Improved structure of triple-folding umbrella skeleton

Abstract: A triple-folding umbrella skeleton includes a plurality sets of frame arranged around the middle tube (7) and pivotably mounted on the notch (71) and runner (72) respectively. Each frame set includes a first rib (1) a second rib (2), a third rib (3) a stretcher (4) and a first link (5). One end of the first rib (1) is pivotably mounted on the runner (72). The two ends of the second rib (2) is pivotably mounted to the other end of the first rib (1) and one end of the third rib (3) respectively. One end of the stretcher (4) is pivotably mounted on the notch (71), and the other end of the stretcher (4) is pivotably mounted to the first rib (1). The first link (5) is generally parallel to the first rib (1), and its two ends is pivotably mounted to a first entension portion (20) of the second rib and the stretcher (4) respectivley. The first line (5), the stretcher (4), the first rib (1) and the first extension portion (20) cooperate to form a quadric link structure. The triple-folding umbrella skeleton is characterized in that each frame set further includes a connecting spring (9) and a second link (8) generally parallel to the second rib (2). One end of the second link (3) is pivotably mounted to a second extension portion (30) of the third rib, and the other end of the second link is connected to the first rib (1) via the connecting spring (9). Whereby, each frame set can be expanded to a largest extent to obtain a largest canopy shielding area, and only a smaller force is needed to open the triple-folding umbrella skeleton, due to the retractability of the connecting spring.

Description: The present invention relates to a triple-folding umbrella skeleton according to the preamble of the claim. According to document FR-A-2 269 886, there is disclosed a generic triple-folding umbrella skeleton, wherein the second extension portion comprises an oblong hole in which a bent portion of the second link is slidable and pivotable linked. The further document FR-A-2 182 423 also discloses a triple-folding umbrella skeleton in which springs are incorporated at different connection points of the frame and serve to apply an appropriate force to fold and open the frame structure of the skeleton. The object of the present invention is to provide a triple-folding umbrella skeleton, which could be opened during a long period of time with even and small forces. This object is achieved by the features defined in the characterizing part of the claim. According to these features each frame set further includes a connecting spring connecting the second link to the first rib. When all the frame sets of these triple-folding umbrella skeletons have been expanded to a nearly wholly expanded condition, only a relatively small force is further needed to urge the umbrella to the wholly expanded condition. Further, each frame set can be expanded to a larger extent to increase the shielding area of the canopy, and only a small force is needed to completely open the triple-folding umbrella skeleton, due to the retractability of the connecting spring. In the following the invention is further illustrated by an embodiment with reference to the enclosed figures. Fig. 1A is a front elevational view of partial structure of a triple-folding umbrella skeleton in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 1B illustrates that when the umbrella skeleton of Fig. 1A is expanded to a nearly wholly open condition, a connecting spring connected between the second link and the second rib is slightly stretched; Fig. 1C illustrates that when the umbrella skeleton of Fig. 1B is further expanded to the wholly open condition, the connecting spring connected between the second link and the second rib is stretched in a larger amount; The triple-folding umbrella skeleton, as shown in Fig. 1A, includes a hollow middle tube 7 and a plurality of set of frames mounted around the middle tube 7. For a convenient illustration, only one frame set is shown in Fig. 1A. Each frame set includes a first rib 1, a second rib 2, a third rib 3, a stretcher 4, and a link 5. A notch 71 is mounted at the upper portion of the middle tube 7. A runner 72 is slidably sleeved on the intermediate portion of the middle tube 7. An upper spring 73 is mounted in the middle tube 7, and has a part extending out of the surface of the middle tube 7 to lock the runner 72 at an upper position. One end of each first rib 1 is pivotably mounted on the runner 72, and the other end of the first rib 1 is pivotably mounted to one end of the second rib 2. The other end of the second rib 2 is pivotably mounted to one end of the third rib 3. One end of the stretcher 4 is pivotably mounted on the notch 71, and the other end of the stretcher 4 is pivotably mounted to the middle portion of the first rib 1. The second rib 2 further has a first extension portion 20 longitudinally extending outwards from its end portion at which said first rib 1 is mounted. The link 5 is generally parallel to the first rib 1, and its two ends are pivotably mounted to the free of the first extension portion 20 and the stretcher 4 respectively. The umbrella skeleton of Fig. 1A further includes a second link 8. The second link 8 is generally parallel to the second rib 2, and its one portion is pivotably mounted to the free end of a second extension portion 30 of the third rib 3. In this case, the second link 8, the first rib 1, the second rib 2 and the second extension portion 30 cooperate to form a quadric link structure. The second link 8 is connected to the first rib 1 via a connecting spring 9 having the form of a coil spring, rather than connected to the first rib 1 directly. One end of the connecting spring 9 is connected to the other end portion of the second link 8, and the other end of the connecting spring 9 is pivotably mounted to the first rib 1. The second link 8 has an extension portion 80 extending towards the first rib 1 from the portion at which the connecting spring 9 is connected. The extension portion 80 is inserted into the central hole of the connecting spring 9 in order to prevent sideward deformation of the connecting spring 9. Fig. 1B illustrates the state when the umbrella skeleton of the present invention is expanded to a nearly wholly open condition in which the connecting spring 9 is slightly stretched. When the umbrella skeleton is opened to the condition as shown in Fig. 1B, only a relatively small additional force is needed to further push the runner 72 upwards, and thus to further stretch the connecting spring 9 so as to finally expand the umbrella skeleton to the wholly open condition as shown in Fig. 1C, in which the radius measured from the axis of the middle tube 7 to the tip of the third ribs 3 and thus the shielding area of the canopy 3 is increased. Moreover, since the retractable connecting spring 9, instead of a rigid link, is connected to the first rib 1, the free movement and deformation of the parallelogram MPQR is possible. Therefore, shorter ribs and links can be used to form the parallelogram MPQR, implying that all the comprising members of each frame set and the middle tube can be shortened. Accordingly, an umbrella of the present invention in a folded state will be more compact. In addition, when suffering wild wind, the third ribs 3 of the present invention can be pivoted upwards without permanent deformation thanks to the possibility of further expansion of the connecting spring 9. It is also found in closing the umbrella of the present invention that, due to the spring force by the connecting spring 9, most water drops can be thrown away from the canopy at the very moment when the frame sets begin to retract, thus keeping the user in a desirable drier state. This should be considered as another advantage of the present invention over prior art.

