WO2011140588A1

WO2011140588A1 - Automatically closing umbrella

Info

Publication number: WO2011140588A1
Application number: PCT/AU2011/000535
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Stephen Wilson
Original assignee: Wilson Mark S
Priority date: 2010-05-12
Filing date: 2011-05-10
Publication date: 2011-11-17
Also published as: WO2011140588A4

Abstract

An umbrella (10) comprising a mast (12) having a lower end (14) adapted for engagement with the ground, a release mechanism (24), an anchor (28), and a connecting member (26) attached to the release mechanism (24) and the anchor (28), wherein when the connecting member (26) is tensioned, the release mechanism (24) is triggered by the connecting member (26), allowing the umbrella (10) to close.

Description

AUTOMATICALLY CLOSING UMBRELLA

Technical Field

The invention described herein relates to an umbrella. In one embodiment, the invention concerns a ground-supported umbrella that can close automatically when a mast of the umbrella is inadequately supported by the ground. Background Art

Umbrellas used to provide protection against the elements (such as sun or rain) may be picked up by strong winds and become safety hazards for the surrounding people and objects. This is particularly the case for beach or patio umbrellas. Conventional umbrellas, such as beach umbrellas, generally include a mast with a pointed ground engaging end which can be inserted into sand or ground. This allows the umbrella to stand upright and provide shade. However, open areas such as the beach can often be exposed to strong prevailing winds, which can pick up the umbrella, causing it to become a dangerous projectile. Such an airborne umbrella may injure the surrounding people or damage the surrounding property.

US patent no. 5,452,877 is directed to a beach umbrella anchor bag, which can be filled with a loose weighted material such as sand. The bag is secured around the base of the beach umbrella shaft so that the umbrella may be secured in place against any movement due to wind. A small opening is provided at the bottom of the bag so that the shaft may be inserted through the opening in the bag and into the underlying sand for greater security and stability. Umbrella shaft attachment panels are included in the upper portion of the bag, in order to secure the umbrella shaft against unwanted relative movement therebetween. A draw string is used to secure the mouth of the bag around the shaft to prevent spillage of sand from the bag. Whilst the anchor bag as disclosed in this patent may anchor and secure the beach umbrella in its upright position a sufficiently strong wind may dislodge the umbrella from its upright and open position and it may cause damage or harm if so dislodged. Further, it is only possible to position the anchoring bag directly adjacent a lower end of the shaft. This may cause a problem with the anchoring bag occupying too much of the shaded area created by the umbrella. In US patent no. 5,339,847 there is disclosed a beach umbrella with increased stability and wind resistance. The umbrella has an umbrella support with an upper horizontal extent. The upper horizontal extent further includes a pair of pivotally connected arms, projecting outwards in a normal direction to the horizontal extent. A rectangular shaped piece of umbrella fabric is attached at the four corners to the horizontal extent with arms. At the lower end of the umbrella support, there is provided a hollow spike with an upper opened portion and a lower closed pointed portion. The pointed portion is adapted to be inserted into the ground. Towards the upper opened portion, horizontally projecting bracing poles are pivotally attached via a tubular collar. The horizontal projecting arms may increase the stability of the umbrella by restricting the movement of the umbrella support. However, the invention as taught by US 5,339,847 requires significant modification to existing and conventional beach umbrellas. Further, the arrangement of the outwardly projecting poles and arms require the umbrella support to be inserted vertically into the sand so that the angle of the umbrella fabric cannot be adjusted to provide optimum shade. It also requires the use of outwardly projecting poles and arms which may be difficult to use.

In US patent no. 4,753,41 1 there is disclosed a base for securing a beach umbrella. Towards the base of a pointed umbrella staff, there is provided a collar which can be inserted over the staff of the beach umbrella with four pivotal support struts arranged to extend perpendicularly outwardly from the staff. The support struts receive two semicircular plates, which are covered with sand when the pointed bottom end of the staff is inserted into the sand. The base structure with the perpendicular supporting struts may provide a degree of stability by reducing the tilt of the umbrella staff. However, in US 4,753,41 1 the open canopy of the umbrella is still able to be subjected to the effects of strong wind. Similar to the previously discussed prior art, the base structure requires that the umbrella staff be inserted into the sand vertically. This may cause inconvenience to the user as the angle of the umbrella canopy cannot be adjusted for optimum shade.

