US20070034242A1

US20070034242A1 - Umbrella rib structure

Info

Publication number: US20070034242A1
Application number: US11/203,192
Authority: US
Inventors: Chun-I Chuang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-08-15
Filing date: 2005-08-15
Publication date: 2007-02-15

Abstract

An umbrella rib structure includes a central post, a plurality of main ribs surrounding the central post and pivoted to a top section of the central post, a sleeve fitted the central post for slidable movement, and a plurality of sub ribs. Each of the main ribs includes an orientation portion, which has two parallel erected walls extending therefrom and two elongated slots formed through the two parallel erected walls respectively. Each of the sub ribs connects to the respective one of the main ribs and the sleeve, and includes a T-shaped conjunction, which has a support portion and a transverse bar connected to the support portion and latched with the two elongated slot. Whereby the transverse bar of the T-shaped conjunction of each sub rib can move slidably along the two elongated slots of the respective main rib, so that each sub rib connects with the respective main rib.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technique for an umbrella, and more particularly to a rib assembly for an umbrella.
2. Background of the Invention
Umbrellas are easy and practical to use for sheltering from the rain, and therefore they have long been important commodities in every day life of humans. A conventional umbrella rib assembly at least includes a plurality of main ribs 1 a, and a plurality of sub ribs 2 a pivoted to the respective main ribs la via the screws or bolts 3 a, in FIG. 1. An opposite end 21 a of a respective one of the sub ribs 2 a connects to a hinge tab 51 a of a sleeve 5 a fitted with a central post 4 a. Besides, a skin cloth (not shown) is covered on the main ribs 1 a for protecting the user beneath from sun and rain while the main ribs 1 a are lifted. When the sleeve 5 a is pushed upwardly, the sub ribs 2 a are pushed outwardly and the main ribs 1 a are lifted consequently. However, the requirement of the pivot connection adds the costs for screws or bolts 3 a, and increases the assembly steps, so the connection of the hinge tab 51 a does. After the long term use of the umbrella, the screws or bolts 3 a may loosen or be lost and the hinge tab 51 a may be broke or damaged. The service life of the conventional umbrella cannot be prolonged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An umbrella rib structure serves long life and save manufacture steps and costs.
An umbrella rib structure includes a central post, a plurality of main ribs surrounding the central post, a sleeve fitted to and slidably moving along the central post, and a plurality of sub ribs. The central post has a handle section and a top section opposite to each other. The main ribs are pivoted to the top section thereof, each of the main ribs includes an orientation portion disposed at a middle part thereof, and the orientation portion has two parallel erected walls extending therefrom and towards the central post and two elongated slots formed through the two parallel erected walls respectively. Each of the sub ribs has a first end connected to the respective one of the main ribs, and a second end opposite to the first end to pivot to the sleeve. Each of the sub ribs includes a T-shaped conjunction disposed at the first end, and the T-shaped conjunction has a support portion extending therefrom and towards the respective main rib, and a transverse bar connected to the support portion via a middle thereof the transverse bar and latched with the two elongated slots at a simultaneous manner via two free ends thereof. Whereby the transverse bar of the T-shaped conjunction of each sub rib is capable of moving slidably along the two elongated slots of the respective main rib, so that each sub rib connects with the respective main rib.
A method for assembling an umbrella rib structure includes:
providing a central post with a plurality of main ribs surrounding a top section thereof, and a plurality of sub ribs surrounding an intermediate section thereof;
arranging an orientation portion disposed at a middle part of each of the main ribs, wherein the orientation portion has two parallel erected walls extending towards the central post and two elongated slots formed through the two parallel erected walls respectively;
forming a T-shaped conjunction disposed at an end of each of the sub ribs, wherein the T-shaped conjunction has a support portion, and a transverse bar connected to the support portion via a middle thereof the transverse bar;
providing the transverse bar of the T-shaped conjunction between and parallel to the two parallel erected walls of the orientation portion, and aligning the transverse bar of the T-shaped conjunction with the two elongated slots of the orientation portion; and
turning the transverse bar about the support portion so as to be vertical to a parallel axle of the two parallel erected walls, so that the transverse bar slides into the two elongated slots via two free ends thereof for latching the orientation portion.
To provide a further understanding of the invention, the following detailed description illustrates embodiments and examples of the invention. Examples of the more important features of the invention have thus been summarized rather broadly in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the contributions to the art may be appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, where:
