Large-sized power umbrella

Abstract

An umbrella includes a center post having an upper end to which a crown is mounted. A number of ribs are pivoted to and radially extend from the crown. A runner is movably mounted to the center post. A stretcher is arranged between and pivoted to the runner and each rib. A canopy is attached to and supported by the ribs. An inner threaded member is mounted to the runner. A threaded rod engages the inner threaded member and is coupled to an output spindle of a motor by a reduction gear set whereby the rotation of the motor spindle is transmitted to the rod and the rotation of the rod causes the runner to move thereby opening/closing the umbrella. The motor is controlled by a control circuit that is in turn controlled by a remote control unit.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An umbrella comprising: 
 an umbrella frame comprising: 
 a center post, and  
 a runner movable along the center post to open/close the umbrella; and  
   a driving system comprising: 
 an inner threaded member mounted to the runner,  
 a threaded rod extending substantially parallel to the center post and threadingly engaging the inner threaded member,  
 a motor powered by batteries and controlled by a control circuit,  
 a gear set connected between an output spindle of the motor and the threaded rod to transmit rotation of the output spindle to the threaded rod, and  
 a control unit in signal communication with the control circuit to selectively move the runner for opening/closing the umbrella.  
   
     
     
         2 . The umbrella as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rod is located outside the center post and substantially parallel to the center post, the center post defining an opening for extension of the gear set therethrough.  
     
     
         3 . The umbrella as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rod is located inside the center post and substantially parallel to the center post, the center post defining an elongate slot movably receiving and guiding an inward projection of the runner, the inner threaded member being mounted to the inward projection of the runner.  
     
     
         4 . The umbrella as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the center post has a sidewall forming a recessed channel along the center post, the rod being substantially accommodated in the channel, the runner forming an inward projection movable along the channel.  
     
     
         5 . The umbrella as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gear set is a reduction gear set.  
     
     
         6 . The umbrella as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is a wireless remote control communicating with the control circuit.  
     
     
         7 . The umbrella as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is connected to the control circuit by wires.  
     
     
         8 . The umbrella as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising solar cells for collecting and converting solar energy into electricity for powering the motor.  
     
     
         9 . The umbrella as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the batteries are rechargeable batteries.