U.S. patent application number 12/385872 was filed with the patent office on 2010-10-28 for umbrella with an illumination device.
Invention is credited to Ching-Chuan You.
Application Number | 20100269870 12/385872 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42991032 |
Filed Date | 2010-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100269870 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
You; Ching-Chuan |
October 28, 2010 |
Umbrella with an illumination device
Abstract
A umbrella (1) includes a shank (20); a canopy support assembly
(51) extending outwardly in a radial direction from a top of the
shank (20); a canopy (70) secured in covering relation on the
canopy support assembly (51); an illumination device (30) disposed
in the shank (20); an upper runner (50) fixedly disposed on the top
of the shank (20); a lower runner (40) slidably disposed on the
shank (20); and a handle (10) fixedly disposed on a bottom of the
shank (20). The shank (20) is hollow and is made of translucent
FRP. The illumination device (30) includes a plurality of
illumination members (32) spaced along the hollow of the shank
(20), an exposed switch (33), and a power source (34).
Inventors: |
You; Ching-Chuan; (Taipei,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHING-CHUAN YOU
4FL., No27, Lane 160, Hsin Sheng S. Rd., Sec. 1, P. O. Box 1-79
Taipei
TW
|
Family ID: |
42991032 |
Appl. No.: |
12/385872 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45B 3/04 20130101; A45B
2200/1018 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/16 |
International
Class: |
A45B 3/02 20060101
A45B003/02; A45B 3/04 20060101 A45B003/04 |
Claims
1. An umbrella (1) with an illumination device (30) comprising: a
shank (20); a canopy support assembly (51) extending outwardly in a
radial direction from a top of the shank (20); a canopy (70)
secured in covering relation on the canopy support assembly (51);
an illumination device (30) disposed in the shank (20); an upper
runner (50) fixedly disposed on the top of the shank (20); a lower
runner (40) slidably disposed on the shank (20); and a handle (10)
fixedly disposed on a bottom of the shank (20), wherein the shank
(20) is hollow and is made of translucent FRP (fiber-reinforced
plastic); and wherein the illumination device (30) comprises a
plurality of illumination members (32) spaced along the hollow of
the shank (20), an exposed switch (33), and a power source
(34).
2. The umbrella (1) of claim 1, wherein the shank (20) has a meshed
structure (21).
3. The umbrella (1) of claim 1, wherein the shank (20) has a
strap-like structure (21).
4. The umbrella (1) of claim 1, wherein each of the illumination
members is either an LED (light-emitting diode) or a bulb, wherein
the switch (33) is disposed on an outer surface of the handle (10),
wherein the power source (34) is disposed in the handle (10), and
wherein the illumination device (30) further comprises a circuit
board (31) electrically interconnected the illumination members
(32) and the power source (34), and a controller (35) disposed on
the circuit board (31) and electrically interconnected the circuit
board (31) and the switch (33).
5. The umbrella (1) of claim 4, wherein the controller (35) is
adapted to flash the illumination members (32) either as a whole or
in turns.
6. The umbrella (1) of claim 1, wherein the shank (20) comprises a
lower stop (23) fixedly disposed on a lower portion thereof, the
lower stop (23) comprising an upper conic member (231) and an
annular groove (232) immediately below the upper conic member
(231), the annular groove (232) having a diameter less than a
bottom of the upper conic member (231); and an upper stop (22)
fixedly disposed on an upper portion thereof, the upper stop (22)
comprising a lower inverted conic member (221) and an annular
groove (222) immediately above the lower inverted conic member
(221), the annular groove (222) having a diameter less than a top
of the lower inverted conic member (221).
