US3699988A - Collapsible umbrella - Google Patents

Abstract

A collapsible umbrella having dome ribs in which each dome rib comprises three telescopic members. A supporting stretcher and strut linkage of a parallelogram type wherein each component of the supporting linkage is of U-shaped cross section and of respective dimensions such that each component nests in a companion component thereby reducing the diameter of the umbrella when it is collapsed in a closed condition.

Description

United States Patent Weber [54] COLLAPSIBLE UMBRELLA [72] Inventor: Heinz Weber, Hilden, Germany [73] Assignee: Telesco Brophey Limited, Montreal,

Quebec, Canada [22] Filed: May 6, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 35,184

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 25, 1969 Germany ..P 19 37 887.] July 25, 1969 Germany ..P 19 37 889.3

[52] US. Cl. ..135/20 R, 135/25 R, 135/26 [51] Int. Cl. ..A4Sb 19/04 [58] Field of Search ..135/20, 26, 31

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,262,122 4/1918 Sonnenthal ..135/27 2,047,711 7/1936 Siers ..135/27 X 1 Oct. 24, 1972 2,710,619 6/1955 Haupt et al. 135/26 2.775.977 1/1957 Haupt ..135/26 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 684,180 3/1965 Italy ..135/26 900,264 12/ 1953 Germany ..135/31 Primary Examiner-J. Karl Bell Attorney-Alan Swabey l 57 ABSTRACT 14 Claims, 26 Drawing Figures PAIENTEnum 24 m2 SHEET 1 OF 7 INVENTOR Heinz WEBER A TTORNEY PATENTED 24 I973 3.6 99 988 SHEET 2 OF 7 INVENTOR Heinz WEBER ATTORNEY PATENTEDnm 24 m2 SHEET 3 [IF 7 FIG. II

INVENTOR Heinz WEBER A TTORNEY PATENTED 24 I97? 3 699,988

sum u or 7 FIG I? INVENTOR Heinz WEBER .4 TTORNEY PATENTEDucr 24 1972 SHEET 5 0F 7 FIG. 18

INVENTOR Heinz WEBER PATENTED I97?v 3.699.988

FIG. 22

INVENTOR Heinz WEBER QZWJ" 4 TTORNFY PATENTEDI1C1 I 72 3.699.988

sum 7 UF 7 INVENTOR HQinz WEBER @M/Ju? COLLAPSIBLE UMBRELLA BACKGROUND OF INVENTION l Field of Invention The present invention relates to an umbrella and more particularly to an umbrella which is collapsible when in a closed condition.

2. Description of Prior Art Collapsible umbrellas of the type which are widely used include a telescopic stick of either two or three pieces and dome ribs which are generally of two parts with one telescopic on the other.

It is of course advantageous to make an umbrella as compact and as small as possible when it is not in use. Recently, certain developments have been made in collapsible umbrellas whereby the dome rib is in three pieces with the two parts near the crown being telescopic and the third part being hinged to the second part so that it folds over the second part when the umbrella is being collapsed. This type of construction retains the minimum longitudinal extent possible but the diameter of the collapsed umbrella is compromised. Further, in opening the umbrella it is quite difficult to pivot the outer part of the dome rib against the cover which is being stretched.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION It is an aim of the present invention to provide a collapsible umbrella whereby the dome ribs are of a threestage type and whereby the diameter of the umbrella is considerably reduced as well as the longitudinal extent of the umbrella when the umbrella is collapsed.

It is also an aim of the present invention to provide an umbrella which is easy to open and close and overcomes the disadvantage of the three-stage dome rib umbrella having a hinged outer stage.

In accordance with the present invention, an umbrella is provided having a telescopic stick. a crown at one end of the stick, dome ribs hinged to the crown and each dome rib having three telescopic parts extending with the two outer parts telescoped within the first part in a closed position and the three parts being extended to the fully extended aligned position when the umbrella is in an open condition, and at least one runner slidable on the stick and articulated stretcher means between said runner and said dome rib for operably fully extending the dome rib to an open position.

