US3744503A - Garden umbrella - Google Patents

Abstract

An umbrella used as a garden or beach umbrella which has a selfsupporting base and a stick. A crown is fixed to a sliding stick section which is adapted to slide within the supporting stick, dome ribs are pivoted to the crown, a runner is fixed to the supporting stick and struts are pivoted to the runners and the dome ribs. A flexible cable is connected at one end to the crown and at the other end to a lever which pivots about a fixed axis on the supporting stick through a dead center such that when the lever is in an unlocked or upward position, the weight of the dome ribs causes the crown and stick section fixed to the crown to be extended to its fullest length such that the dome ribs are in a closed position, and when the lever is pivoted past the dead center position, a flexible cable pulls the crown and stick section fixed to the crown downwardly against the weight of the dome ribs to bring the umbrella into an umbrella open position. The supporting stick is hinged for possibly pivoting the umbrella to a position at an angle from the vertical such as in known beach umbrellas, and a sleeve slidable on the supporting umbrella stick is adapted to fit over the hinge point of the umbrella stick to retain the umbrella in a vertical position or when it is removed from the hinge location, to provide a guide for the flexible cable when the umbrella is at an angle to the vertical. The dome ribs may be made up of sections with the outer section fixed into an inner section which is pivoted to the crown and to the strut, while the outer section is movable relative to the inner section and urged to its fullest extent by means of springs between the outer section and the inner section. The inner section of the dome rib and the support strut could be made of plastic material integral with the crown and the fixed runner respectively, but with a plurality of lateral slits provied at the hinge point so as to permit the inner dome rib section and the strut to pivot as necessary about the axis at the portion of these members which are provided with the slits. The operating lever could be provided for movement in guide slots which are parallel to the umbrella stick to a final position where the lever can be rotated past a dead center position.

Description

United StatesPatent 7 1 1 Wolff etal.

- 1451. July 10,1973

[ GARDEN UMBRELLA 75 inventors: Joachim Wolff, l-lilden; Josef Schaefer, Solingen, all of Germany 22 Filed: Oct. 14, 1971 211 App]. No.: 189,149

[30] I Foreign Application Priority Data Oct. 1, 1971 GermanyP 21 49 231.9 Oct. 1, 1971 GermanyP 21 49 077.7 Oct. 1, 1971 GermanyP 21 49 076.6 Oct. 4, 1971 GermanyP 21 49 420.2 Oct. 8, 1971 GermanyP 21 50 198.4

521 Us.Cl 135/20 M [51] Int. Cl ..A4Sb 17/00 [58] Field ofSearch 135/20 R, 20 A, 20 M, 135/46 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,252,468 5/1966 Militano 135/20 R 3,486,514 12/1969 Prescott l35/20R 2,685,885 8/1964 West l35/20 M 2,775,976 1/ 1957 Cavanaugh 135/20 M 2,721,569 10/1955 Militano 135/20 M 2,503,032 4/1950 Samelson 135/20 M Primary Examiner-J. Karl Bell Attorney-Alan Swabey [57] ABSTRACT An umbrella used as a garden or beach umbrella which has a self-supporting base and a stick. A crown is fixed to a sliding stick section which is adapted to slide within .the supporting stick, dome ribs are pivoted to the crown, a runner is fixed to the supporting stick and struts are pivoted to the runners and the dome ribs. A flexible cable is connected at one end to the crown and at the other end to a lever which pivots about a fixed axis on the supporting stick through a dead center such that when the lever is in an unlocked or upward position, the weight of the dome ribs causes the crown and stick section fixed to the crown to be extended to its fullest length such that the dome ribs are in a closed position, and when the lever is pivoted past the dead center position, a flexible cable pulls the crown and stick section fixed to the crown downwardly against the weight of the dome ribs to bring the umbrella into an umbrella open position. The supporting stick is hinged for possibly pivoting the umbrella to a position at an angle from the vertical such as in known beach umbrellas, and a sleeve slidable on the supporting umbrella stick is adapted to fit over the hinge point of the umbrella stick to retain the umbrella in avertical position or when it is removed from the hinge location, to provide a guide for the flexible cable when the umbrella is at an angle to the vertical.

The dome ribs may be made up of sections with the outer section fixed into an inner section which is pivoted to the crown and to the strut, while the outer section is movable relative to the inner section and urged to its fullest extent by means of springs between the outer section and the inner section.

The inner section of the dome rib and the support strut could be made of plastic material integral with the crown and the fixed runner respectively, but with a plurality of lateral slits provied at the hinge point so as to permit the inner dome rib section and the strut to pivot as necessary about the axis at the portion of these members which are provided with the slits.

