US20050022459A1

US20050022459A1 - Automatic straight umbrella

Info

Publication number: US20050022459A1
Application number: US10/627,659
Authority: US
Inventors: Chen-Maan Chang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-07-28
Filing date: 2003-07-28
Publication date: 2005-02-03

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic straight umbrella, which includes a power rod received in the shaft of the umbrella. The rod can be pressed for storing energy to open or close umbrella automatically by the recovery forces of lower spring and upper spring in the shaft. The novel structure of the automatically is simple and utilized for use and assembly.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional umbrella being capable of opening and closing automatically is used popularly. The known automatic umbrella includes a shaft provided with inner springs and a wire connecting with a bullet head for engagement. Before use, the shaft of the umbrella must be pressed firstly for compressing the inner springs to provide opening or closing force. The structure of prior umbrella is very complicate, and the springs and the wire as well as the bullet head are all received in the same place of the shaft. The assembly is difficult and it increases possibility of work out.
Accordingly, the present invention is to provide an automatic opening/closing straight umbrella, which provides a novel structure for opening or closing the umbrella automatically. And the structure is simple for assembly that obtains improvement and utility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings indicate the character and improvement of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an automatic straight umbrella before storing energy in closing state according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1 after pressing a power rod for storing energy.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the automatic straight umbrella in opening state according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional plan view of FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional plan view of FIG. 3.
FIG. 7 shows enlarged plan views about the controlling button according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 and 4, the present invention relates to an automatic straight umbrella, which can be opened and closed automatically. The umbrella includes a shaft (1), which connects its lower end with a handle (16) and its upper end with an upper joint (13). An outer tube (14) provided around the shaft (1) slidably connects with middle joint (15) at upper end. A runner (4) is provided around the outer tube (14) slidably. The frame (5) has the inner end of each rib to connect with the upper joint (13), the middle joint (15), and the runner (4) respectively. A spring (51) is provided between the frame (5) and the runner (4).
A power rod (2) is provided to insert into the shaft (1) from its lower end. A connector (21) is provided on top of the rod (2), and has a sideward convex (211), which just positions in upper slot (11) of the shaft (1). An upper spring (7) is received in the shaft (1) over the connector (21) while a lower spring (6) is under the connector (21) around the rod (2). The lower spring (6) has its lower end to connect with a sleeve (22) having a sideward convex (221) just positioning in lower slot (12) of the shaft (1). The power rod (2) is provided with a stopper (23) accompanying a coil spring (24) at a position relating to a controlling button (3) on the handle (16). The controlling button (3) includes an inner coil spring (32) and a tongue (31), which can engage with an aperture (141) on the outer tube (14). The outer tube (14) includes another aperture (142) for receiving the convex (221) of the sleeve (22).
Before use, the power rod (2) is pushed upward into the shaft (1), as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 for storing energy. As the stopper (23) is engaged with the relating hole (17) of the shaft (1), the umbrella is ready for use in stable. At this time, the connector (21) can extend the lower spring (6) since the lower end is fixed with the sleeve (22) while the convex (221) is engaged with the outer tube (14). To open the umbrella automatically, one can just presses the button (3) that the tongue (31) leaves the outer tube (14), which can be moved upward as well as the sleeve (22) by the recovery force of the lower spring (6). The middle joint (15) moves upward that causes the frame (5) to lift and the runner (4) to move upward too. Hence, the umbrella is opened automatically.
To close the umbrella, one can press again the button (3). As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the contact face (33) of the button (3) can touch and push the stopper (23) inward at this moment and the engagement of the power rod (2) is released. The rod (2) can be moved downward by the recovery forces of the upper spring (7) and the spring (51), while the umbrella can be closed at the same time.
As shown in FIG. 7A to 7C, they disclose enlarged figures for explaining the movement about the controlling button (3) and the stopper (23). When the umbrella is in storing energy state (FIG. 7A), the button (3) will prevent from contacting with the stopper (23) always, since the stopper (23) is covered by the lower end of the outer tube (14), which is formed a thin portion. That avoids from mistouching before the umbrella is opened.
Accordingly, the present invention obtains utility for use and should be allowed for patent.

Claims

1. An automatic straight umbrella including a shaft connecting its lower end with a handle and its upper end with an upper joint, an outer tube provided around the shaft slidably connecting with middle joint at upper end, a runner provided around the outer tube slidably, and frame having the inner end of each rib to connect with the upper joint, the middle joint, and the runner respectively; a spring being provided between the frame and the runner, a power rod provided to insert into the shaft from its lower end, a connector provided on top of the rod, and having a sideward convex, which just positions in upper slot of the shaft, an upper spring received in the shaft over the connector while a lower spring is under the connector around the rod; the lower spring having its lower end to connect with a sleeve having a sideward convex just positioning in lower slot of the shaft; the power rod being provided with a stopper accompanying a coil spring at a position relating to a controlling button on the handle, the controlling button including an inner coil spring and a tongue, which can engage with an aperture on the outer tube, the outer tube includes another aperture for receiving the convex of the sleeve and a hole for engaging with the stopper.

2. An automatic straight umbrella as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power rod being pushed upward into the shaft for storing energy, and as the stopper is engaged with the relating hole of the shaft, the umbrella being ready for use in stable, and the connector extending the lower spring since the lower end is fixed with the sleeve while the convex is engaged with the outer tube.

3. An automatic straight umbrella as claimed in claim 1, wherein the button can be pressed to push the tongue leaving the outer tube, and the sleeve is moved upward by the recovery force of the lower spring, and the middle joint moving upward that causes the frame to lift and the runner to move upward, that the umbrella is opened automatically.

4. An automatic straight umbrella as claimed in claim 1, wherein the button being pressed again, while the contact face of the button can touch and push the stopper inward at this moment and the engagement of the power rod is released, and the rod being moved downward by the recovery forces of the upper spring and the spring, while the umbrella can be closed at the same time.

5. An automatic straight umbrella as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stopper is covered by the lower end of the outer tube, which is formed a thin portion, that avoids from mistouching before the umbrella is opened.