Abstract
Patio parasols are well known in which a parasol canopy is mounted to a parasol base to provide shade for a deck, patio, garden, or the like. The invention relates to a mobile parasol base. The invention also relates to an assembly of a parasol base according to the invention and at least one parasol mounted onto said parasol base.
Claims
1-57. (canceled)
58. A mobile parasol base, comprising: a support frame, which support frame comprises at least three mutually fixed arms extending in different directions, wherein adjacent arms mutually enclose an accommodating space and/or wherein the arms mutually enclose one or more accommodating spaces, wherein each accommodating space is configured to accommodate at least a mass increasing substance and/or mass increasing component, one or more counterweight blocks inserted or insertable or creatable into at least one accommodating space, a plurality of wheels, wherein each wheel is connected by means of a wheel bracket to a terminal portion of an arm.
59. The parasol base according to claim 58, wherein the accommodating spaces have substantially identical sizes or wherein the support frame comprises four mutually fixed arms extending, from a centre portion of the base, in different directions.
60. The parasol base according to claim 58, wherein each wheel is positioned underneath the terminal portion of an arm and/or wherein each wheel bracket is at least partially positioned underneath an arm and/or wherein a part of each wheel bracket is inserted into the arm and/or wherein at least one wheel has a fixed orientation with respect to the arm to which the wheel is connected and/or, wherein at least one wheel is displaceably connected to one of the arms and/or wherein each wheel has an axis of rotation, and wherein the lower side of each counterweight block is positioned in between an upper side of the wheels and an axis of rotation of the wheels.
61. The parasol base according to claim 58, wherein each arm is provided with at least one support element for supporting at least a portion of at least one counterweight block, such that a lower side of each counterweight block is positioned below an upper side of the wheels, and wherein at least one support element is positioned below an upper side of the wheel and/or wherein at least one support element is at least partially formed by a protruding rim, and/or wherein each arm is provided with at least two support elements for supporting two different counterweight blocks and/or wherein each arm is provided with at least two support elements positioned in two different accommodating spaces and/or wherein at least one support element defines a lower side of each arm and/or wherein a terminal portion of each arm has a reduced thickness with respect to the thickness of a remaining portion of each arm, wherein each wheel is connected to said terminal portion of an arm and/or wherein each arm is formed by at least one beam.
62. The parasol base according to claim 58, wherein the arms define together a single planar plane and/or wherein at least two arms are interconnected by at least one cross-bar, positioned at a distance from the centre portion of the parasol base, wherein each cross-bar is configured to support at least one counterweight block and/or wherein each counterweight block comprises a container with at least one filling opening for filling the container with a mass increasing substance, such as sand or water, wherein said at least one filling opening is closable by a closing lid and/or by a top panel of the parasol base.
63. The parasol base according to claim 58, wherein each counterweight block comprises a container, wherein said container comprises at least one bottom wall and at least one circumferential wall connecting to said bottom wall, wherein the circumferential wall defines a filling opening of the container for filling the container with a mass increasing substance, such as sand or water, wherein each container is closable by a lid and/or a top panel of the parasol base and wherein the parasol base comprises a plurality of closing lids, wherein each lid is configured to co-act with, a circumferential wall of a container for substantially closing the container.
64. The parasol base according to claim 63, wherein each container comprises at least one drainage channel to drain rain water away from the filling opening of the container and/or away from an accommodating space for the mass increasing substance.
65. The parasol base according to claim 58, wherein, in installed condition, each counterweight block extends with respect to the terminal portion of each adjacent arm and/or wherein at least a part of at least one counterweight block has a substantially triangular cross-section and/or wherein at least one counterweight block has an increasing cross-section in upward direction and/or wherein a part of a circumferential wall of each counterweight block defines a part of a peripheral edge of the parasol base and/or wherein an end surface of each arm is connected to a corner piece defining a part of a peripheral edge of the parasol base.