The operating lever could be provided for movement in guide slots which are parallel to the umbrella stick to a final position where the lever can be rotated past a dead center position.

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GARDEN UMBRELLA BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of Invention The present invention relates to an umbrella and particularly to a garden or beach umbrella having a selfsupporting base and upstanding supporting stick sections.

2. Description of Prior Art Heretofore, garden or beach umbrellas have been constructed whereby a block and tackle arrangement of pulleys and cord are arranged with a slidable runner on the stick so as to raise the weight of the slidable runner, the struts and the dome ribs to an umbrella open position. This type of arrangement is quite inefficient particularly when the cord can be continually tangled with the struts and in cases when the flexible cord jumps the respective pulleys causing the block and tackle arrangement to be jammed.

It has been previously known to fix the runner to the supporting stick and have the crown mounted on a stick section, which telescopes relative to the supporting stick and with a crank arrangement using a screw jack within the stick for moving the stick section to which the crown is fixed, upwardly and downwardly, for respectively, closing and opening the umbrella. The disadvantages of such an umbrella are that it is very costly to produce in view of the many elements which are used, particularly with respect to the crank and the screw jack and also the resulting mechanism adds considerably to the weight of the umbrella, thereby making the umbrella practical only if it is permanently set up. Furthermore, since the umbrella is always outdoors the screw mechanisms can be greatly effected by weather and rust, therefore, reducing the practical life of such an umbrella. It is also evident that it is time consuming to open or close the umbrella in view of the large number of revolutions of the crank required to open or close the umbrella; since, as shown in the drawings of this patent, the crown must travel through a relatively great distance in order to close it or to open it, since the movement corresponds to at least half the entire length of the umbrella stick in view of the position of the struts.

It has also been suggested to use a pivoting lever. However, the pivoting lever in this patent is connected to the sliding runner and a particular support structure by means of a rigid rod. This is unsatisfactory from a point of view of stability and does not lend itself to the possibility of having a garden or beach umbrella where the canopy can be set at an angle to the vertical as is highly common in such umbrellas. Furthermore, the locking of the runner on the stick is by means of a spring catch which must be released before actuating the lever which closes the umbrella. In view of the size of the umbrellas in question, this can be a dangerous manipulation since a person's hand must be passed between the dome rib struts in order to activate the catch and also, when the umbrella is closed, the main runner travels very near the axis of rotation of the pivoting lever which leads to an unsatisfactory mechanical ap plication of leverage angles when it is desired to open the umbrella. Also, in this arrangement, the dome ribs must be made relatively short or the pivoting lever must be arranged very low on the umbrella stick in order to avoid the pivoting lever being almost hidden when the umbrella is closed.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION It is an aim of the present invention to provide an umbrella for use as a garden umbrella or a beach umbrella in such a manner that the structure of the dome ribs struts and crown generally based on known principles is greatly improved and is capable of being adapted for use with a leverage mechanism, but without the disadvantages discussed above. In the design of such an umbrella, it is essential that the moving length of the crown relative to the support stick portion is relatively short, such that the effective arc of the pivoting lever may also be kept relatively short. It is also important to retain stability of the umbrella when it is open, since the dome of the umbrella is of large diameter and to provide the actuating lever mechanism at a convenient height on the umbrella stick.

A construction in accordance with the present invention includes an umbrella support stick section, a crown fixed to a sliding stick section within the umbrella support stick section, a runner fixed to the support stick section, struts pivoted to the runner, dome ribs pivoted to the crown and the struts being pivotally connected to the dome ribs, leverage means fixed to the support stick, flexible connecting means connected to the crown and the leverage means, the leverage means pivoting about a fixed transverse axis on the umbrella stick, and the locus of the connection of the connecting means and the leverage is an arc of given radius, such that the length of the effective arc of travel of the leverage means sufficient to move the umbrella from an umbrella closed position to an umbrella open position is greater than the distance between the hinge points of the dome ribs to the crown and the hinge points of the struts to the crown, but is less than the length of the support struts.

In an embodiment of the present invention, it is an aim to provide the umbrella having the construction as mentioned above with the feature that the umbrella can be inclined from a position where the canopy is substantially in a horizontal position to a postion where the canopy of the umbrella is at an angle to the horizontal so as to provide proper shade from the sun when the sun is at a lower angle. Without such a feature, beach umbrellas or garden umbrellas-are not as practical, since the main purpose of these umbrellas is to provide shade from the sun.