FIG. 1 is a side view of a conventional umbrella;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an umbrella rib structure according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a secure ring portion of the umbrella rib structure according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a decomposition view before a T-shaped conjunction connects to an orientation portion of a main rib according to the umbrella rib structure of the present invention;
FIG. 4A is a perspective view after a T-shaped conjunction connects to an orientation portion of a main rib according to the umbrella rib structure of the present invention; and
FIG. 5 is a decomposition view of a sleeve of the umbrella rib structure according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 2, an umbrella rib structure includes a central post 1, a plurality of main ribs 2 surrounding the central post 1, a sleeve 3 fitted to and slidably moving along the central post 1, and a plurality of sub ribs 4. The central post 1 has a handle section 11, a top section 12 opposite to the handle section 11, an intermediate section 13 connected to the handle section 11 and the top section 12, a first button 14 disposed on the intermediate section 13 of the central post 1 and next to the handle section 11, a lower stop point 17 disposed on the intermediate section 13 of the central post 1 and beneath the first button 14, a second button 15 disposed on the intermediate section 13 of the central post 1 and next to the top section 12, and an upper stop point 16 disposing disposed on the intermediate section 13 of the central post 1 and above the second button 15.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the top section 12 has a secure ring portion 121, which has an upper annular portion 1211 and a lower annular portion 1213 below the upper annular portion 1211. The upper annular portion 1211 includes a plurality of main recesses 1212 those correspond to the main ribs 2 respectively. The lower annular portion 1213 includes a plurality of main passageways 1214, which correspond to the main ribs 2. Each of the main ribs 2 has a main through hole 23 strung by a main wire 5 circling the central post 1 between the upper and lower annular portions 1211 and 1213. When each of the main ribs 2 is located in both of a respective main recess 1212 of the upper annular portion 1211 and a corresponding main passageway 1214 of the lower annular portion 1213, the main wire 5 can penetrate a main through hole 23, which is formed at the end of each main rib 2 in advance, and string the main ribs 2 in order to connect to the top section 12 of the central post 1. The wire 5 uses the steer materials. That means each of the main ribs 2 are pivoted to the top section 12 via the wire 5.
With respect to FIGS. 2 and 4, each of the main ribs 2 includes an orientation portion 21 disposed at a middle part 20 thereof. The orientation portion 21 has two parallel erected walls 211 extending therefrom and towards the central post 1 and two elongated slots 212 formed through the two parallel erected walls 211 respectively. The main through hole 23 has a penetrating direction parallel to a penetrating direction of the two elongated slots 212 of the orientation portion 21. The orientation portion 21 can be integrally with the respective main rib 2 in one-piece formation or be movable for fitting with the respective main rib 2. Furthermore, the orientation portion 21 has a radius larger than that of the main rib 2 to increase the orientation strength thereof. Each of the sub ribs 4 has a first end 41 corresponding to the respective one of the main ribs 2, and a second end 42 opposite to the first end 41 in order to pivot to the sleeve 3. The first end 41 includes a T-shaped conjunction 410, which has a support portion 4101 extending therefrom and towards the respective main rib 2, and a transverse bar 4102 having a middle connected to the support portion 4101 and latched with the two elongated slots 212 of the orientation portion 2 at a simultaneous manner via two free ends thereof. Thereby the transverse bar 4102 of the T-shaped conjunction 410 of each sub rib 4 is capable of moving slidably along the two elongated slots 212 of the respective main rib 2, so that each of the sub ribs 4 connects with the respective main rib 2.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 4A, at the beginning of assembly of the umbrella structure, the transverse bar 4102 of the T-shaped conjunction 410 is arranged between and parallel to the two parallel erected walls 211 of the orientation portion 21, and the transverse bar 4102 of the T-shaped conjunction 410 is aligned with the two elongated slots 212 of the orientation portion 21. Then, the transverse bar 4102 is turned about the support portion 4101 so as to be vertical to a parallel axle of the two parallel erected walls 211. The transverse bar 4102 can slide into the two elongated slots 212 via two free ends thereof for latching the orientation portion 21 in FIG. 4A. Furthermore, because the penetrating direction of the main through hole 23 is parallel to the penetrating direction of the two elongated slots 212 of the orientation portion 21, the main ribs 2 can be secured after the main through hole 23 is strung by the wire 5 and the after the transverse bar 4102 is latched by the orientation portion 21.
