AU2018202191B2

AU2018202191B2 - A Mast and Umbrella

Info

Publication number: AU2018202191B2
Application number: AU2018202191A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Christopher Pierias
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-02-13
Filing date: 2018-03-27
Publication date: 2019-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 2034-02-13
Also published as: AU2014200765A1; AU2018202191A1

Abstract

Abstract The invention relates to an umbrella comprising: a mast having a shaft with an inner tubular portion and the outer wall, at least one interconnecting web portion that interconnects the inner tubular portion and the outer wall; a frame on which a canopy is located, wherein the frame comprises a plurality of ribs that are pivotally connected to the mast and to which a canopy is attached. The ribs can be pivoted between a collapsed position in which the canopy is closed, and an assembled position in which ribs are oriented laterally to the mast to hold the canopy opened; a runner that is slidable along the mast; some stretchers that interconnect the runner and the ribs; and a bracket which is pivotably mounted to the stretcher and slidably connected to the ribs, wherein the bracket includes a pair of rails that are receivable by a pair of channels on opposite sides of the ribs.

Description

A MAST AND UMBRELLA

This application is a divisional application of Australian application no. 2014200765, the original disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mast for supporting a canopy of a market umbrella. The mast may also be used for other purposes such as, but by no means limited to, supporting sun-shade sails either on a temporary or permanent basis .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Umbrellas provide protection against the elements such as rain and sunlight and come in a variety of sizes to serve different purposes. For example, market umbrellas are used at cafes or parks to provide shade and shelter to groups of people, while smaller portable umbrellas are carried by 25 people for protecting them against the elements when on the move.

As a result, most umbrella masts are made of a thin lightweight material to improve portability and/or facilitate 30 installation. However, a disadvantage of using such a material is that these umbrella masts are often weak and cannot withstand stresses exerted on them during use, particularly in windy conditions. As a result, some umbrella masts can break when subjected to strong winds 35 during a downpour.

This is particularly significant for market umbrellas

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2018202191 19 Nov 2019 which are often exposed for long periods of time to changing weather conditions .

It is desirable to provide a mast for supporting a canopy of a market umbrella that is light-weight for easy installation and be able to withstand breakage in windy conditions .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention defines an umbrella comprising:

a mast having a shaft including:

an inner wall defining an inner tubular portion;

an outer wall arranged about the inner wall such that there is a spacing between the inner wall and the outer wall at least part way about the inner tubular portion; and at least one interconnecting web portion that interconnects the inner tubular portion and the outer 20 wall; and a frame on which a canopy is located, wherein the frame comprises :

a plurality of ribs that are pivotally connected to the mast and to which a canopy is attached, the ribs can be pivoted between a collapsed position in which the canopy is closed, and an assembled position in which ribs are oriented laterally to the mast to hold the canopy opened;

a runner that is slidable along the mast;

stretchers that interconnect the runner and the ribs;

and a bracket which is pivotably mounted to the stretcher and slidably connected to the ribs, wherein the bracket includes a pair of rails that are receivable by a pair of 35 channels on opposite sides of the ribs, wherein either one or both of the ribs and the stretchers have:

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2018202191 19 Nov 2019 a tubular formation defined by an outer wall, and a connecting formation including the pair of channels in the outer wall extending in a longitudinal direction of the tubular formation, each channel having a narrowed entrance extending along the channel and an enlarged cavity located inwardly of the narrowed entrance.

Also disclosed herein is a mast for supporting a canopy of a market umbrella, wherein the mast has a shaft including: 10 an inner wall defining an inner tubular portion;

an outer wall arranged about the inner wall such that there is a spacing between the inner wall and the outer wall at least part way about the inner tubular portion; and at least one interconnecting web portion that interconnects the inner tubular portion and the outer wall.

The outer wall may define an outer tubular portion arranged about the inner tubular portion of the inner wall and connected thereto by the web connectors.

