U.S. patent application number 11/568359 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-14 for electrical umbrella and canopy mechanism.
Invention is credited to Chaim Simcha Amsel.
Application Number | 20080190469 11/568359 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34967337 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080190469 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Amsel; Chaim Simcha |
August 14, 2008 |
Electrical Umbrella and Canopy Mechanism
Abstract
Canopy conducting mechanism for hand held umbrellas is
disclosed. The canopy conducting mechanism is especially useful for
electrical umbrellas although may be used for manually operated
umbrellas as well. The canopy conducting mechanism has short
movement between open and closed states of the umbrella and is
based on pin and slide joints between the umbrella ribs and between
canopy conducting member, allowing for strutless canopy (i.e. a
canopy without stretchers extending between the umbrella post and
the ribs). Umbrella rib having a flexible end especially useful for
strutless umbrellas is also disclosed. Strutless electrical
umbrella comprising said canopy conducting mechanism and flexible
end ribs is also disclosed, including single-folding and
multi-folding canopy embodiments.
Inventors: |
Amsel; Chaim Simcha;
(Jerusalem, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LOWE HAUPTMAN HAM & BERNER, LLP
1700 DIAGONAL ROAD, SUITE 300
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
34967337 |
Appl. No.: |
11/568359 |
Filed: |
May 1, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
May 1, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IL2005/000450 |
371 Date: |
March 10, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60582429 |
Jun 25, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
135/20.3 ;
135/22 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45B 25/10 20130101;
A45B 19/04 20130101; A45B 19/00 20130101; A45B 2019/001 20130101;
A45B 25/02 20130101; A45B 25/143 20130101; A45B 2025/105 20130101;
A45B 25/165 20130101; A45B 19/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/20.3 ;
135/22 |
International
Class: |
A45B 25/18 20060101
A45B025/18; A45B 19/00 20060101 A45B019/00; A45B 25/16 20060101
A45B025/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 26, 2004 |
IL |
161621 |
Dec 5, 2004 |
IL |
165554 |
Claims
1-27. (canceled)
28. Canopy conducting mechanism for hand held umbrellas,
comprising; (a) canopy conducting member having a plurality of a
first part of pin and slide joint rigidly connected and angularly
spaced about a common central hub; (b) a spacer having a central
lower end adapted for being connected to a pole of an umbrella, and
a plurality of pivot connection points remotely and angularly
spaced about the central lower end each being adapted for receiving
a pivot point of a canopy rib (2) having a short lever arm (2a)
being the rib portion between the close rib end and the pivot
point, the short lever arm (2a) having a second part (2b) of pin
and slid joint matching the first part, the pin and slide joints
being characterized in that the slides are separated from one
another by being formed in angularly spaced bars or cells.
29. Canopy conducting mechanism according to claim 28, further
comprising a plurality of canopy ribs pivotably connected to the
pivot connections, and further form a plurality of pin and slide
joints with the conducting member.
30. Canopy conducting mechanism according to claim 28, connected to
the top end of a pole.
31. Canopy conducting mechanism according to claim 28, wherein the
spacer has a hollow flange protruding from below.
32. Canopy conducting mechanism according to claim 28, wherein the
hub is hollow and having inner threading for moving the hub up and
down upon rotation of a screw having outer threading matching the
hub's inner threading, for closing and opening the umbrella
respective to the rotation direction of the screw.
33. Canopy conducting mechanism according to claim 28, wherein the
hub is connected to an extension member having at its lower end a
threading connection with a screw, for closing and opening the
umbrella respective to the rotation direction of the screw.
34. Umbrella comprised of a canopy conducting mechanism according
to claim 29.
35. Umbrella comprised of a canopy conducting mechanism according
to claim 29, connected at is bottom end to a top end of a pole of
the umbrella, the pole has an upper handgrip connected near its
upper end and a main handgrip connected to its lower end.
36. Electrical umbrella comprising an umbrella hollow pole having a
main handgrip at a first end thereof; a canopy conducting member
having a plurality of a first part of pin and slide joint rigidly
connected and angularly spaced about a common central hub; a spacer
having a central lower end connected to a second end of the pole
and a plurality of pivot points remotely and angularly spaced about
the central lower end; a respective plurality of canopy ribs
pivotably connected to the pivot points, each rib having a short
lever arm (2a) being the rib portion between the close rib end and
the pivot point, the short lever arm (2a) having a second part (2b)
of pin and slid joint matching the first part, the ribs thereby
form a plurality of pin and slide joints with the conducting member
(2), wherein the canopy conducting member is driven along a short
path between an uppermost position and a lowermost position from
above the pole, corresponding to a closed state and an open state
of the umbrella, respectively, upon rotation of an electrical motor
located near or inside the main handgrip, powered by batteries
located nearby, and transmitting its rotation to a screw or to a
helical shaft adapted to convert the rotation into vertical
movement of the conducting member.
37. Electrical umbrella according to claim 36, further comprising
override arrangement.
38. Electrical umbrella according to claim 36, further comprising
override arrangement, the override arrangement comprising an
extended flange connected to the bottom of the spacer and capable
of telescopic movement with respect to the umbrella pole, and means
for releaseably tightening the extended flange to the pole.
39. Electrical umbrella according to claim 36, further comprising
an upper handgrip located near the top end of the pole and being a
part of an override arrangement, the override arrangement
comprising an extended flange connected to the bottom of the spacer
and capable of telescopic movement with respect to the umbrella
pole, and means for releaseably tightening the extended flange to
the pole, wherein the upper hand grip is located such that it can
be utilized for moving the extended flange up and down in said
telescopic movement.
40. Electrical umbrella according to claim 36, further comprising a
battery compartment located inside the main handgrip.
41. Electrical umbrella according to claim 36, further comprising a
battery compartment located inside the main handgrip in electrical
communication with a jack adapted for receiving a plug of a power
source for recharging the batteries.
42. Electrical umbrella according to claim 36, further comprising a
withdrawable battery compartment located inside the main
handgrip.
43. Electrical umbrella according to claim 36, further comprising
overload detection circuit capable of disconnecting the battery
power from the motor upon recognition of a motor current exceeding
a predetermined threshold.
44. Electrical umbrella according to claim 36, further comprising
overload detection circuit capable of disconnecting the battery
power from the motor upon recognition of a motor current exceeding
a predetermined threshold, and further capable of inverting the
polarity of the power connection to the motor.
45. Electrical umbrella according to claim 36, further comprising
at least one utility electronic or electric circuit selected from;
(a) location detector; (b) emergency illumination; (c) safety
illumination; (d) low battery alarm; (e) temperature measuring; (f)
electronic watch; (g) anti-theft remote sensor; (h) decorative
illumination; (i) battery recharger with integral power plug; (j)
remote controller in wireless communication with certain electronic
or electric circuits of the umbrella; (k) voice or sonic alarm; (l)
a combination of at least two of `a` to `k`.
46. Umbrella comprised of a canopy conducting mechanism according
to claim 29, wherein the ribs are made of a rigid material at their
proximal portion and of a flexible bars at their distal
portion.
47. Umbrella comprised of a canopy conducting mechanism according
to claim 29, characterized by having no struts nor stretchers
connecting between the pole of the umbrella and its canopy
ribs.
48. Canopy conducting mechanism according to claim 28, further
comprising a plurality of pivot joints remotely and angularly
spaced about the central lower end each is adapted for receiving a
rib stretcher to be associated with a rib receivable by a
corresponding pivot connection point.
49. Canopy conducting mechanism according to claim 28, further
comprising (i) multifold ribs pivotally connected to the pivot
connections and further form a plurality of pin and slide joints
with the conducting member; and (ii) a plurality of rib stretchers,
pivotally connected to respected pivot joints and to respective
multifold ribs.
50. Electrical umbrella comprising a canopy conducting mechanism
according to claim 49, the canopy conducting mechanism is connected
at its lower end to the top of a telescopic pole, the telescopic
pole is connected at its lower end to a main handgrip of the
umbrella, wherein the canopy conducting member is driven along a
short path between an uppermost position and a lowermost position
from above the pole, corresponding to a closed state and an open
state of the umbrella, respectively, upon rotation of an electrical
motor located near or inside the main handgrip, powered by
batteries located nearby, and transmitting its rotation to a screw
or to a helical shaft adapted to convert the rotation into vertical
movement of the conducting member and into a telescopic movement of
at least two telescopic sections of the pole.
51. Electrical umbrella according to claim 36, wherein the handgrip
is cushioned or having a padding protection against downfall
damages.
