Solar powered umbrella

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Abstract
A solar powered umbrella is disclosed for powering multiple components
such as an automatic anchoring device, LED lights, a speaker and/or audio
system and bug repeller and/or thermoelectric heating/cooling device. The
umbrella includes a canopy, an auger, a solar panel or cell, a momentary
3way/function toggle switch, and a charging and power socket. The auger
is used to anchor the device into and out malleable surfaces such as earth,
dirt, grass, etc. The umbrella also includes rechargeable batteries, an
electric motor and a gearbox. The shaft from the gearbox protrudes thru
and outside the housing of the bottom of the lower tubular member which
adapts/connects to the helix/auger. When a waterproof 3function toggle
switch is pushed downward, the helix is driven into the ground and visa
versa. Additional methods of charging consist of an AC and/or DC adapter.
RELATED SUBJECT MATTER
This application claims the benefit of, under 35 U.S.C. 119(e), U.S. Provi
sional Application No. 60/809,006 filed May 30, 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application incorporates by reference in its entirety patent application
Ser. No. ______, also filed May 30, 2007 by the same inventor entitled Mul
tipurpose Auger Anchoring Device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,495 demonstrates a manual or electric means for driving
a helical anchor into the ground. The handcrank or electric motor and bat
tery, as illustrated, are contained outside the metal/aluminum post with
the components and connections contained on the top of the outer tubular
member. The helical shaft within the outer tubular member has a length
consisting of the entire tubular structure/member with alternate objects
within, including springloaded stabilizing members which protrude into
the ground.

Patent #20050211282 discloses a beach umbrella design using an electric

torque motor, detachable auger, disposable batteries, twospeed or multi
speed switch and a canopy with a tilt mechanism for adjusting the
umbrella/canopy in the direction of the sun. The patent is vague, in that, it
does not mention or describe a method for securing the axial lumen of the
umbrella to the lower tubular member and attaches only to the specified
canopy/umbrella or top half of the umbrella, mentioned within. Also, the
upper axial lumen slides over, encases, and encloses the battery pack of the
lower tubular member, protecting the battery. The design uses an electric
torque motor; all in one, instead of an electric motor attached to a gear
box which creates torque. Also, the twospeed switch is located on the han
dle, in which, by applying pressure increases the speed for anchoring and
removal purposes.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,866 discloses a patio umbrella with multiple affixed
accessories including a table, lights, a fan with heating device, misters, an
audio system and a water dispenser. A baffle is used to direct the air from
the fan along the inner surface of the umbrella. The base consists of either
a battery or AC power which only accommodates patios.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,830,058 discloses a solar power umbrella which powers
lights. The base of the umbrella supporting shaft consists of a nominal
patio umbrella base which differs from the present invention.
All of these designs, mentioned above, are inconsistent and/or differ from
the present invention which incorporates solar power and an augeranchor
ing device which uses a planetaryspur gearbox or impact system gear con
figuration while other uses pinion or monogear or none at all. Also, there
are no protruding stabilizing members.
The present invention's external components consist of a canopy or awn
ing, a momentary threeposition toggleswitch, an auger/helix, a solar cell,
an accessory housing and/or power socket and a charging socket. The
female plug or socket and switch are located along the exterior of the upper
cylindrical tubular member for charging and directional and/or functional
purposes, respectively. Methods of charging include AC, DC and/or solar
power. Internal components consist of an electric motor, rechargeable bat
teries, and a gear box: planetaryspur or impact system gear configuration
for tougher applications, respectively. The solar cell(s) recharges and/or
rejuvenates the rechargeable power source which, in turn, powers all

accessories and/or the electric motor. Two switches are used for controls
the auger's action and powering the accessories. These and other aspects of
the present invention will become readily apparent from the following
description and its preferred embodiment when considered with the pro
ceeding drawing and claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An automatic anchoring solar powered umbrella is disclosed for powering
multiple accessories and an electric motor thru the use of solar power. The
main external components of the outer tubular/cylindrical members and
canopy consist of an auger/helical screw, a solar panel or cell, a waterproof
momentary 3way/function toggle switch, and a charging and power
socket. The upper and lower tubular member overlap each other using tele
scoping design similar to those used with most devices such as telescoping
pole tree/branch cutters with a coil cable located within which connects the
electrical components. The detachable or nondetachable auger/helix is
used to bore/anchor the umbrella into and out of malleable surfaces such as
dirt, grass, sand, etc. The accessory housing, detachable or nondetachable,
may consist of but not limiting to accessories including an audio system,
LED lights with a photovoltic sensor or switch, a bug repeller, a fan and/or
mister, etc. The internal cylindrical/tubular electrical and mechanical com
ponents consist of rechargeable batteries, an electric motor and a gearbox,
respectively. The shaft from the gearbox protrudes thru and outside the
housing at the lower end, which is permanently mounted to the helix/auger
outside the tubular member or housing. When the switch is pushed down
ward, the helix is driven clockwise into the ground/malleable surface and
visaversa. The switch consists of a waterproof 3function toggle switch
which is located externally along the tubular member. Methods of charging
consist of AC, DC and solar power which recharge and/or rejuvenate the
rechargeable batteries or power source and power each and/or all accesso
ries and the electric motor. A washer/circular disk, not shown, may be used
to stabilize the solar powered umbrella for extra stability or support when
anchored and a tilt mechanism may be installed for tilting the canopy in the
sun's direction. Other aspects of the present invention will become readily
apparent from the following description and its preferred embodiment
when considered with the proceeding drawing and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which constitute a part of this specification, exemplary

