US2725066A - Reversible umbrella - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 29, 1955 ESTES ETAL 2,725,066

REVERSIBLE UMBRELLA Filed Jan. 31, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l ISnnentor and (2: 2 B House (Ittornegi N v- 29, 1955 R. B. ESTES ET AL 2,725,066

REVERSIBLE UMBRELLA Filed Jan. 31, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Buoentor Rufus B [5125 Care y E House M s!!! a M Nov. 29, 1955 R. B. ESTES ET'AL REVERSIBLE UMBRELLA 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 31, 1951 Zsnventor 114 Rufils B. E5325 y House (Ittorneg United States Patent REVERSIBLE UMBRELLA Rufus B. Estes and Carey E. House, Knoxville, Tenn.

Application January 31, 1951, Serial No. 208,704

20 Claims. (Cl. 13520) This invention relates to improvements in umbrellas.

One object of this invention is to provide an umbrella which, when closed or collapsed, has the top or outside surface of the cover entirely on the inside, so that the dry underside of the cover of the umbrella is on the outside and thus prevents wetting the clothing of the carrier or other articles with which it may come in contact.

A further object of this invention is to provide an umbrella that has a removable or detachable cover, so that the color and type of material in the cover may be changed from time to time to match or complement the other articles of apparel worn by the user.

Another object of the invention is to improve-the construction of umbrellas to make them more practical and less liable to damage due to high wind, whereby the umbrella can be opened up directly above the head and will not be turned inside out and damaged or destroyed due to the collection of a gust of wind beneath the umbrella.

These objects may be accomplished by connecting the main ribs of the umbrella with the staff or handle member for movement to the opposite sides of a dead center position, lengthwise relative to the staff, whereby the covering material will be tight when said connecting device is moved to one side of the dead center position and will be loose and the umbrella collapsed when said connection is moved to the opposite side thereof. It is preferred that the covering material be a suitable elastic fabric, resilient sheet or other suitable material, or it may be an inelastic fabric if connected with the ribs by yieldable connections.

These embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of an umbrella embodying our invention, showing the same in an open position;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the umbrella embodying our invention shown in a closed position, with the handle inverted from that of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial top plan view of the umbrella;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through a modified form of the umbrella in open position;

Fig. 5 is a similar view thereof in collapsed position;

Fig. 6 is a detailed perspective view showing the connection of the main ribs and braces;

Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the connection of the main ribs and covering material;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a modified form of the umbrella;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view through another modified form thereof in open position.

Fig. 10 is a similar view showing the collapsed position.

of the latter;

Fig. 11 is a detailed section showing the connection of the main ribs and braces in this modified form;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the umbrella carrying case;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged detailed section therethrough; and

Fig. 14 is a plan view showing a modified form of connection between the fabric and ribs.

Turning now to a detailed description of one form of ice our umbrella embodying this invention, the numeral 5 designates the staff or handle of the umbrella, which may be either solid or tubular and will vary in length as desired. Upon one end of the handle 5, and preferably detachably secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by threads or the like, is a knob 6. This knob maybe of any shape desired and, of course, may be ornamental in form; and may also take the. form of a hand grip, conventional in many types of umbrellas.

Adjacent the knob there are provided upon the handle 5 external screw threads 7, as shown. Adjacent the opposite end of the handle 5 there also is provided a second set of external screw threads 8, similar to the screw threads 7.

Slidably mounted upon the stafi or handle 5 is a control unit, designated generally by the numeral 9. While the control unit 9 may be made of one piece, it is preferred that this unit be made of ,a sleeve 10 provided with female threads 10 adapted to receive the male threads 7 or 8 on the handle. Fitted over the sleeve 10 is an outer sleeve 11 preferably provided On opposite sides thereof with a finger hold 12 thereon as shown for manually operating the control unit 9. The outer sleeve 11 may be slidably fitted over the inner sleeve 10 or may be screw threaded thereon, as desired. The inner sleeve 10 flares outwardly at one end, as shown, and has a rim 13 therearound forming an anchor ring.

A plurality of ribs 14 are pivotally connected at 15, at the end adjacent the handle 5, to the anchor ring 13, as shown, and are circumferentially spaced about said ring. The ribs 14, preferably, are substantially flat in cross section and should be sufliciently rigid to withstand any abnormal strain placed thereon by wind or the like. Any suitable form of ribs may be used as desired.