52. Electrical umbrella according to claim 36, further comprising
folding or pull out foots accommodated in the handgrip and useful
for positioning of the umbrella uprightly.
53. Umbrella comprised of a canopy conducting mechanism according
to claim 29, wherein the ribs are made of a rigid material and
having gradually reduced thickness at their distal ends resulting
in flexibility of the ends of the ribs useful for obtaining
mushroom shaped canopy.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of hand held
umbrellas.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Umbrellas that can be opened automatically by triggering a
compressed spring, are well known in the market. Those spring
loaded umbrellas has the advantage of easy opening, however they
have also disadvantages accompanying their spring mechanism.
Firstly, their opening is uncontrolled after triggering, that is
once the spring has triggered on by pressing and releasing its
stopper tooth, it cannot be stopped. For example, one who wants to
exit a car cannot open the canopy partially so it could be passed
through the door and simultaneously protect from rain and snow
during exiting. Secondly, the opening is aggressive, with a risk
that the edges of the opened canopy will hurt people in its close
proximity. Furthermore, when the umbrella is to be folded,
excessive hand power should be exerted in order to close the canopy
while retracting the spring for a future opening. It is not only
the force that should be exerted, the operation itself is
uncomfortable since it requires both hand of the user, one for
holding the umbrella and the other for pulling the canopy
retraction handle, wherein the motion of the retracted canopy
threats to hurt the user in case the umbrella is held too close to
the body. The folding procedure ends only after returning the
stopper tooth to the initial position, which is not very easy
accomplish while the umbrella spring is tensely drawn in full.
Failing to return the stopper tooth properly, will cause a sudden
aggressive and unintentional opening of the umbrella. The operation
of commonly available spring loaded umbrellas, is therefore
considered not very comfortable to adults, and very uncomfortable
to children, to elders, and to disabled ones.
[0003] In non automated umbrellas both--opening and closing
operations requires both hands of the user to operate, one for
holding the umbrella and the other for pushing the canopy open or
for pulling it close. In both, the umbrella should be held
distantly in order to eliminate possible hurting by the moving
canopy. Furthermore, when a wet umbrella is being closed, the user
is normally careful not to fold it close to his body in order to
eliminate rain water fall onto his dry clothes. As can be
appreciated, both spring loaded or non automated umbrellas are
required to be closed remotely from user's body, while using both
hands.
[0004] It is therefore a need for an umbrella that could be opened
and closed automatically, by one hand activation, wherein the
operation can be paused, stopped or canceled at any given moment,
allowing for partial opening e.g. in order to allow passing through
a narrow passageway.
[0005] Several patents were issued, disclosing automated mechanisms
for hand-held umbrellas, based on electrical motor drive. U.S. Pat.
No. 4,572,226; U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,122; U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,010;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,122 and EP0760609 are examples for the efforts
made in the last decades for developing hand-held umbrellas having
electrical motor drive. In spite of the efforts made, there is no
evidence to a commercial success to any type of electrical
umbrellas, and for several decades the only automated umbrellas
available in the worldwide markets are half automated umbrellas, of
the type having spring for opening, wherein the closing is made
manually. According to a survey especially ordered by the inventor
of the present invention, there is no electrical umbrella available
in the market. As will be further discussed in the following
chapters of this specification, is believed that the basic concepts
adopted by the inventors of said inventions are certainly prevent a
success in developing marketable electrical umbrellas.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,332 discloses umbrellas especially
suited for patio and recreational use. Although this patent does
not relate to electrical umbrellas and is of limited relevance to
hand held umbrellas as a whole, it is considered to be elevant
prior art, as will be discussed in detail in the following chapters
of this specification.
[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a motor driven mechanism for hand-held umbrellas that will
overcome the preventions that cause the fail of the prior art
mechanisms to comply with the long felt need for a reliable and
comfortably operated umbrella.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The inventor of the present invention had a basic assumption
when starting to develop a successfully marketable electrical
umbrella: the umbrella mechanism should be designed so as to allow
short movement range of the element which is driven by the motor
for conducting the canopy between open and closed states. The
element which is driven by the motor for conducting the canopy
between open and closed states is called in other patents "rider",
"collar", "guiding member", and is located inside the umbrella post
and is moveable along the post. In the present invention this
element will be referred to as "canopy conducting element", and it
is located and moveable outside of the post, from above. In the
context of the present invention `short movement range` relates to
a movement distance not greater than 20% of the length of the post,
preferably not greater than 14% of it, and most preferably lesser
than 7% of it. For example, in a first operating model that was
built, the post length is 80 centimeters and the step of the
element which conducts the canopy between open and closed states
(i.e. the "conducting element") is of 4 centimeters length, that is
about 5% respective to total post length. In order to achieve full
canopy deployment through such a short movement range, it is
required that the canopy ribs will be driven by a short lever arm
which shall be located near the close end of each of the ribs (i.e.
the rib end that is close to the post). A new innovative short
movement conducting mechanism for operating this short lever arm
was developed by the inventor of the present invention in order to
comply with the requirement of short movement range of the
conducting element.
[0009] Accordingly the present invention relates to a short
movement less components canopy conducting mechanism for umbrellas,
especially useful for hand held umbrellas, and essentially
recommended for motor driven hand held umbrellas, comprising (a) a
hollow pole of a small diameter (i.e. of a diameter similar and in
any event not very much larger than the diameter of poles of
conventional hand held umbrellas, that is much lesser than the
diameter of posts of stationary umbrellas) having a top end and a
bottom end; (b) a canopy conducting member comprising a plurality
of a first part (i.e. a pin, or a slide) of a pin and slide joint,
spaced angularly and rigidly connected about a common central
point; (c) a plurality of angularly spaced canopy ribs each having
a short lever arm comprising a second part (a mate of the first
part) of the pin and slide joint, the lever is capable of pivoting
the rib about a pivot point located between the short lever arm and
the rib, the lever arm forms an angle of between 120 degrees and
165 degrees, and preferably of about 135 degrees, with the rib,
about the pivot point, the rib is pivotably connected at the pivot
point to a spacer keeping the pivot point distantly from the hollow
pole; (d) means for moving the canopy conducting member for a short
movement between two vertically spaced positions above the top end
of the pole, a most lower position wherein the first of the pin an
slide joints are close to the top end of the pole and wherein the
canopy is open, and a most upper position wherein the first of the
pin an slide joints are distant from the top end of the pole and
wherein the canopy is closed.
[0010] Reference is herewith made to the U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,332
which discloses in FIGS. 2 and 3 a patio umbrella in its opened and
closed states, respectively. The umbrella is driven open and closed
by the movement of a plunger (14) along the post (12). The plunger
(14) is connected to the plurality of ribs (34) of the umbrella
through a plurality of link connections (20) connected to the ribs
(34) by first link connections (22) and to the plunger (14) by
second link connections (24). In order to open the umbrella (as
shown in FIG. 2) the plunger (14) should be moved downwardly inside
the post (12) thus pulling the link connections (20) inside the
post, which in turn pull the ribs (34) to pivot about the rib
connections (40) to the open state. In order to close the umbrella,
the plunger (14) is moved upwards, pushing the link connections
(20) out of the post to the position shown by FIG. 3. The mechanism
of the umbrella of this U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,332 is inappropriate
for use in hand held umbrellas, from several reasons. First,
although the post of patio umbrellas is of a diameter sufficient to
allow link connections to move inside the post (as in FIG. 2) or
can easily be so designed, hand held umbrellas has posts of
relatively small diameters (any 100% enlargement of post diameter
increases post weight by 314% assuming the same raw material is
used) which does not allow for insertion of link connections inside
the post. Furthermore, each link has two pivoting connections (22)
and (24) thus in total consists of 3 parts (i.e. one link member
plus its two connections) that should be assembled during
manufacturing of the umbrella, thereafter withstand repeated
operation cycles, and last for the life term of the umbrella. In
stationary patio umbrellas this maybe not very problematic
connection type, since the link connections could be made of stiff
massive material, and since the umbrella is normally not being
opened and closed more than once or twice a day. In hand held
umbrellas however, the demand for a small post diameter and for
compact umbrella dimensions on one hand, do not allow for using
massive materials for the links and for their connections to the
plunger (which diameter of the plunger is smaller then the post,
and should allow at least five or six pivoting link connections
spaced angularly around its circumference) while on the other hand,
hand held umbrellas are normally being opened and closed several
times a day, namely much more times comparing to patio
umbrellas.
[0011] Another disadvantage of the mechanism disclosed by the U.S.
