Patent Publication Number: US-7588041-B2

Title: Control device for umbrella

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to an umbrella, and more particularly to an umbrella including a locking and releasing device or control device for suitably controlling the umbrella and for allowing the umbrella to be effectively actuated or operated by the users. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Typical umbrella facilities comprise a runner slidably engaged onto a central shaft for coupling to or for supporting the rib or stave assembly, and a spring-biased ball is disposed or engaged in the central shaft for selectively engaging with the runner and for temporarily or releasably securing the runner to the central shaft and thus for maintaining the rib or stave assembly and the canvas on an open working position. 
   For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,712 to Lin et al. discloses one of the typical catch-free safety umbrella facilities comprising a stationary hub disposed on top of a central shaft, and a runner slidably engaged onto the central shaft for coupling to or for supporting the rib or stave assembly, and a ball resiliently held in the lower portion of the central shaft for selectively engaging with the runner and for stably retracting the rib or stave assembly and the canvas at a folded condition. 
   However, the spring-biased ball may be easily engaged with the runner and may also be easily disengaged from the runner such that the rib or stave assembly and the canvas may be opened or folded inadvertently. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,247,483 to Tung discloses another typical umbrella comprising an automatic locking and releasing device and also comprising a runner slidably engaged onto a central shaft for coupling or supporting a rib or stave assembly, and a pivot lever engaged in the central shaft, and a locking bar slidably engaged in the central shaft for being actuated to selectively engage with the runner and for controlling the rib or stave assembly and the canvas either at a folded condition or an open condition. 
   However, the locking bar and an extension block which is secured to the locking bar are extended out the central shaft and may be actuated or operated by the users or the other objects inadvertently. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,418,950 to Tseng discloses a further typical umbrella also comprising a runner slidably engaged onto a central tube for coupling or supporting a whale bone device, and two catches slidably engaged in the central tube and biased or forced to moved out of the central tube to selectively engage with the runner and to control the whale bone device and the canvas either at a folded condition or an open condition, and a latch slidably engaged in the runner to selectively engage with the catches. 
   However, similarly, the knob of the latch will also be biased to move out of the runner and may thus be actuated or operated by the users or the other objects inadvertently. 
   The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional umbrella facilities. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an umbrella including a locking and releasing device or control device for suitably controlling the umbrella and for allowing the umbrella to be effectively actuated or operated by the users. 
   In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an umbrella comprising a central shaft including a stationary hub disposed on an upper portion of the central shaft, and including a hand grip attached to a lower portion of the central shaft for being held by a user, a runner slidably engaged onto the central shaft for coupling to a whale bone device, a tubular member slidably engaged onto the central shaft for moving up and down along the central shaft, and including a lower portion, and including an upper portion secured to the runner for allowing the tubular member to be moved in concert with the runner, the runner being movable toward the stationary hub for allowing the whale bone device to be folded to a compact folding position, and the runner being movable away from the stationary hub for allowing the whale bone device to be opened to an open working position, a handle attached to the lower portion of the tubular member for allowing the tubular member and the runner to be moved up and down along the central shaft with the handle, and a controlling device for controlling the handle to move along the central shaft in order to selectively fold the whale bone device to the compact folding position or to open the whale bone device to the open working position. 
   The tubular member includes a first anchor orifice and a second anchor orifice formed in the tubular member, and the central shaft includes an anchor member engaged into the central shaft and having a catch extended out of the central shaft for selectively engaging into either of the first or the second anchor orifices of the tubular member and for anchoring the tubular member and the runner to the central shaft at different locations. 
   The central shaft includes an opening formed therein, the catch of the anchor member is extended out through the opening of the central shaft. The central shaft includes an aperture formed therein, and the anchor member includes an end portion engaged into the aperture of the central shaft for anchoring the anchor member to the central shaft. 
   A coupler is further provided and secured to the lower portion of the tubular member and moved in concert with the tubular member, and secured to the handle for securing to the handle to the lower portion of the tubular member. 
