EP2122088B1

EP2122088B1 - Umbrella-type covering structure with ribs in the form of parallelogram linkages

Info

Publication number: EP2122088B1
Application number: EP08751518.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stefano Degl'innocenti
Original assignee: Teloneria Degl'innocenti Srl
Current assignee: Teloneria Degl'innocenti Srl
Priority date: 2007-03-22
Filing date: 2008-03-20
Publication date: 2016-08-10
Anticipated expiration: 2028-03-20
Also published as: EP2122088A2; ITFI20070071A1; WO2008114305A2; WO2008114305A3

Description

There is a demand for covering structures in the form of umbrellas, of considerable dimensions, to replace structures supported by peripheral poles (gazebos), which are not easy to install and remove, as instead umbrellas are. However, the umbrellas must be relatively large, for the purposes for which they are required, such as removable positioning outside public establishments, along the buildings and, for example, along pavements, in cases of rental for events, etc.. Relatively very large umbrellas for these purposes are relatively somewhat unstable.
The invention relates to an umbrella - of relatively large dimensions - in which drawbacks related to stability are solved, without requiring additional operations besides those to open and close the umbrella.
DE-A-19620295 discloses an umbrella wherein a canvas is engaged to a plurality of engaging elements extending from a pole. The elements are connected to a slider, slidingly supported on said pole. The umbrella is opened and closed by sliding said slider along the pole. Each element comprises four bars, hinged to one another to form a parallelogram linkage system. Two contiguous ones of said bars are hinged together at one of the pivot points of the parallelogram linkage system and each forms a respective extension towards said pole. The end of the extension of one said bars is hinged in a fixed point at the upper end of the pole, while the end of the extension of the other of said bars is hinged to said slider. The movement of the slider controls opening and closing of the umbrella. The closing movement of the umbrella causes the bars of the canvas engaging elements to move downwards. This requires to free the space under the canvas before closing the umbrella. Similar embodiments affected by the same drawback are disclosed in FR-A-2438987 and EP-A-0181977 .
An umbrella according to the preamble of claim 1 is disclosed in US2004/0182429 .
The invention provides an umbrella which overcomes the problems of the prior art. An umbrella according to the invention is defined in claim 1. The dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments of the invention.
According to some embodiments, each element to which the canvas is engaged can comprise a single parallelogram linkage system, or alternatively, at least one pair of contiguous parallelogram linkage systems able to move towards one another during closing.
In an advantageous embodiment, the elements of a same parallelogram linkage system can be produced in sections to penetrate one another at least partly, thereby limiting the overall dimensions of the assembly in the closed position.
In umbrellas of the type in question, at the ends of contiguous elements there can be connected two respective half-bars articulated to each other to fold inwards when the umbrella is closed. The edges of the canvas are engaged with said half-bars and hanging canvases can be hung from them; in this case said hanging canvases can also be engaged at least partly with at least one of the optional proximal supporting elements.
As the ends of the parallelogram linkage systems are maintained parallel to themselves, according to a further development of the invention at the ends of said parallelogram linkage systems there can also be engaged peripheral supporting elements, which are moved parallel to themselves and are in practice vertical, to assist in the peripheral support of the canvas, when open. The function of said supporting elements is implemented directly with the maneuver to open the umbrella.
At least some of the supporting elements can preferably be adjustable in height, to allow adaptation to the unevenness of the ground.
The optional supporting elements can be developed to encircle and form a housing to contain the canvas in the closed position, when said supporting elements are moved towards the pole and can thus move toward one another even until they come into contact.
The invention will be more apparent by following the description and accompanying drawings which show non-limiting practical examples of the invention. In the drawing:

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show an umbrella according to the invention, in an open position, in an enlarged detail and in a section according to III-III in Figure 2;
Figure 4 shows the same umbrella as Figure 1, but in a partly closed position;
Figures 5 and 6 show a modified embodiment of the umbrella, in an open position and in a partly closed position;
Figures 7 and 8 show two enlarged details of Figures 5 and 6;
Figures 9 and 10 show two enlarged local sections according to IX-IX and X-X in Figure 7;
Figures 11 and 12 show an umbrella - in this case rectangular in shape, in a plan view, in the open position and in the almost completely closed position; and
Figures 13 to 17 show a plan view of diagrams of angular arrangements of complete and partial umbrellas.