An annular anchor plate 16 is rotatably mounted upon the end of the staff or handle 5 opposite the knob 6, as best shown in Fig. l. The anchor plate 16 is rotatably held upon the end of the handle 5 by the head 17 of a screw 18 secured to the handle 5, and which screw passes freely through a suitable opening provided in the center of said plate 16. The plate 16 is thereby anchored to the end of the handle by virtue of its being located between the end thereof and the head 17, while being rotatable thereon.

A plurality of braces 19, one each for each of the ribs 14, are pivotally connected at 20 to ears or in notches spaced about the circumference of the annular anchor plate 16.

On the opposite end of each of the braces 19 there is provided a slide member 21 pivotally connected thereto at 21'. Each of the slide members 21 embraces and slides freely upon a guide 22. The guide 22 may be inserted in suitable recesses in each rib 14 or may be attached to the side thereof, as best shown in Fig. 3.

Affixed to the staif or handle 5 and disposed between the inner sleeve 10 and the anchor plate 16 is an annular soft rubber fitting 23, which flares outwardly forming a cup or the like, as best shown in Fig. 1. When the sleeve 10 is screwed up tightly around the rubber fitting 23, a seal is formed which prevents water from running into the control unit down the handle.

The cover of the umbrella is designated generally by the numeral 25 and may be of any suitable material desired, preferably elastic, such as rubberized fabric, sheet rubber, or the like, and may be of one color or varicolored. However, inelastic material -may be used if desired. It is contemplated that a plurality of covers be provided either of the same or of different materials and of different colors and different shades. Each of the covers 25 is. removable so that it may be changed at the pleasure of the user to match or complement the apparel worn at the time the umbrella is carried.

A rubber or other flexible portion 26, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 3, is glued, sewn or otherwise secured to the cover 25 and is provided with a suitable opening in the center thereof, preferably of approximately the same circumference or possibly a little smaller, than the outside circumference of the inner sleeve Elli. if desired, the cover 25 may extend to the control unit and the rubber portion 26 may be omitted.

Spaced about the outer circumference of the cover 25 so as to be positioned adjacent the ends of the ribs 14, are a plurality of hooks 27, as best shown in Fig. 3'. The hooks 27' are secured to the cover 25 in any suitable manner, as by sewing, bonding with an adhesive, or the like. If desired, an elastic connection may be provided between the hooks 27 and the fabric 25. A hole 28' provided in the extreme outer end of each of the ribs 3.4 detachably receives one of the hooks 27 and holds the cover 25 to each rib 14-.

When it is desired to remove one cover and apply another, the hooks 27 are removed from the holes 28; and the outer sleeve 11 is removed from the inner sleeve it This makes it possible to slide the rubber portion 26 over the inner sleeve ill and down the handle 5. The knob 6 and the outer sleeve ll. with the finger hold 12 are then removed from the handle and the cover thus can be completely removed from the framework of the umbrella. The new cover is simply applied by reversing the process. The handle 5 is passed through the opening provided in the rubber portion 26, which is then slid over the inner sleeve Ill. The hooks 27 are then attached to the ribs 14 through the openings 28. The outer sleeve ll is then replaced over the inner sleeve 10, and theinner rubber portion 26 is pressed firmly between the top edge of the sleeve 11 and the inner sleeve it) at the point where it begins to flare outwardly to form the anchor ring 13, as best shown in Fig. l. Any other suitable means may be provided, as desired, for detachably securing the center portion 26 to the control unit 9.

The operation of the umbrella will be best understood by referring to Figs. 1 and 2. When the umbrella is in an open position, i. e., with the cover stretched tight and up, as shown in Fig. l, the control unit 9 is securely held in place by means of the threads 8 being turned into the female threads ill. When it is desired to put the umbrella into a down position, as shown in Fig. 2, the handle 5 is turned in a lefthand or counter-clockwise direction and the threads 3 are unscrewed from the female threads lit until the inner sleeve in is completely free of the threads 3. The control unit is then lowered along the handle 5 toward the threads 7, thus bringing the ribs 14 down against the handle 5', as shown in Fig. 2. The control unit 9 is then screwed onto the threads 7' and the umbrella is thus loclred in a closed position. This action will place the outside surface of the cover 25, which has been exposed to the weather and may be wet, on the inside of the closed umbrella, and any droplets of water collected thereon will fall downward out of the umbrella when in the position shown in Fig. 2. Obviously, the dry inside of the cover 25' will be on the outside of the down or closed umbrella when in the position shown in Fig. 2.

