CA2070869A1 - Umbrella cover connector system - Google Patents
Umbrella cover connector systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA2070869A1 CA2070869A1 CA 2070869 CA2070869A CA2070869A1 CA 2070869 A1 CA2070869 A1 CA 2070869A1 CA 2070869 CA2070869 CA 2070869 CA 2070869 A CA2070869 A CA 2070869A CA 2070869 A1 CA2070869 A1 CA 2070869A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- ferrule
- notch
- latch
- umbrella
- connector system
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45B—WALKING STICKS; UMBRELLAS; LADIES' OR LIKE FANS
- A45B25/00—Details of umbrellas
- A45B25/10—Umbrella crowns
Abstract
Umbrella Cover Connector System Abstract of the Disclosure An umbrella cover connector system in which a mechanical latch holds a ferrule in interfitted relation with a notch, the umbrella cover being located therebetween. The mechanical latch is par-tially carried by the notch and partially carried by the ferrule. The latch includes a spring loaded latch nose preferably connected to the ferrule which is adapted to extend into a bore preferably defined in the ferrule. Upon assembly, the spring loaded latch nose is extended into the throughbore until the latch nose springs into latched relation with a latch seat defined by the ferrule.
Description
Umbreila Cover ConnPctor System This invention relates to umbrellas. More particularly, this invention relates to a cover connector system for an umbrella.
The manufacture of an umbrella requires significant hand assembly time. And one of the important steps in manufacture of an umbrella is interconnection of the umbrella's ferrule with the umbrella's notch. The notch is fixed to the top end of the umbrella's centerpost. The umbrella's rib linkage system, which allows the umbrella's cover to open into use position and fold into storage position, is connected to the notch. The ferrule i5 mounted on top of the notch to the notch with the umbrella's cover being interposed or located between the ferrule and the notch. The ferrule keeps the umbrella cover's center in centered position relative to the umbrella centerpost.
Heretofore, one of the common prior art assembly methods used in connecting the ferrule with the notch was simply to screw the ferrule to the , . .
'' .
' , , . .: , , ~ '' ;
~, . . ..
notch. The ferrule was provided with a threaded pin that extended into a threaded bore defined in the notch. With the umbrella cover located on top -the notch, the ferrule's pin was simply pushed through the 5cover, and the ferrule's pin then threaded into the notch's bore until the ferrule's plate was seated against the cover. This held the ferrule in fixed relationship with the notch. But in use of the umbrella, the ferrule can become unscrewed from the 10notch and get lost. This hand assembly method, therefor, is relatively time consuming, and is without structural certainty, when considered with respect to the umbrella cover connector system of this invention.
Accordingly, it is the primary objective of 15this invention to provide an improved cover connector system for an umbrella in which the umbrella's ferrule can be mechanically latched to the umbrella's notch in order to make easier the hand assembly of the ferrule and notch components of a finished umbrella.
20In accord with this objective, the umbrella cover connector system of this invention is directed to a mechanical latch that holds a ferrule in inter-fitted relation with a notch with the umbrella cover being located therebetween. The mechanical latch is 25partially carried by the notch and partially carried by the ferrule. The latch includes a spring-loaded latch nose preferably connected to the ferrule which is adapted to extend into a bore preferably defined in ,:
,, -~ :"
the ferrule. Upon assembly, the spring-loaded latch nose is extended into the throughbore until the latch nose springs into latched relation with a latch seat dafined by the ferrule.
Other objectives and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a top perspective view of an umbrella cover connector system in accord with the principles of this invention;
Figure 2 is a side cross sectional view taken along the centerline of an umbrella centerpost of a ferrule prior to being assembled with a notch in accord with the principles of this invention; and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 2 illustrating an assembled ferrule and notch in accord with the principles of this invention.
The umbrella cover connector system 10 of this invention is directed to the interconnection of an umbrella's ferrule 11 with an umbrella's notch 12.
The ferrule is interfi~ted with the notch, and same cooperate to hold in place the umbrella's cover which is located between the notch and the ferrule upon finished manufacture of the umbrella.