In an umbrella as described above, using aflexible connecting means whereby the crown and the upper stick section moves relatively to the support stick section, such a feature is not obviously provided. Previously, an inclinable garden umbrella is known where the umbrella'stick is hinged at the point where it is required to deflect the stick, and a pivoted link mechanism with one of the links in the lower tube section and the other in the top tube section is provided. Pulley means are provided to allow a cable to pass and the cable is wound about a hoisting shaft adapted to move the runner slidable on the stick. As the runner passes the joint, above mentioned, the two connecting links cause the umbrella stick to buckle. Of course, because of the large number of components, this type of construction is quite expensive and would lead to mechanical breakdown. It is also known in garden umbrellas to have a straight joint which is held straight by a sliding sleeve. Such umbrellas are awkward to operate, since there is no remote control of the opening and closing of the umbrella or of the joint and the parts must have a considerable amount of play in relation to each other.

Furthermore, neither of the umbrellas described above allows the canopy to be closed when the umbrella is in an inclined position.

A further aim of the present invention is to produce an umbrella provided with a remote control lever mechanism as described above which is further provided with a sliding sleeve and a joint for retaining the stick in a straight vertical position.

A structure in accordance with this feature further includes a passageway through the sleeve adapted to pass the flexible cable therethrough, and the cable runs parallel to the umbrella stick outside of the stick.

Preferably in order to avoid slack in the cable when the umbrella stick is in an inclined position, the sleeve is arranged such that the passageway for the cable is in a plane passing through the axis of the hinge of the joint.

In a further embodiment, the guide passageway in the sleeve can be dispensed with by using a Bowden cable at the hinge location.

The umbrella closes under its own weight, in the sense that as the lever means is released through the dead center, the weight ratio of the umbrella dome ribs and canopy beyond the hinge points of the struts is greater than the weight of the dome ribs, canopy, crown and stick section fixed to the crown within the locus of the pivot points of the strut to the dome ribs, such that the dome ribs pivot downwardly causing the crown to lift upwardly, thereby closing the umbrella. The only positive action used is when it is required to open the umbrella.

It is essential that the strut support system be as small as possible in that the fixed runner be as close to the crown as possible when the umbrella is in an open position so as to benefit from the weight ratio of the um- I brella in closing and so as to reduce as much as possible the amount of travel of the crown and the stick section fixed to the crown between the open and closed position as well as the length of the effective are that the lever mechanism means must travel. As a result, the head room under the canopy is considerably increased.

In a further improved embodiment, the dome ribs are in two sections, with the inner section pivoted to the crown and connected to the strut, while the outer section is adapted for relative sliding movement to the inner section and preferably spring means can be provided between the inner section and the outer section for urging the outer section to a fully extended position. Such a feature is of advantage, particularly when the umbrella is being opened after it has rained, and the canopy material has shrunk slightly, the tension is ab-' sorbed by the spring means rather than by the support system and dome ribs.

In a still further embodiment, the crown and the inner section of thedome ribs could be integral'and of suitable plastic material, as well as the runner fixed to the stick and the strut member can be integral with the runner. The strut is, of course, still pivotally connected to the intersection of the dome ribs. In such a case, transverse slits can be provided at the hinge location in the material of the dome ribs and strut respectively to provide the proper hinging of these members.

Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration, preferred embodiments thereof, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an umbrella frame showing the dome ribs in a closed position and showing in dotted lines, the inclined position of the upper portion of the stick;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the umbrellaframe of FIG. 1 showing the dome ribs in a spread-open position;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross section of the upper portion of the umbrella, partly broken away, the umbrella being in an open position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a feature of the umbrella shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross section of the umbrella shown in FIG. 3, but with the umbrella in an inclined position;

FIG. 6 is a cross section of a detail element of the umbrella shown in FIG. 5, for instance;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a detail shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of a further embodiment of the umbrella shown in an .inclined position;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view, partly in cross section, of a detail of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross section taken along lines 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is yet a further embodiment of the umbrella in side elevation in an inclined position;

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross section of still a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a detail shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing another embodiment of the structure of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the umbrella shown in FIG. 14, but in an open position;

FIG. 16 is a schematic elevational view of still a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a detail of the umbrella shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a similar view to FIG. 17, but from a different angle; and

FIG. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to FIG. 17, but showing the leverage apparatus in a different operating position.

Referring now to the drawings, particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, a garden umbrella is shown having a base 1, astick 2, being the support stick section, acrown 6, with an outwardly extending flange. Dome ribinner sections 7 are pivoted to this flange. Outerdome rib sections 10 are fitted to the ends of theinner sections 7. Arunner 4 is fixed to the upper portion of thestick support member 2 and struts 5 are pivotally connected'to therunner 4 by means of pivot pins 4'. The other ends of thestruts 5 are pivotally connected to the inner sections of thedome ribs 7 at pivot point 7', as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. i

There is a flexible cable '18 attached at one end to thecrown 6 and at the other end to atransverse shaft 17 by means ofjournal 19 as shown in FIG. 4 on alever handle 15 which itself is fixed to thesupport stick 2 by means of theclamp 12. Thecable 18 extends normally on the exterior of the stick and is parallel to the axis of the stick.

