U.S. patent application number 13/537083 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-02 for light windproof umbrella.
The applicant listed for this patent is CHING-CHUAN YOU. Invention is credited to CHING-CHUAN YOU.
Application Number | 20140000666 13/537083 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49725614 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140000666 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YOU; CHING-CHUAN |
January 2, 2014 |
LIGHT WINDPROOF UMBRELLA
Abstract
A light windproof umbrella is provided with a center post
including a top ferrule, an upper grommet, an intermediate sliding
ring, and a sliding runner under the sliding ring; ribs each having
one end pivotably secured to the grommet and the other end being
open; main joints each formed at a portion of the rib proximate to
the other end of the rib; auxiliary joints each formed at a portion
of the rib between the main joint and the grommet; stretchers each
having one end pivotably secured to the sliding ring and the other
end moveably secured to the rib; struts each having one end
pivotably secured to the sliding runner and the other end pivotably
secured to the auxiliary joint; a lower canopy; and an upper canopy
in a partial covering relationship to the lower canopy.
Inventors: |
YOU; CHING-CHUAN; (Taipei,
TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
YOU; CHING-CHUAN |
Taipei |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
49725614 |
Appl. No.: |
13/537083 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/29 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45B 25/22 20130101;
A45B 2019/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/29 |
International
Class: |
A45B 25/20 20060101
A45B025/20; A45B 25/02 20060101 A45B025/02 |
Claims
1. A windproof umbrella comprising: a center post (10) comprising a
top ferrule (14), an upper grommet (11), an intermediate sliding
ring (12) under the upper grommet (11), and a sliding runner (13)
under the intermediate sliding ring (12); a plurality of ribs (20)
each having one end (21) pivotably secured to the upper grommet
(11) and the other end (22) being open; a plurality of main joints
(51) each formed at a portion of the rib (20) proximate to the
other end (22) of the rib (20); a plurality of auxiliary joints
(52) each formed at a portion of the rib (20) between the main
joint (51) and the upper grommet (11); a plurality of stretchers
(30) each having one end (31) pivotably secured to the intermediate
sliding ring (12) and the other end (32) moveably secured to the
rib (20); a plurality of struts (40) each having one end (41)
pivotably secured to the sliding runner (13) and the other end (42)
pivotably secured to the auxiliary joint (52); a lower canopy (70)
fastened in covering relationship to the main joints (51) and
portions of the ribs (20) wherein an inner closed edge of the lower
canopy (70) is secured to points of the ribs (20) proximate to the
auxiliary joints (52) and not covering the auxiliary joints (52),
and an outer peripheral edge thereof is secured to the other ends
(22) of the ribs (20); and an upper canopy (80) having a center
secured to the upper grommet (11) and an outer peripheral edge
positioned over a portion of the inner peripheral edge of the lower
canopy (70) and being in covering relationship to the auxiliary
joints (52), wherein each main joint (51) comprises a first tubular
end (511) with the rib (20) passing through, a second tubular end
(512) with the rib (20) passing through, a U-shaped bar (510)
interconnecting the first and second tubular ends (511, 512), and a
channel (513) defined by the U-shaped bar (510), the first and
second tubular ends (511, 512), and a portion of the rib (20)
between the first and second tubular ends (511, 512) so that the
other end (32) of each stretcher (30) is moveably restrained in the
channel (513) with its closed loop (321); wherein each auxiliary
joint (52) comprises a first tubular end (521) with the rib (20)
passing through, a second tubular end (522) with the rib (20)
passing through, a U-shaped bar (520) interconnecting the first and
second tubular ends (521, 522), and a tunnel (523) defined by the
U-shaped bar (520), the first and second tubular ends (521, 522),
and a portion of the rib (20) between the first and second tubular
ends (521, 522) so that the other end (42) of each strut (40) is
pivotably fastened in the tunnel (523) with its closed loop (421);
and wherein wind caught beneath the lower and upper canopies (70,
80) applies pressure to the lower and upper canopies (70, 80) to
cause a portion of the upper canopy (80) to lift away from a
corresponding portion of the lower canopy (70) to form a plurality
of vent holes (71), slide the other ends (32) of the stretchers
(30) toward a direction away from the center post (10), and slide
the intermediate sliding ring (12) downward along the center post
(10).
2-10. (canceled)
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to windproof umbrellas and more
particularly to a light windproof umbrella.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Umbrellas are widely used personal articles. It is often
that wind will catch an umbrella user unaware and exert a force
against an inner surface of a canopy of the umbrella so as to cause
the canopy to invert from its normal operable position to an upward
convex position.
