Umbrella

First and second elongated coaxial tubular members are slidably related for relative longitudinal movement. The first member carries a cylindrically shaped pivot block to which are pivoted a plurality of circumferentially spaced pivot pieces, for pivotal movement towards and away from the first member. A collapsible umbrella canopy supporting rib extends from each of such pieces. A cup shaped member is attached to the second member and operates simultaneously against the pieces to move them away from the first member and extend the ribs outwardly in canopy supporting position upon relative longitudinal movement of the members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention is in the field of weather protecting collapsible umbrellas 
having a canopy supported by a plurality of pivotable ribs swingable 
towards and away from the umbrella shaft. 
Umbrellas for weather protection have long been used. The typical 
construction comprises a plurality of arcuate ribs, each attached 
intermediately of its length to one end of a spoke, the other spoke end 
being pivotally attached to a manually slidable sleeve on the umbrella 
shaft. Sliding the sleeve upwardly on the shaft moves the spokes against 
the ribs to extend them to a canopy supporting position. The length of 
sleeve travel required and the amount of sleeve moving force limits the 
practical operating linkages that are usable. Also, the number of parts 
required in the conventional umbrella results in undesirably high 
manufacturing costs and higher liklihood of umbrella malfunction and 
breakage. 
It is therefore desirable to provide an improved weather protecting 
collapsible umbrella having less parts and therefore being substantially 
less complex, more economical to manufacture than conventional umbrellas 
and is yet durable in use. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Therefore, it is a primary object of this invention to provide an improved 
weather protecting umbrella apparatus. 
It is another object of this invention to provide an improved weather 
protecting collapsible umbrella apparatus having fewer parts than 
conventional umbrellas. 
It is another object to provide an improved weather protecting collapsible 
umbrella apparatus which is more economical to manufacture than 
conventional umbrella apparatus. 
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved weather 
protecting collapsible umbrella apparatus that is more durable in use and 
less likely of umbrella malfunction and breakage than conventional 
umbrella apparatus. 
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved weather 
protecting collapsible umbella apparatus having opening and closing 
mechanism having a shorter length of travel than the opening and closing 
mechanisms of conventional umbrella apparatus. 
Finally, it is another object of this invention to provide an improved 
umbrella apparatus meeting all of the above-identified objects. 
In the broader aspects of this invention there is provided an improved 
weather protecting umbrella apparatus having first and second elongated 
coaxial tubular members that are slidably related for relative 
longitudinal movement. The first member carries a cylindrically shaped 
pivot block to which are pivoted a plurality of circumferentially spaced 
pivot pieces, for pivotal movement towards and away from the first member. 
A collapsible umbrella canopy supporting rib extends from each or such 
pieces. A cup shaped member is attached to the second member and operates 
simultaneously against the pieces to move them away from the first member 
and extend the ribs outwardly in a canopy supporting position upon 
relative longitudinal movement of the members.

DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT 
Referring to FIGS. 1, 3-5, an umbrella 20 has an inner first tubular 
elongated member 22 that is inserted into an outer tubular elongated 
second member 24 and longitudinally slidable therein. A handle 26 is 
affixed to the lower end of member 22 for manual grasping of the umbrella. 
A cylindrical pivot block 28, having a tapered lower end, has five 
longitudinal slots 30 formed in the outer wall thereof and has a central 
opening 32 into which member 22 is inserted. Pin 34, FIG. 1, is inserted 
into diametral hole 36 in block 28, through holes in member 22 and into an 
opposite diametral hole in block 28 to secure member 22 to block 28 and 
restrain relative longitudinal and rotative motion between member 22 and 
block 28. 
A plurality of rib assemblies 39 are provided to support canopy 56. Each 
rib assembly 39 includes a pivot piece or wing 40 and a rib 52. Each wind 
40 has a polygonal configuration and has a pivot hole 42 formed in a 
corner thereof which receives a pivot pin 44. Circumferential grooves 46, 
FIG. 1, are formed in block 28 near its lower end for receiving pins 44. A 
wing 40 is pivotally mounted in each slot 30 by pins 44 being frictionally 
held in grooves 46 at the opposite ends thereof. Each wing 40 has edges 
40a, 40b and has a rib socket 48 for tightly receiving the inner end of a 
lightweight canopy supporting rib 52. The outer end of rib 52 has a tip 
cap 54 fitted thereover to hold a canopy edge portion thereto. 