Thecrown 6 is fixed to aninner stick section 8 which is of a smaller diameter than thesupport stick section 2 and is adapted to slide on the inside of thestick 2. There is also a slidingsleeve 21 on thestick 2 which is adapted to move from a position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but is over a joint in the stick illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 1 and a position adjacent the joint as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1.

As can be seen from the above description and the drawings, thestick portion 8, fixed to thecrown 6 is adapted for sliding movement within thestick 2 and thecrown 6 and thestick portion 8 are at their fully extended position when the lever handle is in an upper position. When thecable 18 is drawn downwardly by the action of themanual lever 15 as it pivots around thebracket 12 into a position as shown in FIG. 2, thecrown 6 abuts against theend 3 of thesupport stick 2 and thestick section 8 telescopes completely within thesupport stick 2. Through this operation, the dome ribs 7-10 which are pivoted to thestruts 5 are caused to pivot outwardly about thepivot axis 7. The distance through which thestick section 8 moves from an open to a closed position is represented by the letter H in FIG. 1. This is substantially the same distance through which the end of thecable 18 connected toshaft 17 must travel in its are about theaxis 11 by means of thelever handle 15. This distance should be greater than the distance between thehinge point 6 and 7 represented by the letter Y in FIG. 3, but less than the length of thestrut 5 between thepivot axis 4 and 7. However, the total effective distance of this are represented by the end of thecable 18 in thelever handle 15 and which is equal to the distance of travel of extensions of theinner stick section 8 plus the distance from the axis 4' on therunner 4 to the end of thestick 2 should be substantially the same as thetotal length of thestrut 5 and thedistance Y. These are the parameters effecting the structure of the support system.

' Thehandle 15 includesside members 16 which are bent at 14 and which extend within theclamp extensions 13 of theclamp 12 fixed to thestick 2. The pivoting axis of the lever handle 15 is represented by thearrow 11.

Thetransverse shaft 17 extends between theside members 16 and the end of thecable 18 is connected to ajournal member 19 about theshaft 17. Thepivot axis 11 of thehandle 15 is purposely spaced from the stick 2 a distance greater and at least twice as great as the normal parallel axis of thecable 18 from its connecting point at thecrown 6 and the connectingpoint journal 19 on theshaft 17 such that a dead-center leverage arrangement is provided so that as thehandle 15 is pivotally rotated through a full arc to a position shown in FIG. 3, the cable passes through the dead center and the handle and cable are locked in this position, as is well known.

It is also noted that a hand gripping portion on thehandle 15 is provided at 15' and is continuous with theside members 16.

The angular pivoting phases of thehandle lever 15 are adapted to the logical forces which are applied in the positive opening of the umbrella in the first phase of pivoting during which thelever 15 is moved away from thestick 2 only a small amount of force is required since thecable 18 is not effectively being drawn, merely moving through the top of its arc. At this stage, it is quite easy to move thelever 15 and little pressure is needed and, therefore, there is minimum danger of tipping the umbrella, since the pressure is applied outward from thestick 2.

The next angular phase of the are which is travelled by thehandle 15 is a downward swing. During this phase, most of the downward force is applied to the to pass the dead center, there is no fear of counteracting the stability of thestick 2.

Theumbrella stick 2 is hinged about the axis defined by thehinge pin 24. In the present embodiment, theupper stick portion 2" has a pair of legs on either side of an upstanding central flattenedprojection 23 fixed to ashank portion 22 in thestick 2. The legs extending from thestick portion 2" are pivoted about thepivot pin 24. The end of thelegs 23 are 'cut at an angle as shown at 23' in FIG. 3 such that when the top portion of the stick 2' is inclined, theedges 23 act as a stop against the inner surface of thetubular stick portion 2.

Thestick sections 2' and 2" are retained along a vertical axis by means of thesleeve 21, which fits closely over thestick 2 and is adapted to slide thereon. When thesleeve 21 is in a position as shown in FIG. 3, it is impossible to tilt theupper section 2" of thestick 2. However, if thesleeve 21 is slid past the joint, thestick section 2" can easily be inclined with respect to thestick 2.

Thesleeve 21 also inclines apassage 20 through whichcable 18 passes.

