An umbrella is formed with a canopy having a light-up promotional display formed by one or more opaque/translucent/transparent letters formed in or added to the canopy, and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned on the canopy beneath the one or more letters, and wiring to wire the plurality of LEDs together and to a source of electric power. The plurality of LEDs are distributed to light up each of the one or more letters when energized, and a switch is used to permit a flow of current from the source of electric power to energize the plurality of LEDs, when desired. The one or more letters are wired together to minimize a length of the wiring, and to minimize distortion and resistance of the canopy to being folded. The one or more letters may be formed of and/or may include a photo luminescent material, such as a phosphorescent material.

An arthritic-aiding pin-centering-and-guiding auditorily- snap-locking umbrella comprising: a canopy having tension-adjusting oval openings, a pole having a fixed hub and a movable hub, tension-adjusting rods, rod-locking screws respectively screwed through the tension-adjusting oval openings and into the tension-adjusting rod, three pulleys respectively screwed to the fixed hub and the movable hub, a pulley cord threaded on the three pulleys and attached to the movable hub, a cord hook, two gear cams attached to the movable hub, a cord blocker attached to the two gear cams, at least one pin opening drilled through the pole, an arthritic-aiding grip ring attached to the cord hook, a locking pin attached to the arthritic-aiding grip ring, a recess molded on the locking pin, at least one pin-centering-and-guiding plug and tube having built-in auditorily-snap-locking leaf springs and leaf-spring towers inserted into the pole and aligned with the at least one pin opening, and a tower-locking screw screwed between the leaf-spring towers for locking the plug inside the pole.

A protective device configured to provide a user with body protection includes an umbrella having a canopy and a centrally positioned shaft extending from a center of the canopy. The shaft includes a telescopic stem configured to support the protective device when configured in its extended position. A plurality of umbrella spines extends from the centrally positioned shaft in a radial direction from the center of the canopy. Each umbrella spine has a proximate end originating adjacent the centrally positioned shaft and a distal end spaced apart from and opposite the proximate end. The distal end houses a telescoping rigid segment that is configured for radial extension from the distal end. The protective device further includes a protective member extending from a peripheral edge of the canopy. According to an aspect, the rigid segment is configured to support the protective member in the radially extended position.

A protective device configured to provide a user with body protection includes an umbrella having a canopy and a centrally positioned shaft extending from a center of the canopy. The shaft includes a telescopic stem configured to support the protective device when configured in its extended position. A plurality of umbrella spines extends from the centrally positioned shaft in a radial direction from the center of the canopy. Each umbrella spine has a proximate end originating adjacent the centrally positioned shaft and a distal end spaced apart from and opposite the proximate end. The distal end houses a telescoping rigid segment that is configured for radial extension from the distal end. The protective device further includes a protective member extending from a peripheral edge of the canopy. According to an aspect, the rigid segment is configured to support the protective member in the radially extended position.

A wind-resistant umbrella including a canopy attached to an upper end of a pole member, flexible ribs, and multiple load sensitive connectors (LSCs) is provided. The flexible ribs flex inwardly at a wind speed of more than about 10 miles per hour (mph) to preclude wind from traveling under the canopy. The LSCs detachably couple an upper canopy section to a lower canopy section of the canopy. The upper canopy section partially overlaps the lower canopy section along the LSCs. Upon impact from a wind gust that exceeds a speed of more than about 20 mph, at least one of the LSCs detach to allow wind to flow freely through one or more vents created between the upper and lower canopy sections, while providing warnings to a user, and to preclude wind-induced tilting and lifting actions on the wind-resistant umbrella, thereby precluding dislodgment thereof from an anchoring location.

A combined umbrella and canopy (10) that provides the advantages of both of these devices for providing maximum shade. The umbrella portion (12) is substantially similar to a standard beach umbrella having a vertical pole (16) with spokes or ribs (22, 24, 26, 28) extending radially outwardly adjacent the top (20) for supporting a fabric cover (30). The fabric cover (30) defines a front (32) and back (34) and at least two sides of the umbrella. The back (34) of the umbrella includes an additional length of fabric (36) that extends horizontally rearwardly and then curves downwardly and terminates in two spaced apart ends (38, 40). Each end includes a pocket (42, 44) that can be filled with sand to weigh the same down to maintain the ends on the beach. The additional fabric (36) is essentially a canopy (14). The umbrella structure (12) provides better support for the forward end of the canopy and prevents the same from collapsing when the wind conditions change.

A combined umbrella and canopy (10) that provides the advantages of both of these devices for providing maximum shade. The umbrella portion (12) is substantially similar to a standard beach umbrella having a vertical pole (16) with spokes or ribs (22, 24, 26, 28) extending radially outwardly adjacent the top (20) for supporting a fabric cover (30). The fabric cover (30) defines a front (32) and back (34) and at least two sides of the umbrella. The back (34) of the umbrella includes an additional length of fabric (36) that extends horizontally rearwardly and then curves downwardly and terminates in two spaced apart ends (38, 40). Each end includes a pocket (42, 44) that can be filled with sand to weigh the same down to maintain the ends on the beach. The additional fabric (36) is essentially a canopy (14). The umbrella structure (12) provides better support for the forward end of the canopy and prevents the same from collapsing when the wind conditions change.

A wind-resistant umbrella including a canopy attached to an upper end of a pole member, flexible ribs, and multiple load sensitive connectors (LSCs) is provided. The flexible ribs flex inwardly at a wind speed of more than about 10 miles per hour (mph) to preclude wind from traveling under the canopy. The LSCs detachably couple an upper canopy section to a lower canopy section of the canopy. The upper canopy section partially overlaps the lower canopy section along the LSCs. Upon impact from a wind gust that exceeds a speed of more than about 20 mph, at least one of the LSCs detach to allow wind to flow freely through one or more vents created between the upper and lower canopy sections, while providing warnings to a user, and to preclude wind-induced tilting and lifting actions on the wind-resistant umbrella, thereby precluding dislodgment thereof from an anchoring location.

Embodiments of the present application includes methods and structures for Anti-Ballistic Shelters, including an anti-ballistic shelter having a frame comprising at least one support member, and one or more surfaces comprising a flexible high strength layered anti-ballistic material attached to the frame, wherein the flexible high strength layered anti-ballistic material is layered in at least two directions; and further wherein the layered anti-ballistic material is enveloped around the frame.

Embodiments of the present application includes methods and structures for Anti-Ballistic Shelters, including an anti-ballistic shelter having a frame comprising at least one support member, and one or more surfaces comprising a flexible high strength layered anti-ballistic material attached to the frame, wherein the flexible high strength layered anti-ballistic material is layered in at least two directions; and further wherein the layered anti-ballistic material is enveloped around the frame.