Summary of the Invention

A broad aim of the present invention is to provide an umbrella that can close automatically when no longer adequately supported by a mast support, such as the ground or an umbrella stand, for example. It is an aim of the present invention to provide an umbrella which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or which at least provides the consumer with a useful choice.

The invention resides broadly in an umbrella comprising:

a mast adapted to be supported when the umbrella is open;

a release mechanism;

an anchor; and

a connecting member attached to the release mechanism and the anchor, wherein when the connecting member is tensioned, the release mechanism is triggered by the connecting member, allowing the umbrella to close.

The mast may be of any suitable size, shape and construction, and may consist of any suitable type of material or materials (eg. wooden, metal or plastics material or a combination of these materials). The mast may be of solid cross section or hollow, or both. The mast may be a pole or a hollow pole (tubular), for example. The mast may comprise an assembly of components, for example. The mast may be hinged for folding or bending, or telescopic, for example.

The mast may be adapted to be supported when the umbrella is open in any suitable way. For example, the mast may be anchorable to, connectable to, engageable with or otherwise supported by any suitable type of naturally occurring or artificial surface, substrate, object or structure (ie. a 'mast support'). For example, the mast may be engageable with/anchorable to the ground, the mast may extend through an opening in an outdoor table or other type of umbrella support (support bracket, stand or sleeve). The umbrella/mast support may be mounted to an upright wall such as the side of a building or fence, for example. That is, the mast support may be the ground, a table or other type of umbrella support (support bracket, stand or sleeve), for example.

The umbrella may further comprise a plurality of supports and a canopy supported by those supports. These canopy supports and the canopy itself may be of any suitable size, shape and construction, and may consist of any suitable type of material or materials. The supports may each comprise a support arm and a canopy arm hinged or otherwise pivotally connected together. Such supports may typically extend radially relative to a longitudinal axis of the mast. The supports may be straight or curved, depending of the shape of the canopy when the umbrella is opened.

The release mechanism may be of any suitable size, shape and construction, and may consist of any suitable type of material or materials. The release mechanism may be associated with the mast. In one embodiment, the release mechanism is on the mast or attached to the mast. In one embodiment, the release mechanism may be located inside or partly inside the mast.

It is to be appreciated that many different types of release mechanisms may be used, provided that when the connecting member is tensioned, the release mechanism is triggered by the connecting member, allowing the umbrella to close. This may include any conventional (known) arrangement of hinged (canopy) supports folding or otherwise pivoting from a canopy-open position to canopy-closed position when the release mechanism is triggered.

In an embodiment the release mechanism may comprise a canopy-support collar to which canopy supports are mounted and through which the mast extends. When the umbrella is open, the collar may be held relative to the mast in a canopy-open held position. When the connecting member is suitably tensioned, the collar may be released from the held position and slidable along the mast to a canopy-closed position, to allow the umbrella to close. The release mechanism may comprise a retainer or catch that holds the collar relative to the mast, and the retainer or catch is operably connected to the connecting member. In one embodiment the retainer or catch may be associated with both the collar and the mast. In another embodiment the retainer or catch may be operably connected to the collar by way of a pulley system.

The connecting member may be tensioned and the release mechanism may be triggered when the mast is no longer adequately supported by the mast support. Tensioning and triggering may occur when the mast disengages or begins to disengage the ground or other type of mast support. This may occur when the umbrella is moved, such as when blown by wind, particularly a strong wind.

The connecting member may be of any suitable size, shape and construction, and may consist of any suitable type of material or materials. The connecting member may be or may include a rigid or flexible tie or tether, for example. The connecting member may include fasteners or connectors for attachment to the release mechanism and the anchor. The connecting member may be a cable, rope, wire, chain, string or other type of flexible tether or tie.

The length of the connecting member may depend on the distance between the release mechanism and the anchor as well as a length of a region of the mast that engages the mast support, whereby the connecting member will tension and trigger the release mechanism when the mast moves relative to the mast support by a predetermined distance. For example, the connecting member may tension and trigger the release mechanism when the mast moves, say, at least six inches (approximately 15cm) relative to the mast support, but it may be more or less than six inches. In the case of a ground- engaging umbrella (eg. a beach umbrella), the length of the connecting member may determine to what depth the mast should be inserted into the ground.