66. The parasol base according to claim 65, wherein, in installed condition, each corner piece is connecting, at opposite sides, to at least two counterweight blocks and wherein each corner piece comprises a support surface for supporting a top panel positioned on top of at least a portion of each corner piece, wherein each corner piece is provided with an upward rim, wherein the upward rims together define a top panel insertion space for insertion of a top panel, such that at least a part of the arm and a part of the counterweight blocks is covered by said top panel.
67. The parasol base according to claim 58, wherein an outer part of a circumferential wall of each counterweight block is provided with an upward rim, wherein the rims together define a top panel insertion space for insertion of a top panel, such that at least a part of the arm and a part of the counterweight blocks is covered by said top panel.
68. The parasol base according to claim 67, wherein the parasol base comprises at least one, top panel, removably inserted into the top panel insertion space or, wherein the height of the upward rims of the corner pieces and/or the circumferential wall of the counterweight blocks is substantially identical to the height of the top panel.
69. The parasol base according to claim 58, wherein the parasol base is configured to support a stem part or shaft part of a parasol.
70. The parasol base according to claim 58, wherein the parasol base comprises a base bracket, positioned on top of and secured with respect to the support frame and/or, if applied, the top panel, wherein said base bracket is configured to support a parasol, and wherein the parasol base comprises a clamping structure configured to clamp the base bracket onto the support frame, onto at least one upper beam of said support frame.
71. The parasol base according to claim 68, wherein the top panel is locked in between the support frame and the base bracket, or wherein the base bracket is secured with respect to the support frame, such that forces exerted onto the base bracket are substantially transmitted to the support frame rather than to the top panel.
72. The parasol base according to claim 58, wherein the accommodating space is configured for accommodating a mass increasing substance, such as a counterweight block.
73. The parasol base according to claim 58, wherein at least one accommodating space, is defined by adjacent arms, and at least one bottom wall and at least one circumferential wall situated in between said adjacent arms, wherein said bottom wall is formed by interconnected support elements of said adjacent arms and wherein the support frame, the at least one bottom wall, and the at least one circumferential wall, are formed out of a single piece.
74. The parasol base according to claim 58, wherein the arms of the support frame enclose at least one receiving space for receiving a base tube configured to receive a parasol shaft and wherein the parasol base comprises a base tube configured to receive a parasol shaft, wherein the at least one receiving space is provided with at least one locking element, and wherein the base tube is provided with at least one counterlocking element configured to co-act with said locking element for securing the base tube in axial direction and wherein the at least one locking element comprises: at least one locking slot, provided in the base tube, at least one protrusion, and a provided to the support frame and located within the receiving space, wherein at least one locking protrusion is configured to be located in at least one locking slot, in coupled condition of the support frame and the base tube, and wherein the at least one locking element and at least one counterlocking element define a bayonet lock closure.
75. The parasol base according to claim 74, wherein a bottom wall of the support element, which faces the receiving space for the base tube, is provided with a drainage hole and/or wherein a terminal portion of at least one, each arm is provided with a plurality of arm reinforcement ribs and wherein the drainage channel is downwardly inclined in a direction facing away from the centre of the support frame.
76. The parasol base according to claim 58, wherein a circumferential wall of the parasol base, which partially defines the accommodating space, and/or at least one counterweight block is provided with a drainage channel.
77. The parasol base according to claim 64, wherein at least one lowest point of the bottom surface of said drainage channel is provided with at least one drainage hole and wherein said drainage hole connects the drainage channel to an underneath drainage space enclosed by spaced, walls of the parasol base, an inner wall defining a part of at least one accommodating space, and a spaced outer wall defining an exterior wall of the parasol base.