Thesleeve 21 is somewhat flared towards the bottom thereof so as to enlarge thepassageway 20 at 20. When the sleeve 21' is moved upwardly, it abuts against the bottom of therunner 4 passing the joint, but as thestick section 2" in inclined, the flared-out surface forming the passage 20', which is curved, as shown in FIG. 3, is adjacent the pivotingaxis 24 and forces thecable 18 to bend under control of this surface 20' so as to keep thecable 18 in close parallel relationship with both sections of the stick; this is shown in FIGS. 5 and 7.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, an extendinglip 25 on thesleeve 21 can be provided so as to enhance this control of thecable 18 and to keep it in closer parallel relationship with thebottom stick section 2. This is important for the purpose of preventing thecable 18 being spaced from thebottom stick portion 2, beyond the dead-center axis 14 when the umbrella is in an inclined position.

It can be seen from the above description and the drawings that the dome ribs and the canopy can still besleeve 21". As shown in FIG. 8, thecable 18 is kept in close parallel relationship with the stick so that thecable 18 is not slack, and none of the levering efficiency of thehandle 15 is lost.

In view of thissleeve arrangement 21 and 21", it can be seen that even if the umbrella is in a completely open position when the stick is erect and that when the umbrella is tilted about theaxis 24, the umbrella remains in a completely open position, since thecable 18 is not slack to any great extent. The cable in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 through 10 is actually under slightly more tension, thereby pulling further on thecrown 6 to keep the umbrella open to a maximum condition.

Referring to FIG. 11 of the drawings, the sleeve is identified as 31 and does not have a guide channel as in the previous embodiments but it is merely used to lock the stick in an erect vertical position. However, in this embodiment,Bowden cable arrangement 30 is provided through which thecable 18 passes. The Bowden cable sleeving is retained to thestick 2 by means of acollar 32 and to thestick section 2" by means of the fixedrunner 4 as shown in the drawings. Of course, as is well known, as the umbrella is tilted about the joint 24, the Bowden cable willalso bend, retaining tension in thecable 18.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, thedome rib sections 10 are shown made out of flexible material, such as fibreglass, and the endis fitted into anopening 9 in thedome rib sections 7 and theend 43 thereof slides in acavity 33 and anenlarged portion 35. There is aspring 34 acting between the end wall of theenlargement 35 defining thecavity 33 and theend 43 of thedome rib 10. Theend 43 is enlarged as a spherical shape with a diameter d and is split at 44 to allow replacement of thedome rib 10 if necessary. Diameter d of theenlarged end 43 is substantially the width of thecavity 33 and slides therein and is urged outwardly by means of aspring 34. Thecanopy 37 is fixed to theends 38 of thedome ribs 10 having a diameter d and is attached atpoints 38,39 39 to thedome rib sections 10. At the other end, it is retained by means of thecap 40, 41 on thecrown 6. If thecanopy 37 should shrink after being wet or for other reasons, the stress would be transferred or absorbed by thespring 34 as thedome rib sections 10 are forced inwardly. This is effective to prevent undue stress on the support structure as represented by the innerdome rib sections 7 and thestruts 5.

In FIGS. 14 and 15, there is shown a further embodiment of the support structure wherein the inner stick section is represented by thenumber 112 which slides in theouter stick section 102. Acrown 111 is fixed to the end of thestick 112 and aninner rib section 109 is integral therewith at 118. A downwardly extendingskirt 134 defines the downward periphery of the crown.

The crown and inner rib sections are made of suitable plastic material andtransverse slits 114 and 114' are provided at thehinge location 113. These slits allow the innerdome rib section 109 to pivot at thehinge location 113, such as shown in FIG. 15. The downwardly extendingskirt 134 includes an arcuately-shapedinner surface 134 which controls the pivoting configuration of thehinge location 113 and the curvature formed at this hinge location by means of the innerdome rib section 109.

The outer dome rib sections are retained to the inner dome rib sections by means of flexible clamp 1 l6.

Arunner 103 is fixed to the upper portion of thestick 102. It also is made of a suitable plastic material and astrut member 104 which is integral therewith extends to a position where it is pivoted at 110, see are a, to the innerdome rib section 109. The pivotedends of thedome rib section 109 and strut 104 are reinforced by clamp means 107 and 108, respectively, tosupport thehinge pin 110. The pivotinglocation 105 of thestrut 104 is provided with a plurality ofslits 106 and 106' cut laterally into the material of the strut. A projection g is provided on thestrut 104 and includes anarcuate surface 133 at thehinge location 105. Similarly, there is asleeve 137 fixed underneath thecrown 111 and includes at the bottom end thereof coincidental with the downward-most position of thestick section 112 an upwardly extending skirt K having a concave, arcuatelyshaped shaped 136. When thestrut 104 is bent, thearcuate surface 133 of theprojection 135 engages on one side of thehinge portion 105 while thearcuate surface 136 in the skirt K engages the other side so as to have a firm pressure on this weakest part of thestrut 105.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 through 19 has essentially the same support structure as that defined above in relation to FIGS. 14 and 15. These will not be repeated in detail, suffice it to say that the numbers corresponding to the structure in FIGS. 14 and 15 have been raised by 200.