A second embodiment of this invention is illustrated in Figs. 4 to 7, inclusive, wherein the umbrella 5i is provided with a staff or handle 51 having a knob 52 secured thereto at one end thereof by any conventional means.

A sleeve 53 is slidably mounted on the staff or handle 51 intermediate its ends and the sleeve 53' is externally threaded adjacent one of its ends to receive an internally threaded andexternally knurled nut 5d forming a control unit. This nut forms a hand-hold for opening and closing the umbrella.

A plurality of elongated relatively rigid ribs 5s have one of their respective ends pivotally connected at 56 with the other end of the sleeve 53, while the other i ends of the ribs 55 are pivotally secured at 57 to studs 58 affixed to theumbrella cover 59. The cover 59 is formed of a pliable and preferably resilient material such as rubber, elastic fabric, or the like, as described above.

Reference is made to Fig. 4 wherein it is seen that the cover 59 is substantially cone-shaped when in its open position and is apertured at 60 to receive therethrough the shank 61 of a cap 62. As is seen in Figs. 4 and 5, the shank 61 is hollow and receives the outer end of the staff or handle 51 therein and is fixed thereto.

A ring 63 is secured to the shank 61 and cooperates With the cap 62 to clamp a portion of the flexible cover 59 adjacent the aperture 65) therebetween.

The ring 63 is notched radially at 65 with intersecting circumferentially extending wire or other pivot means 66 for pivotally connecting one of the ends of a plurality of braces 67 thereto. The other ends of the braces 67 are pivoted at 68 to brackets 69 rigidly clamped on the ribs 55 at points intermediate their respective ends.

The flexible umbrella cover 59 is connected with the braces 67, if desired, in any suitable manner, as by strips of flexible material 70 (Fig. 6) which overlap the braces 67 at that end adjacent the pivot 63. The ends of the strips 70' may be adhesively or otherwise secured to the cover 59.

A strip of reinforcing flexible material 71 may be applied to the umbrella cover 55 adjacent the opening 60, if desired.

The cover 59 maybe formed of any flexible, waterproof material which possesses an added characteristic of elasticity. This is of considerable importance inasmuch as when the umbrella is in its operative position, as shown in Pig. 4, the cover 5i? should be under a rather high degreeof tension for a purpose to be described, although other tensioning means may be used if desired.

Assuming the umbrella to be in its collapsed position as shown in Fig. 5, the operator grasps the hand-hold 54 between his fingers and urges it toward cap 62 along the stafi-51'. This action forces the sleeve 53 in the same direction and initiates an upward movement of the lower ends of the ribs and a downward movement of the upper ends of the ribs 55 as they rotate about their respective pivot points 56 and 68. This movement contin'ue's until the ribs 55' reach a common plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis or" the handle 51. At this time the umbrella cover 59 is under its maximum tension.

Asthe opposite ends of the ribs 55 pass through the common plane or dead-center position, a force is exerted on the ribs 55 by the cover 59 automatically pushing sleeve 53 toward and into abutting relationship to the adjacent end of the shank 61 of the cap 62;. Thus it is seen that the umbrella is maintained in its expanded position by virtue" of the force exerted by the tension of the elastic cover.

To collapse the umbrella the operator moves the handhold in the reverse direction thereby reversing the direction of the movement of the ribs It should be noted, however, that as the ribs 55 approach parallel relation with the handle 51, to assume the position shown in Fig. 5, that portion of the cover extending between the cap 62 and the strips 78 will be folded or looped upon itself as shown. This portion of the cover, secured to the braces 67; will follow the direction of the movement of the braces 67 to form a fold line 72. Thus, continued downward movement of the hand-hold or control unit 54 causes that portion of the cover 59 between the strips and its outer periphery to fold on the line 72 toward that portion of the cover which extends between the strips 70 and the cap 62', thereby turning the cover 59 inside out.