78. The assembly of a parasol base according to claim 58 and at least one parasol mounted onto said parasol base.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0106] The present invention will hereinafter be further elucidated on the basis of non-limitative exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures, wherein;
[0107] FIG. 1a gives a perspective view of the support frame of the parasol base according to the invention;
[0108] FIG. 1b shows the mobile parasol base comprising the support frame as shown in FIG. 1a;
[0109] FIG. 2 gives a perspective view of the insertion of a counterweight block into the support frame;
[0110] FIGS. 3a and 3b show a cross sectional view of the parasol base according an embodiment of the present invention;
[0111] FIG. 4a shows an exploded view of the same parasol base as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b;
[0112] FIG. 4b shows a cross-sectional view of an arm of the support frame from FIG. 1;
[0113] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the attachment of one of the wheels to the support frame;
[0114] FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of another embodiment of a parasol base according to the invention;
[0115] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the parasol base according to figure;
[0116] FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of the parasol base according to FIGS. 6-7;
[0117] FIG. 9 shows a detailed view of a corner section of a part of the parasol base according to FIGS. 6-8;
[0118] FIG. 10 shows the detail view of the corner section shown in FIG. 9, during installation of a container;
[0119] FIGS. 11a-11e show a further possible embodiment of a parasol base according to the present invention; and
[0120] FIG. 12 shows an exploded cross sectional view of the parasol base as shown in FIG. 11a.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0121] FIG. 1a shows a perspective view of the support frame 2 for the parasol base 1 according to the present invention. This particular non limitative example of the support frame 2 consists of four mutually fixed arms 3 extending in different directions R1, R2, R3, R4 from a central portion of the support frame 2. Each of the arms 3 of the support frame 2 in this figure is provided with a support element 7 for supporting a portion of a counterweight block (not shown in this figure). The support element 7 is formed by two rims on the arms 3 which are laterally protruding. The upper rim 7 is the one supporting the counterweight block, whereas the bottom rim is spaced below the upper rim 7 such as to receive a cross-bar 23 (see FIG. 1b) for reinforcement of the support frame 2 between said two rims. Preferably each arm 3 is provided with two of said support elements for supporting two different counterweight blocks as shown in the figure. The adjacent arms 3 extending in directions R1 and R2, R2 and R4, R4 an R3, R3 and R1, each mutually enclose an accommodating space 4. The accommodating space 4 is in this exemplary figure of substantially triangular shape and each set of said adjacent arms preferably are positioned substantially perpendicular. The arms 3 of the support frame 2 are drawn up by a plurality of interconnected beams 9, 10, 10′, 11, 12, 12′. Said beams are in particular hollow beams as shown by the beams extending in the directions R3 and R4. The hollow beams can be easily extruded and thereby reduce cost of production.
[0122] The figure illustrates that a pair of opposing arms 3 is formed by a shared bottom beam 9 or a shared upper beam 11. A pair of second beams 10 and 10′, 12 and 12′ are connected to the shared beams 9 and 11 respectively, thereby forming the arms 3. The arms 3 extending in the directions R2 and R3 are constructed by the shared bottom beam 9. On a upper side of the shared bottom beam 9 the two second beams 10 and 10′ are attached. Said pair of second beams 10, 10′ are attached to the upper side of the shared bottom beam 9 on opposite sides of the shared upper beam 11. The shared upper beam 11 is shared by the arms extending in the directions R1 and R4. On a bottom side of the shared upper beam 11, on opposite sides of the shared bottom beam 9, the pair of second beams 12 and 12′ is attached. Hence the support frame 2 is formed by a plurality of interconnected beams 9, 10, 10′, 11, 12, 12′ having mutually different lengths.
[0123] FIG. 1b shows the mobile parasol base 1, which comprises the support frame 2 shown in FIG. 1a. The support frame 2 is further provided with cross-bars 23. The cross-bars 23 interconnect two adjacent arms 3. The cross-bars 23 increase the rigidity of the frame and furthermore provide additional support to the counterweight block (not shown). The cross-bars 23 are attached to the end portions of the bottom beams being part of the adjacent arms 3. This way the cross-bar 23 does not obstruct the accommodating space 4 and allows the counterweight block (not shown) to be inserted freely. The figure shows that the cross-bars 23 are inserted in between the two laterally protruding rims, wherein the top rim forms the support element 7 for the counterweight block. The use of the plurality of beams as elaborated in the foregoing figure defines a terminal portions of the arms 3 which has a reduced thickness with respect to the thickness of a remaining portion of the arms 3. In these terminal portions with reduced thickness wheels 5 are attached to the support frame 2. This allows the centre of mass to be placed as low to the ground surface as possible. The wheels 5 are connected to the support frame 2 through brackets 6. The brackets 6 are attached to a bottom surface of the upper beam of each arm 3. The wheels 5 are swivelable around a substantially vertical axis 25, and each wheel has an axis of rotation 8 which is substantially horizontal. The combination of the vertical axis 25 and the horizontal axis 8 allow the parasol base 1 to be easily movable in all desired directions. In order to secure the parasol base 1 on the preferred location, each wheel is provided with a manual brake 26. The manual brakes 26 are configured to move between a first position wherein the wheel can rotate freely around the axis of rotation 8, and a second position wherein the rotation of the wheel around axis 8 is at least partially obstructed.