Thecable 227 is fixed to the end of theupper stick section 212 within theouter stick 202. The cable descends within thehollow stick 202 and emerges from aslot 219 in thestick 202. Adjacent theslot 219 is aplate 218 fixed to the stick which has aparallel slot 220. The bottom end of theslot 220 is an enlarged, circular-shapedopening 221 having a diameter D. A flattenedshaft 222 passes through theslot 220 and is secured for sliding movement within the slot. One end of theshaft 222 is fixedly connected to alever 223. Thecrank 225 is connected to the other side of theshaft 222 and to it thecable 227 is connected at 226.

At the end of thelever handle 223 is ahandle grip 224 having asurface 224" which is adapted to slide against the surface of thestick 202. The free end of thecrank 225 projects, while the umbrella is closed and while it is being opened, into the interior of the umbrella stick through theslot 219. The crank'is kept spaced from theplate 218 by means of aspacer 228 on theshaft 222 in order to prevent thecable 227 from becoming jammed in the slot.

The largest thickness of theshaft 222 as shown at L in the drawings, that is FIG. 17, is substantially equal to the diameter D of thecircular portion 221 at the end of the slot. When it is required to open the umbrella from a closed position, as shown from FIGS. 17 through 19, the operatinglever 223 is moved downwardly parallel to the stick in the direction of the arrow X. The crank 225 andcable 227 pull theinner stick portion 212 and thecrown 211 to retract within thestick 202. When theshaft 222 reaches thecircular cutout portion 221, the operatinglever 223 may be turned clockwise until the lateral surface 224' of thegripping portion 224 limits the movement. I

In this position, thecable 227 has passed over the dead-center line T-T formed bylink 226 and the pivot point oflever 225. This position is maintained by tension exerted on thecable 227. When the umbrella is being closed, operatinglever 223 is turned counter clockwise until thelateral surface 224" ofgrip 224 comes up against theumbrella stick 202. Theshaft 222 assisted by the umbrella dome andover-hanging dome ribs 215 now enters theslot 220 and may be returned to its initial position as shown in FIGS. and 17.

We claim:

1. An umbrella having a support stick section, a sliding stick section, relative to the support stick section, a crown fixed to the sliding stick section, a runner fixed to the support stick section, struts pivoted to the runner, dome ribs pivotally connected to the crown, and the struts being pivotally connected to the dome ribs; leverage means are provided on the support stick section, and flexible connecting means are connected to the crown and to the leverage means; the leverage means pivots about a fixed transverse axis on the umbrella stick and the locus of the connection of the flexible connecting means on the leverage means is an arc of a given radius, such that the length of the effective are of travel of the leverage means is sufficient to move the umbrella from an umbrella closed position to an umbrella open position and is greater than the distance between the hinge points of the dome. ribs to the crown and the hinge points of the struts to the dome ribs, but is less than the length of the support struts.

2. An umbrella as defined in claim 1, wherein the distance through which the sliding stick section moves from an open to a closed position plus the length of the stick beyond the fixed runneris substantially equal, to the length of the strut, plus the distance between the pivoting axis of the dome rib to the crown and the pivoting axis of the strut to the dome ribs.

3. An umbrella as defined in claim 1, wherein the umbrella is a garden or beach umbrella having a base to which the support stick is fixedly connected.

4. An umbrella as defined inclaim 3, wherein the weight ratio of a canopy and dome ribs beyond the hinge points of the struts to the dome ribs is greater than the weight of the crown, sliding stick section, and dome rib portions within the hinge points of the struts to the dome ribs.

5. An umbrella as defined in claim I, wherein the pivoting leverage means is pivoted to a fixed lateral axis spaced from the stick a distance greater than the axis ribs, characterized in that the distance travelled by the crown in opening and closing of the umbrella is approximately equal to the distance between the support strut hinge points to the dome ribs and the dome rib hinge point to the crown when the umbrella is opened, and in that the upward displacement of the dome rib support strut hinge point occurring while the umbrella is being closed is equal to half the distance between the dome rib strut hinge point and the dome rib crown hinge point.