Also disclosed herein is a mast for supporting a canopy of a market umbrella, wherein the mast includes:

an outer tubular portion;

an inner tubular portion arranged inside the outer tubular portion such that there is a spacing between the inner tubular portion and the outer tubular portion at least part way about the perimeter of the inner tubular 30 portion; and at least one interconnecting web portion extending across the spacing so as to connect the inner tubular portion and the outer tubular portion.

In one embodiment, the inner tubular portion may be arranged inside the outer wall such that there is a

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2018202191 19 Nov 2019 spacing therebetween around a perimeter of the inner tubular portion and there is at least two interconnecting web portions that connect different points of the inner tubular portion to the outer tubular portion. In one example, the inner and outer tubular portions may be coaxially arranged or non-coaxially arranged. In one example, the inner and outer tubular portions may contact, i.e., without any spacing between the inner and outer tubular portions at a point of contact. For example the inner and outer tubular portions may be integrally connected at the point of contact. However ideally, the spacing extends between the inner and outer tubular portions with the interconnecting webs extending between the inner and outer tubular portions.

The cross-sectional structure provides a more light-weight structure by using less material compared to a solid mast.

The interconnecting webs between the inner and outer wall imparts strength to the shaft by distributing any bending forces on the outer tubular portion to inner tubular portion of the shaft. In this respect, increasing the number of interconnecting webs between the tubular portions improves the distribution of stress exerted on 25 the shaft.

Preferably, the interconnecting webs are evenly spaced about/around the perimeter of the inner tubular portion. In one example, four or more interconnecting webs may 30 interconnect the inner and outer tubular portions. Even more suitably from 6 to 10 interconnecting webs, and ideally 8 interconnecting webs may interconnect the inner tubular portion and the outer wall.

The inner tubular portion may be arranged inside the outer tubular portion so that the spacing between the inner and

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2018202191 19 Nov 2019 outer tubular portions is uniform about the perimeter of the inner tubular portion.

The inner and outer tubular portions may be arranged concentrically about a longitudinal axis of the inner and outer tubular portions and thereby provides uniform strength distribution about the circumference of the mast. Alternatively, the inner and outer tubular portions may be arranged eccentrically to provide increased strength to sides of the mast that may be subjected to greater stress.

The inner and outer tubular portions defined by the inner and outer walls may each include inner and outer perimeters. The spacing is provided between the outer perimeter of the inner tubular portion and the inner perimeter of the outer portion. In this embodiment, the interconnecting web extends from the outer perimeter of the inner tubular portion to the inner perimeter of the outer portion.

The shaft may include an intermediate wall between the inner and outer walls, the intermediate wall defining an intermediate tubular portion located between the outer and inner tubular portions. The outer and/or inner tubular portions may be connected to the intermediate tubular portion by interconnecting webs.

The shaft may include at least two intermediate tubular portions which are connected together by interconnecting 30 webs. The connection of the inner tubular portion and the outer tubular portion to the intermediate tubular portion includes at least one of the interconnecting webs that extend between the inner and outer tubular portions to the intermediate tubular portion. The interconnecting web may 35 extend from the outer perimeter of the inner tubular portion to the intermediate tubular portion. The interconnecting web may also extend from the inner

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2018202191 19 Nov 2019 perimeter of the outer tubular portion to the intermediate tubular portion.

The inner tubular and outer tubular portions may be axially symmetrical.

Each tubular portion may be made out material including any one or a combination of: metal such as aluminium, stainless steel or the like, plastics such as polypropylene or polyethylene, or polymer-based composites such as polycarbonate, fibreglass or the like. Ideally, the shaft of the mast is formed by an extruding process. Moreover, the extruding process enables all portions and components, including the inner tubular portion, the outer tubular portion, interconnecting webs and if present any intermediate tubular portions to be integrally formed.