Another modification is shown in Fig. 8, in which the umbrella is designated generally at 86, with substantially a-squarecover 81* as distinguished from the circular cover usually employed heretofore and illustrated in Fig. 3. This has a particular advantage in preventing the accidental rolling of the umbrella by the collection of a gust g of wind there beneath or in response to an inclination of the surface on which the umbrella may be laid. This is a substantial advantage, not commonly present in most umbrellas in use heretofore.

Moreover, as distinguished from the structure shown in Figs. 4 to 7, the form shown in Fig. 8 has ribs 82 externally of the cover 81, in the same general relation illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3. The ribs 82 are anchored to a slidable hand-hold member generally designated at 83, slidable along the staff 84 of the umbrella to opposite sides of a dead-center position as described above. The means of attaching the ribs 82 to the cover 81 and the hand-hold 83 may be of any suitable form as desired, such as has been described above. Braces are shown at 85 connecting intermediate the lengths of the ribs 82 and extending therefrom to connections generally indicated at 86 at the end of the staff or handle 84. These connections also may be similar to those described above or of other suitable form.

Still another form of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 9 to 14, as a modification of that shown in Figs. 4 to 7. In this form, the staif is made in two sections designated respectively at 90 and 91, telescoped upward for relative lengthwise sliding movement between collapsed and extended positions. The section 91 carries a cap 92 and also has slidably mounted thereon the hand-hold 93 when the umbrella is in the raised position as shown in Fig. 9, but this hand-hold is capable of sliding movement to the lower end portion of the section 90 when these parts are collapsed with respect to each other.

Each of the main ribs is also sectional, one section 94 being pivotally connected with the hand-hold 93, as described above in connection with Fig. 4, while the other section 95 of each rib is telescoped with the section 94. The section 95 also has attached thereto a brace 96, pivotally connecting the rib to the cap 92 in the manner described above. The sections 94 and 95 are normally extended relative to each other and held in expandable relation in any suitable manner, such as by a spring catch 97 as shown in Fig. ll.

The spring catches 97 may be withdrawn from their holding relation with the sections 95 by a ring 98 slidable lengthwise along the staif section 90 to a position for engaging the respective spring catches. All of the catches are moved simultaneously by the ring 98 and thereby release the sections for collapsing, withdrawing the catches from holding relation with the rib sections 95 along the latter to slide lengthwise over the sections 94.

Normally the ring 98 is held in a retracted position on the handle section 90 by screw threaded engagement at 99 with a portion of the section 90. The ring 98 may be unscrewed from the connection 99 and moved lengthwise of the staff, and after releasing the catches 97,- or upon action extending the staff to its normal length, the ring 98 may be re-engaged in its secure position at 99.

Provision may be made if desired for enclosingthe umbrella in a collapsable covering. In this form, as illustrated, the covering is shown as provided by a plurality of telescoped sections of tubes, designated at 100,101 and 102 respectively, three of which are shown, but" any suitable number may be used, as desired. 'Each of the tubular sections 100 and 101, is provided with an outturned flange or rib on one end, designated generally at 103 and the sections 101 and 102 are provided with an in-turned flange or rib 104 on the opposite end thereof, whereby interlocking of the sections will be provided to maintain them in extended telescoped relation.

The section 102 is externally screw threaded at its opposite ends. One of thescrew threaded ends is adapted to engage a screw threaded connection 105 provided on the handle section 90, to hold the covering tubes in collapsed position where they may form, if desired, a handle or hand grip for the umbrella. In the opposite position shown in Fig. 12, with the sections extended,

end of each of the ribs.

greases 6 the section 102-is detachably engaged as by' screw threading or other detachable fastenings, with a closure 106 secured in a suitable manner, as by a screw fastening 107, to the cap 92. The closure 106 may rotate relative to the cap 92 or be held fixed and the covering section 102 may be rotated relative thereto.

It will be apparent that the umbrella may be collapsed as shown into compact relationship, and if desired, provided with a closure that will protect and conceal the umbrella very substantially. Nevertheless, when the umbrella is extended to its open position, it will function substantially as described above with respect to the other forms shown.

While the umbrella has been described as provided with a cover, preferably of elastic material, such as rubberized cloth, rubber, latex, etc., such elastic material is not required for the cover if a yieldable connection be provided between the periphery of the cover and the outer Such an elastic connection is shown in Fig. 14 in which the rib is designated at 110 and has a tip shown as separate from the body of the rib, generally designated at 111, which tip is telescoped through a sleeve 112. A coiled spring 113 is interposed between one end of the sleeve 112 and the tip portion 111, normally tending to force the latter in an outward direction. The covering 114 is attached in any suitable manner to the sleeve 112. Thus upon opening movement of the ribs, when the latter approach their deadcenter positions as described above, a tension will be past dead-center, after which the springs will apply tension to the cover to maintain the latter taut. Any suitable elastic material may be used in place of the springs.

The different forms of the invention, as described above, have material advantage over umbrellas generally in use heretofore, in addition to those referred to above. The umbrella may be opened up when directly above the head instead of requiring its disposition at one side as has been customary with most umbrellas in use heretofore. It will not be turned wrongside out by a high wind as it will yield to collapsing action of a wind without destroying the umbrella or seriously damaging its construction. It may be used wherever collapsable covering is desired as for personal umbrellas, beach use or on tractors.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in certain embodiments it is recognized that other variations and changes may be made therein without departing from the invention as claimed.

We claim:

1. A folding umbrella comprising a handle, a control 1 unit slidably mounted on said handle, means-on said handle for retaining the control unit thereon, ribs pivotally connected to said control unit, an elastic cover on said ribs, means secured to said handle, braces pivotally connected to said last-mentioned means, and means pivotally connecting said braces to said ribs.

2. A folding umbrella comprising a handle, a control unit slidably mounted on said handle, means on said handle for retaining the control unit in different positions along the length of the handle, ribs pivotally connected to said control unit, means on said control unit and on said ribs for detachably receiving a cover, and braces pivotally connected to said handle and slidably and pivotally connected to said ribs intermediate the ends thereof.

3. A folding umbrella comprising a handle, a control unit slidably mounted on said handle, means on said handle for retaining the control unit thereon, ribs pivotallyconnected to said control unit, said ribs being adapted to receive a cover, a plate rotatably mounted on said handle, braces pivotally secured to said plate, and means pivotally connecting said braces to said ribs.

4. A folding umbrella comprising a handle, a control unit rotatably and slidably mounted on said handle, means located adjacent the ends of said handle for retaining the control unit selectively in longitudinally spaced positions thereon, means on said control unit for detachably securing a cover thereto, ribs pivotally connected at one end to said control unit, means on said ribs for detachably securing a cover thereto, a plate rotatably mounted on said handle, said plate being secured against movement longitudinally of said handle, braces pivotally connected to said plate, and means slidably and pivotally connecting said braces to said ribs.

5. A folding umbrella comprising a handle, a plate rotatably mounted on one end of said handle, said plate being secured against movement longitudinally of said handle, a control unit rotatably and slidably mounted on said handle, means on said handle adjacent said plate for retaining said unit in position on said handle, ribs pivotally connected to said control unit, braces pivotally connected to said plate, means slidably and pivotally connecting said braces to said ribs, and means for detachably securing a cover to said control unit and ribs on the side of said ribs opposite the braces, whereby when the control unit is moved longitudinally of said handle away from said plate the ribs and braces are moved to a position approximately parallel with said handle and the cover embraces said ribs therein.

6. A folding umbrella comprising a handle, a control unit rotatably and slidably mounted on said handle, means located adjacent the ends of said handle for retaining the control unit in longitudinally spaced positions thereon, ribs pivotally connected to said control unit, said ribs being adapted to receive a cover, a plate rotatably mounted on said handle, braces pivotally secured to said plate, means slidably and pivotally connecting said braces to said ribs, and a cup mounted on said handle adjacent the plate, said cup being positioned between the plate and the control unit for sealing the control unit about the handle.

7. A folding umbrella comprising a handle, a control unit slidably and rotatably mounted on said handle, said unit having an inner sleeve with an outwardly flaring rim on an end thereof, threads on the inside of said sleeve, an outer sleeve fitted over said inner sleeve, said inner and outer sleeves being adapted to retain a cover therebetween, an operating handle on the outer sleeve, threads on said first-mentioned handle cooperating with the threads of the internal sleeve for retaining said unit in ditferent posi tions along the length of said first mentioned handle, ribs pivotally connected with said inner sleeve and circumferentially placed around the rim on said inner sleeve, and braces pivotally connected to said handle and slidably connected to said ribs.

