US3424180A - Framework of plastic material for umbrella,beach sunshade or parasols - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 28, 1969 G. ANDOLFI FRAMEWORK OF PLASTIC MATERIAL FOR UMBRELLA, BEAC UNSHADE OR PARA S Filed April 27, 1966 Sheet. 012

INVEN'IOR Z3 G/A/VC'A RA 0 A lVfiOLF/ Sela/lies d Semmes ATTORNEY Jan. 28, 1969 G. ANDOLFI 3,424,180

FRAMEWORK OF PLASTIC MATERIAL FOR UMBRELLA, BEACH SUNSHADE on PARASOLS Filed April 26, 1966 Sheet 3 012 f I 6" r :11 y a 'F/C. H F1610 I BY 52172-0188 & Semme s ATTORNEY United States Patent 4,151/65, 4,153/65 US. Cl. 135-20 1 Claim Int. Cl. A45b 25/02, 25/08 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Plastic umbrella framework characterized by ease in assembly and rust-proof structure.

Summary of the invention The umbrella framework of the present invention features plastic construction throughout providing protection against rusting, only two molded pieces, overall dimensions not exceeding conventional metallic constructions, ease in assembly and low cost of manufacture.

The present invention relates to a framework for umbrellas, beach sunshade or parasols, which is completely made of plastic material and resin and fiber glasssuch as polyester or epoxy resins-0f a very easy and ready assembling, without any use of metal parts and hence of a rust-proof structure.

This framework is a remarkable progress in the art of such constructions because of its extending the life of the sheet or material the umbrella is covered with, said material being no more caused to get cut owing to rust. On the other hand, it is for its composition of a considerably less weight than the corresponding metal frameworks and of a much quicker, readier and easier assembling than the known frameworks.

Moreover, because of the particular use of the employed materials, it was possible to obtain a framework that, while it has a very high mechanical resistance, it-

presents overall dimensions not larger than the metallic traditional ones; frameworks with collars of diameter not exceeding 15.5 mm. and sticks of 3 mm. have been obtained.

The accompanying drawings illustrate by way of example and not of limitation a preferred embodiment of an umbrella. framework according to the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partially cut away view of the slidable sleeve in the released position, thus being adapted to slide along the barrel of the frame member;

FIG. 2 is a cross section according to the plane passing through the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross section according to the plane passing through the line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 1, showing the sleeve at a stop position;

FIG. 5 is a cross section of FIG. 4 according to the plane passing through the line 55;

FIG. 6 is a top view according to line 66 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a partially exploded, general view of the framework, some members having been omitted for sake of clearer understanding;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one of the end pins for the various umbrella sticks;

FIG. 9 is a half sectional view of the top collar;

FIG. 10 is a median longitudinal cross section of a joining hinge for a long stick with a smaller short stick;

FIG. 11 is a cross section of FIG. 10 according to the plane passing through line 11-11; and

FIG. 12 is an elevation view being rotated for 90 3,424,180 Patented Jan. 28, 1969 ice with respect to FIG. 10 as seen from the pin insertion side.

As it will be seen from the drawings, the umbrella framework according to the invention comprises: a frame barrel 3; main frame sticks 7; inner short frame sticks 5 which respectively form the various spokes of the umbrella supporting the sheet or material, and the umbrella sticks pi'votally connecting the former with the slidable sleeve 2. The barrel 3 and frame sticks 7 and 5 are preferably made of continuous glass and polyester, epoxy or ethoxy or equivalent resin drawn member. The other members are made of particularly resistant plastic materials, such as for example acetate resin known as Delrin manufactured by Du Pont de Nemours, or other resins having an equal resistance.

At each end of the sticks 5 and 7, a small plastic pin 4 (FIG. 8) is provided, the T-shaped head 4' of which has chamfered ends, as at 5", in order that trigger insertion be facilitated into the sleeve 6 and a very little encumbrance be permitted when they are mounted on the collar '8 (FIG. 9). Moreover, these pin sleeves 4 may be obtained by injection moulding together with the stick ends.

Heads 4' are adapted to be inserted: in one of the corresponding seatings 8' (FIG. 7) provided for this purpose within the collar 8 on the top of barrel 3 and secured by forced insertion; in one of the seatings or recesses 8" provided for within the slidable sleeve 2 (FIGS. 1 and 4); and finally, in a seating 6' provided for within the hinged sleeves 6 joining sticks 5 to sticks 7 at an intermediate point thereof and which are secured to such a point by forced insertion or formed by injection moulding into said point. The particular shape of the head 4' with its inviting planes 4" cooperate with the inserting seatings 6 of the sleeves for an easy assembling of the framework; in fact as can be seen in FIG. 11, the inserting seatings have two inviting chamferings 6". At the two respectively opening and closing positions of the umbrella there are provided two notches 3 (FIGS. 1, 4 and 7) indicating the stroke limits for the sleeve 2 and also the stop position for the same. In fact, the sleeve 2 provides on its smaller diameter periphery an oscillating arcuated strip 22 (FIGS. 3 and 5) formed from a threesided cut and tapered with an enlargement to the free head; it represents a resilient half ring having its seating within a corresponding tapered half passage or channel 23 of a complementary shape excavated in the inner periphery of the sleeve 1 enclosing the smaller diameter portion of sleeve 2. The sleeve 1-2 being brought to one of the terminal points of the barrel 3, one of the two slots 3" will be at the height or level of the resilient strip 22 (FIG. 3); by rotating the outer sleeve 1 in a counterclock direction, strip 22 will be shifted until slot 3" is occupied (FIG. 5) and frame will be blocked in position. Similarly, by operating onto the sleeve in a clockwise direction from this position, strip 22 will be released and sleeve 1-2 will be free to slide. In order that operation be rendered elementary, there is provided on the enlarged head 2' of sleeve 2 a sector slot 24 (FIGS. 1 and 7) the ends of which will abut against the upwardly projecting spoke 1" forming part of the upper enlarged portion 1' of the outer sleeve 1, so as to accurately limit the two open and closed positions and also to give a visual indication thereof.

