GB2229092A - Detachable umbrella characterised by runner retaining means - Google Patents

Abstract

A pole (1) for an umbrella (29), comprises first and second pole sections (2, 3) adapted to be secured together either in an in-line position at a joint (4) between an upper end (9) of the second pole section (3) and a lower end (15) of the first pole section (2), or in an angled position at a joint (5) between an upper end (9) of the second pole section (3) and a part (17) of the first pole section (2) spaced from the lower end (15) thereof, at the option of the user, with a thumb-release, leaf spring catch (20) provided adjacent the upper end of the second pole section (3) and adapted, to retain a runner (30), slidable along the pole (2) adjacent that upper end when the pole sections (2, 3) are in the inline position, and additionally with a radially displaceable, manually operable spring-loaded engaging means (22) provided adjacent the lower end of the first pole section (2), in use to engage the runner (30), or alternatively provided on the runner (30) to engage the external periphery of, or an aperture in, the first pole section (2). Provision of the engaging means on the first pole section, instead of the usual leaf spring catch, enables that section to be shorter, and safer when in use in the angled position. <IMAGE>

Description

POLE AND UMBRELLA INCORPORATING SAME This invention relates to a pole, and to an umbrella incorporating such a pole, of the general kind disclosed in our GB Patents 1352689 and 1353895.

Whilst this kind of pole, constructed by releasably attaching together first and second sections, and umbrella provide the advantageous option of the user removing the second section of the pole from its possibly obstructive, centre pole position, and re-attaching the second section to the first section at an angled position, there results in this angled position a projecting lower end of the first section which is often potentially hazardous to the back or to the head of a person sitting beneath the umbrella, this projecting lower end being of length demanded by the need to house a conventional, thumb-release, leaf spring catch designed to retain the runner automatically during erection of the umbrella, by the runner progressively moving along a shallow angle, lead-in surface of the spring catch, whichXlead-in surface terminates at a radial, runner-engagement surface to retain the runner in the fully erected condition of the umbrella, with thumb pressure on the spring clip depressing the latter into the first section whereby the runner may be slid back along first and second sections of the pole during progressive collapse of the umbrella. The runner is of course conventionally provided with pivotally attached bracing ribs, in turn pivotally attached to stretcher ribs, to which the cover is attached, with the stretcher ribs pivotally attached at their radially inner ends to a so-called notch.

The object of the present invention is to provide a pole and an umbrella incorporating the same, having the inherent advantages of the two-position adaptability of GB 1352689 and 1353895, without a potentially hazardous lower end projection.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pole for an umbrella, comprising first and second pole sections adapted to be secured together at the option of the user, either in an in-line position at a joint between an upper end of the second pole section and a lower end of the first pole section, or in an angled position at a joint between an upper end of the second pole section and a part of the first pole section spaced from the lower end thereof, with a thumb-release, leaf spring catch provided adjacent the upper end of the second pole section and adapted, to retain a runner slidable along the pole adjacent that upper end when the pole sections are in the in-line position and additionally with a radially displaceable, manually operable engaging means provided either adjacent the lower end of the first pole section, in use to engage the runner releasably, or alternatively on the runner to engage the first pole section.

The use of the terms upper and lower assumes that the pole is considered in an upright, or generally upright location.

Thus, compared with the construction of GB 1352689 and 1353895, the thumb release, leaf spring catch which is advantageous to use but lengthy to instal, is in accordance with the first aspect of the invention transferred from the lower end of the first pole section to the upper end of the second pole section whilst the lower end of the first pole section is provided with a radially displaceable engaging means of minimum length.Consequently, the requirement for substantial axial length to accommodate a leaf spring catch is transferred to the second pole section, while the adoption of a radially operable engaging means, and its minimal longitudinal space requirement, means that, although runner engagement is not necessarily automatic but must be effected manually at least in one direction, the projection of the adjacent end of the first pole section when the pole sections are jointed angularly, is reduced from approximately 6 ins in accordance with GB 1352689 and 1353895 to approximately 1 ins, and even this relatively insignificant projection is only necessary to accommodate a suitable joint part.