7. The umbrella (1) of claim 6, wherein the lower runner (40)
comprises an axial bore (41) with the shank (20) freely passing
through, an annular trough (42) around the bore (41) and open to an
outer surface of the lower runner (40), a cylindrical projection
(43) in the trough (42) opposing the opening of the trough (42), a
lock ring (44) disposed in the trough (42) and around the shank
(20), the lock ring (44) partially contacted either the annular
groove (222) when the umbrella (1) is open or the annular groove
(232) when the umbrella (1) is closed, the lock ring (44) having an
exposed push button (441) and a cavity (442) opposite the push
button (441) and facing the projection (43), and a torsion spring
(45) partially put on the projection (43) and partially disposed in
the cavity (442), the torsion spring (45) being biased between the
trough (42) and the cavity (442) for pushing the push button (441)
out of the opening of the trough (42).
8. The umbrella (1) of claim 1, further comprising a ferrule (60)
extending from the top of the shank (20), and wherein one of the
illumination members (32) is disposed in the ferrule (60).
9. The umbrella (1) of claim 1, wherein the shank (20) comprises a
slot (81) disposed thereon, and an elastic member (82) secured to
an inner wall of the shank (20) and including a tab (83) projecting
out of the slot (81) and a push button (84) below the tab (83) and
projecting out of the slot (81), and wherein the lower runner (85)
has a surface opening (851) with the tab (83) projecting
therethrough for locking the lower runner (85) when the umbrella
(1) is closed.
10. The umbrella (1) of claim 1, wherein the shank (20) comprises
an upper slot (92) and a lower slot (93), and an elastic member
(91) fastened in the shank (20) and including an upper tab (921)
projecting out of the upper slot (92) and a lower tab (931)
projecting out of the lower slot (93).
11. An umbrella (1) with an illumination device (30) comprising a
hollow shank (20) made of translucent FRP (fiber-reinforced
plastic) and a handle (10) fixedly disposed on a bottom of the
shank (20), the illumination device (30) being disposed in the
shank (20) and comprising a plurality of illumination members (32)
spaced along the hollow of the shank (20), a power source (34), and
an exposed switch (33) adapted to press to either electrically
connect the power source (34) to the illumination members (32) or
electrically disconnect the power source (34) from the illumination
members (32).
12. The umbrella (1) of claim 11, wherein the shank (20) has a
meshed structure (21).
13. The umbrella (1) of claim 11, wherein the shank (20) has a
strap-like structure (21).
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The invention relates to umbrellas and more particularly to
such an umbrella having an illumination device with improved
characteristics including being aesthetic, being capable of
controlling color of emitted light, and being capable of
flashing.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] For increasing safety when walking in the night, umbrellas
equipped with illumination devices are commercially available. In
this regard, there have been numerous suggestions in prior patents
for umbrella having illumination device. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
6,158,451 discloses a lamp means detachably securable on umbrella
top, U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,873 discloses an umbrella with an
illumination device, U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,481 discloses an
illumination assembly for umbrella, U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,509
discloses an illumination umbrella grip detachably mounted with
cassette LED illuminating unit, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,063,434
discloses an umbrella grip attached with a light source.
[0005] Shank is the most important component for support the
umbrella frame and withstanding strong wind. This is particularly
true for large golf umbrellas. However, so far as the inventor is
aware, there are no umbrella shanks equipped with illumination
device.
[0006] As well known in the art, hollow umbrella shanks made of
transparent plastic have the disadvantage of being weak in
structural strength. Solid umbrella shanks made of transparent
plastic have the advantage of added structural strength. But light
transmission therethrough is adversely affected. Reflector(s)
provided in the solid shank may improve its light transmission.
However, it is still impossible of letting light passing through
the whole length of the shank in terms of current technology.
[0007] Thus, it is desirable to provide a novel umbrella having its
shank being structurally strong, transparent through its whole
length, and capable of emitting colorful light and flashing in
order to overcome the inadequacies of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is therefore one object of the invention to provide an
umbrella having an illumination device so as to increase safety
when walking in the night.
[0009] It is another object of the invention to provide an umbrella
having an illumination device with improved characteristics being
aesthetic, being capable of controlling color of emitted light, and
being capable of flashing.
