Cantilever umbrella and devices therefor

A cantilever umbrella comprising an upstanding mast and a cantilever arm adapted to support a canopy, the cantilever arm pivotally attached to the mast at an upper portion and configured to pivot between an open position where the canopy is deployed and where the cantilever arm extends away from the mast, and a closed position where the canopy is withdrawn and the cantilever arm extends close to the mast;

• the mast comprising an interior region defined by a longitudinally extending channel with a longitudinally aligned opening extending from the interior to the exterior of the mast wherein the interior channel of the mast comprises an outer facing interior surface and an inner facing interior surface;
• a carriage configured to travel longitudinally within the channel, wherein the carriage is moveably supported in the channel by a plurality of wheels, each wheel having two or more wheel surfaces, and wherein the carriage comprises a wheel surface adapted to engage with the outer facing interior surface and a wheel surface adapted to engage with the inner facing interior surface;
• and
• a support arm pivotally connected with the cantilever arm at one end, and pivotally connect with the carriage, through the channel opening at an opposing end;
• wherein raising of the carriage within the channel causes the cantilever to transition to the open position, and lowering of the carriage causes the cantilever to transition to the closed position.