[0124] In FIG. 2 a part of the parasol base 1 is shown. The figure provides a perspective view of a possible manner how a counterweight block 13 can be inserted into the support frame. The wheels 5 as shown in the previous figure are intentionally left out to elucidate a different aspect of the present invention. This figure shows a counterweight block 13 of substantially triangular shape positioned aside of the support frame 2. The support frame is provided with a top panel 19. Said top panel 19 comprises a plurality of holes 20 at a centre portion of the parasol base 1. These holes 20 are used for attaching a stem part of a parasol. The stem part can be attached either directly or indirectly—through a stem base bracket—to the top panel 19. In the shown non-limitative embodiment, the counterweight block 13 is configured as to slide in the accommodating space 4 of the parasol base 1. The counterweight block 13 can be positioned into the accommodating space 4 by a movement in the direction of the arrow R5. By moving the counterweight block 13 in said direction the movement is guided by the support elements 7. Once the counterweight block 13 is fully inserted, an upward rim 15, which is part of a closing lid 14, substantially covers a side wall of the top panel 19. To this end, is may also be conceivable that a drainage channel is provided, wherein said drainage channel may be adjacent and/or parallel to the upward rim 15 of the closing lid 14. The sides of the counterweight block 13 directed towards the arms 3, in this non-limitative figure, comprise main wall portion 27 and a position-finding wall portion 24. The position-finding wall portion 24 is positioned at an angle to the main wall portion 27, such that during the movement in the direction R5 the position-finding wall portion 24 co-acts with another part of the parasol base, in particular the corner piece 16 (not shown), to assure a correct position of the counterweight block 13. Once the counterweight block 13 is in its correct position it extends with respect to the terminal portion of each adjacent arm 3.
[0125] FIG. 3a shows a cross sectional view of the parasol base 1 according to a non-limitative embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3b shows a corresponding detailed view of a centre part of the parasol base 1. Corner pieces 16 are located on the terminal portions of the arms 3 of the support frame 2. The support frame 2 in this figure is not entirely shown, merely the beams 9, 11, 12 and 12′ are visible. The corner pieces 16 comprise an upward rim 18. The upward rims 18 of all corner pieces define a top panel insertion space. The upward rims 18 of the corner pieces 16 are defined such as to enclose at least a part of a corner of the top panel 19. The particular shape of the upward rims 18 of the corner pieces 16 is adapted to the shape of the corners of the top panel. Therefore, it is also conceivable that the upward rim 18 is adapted to a corner of a polygon shaped top panel 19 and is not limited to the illustrated form. The use of said corner pieces 16 allows to use a single top panel 19 for the entire parasol base 1. The top panel 19 may furthermore be secured to the base frame 2, either directly or indirectly, to establish a more secure connection. A parasol (not shown) can be mounted onto the parasol base 1 by securing the parasol to a base bracket 39 of the parasol base 1. Here, the base bracket 39 is typically at least partly inserted into a shaft of the parasol. Since, during use, the base bracket 39 is commonly exposed to significant forces, including rotational forces (torque), it is preferred that these forces are not, are at least not entirely, transmitted to the typically vulnerable top panel 19 to prevent damaging, and even breakage, of the top panel 19. This is preferably realized by transmitting most or all forces exerted onto the base bracket 39 to the upper beam 11 (as shown) and/or the lower beam(s) 12, 12′. To this end, the upper beam 11 is provided with a plurality of lower through-holes 36a, and the top panel 19 is provided with a plurality of upper through-holes 36b. Each lower through-hole 36a is positioned in line with one of the upper through-holes 36b. Typically the number of upper through-holes 36b is three, four, five, six, or eight. The same obviously applies to the number of lower through-holes 36a. A bush 37 (cylindrical spacer) is at least partially inserted into each upper through-hole 36b, wherein a lower end of each flanged bush 37 is configured to co-act with the upper beam 11, in particular an upper side 11a of the upper beam 11. On top of said bush 37 a washer 43 is positioned. Instead