The radially operable engaging means may, in its simplest form, be constituted by a manually insertable and removable pin, adapted to pass into two co-axial holes in opposite sides of the tubing, after a trailing end of the runner has been pushed beyond the holes, for the trailing end of the runner to seal on the inserted pin. Preferably however, the radially operable engaging means is constituted by a spring loaded, radially displaceable plunger. The latter can be carried adjacent the lower end of the first pole section, in which case it is spring loaded radially outwardly.

Alternatively, it may be carried by the runner, in which case it is spring loaded inwardly to engage a hole or slot provided in the first pole section adjacent the lower end thereof.

Preferably, the first and second pole sections are constructed from aluminium tubing e.g. of 7/8 ins external diameter, 18G or 2G tubing. Although the joints could be of various kinds, e.g. of the bayonet type, preferably the joints are screwed joints. Thus, an internally screw-threaded female aperture may be provided in a plug provided in the lower end of the first pole section, with the upper end of the second pole section provided with a male, screw threaded spigot, for the making of an in-line joint, extending from another plug provided in the upper end of the second pole section, and consequently with the first pole section provided, at a location spaced from the first female aperture, with a second, female aperture, again in a suitable plug, at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the first pole section for the making of a second, angled joint. The spacing between the first and second female apertures may be close, e.g. they may both be located adjacent the lower end of the first pole section, or distant, e.g. the second aperture may be located adjacent the upper end of the first pole section.

With the use of tubing as indicated above, it follows that each aluminium plug needs to have an external diameter of approximately 3/4 ins, so as to be a push fit into the respective ends of the tubing and each plug is preferably positively retained by mechanical means such as a radial pin, or deformation such as swaging. Penetration of a plug may be restricted by a terminal runner of 7/8 ins external diameter at what is to be an outer end of the plug.

Preferably, the plug at the lower end of the first pole section is provided at its exposed end not only with a runner, but adjacent thereto with a blind tapped hole, e.g. with a 1/2 ins Whitworth thread, and axially spaced from an inner end of the tapped hole, with a diametrically extending through hole e.g. of 1/2 ins diameter, to accommodate an inner portion of the plunger, which inner portion comprises a circumferential guidance flange to accommodate one end of a coil compression spring, with the other end bearing on the inner wall of the tubing, and with the guidance flange being an easy sliding fit within its through hole, and with a plunger pin formed integrally with the guidance flange, and, under the influence of the spring, biassed radially through a hole in the tubing, with shoulders of the guidance flange limiting the radial projection of the plunger pin but with the latter being displaceable by the user to a position where a terminal end of the plunger pin lies flush with the external surface of the tubing, in which position, to retain the runner, a leading end of the runner may be passed over the terminal end of the retracted plunger pin, with continued movement of the runner along the first pole section eventually exposing the plunger pin behind the trailing end of the runner to engage a portion of the trailing end of the runner, and hence maintain the umbrella in its erected condition, with a similar, reverse procedure to release a runner to enable the umbrella to be collapsed. The plunger pin can have a mushroom head or a parallel sided head.

If the manually operable retaining means is carried by the runner, such means preferably engages the first pole section positively e.g., by providing an engagement hole(s) or longitudinal slot in the first pole section According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an umbrella incorporating a pole in accordance with the first aspect.

Both aspects of the invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows diagrammatically a pole and an umbrella in accordance with the first and second aspects of the invention respectively, with the two pole sections screwed together axially; Figure 2 correspond to Figure 1 but shows the two pole sections screwed together at an angle; Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a detailed sectional view through the spring loaded plunger of the pole/umbrella; and Figure 5 corresponds to Figure 4, but shows alternative features.

