Patent Publication Number: US-6341873-B1

Title: Umbrella with an illumination device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an umbrella, and more particularly to an umbrella with an illumination device to improve the safety of using the umbrella. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A conventional umbrella in accordance with the prior art mainly comprises a shaft, a hub slidably mounted on the shaft, multiple ribs pivotally mounted on the shaft, multiple spreaders pivotally mounted between the hub and each of the ribs and a canopy covering the ribs. However, because visibility is limited in the rain and the conventional umbrella has no illumination device, the conventional umbrella user could easily have an accident on a dark rainy night. 
     Referring to FIG. 20, a U-shaped connecting member ( 93 ) is mounted on each rib ( 92 ) of a conventional umbrella to pivotally connect to one end of each spreader ( 94 ). Each spreader ( 94 ) has a flat end portion ( 942 ) that is connected to the connecting member ( 93 ) by a pivot. However, the pivotal structure between each rib ( 92 ) and the corresponding spreader ( 94 ) does not have enough space to allow wires to extend through the connecting member ( 93 ). Thus, it is difficult to mount an illumination device with wires on the conventional umbrella. 
     In addition, a handle is always mounted on the bottom end of the shaft for the user gripping the umbrella. A control device for releasing and expanding the canopy from the folded condition is always mounted near the handle. Referring to FIG. 21, the conventional control device comprises a curved control plate ( 96 ) received in the shaft ( 90 ). One end of the control plate ( 96 ) is mounted in the shaft ( 90 ), a pushbutton ( 962 ) is integrally formed on the other end of the plate ( 96 ), and a hook ( 964 ) is integrally formed on the plate ( 96 ) near the pushbutton ( 962 ). Both the pushbutton ( 962 ) and the hook ( 964 ) extend out of the shaft ( 90 ). The hook ( 964 ) engages with the hub that slides along the shaft ( 90 ). When the user pushes the pushbutton ( 962 ), the hook ( 964 ) retracts into the shaft ( 90 ) and disengages from the hub. The hub with all of the spreaders will then slide along the shaft ( 90 ) and the canopy will expand due to the interaction between the spreaders and the ribs. 
     However, because the flexibility of the conventional control plate ( 96 ) depends on the shape of the plate ( 96 ), the distance that the hook ( 964 ) can move is so small, and the reaction of the hook ( 964 ) is slow as the user pushes the button ( 962 ). 
     To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide an improved umbrella to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The main objective of the invention is to provide an improved umbrella having a shaft, multiple ribs, multiple spreaders, a canopy and an illumination device. The illumination device has an illumination assembly on the top end of the shaft, another illumination assembly on the free end of each rib and a control assembly to provide electricity to each illumination assembly. The illumination devices provide good illumination to people in the rain. This increases the decorative effect and the safety of the umbrella. 
     Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an umbrella with illumination devices in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the handle and the shaft in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a front plan view in partial section of the handle and the shaft in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is an operational side plan view of the lever in the shaft in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional bottom plan view of the handle in FIG. 3 along the line  5 — 5 ; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross sectional bottom plan view of the handle in FIG. 3 along the line  6 — 6 ; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective phantom view of the top illumination assembly and electrical connecting unit of the control assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the top illumination assembly in FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the electrical connecting unit in FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 10 is a side plan view in partial section of the top illumination assembly and the electrical connecting unit in FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 11 is an expanded side plan view in partial section of the electrical connecting unit in FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a connector connected to a wire in FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a tip illumination assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 is a side plan view in partial section of the tip illumination assembly in FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the pivotal structure between a rib and spreader in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 16 is a side plan view in partial section of the pivotal structure in FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 17 is an end plan view in partial section of the pivotal structure in FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a rib and a pivotal member in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 19 is a side plan view in partial section of a rib and a pivotal member in FIG. 18; 
     FIG. 20 is an end plan view in partial section of a pivotal structure of a rib and a spreader in accordance with the prior art; and 
     FIG. 21 is a side plan view in partial section of a control device for expanding the canopy from the folded situation in accordance with the prior art. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, an umbrella in accordance with the present invention comprises a shaft ( 10 ), a sliding hub ( 12 ), a stationary hub ( 17 ), multiple ribs ( 16 ), multiple spreaders ( 14 ), a canopy ( 18 ), a handle ( 11 ) and illumination devices. The sliding hub ( 12 ) is mounted and slides on the shaft ( 10 ). A stationary hub ( 17 ) is mounted near the top end of the shaft ( 10 ). The multiple ribs ( 16 ) are pivotally connected to the stationary hub ( 17 ). A spreader ( 14 ) corresponds to each rib ( 16 ) and is pivotally connected to the sliding hub ( 12 ) and the corresponding rib ( 16 ). The canopy ( 18 ) is attached to and covers all of the ribs ( 16 ). An illumination device is mounted to the end of the shaft ( 10 ) above the canopy ( 18 ), and an illumination device is mounted on the tip ( 40 ) of each rib ( 16 ). The shaft ( 10 ) is a tubular member. A J-shaped handle ( 11 ) is mounted on the bottom end of the shaft ( 10 ) for a user to grip and hold the umbrella. A spring ( 15 ) is mounted between the sliding hub ( 12 ) and each rib ( 16 ) to provide a pulling force to each corresponding spreader ( 14 ). 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a lever ( 20 ) is pivotally mounted in the shaft ( 10 ). The lever ( 20 ) has a protrusion ( 202 ) integrally formed on the bottom end of the lever ( 20 ) and extending outward from the shaft ( 10 ) in addition to the handle ( 11 ). A hook ( 204 ) is integrally formed on the top end of the lever ( 20 ) and extends outward from the shaft ( 10 ) to engage with the sliding hub ( 12 ). A pin is securely mounted on the lever ( 20 ). A torsion spring ( 24 ) is mounted on the pin ( 22 ) with the two ends abutting the inside of the shaft ( 10 ). A pushbutton ( 112 ) is mounted on the handle ( 11 ) in contact with the protrusion ( 202 ) of the lever ( 20 ). When the user pushes the pushbutton ( 112 ), the lever ( 20 ) will pivotally rotate relative to the shaft ( 10 ), the hook ( 204 ) will retract into the shaft ( 10 ) and disengage from the sliding hub ( 12 ). When the hook ( 204 ) disengages from the sliding hub ( 12 ), the sliding hub ( 12 ) will slide along the shaft ( 10 ) by the tension provided by the springs ( 15 ). Consequently, each rib ( 16 ) will be pushed and rotate relative to the shaft ( 10 ), and the canopy ( 18 ) will automatically expand into an open condition. 
     Referring to FIGS.  1  and  9 - 10 , a spring ( 19 ) is mounted on the shaft ( 10 ) under the stationary hub ( 17 ), and a tubular stopper ( 192 ) mounted on the shaft ( 10 ) below the spring ( 19 ). When the sliding hub ( 12 ) moves toward the top of the shaft ( 10 ), the sliding hub ( 12 ) will bump into the stopper ( 192 ) and stop sliding along the shaft ( 10 ). The spring ( 19 ) can provide a shock absorbing effect to the sliding hub ( 12 ) and the stopper ( 192 ). 
     The illumination device comprises a top illumination assembly disposed on the top end of the shaft ( 10 ), a tip illumination assembly disposed on the free end of each rib ( 16 ) and a control assembly. With reference to FIGS. 7-11, the top illumination assembly comprises a transparent connecting tube ( 30 ), a transparent tubular member ( 32 ) and an LED ( 34 ). The connecting tube ( 30 ) is securely mounted on the top end of the shaft ( 10 ). The threaded end of the tubular member ( 32 ) with a central hole ( 322 ) is screwed onto the top end of the connecting tube ( 30 ). An internal wall ( 324 ) is integrally formed in the central hole ( 322 ) of the tubular member ( 32 ) to divide the central hole ( 322 ) into two portions. The LED ( 34 ) is received in the central hole ( 322 ) portion facing the connecting tube ( 30 ). The LED ( 34 ) is mounted on a base ( 35 ) that is fixedly mounted in the tubular member ( 30 ). An electrical wire ( 38 ) is connected to the anode of the LED ( 34 ), and another electrical wire ( 38 ) is connected to the cathode. In addition, a plastic or rubber plug ( 36 ) is attached to the other end of the central hole ( 322 ) to close the opening. 
     In reference with FIGS. 13 and 14, the tip illumination assembly is mounted on the free end of each rib ( 16 ) and comprises a transparent tip ( 40 ) and an LED ( 42 ). The tip ( 40 ) has a central hole ( 402 ) defined in one end and a ball ( 404 ) integrally formed on the other end. A conical hole ( 403 ) is defined at the closed end of the central hole ( 402 ). A base ( 44 ) is received in the central hole ( 402 ) to mount the LED ( 42 ). The base ( 44 ) has two prongs ( 442 ) extending toward the open end of the central hole ( 402 ) to connect with the anode and cathode of the LED ( 42 ), respectively. A branch electrical wire ( 48 ) received in each rib ( 16 ) is connected to each prong ( 442 ) of the base ( 44 ) to electrically connect to one of the anode and the cathode of the LED ( 42 ). An electrical socket ( 46 ) is received in the tip ( 40 ) that is securely attached to the free end of the corresponding rib ( 16 ). Each branch electrical wire ( 48 ) extends into a through hole ( 462 ) defined in the electrical socket ( 46 ). A radial through hole ( 406 ) is defined in the tip ( 40 ) and communicates with the central hole ( 402 ). When the tip ( 40 ) is attached to the free end of the corresponding rib ( 16 ). The edge of the canopy ( 18 ) will extend out to the radial through hole ( 406 ) on the tip ( 40 ), such that the canopy ( 18 ) can be fixed on the ribs ( 16 ) by stitching. 
