AU680860B2 - A cover assembly - Google Patents

Description

1

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: WILLIAM VERNON KLUSS WILLIAM VERNON KLUSS Address for Service: CULLEN CO., Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, 240 Queen Street, Brisbane, Qld. 4000, Australia.

Invention Title: A COVER ASSEMBLY Details of Associated Provisional Applications: Nos. PL8080 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: THIS INVENTION relates to a cover assembly such as an umbrella, and particularly relates to a cover assembly which can mcve from a collapsed to an erect position by a fluid drive, and/or which includes a means to tension a cover member.

Cover assemblies such as shade umbrellas, are becoming increasingly popular due to the increased awareness of the public to the detrimental effects of the sun and particularly UV radiation. Shade umbrellas are known in the market place and are of various shapes and sizes. These umbrellas usually have a diameter of between 2 to 4 metres.

The umbrellas typically comprise a central pole which is cemented into the ground, or attached to a footplate. A number of ribs extend about the pole adjacent the top of the pole and a cover member such as shade cloth or fabric is attached to the ribs. The ribs arr hingedly mounted to the pole such that they carn be collapsed or erected much like the arrangement in umbrellas for personal use. To assist in moving the ribs from the collapsed to the erect position, there are provided a number of bracing struts. The outer end of the bracing struts are hingedly connected to a respective rib, while the inner end of the bracing struts are hingedly connected to a collar. The collar can slide up and down the pole. For the larger umbrellas, a winding mechanism is used to extend the umbrella. The winding mechanism includes a winding handle extending from a lower portion of the pole, and an internal wire which extends about a pulley, the wire being connected to the collar. Winding of the handle then can pull the collar upwardly which in turn causes the umbrella to adopt the open position.

There are a number of disadvantages with these known umbrellas. Firstly, the winding handle is difficult to access h the umbrella is in the closed position, as the ribs and the fabric tand to overlie the handle. Initial turning of the handle is finicky, and the umbrella tends to get in the way of a person trying to initially extend the umbrella to the open position.

Another desirable requirement for these cover assemblies, is to have the cover fabric tensioned and si; oth.

By tensioning the fabric to give it a smooth taut appearance, the umbrella has a more aesthetic appeal, and also allows rain and debris to fall off the umbrella surface, and not be caught in any folds, wrinkles and the like. It is also believed that a taut and tensioned cover fabric assists in strengthening the entire umbrella against possible collapse, twisting and the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a cover A assembly which can be erected without the requirement for a winding handle. Another object of the invention is to provide a cover assembly having a cover member that can be maintained in a tensioned condition. It is a further object of the invention to provide a cover assembly which may overcome the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the public with a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in a fluid driven erectable cover assembly comprising a central pole, a plurality of rib members extending about the pole, the rib members being hingedly coupled relative to the pole so as to be moveable between a collapsed position and an erect use position, a cover member extending over the ribs, and a fluid drive operatively connected to the ribs to cause the ribs to move to the extended position.

The cover assembly may have the general shape not unlike an umbrella and c:,n be of various diameters or crosssectional sizes and shapes to suit a particular use of location.

The pole is suitably tubular and may be substantially cylindrical in configuration. A lower end of the pole may include mounting means to allow the pole to be supported vertically in use. Alternatively, the pole may be simply cemented or otherwise permanently attached to a ground surface.

The ribs may extend radially about an upper poctlon of the pole. The number of ribs can vary depending, inteer alia, on the weight of the cover member and the size of the cover assembly.

The assembly may include one or more bracing struts.

The bracing struts may extend between a respective rib, and the pole. Suitably, a said bracing strut has one end which can be hingedly connected to the rib, and another end which can be hingedly connected to a slide member. The slide member may comprise a collar which can slide along the pole.

A clamp or locking means may be provided to lock the ribs in a particular position. The position is usually the fully erected position. The locking or clamp means may comprise a projection on one of the pole or slide member, which can locate within a recess on the other of the pole or slide member. Alternatively, the slide member may be of a clamping design, to allow it to be releasably clamped and thereby secured to the pole.

TIhe fluid drive may comprise a piston moveable within a cylinder. The fluid drive is preferably located within the pole. The piston may include a piston rod which can extend from the cylinder. The piston rod may be operatively connected to the bracing struts and/or slide member. A connecting wire may connect the piston 'od to the bracing struts and/or slide member. A guide such as a pulley may be provided to support the connecting wire. The fluid drive may comprise a single or double-acting ram. A fluid release valve may be provided to control passage of fluid from the cylinder, which may facilitate a smooth movement of the Is 0" umbrella from the erect to the collapsed position.