In the drawings, a pole 1 in accordance with the first aspect of the invention comprises a first, upper pole section 2, and a second, lower pole section 3 adapted, to be secured together either at a joint 4 in an in-line position illustrated in Figure 1, or at a joint 5 in an angled position illustrated in Figure 2, with each pole section 2 and 3 formed from aluminium tubing. As illustrated in Figure 1, a lower end 6 of the second pole section 3 is provided with a clamping screw 7 to secure a telescopic leg 8 in a selected position, with a pointed, lower end of the leg being adapted to be pushed into a river bank, lawn etc.The joint 4 is made between an upper end 9 of the second pole section 3, specifically by an externally screw threaded, male spigot 1B provided on an aluminium plug 11 adapted to be pushed into the upper end 9 and retained by a radial pin (not shown), with plug penetration limited by a terminal runner 12, which spigot 18 is screwed into an internally screw-threaded, female recess 13 provided in an aluminium plug 14 also adapted to be pushed into a lower end 15 of the first pole section 2 and also retained by a radial pin (not shown), with plug penetration also limited by a runner 16.At an upper end 17 of the first pole section 2 is provided an aluminium insert 18 having a spigot portion which is pushed into the tubing and retained by a radial pin (not shown) and into which insert 18 is drilled and tapped an alternatively usable, angled female recess 19, and as indicated in Figure 2, the threaded spigot 1 of the second pole section 3 has been screwed into the recess 19 to make the angled joint 5.

A thumb-release, leaf spring catch 2 is installed at the upper end of the second pole section 3, while the plug 14 is also provided with a diametrically extending, through hole 21, spaced axially from the inner end of the tapped recess 13, while a manually operable retaining means constituted by a spring-loaded plunger 22 has an inner portion comprising a circumferential guidance flange 23 which is an easy sliding fit within the hole 21. The flange 23 accommodates one end of a coil compression spring 24 with the other end projecting from the through hole 21 and bearing on the adjacent inner wall of the tubing.The plunger 22 also has an external portion in the form of a plunger pin 25 formed integrally with the flange 23, passing through a hole 26 in the tubing and terminating in a mushroom head 27, with shoulders 28 on the flange 23 abutting an annular portion of the adjacent inner wall of the tubing, under the radially outward bias of the spring 24, and thereby limiting the radial projection of the plunger pin 25. It will be observed from Figure 4 that axial length of the flange 23 is less than half the length of the diametral hole 21, so that, under thumb pressure of the user, the plunger pin 25 may be pushed radially against the spring bias, until its head 27 is flush with the outer periphery of the tubing.

The pole 1 in accordance with the first aspect is converted into an umbrella 29 in accordance with the second aspect by the fitting of a slide runner 3 e.g. a synthetic plastics moulding, over the external periphery of the tubing of the pole 1, to which runner 3 are pivotally attached inner ends of bracing ribs 31, outer ends of which are pivotally attached to stretcher ribs 32, the inner ends of which are pivotally attached to a notch 33 mounted on the insert 18, beyond the angled threaded recess 19.

In use, it will be seen that when it is required to use the umbrella 29 with its two pole sections 2, 3 in the conventional, in-line position, i.e. with the joint 4 employed, the runner 3 is retained automatically by and manually released from, the leaf spring catch 2.

Conversely, when it is required to use the umbrella 29 with its two pole sections 2, 3 in the angled position, i.e. with the joint 5 employed, the runner 3 is moved beyond the leaf spring catch 2, so that the latter is non-functional, and onto the first pole section 2 and the plunger 22 is depressed radially inwards so that a leading face 34 of the runner 3 may be manoeuvered beyond the head 27 of the plunger pin 25 until, under the influence of the spring 24, the plunger pin 25 emerges radially from the tubing and engages underneath a trailing face 35 of the runner 3, to retain the latter on the first pole section 2, and hence to retain the umbrella in its erected condition.It follows that, to release the runner 3, the latter is lifted slightly from the head 27 by the user, so that the head 27 may be pushed radially by the user flush with the tubing, to permit the runner 3 to slide over the plunger 22. By the avoidance of a conventional leaf spring catch 2 on the first pole section 2, and by using an alternative retaining means not of substantial longitudinal dimension, such as the spring loaded plunger 22, minimal longitudinal space is required and consequently projection of the lower end of the first pole section is negligible, e.g. 1 ins.