With respect to FIG. 5, the sleeve 3 includes a hollow tube 31 containing the central post 1, a first annular portion 32 protruding from a top of the hollow tube 31, and a second annular portion 33 lapped over the first annular portion 32. The first annular portion 32 has a plurality of recesses 321 corresponding to the sub ribs 4, the second annular portion 33 is lapped over the first annular portion 32 and has a plurality of sub passageways 331 which correspond to the sub ribs 4. Each of the second end 42 of the respective sub rib 4 has a sub through hole 420 strung by a sub wire 6 circling the central post 1 between the first and the second annular portions 32, 33. Each of the sub ribs 4 is located in both of a respective sub recess 321 of the first annular portion 32 and a corresponding sub passageway 331 of the second annular portion 33. The sub through hole 420 has a penetrating direction parallel to an axis direction of the transverse bar 4102, thus, the sub ribs 4 can be secured after the sub through hole 420 is strung by the sub wire 6 and after the transverse bar 4102 is latched by the orientation portion 21. The sub wire 6 can be made of steel material.
The sleeve 3 includes a projection flange 34 formed at a bottom thereof for manually propping the umbrella easily. The hollow tube 31 of the sleeve 3 has a slot 35 for exposing and clasping a first button 14 disposed on the central post 1. The sleeve 3 further includes a resilient shelter 35 connected with the first annular portion 32 and the projection flange 34 and suspended over the slot 35. The upper stop point 16 is used for retaining against the second annular portion 34 while the sleeve 3 is moved upwardly, and the lower stop point 17 is used for retaining against the projection flange 34 while the sleeve 3 is moved downwardly.
For further comprehension of a steps for assembling the sub ribs 4 to the main ribs 2, the method is more described below and includes providing a central post 1 with a plurality of main ribs 2 surrounding a top section 12 thereof, and a plurality of sub ribs 4 surrounding an intermediate section 13 thereof. An orientation portion 21 is disposed at a middle part 20 of each of the main ribs 2, wherein the orientation portion 21 has two parallel erected walls 211 extending towards the central post 1 and two elongated slots 212 formed through the two parallel erected walls 211 respectively. A T-shaped conjunction 410 is disposed at an end 41 of each of the sub ribs 4, wherein the T-shaped conjunction 410 has a support portion 4101, and a transverse bar 4102 having a middle connected to the support portion 4101. The transverse bar 4102 of the T-shaped conjunction 410 is provided between and parallel to the two parallel erected walls 211 of the orientation portion 21, and the transverse bar 4102 of the T-shaped conjunction 410 is aligned with the two elongated slots 212 of the orientation portion 21. Furthermore, the transverse bar 4102 is turned about the support portion 4101 so as to be vertical to a parallel axle of the two parallel erected walls 211, so that the transverse bar 4102 slides into the two elongated slots 212 via two free ends thereof for latching the orientation portion 21.
The step for assembling the main ribs 2 to the top section 12 of the central post 1 includes providing a secure ring portion 121 on the top section 12 of the central post 1, wherein the secure ring portion 121 includes an upper annular portion 1211 and a lower annular portion 1213, the upper annular portion 1211 has a plurality of main recesses 1212, and the lower annular portion 1213 is arranged below the upper annular portion 1211 and includes a plurality of main passageways 1214 which correspond to the main recesses 1212. The main ribs 2 is inset into the main passageways 1214 of the lower annular portion 1213 and the main recesses 1212 of the upper annular portion 1211 in an one-on-one manner. Furthermore, a main wire 5 is penetrated through a main through hole 23 that is formed on an end of each main rib 4 in advance, in order to ensure the main ribs 2 circle around the central post 1, wherein the main wire 5 is arranged between the upper and lower annular portions 1211 and 1213; wherein the main through hole 23 has a penetrating direction parallel to a penetrating direction of the two elongated slots 212 of the orientation portion 21. Therefore, the main ribs 2 connect to the top section 12 of the central post 1 via the secure ring portion 121. The step for assembling the sub ribs 4 to the sleeve 3 for sliding the central post 1 includes providing the sleeve 3 on the intermediate section 13 of the central post 1, wherein the sleeve 3 includes a hollow tube 31 containing the intermediate section 13 of the central post 1, a first annular portion 32 protruded from a top of the hollow tube 31 and having a plurality of sub recesses 321, and a second annular portion 33 lapped over the first annular portion 32 and having a plurality of sub passageways 331 which correspond to the sub recesses 321. The sub ribs 4 are inset into the sub passageways 331 of the second annular portion 33 and the sub recesses 321 of the first annular portion 32 in an one-on-one manner. Furthermore, the sub wire 6 is penetrated through a sub through hole 420 that is formed on an end 42 of each sub rib 4 in advance, in order to ensure the sub ribs 4 circle around the central post 1, wherein the sub wire 6 is arranged between the first and second annular portions 32 and 33; wherein the sub through hole 420 has a penetrating direction parallel to an axis direction of the transverse bar 4102. Thus, the sub ribs 4 connect to the sleeve 3 and slide along the intermediate section 13 of the central post 1 via the sleeve 3.
It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above description is only illustrative of specific embodiments and examples of the invention. The invention should therefore cover various modifications and variations made to the herein-described structure and operations of the invention, provided they fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the following appended claims.

Claims

1. An umbrella rib structure comprising:

a central post having a handle section, a top section opposite to the handle section, and an intermediate section connected to the handle section and the top section;

a plurality of main ribs surrounding the central post and pivoted to the top section thereof, each of the main ribs including an orientation portion disposed at a middle part thereof, and the orientation portion having two parallel erected walls extending therefrom and towards the central post and two elongated slots formed through the two parallel erected walls respectively;

a sleeve fitted to and slidably moving along the intermediate section of the central post; and

a plurality of sub ribs having a first end connected to the respective one of the main ribs, and a second end opposite to the first end to pivot to the sleeve; wherein each of the sub ribs includes a T-shaped conjunction disposed at the first end, the T-shaped conjunction has a support portion extending therefrom and towards the respective main rib, and a transverse bar having a middle connected to the support portion and latched with the two elongated slots at a simultaneous manner via two free ends thereof;

whereby the transverse bar of the T-shaped conjunction of each sub rib is capable of moving slidably along the two elongated slots of the respective main rib, so that each sub rib connects with the respective main rib.

2. The umbrella rib structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the orientation portion is integrally with the respective main rib in one-piece formation.

3. The umbrella rib structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the orientation portion has a radius larger than that of the main rib.

4. The umbrella rib structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top section has a secure ring portion, which has an upper annular portion and a lower annular portion, wherein the upper annular portion has a plurality of main recesses corresponding to the main ribs respectively, and the lower annular portion is arranged below the upper annular portion and includes a plurality of main passageways which correspond to the main ribs; wherein each of the main rib has a main through hole strung by a main wire circling the central post between the upper and lower annular portions, and each of the main rib is located in both of a respective main recess of the upper annular portion and a corresponding main passageway of the lower annular portion; wherein the main through hole has a penetrating direction parallel to a penetrating direction of the two elongated slots of the orientation portion.