A canopy 56 is circular in configuration and has a central opening, the 
inner edge of which is perimetrically clamped between grommet 58 and 
annular disk 60 which fits snugly into a circumferential lip of grommet 58 
and frictionally held in place. The outer edge of canopy 56 is attached at 
equally spaced circumferential points to the respective outer ends of the 
five ribs 52 by tip caps 54. Canopy 56 is of a collapsible weather 
resistant material of a kind well known in the art. Grommet 58 and disk 60 
as a unit are slidable on member 22. A resilient cylindrical plug 62 is 
secured to member 22 by being forcefully inserted into the upper open end 
of member 22 and has a crown 63 extending beyond the outer diameter of 
member 22. 
A cup 64 has a central opening from which a cylindrical flange 66 depends 
defining an opening into which the upper end of member 24 is forcefully 
inserted securing cut 64 to member 24. Cup 64 has an outwardly flared wall 
bounded by rim 68 which is rolled over outwardly to form an inverted 
perimetral trough. In this embodiment, the flare angle is about 
45.degree.. 
A cylindrical cap 70 has five longitudinal slots 72 formed in the side 
walls thereof and are equally spaced about the circumference thereof. 
Slots 72 are of sufficient circumferential dimension to allow free 
pivoting of wings 40 therethrough. The lower slotted perimeter 74 of cap 
70 is rolled over inwardly to form a plurality of troughs that mate with 
the cup trough and are crimped, bonded or otherwise firmly attached 
thereto to secure cap 70 to cup 64. 
A relatively heavy compression spring 76 encircles member 22 at its upper 
end between block 28 and the underside of the top of cap 70. A relatively 
light compression spring 78 encircles member 22 near the upper end thereof 
between the top of cap 70 and the underside of disk 60. In a preferred 
embodiment, spring 76 exerts a 10 lb. force and spring 78 exerts a 3 lb. 
force, resulting in a net upward force on the top of cap 70. 
The lower end of member 24 has a flange 80. A catch 82 has an arcuate upper 
surface and is pivoted at pivot 84 to handle 26 and has protrusion 86 
extending laterally therefrom. Coil spring 88 urges protrusion 86 
outwardly. 
Referring in particular to FIGS. 3, 4, which show respectively the open and 
closed umbrella positions, the operation of this embodiment will be 
described. In the closed position, FIG. 4, catch 82 has engaged flange 80 
and is holding it and member 24 against the net upward force of springs 
76, 78. Upon manual pushing of protrusion 86, flange 80 will be released 
and member 24 will slide upwardly on member 22. Rim 68 acts against edges 
40b of wings 40, pivoting them upwardly towards member 22. Continued 
upward movement of member 24 causes rim 68 to engage and act against edges 
40a and to continue the outward and upward swinging of wings 40 until the 
wall of flared cup 64 engages edges 40a, FIG. 3. At this time the umbrella 
is in the open position and the wings 40 are nested in cup 64, edge 40a 
being supported along its length by the flared cup wall. During the 
opening movement, spring 76 becomes partially decompressed, and spring 78 
becomes partially compressed making canopy 56 taut. The overhang of crown 
63 maintains gromet 58 and disk 60 on member 22. 
During opening movement, wings 40 and ribs 52 are pivoted outwardly to 
fully extend canopy 56 to a weather protecting cover. The relative 
dimensional movement between members 22, 24 between the open and closed 
positions is substantially less than that for conventional umbrellas. 
In the closing movement, wings 40 pivot downwardly away from member 22, 
collapsing canopy 56 towards the sides of member 24. The tip caps 54 or 
the ribs 52 may then be releasably held in a conventional manner to 
prevent loose movement of ribs 52. 
