An umbrella is provided that includes a hollow pole, a shade assembly, and a lift assembly. The shade assembly is coupled with an upper portion of the hollow pole. The shade assembly includes an upper hub, a lower hub, and a shade structure coupling the upper hub to the lower hub. The shade structure supports a shade member and the lower hub is moveable along the hollow pole. The lift assembly is disposed within the hollow pole. The lift assembly includes a gas spring and a cord. The cord has a first end coupled with the hollow pole and a second end coupled with the lower hub. When closing the umbrella, the cord applies a load to compress the gas spring. When opening the umbrella, the gas spring applies a load to the cord, to cause the lower hub to be moved upward.

A rapidly deployable structure comprising a first hub, a second hub, a plurality of legs and a rod connected to the first hub. The first hub includes a first plurality of recesses. The second hub includes a second plurality of recesses and an alignment guide. Each of the plurality of legs is connected to the first hub and the second hub. The rod connected is to the first hub and comprises a plurality of pins that are movable between an extended state and a retracted state. In the extended state, pins protrude from the rod. In a retracted state, the pins are retracted within the rod. The first hub is movable relative to the second hub between a first state in which the rod is disposed above the alignment guide in an axial direction defined by an opening in the alignment guide and a second state in which a portion of the rod comprising the plurality of pins is located below the alignment guide in the axial direction.

A rapidly deployable structure comprising a first hub, a second hub, a plurality of legs and a rod connected to the first hub. The first hub includes a first plurality of recesses. The second hub includes a second plurality of recesses and an alignment guide. Each of the plurality of legs is connected to the first hub and the second hub. The rod connected is to the first hub and comprises a plurality of pins that are movable between an extended state and a retracted state. In the extended state, pins protrude from the rod. In a retracted state, the pins are retracted within the rod. The first hub is movable relative to the second hub between a first state in which the rod is disposed above the alignment guide in an axial direction defined by an opening in the alignment guide and a second state in which a portion of the rod comprising the plurality of pins is located below the alignment guide in the axial direction.

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.

Disclosed herein are a parasol fan assembly and systems for moving air to cool individuals near a parasol. A parasol fan assembly includes a parasol fan structure comprising at least one attachable fan device. The attachable fan device attaches to a portion of the parasol fan structure, such as a strut, and the device includes rotatable fan blades that are driven by an electric motor. The presently disclosed attachable fan device include an electrical actuator mechanism which ensures that when the operation of the device ceases the fan blades become stationary and parallel to the strut and thus do not interfere with folding the parasol fan assembly. In some embodiments, the parasol fan assembly further comprises a safety mechanism comprising a Hall sensor, the mechanism prevents accidental operation of the attachable fan device.

Disclosed herein are a parasol fan assembly and systems for moving air to cool individuals near a parasol. A parasol fan assembly includes a parasol fan structure comprising at least one attachable fan device. The attachable fan device attaches to a portion of the parasol fan structure, such as a strut, and the device includes rotatable fan blades that are driven by an electric motor. The presently disclosed attachable fan device include an electrical actuator mechanism which ensures that when the operation of the device ceases the fan blades become stationary and parallel to the strut and thus do not interfere with folding the parasol fan assembly. In some embodiments, the parasol fan assembly further comprises a safety mechanism comprising a Hall sensor, the mechanism prevents accidental operation of the attachable fan device.

A cantilever umbrella has an upstanding mast and a cantilever arm adapted to support a canopy. The cantilever arm is pivotally attached to the mast at an upper portion and configured to pivot between an open position where the canopy is deployed and where the cantilever arm extends away from the mast, and a closed position where the canopy is withdrawn and the cantilever arm extends close to the mast. The mast has interior region defined by a longitudinally extending channel with a longitudinally aligned opening extending from the interior to the exterior of the mast. A carriage resides within the channel and is adapted for travel within the channel. A support arm pivotally connected with the cantilever arm at one end, and pivotally connect with the carriage, through the channel opening at an opposing end. Raising of the carriage within the channel causes the cantilever to transition to the open position, and lowering of the carriage causes the cantilever to transition to the closed position.

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 umbrella includes an anti-inversion mechanism that is configured to apply to each rib assembly a force that counters an inversion force that is applied to the umbrella. The anti-inversion mechanism includes a first elongated member that is coupled at a first end to one rib of the plurality of ribs. The umbrella also includes a second elongated member having a first end coupled to the first elongated member. A first connector is coupled to a distal end of the distal rib; and a second connector is coupled to a second end of the first elongated member. The first connector and the second connector are coupled to one another to securely attach the second elongated member to the distal rib.

A novel umbrella is disclosed with a simplified structure that creates a clean, elegant profile. The umbrella includes a support post having a hole, and a top housing and an opposing bottom housing supported by the post. The bottom housing has a bottom hub, a top cap disposed about the bottom hub, and an opposing bottom cap disposed about the bottom hub opposite the top cap. The bottom cap has a lever lock receptacle. Spokes are pivotally disposed about the top housing, and a canopy is disposed about the spokes. Struts are pivotally disposed about the bottom housing. A lever lock is retained by the lever lock receptacle, wherein the lever lock has a pin adapted to fit within the hole of the post for retaining the canopy in an open position.