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.

Disclosed is an umbrella that can be used as a canopy to protect a user against rain or sunlight. The umbrella may comprise an elongate member having proximal and distal end portions, a support structure that is connectable to a canopy able to be disposed about the distal end portion of the elongate member, the support structure being be adjustable between an erect position, whereby the canopy is able to be tensioned by the support structure, and a collapsed position, whereby the tension in the canopy is able to be released. The umbrella may also include a plurality of biasing means configured to inhibit the support structure from inverting.

Disclosed is an umbrella that can be used as a canopy to protect a user against rain or sunlight. The umbrella may comprise an elongate member having proximal and distal end portions, a support structure that is connectable to a canopy able to be disposed about the distal end portion of the elongate member, the support structure being be adjustable between an erect position, whereby the canopy is able to be tensioned by the support structure, and a collapsed position, whereby the tension in the canopy is able to be released. The umbrella may also include a plurality of biasing means configured to inhibit the support structure from inverting.

A canopy support structure includes a support pole having a track, a three-dimensional array of hub pairs, and a plurality of articulating arms connecting the hub pairs. The track extends in a longitudinal direction along the support pole. The hubs of each hub pair are movable toward/away from each other during extension/retraction of the canopy support structure. A primary hub pair includes a first hub and a second hub, with each of the first hub and the second hub coupled to the support pole. At least one of the first hub and the second hub is slidably engaged with the track and movable along the support pole. The articulating arms include sets of scissor-connected primary articulating arms. Each of the hub pairs is pivotally connected to at least one other of the hub pairs by a respective set of the scissor-connected primary articulating arms.

A canopy support structure includes a support pole having a track, a three-dimensional array of hub pairs, and a plurality of articulating arms connecting the hub pairs. The track extends in a longitudinal direction along the support pole. The hubs of each hub pair are movable toward/away from each other during extension/retraction of the canopy support structure. A primary hub pair includes a first hub and a second hub, with each of the first hub and the second hub coupled to the support pole. At least one of the first hub and the second hub is slidably engaged with the track and movable along the support pole. The articulating arms include sets of scissor-connected primary articulating arms. Each of the hub pairs is pivotally connected to at least one other of the hub pairs by a respective set of the scissor-connected primary articulating arms.

A modular umbrella includes a fixed hub device mounted on a top end of a post and a runner device slideably mounted to the post. The fixed hub device is detachably coupled with four, six, or eight rib seats for coupling with a corresponding number of ribs. A corresponding number of stretchers is detachably mounted between the ribs and the rib seats. Thus, the modular umbrella can be assembled to include four, six, or eight ribs and can be arranged to support a square or rectangular canopy.

A modular umbrella includes a fixed hub device mounted on a top end of a post and a runner device slideably mounted to the post. The fixed hub device is detachably coupled with four, six, or eight rib seats for coupling with a corresponding number of ribs. A corresponding number of stretchers is detachably mounted between the ribs and the rib seats. Thus, the modular umbrella can be assembled to include four, six, or eight ribs and can be arranged to support a square or rectangular canopy.

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 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.

A modular umbrella includes a fixed hub device mounted on a top end of a post and a runner device slideably mounted to the post. The fixed hub device is detachably coupled with four, six, or eight rib seats for coupling with a corresponding number of ribs. A corresponding number of stretchers is detachably mounted between the ribs and the rib seats. Thus, the modular umbrella can be assembled to include four, six, or eight ribs and can be arranged to support a square or rectangular canopy.