U.S. patent application number 10/242730 was filed with the patent office on 2003-08-28 for reinforced umbrella frame.
Invention is credited to You, Ching-Chuan.
Application Number | 20030159726 10/242730 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27752503 |
Filed Date | 2003-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030159726 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
You, Ching-Chuan |
August 28, 2003 |
Reinforced umbrella frame
Abstract
A rib assembly of reinforced umbrella frame comprises a
plurality of latches each including a first connecting piece having
a channel member and a second connecting piece having two parallel
channels wherein channel member is aligned with one channel; a
plurality of first ribs each inserted through and secured to the
channel member and the aligned channel; and a plurality of second
ribs each inserted through and secured to the other channel. The
stretcher assembly includes a plurality of yokes each being
pivotably coupled in a groove of the latch. The umbrella is more
compact in a storage state.
Inventors: |
You, Ching-Chuan; (Taipei,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ching-Chuan You
C/O Percy Intenational Patent Corp.
P.O. Box 1-79
Taipei
TW
|
Family ID: |
27752503 |
Appl. No.: |
10/242730 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/29 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45B 25/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/29 |
International
Class: |
A45B 025/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 27, 2002 |
TW |
091202323 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A frame of an umbrella comprising: a shank including a
stationary hub secured at upper end thereof, an upper ring, and a
lower ring both slidably mounted thereon; a rib assembly including
a plurality of latches, a plurality of first ribs, and a plurality
of second ribs all equal in number wherein the latch has a first
connecting piece, a second connecting piece, a seat coupled the
connecting pieces together, and a recess between the connecting
pieces, the first connecting piece has a channel member, the second
connecting piece has a first channel aligned with the channel
member and a second channel parallel with the first channel, the
seat has a groove with a top open to the recess, the first rib is
inserted through and secured to the channel member and the first
channel, the second rib is inserted through and secured to the
second channel, and top ends of the first and the second ribs are
coupled to the hub; and a stretcher assembly including a plurality
of yokes, a plurality of stretchers, and a plurality of end pieces
all equal in number to the ribs wherein the yoke comprises a shaft
extended therein being pivotably coupled in the groove and the end
piece is interconnected between the upper ring and the yoke.
2. The frame of claim 1, wherein the first connecting piece further
comprises a slope extended to the recess.
3. The frame of claim 1, wherein the yoke further comprises a space
with the shaft extended thereacross so that the first connecting
piece is operable to insert through the space prior to mounting the
shaft on the groove.
4. The frame of claim 1, wherein the yoke further comprises a
socket on one end opposite to the shaft for receiving one end of
the stretcher.
5. The frame of claim 1, wherein the stretcher comprises a sleeve
having a bottom hole, further comprising a plurality of links each
coupled between the lower ring and the bottom hole of the
sleeve.
6. A rib assembly of an umbrella frame comprising a plurality of
latches each including a first connecting piece having a channel
member and a second connecting piece having a plurality of channels
wherein channel member is aligned with a first one of the channels;
a plurality of first ribs equal in number to the latches, each
first rib being inserted through and secured to the channel member
and the aligned channel; and a plurality of second ribs equal in
number to the latches, each second rib being inserted through and
secured to a second one of the channels.
7. The frame of claim 6, wherein the latch further comprises a
recess and a groove open to the recess.
8. The frame of claim 6, further comprising a yoke pivotal about
the groove.
9. The frame of claim 8, wherein the yoke comprises a shaft
extended therein being pivotably coupled in the groove.
10. The frame of claim 7, further comprising a slope extended to
the recess.
11. The frame of claim 8, wherein the yoke further comprises a
space so that the latch is operable to insert through the space
prior to mounting the shaft on the groove.
12. The frame of claim 8, wherein the yoke further comprises a
socket on one end opposite to the shaft for receiving one end of
the stretcher.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to umbrella frame and more
particularly to a reinforced umbrella frame being easy in assembly
and more compact in a storage state.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] It can be understood that strength of frame is critical to
the useful life of an umbrella. This is because umbrellas are
designed to withstand sudden rain and/or strong wind in a use
state. It is frequently found that umbrella is deformed or
malfunctioned after a short period of time of use (i.e., opening
and closing umbrella). Thus, a reinforced umbrella frame is desired
by consumers.
