Patent Publication Number: US-10765186-B2

Title: Canopy umbrella with improved control

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is related to, claims the earliest available effective filing date(s) from (e.g., claims earliest available priority dates for other than provisional patent applications; claims benefits under 35 USC § 119(e) for provisional patent applications), and incorporates by reference in its entirety all subject matter of the following listed application(s) (the “Related Applications”) to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith; the present application also claims the earliest available effective filing date(s) from, and also incorporates by reference in its entirety all subject matter of any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Related Application(s) to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith: 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/201,587 entitled “CANOPY UMBRELLA WITH IMPROVED CONTROL”, naming Roland Letendre and Charles Taylor as inventors, filed 4 Jul. 2016. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Use 
     This invention relates to an improved apparatus for garden and porch umbrellas suited for outdoor patio and recreational furniture use, particularly those units expected to opened and closed at frequent intervals. 
     2. Description of Prior Art (Background) 
     Outdoor umbrellas, sometimes called porch or pool umbrellas, are most often constructed with a central post and rigidly attached canopy assembly that may be opened or closed as desired. The central post is either fixed to a supporting base or free to rotate within the constraints of a supporting base. Outdoor umbrellas are typically six feet or more in diameter when opened to its operating position. 
     An outdoor umbrella exposed to severe winds in its open position results in large unstable forces applied to the canopy assembly. These forces are capable of producing unfavorable strains within both the canopy assembly and central post. An umbrella design incorporating a fixed central post and rigidly attached canopy assembly offers no relief from these internal strains. Allowing the central post and attached canopy assembly to rotate as one component converts this wind energy into rotational energy and reduces these internal strains. 
     Furthermore, a conventional garden umbrella generally includes a pole with a top hub which provides a pivot connection for upper support ribs, and upper and lower runners which are sleeved slidably on the pole and which provide a pivot connection for lower support ribs and stretchers. The stretchers are attached pivotally to the lower support ribs. A plurality of connecting rods interconnect the upper and lower support ribs. During stretching operation, the stretchers are moved upward by upward movement of the lower runner to stretch the lower support ribs. Consequently, the upper support ribs are actuated to spread by the connecting rods. 
     Prior art solutions often require the top hub be secured to the umbrella pole with a threaded bolt requiring tools to attach the top hub to the pole. Thus, when preparing for inclement weather tools and some amount of time are required to disassemble the umbrella. 
     Prior art solutions using a rope and pulley system to open the umbrella often employ the use of rotatable cam shaped gear members configured to engage the rope to hold the umbrella in an open position. However, these types of rope engagement systems require manual dexterity to wedge the rope between the cam members for the cam members to engage the rope and visual confirmation that the rope is full wedged between the cam members. Often the rope may not be full engaged due to the user being unable to see if the rope is fully wedged between the cam members due to: bright sunlight, the user wearing sun glasses, umbrella shadows, etc. If the rope is not fully engaged this can lead to a dangerous condition if the rope becomes disengaged from the cam members resulting in an unexpected collapse of the outdoor umbrella. 
     Often, prior art solutions using cam shaped gear members require the user to have the manual dexterity and mindset required to interact with the rope and cam shaped gear members to either engage or disengage the rope from the gear members. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2011/0017249 requires the user to gently urge the rope such that the rope is engaged by the engagement system. Similarly, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2011/0017249 discloses that the user may need to pull the rope radially outward so as to urge the rope towards an engagement zone. It will be appreciated that users employing a beach umbrella may not readily understand that they need to pull a rope radially and often lack the patience required to urge the rope to the desired position. 
     There exists a need, therefore, for an umbrella deployment system having a rapid engagement/disengagement system to facilitate the opening and closing of the umbrella. There is also a need for the rapid engagement/disengagement system to be quickly and intuitively operated by a user without the need for a user to urge an engagement of the rope or for the user to have to guess which way to pull the rope for the system to either engage or disengage the rope. 
     In addition, there exists a need for a top hub of the umbrella be readily and easily removable to facilitate quick disassembly of the umbrella. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The foregoing and other problems are overcome, and other advantages are realized, in accordance with the presently preferred embodiments of these teachings. One embodiment of the present invention is designed to address these and other needs relates primarily to an outdoor umbrella having a rapid engagement/disengagement of a mechanical advantage to facilitate the opening and closing of the umbrella; adjusted to various desired positions; and reliably maintained in place. 
     Accordingly, and as explained more in detail subsequently herein, the present invention includes at least one hub member mounted to an umbrella pole member and slidable between the top and bottom ends thereof. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a pair of hub members, namely, one secured to the pole member near the top end thereof and a main hub member movably secured about the pole member and slidable there along to open and close the umbrella canopy. 
