U.S. patent application number 12/930880 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-19 for umbrella with offset shaft.
This patent application is currently assigned to IP Power Holdings Limited. Invention is credited to Edward Zheng.
Application Number | 20120180832 12/930880 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46489828 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120180832 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zheng; Edward |
July 19, 2012 |
Umbrella with offset shaft
Abstract
An umbrella includes an umbrella cover and an umbrella frame
supported the umbrella cover to form an umbrella body. The umbrella
frame further includes a radiated cover frame mounted under the
umbrella cover for supporting the umbrella cover thereof, and an
offset shaft coupled at the center of the radiated cover frame to
support the whole umbrella, wherein the radiated cover frame
includes a runner and a plurality of stretchers, wherein the offset
shaft comprises a first rigid rod, a second rigid rod, and a third
rigid rod are connected together one after another to form the
offset shaft that can adjust between a straight shape to an offset
shape.
Inventors: |
Zheng; Edward; (Central,
HK) |
Assignee: |
IP Power Holdings Limited
|
Family ID: |
46489828 |
Appl. No.: |
12/930880 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/20.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45B 2023/0012 20130101;
A45B 2023/0068 20130101; A45B 25/14 20130101; A45B 2023/0075
20130101; A45B 2023/0081 20130101; A45B 17/00 20130101; A45B
2023/0043 20130101; A45B 2017/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/20.1 |
International
Class: |
A45B 23/00 20060101
A45B023/00 |
Claims
1. An umbrella, comprising: an umbrella cover; and an umbrella
frame supported said umbrella cover to form an umbrella body,
wherein said umbrella frame further comprises a radiated cover
frame mounted under said umbrella cover for supporting said
umbrella cover thereof, and an offset shaft coupled at a center of
said radiated cover frame to support said umbrella with said offset
shaft.
2. The umbrella, as recited in claim 1, wherein said radiated cover
frame further comprises a plurality of ribs each having two ends,
wherein one of said ends of said respective rib is joined at the
upper portion of said offset shaft, and the other of said ends of
said respective rib is extended outwardly and downwardly to form a
tip.
3. The umbrella, as recited in claim 2, wherein said offset shaft
comprises a first rigid rod, a second rigid rod, and a third rigid
rod, wherein said three rigid rods are connected together
subsequently one after another to form said offset shaft.
4. The umbrella, as recited in claim 3, wherein said radiated cover
frame further comprises a runner and a plurality of stretchers,
wherein each of the stretchers has a first end and a second end,
wherein said first end of each of said stretchers is pivotally
jointed at said runner, and said second end of each of said
stretchers is pivotally fastened to the middle of said respective
rib.
5. The umbrella, as recited in claim 4, wherein there is an angle
.theta. between two adjacent said rigid rods, wherein said angle
.theta. between said two adjacent rigid rods is adjustable.
6. The umbrella with offset shaft, as recited in claim 5, wherein
said angle .theta. is preferably 90.degree..
7. The umbrella, as recited in claim 5, wherein said runner is
mounted on said first rigid rod and is slidable along said first
rigid rod of said offset shaft back and forth to open or close said
umbrella with said offset shaft.
8. The umbrella, as recited in claim 6, wherein said runner is
mounted on said first rigid rod and slides along said first rigid
rod of said offset shaft back and forth to open or close said
umbrella with said offset shaft.
9. The umbrella, as recited in claim 5, wherein a length of said
second rigid rod should be at least equal to a radius R of said
umbrella when completely opened.
10. The umbrella, as recited in claim 6, wherein a length of said
second rigid rod should be at least equal to a radius R of said
umbrella when completely opened.
11. The umbrella, as recited in claim 7, wherein a length of said
second rigid rod should be at least equal to a radius R of said
umbrella when completely opened.
12. The umbrella, as recited in claim 8, wherein a length of said
second rigid rod should be at least equal to a radius R of said
umbrella when completely opened.
13. The umbrella, as recited in claim 12, wherein said first rigid
rod, said second rigid rod, and said third rigid rod are rotated
with respect to each other so as to change a shape of said offset
shaft.
14. The umbrella, as recited in claim 9, wherein said runner
comprises a C-shaped body and has a nick, wherein when said
C-shaped runner is moved to slide upwardly along said first rigid
rod to open said umbrella, said nick of said C-shaped runner allows
said C-shaped body to pass through said second rigid rod to
completely open said umbrella.
