JP2003325216A - Automatically foldable umbrella - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatically foldable umbrella which can be folded by only pressing a control knob by a user. <P>SOLUTION: The umbrella has a control knob which is received into a handle and movable from a first position to a second position. A positioning block is received in an inner tube and movable with respect to the control knob so as to move within a cut-off part having a slant. A control rope has a first end part securely connected to an extension part formed at the positioning block and a second end part securely connected with a stroke pin. A main spring has a first end part which is securely fitted to the extension part at the positioning block and a second end part securely connected to the surface of a nested block so as to apply restoring force to an outer tube relatively with respect to the inner tube. A fixing apparatus is fitted to the inner tube and an intermediate tube so as to selectively fix engaging of the inner tube, the intermediate tube and the outer tube between these. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a folding mechanism, and more particularly to a folding mechanism for an umbrella. With such a folding mechanism, the umbrella can be automatically folded.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Commonly used umbrellas are equipped with an automatic opening mechanism so that the umbrella can be opened without any help of the hand during its opening process by simply pressing a control knob. The automatic opening of the umbrella is very helpful to the user, especially when the user has many objects and only one free hand can be used to operate the umbrella. Help. However, if folding an umbrella still requires the user's hands, the user puts what he / she has in his hand in a suitable place and then picks up the item again after the umbrella has been successfully folded. Still has to go through a lot of work.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved umbrella folding mechanism for alleviating or eliminating the aforementioned problems.

Specifically, it is an object of the present invention that the control knob causes movement of the striking pin by the user simply depressing the control knob, which striking pin provides a fixed relationship between the sliding block and the outer tube. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic folding umbrella having a folding mechanism for releasing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a boss that allows the sliding block to push into the inner tube so that the outer tube can freely slide on the outer side of the inner tube. It is to provide an automatic folding umbrella that can complete folding of an umbrella.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A self-folding umbrella according to the present invention includes a handle, an inner tube having a free end fixedly received by the handle, and a telescopically mounted outer side of the inner tube. Intermediate tube, an outer tube telescopically mounted on the outside of the intermediate tube, a nesting block for fixedly receiving the free end of the outer tube, and a sliding block capable of selectively sliding the outside of the outer tube. An umbrella including and being received by the handle, the first position to the second position.
A control knob having a cutout having a bevel formed in an intermediate portion of the control knob, the control knob being received by the inner tube and advancing in the cutout. Fixed to a striking pin having a movable positioning block, a first end fixedly connected to a free end of an extension formed in the positioning block, and a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion. A control line having a second end connected to the first end and a second end fixedly attached to the extension of the positioning block to provide a restoring force to the outer tube relative to the intermediate tube. A main spring having one end and a second end fixedly connected to the face of the nesting block and to selectively lock the engagement between the inner tube and the intermediate tube. To the above A plurality of locking devices respectively attached to the side tubes and to the intermediate tubes to selectively lock the engagement between the intermediate tubes and the outer tubes, the sliding block including the striking pin. A cutout portion formed to receive the cutout portion, a lateral path formed to movably receive the fixed rod, and a communication path formed to communicate the cutout portion and the lateral path. Then, the movement of the control knob of the handle causes the movement of the positioning block of the inner tube, the control rope further advances the striking pin in the sliding block, and the large diameter portion of the striking pin slides in the sliding block. The locking rod is moved to disengage the block from the outer tube, thereby causing the nesting block and the sliding block to move. A first secondary spring mounted between the block and the block pushes the sliding block away from the nesting block, the sliding block engaging the engagement between the outer tube and the intermediate tube by the fastening device. Forces may be exerted on the fixation device to disengage and disengage the intermediate tube and the inner tube.

The fixing device may include an annular ring having two ends detachably connected to the inner circumferences of the inner and outer tubes, respectively, and the ring may be formed with a boss. The boss can selectively restrain the outer tube with respect to the inner tube.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, an umbrella includes a handle 1, an inner tube 10 fixedly received by the handle 1, an intermediate tube 20 telescopically connected to the inner tube 10, An outer tube 30 telescopically connected to the intermediate tube 20.

The handle 1 has a channel 11 which is a longitudinal passage and a channel 12 which is a lateral passage that traverses the channel 11. The lateral pin 14 is
It is fixedly received inside the channel 11 and is connected to the first end of the first spring 15. First spring 1
The second end of 5 is connected to the positioning block 16. The operation recess 121 is formed on the side surface of the handle 1 so as to receive the control knob 17 in the recess. The control knob 17 has an end 171, a head 172 that is movably received in the operation recess 121, and is fixedly connected to the end 171, and a beveled cutout formed in an intermediate portion of the control knob 17. And a portion 173. The end 171 is adjacent to the lateral channel 12 such that it is adjacent to a second spring 18 sandwiched between the end and the end defining the lateral channel 12.
Is growing. The positioning block 16 has an extension 161 that extends outside the block. The handle 1 further has a receiving hole 13 formed so as to communicate with the longitudinal channel 11.

The inner tube 10 has a first end fixedly received in the handle 1, the first end having a through hole 100 formed in the outer periphery of the inner tube 10.
The through hole 100 is such that the portion of the control knob 17 can extend from the lateral channel 12 through the through hole 100.

The intermediate tube 20 is telescopically connected to the inner tube 10 such that the inner tube 10 is received by the intermediate tube 20. Outer tube 30
Are telescopically connected to the intermediate tube 20 such that the intermediate tube 20 is received by the outer tube 30. Inside the inner and / or intermediate tubes 10, 20, the fixing device 4 comprises an inner tube 10 and an intermediate tube 2.
Relationship between 0 and the middle tube 20 and outer tube 3
It is provided so as to selectively fix the relationship with 0. Inner, middle and outer tubes 10, 20 and 3
The principle of fixing the relationship between 0s will be explained later.

The umbrella further includes a nesting block 21 in which the free end of the outer tube 30 is fixedly received, and a sliding block 22 slidably connected to the outer circumference of the outer tube 30. The plurality of first bone portions 31 are pivotally connected to the nesting block 21, and the plurality of second bone portions 32 are pivotally connected to the sliding block 22. The first bone portions 31 are pivotally connected to the second bone portions 32, respectively, and the second bone portions 32 are clothed (not shown) on themselves.
Is stretched to support the part. The main spring 2 has a first end fixedly connected to the free end of the extension 161 of the positioning block 16 and a second end fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the nesting block 21 inside the outer tube 30. With ends. The roller chamber 211 is formed in the nesting block 21 so as to communicate with the inside of the outer tube 30, and rotatably receives the roller 33. Control rope 34
Is a first end fixedly connected to the free end of the extension 161 of the positioning block 16 and a second end extending beyond the roller 33 so as to be fixedly connected to the free end of the striking pin 35. With ends. The striking pin 35 extends out of the nesting block 21 from a path 212 communicating with the roller chamber 211. The striking pin 35 has a small diameter portion 351 formed at the end.

The first secondary spring 213 is mounted between the nesting block 21 and the sliding block 22 and around the outer tube 30. Second secondary spring 2
14 passes through the path 21 so as to give the striking pin 35 a restoring force.
It is attached to 2.

The sliding block 22 has a head portion 220 extending downward toward the intermediate tube 20, and a cutout portion 221 formed to receive a portion of the striking pin 35.
It has a lateral passage 222 formed to receive the fixing rod 223 and the third secondary spring 2230, and a connecting passage 224 formed to connect the cutout portion 221 and the lateral passage 222. . The fixed rod 223 has a recess 2231 formed so as to correspond to the small diameter portion 351 of the striking pin 35, and the small diameter portion 351 of the striking pin 35.
Can proceed in the communication path 224 via the recess 2231.

Referring to FIG. 2, the fixing device 4 has a C-shaped ring 40 having first and second free ends 41 and 42 and a boss 43 formed on the outer circumference. As can be seen, the fixing device 4 comprises an inner tube 1 having a through hole 11 'corresponding to the boss 43 and two holes 12' and 13 'corresponding to the first and second free ends 41 and 42.
It is inserted at 0. Therefore, the fixing device 4 is fixed inside the inner tube 10, and the boss 43 fixes the peripheral surface of the inner tube 10 and the peripheral surface of the intermediate tube 20 so as to fix the relationship between the intermediate tube 20 and the inner tube 10. Extends outward from. The fixing device 4 is also provided on the intermediate tube 20 so that the engagement relationship between the intermediate tube 20 and the outer tube 30 is fixed.
Fixing process of the fixing device 4 between the inner tube 10 and the intermediate tube 20, and the intermediate tube 20 and the outer tube 30.
Since the fixing process of the fixing device 4 between the intermediate tube 20 and the outer tube 30 is the same,
Only the fixing process of No. 1 will be described in the preferred embodiment.

With reference to FIG. 1, as mentioned above, the present invention is particularly concerned with self-folding umbrellas, so the following description will begin later when the umbrella is opened. Notably, when the umbrella is opened, the bosses 43 of the fixation device 4 secure the engagement between the intermediate tube 20 and the outer tube 30 on both sides of the intermediate and outer tubes 20 and 30. Extends outward from. On the other hand, the main spring 2 has a control rope 34 extending between the positioning block 16 and the striking pin 35.
Similarly, it extends between the handle 1 and the nesting block 21.