     In addition, the hub members are mounted on the umbrella pole member so as to both be rotatable about the pole, and to generally assist in the smooth operation of the umbrella frame. The hub members are easily mounted to and can be easily removed from the umbrella pole member for repair and/or for replacement, if necessary by a quick release finial. 
     An embodiment of the invention includes a mechanical operating system to allow the umbrella to be adjusted to almost any degree of openness and simply locked or otherwise maintained in place. In one embodiment, the operating system comprises but is not limited to a pulley system connecting or interconnected with the hub members and structured to move the main hub member up and down a length of the pole towards the top end of the pole. 
     The invention is also directed towards an umbrella, assembly having a quick release finial, wherein the quick release finial includes a finial top; a finial tower connected to the finial top; and a non-threaded finial post connected to the final tower. The non-threaded finial post includes at least one ball plunger assembly. The umbrella assembly also includes a finial insert having a non-threaded bore hole adapted to snugly receive the finial post; and a bottom surface for engaging the at least one ball plunger assembly. 
     Another embodiment of the invention includes an umbrella apparatus having an umbrella; a pole; a top hub; a slidable hub having a hole suitable for sliding the slidable hub along the pole; and a plurality of rib members connectable to the umbrella and the top hub. The apparatus also includes a plurality of pivotable struts disposed, one-to-one, between the slidable hub and the plurality of rib members. In addition, the apparatus includes a finial top adaptable to allow comfortable hand held grasping. The finial top includes a finial tower and a non-threaded finial post having at least one ball plunger assembly. 
     The invention is also directed towards an umbrella system having a quick releaser cam cleat assembly. The quick releaser cam cleat assembly includes a stationary bottom grip; a top grip pivot post; a top grip cam pivotable on the top grip pivot post; a rocker arm pivot post; a rocker arm pivotable on the rocker arm pivot post; and a mounting base for mounting the bottom grip and the rocker arm pivot post. The top grip cam and the rocker arm pivot to engage and hold a line between the stationary bottom grip and the top grip cam. The umbrella system also includes a finial top adaptable to allow comfortable hand held grasping. The finial top includes a finial tower; a finial post having at least one ball plunger assembly. The umbrella system also includes a finial insert having a non-threaded bore hole adapted to snugly receive the finial post; and a bottom surface for engaging the at least one ball plunger assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a pictorial illustration of an umbrella in a closed position in which features of the invention are implemented; 
         FIG. 2  is a pictorial illustration of the umbrella in an open position in accordance with the invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a pictorial illustration of the umbrella illustrating quick release mechanical advantage features and quick release finial in accordance with the invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded pictorial illustration of the quick release finial feature in accordance with the invention shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded pictorial illustration of the quick releaser cam cleat in accordance with the invention shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the upper and lower hub connected by the mechanical advantage system in accordance with the invention shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a pictorial view of the underside of the lower hub shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the upper hub, the upper dual pulley bracket, and the upper line separator pulley bracket in accordance with the invention shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the lower hub, the lower dual pulley bracket, and the upper line separator pulley bracket in accordance with the invention shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a frontal view of the upper dual pulley bracket and the line separator pulley bracket in accordance with the invention shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the upper dual pulley bracket and line separator pulley bracket in accordance with the invention shown in  FIG. 6 ; and 
         FIG. 11  is a pictorial view of the relative positions of the pulleys and line in accordance with the invention shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following brief definition of terms shall apply throughout, the application: 
     The term “comprising” means including but not limited to, and should be interpreted in the manner it is typically used in the patent context; 
     The phrases “in one embodiment,” “according, to one embodiment,” and the like generally mean that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase may be included in at least one embodiment of the present invention, and may be included in more than one embodiment of the present invention (importantly, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment); 
     If the specification describes something as “exemplary” or an “example,” it should be understood that refers to a non-exclusive example; and 
     If the specification states a component or feature “may,” “can,” “could,” “should,” “preferably,” “possibly,” “typically,” “optionally,” “for example,” or “might” (or other such language) be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or to have the characteristic. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  there is shown a pictorial illustration of an umbrella  10  in a closed position in which features of the invention are implemented. Umbrella  10  includes pole  12 , umbrella shade  16 , and quick release finial  32 . 
     Referring also to  FIG. 2  there is shown a pictorial illustration of the umbrella in an open position in accordance with the invention shown in  FIG. 1 . In the open position rib members  22 , pivotable rigid struts  20  and slidable hub  36  are visible. It will be appreciated umbrella shade  18  is opened when slidable hub  36  is pushed upwards on pole  12  which in turn pushes one end of struts  20 , which are pivotable at the hub  36  strut end connection points  34 . As struts ends  34  are pushed upwards the other end of the struts  20  connected to ribs  22  push, or lift, the ribs upwards and outwards to open the umbrella. It will be appreciated that the force required to open the umbrella  10  will require sufficient force to push hub  36  upwards to simultaneously lift all rib members  22 . Depending on weather conditions, the number of rib members, and other factors, this could be a difficult task without a mechanical advantage. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 3  there is shown a pictorial illustration of the umbrella illustrating quick release mechanical advantage features and quick release finial in accordance with the invention shown in  FIG. 1 . The quick release mechanical advantage features include quick releaser  31  (shown in more detailed later), line or rope  33 , and mechanical advantage system  37 . Mechanical advantage system  37  may be any suitable mechanical advantage system such as, but not limited to, a pulley based mechanical advantage system. A pulley based mechanical advantage system is determined according to the mechanical advantage (MA) desired formula, e.g., MA=2n, where n equals the number of pulleys. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , line  33  is threaded through quick releaser  31  (shown in more detail later) and mechanical advantage system  37  and secured to hub  36 . In release mode line  33  is pulled downwards, and through a mechanical advantage pulls hub  36  upwards, thereby opening the umbrella as described earlier. In hold mode the quick releaser  31  holds the line  33  in place. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 3  is quick release finial  32  (shown in more detail later). Quick release finial  32  is removed to allow slidable hubs  36 ,  39  to be easily removed for repair of the hubs  36 ,  39  and/or rib members  22  and/or struts  20 . 
     Referring also to  FIG. 4  there is shown an exploded pictorial illustration of the quick release finial assembly  32  in accordance with the invention shown in  FIG. 3 . Quick release finial includes finial top  42 , finial tower  44 , finial post  48 , and finial insert  46 . Finial post  48  includes ball plunger assembly  43  comprising spring  43 B, and ball  43 A. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4 , finial insert  46  is adapted to compression fit into pole  12  having a bore hole  12 B suitable to receive finial insert  46 . It will be appreciated that finial insert  46  may be any suitable shape such as for example a tubular shape or a square shape having a suitable bore hole  48 B adaptable to snugly receive finial post  48 . Finial insert  46  includes a hole or bore having a diameter to fit, snugly, finial post  48 . It will be appreciated that finial insert  46  may be any suitable shape such as for example a tubular shape or a square shape having a suitable bore hole adaptable to snugly receive finial post  48 . 
     Finial post  48  includes ball plunger assembly  43  having spring  43 B and ball  43 A. Ball plunger assembly holds finial assembly  32  in place until enough force (break away force S) is applied in an upwards direction causing ball  43 A to compress spring  43 B to allow finial assemble  32  to be removed from finial insert  46 . It will be appreciated that final post  48  and finial insert  46  are not threaded thus allowing for quick removal of the final post  48  from insert  46 . 
     It will also be appreciated that bore hole  48 B is of sufficient length to allow ball plunger assembly  43  to be substantially adjacent to the bottom outside surface  46 A of finial insert  46  when the finial post  48  is fully inserted thus locking the quick release finial assembly  32  in place. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 5  there is shown an exploded pictorial illustration of the quick releaser cam cleat assembly  31  in accordance with the invention shown in  FIG. 3 . Quick releaser cam cleat assembly  31  includes stationary bottom grip  51 , pivotable top grip cam  52 , top grip pivot post  52 A, rocker arm  53 , rocker arm pivot post  51 A, and mounting base  54 . 
     When an upward unlock force is applied to rope or line  33  (e.g., a user tugs on line or rope  33 ) and the quick releaser cam cleat assembly  31  is in the lock position the upward force operates to rotate rocker arm  53  in a counter clockwise rotation thereby disengaging the top grip cam cleat  52  allowing line  33  to pass freely through the quick releaser cam cleat assembly  31 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 5 , when, a locking force is applied to line  33  the quick releaser cam cleat assembly  31  is in the unlock position. The locking force rotates top grip cam cleat  52  on top grip pivot post  52 A and rocker arm  53  on rocker arm pivot post  51 A in a clockwise (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) rotation. The clockwise rotation of top grip cam cleat  52  grips and holds line  33  between top grip cam cleat  52  and stationary bottom grip  51 . It will be appreciated that the quick releaser cam cleat assembly is normally in the lock position due to the rocker arm  53  pivoting (due to gravity force G) in a clockwise rotation around rocker arm pivot post  51 A, i.e., gravity locked. In alternate embodiments rocker arm  53  is counter weighted (e.g., weighted towards an end distal from the pivot point) to facilitate gravity lock and spring loaded with gravity assist spring  52 C to facilitate gravity lock. Gravity assist spring is connected between stationary bottom grip  51  and rocker arm  53  Rocker arm pivot post  51 A may be oval or cam shaped to facilitate the rocker arm staying in an open position when the quick releaser cam cleat assembly  31  is in, the unlock position. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 5  it will be appreciated that rope guides  53 B and  52 D align the rope  33  through and within the engagement area between the top grip  52  and the stationary bottom grip  51 . Thus, when in the quick releaser cam cleat assembly  31  is in the lock position the rope  33  is fully engaged by design and not left to the user to ascertain if the rope  33  is fully engaged. In addition, rope guide  52 D provides a rope leverage surface  51 A 1  to facilitate rope  33  pivoting rocker arm  53  around pivot post  51 A when unlocking or locking the quick releaser cam cleat assembly  31  (See also  FIG. 8 .) 
