US Patent 7121289 Expandable multiuser umbrella

An expandable multiuser umbrella includes a pair of elongated telescoping shafts each having a plurality of expandable support struts radially extending therefrom. The support struts support a canopy member having two opposing side sections with an expandable intermediate section therebetween. The upper ends of the support shafts are interconnected with a telescoping arm allowing the shafts to be separated to expand the canopy intermediate section for accommodating multiple users. Alternatively, the shafts may be moved to a contiguous juxtaposed position thereby collapsing the intermediate section of the canopy allowing the umbrella to be comfortably used by a single person.