motors, wherein the base motor controller converts the received movement direction and/or distance instructions to movement direction and/or distance commands, and communicates the movement direction and/or distance commands to the one or more motors to physically move the base assembly.

There is a flask assembly comprising a container body having a void therein for containing a fluid. A canopy is removably coupled to a top portion of the container body. A handle cap is removably coupled to a bottom portion of the container body, through which the void is accessible. A channel is disposed along a length of the container body. A body runner is disposed substantially around a diameter of the container body between the canopy and the handle cap, and slidably coupled to the channel. A plurality of stretchers are hingedly coupled to the body runner and extending outwardly therefrom. A plurality of ribs are coupled to the stretchers at an end opposite the runner and extending outwardly therefrom and coupled to the canopy such that when the stretchers are in a deployed mode the canopy is held open by the ribs.