Claims: A triple-folding umbrella skeleton comprising: a middle tube (7); a notch (71) mounted on the upper portion of said middle tube (7); a runner (72) slidably sleeved to the intermediate portion of said middle tube (7), and capable of being locked to maintain said triple-folding umbrella skeleton in an open condition; a plurality frame sets pivotably mounted on said notch (71) and runner (72) respectively, each frame set including a first rib (1), a second rib (2), a third rib (3), a stretcher (4) and a first link (5), one end of said first rib (1) being pivotably mounted on said runner (72), the two ends of said second rib (2) being pivotably mounted to the other end of said first rib (1) and one end of said third rib (3) respectively, one end of said stretcher (4) being pivotably mounted on said notch (71), the other end of said stretcher (4) being pivotably mounted to the approximately intermediate portion of said first rib (1), said first link (5) being generally parallel to said first rib (1), said second rib (2) having a first extension portion (20) extending outwards from its end portion at which said first rib (1) is mounted, and the two ends of said first link (5) being pivotably mounted to said first extension portion (20) and said stretcher (4) respectively, so that said first link (5), said stretcher (4), said first rib (1) and said first extension portion (20) cooperate to form a quadric link structure; and a second link (8) generally parallel to said second rib (2), said third rib (3) having a second extension portion (30) extending outwards from its end portion, at which said second rib (2) is mounted, wherein a part of said first rib (1), said second rib (2), said second link (8) and said second extension portion (30) cooperate to form a quadric link structure, characterized in that each frame set further includes a connecting spring (9) connecting said second link (8) to said first rib (1).

Inventors: SU PETER, SU, PETER
Applicants: BEFASHION UMBRELLA CO LTD, BEFASHION UMBRELLA CO., LTD.
Application year: 1990
Main classification: A45B19
IPC codes: A45B25, A45B19