     Referring to FIGS.  3  and  5 - 12 , the control assembly comprises a control unit disposed in the handle ( 11 ) and an electrical connecting unit mounted near the top end of the shaft ( 10 ). The control unit is composed of a circuit board ( 50 ) with a switch mounted on the circuit board ( 50 ), at least one battery ( 52 ) electrically connected to the circuit board ( 50 ) and two main electrical wires ( 54 ) electrically connected to the switch. A switch button ( 114 ) is mounted on the handle ( 11 ) and is in contact with the switch on the circuit board ( 50 ). The two main electrical wires ( 54 ) are respectively connected to the anode and the cathode of the battery ( 52 ) through the switch. 
     The electrical connecting unit is composed of a first conducting ring ( 60 ) and a second conducting ring ( 62 ) each mounted near the top end of the shaft ( 10 ). The first and second conducting rings ( 60 , 62 ) are respectively connected with the electrical wires ( 38 ) connected to the anode and the cathode of the LED ( 34 ) on the top illumination assembly. Multiple contacts ( 61 ) extend longitudinally from each ring ( 60 , 62 ). A connector ( 70 ) is mounted on one end of each wire ( 48 , 54 ) to attach to the contact ( 61 ) of the conducting rings ( 60 , 62 ). The branch electrical wire ( 48 ) connected to the anode of the LED ( 42 ) of the tip illumination assembly (shown as in FIGS. 13 and 14) and the main electrical wire ( 54 ) connected to the anode of the battery ( 52 ) are connected to one of the contacts ( 61 ) on the first conducting ring ( 60 ). The other of each of the branch electrical wires ( 48 ) connected to the cathode of the LED ( 42 ) of the tip illumination assembly and the other of the main electrical wires ( 54 ) connected to the cathode of the battery ( 52 ) are connected to one of the contacts ( 61 ) on the second conducting ring ( 62 ). 
     In operation, when the user pushes the switch button ( 114 ) on the handle ( 11 ), the switch on the circuit board ( 50 ) is turned on. The electricity in the battery ( 52 ) will be transmitted to all of the LEDs ( 34 ,  42 ) through the wires ( 38 ,  48 ,  54 ). Because the internal wall ( 324 ) is formed in the tubular member ( 32 ) (as shown as in FIG. 10) and a conical hole ( 403 ) is defined in each tip ( 40 ) (as shown as in FIG.  14 ), the light from the LEDs ( 34 ,  42 ) reflected by the angular arrangement, such that the transparent tubular member ( 32 ) and the tip ( 40 ) will become lighting members. This provides good illumination on a dark rainy night. The safety of using the umbrella is improved. 
     Referring to FIGS.  1  and  15 - 17 , each rib ( 16 ) has a U-shaped cross section to receive the branch electrical wires ( 48 ). A U-shaped connecting member ( 80 ) is mounted in the middle point of each rib ( 16 ). A tab ( 82 ) with a bore defined therein integrally extends downward from each side of the connecting member ( 80 ). Two ears ( 142 ) extend laterally from one end of each spreader ( 14 ) to pivotally connect with the corresponding tabs ( 82 ) of the connecting member ( 80 ) by a pivot pin. 
     Referring to FIGS. 9-11,  18  and  19 , a pivotal member ( 84 ) is fixedly attached to the end of each rib ( 16 ) that is connected to the stationary hub ( 17 ). A pivot hole ( 844 ) is defined in the pivotal member ( 84 ) to pivotally mount onto a recess ( 172 ) defined in the stationary hub ( 17 ) with a pivot pin. A central hole ( 842 ) is laterally defined through the pivotal member ( 84 ) so the branch electrical wires ( 48 ) can pass through the inside of the pivotal member ( 84 ) and can connect with the corresponding conducting rings ( 60 , 62 ), such that the pivotal member ( 84 ) will not interfere with the branch electrical wires ( 48 ). Consequently, the manufacture of the umbrella with an illumination device can be simplified.