Systems and methods for providing a stationary umbrella with integrated hydration, automation, and entertainment features

Abstract

A system for providing a weather, hydration, and entertainment shelter, the system comprising: an umbrella supported by a base, an insulated cabinet attached to the base, the insulated cabinet having a door, and defining a fluid-reservoir receiving means; a fluid delivery system comprising a reservoir, a pump, a spigot disposed on an upper portion of the insulated cabinet, and fluid tubing; and a control panel disposed on the insulated cabinet and having a user-interface input, the control panel configured to activate a fluid-conveyance means to convey a fluid from the reservoir, via the fluid tubing, to the spigot in response to receiving a fluid-dispense request at the user-interface input.

1 . A shelter comprising:
 an umbrella supported by a base,   an insulated cabinet attached to the base, the insulated cabinet having a door, and defining a fluid-reservoir receiving means;   a fluid delivery system comprising a reservoir, a pump, a spigot disposed on an upper portion of the insulated cabinet, and fluid tubing; and   a control panel disposed on the insulated cabinet and having a user-interface input, the control panel configured to activate a fluid-conveyance means to convey a fluid from the reservoir, via the fluid tubing, to the spigot in response to receiving a fluid-dispense request at the user-interface input.   
     
     
         2 . The shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid-reservoir receiving means comprises a ramp configured to receive a reservoir cart, the reservoir cart loaded with a fluid reservoir. 
     
     
         3 . The shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid-reservoir receiving means comprises installing the reservoir into a cavity of the insulated cabinet accessible through the door. 
     
     
         4 . The shelter of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrical power distribution system configured to supply electrical power to the control panel. 
     
     
         5 . The shelter of  claim 4 , wherein the electrical power distribution system comprises a rechargeable battery to provide electrical power disposed inside the insulated cabinet. 
     
     
         6 . The shelter of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the electrical power distribution system further comprises a solar panel on a mount; and   the electrical power distribution system is further configured to convey electrical power from the solar panel to either one or both of the control panel and the rechargeable battery.   
     
     
         7 . The shelter of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the solar panel further comprises a directional light sensor configured to detect a position of a light source; and   an actuator is configured to reposition the bracket in response to a feedback signal from the directional light sensor.   
     
     
         8 . The shelter of  claim 1 , further comprising an upright support pole configured attached to the base, the umbrella is cantilevered in a first direction from the upright support pole and the insulated cabinet is positioned in a second direction from the upright support pole, the second direction opposing the first direction. 
     
     
         9 . The shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the control panel further comprises an electronic device charging station. 
     
     
         10 . The shelter of  claim 9 , wherein the control panel is further configured to provide an electrical charge, via the electronic device charging station to an electronic device, in response to a signal from an identity-verification device. 
     
     
         11 . The shelter of  claim 4 , further comprising lights affixed to the underside of a canopy of the umbrella, wherein the electrical power distribution system is further configured to supply electrical power to the lights. 
     
     
         12 . The shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid delivery system further comprises a flow meter configured to detect a volume of fluid dispensed and communicate the detected volume to the control panel. 
     
     
         13 . The shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid-conveyance means comprises a plurality of reservoirs, and the fluid-conveyance means is further configured to dispense a liquid from a selected one of the plurality of containers through the spigot. 
     
     
         14 . The shelter of  claim 1 , further comprising a beverage opener. 
     
     
         15 . The shelter of  claim 14 , wherein the beverage opener is selected from a group consisting of a beer bottle opener and a wine bottle opener. 
     
     
         16 . The shelter of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermo-electric cooling element configured to transfer heat from a liquid contained in the reservoir. 
     
     
         17 . The shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the umbrella is configured to be operated by an electric motor. 
     
     
         18 . The shelter of  claim 17 , wherein the umbrella is further configured to be operated to a closed position in response to an infra-red detector not detecting a person under the umbrella. 
     
     
         19 . The shelter of  claim 1 , further comprising an entertainment system comprising an audio speaker configured to play sound. 
     
     
         20 . The shelter of  claim 19 , wherein the shelter is further configured to wirelessly receive data and the speaker is further configured to play sound based on the received data.