Powered umbrella

Abstract

This invention relates to umbrellas in general. In particular it relates to umbrellas which automatically open and close. This automatic opening and closing of the umbrella in the presented embodiments is accomplished by means of the rotation of a threaded rod driven by an electric motor which is, in turn, driven by battery power. The improvement disclosed herein relates to a means for increasing the number of times a that an umbrella maybe opened and closed using one charge of a battery and ensuring the reliability of the opening and closing mechanism.

1 . An umbrella having a frame of interconnected ribs covered by cloth and a means for the automatic opening and closing of the aforesaid ribs and cloth comprising: 
 a cylindrical shaft attached to the aforesaid frame and cloth; wherein said cylindrical shaft is provided with at least one slot extending therethru along a portion of its length;    a collar which slides along the exterior surface of the aforesaid hollow cylindrical shaft, wherein said collar is connected to the aforesaid interconnected ribs;    at least one pin extending through at least one slot provided in the aforesaid hollow cylindrical shaft, a threaded rod extending through said hollow cylindrical shaft;    an electric motor fixed relative to the aforesaid cylindrical shaft, wherein said electric motor contains a driveshaft to which the aforesaid threaded rod is attached;    a battery which provides electromotive energy for the aforesaid electric motor;    wherein, further, there is a provided a switch which in a first position regulates flow of electricity from the aforesaid battery such that the drive shaft of the aforesaid electric motor turns in a first direction which, in turn, rotates the aforesaid threaded rod, thereby moving the aforesaid threaded nut in a direction which forces the aforesaid cloth and ribs from the closed position to an open position.    wherein, placement of the said switch in a second position regulates the flow electricity from the aforesaid battery such the drive shaft of the aforesaid electric motor turns in a second direction opposite to the said first direction, which, in turn, rotates the aforesaid threaded rod thereby moving the aforesaid threaded nut in a direction which returns the said cloth and ribs to the closed position.    wherein, said threaded rod, may slide up and down within the length of said hollow shaft with the opening and closing of said cloth and ribs.