Pat. No. 5,711,332 patent is that there is a linkage between the
length of the link (20), the distance of the rib connection (40)
from the post (12), and the length of movement of the plunger
inside the post. For example, in the illustrated umbrella the
distance between the rib connection (40) and the post (12)
substantially equals to the diameter of the post. In case the
distance of the rib connection (40) will be designed as twice much
as it is now, the length of the link will have to be enlarged
accordingly, and the step of the plunger between open state and
closed state of the umbrella will also be increased accordingly.
Furthermore, the arc shape of the enlarged links shall need an
enlarged diameter of the post so it could be accommodated and be
freely moved inside the post.
[0012] Contrarily to the U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,332, the mechanism
according to the present invention is (a) free of link type
connections which move and change orientation inside the post, thus
the mechanism according to the present invention allows to minimize
the pole diameter to any required measure; (b) free of double
pivoting joint, which in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,332 connect the
links from their one side to a conducting element moving inside the
post and from their next side to the ribs, the mechanism of the
present invention has less components, and less moving components,
wherein there is only one moving connection which is comprised of a
massive pin and slide joint that can easily be assembled and
maintained, and which dimensions are not restricted by the diameter
of the pole since it is not moving inside the pole; (c) free of
linkage between measure of umbrella parts, the pin and slide joint
of the present invention allows for designing the distance between
the rib pivot joint and the pole without changing the movement
range of the conducting member and without changing the pole
diameter.
[0013] The short movement less components canopy conducting
mechanism for of the present invention is especially useful for the
production of motor driven electrical umbrella. Due to the short
movement of the canopy conducting member--
[0014] A) less rounds of the electrical motor of the umbrella are
required for opening and closing the umbrella;
[0015] B) the umbrella can be built from less parts thus having the
benefit of reduced weight and improved durability (e.g. comparing
to other electrical umbrella designs having struts and strut joints
for supporting the canopy ribs, which struts are driven by a collar
for opening or closing the umbrella);
[0016] C) due to its strutless construction the canopy can be
lowered adjacent the user's head for a maximal protection from
rain, snow, and storm winds.
[0017] D) a new facile override mechanism can be used (as will be
further discussed in detail);
[0018] E) an auxiliary hand grip could be added on the umbrella
pole near the canopy in order to allow both user hands efficiently
gripping the umbrella when complying with storm winds; and
[0019] F) more innovative and attractive design could be achieved
(i.e. without struts), which may assist in keeping the product
competitive despite of its naturally increased price deriving from
its increased manufacturing costs respective to non fully automated
umbrellas.
[0020] G) mass production of single size conducting mechanism can
be utilized for different sizes of umbrellas (e.g. an umbrella
collection for children and for adults may use the same conducting
mechanism). This is in contradiction to strut based umbrella
constructions which have a linkage between the canopy size, the
pole length, the strut length, and the movement extent of the
rider.
[0021] According to said paragraph G, the present invention relates
not only to a conducting mechanism supplied with the ribs assembled
therein, but also to a canopy conducting mechanism for hand held
umbrellas (that can be designed for mass production for use with
various types and sizes of canopy ribs), comprising; (a) canopy
conducting member having a plurality of a first part of pin and
slide joint rigidly connected and angularly spaced about a common
central hub; (b) a spacer having a central lower end adapted for
being connected to a pole of an umbrella, and a plurality of pivot
connection points remotely and angularly spaced about the central
lower end; wherein said mechanism may receive various types of ribs
which may differ in their shape, length, and length of the flexible
part located at their distal end (see FIG. 10), the ribs of the
desired type can then be connected to the pivot connection points
of the spacer.
[0022] The present invention further relates to electrical motor
driven hand-held umbrella having a canopy that can be conducted at
any desired position between an open state and a closed state by
means of a conducting element movable between two points from above
the pole of the umbrella, the umbrella comprises a shortened extent
screw thread for driving the conducting element between the open
and closed states. Preferably, in the various embodiments of the
present invention, the motion extent of the conducting element is
of effective length of between 20% and 100% comparing to the
maximal diameter of the umbrella in its closed state. Most
preferably, and according to the preferred embodiments of the
present invention, the motion extent of the conducting element is
of effective length of between 50% and 95% of the max diameter of
the umbrella in its closed state. The term `conducting element`
refers to an element or a combination of elements having back and
forth motion along a predetermined extent from above a central pole
of the umbrella, wherein said motion conducts the canopy
respectively between a close state and an open state. The term
`effective length` refers to the actual extent of motion of the
conducting element between its two extreme positions from above the
pole (respective to close and open states of the canopy),
regardless of what is the length of the threading through which
motion of the element is achieved (however, preferably the length
of the threading is not longer than required, and the threading
portion is connected to the electrical motor through plain planner
parts having reduced weight comparing to a screw, in order to
decrease the total umbrella weight).
[0023] As will become more apparent from the following description,
and as mentioned above regarding the short movement less components
canopy conducting mechanism for hand held umbrellas according to
the present invention, the reduction in the movement extent of the
canopy conducting element allows for reducing the number of
elements from which the umbrella is constructed, allows to increase
the durability of some of those elements, allows to maintain a
reasonable weight of the complete umbrella, and allows for
directing a collection of safe small sized and easily operated
electrical umbrellas for children, even small ones. Said and other
advantages of the electrical umbrella of the present invention are
essential in possessing a significant rank in the global markets,
which is essential for maintaining a commercial presence, and
making realistic the dream of electrical umbrella, contrarily to
all other inventions which were failed in successful development
and/or commercialization of electrical umbrellas.
[0024] In order to allow for the shortened extent movement of the
conducting element, the umbrella of the present invention is
designed to be conducted open through the near end of its ribs, and
so the canopy could be fully deployed by a levering center
concentrated near the top end of the umbrella. The levering center
of the umbrella has a diameter similar to the max diameter of the
umbrella in its closed state, such that according to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, in an open state of the
umbrella no struts extend between the canopy ribs and the pole of
the umbrella beyond said levering center. This is contrarily to
prior art motor operated umbrellas in which the levering center of
the umbrella includes struts (stretchers) which protrude from a
runner of the umbrella and are of significant length as required to
allow a smooth motion of the runner along the post of the umbrella
and for essential support of the canopy. Negating the need in
struts in the canopy conducting mechanism allows to reduce the
number of elements from which the umbrella is constructed,
simplifies its manufacturing process, assemblage and maintenance,
and allows for enforcing the canopy ribs by thickening, thus having
more massive and durable umbrella construction, without
significantly increasing the weight of the complete umbrella. The
absence of struts allows to provide (according to various
embodiments of the present invention) the umbrella with an internal
hand grip located near the top end of the umbrella post, which help
in stable gripping of the umbrella during storm winds, and enable
lowering of the umbrella close to the user's head. This is
contrarily to prior art umbrellas which have struts occupying the
space around the top portion of the post. It should be however
clarified that the present invention does not restrict its scope to
a strutless construction, and if one so wishes he may add struts
for passive reinforcement, wherein the umbrella will still defer
from prior art umbrellas by having the short movement canopy
conducting element using for canopy deployment without active help
of struts (struts are used for passive support or stabilization
purpose only)
[0025] Another advantage of the absence of struts visible between
the canopy ribs and the post is a more pleasant and attractive
design. This allows also to cover the ribs from both sides of the
canopy (i.e. by having a double sheet canopy, or by having cloth
sleeves extending non interruptedly along the ribs for covering,
such that the ribs may be hidden according to various embodiments
of the present invention).
[0026] As mentioned above, the strutless construction of the
umbrella allows for having shortened extent screw thread of the
conducting mechanism, useful for erecting the canopy open by a
reduced number of motor rounds which allows for faster opening and
closing operations, and which reduces motor hours (which is
equivalent to reduction in motor wearing).
[0027] Accordingly, the present invention further relates to a
short movement less components conducting mechanism for hand held
umbrellas, especially useful for motor driven hand held umbrellas,
comprising (a) a hollow pole of a small diameter (i.e. of a
diameter similar and in any event not very much larger than the
diameter of poles of conventional hand held umbrellas, that is much
lesser than the diameter of posts of stationary umbrellas) having a
top end and a bottom end; (b) a canopy conducting member comprising
a plurality of a first part (i.e. a pin, or a slide) of a pin and
slide joint, spaced angularly and rigidly connected about a common
central point; (c) a plurality of angularly spaced canopy ribs each
having a short lever arm comprising a second part (a mate of the
first part) of the pin and slide joint, the lever is capable of
pivoting the rib about a pivot point located between the short
lever arm and the rib, the lever arm forms an angle of between 120
degrees and 165 degrees, and preferably of about 135 degrees, with
the rib, about the pivot point, the rib is pivotably connected at
the pivot point to a spacer keeping the pivot point distantly from
the hollow pole; (d) electrical motor geared for moving the canopy
conducting member for a short movement between two vertically
spaced positions above the top end of the pole, a most lower
position wherein the first of the pin and slide joints are close to
the top end of the pole and wherein the canopy is open, and a most
upper position wherein the first of the pin an slide joints are
distant from the top end of the pole and wherein the canopy is
closed; (e) battery housing electrically connected for energizing
the motor; (f) at least one manual switch allowing a user to
control the canopy between open and closed states.
[0028] According to various preferred embodiments of the present
invention the electrical umbrella is further comprising load
recognition circuit which stops the motor (by disconnecting the
battery power) upon recognition of increase in the motor current
beyond a predetermined threshold. According to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention the load recognition circuit is
used not only to protect the motor but also to automatically stop
the motor once the canopy reaches its fully opened state or once
the canopy reaches its fully closed state, wherein in both states
the motor is physically being blocked from continuing its revolve
which in turn causes an increase in the motor current, thus
activates the load recognition circuit which in turn disconnects
the power from the motor. According to various embodiments, the
electrical circuit of the umbrella is designed such that each
activation of the load recognizing circuit (that in normal
circumstances is equivalent to the termination of a fully opening
or of a fully closing operations of the umbrella) inverts the
polarity of the power connection to the motor, such that in the
next user activation the motor will revolve in an opposite
direction respective to its last operation. By means of this
arrangement the umbrella may be provided with only one switch for
both opening and closing operations, which automatically switches
its role after each operation.
[0029] It should be appreciated that although the preferred
embodiments of the present invention relate to a pin and slide
joint connection between the conducting element and each of the
ribs, the use of similar or equivalent arrangements such as a
telescopic connection wherein a short lever arm of a rib moves in
telescopic manner respective to a corresponding arm of the
conducting element should be considered within the scope of the
present invention, and as will be further claimed.
[0030] The present invention further relates to a system of
rechargeable electrical umbrella comprised of (a) an electrical
umbrella powered by a rechargeable battery/ies and having battery
charge circuit ending with terminal contacts and of (b) a stand
having a connection to an AC power network, an AC to DC converter,
and at least one terminal having contacts matching the terminal
contacts of the electrical umbrella; or of (c) a stand having a
connection to a vehicle battery and at least one terminal having
contacts matching the terminal contacts of the electrical
umbrella
[0031] According to various preferred embodiments of the present
invention, the electrical umbrella is provided with electronic
circuit for the detection and alarming of low battery power. The
alarm of low battery power is preferably through turning on a LED
light.
[0032] According to various embodiments the electrical umbrella of
the present invention has a back-up battery (or batteries). The
back-up battery could be provided in a housing for manually
replacement with the main battery upon recognition of decreasing in
the power of the main battery (or batteries) wherein the
replacement is either by physical replacement or by activating an
electrical switch which switches between the electrical circuits,
or could be switched automatically by means of switching circuit
governed by the circuit for detection of low battery power, wherein
in such a case there is an alarming LED showing that the backup
battery is in use. The back-up battery can be either of
rechargeable or of non-rechargeable type. In case that the main
battery is of rechargeable type and having recharging circuit
inherent to the umbrella (i.e. the batteries are recharged in their
housing inside the umbrella), and the back-up battery is also of
rechargeable type, then there is preferably provided a separate
recharging circuit for the backup battery capable of recognizing
the presence of external power and connecting the backup battery
for simultaneous recharging with the main battery, wherein after
disconnection of the external power, the backup battery is
disconnected and maintained in full power until low power of the
main battery is detected. In case that the main battery is of
rechargeable type and having recharging circuit inherent to the
umbrella (i.e. the batteries are recharged in their housing inside
the umbrella), and the back-up battery is of non rechargeable type,
then there is provided a switch which prevents mistaken charging of
the non-rechargeable battery (the same switch which replaces
between the main battery and the backup one).
[0033] According to various embodiments of the present invention
the electrical umbrella is further comprising location recognizer
means allowing for fast locating of the umbrella. The location
recognizer means is comprised of a first and a second electronic
circuits, the first one is attached to or located inside the
umbrella, and the second one is held by the user, wherein an alarm
or a beep sound is generated (a) upon the lost of communication
between the two circuits (in such a case the alarm will occur at
the circuit held by the user), or (b) upon an activation command
generated by the user in order to locate the umbrella (in such a
case the alarm will occur at the circuit attached to the umbrella).
Preferably, each umbrella will have its unique identification code
such that one can locate and recognize his own umbrella from a
plurality of similar umbrellas. The location recognizer circuit is
preferably powered by an inherent battery, i.e. separately from the
main umbrella battery, in order to enable locating the umbrella
even in cases where the main battery is empty. Accordingly, the
location recognizer circuit can be placed in the top portion of the
umbrella, near the lifting center and distantly from the handle of
the umbrella where the main battery is located.
[0034] The present invention further relates to canopy conducting
mechanism for multifold canopies. This embodiment differs from the
embodiments for plain folding canopies by further comprising a
plurality of pivot joints remotely and angularly spaced about the
central lower end each is adapted for receiving a rib stretcher to
be associated with a rib receivable by a corresponding pivot
connection point.
[0035] The present invention relates also to a situation wherein
the canopy conducting mechanism is further comprising the canopy
mechanism. The canopy mechanism for multifold canopies includes:
(i) multifold ribs pivotally connected to the pivot connections and
further form a plurality of pin and slide joints with the
conducting member; and (ii) a plurality of rib stretchers,
pivotally connected to respected pivot joints and to respective
multifold ribs.
[0036] Furthermore the present invention relates to electrical
umbrella comprising a canopy conducting mechanism according to the
embodiment of multifold canopy. According to this embodiment the
canopy conducting mechanism of the multifold canopy is connected at
its lower end to the top of a telescopic pole, the telescopic pole
is connected at its lower end to a main handgrip of the umbrella,
wherein the canopy conducting member is driven along a short path
between an uppermost position and a lowermost position from above
the pole, corresponding to a closed state and an open state of the
umbrella, respectively, upon rotation of an electrical motor
located near or inside the main handgrip, powered by batteries
located nearby, and transmitting its rotation to a screw or to a
helical shaft adapted to convert the rotation into vertical
movement of the conducting member and into a telescopic movement of
at least two telescopic sections of the pole.
[0037] According to various embodiments the umbrella is provided
with decorative illumination e.g. through LEDs. Such light may be
distributed over the canopy through optic fibers.
[0038] According to various preferred embodiments the umbrella of
the present invention is provided with a battery recharger having
integral power plug concealed inside the handgrip and may be pulled
up, opened or unfolded for connecting to a wall outlet.
[0039] According to various preferred embodiments the umbrella of
the present invention is cooperative with a remote controller
through wireless communication means situated at a concealed
compartment, preferably from above the upper connection hub.
[0040] The umbrella may further have voice or sonic alarm
indicative of various abnormal states that may occur during its
use, and that are recognizable by its sensors and its electronic
utility circuits.
[0041] According to various preferred embodiments the handgrip is
cushioned or having a padding protection against downfall
damages.
[0042] According to various embodiments the umbrella of the present
invention is further comprising folding or pull out foots
accommodated in the handgrip and useful for positioning of the
umbrella uprightly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0043] In order to understand the invention and to see how it may
be carried out in practice, a preferred embodiment will now be
described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to
the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0044] FIG. 1 illustrates a first preferred embodiment of a short
movement canopy conducting mechanism according to the present
invention (in a closed umbrella state).
[0045] FIG. 1A illustrates a partial view of the short movement
canopy conducting mechanism of FIG. 1 (in an opened umbrella
state).
[0046] FIG. 2 illustrates a short movement canopy conducting
mechanism according to the present invention especially adapted for
use of electrical umbrellas, and illustrating parts of the
electrical umbrella.
[0047] FIG. 2A illustrates a bottom view of a flange of the
conducting mechanism.
[0048] FIG. 2B illustrates a top view of an embodiment of umbrella
pole illustrated by FIG. 2.
[0049] FIGS. 3 to 5 illustrate various positions describing the
operation of the conducting mechanism and of the override
arrangement illustrated by FIG. 2.
[0050] FIGS. 6, 6A and 6B illustrate partial views of another
preferred embodiment of an electrical umbrella according to the
present invention.