[0010] To achieve the above and other objects, the invention
provides an illumination device for an umbrella including a hollow
shank made of translucent FRP and a handle fixedly disposed on a
bottom of the shank, the illumination device being disposed in the
shank and comprising a plurality of illumination members spaced
along the hollow of the shank, a power source, and an exposed
switch adapted to press to either electrically connect the power
source to the illumination members or electrically disconnect the
power source from the illumination members.
[0011] In one aspect of the invention each of inner and/or outer
surfaces of the shank has either a meshed structure or a strap-like
structure so that light may be diffused after passing the shank,
resulting in an aesthetic lighting.
[0012] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first preferred
embodiment of umbrella incorporating an illumination device
according to the invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the assembled
shank;
[0015] FIGS. 3 and 3A are partial perspective views of two
different configurations of the shank respectively;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled shank where
the illumination device is illuminated;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second
preferred embodiment of umbrella incorporating an illumination
device according to the invention;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of a
third preferred embodiment of umbrella incorporating an
illumination device according to the invention;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an open umbrella
incorporating the first preferred embodiment shank of the
invention, where the illumination device is illuminated; and
[0020] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of electrical connection and
operation of the illumination device according to the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 3A and 7, a first preferred
embodiment of umbrella 1 incorporating an illumination device
according to the invention is shown. The umbrella 1 comprises a
shank 20, an illumination device 30 provided in the shank 20, a
ferrule 60 extending from a top of the shank 20, an upper runner 50
fixedly provided on the top of the shank 20 and disposed proximate
the ferrule 60, a lower runner 40 slidably provided on the shank
20, and a handle 10 fixedly provided on the bottom of the shank 20.
Each of above components will now be described in detail below.
[0022] The handle 10 is hollow and thus has a cylindrical space 11
open to the top. The shank 20 is hollow and is made of translucent
FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic). As shown in FIG. 3, the shank 20
has a meshed structure 21 on inner and/or outer surfaces in one
configuration. As shown in FIG. 3A, the shank 20 has a strap-like
structure 21 on inner and/or outer surfaces in the other
configuration. Advantageously, the FRP shank 20 is structurally
strong.
[0023] The illumination device 30 comprises a circuit board 31
mounted in the space 11, a plurality of illumination members (e.g.,
LEDs (light-emitting diodes) or bulbs) 32 equally spaced along the
hollow of the shank 20 in which one illumination member 32 is
provided in the ferrule 60, a pair of wires 322 electrically
interconnecting the illumination members 32 and the circuit board
31, a switch 33 mounted on the surface of the handle 10, and a
power source (e.g., two cells) 34 mounted proximate the bottom of
the handle 10, and a pair of conductors 311 electrically
interconnecting the power source 34 and the circuit board 31.
[0024] A lower stop 23 is fixedly provided on a lower portion of
the shank 20 and an upper stop 22 is fixedly provided on an upper
portion of the shank 20. The lower stop 23 is disposed within the
lower runner 40 when the umbrella 1 is closed. The upper stop 22 is
disposed within the lower runner 40 when the umbrella 1 is open
(see FIG. 2).
[0025] The upper stop 22 comprises a lower inverted conic member
221 and an annular groove 222 immediately above the lower inverted
conic member 221. The groove 222 has a diameter less than the top
of the lower inverted conic member 221. The lower stop 23 comprises
an upper conic member 231 and an annular groove 232 immediately
below the upper conic member 231. The groove 232 has a diameter
less than the bottom of the upper conic member 231. A cup 24 is
slidably provided on the shank 20 below the lower stop 23. A
helical spring 25 is put on the shank 20 and is biased between the
cup 24 and the top of the handle 10.
[0026] The lower runner 40 is a hollow cylinder and comprises an
axial bore 41 with the shank 20 freely passing through, an annular
trough 42 around the bore 41 and open to the surface, a cylindrical
projection 43 in the trough 42 opposing the opening of the trough
42, a lock ring 44 provided in the trough 42 and around the shank
20 in a partial contact fashion the umbrella 1 is either open or
closed, the lock ring 44 having an exposed push button 441 and a
cavity 442 opposite both the push button 441 and the opening of the
trough 42 and facing the projection 43, and a torsion spring 45
partially put on the projection 43 and partially disposed in the
cavity 442, the torsion spring 45 being biased between the trough
42 and the cavity 442 for pushing the push button 441 out of the
opening of the trough 42.