of applying a regular bush 37 with a washer 43 on top, one may also use a flanged bush. Preferably, a resilient O-ring 38 is positioned in between each washer 43 and an upper surface of the top panel 19. The O-ring 38 may for example be made of rubber. A centre portion of the base bracket 39 may be supported by the top panel 19 by using a, preferably resilient centre cushion 40, resilient sleeve, or any other, typically resilient and/or semi-rigid or rigid, support structure. The base bracket 39 is secured to the upper beam 11 by using securing elements 41, here formed by bolts 41, inserted into and extending with respect to each bush 37, washer 43, and the corresponding though-hole 36a, 36b. A lower end of each bolt 41 is screwed into a (threaded) hole of a frame bracket 42 and is configured to pull the base bracket 39 in downward direction towards the upper beam 12, as a result of which the base bracket can be secured. Since a lower end of each bush 37 is configured to co-act with the upper beam 11, tightening of the bolts 41 will predominantly lead to clamping of the upper beam 11 in between the frame bracket 42 and the bush 37/washer 43 assemblies, while forces exerted directly onto the top panel 19 can be kept to a minimum. The upward rims 18 of the corner pieces 16 and the upward rim 15 (not shown in this figure) of the counterweight blocks 13 together define a substantially consecutive rim which substantially covers the entire side wall of the top panel 19. The figure furthermore illustrates the fact that a lower side of each counterweight block is positioned in between an upper side of the wheels 5 and the axis of rotation 8. The lower side of the counterweight block 13 has to be placed below the upper side of the wheels once the counterweight block 13 is inserted into the parasol base 1 in order to ensure its low centre of mass
[0126] FIG. 4a shows a perspective of an exploded view of the parasol base 1 as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b. The exploded view provides a good overview of the individual features of the present invention. The exploded view illustrates an interior volume 21 of the counterweight blocks 13. The interior volume 21 of the counterweight block is defined by a container, wherein said container comprises at least one bottom wall and at least one circumferential wall connecting to said bottom wall, wherein the circumferential wall defines a filling opening 21 of the container. The interior volume 21 is separated in a plurality of segments by means of interior walls 22. These segments prevent the mass increasing substance to slosh in the interior volume 21. Sloshing can lead to undesirable forces when moving the parasol base 1 and can additionally change the centre of mass to an undesired location when positioning the base 1 on a slightly inclined surface possibly. The corner pieces 16 as shown in the exploded view reveal an upper surface 17. This upper surface 17 is, when the corner piece 16 is attached to the arm 3, positioned in the same plane as the upper surface of the arms 3. Said upper surface of the arms 3 together with the upper surface 17 carry the top panel 19 of the parasol base 1. A part of a circumferential wall of each of the counterweight blocks 13 defines a part of the peripheral edge of the parasol base 1. In particular the parts of the circumferential wall of the counterweight blocks 13 and the outward facing side of the corner pieces 16 define the entire peripheral edge of the parasol base 1. The figure also indicates the position of the frame bracket 38 in more detail. The holes provided in the frame bracket 38 are aligned with the holes 20, 36b in the top panel 19.
[0127] FIG. 4b shows a cross-sectional view of two beams 34, 35 which together define an arm 3 of the parasol base 1. The two beams 34, 35 are attached to each other. To that end the upper beam 35 comprises two inwardly protruding outer ends 33 facing towards each other, wherein each of the outer ends 33 is configured to be slid into a receiving space. The receiving space is defined by two rims 32 on the upper surface of the bottom beam 34. The rims 32 are formed by a first section which is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the bottom beam 34, and a second section which is substantially parallel to the upper surface of the bottom beam 34. In particular the distance between the second section of the rim 32 and the upper surface of the bottom beam 34 defines the receiving space. The present invention is not limited to the described attachment of the two beams 34, 35. It is also conceivable that the outer ends 33 are protruding outwardly away from each other.