Referring now to FIGS. 2, 6-8, a modified version of umbrella 100, will be 
described. As in the previous embodiment, an inner elongated tubular first 
member 102 is inserted into an outer elongated tubular member 104 and is 
slidably movable relative thereto in a longitudinal direction. A handle 
106 is affixed to the lower end of member 102 for manual grasping of the 
umbrella. A cylindrical pivot block 108 has ten longitudinal slots 110 
formed in the outer wall thereof and has a central opening 112 into which 
member 102 is inserted and is secured thereto against relative 
longitudinal and rotative motion by pin 114, inserted into holes in block 
108 and member 102 in the manner of pin 34 insertion in block 28 and 
member 22. 
A pivot piece or arcuate arm 116, has a transverse pivot hole 118 formed at 
one end thereof which receives a pivot pin 120. An arm 116 is pivotally 
mounted in each slot 110. Circumferential grooves 122 are formed at the 
lower end of block 108 for frictionally receiving pins 120 in a manner 
similiar to grooves 46 receiving pins 44. Each arm 116 has a rib socket 
124 for tightly receiving the inner end of an elongated lightweight canopy 
supporting rib 126. The outer ends of ribs 126 are provided with tip caps 
54 for securing a portion of the outer circumference of a generally 
circular canopy 127 to ribs 126. The canopy may be similiar in 
configuration and material to canopy 56. 
Annular collar 128 has a bore 130 for slidably receiving the upper end of 
member 102. A circumferential groove 132 is formed in the outer wall of 
collar 128 intermediately thereof. Collar 128 has an annular outer 
shoulder 134 formed near the lower end thereof. A resilient cap 136 has an 
annular lip 138 formed at its lower periphery on the inner wall thereof 
which snaps into groove 132 over the inner perimetral edge of canopy 127 
to secure it to collar 128. 
A cup 140 has a central opening from which a cylindrical flange 142 
depends. Flange 142 receives and is affixed to, as by a force fit or 
bonding, the upper end of member 104. Cup 140 has an outwardly flared side 
wall and a rim 144, which has a surface shaped to the curvature of arms 
116 to provide a surface support to each of the arms 116 when the umbrella 
is in the open position, FIG. 6. 
A compression spring 146 encircles member 102 and acts between shoulder 134 
and block 108 to maintain canopy 127 taut. A longitudinal slot is formed 
in the wall of member 102 just above handle 106 to receive spring loaded 
lever 148 which protudes therefrom to support the lower edge of tube 104 
when the umbrella is in the open position, FIG. 6. 
Referring to FIGS. 6, 7, the operation of the second embodiment will be 
described. In the closed position, FIG. 7, the lower peripheral edge of 
member 104 seats on the top portion of handle 106 and arms 116 are in the 
lowered position. Spring 146 is partially decompressed and lever 148 is 
pivoted inwardly within member 102. Upon sliding member 104 upwardly on 
member 102, rim 144 rides upwardly against the underside of the curved 
portion of all arms 116 simultaneously, causing arms 116 to swing 
outwardly, away from member 102. After a longitudinal travel of about 0.75 
inches, the umbrella is open, FIG. 6, and lever 148 is spring urged 
outwardly in raised position support of member 104 on member 102. Spring 
146 has been partially compressed and ribs 126 are extended radially 
outwardly from member 102. To lower the umbrella, lever 148 is pushed 
inwardly until it clears the lower end of member 104, allowing it to slide 
downwardly under the weight of the umbrella components and force of spring 
146. 
Due to the very short travel of member 104 relative member 102 between 
closed and open positions, a mechanical screw drive may be incorporated 
between members 102 and 104 so that upon relatively few turns of 
rotational movement therebetween, the umbrella may be raised. This has the 
advantage of maintaining the umbrella in the open position without a lever 
or latch. Also, a worm gear, rack and pinion, as well as highly pitched 
threads may be used to impart sliding movement between members 102, 104. 
Also, a small battery driven electric motor may be used for this purpose. 
Further, a manufactured umbrella 100 would have a total of 43 pieces vs. 91 
pieces for a typical conventional umbrella, a reduction of 52.7%, 
resulting in a corresponding savings in labor and materials in 
manufacture. Also, because of the fewer parts used, and improved 
sturdiness of the parts, the umbrella of this invention is more durable. 
While there have been described above the principles of this invention in 
connection with specific embodiments, it is to be understood that this is 
by way of example and is not limiting of the scope of this invention.