A system includes a topper support having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end of the topper support is configured for operative coupling to an upper end of an umbrella. The second end is positioned above the upper end of the umbrella when the first end is coupled to the upper end of the umbrella. The second end of the topper support is configured for operative coupling to an accessory topper. A system includes an umbrella, an accessory topper, and a topper support. The topper support is configured for operatively coupling the accessory topper to the umbrella. A system includes an umbrella, an accessory topper, and an adapter. The adapter is configured for operatively coupling the accessory topper to the umbrella. A system includes an umbrella having an accessory topper as a permanent component of the umbrella.

A system includes a topper support having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end of the topper support is configured for operative coupling to an upper end of an umbrella. The second end is positioned above the upper end of the umbrella when the first end is coupled to the upper end of the umbrella. The second end of the topper support is configured for operative coupling to an accessory topper. A system includes an umbrella, an accessory topper, and a topper support. The topper support is configured for operatively coupling the accessory topper to the umbrella. A system includes an umbrella, an accessory topper, and an adapter. The adapter is configured for operatively coupling the accessory topper to the umbrella. A system includes an umbrella having an accessory topper as a permanent component of the umbrella.

An umbrella assembly having a post supporting first and second pivot joints to move relative to each other along the post, and a support strut and adjacent stabilizing struts pivotally coupled to the first and second pivot joints and supporting the collapsible frame assembly of a canopy. The collapsible frame assembly collapses between an opened configuration and a collapsed configuration with movement of the first and second pivot joints relative to each other.

A novel umbrella includes a support post, a housing supported thereby, spokes pivotally disposed about the housing, a canopy, and an actuator. The housing has a top hub and a bottom hub. The actuator slides the hubs together to pivot the spokes away from the housing, whereby the umbrella moves from a closed position to an open position. Rollers are retained within the top hub, and each spoke has a spoke cam attached to one end. The spokes pivot away from the housing by having a roller surface of each spoke cam slide along each respective roller. The actuator may include a beam pivotally disposed about the support post, a strut pivotally disposed about the support post and coupled to the beam, a car slide slideably disposed within the beam, and a cable coupled to the strut and the housing.

A novel umbrella includes a support post, a housing supported thereby, spokes pivotally disposed about the housing, a canopy, and an actuator. The housing has a top hub and a bottom hub. The actuator slides the hubs together to pivot the spokes away from the housing, whereby the umbrella moves from a closed position to an open position. Rollers are retained within the top hub, and each spoke has a spoke cam attached to one end. The spokes pivot away from the housing by having a roller surface of each spoke cam slide along each respective roller. The actuator may include a beam pivotally disposed about the support post, a strut pivotally disposed about the support post and coupled to the beam, a car slide slideably disposed within the beam, and a cable coupled to the strut and the housing.

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.

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.

An umbrella assembly can be assembled using L-shaped elongate members pivotably coupled with upper and lower hubs for supporting and actuating an umbrella cover. The L-shaped elongate members can be pivotably coupled together and paired such that a lateral portion of each of the elongate members extends opposite the other lateral portion within the pair and pivotably coupled with one of the upper hub and the lower hub. The lateral portions pivotably coupled within rib-receiving slots corresponding to one of the upper hub and the lower hub and secured within the rib-receiving slots by one of an upper hub cap and a lower hub cap.

An umbrella assembly can be assembled using L-shaped elongate members pivotably coupled with upper and lower hubs for supporting and actuating an umbrella cover. The L-shaped elongate members can be pivotably coupled together and paired such that a lateral portion of each of the elongate members extends opposite the other lateral portion within the pair and pivotably coupled with one of the upper hub and the lower hub. The lateral portions pivotably coupled within rib-receiving slots corresponding to one of the upper hub and the lower hub and secured within the rib-receiving slots by one of an upper hub cap and a lower hub cap.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, an umbrella hub assembly comprises an a cylindrical portion and a socket coupled to the cylindrical portion. The socket can have a fixed end, a free end, and a cylindrical wall defining a concave space extending from the free end toward the fixed end. The socket can have an access aperture disposed through the cylindrical wall. The assembly can further include an umbrella rib comprising a first end, a second end, and an elongate body extending along a longitudinal axis. The first end can be configured to be received in the concave space through the free end such that the socket engages the umbrella rib and such that the first end is accessible through the access aperture.