According to Figures 1 to 4, the umbrella is of the type comprising a central pole 1, at the upper end 3 of which a canvas 5 rests, and which can be provided with optional eyebolts. From a position against the pole (Figure 4) to a raised position (Figures 1 and 2), the canvas 5 is opened in the active position; with an opposite movement, the canvas is moved against the pole 1. For these movements, arms 7 are provided articulated in 9 to the pole and articulated at the ends 7A thereof in an intermediate position to canvas engaging elements to be described below, which are engaged with the outer ends with the edges of the canvas 5 and with the inner ends in 13 with a slider 15 that is made to slide on the pole 1 upward to open the umbrella (Figures 1 and 2) and downward to close it. In Figure 4 the umbrella is shown only partly closed (for clarity of the drawing), but can also be closed further.
When coverings of considerable dimensions are required, it is necessary to make use of "gazebos", structures with peripheral poles between which a stable covering is laid. This solution is not always acceptable, in particular in public environments, owing to the stable structure of gazebos, instead of an easily and rapidly closable structure such as an umbrella, which is closed with a single and fast maneuver. However, beyond a certain dimension of diameter a conventional umbrella (or sunshade) is not acceptably stable, nor is it easy to maneuver with conventional opening and closing systems, provided with single ribs (such as those 18).
The invention solves the problem of combining the characteristics of rapid opening and closing maneuvers (typical of the conventional umbrella) with high dimensional characteristics of the umbrella, in which control systems of the type used in an umbrella of conventional dimensions are not sufficient.
According to Figures 1 to 4, in place of each customary conventional elements (in a number of four, six or more) extending between the articulations 13 and the edge of the canvas 5, there is provided a parallelogram linkage system, with two ribs 18 and 20 having an extension corresponding to the single conventional rib (comparable with that 18); said ribs 18 and 20 are articulated with two hinges 111, 113 to a core 116 which forms a third side of the parallelogram linkage system, and with two hinges 13 and 118 to the slider 15 to form the fourth side of the parallelogram linkage system 13, 18, 111, 116, 113, 20, 118, 15.
With these parallelogram linkage systems, it is possible to achieve considerable dimensions of the canvas of the umbrella, and obtain easy opening and closing maneuvers. Between the ends of two contiguous parallelogram linkage systems, there can be articulated two half-bars such as those 301 shown in Figure 11, which are constrained to one another at the center in 303 and stressed to spread apart during opening according to f303 to peripherally stabilize the canvas. During closing of the umbrella the two half-bars move toward one another.
It must be noted that during opening and closing each core 116 always moves parallel to itself from the closed position against the pole to the open position with the canvas 5 in the active position, and vice versa. Given this circumstance, a supporting element 120 can also be associated with some or with each of the cores 116. This element 120, which extends vertically and is approximately the same length as the height of the edges of the canvas 5 from the ground in the open position, helps to stabilize the umbrella. During opening of the umbrella the supporting elements 120 are moved - always parallel to each other, and thus vertical - to be active resting on the ground, while when the umbrella is closed said supporting elements 120 are automatically moved upward and completely against the pole 1 according to the arrows f3 in Figure 3, for reasons of clarity Figure 3 showing the intermediate and incomplete position of the closing movement. When closed, the supporting elements 120 are moved even closer to the pole than shown in Figure 3, and the canvas 5 remains between the pole 1 and said supporting elements 120.
With these supporting elements 120 - which are optional - greater stability of the open umbrella is obtained without causing problems of additional maneuvers for movements between the open and closed positions of the umbrella. The assembly is analogous and maneuvered to be opened and closed analogously to a conventional umbrella, and when closed has practically the same overall dimensions as those of an umbrella closed with the supporting elements 120 against the pole; with the customary opening maneuver, the supporting elements 120 are positioned to support the perimeter of the umbrella. The parallelogram linkage systems ensure easy opening and closing maneuvers also with the elements 120 fitted.
To compensate for any unevenness of the ground, adjustable extension means can be provided at the lower ends of the supporting elements 120.
Any canvases hanging from the half-bars 301 or from the edges of the canvas 5, can be partly engaged with the optional supporting elements 120.