The connecting member may extend externally of the mast and/or within the mast itself. The mast may have an opening (inlet) through which the connecting member enters the mast. The mast may have an opening (outlet) through which the connecting member extends from within the mast. The connecting member may be attached to the release mechanism within the mast and may extend within the mast to the anchor, which anchor may or may not itself also be located within the mast.

If extending within the mast, the connecting member (eg. cable, rope, wire, chain, string or other type of flexible tether or tie) may extend within a partitioned section of the mast so as to not interfere with other components of the umbrella. Alternatively or additionally, the umbrella may include guide members located within or externally of the mast for assisting/guiding the connecting member when triggering the release mechanism.

The anchor may be of any suitable size, shape and construction, and may consist of any suitable type of material or materials. That is, the anchor may be anything that results in tensioning of the connecting member and triggering of the release mechanism. The mast support and the anchor may be one and the same. The anchor may be a sandbag or other weight/object that rests on the ground or other type of mast support (eg. a table top), or a fastener such as a peg, spike, fork, nail, screw, eyelet or the like that is inserted into or fastened to the ground or other type of mast support or object. The anchor may be a container or bag tillable with soil or sand, for example. The anchor may be a fastener or retainer attaching the connecting member to the mast support or to any other object of suitable weight. The anchor may be a weight located within the mast or a fastener for fastening the connecting member to a weight/object adjacent the mast (including below the mast). The anchor may be located within the mast itself and may optionally leave the mast when the mast is raised from the mast support - thereby sufficiently tensioning the connecting member.

In a preferred embodiment, the mast is supported by the ground and the umbrella closes when it disengages or begins to disengage the ground - that is, when the mast is no longer adequately supported by the ground. To that end, the invention may reside broadly in an umbrella comprising:

a mast having one end adapted for engagement with the ground;

a release mechanism;

an anchor, and

The one end adapted for engagement with the ground (ie. a type of mast support) may be of any suitable size, shape and construction. The one end may be, for example, weighted, pointed/tapered, fluted or threaded such that it may be driven into the ground (eg. soil or sand). Alternatively, the one end may be adapted to engage and be supported by an umbrella/mast support associated with the ground, such as a bracket, stand, collar or weighted base, for example.

In one embodiment of the invention, the release mechanism may comprise a movable portion and a selectively operable retaining portion for retaining the movable portion in a first position in which the umbrella is open and a second position or released position in which the umbrella may close. Preferably, the movement of the movable portion opens and closes the umbrella.

The retaining portion of the release mechanism may comprise a spring biased assembly. The movable portion of the release mechanism may comprise a collar and a lever. Preferably, the collar is slidable along the mast and the lever is pivotally attached to the collar. More preferably, the lever has a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the connecting member.

Preferably, the spring biased assembly retains the movable portion of the release mechanism at one location relative to the mast and maintains the umbrella in an open position. By acting against the bias of the spring biased assembly, the movable portion may be released from the mast and allow the umbrella to close.

Preferably, the second end of lever acts against the bias of the spring biased assembly to release the movable portion from the mast.

Preferably, the spring biased assembly comprises a stop member and a spring. The spring may hold the stop member in engagement with an opening in the mast. When the lever acts against the bias of the spring, the stop member may be pushed away from the opening in the mast.

Preferably, the collar has a step which engages with the stop member when the umbrella is in the open position.

More preferably, the spring biased assembly is located generally within the mast. When the stop member engages with the opening in the mast, a section of the stop member may project out of the mast through the opening. When the umbrella is in the open position, the step on the collar may engage with the section of the stop member which projects out of the mast. When the connecting member is under sufficient tension, the lever may be caused to pivot and the second end of the lever may engage against the stop member causing it to move away from the opening so that the stop member is released from the step on the collar. This allows the movable portion to slide along the mast to allow the umbrella to close.

As mentioned, the umbrella may further comprise a plurality of supports and a canopy supported by the supports. Preferably, one end of each of the supports is attached to the movable portion. Preferably, one end of each of the supports is pivotally connected or hinged to the movable portion such that the umbrella may close by way of a hinging action. Such supports may extend radially from the movable portion. The movable portion may be slidable along the mast, wherein movement of the movable portion in one direction may move the plurality of supports relative to the mast to thereby cause the umbrella to close. Movement of the movable portion in a second direction may move the plurality of supports relative to the mast to thereby cause the umbrella to open.

