GB2430361A

GB2430361A - Flat-folding umbrella

Info

Publication number: GB2430361A
Application number: GB0519222A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fu-Tien Liu; Ping-Tung Su
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-09-21
Filing date: 2005-09-21
Publication date: 2007-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 2025-09-21
Also published as: GB2430361B; GB0519222D0

Abstract

A flat-folding umbrella has a notch 1, slider 2 and shaft 3 that each have a flattened profile. Ribs 4 and stretchers 5 are attached to opposite sides of each of the notch and runner respectively. A middle rib 4a has a curved end where it attaches to the notch and similarly a middle stretcher 5a has a curved end where it attaches to the runner. These curved attachments cause these ribs and stretchers to stand further from the shaft than the other ribs/stretchers and enable the folding to force the ribs/stretchers to take up a flatter configuration. The flatter collapsed state of the umbrella enables it to take up less storage space.

Description

A Flat Umbrella Improvement Structure

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a flat umbrella improvement structure, in particular, a flat umbrella structure that is easily stored and carried with the features of reducing the umbrella size.

2. Description of the Prior Art

An umbrella is an article for daily use keeping a user from sunlight or rain, and is very popular due to its light and portable features. Especially, various folding umbrellas are extensively used for its advantages of easily being stored and carried.

A folding umbrella could reduce the umbrella size for being easily stored; nevertheless, the main ribs of a conventional folding umbrella are retracted inwardly with layers folded inside out against the middle shaft and are is crowd out of each others to form loose folds. Therefore, the multi-layer folds are in cylinder-like shapes with a wider diameter, so that a folding umbrella is uneasily stored into a briefcase or a valise. This enlightens the inventor to create and produce this flat umbrella of the invention.

Furthermore, the prior flat umbrella applies a flat notch and a flat runner, and the main ribs are displaced symmetrically on the slicing planes of the notch and the runner to achieve the efficacy of reducing the umbrella size by collapsing the umbrella in a flat shape. However, the limitation of the prior flat umbrella structure makes the main ribs of said umbrella displaced in cylinder-like shape after being collapsed, so as to fail to substantially achieve the purpose of collapsing said umbrella in a flat shape. In addition, the prior umbrella structure generates higher manufacturing costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the invention is to provide an improved flat umbrella structure with the advantages of reducing the umbrella size by tightly folding respective ribs together and enabling the umbrella easily to be collapsed, stored and carried.

Another objective of the invention is to provide an umbrella design with simple structure that is easily to be manufactured and suitable for various manually operated or automatic-opened umbrellas.

This invention comprises a notch and a runner, both are in flat shapes.

The notch is fastened on the upper end of a shaft and the runner is sleeved on the shaft and is moveable along the shaft ups and downs. A variety of main ribs are symmetrically pivoted on the curved edges of both sides of the notch, and the outer ends of the main ribs connect to other corresponding ribs. The main ribs have the middle portions thereof that are pivoted to the notch on the same side of the notch designed as curved surfaces and protruded in shape; whereas several stretchers that are correspondently pivoted to the main ribs have the portions thereof connecting to the runner designed as curved protruded shapes as well.

When said umbrella ribs are collapsed, the radial heights of the middle main ribs and the corresponding stretchers are higher than the radial heights of the rest main ribs and the corresponding rest stretchers.

The ends of the main ribs pivotally connect to the notch and the ends of the stretchers pivotally connect to the runner could be designed as either U-shape rods, round-shaped rods, flat-shaped rods or solid rods.

The invention is embodied through the following description. The invention comprises a notch and a runner; both are formed in flat shapes.

A variety of main ribs are symmetrically pivoted on both sides of the curved edges of the notch, wherein the main ribs on the same side of the notch have the end of the middle main ribs thereof pivoted to the notch forming "7"-shaped joints, which are designed as curved protruded structures in the middle thereof and a variety of long-shaped holes on the inner sides of the joints are for ties of the notch to pierce through thereof; the ends of the corresponding stretchers pivoted to the runner are designed as "7"-shaped joints, which are designed as curved protruded structures in the middle thereof and the variety of long-shaped holes on the inner sides of the joints are for ties of the runner to pierce through thereof. As the umbrella is collapsed, the radial heights of the middle main ribs and the corresponding middle stretchers are higher than the radial heights of the rest main ribs is and the corresponding rest stretchers on the same side.

