Foldable umbrella

Abstract: A foldable umbrella includes a ferrule (35) fixed on an upper end of a handle (2), a runner (36) sleeved slidably on the handle (2). A first rib (20) has a first proximate end (201) connected pivotally to the ferrule (35), a first distal end (202), a first pivot (203) and a slide slot (220) formed therethrough between the first pivot (203) and the first distal end (202). A second rib (30) has second proximate and second distal ends (301,302), and a second pivot (303) between the second proximate and second distal ends (301,302) and disposed adjacent to the second proximate end (301) and connected pivotally to the first distal end (202) of the first rib (20). A third rib (40) has third proximate and third distal ends (401,402), and a third pivot (403) between the third proximate and third distal ends (401,402). The third pivot (403) is connected pivotally to the distal end of the second rib (30). A stretcher has a fourth proximate end connected pivotally to the runner, and a fourth distal end connected pivotally to the first pivot of the first rib. A first connecting member (60) interconnects the stretcher (50) the second rib (30), and has a projection (62) extending through the slide slot (220)of the first rib (20) to connect pivotally with one end of a second connecting member (70).

Description: The invention relates to an umbrella, more particularly to a foldable umbrella which has a plurality of three-fold rib assemblies and a plurality of connecting members that are made of a rigid material for strengthening the rib assemblies when the umbrella is in use. A conventional foldable umbrella include an elongate handle, a ferrule, a runner, a plurality of rib assemblies, and a plurality of stretcher assemblies. The handle has an upper end, a lower end and a middle portion between the upper and lower ends. The ferrule is fixed on the upper end of the handle. The runner is sleeved slidably on the middle portion of the handle. Each of the rib assemblies includes a first rib, a second rib, and a third rib. The first rib has a first proximate end connected pivotally to the ferrule, a first distal end opposite to the first proximate end, and a first pivot between the first proximate and first distal ends. The second rib has second proximate and second distal ends opposite to each other relative to the ferrule, and a second pivot between the second proximate and second distal ends and disposed adjacent to the second proximate end. The second pivot is connected pivotally to the first distal end of the first rib. Each of the stretcher assemblies includes a stretcher, a first connecting member and a second connecting member. The stretcher has a third proximate end connected pivotally to the runner, and a third distal end connected pivotally to the first pivot of the first rib of a corresponding one of the rib assemblies. The first connecting member is a non-flexible elongate member having a fourth proximate end connected pivotally to the stretcher adjacent to the third distal end, and a fourth distal end connected pivotally to the second proximate end of the second rib of the corresponding one of the rib assemblies. The third rib has fifth proximate and fifth distal ends opposite to each other relative to the ferrule, and a third pivot between the fifth proximate and fifth distal ends, and disposed adjacent to the fifth proximate end. The third pivot is connected pivotally to the second distal end of the second rib. The second connecting member is a flexible elongate member and has a sixth proximate end connected pivotally to the first rib adjacent to the first distal end, and a sixth distal end connected pivotally to the fifth proximate end of the third rib of the corresponding one of the rib assemblies. Movement of the runner along the handle will cause the first, second and third ribs of the rib assemblies to move between spread-out and collapsed positions. The second connecting member supports the third rib of the corresponding one of the rib assemblies in the spread-out state. Such an umbrella is known from US 5 553 634 However, a drawback of the Aforecited conventional foldable umbrella arises in the presence of relatively strong wind. It is noted that the second connecting members are flexible members, which can lead to ease of deformation of the rib assemblies. The main object of this invention is to provide a foldable umbrella which is clear of the Aforecited drawback that generally results from the use of the conventional foldable umbrella. Accordingly, a foldable umbrella of the present invention includes an elongate handle having an upper end, a lower end and a middle portion between the upper and lower ends. A ferrule is fixed on the upper end of the handle. A runner is sleeved slidably on the middle portion of the handle, and is movable between a lower position with respect to the ferrule, where the umbrella is in a folded state, and an upper position, where the umbrella is in a spread-out state. Each of a plurality of rib assemblies includes elongated first, second and third ribs. The first rib has a first proximate end connected pivotally to the ferrule, a first distal end opposite to the first proximate end, a first pivot between the first proximate and distal ends, and a longitudinal slide slot formed therethrough between the first pivot and the first distal end. The second rib has second proximate and second distal ends opposite to each other relative to the ferrule, and a second pivot between the second proximate and second distal ends and disposed adjacent to the second proximate end. The second pivot is connected pivotally to the first distal end of the first rib. The third rib has third proximate and third distal ends opposite to each other relative to the ferrule, and a third pivot between the third proximate and third distal ends and disposed adjacent to the third proximate end. The third pivot is connected pivotally to the second distal end of the second rib. Each of a plurality of stretcher assemblies includes a stretcher, an elongate non-flexible first connecting member, and an elongate rigid second connecting member. The stretcher has a fourth proximate end connected pivotally to the runner, and a fourth distal end connected pivotally to the first pivot of the first rib of a corresponding one of the rib assemblies. The first connecting member has a fifth proximate end connected pivotally to the stretcher adjacent to the fourth distal end, a fifth distal end connected pivotally to the second proximate end of the second rib of the corresponding one of the rib assemblies, and a