WO2010004072A1

WO2010004072A1 - Stand-alone umbrella

Info

Publication number: WO2010004072A1
Application number: PCT/ES2009/070134
Authority: WO
Inventors: José Ramón Arenas Garcia
Original assignee: Arenas Garcia Jose Ramon
Priority date: 2008-07-11
Filing date: 2009-04-30
Publication date: 2010-01-14
Also published as: US20110088734A1; EP2305059A4; ES2351246A1; ES2351246B1; EP2305059A1; CN102149298A

Abstract

Stand-alone umbrella formed by a cover (1) which houses internal tubes (3) mounted inside the cover (1) on guides (2), being joined at its top end to an oscillating arm (4), the latter being in turn joined to a body (5) which has three sliders (19, 20 and 21) to which the rods (27, 28 and 29) are joined, the rear top slider (20) and the bottom slider (21) being joined to a cable (15) which is arranged along the length of the body (5) and the oscillating arm (4), and the ends of the cable (15) being joined to an arm slider (16) which is in turn joined to the middle plate (9) by means of tie-rods (17), the body (5) having at one of its ends rear rods (30) joined to a rotating element and at the other end a pulling device (8).

Description

FREE HANDS UMBRELLA

DESCRIPTION

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to a folding umbrella that can be carried by the user attached to his back.

Field of the invention

This invention has its application within the industry dedicated to the manufacture of umbrellas and parasols, more specifically in the auxiliary industry of umbrellas with folding handles.

Background of the invention

It is common for umbrellas, whether folding or not, present certain discomforts to users, because having to be carried with one hand, make it impossible to use both hands at the same time. Keep in mind that people in wheelchairs, using crutches or carrying children's cars need to have both hands free for handling, so that, in case of rain, a problematic situation occurs for them.

Some models are known in this sector of the industry that do not contribute to the state of the art the novel features proposed by the present invention. Thus, document ES281276Y describes an umbrella whose parabola is elliptical in shape, with a greater horizontal width, with the possibility of use by two people at the same time with some comfort. The elliptical parabola umbrellas have the disadvantage of occupying a large space, causing embarrassing situations. The document U0217628 proposes a non-automatic folding handle umbrella for cumbersome use. Non-automatic folding handle umbrellas require enough time to open them so that the user gets wet with the rain. Document ES216848 informs about an extensible handle umbrella, which although smaller once folded, must be transported manually. Also document U0124048 describes the opening and closing of an umbrella automatically but manually transported. Document U0184756 describes an umbrella with the articulated rods being able to open in different ways and at different angles, but it is complicated use and has the disadvantage that its opening lasts too long, enough for the user to receive the effect of the rain. Similarly, document ES 2223398 T3 deals with the articulation of the rods and a peculiar way of extending them. Document ES 1039207 U describes an ovoid-shaped umbrella design, of arguably advantage over normal umbrellas, and which also has a large space occupation.

All these documented umbrella systems also have before the proposed invention the inconvenience of the need to have to be transported by the user using the hands, causing various discomforts, such as, for example, situations of forgetfulness and especially that of always having a hand busy

There are also documents that describe umbrellas that are transported coupled to backpacks, but that do not cease to be normal opening umbrellas and present the problem that to open them you have to detach from the backpack. In addition, the central axis of the umbrella would not match that of the user and therefore would not correctly fulfill its protective function.

Description of the invention

The invention that describes this report answers the problems previously mentioned and consists of an umbrella with a mechanical opening system whose utility can be very varied, having the advantage that both the opening and closing of the umbrella is done with one hand. The whole set is housed in a case to which a harness can be attached or that can be adapted to be carried in a backpack. The umbrella can be opened or closed without removing the harness or backpack, just with a simple movement of the arm. In case of rain, the umbrella is transported open, subject to the back and without using your hands.

The invention is formed by a structure of tubes and guides, and by some elements of action and movement that are what unfold and fold the umbrella rods.