A locking section is set on a pivotal cavity of the notch. Respective supporting sections are protruded on the edges of both lateral sides of the lower portion of the notch each corresponding to the collapsed positions of the joints. Furthermore, a locking section is disposed on a pivotal cavity of the runner, and respective supporting sections are also protruded on the edges of both lateral sides of the upper portion of the runner each corresponding to the collapsed positions of the joints.

This invention enables the main ribs and the stretchers to be designed as curved and protruded shapes or combines the curved protruded shaped joints to make that the radial heights of the middle main ribs and the corresponding middle stretchers are higher than the radial heights of the rest main ribs and the corresponding rest stretchers when the umbrella is collapsed. The collapsed main ribs and the corresponding stretchers of the same side form ladder-shaped layers to enable all the rest main ribs and the rest stretchers to be collapsed and positioned in different layers without any displacement. This flat umbrella structure of the invention can make the umbrella collapsed much more tightly and achieve the practical purpose of minimizing the umbrella size in a flat shape for easily being collapsed, stored or carried.

Other advantages of the invention comprise that the notch and the runner both have respective locking sections for opening the umbrella and respective supporting sections for collapsing the umbrella. The invention further achieves the effects of stably collapsing or opening the umbrella, in addition, both processing of the notch and the runner are easy with lower cost, and the umbrella structure is suitable for various manually or automatically operated umbrellas, so as to increase the diversification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. I is a structural view of the invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the opening state of FIG. I; FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the collapsing status of FIG. I; FIG. 4 is an A-A side view of FIG I; FIG. 5 is a B-B side view of FIG I; FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a pivotal connection of the corresponding main ribs and corresponding stretchers in FIG I; FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the main ribs and the stretchers of the invention in a solid pole mode; FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the pivotal connection of the notch, the runner and the corresponding joints of the invention; FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the opening status of FIG 8; FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a connection between the flat- shaped joints and the U-shaped main ribs (or the stretchers) of the invention; FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a connection between the round-shaped joints and the solid main ribs (or the stretcher) of the invention; FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of FIG 8; FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an opening mode of FIG 12; FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a collapsing mode of FIG 12; FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a connection between the notch, the runners and 8 main ribs of the invention; FIG. 16 is a perspective view of applying the invention to a two-sectional folding umbrella; FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating the collapsing status of the structure shown in FIG 16; FIG. 18 is a perspective view of applying the invention to a four-sectional folding umbrella; FIG. 19 is a perspective view of showing the collapsing status of FIG 18; FIG. 20 is a perspective view of applying the invention to an automatic multi-fold umbrella; FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating the collapsing status of FIG 20; FIG. 22 is a perspective view applying the invention to another automatic multi-fold umbrella; FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the collapsing status of FIG 22; FIG. 24 is a perspective view of applying the invention structure to a flat-shaft; FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing a four-sectional flat-shaft of this invention; FIG. 26 is a top view of FIG 25; FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing a three-sectional flat-shaft of the invention; FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing a five-sectional flat-shaft of the invention; FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing a six-sectional flat-shaft of the invention; and FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing a seven-sectional flat-shaft of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

New characteristics and advantages of the invention are descriptive by preferred embodiments. Changes may be made in details without exceeding the scope of the invention by those who are skilled in the art.

The scope of the invention is, of course, defined in the language in which the appended claims are expressed.