     Referring also to  FIG. 6  there is a shown an exploded view of the upper hub  39  and lower hub  36  connected by the mechanical advantage system  37  in accordance with the invention shown in  FIG. 3 . The mechanical advantage system  37  includes upper dual pulley bracket  61 U, upper line separator pulley bracket  61 UA, pulley  61 P 1 , pulley  61 P 2 , and line  33 . The mechanical advantage system also includes lower dual pulley bracket  62 L, lower line separator pulley bracket  62 UA, pulley  62 P 1 , pulley  62 P 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , and in more detail herein, the upper putties  61 P 1  and  61 P 2  are disposed within dual pulley bracket  61 U which is disposed within the upper line separator pulley bracket  61 UA which is attached to upper hub  39 . It will be appreciated that each of the pullies  61 P 1  and  61 P 2  are disposed to either side of upper line separator pulley bracket  61 UA and that upper line separator pulley bracket  61 UA includes an anti-fouling line separator tongue  61 UAT for maintaining a separation between line  33 P 1  as it traverses pulley  61 P 1  and line  33 P 2  as it traverses pulley  61 P 2 . 
     Similarly, still referring to  FIG. 6 , the lower putties  62 P 1  and  62 P 2  are disposed within dual pulley bracket  62 U which is disposed within the lower line separator pulley bracket  62 UA which is attached to lower hub  36 . It will be appreciated that each of the pullies  62 P 1  and  62 P 2  are disposed to either side of lower line separator pulley bracket  62 UA and that lower line separator pulley bracket  62 UA includes an anti-fouling line separator tongue  62 UAT for maintaining a separation between line  33 P 1  as it traverses pulley  62 P 1  and line  33 P 2  as it traverses pulley  62 P 2 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 6  there is shown quick releaser cam cleat assembly  31  attached to pressure bracket  65 . As shown in  FIG. 6A , pressure bracket  65  distributes the weight (force F shown in  FIG. 2 ) transmitted by line  33  to quick releaser cam cleat assembly  31  around the underside of lower hub  36  when the umbrella  10  is in an open position. It will be appreciated that the distribution of force around hub  36  helps prevent excessive wear and tear on one side of hub  36  and provides a more secure upwards hold than if the quick releaser cam cleat assembly  31  were just mounted to the side of lower hub  36 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 6  there is shown line retainer  63  for spooling or looping excess line when the umbrella  10  is in the open position. Also shown in  FIG. 6  is weighted line pull  64 . Weighted line pull  64  may be enclosed in absorbing material  64 A to minimize noise between weighted line pull  64  and pole  12 . 
     Referring also to  FIG. 7  there is shown an exploded view of the upper hub  39 , the upper pulley bracket  61 U, the upper line separator pulley bracket  61 UA in accordance with the invention shown in  FIG. 6 . Also shown in  FIG. 7  is anti-fouling line separator tongue  61 UAT for maintaining a separation between line  33 P 1  as it traverses pulley  61 P 1  and line  33 P 2  as it traverses pulley  61 P 2 . 
     Referring also to  FIG. 8  there is shown an exploded view of the lower hub  36 , the lower pulley bracket  62 L, and the lower line separator pulley bracket  62 UA in accordance with the invention shown in  FIG. 6 . Also shown in  FIG. 8  is anti-fouling line separator tongue  62 UAT for maintaining a separation between line  33 P 1  as it traverses pulley  62 P 1  and line  33 P 2  as it traverses pulley  62 P 2 . 
     Referring also to  FIG. 9  there is shown a frontal view of the upper pulley bracket  61 U and the line separator pulley bracket  61 UA in accordance with the invention shown in  FIG. 6 . Also shown in  FIG. 10  is anti-fouling line separator tongue  61 UAT. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 10  there is shown a side view of the upper pulley bracket  61 U and line separator pulley bracket  61 UA attached to upper hub  39  in accordance with the invention shown in  FIG. 6 . Also shown in  FIG. 10  is anti-fouling line separator tongue  61 UAT. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 11  there is shown a pictorial view of the relative positions of the pulleys  61 P 1 ,  61 P 2 ,  62 P 1 , and  62 P 2  and line in accordance with the invention shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Thus, various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances that fall within the scope of the appended claims.