[0051] FIG. 7 illustrates a concealed compartment located at the
covering of the conducting mechanism, useful for placement of
utility electronic circuits.
[0052] FIG. 8 illustrates a partial isometric cross sectional view
of the lower end of the electrical umbrella according to the
present invention, with the main handgrip and the electrical
components located inside.
[0053] FIG. 8A illustrates the overload detector which stops the
motor upon recognition of load exceeding a predetermined
threshold.
[0054] FIG. 8B illustrates the `low battery` detection and alarm
circuit.
[0055] FIG. 9 illustrates a general view on an electrical umbrella
according to the resent invention (without the canopy cloth).
[0056] FIG. 10 illustrates the distal end of a rib according to the
best mode of the resent invention.
[0057] FIG. 11 and 12 illustrate two different designs of the
relation between the canopy cloth and its conducting mechanism.
[0058] FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a canopy having
aeration channels.
[0059] FIG. 14 illustrates short movement canopy conducting
mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention,
adapted for multifold canopies having telescopic umbrella pole, in
a closed state of the umbrella.
[0060] FIG. 14 A illustrates a top view of the canopy conducting
member of the embodiment of FIG. 14 as it is situated in its
guide.
[0061] FIG. 15 illustrates the same embodiment illustrated by FIG.
14, in an open state of the umbrella.
[0062] FIG. 16A to 16C illustrates in partial vertical cross
section view three states during the operation of a canopy
conducting mechanism according to another preferred embodiment pin
and slide joint.
[0063] FIG. 17 illustrates a partial lateral cross section view of
the canopy conducting mechanism of the embodiment illustrated by
FIGS. 16A to 16C in the state illustrated by FIG. 16B.
[0064] FIG. 18 illustrates a side view of a canopy rib according to
the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 16A to 17, made of one piece of
material.
[0065] FIG. 19 illustrates a top view of the canopy rib of FIG.
18.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0066] The present invention will be further explained in detail by
FIGS. 1-13.
[0067] These Figures are solely intend to illustrate several
preferred embodiments of the present invention and in no manner
intended to limit its scope as defined by the claims.
[0068] FIG. 1 illustrates a short movement canopy conducting
mechanism for umbrellas, especially hand held umbrellas, and utmost
essential for motor driven hand held umbrellas, according to the
present invention. The conducting mechanism is comprised of; (a) a
base member (1) (in the context of the present invention referred
to also as "spacer") having a plurality of pivot connections (1a)
spaced angularly around its outer circumference (1b) for the
connection of corresponding canopy ribs (2), each of which can thus
be pivoting about its pivot connection (1a) between a closed state
(the illustrated state) and an open state (the state illustrated by
FIG. 1A) of the umbrella. The ribs are conducted between the open
and the closed states by means of a lever arm (2a) being the close
end portion of the rib (the distal end of the rib can be seen in
FIG. 10, and is made of a flexible material in order to allow
stretching the canopy in a mushroom shape (i.e. with lowered
circumference end). At the end of the lever arm (2a) there is a pin
(2b) slidably located inside a slide (4c) formed in a slide bar
(4b), altogether forming a pin and slide joint. A plurality of the
slide bar (4b), one per each canopy rib, are rigidly connected, and
angularly spaced from one another, about a central hub (4a). The
sliding bars (4b) and the hub (4a) form together the canopy
conducting member (4), which is moveable along the path illustrated
by arrow A, between an uppermost position (the illustrated
position) wherein the hub is in an extreme distant position from
above the top end of a pole (3) of the umbrella, and between a
lowermost position (the position illustrated in FIG. 1A) wherein
the hub is located in an extreme close position near and above the
top end of the pole (3). The movement of the conducting member (4)
between said two extreme positions along the path A, conducts the
plurality of ribs (2) simultaneously, between a closed canopy state
(the illustrated state) corresponding to the uppermost position of
the hub (4a) and between an open canopy state (the state
illustrated by FIG. 1A) corresponding to the lowermost position of
the hub (4). The base member (1) has a lower flange (1c) adapted
for joining to the top end of a pole (3) of an umbrella.
[0069] As can be appreciated, the short movement canopy conducting
mechanism which is comprised of the conducting member (4), the base
member (1), and the ribs (2), can be manufactured in a mass
production and be supplied to umbrella producers, which can then
connect it to a post, and cover it with a canopy, according to
their own design, wherein the hub (4a) can be connected (either by
welding, by having an inner threading for receiving screw
connection, or by having a hole open on both ends for receiving a
rode reinforced by pressure rings, or through any other acceptable
connective means) to a top end of a rod which passes through the
hollow middle of the pole (3) and is connected on its next rod end
to appropriate driving mechanism selected and designed by each
specific producer according to his own product requirements and
needs. Different canopy sizes can be produced using the same base
member and the same canopy conducting member with different sizes
of ribs. This could be performed by means of ribs produced in
different sizes or, alternatively, by using ribs of adjustable
size.
[0070] FIG. 1A illustrates a partial view of the canopy conducting
mechanism of FIG. 1, in an open state of the umbrella. In this
state, the hub (4a) is in its lowermost position from above the top
end of the pole (3), i.e. near the lower flange (1c) at the bottom
of the base member. During shortened extent movement of the
conducting element from the uppermost position illustrated by FIG.
1 to the lowermost position illustrated by FIG. 1A, the sliding
bars (4b) are forcing the pins (2b) downwards such that each pin
(2b) slides along its slide (4c) during the downward motion of the
conducting member, thus lowering the short lever arm (2a) and
lifting the rib (2) in a pivoting motion about the pivot connection
(1a).
[0071] FIG. 2 illustrates a short movement canopy conducting
mechanism according to the present invention especially adapted for
use in electrical umbrellas. Accordingly, the figure contains parts
of an electrical umbrella, as they are combined with the short
movement canopy conducting mechanism. The hub (4a) of canopy
conducting member according to the present embodiment has a helical
thread inside, matching a helical shaft (5). Upon rotation of the
helical shaft, and depending in the rotation direction, the
conducting member is moved between its uppermost and lowermost
positions from above the hollow pole (13). The rotation of the
helical shaft (5) is through a rotation transmission rod (5b)
passing inside the pole and connected at its lower end (not
illustrated in this figure) to an electrical motor (the connection
is through appropriate gear adapting the motor torque to the
expected resisting force of the canopy upon deployment). As can be
appreciated, the inner diameter of the pole through which passes
the transmission rod can be reduced to a minimal dimension, having
the only restriction it should accommodate the rotating
transmission rod, wherein the diameter of the transmission rod
itself can be reduced as much as it can withstand the resisting
forces which may develop during motor operation, without winding.
The embodiment illustrated by FIG. 2 further disclose an override
mechanism which allows to open and close the umbrella manually, as
may be required in case of malfunction in the motorized system, and
in case the batteries becoming empty. The advantage in this
specific override arrangement is that it does not deal with the
motorized system, which remains connected and ready to use
regardless of user activities, while freeing the user from the
responsibility to the accurate connection and disconnection of
sensitive technical systems and to their proper operation. This
simple and user friendly override system is one of the beneficial
results deriving from the development of the unique canopy
conducting mechanism according to the present invention. The
override arrangement is comprised of an extended flange (11c) of
the base member (11), which allow a telescopic motion of the pole
(13) with respect to the flange (11c). Accordingly, and differently
than the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, in the present
embodiment the canopy conducting mechanism is not being permanently
fixed to the upper end of the pole, and the flange (11c) of the
present embodiment differs from the flange (1c) of the embodiment
illustrated by FIG. 1, in that it has a greater length, i.e. a
length that may allow a telescopic motion of the flange with
respect to the pole, to an extent sufficient for elevating the
bottom of the base member (11) until it reaches the conducting
member (4). The greater length of the flange (11c) comparing to
that of (1c) of FIG. 1, can be achieved either by producing it in a
greater length, or by connecting to the flange (1c) an extension
for having a length similar to that of (11c).
[0072] As an alternative to the permanent connection between the
flange (1c) and the pole (3) of the embodiment illustrated by FIG.