The structure is formed by a pair of parallel tubes, which will be called inner tubes, which are joined in parallel and jointly in its lower part by a lower plate and in its central part by an intermediate plate. The cover has a pair of parallel grooved tubes attached inside, which will be referred to as guides, to which the inner tubes fit and through which they can slide. The sliding of the inner tubes out of the sheath is limited by a stop or stop element placed inside the sheath. Said inner tubes are connected by joints to another pair of tubes, which will be referred to as the swing arm. The swing arm can carry an elongated piece, which will be called an arm guide. The oscillating arm is connected by means of an articulation to a body formed by a pair of guides, one upper and one lower, and also by means of a type of mechanical connection for the deployment of rods which, preferably, will be gear teeth. Some will be fixed on the swing arm and others will be on the body and will rotate freely. The upper body guide and the lower body guide are separated a certain distance. The end of the body opposite to that of the union with the swing arm carries a handle, which will be the element that is grasped with the hand to open and close the umbrella The part of the body carried by the shooter will be considered as the front part of the body and the part that joins the swing arm, as the back part of the body.

When the structure is unfolded, it is outside the sheath and is attached to it by the part of the inner tubes that are inside the sheath when they have reached its top. In this situation, the oscillating arm will be in position aligned with the inner tubes and the body will form an approximate angle of 90 ° with respect to the oscillating arm. When the structure is folded, the assembly is inside the sheath, the swing arm bent over the inner tubes and the body bent over the swing arm.

The action and movement elements are arranged to deploy the umbrella rods at the time the structure of the cover is removed. A group of rods is attached to the body by means of a fixed rotary joint, and to three slides that slide along the body by means of a rotary joint. Two slides are located in the upper guide of the body and a third in the lower guide. The movement of these rods will be both rotation and translation. The displacement of two of the slides, one located in the upper guide of the body and the other located in the lower guide, is achieved by a cable to which they are attached. The cable forms a closed circuit and is placed along the body and the oscillating arm, preferably along the arm guide. The slide located in the front part of the upper guide moves by the movement of the other slide located in the upper guide. At the end of the swing arm that joins the inner tubes and at each end of the body there are a series of pulleys that help the cable move. The ends of said cable are connected to a moving part, which will be referred to as an arm slide. The oscillating arm can carry an arm guide along which the arm slide would move. Straps connect the sliding arm with the intermediate plate. Another pair of rods is attached to a turning element in the rear part of the body, preferably to the gear teeth of the body.

When the structure is deployed, the arm slider causes the cable to pull the slides of the body, causing those located in the upper guide of the body to move towards the front part of the body and that the one located in the lower guide moves towards The back of the body. This causes the umbrella rods attached to the slides to open and extend. The turning movement of the body when deployed causes the rods attached at its rear to rotate approximately 200 ° and unfold. The turning movement of these rods is preferably transmitted through gear teeth. When opening the umbrella, said rods rotate in an almost vertical plane to the ground and the rods attached to the slides turn and unfold, in a horizontal plane to the body. When the structure is folded, the slides move in opposite directions to the previous ones, which causes the rods attached to them to close and collect. The rods attached to the rear part of the body are collected by turning in the opposite direction to the opening.

To facilitate the opening of the umbrella, the body carries the handle in the front part of the body. When the umbrella is closed and therefore inside the cover, the handle protrudes slightly to be able to take it comfortably. Once the umbrella is placed on the back, when the handle is pushed up the deployment of the structure is generated, whose final movement is completed when the rods are fully deployed, leaving the umbrella open. When it is desired to close the umbrella, the handle is pushed back and the structure is folded, the umbrella being closed and stored in the cover. To facilitate the folding and maintenance of the position of the structure when deployed, misaligned springs are placed in relation to the vertical part of the joint between the inner tubes and the oscillating arm. Once the umbrella is opened, the design of the structure causes the umbrella to be positioned in such a way that it completely protects the user.

The invention also has the possibility of being able to be attached to backrests of wheelchairs or cars for children, being able to be used not only as an umbrella but also as a parasol.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention can be seen more clearly from the detailed description that follows in a preferred embodiment, given only by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures.

Description of the drawings

To complete the present description, and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a descriptive and non-limiting figure is attached to the present specification.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 schematically represent three positions of the structure in the process of opening and closing the umbrella.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the structure.

Figure 5 shows a side view of the body. Figure 6 shows a side view of the swing arm and springs. Figure 7 shows, in side view, the cable path. Figures 8, 9 and 10 show the deployment of rods attached to the slides, seen from above.

