GB2462301A

GB2462301A - An unbrella rib structure

Info

Publication number: GB2462301A
Application number: GB0814044A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ping-Tung Su
Original assignee: Grant Barnett & Co Ltd
Current assignee: Grant Barnett & Co Ltd
Priority date: 2008-07-31
Filing date: 2008-07-31
Publication date: 2010-02-03
Also published as: GB0814044D0

Abstract

A first pivoting section 1, attached to first rib 7, consisting of fork 11 and adjacent receiving groove 12 is pivotally and a second pivoting section 2, attached to rib 8, consisting of extension section 22 and lug 21 are attached via rivet 13 to form pivot point P12. Extension section 22 may be partially or fully contained within receiving groove 12 to prevent lateral movement. A fourth pivoting section 4 is attached at the distal end of rib 7 and consists of extension section 42 and lug 41 and attached by rivet 34 to form pivot P34to a third pivoting section 3, attached to rib 9, consisting of fork 31 receiving groove 32 and relief slot 33. A first linking spoke 10 having one end pivotally connected to extension section 22 and other end formed into hook 10H in relief slot 33 may have a U shaped section and sliding ring 71 to strap first linking spoke 10 to rib 7. Spring (S, Figure 6) may be provided to automate the folding of the rib structure. The rib structure may consist of 3 or more ribs (figures 4, 5 and 6).

Description

Umbrella Rib Structure

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates to an umbrella rib structure, more particularly to a pivoting section that connects ribs in an umbrella rib structure.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0002] An umbrella is opened with a set of ribs supporting the umbrella cover to shelter the person underneath, The structural configuration and performance of the umbrella thus directly affect the stability of the umbrella and hence its usability. When the umbrella cover is subject to a downward force such as wind that is perpendicular to the surface of the cover when the umbrella is fully opened, the rib structure takes load of the downward force from the cover. At times the downward force may not be evenly distributed on the cover, or the wind direction may not be perpendicular to the cover, the rib structure could then be subject to a lateral force that tends to bend the ribs sideways. Under these conditions, it is desirable that the rib structure can resist both the downward force and the lateral force while remaining structurally intact such that the ribs and the connections in-between do not deform undesirably or break or even cause an unwanted upward inversion of the cover during high winds.

[0003] In this regard, current techniques of connecting ribs in an umbrella rib structure have some drawbacks. One problem would be a weak linearity maintained by the interconnected ribs, which easily results in dislocation of the ribs under high winds. In this situation, the rib connection is not strong enough to stop lateral bending or deformation of the rib structure in strong wind, thereby causing overall deformation of the rib structure and affecting usability. Some conventional arrangements would add additional ribs or struts to the structure or enhance the connection between the ribs by adding complex mechanisms in order to increase the overall rigidity; however, this increases not only the weight of the umbrella but also the cost of building it. For a multifold rib structure, an increasing number of components such as ribs and connections could increase the chance of failure during operation. The other problem also involves the rib structure being too flexible, making the inversion of the umbrella cover or canopy too easily and being unable to properly shelter the person underneath during high winds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The invention provides an improved umbrella rib structure having features such as grooves and extension sections and others to enable maintenance of a firm position of the ribs and resistance to downward and lateral forces when the umbrella is fully opened during high winds.

[0005] The features and their relationships for achieving the above purposes are summarized as below.

[0006] An umbrella rib structure provided with a first rib, a first pivoting section having one end connected to the first rib and the other end provided with a first fork and having a first receiving groove provided on one side of the first pivoting section, a second rib, and a second pivoting section having one end connected to the second rib and the other end provided with a first extension section and having a first lug provided between the ends of and on one side of the second pivoting section, the first lug being inserted into and pivoted at the first fork of the first pivoting section so as to pivotally connect the first rib and the second rib, the first extension section of the second pivoting section being partially or fully contained in the first receiving groove of the first pivoting section to firmly secure the positional relationship between the first pivoting section and the second pivoting section when the umbrella rib structure is in full extension wherein the first rib and the second rib form a substantial straight line.

[0007] Moreover, the invention further includes a third rib, a third pivoting section having one end connected to the third rib and the other end provided with a second fork, having a second receiving groove provided on one side of the third pivoting section, and having a first relief slot provided between the ends of the third pivoting section, a fourth pivoting section having one end connected to the first rib and the other end provided with a second extension section, a second lug being provided between the ends of and on one side of the fourth pivoting section, the second lug being inserted into and pivoted at the second fork of the third pivoting section so as to pivotally connect the first rib and the third rib, the second extension section of the fourth pivoting section being partially or fully contained in the second receiving groove of the third pivoting section to firmly secure the positional relationship between the third pivoting section and the fourth pivoting section when the umbrella rib structure is in full extension wherein the first rib, the second rib and the third rib form a substantial straight line, and a first linking spoke having one end pivotally connected to the second pivoting section and the other end provided with a first wire hook that is hooked through the first relief slot to swing freely within the first relief slot so as to link the pivoting movement at the pivoted connection between the first rib and second rib and the pivoting movement at the pivoted connection between the first rib and the third rib.

