A special-shaped folding umbrella which includes a plurality of 3-fold ribs and a plurality of 4-fold ribs is revealed. When the umbrella is closed, a height of a first connecting point of the 3-fold rib and that of a first connecting point of the 4-fold rib are quite similar (almost the same). A height of a sixth connecting point of the 3-fold rib is at similar to that of a seventh connecting point of the 4-fold rib. A third connecting point of the 3-fold rib and a fourth connecting point of the 4-fold rib are at similar height and so are a fourth connecting point of the 3-fold rib and a fifth connecting point of the 4-fold rib. A tip of the 3-fold rib and a tip of the 4-fold rib are maintained at similar level while the umbrella is closed.

A parasol includes a pole of a tension rod-type between a ceiling surface and a floor surface of a building, a lower hub penetrated by the pole and moves in the vertical direction along the pole, an upper hub fixed to a predetermined position of the pole, ribs joined to the upper hub, struts provided with respect to each rib and connecting the ribs and the lower hub, a handle operation unit for moving the lower hub along the pole, and a sheet between the ribs. The pole is divided into an outer pipe, a ceiling pipe attached to an upper side of the outer pipe, and a lower side pipe attached to a lower side of the outer pipe. The length of the pole in the vertical direction is adjustable while the position of the sheet is maintained at a height within a certain range from the floor surface.

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 features a dual shade apparatus adapted to provide shade to an individual or individuals while the individual(s) is/are outside and in need of shade from sunlight. Aspects of embodiments of the present invention contemplate a dual shade apparatus that is easily portable and easily adapted to the sun's changing positions, thereby providing the individual(s)/user(s) with shade from sunlight.

A parasol includes a pole of a tension rod-type between a ceiling surface and a floor surface of a building, a lower hub penetrated by the pole and moves in the vertical direction along the pole, an upper hub fixed to a predetermined position of the pole, ribs joined to the upper hub, struts provided with respect to each rib and connecting the ribs and the lower hub, a handle operation unit for moving the lower hub along the pole, and a sheet between the ribs. The pole is divided into an outer pipe, a ceiling pipe attached to an upper side of the outer pipe, and a lower side pipe attached to a lower side of the outer pipe. The length of the pole in the vertical direction is adjustable while the position of the sheet is maintained at a height within a certain range from the floor surface.

Light reflecting and directing umbrella apparatus and systems and methods utilizing such apparatus capable of shifting its shape for the purpose of manipulating and directing light from a light source in both a symmetrical and asymmetrical manner to illuminate a particular subject in a various manners for stage, studio, motion picture and still photography.

Disclosed is a back-type expanding and opening foldable sunshade apparatus. The back-type expanding and opening foldable sunshade apparatus can be used directly on the back of a person or used together with a backpack by placing in the backpack, can adjust the opening extent and position of the shade in a lockable manner, and the width of the shade is expanded transversely when opening, thereby shading more effectively; and during use, the shade can be quickly opened, and when being not in use, the shade can be easily folded into a small device on the back or concealed in an interlayer of a backpack, thus being convenient and attractive.

An adjustable personal sun shelter to overlie a free-standing or integrated sun lounge or deck chair of the kind commonly occupied by a user while sunbathing beside a swimming pool. The adjustable personal sun shelter includes a base and a support structure that suspends a shade canopy in a cantilevered state above an underlying sun lounge at an optimal height to project shade over the sun lounge. The shade canopy is adjustable by a user to vary the amount of sunlight or shade received when occupying the underlying sun lounge. The shade canopy is adjustable by an extendable central member or by two or more parallel extendable side members, to which shade material is fastened. The shade canopy has a moveable leading end and a fixed trailing end. In the operational condition of the sun shelter, the length of the shade canopy can be increased by extending the leading end of the shade canopy relative to the trailing end, or the length can be decreased by retracted the leading end.

A sun/rain protector for a person inside a backpack secured to the back of a person by belts; a retractable mechanism and flexible cover, wherein said flexible cover is mounted to the frame that is mechanically coupled to the backpack. The flexible cover is made of a flexible material affixed to a portion of the circumference of the frame, so that the material blocks the sun's rays from the head and neck of the person when the frame is manually positioned to a proper protecting position. Further, above the flexible cover, the present invention has a solar powered USB mobile device charger for the user's convenience having one or more solar panels and one or more USB connecting ports.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a flexible canopy. In one embodiment, the flexible canopy includes a central shaft, a sliding collar, a plurality of supports, a plurality of tensioners, a tensioner connection hub, and a membrane. The sliding collar is slidably connected to and surrounds the central shaft. A first end of each of the supports is connected to the sliding collar, and a second end of each of the supports is connected to the membrane near the edge of the membrane. Each of the tensioners is connected at one end to a different one of the supports and at the other end to the tensioner connection hub. In one embodiment, the flexible canopy includes a handle connected to a first, lower end of the central shaft. In other embodiments, the first, lower end of the central shaft includes or is insertable into a base.