U.S. patent application number 12/331045 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-10 for umbrella having a detachable structure.
Invention is credited to Jin-Sheng Lai.
Application Number | 20100139724 12/331045 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42229704 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100139724 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lai; Jin-Sheng |
June 10, 2010 |
Umbrella Having A Detachable Structure
Abstract
An umbrella includes a shank, a fixed ring mounted on the shank,
a movable ring mounted on the shank, a plurality of connecting
members pivotally connected with the fixed ring and the movable
ring, a plurality of locking mechanisms each mounted in the
respective connecting member, a plurality of ribs each detachably
mounted on the respective connecting member on the fixed ring and
each releasably locked onto the respective locking mechanism, and a
plurality of spreaders each detachably mounted on the respective
connecting member on the movable ring and each releasably locked
onto the respective locking mechanism. Thus, each of the spreaders
and the ribs can be detached from the respective connecting member
easily and quickly by operation of each of the locking
mechanisms.
Inventors: |
Lai; Jin-Sheng; (Taipei,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KAMRATH & ASSOCIATES P.A.
4825 OLSON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 245
GOLDEN VALLEY
MN
55422
US
|
Family ID: |
42229704 |
Appl. No.: |
12/331045 |
Filed: |
December 9, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/29 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45B 25/10 20130101;
A45B 19/00 20130101; A45B 25/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/29 |
International
Class: |
A45B 25/00 20060101
A45B025/00 |
Claims
1. An umbrella, comprising: a shank; a fixed ring mounted on the
shank; a movable ring movably mounted on the shank; a plurality of
connecting members pivotally connected with the fixed ring and the
movable ring; a plurality of locking mechanisms each movably and
retractably mounted in a respective one of the connecting members;
a plurality of ribs each detachably mounted on a respective one of
the connecting members on the fixed ring and each releasably locked
onto a respective one of the locking mechanisms; a plurality of
spreaders each detachably mounted on a respective one of the
connecting members on the movable ring and each releasably locked
onto a respective one of the locking mechanisms; a plurality of
arcuate support cables mounted on the fixed ring and the movable
ring and each detachably connected with a respective one of the
connecting members; wherein each of the connecting members is
provided with a receiving chamber to receive a respective one of
the locking mechanisms; the fixed ring has a periphery provided
with a plurality of receiving grooves to pivotally receive the
connecting members and to receive the support cables; the movable
ring has a periphery with a plurality of receiving grooves to
pivotally receive the connecting members and to receive the support
cables; each of the connecting members has an end portion provided
with an oblique retaining slot detachably mounted on a respective
one of the support cables so that each of the connecting members is
pivotally and detachably mounted on the respective support cable;
each of the spreaders and the ribs has an end portion provided with
a positioning opening detachably positioned on a respective one of
the support cables; the positioning opening of each of the
spreaders and the ribs aligns with the retaining slot of the
respective connecting member.
2. (canceled)
3. The umbrella of claim 1, wherein the receiving chamber of each
of the connecting members extends through a whole thickness of each
of the connecting members; each of the spreaders and the ribs has a
side provided with at least one locking hole; each of the locking
mechanisms includes: at least one locking stub movably mounted in
the receiving chamber of the respective connecting member and
detachably locked in the locking hole of the respective spreader
and the respective rib to detachably lock the respective spreader
and the respective rib onto the respective connecting member; at
least one elastic member mounted in the receiving chamber of the
respective connecting member and pressing the locking stub to push
the locking stub outwardly from the locking hole of the respective
spreader and the respective rib.
4. The umbrella of claim 3, wherein the locking stub of each of the
locking mechanisms has a first end provided with an enlarged limit
plate movably mounted in the receiving chamber of the respective
connecting member and movable to abut an inner wall of the
respective spreader and the respective rib to limit the locking
stub of each of the locking mechanisms on the respective spreader
and the respective rib.
5. The umbrella of claim 4, wherein the locking stub of each of the
locking mechanisms has a second end provided with an arcuate guide
portion to guide movement of the locking stub in the locking hole
of the respective spreader and the respective rib.
6. The umbrella of claim 3, wherein each of the locking mechanisms
further includes: at least one housing secured in the receiving
chamber of the respective connecting member to receive the locking
stub and the elastic member; a fixing plate secured in the housing
and abutting the elastic member.
7. The umbrella of claim 6, wherein the elastic member of each of
the locking mechanisms is biased between the fixing plate and the
limit plate of the locking stub.
8-12. (canceled)
13. The umbrella of claim 3, wherein each of the spreaders and the
ribs has an inner portion provided with a receiving hole connected
to the locking hole and the positioning opening to fully receive
the respective connecting member.
14. The umbrella of claim 1, wherein each of the ribs is attached
to the fixed ring by the respective connecting member.