8. A folding umbrella comprising a handle, a control unit slidably and rotatably mounted on said handle, means on said handle for retaining the control unit thereon, ribs pivotally connected to said control unit having openings in the ends thereof, a circular cover, hooks secured adjacent the periphery of said cover, said hooks being detachably secured to said ribs through the openings therein, a resilient member having a hole therein atfixed to the center of said cover and attached to said control unit, and braces pivotally connected to said handle and slidably and pivotally connected to said ribs intermediate the ends thereof.

9. An umbrella comprising a handle, a control unit slidably mounted on said handle, ribs pivotally mounted at one end on said control unit, braces connected with the ribs and the handle, and an elastic cover on the ribs and connected with the opposite end portions thereof.

10. An umbrella, comprising an elongated staff, a sheet of elastic covering material surrounding and connected with one end portion of the stafl, a control unit slidably mounted lengthwise on the staff, ribs connected at outer ends with the peripheral portion of the covering material and having their inner ends pivotally connected with the control unit, and braces connected with the ribs and the staff.

11. An umbrella, comprising an elongated staff, a sheet of covering material surrounding and connected with one end portion of the staff, a control unit slidably mounted lengthwise on the staff, ribs connected at outer ends with the peripheral portion of the covering material and having their inner ends pivotally connected with the control unit, said control unit being slidable lengthwise of the staff to opposite sides of the dead-center position of the ribs when the inner ends thereof are in direct radial alignment with the outer ends thereof holding the covering material in stretched relation, and means connected with the staff for engagement with the control unit to hold the umbrella in raised position.

12. An umbrella, comprising an elongated staff, a sheet of covering material surrounding and connected with one end portion of the staff, a control unit slidably mounted lengthwise on the staff, and ribs connected at outer ends with the peripheral portion of the covering material and having their inner ends pivotally connected with the control unit, braces extending lengthwise of the ribs toward the staff, and means pivotally connecting the inner ends of the braces with the staff and pivotally connecting the outer ends of the braces with the ribs intermediate the length of the latter, said control unit being slidable lengthwise of the staff to opposite sides of the dead-center position of the ribs.

13. An umbrella comprising an elongated rod having a sleeve slidably mounted thereon intermediate its ends, a plurality of radially spaced elongated ribs having one of their respective ends pivotally mounted on said sleeve, a flexible cover having a central portion thereof connected to one end of said rod, said ribs having their respective other ends secured adjacent the periphery of said cover, a plurality of radial spaced braces shorter than said ribs and having one of their respective ends pivotally connected on said rod adjacent said one end, and said braces having their respective ends pivotally connected to said ribs intermediate the ends thereof, said flexible cover and ribs being relatively movable at the connections therebetween during opening and folding movements of the umbrella.

14. An umbrella comprising an elongated rod having a sleeve slidably mounted thereon intermediate its ends, a plurality of radially spaced elongated ribs having one of their respective ends pivotally connected to said sleeve, a flexible cover having a central portion thereof surrounding said shaft, said ribs having their other respective ends connected to said cover adjacent the periphery thereof, a plurality of radially spaced braces of shorter length than said ribs having one of their respective ends pivotally connected with one end of said rod, said braces having their respective other ends pivotally connected with said ribs intermediate the ends thereof, said sleeve being reciprocal on said rod between a point adjacent the other end of said rod to a point adjacent said first end whereby said first and other ends of said ribs pivot about said other ends of said braces to enter into and pass through opposite sides of a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said rod.

15. An umbrella comprising an elongated rod, a flexible cover, a plurality of radially spaced ribs having one of their respective ends pivotally and slidably mounted on said rod, said ribs having their other respective ends con nected tosaid cover adjacent the periphery thereof, said first and other ends ofsaid ribs being movable into and out of opposite sides of a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of said rod, said cover exerting a force on said ribs to constantly urge said one end of said ribs toward said one end of said rod after said one end of said ribs have passed through said plane toward said one end of said rod, and

means preventing said one end of said ribs from sliding past said one end of said rod.

16. An umbrella comprising an elongated handle having the mid-portion of a flexible cover connected to one end thereof, a sleeve slidably mounted on said handle, a plurality of elongated ribs having one of their respective ends pivotally connected on said sleeve and extending radially therefrom, said ribs having their other respective ends secured to the periphery of said cover, a plurality of braces of shorter length than said ribs, said braces having one of their respective ends pivotally connected to said rod adjacent one end thereof, a bracket rigidly secured to said ribs intermediate the ends thereof, said braces having their other respective ends pivotally mounted on said brackets, said ribs and said braces being positioned between said cover and said handle when said umbrella is collapsed.