[0008] Furthermore, the invention further includes a fourth rib, a fifth pivoting section having one end connected to the fourth rib and the other end provided with a third fork, having a third receiving groove provided on one side of the fifth pivoting section, and having a second relief slot provided between the ends of the fifth pivoting section, a sixth pivoting section having one end connected to the third rib and the other end provided with a third extension section, a third lug being provided between the ends of and on one side of the sixth pivoting section, the third lug being inserted into and pivoted at the third fork of the fifth pivoting section so to pivotally connect the third rib and the fourth rib, the third extension section of the sixth pivoting section being partially or fully contained in the third receiving groove of the fifth pivoting section to firmly secure the positional relationship between the fifth pivoting section and the sixth pivoting section when the umbrella rib structure is in full extension wherein the first rib, the second rib, the third rib and the fourth rib form a substantial straight line, and a second linking spoke having one end pivotally connected to the fourth pivoting section and the other end provided with a second wire hook that is hooked through the second relief slot to swing freely within the second relief slot so as to link the pivoting movement at the pivoted connection between the first rib and second rib, the pivoting movement at the pivoted connection between the first rib and the third rib, and the pivoting movement at the connection between the third rib and the fourth rib, [0009] Alternatively, the invention further includes a spring having one end connected to a stretcher rib and the other end connected to the third pivoting section by a pin. By the restoring force of the spring acting via any relevant pivoting section or linking spoke in the rib structure, the spring enables simultaneous rotations of the relevant ribs about all the connections and thus automatically stores the relevant ribs to a storage configuration.

[0010] Alternatively, the invention may use a rib that has a U-shaped cross section to reinforce its rigidity.

[0011] In summary, the invention improves the stability of an opened umbrella by reinforcing the connections between the ribs and maintaining the alignment of the ribs.

This facilitates the rigidity and integrity of the rib structure, resulting in that the rib structure is able to withstand the acting forces such as high winds. Another advantage the invention provides is the compact volume that the ribs take up in a fully closed configuration of the umbrella.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 a shows an exemplary schematic diagram of a triple-fold rib structure according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0013] Figure lb shows an enlarged view of the pivoting connection between the rib 7 and the rib 9.

[0014] Figure ic shows an enlarged view of the pivoting connection between the rib7andtherib 8.

[0015] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the rib structure in Figure Ia when the umbrella is fully opened.

[0016] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the rib structure in Figure 1 a when the umbrella is fully closed.

[0017] Figure 4 shows an exemplary schematic diagram of a double-fold rib structure according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0018] Figure 5 shows an exemplary schematic diagram of a quadruple-fold rib structure according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0019] Figure 6 shows an exemplary schematic diagram of an automatic umbrella rib structure according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The description below explains various embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanied drawings.

[Embodiment 1] [0021] Figures 1 a, 2 and 3 show exemplary schematic diagrams of a triple-fold rib structure according to an embodiment of the invention. Figures lb and ic are enlarged views of the connections of the ribs in Figure la.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 a and 1 c, in the rib structure according to the embodiment, a first pivoting section 1 has one end connected to a first rib 7 and the other end provided with a fork 11. A receiving groove 12 is provided on one side of the first pivoting section 1, the receiving groove 12 being shown adjacent to the fork II and facing upward in Figures 1 a and I c. A second pivoting section 2 has one end connected to a second rib 8 and the other end provided with an extension section 22.

A lug 21 is provided between the ends of and on one side of the second pivoting section 2, the lug 21 being shown facing downward in Figures 1 a and 1 c. The lug 21 of the second pivoting section 2 is inserted into the fork 11 of the first pivoting section I so that it is held against the fork 11. A rivet 13 is used to fasten the lug 21 to the fork 11 and allows the second pivoting section 2 and the second rib 8 connected thereto to freely rotate about the pivoted point. Therefore, the first rib 7 and the second rib 8 are pivotally connected at the pivot point P12 (i.e., where the rivet 13 is located) by using the pivoted connection between the pivoting section 1 and the pivoting section 2.

