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.

An umbrella including a support shaft, a plurality of ribs, a rotatable cam assembly, and a canopy. Each rib of the plurality of ribs has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion is pivotably attached to an upper portion of the support shaft to pivot the rib between an open position and a closed position. The rotatable cam assembly includes a cam configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the support shaft. The cam is engaged with each rib of the plurality of ribs such that (i) each rib moves in a direction from the closed position to the open position when the cam rotates in a first direction and (ii) each rib moves in a direction from the open position to the closed position when the cam rotates in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction.

An umbrella including a support shaft, a plurality of ribs, a rotatable cam assembly, and a canopy. Each rib of the plurality of ribs has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion is pivotably attached to an upper portion of the support shaft to pivot the rib between an open position and a closed position. The rotatable cam assembly includes a cam configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the support shaft. The cam is engaged with each rib of the plurality of ribs such that (i) each rib moves in a direction from the closed position to the open position when the cam rotates in a first direction and (ii) each rib moves in a direction from the open position to the closed position when the cam rotates in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction.

A rib end connector, a plug to receive a rib socket, or a rib to be coupled with an upper or lower hub of a shade structure is provided that has a pin connection portion that has a first end configured to be disposed in a channel of an umbrella or other shade structure hub. The apparatus has a second portion opposite the first portion, a first side surface, and a second side surface. A circumferential width of the pin connection portion is defined between the first and second lateral surfaces. A pin channel disposed between the first side surface and the second side surface. The pin channel has a narrowest portion disposed between the first side surface and the second side surface and increases in size between the narrowest portion and the first side surface and/or the second side surface.

A rib end connector, a plug to receive a rib socket, or a rib to be coupled with an upper or lower hub of a shade structure is provided that has a pin connection portion that has a first end configured to be disposed in a channel of an umbrella or other shade structure hub. The apparatus has a second portion opposite the first portion, a first side surface, and a second side surface. A circumferential width of the pin connection portion is defined between the first and second lateral surfaces. A pin channel disposed between the first side surface and the second side surface. The pin channel has a narrowest portion disposed between the first side surface and the second side surface and increases in size between the narrowest portion and the first side surface and/or the second side surface.

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 power supply control structure of an umbrella, having an umbrella body and a power supply device, the umbrella body has a shaft, a notch at the upper end of the shaft, a runner movably sleeving the shaft, and a rib assembly hinged with the notch and the runner; the power supply device is positioned on an upper part of the umbrella body. Accordingly, a conductive connecting piece for connecting the power supply device and an electronic device on the upper part of the umbrella body is minimally limited by the shaft so that installation position of the conductive connecting piece can be simpler and more convenient.

A power supply control structure of an umbrella, having an umbrella body and a power supply device, the umbrella body has a shaft, a notch at the upper end of the shaft, a runner movably sleeving the shaft, and a rib assembly hinged with the notch and the runner; the power supply device is positioned on an upper part of the umbrella body. Accordingly, a conductive connecting piece for connecting the power supply device and an electronic device on the upper part of the umbrella body is minimally limited by the shaft so that installation position of the conductive connecting piece can be simpler and more convenient.

An umbrella including a support shaft, a plurality of ribs, a rotatable cam assembly, and a canopy. Each rib of the plurality of ribs has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion is pivotably attached to an upper portion of the support shaft to pivot the rib between an open position and a closed position. The rotatable cam assembly includes a cam configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the support shaft. The cam is engaged with each rib of the plurality of ribs such that (i) each rib moves in a direction from the closed position to the open position when the cam rotates in a first direction and (ii) each rib moves in a direction from the open position to the closed position when the cam rotates in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction.