Umbrella Stand

Abstract

An umbrella holder having a base, a holder removably attachable to the base, and a plurality of stakes to secure the base to the ground. A top surface of the base has a section to store the holder when not in use. A bottom surface of the base has a plurality of stake holders to hold the stakes when not in use. The holder has two tubes attached by link arms to allow the two holders to be adjustable relative to each other. The base also has a central main hole and a plurality of auxiliary holes so that a pole can be inserted through at least one of the tubes and through the main hole so as to be perpendicular to the ground, or through one of the auxiliary holes so as to be non-perpendicular to the ground.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An umbrella stand, comprising:
 a. a base defining a center and a main axis that passes through the center of the base and is perpendicular to the base, the base comprising:
 i. a top surface; 
 ii. a bottom surface opposite the top surface, wherein the top and bottom surfaces are bound by an outer perimeter, the bottom surface comprising a plurality of stake holders; 
 iii. a main hole; 
 iv. a plurality of stake holes adjacent the outer perimeter; and 
 v. a plurality of auxiliary holes adjacent to the main hole; 
   b. a holder attachable to the base, the holder comprising a main tube defining a first axis, the main tube comprising a proximal end having a first opening, a distal end opposite the proximal end, the distal end having a second opening; and   c. a plurality of stakes that are removably connectable to the base, each stake having a top portion, a bottom portion opposite the top portion, and a middle portion therebetween.   
     
     
         2 . The umbrella stand of  claim 1 , further comprising a disk-like insert having a flanged lip that is removably connected to the holder and can be inserted into the first or second opening of the holder, wherein the disk-like insert comprises a narrower hole than the first and second openings. 
     
     
         3 . The umbrella stand of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of stake holes are arranged in pairs and intermittently and evenly spaced along the outer perimeter. 
     
     
         4 . The umbrella stand of  claim 1 , wherein the stake holder is a C-shaped protuberance. 
     
     
         5 . The umbrella stand of  claim 4 , wherein each stake is configured as a pi-shaped, two-pronged stake, wherein the top portion creates a C-shaped gap, wherein the gap is defined by an inner wall of a first prong, a bottom surface of a head, and an inner wall of a second prong, wherein the stake holder is configured to mate with the C-shaped gap. 
     
     
         6 . The umbrella stand of  claim 1 , wherein each stake has a stop positioned on a portion of the stake closer to the top portion than the bottom portion. 
     
     
         7 . The umbrella stand of  claim 1 , further comprising a secondary tube defining a second axis, the secondary tube comprising a connectable end, a free end opposite the connectable end, and a first opening at the connectable end and a second opening at the free end, wherein the connectable end of the secondary tube is movably attached to the distal end of the main tube permitting the secondary tube to be adjusted relative o the main tube such that the second axis can be coaxially aligned with the first axis or positioned at any angle between 0 and 180 degrees relative to the first axis. 
     
     
         8 . An umbrella stand, comprising:
 a. a base, comprising:
 i. an outer perimeter; 
 ii. a main hole; and 
 iii. a plurality of stake holes adjacent to the outer perimeter; 
   b. a holder attachable to the base, the holder comprising a main tube attachable to the base and a secondary tube movably attached to the main tube; and   c. a plurality of stakes that are removably connectable to the base, each stake having a top portion and a bottom portion.   
     
     
         9 . The umbrella stand of  claim 8 , wherein the main tube defines a first axis, the main tube comprising a proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end, a first opening at the proximal end and a second opening at the distal end. 
     
     
         10 . The umbrella stand of  claim 9 , wherein the secondary tube defines a second axis, the secondary tube comprising a connectable end, and a free end opposite the connectable end, wherein the connectable end of the secondary tube is movably attached to the distal end of the main tube. 
     
     
         11 . The umbrella stand of  claim 10 , wherein the main tine and secondary tube are connected by a pair of link arms, and wherein the link arms permit the secondary tube to be adjusted relative to the main tube such that the second axis can be coaxially aligned with the first axis or positioned at any angle between 0 and 180 degrees relative to the first axis. 
     
     
         12 . The umbrella stand of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of auxiliary holes in the base adjacent to the main hole. 
     
     
         13 . The umbrella stand of  claim 8 , further comprising a disk-like insert having a flanged lip that is removably connectable to the holder and can be inserted into an opening in the holder, wherein the disk-like insert comprises a narrower hole than the opening of the holder. 
     
     
         14 . The umbrella stand of  claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of stakes has a stop positioned on a portion of the stake closer to the top portion than the bottom portion. 
     
     
         15 . The umbrella stand of  claim 8 , wherein the base further comprises a plurality of stake holders. 
     
     
         16 . The umbrella stand of  claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of stakes is configured as a pi-shaped, two-pronged stake, wherein the top portion creates a C-shaped gap, wherein the gap is defined by an inner wall of a first prong, a bottom surface of a head, and an inner wall of a second prong, wherein each of the plurality of stake holders is a C-shaped protuberance, and wherein the C-shaped protuberance is configured to mate with the C-shaped gap. 
     
     
         17 . A method of holding an umbrella, comprising:
 a. placing an umbrella stand on a ground, the umbrella stand comprising a base defining an outer perimeter, the base comprising a main hole, and a plurality of stake holes adjacent to the outer perimeter;   b. attaching a holder to the base at the main hole, the holder comprising a main tube defining a first axis, the main tube comprising a proximal end having a first hole and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the distal end having a second hole;   c. inserting a plurality of stakes into the ground through their respective stake hole; and   d. inserting an umbrella through the main tube.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the holder further comprises a secondary tube defining a second axis, the secondary tube comprising a connectable end, a free end opposite the connectable end, and a first opening at the connectable end and a second opening at the free end, wherein the connectable end of the secondary tube is movably attached to the distal end of the main tube, and wherein the link arms permit the secondary tube to be adjusted relative to the main tube such that the second axis can be coaxially aligned with the first axis or positioned at any angle between 0 and 180 degrees relative to the first axis. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of inserting the umbrella through the secondary tube, then through an auxiliary hole in the base and into the ground. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the umbrella stand further comprises a disk-like insert having a flanged lip that is removably connectable to the holder and can be inserted into first or second openings of the main tube, wherein the disk-like insert comprises a narrower hole than the first and second openings of the main tube.