Figures 11, 12, 13 and 14 show the deployment of the rods attached to the rear part of the body.

Figure 15 shows the open umbrella.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

The detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention will be carried out in what follows with the help of the attached drawings, through which the same numerical references are used to designate the same or similar parts, and have in account of the exposed explanation of the invention

Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of the cover (1) and its contents. The umbrella is folded inside, the handle (8) sticking out through the upper opening of the cover (1). The guides (2), the inner tubes (3), the swing arm (4) and the body (5) are observed. The inner tubes (3) are attached to the oscillating arm (4) by articulation with pins (6) and in turn, the oscillating arm (4) is joined to the body (5) by articulation with pin (7).

Figure 2 shows the development of the position of the structure in an intermediate step of the process of opening or closing the umbrella. The inner tubes (3) have moved vertically by sliding along the guides (2) and both the swing arm (4) and the body (5) are in a deployment position in case of opening of the umbrella or folding in umbrella closing case. Figure 3 shows the position that keeps the structure fully deployed.

Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the structure and the mechanism in the deployed position. The inner tubes (3) have moved along the guides (2) to the stop (10) and are joined together by the lower plate (9) and the intermediate plate (11). The stop (10) delimits the rise of the inner tubes (3) when it makes contact with the lower plate (9). The inner tubes (3) are attached to the swing arm (4) by pins (6). The swing arm (4) is attached to the body (5) by pin (7). In the front part of the body (5) the shooter (8) is observed. The movement between the swing arm (4) and the body (5) transmits movement to the teeth of the movable gear (13) through the fixed gear (12). The upper guide of the body (5) has two upper slides (19 and 20) and the lower guide, a lower slide (21). The slides (19, 20 and 21) move along the body (5) and said movement is provided by a cable (15) to which the upper slide (20) and the lower slide (21) are attached. The ends of the cable (15) are connected by an arm slide (16). The cable (15) is placed along the body (5) and an arm guide (14) that is part of the swing arm (4). The arm slide (16) moves along the arm guide (14). Straps (17) connect the sliding arm (16) with the intermediate plate (11). The end of the arm guide (14) of the oscillating arm (4) holds a pulley (18).

Figure 5 shows the body (5) in more detail. The connection between the swing arm (4) and the body (5) is made with pin (7). The fixed gear (12) that is in the swing arm (4) causes the movable gear (13) that is in the body (5) to move both in the folding and in the deployment. The upper guide of the body (5) has two upper slides (19 and 20) that move along the length of the body and the lower guide a lower slide (21) that also moves along the length of the body (5). The slides upper (19 and 20) also slide along a guide-stop (22) that helps the coordination of its movements and is fixed to the body (5) at its ends. When the umbrella is opened, the cable (15) causes the upper rear slide (20) to move in the direction of the handle (8) and the lower slide (21) in the opposite direction. When the umbrella is closed, the cable (15) causes the upper rear slide (20) to move in the opposite direction to the handle (8) and the lower slide (21), in the direction of the handle (8). The correct coordination of these movements is essential for the deployment and folding of the umbrella.

Figure 6 shows the spring (23) that helps maintain the correct position of the swing arm (4) with respect to the inner tubes (3). When the umbrella is open, it helps hold the position. When it is closing, it helps folding. The spring (23) is misaligned with respect to the axis of rotation.

Figure 7 shows the route made by the cable (15). The pulley assembly (18, 24, 25 and 26), both at the end of the arm guide (14) and at each end of the body (5), help to avoid friction in the cable (15). The upper front slide (19) is not attached to the cable.

In the following figures 8, 9 and 10 the deployment of the slide rods (19,20 and 21) is shown. In both folding and unfolding all the rods move synchronously.

Figure 8 shows the relationship between the displacement of the upper rear slide (20) along the body (5) and the opening or closing of the rods (27), and how that displacement transmits movement to the rods (27 ), which are connected to the upper rear slide (20) by a turning point and to the body (5) by a fixed turning point. In the deployment, the upper rear slide (20) advances towards the handle (8) and the rods (27) are display In folding, the upper rear slide (20) goes back in the opposite direction to the handle (8) and the rods (27) fold.

