Umbrella with electronic display and message display

Abstract

An umbrella including an electronic signaling device contains: a. A source of electrical energy; b. a display means for producing a signal composed of a plurality of light emitting diodes when the circuit is energized; c. a light diffusion means placed over said electronic signal for displaying messages and the like for promotional and advertising purposes; d. an electric circuit means for electrically joining the display means to said source of electrical energy; and e. a switch in said electric circuit means that allows electrical energy to electrically energize a display composed of a plurality of LEDs.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An electronic signaling umbrella comprising a support shaft having a distal end at one end of said shaft; the other end of said shaft remote from the distal end for being gripped by a user of the umbrella; a collapsible canopy; contained in said umbrella is an electronic signaling device comprising: 
 (a) a source of electrical energy;    (b) a display means for producing a signal composed of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDS) when the circuit is energized;    (c) a light diffusion means placed over said signal for displaying messages and the like for promotional and advertising purposes;    (d) an electric circuit means for electronically joining the display means to said source of electrical energy; and    (e) a switch means in said electric circuit means and moveable between a closed position where electrical energy is permitted to pass from said source of electrical energy and said display means through the aforementioned electric circuit means to electrically energize said display means producing a signal composed of a plurality of LEDS and illuminating the light diffusing means that lights a message or the like on the surface of said light diffusing means, said switch means being in said closed position when the used of the umbrella activates said switch means.    
     
     
         2 . The combination of  claim 1  in which said electronic signaling device includes a switch located on the end of the support shaft remote from the head of the umbrella for being gripped by the umbrella user said switch for producing a visible signal when electrically energized.  
     
     
         3 . The combination of  claim 2  in which said switch is in said electric circuit means and moveable between a closed position in which electrical energy is permitted to pass from the source of electrical energy to the display means with its LED display and its light diffuser that is used to illuminate a message or the like for promotional or advertising purposes and a open position in which electrical energy is prevented from passing from the electrical energy source therethrough.  
     
     
         4 . The combination of  claim 3  in which the light diffusing means is a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDS) arranged along the distal portion of the support shaft above the collapsible canopy of the umbrella said plurality of LEDS illuminating a light diffuser means and lighting and projecting a message or the like visible to passerby's.  
     
     
         5 . The combination of  claim 4  in which the light diffusing means is a body that is affixed over the display means with its plurality of LEDS utilizing the light from said LEDS to illuminate opaque light filters contained in the diffuser means and said opaque light filters having openings or transparent inserts or the like to allow the shape of letters creating messages, symbols or the like that can be lighted and projected to promote or advertise a concept, product, person, organization, symbol, entity or the like.  
     
     
         6 . The combination of  claim 5  in which the opaque light filters means a paper, plastic, and interactive materials that react with a variety of wavelengths including those in the infrared and ultraviolet spectrums to produce visible light that can be used to create messages, symbols, or the like to promote or advertise a concept, product, person, organization or the like.  
     
     
         7 . The electronic signaling umbrella and message maker according to  claim 1  has the electronic signaling means, display means, circuit means, and light diffusing means in the conventional shaft of the umbrella and a source of power means and parts of the electric circuit means in the shaft furthest from the collapsible canopy on said umbrella.  
     
     
         8 . The combination of  claim 7  in which the source of power consists of one or more three volt lithium batteries or the like in the handle of the umbrella at the end furthest from the collapsible canopy.