[0005] Various reinforced umbrella frames have been designed to
obtain the advantages of prolonged useful life and so on. For
example, such a reinforced umbrella frame is shown in FIGS. 7 and
8. The frame comprises a shank 80, a plurality of ribs 81, a
plurality of stretchers 82, and a plurality of auxiliary link of
stretchers 83 both equal in number to ribs 81. Stretcher 82 is
pivotably coupled to about center of rib 81. An upper ring 84 and a
lower ring 85 are slidably sleeved on shank 80. Upper ring 84 is
pivotably coupled to lower ends of stretchers 82. Auxiliary link 83
is coupled between stretcher 82 and lower ring 85. A first latch 86
is provided on rib 81. First latch 86 comprises two parallel tubes
87 with a pair of ribs 81 passed therethrough and a projection
member 88 perpendicular to tubes 87. A second latch 89 is provided
on top of stretcher 82. Second latch 89 comprises a pair of arms 90
spaced sufficiently (i.e., slightly larger than the width of
projection member 88) to receive the projection member 88
therebetween. Also, projection member 88 and arms 90 are pivotalby
coupled together by riveting. This completes the coupling of ribs
81 and stretchers 82.
[0006] However, the prior art suffered from several disadvantages.
For example, the main support of umbrella frame relies on first
latches 86 each having two tubes 87 with ribs 81 passed
therethrough for reinforcement. But such arrangement increases both
the length from arm 90 to the other and the width of projection
member 88 as well as their total size. Thus, a compact storage of
collapsed umbrella is made impossible. This is best illustrated by
a distance A measured from open end of rib 81 to shank 80. This may
consume precious storage space. Further, the coupling of projection
member 88 and arms 90 is done by a riveting machine. It is readily
understood that the alignment of involved components and riveting
process are tedious and time consuming. Thus, it is desirable to
provide an improved umbrella frame in order to overcome the above
drawbacks of prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
reinforced umbrella frame which is advantageous for being more
compact in a storage state.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
reinforced umbrella frame which is advantageous for being easy in
assembly, time and cost saving, high yield, and thus competitive in
the market.
[0009] To achieve the above and other objects, the present
invention provides a frame of an umbrella comprising a shank
including a stationary hub secured at its upper end, an upper ring,
and a lower ring both slidably mounted thereon; a rib assembly
including a plurality of latches, a plurality of first ribs, and a
plurality of second ribs all equal in number wherein the latch has
a first connecting piece, a second connecting piece, a seat coupled
the connecting pieces together, and a recess between the connecting
pieces, the first connecting piece has a channel member, the second
connecting piece has a first channel aligned with the channel
member and a second channel parallel with the first channel, the
seat has a groove with a top open to the recess, the first rib is
inserted through and secured to the channel member and the first
channel, the second rib is inserted through and secured to the
second channel, and top ends of the first and the second ribs are
coupled to the hub; and a stretcher assembly including a plurality
of yokes, a plurality of stretchers, and a plurality of end pieces
all equal in number to the ribs wherein the yoke comprises a shaft
extended therein being pivotably coupled in the groove and the end
piece is interconnected between the upper ring and the yoke.
[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, the seat is extended
from underside of the first connecting piece to that of the second
connecting piece with a width of the seat the same as that of the
first connecting piece so that the width of the seat can be reduced
significantly. Hence, the total width of the assembled latch and
yoke is reduced to a minimum, thereby effecting a compact storage
of the collapsed umbrella.
[0011] In another aspect of the present invention, in assembly
first insert the first connecting piece through the space. Next,
mount the shaft on the groove so that the yoke is pivotal about the
latch. Then the first rib is inserted through the channel member
and the first channel. This forms a stop for preventing the shaft
from moving out of the groove in the recess.
[0012] In still another aspect of the present invention, the
stretcher comprises a sleeve having a bottom hole, further
comprising a plurality of links each coupled between the lower ring
and the bottom hole of the sleeve.
