An automatic non-collapsible umbrella includes a handle, a control mechanism, a center post, a detent mechanism, a runner assembly, and a skeleton. A cylindrical main seat of the control mechanism includes a spring biased open button for opening the umbrella, and a spring biased collapse button adjacent to the collapse button for closing the umbrella.

An automatically deploying shielding apparatus, or sun shade, includes a handle and a shade portion connected by a hub. The handle extends into the hub, with the shade portion having a flexible shade joined to a first support member and a second support member. The first support member and the second support member extend into the hub, and an elastic member extends from the first support member to the second support member. The elastic member is arranged to extend through the hub and the first support member and the second support member are coupled to the hub portion with the elastic member holding the first support member and the second support member under tension at a position substantially perpendicular to the handle. A rescue cord and notch may be provided as an alternative to the elastic member, or in the event of malfunction of the elastic member, for manual operation.

An automatically deploying shielding apparatus, or sun shade, includes a handle and a shade portion connected by a hub. The handle extends into the hub, with the shade portion having a flexible shade joined to a first support member and a second support member. The first support member and the second support member extend into the hub, and an elastic member extends from the first support member to the second support member. The elastic member is arranged to extend through the hub and the first support member and the second support member are coupled to the hub portion with the elastic member holding the first support member and the second support member under tension at a position substantially perpendicular to the handle. A rescue cord and notch may be provided as an alternative to the elastic member, or in the event of malfunction of the elastic member, for manual operation.

A shading object includes a base unit, a support unit coupled to the base unit, and a rotation hub assembly, the rotation hub assembly coupled to the support unit and rotatable in a circular direction about the rotation hub assembly. The shading object also includes a control housing, the control housing coupled to the rotation hub assembly, the control housing having one or more motor assemblies installed therein. The shading object includes a pivot assembly, a shading element frame, and one or more shading elements, the shading element frame coupled to the pivot assembly, the pivot assembly to rotate the shading element frame and the one or more shading elements about the pivot assembly axis.

A shading object includes a base unit, a support unit coupled to the base unit, and a rotation hub assembly, the rotation hub assembly coupled to the support unit and rotatable in a circular direction about the rotation hub assembly. The shading object also includes a control housing, the control housing coupled to the rotation hub assembly, the control housing having one or more motor assemblies installed therein. The shading object includes a pivot assembly, a shading element frame, and one or more shading elements, the shading element frame coupled to the pivot assembly, the pivot assembly to rotate the shading element frame and the one or more shading elements about the pivot assembly axis.

An intelligent umbrella includes a light sensor to generate a light intensity measurement, a motor to move the light sensor about an azimuth axis, the light sensor generating a plurality of light intensity measurements and associated locations. The intelligent umbrella also includes a controller to receive the plurality of light intensity measurements from the light sensor, and to identify a highest light sensor measurement of the plurality of light sensor measurements and an associated location. The controller generates and communicates a command including the associated location to a motor, which receives the command and moves the light sensor to the associated location. The controller moves a light sensor about an elevation axis, determines a peak intensity value and corresponding elevation location, and moves the light sensor to the corresponding elevation location.

An intelligent umbrella includes a light sensor to generate a light intensity measurement, a motor to move the light sensor about an azimuth axis, the light sensor generating a plurality of light intensity measurements and associated locations. The intelligent umbrella also includes a controller to receive the plurality of light intensity measurements from the light sensor, and to identify a highest light sensor measurement of the plurality of light sensor measurements and an associated location. The controller generates and communicates a command including the associated location to a motor, which receives the command and moves the light sensor to the associated location. The controller moves a light sensor about an elevation axis, determines a peak intensity value and corresponding elevation location, and moves the light sensor to the corresponding elevation location.

An intelligent shading charging system, includes a housing having a rechargeable battery installed therein, a lower support assembly connected to the housing and an upper support assembly, the upper support assembly including one or more arm support assemblies. The intelligent shading charging system further includes a hinging assembly connecting a lower support assembly to an upper support assembly to allow an upper support assembly to rotate with respect to the lower support assembly, one or more arms connected to the one or more are support assemblies, a shading fabric; and one or more solar cell arrays mounted on or integrated within the shading fabric.

An intelligent shading charging system, includes a housing having a rechargeable battery installed therein, a lower support assembly connected to the housing and an upper support assembly, the upper support assembly including one or more arm support assemblies. The intelligent shading charging system further includes a hinging assembly connecting a lower support assembly to an upper support assembly to allow an upper support assembly to rotate with respect to the lower support assembly, one or more arms connected to the one or more are support assemblies, a shading fabric; and one or more solar cell arrays mounted on or integrated within the shading fabric.

An umbrella includes a base assembly, an umbrella support assembly connected to the base assembly, a processor, one or more memory devices, a motor assembly to rotate the umbrella support assembly about a vertical axis, the motor assembly comprising a controller and a motor and computer-readable instructions executable by the processor to communicate signals, commands or instructions to the controller in the motor assembly, wherein the controller to communicate signals or commands to the motor to assist in rotating the umbrella support assembly about a vertical axis.