   The coupler includes at least one slot formed therein, and the tubular member includes at least one ear extended therefrom for engaging with the slot of the coupler and for securing the coupler to the tubular member. The coupler includes an inner thread formed therein, and the handle includes an outer thread for engaging with the inner thread of the coupler and for securing the handle to the coupler. 
   The tubular member includes at least one ear extended from the upper portion of the tubular member for engaging with the runner and for securing the runner to the tubular member. The tubular member includes at least one protrusion extended from the upper portion of the tubular member for engaging with the runner and for securing the runner to the tubular member. 
   The handle includes a chamber formed therein and includes a compartment formed in the handle and communicating with the chamber of the handle, and the controlling device includes a follower slidably engaged in the chamber of the handle, and includes a knob extended from the follower and slidably engaged through the tubular member and slidably engaged into the compartment of the handle for being selectively depressed by the user. 
   The handle includes a hub extended therefrom, and the compartment of the handle is formed in the hub of the handle. The handle includes a sleeve engaged onto an outer peripheral portion of the handle and flush with the hub of the handle. 
   The follower includes a space formed therein for slidably receiving the tubular member. The follower includes two flaps, and the space is formed between the flaps for slidably receiving the tubular member. A spring member is further provided and engaged with the follower for biasing the knob of the follower to engage into the compartment of the handle. 
   The controlling device includes a casing engaged into the chamber of the handle and anchored to the handle. The casing includes at least one ring member extended therefrom and having a hole formed in the ring member and aligned with a bore of the handle for receiving the tubular member and for anchoring the casing to the handle. 
   Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a plan schematic view of an umbrella in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a plan schematic view similar to  FIG. 1 , illustrating the operation of the umbrella; 
       FIG. 3  is a partial exploded view of the umbrella; 
       FIG. 4  is a further partial exploded view of the umbrella; 
       FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of the umbrella; 
       FIG. 6  is a partial plan schematic view of the umbrella, in which a portion of the umbrella has been cut off for showing the inner structure of the umbrella; 
       FIG. 7  is another partial plan schematic view similar to  FIG. 6 , in which a portion of the umbrella has been cut off for showing the inner structure of the umbrella; 
       FIG. 8  is a partial cross sectional view of the umbrella taken along lines  8 - 8  of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 9  is another partial cross sectional view of the umbrella taken along lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a further partial cross sectional view similar to  FIG. 9 , illustrating the operation of the umbrella; 
       FIG. 11  is a further partial plan schematic view similar to  FIG. 7 , in which a portion of the umbrella has been cut off for showing the inner structure of the umbrella; and 
       FIG. 12  is a still further partial cross sectional view similar to  FIG. 8 , illustrating the other arrangement of the umbrella. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to the drawings, and initially to  FIGS. 1-3 , an umbrella in accordance with the present invention comprises a central shaft  10  including a stationary hub  11  disposed on top or the upper portion  12  of the central shaft  10 , and including a hand grip  13  attached or secured to the lower portion  14  of the central shaft  10  for being grasped or held by the users, and including an opening  15  and an aperture  16  formed in the middle portion  17  or the lower portion  14  of the central shaft  10 , and including a runner  18  having a bore  19  formed therein ( FIG. 3 ) for slidably receiving the central shaft  10  and for slidably engaging onto the central shaft  10  and for coupling to or for supporting a rib or stave assembly or whale bone device  20 , and the above-described structure is typical and will not be described in further details. 
   A tubular member  30  is slidably engaged onto the central shaft  10  for moving up and down along the central shaft  10 , and includes an upper portion  31  for coupling or securing to the runner  18  and for allowing the tubular member  30  to be moved in concert with the runner  18 . For example, the tubular member  30  includes one or more folds or ears  32  bent or extended from the upper portion  31  thereof ( FIGS. 3 ,  8 ,  12 ) for engaging with the runner  18  and for anchoring or securing the runner  18  to the tubular member  30 , and further includes one or more protrusions  33  ( FIG. 8 ),  34  ( FIG. 12 ) extended laterally and outwardly from the upper portion  31  of the tubular member  30  for further engaging with the runner  18  and for further stably anchoring or securing the runner  18  to the tubular member  30 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  6 - 7 , a spring anchor member  21  is engaged into the middle portion  17  or the lower portion  14  of the central shaft  10 , and includes an upper end portion  22  ( FIG. 3 ) engaged into the aperture  16  of the central shaft  10  for anchoring or securing the anchor member  21  to the central shaft  10 , and includes a catch  23  extended or provided on the lower portion of the anchor member  21  and extendible out of the opening  15  of the central shaft  10 . The tubular member  30  further includes two anchor orifices  35 ,  36  formed in the middle or lower portion  37  of the tubular member  30 , and the catch  23  of the anchor member  21  is extendible or engageable into or through either of the anchor orifices  35 ,  36  of the tubular member  30  ( FIGS. 6 ,  7 ) for anchoring or securing the tubular member  30  and the runner  18  to the central shaft  10  at different locations or positions. 
   An end cap or coupler  40  is secured to the lower portion  37  of the tubular member  30  and moved in concert with the tubular member  30 , and includes one or more slots  41  formed therein ( FIG. 4 ), and the tubular member  30  includes one or more folds or ears  38  bent or extended from the lower portion  37  thereof ( FIGS. 4 ,  6 ) for engaging with the slots  41  of the coupler  40  and for anchoring or securing the coupler  40  to the tubular member  30 , and a washer or retaining ring  42  may further be provided and force-fitted or engaged into the lower portion of the coupler  40  for engaging with the folds or ears  38  of the tubular member  30  ( FIG. 6 ) and for shielding and protecting the folds or ears  38  of the tubular member  30  and/or for preventing the folds or ears  38  of the tubular member  30  from being bent or disengaged from the coupler  40 . 
   The coupler  40  further includes a tubular or cylindrical wall or member  43  extended upwardly therefrom ( FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  6 ,  11 ), and includes an inner thread  44  formed in the inner peripheral portion of the cylindrical member  43  for attaching or securing a handle  50  to the lower portion  37  of the tubular member  30  and for allowing the tubular member  30  and the runner  18  to be moved up and down along the central shaft  10  with or by the handle  50 , best shown in  FIGS. 1-2  and  5 - 7 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the tubular member  30  may further include one or more protrusions  39  extended laterally and outwardly from the lower portion  37  of the tubular member  30  for further securing to or engaging with the handle  50  and/or for further stably anchoring or securing or locking the handle  50  to the tubular member  30 . 
   The handle  50  includes a bore  51  formed therein ( FIG. 3 ) for receiving the tubular member  30  and for attaching or securing the handle  50  to the tubular member  30 , and includes an outer thread  52  formed in the outer peripheral portion of the lower portion  53  of the handle  50  for threading or engaging with the inner thread  44  of the coupler  40  and for attaching or securing the handle  50  to the coupler  40  and the tubular member  30  and for allowing the handle  50  to be moved in concert with the coupler  40  and the tubular member  30  and the runner  18 . The handle  50  further includes a chamber  54  formed in the upper portion  55  thereof ( FIG. 3 ) for receiving a controlling means or device  70 , and includes a stud or hub  56  extended laterally and outwardly from the upper portion  55  of the handle  50 , and includes a compartment  57  formed in the hub  56  or in the handle  50  ( FIGS. 6 ,  9 ,  10 ) and communicating with the chamber  54  of the handle  50 . 
   The controlling means or device  70  includes a casing  71  engaged into the chamber  54  of the handle  50  and secured to the handle  50  and having two arms or ring members  72  extended laterally and outwardly therefrom ( FIGS. 3 ,  9 - 10 ) and having a hole  73  formed in each of the ring members  72  and aligned with the bore  51  of the handle  50  for receiving the tubular member  30  and for attaching or securing the casing  71  to the handle  50  and the tubular member  30 , and includes a follower  74  slidably received or engaged in the chamber  54  of the handle  50  and slidably disposed or engaged between the casing  71  and the hub  56  of the handle  50 , and includes a knob  75  extended from the follower  74  for slidably engaging through one of the anchor orifices  35  of the tubular member  30  ( FIG. 6 ), and for slidably receiving or engaging into the compartment  57  of the hub  56  of the handle  50  and for being selectively depressed or actuated by the users ( FIG. 6 ). 
   It is preferable but not necessarily that the follower  74  includes two flaps  76  having a space  77  formed or defined between the flaps  76  ( FIG. 3 ) for slidably receiving the tubular member  30  and for allowing the follower  74  to be moved toward or away from the tubular member  30  and for allowing the knob  75  of the follower  74  to be selectively depressed or actuated by the users ( FIG. 6 ). A spring member  78  is disposed or engaged between the casing  71  and the follower  74 , and includes two limbs  79  attached or secured or engaged with the flaps  76  of the follower  74  for being positioned or retained between the casing  71  and the follower  74  and for biasing the knob  75  of the follower  74  into the compartment  57  of the hub  56  of the handle  50 . The handle  50  may include a soft or resilient outer covering or sleeve  58  engaged or molded onto the outer peripheral portion of the handle  50  and flush with the hub  56  of the handle  50  ( FIGS. 6 ,  9 - 10 ) for being comfortably grasped or held by the users. 
   In operation, as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  6  and  7 , when the handle  50  and the tubular member  30  and the runner  18  are moved away from the hand grip  13  and moved toward the stationary hub  11 , the whale bone device  20  may be folded to a compact folding or receiving or storing position as shown in  FIG. 2 . At this moment, the tubular member  30  is moved relative to the central shaft  10 , and the catch  23  of the anchor member  21  is engaged into or through the other anchor orifice  36  of the tubular member  30  ( FIG. 7 ) for anchoring or securing or positioning the handle  50  and the tubular member  30  and the runner  18  to the central shaft  10  at the selected location or position and for maintaining or retaining the whale bone device  20  at the compact folding or receiving or storing position. 
   When it is required to open the whale bone device  20  to the unfolded or opening or working position as shown in  FIG. 1 , the handle  50  and the tubular member  30  and the runner  18  may be pulled or moved toward the hand grip  13  and moved away from the stationary hub  11 , the catch  23  of the anchor member  21  may be selectively engaged through one of the anchor orifices  35  of the tubular member  30  ( FIG. 6 ) and may be selectively engaged into the space  77  of the follower  74  for anchoring or securing or positioning the handle  50  and the tubular member  30  and the runner  18  to the central shaft  10  at the other selected location or position and for maintaining or retaining the whale bone device  20  at the unfolded or opening or working position. 
   When it is required to fold the whale bone device  20  to the compact folding or receiving or storing position, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 10 , the knob  75  of the follower  74  may be depressed or actuated by the users onto the spring member  78  and may be depressed or forced into the compartment  57  of the hub  56  of the handle  50  in order to depress or force or disengage the catch  23  of the anchor member  21  from the anchor orifice  35  of the tubular member  30 , and thus for allowing the handle  50  and the tubular member  30  and the runner  18  to be moved along the central shaft  10  and thus for allowing the whale bone device  20  to be folded to the compact folding or receiving or storing position again. The outwardly stretched or opened whale bone device  20  may apply a resilient force to the runner  18  and the tubular member  30  and the handle  50  when the catch  23  of the anchor member  21  is disengaged from the anchor orifice  35  of the tubular member  30 . 
   It is to be noted that the provision and the engagement of the tubular member  30  onto the central shaft  10  may reinforce the central shaft  10 , and the typical umbrella facilities failed to provide a tubular member  30  slidably engaged onto the central shaft  10  for reinforcing the central shaft  10 , and failed to provide a handle  50  attached or secured to the tubular member  30  for moving the tubular member  30  and the runner  18  up and down along the central shaft  10 , and failed to provide a controlling device  70  engaged into the handle  50  for controlling the movement between the tubular member  30  and the runner  18  and the central shaft  10 . The provision and the engagement of the handle  50  to the tubular member  30  allow the tubular member  30  and the runner  18  to be easily moved up and down along the central shaft  10  with or by the handle  50 . The handle  50  is located close to the hand grip  13  for being easily operated by the users. 
   Accordingly, the umbrella in accordance with the present invention includes a locking and releasing device or controlling device for suitably controlling the umbrella and for allowing the umbrella to be effectively actuated or operated by the users. 
   Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.