AU2007203256A1 - Improvements in large umbrellas - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 OS INTERNATIONAL GROUP PTY LTD COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Improvements in large umbrellas The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:- 2 Cross-Reference to Related Applications SThe present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No 2006903867 filed on 19 July 2006, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

t Technical Field Cc This invention relates to a large-sized umbrella, in particular a beach umbrella of Sthe type that are commonly used on beaches, by hotel swimming pools and the like, and t that are mounted in ground or in or on a base, rather than carried.

Background of the Invention Large-sized umbrellas, such as beach umbrellas are typically used on beaches, in parks, by hotel swimming pools and the like. The structure of a typical large beach umbrella is usually the same as that of a common umbrella but with minor differences in the mode of opening. Because they are much larger than common umbrellas, beach umbrellas tend to occupy a good deal of space. This is particularly inconvenient when used with other beach furniture such as lounges etc. Generally, because beach umbrellas have large relatively complicated structures, they tend to be inconvenient to open and manoeuvre. Typically also, the base on which the umbrella is mounted is very heavy as it needs to provide sufficient above ground ballast to counter-balance the structure of the top of the umbrella. Thus large umbrellas tend to be difficult to move and adjust.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved umbrella which can be more easily opened and closed, and is easier to manoeuvre.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

Summary of the Invention In a first broad aspect of the present invention there is provided an umbrella, having a base and a column which extends upwardly from the base and is pivotally mounted about a generally horizontal axis in use when the base rests on a horizontal surface, the column extending at an angle to the vertical and an inclined support rod also extending upwardly from the base and spaced apart from the column, the column extending upwardly to an umbrella canopy assembly including a depending centre N shaft, the support rod being pivotally mounted to a tension rod whose upper end is mounted on the depending shaft, a handle being mounted to the tension rod associated with a locking means for locking the umbrella in an open position and preventing V relative movement of the column, support rod and tension rod whereby depression of the handle unlocks the locking means allowing relative movement of the column, support rod and tension rod to close the umbrella.

Preferably, the umbrella canopy assembly includes a plurality of ribs extending from a hub which is slidable up and down the centre shaft. Preferably there is and even number of ribs (most typically six) and the ends of opposed ribs, distal from the hub are connected to each other via stays which pass over or through a tray or crown at the top of the umbrella for supporting the ends of the ribs when in an open position.

In a preferred feature a further stay has one end fixed to the upper part of the column and a second end fixed to the hub and passes via a pulley attached to a sheath connected to the sheath by means of which the tension rod is connected to the centre shaft.

Typically the handle is in the form of a lever pivotally mounted on the tension rod and including a protrusion which locates in a corresponding hole in a sliding block mounted on the column. The handle is biased to retain the protrusion in the hole to lock the umbrella in the open position.

To close the umbrella, the lower part of the handle may be depressed and pushed to pivot the protrusion out of the hole allowing the tension rod to slide downwardly relative to the column. The upper end of the tension rod pulls the centre shaft towards the column and the umbrella tray moves upwards under the action of the weight of the fabric of the canopy. Thus closing the umbrella may be effected by a simple one touch action where the depression of the handle also provides the force to close the umbrella.

Typically the column has an upper and lower section, with the upper section being oriented at a greater angle to the vertical than the lower section.

In one further broad aspect the present invention provides an umbrella including a column having a column extending from a base to the canopy of the umbrella wherein the base defines a turntable assembly which can be rotated relative to the base to allow the column and hence the canopy of the umbrella to rotate through 3600.

Typically the umbrella has one or more of the features described above of the first aspect of the invention, with the canopy extending to one side of the base.

In this way the umbrella may be easily rotated to provide shade where desired, particularly as the sun changes position in the sky.

In a yet further broad aspect of the present invention the base defines a plurality of wheels which are mounted so that they can be retracted into the base or lowered to allow the base to roll along a surface.

tn This enables the base and umbrella to be more easily moved than existing beach Cc type umbrellas which have heavy bases which must be dragged or carried, and are inconvenient to move.

Brief Description of the Drawings A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a schematic side view of the structure of an umbrella embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged part-sectional view of area of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view on of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a view in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 1 (D side view); Figure 5 is a sectional view on arrows of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a sectional view on of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a sectional view on of Figure 1; Figure 8 is a section view on of Figure 1; Figure 9 is a sectional view on as shown in Figure 2; Figure 10a is a sectional view illustrating the base of the umbrella; Figure 10b is a part-sectional view illustrating a part of the base of the umbrella including wind down wheel; and Figure 11 is a schematic sectional view showing a foot pedal and turntable of the umbrella.

