Modular Umbrella

Abstract

The present invention includes a modular umbrella comprising: an umbrella frame comprising: an upper hub attached to a first end of a support pole, a plethora of upper hinge connectors pivotably positioned radially around the upper hub; an upper support portion connected to each of the plethora of upper hinge connectors to extend radially from the upper hub; a lower support portion connected to each of the upper support portions; a sliding coupler attached to each of the upper support portions; a support arm connected to each of the sliding couplers; a lower hinge connector connected to each of the support arms; a lower hub slidable positioned around the support pole and connected to each of the lower hinge connectors wherein the lower hinge connectors are pivotably connected radially around the lower hub, wherein the lower hub moves up or down which moves the support arm to extend the upper support portion; a base that supports a second end of the support pole wherein the base comprises a top plate having a top plate support pole aperture through the top plate to allow passage of the support pole through the top plate; a bottom plate opposite the top plate; a support pole receiver connected to the bottom plate and aligned to receive the second end of the support pole; a first platform support connected to the bottom plate and to the top plate to separate the bottom plate and the top plate; and a second platform support connected to the bottom plate and to the top plate to separate the bottom plate and the top plate wherein the second platform support is positioned opposite the first platform support.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular umbrella comprising:
 an umbrella frame comprising:
 an upper hub attached to a first end of a support pole, 
 a plethora of upper hinge connectors pivotably positioned radially around the upper hub; 
 an upper support portion connected to each of the plethora of upper hinge connectors to extend radially from the upper hub; 
 a lower support portion connected to each of the upper support portions; 
 a sliding coupler attached to each of the upper support portions; 
 a support arm connected to each of the sliding couplers; 
 a lower hinge connector connected to each of the support arms; 
 a lower hub slidable positioned around the support pole and connected to each of the lower hinge connectors wherein the lower hinge connectors are pivotably connected radially around the lower hub, wherein the lower hub moves up or down which moves the support arm to extend the upper support portion; 
   a base that supports a second end of the support pole wherein the base comprises
 a top plate having a top plate support pole aperture through the top plate to allow passage of the support pole through the top plate; 
 a bottom plate opposite the top plate; 
 a support pole receiver connected to the bottom plate and aligned to receive the second end of the support pole; 
 a first platform support connected to the bottom plate and to the top plate to separate the bottom plate and the top plate; 
 a second platform support connected to the bottom plate and to the top plate to separate the bottom plate and the top plate wherein the second platform support is positioned opposite the first platform support. 
   
     
     
         2 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , further comprising a canopy attached over the umbrella frame, wherein the canopy is attached to the upper support portion, the lower support portion or both. 
     
     
         3 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more gazebo panels attached to the canopy to extend downwardly from the canopy to form a gazebo, wherein each of the one or more gazebo panels extend between the lower support portion that are adjacent. 
     
     
         4 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , further comprising a top positioned on the top plate to form a table top. 
     
     
         5 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom plate is adapted to receive one or more pavers, weights, blocks, bricks, concrete, stones or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein the plethora of upper hinge connectors comprise 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 and the upper support portion, the lower support portion and the lower hinge connector comprise 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12. 
     
     
         7 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein the plethora of upper hinge connectors comprise 4, 6, 8 or 10 and the upper support portion, the lower support portion and the lower hinge connector comprise 4, 6, 8 or 10. 
     
     
         8 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking means to lock the umbrella frame in the open position, wherein the locking means comprises a rope operably connected to the lower hub to allow the rope to move the lower hub upwardly to extend the umbrella frame and a locking cleat to secure the rope and umbrella in the open position. 
     
     
         9 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein the first platform support, the second platform support or both further comprise a shock to assist in raising and lowering the top plate. 
     
     
         10 . The umbrella of  claim 9 , further comprising a third platform support positioned adjacent to the first platform support and the second platform support and a forth platform support positioned opposite the third platform support. 
     
     
         11 . The umbrella of  claim 10 , wherein the third platform support, the fourth platform support or both further comprise a shock to assist in raising and lowering the top plate. 
     
     
         12 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , further comprising a platform support locker positioned about the first platform support, the second platform support or both to lock the top plate at a specific height. 
     
     
         13 . A method of assembling a modular umbrella comprising the steps of:
 positioning a base by positioning a bottom plate on a surface, wherein the bottom plate comprises a support pole receiver attached to the bottom plate to receive a support pole;   positioning one or more weighted objects on the bottom plate;   connecting two or more platform supports to the bottom plate;   positioning a top plate over the bottom plate by connecting the top plate to the two or more platform supports;   extending the two or more platform supports to a desired height from the surface to set the top plate height;   securing the two or more platform supports at the desired height;   positioning a top on the top plate, wherein the top comprises a top aperture and the top plate comprises a top plate aperture that align, wherein the top forms a table top;   inserting a support pole through a top aperture and through a top plate aperture and into a support pole receiver on the bottom plate;   positioning a lower hub slidably on the support pole;   connecting a plethora of lower hinge connectors to the lower hub;   connecting a support arm to each of the plethora of lower hinge connectors;   connecting a sliding coupler to each of the support arms;   sliding each of the sliding couplers on to an upper support portion;   slidable engaging a lower support portion into the upper support portion;   attaching an upper hinge connector to each of the upper support portions;   connecting each of the upper hinge connectors to an upper hub;   attaching the upper hub to the support pole; and   attaching a canopy to the upper support portions and the lower support portions.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of connecting a rope to the lower hub such that pulling the rope will move the lower hub upwardly and attaching the rope to a cleat connected to the base. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the plethora of lower hinge connectors comprise 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 and the upper support portion, the lower support portion and the lower hinge connector comprise 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the plethora of upper hinge connectors comprise 4, 6, 8 or 10 and the upper support portion, the lower support portion and the lower hinge connector comprise 4, 6, 8 or 10. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first platform support, the second platform support or both further comprise a shock to assist in raising and lowering the top plate. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of a third platform support positioned adjacent to the first platform support and the second platform support and a forth platform support positioned opposite the third platform support. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of connecting one or more gazebo panels attached to the canopy between the lower support portion that are adjacent wherein the one or more gazebo panels extend downwardly to the surface to form a gazebo. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more weighted objects are selected from pavers, weights, blocks, bricks, concrete, stones or a combination thereof.