Referring to FIG. 3, when the user pushes the control knob 17 toward the end face of the lateral channel 12, the second spring 18 is compressed and the beveled cutout 17 is formed.
Since 3 is aligned with the inner diameter of the inner tube 10, the positioning block 16 can be moved towards the nesting block 21 by the restoring force from the main spring 2. However, the positioning block 16 only moves a short distance in the longitudinal channel 11 due to the connection with the first spring 15. Due to the short travel distance of the positioning block 16, the control rope 34 further advances along the path 224 simultaneously with the movement of the positioning block 16 and suddenly. This causes the striking pin 35 to further follow the path 224 with the aid of the second secondary spring 214, so that the larger diameter portion 352 of the striking pin 35 will not move through the outer tube 30 of the sliding block 22.
Push out the fixing rod 223 fixing the engagement with.
The movement of the fixed rod 223 causes the third secondary spring 2230 to compress in the lateral path 222. After movement of the fixed rod 223 in the lateral path 222, the sliding block 22 is free to slide around the outer tube 30. Push the control knob 17 to fix the fixed rod 22
As the third moves, the first secondary spring 213 releases its restoring force, so that the head part 220 of the sliding block 22 engages the boss 43 of the fixing device 41.
Press down. After the head portion 220 of the sliding block 22 exerts a force on the boss 43 to disengage the fixed engagement between the intermediate tube 20 and the outer tube 30, and the boss 43 moves inward from the peripheral surface of the outer tube 30. The outer tube 30 is pulled by the restoring force from the main spring 2 to move towards the intermediate tube 20, as shown in FIG. Also, by the downward movement of the outer tube 30,
The sliding block 22 includes the intermediate tube 20 and the inner tube 1.
Move to disengage from 0. Eventually, both the intermediate tube 20 and the outer tube 30 stop at the receiving hole 13 of the handle 1 as shown in FIG.
Therefore, the umbrella is fully folded by the user pressing the control knob 17. Since the opening of the umbrella is the same as the conventional one, the detailed description of how to open the umbrella is omitted.

Many features and advantages of the present invention have been made apparent in the detailed description of the structure and function of the invention and are only disclosed in the accompanying drawings and, within the principles of the invention,
It is within the skill of the art that changes or modifications may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size and change of parts, to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms used in the dependent claims. A person skilled in the art can easily understand.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an internal structure of an automatic folding mechanism of an umbrella.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a fixing device and an inner tube.

FIG. 3 shows the control knob in a second position, similar to the locator block, with the striking pin moving further within the slide block to release the lock between the slide block and the outer tube. Sectional view.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the sliding block being moved near the handle.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing that the umbrella is sufficiently folded.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 handle 2 main spring 4 fixing device 10 inner tube 16 Positioning block 17 Control knob 18 Second spring 20 Intermediate tube 21 Nesting block 22 Sliding block 30 outer tube 34 Control Line 35 striking pin

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A handle, an inner tube having a free end fixedly received in the handle, an intermediate tube telescopically mounted outside the inner tube, and a telescopic tube outside the intermediate tube. An umbrella including an attached outer tube, a nesting block for fixedly receiving the free end of the outer tube, and a sliding block that is selectively slidable on the outside of the outer tube, the umbrella being received by the handle, A control knob movable from a first position to a second position, the control knob having a cutout portion having a bevel formed in an intermediate portion of the control knob; and a control knob received in the inner tube and in the cutout portion. A positioning block movable in relation to the control knob so that the free end of an extension formed in the positioning block A control rope having a first end fixedly connected thereto and a second end fixedly connected to a striking pin having a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion, and relative to the intermediate tube A first end fixedly attached to the extension of the positioning block and a second end fixedly connected to the face of the nesting block to provide a restoring force to the outer tube. A main spring having and selectively engaging the inner tube to selectively lock the engagement between the inner tube and the intermediate tube, and between the intermediate tube and the outer tube. A plurality of fixation devices each attached to the intermediate tube for fixation to the intermediate tube, the sliding block including a cutout portion formed to receive the striking pin and a fixing rod movably received. A lateral path formed and a communication path formed so that the cutout portion and the lateral path communicate with each other, and the movement of the control knob of the handle causes the positioning block of the inner tube to move. Movement occurs and the control rope further advances the striking pin within the sliding block, the larger diameter portion of the striking pin disengaging the locking rod from the outer tube. A first secondary spring mounted between the nesting block and the sliding block pushes the sliding block away from the nesting block, the sliding block causing the locking device to move. To disengage between the outer tube and the middle tube and between the middle tube and the inner tube by It can exert a force on the constant system, umbrellas. 2. A first spring fixedly connected between a bottom surface of the positioning block and a lower portion of a longitudinal passage formed in the handle so that movement of the positioning block is limited. A roller rotatably mounted in a roller chamber formed in the nest block so as to communicate with the inside of the outer tube, the control rope extending beyond the roller to connect with the striking pin. The handle has a lateral passageway formed to receive a portion of the control knob, the end of the control knob being disposed between the control knob and the first and second positions. 7. Adjacent to a second spring compressed and received between the end of the control knob and the end of the lateral passage to allow bi-directional movement at. The listed umbrella. 3. The percussion pin assists the percussion pin to further advance within the slide block to push the locking rod to disengage the slide block and the outer tube. A second secondary spring mounted around the pin, the securing device including a C-shaped ring having two ends and a boss formed on the outer periphery of one of the securing devices. The end is attached to the inner circumference of the inner tube, the boss of one fixing device selectively locks the engagement between the inner tube and the intermediate tube, and the end of the other fixing device. Is attached to the inner circumference of the intermediate tube,
3. The end of the other securing device selectively secures the engagement between the intermediate tube and the outer tube.
Umbrella described in.