Introduction to the reference numbers used in the drawings: 1. Rotatable steel base plate (ship type); 2. Main umbrella column/pole; 3. Inclined support rod; 4. tension rod; 5. Centre shaft; (N 6. Hub (of runner system tray); 7. Pulley assembly (Fig 8. Washer (Fig 9. Hexagon bolt (Fig I\ 5 10. Hexagonal nut (Fig Cr 11. Cap of support rod (Fig 2); 12. Plastic base plate (Fig 2); 13. Socket head bolt (Fig 2); 14. Sliding block (Fig 2); 15. Hexagonal nut (Fig 2); 16. Hexagon bolt (Fig 3); 17. Top cap (Fig 3); 18. Bolt (Fig 3); 19. Hexagon bolt (Fig 8); 20. Hexagon bolt (Fig 7); 21. Round base cover (Fig 1); 22. Socket head bolt (Fig 1); 23. Base cover (Fig 1); 24. Central Rope (Fig 1); 25. Rope (Fig 1); 26. Rib (Fig 1); 27. Pulley (Fig 28. Plastic tray base (Fig lOb); 29. Pivoting handle (Fig 2); 30. Reinforced base plate (Fig lOb); 31. Washer (Fig I Ob); 32. Small cover (Fig 1 Ob); 33. Universal-joint yoke wheel/wheel assembly (Fig lOb); 34. Footboard (Fig 11); 35. Annular fixing ring; 36. Rotatable fluted disc; S37. Lower plate; 38. Backing board; N 39. Torsion spring; Washer; 41. Foot pedal; C 42. Steel ball bearing race; 43. Fixing bolt; 44. Sheath (Fig Plastic top tray (Fig 3); 46. Lower top tray (Fig 3); 47. Screw; 48. Central locking handle (Fig 1); 49. Central lock brace (Fig 3); Crown of umbrella; 52. Canopy support assembly 54. One touch locking means; 62. Protrusion 62; 64. Hole for protrusion; Metal turntable assembly; 72. protrusion; 74. wheel; 76. Bottom of base unit 100; 78. Shaft; Internally threaded tube; 82. Socket having a hexagonal cross-section; 84. Hexagonal rod; 100. Base unit.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment Referring to the drawings, an umbrella includes a base unit 100 which is typically made of a moulded plastics material. The base is generally hollow and, in use, is filled with sand or the like to provide weight for ballast. A main umbrella column/pole 2 extends upwardly from the base 100 and is pivotally mounted to one side of a circular rotatable steel base plate (ship type) I mounted on top of the base unit C 100. The rotation mechanism is described in more detail below. A lower part 2a of the column 2 extends at an angle to the vertical, typically about 150 and includes a curved portion 2c where the angle diverges further from the vertical to a upper column portion t 2b An inclined support rod 3 extends from a diagonally opposite side of the rotatable Cc base plate I towards a "one-touch" locking means generally shown at 54 and shown in more detail in Figure 2, located on a lower part of the upper column portion 2b near the Scurved portion 2c of the column 2. The main umbrella column 2 extends upwards to a crown of the umbrella generally indicated at An umbrella canopy support assembly generally shown at 52 is provided under the canopy (not shown) of the umbrella.

With reference to Figures 1 and 3, the umbrella canopy support assembly 52 includes a centre shaft/pole system 5 which depends down from the crown 50 and top cap 17 of the umbrella. A slidable angled tension rod 4 extends from the top end of the support rod 3 to which it is pivotally mounted (see Figure 2) to a sheath 44 which is slidable up and down the centre shaft 5. Located between the sheath and the crown is a hub/sleeve 6 from which ribs 26 of the umbrella canopy extend defining an umbrella tray. The proximal ends of the ribs are pivoted to the hub 6. The hub 6 may slide up and down the shaft 5. The distal ends of the ribs are attached to rope stays which extend to the crown 50 of the umbrella pass through a top tray 45 and the top cover 17 to the distal end of the diagonally opposite rib (as is best seen in Figure 4).

There are three stays 25 in total.

A further "central" stay in the form of rope 24 has one end mounted to the upper part 2b of the column passes around a pulley 27 (best seen in Figure 5) attached to the sheath 44 and has its other end fixed to the hub 6.

A central locking handle 48 connected to a central locking brace 49 (see Figure 3) is provided at the lower end of the centre shaft 5 for locking the canopy open or closed for preventing the canopy opening or closing in high winds.

The fabric canopy (not shown) is external to lies on top of) the ribs/stays 26 and the stays help tighten and support the umbrella fabric.

Figure 2 illustrates the one touch locking means 29 in more detail. A sliding block 14 is mounted to the column 2b by means of a base plate 12 and bolt 13. A lever/handle 29 is pivotally mounted on the tension rod 4 and includes a protrusion 62 which locates in a corresponding hole 64 in the sliding block 14. The handle 29 is V biased in the direction of the arrow A to retain the protrusion in the hole 64 to lock the Sumbrella in the open position shown in Figure 1.

I To close the umbrella, the lower part of the handle 29 is depressed and pushed which pivots the protrusion 62 out of the hole 64 allowing the tension rod 4 to slide downwards relative to the main umbrella column 2. The upper end of the tension rod V) pulls the centre shaft towards the column 2b, the umbrella tray moves upwards under Sthe action of the weight of the fabric of the canopy. Thus closing the umbrella may be effected by a simple one touch action where the depression of the handle also provides Sthe force to close the umbrella. To open the umbrella the column 2 or support rod 3 are pushed at the correct angle, the tension rod 4 slides upwards and its upper end drives the shaft 5 outwards, away from the column 2b. When the shaft 5 moves outwards the rope 24 pulls the hub 6 downwards via the pulley 27, opening the umbrella. The protrusion 62 slots in the hole 64 to lock the umbrella open.

