A tip assembly of an umbrella is revealed. The tip assembly includes a tip rod detachably disposed on a distal end of an outer cylindrical rib of a rib and a protection piece arranged at a distal end of the tip rod. The tip rod is provided with a mounting hole for mounting the distal end of the outer cylindrical rib therein. The protection piece includes a curved outer surface and an inner surface opposite to the outer surface. The outer surface is abutting against respective support ends of a canopy, without exposed outside the canopy. The distal end of the tip rod is located at the inner surface of the protection piece to be protected thereon. Thereby the tip assembly will not have a sharp end or expose outside the canopy while the canopy is extended by the plurality of ribs.

An umbrella hub is provided that includes a body, a power receptacle, and an upwardly facing support surface. The body extends from an outer periphery and along a top portion and a bottom portion of the umbrella hub. The body is configured for connection of umbrella structural members, such as ribs and/or struts, thereto. The power receptacle projects from a bottom portion or other portion of the body. The power receptacle has an opening configured to receive at least a portion of a battery pack therein. The upwardly facing support surface is disposed within or adjacent to the opening. The upwardly facing support surface is configured to be disposed under a downwardly facing surface of a battery pack when the battery pack is inserted into the opening to support the battery pack at a fixed elevation relative to the body of the umbrella hub.

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.

A solar-powered umbrella has a cap structure that is connected by hinges to struts. The struts are relatively rigid and positioned above the umbrella shade and house solar panels. When the umbrella is opened and closed, the struts rotate via the hinges from an open to closed position. When the solar panels are exposed to the sun, light is converted to electrical energy to charge a rechargeable battery. The battery supplies power to one or more USB ports. A user can recharge an electronic device (e.g., smartphone or tablet computer) by connecting to a port of the umbrella using a cable.

A solar-powered umbrella has a cap structure that is connected by hinges to struts. The struts are relatively rigid and positioned above the umbrella shade and house solar panels. When the umbrella is opened and closed, the struts rotate via the hinges from an open to closed position. When the solar panels are exposed to the sun, light is converted to electrical energy to charge a rechargeable battery. The battery supplies power to one or more USB ports. A user can recharge an electronic device (e.g., smartphone or tablet computer) by connecting to a port of the umbrella using a cable.

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.

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.

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.

A dynamic hinge mechanism that connects frame elements of a foldable apparatus such as for example a children's play-yard or other folding containment or structure, including an elastic element that applies a biasing force to assist in erecting the apparatus from a folded configuration to an expanded configuration.

A dynamic hinge mechanism that connects frame elements of a foldable apparatus such as for example a children's play-yard or other folding containment or structure, including an elastic element that applies a biasing force to assist in erecting the apparatus from a folded configuration to an expanded configuration.