GB2225530A

GB2225530A - Umbrella cover and rib connector system

Info

Publication number: GB2225530A
Application number: GB8925014A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Toshio Okuda; James H Allen; Ann S Cain
Original assignee: Totes Inc
Current assignee: Totes Inc
Priority date: 1988-11-09
Filing date: 1989-11-06
Publication date: 1990-06-06
Also published as: DE3937625A1; CA2001952A1; GB8925014D0

Description

1 a 22'_; 2 5 5 3 0 UMBRELLA COVER AND RIB CONNECTOR SYSTEM This invention

relates to umbrellas. More particularly, this invention relates to an umbrella with a novel connector system for connecting the umbrella's cover to the umbrella's cover support ribs.

This application is a continuation- in-part of U.S. Application Serial No. 414,031, filed October 2, 1989, entitled "UMBRELLA COVER AND RIB CONNECTOR SYSTEM", now pending.

An umbrella's cover is supported in the opened and closed position by a plurality of spaced cover ribs which are part of a rib linkage system. In accord with the prior art, it is known to provide each of these cover ribs with a small hole near the rib is tip, and to sew the umbrella's cover to the rib tips through use of this rib tip's bore. More specif i cally, in order to mount the umbrella's cover to the rib tips, that portion of the umbrella cover's peri phery which overlies each cover rib tip is sewn to that tip by use of a needle and thread with the thread passing through the hole in the rib tip thereby 1 r 1 -2attaching the umbrella cover to the tips of the cover support ribs. This prior art method of attaching an umbrellats cover to the umbrella's cover ribs at the rib tips is widely used from a commercial standpoint. But, this prior art system results in two problems of significance.

The first problem which arises with the prior art sewing system is one of thread breakage. After an umbrella has been used for a period of time, the thread used to attach the umbrella's cover to the umbrella's rib tips tends to break. Thread breakage is accelerated if the the rib tip's holes have sharp edges, e.g., burrs, but the thread also breaks due to weakening by repeated wettings and dryings. Any breakage of the threads within the sewn connection between the umbrella's cover and the umbrella's rib tips creates loosening, and then separation, of the umbrella cover from that rib tip where the thread is broken. This, in turn, causes the umbrella's cover to be turned upwardly at that location when the umbrella is used. This results in a loss of protective cover for the umbrella's user in the first place, and is unsightly and aesthetically undesirable in the second place.

The second problem or limitation of the prior art sewing system is the relatively high cost of the tedious and labor intensive sewing operation. In order to reduce manufacturing cost, it is desirable to eliminate as much as possible the hand labor involved in connecting the umbrella's cover with the umbrella's rib tips.

Accordingly, the objective of this invention is to provide an umbrella cover and rib connector system which eliminates hand sewing, and which forms a neat crease-free connection between the umbrella's cover and the umbrella's rib tips.

In accord with these objectives, umbrella cover and rib connector system of invention includes a cap comprised of an arm overlies the rib tip's flatted portion, and a that interf its with the rib tip, the arm and the this that base base being formed integral one with the other. The cap's base cooperates with the rib tip for preventing at least one of longitudinal motion of the cap along the rib toward the rib's other end, and rotational movement of the cap about the through axis of the rib tip's bore. In preferred form, either a pin is formed integral with the cap's arm or a bore is formed through the cap's arm. When a pin is integral with the cap's arm, that pin connects the cap, the rib tip and the cover segment which overlies the tip, all in assembled relation. When a bore is def ined in the cap's arm, a separate pin connects the cap, the rib tip and the cover segment which overlies the tip, all in assembled relation.