[0023] Figure 2 shows the rib structure in full extension when the umbrella is fully opened. The extension section 22 of the second pivoting section 2 is properly rested in the receiving groove 12 of the first pivoting section 1 to secure the positional relationship between the first pivoting section 1 and the second pivoting section 2.

The extension section 22 may be partially or fully contained in the receiving groove 12, that is, a part or the whole of the extension section 22 may be immerged into the receiving groove 12 such that the lateral movement of the extension section 22 is prevented by the receiving groove 12. In other words, the receiving groove 12 restrains and orients the second pivoting section 2 by preventing the extension section 22 from dislocating laterally and also from over-rotating in the direction of arrow B about the pivot point P12. By firmly securing the positional relationship between the first pivoting section 1 and the second pivoting section 2 in this way, the connection at the pivot point P12 ensures that the longitudinal axes of the second rib 8 and the first rib 7 align along a substantial straight line. This means the second rib 8 and the first rib 7 form a substantial straight line. In addition, the depth of the receiving groove 12 and the shape of the extension section 22 may vary so that the longitudinal axis of the second rib 8 is at an inward angle to the longitudinal axis of the first rib 7, thereby defining part of the curvature of the cover, i.e., the shape of the umbrella cover. As a result, when a lateral or sideway force is exerted on the ribs 7 and 8, the ribs 7 and 8 are able to stay proximately as a straight line and thus contributing to the stability of the fully extending rib structure of the opened umbrella.

[0024] Additionally shown in Figures 1 a and I b, in the rib structure according to the embodiment, a third pivoting section 3 has one end connected to a third rib 9 and the other end provided with a fork 31. A receiving groove 32 is provided on one side of the third pivoting section 3, the receiving groove 32 being adjacent to the fork 31 and facing downward as shown in Figures Ia and lb. A fourth pivoting section 4 has one end connected to the first rib 7 and the other end provided with an extension section 42. A lug 41 is provided between the ends of and on one side of the fourth pivoting section 4, the lug 41 being shown facing upward in Figures la and lb. The lug 41 of the fourth pivoting section 4 is inserted into the fork 31 of the third pivoting section 3 such that it is held against the fork 31. A rivet 34 is used to fasten the lug 41 to the fork 31 and allows the fourth pivoting section 4 and the first rib 7 connected thereto to freely rotate about the pivoted point. Therefore, the third rib 9 and the first rib 7 are pivotally connected at the pivot point P34 (i.e., where the rivet 34 is located) by using the pivoted connection between pivoting section 3 and the pivoting section 4.

[0025] As the rib structure in full extension shown in Figure 2, when the umbrella is fully opened, the extension section 42 of the fourth pivoting section 4 is properly rested in the receiving groove 32 of the third pivoting section 3 to secure the positional relationship between the third pivoting section 3 and the fourth pivoting section 4. The extension section 42 may be partially or fully contained in the receiving groove 32, that is, a part or the whole of the extension section 42 may be immerged into the receiving groove 32 such that the lateral movement of the extension section 42 is prevented by the receiving groove 32. In other words, the receiving groove 32 restrains or orients the fourth pivoting section 4 by preventing the extension section 42 from dislocating laterally and also from over-rotating in the direction of arrow C about the pivot point P34. By firmly securing the positional relationship between the third pivoting section 3 and the fourth pivoting section 4 in this way, the connection at the pivot point P34 ensures the longitudinal axes of the first rib 7 and the third rib 9 align along a substantial straight line, This means the first rib 7 and the third rib 9 form a substantial straight line. In addition, the depth of the receiving groove 32 and the shape of the extension section 42 may vary so that the longitudinal axis of the first rib 7 is at an inward angle to the longitudinal axis of the third rib 9, thereby defining part of the curvature of the cover, i.e., the shape of the umbrella cover. As a result, when a lateral or sideway force is exerted on the ribs 9 and 7, the ribs 9 and 7 are able to stay proximately as a straight line and thus contributing to the stability of the opened umbrella. Therefore, the ribs 7, 8 and 9 are able to stay proximately as a straight line and thus contributing to the stability of the opened umbrella. Consequently, the full opened umbrella benefits from a good lateral stability of the rib structure just described, the rib connections of which being arranged to hold the alignment of the ribs under load.

[0026] Moreover, as shown in Figure Ia as well as the enlarged view of Figure ib, in the rib structure according to the embodiment, a relief slot 33 is provided between the ends of the third pivoting section 3. The relief slot 33 has its slot opening penetrating through the third pivoting section 3 and reaching the receiving groove 32.