[0128] FIG. 5 gives a perspective view of the assembly of one of the wheels 5. In this non limitative figure the arm 3 of the support frame 2 is drawn up by a single beam. At the terminal end of the arm 3 the arm 3 has a reduced thickness with respect to the remaining part of the arm 3. This terminal end of reduced thickness allows the wheel 5 to be attached as high as possible which yields a low centre of mass of the parasol base 1. The beam comprises the support element 7 which support at least a part of a counterweight block (not shown in this figure). As explained before, the wheel 5 is attached with its bracket 6 to the arm 3 of the support frame 2. The cross-sectional profile of the hollow arm 3 comprises a receiving segment 29, which is configured to receive a protrusion 30 of the corner piece 16. The receiving segment 29 is further configured to receive a pin 28 which is part of the wheel bracket 6, in particular the receiving segment comprises a hole on the bottom surface of the arm 3. The pin 28 of the wheel bracket 6 is inserted through the hole in the bottom surface (not shown) of the arm 3. Once the protrusion 30 of the corner piece 16 slides into the receiving segment 29 of the arm, it is locked into place by the pin 28 on the wheel bracket 6, said pin 28 slides into a receiving hole in the protrusion 30. In assembled condition the hole of the protrusion 30, the pin 28 of the bracket 6 and the hole in the bottom surface of the arm 3 share the same centreline 31. Preferably the receiving segment 29 of the cross-sectional profile of the arm 3 is dimensioned such that the protrusion 30 of the corner piece 16 snugly fits inside.
[0129] FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of another embodiment of a parasol base 50 according to the invention, FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of said parasol base 50, FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of said parasol base 50, and FIG. 9 shows a detailed view of a corner section of a part of the parasol base according to FIGS. 6-8. FIGS. 6-9 are described below in more detail. The parasol base 50 comprises a support frame 51, which support frame 51 comprises four mutually fixed arms 52 extending in different directions, wherein adjacent arms 52 mutually enclose an accommodating space 53, a plurality of removable counterweight blocks 54 inserted or insertable into at least one accommodating space 53, a plurality of wheels 55, wherein each wheel 55 is connected by means of a wheel bracket 56 to a terminal portion 52a of an arm 52, and wherein opposing lower edges of each arm 52 are each provided with a support element 52b for supporting at least a portion of at least one counterweight block 54. In this exemplary embodiment, a lower side of each counterweight block 54 is positioned below an upper side of the wheels 55. Each arm 52 is formed by a plurality of interconnected beams 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d of different lengths, wherein a long upper beam 56a and two short upper beams 56b together form an upper (cruciform) part of the support frame 51, and a long lower beam 56c and two short lower beams 56d form together form a lower (cruciform) part of the support frame 51. All beams 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d are, directly or indirectly, connected to each other. The upper part of the support frame 51 extends with respect to the lower part of the support frame 51 to create space for the wheels 55 to be attached to the (lower side of the) upper part of the support frame 51. An end surface of each arm 52 is connected to a corner piece 57 defining a part of a peripheral edge of the parasol base 50. Each corner piece 57 is inserted into said end surface of the corresponding arm 52, and is secured in place by means of a pin 56a of the wheel bracket 56 of a wheel 55. The corner piece 57 is considered as part of the support frame 51. Each corner piece 57 is provided with an upstanding (upwardly protruding) profile or rim 57a. These rims 57a not only define an outer boundary of the parasol base 50, but also define an insertion space for a top panel 58 of the parasol base 50. The top panel 58 