In one preferred form, the connector system of this invention contemplates a cap's base which defines a bore co-axially aligned with the cover rib's longitudinal axis, the cap base's bore receiving a rib tip's stub section in seated relation so as to position the cap's arm over the rib tip's flatted section. With the cover's attachment segment interposed between the cap's arm and the rib tip's flatted section, a rivet is driven through the co-axially aligned cap arm's bore and a bore formed in the rib tip end's flatted section, the free end of that rivet being thereafter deformed, so as to connect the cap, the rib tip end and the cover's attachment segment all in assembled relation. In a second embodiment, the cap's base is of the same structure, but the cap's arm is hingedly connected to the base and includes a rivet integrally formed therewith. After the cap's base is seated on the rib tip's stub section, and with the cover's attachment segment overlying that flatted section, the cap's arm is pivoted into overlying relation with the rib tip's flatted portion which drives the integral rivet through the cover's attachment segment and the bore in the rib tip's flatted section. The rivet's other end is then deformed on the other side of the rib tipfs flatted portion, thereby connecting the cap, the rib tip, and the cover's attachment segment all in assembled relation.

A third embodiment of this invention includes a cap having a cap arm and cap base integral one with the other, the cap arm including a pin integral therewith and the cap base defining a slot having a longitudinal axis generally parallel to the pin. The cap is installed on a cover support rib with the cover's attachment segment overlying the rib tip's flatted portion. The cap is installed by driving the pin through the cover's attachment segment and through the flatter portion's throughbore while simultaneously causing the cap bases slotted end to engage the support rib's stub section. A fourth embodiment of the connector system includes a cap having a cap base and a cap arm where the cap base def ines a shoulder adapted to slide against the curvilinear end of a cover support rib's flatted portion. With the cap arm seated against the undersurface of the rib tip's flatted portion and the cap base's shoulder seated against the end of the rib tip's flatted portion, and with the umbrella's attachment segment overlying the top surface of the rib tip's flatted portion, a rivet with head is driven first through the cover's attachment segment, then through the bore in the flatted portion, and then through the bore in the cap arm, the rivet thereafter being deformed on the underside of the cap arm to assemble the cap, the cover and the rib tip all in connected relation.

Other objectives and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the components of a connector system for an umbrella's cover and umbrella's cover rib in accord with the principles of this invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side elevation view taken along the longitudinal axis of the cover rib; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 but illustrating a second embodiment of a connector system for an umbrella cover and cover support rib in accord' with the principles of this invention; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 2 but for the second embodiment illustrated in Figure 3; Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view similar to Figures 1 and 3 illustrating a third embodiment of a connector system for an umbrella cover and support rib in accord with th principles of this invention; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figures 2 and 4 illustrating assembly of the connector system components shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the components of a fourth embodiment for a connector system for an umbrella cover and support rib in accord with the principles of this invention; and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figures 2, 4 and 6 illustrating assembled relation of the connector system component shown in Figure 7.

A first embodiment of a connector system for an umbrella cover and umbrella cover rib in accord with the principles of this invention is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The connector system is adapted for use with an umbrella's cover 10 comprised of a series of gores 11, 12 attached one to the other along radial stitch line 13, the cover's peripheral edge 14 being turned back and stitched as at 15 along the periphery in order to provide a finished appearance. The cover presents an attachment segment 16 adjacent its periphery by which the umbrella cover will be attached to an umbrella's cover support rib 20 at that location.

The cover rib 20 presents a flatted portion 21 as a part of its rib tip 22. The flatted portion 21 defines a throughbore 23 with an axis 24 perpendicular to the rib's longitudinal axis 25. Note particularly, as shown in Figure 2,, that the ribls flatted portion 21 may be of dish-shaped or concave configuration on its upper 21a and lower 21b surfaces.

The cover rib 20, and more particularly the rib tip 22, also includes a stub section 26 integral with and extending away from the rib tip"s flatted portion 21.

That stub section 26 defines a longitudinal axis 27 which is co-axial with the cover rib's longitudinal axis 25. Note, as shown in Figure 2, that the rib tip's flatted portion 21 lies generally in a plane 28 that is substantially perpendicular to the axis 24 of the rib tip's bore 23, and includes the longitudinal axes 25, 27 of the cover rib and of the stub section.

The connector system also includes a cap 30 comprised of a cap arm 31 integral with a cap base 32.

When the cap 30 is installed on the cove rib's tip 22, the cap arm 31 overlies the rib tip's flatted portion 21 as shown particularly in Figure 2. The cap arm includes a bore 33 through the arm. The cap arms throughbore 33 is co-axially aligned with the rib tip's throughbore 23, and overlies the rib tip's flatted 21, when the cap 30 is seated on the rib tipts stub section 26.