embodiment exhibiting various objectives and features hereof are set forth,
specifically:
FIG. 1 illustrates a diagrammatic, crosssectional view of the design with
external mechanical and electrical components in accordance with the pre
sent invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the canopy/awning and the location of the
solar panel(s) or cell(s).
FIG. 3 illustrates the internal electrical and mechanical components of the
invention's lower tubular member. Also, the connection between the auger
and gear box shaft is shown.
FIG. 4 illustrates the internal electrical and mechanical components, in
sequence, of the lower tubular member.
FIG. 5 illustrates the first gear box application consisting of a planetary
spur gear configuration, used with most rechargeable electric drills. Modi
fications were made to the adjustable torque setting knob by removing and
replacing it with a fixed high torque setting.
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the second and third gear box assembly application,
respectively. The impact gear configuration or system is used with most
rechargeable impact drivers/drills. The electric motor can attach to each
gear box configuration, FIGS. 5 thru 7, which accommodates the output
voltage of the rechargeable batteries or power source.
FIG. 8 illustrates the accessory housing and some of the accessories pow
ered by the solar panel(s) and rechargeable batteries.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As indicated above, a detailed illustrative embodiment of the present inven
tion is disclosed herein. However, elements in accordance with the present
invention may be embodied in a wide variety of forms some of which may
be quite different from those of the disclosed embodiment. Consequently,
the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely
representative; yet in that regard, they are deemed to afford the best

embodiment for purposes of disclosure and to provide a basis for the claims
herein which define the scope of the present invention.
FIG. 1 illustrates the main components of the invention. An auger/helix 2 or
large spiral plastic screw is used to penetrate or screw the solar powered
beach/patio umbrella 20 into any malleable surface. The upper tubular
member 6 and lower tubular member 1 consists of a noncorrosive durable
cylindrical material which uses a telescoping method 9 which extends the
pole members. A housing cap 5, detachable or nondetachable may be used
for motor and/or gear box accessibility and repairs. Ball bearings 4 may
also be included for extra stability and durability. The switch 7 consists of a
waterproof 3function momentary toggle switch, (N.O.: normally off/open),
which controls the direction or action of the gear box output shaft 3 and
auger 2. When the switch 7 is pushed downward, the helix is driven clock
wise into the ground and visaversa. FIG. 4 illustrates the interior electrical
and mechanical components of a design which resembles the components
of a rechargeable drill. FIG. 3 illustrates the location of the internal compo
nents within the lower tubular member 1. The mechanical gear box 13,
(planetary spur or impact system gear configuration), is connected inter
nally to the electric motor 12. The mechanical connection is made by using
a gear 14 mounted on the output shaft of the electric motor 12 which enters
and connects to gears located within the gearbox 13. Two screws, not
shown, on each side of the lower tubular member 1 are used to perma
nently mount the gear box 13 directly to the lower tubular member 1. FIG. 4
illustrates the mechanical and electrical internal components of the lower
tubular member 1, in sequence. An AC adapter charger plugs into the
charger socket 8 which is used to regenerate/rejuvenate the rechargeable
batteries 11. A solar cell 15, flexible or solid, may be attached/lami
nated/embedded to the top portion of the canopy 10 for charging purposes.
Another source of charging would include a DC cable, not shown. FIG. 5
illustrates the internal components of a planetaryspur gear box while
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the impact system gear configurations for tougher
applications. This is the entire mechanical/electrical concept behind the
automatic auger. When the switch 7 is pushed downward, the auger/helix
turns in a clockwise direction or motion to penetrate and bore into mallea
ble surfaces. When the switch 7 is pushed upward, the auger/screw turns
in a counterclockwise motion to release or bore out of malleable surfaces.
FIG. 8 illustrates the accessory housing 16 which contains LED's 19, an

audio system 17 and possibly a bug repeller 18. Additional accessories may
be added to the detachable or nondetachable accessory housing 16.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and
described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore,
it will be apparent that while the disclosed embodiment comprises specific
elements and configurations, any of a variety of structure might well be
utilized. Accordingly, the scope hereof is deemed to be as set forth in the
claims below.