Abstract:
A short force arm deflection device is mounted to a section of a center post of an umbrella between a top cap and a runner and includes an upper deflection member and a lower deflection member pivotally connected to each other, and a barrel receiving a compression spring, The upper and lower deflection members are respectively connected to a lower end of an upper post segment and an upper end of a lower post segment. The barrel, receives the compression spring and goes over the connection portion between the lower deflection member and. the lower post segment. To open, the runner is pulled upwardly by a pull cord to contact the barrel causing a relative rotation between the upper and lower deflection members for realizing deflection between the top cap and the runner for inclining a canopy.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a short force arm deflection device, and in particular to a deflection device that is mountable to a section of center post of an umbrella between a top cap and a runner to provide a short force arm that allows deflection and canopy opening operated in an effortless manner and belongs to a technical field of improved deflection device of umbrella. 
         [0003]    2. The Related Arts 
         [0004]    For commonly used large-sized umbrellas, such as beach parasols, garden parasols, and advertisement umbrella, to make opening the umbrellas easy, a winding device that is mounted to an umbrella center post is employed, in which the winding device comprises a crank arm, which when rotated, drives a pull cord concealed in the interior of the center post to pull a runner to move along the center post. The umbrella is opened when the runner is moved upward and the umbrella is closed when the runner moves downward. Some umbrellas are provided with a deflection device, whereby if the pull cord is controlled to continuously pull the runner to move upward after the umbrella has been completely opened, the deflection device that is mounted to the center post is actuated to incline the umbrella by an angle. 
         [0005]    The conventional deflection device, once mounted to an umbrella, exhibits such a significant feature that when the runner is pulled upward to open the umbrella, the deflection device is located on the center post at a position below the runner. If the runner is further pulled to move upward, the deflection device will incline the umbrella canopy by an angle, where the deflection device that is located below the runner get further from the runner. 
         [0006]    Heretofore, the deflection device is mounted to an umbrella center post at a position below the runner and consequently, for the center post, a long force arm is formed above a deflection portion of the deflection device for supporting the total weight of the whole umbrella top, including a top cap, ribs, stretchers, and the runner. The deflection device will bear a greater gravitational force when the deflection device makes a deflection angle that is larger and thus the inclination of the umbrella canopy is greater. Such a great force is only supported by a pivot pin of the deflection device and this may easily cause damage to the components thereof. Malfunctioning of the deflection device makes the operation of smooth umbrella opening and deflection impossible. The long force arm makes opening umbrella laborious. However, make the deflection device of a material of good strength may, sometimes, causes an excessively increased expenditure. Al these problems are commonly seen in the umbrellas to which the conventional deflection devices are mounted. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    An objective of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the conventional umbrella deflection devices that have a long force arm by providing a short force arm deflection device. 
         [0008]    In other words, the short force arm deflection device according to the present invention is mountable to various large-sized umbrellas, and especially mounted to a section of center post of the umbrella between a top cap and a runner to make the operation of deflection effortless. The short force arm arrangement allows the deflection device to bear the minimum load and thereby significantly extending the lifespan of the umbrella. 
         [0009]    To achieve the above objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: 
         [0010]    The present invention provides a short force arm deflection device, which is mounted to a section of a center post of an umbrella between a top cap and a runner, and comprising an upper deflection member, a lower deflection member, and a barrel that receives therein a compression spring. 
         [0011]    The upper deflection member is connected to a lower end of an upper post segment of the center post. 
         [0012]    The lower deflection member is connected to an upper end of a lower post segment of the center post. 
         [0013]    The upper deflection member and the lower deflection member are jointed by a first pivot pin so that deflection can be effected between the upper and lower deflection members through relative rotation about the first pivot pin for setting an umbrella canopy at an inclination angle. 
         [0014]    The barrel that receives therein the compression spring is fit over the connection between the lower deflection member and the lower post segment of the center post. 
         [0015]    A connection plate is arranged between the barrel and the lower deflection member to transmit the power of the runner moving upward to control the upper and lower deflection members to carry out the deflection therebetween. 
         [0016]    In opening the umbrella, the runner is pulled upward along the lower post segment by a pull cord to get into contact with the barrel and the compression spring received in the barrel drives the connection plate in a direction from the lower side to the upper side, thereby transmitting the power to cause the deflection between the upper and lower deflection members to carry out between the top cap and the runner. 
         [0017]    The deflection device of the present invention, when mounted to an umbrella, shows the feature that the deflection device is mounted to a section of the center post between the top cap and the runner of the umbrella. The portion of the center post, which is above the deflection point of the deflection device, forms the shortest force arm that supports the umbrella canopy. 