A further feature of the present invention includes an auxiliary runner mounted between the main runner and the crown for slidable movement therebetween, a strut extends from said auxiliary runner to the articulated stretcher means and the stretcher and strut members being of U-shaped construction whereby when the umbrella is in a closed condition, the strut members and the stretcher members nest one within the other.

In a more specific construction according to the present invention there is a second stretcher member hingedly connected to the outer dome rib member and a geats which slides on the central dome rib member; a strut member is hinged to the auxiliary runner and hingedly connected to a point spaced apart from the free end of the second stretcher member. Both the auxiliary strut and the first stretcher member are of U-shaped cross section and the auxiliary strut is adapted to nest completely within the second stretcher member. A first stretcher member is hingedly connected to the main runner and to a point intermediate of the auxiliary strut. The first stretcher member is also of U-shaped construction with the open side of the U facing outwardly of the stick. The open-face cross section of the second stretcher and the auxiliary strut are faced towards the stick. The first stretcher member is adapted to nest within the auxiliary strut. Finally, a link member is hingedly connected to the first stretcher member from a point spaced from the hinged end to the auxiliary strut. The link member extends parallel to the auxiliary strut and is hingedly connected to the end of the second stretcher member forming a parallelogram linkage.

In a still more specific construction in accordance with the present invention, a sleeve is provided on the end of the first stretcher member which overlies the dome ribs for sliding movement thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, it will be referred to in more detail by reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention therein and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevation view of one embodiment of the umbrella in the open position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of one detail of the umbrella shown in FIG. 1 but in a different position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial bottom plan view taken along lines 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross section taken along the line A-B in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial bottom plan view taken along lines 5-5 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross section taken along the line C-D in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial plan view taken along lines 7--7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an elevation of the umbrella in a closed collapsed position;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the umbrella shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary elevation of the umbrella in a closed position but not completely collapsed;

FIG. 1 1 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view of a detail in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustration of an open umbrella;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial bottom plan view taken along lines 13-43 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a cross section taken along the line E-F in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a cross section taken along the line GH in FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged partial bottom plan view taken along line l6-16 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is a cross section taken along the line I-K in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a partial elevation of a second embodiment of an umbrella shown in an open position;

FIG. 19 is a partial elevation of the umbrella in FIG. 18 but with the auxiliary runner shown in cross section;

FIG. 20 is a cross section of the auxiliary runner and the stick with the catch in a locking position;

FIG. 21 is a cross section taken along the line LM in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a cross section similar to FIG. 20 but with lock lever in a released position;

FIG. 23 is a cross section taken along the line N-O in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a schematic illustration of the open umbrella of FIG. 18',

FIG. 25 is a partial bottom plan view taken along line 2525 in FIG. 18; and

FIG. 26 is a side elevation of the detail shown in FIG. 25.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 17, the umbrella is shown having a telescoping umbrella stick 1 comprising tubular sections 2 and 3, with tube 3 being the inside tubular section. In FIG. 1 it is locked in the extended position by the usual ball of spring catch 4.

Tube 3 also has at its end a carrying handle 5 (FIG. 12) provided as usual with an annular recess for the accommodation of the free ends 6' of dome ribs 6.

Main runner 7 and auxiliary runner 8 slide on umbrella stick 1.

Tubular section 2 mounts crown 9 and dome ribs 6 are hinged thereto.

Each dome rib 6 comprises three sections of approximately the same length, namely section 6a near the crown, central section 6b, and outer section 60. The sections telescope into each other. Whereas a U-profile is preferred for sections 6a and 6b, outer section 6c is of circular cross section.

Associated with each dome rib 6 is a support system comprising the following components: auxiliary-runner strut 10, main runner first stretcher l1, auxiliary link 12, dome rib or second stretcher 13.