Although it is possible that the mast may comprise only one shaft, for example, in which the shaft is anchored in 20 the ground and extends lengthwise along the length of the mast. In another example, the shaft may be attached to a footing, anchoring the shaft in position for use.

In an embodiment, the mast may include at least two shafts 25 that inter-fit, in which the outer tubular portion of the first shaft, herein referred to as the inner shaft, is adapted to be received by the inner tubular portion of the second shaft, herein referred to as the outer shaft. In other words, the cross-section of the outer tubular portion of the inner shaft is sized to be fitted within the opening of the inner tubular portion of the outer shaft.

Ideally, the inner shaft is slidably received within the 35 outer shaft.

In another example, the mast may include three shafts in which an inner shaft is received by an intermediate shaft

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2018202191 19 Nov 2019 and the intermediate shaft is received by an outer shaft. In other examples, the mast may include four or more shafts that fit within each other from smallest to largest.

In any event, the shafts may be of different lengths, and the length of the shafts may increase from the outer shaft being the shortest, to the inner shaft being the longest.

For example, the inner shaft may be longer than the outer 10 shaft, and if the intermediate shaft is present, the intermediate shaft may be longer than the outer shaft and shorter than the inner shaft.

The mast may have a lower end that can be anchored to the 15 ground, and all of the shafts may extend upwardly from the lower end of the mast.

One of the benefits of the mast having multiple interfitting shafts is that mast is capable of withstanding 20 greater wind loads. For example, depending the size, weight and shape of the canopy attach the mast, a mast having one shaft may be rated to withstand wind-speeds up to from 60 to 80 km/h, another mast having two shafts may be rated to withstand wind-speeds 120 to 130 km/h and 25 other masts having three or more shafts may be rated to withstand wind-speeds equal to or greater than 130km/h.

The mast may include a retainer for retaining the shafts locking together when inter-fitted.

Each shaft comprises a hollow central portion for receiving another shaft of different diameter. In one example, the shaft sections can slide within each other to provide a mast with a length that is telescopically extendable. The hollow central portion of each shaft may have an alike cross-sectional shape to interfit with another shaft of an alike cross-sectional shape but having

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2018202191 19 Nov 2019 a different diameter.

This allows the mast to be stored in a compact manner and extended when used. It may also allow the length of the mast to be adjusted as needed.

One or both of the inner wall and the outer wall of the or each shaft may have a polygonal cross-section. In other words, either one or both of the inner tubular portion and 10 the outer tubular may have a polygonal cross-section for resisting twisting about a longitudinal axis of the shaft. In one embodiment, it is also possible that one or both of the inner wall and the outer wall may have a non-polygonal cross-section such as circular or oval cross-section.

Ideally, both the inner tubular portion and the outer tubular portion have a polygonal cross-section. Although the polygonal cross-section may differ for the inner and outer tubular portions, ideally polygonal cross-sections 20 are the same, but differ in scale, so that the corners of the inner and outer tubular portions can aligned.

Preferably, each tubular portion has an octagonal crosssection.

A polygonal shape also reduces the likelihood of the shaft twisting when interfitted with a shaft with an alike cross-sectional shape but having a different diameter.

The interconnecting web of the shaft may interconnect the inner wall and the outer wall at corners of the inner and 30 outer tubular portions. For example, an outer tubular portion with an octagonal cross-section would have eight webs interconnecting each of the octagonal corners of the outer tubular portion with an octagonal corner of the inner tubular portion to form eight partitioned spaces 35 around the circumference of the shaft.

Each mast or shaft may have an outer diameter ranging from mm to 100 mm.

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Each mast or shaft may have an inner diameter ranging from 20 mm to 80 mm.

The mast or shaft may be formed by casting or extrusion.

The mast may be mounted to a receiver having a hole with an alike cross-sectional shape that interfits with the mast. The receiver may have an alike tubular structure to 10 the mast for providing additional strength against stress exerted on the mast.

According to the present invention, there is also provided an umbrella comprising:

a mast having a shaft including:

an inner wall defining an inner tubular portion;

an outer wall arranged about the inner wall such that there is a spacing between the inner wall and the outer wall at least part way about the inner tubular o portion; and at least one interconnecting web portion that interconnects the inner tubular portion and the outer wall; and a frame on which a canopy is located, wherein the frame comprises:

a plurality of ribs that are pivotally connected to the mast and to which a canopy is attached, the ribs can be pivoted between a collapsed position in which the canopy is closed, and an assembled position in which ribs 30 are oriented laterally to the mast to hold the canopy opened;

a runner that is slidable along the mast; stretchers that interconnect the runner and the ribs;

and a bracket which is pivotably mounted to the stretcher and slidably connected to the ribs, wherein the bracket includes a pair of rails that are receivable by a pair of channels on opposite sides of the ribs.

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In use, the ribs can be moved between the collapsed and assembled positions by moving the runner along the mast.

Either one or both of the ribs and the stretchers may have

i) a tubular formation defined by an outer wall, and ii) a connecting formation including a channel in the outer wall extending in an longitudinal direction of the tubular formation.

The tubular formation of the stretcher and/or rib may define a hollow internal space free of internal components or strengthening members. Alternatively, the tubular formation of the stretcher and/or rib may have reinforcing webs disposed within the tubular formation interconnect spaced sections of the outermost wall to form internal bracing. The reinforcing web may include an X-shaped formation to improve the strength of the stretcher or rib against breakage.

The tubular formation of the stretcher and/or rib may be formed by an extrusion process. Moreover, the rib and stretched may be made from a metal including alloys containing aluminium, and plastics or a combination thereof.

Ideally, the channel is formed on outer face of the outer wall.

The channel may have a narrowed entrance and a cavity inwardly of the entrance that is capable of accommodating a co-operating item, and the entrance is sized to prevent the item from passing through the entrance.

The umbrella may include a bracket that is received by the channel of the rib and is pivotally connected to the stretcher, for example, via a pin or suitable fastener.

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Ideally, the bracket has a pair of rails that are received by a pair of the channels on opposite sides of the rib. To secure the bracket can be located at any desired position along the channels of the rib and a fastener, such as rivet, may to secure the bracket in position on the rib.

Preferably, the structures of the stretcher and the rib are alike.

io

The stretcher may have a cross-sectional width ranging from 15 to 30 mm. Preferably, the cross-sectional width ranges from 19 to 26 mm.

The rib may have a cross-sectional width ranging from 20 mm to 50 mm. Preferably, the cross-sectional width ranges from 25 to 45 mm.

The bracket includes a rail portion for slidably connecting to the stretcher and a mounting portion for pivotably connecting to the rib. The bracket functions to open and close the canopy by manipulating the stretchers and rubs when the runner is slid along the mast.

The runner may be multi-armed for connecting to the plurality of stretchers. The arms are located circumferentially around the runner and each arm may include fingers for pivotably mounting to an end of a stretcher.

The stretchers are connected to the runner such that sliding the runner along the mast moves the stretchers either radiating outwardly from the mast or collapsing inwardly towards the mast to open and close the umbrella, 35 respectively.

The runner includes a central cavity for receiving the

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2018202191 19 Nov 2019 mast. Preferably, the central cavity has an alike crosssectional shape to the mast to resist the runner twisting on the mast.

The umbrella mast is capable of resisting breakage at a minimum windspeed of 60 km/hr. Typically, most embodiments of the invention are capable of resisting breakage at windspeeds from 70 km/hr to 120 km/hr.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a receiver or socket having an opening with an alike cross-sectional shape to a mast for receiving the mast and is securable to a substrate. The receiver may be secured to a substrate by driving the receiver into the substrate.

The receiver may also be secured to the substrate by other means including a screw-thread engagement.

The mast may be secured to the socket via any suitable means. In one example, the socket has an attachment formation that receives a fastener which can be installed to extend through a hole in the mast.