15. The umbrella, as recited in claim 10, wherein said runner
comprises a C-shaped body and has a nick, wherein when said
C-shaped runner is moved to slide upwardly along said first rigid
rod to open said umbrella, said nick of said C-shaped runner allows
said C-shaped body to pass through said second rigid rod to
completely open said umbrella.
16. The umbrella, as recited in claim 11, wherein said runner
comprises a C-shaped body and has a nick, wherein when said
C-shaped runner is moved to slide upwardly along said first rigid
rod to open said umbrella, said nick of said C-shaped runner allows
said C-shaped body to pass through said second rigid rod to
completely open said umbrella.
17. The umbrella, as recited in claim 13, wherein said runner
comprises a C-shaped body and has a nick, wherein when said
C-shaped runner is moved to slide upwardly along said first rigid
rod to open said umbrella, said nick of said C-shaped runner allows
said C-shaped body to pass through said second rigid rod to
completely open said umbrella.
18. The umbrella, as recited in claim 14, wherein said offset shaft
further comprises a soft elongated element rigidly connected to the
lower end of said first rigid rod to allow said umbrella to be
opened.
19. The umbrella, as recited in claim 15, wherein said offset shaft
further comprises a soft elongated element rigidly connected to the
lower end of said first rigid rod to allow said umbrella to be
opened.
20. The umbrella, as recited in claim 16, wherein said offset shaft
12 further comprises a soft elongated element rigidly connected to
a lower end of said first rigid rod to allow said umbrella with
offset shaft to be opened easily.
21. The umbrella, as recited in claim 17, wherein said offset shaft
12 further comprises a soft elongated element rigidly connected to
a lower end of said first rigid rod to allow said umbrella with
offset shaft to be opened easily.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to umbrella, and more
particularly to an umbrella with offset shaft, so that people can
stay at the any spot under the umbrella with the offset shaft
without any obstruction by the conventional straight umbrella
shaft.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Arts
[0004] Umbrella is a common tool for protecting individuals from
rain or sun. As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional umbrella 10 usually
comprises an umbrella frame 200 and a circular umbrella cover 300
supported by the umbrella frame 200. The umbrella frame 200 further
comprises a central straight shaft 210 vertically disposed at the
center of the conventional umbrella to support the umbrella cover
300.
[0005] Sometimes, the umbrella should be opened and the central
straight shaft 210 of the umbrella 10 should be stood on or
fastened to the ground or some places as a canopy to shelter rain
or sun, or for other purposes. Take the central straight shaft 210
of the conventional umbrella 10 being rigidly fastened to the
ground as an example. Since the straight shaft 210 is vertically
positioned at the center of the conventional umbrella 10 to support
the umbrella to standing up when the umbrella is unfolded, users
can only stay around the central straight shaft 210 of the
conventional umbrella 100 under the circular umbrella cover 300.
That means the users generally need a relatively larger umbrella
cover 300 to satisfy their requirements because of the central
straight shaft 210. Larger umbrella cover 300 requires a relatively
higher manufacturing cost, a relatively heavier burden to the
umbrella frame 200 especially the central straight shaft 210, and a
higher transportation cost and more transportation space.
[0006] Sometimes, lots of people take part in group activities
outside, and they need an umbrella which is fastened to the ground
to protect them from rain or sun. However, the central straight
shaft 210 of the conventional umbrella 10 is vertically extended at
the center of the shady ground covered by the umbrella cover 300,
and, therefore, the existence of the central straight shaft 210
becomes a communicating barrier to the participators. Also, the
participator's action under the umbrella cover 300 is limited by
the central straight shaft 210. It is a general desire for people
to have an umbrella under which people can freely move and are not
limited to the structure thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0007] The invention is advantageous in that it provides an
umbrella with offset shaft which can be rigidly placed on or
fastened to the ground or some other places for protecting
individuals from rain or sun, as a canopy.
[0008] Another advantage of the invention is to provide an umbrella
with offset shaft, wherein when the umbrella is stood on or
fastened to the ground or some other places, the offset shaft is
not disposed at the center of the shading area under the umbrella
cover, so that user can stay at any spot or position under the
umbrella cover for fully utilizing the effective shading area of
the umbrella cover.
