Patent Description:
Umbrellas can have multiple open configurations. One type of umbrella is supported at its center and from below by a pole and can be placed into a tilted configuration in which a canopy assembly coupled with a top portion of the pole can be placed at an angle to a central pole portion therebelow. Such umbrella can be rotated by a mechanism that rotates the central pole portion relative to a lower pole portion. <FIG> shows such an umbrella in which a mechanism for rotating the central portion is disposed outside the pole, i.e., between a rotation handle and an outer surface of the pole.

An example of a known rotatable umbrella is disclosed in <CIT>.

It is desired to provide shade structures and components therefor that can enhance performance of a rotation mechanism. For example, a rotation mechanism can be mounted inside the umbrella pole. The rotation mechanism can include a handle that can be displaced along the pole. The handle can be rotated about a longitudinal axis of the central and/or lower portion of the pole. The top portion of the pole can, in some cases, be angled relative to the longitudinal axis.

According to the present invention, an umbrella is provided which comprises:.

In one embodiment, the rotation and locking assembly is configured to directly rotate the upper pole portion. In one embodiment, the rotation and locking assembly is configured to rotate a central pole portion, which can be a pole portion that is between an upper and a lower pole portion.

In some embodiments, one or both of the first locking member and the second locking member are disposed within the pole or pole assembly.

In some embodiments, the drive ring further comprises a plurality of splines aligned with the longitudinal axis of the pole. The hand grip also can have an outer surface and an inner surface, a plurality of radial projections being disposed on the inner inside surface and being configured to engage the plurality of splines. In some cases, the pole comprises a slot and further comprising a shaft coupled with the hand grip, the shaft disposed through the drive ring and the slot of the pole, wherein an inner portion of the shaft is coupled with the second locking member.

In some embodiments, the first locking member has a central recess disposed around the upper end of the shaft and an outer surface comprising a plurality of splines disposed thereon. The first locking member comprises a tapered lower end. The second locking member can have a central passage disposed around the shaft. The second locking member can have an upper recess comprising a plurality of splines disposed on an inner surface thereof.

In some embodiments, a thrust bearing has a first portion disposed within the lower portion of the pole and a second portion fixedly coupled with a lower end of a rotatable portion of the pole assembly. The first portion can be disposed on an upper surface of a plug member. The second portion can be rotatable relative to the first portion. The second portion of the thrust bearing is partly inserted into the lower end of the rotatable pole portion. The second portion can have a projection received in a recess of the lower end of the upper or central portion of the pole assembly to transmit a torque from the upper or central portion of the pole and the second portion of the thrust bearing.

In some embodiments, a spring member or other resilient member is disposed between the second locking member and a structure that is not translatable along the longitudinal axis of the pole. The spring member can be configured to bias the second locking member to a locking first position. The spring member can be configured to bias the hand grip to a locking position.

In another embodiment not forming part of the invention, an umbrella is provided that includes a canopy, a pole, and a rotation assembly. The pole extends along a longitudinal axis and has an upper portion coupled with the canopy. The upper portion is rotatably coupled, directly or indirectly, with a lower portion of the pole. A connection location between the rotatable portion of the pole and the lower portion can be disposed within an upper end of the lower portion. The rotation assembly can be configured to rotate the upper portion of the pole. The rotation assembly can have a hand grip and a drive ring disposed around the rotatable portion of the pole. The hand grip can apply a torque to the drive ring and thereby to the rotatable portion of the pole. A locking assembly has a first locking member and a second locking member disengageable from the first locking member. The first locking member and the second locking member can be disposed above the connection location.

In another embodiment not forming part of the invention, an umbrella is provided that includes a canopy, a pole and a rotation assembly. The pole extends along a longitudinal axis and has a rotatable portion coupled with the canopy and a lower portion to which the rotatable portion is rotatably coupled at a connection location. A lower end of the rotatable portion is disposed within an upper end of the lower portion. A rotation assembly configured to rotate the rotatable portion of the pole is provided. The rotation assembly has a hand grip and a drive ring disposed around the rotatable portion of the pole. The hand grip applies torque to the drive ring and thereby to the rotatable portion of the pole. The hand grip and the drive ring are configured to move along the longitudinal axis of the pole to disengage a locking assembly to permit rotation of the rotatable portion of the pole relative to the lower portion of the pole.

Features of the invention can be better understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying schematic drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only. The drawings include the following figures:.

While the present description sets forth specific details of various embodiments, it will be appreciated that the description is illustrative only and should not be construed in any way as limiting. Furthermore, various applications of such embodiments and modifications thereto, which may occur to those who are skilled in the art, are also encompassed by the general concepts described herein.

This application discloses an inventive umbrella assembly that allows a upper pole portion thereof to rotate relative to a lower pole portion.

<FIG> shows an umbrella <NUM> that can incorporate various control configurations disclosed herein. The umbrella <NUM> includes a canopy assembly <NUM> and a pole assembly <NUM>. The pole assembly <NUM> includes a lower portion <NUM>, a central portion <NUM>, and an upper portion <NUM>. The upper portion <NUM> can pivot about a tilt axis A. The tilt axis A is disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis LA of the lower portion <NUM> and the central portion <NUM> of the pole assembly <NUM>. Also, the umbrella <NUM> can be opened and closed by operating a crank assembly <NUM>. The crank assembly <NUM> can rotate in one direction to tension a cord acting on a lower hub of the canopy assembly <NUM> to raise the lower hub. As the lower hub is raised, a rib assembly of the canopy assembly <NUM> can be actuated to tension a canopy fabric on the canopy assembly <NUM>. The umbrella <NUM> also includes a rotation handle <NUM> that can be operated to rotate the central portion <NUM> and the upper portion <NUM> relative to the lower portion <NUM>. The rotation of the rotation handle <NUM> causes the shade cast by the canopy assembly <NUM> to be moved to a more appropriate location given the position of the sun in the sky and/or the location to be shaded. The rotation handle <NUM> allows for rotation about a rotation axis as indicated by R. The rotation R can be up to <NUM> degrees or more from any position or orientation.

<FIG> show additional details of features of the umbrella <NUM>. <FIG> shows a pole assembly <NUM> and a rotation and locking assembly <NUM>. The rotation and locking assembly <NUM> can be used in connection with the rotation handle <NUM>. Other features of the umbrella <NUM> can be combined with the features of <FIG>. The pole assembly <NUM> can be further understood in view of the umbrella <NUM> and <FIG> shows that the pole assembly <NUM> can include a lower pole portion <NUM> and a central pole portion <NUM>. The lower pole portion <NUM> can be cylindrical and can extend from a lower end to an upper end <NUM>. The pole assembly <NUM> can also include a sleeve <NUM> that is disposed over the upper end <NUM> and that extends for a distance to a lower end of the sleeve <NUM> that is below the upper end <NUM> of the lower pole portion <NUM>. The sleeve <NUM> can include a radial projection at the upper end thereof such that the sleeve <NUM> rests on the top surface of the upper end <NUM> of the lower pole portion <NUM>. The central pole portion <NUM> can include a first cylindrical structure in an upper length thereof and a second cylindrical structure in a lower length thereof. The second cylindrical section can have a smaller inner and a smaller outer diameter. The transition from the first cylindrical section to the second cylindrical section can rest atop the radial projection of the sleeve <NUM>. The interface between the transition from the first cylindrical section to the second cylindrical section can be moveable in rotation over the radial projection of the sleeve <NUM> as described further below.

The pole assembly <NUM> can have a first aperture through which a crank axis CA extends. The crank axis CA can be axis about which the crank assembly <NUM> rotates in opening and closing the canopy assembly <NUM>. The pole assembly <NUM> can include an oval slot <NUM> that provides for movement of the rotation and locking assembly between a first position and a second position. The first position is one in which rotation of the central pole portion <NUM> relative to the lower pole portion <NUM> is prevented. The second position <NUM> is one in which such relative rotation is permitted. The pole assembly <NUM> can also include a notch <NUM> that can facilitate integration of the lower end of the central pole portion <NUM> with a thrust bearing, as discussed further below.

A housing <NUM> can be provided to house some aspects of the crank assembly <NUM>. The rotation and locking assembly <NUM> can be coupled with the pole assembly <NUM>. <FIG> shows that the rotation and locking assembly <NUM> can include a hand grip assembly <NUM> that is disposed above the pole assembly <NUM>, e.g., disposed about the central pole portion <NUM>. In a first position <NUM> (illustrated in <FIG>) the hand grip assembly <NUM> is disposed immediately adjacent to, e.g., just below or slightly overlapping with a lower end of the housing <NUM>. The hand grip assembly <NUM> can include a hand grip <NUM>, which is a portion of the rotation and locking assembly <NUM> that a user can grasp by hand to actuate the rotation and locking assembly <NUM> as discussed further below, by gripping the external surface <NUM> thereof. The external surface <NUM> can be faceted, as shown, to make gripping easier for a wide range of user, including individuals with less strength or smaller hands.

<FIG> shows that within the hand grip <NUM> a drive ring <NUM> can be provided. The drive ring <NUM> can be configured as a sliding sleeve. The hand grip <NUM> and the drive ring <NUM> can be configured to mate to transfer a torque applied to the external surface <NUM> to the drive ring <NUM> and from the drive ring <NUM> to an internal locking and rotation device. <FIG> and <FIG> can be integrated by engagement of structures on an internal surface <NUM> of the hand grip <NUM> and on an external surface <NUM> of the drive ring <NUM>. The internal surface <NUM> can include one or a plurality of radial projections <NUM>, e.g., splines, projecting inwardly toward the drive ring <NUM>. The radial projections <NUM> can be located at regular intervals about the internal surface <NUM>. The radial projections <NUM> can be disposed at <NUM> degree spacing from each other. The drive ring <NUM> can have one or a plurality of radial projections <NUM>, e.g., external splines, disposed on the external surface <NUM>. The radial projections <NUM> circumferentially overlay with the radial projections <NUM> on the hand grip <NUM>. Circumferential overlap can include the radially outermost ends of the radial projections <NUM> being radially outward of radially innermost ends of the radial projections <NUM>. As the hand grip <NUM> is rotated relative to the drive ring <NUM> the radial projections <NUM> come into contact with the radial projections <NUM> allowing a torque to be applied through the projections to the drive ring <NUM>. The torques can be further transferred into the rotation and locking assembly <NUM> to facilitate rotation of the central pole portion <NUM> relative to the lower pole portion <NUM> of the pole assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates how motion of the drive ring <NUM> relative to the pole assembly <NUM> can be provided. The drive ring <NUM> can have a shaft <NUM> (see <FIG>) joining the drive ring <NUM> with internal structures of the rotation and locking assembly <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> can be allowed to move relative to the pole assembly <NUM> by the oval slot <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> extends into or through the thickness of the drive ring <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> can move along the oval slot <NUM> to an upper position (as shown in <FIG>) corresponding to a first position <NUM> of the rotation and locking assembly <NUM>. The first position <NUM> corresponds to a rotation preventing configuration of the rotation and locking assembly <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> can move along the oval slot <NUM> to a lower position corresponding to a second position <NUM> of the rotation and locking assembly <NUM>. The second position <NUM> corresponds to a rotation allowing configuration of the rotation and locking assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> show the rotation and locking assembly <NUM> in cross-section to better illustrate the assembly. The rotation and locking assembly <NUM> includes a plug member <NUM> that is used to hold a lower portion of the rotation and locking assembly <NUM> in a fixed position within the lower pole portion <NUM>. The rotation and locking assembly <NUM> also includes a first locking member <NUM>. <FIG> shows that the first locking member <NUM> is located within the lower portion of the central pole portion <NUM>. The first locking member <NUM> is held in a fixed position at all times during the use of the rotation and locking assembly <NUM>. In one embodiment a shaft <NUM> is provided that is coupled with the plug member <NUM> and that is also coupled with the first locking member <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> can be secured to the plug member <NUM> by being connected by a pin, bolt or other fastener that extends through a lower portion <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> and through a portion of the plug member <NUM>. The plug member <NUM> can be fitted in the lower pole portion <NUM>, e.g., press-fit, welded, or connected by rivets or other mechanical fasteners. The shaft <NUM> can have an upper portion <NUM> that extends through a central recess <NUM> of the first locking member <NUM> and that is secured to the first locking member <NUM> by a pin, bolt or other mechanical fastener that extends through the upper portion <NUM> and through a portion of the first locking member <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> can have a length sufficient to extend to a location that corresponds to the position of the hand grip <NUM>, or have a length that positions the first locking member <NUM> above or below the hand grip <NUM>.

The first locking member <NUM> can be configured to releasably secure to a second locking member <NUM>. The first locking member <NUM> can have a fixed clutch portion <NUM> that facilitates releasably securing to the second locking member <NUM>. The first locking member <NUM> can have a plurality of external splines <NUM>. The external splines <NUM> can be aligned with the central recess <NUM>. The external splines <NUM> can be aligned with the shaft <NUM>. The first locking member <NUM> can also have a tapered lower end <NUM>. The tapered lower end <NUM> can be configured to facilitate the re-engagement of the second locking member <NUM> with the first locking member <NUM> to cause the rotation and locking assembly <NUM> to be placed in a locked of fixed configuration.

The second locking member <NUM> can comprise a moveable clutch portion <NUM>. For example, the second locking member <NUM> can have a central passage <NUM> disposed therethrough. The central passage <NUM> allows the shaft <NUM> to be disposed through the second locking member <NUM>. The central passage <NUM> can have a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the shaft <NUM>. The second locking member <NUM> can have a top portion that includes an upper recess <NUM>. The upper recess <NUM> can have an internal peripheral wall with a feature that can engage and disengage the external splines <NUM>. For example, the upper recess <NUM> can have a plurality of internal splines <NUM> disposed on an inner surface thereof. The rotation and locking assembly <NUM> can have a first position <NUM> in which the internal splines <NUM> on the second locking member <NUM> and the external splines <NUM> on the first locking member <NUM> overlap along the longitudinal axis LA and are engaged.

As discussed above, the drive ring <NUM> can move along an outside surface of the central pole portion <NUM>. A blind recess formed in the second locking member <NUM> can be configured to receive a shaft <NUM> that is coupled with the drive ring <NUM>. The movement of the drive ring <NUM> can cause movement of the shaft <NUM> and thereby movement of the second locking member <NUM>. <FIG> shows that the second locking member <NUM> can be secured to the drive ring <NUM> by a plurality of shafts <NUM>, e.g., one on each of opposing sides of the second locking member <NUM>.

The longitudinal position of the second locking member <NUM> relative to the first locking member <NUM> is controlled in various embodiments. For example, the second locking member <NUM> can include a shoulder <NUM>. The shoulder <NUM> can be used to couple with a first end of a spring <NUM>. The spring <NUM> can have a second end coupled with an upper portion <NUM> of a thrust bearing <NUM>. For example, the thrust bearing <NUM> can have a shoulder on the upper portion <NUM>. When a downward force F1 is applied to the hand grip <NUM>, the force is transferred through the drive ring <NUM> and the shaft <NUM> to the second locking member <NUM>. As the second locking member <NUM> is moved downward in response to the downward force F1, the spring <NUM> is compressed, storing strain energy. When the hand grip <NUM> is released and the downward force F1 is no longer being applied, the stored strain energy is released as the second locking member <NUM> moves upwardly. The tapered lower end <NUM> helps guide the internal splines <NUM> into engagement with the external splines <NUM>.

The thrust bearing <NUM> provides rotational movement of the rotation and locking assembly <NUM> as a torque is applied to the hand grip <NUM>. The torque is transferred to the central pole portion <NUM> by way of the shafts <NUM> that extend through the drive ring <NUM> and into the second locking member <NUM>. The pole assembly <NUM> includes a feature for engaging the central pole portion <NUM> with the thrust bearing <NUM>. In one embodiment the central pole portion <NUM> has a notch <NUM> at the bottom end thereof. The notch <NUM> is advanced over a radial projection <NUM> of the thrust bearing <NUM>. The radial projection <NUM> is located on the upper portion <NUM> of the thrust bearing <NUM>. In assembly, the radial projection <NUM> can be advanced over the notch <NUM>. Once the radial projection <NUM> is in the notch <NUM> rotation of the central pole portion <NUM> will apply a torque to the thrust bearing <NUM> through engagement of the notch <NUM> by the radial projection <NUM>.

The use of the umbrella <NUM> with the rotation and locking assembly <NUM> will now be described. Once the canopy assembly <NUM> is opened, the upper portion <NUM> can be tilted if desired. The rotational position of the canopy assembly <NUM> relative to lower portion <NUM> can then be adjusted. For example the central portion <NUM> or the central pole portion <NUM> can be rotated. The rotation and locking assembly <NUM> can be used to rotate these pole portions as follows. A hand can grip the hand grip <NUM>. The hand can apply a downward force F1 to the hand grip <NUM>. The downward force F1 can cause the hand grip <NUM> to move down along the longitudinal axis LA. Such movement can move the hand grip <NUM> from the first position <NUM> to the second position <NUM>. The movement from the first position <NUM> to the second position <NUM> corresponds to moving the shaft <NUM> along the oval slot <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An umbrella comprising:
a canopy;
a pole (<NUM>, <NUM>) extending along a longitudinal axis (LA) and having an upper portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) coupled with the canopy (<NUM>) and a lower portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) rotatably coupled with the upper portion (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a rotation and locking assembly (<NUM>) configured to rotate the upper portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the pole (<NUM>, <NUM>), the rotation mechanism comprising:
a shaft (<NUM>) having a lower end (<NUM>) fixed to the lower portion (<NUM>) of the pole and an upper end (<NUM>) disposed above the lower portion (<NUM>) of the pole; a first locking member (<NUM>) disposed above the lower portion (<NUM>) of the pole and coupled with the upper end (<NUM>) of the shaft;
a second locking member (<NUM>) disposed above the lower portion (<NUM>) of the pole adjacent to the first locking member (<NUM>), the second locking member (<NUM>) configured to engage the first locking member (<NUM>);
a hand grip (<NUM>) disposed around the upper portion (<NUM>) of the pole and engaged with the second locking member (<NUM>), the hand grip (<NUM>) having a first position (<NUM>) along the longitudinal axis (LA) of the pole in which the second locking member (<NUM>) is engaged with the first locking member (<NUM>) and a second position (<NUM>) along the longitudinal axis (LA) of the pole spaced apart from the first position (<NUM>) in which the second locking member (<NUM>) is disengaged from the locking member (<NUM>)
characterized in that
a drive ring (<NUM>) provided within the hand grip (<NUM>) is disposed around the upper pole portion (<NUM>), the drive ring (<NUM>) is moveable along the longitudinal axis (LA) of the pole by movement of the hand grip, the hand grip configured to transfer a torque applied to an external surface (<NUM>) of the hand grip (<NUM>) to the drive ring <NUM>, the drive ring configured to transfer the torque from the drive ring (<NUM>) to an internal locking and rotation device.