The base 32 of the cap 30 is of a generally bulbous nose-shaped configuration. The cap base 32 defines a seat in the form of a bore 34 which is closed at one end as at 35. The free end of the rib tip's stub section 26 is received in the base's seat bore 34 by moving the cap 30 onto that stub section in a direction co-axial with the stub section's axis 27, as shown by phantom direction arrow 36, in order to orient the cap arm 31 over the rib tipls flatted portion 21. The bases bore 34 is sized lengthwise to be substantially equal to the length of the rib tip's stub section 26, thereby seating the stub section's end 37 proximate to the closed end 35, if not abutted against the closed end, of the base's bore 34.

In assembly of the cap 30 with the cover's attachment segment 16 and the rib tip 22, the cover's attachment segment is positioned between the cap arm 31 and the rib tip's flatted portion 21 as the cap base 32 is installed on the rib tip's stub section as shown in Figure 2. Thereafter, a separate pin 38, which is in the form of a rivet having a head 39 on one end, is passed through the cap arm's tbroughbore 33, driven or forced through the cover's attachment segment 16, then passed through the flatted section's bore 23,, all as illustrated in Figure 2. The pin's non-head end 39 is then deformed as shown at 40 in Figure 2 in order to hold the cap 30, the cover's attachment segment 15 and the rib tip all in assembled relation. In this embodiment, the rivet 38 provides a double function, namely, it connects the cap 30 to the is _10tip 22 of suppott rib 20, and it connects the cover 10 to the tip 22 of support rib 20. With the cover 10 deformed into the dished surface area 21a of the support rib's flatted portion 21, the cap arm 33 functions more or less to press the cover 10 against that flatted portion to enhance the direct connection provided by the rivet 38.

A second embodiment of a connector system for an umbrella cover and umbrella cover support rib is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The structure of each of the umbrella's cover and cover support rib for this second embodiment is identical to the structure of the umbrella's cover 10 and cover support rib 20 for the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Therefore, the same reference numerals relative to the Figures 1 and 2 embodiment for the umbrella cover 10 and the cover support rib 20 will be used herein for the same structural components in the Figures 3 and 4 embodiment.

The connector system of the second embodiment is comprised of a cap 50 that includes a cap arm 51 and a cap base 52. The cap arm 51 is adapted to overlie the rib tip's flatted portion 21 when the cap 50 is installed on the rib tip 22 as shown in Figure 4. The cap base 52 is adapted to interf it with the rib tip 22 when the cap 50 is installed with the support rib also as shown in Figure 4. More particularly, the cap base 52 is of agenerally bulbous conf icjuration which, when assembled with the rib tip's stub section 26, cooperates with the rib tip 22 for preventing both longitudinal motion of the cap 50 toward the rib's other end in the direction shown by phantom linear 'arrow 53,, as well as prevents rota tional movement of the cap arm 51 and cap base 52 about the axis 24 of the rib tip's through bore 23 as shown by phantom arcuate arrow 54.

The cap base 52 in this second embodiment includes a seat in the form of a bore 55 with closed end 56, the rib tip's stub section 26 being received in the base's seat as the base is moved onto the stub section in a direction co-axial with the stub section's axis 27 as shown by phantom arrow 53 in order to orient the cap arm 51 over the rib tip's flatted portion 21. As with the first embodiment, in the second embodiment the cap base's bore 55 is closed at one end, and the free end of the stub section 26 is seated proximate to, if not butted against, the closed end 56 of that bore when the cap 50 is installed on the rib tip's stub section 26. Note, particularly, that the cap arm 51 and cap base 52 are sized and configured so that when the cap base is installed on the support rib's stub section 26, and when it is fully seated thereon with the stub sections' free end 57 bottomed out against the closed end 56 of the cap is base's bore 55, the cap arm 51 is properly oriented over the rib tip's flatted portion 21.