The base of the umbrella is shown in more detail in Figures 10 Oa, I Ob and II.

The base comprises a plastic tray base 28 which is generally hollow, a metal turntable assembly generally indicated at 70, and a plastic base cover 29. The tray base can be filled with sand, typically up to 100kg, or other material to provide sufficient weight to provide stability to the umbrella.

The turntable assembly includes a backing plate 38 on top of which an annular fixing ring 35 is mounted. A rotatable fluted disc 36 is rotatably mounted on the fixing ring via a pair of ball bearing races 42 and a lower plate 37. A footboard 34 defines a protrusion 72 at one end and is biased via a spring 39 into engagement with the rotatable disc 36 preventing rotation thereof. Depression of a foot pedal 41 attached to the footboard 34 disengages the protrusion and allows the disc 36 and hence the plate 21 mounted thereon and the umbrella assembly itself to rotate through 360. This makes the umbrella much easier to use as it may be rotated to e.g. follow changes in the position of the sun in the sky, without needing to move the base.

With reference to Figures 10a and 10b, at each corner of the base a wheel assembly 33 is provided. Figure 10b shows the wheel assembly 33 in a retracted position in which it is located inside the base unit I with the lowermost part of the wheel 74 level with the bottom 76 of the base unit. The wheel assembly 33 includes a vertically oriented shaft 78 mounted on a universal joint type yoke so that it can spin around a vertical axis. The shaft is externally threaded and mounted in an internally threaded tube 80. The top of the shaft defines a socket 82 having a hexagonal crosssection which receives a rod 84 having a hexagonal cross section. Rotation of the shaft 78 by means of the rod inserted in the socket 82, the rod being typically attached to a 9 cranked handle to provide leverage, raises or lowers the wheel. In use the wheels can Sbe lowered using the tool in order to allow the base to be rolled along a smooth surface N, and retracted into the base when the base is in the desired location.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific t embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly Cc described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (7)

1. An umbrella, having an umbrella base and a column which extends upwardly from the base the bottom of the column being pivotally mounted about a generally horizontal axis in use when the umbrella base rests on a horizontal surface, the umbrella further including an inclined support rod, also extending upwardly from the tbase, the bottom of the support rod being mounted about a generally horizontal axis in use, the bottom of the support rod being spaced apart from the bottom of the column, O wherein the column extends upwardly to an umbrella canopy assembly including a depending centre shaft, an upper part of the support rod being pivotally mounted to a tension rod whose upper end is mounted on the depending shaft, a handle being mounted to the tension rod associated with a locking means for locking the umbrella in an open position and preventing relative movement of the column, support rod and tension rod whereby depression of the handle unlocks the locking means allowing relative movement of the column, support rod and tension rod to open or close the umbrella.

2. An umbrella as claimed in claim I wherein the umbrella canopy assembly includes a plurality of ribs extending from a hub which is slidable up and down the centre shaft.

3. An umbrella as claimed in claim 2 wherein the canopy assembly includes an even number of ribs and the ends of opposed ribs, distal from the hub are connected to each other via stays which pass over or through a tray or crown located at the top of the umbrella for supporting the ends of the ribs when in an open position.

4. An umbrella as claimed in claim 3 including a further stay which has one end fixed to an upper part of the column and its second end fixed to the hub and passes via a pulley attached to a sheath by means of which the tension rod is connected to the centre shaft. An umbrella as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the handle is in the form of a lever pivotally mounted on the tension rod and including a protrusion which locates in a corresponding hole in a sliding block mounted on the column and wherein the handle is biased to retain the protrusion in the hole to lock the umbrella in the open position, the arrangement being such that one end of the handle may be depressed and pushed to pivot the protrusion out of the hole allowing the tension rod to slide downwardly relative to the column, thereby closing the canopy

7. An umbrella as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the column has an upper and lower section, with the upper section being oriented at a greater angle to the vertical than the lower section. S8. An umbrella as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the base defines a Zturntable assembly which can be rotated relative to the base to allow the column and N hence the canopy of the umbrella to rotate through 360.

9. An umbrella as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the base further includes a plurality of wheels which are mounted so that they can be retracted into the Sbase or lowered to allow the base to roll along a surface. An umbrella including a column having a column extending from a base to the C, canopy of the umbrella wherein the base defines a turntable assembly which can be Srotated relative to the base to allow the column and hence the canopy of the umbrella to rotate through 360.

11. An umbrella including a column having a column extending from a base to the canopy of the umbrella wherein the base defines a plurality of wheels which are mounted so that they can be retracted into the base or lowered to allow the base to roll along a surface. Dated this eleventh day of July 2007 OS International Group Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: F B RICE CO