The strut 10 is hinged to auxiliary runner 8.

First stretcher l l is hinged to main runner 7.

When the umbrella is folded, strut 10, first stretcher 1], and auxiliary link 12 are all nested into each other within second stretcher 13. In order to accomplish the space-saving nesting of these components, the strut and stretchers are of U-shaped cross section of correspondingly reduced dimensions from the second stretcher 13, the strut 10 and the first stretcher 11 respectively. The auxiliary link 12 may, however, have a flat cross section since it enters the U-shaped profile of first stretcher 1 1. The second requirement for satisfactory nesting is that the strut 10, first stretcher l1, and auxiliary link 12 will all be hinged at their respective ends.

The U-shaped profile of the strut 10 is open towards the umbrella stick 1. It subtends a hinge pin 14 at its intermediate point and the first stretcher is hinged thereto within the legs of the strut 10 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The open U-side of the first stretcher faces away from umbrella stick 1. Auxiliary link 12 is hinged to a hinge 11' formed by punched depressions in the legs of the first stretcher 11 at a point spaced from hinge pin 14. A hinge pin may, however, be used instead of this form of hinge. The other end of the auxiliary link 12 is hinged to a hinge pin 16 between legs of second stretcher 13 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). At a distance from hinge pin 16 corresponding to the distance between hinge points 14 and 11' strut 10 is hinged to second stretcher 13 by means of a hinge pin 17.

The strut l0, first stretcher 11, second stretcher l3 and auxiliary link 12 form a parallelogram linkage stabilizing the dome rib support system.

For the purpose of obtaining a tight hinge. legs 15 of the second stretcher 13 are stepped in the area of the hinge pin 16 to a spaced-apart distance X as seen in FIG. 6 which is approximately equal to the thickness of auxiliary link 12. The said construction produces shoulders 15 which form a supporting surface for the edges of legs 18 of strut 10 when the umbrella is open as seen in FIGS. 1 and 6.

As the end of strut l0 hinges to runner 8, the legs 18 facing umbrella stick 1 are of reduced depth for an extent equal to at least the length of sleeve 8" of the auxiliary runner 8 (this is shown in FIGS. 1, 8, l0 and 18). This enables strut 10 to be folded as snugly as possible against the umbrella stick.

The auxiliary link 12 is also designed for compact folding and nesting of the individual components constituting the support system, in that the recess or cut out 12 is provided on its edge facing strut 10 for the accommodation of hinge pin 17 connecting strut 10 to second stretcher 13 when the umbrella is closed.

Similar provisions are made with the second stretcher 13. In this case, legs 15 of stretcher 13 are pressed outwardly at 21. When the umbrella frame is folded, the heads of hinge pin 14, which connects strut 10 to the first stretcher l 1 enters this enlarged opening 21.

The stretcher support system is connected to the dome rib 6 by means of a dome-sliding geats 22. A hinge pin 23 passes between the legs of geats 22 and is adapted for movement in oblique slots 24 in each leg ascending outwardly.

The end of the second stretcher 13 is hinged to the pin 23 as well as the end of outer rib section 6c. Furthermore apertures 25 are provided in the legs of the geats 22 for attaching the cover material 27. Thus hinge pin 23 joins together three components, namely second stretcher l3, outer rib section 6c of dome rib 6, and the geats 22. The end of the outer rib section 6c is bent downwardly to meet the pin 23.

The internal cross section of the geats 22 is of a size such that dome-rib section 6a, which has the largest cross section, can pass through it freely. In order to avoid narrowing this internal cross section, the part of the legs 26 defining sewing aperture 25 are bent out in a region beyond the normal cross section thereof.

Guide slot 24 has a controlling function. When the umbrella is opened, cover material 27, which is becoming stretched tends to pull the geats 22 in relation to dome rib 6, in the direction of arrow This eliminates the play otherwise existing between geats 22 and dome rib 6, the web of the U-shaped geats being pressed against the upper surface of the dome rib 6. This produces a sort of lock which imparts to the umbrella frame increased internal stability.