         [0018]    In both opening the umbrella or taking a deflection for changing direction, the runner is always kept on an upright portion of the center post. A significant portion of the gravity of umbrella, after being open, is born by the runner. In making the deflection, whether the inclination angle of the umbrella canopy is large or small, the deflection device only takes a very limited portion of the gravity. This makes the deflection device not easy to get malfunctioning and thus increases this life span of the umbrella, especially the deflection device. 
         [0019]    According to the present invention, the deflection of an umbrella can be done in an easy and effortless manner, because the deflection device of the present invention is operable by using the upward push caused by an upward moving runner to force a barrel and a connection plate upward to realize deflection between a lower deflection member and an upper deflection member, rather than using the tension of a pull cord of conventional deflection device to cause deflection between the lower deflection member and the upper deflection member, whereby the operation of deflection of an umbrella can be effected in an effortless manner. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing a deflection device according to the present invention mounted to an umbrella, the umbrella being shown in an erected upright condition; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view showing a step of an inclination operation subsequent to  FIG. 1  and illustrating that through rotation of a crank arm, the umbrella is converted into a deflected condition; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the deflection device according to the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the deflection device according to the present invention in the upright condition; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the deflection device according to the present invention in an inclined condition; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view showing a barrel according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing a deflection device according to the present invention, generally designated at  20 , mounted to an umbrella. In the drawing, the umbrella is shown in an erected upright condition. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view showing a step of an inclination operation subsequent to  FIG. 1 . The drawing shows that through rotation of a crank arm  15 , the umbrella is converted into a deflected condition. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the present invention provides a short force arm deflection device  20 , which is mounted to a section of a center post between a top cap  12  and a runner  13  of the umbrella. The deflection device  20  comprises an upper deflection member  21 , a lower deflection member  26 , and a barrel  36  that receives therein a compression spring. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the umbrella comprises a lower post segment  10 , an upper post segment  11 , a top cap  12 , a runner  13 , a winding device  14 , a crank arm  15 , a pull cord  16 , a guide roller  17 , ribs  18 , and stretchers  19 . 
         [0031]    The top cap  12  is fixed to a top end of the upper post segment  11 . The runner  13  is fit over the lower post segment  10  and is vertically movable. Each of the ribs  18  has an upper end pivoted to the top cap  12 . Each of the stretchers  19  has an upper end pivoted to a middle portion of the respective rib  18  and a lower end pivoted to the runner  13 . The deflection device  20  according to the present invention is coupled between the upper post segment  11  and the lower post segment  10 . 
         [0032]    The winding device  14  is fixed to the lower post segment  10 . The pull cord  16  has an end wound inside the winding device  14  and an opposite end extending through a hollow interior of the lower post segment  10 , the deflection device  20 , a hollow interior of the upper post segment  11 , and the guide roller  17  of the top cap  12  to connect to the runner  13 . 
         [0033]    Rotating the crank arm  15  drives the pull cord  16  to pull the runner  13  to move upward and the umbrella is opened, as shown in  FIG. 1 . After the umbrella has been opened, if the crank arm  15  is further rotated, the pull cord  16  would further pull the runner  13  to move upward and make a contact with the barrel  36 . The barrel  36  then controls the deflection device  20  to carry out a deflection operation to thereby incline the umbrella canopy at an inclination angle, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the deflection device  20  according to the present invention. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the deflection device  20  according to the present invention in an upright condition. 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the deflection device  20  according to the present invention in an inclined condition. 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view showing the barrel  36  according to the present invention. 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the deflection device  20  of the present invention comprises the upper deflection member  21  that is connected to a lower end of the upper post segment  11 . The upper deflection member  21  forms pivot holes  22  and a first pivot pin  23  is received through the pivot holes  22  to pivotally couple the lower deflection member  26 . Arc slots  25  are formed in the upper deflection member below the pivot holes  22 . Torsion springs  24  are respectively arranged at opposite sides of the pivot holes  22  and the two torsion springs  24  also receive the first pivot pin  23  to extend therethrough. Each of the torsion springs  24  has an end fixed to the upper deflection member  21  and an opposite end fixed to the lower deflection member  26 , whereby the two torsion springs  24  provide a biasing force for returning the deflection device back to the upright condition. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the lower deflection member  26  is mounted to an upper end of the lower post segment  10 . The lower deflection member  26  forms pivot holes  27 , through which the first pivot pin  23  is received, whereby deflection about an axis defined by the first pivot pin  23  can be realized between the upper deflection member  21  and the lower deflection member  26 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The lower deflection member forms an arc slot  28  below each of the pivot hole  27  and the arc slots  28  correspond to the arc slots  25  of the upper deflection member  21 . The arc slots  25 ,  28  receive a second pivot pin  29  therethrough. The lower deflection member forms a longitudinal slot  30  below each of the arc slots  28  and the longitudinal slots  30  receive a third pivot pin  31  therethrough. 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the barrel  36  is fit over connection between the lower deflection member  26  and the lower post segment  10 . 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  6 , the barrel  36  has a bottom through which a bore  37  is formed, as shown in  FIG. 3 , to receive the lower post segment  10  to extend therethrough. A compression spring  35  is received in a hollow interior of the barrel  36 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Curved grooves  38  are formed in symmetrical sites on inside surface of the barrel  36 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The two curved grooves  38  respectively and movably receive opposite ends of the third pivot pin  31 . A top cover  39  is mounted to and closes an open end of the barrel  36 . The top cover  39  forms a bore  40 . A connection plate  32  forms an upper pin hole  33  and a lower pin hole  34 . The upper pin hole  33  receives the second pivot pin  29  therethrough and the second pivot pin  29  is also received through the arc slots  25  of the upper deflection member  21  and the arc slots  28  of the lower deflection member  26 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The lower pin hole  34  of the connection plate  32  receives the third pivot pin  31  therethrough and the third pivot pin  31  is also received through the longitudinal slots  30  of the lower deflection member  26 . Further, the third pivot pin  31  is located between the compression spring  35  received in the barrel  36  and the top cover  39 . The two ends of the third pivot pin  31  are respectively and movably received in the curved grooves  38  defined in opposite sides of the inside surface of the barrel  36 . 
         [0042]    The operation of the invention is that in attempting to open the umbrella, the crank arm  15  of the winding device  14  is rotated to have the pull cord  16  drive the runner  13  to move upward thereby opening the umbrella, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . 
         [0043]    After the umbrella has been opened, further rotating the crank arm  15  would cause the pull cord  16  to further pull the runner  13  to move upward so that the runner  13  may eventually brought into contact with the barrel  36 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 . The barrel  36  is then forced upward by the runner  13  and the compression spring  35  moves the third pivot pin  31 , which in turn drives, via the connection plate  32 , the second pivot pin  29  to take a generally upward movement by following the arc slots  25  of the upper deflection member  21  and the arc slots  28  of the lower deflection member  26 . Thus, a very limited upward pushing force is sufficient for causing relative rotation between the upper deflection member  21  and the lower deflection member  26  about the first pivot pin  23  thereby deflecting an umbrella canopy to an inclination angle, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 . 
         [0044]    To close the umbrella, the umbrella closing operation is similar to those of the conventional large-sized umbrellas. A release button included in the winding device  14  is actuated to release the tensioned pull cord  16 , and the biasing forces of the two torsion springs  24  between the upper deflection member  21  and the lower deflection member  26  causes a returning operation, which together with downward movements of the second pivot pin  29  and the third pivot pin  31  caused by the connection plate  32 , allows the compression spring  35  and the barrel  36  to drive the runner  13  downward for position returning thereby making the umbrella canopy straight upright again for closing the umbrella. 
         [0045]    The deflection device  20 , once mounted to an umbrella, shows such a feature that the device is mountable to a section of the center post that is located between the top cap  12  and the runner  13  of the umbrella, whereby the portion of the center post that is located above the deflection point of the deflection device  20  forms a shortest force arm to support the umbrella canopy. 
         [0046]    The above discussed advantage of the present invention is quite apparent for the short force arm deflection device  20 , in both opening the umbrella or taking a deflection for changing direction, the runner  13  is always kept on an upright portion of the center post. A significant portion of the gravity of umbrella, after being open, is born by the runner  13 . In making the deflection, whether the inclination angle of the umbrella canopy is large or small, the deflection device  20  only takes a very limited portion of the gravity. This makes the deflection device not easy to get malfunctioning and thus increases this life span of the deflection device  20 . 
         [0047]    According to the present invention, the deflection of an umbrella can be done in an easy and effortless manner, because the deflection device  20  of the present invention is operable by using the upward push caused by an upward moving runner  13  to force a barrel  36  and a connection plate  32  upward to realize deflection between a lower deflection member  26  and an upper deflection member  21 , rather than using the tension of a pull cord of conventional deflection device to cause deflection between the lower deflection member and the upper deflection member, whereby the drawbacks of the conventional deflection devices can be effectively overcome. 
         [0048]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention which is intended to be defined by the appended claims.