GB2462476A

GB2462476A - Telescopic shaft for an umbrella

Info

Publication number: GB2462476A
Application number: GB0814678A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Max Wang
Original assignee: TUNG HO INDUSTRY Co
Current assignee: TUNG HO INDUSTRY Co
Priority date: 2008-08-09
Filing date: 2008-08-09
Publication date: 2010-02-10
Also published as: GB0814678D0

Abstract

A telescopic shaft for an umbrella includes a larger tubular segment 11, a smaller elongated segment 21 coaxially insertable into the larger tubular segment 11 to define a surrounding clearance 13 there between and retained at an extended position by a first retaining mechanism 30, and a medium tubular segment 41 sleeved on and telescopically connected to the smaller elongated segment 21 and having a leading region 411 insertable into the clearance 13 and retained at a position of use by a second retaining mechanism 50. An upward force is applied to the medium tubular segment 41 to permit movement of the leading region 411 to a pre-retracting position, and is passed on to the smaller elongated segment 21 to move the smaller elongated segment 21 from the extended position to a retreat position. Optionally a bracing member 22 may be attached to the smaller segment 21 to frictionally engage the smaller segment 21 with the larger segment 11. There may be a guiding member 12 provided within the larger segment 11 that can be sleeved by the smaller segment 21.

Description

TELESCOPIC SHAFT FOR AN UMBRELLA

This invention relates to a shaft for an umbrella, more particularly to a telescopic shaft for an umbrella.

A conventional telescopic shaft for an umbrella generally includes multiple shaft segments with gradually reduced or increased diameters to be extended for use, or to be retracted for storage and carrying. Tubular segments with gradually increased diameters from an umbrella hub to a handgrip portion are disadvantageous in that a relatively large gap ispresentbetweenthesmallestshaftsegmentandanumbrella runner, which results in wobbling of an umbrella canopy.

Ontheotherhand, tubularsegmentswithgraduallydecreased diameters from an umbrella hub to a handgrip portion are disadvantageous in that the shaft is liable to breaking at the junction of the smallest shaft segment and the handgrip portion.

An object of the present invention is to provide a telescopic shaft for an umbrella which is convenient to store and carry, which can prevent wobbling of an umbrella canopy during use, and which has a sturdy construction.

According to this invention, the telescopic shaft is adapted for use in an umbrella which includes a hub, a rib unit associated with the hub, and a runner disposed to be movable along an axis between a position proximate to the hub, where the rib unit is in a stretched state, and a distal position, where the rib unit is in a collapsed state. The telescopic shaft comprises: a larger tubular segment having an upper end adapted to be disposed adjacent to the hub, and a lower end opposite to the upper end along the axis; a smaller elongated segment which is of a dimension smaller than that of the larger tubular segment such that, once the smaller elongated segment is coaxially inserted into the larger tubular segment, the smaller elongated segment is spaced apart from the larger tubular segment by a surrounthng clearance, the smaller elongated segment including upper and lower regions opposite to each other, and an intermediate region interposed between the upper and lower regions; a first retaining mechanism which is disposed to prevent movement of the upper region away from an extended position, where the upper region is remote from the upper end, and which is configured to be releasable by virtue of a first upward force applied to the smaller elongated segment so as to permit the upper region to move towards a retreat position, where the upper region is closer to the upper end; a medium tubular segment including leading and trailing regions opposite to each other along the axis, and a middle region interposed between the leading and trailing regions, the medium tubular segment being dimensioned to be sleeved on and telescopically connected to the smaller elongated segment, the leading region being insertable into the surrounding clearance; and a second retaining mechanism which is disposed to prevent movement of the medium tubular segment away from a position of use, where the leading region is remote from the lower end, and which is configured to be releasable by virtue of a second upward force applied to the medium tubular segment so as to permit the leading region to move towards the lower end until a pre-retracting position is reached, where the second upward force is enabled to be passed on to the smaller elongated segment to act as the first upward force.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of thepreferredembodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the first preferred embodiment of a telescopic shaft for an umbrella according to this invention in an extended state; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the first preferred embodiment in a retracted state; Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the second preferred embodiment of a telescopic shaft for an umbrella according to this invention in an extended state; and Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the second preferred embodiment in a retracted state.

Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that same reference numerals have been used to denote like elements throughout the

specification.

Referringto Figs. land2, the firstpreferredembodiment of a telescopic shaft for an umbrella according to the present invention is shown to comprise an upper shaft unit 10, a middleshaftunit20, afirstretainingmechanism30, alower shaft unit 40, and a second retaining mechanism 50. The umbrella includes a hub 100, a rib unit 300 associated with the hub 100, and a runner 200 disposed to be movable along an axis (X) between a position proximate to the hub 100, where the rib unit 300 is in a stretched state, and a distal position, where the rib unit 300 is in a collapsed state.

The upper shaft unit 10 includes a larger tubular segment 11 and a guiding member 12. The larger tubular segment 11 has an upper end 111 adapted to be secured to the hub 100 to permit sliding movement of the runner 200 thereon, and a lower end 112 opposite to the upper end 111 along the axis (X) . The guiding member 12 is disposed in the larger tubular segment 11, is secured to the upper end 111, and extends along the axis (X) from the upper end 111 to the lower end 112. The guiding member 12 has a radial bore 121 proximate to the lower end 112.

The middle shaft unit 20 includes a smaller elongated segment 21 and a bracing member 22. The smaller elongated segment 21 is tubular, and is slidably sleeved or-i the guiding member 12 to be spaced apart from the larger tubular segment 11 by a surrounding clearance 13. The smaller elongated segment 21 includes upperand lower regions 211,212 opposite to each other, and an intermediate region 213 interposed between the upper and lower regions 211,212. The bracing

S

member 22 is disposed on the upper region 211 of the elongated smaller segment 21, and is in frictional engagement with an inner surface of the larger tubular segment 11 so as to prevent undesired movement of the smaller elongated segment 21 relative to the larger tubular segment 11.

The first retaining mechanism 30 includes a spring-loaded ball 31 which is received in the radial bore 121 and which is biased in a radial direction relative to the axis (X), and a retaining hole 32 which is formed in the upper region 211 for engagement with the ball 31 so as to prevent movement of the upper region 211 away from an extendedposition (asshowninFig. 1), wheretheupperregion 211 is remote from the upper end 111, and which is configured to be releasable by virtue of a first upward force applied to the smaller elongated segment 21 to urge the ball 31 into the radial bore 121 so as to permit the upper region 211 to move towards a retreat position (as shown in Fig. 2), where the upper region 211 is closer to the upper end 111.

In other words, the ball 31 is biased to slip into the retaining hole 32 when the upper region 211 is moved from the retreat position to the extended position.

The lower shaft unit 40 includes a medium tubular segment 41 which has leading and trailing regions 411,412 opposite to each other along the axis, and a middle region 413 interposed therebetween. The medium tubular segment 41 is dimensioned to be sleeved on and telescopically connected to the smaller elongated segment 21 with the leading region: 411 insertable into the surrounding clearance 13.

The second retaining mechanism 50 includes a spring-loaded ball 51 which is received in the lower region 212 and which is biased in a radial direction relative to the axis (X), and a retaining hole 52 which is formed in the middle region 413 to prevent movement of the medium tubular segment 41 away from a position of use (as shown in Fig. 1), where the leading region 411 is remote from the lower end 112. The medium tubular segment 41 can be released by virtue of a second upward force applied thereto to urge the ball 51 into the lower region 212 so as to permit the leading region 411 to move towards the lower end 112 until a pre-retracting position is reached. Further, the second upward force applied to the medium tubular segment 41 is enabled to be passed on to the smaller elongated segment 21 to act as the first upward force by virtue of abutment of the leading region 411 against the bracing member 22, thereby moving the upper region 211 to the retreat position.

On the other hand, the ball 51 is biased to slip into the retaining hole 52 when themedium tubular segment 41 is moved from the pre-retracting position to the position of use.

As shown in Fig. 1, in the position of use, since the larger tubular segment 11 and the medium tubular segment 41 which are connected to the hub 100 and a handgrip (not shown), respectively, have a relatively large dimension, the gap between the runner 200 and the larger tubular segment 11 is relatively small, thereby preventing wobbling of an umbrella canopy during use, and thereby providing a sturdy construction at the junction of the medium tubular segment 41 and the handgrip.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the second preferred embodimentofatelescopicshaftaccordingtothis invention is shown to be similar to the first embodiment in construction, except that the upper shaft unit 10 includes a larger tubular segment 11 and is dispensed with the guiding member 12, and that the larger tubular segment 11 has an inner tubular surface confronting a smaller elongated segment 21, and an outer tubular surface opposite to the larger tubular segment in radial directions. In addition, the first retaining mechanism 30 includes a ledge 33 and a block 34. The ledge 33 extends from the inner tubular surface of the larger tubular segment 11 at the lower end 112 into the surrounding clearance 13, has a stop end 331 confronting the bracing member 22 along the axis (X), and is formed by punching the outer tubular surface into the surrounding clearance 13.

