Umbrella comprising an illumination device

Abstract

The invention relates to an umbrella, in particular a hand-held umbrella, free-standing umbrella, or offset hanging umbrella for protection against the rain, or for use as a sunshade. Said umbrella comprises a canopy, a supporting construction for said canopy and an illumination unit that is allocated to the supporting construction. An aim of the invention is to provide the greatest possible protection for the illumination unit, whilst giving the umbrella a particularly aesthetic appearance. To achieve this, the invention is characterized in that the illumination unit of the supporting construction is essentially integrated into the umbrella.

1 . An umbrella, in particular a hand-held umbrella, free-standing umbrella, or offset hanging umbrella, for protection against the rain or for use as a sunshade, comprising: 
 a canopy, a supporting construction for the canopy, and an illumination device that is allocated to the supporting construction,    wherein the illumination device of the supporting construction is essentially integrated into the umbrella.    
   
   
       2 . The umbrella according to  claim 1 , wherein the supporting construction contains a shaft with a fixed upper hub and a lower hub which can be moved along the shaft, where several holding ribs connected to the canopy are attached to the upper hub, where several supporting ribs coupled with the holding ribs are attached to the lower hub, and where the canopy can be folded open and closed by moving the lower hub.  
   
   
       3 . The umbrella according to  claim 2 , wherein the supporting construction comprises a handle or base or similar device at the lower end of the shaft.  
   
   
       4 . The umbrella according to  claim 1 , wherein the supporting construction encapsulates the illumination device in such a way that it is isolated from the surroundings.  
   
   
       5 . The umbrella according to  claim 1 , wherein the supporting construction is made of trans-parent or translucent material at least in an area of the illumination device.  
   
   
       6 . The umbrella according to  claim 5 , wherein the transparent or translucent material comprises synthetic material or glass.  
   
   
       7 . The umbrella according to  claim 5 , wherein translucent material with different colors or a different degree of shading can be used.  
   
   
       8 . The umbrella according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of a color or an intensity of emitted light can be changed by a user.  
   
   
       9 . The umbrella according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the upper hub or the lower hub at least partially comprises transparent or translucent material and at least partially integrates the illumination device.  
   
   
       10 . The umbrella according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the holding ribs at least partially comprises transparent or translucent material and at least partially integrates the illumination device.  
   
   
       11 . The umbrella according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the supporting ribs at least partially comprises transparent or translucent material and at least partially integrates the illumination device.  
   
   
       12 . The umbrella according to  claim 1 , wherein the illumination device comprises one or more illumination elements.  
   
   
       13 . The umbrella according to  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the one or more illumination elements comprises a filament bulb or a light emitting diode.  
   
   
       14 . The umbrella according to  claim 1 , wherein the illumination device comprises an electrical circuit.  
   
   
       15 . The umbrella according to  claim 14 , wherein the electrical circuit is arranged within the supporting construction.  
   
   
       16 . The umbrella according to  claim 1 , wherein the illumination device can be charged by one of the group consisting of: battery, rechargeable battery pack, external solar cells, solar cells mounted on the canopy, a power outlet or receptacle, a power outlet or receptacle via an inserted rectifier, or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       17 . The umbrella according to  claim 16 , wherein the rechargeable battery pack can be charged via at least one of solar cells or a power outlet or receptacle.  
   
   
       18 . The umbrella according to  claim 16 , wherein a battery or rechargeable battery pack is arranged within one of the shaft, the handle or the base.  
   
   
       19 . The umbrella according to  claim 16 , wherein a battery or rechargeable battery pack is encapsulated and attached at the outside of the shaft so that it can be detached.  
   
   
       20 . The umbrella according to  claim 1 , wherein the illumination device can be activated by folding open the canopy.  
   
   
       21 . The umbrella according to  claim 2 , wherein the illumination device can be activated by moving the lower hub into its upper end position with respect to the shaft.  
   
   
       22 . The umbrella according to  claim 21 , wherein the transition between the shaft and the lower hub is designed as an electrical switch in an area of the upper end position, which is lockable by moving the lower hub into its upper end position, whereby the illumination device can be activated.  
   
   
       23 . The umbrella according to  claim 1 , wherein the illumination device can be activated by a hand or foot switch integrated within the supporting construction.