In other embodiments of the invention, the slot opening may not reach the receiving groove. A first linking spoke 10 has one end pivotally connected to the extension section 22 of the second pivoting section 2 and the other end provided with a wire hook 1OH that is hooked through the relief slot 33 of the third pivoting section 3 and rotates freely about the relief slot 33. Thus, as the first rib 7 rotates about the pivot point P34 when the umbrella is being opened or closed, the first linking spoke 10 can rotate accordingly about the relief slot 33 of the third pivoting section 3 and simultaneously enable the second rib 8 to rotate about with the pivot point P12. In other words, the first linking spoke 10 enables the simultaneous rotations of the ribs 7 and 8, and the rotations are simultaneously stopped when the extension sections 22 and 42 respectively touch the bottoms of the receiving grooves 12 and 32 as the rib structure extends fully as shown in Figure 2.

[0027] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 1 a, the first linking spoke 10 has a U-shaped section formed between its ends. A sliding ring 71 can be provided to strap the first rib 7 and the first linking spoke 10 such that the sliding ring 71 encircles the first rib 7 with the U-shaped section of the first linking spoke 10 passing through the sliding ring 71 so that the sliding ring 71 slides along the first rib 7 as the first linking spoke 10 rotates about the relief slot 33.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, when the umbrella is opened, the pivoting sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 and the interconnected ribs 7, 8 and 9 establish an alignment of a substantial straight line that provides stability to the rib structure of the full opened umbrella. With this alignment, if the first rib 7 is subject to a first downward force Fl, the receiving groove 32 takes an upward pressure acting thereon from the extension section 42, therefore sustaining a part or the whole of the first downward force Fl experienced by the first rib 7 and stopping or preventing the extension section 42 from being deflected upwards by the first downward force Fl. In this way, the first downward force Fl or other load acting downwardly on the first rib 7 is partly or completely transferred through the connection between the pivoting section 3 and the pivoting section 4, and may be transferred to the third rib 9 and then to the centerpost of the umbrella. If the second rib 8 is subject to a second downward force F2, the extension section 22 may deflect upward slightly or rotate slightly about the pivot point P12 in the direction of arrow A and is then stopped by the first linking spoke 10. The first linking spoke 10 transfers partly or completely the second downward force F2 to the pivoting section 3, and the force F2 may then be transferred to the third rib 9 and then to the centerpost of the umbrella. The rib structure of the embodiment of the invention thus maintains an overall structural integrity in high winds against possible dislocation, deformation or fracture or any other type of failures caused by the downward forces Fl and F2 or any other downward load acting on the ribs 7 and 8.

[0029] Figure 3 shows that in Embodiment 1, the ribs 7, 8 and 9 have been stored closely to each others, indicating that the connections as described in the above paragraphs do not interfere with the storage or fully closed configuration of the rib structure.

[Embodiment 2] [0030] Figure 4 shows an exemplary schematic diagram of a double-fold rib structure according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the connection made at the pivot point P12 with the interconnected ribs 8 and 9 is similarly arranged as in Embodiment 1 so that the rib structure contributes to an overall stability for the full opened umbrella.

[Embodiment 3] [0031] Figure 5 shows an exemplary schematic diagram of a quadruple-fold rib structure according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a fifth pivoting section 5 and a sixth pivoting section 6 are added in the rib structure to make up the connection at a pivot point P56, and a second linking spoke 15 and a fourth rib 14 are added between the pivot points P12 and P56, as shown in Figure 5.

Thus the fifth pivoting section 5 connects the first rib 7 and pivotally connects to the second linking spoke 15, and the sixth pivoting section 6 connects to the fourth rib 14 and pivotally connects to the first linking spoke 10. The connection made at the pivot point P12 with the interconnected ribs 8 and 14, the connection made at the pivot point P56 with the interconnected ribs 14 and 7, and the connection made at the pivot point P34 with the interconnected ribs 7 and 9 are similarly arranged as in Embodiment I so that the rib structure contributes to an overall stability for the full opened umbrella.

[0032] Figure 5 further shows the first linking spoke 10 having one end pivotally connected to the sixth pivoting section 6 and the other end hooked to the third pivoting section 3, and the second linking spoke 15 having one end pivotally connected to the second pivoting section 2 and the other end hooked to the fifth pivoting section 5. Thus, the first linking spoke 10 and the second linking spoke 15 enable simultaneous rotations at the pivot points P12, P34 and P 56 [0033] Furthermore, as in Embodiment 1, the sliding ring 71 can be provided to strap the first rib 7 and the first linking spoke 10 such that the sliding ring 71 encircles the first rib 7 with the U-shaped section of the first linking spoke 10 passing through the sliding ring 71 so that the sliding ring 71 slides along the first rib 7 as the first linking spoke 10 rotates about the relief slot 33.