The block 34 is fitted in the surrounding clearance 13, and is disposed on the upper region 211 below the bracing member 22 such that the block 34 is in abutting engagement with the stop end 331 when the upper region 211 is in the extended position, and such that, once the pre-retracting position is passed, the leading region 411 is further moved by the second upward force to pass by the ledge 33 to abut against the block 34, thereby permitting the second upward force to act as the first upward force.

It is noted that the middle shaft unit 20 may include a plurality of tubular segments of different dimensions to be telescopically fitted to each other.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A telescopic shaft for an umbrella which includes a hub, a rib unit associated with the hub, and a runner disposed to be movable along an axis between a position proximate to the hub, where the rib unit is in a stretched state, andadistal position, where the ribunit is ma collapsed state, said telescopic shaft comprising: a larger tubular segment having an upper end adapted tobedisposedadjacenttothehub, andalowerendopposite to said upper end along the axis; a smaller elongated segment which is of a dimension smaller than that of said larger tubular segment such that, once said smaller elongated segment is coaxially inserted into said larger tubular segment, said smaller elongatedsegmentisspacedapartfromsaidlargertubular segment by a surrounding clearance, said smaller elongated segment including upper and lower regions opposite to each other, and an intermediate region interposed between said upper and lower regions; a first retaining mechanism which is disposed to prevent movement of said upper region away from an extended position, where said upper region is remote from said upper end, and which is configured to be releasable by virtue of a first upward force applied to said smaller elongated segment so as to permit said upper region to move towards a retreat position, where said upper region is closer to said upper end; a medium tubular segment including leading and trailing regions opposite to each other along the axis, and a middle region interposed between said leading and trailing regions, said medium tubular segment being dimensioned tobe sleevedonandtelescopicallyconnected to said smaller elongated segment, said leading region being insertable into said surrounding clearance; and a second retaining mechanism which is disposed to prevent movement of said medium tubular segment away from a position of use, where said leading region is remote from said lower end, and which is configured to be releasable by virtue of a second upward force applied to said medium tubular segment so as to permit said leading region to move towards said lower end until a pre-retracting position is reached, where the second upward force is enabled to be passed on to said smaller elongated segment to act as the first upward force.
2. The telescopic shaft according to Claim 1, further comprising a bracing member which is disposed on said upper region of said elongated smaller segment and which is in frictional engagement with said larger tubular segment so as to prevent undesired movement of said smaller elongated segment relative to said larger tubular segment.
3. The telescopic shaft according to Claim 1, further comprising a guiding member which is disposed in said -t largertubular segment andwhich is securedtoandextends from said upper end of said larger tubular segment along the axis, said smaller elongated segment being tubular and being slidably sleeved on said guiding member.
4. The telescopic shaft according to Claim 3, wherein said first retaining mechanism includes a spring-loaded ball mounted in said guiding member and biased in a radial direction relative to the axis, and a retaining hole formed in said upper region such that said spring-loaded ball is biased to slip into said retaining hole when said upper region is moved from the retreat position to the extended position.
5. The telescopic shaft according to Claim 1, wherein said second retaining mechanism includes a spring-loaded ball which is mounted in said lower region and which is biased ma radial direction relative totheaxis, andaretaining hole which is formed in said middle region such that said spring-loaded ball is biased to slip into said retaining hole when said medium tubular segment is moved from the pre-retracting position to the position of use.
6. The telescopic shaft according to Claim 2, wherein said larger tubular segment has an inner tubular surface which confronts said smaller elongated segment, and an outer tubular surface opposite to said larger tubular segment, said first retaining mechanism including a ledge which extends from said inner tubular surface at said lower end into said surrounding clearance, which has a stop end that confronts said bracing member along the axis, and which is formed by punching said outer tubular surface into said surrounding clearance, and a block which is fitted in said surrounding clearance, and which is disposed on said upper region below said bracing member that said block is in abutting engagement with said stop end when said upper region is in the extended position, and such that, once the pre-retracting position is passed, said leading region is further moved by the second upward force to pass by said ledge to abut against said block, thereby permitting the second upward force to act as the first upward force.
7. A telescopic shaft substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 or 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.