transverse projection formed adjacent to the fifth distal end and extending slidably through the slide slot in the first rib. The rigid second connecting member has a sixth proximate end connected pivotally to the transverse projection of the first connecting member, and a sixth distal end connected pivotally to the third proximate end of the third rib of the corresponding one of the rib assemblies. The slide slot in the first rib has a length sufficient to cause the first, second and third ribs of the corresponding one of the rib assemblies to generally align with one another when the umbrella is in the spread-out state. The runner is biased to the lower position so as to collapse the rib assemblies. The second connecting members have a rigidity and dimensions that are sufficient to prevent the deformation of the rib assemblies. Other features and advantages of this invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of this invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a portion of a preferred embodiment of a foldable umbrella of the present invention in a spread-out state; Figure 2 is an exploded of a portion of a rib assembly of the preferred embodiment; Figure 3 illustrates how first and second connecting members are interconnected in the preferred embodiment; Figure 4 illustrates how a biasing means is employed in the preferred embodiment in order to bias the rib assemblies to a folded state; and Figure 5 shows the rib assemblies of the preferred embodiment in the folded state. Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the preferred embodiment of a foldable umbrella of the present invention is shown to include an elongate handle 2, a ferrule 35 fixed on an upper end 21 of the handle 2, a runner 36 sleeved slidably on a middle portion 23 of the handle 2, a plurality of rib assemblies (only one is shown), and a plurality of stretcher assemblies (only one is shown). As illustrated, the runner 36 is movable on the middle portion 23 of the handle 2 between a lower position with respect to the ferrule 35, where the umbrella is in a folded state, as best shown in Figure 5, and an upper position, where the umbrella is in a spread-out state, as best shown in Figure 1. Each of the rib assemblies includes a first rib 20, a second rib 30, and a third rib 40. The first rib 20 has a first proximate end 201 connected pivotally to the ferrule 35, a first distal end 202 opposite to the first proximate end 201, a first pivot 203 between the first proximate and distal ends 201,202, and a longitudinal slide slot 220 (see Fig. 2) formed therethrough between the first pivot 203 and the first distal end 202. The second rib 30 has second proximate and second distal ends 301,302 opposite to each other relative to the ferrule 35, and a second pivot 303 between the second proximate and second distal ends 301,302 and disposed adjacent to the second proximate end 301. The second pivot 303 is connected pivotally to the first distal end 202 of the first rib 20. The third rib 40 has third proximate and third distal ends 401,402 opposite to each other relative to the ferrule 35, and a third pivot 403 between the third proximate and third distal ends 401,402 and disposed adjacent to the third proximate end 401. The third pivot 403 is connected pivotally to the second distal end 302 of the second rib 30. Each of the stretcher assemblies includes a stretcher 50, an elongate non-flexible first connecting member 60, and an elongate rigid second connecting member 70. The stretcher 50 has a fourth proximate end 501 connected pivotally to the runner 36, and a fourth distal end 502 connected pivotally to the first pivot 203 of the first rib 20 of a corresponding one of the rib assemblies. The first connecting member 60 has a fifth proximate end 601 connected pivotally to the stretcher 50 adjacent to the fourth distal end 502, a fifth distal end 602 connected pivotally to the second proximate end 301 of the second rib 30 of the corresponding one of the rib assemblies, and a transverse projection 62 formed adjacent to the fifth distal end 602. The transverse projection 62 extends slidably through the slide slot 220 in the first rib 20. The rigid second connecting member 70 has a sixth proximate end 701 connected pivotally to the transverse projection 62 of the first connecting member 60, and a sixth distal end 702 connected pivotally to the third proximate end 401 of the third rib 40 of the corresponding one of the rib assemblies. The slide slots 220 in the first ribs respectively have a length sufficient to cause the first, second and third ribs 20,30,40 of the corresponding one of the rib assemblies to generally align with one another when the umbrella is in the spread-out state (see Figure 1). A plurality of tension springs 61 are disposed in the first connecting members 60 respectively such that each of the tension springs 61 has a first end fixed to the stretcher 50 adjacent to the fourth distal end 502 and a second end that extends through the respective slide slot 220 so as to be hooked on an indented portion 222 of the first rib 20 at a position adjacent to an end of the slide slot 220. The tension springs 60 cooperatively pull and collapse the second and third ribs 30, 40 on the first ribs 20 and consequently bias the runner 36 to the lower position. In the preferred embodiment, the first rib 20 of each of the rib assemblies includes two opposite side walls 225 (see Fig. 2) extending between the first proximate and first distal ends 201,202 thereof and an intermediate wall 226 interposed between the side walls 225. The slide slots 220 are formed through the intermediate walls 226. Each of the first connecting members 60 includes a knuckle piece 63, and a straight rod 60A having an inner end portion that serves as the fourth proximate end 601 and that is connected pivotally to a corresponding one of the stretchers 50, and an outer end portion on which a corresponding one of the transverse projections 62 is formed. The knuckle piece 63 is connected pivotally to the outer end portion of the straight member 60A at one end thereof and to the second proximate end 301 of a corresponding one of the second ribs 30 at the other end so as to overlap the second rib 30 on the first rib 20. In the preferred embodiment, each of the transverse projections 62 is formed by two-spaced pieces which are formed respectively with two tapered ends 621 bent outwardly away from each other to define a distance therebetween that is greater than the width of the slide slot 220 so as to prevent disengagement of the transverse projection 62 from the slide slot 220.