[0013] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a portion of a reinforced
umbrella frame according to the invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a side view of assembled frame of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the connection of latch
and yoke;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating phases of the
assembly of latch, yoke and rib;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the assembled
latch, yoke and rib in a collapsed position of frame;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a side view showing the collapsed frame according
to the invention;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the connection first
and second latches of a conventional umbrella frame; and
[0021] FIG. 8 is a side view of the conventional umbrella frame in
a collapsed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, there is shown an umbrella with
reinforced frame in accordance with the invention. The frame
comprises a shank 10, a rib assembly 20, and a stretcher assembly
30. Shank 10 comprises a stationary hub 11 secured at its upper
end, an upper ring 12, a lower ring 13 both slidably mounted
thereon, and a spring 14 biased between upper and lower rings 12
and 13. Rib assembly 20 comprises a plurality of latches 21, a
plurality of first rib 22, and a plurality of second ribs 23 all
equal in number. Latch 21 comprises a first connecting piece 24, a
second connecting piece 25 having a width larger than that of first
connecting piece 24, a seat 26 coupled connecting pieces 24 and 25
together, and a recess 27 between connecting pieces 24 and 25.
First connecting piece 24 has a channel member 241 and a slope 242
extended to recess 27. Second connecting piece 25 has a first
channel 251 aligned with channel member 241 and a second channel
252 parallel with first channel 251. Seat 26 is extended from
underside of first connecting piece 24 to that of second connecting
piece 25 wherein the width of seat 26 is the same as that of first
connecting piece 24. Seat 26 has a groove 261 with top open to
recess 27. First rib 22 is inserted through channel member 241 and
first channel 251. Also, secure first rib 22 in latch 21 by means
of adhesive. Similarly, second rib 23 is inserted through second
channel 252. Also, secure second rib 23 in latch 21 by means of
adhesive. It is readily understood that top ends of ribs 22 and 23
are coupled to hub 11.
[0023] Stretcher assembly 30 comprises a plurality of yokes 31 and
a plurality of stretchers 32 both equal in number to ribs 20. Yoke
31 comprises two spaced arms 311, a space 313 between arms 311, and
a cylindrical shaft 312 extended across the space 313. The length
of shaft 312 is slightly larger than the width of seat 26. Yoke 31
further comprises a socket 314 on the end opposite to that of arms
311 for receiving one end of stretcher 32. Stretcher 32 comprises
an end piece 321 having a tab 323 pivotably coupled to upper ring
12 and a sleeve 322 having a bottom hole 324 so that one of a
plurality of links 33 can be coupled between lower ring 13 and
sleeve 322 (i.e., a hooked end of link 33 is fastened to hole 324).
Also, end piece 321 and sleeve 322 are secured to stretcher 32 by
means of adhesive.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the assembly of latch 21, yoke 31
and ribs 22 and 23 will now be described below. First, insert first
connecting piece 24 through space 313. Next, mount shaft 312 on
groove 261 by passing through slope 242 and recess 27. This
finishes the assembly of latch 21 and yoke 31 wherein yoke 31 is
pivotal about latch 21. Also, as stated above, first rib 22 is
inserted through channel member 241 and first channel 251. This
forms a stop for preventing shaft 312 from moving out of groove 261
in recess 27. Since seat 26 is extended from underside of first
connecting piece 24 to that of second connecting piece 25 with the
width of seat 26 the same as that of first connecting piece 24 so
that the width of seat 26 can be reduced significantly. Hence, the
total width of the assembled latch 21 and yoke 31 is reduced to a
minimum, thus eliminating a projected, unsightly joint of rib and
stretcher.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 6, the ability of umbrella frame to
withstand rain and/or strong wind is enhanced with the dual
provision of first and second ribs 22 and 23. Further, a compact
storage of collapsed umbrella is made possible since a distance B
measured from open end of first rib 22 to shank 10 is much smaller
than that of prior art. As a result, it can consume less precious
storage space in a collapsed position.
[0026] While the invention herein disclosed has been described by
means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and
variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art
without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set
forth in the claims.
* * * * *