The socket may have a lid that can be opened and closed to protect against the ingress of debris from entering the socket. The lid may have a hole formed therein and the mast may have a hole therein and the holes of the lid and the mast can be aligned to receive a fastener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention is hereinafter described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a mast including three shafts according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

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Figure 2 is a cross-sectional

1.

Figure 3 is an isometric view

Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional

3.

Figure 5 is an isometric view including individual isometric view components of the frame including a view of the mast in Figure of one of the shafts in view of the shaft in Figure of an umbrella frame of the various mast.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view across axis A-A of

Figure 5.

Figures 7A-C are cross-sectional views of three possible variants of a member that can be used as stretchers or ribs of the umbrella frame.

Figures 8 and 9 are perspective views of two further variants of members for forming stretchers and/or ribs of the umbrella.

Figure 10 is a photograph illustrating the members of Figures 8 and 9 fitted to a bracket for interconnecting the stretcher to the rib.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in the following text with reference to the attached Figures. A number of the features of the preferred embodiment have been allocated reference numerals to help identify the features in the drawings.

However, in order to maintain the clarity of the drawings,

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2018202191 19 Nov 2019 not all of the reference numerals have been used in each drawing.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a mast 10 comprises three shaft members 12A-C that interfit one inside the other. Other embodiments can include any number of shaft may comprise a single shaft members .

Each shaft member 12A-C has members. For example, the mast member or four or more shaft a polygonal cross-section, as such an octagonal cross-section as illustrated in Figure 3. Each shaft member 12A-C comprises defining an outer tubular portion 14 defining an inner tubular portion 16 inside the outer tubular portion 14. between the inner tubular portion 16 portion 14.

an outer wall and an inner wall that is arranged

There is a spacing 18 and the outer tubular

14, 16 have inner and

The inner and outer tubular portions outer perimeters with interconnecting webs 20 extending from the outer perimeter of the inner tubular portion 16 to the inner perimeter of the outer tubular portion 14.

For example, webs 20 interconnect an octagonal corner 22 of outer tubular portion 14 with inner tubular portion 16 to form partitioned spaces 26 around the shaft members 12A-C (see Figures an octagonal corner 24 of eight trapezium-shaped circumference of the and 4).

The cross-sectional structure of each shaft member reduces the weight of the mast compared to a solid mast while the interconnecting webs 20 between each of outer tubular portion 14 and inner tubular portion 16 imparts strength to the shaft by distributing any bending forces on the outer tubular portion 14 to the inner tubular portion of the shaft member.

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The mast 10 may also include intermediate tubular portions (not shown) located between the outer and inner tubular portions 14 and 16. In this embodiment, interconnecting webs may be located between the outer tubular portion and the intermediate tubular portion and between the intermediate tubular portion and the inner tubular portion. Depending on the number of intermediate tubular portions, interconnecting webs may also be located between the intermediate tubular portions.

The eight interconnecting webs 20 are circumferentially spaced around the shaft 12A-C to evenly distribute stress exerted from multiple directions on the mast. In this respect, each shaft 12A-C is strongest at the apices of 15 the octagonal shape (i.e. the corners 22 of outer tubular portion 14).

The inner tubular portion 16 defines a hollow central region 28 that receives another shaft member having an 20 alike cross-sectional shape but having a different diameter. For example, hollow central portion 28 of the intermediate shaft member 12B receives the inner shaft member 12A, while the hollow central region of the outer shaft member 12C receives the intermediate shaft member 25 12B (see Figures 1 and 2). Each shaft member 12A-C includes a retaining member (not shown), such as fastener can secure the assembly of shafts together.

The outer shaft 12C is ideally the shortest, followed by 30 the intermediate shaft 12B, and finally the longest, the inner shaft 12A. According to the preferred embodiment, all of the shafts 12A-C extend from the lower end of the mast 10 and all shafts 12A-C are extend upwardly and are fixed in position from the bottom of the mast.

