# US 8,783,274 B1 · Apparatus for anchoring umbrellas > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,783,274 B1 - Document ID: US8783274B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 13/239,661 - Filed: 2011-09-22 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2010-10-01 - Applicants: John Supino - Inventors: John Supino - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783274B1 ## CPC - A45F 3/44: Article supports adapted to be stuck into the ground {(posts driven into the ground E04H12/2215)} - A47G 25/12: Cane or umbrella stands or holders - A45B 2023/0012: {Ground supported umbrellas or sunshades on a single post, e.g. resting in or on a surface there below} - A45F: TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY - A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B) - A45B: WALKING STICKS (walking aids, e.g. sticks, for blind persons A61H3/06); UMBRELLAS; LADIES' OR LIKE FANS (cane or umbrella stands or holders A47G25/12) ## Abstract An apparatus for anchoring an umbrella having a generally cylindrical container structure, having a bottom panel area securely attached to the cylindrical center structure, the bottom panel having a generally concentric opening to the interior of the central structure which is adapted to permit an umbrella pole's lower portion to protrude therefrom for placement on a sand base. A panel with an upper opening is attached to the cylindrical central structure. The upper opening panel is configured to receive an umbrella pole and an amount of sand sufficient to provide support for the pole and ballast for the umbrella. At least one strap is attached at one end of the central structure and is of sufficient length to wrap over the umbrella pole runner and around the pole and through the spokes to secure the umbrella support structure, eliminating wobbling and keeping the umbrella from flying across the sand. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An anchoring apparatus for an umbrella construction including an umbrella pole, ribs, and runner comprising: (a) a central ballast container structure having a generally cylindrical central structure; (b) a complementary bottom panel securely attached or integral to the cylindrical central structure, the bottom panel having a generally concentric opening to the interior of the cylindrical central structure adapted to permit an umbrella pole's lower portion to protrude therefrom for placement upon a sand base; (c) an upper opening panel securely attached or integral to the cylindrical central structure, the upper opening panel configured to receive an umbrella pole and an amount of ballast sufficient to provide support for the umbrella pole and umbrella pole runner, an upper opening panel having a closure configured to enclose ballast and the umbrella pole runner, and an umbrella pole deployed through the upper opening panel; and (d) at least one fixed or adjustable length strap securely attached at one end to the cylindrical central structure of sufficient length to be extended upward to wrap over and engage one or more ribs of the umbrella pole runner and wrap around the umbrella pole, thereby engaging and anchoring the umbrella construction in an upright position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An anchoring apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the adjustable length strap is a pair of adjustable straps each securely attached to the anchoring apparatus at one end and each having a complementary clasping device at the other end of each strap. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An anchoring apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the adjustable straps are fabric webs. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) An anchoring apparatus as in claim 3 wherein the fabric webs are selected from among nylon, cotton, polyester and vinyl fabrics and blends thereof. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) An anchoring apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the complementary clasping devices are snap buckles. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An anchoring apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the adjustable strap is securely stitched to the anchoring apparatus. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An anchoring apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the upper opening panel closure is a drawstring with a cinching barrel clip. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An anchoring apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the upper opening panel, the central cylindrical panel and the bottom panel are fabric panels. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) An anchoring apparatus as in claim 8 wherein the fabric panels are selected from among nylon, cotton, polyester, vinyl fabrics and blends thereof. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) An anchoring apparatus as in claim 8 wherein the fabric panels are integrally stitched together from separate panels. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) An anchoring apparatus as in claim 8 wherein the fabric panels are constructed of a single, integral piece of material or separate pieces of material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An anchoring apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the adjustable length strap is a pair of adjustable straps each securely attached to the anchoring apparatus at one end and each having a complementary clasping device at the other end of each strap. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) An anchor device according to claim 12 wherein the adjustable straps are pig-tail straps. ### Claim 14 A method of anchoring an umbrella on a sand base comprising the steps of; (a) locating a position to place the umbrella, including an umbrella pole and a runner; (b) deploying a lower end of the umbrella pole through an anchoring apparatus, the anchoring apparatus having a. a central ballast container structure; b. a complementary bottom panel securely attached to the central ballast container structure, the bottom panel having a generally concentric opening to the interior of the central ballast container structure adapted to permit an umbrella pole lower portion to protrude therefrom for placement upon a sand base; c. an upper opening panel configured to receive an umbrella pole and an amount of sand sufficient to provide support for the pole and ballast for the umbrella, the upper opening panel having a closure configured to enclose the sand ballast and an umbrella pole deployed through the upper panel; and d. at least one fixed or adjustable length strap securely attached at one end to the anchor central structure of sufficient length to extend upward to wrap over the umbrella pole runner and securely engage the umbrella pole (c) positioning the lower end of the pole in the sand and placing the anchoring apparatus with pole there through into the sand; (d) filling the anchoring apparatus with sufficient sand to support the umbrella pole and provide ballast; and (e) engaging and securing the umbrella pole runner and pole with one or more fixed or adjustable web straps securely attached at one end to a first point of the anchoring apparatus. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein the web straps are adjustable in length and attached at each far end to a second point of the anchoring apparatus. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 wherein the web straps have complementary clasps for fastening or adjusting the straps. ### Claim 17 An anchoring apparatus for an umbrella including an umbrella pole, ribs, and a runner comprising: (a) a rigid central ballast container structure, said central ballast container structure having a bottom panel having a generally concentric opening to an interior of the central ballast container structure adapted to permit an umbrella pole's lower portion to protrude therefrom for placement upon a sand base; (b) an upper opening panel securely attached or integral to the central ballast container structure, the upper opening panel configured to receive an umbrella pole and an amount of ballast sufficient to provide support for the umbrella pole and ballast for the umbrella, the upper opening panel having a closure configured to enclose ballast, the umbrella pole and umbrella pole runner deployed through the upper panel; and (c) at least one fixed or adjustable length strap securely attached at one end to the cylindrical central structure of sufficient length to be extended upward to wrap over and engage one or more of the ribs and the umbrella pole runner and around the umbrella pole, thereby engaging and anchoring the umbrella construction in an upright position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) An anchoring apparatus as in claim 17 wherein the adjustable length strap comprises a pair of adjustable straps each securely attached to the anchoring apparatus at one end and each having a complementary clasping device at the other end of each strap. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) An anchoring apparatus as in claim 17 wherein the rigid central ballast container structure is an injection molded insulating container.