Automobile umbrella apparatus
View Patent ↗An automobile umbrella apparatus for use with an automobile window includes a base member having an arch shape that nests atop the lower window frame of an automobile. A mounting shaft extends upwardly from the base member is length adjustable to span between the lower and upper window frame members of an automobile. A mounting fin is coupled to the mounting shaft proximate a distal end and has a wedge shape configured to engage an upper window frame member in a friction fit relationship. An umbrella pole includes a proximal end pivotally coupled to the upper end of the mounting shaft and an opposed distal end. An umbrella canopy is operatively coupled to the distal end of the umbrella pole and movable between a retracted configuration loosely surrounding the umbrella pole and a deployed configuration extending away from the umbrella pole so as to shield or shade an area thereunder.
1. An automobile umbrella apparatus for attachment to an automobile door having opposed lower and upper window frame members, said automobile umbrella apparatus comprising:
a base member having an arch shape configured to selectively nest atop the lower window frame of an automobile;
a mounting shaft having a lower end coupled to said base member and an opposed upper end displaced from said lower end, said mounting shaft being length adjustable to span between the lower and upper window frame members;
a mounting fin coupled to said mounting shaft proximate said upper end and having a wedge shape configured to engage the upper window frame member in a friction fit relationship;
an umbrella pole having a proximal end pivotally coupled to said upper end of said mounting shaft and a distal end displaced from said proximal end; and
a umbrella canopy operatively coupled to said distal end of said umbrella pole and movable between a retracted configuration loosely surrounding said umbrella pole and a deployed configuration extending away from said umbrella pole so as to shield or shade an area thereunder.
2. The automobile umbrella apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein said mounting shaft includes:
an upper portion having opposed first and second ends;
a lower portion having a tubular configuration defining an interior space and an open top, said lower portion configured to selectively receive said upper portion into said interior space through said open top; and
a spring positioned in said lower portion and in communication with said first end of said upper portion, said spring being normally biased to exert an outward force to push said upper portion out of said interior space.
3. The automobile umbrella apparatus as in claim 2 , wherein said upper portion of said mounting shaft is slidably movable between a compressed configuration substantially inside said interior space of said lower portion and an extended configuration substantially outside of said interior space of said lower portion such that said mounting shaft is length adjustable.
4. The automobile umbrella apparatus as in claim 3 , further comprising a mounting shaft clamp situated adjacent said open top of said lower portion and operable to secure said upper portion and said lower portion at a selected length adjusted configuration in a friction-fit arrangement.
5. The automobile umbrella apparatus as in claim 2 , wherein said mounting fin is slidably coupled to said upper portion of said mounting shaft and selectively movable therealong, said mounting fin having a fin clamp selectively tightened to secure said mounting fin at a desired position.
6. The automobile umbrella apparatus as in claim 5 , wherein said mounting fin includes an adjustment portion that is pivotal so as to conform to a configuration of the upper window frame member.
7. The automobile umbrella apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein said proximal end of said umbrella pole is pivotally coupled to said upper end of said mounting shaft with an tilt clamp situated at said top end of said lower portion and operable to secure said umbrella pole at a selected angle.
8. The automobile umbrella apparatus as in claim 1 , further comprising a:
a rib assembly having a plurality of spaced apart ribs positioned radially on a bottom surface of said umbrella canopy, each rib extending between a canopy apex and a canopy perimeter edge;
a hub slidably coupled to said umbrella pole and selectively movable therealong; and
a plurality of spokes extending between said hub and respective ribs, said plurality of spokes being arranged so as to cause said canopy to move toward said deployed configuration when said hub is moved toward said umbrella pole distal end and causing said canopy to move toward said retracted configuration when said hub is moved toward said umbrella pole proximal end.
9. The automobile umbrella apparatus as in claim 2 , wherein said spring is a compression spring that is naturally biased to expand when not compressed.
