GB2200044A

GB2200044A - Double-shade umbrellas

Info

Publication number: GB2200044A
Application number: GB08701383A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kuan Hung
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-01-20
Filing date: 1987-01-22
Publication date: 1988-07-27
Also published as: GB8701383D0; AU593152B2; FR2609607A1; IT8820483V0; IT213672Z2; FR2609607B1; AU8067587A

Abstract

A double-shade umbrella characterized by comprising a safety device (30) (Fig 4B) at the joints of ribs of the two shades (1, 2), a single-button release device (45) in the handle, a coupling (65) at the top caps, (Fig 8 not shown) and a connection for a pointed pole and having ribs, frames and shades capable of being folded in two sections. <IMAGE>

Description

DESCRIPTION DOUBLE-SHADE UMBRELLAS This invention relates to double-shade umbrellas.

A double-shade umbrella is a special umbrella made of two sets of frames, ribs, and shades. The lower ends of the two stems are connected to a handle and the adjacent parts of the two shades are sewed together. When it is unfolded, the stems assume a V shape and the oblong shade provides the user with better protection against the sun and the rain especially when it is used by two persons. But the construction of the conventional umbrella results in many disadvantages in terms of manufacture and use.

1. Basically, the two shades and frames must be folded simulataneously or damage will be caused to the shades and ribs. But the two frames of conventional double-shade umbrella have separate release devices. The user must operate them simulataneously with two hands. This is not only inconvenient but can also cause the above damage if the two release devices are not operated simultaneously.

2. The unusual tension produced at the parts of shades adjacent the'middle seam when the umbrella is unfolded suddenly can cause damage to the shade.

3. Failure of the male-female connection at the top caps will occur due to deformation and wear after use and the connection is too weak to prevent the umbrella from being unfolded when the release device is pressed down by accident. An unexpectedly unfolded umbrella can strike persons or objects nearby.

4. In addition, the conventional double-shade umbrella is too large to pack and carry.

The present invention is designed to obviate these disadvantages.

The present invention provides a double-shade umbrella with two sets of shades, frames and ribs comprising any of the following features taken either singly or in combination: (a) a two-section device of ribs and shades, (b) a safety device at the joint of ribs of the two shades, (c) a single-button release device in the handle, (d) a coupling of the top caps, and (e) a connection of the pointed pole.

Each of said two sets of foldable ribs can comprise a front piece, a prop piece, a stay piece and a main piece to facilitate the folding of shades in two sections.

With a single-button release device, the umbrella can be unfolded synchronously by depressing the button with one hand. A safety device is provided at the joints of ribs at the seam of two shades to prevent damage caused by the unusual tension occurring when the umbrella is unfolded suddenly.

With a button-type coupling at the top caps, the umbrella will not be unfolded even when the button of release device is pressed down by accident.

With two-section design, the umbrella can be folded in two sections for easy packing and carrying. A connection is added to connect the handle and a pointed pole so that the double-shade umbrella can be used as a s beach umbrella.

The invention will be described now by way of example- only with particular reference to the -accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a view of a double-shade umbrella in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the rib of the umbrella when it is unfolded.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the rib when the umbrella is folded.

Fig. 4 is a view of the frame and safety device of the umbrella.

Fig. 4A illustrates the safety device of the said umbrella.

Fig. 4B is a view of a plastic retainer of the safety device.

Fig. 5 is a view of the umbrella when it is folded.

Fig. 6 is a view of the handle of the umbrella.

Fig. 7 is an exploded view of part of the. handle.

Fig. 8 is an exploded view of the top coupling of the umbrella.

Fig. 9 illustrates the coupling.

Fig. 10 is an exploded view of the connection of the pointed pole of the umbrella, and Fig. 11 illustrates an application of the umbrella.

Referring now to the drawings, the nature of an umbrella in accordance with the present invention is described as follows: Generally, the improved double-shade umbrella comprises two shades 1,2, two canes 3,4, two sets of ribs 10, 11, two top caps 5,6, and a handle 7, and features (1) a two-section design of ribs and shades, (2) a safety device at the rib joints of two shades, (3) a button-type release device in the handle, (4) a coupling of top caps and (5) a connection of the pole.

