| Illuminated umbrella -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Illuminated umbrellaUSPTO Application #: 20070189002Title: Illuminated umbrella Abstract: The illuminated umbrella includes a substantially translucent canopy supported by a plurality of ribs pivotally swingable towards and away from a shaft. Each of the ribs has attached intermediately of its length to one end of a spoke. The other spoke end is pivotally attached to a slidable sleeve on the umbrella shaft. At least one flexible isotropic electroluminescent string light source may be disposed along, and fastened to, at least one of the plurality of ribs. Alternatively, instead of being fastened to the ribs, the flexible isotropic electroluminescent string lights may be disposed in a pattern and attached to the canopy. A power supply disposed on the umbrella supplies power to the flexible isotropic electroluminescent light strings. Power may be supplied to the electroluminescent light strings without requiring the use of a connection socket or plug to the electroluminescent light strings. (end of abstract) Agent: Litman Law Offices, Ltd - Arlington, VA, US Inventor: Daniel J. Thode USPTO Applicaton #: 20070189002 - Class: 362102 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070189002. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/773,690, filed Feb. 16, 2006. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]1. Field of the Invention [0003]The present invention relates to an illuminated umbrella, and more particularly, to one providing light from a flexible, isotropic electroluminescent (EL) light source attached directly or proximate to a canopy of the umbrella. [0004]2. Description of the Related Art [0005]A conventional umbrella is essentially comprised of a canopy supported by a plurality of ribs, pivotally swingable towards and away from a shaft, the plurality of ribs, each attached intermediately of its length to one end of a spoke, the other spoke end being pivotally attached to a manually slidable sleeve on the umbrella shaft. Sliding the sleeve upwardly on the shaft moves the spokes against the ribs to extend them to a position that supports the canopy. [0006]Related art illuminated umbrellas generally provide a power source, a switch in the handle, the power source being connected to electric wires through the switch and on to provide power to point, anisotropic illumination sources to make the handle function as a flashlight, or to make the top of the shaft function as traffic alert, or to illuminate the tips of the ribs to function as decoration or a traffic alert, and the like. [0007]These point source lighting effects generally are ineffective either as decoration or as alerts due to their anisotropic nature. Other illuminated umbrellas may employ point source lights while attempting to spread the light through the use of light permeable rods. Yet a problem remains in that significant portions of the umbrella may not receive light treatment due to the rigid nature of the light permeable rods that cannot collapse and bend throughout the extent of a generally collapsible and flexible umbrella canopy, and again, there remains the problem of the lights generally being perceived as emanating from discrete points. Accordingly, lighted umbrellas, such as those disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 9-313,226, published Dec. 9, 1997, Japanese Patent No. 2001-299,420, published Aug. 13, 2001, and Japanese Patent No. 2002-177,028, published Jun. 25, 2002, have attempted to solve the aforementioned problems, but lack the features and technical solutions provided by the present invention. [0008]Thus, an illuminated umbrella solving the aforementioned problems is desired. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009]The illuminated umbrella provides light to an umbrella that achieves all the purposes of safety alerting, lighting, and an esthetically pleasing and decorative design. To achieve this purpose, the illuminated umbrella includes a substantially translucent canopy supported by a plurality of ribs pivotally swingable towards and away from a shaft. [0010]Each of the ribs is attached intermediately of its length to one end of a spoke. The other spoke end is pivotally attached to a slidable sleeve on the umbrella shaft. At least one flexible, isotropic electroluminescent string light source may be disposed along and fastened to at least one of the plurality of ribs. Alternatively, instead of being fastened to the ribs, the flexible, isotropic electroluminescent string lights may be disposed in a pattern and attached to the canopy. A power supply disposed on the umbrella supplies power to the flexible, isotropic electroluminescent string lights, preferably without requiring the use of a plug or socket to complete an electrical connection to the light strings. [0011]These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012]FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of the illuminated umbrella according to the present invention. [0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the illuminated umbrella according to the present invention. [0014]FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the illuminated umbrella according to the present invention, showing the switch and handle. [0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an illuminated umbrella according to the present invention having the light strings attached to the canopy. [0016]FIG. 5 is an electroluminescent (EL) power wiring schematic diagram of an illuminated umbrella according to the present invention. [0017]FIG. 6 is a partial side view of an illuminated umbrella according to the present invention, showing further details thereof. [0018]Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0019]The present invention provides light to an umbrella to achieve the purposes of safety alerting, lighting, and an esthetically pleasing and decorative design. As shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 6, to achieve this purpose, the illuminated umbrella includes a power source 112; a mode switch 305; a power cable 209; flexible, isotropic electroluminescent (EL) string lights 110; and a typical functioning umbrella that includes a handle 125, a shaft 115, spokes 615, slider sleeve 605, ribs 120, tip 620 and a canopy 117, preferably made of a water-resistant, highly flexible plastic or other similar material. Continue reading... Full patent description for Illuminated umbrella Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Illuminated umbrella patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Illuminated umbrella or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Multi-functional ballast and location-specific lighting Next Patent Application: Display novelty Industry Class: Illumination ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Illuminated umbrella patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 3.94186 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry |
||