[0009] Another advantage of the invention is to provide an umbrella
with offset shaft, wherein when the umbrella is unfolded and
fastened to the ground, the effective shading area of the umbrella
cover can be relatively increased and effectively utilized.
[0010] Another advantage of the invention is to provide an umbrella
with offset shaft to minimize the space occupation by the support
shaft and maximize the effective shading area thereof so that, for
the same effective shading area, a smaller size of the umbrella can
be used, in comparison with the conventional umbrella with center
straight shaft.
[0011] Another advantage of the invention is to provide an umbrella
with offset shaft, which comprises a C-shaped runner and a soft
elongated element, such as a rope, iron wire, for facilitating the
opening or closing of the umbrella of the present invention.
[0012] Additional advantages and features of the invention will
become apparent from the description which follows, and may be
realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations
particular point out in the appended claims.
[0013] Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above objects, the
present invention provides an umbrella which comprises:
[0014] an umbrella cover; and
[0015] an umbrella frame supported the umbrella cover to form an
umbrella body, wherein the umbrella frame further comprises a
radiated cover frame mounted under the umbrella cover for
supporting the umbrella cover thereof, and an offset shaft having
one end portion coupled to the center of the radiated cover frame
to support the umbrella.
[0016] In one embodiment, the umbrella cover frame further
comprises a C-shaped runner and a plurality of stretchers, wherein
the offset shaft comprises a first rigid rod, a second rigid rod,
and a third rigid rod, wherein the first, second and the third
rigid rods are connected together one after another to form the
offset shaft.
[0017] Still further objects and advantages will become apparent
from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
[0018] These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a side view of a conventional umbrella .
[0020] FIG. 2 is a side view of an umbrella with offset shaft when
it is opened according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a sectional perspective view of the umbrella with
offset shaft according to the above preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0022] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the C-shaped
runner and other components showing how the umbrella with offset
shaft is opened and closed according to the above preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic view of the offset shaft
showing a second rigid rod of the offset shaft being rotated around
a third rigid rod of the offset shaft in accordance with user's
requirements according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0024] FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic view of the offset shaft
illustrating the offset and straight conditions thereof according
to user's requirements in accordance with the above preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a sectional perspective view of the umbrella with
offset shaft in closed up condition according to the above
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the umbrella with offset shaft
according to an alternative mode of the above preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0027] Referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 7 of the drawings, an umbrella
with offset shaft according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention is illustrated, wherein the umbrella comprises an
umbrella frame 1 and an umbrella cover 2 supported by the umbrella
frame 1 to form an umbrella body 3. The umbrella cover 2 can be
made of waterproof fabric, plastic material, or anti-ultraviolet
material.
[0028] The umbrella cover 2 can be manufactured integrally in one
piece or comprises a plurality of gores 20 sewing edge to edge to
form a cover. The umbrella frame 1 comprises a radiated cover frame
11 and an offset shaft 12, wherein the radiated cover frame 11 is
mounted under the umbrella cover 2 for supporting it, and the
offset shaft 12 has an upper end portion coupled at a center
portion of the radiated cover frame 11 to support the whole
radiated cover frame 11 and the umbrella cover 2 when the umbrella
is opened.
[0029] The radiated cover frame 11 comprises a plurality of ribs
111 each having two ends, wherein one end of the respective rib 111
is joined at the upper portion 120 of the offset shaft 12, and the
other end of the respective rib 111 is extended outwardly and
downwardly to form a tip 110 for supporting the umbrella cover 2 by
fastening the umbrella cover 2 thereof on the ribs 111
respectively.
[0030] The radiated cover frame 11 further comprises a runner 112
and a plurality of stretchers 113 each having a first end and a
second end, wherein the first end of each of the stretchers 113 is
pivotally jointed at the runner 112 and around the runner 112, and
the second end of each of the stretchers 113 is pivotally fastened
to the middle of the ribs 111 respectively. The runner 112 slides
along some portion of the offset shaft 12 to fully stretch out to
unfold to open or fold up to close the umbrella with offset
shaft.
