Wind Tolerant Umbrella/Parasol

[melodiousdirge]

Couldn't decide if this was shelter or clothing; mods move as you see fit.

I want to take a big (48" is probably a good size) umbrella, and modify it with some lights, so I can use it for shade during the day, and light during the night. The problem is, every umbrella I've ever had (especially large ones) would be instantly destroyed by the kind of wind out there. I've thought about making a heavy duty umbrella skeleton of my own from balsa wood or PVC, but it would be really nice if it would fold up like a regular umbrella. I was thinking I could take a normal rain umbrella and replace the nylon canopy with aluminet or something similar that would provide shade but let the wind through; the only thing is a regular umbrella kind of relies on the canopy for part of its strength... it seems like it might be kind of difficult to sew shade cloth into a replacement canopy without just making a big mess.

Have any of you fine folks found/used a big parasol out there that could take the wind? I know I've seen lots of them out there, but I've never quizzed anyone on how well they hold up to wind.

[Zubeneschamali]

Hi mel, I found and ordered, but haven't received yet:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/361277957617?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

Mostly I liked the shape of the dome, and its about the right diameter. I'm prepared to tear it apart and rebuild using beefy materials if necessary. I was thinking of a sturdy hoop that the frame ends would be attached and a slide clip over the frame hinges. These would be removable so it would fold for packing. And doing away with the clear plastic in favor of something opaque.

Given the general design of umbrellas they are prone to wind failure. Pretty much count on a catastrophic failure by end of the week.

[melodiousdirge]

Hi mel, I found and ordered, but haven't received yet:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/361277957617?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

Mostly I liked the shape of the dome, and its about the right diameter.

Cool! I like the idea of a clear, deep umbrella like that I could hunker down under, but as you say it seems unlikely to hold up to any real punishment.

I'm prepared to tear it apart and rebuild using beefy materials if necessary.

If you're crafty with a sewing machine, there is extremely heavy duty clear vinyl available on amazon for replacing the flexible clear windows in boat canopies (though I see you're in favor of opacity):

I was thinking of a sturdy hoop that the frame ends would be attached and a slide clip over the frame hinges. These would be removable so it would fold for packing.

One of those LED packed hula hoops might be sturdy enough, and give you some cool lighting! I considered something similar, and I will if I have to, it would just be so much nicer to be able to click and fold up the umbrella if I decided I was tired of it for the day, rather than lug it back to camp and/or disassemble it.

Pretty much count on a catastrophic failure by end of the week.

Never! :p Honestly I would prefer to make it ridiculously more expensive and heavy than it needs to be, or just not do it at all than risk having it shredded. I'm thinking between 15w and 50w of LED lighting installed in this for night time, so it would be a real shame/waste to have it break.

[FIGJAM]

Just off the op of my head, the weak point in the brolly seems to be the inversion effect.

What if you open the bumpershoot , then sew some unstretchable strap around the outer edge.

This would make it impossible to invert, but still be closable.

[[jim]]

Just off the op of my head, the weak point in the brolly seems to be the inversion effect.

What if you open the bumpershoot , then sew some unstretchable strap around the outer edge.

This would make it impossible to invert, but still be closable.

you'd need to source some 'unbendable' ribs as well. and non-tearable attachment methods/materials.

make it all out of concrete and rebar?

[lucky420]

A clear canopy wouldn't provide much shade

I suppose you could drape it with a scarf.

[nilasnake]

i just buy those 'cheap' sunblocking umbrellas that screw to your folding chair. a couple of them. then so what if they get destroyed. recycle as art.

[melodiousdirge]

i just buy those 'cheap' sunblocking umbrellas that screw to your folding chair. a couple of them. then so what if they get destroyed. recycle as art.

You missed the part where I add a bunch of electronics to the umbrella and thusly become attached to it not self destructing.

Also I've chased down a few umbrellas/pieces of umbrellas on the playa. I get pissed off when I have to do it, and I'd rather not contribute to that phenomenon.

[melodiousdirge]

A clear canopy wouldn't provide much shade

I suppose you could drape it with a scarf.

I was thinking shade cloth over top of the clear umbrella during the day, but yes, it would be a nice little sauna otherwise. Might block a bit of UVA/UVB though! :p

[melodiousdirge]

Just off the op of my head, the weak point in the brolly seems to be the inversion effect.

What if you open the bumpershoot , then sew some unstretchable strap around the outer edge.

This would make it impossible to invert, but still be closable.

Yessir, this is one of the things I was thinking. Even a paracord cynched around the outer edge would help. A lot of umbrellas have those 3-link accordion arms though, that could allow the umbrella to invert, even without stretching the outer rim (the shallow dish shape paired with the flimsy arms just allow it to completely distort into an inversion). Deeply curved canopy like the one Zubeneschamali posted would also be more resistant to inversion, but it might just tear.

I'm kind of leaning in the direction of letting the air through the canopy rather than reinforcement, but I'd love to hear more about what's worked for other peeps.

[Ratty]

This is my umbrella tree. I bought a few pieces of pvc joints and slipped them on a pole. I have an umbrella stand with giant feet. (Great for running my car tire on top of it to hold it in place.) I put up the tree to take a picture but didn't use it otherwise.

The other picture is a few years back. The one umbrella was my only shade. When the wind blows I take it down and shove it under the van.

As far as using one to walk around, it's a pleasure. The first year I had one mounted on my bike. Pretty but useless.

[FIGJAM]

I seem to recall that golf umbrellas are vented and heavy duty.

[Meat Hunter]

Try doing a Google search for: Heavy Duty Umbrella, you might find something that fits your needs.

Figjam mentioned a vented golf umbrella, try this link in three colors and probably more on other sites.
http://www.shedrain.com/shop/umbrellas/ ... r-golf-934

Or, Google search for: Heavy Duty Personal Umbrella.

[pretty_monster]

i have an umbrella that's held up through all 3 of my burns and will be going with me again this year. i invested in a good quality "old man" umbrella with the pointy metal tip and a heavy fabric and a curved wooden handle. i've never had a problem with it turning inside out.

anything larger would be too heavy and unwieldy for walking around with but it's large enough that, if i sit cross legged on the ground, i can use it to create a wind break or shade. i am only 5'4", though, so YMMV.

[melodiousdirge]

i have an umbrella that's held up through all 3 of my burns and will be going with me again this year. i invested in a good quality "old man" umbrella with the pointy metal tip and a heavy fabric and a curved wooden handle. i've never had a problem with it turning inside out.

anything larger would be too heavy and unwieldy for walking around with but it's large enough that, if i sit cross legged on the ground, i can use it to create a wind break or shade. i am only 5'4", though, so YMMV.

Cool umbrella! Thanks for sharing. That gives me a little more faith that I'll be able to come up with something that will survive.

Yesterday during a meeting I didn't really need to be at I began designing my own folding parasol that I figure would take wind tolerance to a level where I could put it on the roof of my car and drive on the highway. Unfortunately I really have a hard time doing things "good enough" and always want to take it to "ridiculous", so my bill of materials is WAY more than I want to spend on this project. We'll see if I can get access to some cheap or free stainless steel tubing. I figure 7/8" tubing for the main shaft, 3/8" ID tubing for the struts and, and 3/8" ODx 24" long polycarbonate spokes would make a pretty damn strong, but still not too heavy skeleton. After reconsidering my budget the entire thing may be made form PVC though, we'll see how it goes.