A method of automatically operating an intelligent umbrella includes automatically capturing sensor measurements from detection sensors without user intervention and communicating captured sensor measurements, automatically analyzing captured sensor measurements, and automatically generating, at a controller, commands and/or signals, based at least in part on the analyzed sensor measurements. The method of automatically operating an intelligent umbrella further includes communicating the generated commands and/or signals to one or more of a first motor assembly, a second motor assembly or a third motor assembly; and automatically generating signals and/or commands to cause movement of an umbrella by rotating about an azimuth axis, rotating about an elevation axis, or deploying or retracting one or more arm support assemblies.

An intelligent shading charging system, comprises 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 comprising one or more arm support assemblies. The intelligent shading charging system further comprises 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 umbrella comprises a base assembly, a stem assembly coupled to a base assembly, and a center support assembly coupled to a stem assembly, the center support assembly comprising one or more arm support assemblies. The intelligent shading umbrella further comprises one or more blades, coupled to the arm support assemblies, a shading fabric, coupled to at least the one or more blades; and a camera, the camera to capture images of an area in proximity to the intelligent shading umbrella. The camera may be located in the center support assembly and the center support assembly may rotate with respect to the base assembly, allowing the camera to capture a variety of images of an area in proximity to the intelligent shading umbrella.

An article comprises a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer implementable instructions executable by a processor in a computing device to receive measurements from one or more environmental sensors of an intelligent shading device, analyze and compare received sensor measurements to preset user-defined weather-based thresholds, and generate and communicate alert messages to identify that user-defined weather-based thresholds have been met or exceeded.

A cylindrical two-piece pole stand assembly that automatically locks together upon insertion of a pole is disclosed which has a permanently set in-ground sleeve base formed of a length of tubing with a top end and a bottom end. A crowd control and umbrella stanchion made from a length of tubing has an outside surface with a diameter that allows for a sliding fit into or onto the sleeve. The crowd control and umbrella stanchion includes a locking mechanism for locking the crowd control and umbrella stanchion to the sleeve base. The crowd control and umbrella stanchion has a pair of upper loops welded on opposite sides of an upper portion of the crowd control and umbrella stanchion which provides a single stanchion upright which allows for the attachment of crowd control ropes or chains and also provides for the insertion of an umbrella pole to allow for an umbrella to be secured in the same location as said stanchion uprights.

Introduced here is an umbrella stand capable of securely holding umbrellas of various sizes, shapes, and weights. The umbrella stand includes a base and a holder portion. The base includes mechanisms to secure the umbrella stand to a surface such as ground spikes or suction cups. The holder portion is connected to the base via abutments that protrude up from the periphery of the base. The holder portion and the base are separated by a gap. The holder portion includes tightening mechanisms and a door. The tightening mechanisms help securely hold an umbrella handle or shaft and can adjust the angle at which the umbrella is held. The door, in combination with the gap, allow a user to use the umbrella stand with umbrellas with handles of various shapes and sizes.

A bird feeder umbrella assembly for keeping bird seed in a bird feeder dry includes a pole that includes a first portion which slidably engages a second portion. A support foot is coupled to the pole to engage the ground for retaining the pole in a vertical orientation when the pole is inserted into the ground. A plurality of hooks is each coupled to and extends laterally away from the pole. A sleeve is coupled to the pole and the sleeve is aligned with the pole. A bird feeder is removably suspended from a respective one of the hooks for feeding birds. An umbrella is insertable into the sleeve having the umbrella extending over each of the hooks to protect the bird feeder from precipitation thereby inhibiting the bird feed from getting wet.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to be carried on a vehicle and a method and a system for holding umbrella using the UAV are disclosed. The UAV and the vehicle are communicated with each other wirelessly. The UAV can be used for providing the service of holding umbrella for the occupant getting on/off the vehicle. The occupant does not have to manually hold the umbrella, so as to effectively solve the problem of getting wet when getting on/off the vehicle due to holding umbrella manually.

A bird feeder umbrella assembly for keeping bird seed in a bird feeder dry includes a pole that includes a first portion which slidably engages a second portion. A support foot is coupled to the pole to engage the ground for retaining the pole in a vertical orientation when the pole is inserted into the ground. A plurality of hooks is each coupled to and extends laterally away from the pole. A sleeve is coupled to the pole and the sleeve is aligned with the pole. A bird feeder is removably suspended from a respective one of the hooks for feeding birds. An umbrella is insertable into the sleeve having the umbrella extending over each of the hooks to protect the bird feeder from precipitation thereby inhibiting the bird feed from getting wet.

A decorative item comprises at least one area of hook or loop fastening and a cover comprising a substantially see-through portion, wherein the see-through portion is configured to overlay the area of hook or loop fastening. The item comprises a pocket for storing decorations having an opening located under the cover.