is typically a square (or rectangular) shaped panel or tile, commonly made from stone, ceramic, plastic, glass, and/or a composite material. In this example, the top panel 58 is provided with four mounting holes 58a, which are, in assembled state of the parasol base 50, positioned in line with mounting holes in the upper beams 56a, 56b of the support frame 51. The mounting holes are configured to received pins, screws and/or bolts for mounting a base bracket (not shown) onto the top panel 58, wherein said base bracket is configured to support a parasol. The mounting structure preferably corresponds to the mounting structure as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, wherein the base bracket is actually connected and supported by the support frame 51, as a result of which the load and forces exerted by the parasol onto the base bracket are transmitted to the support frame 51 rather than to the top panel 58, which prevents damaging of the top panel 58. Each counterweight block 54 is actually formed by a container, also referred to as a box, a tray, or a receptacle for receiving a mass increasing substance, such as sand. The container 54 has a substantially triangular cross-section and is configured to be accommodated in an accommodating space 53 enclosed by adjacent arms 52. Each container 54 is preferably at least partially made of plastic. Each container 54 has an open top surface. Each container 54 comprises a circumferential wall 54a, an adjoining bottom surface 54b and a plurality of upstanding low cross ridges 54c and upstanding high longitudinal ridges 54d. The ridges 54c, 54d provide rigidity of the container 54. The longitudinal ridges 54d extend to an upper level of the container 54, and are configured to support to the top panel 58. In FIG. 8 all support surfaces of the support frame 51 and the containers 54, configured to support the top panel 58, are marked. This shows that the top panel 58 (and possible further external forces exerted onto the top panel 58) is supported in a relatively distributed manner. An outer upper edge of the circumferential wall 54a of each container is provided with a (slightly) downwardly inclined drainage channel 54e to drain (rain) water, falling onto the top panel 58 and flowing into said drainage channel 54e, towards the corner pieces 57, where the (rain) water can flow away from the parasol base 50. The (rain) water may for example be discharged to the surroundings by means of a drainage hole, or may be drained along the side of the container, as long as it is prevented that the (rain) water could flow into a container. Each container 54 is supported by two support elements 52b of adjacent arms 52, respectively. In order to secure the container 54 with respect to the support frame 51, several measures are taken. Firstly, each support element 52b is provided with a lock hole 52c configured to co-act with a downward protrusion (bulge) 54f of a container 54. Secondly, each container 58 is additionally locked with respect to, in particular hung (suspended) to, both corner pieces 57 adjoining said container 54. To this end, each corner piece 57 is provided, at opposing side, with two hook-shaped members 57a, and a part of the circumferential wall 54a of the container 54 facing said hook-shaped members 57b is, in this example, provided with a recessed portion 54b. Each hook-shaped member 57b is configured to co-act with a recessed portion 54b to realize a locking connection between the support frame 51 and the container 54, wherein said locking connection is preferably a snap connection and/or clamp connection. FIG. 10 is quite identical to FIG. 9, though wherein the parasol base 50 is shown during installation of a container 54. More in particular, FIG. 10 shows the container 54 right before the container 54 is moved upwardly (see arrows A) to secure the container 54 in place. When the container 54 is moved in upward direction, the locking member 57b will be brought into contact with the recess portion 54b and/or (an inner side of) the circumferential wall 54a of the container 54 to clamp the container 54 in place and to secure the container with respect to the support frame 51.
[0130] FIGS. 11a-11e shows a further possible embodiment of a parasol base 60 according to the present invention. FIGS. 11a and 11b show a perspective view, whereas FIG. 11c shows a top view. FIG. 11d shows a zoomed in portion of the top view according to FIG. 11c, and finally FIG. 11e shows a perspective view of the cross-section along line A-A′ as depicted in FIG. 11d. The parasol base 60 comprises a support frame 61, which support frame 61 comprises four mutually fixed arms 62 extending in different directions, wherein adjacent arms 62 mutually enclose an accommodating space 63 for receiving at least one counterweight blocks (not shown) and/or a mass increasing substance, such as sand, water or the like. The parasol base 60 further comprises a plurality of wheels 65, wherein each wheel 65 is connected by means of a wheel bracket 66 to a terminal portion of an arm 62. The parasol base 60 further comprises a top panel 58 (only shown in FIG. 11b), which is configured to at least partially cover said support frame 61. The terminal portion of each arm 62 is provided with an upward rim 67, wherein the upward rims 67 together define a top panel insertion space in which the top panel 68 is positioned. The four arms 62 of the support frame 61 further enclose at least one receiving space 69 for receiving part of a base tube 70 configured to receive a lower end section of a parasol shaft . Adjacent arms 62 of the support frame 61 enclose multiple reinforcement ribs 64. Preferably, the support frame 61 is made of a single piece, and preferably out of plastic. FIG. 11d depicts that adjacent to the upward rims 67 there is a (slightly) inclined drainage channel 71. The angle of the drainage channel 71 may for example be situated between 10 and 40 degrees. Said drainage channel 71, which is downwardly inclined in a direction facing away from the centre of the parasol base 60, is provided to drain (rain) water, falling onto the top panel 68 and flowing into said drainage channel 71, towards the end portions of each arm. Each end portion of each arm is to this end provided with a drainage hole 72, which serves to allow the drained (rain) water to flow to the surroundings, and thereby preventing accumulation of (rain) water in the interior of the parasol base 60. Near the end portion of each arm the parasol base 60 may be optionally provided with a plurality of, laterally protruding, arm reinforcement ribs 73. The arm reinforcement ribs further prevent the parasol base 60 to be torn due to the forces exerted by the wheels 65, in particular the brackets 66. These arm reinforcement ribs 73 may also provide additional structural integrity to the parasol base 60.
[0131] In particular, the arm reinforcement ribs 73 may increase torsional stiffness of the parasol base 60. FIG. 11e depicts a more detailed view of the drainage channel 71, which is configured to transport drainage (rain) water towards the drainage hole 72. The drainage hole 72 is provided close to a terminal end portion of the arms, preferably each arm. Hence, the drainage hole 72 is provided at the location where two adjacent drainage channels 71 connect, preferably at the lowest part thereof. This is beneficial since drainage water tends to flow towards the lowest point, which in this case is formed by the drainage hole 72 which allows the water to be discharged to the surrounding. As such, (rain) water does not accumulate in the parasol base 60. The drained water will be discharged between the exterior wall of the accommodating space 63 and the exterior wall 67a of the parasol base 60, which in this embodiment is integrally connected to the upward rim 67. An additional advantage is that water does not flow along the exterior surfaces of the parasol base 60, hence preventing the (rain) water from staining the exterior surface whilst preventing the accommodating space 63 and/or the counterweight block to be unwantedly filled with water. Albeit in this embodiment drainage holes 72 are provided at each of the four corners, it is conceivable that the parasol base 60 may be provided with more or less drainage holes 72.
[0132] FIG. 12 depicts a cross-sectional view of the parasol base 60 and the base tube 70, as shown in FIG. 11a. The cross-section shows the interior part of the at least one receiving space 69 of the support frame 61 for receiving the base tube 70. At lower terminal portion of the base tube comprises axial slots 74, wherein each axial slot 74 is provided with a set of facing laterally protruding locking slots 75. The receiving space 69 comprises axially oriented guiding elements 77, which mutually enclose axial slots in which protruding locking elements 76 are situated. The protruding locking elements 76 are configured to co-act with the locking slots 75 when the base tube 70 is vertically displaced into the receiving space 69 in order to lock the base tube 70 in place. In fact, the base tube 70 snaps over (clicks over) the protruding locking elements 76, which realizes an axial locking effect. At the bottom surface of the receiving space 69 there is an additional drainage hole 78, which allows water that seeps along the shaft 70 into the receiving space 69 to be drained to the surroundings.
[0133] The above-described inventive concepts are illustrated by several illustrative embodiments. It is conceivable that individual inventive concepts may be applied without, in so doing, also applying other details of the described example. It is not necessary to elaborate on examples of all conceivable combinations of the above-described inventive concepts, as a person skilled in the art will understand numerous inventive concepts can be (re)combined in order to arrive at a specific application.
[0134] The verb “comprise” and conjugations thereof used in this patent publication are understood to mean not only “comprise”, but are also understood to mean the phrases “contain”, “substantially consist of”, “formed by” and conjugations thereof.
