Patent ID: 6244284
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: A45B

Abstract:
A foldable umbrella, comprising:an elongate handle having an upper end, a lower end and a middle portion between said upper and lower ends ;a ferrule fixed on said upper end of said handle ;a runner sleeved slidably on said middle portion of said handle and movable between a lower position with respect to said ferrule, where said umbrella is in a folded state, and an upper position, where said umbrella is in a spread-out state;a plurality of rib assemblies, each includingan elongated first rib having a first proximate end connected pivotally to said ferrule, a first distal end opposite to said first proximate end, a first pivot between said first proximate and distal ends, and a longitudinal slide slot formed therethrough between said first pivot and said first distal end,a second rib having second proximate and second distal ends opposite to each other relative to said ferrule, and a second pivot between said second proximate and second distal ends and disposed adjacent to said second proximate end, said second pivot being connected pivotally to said first distal end of said first rib,a third rib having third proximate and third distal ends opposite to each other relative to said ferrule, and a third pivot between said third proximate and third distal ends and disposed adjacent to said third proximate end, said third pivot being connected pivotally to said second distal end of said second rib, anda plurality of stretcher assemblies, each includinga stretcher having a fourth proximate end connected pivotally to said runner, and a fourth distal end connected pivotally to said first pivot of said first rib of a corresponding one of said rib assemblies,an elongate non-flexible first connecting member having a fifth proximate end connected pivotally to said stretcher adjacent to said fourth distal end, a fifth distal end connected pivotally to said second proximate end of said second rib of the corresponding one of said rib assemblies, and a transverse projection formed adjacent to said fifth distal end and extending slidably through said slide slot in said first rib, andan elongate rigid second connecting member having a sixth proximate end connected pivotally to said transverse projection of said first connecting member, and a sixth distal end connected pivotally to said third proximate end of said third rib of the corresponding one of said rib assemblies, said slide slot in said first rib having a length sufficient to cause said first, second and third ribs of the corresponding one of said rib assemblies to generally align with one another when said umbrella in the spread-out state; andmeans for biasing said runner to said lower position so as to collapse said rib assemblies.