10. The automobile umbrella apparatus as in claim 2 , wherein said upper portion and said lower portion of said mounting shaft are telescopically connected and length adjustable.
11. An automobile umbrella apparatus for attachment to an automobile door having opposed lower and upper window frame members, said automobile umbrella apparatus comprising:
a base member configured to selectively receive the lower window frame of an automobile;
a mounting shaft comprising:
an upper portion having a first end and an opposed second end upwardly displaced from said first end;
a lower portion having a tubular configuration having a first end coupled to said base member, said lower portion defining an interior space and an open top such that said lower portion is configured to selectively receive said first end of said upper portion into said interior space through said open top;
a spring positioned in said lower portion and in communication with said first end of said upper portion, said spring being normally biased to exert an outward force to push said upper portion out of said interior space;
a mounting fin coupled to said mounting shaft proximate said second end of said upper potion, said mounting fin having a wedge shape configured to engage the upper window frame member in a friction fit relationship;
an umbrella pole having a proximal end pivotally coupled to said upper end of said mounting shaft and a distal end displaced from said proximal end; and
a umbrella canopy operatively coupled to said distal end of said umbrella pole and movable between a retracted configuration loosely surrounding said umbrella pole and a deployed configuration extending away from said umbrella pole so as to shield or shade an area thereunder.
12. The automobile umbrella apparatus as in claim 11 , wherein said upper portion of said mounting shaft is slidably movable between a compressed configuration substantially inside said interior space of said lower portion and an extended configuration substantially outside of said interior space of said lower portion such that said mounting shaft is length adjustable.
13. The automobile umbrella apparatus as in claim 12 , further comprising a mounting shaft clamp situated adjacent said open top of said lower portion and operable to secure said upper portion and said lower portion at a selected length adjusted configuration in a friction-fit arrangement.
14. The automobile umbrella apparatus as in claim 11 , wherein said mounting fin is slidably coupled to said upper portion of said mounting shaft and selectively movable therealong, said mounting fin having a fin clamp selectively tightened to secure said mounting fin at a desired position.
15. The automobile umbrella apparatus as in claim 14 , wherein said mounting fin includes an adjustment portion that is pivotal so as to conform to a configuration of the upper window frame member.
16. The automobile umbrella apparatus as in claim 11 , wherein said proximal end of said umbrella pole is pivotally coupled to said upper end of said mounting shaft with an tilt clamp situated at said top end of said lower portion and operable to secure said umbrella pole at a selected angle.
17. The automobile umbrella apparatus as in claim 11 , further comprising a:
a rib assembly having a plurality of spaced apart ribs positioned radially on a bottom surface of said umbrella canopy, each rib extending between a canopy apex and a canopy perimeter edge;
a hub slidably coupled to said umbrella pole and selectively movable therealong; and
a plurality of spokes extending between said hub and respective ribs, said plurality of spokes being arranged so as to cause said canopy to move toward said deployed configuration when said hub is moved toward said umbrella pole distal end and causing said canopy to move toward said retracted configuration when said hub is moved toward said umbrella pole proximal end.
18. The automobile umbrella apparatus as in claim 11 , wherein said spring is a compression spring that is naturally biased to expand when not compressed.
19. The automobile umbrella apparatus as in claim 15 , further comprising a:
a rib assembly having a plurality of spaced apart ribs positioned radially on a bottom surface of said umbrella canopy, each rib extending between a canopy apex and a canopy perimeter edge;
a hub slidably coupled to said umbrella pole and selectively movable therealong; and
a plurality of spokes extending between said hub and respective ribs, said plurality of spokes being arranged so as to cause said canopy to move toward said deployed configuration when said hub is moved toward said umbrella pole distal end and causing said canopy to move toward said retracted configuration when said hub is moved toward said umbrella pole proximal end.
20. The automobile umbrella apparatus as in claim 11 , wherein said upper portion and said lower portion of said mounting shaft are telescopically connected and length adjustable.