US20070283989A1

US20070283989A1 - Safe umbrella frame

Info

Publication number: US20070283989A1
Application number: US11/448,894
Authority: US
Inventors: Shih-Shin Kuo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-06-08
Filing date: 2006-06-08
Publication date: 2007-12-13

Abstract

The invention relates to a safe umbrella frame, which includes a shaft, a runner, and an umbrella frame being composed of several frame units. Each frame unit includes one or more main ribs and at least one U-shaped branch rib, wherein the opening ends of the branch rib are folded inward to make the sharp rims of the branch facing inside. Hence, user will not be hurt as opening or closing the umbrella if he contacts with the bottom of the branch rib in accident. That obtains the safe purpose of the present invention.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, an umbrella usually has a shaft (1), a runner (4), and an umbrella frame (2), which is composed of several frame units. Each frame unit includes one or more main ribs (3) and at least one branch rib (5). The branch rib (5) has its two ends being pivoted with the main rib (3) and the runner (4). It is known that the branch rib (5) always has a U-shaped cross section, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in order that the umbrella can arrange the frame with a small volume when it is closed. Hence, the opening end of the branch rib (5) becomes a sharp rim (51) as it is manufactured by cutting. When a user operates the umbrella to open or close, his fingers would be hurt if touching the sharp rim (51) of the branch rib (5) in accident.
The present invention is to provide a safe umbrella frame to overcome the drawback of said known structure. The branch rib has its opening end be folded inward to prevent users from being hurt. Now, accompanying with the following drawings, the character of the present invention will be described here and after.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a traditional umbrella frame and a user's hand.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the conventional branch rib of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an umbrella frame and a user's hand according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the branch rib according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the branch rib according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 4 to 6, the present invention mainly relates to an improvement of a branch rib (5) of an umbrella, which includes a shaft (1), a runner (4), and an umbrella frame (2) being composed of several frame units. Each frame unit includes one or more main ribs (3) and at least one branch rib (5). The character of the present invention is to fold the opening ends of the branch rib (5) inward. Hence, the sharp rim (51) of the branch rib (5) is faced upward and the bottom portion of the branch rib (5) becomes a smooth plane. It is to be understood that any user will not be hurt when he opens or close the umbrella even touching the branch rib (5) in accident.
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the branch rib (5) is capable of being modified that the opening ends are folded inward to make the sharp rims (51) face centrally. This can also obtain a safe purpose for preventing hurting user's fingers.
Accordingly, the present invention has a most character that the sharp rims (51) of the branch rib (5) are folded to avoid contacting with user for a safe effect. It is then understood that the above-mentioned embodiments are only exemplary of the present invention. Other modifications, such as the opening ends of the branch rib are folded inward equal or more than ninety degrees, are still claimed in this application.

Claims

1-2. (canceled)

3. A safe umbrella frame comprising:

a longitudinal shaft;

a runner slidably engaging said shaft;

a plurality of frame units, said frame units including:

a plurality of main ribs, said main ribs being pivotally coupled to said shaft;

a plurality of branch ribs, said branch ribs being pivotally coupled on opposing ends thereof to said runner and a respective one of said main ribs, each of said branch ribs being U-shaped in cross section defining a pair of leg members on an underside of each of said branch ribs, each of said leg members being folded inwardly to form an arcuately contoured end section, whereby a user's hand is prevented from contacting a sharp end of said leg members.

4. The safe umbrella frame as claimed in claim 3 wherein, the end sections form an angle of at least ninety degrees with respect to said leg members.

5. The safe umbrella frame as claimed in claim 3 wherein, said leg members define an axially extending cavity through each of said branch ribs.

6. The safe umbrella frame as claimed in claim 3 wherein, each of said arcuately contoured end sections of each said leg member is folded inwardly to define a J-shape.

7. The safe umbrella frame as claimed in claim 3 wherein, each of said arcuately contoured end sections of each said leg member is folded inwardly to define an L-shape.

8. A safe umbrella frame comprising:

a longitudinal shaft;

a runner slidably engaging said shaft;

a plurality of frame units, said frame units including:

a plurality of main ribs, said main ribs being pivotally coupled to said shaft;

a plurality of branch ribs, said branch ribs being pivotally coupled on opposing ends thereof to said runner and a respective one of said main ribs, each of said branch ribs being U-shaped in cross section defining a pair of leg members extending away from said main ribs, each of said leg members being folded inwardly to form an arcuately contoured end section, whereby a user's hand is prevented from contacting a sharp end of said leg members.

9. The safe umbrella frame as claimed in claim 8 wherein, the end sections form an angle of at least ninety degrees with respect to said leg members.

10. The safe umbrella frame as claimed in claim 8 wherein, said leg members define an axially extending cavity through each of said branch ribs.

11. The safe umbrella frame as claimed in claim 8 wherein, each of said arcuately contoured end sections of each said leg member is folded inwardly to define a J-shape.

12. The safe umbrella frame as claimed in claim 8 wherein, each of said arcuately contoured end sections of each said leg member is folded inwardly to define an L-shape.