Note particularly in this second embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, that the cap arm 51 is connected to the cap base 52 by means of a hinge 58 connection. This hinge 58 connection is in the form of a living hinge which is formed integral with the cap arm 51 and cap base 52. Also, the cap arm 51 carries a pin 59 formed integral with the underside thereof, the pin in affect being in the form of a rivet with the rivet's head comprising a portion of the cap arm itself. Since the cap arm 51 is hingedly connected to the cap base 52, the hinge 58 connection allows.the pin 59 to be pressed through the cover's attachment segment 16, and through the rib flatted portion's bore 23, as the cap base 52 is moved into final seated position on the stub section 21. With the cap 50 installed on the rib tip's stub section 21, and with the cap arm 51 in general parallel alignment with the support rib's longitudinal axis 25, i.e., with the pin 59 extending through the cover's attach ment segment 16 and the flatted portion's throughbore 23, the free end 60 of the pin is then deformed against the undersurface 21b of the rib tip's flatted portion so that the pin connects all of the cap 50, the rib tip 22, and the cover's attachment segment 16, in assembled relation. Note particularly, as with the -13first embodiment, that the cover's attachment segment 16 is interposed or pressed between the cap arm 51 and the support rib's flatted portion 21, thereby providing a friction fit connection as well in that area to aid in holding the cover in non-tearing connection with the rib tip.

A third embodiment of a connector system for an umbrella cover and support rib is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. The umbrella cover 10 and support rib 20 structural components, and characteristics thereof,, are the same as in the f irst and second embodiments illustrated in Figures 1-4. Accordingly, the reference numerals used for the umbrella's cover 10 and the umbrella's cover support rib 20 in Figures 5 and 6 are identical to those used in describing the first two embodiments illustrated in Figures 1-4.

The cap 65 of the third embodiment includes a cap base 66 and a cap arm 67. The cap arm 67 is structured to overlie the rib tip's flatted portion 21 when assembled with the rib tip 22 as shown in Figure 6. The cap base 66 is structured to interfit with the rib tip's stub section 26 to prevent both longitudinal motion of the cap 65 along the rib in the direction shown by phantom arrow 68 toward the rib's other end (not shown), as well as rotational motion of the cap about the axis 24 of the rib tip-s bore 23 in the direction shown by phantom arrow 69. The cap arm 67 -14includes a pin 70 depending from its underside which is formed integral therewith. The pin 70 includes a head def ined by a portion of the cap arm 67, this structure being analogous to a rivet with a head on one end of a shaft. The cap base 66 includes a seat in the form of a slot 71, the rib tip's stub section 26 being received in that slot when the cap is assembled with-the rib tip 22. Note particularly, the cap's seat slot 71 defines a longitudinal axis 72 that is parallel to the pin's longitudinal axis 73. The cap 65 is movable onto the stub section 26 in a direction at least one of perpendicular to and co-axial with the support rib's longitudinal axis 25. And in this structural configuration, the cap base 66, and therefor the cap 65 itself, is movable into final seated position on the rib tip's stub section 26 in a direction shown by phantom arrow 74 which is perpendicular to the support rib's longitudinal axis 25. The cap's seat slot 71 is closed at one end 75, but open at the other end 76, so that the free end of the rib tip's stub section 26 is seated approximate to the closed end of the cap's slot.

In use of the third embodiment, and when Figure 5 is compared with Figure 6, the cap 65 is installed with the rib tip 22 after the cover's attachment segment 16 is first overlaid on the top surface 21a of that flatted portion 21. The cap 65 is then moved in a direction shown by phantom arrow 74 perpendicular to the support rib-s longitudinal axis with the cap's pin 70 co-axially aligned with the flatted portion's throughbore 23 and with the cap's slot 71 aligned with the rib tip's stub section 26.

The cap's pin 70 is then driven down through the cover's attachment segment 16 until the cap arm 67 overlies and is seated against the cover's attachment segment and the rib tip's flatted portion 21. In this attitude, the pin's free end 77 is deformed against the flatted portion's underside 21b so as to connect all of the cap 65, the cover 10 and the support rib 20 in assembled relation.

A fourth embodiment of a connector system for an umbrella cover support rib in accord with the principles of this invention is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. In this fourth embodiment the cover 10 is identical to the umbrella cover illustrated in Figures 1-6, and the reference numerals used therefore ar ethe same.