With reference to FIGs. I to 6, the flat umbrella structure of this invention comprises a notch I and a runner 2, both are in flat shapes. The notch I is fixed on the upper portion of a shaft 3, and the runner 2 is sleeved on the shaft 3 moving along the shaft 3 ups and downs for opening or closing said umbrella. A variety of main ribs 4 are pivoted symmetrically on the arc edges of both lateral sides of the notch I and the outer ends of the main ribs 4 connect to other corresponding ribs. The main ribs 4 on the same side of the notch I have the ribs 4a in the middle thereof formed in curved and protruded shapes and pivoted on the end of the notch I. The middle main ribs 4a are pivoted to corresponding middle stretchers 5a, which have the end thereof connect to the runner 2 and are designed as curved protruded shapes. As the umbrella is collapsed, the radial heights of the middle main ribs 4a and the middle stretchers 5a are higher than the radial heights of the rest main ribs 4b and the rest stretchers 5b.

As shown in FIG, 7, the main ribs 4 and the stretchers 5 are designed as the U-shaped poles for reducing the collapsed umbrella size, in addition, the said ribs 4 and said stretchers 5 are able to be replaced with solid poles to achieve the same objective of reducing the collapsed umbrella size. The portion of the main ribs 4 pivotally connecting to the notch I and the portion of the stretchers 5 pivotally connecting to the runner 2 are able to be designed as U-shaped rods, round shaped rods, flat rods, or solid rods, depending on the needs as appropriately.

With reference to FIG. 2, even though the notch I is a flat-shaped structure, the main ribs 4 spread out as gradual fan-shaped structure when the umbrella is opened; in addition, the middle main ribs 4a on the same side have the top thereof slightly higher without impacting the umbrella's shape. As the umbrella is collapsed as shown in FIG. 3, the main ribs 4 and the stretchers 5 are stacked up mutually. The radial heights of the middle main ribs 4a on the same side are a little higher than the radial heights of the rest main ribs 4b on the same side; the radial heights of the corresponding middle stretchers 5a are also a little higher than the radial heights of the rest stretchers 5b to form ladder-shaped layers, thereby all the main ribs 4 and the corresponding stretchers 5 are collapsed on different layers without any displacement. This structure of the invention enables a collapsed umbrella to tightly form a minimum umbrella size in flat shape, so that said umbrella is easy to be carried or stored, especially in a portable hand-carry bag.

With reference to FIGs. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, the design of the pivoting part of the middle main rib 4a and the stretchers 5a in curved protruded shapes can be formed by a pivotal joints, i.e., the notch I and the corresponding main ribs 4a are integrated forming "7"-shaped joints 41.

The joints 41 have one ends thereof fixed to the inner end of the main ribs 4a, and the other ends thereof have a variety of long-shaped holes 411 for piercing through ties 11 of the notch 1. In addition, the bending portions of the "7"-shaped joints 41 are designed as bending protruded structures each. A locking section 13 is set on a pivotal cavity 12 of the notch 1, and respective supporting sections 14 are protruded on the edges of both lateral sides of the lower portion of the notch I corresponding to the collapsed positions of the joints 41 each. The pivoting parts of the middle stretchers 5a and the runner 2 can also be designed as a "7"-shaped joints 51. The joints 51 have the inner ends thereof set a variety of long- shaped holes 511 for perforating through ties 21 of the runner 2. Meanwhile, the bending portions of the "7"-shaped joints 51 are designed as bending protruded structures. A locking section 23 is set on a pivotal cavity 22 which is disposed on the runner 2, and respective supporting sections 24 are protruded on the edges of both lateral sides of the upper portions of the runner 2 which are corresponding to the collapsed places of the joints 51 each. This structure of the invention can achieve the same effects of enabling the flat umbrella to be tightly collapsed into a minimum umbrella size for easily being carried and placed.

Moreover, the shapes of the joints 41 and 51 can be subject to the shapes of their corresponding main ribs 4a or stretchers 5a, such as flat, round or other shapes. The locking section 13 of the notch I performs the function of confining and pressing against the inner pivoting parts of the joints 41 within certain limits and the variety of long-shaped holes 411 on the joints 41 provide the required space for the ties 11 of the notch I to flexibly shift when the umbrella is either opened or collapsed, thereby enabling the smooth operation of the umbrella and a nice smooth design of the umbrella on the top along the curved rods. Based on the design, the locking section 23 on the runner 2 and the variety of long- shaped holes 511 on the joints 51 can achieve the same effects.