Figures 5 to 10 show another embodiment with double parallelogram linkage systems. The numeral 201 indicates the pole, along which a slider 203 can be made to slide to control opening and closing of the umbrella. At the end of the pole 201 there is engaged a support 205, from which there extend parallelogram linkage systems for the purpose of opening and closing the canvas 207 of the umbrella. Said canvas 207 is supported centrally in 207A by a cage with rods 209 which extends from the slider 203, so that the canvas 207 is raised in the center in 207A when the slider 203 is made to slide upward on the pole 201, and the canvas 207 is opened at the vertices thereof, being in the example rectangular. A central rod 208 forms a guide for the central support 207A.
On the sides of the support 205 (see also Figure 9) - which are four sides in the case of square canvases, or six or eight in the case of hexagonal or octagonal canvases - the same number of pairs of projections 205A project; to each of these pairs of projections 205A there are articulated in 210 and 211 two ribs 212 and 214 of a parallelogram linkage system, a third side of which is constituted by the support 205 between the two hinges 210 and 211, while the fourth side (equivalent to that between the ribs 210 and 211) is formed by a core 220 to which the ribs 212 and 214 are hinged with hinges 216 and 218. From each of these cores 220 a second parallelogram linkage system extends, formed by two hinges 222 and 224 and by two ribs 226 and 227, which terminate with hinges 228 and 229 formed in a terminal core 230 (equivalent to core 116). The presence of the two parallelogram linkage systems 205A, 210, 212, 216, 220, 218, 214, 211 e 220, 222, 226, 228, 230, 229, 227, 224, disposed in series, allows the terminal cores 230 to maintain a position parallel to themselves, in any position of the parallelogram linkage systems between the open position of the canvas and the closed position against the axis of the pole 201. Resting on the terminal cores 230 is the perimeter of the canvas 207, which can be open or moved against the axis of the pole, by maneuvering the pairs of parallelogram linkage systems. For this maneuver, rods or arms 232 (four in the drawing) are hinged in 231 to the slider 203. Each of said rods 232 is hinged in an intermediate point 234 to one of the ribs 214 and at the end in 236 to a further rod 238, which is in turn hinged in 240 in an intermediate position to the corresponding rib 226 of the second parallelogram linkage system. With this arrangement, by means of movements of the slider 203 all the pairs of parallelogram linkage systems are controlled simultaneously to cause opening of the canvas 207 of the umbrella when the slider 203 is raised (Figures 5 and 7) and closing of the umbrella when the slider 203 is lowered to and beyond the position in Figures 6 and 8, until the ribs of the parallelogram linkage systems are drawn up against the rods 209; the canvas 207 remains between the eight parallelogram linkage systems.
Also in this case the maneuvers to open and close the umbrella are easy, and in any case can be implemented either manually or using a motor.
Half-bars 301 articulated in 303 and stressed according to f3 (see Figure 11), as described previously, are also provided in this case.
Each of the terminal core 230 can be provided with a supporting element analogous to that 120 of the previous example: in a modified embodiment, an optional supporting element 244 of this type can be produced with a laminar structure, which has an extension corresponding to that of the elements 120 of the previous example and with the same function; having a curved laminar structure, in the closed position these supporting elements 244 create a protective covering around the canvas and the parallelogram linkage systems and any other part connected thereto.
Also in this case there are provided pairs of half-bars 301 hinged in 303 (see Figure 11), which - elastically stressed according to f303 - can be aligned between the ends of contiguous parallelogram linkage systems in the position with the umbrella open, and can be folded towards the inside during closing of the umbrella.
All or some of the supporting elements such as those 120 or 244 can be fitted or removed at will, when they obstruct the use of the space below the open canvas of the umbrella, and according to the requirements of stability of the open canvas.
Where required, the open canvas can be combined with other structures contiguous thereto, also constituted by gazebos or the like. An umbrella - with square canvas - can also be placed, for example, at the corner of a building, between gazebos placed against the walls forming said corner, or between contiguous umbrellas placed along the sides either partially closed or with several contiguous umbrellas. An umbrella can also be formed with a partial canvas.
Figures 13 to 17 show possible schematic applications of umbrellas of the type described above, at the corners of buildings provided with peripheral coverings.
It is understood that the drawing only shows by way of example a practical illustration of the invention, and that said invention can vary in forms and arrangements without however departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The umbrella structure in question can also be used with installation on a vehicle.