The cover support rib 80 used in connection with this fourth embodiment, however, is of a different structure than the cover support ribs 20 used in the Figures 1-6 embodiment. Specifically, the support rib 80 for the fourth embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 7, is in the form of a rib, with longitudinal axis 81, that terminates in a flatted portion 82 at -16 the tip 83 of that support rib. The flatted portion 82 lies generally in a plane 79 that is perpendicular to throughbore 84 provided in that flatted portion.

Note particularly the cover support rib of this embodiment makes use of no stub section which extends beyond the flatted portion 82, i.e., no stub section analogous to the rib tip-s stub section 26 which is part of the cover support rib 20 in the f irst three embodiments of this invention. In other words, the flatted portion 82 terminates the support rib 80 at its free end and constitutes its rip tip, that flatted portion defining a curved end edge 85 configuration at the absolute free end of the support rib.

The cap 86 of the fourth embodiment includes a cap arm 87 having a bore 88 therethrough adapted to underlie the rib tip's bore 84 when the cap is installed with the rip tip 82. The cap 86 also includes a base 89 which defines a shoulder 90 having a curved inner edge 91 configured and sized to mate with and seat against the curved outer edge 85 of the rib tip's flatted portion 82 when the cap is assembled with that flatted portion. When assembled with the support rib, the cap 86 cooperates with the rib tip 83 only for preventing longitudinal motion of the cap along the support rib 80 toward the rib's other end in the direction shown by phantom arrow 92. In other words, the cap 86 of this embodiment does not prevent 7 -17significant rotational movement of the cap arm 87 and cap base 89 about the through axis 93 of the rib tip's bore 84 when the cap is assembled with the rib tip 83. The connector system of this fourth embodiment also includes a pin in the form of a rivet 94 having a shaft 95 with head 96 at one end.

In assembly of the fourth embodiment components with the support rib's flatted portion 83, the cap 86 is positioned with the cap arm adjacent the underside 83b of the rib tipls flatted portion, and with the cap base-s shoulder 90 butted against the flatted portion's curved end edge 85. In this orientation the cap armOs throughbore 88 is co-axially aligned with the flatted portion's tbroughbore 84. The cover's attachment segment 16 is then overlaid on the top surface 83a of the rib tip's flatted portion 83. Thereafter, the rivet 94 is driven first through the cover's attachment segment 16, then through the tip's flatted portion 83, and then through the cap arm 20 87, thereby seating the rivet's head 96 against the cover as shown particularly in Figure S. The other end of the rivet's shaft 95 is then deformed against the cap 86 as shown at 97. When the cap 86 and the rivet 94 are of the same material, e.g., a thermoplastic, this deformation fuses the rivet 94 to the cap 86.

It will of course be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and the modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

CI_ A% M S _19- (1) An umbrella comprising a cover having an attachment segment adjacent its periphery, a cover support rib having a flatted portion integral with its rib tip, said rib tip defining a bore through said flatted portion, a cap arm that overlies said rib tip,?s flatted portion, a cap base interfit with said rib tip, said base formed integral with said cap arm, said bore cooperating with said rib tip for preventing at least one of longitudinal motion of said arm and base along said rib toward said rib's other end, and rotational motion of said arm and base about the through axis of said rib tip's bore, and arm connector structure defining one of a pin integral with said arm and a bore through said arm, said arm connector structure being co-axially aligned with said rib tip's bore, when said arm connector structure is a pin, said pin connecting said cap arm and base, said rib tip, and said cover's attachment segment which over lies said flatted portion, all in assembled relation, and when said arm connector structure is a bore, said system including a separate pin for connecting said cap arm and base, said rib tip, and said covers -20attachment segiaent which overlies portion, all in assembled relation.

said f latted

Claims

(2) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 1, said rib tip's bore having an

axis that is substantially perpendicular to said ribfs longitudinal axis.

(3) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 2, said rib tip"s flatted portion lying generally in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of said rib tip's bore.

