Height adjustable umbrella assembly

Abstract

This invention relates to an umbrella assembly and a framing assembly associated therewith which includes a stanchion assembly having a variable longitudinal dimension dependant on whether the umbrella is in a collapsed position or an expanded position. An adjustment assembly interconnects separable, first and second portions of the stanchion assembly exerts a biasing force on the second portion, and the canopy supporting ribs attached thereto. The biasing forces the second portion outwardly from the first portion as the umbrella assumes a collapsed position. The ribs, and canopy are thereby raised a greater than normal distance from a supporting surface of the umbrella and interference between the plurality of ribs and any object disposed at the base of the umbrella is prevented, when in the collapsed position.

1 . An umbrella assembly having a variable longitudinal dimension, said umbrella assembly comprising: 
 a) a frame assembly including a stanchion assembly operatively disposed in an upstanding orientation relative to a supporting surface,    b) a plurality of ribs each having one end movably connected to said stanchion assembly and extendable outwardly therefrom,    c) said plurality of ribs selectively disposable in either a collapsed position or an expanded position, and    d) an adjustment assembly connected to said stanchion assembly and structured to vary the longitudinal dimension of said stanchion assembly dependant on said plurality of ribs being in either the expanded or collapsed position.    
     
     
         2 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein said adjustment assembly comprises a biasing mechanism disposed and structured to exert a biasing force on said plurality of ribs at least when said plurality of ribs are in said expanded position.  
     
     
         3 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 2  wherein said biasing mechanism is fluid activated.  
     
     
         4 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 3  wherein said biasing mechanism comprises a pneumatic spring mechanism.  
     
     
         5 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 2  wherein said biasing assembly comprises a fluid activated piston and cylinder assembly.  
     
     
         6 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 5  wherein said piston and cylinder assembly is mounted on said stanchion assembly and positionable in movable, supporting relation to said plurality of ribs.  
     
     
         7 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 6  wherein said piston and cylinder assembly comprise a cylinder portion fixedly secured to said stanchion assembly and a piston portion movably connected to said stanchion assembly in driving relation to said plurality of ribs.  
     
     
         8 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein said stanchion assembly comprises first and second portions coaxially separable from one another along a length of said stanchion assembly, said plurality of ribs connected to said second portion and movable therewith relative to said first portion.  
     
     
         9 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 8  wherein said adjustment assembly is disposed in interconnecting relation between said first and second portions in at least partially supporting relation to said second portion.  
     
     
         10 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 8  wherein said adjustment assembly comprises a biasing mechanism mounted on said stanchion assembly and disposed and structured to exert a separating, biasing force on said second portion.  
     
     
         11 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 10  wherein said biasing mechanism is disposed in supporting relation to said second portion and said plurality of ribs when said plurality of ribs are in said expanded position.  
     
     
         12 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 11  wherein said biasing mechanism is fluid activated.  
     
     
         13 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 11  wherein said biasing mechanism comprises a pneumatic spring mechanism.  
     
     
         14 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 8  wherein said adjustment assembly comprises a fluid activated piston and cylinder assembly mounted in interconnected relation between first and second portions of said stanchion assembly.  
     
     
         15 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 16  wherein said piston and cylinder assembly is disposed to exert a separating force on said second portion at least when said plurality of ribs are in said expanded position.  
     
     
         16 . An umbrella assembly as recited in  claim 14  wherein said piston and cylinder assembly is disposed and structured to bias said second portion longitudinally outward from said first portion at least when said plurality of ribs are in said expanded position.  
     
     
         17 . A frame assembly for an umbrella having a variable longitudinal dimension said frame assembly comprising: 
 a) a stanchion assembly positionable in an operative, upstanding position relative to a supporting surface,    b) a plurality of ribs each having an inner end movably connected to said stanchion assembly and selectively disposable in either an expanded position or a collapsed position,    c) said stanchion assembly including a first and second portion coaxially separable from one another along a length of said stanchion assembly,    d) said plurality of ribs connected to said second portion and movable therewith relative to said first portion,    e) an adjustment assembly including a biasing mechanism disposed in interconnecting relation between said first and second portions of said stanchion assembly, and    f) said biasing mechanism structured to dispose said second portion and said plurality of ribs longitudinally outward from said first portion when said plurality of ribs are in said collapsed position.    
     
     
         18 . A frame assembly as recited in  claim 17  wherein said biasing mechanism is fluid activated.  
     
     
         19 . A frame assembly as recited in  claim 17  wherein said adjustment assembly comprises a fluid activated piston and cylinder assembly mounted in interconnecting relation between said first and second portions of said stanchion assembly.