Illuminated umbrella assembly having self-contained and replacable lighting

Abstract

An illuminated umbrella assembly having self-contained and protected lights is described. The illuminated umbrella assembly comprises (i) a lower vertical support pole having a first end for engagement to a generally horizontal surface and a second end extending upwardly there from; (ii) an upper vertical support pole having a first end coupled to the second end of the lower vertical support pole and a second end extending upwardly there from; (iii) a plurality of umbrella support bars extending from the second end of the upper vertical support pole; (iv) an umbrella panel overlaying and coupled to the plurality of umbrella support bars; (v) a hinged column coupled coaxially around and selectively movable along the upper vertical support pole; (vi) a plurality of hollowed, elongated and non-opaque support rails, each having a first end coupled to the hinged column and a second end coupled to one of the plurality of umbrella support bars; (vii) a plurality of light strands positioned internally within and extending substantially along the length of the plurality of hollowed, elongated and non-opaque support rails, each of the plurality of light strands having one of a plurality of plugs on one end thereof; (viii) a battery sleeve containing a series of rechargeable DC batteries wherein the battery sleeve is contained coaxially within the lower vertical support pole and is electrically wired to provide power to the light strands by including outlets to engage with said plugs; (ix) a solar panel overlaying at least a portion of the umbrella panel and electrically wired to provide power to the light strands through the outlets; and (x) a plurality of coupling hinges for individually attaching the second ends of the support rails to the plurality of umbrella support bars. A power switch is often provided to control the illumination of the light strands.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.