[0031] The offset shaft 12 comprises a first rigid rod 121, a
second rigid rod 122, and a third rigid rod 123, wherein the first
rigid rod 121 forms the upper portion of the offset shaft 12, the
second rigid rod 12 forms the middle portion of the offset shaft
12, and the third rigid rod 123 forms the lower portion of the
offset shaft 12. The three rigid rods 121, 122, 123 are connected
together one after another and there is an angle .theta. between
the two adjacent rigid rods to form the offset shaft 12, wherein
the angle .theta. is adjustable, preferably 90.degree.. The first
rigid rod 121, the second rigid rod 122, and the third rigid rod
123 are made integrally to form the offset shaft 12.
[0032] Exactly speaking, one end of the respective rib 111 is
joined at the upper portion 120 of the first rigid rod 121 of the
offset shaft 12, and the runner 112 is mounted on the first rigid
rod 121 and is slidable along the first rigid rod 121 of the offset
shaft 12 back and forth when opening or closing the umbrella.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, the first rigid rod 121, the second
rigid rod 122, and the third rigid rod 123 are allowed to be
rotated with respect to each other so as to change the shape of the
offset shaft 12 according to user's requirement. In addition, the
first rigid rod 121, the second rigid rod 122, and the third rigid
rod 123 are adjustable to align in a line to form a straight shaft,
that is, the angle .theta. between the two adjacent rigid rods is
180.degree.. In other words, the angle .theta. between the two
adjacent rigid rods is adjustable.
[0034] The runner 12 can be in C-shaped and thus the umbrella can
be operated to open or to close without straightly aligned the
first rigid rod 121, the second rigid rod 122 and the third rigid
rod 123 first.
[0035] When the C-shaped runner 12 is used, the offset shaft 12
further comprises a soft elongated element 125, such as a rope or a
wire, wherein the soft elongated element 125 is connected to the
lower end of the first rigid rod 121, wherein when the umbrella
frame 1 is upwardly and outwardly stretched out to open the
umbrella, the user can grab the soft elongated element 125
downwardly to allow the umbrella of the present invention to be
opened easily.
[0036] The C-shaped runner 112 comprises a C-shaped body 1121 and
has a nick 1122, when the C-shaped runner 112 is moved to slide
upwardly along the soft elongated element 125 and the first rigid
rod 121 to stretch out the radiated cover frame 11 to open the
umbrella of the present invention. The nick 1122 of the C-shaped
runner 112 allows the C-shaped body 1121 to easily pass through the
second rigid rod 122 to completely open the umbrella. Also, when
the C-shaped runner 112 is moved to slide downwardly to fold up the
radiated cover frame 11 to close the umbrella, the nick 1122 of the
C-shaped runner 112 also allow the C-shaped body 1121 to easily
pass through the second rigid rod 122 to completely close the
umbrella of the present invention.
[0037] Additionally, the length of the second rigid rod 122 should
be at least equal to or a little larger than a radius R of the
umbrella with offset shaft when it is completely opened, so that
the third rigid rod 123 which is fastened to the ground can be out
of the corresponding ground of the umbrella cover 2. So users can
stay at any spot or position under the umbrella cover 2 without
obstructing by the offset shaft 1.
[0038] According to the preferred embodiment, the offset shaft 12
further comprises at least two connectors 124, a first connector
1241 and a second connector 1242, which connect the three rigid
rods 121, 122, 123 together. The first rigid rod 121 and the second
rigid rod 122 are hinged together by the first connector 1241, and
the second rigid rod 122 and the third rigid rod 123 are hinged
together by the second connector 1242. The first connector 1241 and
the second connector 1242 allow the three rigid rods 121, 122, 123
to be rotated with respect to each other so as to change the shape
of the offset shaft 12 according to user's requirement. also In
other words, the first connector 1241 and the second connector 1242
enable the angle .theta. between the two adjacent rigid rods to be
adjustable.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 8, the umbrella with offset shaft
according to an alternative mode of the preferred embodiment is
illustrated, wherein a base 4' is provided to support the umbrella
with the offset shaft.
[0040] The base 4' is connected to the lower end of a third rigid
rod 123' of a offset shaft 12' to keep the umbrella with offset
shaft standing up on the ground or other places. The base 4' can be
integrally or detachedly connected to the offset shaft 12'. In
other words, the umbrella with offset shaft can be placed on or
rigidly fastened to the ground or other places when it is used.
[0041] One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment
of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described
above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.
[0042] It will thus be seen that the objects of the present
invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It
embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of
illustrating the functional and structural principles of the
present invention and is subject to change without departure from
such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all
modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *