Auger-anchored beach umbrella

Abstract

An auger-anchored beach umbrella has a canopy member for supporting the canopy and a pole member for anchoring the umbrella in the ground. The canopy member has a lower tubular element within which is formed an axial lumen. The pole member has an upper element which slides snugly into the axial lumen of the canopy member. The pole member has a motor element, within which is enclosed a reversible electric motor. Coupled to the motor's shaft is an auger. The motor is electrically connected to one or more batteries and to a switch. The user inserts the pole member into the ground by activating the switch in the forward direction, thereby causing the auger to bore into the ground. In the preferred embodiment, the user grasps a handle attached to the upper element to guide the pole member into the ground and to exert a supplemental downward force on it. After the auger is firmly anchored in the ground, the canopy member is mounted on the pole member by sliding the axial lumen over the upper element of the pole member. When the beach umbrella is removed from the ground, the canopy member is removed from the pole member. The user activates the switch in the reverse direction, thereby causing the auger to disengage from the ground. In the preferred embodiment, the user grasps the handle to guide the pole member out of the ground and to exert a supplemental upward force on it.

1 . A self-anchoring beach umbrella comprising: 
 (a) a canopy member having an upper tubular element, to which a spreadable canopy is attached, and a lower tubular element, within which is formed an axial lumen;    (b) a pole member having: (i) an upper element, formed for insertion into the axial lumen of the canopy member; (ii) a motor element, comprising a reversible electric motor, having on its lower end an axially-disposed shaft through which a rotary torque is generated when the motor is activated; and (iii) an auger coupled to the shaft of the reversible electric motor such that the auger rotates in a forward or reverse direction when the motor is activated;    (c) a battery chamber located in or mounted upon the pole member, said battery chamber having within it one or more batteries and having a means for accessing said batteries so that they may be removed and replaced or recharged;    (d) a switch mounted on the motor element of the pole member and electrically connected to the batteries and the reversible electric motor, whereby the motor may be activated and the direction and speed of the motor may be controlled;    
   
   
       2 . The self-anchoring beach umbrella according to  claim 1 , further comprising a handle attached to the motor element of the pole member by means of which either: (i) a downward force may be applied while the auger is rotating in the forward direction, thus causing the auger to bore into the ground and anchor the pole member; or (ii) an upward force may be applied while the auger is rotating in the reverse direction, thus causing the auger to disengage from the ground and free the pole member.  
   
   
       3 . The self-anchoring umbrella according to  claim 1 , wherein the switch is positioned on the handle so that the switch may be activated by the operator while he/she is applying downward or upward force to the handle.  
   
   
       4 . The self-anchoring umbrella according to  claim 2 , wherein the switch is a positive action switch, such that the switch is not activated unless a continuous pressure is applied thereto by the operator.  
   
   
       5 . The self-anchoring umbrella according to  claim 3 , wherein: (i) the switch regulates the direction of the motor by the direction of the pressure applied to the switch; and (ii) the switch regulates the speed of the motor by the amount of pressure applied to the switch.  
   
   
       6 . The self-anchoring umbrella according to any one of claims  1 - 5 , wherein the auger is detachably coupled to the shaft of the reversible electric motor and replaceable by another auger, such that: (i) a damaged auger may be replaced; or (ii) one or more alternate augers designed for different ground conditions may be utilized.  
   
   
       7 . The self-anchoring umbrella according to any one of claims  1 - 5 , further comprising a joint means for tilting the upper tubular element of the canopy member about an axis with respect to the lower tubular element of the canopy member, which joint means is disposed between the upper tubular element of the canopy member and the lower tubular element of the canopy member, such that the canopy may be tilted in the direction of the sun so as to maximize the area of shade cast by the umbrella's canopy.  
   
   
       8 . The self-anchoring umbrella according to  claim 6 , further comprising a joint means for tilting the upper tubular element of the canopy member about an axis with respect to the lower tubular element of the canopy member, which joint means is disposed between the upper tubular element of the canopy member and the lower tubular element of the canopy member, such that the canopy may be tilted in the direction of the sun so as to maximize the area of shade cast by the umbrella's canopy.