GB2481001A - Retractable flexible rib umbrella - Google Patents

Abstract

An umbrella has pre-curved flexible ribs 6 which can be moved in and out of the top of a hollow casing 4. The movement mechanism is operated by rotating the handle 1 at the base of the casing 4 which causes rotation of a threaded bar 2. A rib securing block 5 moves along the threaded bar 2 as it is rotated, and causes the flexible ribs 6 to move in or out of the top of hollow casing 4. During the retraction process the canopy material is forced against a rubber end cap 8 which causes excess water droplets to be wiped from its surface.

Description

Retractable flexible rib rain protection device This invention relates to a fully retractable flexible rib rain protection device.

Conventional umbrellas struggle to cope with the demanding conditions the weather throws at us, which can cause them to become permanently deformed when subjected to strong winds. This problem can cause injury to the user or others around them due to the deformed and damaged umbrella ribs flailing in the wind.

Plus when trying to open a conventional umbrella in a crowded situation it becomes difficult due to space restrictions and the fact that the umbrella ribs open up and outwards making it almost impossible to open without poking people in the process.

Another area which causes problems when using a conventional umbrella is being able to close and transport it after it has been raining without the user getting either their belongings or themselves wet in the process.

To overcome these problems the present invention proposes an umbrella that utilises pre curved flexible ribs to support the canopy material which can then be either erected be retracted in and out of the top of the products hollow outer casing by rotating a handle at the base.

The flexible ribs will mean that the product has an increased durability compared to conventional umbrellas reducing the risk of inversion or damage to the components.

The flexible ribs also mean that the canopy structure will not permanently deform in strong winds.

It will be safer to use in crowded situations due to the canopy structure able to be erected or retracted out of the top of the product above people's heads.

Due to the canopy and rib structure being able to be drawn down into the hollow outer casing during retraction the user is less likely to get themselves or their belongs wet in the process.

Preferably the top of the product will be fitted with a rubber end cap which will enable water droplets to be forced of the surlace of the canopy during the retraction process.

Preferably the ribs will be fitted with wide rubber end protectors to reduce the risk of injury.

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1: Shows the rain protector with the canopy in the open position Figure 2: Shows the rain protector with the canopy retracted back inside the hollow outer casing In figure 1 when the handle 1 is rotated it also rotates a threaded bar 2 which moves the rib securing block 5 in a vertical direction up or down the threaded bar 2. Attached to the top of the rib securing block 5 by means of grub screws are the six pre curved flexible ribs 6 which are attached to the canopy, as the rib securing block 5 moves in a vertical direction up or down the threaded bar 2 when the handle 1 is rotated it also retracts the six pre curved flexible ribs 6 and the canopy back down inside the hollow outer casing 4 as can be seen in figure 2. In order to stop the canopy getting caught in the threaded bar 2 when being retracted a threaded bar surround 3 encases it, however in order to allow the securing block to travel up and down without interlerence there is a small slot in the threaded bar surround 3 which runs the entire length, enabling the inner threaded ring of the securing block 5 to be connected to the outer ring which secures the six pre curved ribs 6.

In order to stop water entering the hollow outer casing 4 when the canopy is open a flexible rubber end cap 8 creates a seal between its self and the outer surface of the canopy when in the fully open position. Also when the canopy is being retracted the contact between the outer surlace of the flexible rubber end cap 8 and the outer surlace of the canopy means that excess water droplets are removed.

To reduce the risk of injury to other people small rubber rib end protectors 7 are attached to the end of each of the six pre curved flexible ribs 6.