Patent Publication Number: US-2006000498-A1

Title: Shaft structure of foldable umbrella

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      (a) Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a multi-sectional shaft structure of a multi-fold umbrella, and more particularly to a multi-fold umbrella having an elongated and strengthened shaft allowing firm support of the umbrella in opened position and reducing overall volume of the umbrella when collapsed.  
      (b) Description of the Prior Art  
      An umbrella is formed in a multi-sectional foldable fashion for easy-carrying when collapsed. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 1 A, an umbrella  1  comprises a cover  11 , a shaft  12 , a notch  13 , a runner  14 , main ribs  15 , and stretchers  16 , wherein the notch  13  pivotally connects with main ribs  15  to support the cover  11  and runner  14  pivotally connects with stretchers  16  to support main ribs  15 . The shaft  12  is formed with multi-sectional tubes and with an inner tube  122  connected to the notch  13 . A spring-loaded stop  17  is formed in a rectangular opening  121  of the inner tube  122 . Umbrella  1  is opened by pushing the runner  14  upwards to a position that the spring-loaded stop  17  spring out of the rectangular opening  121  supports the runner  14  which further supports the extended stretchers  16  to prop up main ribs  15  for the cover  11 . Umbrella  1  is collapsed by pressing down on the spring-loaded stop  17  to disengage the runner  14  allowing it to move downwards on the shaft  12 .  
      Although a conventional umbrella can be opened or collapsed, problems occur when requiring a further reduction in overall length when collapsed, which can only be achieved by forming the shaft  12  with more tubes of shorter length. As a result, the difference between the diameter of an outer tube and each inner tube of the shaft inevitably increases, which results in a large spacing between the inner tube  122  of the shaft  12  and runner  14 , causing unsmooth and shaking movements when sliding runner  14  up or down shaft  12 , thereby further rendering the spring-loaded stop  17  unable to properly support runner  14 .  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to a multi-fold umbrella comprising a cover, a shaft, a notch, a runner, a plurality of main ribs and stretchers, wherein, the shaft is formed of multi-sectional tubes, the notch pivotally connects with main ribs to support the cover, and the runner pivotally connects with stretchers to support the main ribs. A fixed sleeve is displaced outside an engaging complex formed on an upper end of an inner tube of the shaft having the smallest diameter enabling the engaging complex to slide up or down inside the fixed sleeve. The notch further connects with an upper end of the fixed sleeve and the runner is disposed outside the fixed sleeve enabling the runner to slide up or down outside the fixed sleeve to open or collapse the umbrella.  
      As a result, the fixed sleeve forms an elongated and strengthened part of the shaft, which firmly supports the umbrella when in fully-opened position, and stores multiple or all sectional tubes of the shaft when umbrella is in collapsed position, thereby reducing overall volume of the umbrella.  
      To enable a further understanding of the said objectives and the technological methods of the invention herein, set forth is a brief description of the drawings followed by a more detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a conventional umbrella in open position.  
       FIG. 1A  shows a partial enlarged view of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2A  shows a partial enlarged view of  FIG. 2 .  
       FIG. 3  shows a cross sectional view of the present invention in open position.  
       FIG. 4  shows an exploded elevational view of a fixed sleeve and an engaging complex of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  shows another exploded elevational view of a fixed sleeve and an engaging complex of the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  shows a cross sectional view of the present invention in collapsed position.  
       FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of another application of the present invention.  
       FIG. 7A  shows a partial enlarged view of  FIG. 7 .  
       FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of an application of the present invention to an automatic foldable umbrella.  
       FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of an application of the present invention to a hauling-cable type automatic umbrella.  
       FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11  show further exploded elevational views of the fixed sleeve and the engaging complex according to the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Referring to  FIGS. 2, 2A  and  3 . The present invention relates to an umbrella  2  comprising a cover  21 , a shaft  22 , a notch  23 , a runner  24 , main ribs  25 , stretchers  26 , and a fixed sleeve  27 , wherein, the shaft  22  is formed with multi-sectional tubes, the notch  23  pivotally connects with main ribs  25  to support the cover  21 , and the runner  24  pivotally connects with stretchers  26  to prop up main ribs  25 . By fitting the fixed sleeve  27  on the outer perimeter of an engaging complex  28  formed on the top portion of the sectional tube of the shaft  22  having the smallest diameter, enables the engaging complex  28  to slide up or down in the fixed sleeve  27 . By forming the notch  23  atop and the runner  24  outside fixed sleeve  27  enables the runner  24  to move up or down the fixed sleeve  27  to open or collapse the umbrella  2 . When in opened position, the fixed sleeve  27  forms an elongated and strengthened part of the shaft  22  and the runner  24  fixes at an opening  271  of the fixed sleeve  27  by a locking device  4  (see  FIG. 3 ). When in collapsed position, multiple or all sectional tubes of the shaft  22  can be accommodated inside the fixed sleeve  27 , thereby reducing the overall volume and making a shorter folded umbrella  2 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . A bolt  284  is used to connect the engaging complex  28  with the shaft  22 . An opening  281  and a groove  285  are formed on the engaging complex  28 , wherein a spring  282  and a button  283  are placed inside the opening  281 . A locking hole  272 , corresponding to the button  283 , and a locking flake  29 , corresponding to the groove  285 , are formed on the fixed sleeve  27  such that, when extending the shaft  22 , the locking flake  29  secures the groove  285  of the engaging complex  28  and the button  283  spring out to secure at the locking hole  272  of the fixed sleeve  27 , thereby enabling the engaging complex  28  to firmly connect with the fixed sleeve  27 . By riveting or gluing a stick  291  through the locking flake  29  and a fixing opening  273  of the fixed sleeve  27  enables the locking flake  29  to firmly secure to a lower end of the fixed sleeve  27 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 5 . The present invention can be designed in a type other than that in  FIG. 4 , with the fixed sleeve  27  and the notch  23  each being a separate structure connected by a rivet  276  perforating through a rivet opening  274 , formed on the fixed sleeve  27 , and an opening  232  of a connection section  231 , formed on a lower end of the notch  23 . A fastening body  275 , corresponding to the groove  285 , and a locking hole  272 , corresponding to the button  283  are formed on the fixed sleeve  27  such that, when extending the shaft  22 , the fastening body  275  engages with the groove  285  and the button  283  spring out to secure at the locking hole  272  of the fixed sleeve  27 , thereby the engaging complex  28  firmly connects with the fixed sleeve  27 .  
      Referring again to  FIG. 3 . To open the umbrella  2 , the first step is to extend the shaft  22  such that the locking flake  29  on the fixed sleeve  27  secures the groove  285  of the engaging complex  28  and the button  283  spring out to fix at the locking hole  272  of the fixed sleeve  27  so that the fixed sleeve  27  firmly connects with the engaging complex  28  and also forms a part of the shaft  22 . The second step is to push the runner  24  upwards till a position that the locking device  4  locks the opening  271 , thereby enabling stretchers  26  to support main ribs  25 , which prop up the cover  21 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 6 . The fixed sleeve  27  forms an elongated and strengthened part of the shaft  22 . To collapse the umbrella  2 , the first step is to press down on the locking device  4  to release from the opening  271  of fixed sleeve  27 , the runner  24  then slips downward and presses down on the button  283  thereby separating the button  283  with the locking hole  272 . The second step is to retract multi-sectional tubes of the shaft  22  into the fixed sleeve  27 , thereby making a shorter folded umbrella.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 7 A. A spring-loaded stop  4 ′ is disposed on the fixed sleeve  27  to support the runner  24 . To open the umbrella  2 , the first step is to extend the shaft  22  such that the locking flake  29  on the fixed sleeve  27  locks the groove  285  of the engaging complex  28  and the button  283  spring out to fix on the locking hole  272  of the fixed sleeve  27  thereby connecting the fixed sleeve  27  firmly with the engaging complex  28  and also rendering the fixed sleeve  27  to form a part of the shaft  22 . The second step is to push the runner  24  upwards such that the spring-loaded stop  4 ′ stops and supports the runner  24  thereby enabling stretchers  26  to support main ribs  25 , which prop up the cover  21 . To collapse the umbrella, the first step is to press down the spring-loaded stop  4 ′, the runner  24  then slips downward and presses down on the button  283  thereby separating the button  283  with the locking hole  272 . The second step is to retract multiple or all sectional tubes of the shaft  22  into the fixed sleeve  27 , thereby forming a shorter folded umbrella.  
      Referring to  FIG. 8 . The present invention can be applied to an automatic umbrella  2   a , wherein a spring is disposed between the middle connector  20  and runner  24  and another spring disposed between the fixed sleeve  27  and the shaft  22 . With the incorporation of the fixed sleeve  27  and the engaging complex  28 , the fixed sleeve  27  forms an elongated part of the shaft  22 , when the umbrella  2   a  is opened, and multiple or all sectional tubes of the shaft  22  can be retracted into the fixed sleeve  27  to make a shorter folded umbrella  2   a , when fully collapsed.  
      Referring to  FIG. 9 . The present invention can be applied to an hauling-cable type automatic umbrella  2   b , wherein the fixed sleeve  27  forms an elongated and strengthened part of the shaft  22  when the umbrella  2   b  is opened, and multiple or all sectional tubes of the shaft  22  can be retracted into the fixed sleeve  27  that is disposed below the notch  23  to form a shorter and smaller folded umbrella  2   b , when fully collapsed.  
      Referring to  FIG. 10 . The present invention can be applied to another embodiment, wherein the engaging complex  28  corresponding to a fixed sleeve  27 , with a cylinder  286  disposed therebetween. An opening  281  formed on the engaging complex  28 , with a spring  282  and a button  283  secured therein. A locking hole  272  corresponding to the button  283  whereas a cylinder section  277  being engaged with the cylinder  286  by inserting into a lower portion of the fixed sleeve  27 .  
      The engaging complex  28  along with the shaft  22  being inserted into the fixed sleeve  27 , and further capped by the notch  23  on the fixed sleeve  27 , with a rivet  276  perforating through a rivet opening  274  formed on the fixed sleeve  27  and an opening  232  formed on a connection section  231  thereby connecting the notch  23  to the fixed sleeve  27 . Meanwhile, by inserting the cylinder  286  into the cylinder section  277  and with the button  283  secured in a locking hole  272 , the engaging complex  28  thereby being firmly connected with the fixed sleeve  27 , enabling the fixed sleeve  27  to be an extra part of the shaft  22  Referring to  FIG. 11 . A protruding rim  278  can be formed on a perimeter of the cylinder section  277  to avoid the user being hurt by the sharp edge when pulling the shaft  22 .  
      It is of course to be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention and that a wide variety of modifications thereto may be effected by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.