Patent ID: 6484452
Filing Date: 2002-11-26
Classification: A45B

Abstract:
A self-opening/closing umbrella comprising:a handle; an outer tube mounted outside the handle and including a lower end and an upper end, the outer tube including a first radial hole; a middle tube partially mounted in the outer tube and including a lower end securely attached to the handle and an upper end in the outer tube, the middle tube including a second radial hole and a third radial hole; an inner tube partially mounted in the middle tube and including a lower end in the middle tube and an upper end extending beyond the middle tube and the outer tube, the inner tube including a fourth radial hole; a base securely mounted to the upper end of the inner tube to move therewith, a plurality of ribs each having an end pivotally connected to the base; a runner securely mounted to the upper end of the outer tube to move therewith, the runner being slidably mounted around the inner tube; a plurality of stretchers each pivotally connected to the runner and the associated rib; a compression spring attached between the runner and the upper end of the middle tube; a first hook pivotally mounted to the lower end of the outer tube and including a first end and a hooked end; an opening button mounted to the handle and operably connected to the first end of the first hook; a second hook pivotally mounted to the handle and including a hooked end; a closing button mounted to the handle and operably connected to the second hook; wherein when the umbrella is in a closed state, the compression spring is compressed, the hooked end of the first hook is engaged in the first radial hole of the outer tube and the second radial hole of the middle tube, the hooked end of the second hook is engaged in the third radial hole of the middle tube and the fourth radial hole of the inner tube; wherein when the opening button is pushed, the hooked end of the first hook is disengaged from the second radial hole of the middle tube the first end of the first hook is a disconnected from the opening button, the runner and the outer tube are moved upward with the first hook under a first stage of extension of the compression spring, thereby opening the umbrella to an open state; and wherein when the closing button is pushed while the umbrella is in the open state, the hooked end of the second hook is disengaged from the, fourth radial hole of the inner tube, the base and the inner tube are moved upward under a second stage of extension of the compression spring, thereby closing the umbrella.