(4) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 1, said pin comprising a shaft having a head at one end, said head retaining said pin in assembled relation at said one end, and said shaft being deformed at its non-head end for retaining said pin in assembled relation at its other end.

(5) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 1, said rib comprising a stub section fixed to said rib tip's flatted portion.

(6) An umbrella as set f orth in Claim 5, said stub sectionts longitudinal axis being generally co-axially aligned with said ribts longitudinal axis.

(7) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 5, said cap base comprising a seat in the form of a bore, said stub section being received in said seat, said base being movable onto said stud section in a direction co- axial with said stub section's axis in order to orient said tip arm over said rib's flatted portion.

(8) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 7, said seat bore being closed at one end, the free end of said stub section being seated proximate the closed end of said seat bore.

(9) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 7, said cover's attachment segment being positioned between said cap arm and said rib's flatted portion.

(10) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 7, said arm connector structure comprising a bore through said cap arm.

(11) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 7 said arm connector structure comprising a pin.

1 1 (12) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 11, said cap arm being hingedly connected to said cap's base, said hinged connection allowing said pin to be pressed through said flatted portion's bore as said cap base is moved into final seated position on said rib tip's stub section.

(13) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 5, said cap base comprising a seat in the f orm of a slot, said stub section being received in said slot, said base being movable onto said stub section in a direction at least one of perpendicular to and co-axial with said ribOs longitudinal axis.

(14) An umbrella as set forth in claim 13, said seat slot being closed at one end, the free end of said stub section being seated proximate to the closed end of said slot.

(15) An umbrella as set forth in claim 14. said seat being movable into final seated position on said stub section in a direction perpendicular to said ribts longitudinal axis.

i 1 (16) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 15, said arm connector structure comprising a pin, said pin and said slot being oriented generally parallel one to the other.

(17) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 16, said cover's attachment segment being positioned between said arm and said rib tip's flatted portion.

(18) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 1, said rib tip comprising a configured edge portion which terminates said rib tip's flatted portion.

(19) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 18, said cap base comprising a seat in the form of a shoulder, said configured edge portion being seated against said shoulder.

(20) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 19, said arm connector structure comprising a bore through said arm.

(21) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 20, said cover's attachment segment being positioned between said arm and said rib tip's flatted portion.

1 1 1 i is (22) 'A connector system for mounting an umbrella cover to a cover support rib, said cover having an attachment segment,, and said support rib having a flatted portion defining a bore therethrough at its rib tip, said system comprising a cap arm that overlies said rib tip's flatted portion, a cap base interfit with said rib tip, said base being formed integral with said arm, said base cooperating with said rib tip for preventing at least one of longitudinal motion of said arm and bore along said rib toward said rib's other end, and rotational motion of said arm and base about the through axis of said rib tip's bore, and arm connector structure defining one of a pin integral with said arm and a bore through said arm, said arm connector structure being co-axially aligned with said rib tip's bore, when said arm connector structure is a pin, said pin connecting said cap arm and base, said rib tip, and said cover's attachment segment which overlies said flatted portion all in assembled relation, and when said arm connector structure is a bore, said system including a separate pin for connecting said cap arm and base, said rib tip, and said cover's -26attachment segment which overlies portion, all in assembled relation.

said flatted 1 1 (23) A connector system as Set forth in Claim 22, said rib tip's bore having an axis that is substantially perpendicular to said rib's longitudinal axis, said flatted portion lying generally in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of said rib tip's bore, and said pin comprising a shaft having a head at one end, said head retaining said pin in assembled relation at said one end and said shaft being deformed at its non-head end for retaining said pin in assembled relation at its other end.

(24) A connector system as set forth in Claim 22, said rib tip comprising a stub section f ixed to said f latted portion, and said cap base comprising a seat in the f orm of a bore, said stub section being received in said seat, said base being movable onto said stub section in a direction co-axial with said stub section's axis in order to orient said cap arm over said rib tip's flatted portion.

(25) A connector system as set forth in claim 22, said arm connector structure comprising a bore through said arm.

(26) A connector system as set forth in Claim 22, said arm connector structure comprising a pin.