In another form, the invention resides in an erectable cover assembly comprising a pole, plurality of rib members extending about the pole and hingedly coupled thereto so as to be moveable between a collapsed position and an erect use position, a cover member extending over the ribs, and means to tension the cover member.

Having the cover member tensioned, can provide it with a smooth surface which allows debris and rain to run off the cover member and not be caught in folds, wrinkles and the like. Also, the smooth appearance is aesthetically pleasing, and may also assist in strengthening and supporting the cover assembly. The assembly can also adopt a more "peaked" shape as opposed to a flat shape, the peaked shape being considered to be more appealing to customers.

I Suitably, the means to tension the cover member does so upon the assembly adopting the erect position. Thus, as the ribs move from the collapsed the erect use position, the cover member may also be tensioned during this movement. In this form of the invention, the cover assembly may include ribs, bracing members and a slide member as described above.

The means to tension the cover member may comprise a push member which can contact and raise the cover member to tension it, upon erection of the cover assembly. The push member may be attached to or associated with the slide member such that movement of the slide member up the pole will also cause the push member to contact and raise the cover member.

Embodiments of the invention will be illustrated ~with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 illustrates an erectable cover assembly o°Oe having a fluid drive; and means to tension the cover Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a single and doubleacting ram suitable for use as a fluid drive.

Figure 4 illustrates the cover assembly of figure 1 00** 0000 in the collapsed position.

Referring to the figures and especially Figure 1, .0 there is shown an erectable cover assembly 10. Cover assembly can be in the form of an umbrella, and comprises a central pole 11, and a plurality of rib members 12 which extend about pole 11. Pole 11ii is of a hollow cylindrical design, and can have a lower end, either concreted into a ground surface, or provided with a foot or the like to support the pole 11 in a generally vertical orientation. Rib members 12 are formed from steel or plastic rods or tubes. The inner end 13 of rib members 12 are hingedly connected to pole 11 through hinge pins 14 which are supported by a bracket 15. In this embodiment, bracing struts 16 are provided to assist in the opening and closing of rib members 12. Bracing struts 16 comprise rods or tubes of metal or plastic (or other suitable material). Each strut 16 has an outer end 17 which is hlngedly connected to a respective rib member 12 through hinge pin 18 which is again supported by a bracket 19. The inner end 20 of a respective bracing strut 16 is also hingedly connected through hinge pin 21 to a respective bracket 22.

The bracket is attached to, or forms part of a slide member in the form of a collar 23 which extends about pole 11 and can slide along the pole. Within pole 11 is a fluid drive 24.

Fluid drive 24 is powered by a supply of pressurised water which can be tap water, if the water pressure is sufficient.

Fluid drive 24 includes a piston 25 provided with seals 80 to allowing it to sealingly engage with and slide within a

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cylinder 27. Piston 25 is connected to a piston rod 26, with rod 26 extending from an upper part of cylinder 27. A seal 28 is provided to prevent water from passing from cylinder 27.

Piston rod 26 has an upper end 29 to which is attached a guide or pulley 30. A wire 31 passes around a lower part of pulley and over an upper part of pulleys 32 which extend S" partially through slots within pole 11, and are located adjacent an upper end of pole 11, and below brackets 15. Wire 31 is attached to brackets 22. It can be seen that upon downward movement of piston 25, piston rod 26 is also moved downwardly, which in turn causes wire 31 to pull collar 23 Supwardly. This upward movement of collar 23 in turn causes ribs 12 to adopt the erected use position. Piston 25 is caused to move downwardly by passage of pressurised water into cylinder 27 behind piston 25. A cover fabric (not shown) can be attached to or supported by ribs 12 to provide the necessary cover. The cover fabric may be of an impervious type, or may comprise a mesh material and the like.

For larger cover assemblies, it is found that the weight of the cover member, ribs and bracing struts is sufficient to naturally cause the cover assembly to adopt the collapsed position. Thus, there is no need to physically force the cover assembly to adopt the collapsed position. To achieve the collapsed position, water can be bled from cylinder 27 through an outlet. The outlet may be connected to a hose or like member such that the water can be passed to a remote position. By regulating the amount of water flowing through the outlet, the rate of collapse of the cover assembly can be controlled, to give a smooth gentle collapsing or closing action. A valve arrangement 35 can be positioned S adjacent a tap to cause water to flow into and from cylinder 27. In use, the cover assembly can be erected merely by

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operating valve arrangement 35 to cause water to flow into cylinder 27 which in turn causes piston 25 to move downwardly, thereby causing the cover assembly to adopt the open erect position. There is no need to locate and operate a winder handle as is the case with conventional umbrellas. Also, the umbrella can be collapsed without the requirement to rotate a winder handle, as it is merely necessary to adjust valve arrangement 35 to allow water to flow from cylinder 27 in a controlled manner.