[0027] A canopy support assembly 51 comprises a plurality of ribs
52 having one ends pivotably attached to the upper runner 50 and a
plurality of stretchers 53 having one ends pivotably attached to
the lower runner 40 and the other ends pivotably attached to
intermediate portions of the ribs 52. A canopy 70 is secured in
covering relation on the ribs 52 and is secured to the upper runner
50.
[0028] Umbrella opening and closing operations are described as
follows. For closing the umbrella 1 a user may grasp the lower
runner 40 to downward slide same along the shank 20 until the lock
ring 44 passes the upper conic member 231 to lock in the annular
groove 232 due to the expansion of the torsion spring 45. As a
result, the lower runner 40 is locked.
[0029] For opening the umbrella 1 the user may press the push
button 441 until the lock ring 44 clears the trough 42. Next, the
user may upward slide the lower runner 40 along the shank 20 until
the lock ring 44 passes the lower inverted conic member 221 to lock
in the annular groove 222 due to the expansion of the torsion
spring 45. As a result, the lower runner 40 is locked.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, a user may press the switch 33
to supply current from the power source 34 to the illumination
members 32. As a result, the illumination members 32 hidden in the
shank 20 emit light rays. The shank 20 is translucent and inner
and/or outer surfaces thereof each has a meshed structure 21 (see
FIG. 3) or a strap-like structure 21 (see FIG. 3A). Hence, light
may be diffused after passing the shank 20. As a result, an
aesthetic lighting is provided by the shank 20. It is understood
that a colorful light can be rendered if the illumination members
32 consist of ones having different colors.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 8, a controller 35 is provided on the
circuit board 31 and is electrically interconnected the circuit
board 31 and the switch 33. The controller 35 comprises a first
control 351 for causing the illumination members 32 to emit light
of either a single color or a multiple color, a second control 352
for causing the illumination members 32 to emit different light
rays in turns, a third control 353 for causing the illumination
members 32 to flash either as a whole or in turns, and a fourth
control 354 for causing the illumination members 32 to emit light
in turns. A slide switch (not shown) may be electrically
interconnected the switch 33 and one of the controls 351 to 354 of
the controller 35 so that a slide operation of the slide switch may
carry out one of the above effects of the illumination members
32.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 5, a second preferred embodiment of
umbrella incorporating an illumination device according to the
invention is shown. The characteristics of the second preferred
embodiment are detailed below. A slot 81 is provided on the shank
20. An elastic member 82 is secured to an inner wall of the shank
20 and has a tab 83 projecting out of the slot 81 and a push button
84 below the tab 83 and also projecting out of the slot 81. A lower
runner 85 has a narrow lower portion slidably put on the shank 20.
The lower runner 85 comprises a surface opening 851. The tab 83
projects through the opening 851 for locking the lower runner 85
when the umbrella is closed. For opening the umbrella, a user may
press the push button 84 to cause the tab 83 to clear the opening
851. The lower runner 85 is unlocked once the tab 83 clears the
opening 851. Thereafter, both the lower runner 85 and the upper
runner 50 slide upward automatically to extend the canopy support
assembly 51.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 6, a third preferred embodiment of
umbrella incorporating an illumination device according to the
invention is shown. The characteristics of the third preferred
embodiment are detailed below. Upper and lower slots 92 and 93 are
provided on the shank 20. An elastic member 91 is secured to an
inner wall of the shank 20 and has an upper tab 921 projecting out
of the upper slot 92 and a lower tab 931 projecting out of the
lower slot 93. Handle 10A is implemented as a hook one.
[0034] While the invention herein disclosed has been described by
means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and
variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art
without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set
forth in the claims.
* * * * *