The ferrule 11 includes a plate shaped cap 15 sized and configured to overlie the notch 12 with the umbrelia's cover 13 located therebetween as shown .: , . ~, ' ' , . ~
in Figures 1 and 2. A pair of springs 16 are formed to extend downwardly from the undersurface 17 of the ferrule 11, each being in the form of a leaf spring connected at end 18 to the ferrule's cap 15. The other end 19 of each leaf spring 16 is provided with a latch nose 20. The leaf springs 16 and latch noses 20 constitute components of a mechanical latch partially carried by the ferrule 11 and partially carried by the notch 12 to hold the ferrule in innerfitted relation with the notch.
The notch 12 is fixed to the top end 25 of the umbrella's centerpost 26, see Figures 1 and 2.
The notch 12 is provided with a series of slots 27 around its outer periphery. Each of the slots 27 is adapted to interconnect with a cover rib 28 of the umbrella's rib linkage system (not shown in detail).
As shown in the figures, each cover rib 28 is connected to the notch 12 by wire 29 that is received in peripheral groove 30 of the notch 12. A cup-shaped sleeve 31 depends from the underside of the notch 12, that sleeve 31 being adapted to interfit with the centerpost's top end 25 so as to fix the notch to the centerpost 26. Note particularly a throughbore 32 is defined in the notch 12, that throughbore being co-axially aligned with the centerpost's axis 34. This throughbore 33 defines a latch seat 35 as described in greater detail below. The latch seat 35 defined by the notch 12 is another component of the mechanical latch system partially carried by the notch 12 and partially carried by the ferrule 11 to hold the ferrule in interfitted relation with the notch.
In assembly of the ferrule 11 and notch 12 in accord with the principles of this invention, and as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the notch is first fixed to the centerpost's top end 25. Thereafter, the umbrella cover 13 is positioned to overlie the notch with hole 39 in the cover's center being generally co-axially aligned with the centerpost's axis 34.
Thereafter the ferrule 11 is positioned above the cover 13 (see Figure 2) with the latch noses 20 oriented to be thrust downwardly through the notch's throughbore 33. Such is possible because the leaf springs ~6 to which the latch noses 20 are connected allow the latch noses to be biased inwardly relative to the throughbore 33 as the latch noses are extended into and through the throughbore during the assembly step. The leaf springs 16 are of a length L greater than the length L' of the notch~s throughbore so as to allow the ferrule's latch noses 20 to be biased into latched relation with the latch seat 35 formed on the underside of the notch when the ferrule is interfitted with the notch as shown in Figure 3.
This umbrella cover connector system 10 allows the ferrule 11 to be mechanically latched or interconnected with the notch 12 by an assembler's hands in a relatively easy and efficient manner. More . .: , .. ...
:. ~ .,~ ' ~ ', , ' . .
particularly, this umbrella cover connector systPm 10 negates tha need for the use of screw threads in interconnecting the umbrella's ferrule with the umbrella's notch, and results in a finished assembly where the ferrule cannot become detached from the notch unless the component parts are broken.
Having described in detail the preferred embodiment of my invention, what I desire to claim and protect by Letters Patent is:
: , ., '' ' ~ ' ," ."' ' "~
The manufacture of an umbrella requires significant hand assembly time. And one of the important steps in manufacture of an umbrella is interconnection of the umbrella's ferrule with the umbrella's notch. The notch is fixed to the top end of the umbrella's centerpost. The umbrella's rib linkage system, which allows the umbrella's cover to open into use position and fold into storage position, is connected to the notch. The ferrule i5 mounted on top of the notch to the notch with the umbrella's cover being interposed or located between the ferrule and the notch. The ferrule keeps the umbrella cover's center in centered position relative to the umbrella centerpost.
Heretofore, one of the common prior art assembly methods used in connecting the ferrule with the notch was simply to screw the ferrule to the , . .
'' .