7. An umbrella as defined in claim 1, suitable for a garden or beach umbrella having a base, the support section being fixed to the base, the support stick section having means, such that the upper section of the support stick can be tilted at an angle to the vertical by joint means, a sliding sleeve on the stick adapted to retain the support stick in a vertical erect position, when the sliding sleeve is coincidental with the joint area, and a guide passage in the sleeve parallel to the axis of the stick for guiding the flexible connecting means, the sleeve being movable to a position adjacent the joint to allow the umbrella upper portion to be tilted, such that the sleeve and guide passage in the sleeve will cause .the

sections of the umbrella and thereby not lose tension so as to retain the umbrella in an open position.

8. An umbrella as defined inclaim 7, wherein the umbrella can still be opened or closed by the leverage means and flexible connecting means connected to the crown when the umbrella is in its open position.

9. An umbrella as defined inclaim 8, characterized in that the support stick section upwardly beyond the joint is greater than the amount of travel of the slidable stick section, such that when the umbrella is in a fully opened position, the sliding stick section does not reach the joint position.

10. An umbrella as defined in claim 1, wherein the dome ribs are made up of two sections and the strut is hinged to the inner section, the outer section being movable relative to the inner section, and spring means normally urging the outer section to its fullest extent relative to the inner section.

11. An umbrella as defined inclaim 10, wherein there is provided a cavity within the inner section adapted to receive the end of' the outer section, spring means are provided in the cavity urging against the end of the outer dome rib section.

12. An umbrella which can be used as a garden or beach umbrella having a crown mounted to a slidable stick section, the slidable stick section movable relative to a support stick section mounted to a base, the slidable stick section being connected to an operating lever moving parallel with the axis of the umbrella stick and capable of being locked in its terminal position, corresponding to the open position of the umbrella, characterized in that the operating lever is adapted to pass the flexible connecting means past the dead-center position to lock the lever and connecting means when the umbrella is being opened.

13. An umbrella as defined inclaim 12, wherein struts are linked to the support stick section, and inner dome rib sections are linked to the crown; and the struts and stick, as well as the inner dome rib sections and crown are integral and the hinge of the members are provided with transverse slits in the material in the area of the hinge, characterized in that the sides of the inner dome rib member and strut member adjacent the transverse slit area abuts against supporting surfaces curved to correspond to the curvature in the vicinity of the hinge location.

14. An umbrella as defined in claim 1, wherein the flexible connecting means is a steel cable.

15. A frame for an umbrella with a crown fixed to a stick section slidable in a support stick by means of a remote control pivoted lever connected by transfer means to the crown on which dome ribs are hinged, the dome ribs being hinged to struts which extend directly from fixed hinge points on the stick section, characterized in that said remote control pivoted lever can be swung down in the vertical direction through at least 90.

16. An umbrella frame as inclaim 15, characterized in that the connecting point of the remote control pivoted lever and the transfer means leading to the crown passes to a locking position of the remote control pivoted lever through a dead-centre position T-T.

17. An umbrella frame as inclaim 15, characterized in that the umbrella support stick section mounts a sideways projecting guide member defining an axially extending guide slot, having a major dimension and a minor dimension, being adapted to slide in said slot, the width of said slot corresponding to the width of the minor dimension, means mounting the remote control pivoted lever and said slot being enlarged at one end to a diameter corresponding approximately with the major dimension of the slider.

18. An umbrella frame as inclaim 17, characterized in that an intermediate lever is located on the slider means, which extends into the interior of the umbrella support stick section through an axial slot and the transfer means to the crown carrier.

19. An umbrella frame as inclaim 18, characterized in that the intermediate lever includes a bent portion in the zone of its length which passes through the slot in the umbrella support stick section.

20. An umbrella frame as inclaim 16, characterized in that the handle of the remote control pivoted lever forms with its side faces stops for the rotating motion of the remote control pivoted lever in and out of the locking position.

21. An umbrella frame as inclaim 15, characterized in that the dome ribs consist of inner and outer sections and the connection points between the two sections lie between the crown and the hinge points of the struts.

22. An umbrella frame as inclaim 15, characterized in that the remote control pivoted lever is formed as a single-armed pivoted lever pivotable about a fixed transverse axis in the support stick section and engages at its mid-section with the transfer means.

23. An umbrella frame as inclaim 15, characterized in that the remote control pivoted lever is shaped like a stirrup, that the transfer means engages with a cross bar of the stirrup and that with the umbrella canopy open, the cross bar comes to a stop against the umbrella support stick section after passing through the dead-centre line.

24. An umbrella frame as inclaim 15, characterized in that a lockable knee joint is provided in the support stick section below the hinge points of the struts.

25. An umbrella frame, as defined inclaim 15, having a tiltable umbrella support stick section for obtaining an inclined attitude of the expanded canopy, whereby a sliding sleeveto fix a coaxial attitude is associated with the knee joint, and the canopy is closable and operable in the tilted condition of the support stick section.

