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.

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 weather reminding apparatus is provided, including: an application program, a main body, a communication module, a processing module, and a display module. The application program is installed on a mobile communication device, the main body is mounted on an umbrella grip, the communication module, processing module, and display module are disposed at the main body. The mobile communication device receives weather forecast data for one to several hours from a cloud server for the area where the mobile communication device is located, and the application generates a weather reminder command based on the weather forecast data. The communication module can wirelessly connect the mobile communication device and receive the weather reminder command. The processing module controls the display module to display a weather reminder signal in response to the weather reminder command.

An umbrella comprises a frame, a set of cloths extending over the frame, a gripping structure for carrying the umbrella in the open position, at least one of the cloths of the set of cloths comprising structure for treating solar radiation.

An electronic assembly for a cover supported by a pole is disclosed. The pole defines a top portion associated with a cover and an opposing bottom portion that engages a support surface such as a floor. The electronic assembly may comprise an electronic fan defining a fan body housing a motor that rotates a hub associated with collapsible fan blades. The pole may extend through the body so that the hub rotates about an axis defined by the pole. The body may further slide up and down the pole and engage the pole at a first latch point where it stays while deployed and operating. A power source may be provided to supply the power needed to rotate the hub. A sensor may be disposed at or adjacent to the first latch point and the electronic fan may be disabled when the sensor does not sense the fan body.

A drone operated umbrella is shown and described. The drone operated umbrella includes a waterproof canopy secured to a framing. The framing is secured to a drone housing. The drone housing has a plurality of arms which extend through the waterproof canopy. Each of the plurality of arms has a propeller rotatably attached to an end of the arm. The drone is comprised of at least one power source. The at least one power source is coupled to at least one motor. The power source is further coupled to a wireless transceiver.

A coupling mechanism controls the location of the central primary draft load transmitting fixed-length link independently of the coupler. The coupling mechanism allows for translation in at least three orthogonal directions and for rotation of two distinct planes between coupled components, thereby providing a means for lateral shifting and articulation. The coupling mechanism mitigates unexpected rotation by restricting rotation along a longitudinal axis of the fixed-length link. Rotation of the coupling mechanism is furthermore controlled by means of a indexing turntable. The orientation and the position of the coupling mechanism is therefore determinant and predictable.

The formation of dynamic, micro-climate groups consisting of passive and active weather collecting devices is provided. Such devices may collect weather information in real-time. The collected information may be distributed weather information and or forecasts to individuals in a particular geographical area or to other subscribers.

A beverage holding support structure, for use in a pool, includes a base configured to be disposed at a non-equilibrium sloped position within a pool relative to a horizontal plane and parallel to a sloped bottom surface of the pool, a base connector connected to the base, an articulating mechanism adjustably coupled to the base connector and extended upwardly therefrom, at least one extension pole aligned with a centrally registered longitudinal axis and statically affixed to an upper portion of the articulating mechanism, and a cup holder tray attached to the at least one extension pole. The beverage holding support structure has a center of gravity configured to prohibit the base from being tipped over from the non-equilibrium sloped position while the cup holder tray is maintained at a horizontal position parallel to the horizontal plane above a top water level surface of the pool.

A wearable canopy shade is provided. The wearable canopy shade includes a canopy secured a frame, wherein the frame includes a bulbous first end and a narrower second end. The frame is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the open position, the second end is perpendicular to the first end, such that the second end is configured to rest parallel to a back of a user wearing the shade and the first end rests above a head of the user, providing shade to a user positioned thereunder. The shade includes a strap that can secure the frame to the user. A cord is securable between the first end of the frame and the strap in order to prevent the rotation of the first end of the frame relative to the second end when the shade is in use.