' , , . .: , , ~ '' ;
~, . . ..
notch. The ferrule was provided with a threaded pin that extended into a threaded bore defined in the notch. With the umbrella cover located on top -the notch, the ferrule's pin was simply pushed through the 5cover, and the ferrule's pin then threaded into the notch's bore until the ferrule's plate was seated against the cover. This held the ferrule in fixed relationship with the notch. But in use of the umbrella, the ferrule can become unscrewed from the 10notch and get lost. This hand assembly method, therefor, is relatively time consuming, and is without structural certainty, when considered with respect to the umbrella cover connector system of this invention.
Accordingly, it is the primary objective of 15this invention to provide an improved cover connector system for an umbrella in which the umbrella's ferrule can be mechanically latched to the umbrella's notch in order to make easier the hand assembly of the ferrule and notch components of a finished umbrella.
20In accord with this objective, the umbrella cover connector system of this invention is directed to a mechanical latch that holds a ferrule in inter-fitted relation with a notch with the umbrella cover being located therebetween. The mechanical latch is 25partially carried by the notch and partially carried by the ferrule. The latch includes a spring-loaded latch nose preferably connected to the ferrule which is adapted to extend into a bore preferably defined in ,:
,, -~ :"
the ferrule. Upon assembly, the spring-loaded latch nose is extended into the throughbore until the latch nose springs into latched relation with a latch seat dafined by the ferrule.
Other objectives and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a top perspective view of an umbrella cover connector system in accord with the principles of this invention;
Figure 2 is a side cross sectional view taken along the centerline of an umbrella centerpost of a ferrule prior to being assembled with a notch in accord with the principles of this invention; and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 2 illustrating an assembled ferrule and notch in accord with the principles of this invention.
The umbrella cover connector system 10 of this invention is directed to the interconnection of an umbrella's ferrule 11 with an umbrella's notch 12.
The ferrule is interfi~ted with the notch, and same cooperate to hold in place the umbrella's cover which is located between the notch and the ferrule upon finished manufacture of the umbrella.
The ferrule 11 includes a plate shaped cap 15 sized and configured to overlie the notch 12 with the umbrelia's cover 13 located therebetween as shown .: , . ~, ' ' , . ~
in Figures 1 and 2. A pair of springs 16 are formed to extend downwardly from the undersurface 17 of the ferrule 11, each being in the form of a leaf spring connected at end 18 to the ferrule's cap 15. The other end 19 of each leaf spring 16 is provided with a latch nose 20. The leaf springs 16 and latch noses 20 constitute components of a mechanical latch partially carried by the ferrule 11 and partially carried by the notch 12 to hold the ferrule in innerfitted relation with the notch.
The notch 12 is fixed to the top end 25 of the umbrella's centerpost 26, see Figures 1 and 2.
The notch 12 is provided with a series of slots 27 around its outer periphery. Each of the slots 27 is adapted to interconnect with a cover rib 28 of the umbrella's rib linkage system (not shown in detail).
As shown in the figures, each cover rib 28 is connected to the notch 12 by wire 29 that is received in peripheral groove 30 of the notch 12. A cup-shaped sleeve 31 depends from the underside of the notch 12, that sleeve 31 being adapted to interfit with the centerpost's top end 25 so as to fix the notch to the centerpost 26. Note particularly a throughbore 32 is defined in the notch 12, that throughbore being co-axially aligned with the centerpost's axis 34. This throughbore 33 defines a latch seat 35 as described in greater detail below. The latch seat 35 defined by the notch 12 is another component of the mechanical latch system partially carried by the notch 12 and partially carried by the ferrule 11 to hold the ferrule in interfitted relation with the notch.
In assembly of the ferrule 11 and notch 12 in accord with the principles of this invention, and as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the notch is first fixed to the centerpost's top end 25. Thereafter, the umbrella cover 13 is positioned to overlie the notch with hole 39 in the cover's center being generally co-axially aligned with the centerpost's axis 34.
Thereafter the ferrule 11 is positioned above the cover 13 (see Figure 2) with the latch noses 20 oriented to be thrust downwardly through the notch's throughbore 33. Such is possible because the leaf springs ~6 to which the latch noses 20 are connected allow the latch noses to be biased inwardly relative to the throughbore 33 as the latch noses are extended into and through the throughbore during the assembly step. The leaf springs 16 are of a length L greater than the length L' of the notch~s throughbore so as to allow the ferrule's latch noses 20 to be biased into latched relation with the latch seat 35 formed on the underside of the notch when the ferrule is interfitted with the notch as shown in Figure 3.
This umbrella cover connector system 10 allows the ferrule 11 to be mechanically latched or interconnected with the notch 12 by an assembler's hands in a relatively easy and efficient manner. More . .: , .. ...
:. ~ .,~ ' ~ ', , ' . .
particularly, this umbrella cover connector systPm 10 negates tha need for the use of screw threads in interconnecting the umbrella's ferrule with the umbrella's notch, and results in a finished assembly where the ferrule cannot become detached from the notch unless the component parts are broken.
Having described in detail the preferred embodiment of my invention, what I desire to claim and protect by Letters Patent is:
: , ., '' ' ~ ' ," ."' ' "~
Claims (5)
1, said bore being defined in said notch, and said spring and said latch nose being connected to said ferrule.
(3) A cover connector system as claimed in Claim
(3) A cover connector system as claimed in Claim
2, said bore being one of generally parallel to and co-axial with the centerline of said centerpost.
(4) A cover connector system as claimed in Claim
(4) A cover connector system as claimed in Claim
3, said spring comprising a leaf spring connected at one end to said ferrule, said latch nose being connected to the other end of said leaf spring.
(5) A cover connector system as claimed in Claim
(5) A cover connector system as claimed in Claim
4, said bore being a throughbore, said latch seat being that surface of said notch opposite to the notch surface against which said cover is abutted.
(6) A cover connector system as claimed in Claim
(6) A cover connector system as claimed in Claim
5, said latch comprising at least two latch noses and at least two springs, one latch nose being connected to each spring, both springs and both latch noses being adapted to extend through said bore during assembly of said ferrule and said notch.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US89444692A | 1992-06-05 | 1992-06-05 | |
| US07/894,446 | 1992-06-05 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2070869A1 true CA2070869A1 (en) | 1993-12-06 |
Family
ID=25403085
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2070869 Abandoned CA2070869A1 (en) | 1992-06-05 | 1992-06-09 | Umbrella cover connector system |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CN (1) | CN1079377A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2070869A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2267640A (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2402874B (en) * | 2003-06-18 | 2006-04-12 | Fulton Company Ltd A | Ferrule assembly for an umbrella |
| US7591274B2 (en) * | 2006-09-25 | 2009-09-22 | Fu Tai Umbrealla Works, Ltd. | Economically constructed and environmentally protective umbrella formed with one-piece frame |
| US8906099B2 (en) * | 2009-10-13 | 2014-12-09 | Nicholas Poulos | Expandable interbody implant and method |
| ITMI20110938A1 (en) * | 2011-05-25 | 2012-11-26 | Federico Venturi | COMPOSITE MONOMATERIAL UMBRELLA, WITH REDUCED NUMBER OF COMPONENTS, INCLUDING AN ARTICULATED ARM PRINTABLE IN A SINGLE PIECE WITH PLASTIC INJECTION TECHNIQUE |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US281245A (en) * | 1883-07-17 | Ferrule for canes | ||
| US2101510A (en) * | 1935-09-20 | 1937-12-07 | Kenneth T Norris | Umbrella structure |
| GB2040677A (en) * | 1979-01-31 | 1980-09-03 | Fulton A | Improvements in or relating to umbrellas |
| US4422467A (en) * | 1982-04-26 | 1983-12-27 | Wu Tsun Z | Coupling structure of the upper notch and ferrule on an umbrella or parasol |
| GB2120547B (en) * | 1982-05-26 | 1986-05-08 | Fu Tai Umbrella Works Limited | Umbrella |
-
1992
- 1992-06-09 CA CA 2070869 patent/CA2070869A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1992-06-17 GB GB9212869A patent/GB2267640A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1992-09-03 CN CN 92110275 patent/CN1079377A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9212869D0 (en) | 1992-07-29 |
| GB2267640A (en) | 1993-12-15 |
| CN1079377A (en) | 1993-12-15 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |