US20070209690A1

US20070209690A1 - Collapsible umbrella with small closed volume

Info

Publication number: US20070209690A1
Application number: US11/372,020
Authority: US
Inventors: Chin-sung Ko
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-03-10
Filing date: 2006-03-10
Publication date: 2007-09-13

Abstract

A collapsible umbrella with a small closed volume includes a central shaft and an upper connector. The connector connects with inner ends of every first ribs. Every second rib has its inner end connect with outer end of the first rib and has a middle bent section. The inner end of the second rib can get away from the first rib and be closer to the shaft and the connector when the umbrella is closed that reduces volume of the closed umbrella. Hence, the small volume of the closed umbrella facilitates the carrying or storing for users when not using.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1 to 3, a traditional collapsible umbrella includes at least two umbrella ribs, which can be expanded for use or folded when not using. The ribs of the conventional umbrella are aligned straightly. A first rib (1) has its inner end connect with an upper joint (5) of the umbrella and has its outer end connect with the inner end of a second rib (2). The following ribs, if there exist, are connected serially. The joint (5) has several radial slots for receiving relating first rib (1) that causes the joint has a large diameter. When the umbrella is closed, the inner end of the second rib (2) will be stopped at a position as shown in FIG. 3. So, the closed umbrella still has a large volume that is inconvenient for being carried or stored.
The present invention is to provide an umbrella, which has a small volume when it is collapsed that facilitates the carrying for user. Now, accompanying with drawings, the character and structure of the present invention will be disclosed as following.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a traditional collapsible umbrella.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1 showing the umbrella is closed.
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a collapsible umbrella with a small volume according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of FIG. 4 showing the umbrella is closed.
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a top plan view showing a modified embodiment of a joint of the collapsible umbrella according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Please refer to FIG. 4 to 6; the present invention will be described as a collapsible umbrella with three ribs for example in this specification but it is not to limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention includes a central shaft (4), which has an improved top connector (6) with a smaller diameter than prior joint (5). The connector (6) has several radial grooves (61), each of which connects with a slice (62) for pivoting a relating first rib (1). The second rib (2) has a middle bent section (21). Hence, when the umbrella is closed, the second rib (2) can has its inner end to get away from the first rib (1) and to get closer to the shaft (4) and the connector (6), just as shown in FIG. 6. It is found that the closed volume of the present umbrella is obviously smaller than prior art.
Referring to FIG. 7, it shows a modified embodiment under the same invented spirit as this invention. In this application, the umbrella has a smallest upper connector (7) with several sets of connecting flanges (71) for pivoting the first ribs (1). When the umbrella is closed, the second rib (2) will be fallen in the space between the flanges (71). The closed volume of the collapsible umbrella is then reduced to reach the purpose of the present invention.
Accordingly, the present invention can provide the collapsible umbrella with a small closed volume for facilitating use by user that obtains improvement and effects and should be allowed for a patent. And it is to be understood that the aforesaid embodiment is just an exemplary and is not to limit the scope of the present invention. Other applications, such as an umbrella with four or more ribs, are still claimed in this invention

Claims

1. A collapsible umbrella with a small closed volume including a central shaft and an upper connector having several radial grooves, each of which connects with a slice to connect with a relating first rib; a second rib having its inner end connect with outer end of the first rib and having a middle bent section, and the inner end of the second rib getting away from the first rib and being closer to the shaft and the connector as the umbrella is closed that reduces volume of the closed umbrella.

2. The collapsible umbrella with a small closed volume as claimed in claim 1, wherein the umbrella has three or more ribs.

3. A collapsible umbrella with a small closed volume including a central shaft and an upper connector having several radial connecting flanges, each of which connects with a relating first rib; a second rib having its inner end connect with outer end of the first rib and having a middle bent section, and the inner end of the second rib getting away from the first rib and being closer to the shaft and the connector as the umbrella is closed that reduces volume of the closed umbrella.