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 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.

A marine vessel intelligent shading system, including a marine vessel deck surface, a mounting assembly attached to the marine vessel deck surface, a base assembly having a first end attached to the mounting assembly, a first telescoping module connected to a base assembly, the first telescoping module being adjustable to a plurality of heights, and a core assembly module coupled to the first telescoping module. The marine vessel intelligent shading system further includes an expansion sensor module coupled to the core assembly module and the expansion sensor module includes one or more arm support assemblies, one or more arms and a shading fabric. The one or more arms are connected to the one or more arm support assemblies, and the shading fabric is coupled to the one or more arms.

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.

Some umbrellas include a support assembly, canopy assembly, and a toroidal air bladder. The support assembly includes a pump and a handle. The canopy assembly includes a plurality of support ribs attached to the handle, and a sheet attached to each of the support ribs. The toroidal air bladder is coupled to the air pump, and the air bladder disposed about the handle and engages the support ribs.

An opening and closing structure for an umbrella combining automatic and non-automatic modes including an electric mechanism, a cranking mechanism and a clutch structure is described herein. The electric mechanism includes a screw rod, a motor and a first transmission element. The motor is configured to drive rotation of the screw rod, and the first transmission element is mounted at the screw rod. The cranking mechanism includes a second transmission element and a cranking handle. The second transmission element is engaged with the first transmission element, and the second transmission element is connected with the cranking handle via the clutch structure. The invention overturns a conventional method of using an electric umbrella, and provides a manual lifting-and-lowering function under the premise of maintaining a electric lifting-and-lowering function, that is, in case of insufficient or no power supply, the umbrella can be opened and closed through the cranking handle.

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 marine vessel intelligent shading system, including a marine vessel deck surface, a mounting assembly attached to the marine vessel deck surface, a base assembly having a first end attached to the mounting assembly, a first telescoping module connected to a base assembly, the first telescoping module being adjustable to a plurality of heights, and a core assembly module coupled to the first telescoping module. The marine vessel intelligent shading system further includes an expansion sensor module coupled to the core assembly module and the expansion sensor module includes one or more arm support assemblies, one or more arms and a shading fabric. The one or more arms are connected to the one or more arm support assemblies, and the shading fabric is coupled to the one or more arms.