Figures 2 and 3 show various fluid drive arrangements. Figure 2 illustrates a single ram arrangement, while Figure 3 illustrates a double ram arrangement. In Figures 2 and 3, cylinder 40 is provided with an end cap 41.

In Figure 2, end cap 41 has an aperture 42 to function as a air release, while in Figure 3 end cap 41 has an aperture 43 in which can be threaded a water inlet conduit 44. Inside the cylinder is a piston 45 provided with sealing rings 46. A piston rod 47 is connected to piston 45 by being threadingly engaged through an aperture 48 within piston 45 and locked by lock nuts 49. The upper part of cylinder 40 is also provided with an end cap 50 which includes internal seals 51 to seal piston rod 47 as it moves into and from cylinder 40. A water inlet 52 is provided.

Figure 4 illustrates the cover assembly in the collapsed position. In figure 4 cover assembly 60 includes a pole 61. Pole 61 has a foot mounting or plate 62 to allow it to be attached to a ground surface, or to a mounting plate. A number of rib members 63 are provided, these being formed from tubes or rods. Ribs 63 are hingedly mounted to an upper end of pole 61 through hinge pins 64. Bracing struts 65 are provided in a manner similar to that described with reference to Figure 1, and these are also hingedly connected, to rib members 63 through hinge pins 66, and to a collar 67 through hinge pins 68. Collar 67 can slide up and down pole 61.

Attzched to collar 67 is a pair of means to tension the cover member. These means are in the form of push rods 69 which have a lower end attached to collar 67. Push rods 69 therefore move up and down with the up and down movement of collar 67. Push rods 69 extend on opposite sides of pole 61, and are generally parallel but spaced from pole 61. Attached to the upper end of push rods 69 are adjustment members which shall be described with greater detail below. As cover assembly 60 is moved to its erect position, collar 67 will be caused to slide upwardly, which in turn will move push rods 69 upwardly. At some stage, adjustment members 70 will contact an upper annular flange 71. Flange 71 is also slidably attached to pole 61 above hinge pins 64. When adjustment members 70 contact flange 71, they will push flange 71 upwardly. Flange 71 is positioned beneath a cover member (not shown), so it can be seen that upon pushing against flange 71, it will be raised, which in turn will raise and tension the :o cover member. Adjustment members 70 are there to allow I adjustments in slack of the cover member to be made. The adjustment members can therefore be threaded into or from push :°eoe• rods 69 to effectively lengthen or shorten the push rods to suit. Figure 5 illustrates the erect cover assembly and shown push rods 69 raising annular flange 71. A clamp 75 can be provided to clamp the umbrella in the erect position. Thia umbrella may also be powered by a fluid drive, although it may alternatively be either manually erected, or erected by a chain winder and the like.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims (10)

1. 2. The assembly of claim i, wherein the ribs extend radially about an upper portion of the pole and are hinged to a collar which is rigidly secured to the pole.
2. 3. The assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of bracing struts are provided, each strut extending between a said rib and the pole and being hingedly connected to the rib S. S. adjacent one end of the strut and being hingedly connected to a slide member adjacent the other end of the strut. S 4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the slide member comprises a collar which can slide along the pole.
3. 5. The assembly of claim 3 or 4, wherein a locking S means is provided to releasably lock the slide to the pole.
4. 6. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the piston has a piston rod which extends from an upper end of the cylinder and which is operatively connected to the bracing struts.
5. 7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein a connecting wire operatively connects the piston rod to the slide member, the wire extending about pulleys or guides located above the slide member and below the collar to which the ribs are attached.
6. 8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein pressurised water can be passed into the cylinder to cause the piston to move downwardly which in turn cau3es the slide member to move upwardly causing the assembly to adopt its erect position. p
7. 9. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a means to tension the cover member is provided. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the means comprises one or more push members attached to the slide member and extending generally upwardly such that when the assembly is in its erect position the one or mor push members extend above the ribs.
8. 11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein a slidable collar is provided about the pole and above the ribs, the slidable collar having an outwardly extending flange over which the cover member extends, the one or more push members being able to push the slidable collar upwardly to tension the cover a member as the assembly adopts its erect position.
9. 12. The assembly of claims 10 or 11, wherein the ona or more push members are adjustable in length.
10. 13. An assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 7th day of April 1997 William Vernon KLUSS By his Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO. -I I- ABSTRACT An outdoor shade umbrella is operated by water pressure and can include a cover tensioning means. ee 0 *o e I- ~CI p~ l 1YIP-- II~(pB