U.S. patent application number 11/263965 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-03 for pocketable folding umbrella as maximally flattened.
This patent application is currently assigned to Fu Tai Umbrella Works, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Jung-Jen Chang, Chung-Kuang Lin.
Application Number | 20070095373 11/263965 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37994683 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070095373 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lin; Chung-Kuang ; et
al. |
May 3, 2007 |
Pocketable folding umbrella as maximally flattened
Abstract
A pocketable folding umbrella includes a flat central shaft
consisting of a plurality of flat tubes each formed as a
rectangular shape and telescopically engageable with one another; a
rib assembly including a plurality of flat-side rib means (or
devices) respectively universally secured to an upper notch and a
lower runner by a plurality of pivoting devices each projectively
aligned with a long axis X on the upper notch or the lower runner,
and a plurality of extremity rib means (or devices) respectively
pivotally secured to opposite extremity end portions of the upper
notch or lower runner; whereby upon closing of the umbrella, the
rib means may be folded to maximally flatten a folded umbrella.
Inventors: |
Lin; Chung-Kuang; (Taipei
Hsien, TW) ; Chang; Jung-Jen; (Taipei Hsien,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TROXELL LAW OFFICE PLLC
SUITE 1404
5205 LEESBURG PIKE
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22041
US
|
Assignee: |
Fu Tai Umbrella Works, Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
37994683 |
Appl. No.: |
11/263965 |
Filed: |
November 2, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/25.3 ;
135/20.1; 135/25.4; 135/28 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45B 19/10 20130101;
A45B 19/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/025.3 ;
135/020.1; 135/025.4; 135/028 |
International
Class: |
A45B 19/04 20060101
A45B019/04; A45B 11/00 20060101 A45B011/00; A45B 25/06 20060101
A45B025/06 |
Claims
1. A pocketable flat folding umbrella comprising: a flat central
shaft consisting of a plurality of flat tubes telescopically
engaged with one another; a flat upper notch formed at a top of
said flat central shaft and defining a long axis and a short axis
on said notch; a flat lower runner slidably held on said central
shaft and defining a long axis and a short axis on said runner; a
rib assembly having an umbrella cloth secured thereon including a
plurality of flat-side rib means respectively universally secured
to said flat upper notch and said flat lower runner by a plurality
of pivoting means which are respectively formed in said flat upper
notch and in said lower runner, each said pivoting means
projectively aligned with each said long axis formed at the flat
upper notch or at the flat lower runner; and a plurality of
extremity rib means each respectively pivotally secured to opposite
extremity end portions of said upper notch and of said lower
runner; whereby upon closing of the umbrella, said rib means will
be universally or pivotally folded to maximally flatten and fold an
umbrella.
2. An umbrella according to claim 1, wherein said flat central
shaft includes a plurality of flat tubes each generally formed as a
rectangular shape and said flat tubes telescopically engaged with
one another for forming multiple folds of the shaft, said tubes
gradually or gradationally increasing the number of concave
portions, each recessed inwardly into an interior of said tube,
from an outermost tube to an innermost tube; whereby two
neighboring tubes will be slidably engaged with each other by
engaging one concave portion formed in one tube with the other
concave portion formed in the other tube.
3. An umbrella according to claim 1, wherein said flat central
shaft consisting of said flat tubes defines a long axis at a
latitudinal center line in said shaft linearly connected between an
east direction and a west direction disposed about a shaft center;
and a short axis defined at a longitudinal center line in said
shaft linearly connected between a north direction and a south
direction to intersect the long axis at said shaft center.
4. An umbrella according to claim 3, wherein each said tube has at
least a concave portion inwardly recessed in a tube wall and
positioned in a direction, selected from the group consisting of:
east, west, north, south, southeast, southwest, northeast and
northwest, about the shaft center.
5. An umbrella according to claim 1, wherein each said extremity
rib means includes: at least a top rib pivotally secured to an end
portion of the upper notch, and at least a stretcher rib pivotally
connected to said top rib and pivotally secured to an end portion
of the lower runner.
6. An umbrella according to claim 1, wherein said upper notch
includes a central flat sleeve portion disposed about a shaft
center for securing an uppermost tube of the central shaft into the
central flat sleeve portion; and the lower runner having a central
flat sleeve formed on a central portion of the lower runner for
slidably engaging the central shaft.
7. An umbrella according to claim 1, wherein each said flat-side
rib means includes: at least a top rib universally secured to the
upper notch by a universal pivoting means, and at least a stretcher
rib pivotally connected with said top rib and universally secured
to the lower runner by a lower universal pivoting means.
8. An umbrella according to claim 1, wherein said universal
pivoting means are linearly arranged on the upper notch to be
projectively aligned with said long axis of the upper notch, and
are disposed on opposite sides about the shaft center in between
two opposite end portions of the upper notch.
9. An umbrella according to claim 7, wherein each said universal
pivoting means includes: a rib holder having a vertical pivot
vertically rotatably engaged in a pivot hole formed in the upper
notch for rotating the rib holder about a pivoting center generally
perpendicular to a long axis of said upper notch, and a horizontal
pivot transversely formed in the rib holder for pivotally securing
the top rib of the flat-side rib assembly to the rib holder,
thereby allowing the top rib to be universally pivotally secured to
the upper notch.
10. An umbrella according to claim 7, wherein said lower universal
pivoting means are linearly arranged on the lower runner to be
projectively aligned with the long axis of the lower runner, and
are disposed on opposite sides about the shaft center in between
two opposite end portions of the lower runner.
11. An umbrella according to claim 10, wherein each said lower
universal pivoting means includes: a lower rib holder having a
lower vertical pivot vertically rotatably engaged in a lower pivot
hole formed in the lower runner for rotating the lower rib holder
about a lower pivoting center generally perpendicular to the long
axis of the lower runner, and a lower horizontal pivot transversely
formed in the lower rib holder for pivotally securing the stretcher
rib of the flat-side rib assembly to the lower rib holder, thereby
allowing the stretcher rib to be universally pivotally secured to
the lower runner.
12. An umbrella according to claim 1, wherein each said pivoting
means is rotatably held in a socket recessed in said upper notch or
in said lower runner.
13. An umbrella according to claim 2, wherein an inner tube has one
said concave portion recessed in said inner tube, said concave
portion in said inner tube corresponding to a portion in an outer
tube neighboring to said inner tube having zero concave portion
formed in said outer tube, defining an air chamber in between said
concave portion of said inner tube and said outer tube having zero
concave portion formed therein.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,535 issued to the same inventors of this
application disclosed a pocketable folding umbrella (hereinafter
called the "prior art") as inferentially illustrated in FIG. 1,
which however has the following drawbacks: [0002] 1. The central
shaft (1), if made of a plurality of tubes telescopically
engageable, will weaken its strength especially the innermost tube
(1i) of which the diameter has been greatly reduced, thereby being
easily deformed, bent or damaged. [0003] 2. Each flat-side rib
means (2a) is pivoted about a center (C) which is however
positioned at a side portion of the upper notch (3) or lower runner
(4) as separated from the X-axis (X) so that the umbrella ribs at
the flat side can not be greatly biased to approximate the "center
line" aligned with the axis (X), thereby being still unable to be
maximally flattened when closing the umbrella.
[0004] The present inventor has found the drawbacks of the prior
art and invented the present pocketable folding umbrella which may
be flattened maximally.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a
pocketable folding umbrella including a flat central shaft
consisting of a plurality of flat tubes each formed as a
rectangular shape and telescopically engageable with one another; a
rib assembly including a plurality of flat-side rib means each
universally pivoted about a pivoting center projectively aligned
with a long axis X on an upper notch or a lower runner, and a
plurality of extremity rib means each pivotally secured to opposite
extremity end portions of the upper notch or lower runner; whereby
upon closing of the umbrella, the rib means may be folded to
maximally flatten a folded umbrella.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 shows an upper notch and the related elements of a
flat umbrella of a prior art.
[0007] FIG. 2 shows a multiple-fold umbrella when folded in
accordance with the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 3 shows the plural tubes telescopically engageable for
forming the central shaft of penta-fold of the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional drawing of the tube as viewed
from 4-4 direction of FIG. 3.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional drawing as taken from line 5-5
of FIG. 3.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional drawing as taken from line 6-6
of FIG. 3.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional drawing as taken from line 7-7
of FIG. 3.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional drawing as taken from line 8-8
of FIG. 3.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional drawing of the tubes of the
central shaft of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 10 is an illustration showing an opening umbrella of
the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 11 is a top view illustration of the upper notch of the
present invention.
[0017] FIG. 12 is a top view of the lower runner of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 13 shows the upper notch and the lower runner having
partial ribs pivotally secured thereto.
[0019] FIG. 14 is a cross sectional drawing of another preferred
embodiment of the central shaft of triple folds in accordance with
the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 15 shows another penta-fold shaft of the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 16 shows a hepta-fold shaft of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] As shown in the drawing figures, the present invention
comprises: a flat central shaft 1 consisting of a plurality of flat
tubes telescopically engageable with one another and a flat grip 10
formed on a lower portion of the shaft 1, a rib assembly 2
consisting of a plurality of extremity rib means 2e and a plurality
of flat-side rib means 2a respectively pivotally secured to a flat
upper notch 3 formed on a top of the flat central shaft 1 and
pivotally secured to a flat lower runner 4 slidably held on the
shaft 1, and an umbrella cloth 5 secured on the rib assembly 2.
[0023] The flat central shaft 1 includes a plurality of flat tubes
telescopically engageable with one another for forming multiple
folds of the shaft 1. The tubes gradually or gradationally increase
the number of concave portions V formed on each tube from the
outermost (or lowest) tube 11 to the innermost (or uppermost) tube
15.
[0024] As shown in FIGS. 2.about.9, the flat central shaft 1
includes: a first or lowest or outermost flat tube 11, a second or
lower flat tube 12, a third or middle flat tube 13, a fourth or
upper flat tube 14, and a fifth or uppermost or innermost flat tube
15, all tubes being telescopically engaged with one another to form
the flat central shaft.
[0025] The flat central shaft 1 or the upper notch 3 or the lower
runner 4 each defines a long axis or latitudinal axis X at a
latitudinal center line linearly connected between the east
direction E and the west direction W (FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12); a short
axis or longitudinal axis Y at a longitudinal center line linearly
connected between the north direction N and the south direction S
to intersect the long axis X at a shaft center O.
[0026] The first or lowest or outermost tube 11 (FIG. 4) has zero
concave portion V as recessed inwardly from a rectangular tube wall
towards an interior I of the shaft 1; the second or lower tube 12
(FIG. 5) having one concave portion V as recessed inwardly from a
rectangular tube wall (positioned at a southwest direction SW about
the shaft center O) towards the interior I of the shaft 1; the
third tube 13 having two concave portions V as respectively
recessed inwardly from the rectangular tube wall and positioned at
the southwest direction SW and the northeast direction NE (FIG. 6)
about the center O to slidably engage the concave portion
positioned at SW direction of the third tube 13 with the concave
portion also located at SW direction of the second tube 12 to have
their mutual smooth sliding engagement when extending or retracting
the tubes for opening or closing the umbrella; the fourth tube 14
having three concave portions V recessed inwardly from the tube
wall at three locations of SW, SE and NE directions about the
center O to slidably engage the concave portions V at directions
SW, NE of both the fourth tube 14 and of the third tube 13; and the
fifth or uppermost or innermost tube 15 having four concave
portions V recessed inwardly from the tube wall at four locations
of SW, SE, NE and NW (northwest) directions about the center O to
thereby slidably engage the concave portions V at directions SW, SE
and NE of both the fifth tube 15 and the fourth tube 14 as shown in
FIG. 9.
[0027] Accordingly, the concave portions V are gradually or
gradationally increased from the first or outermost tube 11 towards
the fifth or innermost tube 15 with an increment of one concave
portion V gradually increased from an outer (or lower) tube to a
neighboring inner (or upper) tube.
[0028] Namely, there is an increment of one concave portion V
between every two neighboring tubes (or between the inner tube and
the outer tube).
[0029] By the way, every two neighboring tubes will commonly define
an air chamber A therebetween. For example, the first tube 11
having zero concave portion and the second tube 12 having one
concave portion V at SW direction will define an air chamber A at
SW direction as shown in dotted line of FIG. 4 and as shown in FIG.
9. The second tube 12 and the third tube 13 will commonly define
another air chamber A at direction NE (FIGS. 5 and 9).
[0030] Such an air chamber A between every two neighboring tubes
will provide an aperture for air flow therethrough to prevent from
serious frictional dogging or "braking" between the neighboring
tubes when slidably extending or retracting the tubes.
[0031] The concave portions V as formed in the flat tubes of the
central shaft 1 have the following functions and advantages: [0032]
1. The concave portion as formed in the tube wall of the shaft tube
will play a role like a reinforcing rib for reinforcing the
strength of the tube especially on the long side wall of the
rectangular-shaped tube wall. [0033] 2. The concave portions V of
two neighboring tubes will make the tubes to be slidably engaged
with each other in a smooth way. [0034] 3. The tubes with the
concave portions V formed in the tube walls will prevent the tubes
from being vibrated or twisted.
[0035] The second tube 12 includes a lower enlarged portion 121 to
be engaged with an upper contracted portion 111 of the first tube
11 as shown in FIG. 3 to thereby limit the two tubes 12, 11 and
prevent from their separation when extended. The lower enlarged
portion 121 of the second tube 12 may be directly enlarged from a
lower end portion of the concave portion V which is recessed in the
second tube 12. Correspondingly, the upper contracted portion 111
of the first tube 11 may be directly formed on an upper end portion
of the first tube 11 defining an air chamber A between the first
tube 11 and the second tube 12.
[0036] Similarly, the second tube 12 has its upper contracted
portion 122 engaged with a lower enlarged portion 131 of the third
tube 13. The third tube 13 has its upper contracted portion 132
engaged with a lower enlarged portion 141 of the fourth tube 14.
The fourth tube 14 has its upper contracted portion 142 engaged
with a lower enlarged portion 151 of the fifth tube 15.
[0037] Other modifications may be made to form multiple-fold
central shaft 1. For instance, the triple-fold shaft 1 as shown in
FIG. 14 includes a first tube 11, a second tube 12 having its
concave portion V formed at NW direction and a third tube 13 having
its two concave portions V formed at NW and NE directions.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 15, another penta-fold shaft 1 of the
present invention is presented by forming a concave portion V in
the second tube 12 at south direction S; two concave portions V in
the third tube 13 at south and north direction S, N; three concave
portions V in the fourth tube 14 at directions of south, north and
east (S, N and E); and four concave portions V in the fifth tube 15
at four directions of east (E), west (W), south (S) and north (N),
thereby engaging the first tube through fifth tube 11, 12, 13, 14,
15 to be a penta-fold shaft 1.
[0039] In FIG. 16, a hepta-fold shaft 1 is formed by modifying the
shaft tubes of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 9 by further adding
a sixth tube 16 having five concave portions V formed at locations
of E, SE, SW, NE and NW, and adding a seventh tube 17 having six
concave portions V formed at locations of E, W, SE, SW, NE and
NW.
[0040] So, the flat central shaft 1 of the present invention may be
modified to be multiple folds by selectively forming the concave
portions V in the related tubes at suitable locations or
directions, not limited in the present invention.
[0041] Since each tube of the central shaft 1 is formed as a flat
shape or rectangular shape having a proper length and width and
reinforced by the concave portion(s) V formed in the tube, not a
circular tube having a small diameter and weak strength of an upper
or uppermost (or innermost) tube of the prior art, the flat shaft 1
of the present invention provides an umbrella with reliable
strength and maneuverability.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 10.about.13, a plurality of (or two)
extremity rib means 2e are respectively formed on opposite end
portions of the upper notch 3 and of the lower runner 4; and a
plurality of flat-side rib means 2a normally linearly arranged
respectively on the upper notch 3 and on the lower runner 4 when
closing the umbrella, and operatively universally biased outwardly
for opening the umbrella. Each extremity rib means 2e includes: at
least a top rib 21 pivotally secured to an end portion 32 of the
upper notch 3, and at least a stretcher rib 22 pivotally secured to
an end portion 42 of the lower runner 4, with the stretcher rib 22
pivotally connected with the top rib 21.
[0043] The upper notch 3 has a central flat sleeve portion 31
disposed about a shaft center O for securing the uppermost tube 15
of the central shaft 1 into the central flat sleeve portion 31; and
the lower runner 4 having a central flat sleeve 41 formed on a
central portion of the lower runner for slidably engaging the
central shaft 1.
[0044] Each flat-side rib means 2a includes: at least a top rib 21
universally secured to the upper notch 3 by a universal pivoting
means 33, and at least a stretcher rib 22 universally secured to
the lower runner 4 by a lower universal pivoting means 43, with the
stretcher rib 22 of the rib means 2a pivotally connected with the
top rib 21.
[0045] All the universal pivoting means 33 are linearly arranged on
the upper notch 3 (FIGS. 10, 11) to be projectively aligned with
the long axis X of the upper notch, and are disposed on opposite
sides about the shaft center O in between two opposite end portions
32 of the upper notch 3.
[0046] Each universal pivoting means 33 includes: a rib holder 331
having a vertical pivot 332 vertically rotatably engaged in a pivot
hole 301 formed in the upper notch 3 for rotating the rib holder
331 about a pivoting center C generally perpendicular to the long
axis X, and a horizontal pivot 333 transversely formed in the rib
holder 331 for pivotally securing the top rib 21 of the flat-side
rib assembly 2a to the rib holder 331, thereby allowing the top rib
21 to be universally pivotally secured to the upper notch 3.
[0047] All the lower universal pivoting means 43 are linearly
arranged on the lower runner 4 (FIG. 12) to be projectively aligned
with the long axis X of the lower runner 4, and are disposed on
opposite sides about the shaft center O in between two opposite end
portions 42 of the lower runner 4.
[0048] Each lower universal pivoting means 43 includes: a lower rib
holder 431 having a lower vertical pivot 432 vertically rotatably
engaged in a lower pivot hole 401 formed in the lower runner 4 for
rotating the lower rib holder 431 about a lower pivoting center C1
generally perpendicular to the long axis X of the lower runner, and
a lower horizontal pivot 433 transversely formed in the lower rib
holder 431 for pivotally securing the stretcher rib 22 of the
flat-side rib assembly 2a to the lower rib holder 431, thereby
allowing the stretcher rib 22 to be universally pivotally secured
to the lower runner 4.
[0049] Other pivoting means 33, 43 may be further modified and used
in accordance with the present invention.
[0050] The rib assembly 2 of the present invention are multiple
folds, including triple folds, penta folds, etc., not limited in
this invention, thereby providing a multiple-fold umbrella.
[0051] Each universal pivoting means 33 has its rib holder 331
rotatably held within a socket 30 recessed in the upper notch 3,
having an outside retarding wall 302 defining an acute angle B from
the long axis X to the outside retarding wall 302 for retarding an
outwardly extended top rib 21 when opening the umbrella, and having
an inside retarding wall 303 recessed inwardly in the socket 30 to
be opposite to the outside retarding wall 302 for receiving an
inwardly retracted top rib 21 when closing the umbrella. The pivot
hole 301 is vertically communicated with the socket 30.
[0052] Each lower universal pivoting means 43 has its rib holder
431 rotatably held within a socket 40 recessed in the lower runner
4, having an outside retarding wall 402 defining an acute angle B
from the long axis X to the outside retarding wall 402 for
retarding an outwardly extended stretcher rib 22 when opening the
umbrella, and having an inside retarding wall 403 recessed inwardly
in the socket 40 to be opposite to the outside retarding wall 402
for receiving an inwardly retracted stretcher rib 22 when closing
the umbrella. The pivot hole 401 is vertically communicated with
the socket 40.
[0053] Upon opening of the umbrella as shown in FIG. 10, the
extending of the rib assembly 2 when raising the lower runner 4
will simultaneously tension the umbrella cloth 5 to universally
bias all (or four) flat-side rib means 2a (aiming four directions
of northeast NE, northwest NW, southeast SE, and southwest SW) and
to pivotally extend the plural (or two) extremity rib means 2e
(aiming two directions of east E and west W) to fully open the
umbrella. Each flat-side rib means 2a will be outwardly biased from
the long axis X of the upper notch 3 or lower runner 4 in an acute
angle B (e.g., about 60 degrees).
[0054] Upon closing of the umbrella, the runner 4 is lowered to
retract the rib assembly 2 and to close the umbrella cloth 5. All
flat-side rib means 2a and all extremity rib means 2e are inwardly
retracted towards the shaft center O for closing the umbrella.
Since each flat-side rib means 2a is universally pivoted about the
upper notch 3 or lower runner 4, it may be then universally
inwardly biased towards the long axis X to maximally flatten the
folded umbrella.
[0055] Since all universal pivoting means 33 or 43 are generally
linearly arranged on the notch 3 or runner 4 to be projectively
aligned with the long or latitudinal axis X at a center line of the
notch or runner, the rib assembly 2 and cloth 5, after being folded
and closed, will be greatly flattened to minimize the folding
volume of the umbrella, thereby being easily conveniently carried,
stored or handled. The linear arrangement of the flat-side rib
means 2a of the present invention can greatly minimize the volume
of the folded umbrella to be superior to the prior art which
includes the flat-side rib means 2a disposed on each flat side
portion (not at a center line) of the upper notch or lower runner
and can not be maximally flattened for minimizing its folding
volume when closing the umbrella.
[0056] The present invention provides a flat central shaft 1
consisting of a plurality of flat tubes telescopically engaged with
one another, and a flat upper notch 3 and flat lower runner 4 to
linearly distribute all rib means 2a, 2e to be projectively aligned
with a center line defined at the long axis X of the notch 3 or
runner 4, thereby forming a slim compact pocketable flat folding
umbrella.
[0057] The present invention may be further modified without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0058] The rectangular notch 3 or runner 4 may be made so slim, for
example, by setting the length-to-width ratio of its rectangular
shape to be 7:1 or other ratio.
* * * * *