Patent ID: 6470899
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: A45B

Abstract:
A foldable umbrella comprising:a post; at least one canopy coupled to an upper end portion of said post; a sleeve slidably mounted on said post; a plurality of radially oriented ribs secured to said at least one canopy, each said rib having a radially inner end and a radially outward end; and a plurality of foldable strut assemblies, each strut assembly connected between said sleeve and a respective one of said ribs, each strut assembly including: at least a first strut member having one end portion pivotally connected at a first pivot to said sleeve and a second end portion pivotally connected to a respective one of said ribs at a second pivot spaced radially outwardly from said radially inner end of the rib, and an engaging member on one of said rib and said first strut member, for restraining lateral or sideways movement of said rib relative to said first strut member at least when said rib is caused to move toward an inverted condition of the umbrella, said engaging member being at a position near said second pivot and spaced from said second pivot, and arranged between said second pivot and said post, and said engaging member having spaced apart legs extending from said one of said rib and said first strut member so as to engage at least a portion of the other of said rib and first strut member at a position near said second pivot and spaced apart from said second pivot and arranged between said second pivot and said post, to thereby restrain said lateral or sideways movement of said rib relative to said first strut member at least when said rib is caused to move toward an inverted condition of the umbrella, and wherein said engaging member is dimensioned to receive a portion of said other of said rib and first strut member between the legs thereof at least at a position spaced from said second pivot and at least when said rib is caused to move toward an inverted condition of the umbrella.