15. The umbrella of claim 1, wherein each of the ribs is pivotally
connected with a respective one of the spreaders.
16. The umbrella of claim 1, wherein each of the spreaders is
attached to the movable ring by the respective connecting
member.
17. The umbrella of claim 3, wherein when the locking stub of each
of the locking mechanisms is retractable into the locking hole of
the respective spreader and the respective rib, the arcuate guide
portion of the locking stub is movable to abut an inner wall of the
respective spreader and the respective rib, so that the locking
stub of each of the locking mechanisms is unlockable from the
locking hole of the respective spreader and the respective rib, and
each of the connecting members is unlockable from the respective
spreader and the respective rib.
18. The umbrella of claim 17, wherein when each of the spreaders
and the ribs is pulled outwardly relative to the respective
connecting member, the locking stub of each of the locking
mechanisms is detachable from the locking hole of the respective
spreader and the respective rib by guidance of the arcuate guide
portion of the locking stub and is retractable into and movable in
the receiving hole of the respective spreader and the respective
rib, so that each of the spreaders and the ribs is movable
outwardly relative to the respective connecting member.
19. The umbrella of claim 1, wherein each of the connecting members
is fully received and hidden in the respective rib and the
respective spreader.
20. The umbrella of claim 1, wherein the positioning opening of
each of the spreaders and the ribs has an elongate shape; the
positioning opening of each of the spreaders and the ribs extends
in a longitudinal direction of each of the spreaders and the ribs;
the positioning opening of each of the spreaders and the ribs is
directed toward the respective support cable.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an umbrella and, more
particularly, to a umbrella to provide a shading effect.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A conventional umbrella comprises a shank, a fixed ring
mounted on the upper end of the shank, a movable ring movably
mounted on the shank, a base mounted on the lower end of the shank,
a plurality of ribs each pivotally mounted on the fixed ring, a
plurality of spreaders each pivotally mounted on the movable ring
and each pivotally connected with a respective one of the ribs, and
a canopy mounted on the ribs. However, the ribs are secured on the
fixed ring, and the spreaders are secured on the movable ring, so
that the spreaders and the ribs cannot be detached from the fixed
ring and the movable ring for replacement. Thus, when one of the
spreaders or the ribs is broken or worn out, the umbrella is
inoperative and has to be thrown away, thereby decreasing the
lifetime of the umbrella.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a umbrella, comprising a shank, a fixed ring mounted on the shank,
a movable ring movably mounted on the shank, a plurality of
connecting members pivotally connected with the fixed ring and the
movable ring, a plurality of locking mechanisms each mounted in a
respective one of the connecting members, a plurality of ribs each
detachably mounted on a respective one of the connecting members on
the fixed ring and each releasably locked onto a respective one of
the locking mechanisms, and a plurality of spreaders each
detachably mounted on a respective one of the connecting members on
the movable ring and each releasably locked onto a respective one
of the locking mechanisms.
[0006] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide
an umbrella having a detachable structure.
[0007] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an
umbrella, wherein each of the spreaders and the ribs can be
detached from the respective connecting member, so that each of the
spreaders and the ribs can be removed for replacement, thereby
enhancing the lifetime of the umbrella.
[0008] A further objective of the present invention is to provide
an umbrella, wherein each of the spreaders and the ribs can be
mounted on and detached from the respective connecting member by
operation of the locking stub of each of the locking mechanisms, so
that each of the spreaders and the ribs of the umbrella is
assembled and disassembled easily and quickly.
[0009] Further benefits and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed
description with appropriate reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an umbrella in accordance
with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the
umbrella as shown in FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 2A is a locally enlarged view of a locking mechanism of
the umbrella as shown in FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a partially perspective view of the umbrella as
shown in FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a top cross-sectional view of the umbrella as
shown in FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic operational view of the as shown in
FIG. 4.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic operational view of the as shown in
FIG. 5.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a schematic operational view of the as shown in
FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-4, an
umbrella in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention comprises a shank 10, a fixed ring 11 mounted on an upper
end of the shank 10, a movable ring 12 movably mounted on the shank
10, a base 17 mounted on a lower end of the shank 10, a plurality
of connecting members 14 pivotally connected with the fixed ring 11
and the movable ring 12, a plurality of locking mechanisms 2 each
mounted in a respective one of the connecting members 14, a
plurality of ribs 15 each detachably mounted on a respective one of
the connecting members 14 on the fixed ring 11 and each releasably
locked onto a respective one of the locking mechanisms 2, a
plurality of spreaders 16 each detachably mounted on a respective
one of the connecting members 14 on the movable ring 12 and each
releasably locked onto a respective one of the locking mechanisms
2, and a plurality of support cables 13 mounted on the fixed ring
11 and the movable ring 12 and each detachably connected with a
respective one of the connecting members 14.