The hinge pin 23 is suitable for the function outlined above. since it assumes a position largely free of play in relation to dome rib 6. This results from the fact that the end region of outer section 6c of dome rib 6 seated on a bent and flattened end 28, runs in a sleeve-like end zone 29 in central section 6b of the dome rib (see FIG. 16). In order to make it possible for geats 22 to slide freely over step 30 between dome-rib central section 6b and inner section 60, front edge 31 is chamfered back towards dome material 27. Tips 32 of the legs are always safely caught by the intemal cross section of the geats 22. In addition to this, front edges 31 may be rounded off.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 through 15, a stopping means for the extending dome-rib sections is provided by means of flanges 33 in legs 34 pointing downwards from central section 6b which come up against guide tabs 36 pointing inwards and extending from legs 35 of inner dome-rib section 60.

The end abutment for outermost section 6a of dome rib 6 forms the sleeve-like rolled end region of central dome-rib section 6b, bent end 28 coming up against front edge 37.

The umbrella according to FIGS. 18 to 26 is of a configuration substantially comparable to that of the embodiment just described, except for the special arrangement of strut l0 and second stretcher l3 and a modified auxiliary runner 8, and the same reference numerals have therefore been used. In this case, when the umbrella is open, strut l0 and stretcher 13 run almost in a straight line, which means that in their operative position they function as a triangular support structure with the dome ribs 6. Both are made of U-shaped cross section. The open sides of the Us point in opposite directions.

The extension 38 of second stretcher 13 extending from pin 17 towards the umbrella stick defines the extended position assumed by strut l0 and stretcher 13. The legs of the two members lock together when aligned.

Auxiliary link 39 which in this case is made of wire of circular cross section is hooked at one end to web 40 which has a corresponding aperture 41, while at the other end it is hinged in internal space 42 of first stretcher 11, again by punched projections 11 of material. The end of the auxiliary link is rolled into an annular eye, and the link is also arched slightly outwards (see FIG. 26).

In this embodiment, when the umbrella is open, auxiliary runner 8 is farther away from the crown 9 than in the example previously described. ln its terminal position, it comes up against a stop 43 in umbrella-stick outer tube 2. Stop 43 is the upper edge of a recess 44 in tube 2. A pawl 45 serves as the catch-means for securing the umbrella stick in the position assumed. This pawl is a free-cut tongue in wall 8' of the auxiliary-slide bush. It acts like a latch, its latch-head 46 passing into recess 44. No separate spring is provided since the material possesses sufiicient inherent springiness. Catch-head 46 exhibits a control surface 47 extending over two thirds of its length and, after reaching its maximal height, it slopes back down towards the axis of the stick as far as surface 48 which cooperates with stop edge 43.

The engaged position shown in FIG. may be released by shortening the umbrella stick, the upper edge of inside tube 3 running up on surface 47 of pawl 45 and pushing the latter outwards (see FIG. 22). The auxiliary slide is thus released, by overcoming the resistance, to move in either direction. By keeping the auxiliary slide in the locked position as long as possible, opening and closing the umbrella frame is greatly facilitated.

When the umbrella is open, the strut and the second stretcher extend in an approximately straight line. This produces an umbrella frame, having still greater internal stability, with a simultaneous increase in headroom. The two members act as a single support strut which, as a result of the above-mentioned arrangement, is more difficult to deflect and occupies a minimum of space. A kind of self-locking is accomplished which keeps the heavier loads away from the catch means.