As mentioned, the anchor may be a sandbag or weight that rests on the ground, or a peg, spike or fork or the like that is inserted into the ground to resist removal from the ground.

In use, the umbrella may be opened whilst one end of the mast engages with the ground and the anchor engages and/or rests on or near to the ground. When the mast is at least partially withdrawn from the ground, for example, due to wind acting on the umbrella, the anchor may remain engaged with the ground. As the umbrella is moved further away, the connecting member may be subject to tension. The tension in the connecting member may pull the first end of the lever, causing it to pivot, which may cause the second end of the lever to move the stop member inwardly with respect to the mast and the opening in the mast. Preferably, once the stop member is moved sufficiently inwardly, the collar is released from engagement with the stop member, allowing the collar to slide freely along the mast. More preferably, as the umbrella is moved further away, the tension in the connecting member moves the movable portion of the release mechanism towards one end of the mast away from its top end. As the release mechanism is connected to the plurality of supports supporting the canopy, the movement of the release mechanism may close the umbrella.

The lever may be in the form of an L-shaped member having a first end, a second end and further comprising a shoulder. Preferably, the shoulder is pivotally attached to the collar, the first end is attached to the connecting member and the second end rests over the stop member when the umbrella is in its open position.

Preferably, the spring causes the stop member to re-engage with the opening in the mast once the collar has moved away from the stop member.

The spring can be in any suitable form and made from any suitable resilient material. For example, the spring can be a coil spring or a leaf spring. Preferably, the connecting member is guided by a guide member that is mounted to the mast.

In another embodiment, the release mechanism may include a pulley system. Preferably, the pulley system comprises at least one pulley, a collar connected to a plurality of supports for the canopy, and an engagement member. The engagement member may engage or hold the connecting member. The connecting member may be attached to the anchor at one end and to the collar at a second end. Preferably, the connecting member is guided by at least one pulley between its two ends.

The collar may be slidable along the mast, wherein movement of the collar in one direction may move the plurality of supports in a first direction along the mast, thereby causing the umbrella to close. Movement of the collar in another direction may move the plurality of supports in a second direction along the mast, thereby causing the umbrella to open.

The engagement member may be used to engage/hold and stabilise the connecting member, thereby holding the collar at an upper location on the mast so that the umbrella can stay open.

When the umbrella is in its open position, one end of the mast may engage with the ground. Preferably, when the mast is at least partially withdrawn from engagement with the ground, for example due to wind, the portion of the connecting member between the engagement member and the anchor is placed under tension. This tension causes the connecting member to be released from the engagement member, thereby allowing the collar to slide along the mast to close the umbrella. When the umbrella is closed the connecting member may no longer be under tension.

Preferably, the at least one pulley is positioned at a top end of the mast.

The engagement member may be a cleat, clip, clamp or any other suitable device for engaging or holding the connecting member.

The umbrella may further comprise a guide on the mast. Preferably, the guide laterally spaces the connecting member from the mast. Preferably, the guide is adjacent the engagement member and between that member and the end of the mast which engages the ground. The guide assists in the disengagement of the connecting member from the engagement member when the connecting member is tensioned. The guide may comprise a ring or any other suitably shape member for assisting in the release of the connecting member from the engagement member.

To close the umbrella, the plurality of supports may fold along the mast either towards or away from the end of the mast which engages the ground. The plurality of supports may each comprise a support arm and a canopy arm.

In one embodiment, for the umbrella to close by folding the supports towards the ground engaging end of the mast, each support arm may have one end pivotal ly connected to the collar and a second end pivotally connected to a location on a respective canopy arm. Each canopy arm may have one end pivotally connected to that end of the mast remote from the ground engaging end of the mast. The canopy arms may project radially outwardly of the mast when the umbrella is open. When the umbrella closes, the collar may move on the mast towards the ground engaging end of the mast causing one end of each of the support arms to move downwardly along the mast. At the same time, the support arms are caused to pivot downwardly. This causes the second end of the support arms to move downwardly and inwardly with respect to the mast. This motion may cause the canopy arms to pivot downwardly, thereby causing the umbrella to close.

For the umbrella to close by folding up, each support arm may be pivotally connected to a location towards the top end of the umbrella mast and pivotally connected to a location on the canopy arms at a second end, each canopy arm may be pivotally connected to the collar at one end. The canopy arms may project radially outwardly when the umbrella is open. When the umbrella closes, the collar may move downwardly on the mast causing one end of the canopy arms to move downwards along the mast. As the collar is moved downwardly the canopy arms may pivot upwards and the second end of the canopy arms may move inwardly, thereby causing the umbrella to close.

The canopy arms may be straight or curved.

The ground engaging end of the mast may be tapered for easy insertion into the ground. The ground engaging end of the mast may be configured with screw flights or any other suitable means to allow the mast to be easily inserted into the ground.

The anchor may comprise a sand bag or weight, peg or fork adapted for engagement with the ground, or any other suitable means capable of being retained on or close to the ground. Typically in any one or more embodiments, when the umbrella is open, the canopy arms are maintained in a curved and/or stressed condition and made from a resilient material so that when the canopy arms are released from the curved or stressed condition, the canopy arms have a tendency to move the plurality of support arms to close the umbrella.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the umbrella comprises:

a mast supportable by a mast support when the umbrella is open;

canopy supports extending generally radially relative to the mast;

a release mechanism associated with the mast and canopy supports;

an anchor; and

a connecting member attached to the release mechanism and the anchor, wherein when the connecting member is tensioned, the release mechanism is triggered by the connecting member, allowing the umbrella to close by way of the canopy supports moving towards the mast.

This particularly preferred embodiment can have one or more features as described above in the section entitled 'Summary of the Invention' or as described elsewhere in this specification (eg, preferred embodiments and drawings).

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practice, preferred embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures.

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1A is a side view of an umbrella in its open position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures IB to ID are detailed schematic drawings of a release mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2A is an umbrella in its open position according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2B is the umbrella of Figure 2A in its closed position. Figure 3 A is an umbrella in its open position according to a variation of the embodiment shown in Figures 2A and 2B.

Figure 3B is the umbrella of Figure 3 A in its closed position.

Figure 4 is a side view of an umbrella like that of Figure 1A in its open position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a side view of an umbrella like that of Figure 2A in its open position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a side view of an umbrella like that of Figure3A in its open position according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a side view of an umbrella like that of Figure 1A in its open position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a detailed schematic drawing of a release mechanism of the umbrella shown in Figure 7.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Figure 1A shows an umbrella 10 comprising a mast 12 which is tapered at a lower end 14 so that it may be easily inserted into the ground, for example, into sand at a beach. The umbrella 10 further comprises a plurality of supports 16 attached towards an upper end 18 of the mast 12 and to an associated release mechanism 24. Each support 16 comprises a support arm 20 and a canopy arm 22. Each support arm 20 is pivotally connected to the release mechanism 24 at a first end and pivotally connected to a location on the canopy arm 22 at a second end. A first end of each canopy arm 22 is pivotally connected to the upper end 18 of the mast 12. As illustrated in Figure 1A, the canopy arms 22 project radially outwardly of the mast 12 when the umbrella 10 is open and terminate at free outer or second ends.

The umbrella 10 further comprises a connecting member in the form of a cord 26 and an anchor such as a sand bag 28, wherein the cord 26 has a first end and a second end. The first end of the cord 26 is attached to a trigger (lever 36) on the release mechanism 24 and the second end of the cord 26 is attached to the sand bag 28. As shown in Figure 1A, there may be a degree of slack in the cord 26 when the mast 12 is engaged with the ground.

When the umbrella mast 12 is at least partially withdrawn from engagement with the ground 12, for example, by action of wind, the sand bag 28, which is attached to the cord 26, tensions the cord 26. Tension in the cord 26 triggers the release mechanism 24 allowing the umbrella 10 to close. This will be discussed in more detail below.

There is also provided a cord guide such as an eyelet 30 located on the mast 12. The cord 26 is threaded through the eyelet 30 to assist in the alignment of the cord 26 when it is tensioned to trigger the release mechanism 24.

It is shown in Figures IB to I D that the mast 12 is hollow and the release mechanism 24 comprises a stop member 32 biased by a spring 34 generally located internally of the mast 12. The stop member 32 has a flange portion 46 which projects through an opening 40 in the mast 12 when the release mechanism 24 is not triggered. The spring 34 biases the stop member 32 through the opening 40 in the mast 12 such that the flange portion 46 projects outwardly of the mast 12.