The enlarged head 2 of the sleeve 2 (FIGS. 1 and 4) and the also enlarged portion 9 (FIG. 9) of the collar 8 are the strongest portions since the respective radial pivoting seatings 8" and 8' (FIG. 7) and the radial splits 10 (FIG. 9) wherein the reduced stems '11 of pins 4 (FIG. 8) can move, are formed therein.

There is also provided a small collar 12 (FIG. '7), said small collar being secured by forced insertion on the barrel 3 and acting as an upper stop for the sleeve 2.

The sleeve 1, enclosing the cylindrical zone of a smaller 3 diameter of the inner sleeve 2, is held in position by the lower flange 13 of said sleeve 2 (FIGS. 1 and 3) which has an inviting frusto-conical sloped plane 13 to facilitate the forced insertion of sleeve 1 which can no more become unthreaded.

What is claimed is:

1. A plastic umbrella framework, comprising a vertical shaft, an upper collar mounted on said shaft and including within the bottom portion thereof surrounding said shaft a plurality of vertical slots opening downwardly along said shaft, the remaining portions of said upper collar located between and defining said slots being internally provided with grooves oriented generally perpendicular to said slots between said shaft and the outer surface of said upper collar and being opened adjacent said shaft; a lower collar adjustable along said shaft including a first sleeve generally abutting said shaft and a second coaxial sleeve surrounding the first sleeve, sai'd first sleeve including a three-sided cut defining within the cut an arcuate strip enlarged beyond the diameter of said first sleeve at the free end of said arcuate strip to define a head, said second sleeve including a chamfered half channel located within its inner periphery complementary in configuration with said head of said arcuate strip of said first sleeve such that as said second sleeve is rotated in relation to said first sleeve said head of said arcuate strip of said first sleeve is forced into engagement against said shaft fixing said lower collar against movement with respect to said shaft; said first sleeve including within the top thereof surrounding said shaft a plurality of vertical slots opening upwardly along said shaft, the remaining portions of said first sleeve located between and defining said slots being internally provided with grooves oriented generally perpendicular to said slots between said shaft and the outer surface of said first sleeve and being opened adjacent said shaft; a plurality of first supports constituting the top of the umbrella framework terminating at their inner ends in cylindrical heads, flattened portions extending inwardly from said cylindrical heads and slidably mounted within said slots of said upper collar, transverse head portions extending inwardly from said flattened portions complementary in configuration with respect to said grooves of said upper collar and positioned within said grooves, said shaft preventing said head portions from being dislodged from said grooves; a plurality of second supports terminating at their inner ends in cylindrical heads, flattened portions extending inwardly from said cylindrical heads and slidably mounted within said slots of said first sleeve of said lower collar, transverse head portions extending inwardly from said flattened portions complementary in configuration with respect to said grooves of said first sleeve of said lower collar and positioned within said grooves of said first sleeve of said lower collar, said shaft preventing said head portions from being dislodged from said grooves; means pivotably mounting each of the outer ends of said second supports about a portion of each of said first supports located between the ends thereof, said means including sleeves mounted upon said first supports terminating downwardly in parallel flanges containing opposed openings and chamfered portions between said openings and the bottom-most portions of said flanges, said other ends of said second supports terminating at their outer ends in cylindrical heads, flattened portions extending outwardly from said cylindrical heads and slidably mounted within said flanges, transverse head portions extending outwardly from said flattened portions complementary in configuration with respect to said opposed openings of said flanges of said sleeves permitting said head portions to be inserted within said chamfered portions spreading said parallel flanges until said head portions snap in place within said opposed openings, said head portions then being prevented from being dislodged from said opposed openings as said parallel flanges resume their original position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 288,485 11/1883 Powell -43 599,623 2/ 1 898 Moulton 135--43 620,025 2/ 1899 Fleisch 135--30 11,034,846 8/1912 Thomas 13543 1,136,887 4/1915 Penn 1353O 2,977,964 4/ 1961 Trippe et a1 135-20 3,160,166 12/1964 Wuster 13526 3,177,882 4/ 1965 Militano 135-20 PETER M. CAUN, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

Images