1, the flange (11c) of the present embodiment is releaseably fixed
to the pole (11) of the electrical umbrella, by means of screw-in
handgrip (6) which tightens the lower end (11e) of the flange to
the pole (13), and by means of a catch (11d) and groove (13a)
connection which helps in positioning of the flange (11c) in an
appropriate predetermined location with respect to the pole (13)
before tightening them together by rotating the handgrip. When a
need rises (e.g. batteries are empty), the screw-in handgrip can be
rotated in the appropriate direction (let say counterclockwise) a
few rotations for releasing the flange from tightly embracing the
pole, then by pressing the catch lever (11d1) for retracting the
catch (11d) from the groove (13a) the flange (11c) can be freely
moved up and down in a telescopic motion about the pole (13) by
holding the hand grip and moving it in the desired direction,
wherein pulling it down will pull the flange and the base member
(11) away from the conducting member (4) thus closing the canopy
(in case it was fully or partially opened), and wherein pushing it
(i.e. the handgrip) up will push the flange and the base member
(11) towards the conducting member (4) thus opening the canopy (in
case it was fully or partially closed). After the canopy is brought
to the desired position, the handgrip (6) should be rotated
clockwise for re-tightening the end portion (11e) of the flange to
the pole in the direction of arrows B. The rotation of the handgrip
(6) clockwise is designed so as to decrease the diameter of the end
portion (11e) of the flange, due to vertical grooves (11f) made in
that end portion and allow for a slight change in the diameter of
the end portion of the flange upon rotation of the handgrip (6),
which change is sufficient to tighten the flange to the pole or to
release it from the pole, according to the relative overlapping
between the threading of the handgrip and the corresponding
threading of the end portion of the flange.
[0073] According to the preferred embodiments of the present
invention the override screw-in handgrip (6) can be located very
close to the canopy since there are no stretchers of struts
disturbing between the pole and the canopy. Therefore, the handgrip
(6) is not only essential for the override operation, but also very
helpful for gripping the umbrella by both hands, i.e. one hand is
gripping the conventional handgrip located at the bottom end of the
pole while the other is gripping the handgrip (6) near the canopy,
which is very essential when complying with storm winds.
Furthermore it could be appreciated that the umbrella according to
the present invention has the advantage that it could be lowered
and held with the canopy adjacent the user's head, which is very
essential for protecting the user from wind driven rain or snow,
and which can not be achieved with prior art umbrellas.
[0074] FIG. 2A illustrates a view of the bottom end (11e) of the
flange, from below. In this figures it is seen how this end is
divided by the vertical grooves (11f) into three sections located
between the grooves, which can become closer to one another by
means of a pressure exerted in the direction of arrows B by
clockwise rotation of the hand grip (6) of FIG. 2. When said
sections become closer and tightly embrace the umbrella pole, the
flange becomes fixed to the pole and a telescopic motion between
them is prevented, thus canopy is maintained
[0075] FIG. 2B illustrates a top view of the pole (13), according
to one optional variation, wherein the pole is made of hollow thin
material (e.g. Aluminum) made by extrusion process and having a
plurality of reinforcing ribs (14) forming grooves (15) in between.
This grooves can be utilized for placing electrical wires that may
be required according to various possible embodiments for
connecting between a battery located at the bottom side of the pole
and an electronic circuit or light located above the top of the
pole.
[0076] As can be appreciated, the motorized system of the umbrella
which includes the motor unit (not illustrated in this figure), the
rotation transmission rod (5b), and the helical shaft (5)
(including the location of the hub (4a) about the helical shaft),
remains unchanged and is not involved with the operation of the
override mechanism. This separation between the two systems (i.e.
override and motorized) assures a simple reliable and user friendly
device.
[0077] FIG. 3 Illustrates the override arrangement illustrated by
FIG. 2 as it is utilized to open the closed umbrella of FIG. 2. As
can be seen the relative position between the pole (13), the
rotation transmission rod (5b), the helical shaft (5) and the
conducting member (4) have not been changed between FIG. 2 and FIG.
3, that is to say the motorized system maintained its state between
the two illustrated situations, and no motor rotation occurred
between them two (in case a motor rotation have been occurred, the
hub (4a) of the conducting member would have been changing its
position along the helical shaft, which is not the case). Although
nothing has changed in the motorized system, the canopy ribs that
were in closed position as illustrated by FIG. 2, have reached an
open position in FIG. 3. This change has been achieved by freeing
the flange (11c) from the pole (13) as explained in the text of
FIG. 2, then pushing the handgrip (6) causing a telescopic motion
of the flange (11c) about the pole (13) towards the conducting
member (4), thus forcing the base member (11) to becoming closer to
the conducting member (4), while lifting the ribs (2).
[0078] FIG. 4 illustrates the same mechanism illustrated by FIG. 2,
after the activation of the motorized system for lifting the canopy
ribs to open state. As can be observed, the rotation of the helical
shaft conducted the hub (4a) (and the conducting member (4)) to
reach their lowermost position above the top of the pole (13),
while simultaneously pivoting the conducting the short lever arms
(2a) downwards and lifting the ribs (2) about the pivot points,
accordingly. The next Fig. illustrates how the override arrangement
could be utilized for closing the canopy in case of `low
battery`.
[0079] FIG. 5 illustrates the mechanism illustrated by FIG. 4,
wherein the canopy ribs that were in open state, have reached a
closed state by means of the override arrangement. As can be seen
the relative position between the pole (13), the rotation
transmission rod (5b), the helical shaft (5) and the conducting
member (4) have not been changed between FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, that is
to say the motorized system maintained its state between the two
illustrated situations, and no motor rotation occurred between them
two (in case a motor rotation have been occurred, the hub of the
conducting member would have been changing its position along the
helical shaft, which is not the case). Although nothing has changed
in the motorized system, the canopy ribs that were in open position
as illustrated by FIG. 4, have reached a closed position in FIG. 5.
This change has been achieved by freeing the flange (11c) from the
pole (13) as explained in the text of FIG. 2, then pushing the
handgrip (6) causing a telescopic motion of the flange (11c)
downwardly about the pole (13), thus forcing the base member (11)
away from the conducting member, while lowering the ribs.
[0080] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate how the override mechanism can
manage between two extreme positions of the ribs when the ribs were
originally in closed state, while FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate how the
override mechanism can manage between two extreme positions of the
ribs when the ribs were originally in open state. It could
therefore be clearly appreciated how the override arrangement
according to the present invention could manage the ribs from any
initial position that may occasionally exist, to any alternative
position preferred by the user.
[0081] FIG. 6 illustrates a partial isometric cross sectional view
of another embodiment of the short movement canopy conducting
mechanism according to the present invention. This embodiment
differs from the one illustrated by FIGS. 2 to 5 in several details
as will be listed below.
[0082] First, the hub (4a) of the conducting member (4) is driven
between its uppermost position and its lowermost position by means
of hub extension member (4aa) ending with a hollow tube (64) having
an inner threading matching an outer threading of a screw rod (65)
being the upper end of a rotation transmission rod (not illustrated
in this Fig., see FIG. 6A). When the screw rod is rotated inside
the hollow tube (64) threading, the rotation is converted to a
vertical motion and the hub extension member (4aa) is shifted
upwardly or downwardly depending on the rotation direction of the
screw rod (65) thus shifting the conducting member (4),
accordingly, between a lowermost position and between the
illustrated uppermost position, which corresponds to an open state
and to the illustrated closed state of the umbrella, respectively.
It should be appreciated that a system having the hub extension
member ending with an outer threading matching an inner threading
of a rod being the upper end of a rotation transmission rod, is
equivalent to the system described hereinbefore, therefore included
in the scope of the present invention. This remark should be
noticed in general view, thus any role switching between matching
parts of the present invention should be considered within the
inventions scope.
[0083] Second, the flange (1c) is extended from below by means of a
pipe segment (1cc), which ends with a handgrip (66) fixed to and
overlapping its lower end. This handgrip is not a rotating one, and
it can be used for pulling or for pushing the flange extension pipe
segment (1cc) in a telescopic motion with respect to the pole (63),
upon releasing of a rotating tightening nut (66a) of FIG. 6A which
forms the bottom end of the handgrip 66), and after pressing the
catch lever (61d1) for retracting the catch (61d). In this
embodiment the catch is located on the handgrip (66) (see FIG. 6B),
wherein as mentioned above, the handgrip in this embodiment
overlaps a certain extent of the extended portion of the flange
(1c). When the tightening nut (66a) is released and the catch is
retracted, the override arrangement can be operated in the same
manner of that of FIGS. 2 to 5, wherein moving the handgrip upwards
results in pushing the ribs (2) open, and moving the handgrip
downwards results in pulling the ribs close (in case they were
partially or fully opened, which is not the illustrated case).
[0084] The short movement conducting mechanism according to the
present invention is preferably protected, isolated, and covered,
by means of the base member (1) from below, and by means of a
conical covering (70) from above.
