Umbrella undercanopy fastening system

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for an umbrella undercanopy fastening system including a plurality of reclosable fasteners. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a fastening system comprising a first and second member. The first member has a first portion of a fastening device. The second member has a second portion of the fastening device adapted to engage the first portion of the fastening device in a reclosable manner. The reclosable fasteners may be used, fore example, for securing a lighting system to an undercanopy of an umbrella.

1 . An undercanopy fastening system comprising: 
 a first member having a first portion of a fastening device; and    a second member having a second portion of said fastening device adapted to engage said first portion of said fastening device in a reclosable manner.    
     
     
         2 . The undercanopy fastening system of  claim 1  wherein said first member is movably connected to the undercanopy.  
     
     
         3 . The undercanopy fastening system of  claim 2  wherein said first member includes a bending portion, whereby at least a portion of said first member is adapted to move about said bending portion.  
     
     
         4 . The undercanopy fastening system of  claim 1  wherein said second member is fixedly connected to the undercanopy.  
     
     
         5 . The undercanopy fastening system of  claim 1  wherein said fastening device comprises opposing female and male snaps.  
     
     
         6 . The undercanopy fastening system of  claim 1  wherein said fastening device comprises at least one of Velcro, magnets, hooks, clips and clasps.  
     
     
         7 . The undercanopy fastening system of  claim 1  further comprising at least a attachment portion fixedly secured to at least a portion of at least one of the undercanopy, said first member and said second member.  
     
     
         8 . The undercanopy fastening system of  claim 1  wherein at least said first and second members are removably connected to the undercanopy.  
     
     
         9 . An umbrella apparatus comprising: 
 a pole portion;    a canopy portion having at least an undercanopy portion, said canopy portion moveably coupled to said pole portion; and    at least one reclosable fastening system coupled to said undercanopy portion.    
     
     
         10 . The umbrella apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said fastening system comprises: 
 a first member having a first portion of a fastening device; and    a second member having a second portion of said fastening device adapted to engage said first portion of said fastening device in a reclosable manner.    
     
     
         11 . The umbrella apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said first member is movably connected to the undercanopy.  
     
     
         12 . The umbrella apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said first member includes a bending portion, whereby at least a portion of said first member is adapted to move about said bending portion.  
     
     
         13 . The umbrella apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said second member is fixedly connected to the undercanopy.  
     
     
         14 . The umbrella apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said fastening device comprises opposing female and male snaps.  
     
     
         15 . The umbrella apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said fastening device comprises at least one of Velcro, magnets, hooks, clips and clasps.  
     
     
         16 . The umbrella apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising at least a attachment portion fixedly secured to at least a portion of at least one of said undercanopy, said first member and said second member.  
     
     
         17 . The umbrella apparatus of  claim 10  wherein at least said first and second members are removably connected to the undercanopy.  
     
     
         18 . The umbrella apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising at least one canopy rib coupled to at least said undercanopy.  
     
     
         19 . The umbrella apparatus of  claim 18  further comprising at least one support rib coupled to said pole portion and said at least one canopy rib.  
     
     
         20 . A method for removably securing a lighting system to an umbrella undercanopy of an umbrella apparatus comprising: 
 positioning the lighting system in the umbrella apparatus; and    removably securing the lighting system to the undercanopy using at least one reclosable fastening system.