5. The umbrella rib structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sleeve includes a hollow tube containing the intermediate section of the central post, a first annular portion protruded from a top of the hollow tube and having a plurality of sub recesses which correspond to the sub ribs, and a second annular portion lapped over the first annular portion and having a plurality of sub passageways which correspond to the sub ribs; wherein each of the second end of the respective sub rib has a through hole strung by a sub wire circling the central post between the first and the second annular portions, and each of the sub ribs is located in both of a respective sub recess of the first annular portion and a corresponding sub passageway of the second annular portion; wherein the sub through hole has a penetrating direction parallel to an axis direction of the transverse bar.

6. The umbrella rib structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the sleeve further includes a projection flange formed at a bottom thereof for manually propping the umbrella easily.

7. The umbrella rib structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the hollow tube of the sleeve has a slot for exposing a first button that is disposed on the intermediate section of the central post and next to the handle section, and the sleeve further includes a resilient shelter connected with the first annular portion and the projection flange and suspended over the slot.

8. The umbrella rib structure as claimed in claim 7, wherein the central post has an upper stop point and a lower stop point; the upper stop point is disposed over a second button that is disposed on the intermediate section of the central post and next to the top section, the upper stop point is used for retaining against the second annular portion while the sleeve slides upwardly along the central post; the lower stop point is disposed beneath a first button for retaining against the projection flange while the sleeve slides downwardly along the central post.

9. A method for assembling an umbrella rib structure, comprising:

providing a central post with a plurality of main ribs surrounding a top section thereof, and a plurality of sub ribs surrounding an intermediate section thereof;

arranging an orientation portion disposed at a middle part of each of the main ribs, wherein the orientation portion has two parallel erected walls extending therefrom and towards the central post and two elongated slots formed through the two parallel erected walls respectively;

forming a T-shaped conjunction disposed at an end of each of the sub ribs, wherein the T-shaped conjunction has a support portion, and a transverse bar connected to the support portion via a middle thereof the transverse bar;

providing the transverse bar of the T-shaped conjunction between and parallel to the two parallel erected walls of the orientation portion, and aligning the transverse bar of the T-shaped conjunction with the two elongated slots of the orientation portion; and

turning the transverse bar about the support portion so as to be vertical to a parallel axle of the two parallel erected walls, so that the transverse bar slides into the two elongated slots via two free ends thereof for latching the orientation portion.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, further including:

providing a secure ring portion on the top section of the central post, wherein the secure ring portion includes an upper annular portion and a lower annular portion, the upper annular portion has a plurality of main recesses, and the lower annular portion is arranged below the upper annular portion and includes a plurality of main passageways which correspond to the main recesses;

insetting the main ribs into the main passageways of the lower annular portion and the main recesses of the upper annular portion in an one-on-one manner; and

penetrating a main wire through a main through hole that is formed on an end of each main rib in advance, in order to ensure the main ribs circle around the central post, wherein the main wire is arranged between the upper and lower annular portions; wherein the main through hole has a penetrating direction parallel to a penetrating direction of the two elongated slots of the orientation portion;

whereby the main ribs connect to the top section of the central post via the secure ring portion.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9, further including:

providing a sleeve on the intermediate section of the central post, wherein the sleeve includes a hollow tube containing the intermediate section of the central post, a first annular portion protruded from a top of the hollow tube and having a plurality of sub recesses, and a second annular portion lapped over the first annular portion and having a plurality of sub passageways which correspond to the sub recesses;

insetting the sub ribs into the sub passageways of the second annular portion and the sub recesses of the first annular portion in an one-on-one manner; and

penetrating a sub wire through a sub through hole that is formed on an end of each sub rib in advance, in order to ensure the sub ribs circle around the central post, wherein the sub wire is arranged between the first and second annular portions; wherein the sub through hole has a penetrating direction parallel to an axis direction of the transverse bar;

whereby the sub ribs connect to the sleeve and slide along the intermediate section of the central post via the sleeve.