Patent ID: 6095169
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: A45B

Abstract:
An automatic umbrella comprising:a reinforced umbrella rib assembly including at least a top rib (1) pivotally connected to an upper notch (51) of a central shaft (5) and connected with a stretcher rib (4), each said top rib (1) and each said stretcher rib (4) having a cross section of U shape and made of materials selected from aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, and materials light in weight, and mechanically processed, manufactured and integrally formed with a groove longitudinally recessed in each said top rib (1) and each said stretcher rib (4), an outer rib (2') secured to an outer portion (11) of each said top rib (1), said stretcher rib (4) pivotally connected between a middle runner (52) slidably held on the central shaft (5) and the top rib (1) adjacent to a junction between the top rib (1) and the outer rib (2) and an auxiliary stretcher rib (4a) pivotally connected between the stretcher rib (4) and a lower runner (53) slidably held on the central shaft (5), with said outer rib (2) and said auxiliary stretcher rib (4a) made of composites and plastic materials selected from carbon fiber, fiber-glass reinforced plastic, nylon, mineral-fiber reinforced composites, and engineering plastics having good mechanical strength for resisting bending, deformation and twisting and having good resilience for reinforcing the top rib (1) for forming the umbrella rib assembly with light weight and resilience;a flattened tensioning spring (55) for opening the umbrella retained between said middle runner (52) and said lower runner (53) having a cross section (551) of rectangular shape of a spring ring of the spring (55) for minimizing the dimension of the shaft (5);a top cap member (56) including an adapter secured on a top of the central shaft (5) and a plug fixed on a top of the adapter for firmly fastening the top cap member (56) on the top of the central shaft (5);a plurality of ball tips (3) each formed with a tubular hole (31) in the ball tip (3) to be firmly engageable with an outer end portion (22) of each said outer rib (2) which is gradually tapered outwardly; andsaid top rib (1) having an outer portion (11) which is bifurcated to be two crimping lugs (111) for cladding an inner portion (21) of the outer rib (2), having a plurality of prongs (112) pressed inwardly from the top rib (1) into the inner portion (21) of the outer rib for firmly connecting the inner portion (21) of the outer rib (2) with the outer portion (11) of the top rib (1).