A weight system for supporting a free-standing object comprising a container defining an interior chamber, the container comprising at least one side wall, a lower wall, and an upper wall, where the upper wall is configured to define a fill opening and a closure system comprising first and second closure portions. The first closure portion is arranged to define a first side of the fill opening. The second closure portion is arranged to define a second side of the fill opening. The closure system is arranged to allow the container to be configured in a closed configuration in which the first closure portion engages the second closure portion substantially to prevent access to the interior chamber through the fill opening and an open configuration in which the first closure portion is disengaged from the second closure portion to allow access to the interior chamber through the fill opening.

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 multi-function double-canopy umbrella comprises: a first foot, a second foot, a mounting plate bolted to the first and second feet, a lower post attached to the mounting plate, an upper post, an inner core inserted into the lower and upper posts, a central tube, a spool, a crank rotatably attached to the spool, a rope threaded through the central tube, central ribs, central arms pivotably attached to the central ribs, an adjustable central canopy attached to the central ribs to adjust to different heights, an intersector slidably attached to the central tube, first ribs pivotably connected to the intersector and central arms, second ribs, multi-rib-connecting cores slidably connected to the first and second ribs to adjust the multi-function double-canopy umbrella to multiple different sizes, raising arms foldably attached to the intersector, an adjustable ring canopy attached to the first and second ribs, and adjusting flaps sewn to the adjustable ring canopy to adjust it to multiple different sizes.

A multi-angle multi-function umbrella comprises: a first foot, a second foot, a mounting plate bolted to the first and second feet, a lower post attached to the mounting plate, an upper post, a middle post, a first inner core inserted into the lower and middle posts, a second inner core inserted into the middle and upper posts, a central tube, a spool, a crank rotatably attached to the spool, a rope threaded through the central tube, central ribs, central arms pivotably attached to the central ribs, an adjustable central canopy attached to the central ribs to adjust to different heights, an intersector slidably attached to the central tube, first ribs pivotably connected to the intersector and central arms, second ribs, third ribs, first coil caps pivotably connected to the first and second ribs, second coil caps pivotably connected to the second and third ribs, raising arms foldably attached to the intersector, an adjustable ring canopy attached to the first and second ribs, and adjusting flaps sewn to the adjustable ring canopy to adjust it to multiple different sizes.

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 umbrella includes a vertical support having a track carried on an outer surface of the vertical support, the track extending longitudinally, and a canopy configured to switch between an open state and a closed state. The umbrella also includes a sliding collar coupled to the vertical support and configured to slidingly engage the vertical support to control an angle of the canopy with respect to the vertical support, a first arm coupled between the sliding collar and the canopy, and a second arm coupled between the vertical support and the first arm. The sliding collar has a housing defining a recess, an activation button slidingly received by the recess of the housing and switching between an extended state and a retracted state, and a locking device carried by the housing. The locking device is configured to pivot about the housing to selectively engage the track in the extended state.

An umbrella includes a canopy configured to switch between an open position and a closed position, and a mast coupled to the canopy and having an upper portion with an upper tubular housing, and a track carried on an outer surface of the upper tubular housing and extending longitudinally. The track includes interweaved recesses and ridges. The mast also includes a lower portion slidingly receiving the upper portion and having a lower tubular housing, and a locking device carried on an outer surface of the lower tubular housing and extending through the lower tubular housing to interface with the track of the upper portion to lock the lower portion and the upper portion together.

A weight system for supporting a free-standing object comprising a container defining an interior chamber, the container comprising at least one side wall, a lower wall, and an upper wall, where the upper wall is configured to define a fill opening and a closure system comprising first and second closure portions. The first closure portion is arranged to define a first side of the fill opening. The second closure portion is arranged to define a second side of the fill opening. The closure system is arranged to allow the container to be configured in a closed configuration in which the first closure portion engages the second closure portion substantially to prevent access to the interior chamber through the fill opening and an open configuration in which the first closure portion is disengaged from the second closure portion to allow access to the interior chamber through the fill opening.

A canopy support structure includes a plurality of hubs arranged in series, and a plurality of articulating arms connecting the plurality of hubs. At least one of the plurality of hubs is suspended from above by a support member. At least some of the plurality of hubs are movable toward and away from each other to operate the canopy support structure between expanded and retracted positions. The plurality of articulating arms include a plurality of primary ribs connected directly to the plurality of hubs. The plurality of articulating arms may also include a plurality of secondary ribs connected to some of the plurality of primary ribs, and a plurality of tertiary ribs coupled between the plurality of secondary ribs and other of the plurality of primary ribs.

A weight system for supporting a free-standing object comprising first and second upper panels, a least one side panel, a lower panel, and a closure system. The panels are joined to define an upper wall and at least side wall, with the first and second upper panels defining a fill opening in the upper wall and a container defining an interior chamber. The closure system is arranged to allow the container to be configured in a closed configuration in which access to the interior chamber through the fill opening is substantially prevented and an open configuration in which access to the interior chamber through the fill opening is allowed.