The auxiliary link may be pre-assembled and may be made of steel wire. It is merely hooked into the web of the U-shaped dome-rib support strut. The necessary space for this is available, since both the auxiliary-slide strut and the dome-rib support strut are made of U-sections, whereby the other end of the auxiliary link may also be satisfactorily hinged-on. [n the area of the hinge location between these two members, relatively large hinge-guidance surfaces may be obtained, which also promotes high lateral stability. The stop provided for the auxiliary runner forces the latter into a favorable position for handling. The latter is provided with a catch-like pawl. The pawl holds the auxiliary slide in the locked position until the support system has been largely collapsed and the dome ribs partly shortened. Only after this is the catch released by the shortening of the umbrella stick, i.e. pushing the inside tube in, or by the folding of the support linkage, if the umbrella stick is not to be shortened first.

[ claim:

1. An umbrella frame having a stick; a crown at one end of the stick; dome ribs hinged to the crown; a main runner slidably mounted on the stick; an auxiliary runner slidably mounted on the stick between the main runner and the crown; articulated stretcher means including first and second members and strut members hinged to said auxiliary runner,

said first stretcher members being hinged to said main runner and said second stretcher members being hinged to said dome ribs, the stretcher members and said strut members being of an open U- shaped construction whereby, when the umbrella frame is closed, the stretcher members and strut members nest one within the other and reduce the lateral, overall dimensions of the closed frame, the first stretcher members being hinged to a point substantially midway of the strut members, said first stretcher members being of a cross section smaller than that of the open U-shaped strut members and being adapted to nest in said strut members, the strut members being hinged within the open U-shaped second stretcher members and having a cross section smaller than the second stretcher members and adapted to substantially nest within the second stretcher members when the frame is closed, the hinge point of said strut members to said second stretcher members being spaced from an inner end portion of said second stretcher members and the outer end portions of said second stretcher members being hingedly connected to said dome ribs; and auxiliary link members hinged within the open U-shaped first stretcher members below the hinge point of the stretcher and strut members and being of a cross section to nest substantially within the first stretcher members when the frame is closed, and the other end of the auxiliary link members being hinged to the inner end portion of the second stretcher members inwardly of the hinge point of said strut and second stretcher members.

2. The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said dome ribs comprise telescopic linear sections including an inner, central and outer section,

the inner and central sections of the dome ribs define a continuous slot in the bottom thereof and the outer end of said central section defines a closed sleeve through which said outer section passes, abutment means are provided on the inner end of said outer section adapted to stop against the sleeve, and the inner end of said outer section is hingedly connected to said articulated stretcher means, and the inner end of said central dome rib and the outer end of said inner dome rib each include abutment means which are adapted to stop the central rib portion from extending completely out of said inner rib portion, whereby when said runner is slid upwardly along the stick, the articulated stretcher means connected pushes the outer rib member outwardly from the central rib member and as the stop means on the inner end of said outer member engages the sleeve on the central rib portion, the central rib portion is caused to telescope outwardly from the inner portion until it engages the stop means between the inner rib portion and the central rib portion whereby the dome rib is fully extended, and as the runner is slid away from the crown along the stick, the articulated stretcher means connected to the outer rib portion retracts the outer rib portion within the central rib portion and subsequently retracts the outer rib portion, central rib portion into the inner portion to its closed position.

3. An umbrella as defined in Claim 2, wherein the inner rib section and the central rib section are of U- shaped cross section which define the bottom open slot.

4. An umbrella as defined in claim 3, wherein the stop means at the end of the inner rib section includes inwardly extending short flanges extending from the legs of the ribs while the abutting means on the inner end of said central rib portion include downwardly extending, outwardly flared portions of the legs.

5. An umbrella as defined in claim 2, wherein the outer rib section is of circular wire construction and the inner end of said outer rib hinged to the stretcher means is bent downwardly below the edges of the central rib portion.

6. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said second stretcher members include an inner portion between the hinged points of said link members and the strut members for abutingly engaging beneath said strut members when the umbrella frame is open.

7. An umbrella as defined in claim 6, wherein the first stretcher member is of U-shaped cross section and at the open side at a direction opposite to that of the strut member and the second stretcher member, a link member is hingedly connected within the first stretcher member at a point near but spaced apart from the end of the first stretcher member hinged to the strut member and the other end of said link is hingedly connected to the free end of said second stretcher member whereby the link forms a parallelogram linkage structure with the portions of the first stretcher member, the strut member. the second stretcher member, between the respective hinge ints.

8. An umbrella as efined in claim 1, wherein when the umbrella is in a closed position, the open side of the U-shaped first stretcher member is directed away from the stick while the open side of the strut member and the second stretcher member is directed towards the stick and whereby when the umbrella is closed, the strut member nests within the second stretcher member, the first stretcher member nests within the strut member and the link member nests within the first stretcher member.

9. An umbrella as defined in claim 1, wherein the auxiliary runner includes a sleeve extending axially about the stick from the hinged portion of the runner wherein the strut member includes a portion thereof from the hinge point to a distance equal to the length of the sleeve of the auxiliary runner which is of reduced depth relative to the remainder of the strut.

10. An umbrella as defined in claim 7, wherein the end of the second stretcher member to which the link is hinged is narrowed to a distance just sufficient to accommodate the end of the link.

1 1. An umbrella as defined in claim 1, wherein when the umbrella is in an open position, the strut and the second stretcher member define a straight line and thus a stable triangular structure with the straight line formed by the inner rib section and the central rib section, the base being the stick.

12. An umbrella as defined in claim I I, wherein stop means are provided in the stick for locking the auxiliary runner at a distance spaced apart from the crown, whereby this lock is automatically released when the telescopic stick is shortened in length.

13. The combination as claimed in claim 6, in which flexible dome material is secured to said stick and said dome ribs outer section for extension with the dome ribs when said umbrella frame is errected, geats attached to said flexible dome material and secured to the inner end of said outer dome rib linear section, said geats being reciprocably mounted on said intermediate linear section for movement relative thereto with said outer linear section and said dome material, said intermediate linear section having free relative movement with respect to said inner and outer linear sections and having terminal abutments respectively engageable with said geats and a distal portion of said inner linear section, the dome rib linear sections and said foldable first strut members being so constructed and arranged to press the geats toward said dome material and tighten the dome material when the umbrella is completely errected.

Claims (13)

1. An umbrella frame having a stick; a crown at one end of the stick; dome ribs hinged to the crown; a main runner slidably mounted on the stick; an auxiliary runner slidably mounted on the stick between the main runner and the crown; articulated stretcher means including first and second members and strut members hinged to said auxiliary runner, said first stretcher members being hinged to said main runner and said second stretcher members being hinged to said dome ribs, the stretcher members and said strut members being of an open U-shaped construction whereby, when the umbrella frame is closed, the stretcher members and strut members nest one within the other and reduce the lateral, overall dimensions of the closed frame, the first stretcher members being hinged to a point substantially midway of the strut members, said first stretcher members being of a cross section smaller than that of the open U-shaped strut members and being adapted to nest in said strut members, the strut members being hinged within the open U-shaped second stretcher members and having a cross section smaller than the second stretcher members and adapted to substantially nest within the second stretcher members when the frame is closed, the hinge point of said strut members to said second stretcher members being spaced from an inner end portion of said second stretcher members and the outer end portions of said second stretcHer members being hingedly connected to said dome ribs; and auxiliary link members hinged within the open U-shaped first stretcher members below the hinge point of the stretcher and strut members and being of a cross section to nest substantially within the first stretcher members when the frame is closed, and the other end of the auxiliary link members being hinged to the inner end portion of the second stretcher members inwardly of the hinge point of said strut and second stretcher members.

