Misting umbrella

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a misting umbrella. More specifically, it relates to a umbrella which has at least one misting element attached to direct a spray of water downwardly to an area under a main umbrella fabric cover.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A variety of umbrellas have been proposed. Many types and styles of umbrellas exist but none have been heretofore proposed which provide a misting element which directs a spray of water downwardly to an area under a main umbrella fabric cover. A number of different inventors have proposed the provision of misting elements on lounge chairs and the like to cool persons lying in the sun. See for example, Schafer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,617; Dome, U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,596; Aspinall, U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,731; Gibson, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,339 and Gange, U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,342. While such devices do provide some cooling to the individual, lying in the sun can be hazardous with risks of sun burn and even skin cancer.

The primary purposes of umbrellas over their many years of existence has been to provide shade and to provide shelter from rain. Thus, one on the main purposes of an umbrella is being challenged and contradicted by the present invention. Rather than providing an umbrella to shelter a person from the rain, the umbrella is being utilized to provide shade and to actually apply water to such person for additional comfort and cooling.

There remains a need for an umbrella which is lightweight, collapsible, portable and which utilizes one or more misting elements to direct a spray of water downwardly to an area under a main umbrella fabric cover. With such an arrangement, protection from the dangerous rays of the sun is provided while allowing the at least one misting element to provide cooling for individuals seated or standing beneath the umbrella.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In its simplest form the present invention provides a misting umbrella comprising a pole; an upper hub; a plurality of main umbrella support members; a lower hub; a plurality of lower umbrella support arms; a main umbrella fabric cover attached to said main umbrella support members; and at least one spray member attached to at least one of said main umbrella support members, said at least one spray member directed downwardly and connected to a supply of water.

Preferably said at least one spray member comprises a plurality of spray members, each spray member attached to one of said main umbrella support members.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention a distribution ring provides a supply of water to plural distribution lines attached to said plurality of spray members. Said distribution ring preferably includes plural “T” shaped distributors connected to form a ring by plural ring lines and connected to one of said distribution lines. Preferably a main supply line provides a supply of water from a pump to said distribution ring.

Said main supply line may be connected to said distribution ring by a “T” shaped distributor but is preferably connected to said distribution ring by an “X” shaped distributor.

Said supply of water is preferably comprised of tubular lines of a flexible material such a plastic, rubber or nylon. Said tubular lines preferably comprise a main supply line, ring lines and distribution lines.

Said distribution ring is preferably flexible so as to allows said main umbrella support members to be moved from an open to a closed position in a normal manner.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention a shut off valve is also provided to allow intermittent use of said at least one spray member at desired intervals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

is an isometric view of a misting umbrella of the present invention in an open position.

FIG. 2

is a cross sectional view of an umbrella of the present invention in a closed position.

FIG. 3

is a top view of a misting umbrella of the present invention with the fabric cover removed.

FIG. 4

is an isometric view showing the details of a distribution ring according to the present invention.

FIG. 5

is an isometric view showing a main supply line connected to said distribution ring by a “T” shaped distributor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the Figures, the umbrella

5

includes a pole

10

. Pole

10

has an upper end

16

and a lower end

18

. A cap

12

is provided on upper end

16

of pole

10

. The cap

12

is secured to upper end

16

of pole

10

by means of a cap screw

14

. A hole

19

is provided from pole

10

for a pin

24

which will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

An upper hub

30

is provided which includes notches

32

for pivotal mounting of main umbrella support members

40

. Main umbrella support members

40

are provided which each include an inner portion

42

, a central portion

46

and an outermost portion

44

. The innermost portion

42

of main umbrella support member

40

is pivotally attached in notch

32

of hub

30

. Outermost portion

44

of main umbrella support member

40

are secured within a pocket

124

of a main umbrella fabric cover

120

. A lower support block

20

is provided which is held in position against downward movement by lower support block pin

24

which, as previously indicated, is inserted through hole

19

and the lower end

18

of pole

10

. A lower hub

50

, which includes notches

52

, is also provided. A plurality of lower umbrella support arms

60

having a first end pivotally attached to in notches

52

of lower hub

50

and having a second end pivotally attached to central portion

46

of main umbrella support members

40

. Each of these connections are pivotal connections which allows the umbrella to be opened and closed between an open position and a closed position in the well known manner.

Referring to

FIG. 1

, it can be seen that a singular main umbrella fabric cover

120

is provided in the manner which is most commonly practiced with existing patio umbrellas. Such main umbrella fabric cover

120

is formed out of generally triangular segments

122

as shown in FIG.

2

. These triangular segments

122

are sewn together. If desired, an additional piece of fabric

124

may be provided over a central portion of the main umbrella fabric cover

120

. As shown in

FIG. 1

, each of the main umbrella support members

40

are attached within pockets

124

of the main umbrella fabric cover

120

.

As will be obvious, the lower hub

50

is adapted for sliding motion on pole

10

allowing the umbrella to be moved from an open position to a closed position. Such operation is well known in the art.

Referring now to the operation of the mist generating portion of the invention, a pump

61

is provided which is connected to an electrical source (not shown). A supply of water is provided through a hose line

62

. The output of the pump is provided to a main supply line

70

. A shut-off valve

72

is provided preferably at a location near the base of pole

10

to allow a user to turn the mist on and off as desired. As shown, the main supply line

70

is attached to pole

10

by connectors

120

. The main supply line

70

is connected tightly to the pole

10

and runs between the pole

10

and the lower support

20

, lower hub

50

and upper hub

30

.

The main supply

70

is preferably connected to a distribution ring

80

which is formed of a number of individual water distributors as will be hereinafter discussed. Preferably, an “X” shaped distributor

100

is provided having an input end

102

connected to main supply line

70

. Two lateral outputs

104

are connected respectively by ring lines

82

to “T” shaped connectors

110

as best shown in FIG.

4

. The “X” shaped distributor

100

also has an output

106

which is connected directly to a distribution line

90

which carries the water directly to a spray member

92

.

Each “T” shaped distribution member

110

has a pair of lateral outputs

114

which form a portion of the distribution ring

80

and have an output

116

which are connected to a distribution line

90

. Each of the distribution members

100

,

110

are attached to a main umbrella support member

40

by means of connectors

120

as best shown in FIG.

4

. The distribution lines

90

pass through an opening

91

in the outer ends

44

of the main support

40

and are connected to spray members

92

.

In use, once the pump

61

is turned on and valve

72

opened, water flows through main supply line

70

, through distribution ring

80

to the distribution lines

90

and a spray is emitted downwardly by spray members

92

. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that a variety of different spray member configurations could be utilized to provide a fine mist or even a heavy shower, if desired. The spray is directed downwardly to an area beneath the umbrella fabric

120

as best shown in FIG.

1

.

The present invention provides a lightweight and portable misting umbrella which provides both shade from the sun as well as a refreshing mist of water to provide for additional cooling to those located beneath the umbrella.