[0019] The fixed ring 11 has a periphery provided with a plurality
of receiving grooves 110 to pivotally receive the connecting
members 14 and to receive the support cables 13.
[0020] The movable ring 12 has a periphery provided with a
plurality of receiving grooves 120 to pivotally receive the
connecting members 14 and to receive the support cables 13.
[0021] Each of the connecting members 14 is provided with a
receiving chamber 140 to receive a respective one of the locking
mechanisms 2. Each of the connecting members 14 has an end portion
provided with an oblique retaining slot 141 detachably mounted on a
respective one of the support cables 13 so that each of the
connecting members 14 is pivotally and detachably mounted on the
respective support cable 13.
[0022] Each of the ribs 15 is attached to the fixed ring 11 by the
respective connecting member 14. Each of the ribs 15 is pivotally
connected with a respective one of the spreaders 16. Each of the
spreaders 16 is attached to the movable ring 12 by the respective
connecting member 14. Each of the spreaders 16 and the ribs 15 has
a side provided with at least one locking hole 160. Each of the
spreaders 16 and the ribs 15 has an end portion provided with a
positioning opening 161 detachably positioned on a respective one
of the support cables 13. Each of the spreaders 16 and the ribs 15
has an inner portion provided with a receiving hole 162 connected
to the locking hole 160 to receive the respective connecting member
14.
[0023] Each of the locking mechanisms 2 includes at least one
locking stub 21 movably mounted in the receiving chamber 140 of the
respective connecting member 14 and detachably locked in the
locking hole 160 of the respective spreader 16 and the respective
rib 15 to detachably lock the respective spreader 16 and the
respective rib 15 onto the respective connecting member 14, and at
least one elastic member 22 mounted in the receiving chamber 140 of
the respective connecting member 14 and pressing the locking stub
21 to push the locking stub 21 outwardly from the locking hole 160
of the respective spreader 16 and the respective rib 15. Each of
the locking mechanisms 2 further includes at least one housing 20
secured in the receiving chamber 140 of the respective connecting
member 14 to receive the locking stub 21 and the elastic member 22,
and a fixing plate 23 secured in the housing 20 and abutting the
elastic member 22. The locking stub 21 of each of the locking
mechanisms 2 has a first end provided with an enlarged limit plate
212 movably mounted in the receiving chamber 140 of the respective
connecting member 14 and movable to abut an inner wall of the
respective spreader 16 and the respective rib 15 to limit the
locking stub 21 of each of the locking mechanisms 2 on the
respective spreader 16 and the respective rib 15. The locking stub
21 of each of the locking mechanisms 2 has a second end provided
with an arcuate guide portion 210 to guide movement of the locking
stub 21 in the locking hole 160 of the respective spreader 16 and
the respective rib 15. The elastic member 22 of each of the locking
mechanisms 2 is biased between the fixing plate 23 and the limit
plate 212 of the locking stub 21.
[0024] In operation, referring to FIGS. 4-7 with reference to FIGS.
1-3, when the locking stub 21 of each of the locking mechanisms 2
is pressed to retract into the locking hole 160 of the respective
spreader 16 and the respective rib 15, the arcuate guide portion
210 of the locking stub 21 is moved to abut the inner wall of the
respective spreader 16 and the respective rib 15, so that the
locking stub 21 of each of the locking mechanisms 2 is unlocked
from the locking hole 160 of the respective spreader 16 and the
respective rib 15, and each of the connecting members 14 is
unlocked from the respective spreader 16 and the respective rib 15.
Thus, when each of the spreaders 16 and the ribs 15 is pulled
outwardly relative to the respective connecting member 14, the
locking stub 21 of each of the locking mechanisms 2 is detached
from the locking hole 160 of the respective spreader 16 and the
respective rib 15 by guidance of the arcuate guide portion 210 of
the locking stub 21 and is retracted into and moved in the
receiving hole 162 of the respective spreader 16 and the respective
rib 15, so that each of the spreaders 16 and the ribs 15 can be
moved outwardly and removed from the respective connecting member
14.
[0025] Accordingly, each of the spreaders 16 and the ribs 15 can be
detached from the respective connecting member 14, so that each of
the spreaders 16 and the ribs 15 can be removed for replacement,
thereby enhancing the lifetime of the umbrella. In addition, each
of the spreaders 16 and the ribs 15 can be mounted on and detached
from the respective connecting member 14 by operation of the
locking stub 21 of each of the locking mechanisms 2, so that each
of the spreaders 16 and the ribs 15 of the umbrella is assembled
and disassembled easily and quickly.
[0026] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its
preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood
that many other possible modifications and variations can be made
without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is,
therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will
cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true
scope of the invention.
* * * * *