U.S. patent application number 11/430923 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-15 for umbrella for reliably adjusting dome orientation.
This patent application is currently assigned to Fu Tai Umbrella Works, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Jung-Jen Chang, Chung-Kuang Lin.
Application Number | 20070261728 11/430923 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38683982 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070261728 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lin; Chung-Kuang ; et
al. |
November 15, 2007 |
Umbrella for reliably adjusting dome orientation
Abstract
An angle-adjustable umbrella includes a central shaft consisting
of at least a lower shaft tube and an upper shaft tube pivotally
connected to the lower shaft tube by an angle-adjusting device; a
rib assembly pivotally secured to an upper notch on a top of the
shaft and a runner slidably held on the shaft; and the
angle-adjusting device located in or adjacent to a central portion
of a ferrule of the runner when opening the umbrella for
ergonomically and reliably adjusting a dome orientation of the
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: |
38683982 |
Appl. No.: |
11/430923 |
Filed: |
May 10, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/20.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45B 17/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/020.1 |
International
Class: |
A45B 17/00 20060101
A45B017/00 |
Claims
1. An angle-adjustable umbrella comprising: a central shaft
consisting of at least a lower shaft tube and an upper shaft tube
pivotally connected with an angle-adjusting means; a rib assembly
for securing an umbrella cover thereon including at least a top rib
pivotally secured to an upper notch formed on a top of said central
shaft and a stretcher rib respectively pivotally secured to said
top rib and to a ferrule of a runner slidably held on said central
shaft; said angle-adjusting means located at or adjacent to a
central portion of said ferrule of said runner; whereby upon
biasing of said upper shaft tube about said angle-adjusting means,
said umbrella cover will be angularly oriented by deviating an
upper axis of said upper shaft tube from a lower axis of said lower
shaft tube.
2. An umbrella according to claim 1, wherein said central shaft
includes at least a lowermost shaft tube telescopically engaged
with said lower shaft tube.
3. An umbrella according to claim 1, wherein said angle-adjusting
means includes a first disk member formed with the lower shaft
tube, a second disk member formed with the upper shaft tube and
pivotally connected with said first disk member by a pivot; said
first disk member rotatably engaged with said second disk
member.
4. An umbrella according to claim 3, wherein said first disk member
is secured to the lower shaft tube, and includes: a plurality of
first teeth annularly formed on an inside periphery of the first
disk member each said first tooth having a ridge line radially
aligned with a radius of the first disk member, a central hole
formed through the first disk member for pivotally inserting the
pivot through the central hole, a first cylindrical chamber
recessed in an outer portion of the first disk member for passing
the pivot through the cylindrical chamber having a first tension
spring disposed around the pivot and retained within the first
cylindrical chamber in between a first chamber bottom and an end
cap of the pivot, and a first disk recess adjacent to the first
teeth for rotatably mounting therein the second disk member as
releasably rotatably engaged with the first disk member.
5. An umbrella according to claim 4, wherein said first disk
member, as engaged with said second disk member, further includes a
lower sleeve protruding downwardly for inserting the lower shaft
tube in a sleeve hole recessed in the lower sleeve, and a ring
portion circumferentially formed on the lower sleeve for engaging a
runner when opening the umbrella.
6. An umbrella according to claim 5, wherein said lower sleeve has
a first disk recess formed in an upper portion of the lower sleeve
for accommodating the second disk member in the disk recess.
7. An umbrella according to claim 3, wherein each said disk member
is formed as a circular disk.
8. An umbrella according to claim 3, wherein said second disk
member, equivalent to and corresponding to the first disk member
and secured to the upper shaft tube, includes: a plurality of
second teeth annularly formed on an inside periphery of the second
disk member each said second tooth having a ridge line radially
aligned with a radius of the second disk member, a central hole
formed through the second disk member for pivotally inserting the
pivot through the central hole, a second cylindrical chamber
recessed in an outer portion of the second disk member for passing
the pivot through the cylindrical chamber having a second tension
spring disposed around the pivot and retained within the second
cylindrical chamber in between a second chamber bottom and a nut
rotatably engaged with the pivot, and a second disk recess adjacent
to the second teeth for rotatably mounting therein the first disk
member as releasably rotatably engaged with the second disk
member.
9. An umbrella according to claim 8, wherein said second disk
member further includes an upper sleeve protruding upwardly for
inserting the upper shaft tube in a sleeve hole recessed in the
upper sleeve.
10. An umbrella according to claim 9, wherein said upper sleeve has
a second disk recess formed therein for accommodating the first
disk member in said disk recess.
11. An umbrella according to claim 1, wherein said runner includes:
a ferrule for pivotally securing the stretcher ribs of the rib
assembly, a tubular body secured to the ferrule and slidably held
on the shaft tube, and a push button slidably mounted in the
tubular body for operatively disengaging the runner, when locked on
an umbrella-opening position, for closing the umbrella.
12. An umbrella according to claim 11, wherein said push button
includes a ring member slidably disposed on the shaft tube, a latch
formed on the ring member and operatively engaged with a ring
portion formed on a lower sleeve of an angle-adjusting means when
opening the umbrella, and a spring retained in the tubular body of
the runner and normally resiliently urging the latch and the push
button outwardly in order to be depressed when intended to close
the umbrella.
13. An umbrella according to claim 8, wherein said nut is formed
with a socket recessed in the nut adapted to be driven by a tool.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] U.S. Pat. No. 5,086,797 disclosed an umbrella frame having a
joint or tilting means (1) provided in between a top (3) of a shaft
(4, 5) and a runner (2) for tilting the first part (4) of the shaft
with respect to the second part (5) of the shaft. However, this
prior art has the following drawbacks: [0002] 1. Reviewing the
sketch as illustrated in FIG. 8 for simulating the tilting of the
upper part (S1) of the shaft with respect to the lower part (S2) of
the prior art, even the upper part (S1) has been biased for a large
angle A (such as 70.degree. as deviated from the original shaft
axis), the umbrella dome U is slightly biased since a central axis
defined between a top T and a runner center C is only biased for a
small angle B. [0003] 2. A force arm of the upper part S1 of the
shaft (between the top T and pivot D) is so small since the pivot D
is located between the top T and the runner (at position C in FIG.
8) so that the tilting adjustment for tilting the umbrella dome U
will require a heavier force, thereby causing an inconvenient or
uncomfortable operation for tilting the umbrella dome or frame.
[0004] 3. The snout (12) of the joint ball (10) is obtuse (for the
reason to be stably retained in the recess 15 formed in the cup 11)
and the number of the annular recess or grooves 15 adapted to be
engaged with the snout (12) of the prior art may thus be limited,
the umbrella frame can not be micro-adjusted accordingly.
[0005] The present inventor has found the drawbacks of the prior
art and invented the present umbrella for reliably adjusting a dome
orientation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide an
angle-adjustable umbrella including a central shaft consisting of
at least a lower shaft tube and an upper shaft tube pivotally
connected to the lower shaft tube by an angle-adjusting device; a
rib assembly pivotally secured to an upper notch on a top of the
shaft and a runner slidably held on the shaft; and the
angle-adjusting device located in or adjacent to a central portion
of a ferrule of the runner when opening the umbrella for
ergonomically and reliably adjusting a dome orientation of the
umbrella.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is an illustration showing an opening umbrella in
accordance with the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is an illustration showing an inclined umbrella of
the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a sectional drawing of the angle-adjusting means
of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a modification of the angle-adjusting means of the
present invention.
[0011] FIG. 5 shows a first disk member of the angle-adjusting
means of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a right-side view of the disk member as shown in
FIG. 5.
[0013] FIG. 7 is an illustration showing an inclined umbrella in
accordance with the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 8 is an illustration showing an inclined umbrella as
inferentially made from the prior art of U.S. Pat. No.
5,086,797.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1.about.7, the present invention
comprises: a central shaft 1 consisting of at least a lower shaft
tube 11 and an upper shaft tube 12; a rib assembly 2 pivotally
secured to an upper notch 20 on a top of the shaft 1 and pivotally
secured to a runner 4 slidably held on the shaft 1; and an
angle-adjusting means 3 pivotally connecting the upper shaft tube
12 and the lower shaft tube 11 and located in or adjacent to a
central portion of the runner 4 when opening the umbrella.
[0016] The central shaft 1 may be multiple folds consisting of a
plurality of tubes telescopically engageable with on another. As
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a lowermost shaft tube 13 is telescopically
engaged with the lower shaft tube 11. When opening the umbrella,
the tubes 11, 13, 12 are extended and locked by a fastener 14
provided on the shaft 1. However, the number of tubes for forming
the telescopic shaft 1 is not limited in the present invention.
[0017] The rib assembly 2 includes: a top rib 21 pivotally secured
to the upper notch 20 on the top of the shaft 1, and a stretcher
rib 22 pivotally secured to the top rib 21 and the runner 4.
[0018] The rib assembly 2 may also be formed as multiple folds, but
not limited in the present invention.
[0019] The angle-adjusting means 3 includes: a first disk member
31, a second disk member 32 releasably rotatably engaged with the
first disk member 31 and pivotally connected with the first disk
member 31 by a pivot 33 resiliently axially retained in between the
first and second disk members 31, 32.
[0020] The angle-adjusting means 3 is located in (or adjacent to) a
central portion of a ferrule 41 of the runner 3 when locked on the
shaft 1 when opening the umbrella (FIG. 1).
[0021] The first disk member 31 secured to the lower shaft tube 11,
equivalent to and corresponding to the second disk member 32,
includes: a plurality of first teeth 311 annularly formed on an
inside periphery of the first disk member 31 each first tooth 311
having a ridge line (or top land) 311t radially aligned with a
radius R of the disk member 31, a central hole 310 formed through
the first disk member 31 for pivotally inserting the pivot 33
through the central hole 310, a first cylindrical chamber 312
recessed in an outer portion of the first disk member 31 for
passing the pivot 33 through the cylindrical chamber 312 having a
first tension spring 331 disposed around the pivot 33 and retained
within the first cylindrical chamber 312 in between a first chamber
bottom 312 and an end cap 333 of the pivot 33, and a disk recess
310r (FIG. 5) adjacent to the first teeth 311 for rotatably
mounting the second disk member 32 as releasably rotatably engaged
with the first disk member 31.
[0022] The first disk member 31 further includes a lower sleeve 313
protruding downwardly for inserting the lower shaft tube 11 in a
sleeve hole 315 recessed in the lower sleeve 313, and a ring
portion 314 circumferentially formed on the lower sleeve 313 for
engaging the runner 4 when opening the umbrella.
[0023] The disk recess 310r is formed on an upper portion of the
lower sleeve 313 for accommodating the second disk member 32 in the
disk recess 310r.
[0024] Each disk member 31, 32 may be formed as a circular disk, or
a semi-spherical shaped member.
[0025] Each disk member 31 or 32 may be integrally or directly
formed with the shaft tube 11 or 12 respectively.
[0026] The second disk member 32, equivalent to and corresponding
to the first disk member 31 and secured to the upper shaft tube 12,
includes: a plurality of second teeth 321 annularly formed on an
inside periphery of the second disk member 32 each second tooth 321
having a ridge line radially aligned with a radius of the disk
member 32, a central hole 320 formed through the second disk member
32 for pivotally inserting the pivot 33 through the central hole
320, a second cylindrical chamber 322 recessed in an outer portion
of the second disk member 32 for passing the pivot 33 through the
cylindrical chamber 322 having a second tension spring 332 disposed
around the pivot 33 and retained within the second cylindrical
chamber 322 in between a second chamber bottom 322b and a nut 334
rotatably engaged with the pivot 33, and a disk recess 320r
adjacent to the second teeth 321 for rotatably mounting the first
disk member 31 as releasably rotatably engaged with the second disk
member 32.
[0027] The second disk member 32 further includes an upper sleeve
323 protruding upwardly for inserting the upper shaft tube 12 in a
sleeve hole 325 recessed in the upper sleeve 323.
[0028] The runner 4 includes: a ferrule 41 for pivotally securing
the stretcher ribs 22 of the rib assembly 2, a tubular body 42
secured to the ferrule 41 and slidably held on the shaft tube 11,
and a push button 43 slidably mounted in the tubular body 42 for
operatively disengaging the runner 4, when locked on an
umbrella-opening position, for closing the umbrella.
[0029] The push button 43 includes a ring member 43r slidably
disposed on the shaft tube 11, a latch 44 formed on the ring member
43r and operatively engaged with the ring portion 314 formed on the
lower sleeve 313 of the angle-adjusting means 3 when opening the
umbrella, and a spring 45 retained in the tubular body 42 of the
runner 4 and normally resiliently urging the latch 44 and the push
button 43 outwardly in order to be depressed when intended to close
the umbrella.
[0030] Other locking mechanisms for locking the runner 4 on the
shaft when opening the umbrella may be further modified in the
present invention, not limited.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, the nut 334 may be modified to have a
socket 334a recessed in the nut adapted to be driven by a driver or
other tools.
[0032] Upon fastening of the nut 334 on the pivot 33 as bearing
against the resilience of the tension springs 332, 331 respectively
retained in the cylindrical chambers 322, 312, the first and second
disk members 31, 32 will be tightly engaged with each other as
limited by the end cap 333 and the nut 334 of the pivot 33.
[0033] When it is intended to adjust an inclined angle or
orientation of the umbrella dome U (or canopy or cover), the
pulling of the umbrella dome U (or the biasing of the upper tube
12) will disengage the first disk member 31 from the second disk
member 32 (namely, disengaging the first and second teeth 311, 321
rotatably engaging with each other) until obtaining the desired
inclined dome orientation by biasing the upper tube 12 (about an
upper axis X1) from the lower tube 11 (about a lower axis X).
[0034] When deadly locking the nut 334 on the pivot 33 for limiting
the two disk members 31, 32 between the cap 333 and the nut 334,
the two disk members 31, 32 will be "locked" without further
rotation, thereby stably securely locking the upper shaft tube 12
above the lower shaft tube 11 defining a bending angle between the
tubes 11, 12.
[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 7 for the present invention, the
upper tube 12 is biased for angle A (e.g. 70.degree.) and the
opposite stretcher ribs 22 are each biased with angle A about a
center C (which may be assumed as a fulcrum or center of the
angle-adjusting means 3 and of the ferrule 41 of the runner 4 of
the present invention). Therefore, the umbrella dome U is biased
with the angle A which is greater than the tilting angel B as
effected by the prior art as illustrated in FIG. 8 since angle A is
always larger than angle B in view of the triangle TCD as shown in
FIG. 8.
[0036] Accordingly, the present invention may be operated for
precisely adjusting a biasing angle for reliably orienting the
umbrella dome U. Meanwhile, the force arm F of the present
invention is greater than that F1 of the prior art, indicating that
the present invention may be operated more lightly and
ergonomically.
[0037] For angularly biasing the umbrella dome of the present
invention, it can be micro-adjusted due to the tooth-to-tooth
engagement between the two disk members 31, 32. So, the present
invention may be adjusted in a more precise biasing angle when
tilting the umbrella dome.
[0038] Accordingly, this invention is especially suitable for
serving as a beach umbrella or an umbrella for shielding sunlight
in a play ground, pool or recreation center.
[0039] The present invention is superior to the prior art such as
the U.S. Pat. No. 5,086,797.
[0040] The present invention may be modified without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *