A flexible misting umbrella apparatus for keeping a user cool in hot environments includes a handle having a handle sidewall, a handle top side, and a handle bottom side defining a handle cavity. A water reservoir is coupled within the handle cavity. A pump is coupled within the handle. A trigger is coupled to the handle and is in operational communication with the pump. A flexible tubing extends from the handle top side and is in fluid communication with the pump. The flexible tubing is malleable under the force of a user's hand and otherwise maintains its shape. An umbrella frame is coupled to the flexible tubing. A plurality of nozzles is coupled to the umbrella frame and is in fluid communication with the flexible tubing to release mist when the trigger activates the pump. An umbrella canopy is coupled to the umbrella frame.

A collapsible structure connection system including apparatus for connecting rod segments and apparatus for holding and organizing rod segments. An apparatus for connecting rod segments, such as a pole tip and final rod segment, or two rod segments, may have a pair of mated rod segments and a spring-loaded push-button locking mechanism, with the rod segments connected using an elastomeric connector attached to each rod segment at adjacent, opposing ends. The elastomeric connector may be attached to and held in place against the rod segment using an attachment assembly that may be threaded or unthreaded, and that may mate, or not mate, within the rod segment upon securing the attachment assembly to the rod segment. The spring-loaded push-button locking mechanism may have a spring-loaded push-button seated on a dowel of a male body, and a cavity aperture traversing a dowel cavity of a female body.

A collapsible structure connection system including apparatus for connecting rod segments and apparatus for holding and organizing rod segments. An apparatus for connecting rod segments, such as a pole tip and final rod segment, or two rod segments, may have a pair of mated rod segments and a spring-loaded push-button locking mechanism, with the rod segments connected using an elastomeric connector attached to each rod segment at adjacent, opposing ends. The elastomeric connector may be attached to and held in place against the rod segment using an attachment assembly that may be threaded or unthreaded, and that may mate, or not mate, within the rod segment upon securing the attachment assembly to the rod segment. The spring-loaded push-button locking mechanism may have a spring-loaded push-button seated on a dowel of a male body, and a cavity aperture traversing a dowel cavity of a female body.

A collapsible structure connection system including apparatus for connecting rod segments and apparatus for holding and organizing rod segments. An apparatus for connecting rod segments, such as a pole tip and final rod segment, or two rod segments, may have a pair of mated rod segments and a spring-loaded push-button locking mechanism, with the rod segments connected using an elastomeric connector attached to each rod segment at adjacent, opposing ends. The elastomeric connector may be attached to and held in place against the rod segment using an attachment assembly that may be threaded or unthreaded, and that may mate, or not mate, within the rod segment upon securing the attachment assembly to the rod segment. The spring-loaded push-button locking mechanism may have a spring-loaded push-button seated on a dowel of a male body, and a cavity aperture traversing a dowel cavity of a female body.

A collapsible structure connection system including apparatus for connecting rod segments and apparatus for holding and organizing rod segments. An apparatus for connecting rod segments, such as a pole tip and final rod segment, or two rod segments, may have a pair of mated rod segments and a spring-loaded push-button locking mechanism, with the rod segments connected using an elastomeric connector attached to each rod segment at adjacent, opposing ends. The elastomeric connector may be attached to and held in place against the rod segment using an attachment assembly that may be threaded or unthreaded, and that may mate, or not mate, within the rod segment upon securing the attachment assembly to the rod segment. The spring-loaded push-button locking mechanism may have a spring-loaded push-button seated on a dowel of a male body, and a cavity aperture traversing a dowel cavity of a female body.

An expandable shelter includes a canopy adjustable in length along a longitudinal axis. Legs support the canopy in an A-frame configuration defining an apex angle along an upper ridgeline. A shaded or sheltered area that is variable in length and width is defined. A mobile shelter includes multiple protective structures, each supported by a respective generally vertical supporting column having a lower handle configured to be gripped and supported by a respective bearer. Each handle may be toroidal in shape for use at any angle. Non-level terrain may be traversed by coordinated movements of bearers with regard to each respective handle such that the protective structures are maintained in a desired configuration.

An expandable shelter includes a canopy adjustable in length along a longitudinal axis. Legs support the canopy in an A-frame configuration defining an apex angle along an upper ridgeline. A shaded or sheltered area that is variable in length and width is defined. A mobile shelter includes multiple protective structures, each supported by a respective generally vertical supporting column having a lower handle configured to be gripped and supported by a respective bearer. Each handle may be toroidal in shape for use at any angle. Non-level terrain may be traversed by coordinated movements of bearers with regard to each respective handle such that the protective structures are maintained in a desired configuration.

The invention is an umbrella-like canopy assembly and the container in which it can be stored. The resulting apparatus can be secured to a hand-controlled mobile carrier. The canopy assembly can be moved from a storage position within the container and then opened to cover, in the least, a portion of the container and preferably one or more areas designated by the user of the mobile carrier. With the apparatus secured to the mobile carrier, for instance, the user and also preferably the contents of the carrier can be shield from the sun and other environmental elements (e.g., rain, snow, and wind). The main parts of the apparatus are the canopy assembly, which is attached to the inside of the container, and means for securing the container to the mobile carrier.

The invention is an umbrella-like canopy assembly and the container in which it can be stored. The resulting apparatus can be secured to a hand-controlled mobile carrier. The canopy assembly can be moved from a storage position within the container and then opened to cover, in the least, a portion of the container and preferably one or more areas designated by the user of the mobile carrier. With the apparatus secured to the mobile carrier, for instance, the user and also preferably the contents of the carrier can be shield from the sun and other environmental elements (e.g., rain, snow, and wind). The main parts of the apparatus are the canopy assembly, which is attached to the inside of the container, and means for securing the container to the mobile carrier.

A ferrule connection interface may have a first composite ferrule having an outwardly threaded portion opposite a pole receiving portion. The interface may have a first pole bonded via an engineered adhesive to the first composite ferrule at the pole receiving portion of the first composite ferrule. The interface may also have a second composite ferrule having an inwardly threaded portion opposite a pole receiving portion, the inwardly threaded portion tightly meshing with the outwardly threaded portion of the first composite ferrule to form a tight connection. The interface may also have a second pole bonded via the engineered adhesive to the second composite ferrule at the pole receiving portion of the second composite ferrule. Both first and second composite ferrules are characterized by a lack of any metallic and/or electrically conductive materials.