U.S. patent application number 11/246100 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-12 for lock mechanism of large umbrella for effecting a section-less length adjustment of telescopic shank.
Invention is credited to Ching-Chuan You.
Application Number | 20070079853 11/246100 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37910111 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070079853 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
You; Ching-Chuan |
April 12, 2007 |
Lock mechanism of large umbrella for effecting a section-less
length adjustment of telescopic shank
Abstract
A lock mechanism mounted in a large umbrella includes a sliding
sleeve connected to spreaders and including a lower extension and
an aperture on a surface of the extension, a telescopic shank, a
lock device disposed in the shank, an actuation assembly including
a hollow upper enlargement with the extension received therein, a
transverse opening formed on the enlargement, and a spring biased
actuation member adapted to have a portion disposed in the aperture
for locking the extension in a closed position of the umbrella, the
actuation member including a trigger, and a spring biased rib
fixing assembly disposed between the handle and the actuation
assembly. Pushing the trigger will disengage the portion with the
aperture to unlock the extension for opening the umbrella. Also,
turning the lock device will effect a subsequent section-less
length adjustment of the shank.
Inventors: |
You; Ching-Chuan; (Taipei,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ching-Chuan YOU;Rm. 532, 5FL. No. 144
Ming Chuan E. Rd., Sec. 3
P.O. Box 1-79
Taipei
105
TW
|
Family ID: |
37910111 |
Appl. No.: |
11/246100 |
Filed: |
October 11, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/22 ;
135/28 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45B 25/22 20130101;
A45B 19/04 20130101; A45B 25/143 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/022 ;
135/028 |
International
Class: |
A45B 25/14 20060101
A45B025/14 |
Claims
1. A lock mechanism mounted in a large umbrella having a handle, a
plurality of ribs, a plurality of spreaders, and a canopy, the lock
mechanism comprising: a sliding sleeve connected to the spreaders
and including a lower extension and an aperture on a surface of the
extension; a shank assembly including a telescopic shank and a lock
device disposed in the shank; an actuation assembly including a
hollow upper enlargement with the extension received therein, a
transverse first opening formed on the enlargement, and a spring
biased actuation member adapted to have a first predetermined
portion disposed in the aperture for locking the extension in a
closed position of the umbrella, and a second predetermined portion
disposed externally of the enlargement; and a spring biased rib
fixing assembly disposed between the handle and the actuation
assembly, the rib fixing assembly being adapted to fix tips of the
ribs in the closed position of the umbrella; whereby pushing the
second predetermined portion of the actuation assembly will
disengage the first predetermined portion with the aperture to
unlock the extension of the sliding sleeve for sliding the sliding
sleeve upward to open the umbrella, and turning the lock device of
the shank assembly will effect a subsequent section-less length or
section-more length adjustment of the shank.
2. The lock mechanism of claim 1, wherein the shank comprises a
fixed lower tube, a sliding upper tube adapted to partially slide
into the lower tube, a coupling disposed on an upper end of the
lower tube, and a lock device secured to a lower end of the upper
tube.
3. The lock mechanism of claim 2, wherein the lock device comprises
a barbell member secured to the lower end of the upper tube and
including an eccentric groove formed on an intermediate portion, an
eccentric bar formed adjacent the groove, and a projecting stop
formed on a surface of the bar; and a flexible, eccentric C-shaped
fastening member fitted on the groove.
4. The lock mechanism of claim 3, wherein the fastening member
comprises an eccentric arcuate first member, an eccentric arcuate
second member thinner than the first member, and a flexible portion
interconnected the first and the second members, and a protuberance
formed on a top of the second member.
5. The lock mechanism of claim 2, wherein the coupling comprises a
top narrow section having an inner diameter smaller than that of
the lower tube for preventing the lower tube from disengaging with
the upper tube.
6. The lock mechanism of claim 1, wherein the extension comprises
two opposite projecting members formed above the aperture, and
wherein the enlargement further comprises two notches on its inner
surface engaged with the projecting members of the extension.
7. The lock mechanism of claim 2, wherein the coupling has an outer
diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the sleeve such that the
sleeve is adapted to pass through the coupling by sliding in
opening or closing the umbrella.
8. The lock mechanism of claim 1, wherein the enlargement further
comprises a receptacle opposite the first opening for anchoring the
actuation member, and a lower projecting portion including a
plurality of flanges formed therearound; wherein the second
predetermined portion of the actuation member is formed as a
trigger; and wherein the actuation member further comprises a loop
interconnected the first and the second predetermined portions, a
cavity formed in the first predetermined portion opposite the
receptacle, and a first elastic member having one end anchored in
the receptacle and the other end anchored in the cavity.
9. The lock mechanism of claim 8, wherein the rib fixing assembly
comprises a cup including a bottom second opening urged against one
of the flanges, and a second elastic member compressed between the
cup and the handle.
10. The lock mechanism of claim 9, wherein the tips of the ribs are
adapted to dispose proximate the cup in response to closing the
umbrella.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to lock mechanisms of umbrella
and more particularly to such a lock mechanism mounted in a large
umbrella (e.g., beach umbrella, golf umbrella, or the like) capable
of quickly effecting a section-less length adjustment of a
telescopic shank in response to strong wind.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] A conventional large umbrella (e.g., beach umbrella, golf
umbrella, or the like) 1 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The umbrella 1
comprises a shank 11, a plurality of spreaders 12, a lower sliding
sleeve 13, an elongate actuation member 14, a handle 15, and a hub
(not shown) at a top of the shank 11. A plurality of link bars are
interconnected the spreaders 12 and the sleeve 13. The actuation
member 14 comprises an upper flexible element 16 having a curved
portion urged against an inner wall of the shank 11, a lower tab 17
disposed in a lower aperture 19 of the sleeve 13 in a locked state
of the umbrella, and a bottom push button 18 adapted to push to
cause the tab 17 to clear the aperture 19 for unlocking the
umbrella. That is, a simple pressing of the push button 18 can
automatically open the umbrella.
[0005] However, the flexible element 16 may suffer fatigue after a
predetermined period time of use. And in turn, it may compromise
the desired lock mechanism of the umbrella. Still however, the
shank 11 is an elongate member and is not telescopic. Thus, a
person, particularly a short person, may encounter great
difficulties of operating the umbrella by holding the shank 11 when
wind is heavy. Yet however, a telescopic shank 11 still cannot
solve the problem since the engagement of a tab 17 and an aperture
19 of a sleeve 13 is relatively weak for a large umbrella (i.e.,
not reliable in use). A large curved member projected from an outer
surface of a shank may solve the problem. However, its bulky size
may adversely affect a normal operation of the umbrella.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,684,893 discloses a simplified controlling
apparatus of an automatic umbrella. The '893 patent describes a
spring-biased control loop and a projecting button. A first
pressing of the button is adapted to move the control loop inward
for opening the umbrella. A further pressing of the button will
push a bullet-head to disengage with a shaft, thereby enabling a
closing of the umbrella. However, the '893 patent is typically
relatively complex in constructions, costly to manufacture,
trouble-prone, unreliable in use, and cannot be mass produced
easily.
[0007] Moreover, ribs cannot dispose in parallel relationship with
the shank in a closed state of typical umbrella due to structure
factor. Thus, rib tips may entangle with other objects when the
umbrella and the objects are placed together. Thus, continuing
improvements in the exploitation of a lock mechanism of large
umbrella are constantly being sought.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a lock mechanism mounted in a large umbrella having a
handle, a plurality of ribs, a plurality of spreaders, and a
canopy, the lock mechanism comprising a sliding sleeve connected to
the spreaders and including a lower extension and an aperture on a
surface of the extension; a shank assembly including a telescopic
shank and a lock device disposed in the shank; an actuation
assembly including a hollow upper enlargement with the extension
received therein, a transverse first opening formed on the
enlargement, and a spring biased actuation member adapted to have a
first predetermined portion disposed in the aperture for locking
the extension in a closed position of the umbrella, and a second
predetermined portion disposed externally of the enlargement; and a
spring biased rib fixing assembly disposed between the handle and
the actuation assembly, the rib fixing assembly being adapted to
fix tips of the ribs in the closed position of the umbrella;
whereby pushing the second predetermined portion of the actuation
assembly will disengage the first predetermined portion with the
aperture to unlock the extension of the sliding sleeve for sliding
the sleeve upward to open the umbrella, and turning the lock device
of the shank assembly will effect a subsequent section-less length
or section-more length adjustment of the shank. By utilizing the
present invention, it is possible of quickly effecting a
section-less length adjustment of the shank in response to strong
wind.
[0009] In a first aspect of the present invention, the shank
comprises a fixed lower tube, a sliding upper tube adapted to
partially slide into the lower tube, a coupling disposed on an
upper end of the lower tube for preventing the lower tube from
disengaging with the upper tube in which the coupling has an outer
diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the sleeve such that the
sleeve is adapted to pass through the coupling by sliding in
opening or closing the umbrella, and a lock device secured to a
lower end of the upper tube.
[0010] In a second aspect of the present invention, the lock device
comprises a barbell member secured to the lower end of the upper
tube and including an eccentric groove formed on an intermediate
portion, an eccentric bar formed adjacent the groove, and a
projecting stop formed on a surface of the bar; and a flexible,
eccentric C-shaped fastening member fitted on the groove.
[0011] In a third another aspect of the present invention, the
fastening member comprises an eccentric arcuate first member, an
eccentric arcuate second member thinner than the first member, and
a flexible portion interconnected the first and the second members,
and a protuberance formed on a top of the second member.
[0012] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the enlargement
further comprises a receptacle opposite the first opening for
anchoring the actuation member, and a lower projecting portion
including a plurality of flanges formed therearound; the second
predetermined portion of the actuation member is formed as a
trigger; and the actuation member further comprises a loop
interconnected the first and the second predetermined portions, a
cavity formed in the first predetermined portion opposite the
receptacle, and a first elastic member having one end anchored in
the receptacle and the other end anchored in the cavity.
[0013] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, the rib fixing
assembly comprises a cup including a bottom second opening urged
against one of the flanges, and a second elastic member compressed
between the cup and the handle in which the tips of the ribs are
adapted to dispose proximate the cup in response to closing the
umbrella.
[0014] 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
[0015] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a portion of large umbrella
incorporating a conventional lock mechanism in its locked
state;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 where the umbrella is
open after pushing a push button;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
lock mechanism mounted in a large umbrella according to the
invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 3;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of lock device in its
unlocked position;
[0020] FIG. 5A is a longitudinal sectional view of the lock device
and the shank assembly in an unlocked position;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view of the lock device in
its locked position;
[0022] FIG. 6A is a longitudinal sectional view of the lock device
and the shank assembly in a locked position;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 3 where the
umbrella is closed;
[0024] FIG. 7A is a detailed view of the area in a circle in FIG.
7;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 where the umbrella is
being opened;
[0026] FIG. 8A is a detailed view of the area in a circle in FIG.
8;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 for showing a relative
relationship of the sleeve and the lock device;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 3 where the umbrella is
fully open;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 where rib tips are
fixed by a rib fixing assembly;
[0030] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the rib fixing assembly and
adjacent components where rib tips are disengaging with the rib
fixing assembly by pressing the cup;
[0031] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an umbrella incorporating
the preferred embodiment of lock mechanism where canopy is tied and
the rib tips are fixed by the rib fixing assembly in a closed
position of the umbrella;
[0032] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a prior umbrella in an open
position for illustrating a distance between a virtual wind
exertion plane on the canopy and the handle; and
[0033] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an umbrella of the
invention in an open position for illustrating a distance between a
virtual wind exertion plane on the canopy and the handle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 7A, a lock mechanism in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the invention mounted in a large
umbrella is shown. The lock mechanism comprises a frame assembly 2,
a shank assembly 3, an actuation assembly 4, and a rib fixing
assembly 5. Each component is discussed in detailed below.
[0035] The frame assembly 2 comprises a handle 21, a sliding sleeve
22, a plurality of ribs 23, and a canopy 24 (see FIGS. 12 to 14).
The sleeve 22 is provided with a top ring 25 with a plurality of
cavities formed therearound for receiving the ribs 23 in a closed
position of the umbrella, a lower extension 26, an aperture 27 on a
surface of the extension 26, and two opposite projecting members 28
above the aperture 27 on the extension 26.
[0036] The shank assembly 3 comprises a shank 31, a coupling 32,
and a lock device 33. The telescopic shank 31 comprises a fixed
lower tube 311 and a sliding upper tube 312 adapted to partially
slide into the lower tube 311 and joined the lower tube 311 at the
coupling 32. Further, the lower tube 311 and the upper tube 312 are
prevented from disengaging each other by the coupling 32. The
coupling 32 has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of
the sleeve 22 such that the sleeve 22 is adapted to pass through
the coupling 32 by sliding in opening or closing operation of the
umbrella. Most portions of the coupling 32 are in sleeving
relationship with an upper part of the lower tube 311. The coupling
32 comprises a top narrow section 321 having an inner diameter
smaller than that of the lower tube 311 so as to cooperate with
other lock arrangements as detailed later for preventing the lower
tube 311 and the upper tube 312 from disengaging each other. The
lock device 33 comprises an annular raised member 331 having an
outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the upper tube 312
so as to dispose therein, a top protrusion 330 having a plurality
of recesses 3301 formed therearound, the recesses 3301 being
adapted to matingly engage with a plurality of projections 313 (as
shown in FIG. 5A) formed around an inner surface of a lower portion
of the upper tube 312 for fastening the protrusion 330 (i.e., the
lock device 33) and the upper tube 312 together, an eccentric
groove 332 formed below the raised member 331, an eccentric bar 333
formed adjacent the groove 332, a projecting stop 334 on a surface
of the eccentric bar 333, a flexible C-shaped fastening member 335
fitted on the groove 332 to enclose the eccentric bar 333, the
fastening member 335 having an outer diameter slightly smaller than
an outer diameter of the raised member 331, the eccentric fastening
member 335 including a thick first eccentric arcuate member 336, a
thin second eccentric arcuate member 337, a flexible portion 338
interconnected the first and the second eccentric arcuate members
336 and 337, and a protuberance 339 formed on a top of the second
eccentric arcuate member 337.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 6A, a length adjustment of the shank
assembly 3 is described below. The upper tube 312 turns about 180
degrees as indicated by arrow in FIG. 6. And in turn, the stop 334
urges against the protuberance 339 by temporarily deforming the
flexible portion 338. Thus, both the bar 333 and the stop 334 urge
the fastening member 335 against the inner surface of the lower
tube 311. As such, the upper tube 312 is secured in the lower tube
311. This can effect a section-less length adjustment of the shank
31.
[0038] The actuation assembly 4 comprises a hollow cylinder 41, an
actuation member 42, and a spring 43. The cylinder 41 is provided
at a lower end of the shank assembly 3 and is projected from the
handle 21. The cylinder 41 comprises an upper enlargement 411
including two opposite notches 413 on an inner surface engaged with
the projecting member 28, a transverse opening 414, and a
receptacle 415 (see FIG. 7A) opposite the opening 414; and a lower
portion 412 including a plurality of annular flanges 416 provided
in parallel on the outer surface of the lower portion 412. The
actuation member 42 comprises a trigger 421 and a loop 422.
[0039] In assembly, insert the actuation member 42 into the
enlargement 411 through the opening 414 with the spring 43 being
compressed between the receptacle 415 and a recess of the loop 422
opposite the trigger 421 and the trigger 421 being disposed
externally of the enlargement 411. Next, insert the lower extension
26 into the enlargement 411 until being stopped by an internal
shoulder 417 between the enlargement 411 and the lower portion 412
in which a portion of the loop 422 opposite the trigger 421 is
further pushed to dispose in the aperture 27 (i.e., locked) by the
expanding spring 43. As a result, the actuation member 42, the
spring 43, and the extension 26 are held captive. This is the
closed state of the umbrella (see FIGS. 7 and 7A). The rib fixing
assembly 5 comprises an upper cup 51 having a bottom opening with
the inner lower tube 311 snugly inserted therethrough and further
into the handle 21 to fasten therein by molding, and a spring 55
compressed between the handle 21 and an underside of the cup 51 to
fasten the cup 51 at one of the flanges 416.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 8A, for opening the umbrella a user
may simply push the trigger 421 to move the loop 42 inward to clear
the aperture 27. Thus, the extension 26 (i.e., the sleeve 22) is
free to slide upward to pass the coupling 32 without being
interfered. At the same time, the spring 43 is compressed. A
releasing of the trigger 421 will thus expand the spring 43 to move
the actuation member 42 back to its inoperative position.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 9, after the umbrella has been opened, for
example, a turning of the lock device 33 may engage the lower tube
311 with the upper tube 312 together. To the contrary, a further
turning of the lock device 33 may disengage the lower tube 311 with
the upper tube 312. In brief, turning the lock device 33 may effect
a desired section-less length or section-more length adjustment of
the shank 31. As shown in FIG. 9, for example, a lower portion of
the upper tube 312 may slide into the lower tube 311 for adjustment
of decreasing desired length of the shank assembly 3.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 10 to 13, rib tips 231 are adapted to
dispose proximate the lower portion 412 after closing the umbrella.
Next, a user may manually put the rib tips 231 into the cup 51 for
fastening. This can hold ribs 23 in place and reduce size of the
closed umbrella to a minimum. A user may further tie a tie closure
to tie canopy 24 (see FIG. 13). For opening the umbrella, a user
may simply press the cup 51 toward the handle 21 to compress the
spring 52 until the rib tips 231 clear the cup 51. Next, a
releasing of the pressing will expand the spring 52 upward to slide
the cup 51 back to its inoperative position.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, a user may quickly decrease a
length of the shank 31 (i.e., length of the upper tube 312) by
turning (i.e., unfastening) the lock device 33 (see FIGS. 5 and 5A)
and then turn (i.e., fasten) the lock device 33 again to fasten the
shank 31 at this adjusted length in response to strong wind (see
FIGS. 6 and 6A). It is seen that a distance H2 between a virtual
wind exertion plane on the canopy 24 and the handle 21 of the
umbrella 2 of the invention (see FIG. 15) is relatively smaller
than a distance H1 between a virtual wind exertion plane on the
canopy and the handle 15 of the umbrella 1 of the prior art (see
FIG. 14). This means that pressure exerted upon the umbrella by
strong wind is reduced significantly by the umbrella of the
invention since a user may easily adjust length of the shank.
[0044] 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.
* * * * *