As indicated in Figure 5, as an alternative the spring loaded pluger 22, the lower end 15 of the first pole section 2 may be provided with two co-axial, diametrically opposite holes 36, with the runner 3 pushed beyond the holes 36, a removable pin 37 is inserted so that the trailing face 35 of the runner 3 seals on the pin 37. The pin 37 is captivated to the first pole section 2 by a chain or chord 38 attached to a screw 39 screwed into the upper pole section 2 at a distance spaced from the leading face 34 of the runner 3.

As a further alternative to either the spring loaded plunger 22 or the pin 37, the engaging means may be carried by the runner 3, comprising a plunger 4 inwardly biassed by a tension spring 41 extending between the plunger 4 and the runner 3, for positive engagement with the pole 1, by engaging a.hole or slot 42 in the first pole section 2. The plunger 4 automatically engages the hole or slot 42 when presented thereto, and is radially and manually retractable by means of a pull ring 43.

Claims (1)

1. A pole for an umbrella, comprising first and second pole sections adapted to be secured together at the option of the user, either in an in-line position at a joint between an upper end of the second pole section and a lower end of the first pole section, or in an angled position at a joint between an upper end of the second pole section and a part of the first pole section spaced from the lower end thereof, with a thumb-release, leaf spring catch provided adjacent the upper end of the second pole section and adapted, to retain a runner slidable along the pole adjacent that upper end when the pole sections are in the in-line position and additionally with a radially displaceable, manually operable engaging means provided either adjacent the lower end of the first pole section, in use to engage the runner releasably, or alternatively on the runner to engage in the first pole section.

2. A pole as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the radially operable engaging means comprises a spring loaded plunger.

3. A pole as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the plunger is spring loaded radially outwardly and is carried by the lower end of the first pole section.

4. A pole as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the plunger is spring loaded inwardly and is carried by the runner to engage a hole or slot adjacent the lower end of the first pole section.

5. A pole as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the radially operable engaging means comprises a removable pin, adapted to pass into two co-axial holes provided in the first pole section adjacent the lowr end thereof.

6. A pole as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the first and second pole sections are constructed from aluminium tubing.

7. A pole as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the joints are screwed joints.

8. A pole as claimed in Claim 7, wherein an internally screw-threaded female aperture is provided in a plug provided in the lower end of the first pole section, with the upper end of the second pole section provided with a male, screw threaded spigot, for the making of an in-line joint, extending from another plug provided in the upper end of the second pole section, and consequently with the first pole section provided, at a location spaced from the first female aperture with a second, female aperture again in a suitable plug, at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the first pole section for the making of a second, angled joint.

9. A pole as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the spacing between the first and second female aperture is close, with both apertures located adjacent the lower end of the first pole section.

18. A pole as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the spacing between the first and second female aperture is distant, with the second aperture located adjacent the upper end of the first pole section.

11. A pole as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 18, when appendant to Claim 6, wherein each plug is a push fit into the respective ends of the tubing and positively retained by mechanical means.

12. A pole as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the mechanical means is a pin.

13. A pole as claimed in Claim 8, appendant to Claim 3, wherein the plug at the lower end of the first pole section is provided, at its exposed end with a blind tapped hole, and axially spaced from an inner end of the tapped hole, with a diametrically extending through hole to accommodate an inner portion of the plunger, which inner portion comprises a circumferential guidance flange to accommodate one end of a coil compression spring, with the other end bearing on the inner wall of the tubing, and with the guidance flange being an easy sliding fit within its through hole, and with a plunger pin formed integrally with the guidance flange, and, under the influence of the spring, biassed radially through a hole in the tubing, with shoulders of the guidance flange limiting the radial projection of the plunger pin.

14. A pole for an umbrella substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

15. A pole for an umbrella substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.

16. An umbrella incorporating a pole in accordance with any preceding Claim.

17. An umbrella substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

18. An umbrella substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.