With reference to a two-sectional folding umbrella shown in FIGs. 16 and 17, the main ribs 4 have the outer ends thereof each pivoted to the middle section of each corresponding stretcher 5, and the stretchers 5 have the outer ends thereof each pivoted to the outer main ribs 4 each. As said umbrella structure is collapsed, the outside ends of the corresponding stretchers 5 are closed upwards and against on the inner sides of the bending protruded portions of the main ribs 4, and the outer ends of the outer main ribs each is against on the inner sides of the bending protruded portions of the stretchers 5 each. This structure of the invention, therefore, enables the umbrella to be collapsed tightly forming a minimum umbrella size in a flat shape.

With reference to the embodiment of a four-sectional manual umbrella in FIGs. 18 and 19, the outer ends of the main ribs 4 each is pivoted to the middle sections of the stretchers 5 each, and the outer ends of the stretchers 5 each respectively connect to the front main rib, the back main rib and the outer main rib in sequence. As the umbrella is collapsed, the outer ends of the corresponding stretchers 5 each is collapsed upwards and against on the inner sides of the bending protruded portions of the main ribs 4 each; the outer ends of the front main ribs each is pivoted to the inner sides of the bending protruded portions of the stretchers 5 each, the back main ribs each is against on the outer sides of the front main ribs each, and the outer main ribs each is against on the outer sides of the back main ribs each in sequence. This structure applies the bending protruded design to the pivotal portions positioned between the notch I and the middle main ribs 4a of the main ribs 4 on the same side of the notch I, in addition, applies the same bending protruded design to the pivotal portions positioned between the runner 2 and the stretchers 5a corresponding to the main ribs 4a to form "ladder"-shaped layers without any displacement, when the main ribs and the stretchers 5 are collapsed.

Therefore, the invention achieves the effect of tightening collapsing an umbrella into a minimum umbrella size in a flat shape.

With reference to an embodiment applying the structure of the invention to a multi-sectional automatic umbrella as shown in FIGs. 20 and 21, and another embodiment applying the structure of the invention to a multi-sectional automatic umbrella as shown in FIGs. 22 and 23, both embodiments apply the same bending protruded design to he pivotal portions positioned between the notch I and the middle main ribs 4a of the main ribs 4 on the same side of the notch I and the pivotal portions positioned between the runner 2 and the stretchers 5a corresponding to the main ribs 4a to form "ladder"-shaped layers without any displacement, when the main ribs and the stretchers 5 are collapsed. Therefore, the invention achieves the effect of tightening collapsing an umbrella into a minimum umbrella size in a flat shape.

This structure of the invention described herein simplifies conventional umbrella structure to enable more effective manufacturing process and lower manufacturing cost. The arc edges on both lateral sides of the notch 1 are able to pivot six or eight main ribs 4 as required. The embodiment as shown in FIG 15 applies the structure of the invention to connect eight main ribs 4; such embodiment illustrates that the invention can be designed to form the bending protruded portions on the middle two main ribs, and so forth. In a word, this invention allows a flat umbrella to be made with a minimum umbrella size in flat shape for easily being carried, when the umbrella is collapsed.

Referring to the FIG. 24, the shaft 3 structure of this invention is designed as a flat-shaft 6. Namely, the invention enables the notch I to be fixed on the upper end of the flat-shaft 6 and the runner 2 is sleeved on the flat-shaft 6 moving ups and downs, thereby realizing a smooth opening or closing operation of the umbrella. In addition, the flat-shaft 6 could be applied as a three-sectional, a four-sectional, a fivesectional, or a multi-sectional form. As shown in FIGs. 25 and 26 that the flat-shaft 6 as a four-sectional structure design comprises an inner tube 61, a middle tube 62, an outer tube 63 and a big tube 64. The cross-sections of the inner tube 61, the middle tube 62, the outer tube 63 and the big tube 64 are designed in flat shapes on both lateral sides thereof, respectively.