The release mechanism 24 further comprises a collar 38 which is slidable along the mast 12 and a lever 36 pivotally connected to the collar 38 at a pivot 42. The first end of each of the support arms 20 is pivotally connected to the collar 38. The movement of the collar 38 along the mast 12 causes pivoting movement of the support arms 20 relative to the collar 38. This in turn causes simultaneous pivoting movement of the canopy arms 22 relative to the arms 20. These movements in the arms 20 and 22 cause the umbrella 10 to open and close.

The collar 38 has a step 44. The flange portion 46 of the stop member 32 engages with the step 44 of the collar 38 to hold the umbrella 10 in the open position.

The lever 36 is L-shaped with a first end 36A connected to the cord 26 and a shoulder pivotally connected at 42 to the collar 38. The lever 36 also has a second end 36B resting over the stop member 32 when the umbrella 10 is in the open position (Figure IB).

When the cord 26 is tensioned, the cord 26 triggers the release mechanism 24, the cord 26 pulls on the first end of the lever 36A, causing the lever 36 to pivot about the pivot 42. This pivoting of the lever 36 causes the second end 36B of the lever 36 to bear against the flange portion 46 of the stop member 32 as shown in Figure 1 C. The second end 36B of the lever 36 moves the flange portion 46 inwardly through the opening 40 in the mast 12 against the action of the spring 34. Once the flange portion 46 is moved sufficiently inwardly so that it is released from abutment with the step 44 of the collar 38, the collar 38 is release from engagement with the stop member 32 and slides downwardly along the mast 12 (Figure ID) to close the umbrella 10.

Once the collar 38 moves away from the opening 40 in the mast 12, the spring 34 re-engages the stop member 32 with the opening 40 such that the flange portion 46 projects out of the opening 40 (Figure ID).

The length of the cord 26 could be adjusted at the time of manufacture such that a user of the umbrella 10 will know how deep the mast 12 must be inserted into the ground for adequate ('safe') support of the mast 12.

Figure 4 shows an umbrella 10a like that of Figure 1A except that its hollow mast 12a is supported by a mast support 13a (umbrella base/stand 13a) which also serves as an anchor 28a. The mast support 13a has a collar 17a for receiving an end of the mast 12a and a ground-bearing base 19a. In this embodiment, a cord 26a of appropriate length extends internally within the mast 12a via an opening 15a in the mast 12a and is secured to the mast support 13a. The opening 15a may have a rounded edge or at least one associated pulley or cord-guide wheel (not illustrated) so that, when tensioned, the cord 26a may move through the opening 15a with little resistance. As the mast 12a begins lifting from within the collar 17a, the cord 26a tensions and triggers the release mechanism 24a. Alternatively, the cord 26a could be secured to an anchor independently of the mast support 13a. The cord 26a could even extend through an outlet in the mast 12a above the collar 17a.

Figures 2A and 2B show an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The umbrella 60 in this embodiment comprises a mast 62 which is tapered at a lower end 64 so that it may be easily inserted into the ground, for example, into sand at a beach. The umbrella 60 further comprises a plurality of supports 66 attached towards an upper end 68 of the mast 62 and an associated release mechanism 70. The release mechanism 70 comprises a collar 76 which is slidable along the mast 62, a pulley 80 at the upper end 68 of the mast 62 and an engagement member such as a cleat 78 on the mast 62.

Each support 66 comprises a support arm 72 and a canopy arm 74. A first end of each support arm 72 is pivotally connected to the collar 76 and has a second end pivotally connected to a location on the canopy arm 74. The first end of each canopy arm 74 is pivotally connected to the upper end 68 of the mast 62. As illustrated in Figure 2A, the canopy arms 74 project radially outwardly of the mast 62 when the umbrella 60 is open.

The umbrella 60 further comprises a cord 82 and an anchor such as a sand bag 86. The cord 82 has a first end and a second end. The first end of the cord 82 is attached to the collar 76 and the second end of the cord 82 is attached to the sand bag 86. The cord 82 is guided by the pulley 80 located between the two ends of the cord 82.

As shown in Figure 2A, there may be a degree of slack in the cord 82 between the point held by the cleat 78 and the end attached to the sand bag 86 when the mast 62 is engaged with the ground.

When the mast 62 is at least partially pulled out of the ground (not shown in

Figure 2B), for example, by action of wind, the sand bag 86 remains on the ground. As the umbrella 60 is moved further away from the sand bag 86, the cord 82 is placed under tension. Tension in the cord 82 pulls the cord 82 out of engagement with the cleat 78 allowing the collar 76 to move downwardly along the mast 62 and thus the umbrella 60 is allowed to close (See Figure 2B).

There is also provided a guide ring 84 that projects radially outwardly from the mast 62. The guide ring 84 is located directly below the cleat 78 so that when the cord 82 is placed under tension, the outer edge of the guide ring 84 forces the cord 82 out of the cleat 78. Figure 5 shows an umbrella 60a like that of Figure 2A except that its hollow mast

62a is supported by a mast support (not shown - umbrella base/stand or table opening supporting the mast 62a etc.) and its anchor 86a is located within the mast 62a. In this embodiment, a cord 82a of appropriate length extends internally within the mast 62a via an opening 63a in the mast 62a and is secured to the anchor 86a. The anchor 86a is a dead weight that is slideable within the mast 82a. As the mast 82a begins lifting relative to the mast support, the cord 82a tensions, the anchor 86a slides downwardly through the mast 62a and the cord 82a triggers the release mechanism 70a. Alternatively, the cord 82a could be secured to another type of anchor (including the mast support). The cord 82a could extend through an outlet in the mast 62a below the inlet 63a to the anchor. The outlet could be a lower open end of the mast 82a.

Figures 3A and 3B show a variation of the embodiment described with reference to Figures 2A and 2B. The workings of the umbrella 90 in Figures 3A and 3B are similar to the previously described embodiment. However, the umbrella 90 in this embodiment is closed when the canopy arms 92 are folded upwardly (Figure 3B).

In this embodiment, each support 96 comprises a support arm 94 and a canopy arm 92. A first end of each support arm 94 is pivotally connected to an upper end 98 of the mast 102 and a second end of each arm 94 is pivotally connected at a location on the canopy arm 92. A first end of each canopy arm 92 is pivotally connected to the collar 100. The canopy arms 92 project radially outwardly of the mast 102 when the umbrella 90 is in the open position (See Figure 3A).

As the collar 100 slides downwardly along the mast 102, the first ends of the canopy arms 92 are also pulled downwardly along the mast 102. As the canopy arms 92 are being held at a location on the support arms 94, during this downward movement, the canopy arms 92 are forced to pivot about their respective first ends to close the umbrella 90 as shown in Figure 3B. Conversely, the upward movement of the collar 100 moves the first end of each of the canopy arms 92 upwardly along the mast 102. This movement causes the umbrella 90 to open. The umbrella is held in the open position by engaging the cord 106 with the cleat 104. An end of the cord 106 is connected to an anchor 105.

As described previously, when the cord 106 is tensioned it is disengaged from the cleat 104. The collar 100 is then free to slide downwardly along the mast 102 to allow the umbrella 90 to close.

In this variation, the plurality of supports 96 are arranged so that the umbrella may collapse under the influence of the wind.

Figure 6 shows an umbrella 90a like that of Figure 3A except that its hollow mast 102a is supported by a mast support 101 a in the form of a table with a table opening 103a and its anchor 105a is a cleat 105a secured to the ground adjacent a lower end of the mast 102a. In this embodiment, a cord 106a of appropriate length extends internally within the mast 102a via an opening 105a in the mast 102a and is secured to the anchor 105a. The opening 105a may have a rounded edge or at least one associated pulley or other type of cord-guide (not illustrated) so that, when tensioned, the cord 106a may move through the opening 105a with little resistance. As the mast 102a begins lifting relative to the table 101a (due to strong wind, for example), the cord 106a tensions and disengages the cleat 104a - thereby triggering the release mechanism. Alternatively, the cord 106a could be secured to another type of anchor, including the mast support.

Figures 7 and 8 show an umbrella 10b like that of Figure 1A except that the release mechanism 24b, connecting member 26b and mast 12b differ slightly. The release mechanism 24b comprises a lever 36b 1 that is pivotally connected to a collar 38b at pivot point 42b. A stop member 32b engages a shoulder 44a of the collar 38b. A cord 26b of the connecting member 26b extends from the lever 36bl , within the hollow mast 12b, to anchor 28b. That is, the mast 12b has an upper opening 25b and a lower opening 27b. The cord 26b extends through both openings 25b, 27b within an interior longitudinal space/passage of the hollow mast 12b. Each opening 25b, 27b may have a rounded edge 29b (shown only for opening 25b) or at least one associated cord- guide or pulley so that, when tensioned, the cord 26b may move through each opening 25b, 27b with little resistance. Guide members or the like (walls or eyelets, for example) may likewise prevent the cord 26b from interfering with other components (eg. spring 34b, stop member 32b) that are associated with the mast 12b.