- (27) A connector system as set forth in Claim 26.. said cap arm being hingedly connected to said cap base, said hinged connection allowing said pin to be pressed through said flatted portion's bore as said cap base is being moved into f inal seated position on said stub section.

(28) A connector system as set forth in Claim 22, said bore being movable onto said stub section in a direction at least one of perpendicular to and co-axial with said ribts longitudinal axis.

- (29) A connector system as set forth in Claim 28, said arm connector structure comprising a pin, said pin and said slot being oriented generally parallel one to the other.

1 -29(30) A connector system as set forth in Claim 22, said rib tip comprising a configured edge portion which terminates said rib tip's flatted portion, and said tip base comprising a seat in the form of a shoulder, said configured edge portion being seated against said shoulder.

1 1 (31) 'A method of assembling an umbrella, said umbrella including a cover having an attachment segment and a cover support rib having a flatted portion adjacent its rib tip, said method comprising the steps of providing a cap arm and a cap base, said arm and base being integral one with the other, interfitting said base with said rib tip, said base cooperating with said rib tip for preventing at least one of longitudinal motion of said arm and base along said rib toward said rib's other end, and rotational motion of said arm and base about the through axis of said tip end's base, overlying said arm one of above and below said rib tip's flatted portion, providing one of a pin integral with said arm and a bore through said arm, said pin and said arm bore being co-axially alignable with said tip end's bore, connecting said cap arm and base, said rib tip, and said cover's attachment segment which overlies said rib tip, all in assembled relation by said pin integral with said arm when an integral pin is provided, and connecting said cap arm and base, said rib tip and said cover's attachment segment which overlies 0 1 -31said rib tip all in assembled relation by a separate pin when said arm is provided with a bore therethrough.

1 01 1 -32 (32) A method as set forth in Claim 31 said rib tip-s bore having an axis that is substan tially perpendicular to said rib's longitudinal axis, said flatted portion lying generally in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of said rib tip,Is bore, and said pin comprising a shaft having a head at one end, said head retaining said pin in assembled relation at said one end and said shaft being deformed at its non-head end for retaining said pin in assembled relation at its other end.

(33) A method as set forth in Claim 31,, said rib tip comprising a stub section fixed -to said flatted portion, and said cap base comprising, a seat in the form of a bore, said stub section being received in said seat, said base being movable onto said stub section in a direction co-axial with said stub section's axis in order to orient said cap arm over said rib tip's flatted portion. - (34) A method as set forth in Claim 33, said arm connector structure comprising a bore through said arm.

c z; 1 t 0 (35) A method as set f orth in Claim 33, said arm connector structure comprising a pin.

(36) A method as set forth in Claim 35,, said cap arm being hingedly connected to said cap base, said hinged connection allowing said pin to be pressed through said flatted portion-'s bore as said cap base is being moved into final seated position on said stub section.

(37) A method as set forth in Claim 31, said cap base comprising:

a seat in the form of a slot, said stub section being received in said slot, said base being movable onto said stub section in a direction at least one of perpendicular to and co-axial with said ribts longitudinal axis.

(38) A method as set f orth in Claim 37, said arm connector structure comprising a pin, said pin and said slot being oriented generally parallel one to the other.

g t A 0 (39) A method as set forth in Claim 31,, said rib tip comprising a configured edge portion which terminates said rib tip"s flatted portion, and said tip bore comprising a seat in the form of a shoulder,, said configured edge portion being seated against said shoulder.

(40) An umbrella substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 and 2 or Figures 3 and 4 or Figures 5 and 6 or Figures 7 and 8 of.Fthe accompanying drawings.

(41) A connector system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 and 2 or Figures 3 and 4 or Figures 5 and 6 or Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.

(42) A method of assembling an umbrella substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 and 2 or Figures 3 and 4 or Figures 5 and 6 or Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.

Published 1990atThe Patent Office.State House. 65'71 High Holborn. LondonWClR4TP. Further copies maybe obtained from The Patent Office Sales Branch, St Mary Cray. Orpington. Kent BR5 3RD. Printed by Mult:plex techr"Ques ltd. St Mary Cray, Kent. Con 1'87