17. A collapsable umbrella comprising a handle having a sleeve slidably mounted thereon, said sleeve being positioned adjacent one end of said handle when said umbrella is collapsed, a polygonal flexible and elastic cover having its central portion fixedly secured to said sleeve, a plurality of elongated ribs having one of their respective ends pivotally mounted on said sleeve and having their respective other ends adjacent the other ends of said rod, said ribs having their respective other ends affixed to each apex of said polygonal cover, a plurality of braces of shorter length than said ribs having one of their respective ends pivotally connected to the other end of said handle, a bracket mounted on each of said ribs intermediate their length, said braces having their respective other ends pivotally mounted on said brackets, whereby movement of said sleeve from said one end of said rod towards its other end will cause said other end of said rib to pivot outwardly away from said other end of said handle thereby expanding and exerting tension in said cover, and said ribs pivoting on said sleeve beyond dead-center position as said sleeve is moved to a position adjacent said other end of said handle.

18. A collapsible umbrella comprising an elongated handle having a sleeve slidably mounted thereon, said sleeve being positioned adjacent one end of said handle when said umbrella is in collapsed position, a polygonal flexible and elastic cover having its central portion fixedly secured to said sleeve, a plurality of elongated ribs having one of their respective ends pivotally connected to said sleeve, said ribs having their free ends disposed adjacent the other end of said handle when said umbrella is in collapsed position, said ribs having their respective free ends secured to an apex of said polygonal cover, a plurality of braces of shorter length than said ribs having one of their respective ends connected to said other end of said handle, a bracket fixedly mounted on each of said ribs intermediate the ends thereof, said braces having their respective other ends pivotally connected on said brackets, said ribs and braces being parallel to each other, whereby movement of said sleeve from said one end of said handle toward the other end thereof will cause said free ends of said ribs to pivot on said sleeve and said brackets away from said other end of said handle to expand said cover under tension, said free ends pivoting beyond the dead-center with respect to said sleeve whereby said sleeve is constantly urged toward said other end of said handle by the force of said cover, and means to prevent said sleeve from passing said other end of said handle.

19. A collapsible umbrella comprising a handle and a sleeve slidably mounted on said handle and normally positioned adjacent one end of said handle, a plurality of ribs having one of their respective ends secured to said sleeve at spaced intervals, said ribs having their free ends disposed adjacent the other end of said handle when said sleeve is in its normal position, a plurality of braces having one of their respective ends pivotally mounted on said handle adjacent said other end thereof, a bracket fixedly mounted on each of said ribs intermediate their respective ends, said braces having their other ends pivotally connected on said brackets, a flexible elastic cover having a center portion thereof secured to said other end of said handle, said free ends of said ribs being secured to the periphery of said cover at spaced intervals, and said cover surrounding said ribs and braces when said sleeve is in its normal position.

20. A collapsible umbrella comprising a handle and a sleeve slidably mounted on said handle and normally positioned adjacent one end of said handle, a plurality of ribs having one of their respective ends secured to said sleeve at spaced intervals, said ribs having their free ends disposed adjacent the other end of said handle when said sleeve is in its normal position, a plurality of braces having one of their respective ends pivotally mounted on said handle adjacent said other end thereof, a bracket fixedly mounted on each of said ribs intermediate their respective ends, said braces having their ends pivotally connected on said brackets, a flexible elastic cover having a center portion thereof secured to said other end of said handle, said free ends of said ribs being secured to the periphery of said cover at spaced intervals, means connecting said cover to each of said braces adjacent said bracket, and said cover surrounding said ribs and braces when said sleeve is in its normal position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 156,221 Hill Oct. 27, 1874 276,407 Hoke Apr. 24, 1883 506,289 Weber Oct. 10, 1893 529,459 Neidig Nov. 20, 1894 929,497 Rose July 27, 1909 990,329 Anderson Apr. 25, 1911 1,124,420 Gough Ian. 12, 1915 2,091,676 Fliegner Aug. 31, 1937 2,492,376 Brillas Dec. 27, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 323,398 Italy Dec. 19, 1934 560,714 France July 17, 1923

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