According to another embodiment, it possible the length of the mast 10 can be adjusted, for example by sliding the

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2018202191 19 Nov 2019 shafts 12A to 12C relative to each other in a telescopic nature. If required, the telescopic nature of the mast 10 allows the mast to be stored in a compact manner and extended when in use. It also allows the length of the mast 10 to be adjusted to suit any desired purpose.

The octagonal cross-section of the shaft member resists axial twisting, particularly when interfitted with another shaft member in a telescopic arrangement (Figures 1 and 10 2). This is important in protecting mechanical components of the mast such as the bottom and top springs (not shown) that control the opening and closing of the umbrella.

An umbrella according to a preferred embodiment of the 15 present invention is marked as 100 in Figure 5.

The umbrella 100 comprises mast 10 connected to a frame on which a canopy is located. The frame comprises a plurality of stretchers 30 which are movably connected, at one end, 20 to a plurality of ribs 32 on which is fastened the canopy, and at an opposing end, to a runner 34 slidably mounted to the mast 10.

The top end of the mast 10 is fixedly mounted with a connector 54, that is alike in structure to the runner 34, to pivotably mount the plurality of ribs 32 to the mast 10 (Figure 5).

In Figure 5, the mast 10 comprises a single shaft member. 30 However, the mast 10 may include a number of interfitting shaft members 12A-C.

Figures 7A, 7B and 7c each illustrate possible crosssectional shapes 36 of the stretcher 30 and rib 32 having 35 internal reinforcing. Figure 8 and 9 illustrate alternative profiles for the stretcher 30 and rib 32 without internal reinforcing.

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The cross-sectional shapes 36 of the stretcher 30 and the rib 32 are alike as illustrated in Figure 5. As can be seen, the stretcher 30 and rib 21 each include: i) a tubular formation defined by an outermost wall in which reinforcing webs disposed within the tubular formation interconnect spaced sections of the outermost wall to form internal bracing 38A-38C for increasing the strength of the stretcher 30 and/or rib 21; and ii) a connecting formation 40A-C for slidably connecting the stretcher 30 to a rib 32 via a bracket 42 (Figure 5). The connecting formation 40A, 40B and 40C is ideally in the form of a channel in the outermost wall of the tubular formation.

The reinforcing portions 38A-38C include a cross-membered web to improve the strength of the stretcher 30 and/or rib 32 against breakage. The stretcher 30 and/or rib 32 may include any one of the cross-sectional shapes shown in Figure 7. Typically, the cross-sectional size and shape used for an umbrella will be dictated by the strength required of the umbrella. For example, the cross-sectional shape of Figure 7C provides the greatest strength, while Figure 7A provides the least strength. This is due to the size and number of the cross members 44. The larger the cross-member (comparing Figure 7B to Figure 7A) or the more numerous the cross-members (comparing Figure 7C to Figure 7B) increases the strength of the stretcher 30 and/or rib 32 from breakage under stress. Each of the stretcher 30 and/or rib 32 in Figure 7 can resist breakage at a minimum windspeed of 70 km/hr.

The cross-sectional width of the stretcher 30 and/or rib in Figure 7A is about 19 mm with a cross-sectional length of about 25 mm. The cross-sectional width of the stretcher 30 and/or rib 32 in Figure 7B is about 19 mm with a cross-sectional length of about 35 mm. The crosssectional width of the stretcher 30 and/or rib 32 in

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Figure 7C is about 26 mm with a cross-sectional length of about 45 mm.

The connecting formations 40A-C on the stretcher 30 and/or rib 32 comprises a pair of channels that extends axially along the outermost wall of the stretcher 30 and/or rib 32. The channels have a constricted entrance and an inner cavity than can accommodate a body having a width that is unable to pass through the entrance of the channel. The channel of the rib 32 receives the rail portion 44 of bracket 42 while the opposing end 46 of bracket 42, ideally in the form of a pair of legs, is pivotably mounted to one end of the stretcher 30 (Figure 5) via a fastener extending through an opening in the legs and the tubular formation. During assembly, the bracket 42 can slide along the length of the rib 32 and fastened in a desired position, according to required pitch of the umbrella canopy. Any suitable fastener such as rivets can be used.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate alternative cross-sectional shapes for the stretcher 30 and/or rib 21. According to

Figures 8 and 9, the stretcher 30 and/or rib 21 includes a outer wall defining a tubular formation, in the same manner as the variants illustrated in Figures 7A to 7C, and includes a channel in the outer wall of the tubular formation. However, the variant in Figures 8 and 9 do not have internal reinforcing webs which are included in the variant in Figures 7A to 7C. The variants illustrated in

Figures 8 and 9 may be used as either the stretcher 30 and/or the rib 21.

Figure 10 is a photograph illustrating the bracket 46 having rails that are slidably received by the channels 40 of the ribs 21. The bracket 46 is ideally pivotally connected to one end of the stretchers 30, which are also pivotally connected the runner 34.

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Runner 34 (see Figure 5) comprises a central hole that interfits with mast 10, and a plurality of radiating arms 50 located around the circumference of the runner 34. Each arm 50 has a pair of fingers 52A-B for pivotably mounting an end of a stretcher 30 such that sliding the runner along mast 10 moves the stretcher to open or close the umbrella.

The bottom of mast 10 is inserted into a socket or receiver 56 having a hole with an alike cross-sectional shape to the mast. The receiver 56 is securable to a substrate such as a cement block or the ground by driving the receiver into the substrate or incorporated into the substrate, such as a cement block, during the substrate manufacturing process. The receiver 56 also includes a lid or cover 58 for protecting the receiver hole against ingress of debris such as dirt, stones or the like. The receiver 56 may have the same tubular structure as mast 10 to increase its strength against breakage.

In use, the umbrella 100 is slidably mounted to receiver in an upright position. Runner 34 is slid upwardly (Direction A in Figure 5) causing the stretchers 30 pivot about opposing end 46 of bracket 42. This causes stretchers 30 to flare outwardly from the mast 10. The outward movement of the stretchers 30 also causes ribs 32 to slide along rails 44 of the bracket 42 and move outwardly to open the umbrella and spreading the umbrella canopy to provide shade and shelter (Direction B in Figure 5). The runner includes a pair of apertures for securing the position of the runner on the mast 10. The canopy can be made of any suitable material including flexible fabric material and flexible plastic material. It is also possible that the canopy may comprise semi flexible or rigid leaves attached to the ribs. For example, the leaves may overlap when the canopy is assembled to form

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2018202191 19 Nov 2019 the canopy.

For storage, the runner 34 is slid downwards (Direction C in Figure 5) causing the stretchers 30 to move towards the 5 mast 10. This results in the ribs 32 and consequently, the canopy to collapse towards the mast 10 to close the umbrella (Direction D in Figure 5).

The mast 10 is removed from receiver 56 and stored while the receiver cover 58 is replaced on the receiver to prevent debris from entering the receiver.

The shafts 12A-C, stretcher 21, and ribs 30 may be made of any suitable material. For example, these components may 15 be made of extruded aluminium, but can be made from other materials including metals such as stainless steel, plastics such as polypropylene or polyethylene or composites such as polycarbonate or fibreglass. The runner 34 may also be made of any suitable material including cast or welded metals, such as aluminium or stainless steel, plastics and composites such as polycarbonate and fibreglass.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word comprise or variations such as comprises or comprising is used in an inclusive sense,

i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. An umbrella comprising:

a mast having a shaft including:

5 an inner wall defining an inner tubular portion;

an outer wall arranged about the inner wall such that there is a spacing between the inner wall and the outer wall at least part way about the inner tubular portion; and

