Umbrella and kit therefor

Abstract

An umbrella combination in which a stand includes an electric motor and a power source. The electric motor allows an operator to selectively move the umbrella from an open position to a closed position (and vice versa). In the preferred embodiment, the electric motor is operated by remote control using radio frequencies, thereby allowing the user to close (or open) the umbrella from a distance. In one embodiment of the invention, the power source is a battery which is charged using solar panels.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An umbrella combination comprising: 
 a) an umbrella having an open position and a closed position;    b) a stand adapted to support said umbrella;    c) an electric motor adapted to move said umbrella between said positions; and,    d) a user operated switch connected to said electric motor and adapted to cause said electric motor to move said umbrella from a current position to an opposing position.    
     
     
         2 . The umbrella combination according to  claim 1 , wherein said electric motor is powered by household current and wherein said user operated switch is remote from said stand.  
     
     
         3 . The umbrella combination according to  claim 1 , further including a battery contained within said stand, said battery providing power to said electric motor.  
     
     
         4 . The umbrella combination according to  claim 3 , wherein said user operated switch is connected to said stand.  
     
     
         5 . The umbrella combination according to  claim 3 , further including a payment receiving apparatus adapted to receive payment from a user, and wherein said user operated switch is responsive to signals from said payment receiving apparatus.  
     
     
         6 . The umbrella combination according to  claim 5 , wherein, upon the lapse of a specified time, said payment receiving apparatus moves said umbrella to the closed position.  
     
     
         7 . The umbrella combination according to  claim 3 , further including a solar electric panel positioned to generate electricity, said solar electric panel providing electrical energy recharging said battery.  
     
     
         8 . The umbrella combination according to  claim 7 , 
 a) further including a radio receiver connected to said stand, said radio receiver controlling operation of said electric motor; and,    b) wherein said user operated switch is handheld and directs said electric motor via said radio receiver.    
     
     
         9 . The umbrella combination according to  claim 8 , further including: 
 a) an open-sensor being engaged when said umbrella is in the open position, said open-sensor, when engaged, preventing said electric motor from driving in a first direction; and,    b) a closed-sensor being engaged when said umbrella is in the closed position, said closed-sensor, when engaged, preventing said electric motor from driving in an opposing second direction.    
     
     
         10 . The umbrella combination according to  claim 7 , wherein said electric motor moves said umbrella via cables.  
     
     
         11 . The umbrella combination according to  claim 7 , wherein said electric motor moves said umbrella via a worm drive.  
     
     
         12 . The umbrella combination according to  claim 7 , further including an auditory signal generator producing an auditory signal as said umbrella moves to an open position.  
     
     
         13 . The umbrella combination according to  claim 7 , further including a light, said light operable only when said umbrella is in an open position.  
     
     
         14 . A shading apparatus comprising: 
 a) a stand having, 
   1 ) an electric motor, and,  
   2 ) a power source adapted to selectively activate said electric motor,  
   b) an umbrella secured to said stand, said umbrella being movable between an open position and a closed position by said electric motor.    
     
     
         15 . The shading apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said power source includes: 
 a) a battery; and,    b) a user operable switch.    
     
     
         16 . The shading apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said user operable switch includes a payment receiving apparatus adapted to receive payment from a user.  
     
     
         17 . The shading apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein, upon the lapse of a specified time, said payment receiving apparatus moves said umbrella to the closed position.  
     
     
         18 . The shading apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said power source includes: 
 a) A battery; and,    b) a solar electric panel providing electrical energy to said battery.    
     
     
         19 . The shading apparatus according to  claim 15 , further including: 
 a) a radio receiver controlling operation of said electric motor; and,    b) a hand-held radio transmitter communicating with said radio receiver for control of operation of said electric motor.    
     
     
         20 . The shading apparatus according to  claim 19 , further including: 
 a) an open-sensor being engaged when said umbrella is in the open position, said open-sensor, when engaged, preventing said electric motor from driving in a first direction; and,    b) a closed-sensor being engaged when said umbrella is in the closed position, said closed-sensor, when engaged, preventing said electric motor from driving in an opposing second direction.    
     
     
         21 . A kit for an umbrella being movable between an open position and a closed position, said kit comprising: 
 a) a stand configured to support said umbrella, said stand having, 
   1 ) an electric motor connectable to said umbrella such that operation of said electric motor selectively moves said umbrella in a first direction and a second direction, and,  
   2 ) a power source adapted to selectively activate said electric motor,  
   3 ) a radio receiver controlling operation of said electric motor, and,  
   b) a hand-held radio transmitter communicating with said radio receiver for control of operation of said electric motor.    
     
     
         22 . The kit for an umbrella according to  claim 21 , further including a solar electric panel electrically connected to said power source..  
     
     
         23 . The kit for an umbrella according to  claim 22 , further including: 
 a) an open-sensor connectable to said umbrella such that when said umbrella is in the open position said open-sensor is engaged, said open-sensor, when engaged, preventing said electric motor from driving in a first direction; and,    b) a closed-sensor connectable to said umbrella such that when said umbrellas is in the closed position said closed-sensor is engaged, said closed-sensor, when engaged, preventing said electric motor from driving in an opposing second direction.