As the mast 12b begins lifting from its engagement with the ground (due to strong wind, for example), the cord 26b tensions and pivots the lever 36b 1 upwardly as shown in Figure 8 to trigger the release mechanism 24b (ie. the lever 36bl moves the stop member 32b out of engagement with the shoulder 44a and into the mast 12b against the bias of the spring 34b) and the umbrella 10b closes.

It is to be appreciated that the umbrella 10b could be supported by a mast support that is not the ground and could be anchored to a different type of anchor, including the mast support itself.

An advantage of the present invention is that the umbrella closes once the cord is sufficiently tensioned. As the umbrella is no longer open, it may fall safely onto the ground. This prohibits the umbrella from being blown away by wind and injuring people or damaging property.

Although the figures show that the mast is adapted to be supported by the ground or various other types of mast supports, it is to be understood that the mast may be anchorable to, connectable to, engageable with or otherwise supported by any suitable type of naturally occurring or artificial surface, substrate, object or structure (ie. a mast support). For example, the mast may extend within another type of umbrella support (support bracket, stand or sleeve). The mast support may be mounted to an upright wall such as the side of a building or fence, for example. Therefore, where the ground is shown in the figures, this can be replaced by other types of mast supports such as a wall having a mast-receiving opening or a table with a mast-receiving opening, a stand, collar etc. In such instances, a ground-engaging end as such may not be required. It is also to be understood that in some embodiments the mast support and the anchor may be one and the same, provided that the release mechanism can be triggered.

The foregoing embodiments are illustrative only of the principles of the invention, and various modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention is capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways and in other embodiments. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The term "comprise" and variants of that term such as "comprises" or

"comprising" are used herein to denote the inclusion of a stated integer or integers but not to exclude any other integer or any other integers, unless in the context or usage an exclusive interpretation of the term is required.

Reference to prior art disclosures in this specification is not an admission that the disclosures constitute common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere.

Claims

1. An umbrella comprising:

a mast supportable by a mast support when the umbrella is open;

a release mechanism;

an anchor; and

2. An umbrella comprising:

a mast supportable by a mast support when the umbrella is open;

canopy supports extending generally radially relative to the mast;

a release mechanism associated with the mast and canopy supports;

an anchor; and

3. The umbrella of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the mast support is the ground, such as soil or sand.

4. An umbrella comprising:

a mast having one end adapted for engagement with the ground;

a release mechanism;

an anchor, and

5. The umbrella of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connecting mechanism comprises a flexible tie or tether.

6. The umbrella of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the anchor rests on the ground or is fastenable to the ground.

7. The umbrella of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the release mechanism comprises a movable portion and a selectively operable retaining portion for retaining the movable portion in a first open position in which the umbrella is open and a second released position in which the umbrella may close, and movement of the movable portion opens and closes the umbrella.

8. The umbrella of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the release mechanism comprises a pulley system comprising a pulley, a collar connected to canopy supports and an engagement member, wherein the engagement member releasably engages the connection member.

9. The umbrella of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the connecting member is tensioned and the release mechanism is triggered when the mast is no longer adequately supported by the ground.

10. The umbrella of claim 9, wherein the mast is no longer adequately supported by the ground when the umbrella is blown by wind.

1 1. The umbrella of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the release mechanism comprises a canopy-support collar to which canopy supports are mounted and through which the mast extends.

12. The umbrella of claim 1 1 , wherein when the umbrella is open, the canopy-support collar is held relative to the mast in a canopy-open held position, and wherein when the connecting member is suitably tensioned, the canopy-support collar is released from the held position and slidable along the mast to a canopy-closed position to allow the umbrella to close.

13. The umbrella of claim 12, wherein the release mechanism comprises a retainer or catch that holds the canopy-support collar relative to the mast, and the retainer or catch is operably connected to the connecting member.

14. The umbrella of claim 13, wherein the retainer or catch is associated with both the canopy-support collar and the mast.

15. The umbrella of claim 13, wherein the retainer or catch is operably connected to the canopy-support collar by way of a pulley system.