Claims: A foldable umbrella, having: an elongate handle (2) having an upper end (21), a lower end (22) and a middle portion (23) between the upper and lower ends (21,22); a ferrule (35) fixed on the upper end (21) of the handle (2); a runner (36) sleeved slidably on the middle portion (23) of the handle (2) and movable between a lower position with respect to the ferrule (35), where the umbrella is in a folded state, and an upper position, where the umbrella is in a spread-out state; a plurality of rib assemblies, each including an elongated first rib (20) having a first proximate end (201) connected pivotally to the ferrule (35), a first distal end (202) opposite to the first proximate end, a first pivot (203) between the first proximate and distal ends (201,202), and a longitudinal slide slot (220) formed therethrough between the first pivot (203) and the first distal end (202), a second rib (30) having second proximate and second distal ends (301,302) opposite to each other relative to the ferrule (35), and a second pivot (303) between the second proximate and second distal ends (301,302) and disposed adjacent to the second proximate end (301), the second pivot (303) being connected pivotally to the first distal end (202) of the first rib (20), a third rib (40) having third proximate and third distal ends (401,402) opposite to each other relative to the ferrule (35), and a third pivot (403) between the third proximate and third distal ends (401,402) and disposed adjacent to the third proximate end (401), the third pivot (403) being connected pivotally to the second distal end (302) of the second rib (30), and a plurality of stretcher assemblies, each including a stretcher (50) having a fourth proximate end (501) connected pivotally to the runner (36), and a fourth distal end (502) connected pivotally to the first pivot (203) of the first rib (20) of a corresponding one of the rib assemblies, an elongate non-flexible first connecting member (60) having a fifth proximate end (601) connected pivotally to the stretcher (50) adjacent to the fourth distal end (502), a fifth distal end (602) connected pivotally to the second proximate end (301) of the second rib (30) of the corresponding one of the rib assemblies, and a transverse projection (62) formed adjacent to the fifth distal end (602) and extending slidably through the slide slot (220) in the first rib (20), characterized by : an elongate rigid second connecting member (70) having a sixth proximate end (701) connected pivotally to the transverse projection (62) of the first connecting member (60), and a sixth distal end (702) connected pivotally to the third proximate end (401) of the third rib (40) of the corresponding one of the rib assemblies, the slide slot (220) in the first rib (20) having a length sufficient to cause the first, second and third ribs (20,30,40) of the corresponding one of the rib assemblies to generally align with one another when the umbrella in the spread-out state; and means for biasing the runner (36) to the lower position so as to collapse the rib assemblies. The foldable umbrella as defined in Claim 1, characterized in that the first rib (20) of each of the rib assemblies further includes two opposite side walls (225) extending between the first proximate and first distal ends (201,202) thereof and an intermediate wall (226) interposed between the side walls (225), the slide slots (220) being formed through the intermediate walls (226) of the first ribs (20). The foldable umbrella as defined in Claim 1, characterized in that each of the first connecting members (60) includes a straight rod (60A) having an inner end portion serving as the fourth proximate end and connected pivotally to a corresponding one of the stretchers, and an outer end portion on which a corresponding one of the transverse projections (62) is formed, and a knuckle piece (63) connected pivotally to the outer end portion of the straight rod (60A) at one end thereof and to the second proximate end of a corresponding one of the second ribs (30) at the other end and serving as the fourth distal end. The foldable umbrella as defined in Claim 3, characterized in that each of the transverse projections (62) is formed by two-spaced pieces which are formed with two tapered ends (621) bent outwardly away from each other to define a distance therebetween that is greater than a width of the slide slot (220) so as to prevent disengagement of the transverse projection (62) from the slide slot (220).

Inventors: WANG MAX, WANG, MAX
Applicants: WANG MAX, WANG, MAX
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A45B25
IPC codes: A45B25, A45B19