10 at least one interconnecting web portion that interconnects the inner tubular portion and the outer wall; and a frame on which a canopy is located, wherein the frame comprises :

15 a plurality of ribs that are pivotally connected to the mast and to which a canopy is attached, the ribs can be pivoted between a collapsed position in which the canopy is closed, and an assembled position in which ribs are oriented laterally to the mast to hold the canopy
2 o opened;

a runner that is slidable along the mast; stretchers that interconnect the runner and the ribs;

and a bracket which is pivotably mounted to the stretcher 25 and slidably connected to the ribs, wherein the bracket includes a pair of rails that are receivable by a pair of channels on opposite sides of the ribs, wherein either one or both of the ribs and the stretchers have:

30 a tubular formation defined by an outer wall, and a connecting formation including the pair of channels in the outer wall extending in a longitudinal direction of the tubular formation, each channel having a narrowed entrance along the channel and an enlarged cavity located 35 inwardly of the narrowed entrance.

2. The umbrella according to claim 1, wherein the outer wall of the mast defines an outer tubular portion arranged

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2018202191 19 Nov 2019 about the inner tubular portion of the inner wall and connected thereto by the web connectors, and the inner tubular portion is arranged inside the outer tubular portion such that there is a spacing therebetween around

5 the perimeter of the inner tubular portion and there is at least two interconnecting web portions that connect different points of the inner tubular portion to the outer tubular portion.

10
3. The umbrella according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner and the outer tubular portions of the mast are arranged concentrically about a longitudinal axis.
4. The umbrella according to any one of the preceding

15 claims, wherein multiple interconnecting webs of the mast are uniformly distributed about the inner tubular portion.
5. The umbrella according to any one of the preceding claims in which the mast comprises one shaft only.
6. The umbrella according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mast includes at least two shafts in which the outer tubular portion of the first shaft, herein the inner shaft, is adapted to be received by the inner

25 tubular portion of the second shaft, herein the outer shaft.
7. The umbrella according to claim 6, wherein the shafts are of different lengths, and the length of the shafts

30 increase from the outer shaft, being the shortest, to the inner shaft, being the longest.
8. The umbrella according to either claim 6 or 7, wherein the mast includes a retainer for retaining the shafts

35 locking together when inter-fitted.
9. The umbrella according to any one of the preceding

11887621_1 (GHMatters) P91577.AU.2

2018202191 19 Nov 2019 claims, wherein one or both of the inner wall and the outer wall of the shaft, or each shaft, have a polygonal cross-section.

5
10. The umbrella according to claim 9, wherein the inner wall and the outer wall have corresponding polygonal cross-sections, and corners of the polygonal shapes align and interconnecting web portions interconnect the inner wall and the outer wall at at least some of the corners.
11. The umbrella according to any one of the preceding claims, including a socket that can be located in the ground, the socket having an opening with an alike crosssectional shape to the shaft of the mast such that a

15 length of the mast can be received within the socket.
12. The umbrella according to any one of the preceding claims , wherein the rails include a head formation that

20 is accommodated within the cavity and a narrow neck that extends through the entrance of the channel.
13. The umbrella according to any one of the preceding claims, in which either: i) an inner space of the tubular

25 formation is free of internal reinforcing webs, or ii) the inner space of the tubular formation contains reinforcing webs disposed within the tubular formation interconnect spaced sections of the outer wall to form internal bracing.
14. The umbrella according to claim 13, wherein the reinforcing webs have an X-shaped lateral to the longitudinal axis of the stretcher or rib.

35
15. The umbrella according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the runner has multi-arms extending outwardly therefrom for connecting to the plurality of

11887621_1 (GHMatters) P91577.AU.2

2018202191 19 Nov 2019 stretchers .
16. The umbrella according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stretchers are pivotally connected to 5 the runner such that sliding the runner along the mast moves the stretchers either radiating outwardly from the mast or inwardly towards the mast to open and close the umbrella, respectively.