[0085] FIG. 7 illustrates a concealed department (72) that can be
designed at the top portion of the covering (71) for placing
miniature electronic circuits (73) useful for various utilities,
such as location identifier which activates alarm when losing RF
connection (according to other embodiments ultrasonic connection)
with a corresponding circuit held by the user (useful also as anti
theft alarm); or such as umbrella identifier which turns on a
blinking LED light (according to other embodiments a bip sound, or
a combination of sound and light) when called by a remote
controller held by the user in order to locate the umbrella and/or
identify it between other similar umbrellas; or such as emergency
light that can be activated by a remote controller held by the
user; or such as safety blinking light useful for notating the user
when walking in the dark. Such utility electronic circuits can be
powered by an inherent miniature batteries, or through wires
passing along the hollow pole of the umbrella, i.e. through one of
the grooves of the pole type illustrated by FIG. 2B. In case the
umbrella parts are of conductive material all along the path
between the battery compartment and the electronic circuit, they
can be used instead of one of the wires required for conducting the
battery power to the utility electronic circuits and/or the lights,
located at the covering.
[0086] FIG. 8 illustrates a partial isometric cross sectional view
of the lower end of the electrical umbrella according to the
present invention, consisting of a main handgrip (80) having a
battery compartment (81) inside, rechargeable batteries (81a)
(81b), a jack (81c) for receiving a connector of a recharging power
source, an electrical motor (82), a switching circuit (83) having a
press button (83o) for opening the umbrella, a press button (83c)
for closing the umbrella, a `low battery` indication light (83c),
an electronic circuit for overload detection (see FIG. 8A) and an
electronic circuit for `low battery` indication light (see FIG.
8B), and a gear unit (84) for gearing between the motor (82) and
between the rotation transmission rod (65b) which transfers the
rotation to the short movement canopy conducting mechanism.
According to another preferred embodiment there may be provided
additional electronic circuit for measuring and displaying of the
surrounding temperature, and/or comprising an electronic watch.
[0087] According to various preferred embodiments of the present
invention the battery compartment is made withdrawable, thus can be
instantly replaced by fresh recharged batteries located inside a
similar spare battery compartment, and put for recharging
separately (i.e. out of the umbrella, which can now be used by the
replacement battery set until becoming empty, and recurrently).
[0088] FIG. 8A illustrates a circuit for overload detection, which
disconnects the motor from the battery power upon detection of
increase in the motor current beyond a predetermined threshold.
This circuit is not only directed to protect the motor in
unexpected emergency situations, but is also very useful during
conventional operation, for indicating the end of the opening and
the closing operations of the umbrella, wherein in the end of the
closing operation, when the hub (4a) (see FIGS. 2 to 5) of the
conducting member reaches the top end (5a) of the helical shaft
(5), or in the end of the opening operation, when the hub reaches
the bottom end of the helical shaft, the motor operation is
dramatically resisted thus the motor current which passes via
resistor (81) dramatically increases and an overload condition is
immediately detected, and the automatic switch (80) (a FET gate)
disconnects the battery power from the motor. When the user
identifies that the motor has stopped he naturally releases the
press button, and the umbrella remains in its current position
until an opposite operation will be activated by the user, by
pressing the press button which governs the opposite operation.
[0089] FIG. 8B illustrates an electronic circuit for `low battery`
detection, which lights a red LED light alarm upon detection of
insufficient battery voltage.
[0090] FIG. 9 illustrates an isometric view of a complete
electrical umbrella according to one preferred embodiment of the
present invention, without the canopy. The canopy conducting
mechanism is located behind the conical covering (70), and is
capable of conducting the ribs (2) between the illustrated open
position and between a closed position wherein the ribs become
substantially parallel to the pole (63), the umbrella could be
griped by one hand holding the main handgrip (80), and when a need
rises, by the other hand holding the upper handgrip (66). As can be
appreciated from this figure, the space below the canopy is
completely free (except of the pole), thus the canopy could be
lowered by a user adjacent his head.
[0091] The handgrip (66) uses also for activating an override
arrangement, and when released by rotating the nut (66a) and by
pressing a catch lever (see 61d1 of FIG. 6B), it can be used for
closing the canopy by moving it down and for opening the canopy by
moving it up. When an appropriate canopy state is achieved, the nut
(66a) can be rotated and tightened back for maintaining the
state.
[0092] FIG. 10 illustrates the distal end of a rib (2) according to
various preferred embodiments of the present invention. The rib
body (21) is made of a rigid metal, and the rib distal end (22) is
made of a flexible metal bar (e.g. flexible steel). The two parts
can be connected together in any acceptable way such as miniature
screws, pins, pegs (23), welding or combinations thereof. The
connection can be reinforced by inserting the flexible bar into a
groove prepared in the end of the rib body. The flexible part is
essential for receiving a mushroom shape of the canopy in its open
state wherein the flexible ends of the ribs are forced to bent
downwards in an arc shape (e.g. to the position illustrated by the
doted line), by means of the canopy cloth which is sewn in a
mushroom shape. When the canopy is closed the flexible portion of
the ribs returns to a straight orientation which is required for
having the umbrella folded in a straight compact shape.
[0093] According to various preferred embodiments illustrated by
FIG. 11, the canopy (120) is sewn from above the covering of the
conducting mechanism 70), and has another covering (77), from
above. According to other preferred embodiments, illustrated by
FIG. 12, the central portion (121a) of the canopy 121) is inserted
and held in the inner space between the base member (1) and the
covering (70) of the conducting mechanism.
[0094] According to various preferred embodiments illustrated by
FIG. 13, the umbrella of the present invention is provided with
aeration channels (as marked by arrows) useful for decreasing wind
forces which tend to flinging the umbrella or to deform its
construction. Wind arriving from the bottom side of the canopy is
(at least partially) released through the aeration channels
illustrated by the arrows. The aeration channels can be created by
leaving parts of the proximal (i.e. central) end (122a) of the
canopy un tightened, and by providing additional cloth sheet (123)
for covering above the central portion of the canopy. The
additional cloth sheet can be used also for decoration purpose,
thus can be provided in a color or pattern other than that of the
canopy (122). The top of the umbrella (to its various embodiments)
can be designed as that of conventional umbrellas having a
sharpened tip (124) that can be connected to the covering (70) by
means of threading (or by any other desired connected method).
[0095] Another option is to make the aeration channels formed not
between the canopy cloth and the conducting mechanism base and
covering, rather formed as hollow pipes made in the rigid material
of the base member and of the covering.
[0096] FIG. 14 illustrates short movement canopy conducting
mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention,
adapted for multifold canopies having telescopic umbrella pole, in
a closed state of the umbrella. As can be observed, the ribs (only
one is illustrated) are formed of three folding sections (202)
(212) and (216). The rib section (202) has a rib lever portion
(202a) having a pin (202b) movable along a slide (4c) of the slide
bar (4b). A plurality of slide bars (4b) are angularly spaced about
a hub (204a) which is moveable vertically between a plurality of
vertical guide members (240) arranged in a circle around the hub
(204a), each in the space between a pair of respective slide bars
(4a). In this figure the hub (204a) is situated in its uppermost
location between the guide members, which is corresponding to a
closed state of the umbrella. Accordingly, the three section rib is
folded and having its three rib sections (202) (21) and (216) lying
substantially parallel to each other. As can be appreciated, and
similarly to the canopy conducting mechanism of the above described
embodiments, movement of the hub (204a) downwards, will result in
sliding of the pins (202b) along the slides (4c) and thus in
rotating the rib section (202) by the work of rib lever (202a),
about the pivot connection (201a). As can be appreciated, the
pivoting of the rib section (202) upwardly will result in a
correlated pivoting of rib stretcher (217) about its pivot joint
(217a), and in turn in a linear movement of its pin (217b) in the
direction indicated by arrow R, along a corresponding slide (202h)
made in the rib section (202). As a result of the linear movement
of the stretcher (217) in the indicated direction, the rib section
(212) will rotate about hinge (232) due to the pulling of its lever
member (212a) by the pulling member (217b) linked to the lever
member (212a) by pivot joint (231). Simultaneously, the still wire
(218) will pull the rib lever (215) to pivot about the hinge (235)
and thus to lift the elastic rib section (216). The result of said
movements is depicted in FIG. 15, showing the open state of the
umbrella.
[0097] The guide members (240), the extension tube (222) and the
base member (201) can all be made of the same piece of material.
Alternatively, it is possible to manufacture them as separate parts
and to connect them afterwards in any acceptable way.
