Intelligent shading objects including a rotational hub assembly and/or a pivot assembly

Abstract

A shading object includes a base unit, a support unit coupled to the base unit, and a rotation hub assembly, the rotation hub assembly coupled to the support unit and rotatable in a circular direction about the rotation hub assembly. The shading object also includes a control housing, the control housing coupled to the rotation hub assembly, the control housing having one or more motor assemblies installed therein. The shading object includes a pivot assembly, a shading element frame, and one or more shading elements, the shading element frame coupled to the pivot assembly, the pivot assembly to rotate the shading element frame and the one or more shading elements about the pivot assembly axis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shading object, comprising:
 a base unit;   a support unit coupled to the base unit; and   a rotation hub assembly, the rotation hub assembly coupled to the support unit and rotatable in a circular direction about the rotation hub assembly, which causes the shading object to rotate about the support unit.   
     
     
         2 . The shading object of  claim 1 , further comprising a control housing, the control housing coupled to the rotation hub assembly, the control housing having one or more motor assemblies installed therein. 
     
     
         3 . The shading object of  claim 2 , further comprising a pivot assembly, the pivot assembly coupled to the control housing. 
     
     
         4 . The shading object of  claim 3 , further comprising a shading element frame and one or more shading elements, the shading element frame coupled to the pivot assembly, the pivot assembly to rotate the shading element frame and the one or more shading elements about the pivot assembly axis. 
     
     
         5 . The shading object of  claim 1 , the base unit including one or more weight compartments, the one or more weight compartments housing removable weights to provide stability to the shading object. 
     
     
         6 . The shading object of  claim 5 , the one or more weight compartments positioned in a circular fashion with the support unit as a reference point. 
     
     
         7 . The shading object of  claim 1 , the base unit further comprising a power adapter, the power adapter coupled to an external power source. 
     
     
         8 . The shading object of  claim 1 , the support unit comprising a support post and one or more support rods, the one or more support rods enabling an adjustment in height of the shading object. 
     
     
         9 . The shading object of  claim 8 , the one or more support rods being collapsible to minimize storage space. 
     
     
         10 . The shading object of  claim 1 , the rotation hub assembly comprising a housing, a controller, and a motor, the controller communicating a signal to the motor to cause the motor to rotate the shading element about a central vertical axis axis or rotational hub assembly axis. 
     
     
         11 . The shading object of  claim 1 , further comprising a light sensor, a controller and a motor, the tracking sensor to generate and communicate an intensity signal to a controller, the controller to process the intensity signal and communicate a command to the motor to move the rotational hub assembly based at least in part of the communicated command. 
     
     
         12 . The shading object of  claim 2 , the control housing further comprising a control panel to receive inputs to control operation and/or movement of the shading object. 
     
     
         13 . The shading object of  claim 2 , the control housing further comprising a wireless transceiver and a speaker, the wireless transceiver to receive audio signals and communicate the received audio signals to one or more speakers for playing of the audio signals. 
     
     
         14 . The shading object of  claim 3 , the control housing further comprising a wind sensor and a controller, the wind sensor to monitor wind speed and to communicate a signal to the controller, the controller to generate a command to the pivot assembly to lower the shading element frame. 
     
     
         15 . The shading object of  claim 3 , the control housing further comprising a projector, the projector to project light and/or images on a surface of the one or more shading elements. 
     
     
         16 . The shading object of  claim 3 , the control housing further comprising a controller and another motor, the controller to receive a signal to rotate the pivot assembly, the controller to communicate the received signal to the another motor, the another motor to cause rotation of the pivot assembly and the shading element frame. 
     
     
         17 . The shading object of  claim 3 , the shading element frame further comprising a counterweight assembly to offset a weight of the one or more shading elements and provide stability to the shading object. 
     
     
         18 . The shading object of  claim 3 , the shading element only covering a portion of the shading element frame. 
     
     
         19 . The shading object of  claim 3 , the shading element further comprising photocells, the photocells being located on a surface of the one or more shading elements. 
     
     
         20 . The shading object of  claim 17 , further comprising an energy collection unit and a power supply, the photocells generating electrical energy, the electrical energy being stored in the energy collection unit and transferred to the power supply.