[Embodiment 4] [0034] Figure 6 shows an exemplary schematic diagram of an automatic umbrella rib structure according to an embodiment of the invention, where the rib structure is based on that of Embodiment 1. A spring S is provided for the rib structure as shown in Figure 6. The spring S has one end connected to a stretcher rib E and the other end connected to the third pivoting section 3 by a pin SI. By the restoring force of the spring Si acting via any relevant pivoting section (2, 3) or linking spoke (10) in the rib structure, the spring S 1 enables the simultaneous rotations of the ribs 7, 8 and 9 about all the pivot points P12 and P34 and thus automatically stores the ribs 7, 8 and 9 to a storage configuration.

[0035] Alternatively, the invention can be used for any other automatic or self-opening/closing umbrellas. In this regard, a rib structure incorporated with the invention can promptly achieve the final and accurate position of the ribs when the umbrella is being opened or closed, at the same time minimizing any wobbling or oscillating of the ribs or the cover, thus maintaining the stability of the umbrella.

Alternatively, the invention may use a rib that has a U-shaped cross section to reinforce its rigidity.

[0036] The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Such other forms may be that the fork of a first pivoting section and the lug of a second pivoting section associated with the first pivoting section may be switched in place so that the first pivoting section is provided with a lug and the second pivoting section is provided with a fork to achieve the same use as in the embodiments and claims. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all changes which come from within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

What is claimed is: 1. An umbrella rib structure, comprising: a first rib; a first pivoting section having one end connected to the first rib and the other end provided with a first fork and having a first receiving groove provided on one side of the first pivoting section; a second rib; and a second pivoting section having one end connected to the second rib and the other end provided with a first extension section and having a first lug provided between the ends of and on one side of the second pivoting section, the first lug being inserted into and pivoted at the first fork of the first pivoting section so as to pivotally connect the first rib and the second rib, the first extension section of the second pivoting section being partially or fully contained in the first receiving groove of the first pivoting section to firmly secure the positional relationship between the first pivoting section and the second pivoting section when the umbrella rib structure is in full extension wherein the first rib and the second rib form a substantial straight line.
2. The umbrella rib structure of claim 1, further comprising: a third rib; a third pivoting section having one end connected to the third rib and the other end provided with a second fork, having a second receiving groove provided on one side of the third pivoting section, and having a first relief slot provided between the ends of the third pivoting section; a fourth pivoting section having one end connected to the first rib and the other end provided with a second extension section, a second lug being provided between the ends of and on one side of the fourth pivoting section, the second lug being inserted into and pivoted at the second fork of the third pivoting section so as to pivotally connect the first rib and the third rib, the second extension section of the fourth pivoting section being partially or fully contained in the second receiving groove of the third pivoting section to firmly secure the positional relationship between the third pivoting section and the fourth pivoting section when the umbrella rib structure is in full extension wherein the first rib, the second rib and the third rib form a substantial straight line; and a first linking spoke having one end pivotally connected to the second pivoting section and the other end provided with a first wire hook that is hooked through the first relief slot to swing freely within the first relief slot so as to link the pivoting movement at the pivoted connection between the first rib and second rib and the -.10-pivoting movement at the pivoted connection between the first rib and the third rib.
3. The umbrella rib structure of claim 2, further comprising: a fourth rib; a fifth pivoting section having one end connected to the fourth rib and the other end provided with a third fork, having a third receiving groove provided on one side of the fifth pivoting section, and having a second relief slot provided between the ends of the fifth pivoting section; a sixth pivoting section having one end connected to the third rib and the other end provided with a third extension section, a third lug being provided between the ends of and on one side of the sixth pivoting section, the third lug being inserted into and pivoted at the third fork of the fifth pivoting section so to pivotally connect the third rib and the fourth rib, the third extension section of the sixth pivoting section being partially or fully contained in the third receiving groove of the fifth pivoting section to firmly secure the positional relationship between the fifth pivoting section and the sixth pivoting section when the umbrella rib structure is in full extension wherein the first rib, the second rib, the third rib and the fourth rib form a substantial straight line; and a second linking spoke having one end pivotally connected to the fourth pivoting section and the other end provided with a second wire hook that is hooked through the second relief slot to swing freely within the second relief slot so as to link the pivoting movement at the pivoted connection between the first rib and second rib, the pivoting movement at the pivoted connection between the first rib and the third rib, and the pivoting movement at the connection between the third rib and the fourth rib.