An improved umbrella is a handheld umbrella which protects the user from the sun and inclement weather, with a switch on the handle to illuminate streaming or solid lights along the borders for decorative and safety purposes. The umbrella is able to emit a sound with the push of a button in case of emergency. The lights help a person be seen at night or in inclement weather.

A modular umbrella system, comprises one or more shading elements and a support assembly, coupled to the one or more shading elements, to provide support for the one or more shading elements. The modular umbrella system further comprises a base assembly, coupled to the support assembly, to provide contact with a surface. The base assembly comprises one or more microphones to capture audio commands, one or more processors, one or more memory modules and one or more communication transceivers. Computer-readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules are executed by a processor to convert the captured audio commands into audio files and communicate the captured audio commands to an external computing device utilizing the one or more communication transceivers. The computer-readable instructions are part of an artificial intelligence application programming interface that communicates with an external artificial intelligence computing device to process the communicated audio file.

A magnetic umbrella swivel holder system comprising a swivel umbrella holder, further comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion is a first tube with a diameter sized to hold an umbrella pole, the lower portion is a second tube. Preferably, the upper portion is connected to the lower portion with a pivot device. A magnet is preferably removably attached to the lower portion using a fastener that threadably attaches to a receptacle fitted within the lower portion such that the magnet forms a bottom surface.

Umbrella support apparatuses and kits are provided. The umbrella support apparatus may be used to support umbrellas where stability is desired. The umbrella support apparatus includes an umbrella or be used with existing umbrellas having a support shaft, a collar connected to an approximate mid-point of the support shaft, at least one auxiliary support shaft angularly connected to the collar with a connector for supporting the umbrella against an external force.

An opening and closing structure for an umbrella combining automatic and non-automatic modes including an electric mechanism, a cranking mechanism and a clutch structure is described herein. The electric mechanism includes a screw rod, a motor and a first transmission element. The motor is configured to drive rotation of the screw rod, and the first transmission element is mounted at the screw rod. The cranking mechanism includes a second transmission element and a cranking handle. The second transmission element is engaged with the first transmission element, and the second transmission element is connected with the cranking handle via the clutch structure. The invention overturns a conventional method of using an electric umbrella, and provides a manual lifting-and-lowering function under the premise of maintaining a electric lifting-and-lowering function, that is, in case of insufficient or no power supply, the umbrella can be opened and closed through the cranking handle.

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.

The invention features a dual shade apparatus adapted to provide shade to an individual or individuals while the individual(s) is/are outside and in need of shade from sunlight. Aspects of embodiments of the present invention contemplate a dual shade apparatus that is easily portable and easily adapted to the sun's changing positions, thereby providing the individual(s)/user(s) with shade from sunlight.

An umbrella tip structure for vertical placement of an umbrella is disclosed, including a fixed pillar, a movable barrel, a spring, and at least two tip blades. The umbrella tip structure is mountable to an umbrella in such a way that tip blades can be automatically expanded and/or collapsed so that in use, with a movable barrel positioned against a horizontal surface, the tip blades may be opened automatically to make the umbrella tip structure a stable and firm support stand that stably and firmly supports the umbrella in a vertical, upright condition on a horizontal surface, achieving vertical placement of the umbrella. The operation and use of the umbrella tip structure is simple and easy.

A solar charging umbrella uses solar power to charge electronic devices wirelessly, such as by a wireless or inductive charging port. The 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.

Light reflecting and directing umbrella apparatus and systems and methods utilizing such apparatus capable of shifting its shape for the purpose of manipulating and directing light from a light source in both a symmetrical and asymmetrical manner to illuminate a particular subject in a various manners for stage, studio, motion picture and still photography.