[0005] Windproof umbrellas are thus developed for windy weather.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,980,262 discloses a windproof umbrella
comprising a center post 10 comprising an upper grommet 11, an
intermediate fixed ring 12, and a lower sliding runner 13; a
plurality of ribs 20 each having one end 21 pivotably secured to
the grommet 11 and another open end 22; a plurality of main joints
51 each formed at a portion of the rib 20 proximate to the other
end 22; a plurality of stretchers 30 each having one end 31
pivotably secured to the ring 12 and the other end 32 slidably and
pivotally secured to the main joint 51; a plurality of auxiliary
joints 61 each formed at a portion of the stretcher 30; and a
plurality of struts 40 each having an one end 41 pivotably secured
to the runner 13 and another end 42 moveably secured to the
auxiliary joint 61; a lower canopy 70 fastened in covering
relationship on the ribs 20; and an upper canopy 80 having a center
secured to the grommet 11 and an outer peripheral edge positioned
over a portion of the lower canopy 70 in covering relationship to
all of the main joints 51, wherein wind caught beneath the canopies
70, 80 applies pressure to the canopies 70, 80 to cause a portion
of the upper canopy 80 to lift away from a portion of the lower
canopy 70 to form a plurality pairs of communicating inner and
outer vent holes 71, 81 with the other ends 32 of the stretchers 30
sliding away from the center post 10, each pair of the inner and
outer vent holes 71, 81 being defined by the portions of the upper
and lower canopies 70, 80, the adjacent ribs 20, and the adjacent
main joints 51.
[0006] However, a number of drawbacks have been found in the prior
art windproof umbrella. In detail, diameters of the stretchers 30,
the struts 40 and the ribs 20 are required to be equal so that the
umbrella can withstand the force exerted thereon by strong wind.
This inevitably can increase the weight of the umbrella greatly,
resulting in a decrease of portability of the umbrella. Further, a
person has to exert a great force to grasp the center post 10 in
windy weather. This can quickly exhaust the strength of the person
holding the umbrella. Thus, the need for improvement still
exists.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a
windproof umbrella comprising a center post comprising a top
ferrule, an upper grommet, an intermediate sliding ring under the
upper grommet, and a sliding runner under the intermediate sliding
ring; a plurality of ribs each having one end pivotably secured to
the upper grommet and the other end being open; a plurality of main
joints each formed at a portion of the rib proximate to the other
end of the rib; a plurality of auxiliary joints each formed at a
portion of the rib between the main joint and the upper grommet; a
plurality of stretchers each having one end pivotably secured to
the intermediate sliding ring and the other end moveably secured to
the rib; a plurality of struts each having one end pivotably
secured to the sliding runner and the other end pivotably secured
to the auxiliary joint; a lower canopy fastened in covering
relationship to the main joints and portions of the ribs wherein an
inner closed edge of the lower canopy is secured to points of the
ribs proximate to the auxiliary joints and not covering the
auxiliary joints, and an outer peripheral edge thereof is secured
to the other ends of the ribs; an upper canopy having a center
secured to the upper grommet and an outer peripheral edge
positioned over a portion of the inner peripheral edge of the lower
canopy and being in covering relationship to the auxiliary joints,
wherein wind caught beneath the lower and upper canopies applies
pressure to the lower and upper canopies to cause a portion of the
upper canopy to lift away from a corresponding portion of the lower
canopy to form a plurality of vent holes, slide the other ends of
the stretchers toward a direction away from the center post, and
slide the intermediate sliding ring downward along the center
post.
[0008] 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
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the frame of a light
windproof umbrella according to the invention, the umbrella being
open and the canopies being shown in phantoms;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of the umbrella;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of FIG. 2;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side elevation in part section of FIG. 2 showing
the umbrella frame being pushed upward to open;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the umbrella
frame being pushed downward to close;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of FIG. 4 showing a state of
the umbrella prior to wind blowing from below; and
[0015] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing a state of the
umbrella in response to strong wind blowing from below.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, a light windproof umbrella 1 in
accordance with the invention comprises the following components as
discussed in detail below.
[0017] A center post 10 comprises a top ferrule 14, an upper
grommet 11, an intermediate sliding ring 12 under the grommet 11, a
lower sliding runner 13 under the ring 12, and a lock 15 adjacent
to the sliding member 13 from below, the lock 15 including an
exposed tab 151 adapted to be pressed to unlock the lock 15 for
closing the umbrella 1. A plurality of ribs 20 each have one end 21
pivotably secured to the grommet 11 and the other open end 22. A
plurality of main joints 51 each are formed at a portion of the rib
20 proximate to the other end 22. The main joint 51 is shaped as a
U and comprises a first tubular end 511 with the rib 20 passing
through, a second tubular end 512 also with the rib 20 passing
through, a U-shaped bar 510 interconnecting the first and second
tubular ends 511, 512, and a wide channel 513 defined by the bar
510, the first and second tubular ends 511, 512, and a portion of
the rib 20 between the first and second tubular ends 511, 512.
[0018] A plurality of stretchers 30 each have one end 31 pivotably
secured to the ring 12 and the other end 32 shaped as a closed loop
and put on the bar 510 of the main joint 51 to be moveably
restrained in the channel 513 with a large moveable extent. A
plurality of auxiliary joints 52 each are formed at an intermediate
portion of the rib 20 with the increased support of one of a
plurality of struts 40 to reinforce the whole strength of the
windproof umbrella 1 of the invention. The auxiliary joint 52 is
shaped as a U and comprises a first tubular end 521 with the rib 20
passing through, a second tubular end 522 with the rib 20 passing
through, a U-shaped bar 520 interconnecting the first and second
tubular ends 521, 522, and a narrow tunnel 523 defined by the bar
520, the first and second tubular ends 521, 522, and a portion of
the rib 20 between the first and second tubular ends 521, 522. The
plurality of struts 40 each have one end 41 pivotably secured to
the runner 13 and the other end 42 shaped as a closed loop and put
on the bar 520 to be pivotably restrained in the tunnel 523.
[0019] Preferably, the struts 40 and the rib 20 are formed of
carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP).
[0020] Still preferably, the stretchers 30 are formed of CFRP. A
diameter of the stretcher 30 is less than that of the rib 20 and
the struts 40, such as one-half of the diameter of the rib 20 and
the struts 40. The elongated stretchers 30 thus have the advantages
of being light and strong.
[0021] A lower canopy 70 is fastened in covering relationship to
the main joints 51 and portions of the ribs 20. In detail, an inner
closed edge of the lower canopy 70 is secured to points the ribs 20
proximate to but not covering the auxiliary joints 52 and an outer
peripheral edge thereof is secured to the other ends 22 of the ribs
20.
[0022] An upper canopy 80 has its center secured to the grommet 11
and its outer peripheral edge positioned over a portion of inner
peripheral edge of the lower canopy 70 and being in covering
relationship to the auxiliary joints 52. That is, the main joints
51 are covered by the upper canopy 80 so as to form a plurality of
vent holes 71 each being defined by the lower and upper canopies
70, 80 and portions of any two adjacent ribs 20 proximate to the
main joints 51.
[0023] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, during rainy, windy weather, wind
(as indicated by a plurality of groups of curved arrows of FIG. 7)
caught beneath the canopies 70, 80 of the umbrella 1 may apply
pressure to the undersides of the canopies 70, 80. This pressure
causes each substantially triangular portion of the upper canopy 80
proximate to the main joints 51 to lift away from the portion of
the lower canopy 70 proximate to the main joints 51. As such, a
plurality of vent holes 71 are formed. Also, the other ends 32 of
the stretchers 30 slide toward the outer direction as indicated by
one hollow arrow proximate to the bar 510 and the sliding ring 12
slides downward along the center post 10 as indicated by the other
hollow arrow between the sliding ring 12 and the grommet 11 in FIG.
6. Therefore, wind passes through the vent holes 71 for escape from
the umbrella 1. It is contemplated by the invention that any
excessive wind will not invert the umbrella 1 due to the above
descriptions and this is the characteristics of the invention.
[0024] During rainy, windy weather, wind caught beneath the
canopies 70, 80 of the umbrella 1 may apply pressure to the
undersides of the canopies 70, 80. This pressure causes each
portion of the upper canopy 80 proximate to the main joints 51 to
lift away from each corresponding portion of the lower canopy 70.
As discussed above, the other ends 32 of the stretchers 30 are
freely and moveably restrained by the main joints 51 in a larger
range, the other ends 42 of the struts 40 are pivotably secured to
the auxiliary joints 52, and one ends 41 of the struts 40 are
pivotably secured to the runner 13. The ribs 20 may flexibly bend
upward to cause the other ends 32 of the stretchers 30 to slide
toward the outer direction (as indicated by arrow in FIG. 7). Also,
one ends 31 of the stretchers 30 may slide downward along the
center post 10 to cause the other ends 32 thereof restrained in the
channel 513 to slide toward the outer direction. Further, the
struts 40 may have both ends 41, 42 pivoting about the auxiliary
joints 52 and the runner 13. The flexible nature of the ribs 20 in
cooperation with the moveable ends 32 of the stretchers 30 at the
main joints 51 and the sliding ends 31 of the stretchers 30, and
the pivotal connections of the struts 40 to both the auxiliary
joints 52 and the runner 13 can prevent the umbrella 1 from being
inverted when strong wind blows.
[0025] The moveably restrained other ends 32 of the stretchers 30
in the main joints 51 is the first force connecting the stretchers
30 to the ribs 20 and this can achieve an increased flexible
adjustment of the ribs 20. Further, the channels 513 of the main
joints 51 can provide a large extent of the flexible deformation of
the ribs 20 and thus increase the resistance of the ribs 20 against
excessive wind. The above characteristics of the stretchers 30 are
carried out by cooperating with the sliding ends 31 thereof. The
pivotal fastening of the other ends 42 of the struts 40 at the
auxiliary joints 52 is the second force connecting the struts 40 to
the ribs 20. The ribs 20 may bend upward to pull the overlap of the
canopies 70, 80 away from each other to form a plurality of vent
holes 71. Advantageously, excessive wind may escape via the vent
holes 71. This is the flexible deformation characteristic of the
umbrella 1 for resisting inversion from excessive wind. The
umbrella 1 may return to its original shape when excessive wind is
successfully vented. This wind escape characteristic of the
windproof umbrella 1 with an aid of the reinforced configuration in
a larger movable range of the main joints 51 and the auxiliary
joints 52, together with the first force connecting the stretchers
30 to the ribs 20 and the second force connecting the struts 40 to
the ribs 20, is unique and novel and can be effectively resistant
to inversion from the excessive wind.
[0026] While the invention has been described in terms of preferred
embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *