Portable umbrella stand and method of use

Abstract

A tubular holder with a circular base, a central column, spokes attached to the central columns and ground spikes attached to spokes or bottom of the circular base. In some variations the spokes have orifices for engaging a cup with a cup spike.

Claims

1. A portable ground anchoring tubular holding unit comprising: a single, central circular ring shaped base; a central hollow column with no ground entering spike, which is attached to said single, central circular ring shaped base via a plurality of spokes extruding from said central hollow column with no ground entering spike to said single, central circular ring shaped base; and a plurality of ground entering spikes, wherein said ground entering spikes are attached and in mechanical communication with said single, central circular ring shaped base near the juncture of said plurality of spokes and said single central circular ring shaped base.

2. The portable ground anchoring tubular holding unit of claim 1, in which said column further comprises a support collar in mechanical communication with said central hollow column with no ground entering spike and said spokes.

3. The portable ground anchoring tubular holding unit of claim 1, in which said single, central circular ring shaped base, said central hollow column with no ground entering spike, said plurality of spokes, and said plurality of ground entering spikes are all comprised of metal.

4. The portable ground anchoring tubular holding unit of claim 1, further comprising: a cup holder with an anchor spike, wherein at least one of said plurality of spokes extruding from said central hollow column with no ground entering spike to said single, central circular ring shaped base has an orifice to engage said cup holder with an anchor spike.

5. The portable ground anchoring tubular holding unit of claim 4 further comprising said cup holder with an anchor spike is comprised of metal.

6. The portable ground anchoring tubular holding unit of claim 1, wherein said plurality of spokes extruding from said central hollow column with no ground entering spike to said single, central circular ring shaped base number at least four spokes.

7. The portable ground anchoring tubular holding unit of claim 1, in which said central hollow column with no ground entering spike can maintain an inserted pole perpendicular to said single, central circular ring shaped base.

8. The portable ground anchoring tubular holding unit of claim 1, in which said ground entering spikes can be inserted into one or more of the following ground conditions: sand, grass, solid earth, semisolid mud, nonplanar and/or planar surfaces.

9. The portable ground anchoring tubular holding unit of claim 1, in which said central hollow column with no ground entering spike, said spokes, said single, central circular ring base and said ground entering spikes are cast of a single piece of material.

10. A method for using a portable ground anchoring tubular holding unit comprising the steps of: obtaining a portable ground anchoring tubular holding unit comprising: a single, central circular ring shaped base with a lower section; a central hollow column with no ground entering spike, which is mechanically attached to said circular ring shaped base via a plurality of spokes extruding from said central hollow column with no ground entering spike to said single, central circular ring shaped base; a plurality of ground entering spikes, wherein said ground entering spikes are attached with said lower section of said single, central circular ring shaped base near the juncture of said plurality spokes and said single central circular ring shaped base; inserting said portable ground anchoring tubular holding unit into a ground surface by pushing said ground entering spikes into said surface until said single, central circular ring shaped base is rigidly held in relation to said surface.

11. The method for using a portable ground anchoring tubular holding unit of claim 10 with the additional steps of: obtaining cup holders with anchor spikes wherein said plurality of spokes extruding from said central hollow column with no ground entering spike to said single, central circular ring shaped base having orifices to engage said cup holders with anchor spikes; inserting said anchor spikes into said plurality of spokes extruding from said central hollow column with no ground entering spike to said single, central circular ring shaped base having orifices to engage said cup holders with anchor spikes.

12. The method for using a portable ground anchoring tubular holding unit of claim 10 with the additional step of: inserting a pole perpendicular to said single, central circular ring shaped base into said central hollow column with no ground entering spike.

13. The method for using a portable ground anchoring tubular holding unit of claim 10 with the additional step of: inserting said ground entering spikes into said ground with one or more of the following ground conditions: sand, grass, solid earth, semisolid mud, nonplanar and/or planar surfaces.

14. A portable ground anchoring tubular holding unit comprising: a single, central circular ring shaped base; a central hollow column with no ground entering spike, which is attached to said single, central circular ring shaped base via a plurality of spokes extruding from said central hollow column with no ground entering spike to said single, central circular ring shaped base; a plurality of ground entering spikes, wherein said ground entering spikes are attached and in mechanical communication with said single, central circular ring shaped base and said plurality of spokes near the juncture of said plurality of spokes and said single central circular ring shaped base.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions to be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings describing specific embodiments of the disclosure, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 an assembled view of one embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a top view of one embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 3 is a bottom view of one embodiment of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 4 is a front assembled view of one embodiment of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 5 is a back assembled view of one embodiment of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 6 is a left assembled view of one embodiment of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 7 is a right assembled view of one embodiment of the present invention.

(9) FIG. 8 is a partially assembled view of one embodiment of the present invention with ground cups both inserted and not inserted.

(10) FIG. 9 is an assembled view of one embodiment of the present invention with an umbrella, as utilized and inserted into the ground.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) One or more illustrative embodiments incorporating the invention disclosed herein are presented below. Applicant has created a revolutionary tubular holding device for ground insertion.

(12) In the following description, certain details are set forth such as specific quantities, sizes, etc. so as to provide a thorough understanding of the present embodiments disclosed herein. However, it will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without such specific details. In many cases, details concerning such considerations and the like have been omitted inasmuch as such details are not necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present disclosure and are within the skills of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art.

(13) Referring to the drawings in general, it will be understood that the illustrations are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to be limiting thereto. Drawings are not necessarily to scale and arrangements of specific units in the drawings can vary.

(14) While most of the terms used herein will be recognizable to those of ordinary skill in the art, it should be understood, however, that when not explicitly defined, terms should be interpreted as adopting a meaning presently accepted by those of ordinary skill in the art. In cases where the construction of a term would render it meaningless or essentially meaningless, the definition should be taken from Webster's Dictionary, 11th Edition, 2008. Definitions and/or interpretations should not be incorporated from other patent applications, patents, or publications, related or not, unless specifically stated in this specification or if the incorporation is necessary for maintaining validity. Specifically defined terms: Hollow Column as defined herein is designed to hold many objects including tubulars of smaller diameter as well as umbrella shafts and other tubular or approximately tubular items.

(15) Certain terms are used in the following description and claims to refer to particular system components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to a component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form, and some details of conventional elements may not be shown, all in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

(16) Although several preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail herein, the invention is not limited hereto. It will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that various modifications can be made without materially departing from the novel and advantageous teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed herein are by way of example. It is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not to be limited thereby.

(17) FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention in assembled form. In many embodiments the present invention 100 has a hollow column 20, a substantially circular base 10, spokes 40 and 45, as well as ground spikes 50. In several embodiments of the present invention, hollow column 20 is mechanically attached to circular base 10 via spokes 45 and 40. In several embodiments of the present invention, ground spikes 50 attach to spokes 40 and 45. In several embodiments of the present invention 100, the present invention can be comprised of individually welded parts or of a singular cast molding.

(18) In several embodiments of the present invention, hollow column 20 is preferably constructed to allow for the housing of tubulars in the inner hollow section. The tubulars to be housed can be solid or hollow themselves, by way of example, in preferred embodiments the hollow column 20 can house the shaft of an umbrella (See FIG. 9). Optionally, and illustrated, is hook screw 25 which can be used to tighten tubulars and hold them securely within column 20 when in operation (FIG. 9). In several embodiments column 20 is constructed of sturdy materials such as metal, high strength plastic, or the like. In several embodiments of the present invention column 20 maybe mechanically secured to spokes 40 and 45 by collar 30 in a manner as is known in the art for mechanical attachment. In several embodiments, hollow column 20 can attach to spokes 40 and 45 directly, or through a cast molding.

(19) In several embodiments of the invention, spokes 40 and 45 traverse the center of ring base 10. As illustrated, spokes 45 are solid and traverse the diameter of ring base 10. As shown spoke 45 has two orifices 47 traversing from the top to the bottom of spoke 45. As illustrated there are two spokes 40 and one spoke 45 traversing the rings base 10 and substantially joining in the middle at the same proximate location as the base of hollow column 20. It is envisioned that spokes 45 and 40 can be constructed of one solid piece each, or of two pieces joined at the junction with the base of hollow column 20. In several embodiments spokes 45 and 40 constructed of sturdy materials such as metal, high strength plastic, or the like. In several embodiments of the present invention, spokes 45 and 40 can be welded to ring base 10 or cast a solid piece with ring base 10.

(20) Ring base 10 is constructed to be substantially a circle in shape, but can be cast in variant shapes as well. In several embodiments, ring base 10 is constructed of sturdy materials such as metal, high strength plastic, or the like. In several embodiments, spokes 45 and 40 attach to the top 15 of ring base 10 in a manner as is known in the art. In variant embodiments spokes 45 and 40 can attach to the interior of ring base 10 or the bottom of ring base 10. Ring base 10 may be constructed as a ring tube, a flat surfaced ring with top 15, outer side 17 and bottom 19, or any three dimensional ring with solid faces as known in the art.

(21) In several embodiments of the present invention ground spikes 50 attach to the undersides of spokes 40 and 45 near the juncture with spokes 45 and 40 and ring base 10. In several embodiments ground spikes 50 are constructed of sturdy materials such as metal, high strength plastic, or the like. In several embodiments the number of ground spikes 50 is the same as spoke attachments to ring base 10. In several embodiments of the present invention ground spikes 50 are mechanically attached to both ring base 10 and spokes 45 and 40 in a manner as is known in the art. In several embodiments of the present invention ground spikes 50 are mechanically attached to just ring base 10 in a manner as is known in the art.

(22) In several embodiments spokes 45 can be constructed with orifices 47 traversing the top to bottom of spokes 45. The number of spokes 45 attached to ring base 10 can vary and the number and locations of orifices 47 can vary as well. In several embodiments of the present invention, and as illustrated, there is one orifice on each side of hollow column 20 as attached to spoke 45.

(23) FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of the present invention. Illustrated is the hollow column 20 located substantially in the center of ring base 10. Also illustrated are orifices 47 on spoke 45. Spokes 45 and 40 are attached to the top 15 of ring base 10. In several embodiments spoke 45 and 40 can be attached to any portion of the ring base 10.

(24) FIG. 3 is a bottom view of one embodiment of the present invention. Illustrated are ground spikes 50 which are attached to spokes 45 and 40 near, or in connection to, ring base 10. In several embodiments of the present invention spokes 40 and 45 can overlap at substantially the center of ring base 10. The order of overlap, and the number of spokes 40 and 45 can vary. Also illustrated are orifices 47 on spoke 45.

(25) FIG. 4 is a front assembled view of one embodiment of the present invention. Illustrated are ground spikes 50, ground ring 10, collar 30 and column 20. Also shown is hook screw 25. Hook screw 25 can be constructed of any materials as is known in the art.

(26) FIG. 5 is a back assembled view of one embodiment of the present invention. Illustrated are ground spikes 50, ground ring 10, collar 30 and column 20. Also shown is hook screw 25. In several embodiments of the present invention it is preferred that there are six ground spikes, although it is envisioned that there could be any number of ground spikes.

(27) FIG. 6 is a left assembled view of one embodiment of the present invention. Illustrated are ground spikes 50, ground ring 10, collar 30 and column 20. Also shown is hook screw 25.

(28) FIG. 7 is a right assembled view of one embodiment of the present invention. Illustrated are ground spikes 50, ground ring 10, collar 30 and column 20. Also shown is hook screw 25. In several embodiments of the present invention it is preferred that there are six ground spikes.

(29) FIG. 8 is a partially assembled view of one embodiment of the present invention with ground cups. As shown, ground cups 110 are preferably constructed with a hollowed column 120 and cup spikes 150. Hollowed column 120 is preferably designed to be able to house other items such as another cup, bottles, glasses or other solid items that can be held by a cup and as are known in the art. Attached to the solid bottom of hollowed column 120, in a manner known art, is cup spike 150. Cup spike 150 is preferably designed to have a radius that is small enough to enable it to be placed through orifice 47 when one embodiment of the present invention is assembled for use. FIG. 8 shows one ground cup 110 which is not engaged through orifice 47 and one which is engaged.

(30) FIG. 9 is an assembled view of one embodiment of the present invention with an umbrella as utilized and inserted into the ground. As shown, in operation, the present inventive device is inserted into the ground such that ground spikes 50 enter into the ground and releasably, but securely, hold ring base 10 either on the ground directly or substantially close to the ground. Ground cups 110 are then inserted in orifices 47 and then cup spikes 150 are also pressed into the ground.

(31) A user can then put an umbrella shaft 120 (or essentially any other tubular) into column 20 and tighten said shaft 120 with hook screw 25. After insertion of shaft 120 into column 20 and tightening of hook screw 25, umbrella cap 130 can be opened in a manner as known in the art.

(32) In preferred embodiments of the present invention the weight of the invention 100 along with the ground spikes 50 and circular nature of ring base 10 improved stability is offered over prior art umbrella holders through disbursement of forces, such as wind evenly about base 10 and into the ground itself.

(33) While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or teaching herein. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only and are not limiting. Many variations and modifications of the system and apparatus are possible and will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. For example, the relative dimensions of various parts, the materials from which the various parts are made, and other parameters can be varied.