Claims

An umbrella-type covering structure with a central pole (1; 201) to which the canvas (5; 207) is engaged and along which a slider (15; 203) can be made to slide for the opening and closing maneuvers, with a plurality of articulated elements to cause both opening and tensioning of the canvas and closing of the canvas, wherein: each said element includes at least one first parallelogram linkage system comprising two ribs (18, 20; 212, 214) forming a first and a second side of said parallelogram linkage system; wherein said two ribs (18, 20; 212, 214) are articulated with two hinges (111, 113; 216, 218) to a core (116; 220), which forms a third side of the parallelogram linkage system; and wherein an arm or rod (7; 232) is provided for each parallelogram linkage system; characterized in that:
- said two ribs (18, 20) are further articulated with two further hinges (13; 118) to said slider (15), said slider (15) forming the fourth side of said parallelogram linkage system; and said arm (7) is articulated at one of its ends to the pole (1) and at the other of its ends (7A) in an intermediate position of one of said ribs (18, 20), respectively; or

- said two ribs (210, 211) are further articulated with two further hinges (210, 211) to said support (205) engaged to said pole (201), said support forming the fourth side of said parallelogram linkage system; and said rod (232) is articulated at one of its end to said slider (203) and in an intermediate point (234) thereof to one of the ribs (212, 214) of said parallelogram linkage system.
Structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that each element comprises a single parallelogram linkage system (18, 20, 116, 15).
Structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that each element comprises at least a second parallelogram linkage system (226, 227, 230, 220) contiguous to said at least one first parallelogram linkage system (212, 220, 214, 205), said first and said second parallelogram linkage systems moving toward one another during closing.
Structure as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said second parallelogram linkage system extends from said core (220)
Structure as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two ribs of one same parallelogram linkage system are made in sections to penetrate one another at least partly, to reduce the overall dimensions in the closed position.
Structure as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the end of at least some of the parallelogram linkage systems there can be engaged peripheral and substantially vertical supporting elements (120; 244), which are moved parallel to themselves, to assist in the peripheral support of the canvas (207) during opening, and returned toward the central pole (201) of the umbrella, when taken to the closed position.
Structure as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that at least some of the supporting elements (120; 244) are adjustable in height, for adaptation to the unevenness of the ground.
Structure as claimed in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the supporting elements (120; 244) are developed to encircle and form a housing to contain the canvas (207) and the parallelogram linkage systems in the closed position.
Structure as claimed in any one of the claims 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that the canvas (7; 207) of the umbrella or half-bars (301) articulated between the ends of adjacent parallelogram linkage systems thereof are provided peripherally with hanging canvases , and that at least some of said hanging canvases are also at least partly engaged with the supporting elements proximal thereto.