[0098] As can be further observed in this FIG. 14, the pole of the
umbrella is telescopic and is comprised of an upper telescopic
section (220) connected on its top to the bottom of the canopy
conducting mechanism, and of a lower telescopic section (221)
connected at its bottom to a handgrip (277) of the umbrella which
is also a housing of the motor (279). A helical drive shaft (226)
is operatively coupled to the motor (229), and can be rotated by
the motor clockwise or counterclockwise, in order to open and close
both the canopy and the telescopic pole. In this Fig. the
telescopic pole is closed, wherein the lower telescopic section
(221) is fully inside the upper telescopic section (220). Upon
rotation of the motor in a direction to open the umbrella, the
lower telescopic section will be pulled out of the upper telescopic
section due to advancing of the tube nut (227) along the threading
of the helical drive shaft (226), since the tube nut (227) is
connected through an extension tube (222) to the top of the upper
telescopic section (220). After a while during the rotation of the
drive shaft, the drive shaft shoulder (226a) which is of a larger
diameter than that of the drive shaft (226) itself, will engage the
top of a hollow ring (225), and will start pulling it toward the
tube nut (227). The hollow ring (225) is connected to the hub
(204a) through wires (223) and (224) located from two opposite
direction of the drive shaft (226) and anchored to both the hollow
ring (225) and the hub (204a) of the conducting member (204). As a
result of this pull, the conducting member (204) will move
downwards, driving the multifold canopy open by opening the
multifold ribs in the mechanism described hereinbefore. When the
hollow ring (225) will reach a close proximity of the tube nut
(227) the conducting member (204) will reach its lowermost position
along its vertical guides (240), with the multifold canopy open and
with the telescopic pole in its max length.
[0099] As can be appreciated, upon rotation of the motor (279) in
an opposite direction, i.e. in a direction to close the umbrella,
the rotation of the drive shaft (226) inside the tube nut (227)
will close the telescopic pole by pushing the lower telescopic
section (221) inside the upper telescopic section (220), and when
the top of the drive shaft shoulder (226a) will engage the bottom
of the downward extension (204d) of the hub, it will start pushing
the conducting member (204) upwards, to the initial close position
as depicted in this FIG. 14. The hollow ring (225) has a free
passage with respect to the threading of the drive shaft (226) and
thus it is not affecting the closing mechanism. From the same
reason it is also does not affect the first part of the opening
mechanism, i.e. prior the engagement of the drive shaft shoulder
(226a) with the top of the hollow ring as described above.
[0100] FIG. 14A illustrates a top view of the canopy conducting
member (204) of the embodiment of FIG. 14 as it is situated in its
guide members (224). As shown in this figure, the hub (204a) is
encompassed by a plurality of guide members (240) marked in black,
each of which is situated between a pair of corresponding slide
bars (4a) with a gap between the guide members (240) and the slide
bars (4a), allowing for a vertical movement of the hub (204a) and
the plurality of slide bars (4a) connected to it, up and down
between the guide members (240). The top of the two wires (223) and
(224) are shown anchored inside the hub from both opposite
directions of its downward extension (204d). These wires connect
the conducting member (204) to the hollow ring (225) shown in FIG.
14, which by its pulling down the conducting member (204) moves
down to open the multifold canopy.
[0101] FIG. 15 illustrates the same embodiment illustrated by FIG.
14, in an open state of the umbrella. The lower telescopic section
(221) is drawn out of the upper telescopic section (220), the drive
shaft shoulder (226a) holds the hollow ring (225) adjacent the tube
nut (227) and thus the conducting member (204) is held by the wires
(223) and (224) in its lowermost position along the guide members
(240) corresponding the open state of the multifold canopy, with
the multifold rib sections (202) (212) and (216) in an open
state.
[0102] Upon rotation of the motor (279) in a direction to close the
umbrella, the low telescopic section (221) will move into the upper
telescopic section (220) due to the advancing of the threading of
the drive shaft (226) through the tube nut (227). When the top of
the drive shaft shoulder (226a) will reach the bottom of the
downward extension (204d) of the hub (204a) the conducting member
(204) will be forced upwards while folding the multifold canopy in
a process opposite to the opening process described by FIG. 14. The
folding of the canopy will be completed when the conducting member
returns to the initial closed position illustrated by FIG. 14, with
the telescopic pole in a closed state.
[0103] FIG. 16A to 16C illustrates in partial vertical cross
section view (taken at A-A of FIG. 17) three states during the
operation of a canopy conducting mechanism according to another
preferred embodiment pin and slide joint. In the illustrated
embodiment the pin (300) of the pin and slide joint is actually the
end portion of the short lever (303) of a canopy rib (301), and it
is wider than the rib. Although the pin diameter is significantly
greater then its length (which is perpendicularly to the figure
plane) it is still called a pin in the context of the present
invention, since actually it fulfills the same function as e.g. pin
2b of FIG. 1. The slide of the pin (300) is a hollow cell (311)
(will be referred to also as "slide (311)") made in a canopy
conducting member (310), which actually is a hub comprising a
plurality of such hollow cells (311) angularly spaced about a
common center, each of which accommodating a pin (300). In FIG. 16A
the canopy conducting member (310) is shown in its uppermost
position above the umbrella pole (not illustrated), with the pin
(300) forcing the short lever (303) upwards thus keeping the rib
(301) downwards, which is a closed canopy state. When the canopy
conducting member (310) moves down to the position illustrated by
FIG. 16B, it forces the pin (300) downwardly and furthermore to
slide inwardly inside the hollow cell (311), thus forcing the rib
(301) to rotate upwardly about the hinge (302). To a mid position
which corresponds to a partially open state of the canopy. By
further lowering the canopy conducting member (310) to the
lowermost position as illustrated by FIG. 16C, the pin (300) is
forced downwards and laterally outwards from the hollow cell (311),
thus forcing the rib (301) to further pivot about the hinge (302),
to the position illustrated by FIG. 16C which corresponds to open
state of the umbrella. As can be appreciated the pin and slide
joint formed by pin (300) and slide (311) allows to convert the
up-down vertical movement of the conducting member (310) into a
pivoting movement of the short lever (303) and the rib (311) about
the hinge (302). It is appreciated that the short lever (303) may
be designed shorter then illustrated, and actually the pin itself
may function as a lever. The length of the short lever (303) is a
matter of design and depends inter allia in the torque of the
electrical motor to be used (the short lever can be design shorter
as long as the motor torque is sufficient to lift the rib and
stretch the canopy fabric).
[0104] FIG. 17 illustrates a partial lateral cross section view
(taken at B-B of FIG. 16B) of the canopy conducting mechanism of
the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 16A to 16C in the state
illustrated by FIG. 16 B, wherein the ribs (301) are in a mid
location with the canopy partially opened and with the pin (300) of
each rib maximally slid along the slide (311) in the direction of
the central axis of the conducting member (310). As can be observed
in FIGS. 16A and 16C, the pin (300) reaches its maximal opposite
slid along the slide (311), i.e. its max distance from the center
of the conducting member (310). The up-down movement of the
conducting member can be achieved by a hub extension (312) (shown
in FIGS. 16A-16C) extended into the pole of the umbrella similarly
to the hub extension member (4aa) of FIG. 6, or by an inner
threading represented by the double dotted circular line (314),
similarly to the inner threading in hub (4a) of FIG. 1.
[0105] FIG. 18 illustrates a side view of a canopy rib according to
the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 16A to 17, made of one piece of
material. The rib can be produced from plastic casting, as one unit
comprising the pin (300), the short lever (303), hinges (302) from
both its sides, and the rib (301). The rib (301) itself may have
recesses (304) from both its sides useful for reducing its weight
with negligible lose of strength. The end (305) of the rib can be
made gradually tapered, such that its thickness near the rib end is
sufficiently reduced as to make it flexible, such that when the
canopy is fully opened the rib being forced to the arched shape
illustrated by doted line (306), due to a stress exerted by the
canopy fabric (not illustrated) which is dimensioned and designed
in a mushroom shape forcing the flexible ends of the ribs to bent
downwardly.
[0106] FIG. 19 illustrates a top view of the canopy rib of FIG. 18.
The rib has a flat end (305) which is flexible in the direction
perpendicular to the illustration plane, due to reduced thickness
of the end of the rib. Accordingly the present invention relates to
an umbrella comprised of a canopy conducting mechanism as described
above, wherein the ribs are made of a rigid material and having
gradually reduced thickness at their distal ends resulting in
flexibility of the ends of the ribs useful for obtaining mushroom
shaped canopy. The invention relates also to umbrella rib having
gradually reduced thickness near its distal end especially useful
for obtaining mushroom shaped canopy in strutless umbrellas.
* * * * *