U.S. patent application number 11/203192 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-15 for umbrella rib structure.
Invention is credited to Chun-I Chuang.
Application Number | 20070034242 11/203192 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37741483 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070034242 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chuang; Chun-I |
February 15, 2007 |
Umbrella rib structure
Abstract
An umbrella rib structure includes a central post, a plurality
of main ribs surrounding the central post and pivoted to a top
section of the central post, a sleeve fitted the central post for
slidable movement, and a plurality of sub ribs. Each of the main
ribs includes an orientation portion, which has two parallel
erected walls extending therefrom and two elongated slots formed
through the two parallel erected walls respectively. Each of the
sub ribs connects to the respective one of the main ribs and the
sleeve, and includes a T-shaped conjunction, which has a support
portion and a transverse bar connected to the support portion and
latched with the two elongated slot. Whereby the transverse bar of
the T-shaped conjunction of each sub rib can move slidably along
the two elongated slots of the respective main rib, so that each
sub rib connects with the respective main rib.
Inventors: |
Chuang; Chun-I; (Taipei,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROSENBERG, KLEIN & LEE
3458 ELLICOTT CENTER DRIVE-SUITE 101
ELLICOTT CITY
MD
21043
US
|
Family ID: |
37741483 |
Appl. No.: |
11/203192 |
Filed: |
August 15, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/30 ; 135/28;
135/32 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45B 25/06 20130101;
A45B 25/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/030 ;
135/028; 135/032 |
International
Class: |
A45B 25/00 20060101
A45B025/00 |
Claims
1. An umbrella rib structure comprising: a central post having a
handle section, a top section opposite to the handle section, and
an intermediate section connected to the handle section and the top
section; a plurality of main ribs surrounding the central post and
pivoted to the top section thereof, each of the main ribs including
an orientation portion disposed at a middle part thereof, and the
orientation portion having two parallel erected walls extending
therefrom and towards the central post and two elongated slots
formed through the two parallel erected walls respectively; a
sleeve fitted to and slidably moving along the intermediate section
of the central post; and a plurality of sub ribs having a first end
connected to the respective one of the main ribs, and a second end
opposite to the first end to pivot to the sleeve; wherein each of
the sub ribs includes a T-shaped conjunction disposed at the first
end, the T-shaped conjunction has a support portion extending
therefrom and towards the respective main rib, and a transverse bar
having a middle connected to the support portion and latched with
the two elongated slots at a simultaneous manner via two free ends
thereof; whereby the transverse bar of the T-shaped conjunction of
each sub rib is capable of moving slidably along the two elongated
slots of the respective main rib, so that each sub rib connects
with the respective main rib.
2. The umbrella rib structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
orientation portion is integrally with the respective main rib in
one-piece formation.
3. The umbrella rib structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
orientation portion has a radius larger than that of the main
rib.
4. The umbrella rib structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
top section has a secure ring portion, which has an upper annular
portion and a lower annular portion, wherein the upper annular
portion has a plurality of main recesses corresponding to the main
ribs respectively, and the lower annular portion is arranged below
the upper annular portion and includes a plurality of main
passageways which correspond to the main ribs; wherein each of the
main rib has a main through hole strung by a main wire circling the
central post between the upper and lower annular portions, and each
of the main rib is located in both of a respective main recess of
the upper annular portion and a corresponding main passageway of
the lower annular portion; wherein the main through hole has a
penetrating direction parallel to a penetrating direction of the
two elongated slots of the orientation portion.
5. The umbrella rib structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
sleeve includes a hollow tube containing the intermediate section
of the central post, a first annular portion protruded from a top
of the hollow tube and having a plurality of sub recesses which
correspond to the sub ribs, and a second annular portion lapped
over the first annular portion and having a plurality of sub
passageways which correspond to the sub ribs; wherein each of the
second end of the respective sub rib has a through hole strung by a
sub wire circling the central post between the first and the second
annular portions, and each of the sub ribs is located in both of a
respective sub recess of the first annular portion and a
corresponding sub passageway of the second annular portion; wherein
the sub through hole has a penetrating direction parallel to an
axis direction of the transverse bar.
6. The umbrella rib structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the
sleeve further includes a projection flange formed at a bottom
thereof for manually propping the umbrella easily.
7. The umbrella rib structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the
hollow tube of the sleeve has a slot for exposing a first button
that is disposed on the intermediate section of the central post
and next to the handle section, and the sleeve further includes a
resilient shelter connected with the first annular portion and the
projection flange and suspended over the slot.
8. The umbrella rib structure as claimed in claim 7, wherein the
central post has an upper stop point and a lower stop point; the
upper stop point is disposed over a second button that is disposed
on the intermediate section of the central post and next to the top
section, the upper stop point is used for retaining against the
second annular portion while the sleeve slides upwardly along the
central post; the lower stop point is disposed beneath a first
button for retaining against the projection flange while the sleeve
slides downwardly along the central post.
9. A method for assembling an umbrella rib structure, comprising:
providing a central post with a plurality of main ribs surrounding
a top section thereof, and a plurality of sub ribs surrounding an
intermediate section thereof; arranging an orientation portion
disposed at a middle part of each of the main ribs, wherein the
orientation portion has two parallel erected walls extending
therefrom and towards the central post and two elongated slots
formed through the two parallel erected walls respectively; forming
a T-shaped conjunction disposed at an end of each of the sub ribs,
wherein the T-shaped conjunction has a support portion, and a
transverse bar connected to the support portion via a middle
thereof the transverse bar; providing the transverse bar of the
T-shaped conjunction between and parallel to the two parallel
erected walls of the orientation portion, and aligning the
transverse bar of the T-shaped conjunction with the two elongated
slots of the orientation portion; and turning the transverse bar
about the support portion so as to be vertical to a parallel axle
of the two parallel erected walls, so that the transverse bar
slides into the two elongated slots via two free ends thereof for
latching the orientation portion.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9, further including: providing
a secure ring portion on the top section of the central post,
wherein the secure ring portion includes an upper annular portion
and a lower annular portion, the upper annular portion has a
plurality of main recesses, and the lower annular portion is
arranged below the upper annular portion and includes a plurality
of main passageways which correspond to the main recesses;
insetting the main ribs into the main passageways of the lower
annular portion and the main recesses of the upper annular portion
in an one-on-one manner; and penetrating a main wire through a main
through hole that is formed on an end of each main rib in advance,
in order to ensure the main ribs circle around the central post,
wherein the main wire is arranged between the upper and lower
annular portions; wherein the main through hole has a penetrating
direction parallel to a penetrating direction of the two elongated
slots of the orientation portion; whereby the main ribs connect to
the top section of the central post via the secure ring
portion.
11. The method as claimed in claim 9, further including: providing
a sleeve on the intermediate section of the central post, wherein
the sleeve includes a hollow tube containing the intermediate
section of the central post, a first annular portion protruded from
a top of the hollow tube and having a plurality of sub recesses,
and a second annular portion lapped over the first annular portion
and having a plurality of sub passageways which correspond to the
sub recesses; insetting the sub ribs into the sub passageways of
the second annular portion and the sub recesses of the first
annular portion in an one-on-one manner; and penetrating a sub wire
through a sub through hole that is formed on an end of each sub rib
in advance, in order to ensure the sub ribs circle around the
central post, wherein the sub wire is arranged between the first
and second annular portions; wherein the sub through hole has a
penetrating direction parallel to an axis direction of the
transverse bar; whereby the sub ribs connect to the sleeve and
slide along the intermediate section of the central post via the
sleeve.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a technique for an
umbrella, and more particularly to a rib assembly for an
umbrella.
[0003] 2. Background of the Invention
[0004] Umbrellas are easy and practical to use for sheltering from
the rain, and therefore they have long been important commodities
in every day life of humans. A conventional umbrella rib assembly
at least includes a plurality of main ribs 1a, and a plurality of
sub ribs 2a pivoted to the respective main ribs la via the screws
or bolts 3a, in FIG. 1. An opposite end 21a of a respective one of
the sub ribs 2a connects to a hinge tab 51a of a sleeve 5a fitted
with a central post 4a. Besides, a skin cloth (not shown) is
covered on the main ribs 1a for protecting the user beneath from
sun and rain while the main ribs 1a are lifted. When the sleeve 5a
is pushed upwardly, the sub ribs 2a are pushed outwardly and the
main ribs 1a are lifted consequently. However, the requirement of
the pivot connection adds the costs for screws or bolts 3a, and
increases the assembly steps, so the connection of the hinge tab
51a does. After the long term use of the umbrella, the screws or
bolts 3a may loosen or be lost and the hinge tab 51a may be broke
or damaged. The service life of the conventional umbrella cannot be
prolonged.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An umbrella rib structure serves long life and save
manufacture steps and costs.
[0006] An umbrella rib structure includes a central post, a
plurality of main ribs surrounding the central post, a sleeve
fitted to and slidably moving along the central post, and a
plurality of sub ribs. The central post has a handle section and a
top section opposite to each other. The main ribs are pivoted to
the top section thereof, each of the main ribs includes an
orientation portion disposed at a middle part thereof, and the
orientation portion has two parallel erected walls extending
therefrom and towards the central post and two elongated slots
formed through the two parallel erected walls respectively. Each of
the sub ribs has a first end connected to the respective one of the
main ribs, and a second end opposite to the first end to pivot to
the sleeve. Each of the sub ribs includes a T-shaped conjunction
disposed at the first end, and the T-shaped conjunction has a
support portion extending therefrom and towards the respective main
rib, and a transverse bar connected to the support portion via a
middle thereof the transverse bar and latched with the two
elongated slots at a simultaneous manner via two free ends thereof.
Whereby the transverse bar of the T-shaped conjunction of each sub
rib is capable of moving slidably along the two elongated slots of
the respective main rib, so that each sub rib connects with the
respective main rib.
[0007] A method for assembling an umbrella rib structure
includes:
[0008] providing a central post with a plurality of main ribs
surrounding a top section thereof, and a plurality of sub ribs
surrounding an intermediate section thereof;
[0009] arranging an orientation portion disposed at a middle part
of each of the main ribs, wherein the orientation portion has two
parallel erected walls extending towards the central post and two
elongated slots formed through the two parallel erected walls
respectively;
[0010] forming a T-shaped conjunction disposed at an end of each of
the sub ribs, wherein the T-shaped conjunction has a support
portion, and a transverse bar connected to the support portion via
a middle thereof the transverse bar;
[0011] providing the transverse bar of the T-shaped conjunction
between and parallel to the two parallel erected walls of the
orientation portion, and aligning the transverse bar of the
T-shaped conjunction with the two elongated slots of the
orientation portion; and
[0012] turning the transverse bar about the support portion so as
to be vertical to a parallel axle of the two parallel erected
walls, so that the transverse bar slides into the two elongated
slots via two free ends thereof for latching the orientation
portion.
[0013] To provide a further understanding of the invention, the
following detailed description illustrates embodiments and examples
of the invention. Examples of the more important features of the
invention have thus been summarized rather broadly in order that
the detailed description thereof that follows may be better
understood, and in order that the contributions to the art may be
appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the
invention that will be described hereinafter which will form the
subject of the claims appended hereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with regard to the
following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings,
where:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a side view of a conventional umbrella;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an umbrella rib structure
according to the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a secure ring portion of the
umbrella rib structure according to the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a decomposition view before a T-shaped conjunction
connects to an orientation portion of a main rib according to the
umbrella rib structure of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 4A is a perspective view after a T-shaped conjunction
connects to an orientation portion of a main rib according to the
umbrella rib structure of the present invention; and
[0020] FIG. 5 is a decomposition view of a sleeve of the umbrella
rib structure according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, an umbrella rib structure includes a
central post 1, a plurality of main ribs 2 surrounding the central
post 1, a sleeve 3 fitted to and slidably moving along the central
post 1, and a plurality of sub ribs 4. The central post 1 has a
handle section 11, a top section 12 opposite to the handle section
11, an intermediate section 13 connected to the handle section 11
and the top section 12, a first button 14 disposed on the
intermediate section 13 of the central post 1 and next to the
handle section 11, a lower stop point 17 disposed on the
intermediate section 13 of the central post 1 and beneath the first
button 14, a second button 15 disposed on the intermediate section
13 of the central post 1 and next to the top section 12, and an
upper stop point 16 disposing disposed on the intermediate section
13 of the central post 1 and above the second button 15.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the top section 12 has a secure
ring portion 121, which has an upper annular portion 1211 and a
lower annular portion 1213 below the upper annular portion 1211.
The upper annular portion 1211 includes a plurality of main
recesses 1212 those correspond to the main ribs 2 respectively. The
lower annular portion 1213 includes a plurality of main passageways
1214, which correspond to the main ribs 2. Each of the main ribs 2
has a main through hole 23 strung by a main wire 5 circling the
central post 1 between the upper and lower annular portions 1211
and 1213. When each of the main ribs 2 is located in both of a
respective main recess 1212 of the upper annular portion 1211 and a
corresponding main passageway 1214 of the lower annular portion
1213, the main wire 5 can penetrate a main through hole 23, which
is formed at the end of each main rib 2 in advance, and string the
main ribs 2 in order to connect to the top section 12 of the
central post 1. The wire 5 uses the steer materials. That means
each of the main ribs 2 are pivoted to the top section 12 via the
wire 5.
[0023] With respect to FIGS. 2 and 4, each of the main ribs 2
includes an orientation portion 21 disposed at a middle part 20
thereof. The orientation portion 21 has two parallel erected walls
211 extending therefrom and towards the central post 1 and two
elongated slots 212 formed through the two parallel erected walls
211 respectively. The main through hole 23 has a penetrating
direction parallel to a penetrating direction of the two elongated
slots 212 of the orientation portion 21. The orientation portion 21
can be integrally with the respective main rib 2 in one-piece
formation or be movable for fitting with the respective main rib 2.
Furthermore, the orientation portion 21 has a radius larger than
that of the main rib 2 to increase the orientation strength
thereof. Each of the sub ribs 4 has a first end 41 corresponding to
the respective one of the main ribs 2, and a second end 42 opposite
to the first end 41 in order to pivot to the sleeve 3. The first
end 41 includes a T-shaped conjunction 410, which has a support
portion 4101 extending therefrom and towards the respective main
rib 2, and a transverse bar 4102 having a middle connected to the
support portion 4101 and latched with the two elongated slots 212
of the orientation portion 2 at a simultaneous manner via two free
ends thereof. Thereby the transverse bar 4102 of the T-shaped
conjunction 410 of each sub rib 4 is capable of moving slidably
along the two elongated slots 212 of the respective main rib 2, so
that each of the sub ribs 4 connects with the respective main rib
2.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 4A, at the beginning of assembly of
the umbrella structure, the transverse bar 4102 of the T-shaped
conjunction 410 is arranged between and parallel to the two
parallel erected walls 211 of the orientation portion 21, and the
transverse bar 4102 of the T-shaped conjunction 410 is aligned with
the two elongated slots 212 of the orientation portion 21. Then,
the transverse bar 4102 is turned about the support portion 4101 so
as to be vertical to a parallel axle of the two parallel erected
walls 211. The transverse bar 4102 can slide into the two elongated
slots 212 via two free ends thereof for latching the orientation
portion 21 in FIG. 4A. Furthermore, because the penetrating
direction of the main through hole 23 is parallel to the
penetrating direction of the two elongated slots 212 of the
orientation portion 21, the main ribs 2 can be secured after the
main through hole 23 is strung by the wire 5 and the after the
transverse bar 4102 is latched by the orientation portion 21.
[0025] With respect to FIG. 5, the sleeve 3 includes a hollow tube
31 containing the central post 1, a first annular portion 32
protruding from a top of the hollow tube 31, and a second annular
portion 33 lapped over the first annular portion 32. The first
annular portion 32 has a plurality of recesses 321 corresponding to
the sub ribs 4, the second annular portion 33 is lapped over the
first annular portion 32 and has a plurality of sub passageways 331
which correspond to the sub ribs 4. Each of the second end 42 of
the respective sub rib 4 has a sub through hole 420 strung by a sub
wire 6 circling the central post 1 between the first and the second
annular portions 32, 33. Each of the sub ribs 4 is located in both
of a respective sub recess 321 of the first annular portion 32 and
a corresponding sub passageway 331 of the second annular portion
33. The sub through hole 420 has a penetrating direction parallel
to an axis direction of the transverse bar 4102, thus, the sub ribs
4 can be secured after the sub through hole 420 is strung by the
sub wire 6 and after the transverse bar 4102 is latched by the
orientation portion 21. The sub wire 6 can be made of steel
material.
[0026] The sleeve 3 includes a projection flange 34 formed at a
bottom thereof for manually propping the umbrella easily. The
hollow tube 31 of the sleeve 3 has a slot 35 for exposing and
clasping a first button 14 disposed on the central post 1. The
sleeve 3 further includes a resilient shelter 35 connected with the
first annular portion 32 and the projection flange 34 and suspended
over the slot 35. The upper stop point 16 is used for retaining
against the second annular portion 34 while the sleeve 3 is moved
upwardly, and the lower stop point 17 is used for retaining against
the projection flange 34 while the sleeve 3 is moved
downwardly.
[0027] For further comprehension of a steps for assembling the sub
ribs 4 to the main ribs 2, the method is more described below and
includes providing a central post 1 with a plurality of main ribs 2
surrounding a top section 12 thereof, and a plurality of sub ribs 4
surrounding an intermediate section 13 thereof. An orientation
portion 21 is disposed at a middle part 20 of each of the main ribs
2, wherein the orientation portion 21 has two parallel erected
walls 211 extending towards the central post 1 and two elongated
slots 212 formed through the two parallel erected walls 211
respectively. A T-shaped conjunction 410 is disposed at an end 41
of each of the sub ribs 4, wherein the T-shaped conjunction 410 has
a support portion 4101, and a transverse bar 4102 having a middle
connected to the support portion 4101. The transverse bar 4102 of
the T-shaped conjunction 410 is provided between and parallel to
the two parallel erected walls 211 of the orientation portion 21,
and the transverse bar 4102 of the T-shaped conjunction 410 is
aligned with the two elongated slots 212 of the orientation portion
21. Furthermore, the transverse bar 4102 is turned about the
support portion 4101 so as to be vertical to a parallel axle of the
two parallel erected walls 211, so that the transverse bar 4102
slides into the two elongated slots 212 via two free ends thereof
for latching the orientation portion 21.
[0028] The step for assembling the main ribs 2 to the top section
12 of the central post 1 includes providing a secure ring portion
121 on the top section 12 of the central post 1, wherein the secure
ring portion 121 includes an upper annular portion 1211 and a lower
annular portion 1213, the upper annular portion 1211 has a
plurality of main recesses 1212, and the lower annular portion 1213
is arranged below the upper annular portion 1211 and includes a
plurality of main passageways 1214 which correspond to the main
recesses 1212. The main ribs 2 is inset into the main passageways
1214 of the lower annular portion 1213 and the main recesses 1212
of the upper annular portion 1211 in an one-on-one manner.
Furthermore, a main wire 5 is penetrated through a main through
hole 23 that is formed on an end of each main rib 4 in advance, in
order to ensure the main ribs 2 circle around the central post 1,
wherein the main wire 5 is arranged between the upper and lower
annular portions 1211 and 1213; wherein the main through hole 23
has a penetrating direction parallel to a penetrating direction of
the two elongated slots 212 of the orientation portion 21.
Therefore, the main ribs 2 connect to the top section 12 of the
central post 1 via the secure ring portion 121. The step for
assembling the sub ribs 4 to the sleeve 3 for sliding the central
post 1 includes providing the sleeve 3 on the intermediate section
13 of the central post 1, wherein the sleeve 3 includes a hollow
tube 31 containing the intermediate section 13 of the central post
1, a first annular portion 32 protruded from a top of the hollow
tube 31 and having a plurality of sub recesses 321, and a second
annular portion 33 lapped over the first annular portion 32 and
having a plurality of sub passageways 331 which correspond to the
sub recesses 321. The sub ribs 4 are inset into the sub passageways
331 of the second annular portion 33 and the sub recesses 321 of
the first annular portion 32 in an one-on-one manner. Furthermore,
the sub wire 6 is penetrated through a sub through hole 420 that is
formed on an end 42 of each sub rib 4 in advance, in order to
ensure the sub ribs 4 circle around the central post 1, wherein the
sub wire 6 is arranged between the first and second annular
portions 32 and 33; wherein the sub through hole 420 has a
penetrating direction parallel to an axis direction of the
transverse bar 4102. Thus, the sub ribs 4 connect to the sleeve 3
and slide along the intermediate section 13 of the central post 1
via the sleeve 3.
[0029] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the
above description is only illustrative of specific embodiments and
examples of the invention. The invention should therefore cover
various modifications and variations made to the herein-described
structure and operations of the invention, provided they fall
within the scope of the invention as defined in the following
appended claims.
* * * * *