Figure 9 shows the relationship between the displacement of the lower slide (21) along the length of the body (5) and the opening or closing of the rods (28), and how that displacement transmits movement to the rods.

(28), which are connected to the lower slide (21) by a turning point and to the body (5) by a fixed turning point. In the deployment, the lower slide (21) advances in the opposite direction to the handle (8) and the rods (28) are deployed. In folding, the lower slide (21) goes back in the direction of the handle (8) and the rods (28) fold.

Figure 10 shows the relationship between the displacement of the upper slides (19 and 20) along the body (5) and the opening or closing of the rods (29), and how that displacement transmits movement to the rods ( 29), which are attached to the upper slides (19 and 20) by pivot points. In the deployment, both upper slides (19 and 20) advance in the direction of the shooter (8). The upper front slide (19) advances to a final travel stop. The upper rear slide (20) continues to advance and the rods (29) are deployed. In folding, the upper slides (19 and 20) recede in the opposite direction to the handle (8). The upper front slider (19) goes back to a final travel stop and the upper rear slider (20) continues to recede, causing the rods (29) to fold.

Figures 11, 12, 13 and 14 show the movement of the rear rods (30), which will preferably be carried out by means of movable gear teeth (13).

Figure 11 shows, in a top view, the rear rods (30) in the folded position attached to the movable gear teeth (13), located in The rear part of the body (5).

Figure 12 shows, in a top view, the rear rods (30) in the deployed position due to the rotation of the movable gear teeth (13), located in the body (5). The opening angle is produced by the tension of the umbrella fabric.

Figure 13 shows a side view of the swing arm (4) and the body (5) in the folded position. The fixed gear teeth (12) of the swing arm (4) are in contact with the movable gear teeth (13) of the body (5). The rear rods (30) are supported on the body (5) and are attached to the movable gear (13).

Figure 14 shows a side view of the swing arm (4) and the body (5) in the deployed position. The rear rods (30) have rotated approximately 200 ° in the opposite direction to the position of the handle (8) by the movement between the fixed gear (12) and the mobile gear (13)

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the deployed umbrella.

It should be understood that the invention has been described according to a preferred embodiment thereof, whereby it may be subject to modifications as long as this does not imply any alteration of the basis of said invention, such modifications may affect the shape, size or materials of manufacturing.

Claims

1.- Hands-free umbrella, characterized in that it is formed by a sheath (1) that houses a structure consisting of inner tubes (3) supported by guides (2) inside the sheath (1) and joined together in its lower part by means of a lower plate (9) and in its middle part by an intermediate plate (11), said inner tubes (3) being connected by their upper part to an oscillating arm (4) by pins (6) and the oscillating arm (4) by pin (7) to a body (5) formed by two guides, one upper and one lower, and also the umbrella is formed by a series of motion transmitting elements, consisting of two upper slides (19 and 20) located in the upper guide of the body (5) and lower slide (21) located in the lower guide of the body (5) and that the rods (27, 28 and 29) are attached, the upper rear slide being (20) and the lower slide (21) attached to a cable (15) that It is placed along the body (5) and the swing arm (4) around a series of pulleys (18, 24, 25 and 26) located at one end of the swing arm (4), preferably in an arm guide ( 14) and at each end of the body (5) and the ends of the cable (15) being attached to an arm slide (16) which in turn is attached to the intermediate plate (11) by braces (17), carrying the body (5) at the end of connection with the swing arm (4) the rear rods (30) attached to a turning element, preferably movable gear teeth (13) located in the rear part of the body (5) and which preferably connect to fixed gear teeth (12) located in the oscillating arm (4), the body (5) also carrying a handle (8) in the front area.

2. Hands-free umbrella according to claim one, characterized in that the rods (27) are connected to the upper rear slide (20) by turning points and to the body (5) by fixed turning points, the rods (28) are joined to the lower slide (21) by points of rotation and to the body (5) by fixed turning points and the rods (29) are connected to the upper slides (19 and 20) by turning points.

3. Hands-free umbrella according to claim one, characterized in that misaligned springs (23) are placed between the swing arm (4) and the inner tubes (3) with respect to the axis of rotation.

4. Hands-free umbrella according to claims first and second, characterized in that the upper slides (19 and 20) slide on a guide-stop (22) that is fixed to the body (5) at its ends.