(1) Two-section design of ribs and shades: As shown in Figs. 2,3, and 4, the two sets of ribs, 10, 11 and canes 3, 4 are made in two collapsible sections. When the umbrella is unfolded, the hubs 12 are released from the snap catches 13 and slide upward, and pushed by the springs 14, the ribs 10, 11 are unfolded radially on the canes 3, 4. When the umbrella is folded, the hubs 12 are pulled downward and caught by the snap catches 13. The two sets of ribs 10, 11 and canes 3, 4 are collapsed in two sections as shown in Fig. 5. Each of the ribs 10, 11- consists of a front piece 20, a prop piece 21, a stay piece 22 and a main piece 23.

They are unfolded as shown in Fig. 2 and folded as shown in Fig. 3.

(2) Safety device at the rib joints of two shades: As shown in Fig. 4, the two canes 3, 4 extended from the handle 7 respectively support the two shades 1, 2 which are joined together. Two corresponding pairs of short front rib pieces 24, 25 and 26, 27 are provided on both sides of the seam 15 (as shown in Fig. 1) to support the joined parts of the shades 1, 2. The safety device of this invention is the restraint of the joints of the front rib pieces 24, 25 and 26, 27 by a plastic retainer 30 as shown in Fig. 4B. The plastic retainer 30 has two buckles 28, 29 at both ends to keep a proper distance between the two pairs of rib pieces 24, 25 and 26, 27 to allow the shades to fold smoothly. With holes 31, 32 in the front ends of the front rib pieces, the rib pieces are joined together by means of a small screw 33 and 34.Each of the buckles 28, 29 of the flexible retainer 30 has a small hole 37 and a stud 36 for fastening the front rib pieces 24, 25 and 26, 27 at the joint.

The plastic retainer 30 will bend when the umbrella is folded and keep a desired distance between the ribs after the umbrella is unfolded. A slot 38 is provided in each of the buckles 28, so that the joint of front rib pieces 24, 25 and 26, 27 can move freely when folding and unfolding.

(3) Button-type release device in the handle: As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the handle 7 made as an integral part has a handle bar 8 fitted over the lower end and three oblong recesses 39, 40, 41 inside. The recesses 40, 41 are to accommodate the two canes 3, 4. The oblong shapes are designed for the canes 3, 4 to move sideward slightly after the umbrella is unfolded. The oblong recess 39 is designed for aesthetic purpose and for reducing the weight. Two blocks 43 are provided on both sides of -the recess 42 for holding a T shaped button plate 44 in such way that the button 45 protrudes from the recess 42 in the front of the handle 7.

The canes 3, 4 are installed in the recesses 40, 41 in such way that their lower ends touch the recess bottom and the keys 46, 47 of the release devices installed in the canes keep in contact with the back of the T shaped button plate 44. The outer parts 48, 49 of the telescopic sections can slide downward as far as the top edge of the recesses 40, 41. When the button 45 is depressed, the T shaped button plate 44 will press the keys 46,47 down and the snap catches 13 installed in the canes 3, 4 will be pressed down with the keys 46, 47. Thus the outer parts 48, 49 of the telescopic sections are released and the shades are unfolded simultaneously. The canes 3, 4 have holes 52, 53 at the lower end for fixing the canes 3, 4 in the handle 7 with pins.

(4) Coupling of top caps: Figs. 8 and 9, show a button-type coupling of top caps 5,6. The top cap 5 has a large square hole 58 in one side and a small square hole 59 and round hole 60 in another side. The small knob 61 has an oval hole 62 in one side and a spring hole in another side to accommodate the spring 63. The small knob 61 also has a recess and a curved block 64 on the top side.

The other top cap 6 has a coupler 65. After the small knob 61 is fitted in the square hole 58 in the top cap 6, a pin is inserted in the small hole 60 of the top cap 6 and the oval hole 62 of the small knob to join them. After the umbrella is folded, the top caps fitted on the top ends of the canes 3, 4 can be pressed together and the coupler 5 of the top cap 6 can be inserted in the square hole 59 of the top cap 5 and caught by the curved piece 64 so that the two top caps 5, 6 are effectively joined together. When the small knob 61 is pressed down, the coupler 65 will be released from the curved block. 64 and the umbrella can be unfolded.

(5) Connection of the pole: As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the connection consists of an L shaped piece 9 and a connecting rod 76. The L shaped piece 9 has a groove 66 to receive the handle bar, a hinged cover plate 67 with two retainers 68, 69 to catch hold of the snap hooks 70, 71 and a knuckle 72 with two projections between which the flat end of the connecting rod 76 is inserted and movably fixed by means of a screwbolt 74 a wing nut 75 and holes 73, 77. The inward sides of the projections and the two sides of the flat end 81 are made in ratchet toothing so that the angle between the L shaped piece 9 and the connecting rod 76 can be adjusted. The connecting rod 76 has a cylinder 81 to be fitted on the pointed pole 82 so that the umbrella can be used as a beach umbrella.

With the above mentioned designs, the improved double-shade umbrella has the following advantages: (1) With the two-section design of shades, ribs and frames, the shades ribs and frames can be folded in two sections to facilitate packing and carrying.

(2) With a safety device at the joints of ribs of two shades, a desired distance is kept between the ribs and no damage would be caused to the ribs and shades when the umbrella is unfolded suddenly. (3) With a single button release device, the two shades can be unfolded simultaneously by one push without need to push with two hands. (4) With a button-type coupling, the two cop caps can be joined together after the umbrella is folded without fear that it would be unfolded unexpectedly when the release button is pressed down by accident. (5) With a connection of the pointed pole it can be used as a beach umbrella.

Claims

1) A double-shade umbrella having two sets of frames, ribs and shades, the arrangement having a two section device of foldable ribs and shades which are simultaneously operable and have a single release mechanism.

(2) A double shade umbrella as claimed in claim 1 including a safety device located at the joints of the ribs of the two shades.

(3) A double shade umbrella as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each section has a top cap and means are provided for coupling the top caps when the umbrella is in its folded condition.

(4) A double shade umbrella as claimed in any preceding claim including means for connecting the umbrella to a probe.

(5) A double-shade umbrella as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each set of foldable ribs comprises a front member, a prop member, a stay member, and a main member to facilitate the folding of the shade in two sections.

(6) A double shade umbrella as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein said safety device comprises a flexible retainer having a buckle at each end thereof so arranged to retain the ribs and maintain them at a desired spacing to allow the shades to fold smoothly.

(7) A double-shade umbrella as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the single-button release mechanism in the handle comprises two oblong recesses in the handle for receiving the canes, two blocks made as an integral part of the handle, and a T shaped button plate having a knob protruding out of an aperture in the handle, and being engageable against release keys in the canes so that it can be operated by one hand.

(8) A double-shade umbrella according to any one of claims 3 to 7 wherein the coupling of top caps comprises a knob in one top cap releasably engageable with a receiving element-on the other cap.

(9) A double-shade umbrella according to any one of claims 4 to 8 wherein the adjustable connection for the pole comprises an L shaped piece with a handle bar groove and a hinged cover plate, a connecting rod to connect the pole, a screwbolt and wingnut to join the L shaped piece and the connecting rod, and ratchet toothings on the inward sides of the two projections of the L shaped piece and both sides of the flat end of the connecting rod for holding and adjusting purpose.

(10) A double-shade umbrella with two sets of shades, frames and ribs comprising: a two section device of ribs and shades, G a safety device at the joints of ribs of the two shades, a single-button release device in the handle, a coupling of the top caps, and a connection of the pointed pole; each of said two sets of foldable ribs consisting of a front piece, a prop piece, a stay piece and a main piece to facilitate the folding of shades in two sections.

(11) A double-shade umbrella substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.