Abstract:
The invention disclosed is a movable connection structure for an umbrella rib and an umbrella rib using the same. The movable connection structure includes a first connector arranged on a first umbrella rib and a second connector arranged on a second umbrella rib. The first connector and the second connector are connected by a folding junction portion. The first connector, the second connector, and the junction portion are made of a plastic material and formed into an integral element. The present invention avoids specialized manufacturing equipment. The present invention eliminates hole drilling steps and rivet punching steps otherwise required during the manufacture of a movable connector. The movable connection structure and the umbrella rib using the same are conveniently and quickly assembled, thereby minimizing manual labor, improving production efficiency, and reducing production cost. The present invention provides a sturdy and durable umbrella structure.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    None. 
       FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    None. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The invention relates to an umbrella component and more particularly is concerned, for example, with an improvement to the movable connection structure between ribs within an umbrella operable either automatically or manually. 
         [0005]    2. Background 
         [0006]    The movable connection between traditional umbrella ribs is realized by rivets on connectors fixedly connected to two umbrella ribs. These and other similar movable connections require specialized manufacturing equipment for proper assembly. Furthermore, such movable connections are difficult to assemble, and therefore labor intensive and costly to manufacture. Also, metallic rivets in such movable joints are subject to rust during the operational life of an umbrella often resulting in either damage to the umbrella or impairment of the functionality of the umbrella. Of major significance is that the riveted structure of traditional umbrella ribs is easily damaged when an umbrella is subjected to large wind forces. These and other problems and deficiencies adversely affect the service life of an umbrella. 
         [0007]    Therefore, what is required is a movable connection structure between umbrella ribs which avoids the use of rivets 
         [0008]    What is also required is an assembly of umbrella ribs that incorporates a movable connection structure which avoids the use of rivets. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    An object of the present invention is to provide a movable connection structure between umbrella ribs which avoids the use of rivets. 
         [0010]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an assembly of umbrella ribs that incorporates a movable connection structure which avoids the use of rivets. 
         [0011]    In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the movable connection structure for an umbrella rib includes a first connector arranged on a first umbrella rib and a second connector arranged on a second umbrella rib. The first connector and the second connector are connected by a folding junction portion. The first connector, the second connector, and the junction portion are composed of a plastic material and integrally formed. 
         [0012]    In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the junction portion is a thin contact sheet. 
         [0013]    In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the junction portion includes a middle connecting rod with a first thin sheet and a second thin sheet set at each end of the connecting rod. The first thin sheet is connected with the first connector. The second thin sheet is connected with the second connector. 
         [0014]    In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the connecting rod is equipped with a recess for supporting the bottom of the first umbrella rib on the side toward the first umbrella rib. 
         [0015]    In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the umbrella rib includes a first umbrella rib and a second umbrella rib, wherein the first umbrella rib and the second umbrella rib are provided with a first connector and a second connector, respectively. The first connector and the second connector are connected by a folding junction portion. The first connector, the second connector, and the junction portion are composed of a plastic material and integrally formed. 
         [0016]    In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the junction portion is a thin contact sheet. 
         [0017]    In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the junction portion includes a middle connecting rod with a first thin sheet and a second thin sheet set at each end of the connecting rod. The first thin sheet is connected with the first connector. The second thin sheet is connected with the second connector. In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the connecting rod is equipped with a recess for supporting the bottom of the first umbrella rib on the side toward the first umbrella rib. 
         [0018]    In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the umbrella rib includes a third umbrella rib, a fourth umbrella rib, a first drawing string, and a second drawing string. The third umbrella rib is provided with a third connector and a sixth connector on an inner end and an outer end, respectively. The fourth umbrella rib is provided with a fifth connector on an inner end and the first umbrella rib is also provided with a fourth connector. The third connector and the fourth connector as well as the fifth connector and the sixth connector are movably connected there between through a first flexible connecting component and a second flexible connecting component. The third connector, the fourth connector, and the first flexible connecting component are composed of a plastic material and integrally formed. The fifth connector, the sixth connector and the second flexible connecting component are composed of a plastic material and integrally formed. Two ends of the first drawing string are separately connected with the second connector and the third connector. Two ends of the second drawing string are separately connected with the fourth connector and the fifth connector. 
         [0019]    In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the first drawing string and the second drawing string are composed of a plastic material. The first connector, the second connector, the junction portion, the first drawing string, the third connector, the fourth connector, the first flexible connecting component, the second drawing string, the fifth connector, the sixth connector, and the second flexible connecting component are integrally formed. 
         [0020]    Several advantages are offered by the present invention. The movable connectors and umbrella ribs utilizing the same movably connect the two connectors between umbrella ribs through a folding junction portion with a flexible connecting component, whereby the components are composed of a plastic material integrally formed into a single element. The present invention avoids specialized manufacturing equipment. The present invention eliminates hole drilling steps and rivet punching steps otherwise required during the manufacture of a movable connector. The movable connection structure and the umbrella rib using the same are conveniently and quickly assembled, thereby minimizing manual labor, improving production efficiency, and reducing production cost. The present invention provides a sturdy and durable umbrella structure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
         [0021]    Additional aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will be understood and will become more readily apparent when the invention is considered in the light of the following description made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an umbrella rib in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a side view of an umbrella rib in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a side view of an umbrella rib in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a side view of an umbrella rib in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of the junction portion between first and second umbrella ribs in of the first, second, and third embodiments of the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged perspective view of the movable connection structure at the junction portion between the first and second umbrella ribs of the third embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0028]    The above and other objectives, features, and advantages of the preferred embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same or similar elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    Reference will now be made in detail to several preferred embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the movable connection structure for an umbrella rib is shown comprising a first connector  51 , a second connector  52 , and a junction portion connecting the first connector  51  and the second connector  52 . The first connector  51 , the second connector  52  and the junction portion are all made of a plastic material and integrally formed so as to comprise a single component. The first connector  51  is fixedly sleeved on the first umbrella rib  1  and the second connector  52  is fixedly sleeved on the second umbrella rib  2 . The movable connection structure facilitates a movable connection between the first umbrella rib  1  and the second umbrella rib  2  via the junction portion. 
         [0031]    The junction portion may include a variety of designs. Two such designs are described below by way of example only. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3  and  5 , the junction portion in one exemplary embodiment could be a flexible connecting component, such as the thin contact sheet  71 , which facilitates mobility between the first connector  51  and the second connector  52 . 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the junction portion in another embodiment could include a middle connecting rod  72  with a first thin sheet  73  and a second thin sheet  74  at opposite ends of the connecting rod  72 . The first thin sheet  73  is connected with the first connector  51 . The second thin sheet  74  is connected with the second connector  52 . The connecting rod  72  could be equipped with a recess  75  for supporting the bottom of the first umbrella rib  1  on the side toward the first umbrella rib  1 . 
         [0034]    An umbrella including the features described above would resist wind-induced damage when closed or open. The connecting rod  72  is folded between the first umbrella rib  1  and the second umbrella rib  2 . The first umbrella rib  1  is positioned on the recess  75  to increase the position stability of the first umbrella rib  1  and to reduce umbrella volume when closed. When the first umbrella rib  1  is folded outwards by a wind-induced force, the connecting rod  72  vertically stands and the connection point between the first umbrella rib  1  and the second umbrella rib  2  is elevated causing the force at the joint position to be greatly buffered, thus prolonging the service life of the umbrella rib. 
         [0035]    The movable connection structure is applicable to movably connected ribs within manually or automatically operable umbrellas such as straight-rib umbrellas and multi-fold umbrellas. Such applications are described by way of example only in the descriptions below. 
         [0036]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary straight-rib umbrella structure is illustrated wherein an upper nest  91  is fixed on the top of a middle rod  8  and a lower nest  92  is slidingly sleeved to the middle rod  8 . The umbrella rib includes a first umbrella rib  1  for supporting umbrella fabric and a second umbrella rib  2  for supporting the first umbrella rib  1 . The inner end of the first umbrella rib  1  is pin jointed to the upper net  91  of umbrella, and the middle portion is fixedly sleeved with the first connector  51 . The inner end of the second umbrella rib  2  is pin jointed to the lower net  92  of the umbrella, and the outer end is fixedly sleeved with the second connector  52 . The first connector  51  and the second connector  52  are movably connected by the thin contact sheet  71 , wherein the first connector  51 , the second connector and the thin contact sheet  71  are made of a plastic material and integrally formed so as to comprise a single component. As a result, a rotatable, movable connection is realized between the first umbrella rib  1  and the second umbrella rib  2 . 
         [0037]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary triple-fold umbrella is illustrated including a first umbrella rib  1 , a second umbrella rib  2 , a third umbrella rid  3 , a fourth umbrella rib  4 , a first drawing string  61 , and a second drawing string  62 . The inner ends of the first umbrella rib  1  and the second umbrella rib  2  are pin jointed to an upper nest and a lower nest of an umbrella  9  (not shown), respectively. The outer end of the second umbrella rib  2  is connected to the middle portion of the first umbrella rib  1  through the movable connection structure of the present invention. The outer end of the first umbrella rib  1  and the outer end of the third umbrella rib  3  as well as the outer end of the third umbrella rib  3  and the inner end of the fourth umbrella rib  4  are also connected through the movable connection structure of the present invention. Two first ends of the first drawing string  61  are respectively connected with the second connector  52  and the third connector  53 . Two second ends of the second drawing string  62  are respectively connected with the fourth connector  54  and the fifth connector  54 . 
         [0038]    The middle portion of the first umbrella rib  1  is fixedly sleeved with the first connector, and the outer end is fixedly sleeved with the fourth connector  54 . The outer end of the second umbrella rib  2  is fixedly sleeved with the second connector  52 . The first connector  51  and the second connector  52  are connected via the thin contact sheet  71 , wherein, the first connector  51 , the second connector  52  and the thin contact sheet  71  are all made of a plastic material and integrally formed so as to comprise a single component. The inner end of the third umbrella rib  3  is fixedly sleeved with the third connector  53 , and the outer end is fixedly sleeved with the sixth connector  56 . The inner end of the fourth umbrella rib  4  is fixedly sleeved with a fifth connector  55 . The third connector  53  and the fourth connector  54  are movably connected through the first flexible connecting component  76 , wherein the third connector  53 , the fourth connector  54 , and the first flexible connecting component  76  are all made of a plastic material and integrally formed so as to comprise a single component. In the same way, the fifth connector  55  and the sixth connector  56  are movably connected through the second flexible connecting component  77 , wherein the fifth connector  55 , the sixth connector  56  and the second flexible connecting component  77  are made of a plastic material and integrally formed so as to comprise a single component as well. 
         [0039]    In this embodiment, the first drawing string  61  and the second drawing string  62  could be composed of a metal material. Two first ends of the first drawing string  61  pass through and are hooked to bores on the second connector  52  and the third connector  53  respectively. Two second ends of the second drawing string  62  pass through and are hooked to bores on the fourth connector  54  and the fifth connector  55 , respectively. 
         [0040]    Referring again to  FIG. 3 , the exemplary triple-fold umbrella in  FIG. 2  is now illustrated such that the first drawing string  61  and the second drawing string  62  are made of a plastic material and integrally formed to the connecting connectors thereof. The first connector  51 , the second connector  52 , the junction portion  71 , the first drawing string  61 , the third connector  53 , the fourth connector  54 , the first flexible connecting component  76 , the second drawing string  62 , the fifth connector  55 , the sixth connector  56 , and the second flexible connecting component  77  are all made of a plastic material and integrally formed so as to comprise a single component. 
         [0041]    With further reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , the movable connection structures for the umbrella rib between the first umbrella rib  1  and the second umbrella rib  2  include the structure of the first junction portion. The movable connection structure for the umbrella rib at this position includes the structure of the second junction portion described above. 
         [0042]    With further reference to  FIG. 4 , the middle portion of first umbrella rib  1  is fixedly sleeved with the first connector  51 , the second umbrella rib  2  is fixedly sleeved with the second connector  52  at an outer side, and the first connector  51  and the second connector  52  are connected through the junction portion. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the junction portion includes a middle connecting rod  72 , and a first thin sheet  72  and a second thin sheet  74  set at each end of the connecting rod  72 . The first thin sheet  73  is connected with the first connector  51  and the second thin sheet  74  is connected with the second connector  52 . This arrangement ensures that the two connectors and the connecting rod  72  form a relatively folded and movable connection there between. 
         [0043]    The movable connection structure and umbrella rib provided by the present invention simplifies assembly of an umbrella rib assembly. Umbrella ribs elements are placed onto a die, thereafter connected to the movable connection structures and to the net elements. 
         [0044]    The present invention is likewise applicable to other umbrella types including, but not limited to, double-fold umbrellas, quadruple-fold umbrellas, and quintuple-fold umbrellas with appropriate modifications for more or fewer rib portions than described herein. 
         [0045]    The description above indicates that a great degree of flexibility is offered in terms of the present invention. Although various embodiments have been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein. All modifications, equivalent replacements, and improvements shall fall in the protection scope of the invention.