Umbrella Canopy with a Photo-Luminescent and/or Light-Up Promotional Display and Methods of Making Same

Abstract

An umbrella is formed with a canopy having a light-up promotional display formed by one or more opaque/translucent/transparent letters formed in or added to the canopy, and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned on the canopy beneath the one or more letters, and wiring to wire the plurality of LEDs together and to a source of electric power. The plurality of LEDs are distributed to light up each of the one or more letters when energized, and a switch is used to permit a flow of current from the source of electric power to energize the plurality of LEDs, when desired. The one or more letters are wired together to minimize a length of the wiring, and to minimize distortion and resistance of the canopy to being folded. The one or more letters may be formed of and/or may include a photo luminescent material, such as a phosphorescent material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . All umbrella comprising a canopy with a light-up promotional display formed by one or more translucent letters formed in said canopy, and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned on the canopy beneath said one or more translucent letters, and wiring to wire said plurality of LEDs together and to a source of electric power, said plurality of LEDs being distributed to light up each of said one or more letters when energized, and a switch to permit a flow of current from the source of electric power to energize said plurality of LEDs. 
     
     
         2 . The umbrella according to  claim 1  wherein said one or more translucent letters are wired together to minimize a length of said wiring, and to minimize distortion and resistance of said canopy to being folded. 
     
     
         3 . The umbrella according to  claim 1  wherein said one or more translucent letters each comprise a photoluminescent material. 
     
     
         4 . The umbrella according to  claim 1  wherein said one or more translucent letters each comprise a phosphorescent material.