Furthermore, the inner tube 61 is slipped on the middle tube 62, the middle tube 62 is slipped on the outer tube 63, and the outer tube 63 is slipped on the big tube 64. The diameters of the tube mouths of this foursectional structure are from small to big sizes and from top to bottom, i. e. the inner tube 61, the middle tube 62, the outer tube 63 and the big tube 64 in order.

Therefore, as the flat-shaft 6 is retracted, the big tube 64 is outside of the outer tube 63, the middle tube 62 and the inner tube 61 in sequence.

As shown in FIG. 27 that the flat-shaft 6 is embodied as a threesectional structure comprising an inner tube 61, a middle tube 62 and an outer tube 63. As shown in FIG. 28, a five-sectional flat-shaft 6 comprises an inner tube 61, a middle tube 62, an outer tube 63, a big tube 64 and a small tube 65. As shown in FIG. 29, a six-sectional flat-shaft 6 comprises an inner tube 61, a middle tube 62, an outer tube 63, a big tube 64, a small tube 65, and a large tube 66. As shown in FIG. 30, a sevensectional flat-shaft 6 comprises an inner tube 61, a middle tube 62, an outer tube 63, a big tube 64, a small tube 65, a large tube 66, and a extremely large tube 67. The cross-sections of respective tubes as illustrated in various embodiments of multi-sectional structures are designed in flat shapes on both lateral sides thereof, respectively, respectively. In addition, the flat-shaft 6 of the invention achieves the effect of tightening the collapsed umbrella with minimum umbrella size in a flat shape.

New characteristics and advantages of the invention covered by this document have been set forth in the foregoing description, It is of course to be understood, however, that this disclosure is, in many respects, only illustrative. Changes may be made in details without exceeding the scope of the invention by those who are skilled in the art under the doctrine of equivalents. The scope of the invention is, of course, defined in the language in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A flat umbrella improvement structure, comprising a notch and a

runner, both are in flat shapes; wherein the notch has the arc edges on both sides thereof symmetrically pivoted a variety of main ribs with the characteristics lie in: the main ribs on the same side of the notch have the ends of the middle main ribs thereof pivoted to the notch in bending protruded shapes; in addition, the ends of the corresponding stretchers pivoted to the runner are designed in bending protruded shapes thereby the radial heights of the middle main ribs and of the middle stretchers are io higher than the radial heights of the rest main ribs and of the corresponding stretchers, when the umbrella is collapsed.
2. The flat umbrella improvement structure of claim 1, wherein the pivotal connection portions of said main ribs and said notch are able to be either U-shaped rods, round-shaped rods or solid rods.
3. A flat umbrella improvement structure, comprising a notch and a runner, both are in flat shapes; wherein the notch has the arc edges on both sides thereof symmetrically pivoted a variety of main ribs with the characteristics lie in: the main ribs on the same side of the notch have the ends of the middle main ribs thereof pivoted to the notch are "7"shape joints, in the middle of which is a bending protruded structure and the inner sides thereof have a variety of long-shaped holes set on the joints are for ties of the notch to pierce through thereof; the ends of the corresponding stretchers pivoted to the runner are designed as "7"shaped joints, which are designed as curved protruded structures in the middle thereof and the variety of long-shaped holes on the inner sides of the joints are for ties of the runner to pierce through thereof, thereby the radial heights of the middle main ribs and of the middle stretchers are higher than the radial heights of the rest main ribs and of the corresponding stretchers, when the umbrella is collapsed.
4. The flat umbrella improvement structure of claim 3, wherein the notch has a locking section set on a pivotal cavity thereof, and respective supporting sections are protruded on the edges of both lateral sides of the lower portion of the notch corresponding to the collapsed positions of the joints each.
5. The flat umbrella improvement structure of claim 3, wherein the runner has a locking section set on a pivotal cavity thereof; respective supporting sections are protruded on the edges of both lateral sides of the upper portions of the runner corresponding to the collapsed places of the joints each.
6. An umbrella substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.