2. The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said dome ribs comprise telescopic linear sections including an inner, central and outer section, the inner and central sections of the dome ribs define a continuous slot in the bottom thereof and the outer end of said central section defines a closed sleeve through which said outer section passes, abutment means are provided on the inner end of said outer section adapted to stop against the sleeve, and the inner end of said outer section is hingedly connected to said articulated stretcher means, and the inner end of said central dome rib and the outer end of said inner dome rib each include abutment means which are adapted to stop the central rib portion from extending completely out of said inner rib portion, whereby when said runner is slid upwardly along the stick, the articulated stretcher means connected pushes the outer rib member outwardly from the central rib member and as the stop means on the inner end of said outer member engages the sleeve on the central rib portion, the central rib portion is caused to telescope outwardly from the inner portion until it engages the stop means between the inner rib portion and the central rib portion whereby the dome rib is fully extended, and as the runner is slid away from the crown along the stick, the articulated stretcher means connected to the outer rib portion retracts the outer rib portion within the central rib portion and subsequently retracts the outer rib portion, central rib portion into the inner portion to its closed position.

3. An umbrella as defined in Claim 2, wherein the inner rib section and the central rib section are of U-shaped cross section which define the bottom open slot.

4. An umbrella as defined in claim 3, wherein the stop means at the end of the inner rib section includes inwardly extending short flanges extending from the legs of the ribs while the abutting means on the inner end of said central rib portion include downwardly extending, outwardly flared portions of the legs.

5. An umbrella as defined in claim 2, wherein the outer rib section is of circular wire construction and the inner end of said outer rib hinged to the stretcher means is bent downwardly below the edges of the central rib portion.

6. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said second stretcher members include an inner portion between the hinged points of said link members and the strut members for abutingly engaging beneath said strut members when the umbrella frame is open.

7. An umbrella as defined in claim 6, wherein the first stretcher member is of U-shaped cross section and at the open side at a direction opposite to that of the strut member and the second stretcher member, a link member is hingedly connected within the first stretcher member at a point near but spaced apart from the end of the first stretcher member hinged to the strut member and the other end of said link is hingedly connected to the free end of said second stretcher member whereby the link forms a parallelogram linkage structure with the portions of the first stretcher member, the strut member, the second stretcher member, between the respective hinge points.

8. An umbrella as defined in claim 1, wherein when the umbrella is in a closed position, the open side of the U-shaped first stretcher member is directed away from the stick while the open side of the strut member and the second stretcher member is directed towards the stick and whereby when the umbrella is closed, the sTrut member nests within the second stretcher member, the first stretcher member nests within the strut member and the link member nests within the first stretcher member.

9. An umbrella as defined in claim 1, wherein the auxiliary runner includes a sleeve extending axially about the stick from the hinged portion of the runner wherein the strut member includes a portion thereof from the hinge point to a distance equal to the length of the sleeve of the auxiliary runner which is of reduced depth relative to the remainder of the strut.

10. An umbrella as defined in claim 7, wherein the end of the second stretcher member to which the link is hinged is narrowed to a distance just sufficient to accommodate the end of the link.

11. An umbrella as defined in claim 1, wherein when the umbrella is in an open position, the strut and the second stretcher member define a straight line and thus a stable triangular structure with the straight line formed by the inner rib section and the central rib section, the base being the stick.

12. An umbrella as defined in claim 11, wherein stop means are provided in the stick for locking the auxiliary runner at a distance spaced apart from the crown, whereby this lock is automatically released when the telescopic stick is shortened in length.

13. The combination as claimed in claim 6, in which flexible dome material is secured to said stick and said dome ribs outer section for extension with the dome ribs when said umbrella frame is errected, geats attached to said flexible dome material and secured to the inner end of said outer dome rib linear section, said geats being reciprocably mounted on said intermediate linear section for movement relative thereto with said outer linear section and said dome material, said intermediate linear section having free relative movement with respect to said inner and outer linear sections and having terminal abutments respectively engageable with said geats and a distal portion of said inner linear section, the dome rib linear sections and said foldable first strut members being so constructed and arranged to press the geats toward said dome material and tighten the dome material when the umbrella is completely errected.

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