U.S. patent application number 11/725655 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-06 for umbrella having protected stave assembly.
Invention is credited to Lu Tsai Huang.
Application Number | 20070204894 11/725655 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37859815 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070204894 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Huang; Lu Tsai |
September 6, 2007 |
Umbrella having protected stave assembly
Abstract
A strut device for an umbrella includes an upper stave, a main
stave having an inner end portion pivotally coupled to an outer end
portion of the upper stave, a lower stave having an outer end
portion pivotally coupled to the upper stave with a stave support,
and an outer stave having an inner end portion pivotally coupled to
the outer end portion of the main stave, the staves are made of a
fiber reinforcing material, a number of couplers are attached onto
the end portions of the staves and each has a metal member engaged
onto the end portions of the staves, and an outer covering attached
onto the metal member for covering and protecting the metal member
and for preventing the couplers from scraping or damaging the
canopy.
Inventors: |
Huang; Lu Tsai; (Changhua,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHARLES E. BAXLEY, ESQ.
90 JOHN STREET
THIRD FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10038
US
|
Family ID: |
37859815 |
Appl. No.: |
11/725655 |
Filed: |
March 20, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/31 ;
135/25.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45B 19/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/031 ;
135/025.3 |
International
Class: |
A45B 25/00 20060101
A45B025/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 3, 2006 |
CN |
200620013379.0 |
Claims
1. A strut assembly for an umbrella comprising: an upper stave
including an inner end portion and an outer end portion, said upper
stave being made of a fiber reinforcing material, a first coupler
and a second coupler attached onto said inner end portion and said
outer end portion of said upper stave respectively, said first
coupler and said second coupler each including a first metal member
engaged onto said inner end portion and said outer end portion of
said upper stave, and a first outer covering attached onto an outer
peripheral portion of said first metal member for covering and
protecting said first metal member, a main stave including an inner
end portion pivotally coupled to said outer end portion of said
upper stave with a first pivot pin, and including an outer end
portion, said main stave being made of a fiber reinforcing
material, a third coupler and a fourth coupler attached onto said
inner end portion and said outer end portion of said main stave
respectively, said third coupler and said fourth coupler each
including a second metal member engaged onto said inner end portion
and said outer end portion of said main stave, and a second outer
covering attached onto an outer peripheral portion of said second
metal member for covering and protecting said second metal member,
a lower stave including an inner end portion, and an outer end
portion pivotally coupled to said upper stave, said lower stave
being made of a fiber reinforcing material, a fifth coupler and a
sixth coupler attached onto said inner end portion and said outer
end portion of said lower stave respectively, said fifth coupler
and said sixth coupler each including a third metal member engaged
onto said inner end portion and said outer end portion of said
lower stave, and a third outer covering attached onto an outer
peripheral portion of said third metal member for covering and
protecting said third metal member, an outer stave including an
inner end portion pivotally coupled to said outer end portion of
said main stave with a second pivot pin, and including an outer end
portion, said outer stave being made of a fiber reinforcing
material, and a seventh coupler attached onto said inner end
portion of said outer stave and including a fourth metal member
engaged onto said inner end portion of said outer stave, and a
fourth outer covering attached onto an outer peripheral portion of
said fourth metal member for covering and protecting said fourth
metal member.
2. The strut assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said third
coupler of said main stave includes an ear pivotally coupled to
said second coupler of said upper stave with said first pivot
pin.
3. The strut assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and
said second and said third and said fourth and said fifth and said
sixth and said seventh couplers each include a flat end
portion.
4. The strut assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said seventh
coupler of said outer stave is pivotally coupled to said fourth
coupler of said main stave with said second pivot pin.
5. The strut assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a spring rod
is coupled between said outer end portion of said upper stave and
said inner end portion of said outer stave.
6. The strut assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein said spring
rod is coupled between said second coupler of said upper stave and
said seventh coupler of said outer stave.
7. The strut assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer
stave includes an outer end portion, and an eighth coupler attached
onto said outer end portion of said outer stave and having a metal
member engaged onto said outer end portion of said outer stave, and
an outer covering attached onto an outer peripheral portion of said
metal member of said eighth coupler for covering and protecting
said metal member of said eighth coupler.
8. The strut assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a stave
support is slidably attached onto said upper stave and pivotally
coupled to said inner end portion of said lower stave with a third
pivot pin.
9. The strut assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein said stave
support includes an ear pivotally coupled to said sixth coupler of
said lower stave with said third pivot pin.
10. The strut assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein a spring rod
is coupled between said outer end portion of said lower stave and
said inner end portion of said main stave.
11. The strut assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein said spring
rod is coupled between said sixth coupler of said lower stave and
said third coupler of said main stave.
12. The strut assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein said stave
support includes a metal member slidably attached onto said upper
stave and an outer covering attached onto an outer peripheral
portion of said metal member of said stave support for covering and
protecting said metal member of said stave support.
13. The strut assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein said stave
support includes at least one notch formed in said metal member of
said stave support for allowing said outer covering to be engaged
into said at least one notch of said metal member of said stave
support.
14. The strut assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upper
stave includes a recess formed therein, and said first coupler
includes at least one notch formed in said first metal member of
said first coupler and aligned with said recess of said upper
stave, and said first outer covering is engaged into said recess of
said upper stave.
15. The strut assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upper
stave includes a recess formed therein, and said second coupler
includes at least one notch formed in said first metal member of
said second coupler and aligned with said recess of said upper
stave, and said first outer covering is engaged into said recess of
said upper stave.
16. The strut assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main
stave includes a recess formed therein, and said third coupler
includes at least one notch formed in said second metal member of
said third coupler and aligned with said recess of said main stave,
and said second outer covering is engaged into said recess of said
main stave.
17. The strut assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main
stave includes a recess formed therein, and said fourth coupler
includes at least one notch formed in said second metal member of
said fourth coupler and aligned with said recess of said main
stave, and said second outer covering is engaged into said recess
of said main stave.
18. The strut assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lower
stave includes a recess formed therein, and said fifth coupler
includes at least one notch formed in said third metal member of
said fifth coupler and aligned with said recess of said lower
stave, and said third outer covering is engaged into said recess of
said lower stave.
19. The strut assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lower
stave includes a recess formed therein, and said sixth coupler
includes at least one notch formed in said third metal member of
said sixth coupler and aligned with said recess of said lower
stave, and said third outer covering is engaged into said recess of
said lower stave.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an umbrella, and more
particularly to an umbrella having reinforced stave end couplers
and having coated or covered or protective stave end couplers for
preventing the stave end couplers from damaging the canopy or the
like.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Typical umbrella devices comprise a runner slidably attached
onto a central telescoping post, and a number of whale bones or
strut assemblies attached or coupled to the central telescoping
post and the runner for stretching or supporting the canopy.
[0005] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,017 to Johnson et al.
discloses one of the typical umbrella devices also comprising a
number of strut assemblies attached or coupled to the central
telescoping post and the runner for stretching or supporting the
canopy, and the strut assemblies each include a number of struts
pivotally coupled together and the struts are normally made of
metal materials.
[0006] However, the struts that are made of metal materials may
greatly increase the weight of the struts and the umbrella that may
not be easily carried or operated. In addition, the metal struts
may include sharp ends or side portions that may scrape or damage
the canopy.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,230,725 to Ko discloses another typical
umbrella device also comprising a number of strut assemblies made
of carbon fiber rods and aluminum alloy portions for decreasing the
weight and for resisting strong wind.
[0008] However, the aluminum alloy coupling portions of the struts
are exposed and may also include sharp ends or side portions that
may scrape or damage the canopy.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,198 to Tseng discloses a further typical
umbrella device also comprising a number of strut assemblies made
of plastic materials, fiber reinforcing materials, composite
materials for increasing the bending strength of the strut
assemblies and for decreasing the weight of the strut
assemblies.
[0010] However, the strut assemblies made of plastic materials,
fiber reinforcing materials, composite materials may have a bending
strength that is not good for resisting strong wind.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,398 to Huang discloses a still further
typical umbrella device also comprising a number of strut
assemblies each having a number of struts pivotally coupled
together with pivot pins and the struts are also normally made of
metal materials.
[0012] However, the struts that are made of metal materials may
greatly increase the weight of the struts and the umbrella that may
not be easily carried or operated. In addition, the metal struts
may include sharp ends or side portions that may scrape or damage
the canopy.
[0013] The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate
the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional strut
assemblies and couplers or connecters for the struts of the strut
assemblies for umbrellas.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide
an umbrella including a number of reinforced stave end couplers
which are coated or covered or protected with soft or resilient
outer coverings for preventing the stave end couplers from scraping
or damaging the canopy or the like.
[0015] The other objective of the present invention is to provide
an umbrella including a number of reinforced stave end couplers
which are coated or covered or protected with soft or resilient
outer coverings that have the same or similar color as that of the
staves for preventing a difference of the color from being formed
between the staves and the reinforced stave end couplers.
[0016] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is
provided a strut assembly for an umbrella comprising an upper stave
including an inner end portion and an outer end portion, the upper
stave being made of a fiber reinforcing material, a first coupler
and a second coupler attached onto the inner end portion and the
outer end portion of the upper stave respectively, the first
coupler and the second coupler each including a first metal member
engaged onto the inner end portion and the outer end portion of the
upper stave, and a first outer covering attached onto an outer
peripheral portion of the first metal member for covering and
protecting the first metal member, a main stave including an inner
end portion pivotally coupled to the outer end portion of the upper
stave with a first pivot pin, and including an outer end portion,
the main stave being made of a fiber reinforcing material, a third
coupler and a fourth coupler attached onto the inner end portion
and the outer end portion of the main stave respectively, the third
coupler and the fourth coupler each including a second metal member
engaged onto the inner end portion and the outer end portion of the
main stave, and a second outer covering attached onto an outer
peripheral portion of the second metal member for covering and
protecting the second metal member, a lower stave including an
inner end portion, and an outer end portion pivotally coupled to
the upper stave, the lower stave being made of a fiber reinforcing
material, a fifth coupler and a sixth coupler attached onto the
inner end portion and the outer end portion of the lower stave
respectively, the fifth coupler and the sixth coupler each
including a third metal member engaged onto the inner end portion
and the outer end portion of the lower stave, and a third outer
covering attached onto an outer peripheral portion of the third
metal member for covering and protecting the third metal member, an
outer stave including an inner end portion pivotally coupled to the
outer end portion of the main stave with a second pivot pin, and
including an outer end portion, the outer stave being made of a
fiber reinforcing material, and a seventh coupler attached onto the
inner end portion of the outer stave and including a fourth metal
member engaged onto the inner end portion of the outer stave, and a
fourth outer covering attached onto an outer peripheral portion of
the fourth metal member for covering and protecting the fourth
metal member.
[0017] The third coupler of the main stave includes an ear
pivotally coupled to the second coupler of the upper stave with the
first pivot pin. The first and the second and the third and the
fourth and the fifth and the sixth and the seventh couplers each
include a flat end portion. The seventh coupler of the outer stave
is pivotally coupled to the fourth coupler of the main stave with
the second pivot pin.
[0018] A spring rod is coupled between the outer end portion of the
upper stave and the inner end portion of the outer stave. The
spring rod is coupled between the second coupler of the upper stave
and the seventh coupler of the outer stave.
[0019] The outer stave includes an outer end portion, and an eighth
coupler attached onto the outer end portion of the outer stave and
having a metal member engaged onto the outer end portion of the
outer stave, and an outer covering attached onto an outer
peripheral portion of the metal member of the eighth coupler for
covering and protecting the metal member of the eighth coupler.
[0020] A stave support is slidably attached onto the upper stave
and pivotally coupled to the inner end portion of the lower stave
with a third pivot pin. The stave support includes an ear pivotally
coupled to the sixth coupler of the lower stave with the third
pivot pin.
[0021] A spring rod is coupled between the outer end portion of the
lower stave and the inner end portion of the main stave. The spring
rod is coupled between the sixth coupler of the lower stave and the
third coupler of the main stave.
[0022] The stave support includes a metal member slidably attached
onto the upper stave and an outer covering attached onto an outer
peripheral portion of the metal member of the stave support for
covering and protecting the metal member of the stave support.
[0023] The stave support includes at least one notch formed in the
metal member of the stave support for allowing the outer covering
to be engaged into the notch of the metal member of the stave
support.
[0024] The upper stave includes one or more recesses formed
therein, and the first coupler and the second coupler each include
at least one notch formed in the first metal member and aligned
with the recess of the upper stave, and the first outer covering is
engaged into the recess of the upper stave.
[0025] The main stave includes one or more recesses formed therein,
and the third coupler and the fourth coupler each include at least
one notch formed in the second metal member and aligned with the
recess of the main stave, and the second outer covering is engaged
into the recess of the main stave.
[0026] The lower stave includes one or more recesses formed
therein, and the fifth coupler and the sixth coupler each include
at least one notch formed in the third metal member and aligned
with the recess of the lower stave, and the third outer covering is
engaged into the recess of the lower stave.
[0027] Further objectives and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed
description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is a plan schematic view of a strut assembly for an
umbrella in accordance with the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view of the strut assembly;
[0030] FIGS. 3, 4, 5 are cross sectional views of the strut
assembly, taken along lines 3-3, 4-4, and 5-5 of FIG. 2
respectively;
[0031] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view illustrating a
prototype of the stave support for the strut assembly; and
[0032] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view illustrating a portion
of the stave support for the strut assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0033] Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2,
an umbrella in accordance with the present invention comprises a
whale bone device including a number of strut assemblies 10 to be
attached to a central telescoping post (not shown), a stationary
hub (not shown) which is provided on top of the central telescoping
post, and a barrel or runner (not shown) which is slidably provided
and attached onto the central telescoping post and which is
slidable or movable or adjustable up and down along the central
telescoping post. For clearly illustrating purposes, only one of
the strut assemblies 10 is shown in the drawing figures, and the
strut assemblies 10 include a number of staves pivotally secured
together for supporting a canopy (not shown), and openable to an
open and working position, and foldable to a compact folding
structure.
[0034] The strut assembly 10 includes an upper stave 11 having an
inner end portion 12 for attaching or coupling to the stationary
hub (not shown) of the central telescoping post (not shown), and
having a coupler 13 attached onto the inner end portion 12 of the
upper stave 11 and having a flat end portion 14 for attaching or
coupling to the stationary hub. The upper stave 11 further includes
an outer end portion 15, and another coupler 20 attached onto the
outer end portion 15 of the upper stave 11 and also having a flat
end portion 21, and having one or more protrusions or ears 22
extended from the coupler 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the couplers 13,
20 each include a plastic or metal or stronger tubular body or
member 23 engaged onto or around the end portions 12, 15 of the
upper stave 11, and an outer covering 24 engaged or molded or
applied or attached onto the outer peripheral portion of the
tubular member 23.
[0035] It is preferable that the upper stave 11 is made of plastic
materials, synthetic materials, fiber reinforcing materials,
composite materials or the like, and the outer covering 24 may also
be made of plastic materials, synthetic materials, fiber
reinforcing materials, composite materials or soft or rubber or
resilient materials, and may have a color the same as or similar to
that of the upper stave 11 for allowing the upper stave 11 and the
couplers 13, 20 to have the same or similar color and to prevent a
color difference from being formed between the upper stave 11 and
the couplers 13, 20. As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 7, a stave support 25
is slidably provided and attached onto the upper stave 11 and
includes one or more protrusions or ears 26 extended therefrom, and
also includes a plastic or metal or stronger tubular body or member
27 engaged onto or around the upper stave 11, and an outer covering
28 engaged or molded or applied or attached onto the outer
peripheral portion of the tubular member 27.
[0036] As also shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 7, the tubular members 23, 27
of the couplers 13, 20 and the stave support 25 each include one or
more voids or notches 29 formed therein and aligned with the
recesses 16, 17, 18 of the upper stave 11 (FIG. 2) respectively for
allowing the outer covering 28 to be molded or engaged into the
tubular member 27 and also to be molded or engaged into the
recesses 16, 17, 18 of the upper stave 11 respectively and thus for
allowing the couplers 13, 20 and the stave support 25 to be stably
attached or coupled to the upper stave 11, and thus for allowing
the couplers 13, 20 and the stave support 25 to have a stronger or
reinforced tubular member 23, 27.
[0037] In addition, the outer covering 28 may also be made of
plastic materials, synthetic materials, fiber reinforcing
materials, composite materials or soft or rubber or resilient
materials, and may have a color the same as or similar to that of
the upper stave 11 for allowing the upper stave 11 and the stave
support 25 to have the same or similar color and to prevent a color
difference from being formed between the upper stave 11 and the
stave support 25, and thus for allowing the upper stave 11 and the
couplers 13, 20 and the stave support 25 to have a smooth or
beautiful outer appearance or contour.
[0038] A main stave 30 may also be made of plastic materials,
synthetic materials, fiber reinforcing materials, composite
materials or the like, and includes an inner end portion 31 for
attaching or coupling to the outer end portion 15 of the upper
stave 11 with such as a pivot pin 80 (FIG. 1), and a coupler 32
attached onto the inner end portion 31 of the main stave 30 and
having a flat end portion 33 and having one or more protrusions or
ears 34 extended from the coupler 32 and having one of the ears 34
coupled to the outer end portion 15 of the upper stave 11 or the
coupler 20 with the pivot pin 80. The main stave 30 further
includes an outer end portion 35, and another coupler 36 attached
onto the outer end portion 35 of the main stave 30 and also having
a flat end portion 37.
[0039] A lower stave 40 may also be made of plastic materials,
synthetic materials, fiber reinforcing materials, composite
materials or the like, and includes an inner end portion 41 for
attaching or coupling to the barrel or runner (not shown) which is
slidably provided and attached onto the central telescoping post,
and a coupler 42 attached onto the inner end portion 41 of the
lower stave 40 and having a flat end portion 43 for attaching or
coupling to the barrel or runner. The lower stave 40 further
includes an outer end portion 44 for attaching or coupling to the
ears 26 of the stave support 25 with such as a pivot pin 81 (FIG.
1), and another coupler 45 attached onto the outer end portion 44
of the lower stave 40 and also having a flat end portion 46, and
having one or more protrusions or ears 47 extended from the coupler
45, and having one of the ears 47 coupled to the ears 26 of the
stave support 25 with the pivot pin 81.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, the couplers 32, 36, 42, 45 each
also include a plastic or metal or stronger tubular body or member
48 engaged onto or around the end portions 31, 35, 41, 44 of the
main stave 30 and the lower stave 40, and an outer covering 49
engaged or molded or applied or attached onto the outer peripheral
portion of the tubular member 48, the outer coverings 49 may also
be made of plastic materials, synthetic materials, fiber
reinforcing materials, composite materials or soft or rubber or
resilient materials, and may have a color the same as or similar to
that of the main stave 30 and the lower stave 40 for allowing the
main stave 30 and the lower stave 40 and the couplers 32, 36, 42 to
have the same or similar color and to prevent a color difference
from being formed between the main stave 30 and the lower stave 40
and the couplers 32, 36, 42, and thus for allowing the main stave
30 and the lower stave 40 and the couplers 32, 36, 42, 45 to have a
smooth or beautiful outer appearance or contour.
[0041] The tubular members 48 of the couplers 32, 36, 42, 45 each
also include one or more voids or notches 29 formed therein (FIG.
6) and aligned with the recesses 38, 39, 410, 440 of the main stave
30 and the lower stave 40 (FIG. 2) respectively for allowing the
outer covering 49 to be molded or engaged into the tubular member
48 and also to be molded or engaged into the recesses 38, 39, 410,
440 of the main stave 30 and the lower stave 40 respectively and
thus for allowing the couplers 32, 36, 42, 45 to be solidly
attached or engaged or anchored or secured onto the main stave 30
and the lower stave 40, and thus for allowing the couplers 32, 36,
42, 45 to have a stronger or reinforced tubular member 48.
[0042] An outer stave 50 may also be made of plastic materials,
synthetic materials, fiber reinforcing materials, composite
materials or the like, and includes an inner end portion 51 for
attaching or coupling to the outer end portion 45 of the main stave
30 with such as a pivot pin 82 (FIG. 1), and a coupler 52 attached
onto the inner end portion 51 of the outer stave 50 and having a
flat end portion 53 and having one or more protrusions or ears 54
extended from the coupler 52 and having one of the ears 54 coupled
to the outer end portion 35 of the main stave 30 or the coupler 36
with the pivot pin 82. The outer stave 50 further includes an outer
end portion 55, and another coupler 56 attached onto the outer end
portion 55 of the outer stave 50 and also having a flat end portion
57 for attaching or coupling to the canopy.
[0043] A lever or spring rod 60 is further provided and coupled
between the main stave 30 and the lower stave 40, such as coupled
between the couplers 32, 45 of the main stave 30 and the lower
stave 40, and another lever or spring rod 70 is further provided
and coupled between the upper stave 11 and the outer stave 50, such
as coupled between the couplers 20, 52 of the upper stave 11 and
the outer stave 50, the levers or spring rods 60, 70 may be used
for such as stretching or supporting the staves 11, 30, 40, 50 of
the strut assembly 10 at the outwardly opened working position or
at the inwardly received or folded or storing position, and the
levers or spring rods 60, 70 are not related to the present
invention and will not be described in further details.
[0044] It is to be noted that the prior umbrella apparatuses failed
to teach and to provide a coupler 13, 20, 32, 36, 42, 44 on either
of the ends of the staves 11, 30, 40, 50 of the strut assembly 10
and having a plastic or metal or stronger tubular body or member
23, 27, 48 engaged onto or around the end portions of the staves
11, 30, 40, 50 and the stave support 25, and an outer covering 24
engaged or molded or applied or attached onto the outer peripheral
portion of the tubular members 23, 27, 48 for allowing the stronger
tubular members 23, 27, 48 to be suitably coated or covered or
protected with the soft or resilient outer coverings 24, 28, 49 and
for preventing the staves 11, 30, 40, 50 and the stave support 25
and the couplers 13, 20, 32, 36, 42, 44 from scraping or damaging
the canopy or the like and for preventing a color difference from
being formed between the staves 11, 30, 40, 50 and the stave
support 25 and the reinforced stave end couplers, 20, 32, 36, 42,
44.
[0045] Accordingly, the umbrella in accordance with the present
invention includes a number of reinforced stave end couplers which
are coated or covered or protected with soft or resilient outer
coverings for preventing the stave end couplers from scraping or
damaging the canopy or the like and for preventing a difference of
the color from being formed between the staves and the reinforced
stave end couplers.
[0046] Although this invention has been described with a certain
degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present
disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous
changes in the detailed construction and the combination and
arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
* * * * *