26. An umbrella frame as inclaim 15, characterized in that the portion of the support stick section above the knee joint is longer than the vertical displacement of the sliding stick relative to the support stick section during opening and closing, and that the transfer means deflection guide for the transfer means.

comprises, at least in the zone of the knee joint, a flexi- I ble and guided member.

27. An umbrella frame as in claim l5, characterized in that the transfer means runs outside the umbrella support stick section.

28. An umbrella frame as inclaim 26, characterized in that the transfer means consists of a Bowden wire.

29. An umbrella frame as inclaim 28, characterized in that the Bowden cable sheath is anchored at one end to an abutment arranged on the umbrella support stick section between the remote control pivoted lever and the knee joint and at the other end to an annular ring mounting the strut hinges.

30. An umbrella frame, as defined inclaim 25, characterized-in that the sliding sleeve includes an angular 31. An umbrella frame, as inclaim 30, characterized in that the sliding sleeve includes a guide channel for the transfer means extending parallel with and outside the umbrella support stick section.

32. An umbrella frame as inclaim 30, characterized in that the hinge pin connects the portions of the support stick section at the knee joint and that the axis of the guide for the transfer means is in a plane passing through the axis of the stick and the hinge pin at the knee joint.

33. An umbrella frame as inclaim 15, characterized in that the hinge point between the crown and the dome ribs, the support stick and the struts is formed by a number of adjacent transverse slits, the edges of the openings which abut together in a force fit in the expanded position of the canopy.

34. An umbrella frame as inclaim 33, characterized in that the struts are arranged on an annular collar on the support stick section.

35. An umbrella frame as inclaim 33, characterized in that in the open position of the umbrella, the sides of the openings of the cross slits come up against supporting surfaces which are curved in accordance with the curvature in the zone of the hinge points.

36. An umbrella frame as inclaim 35, characterized in that the supporting surfaces are formed of a skirt projecting in the zone of the hinge points from the crown and the strut respectively.

37. An umbrella frame as inclaim 36, characterized in that the skirt of the strut extending from the annular collar is formed by the free end of a rib on the underside of the strut.

38. An umbrella frame as inclaim 35, characterized in that supporting surfaces opposite one another are associated with the hinge point between the strut and the annular collar, whereby the supporting surface lying collar fixed to the support stick of the dome rib is supported in a recess in the inner section of rib, in which it has limited lengthwise sliding movement and is spring loaded outwardly, and its free end enters a pocket or the like in the canopy covering 7 dome rib, and is adapted to slide in an enlarged well within the recess. I

43. An umbrella frame as claimed inclaim 25, characterized in that the transfer means runs outside the umbrella support stick section UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. a g sos Dated July 10, 1973 Invent fl Joac him Wolff et a1 It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Inventors: Joachim Wolf, Hilden; Josef Schaefer,

Solingen; Klaus Thur, Sol-ingen; Werner Breil, Solingen-Weyer, all of Germany Signed and sealed this 20th day of Augustl97 r.

( -Attest: v

MCCOY M. GIBSON, JR. C. MARSHALL DANN'i Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents I USCOMM-DC 603764 09 a u.s. GOVERNMENT rnm'rmc OFFICE l9 0-366-38l.

F ORM PO-1050 (10-69)

Claims (43)

1. An umbrella having a support stick section, a sliding stick section, relative to the support stick section, a crown fixed to the sliding stick section, a runner fixed to the support stick section, struts pivoted to the runner, dome ribs pivotally connected to the crown, and the struts being pivotally connected to the dome ribs; leverage means are provided on the support stick section, and flexible connecting means are connected to the crown and to the leverage means; the leverage means pivots about a fixed transverse axis on the umbrella stick and the locus of the connection of the flexible connecting means on the leverage means is an arc of a given radius, such that the length of the effective arc of travel of the leverage means is sufficient to move the umbrella from an umbrella closed position to an umbrella open position and is greater than the distance between the hinge points of the dome ribs to the crown and the hinge points of the struts to the dome ribs, but is less than the length of the support struts.

2. An umbrella As defined in claim 1, wherein the distance through which the sliding stick section moves from an open to a closed position plus the length of the stick beyond the fixed runner is substantially equal, to the length of the strut, plus the distance between the pivoting axis of the dome rib to the crown and the pivoting axis of the strut to the dome ribs.

3. An umbrella as defined in claim 1, wherein the umbrella is a garden or beach umbrella having a base to which the support stick is fixedly connected.

4. An umbrella as defined in claim 3, wherein the weight ratio of a canopy and dome ribs beyond the hinge points of the struts to the dome ribs is greater than the weight of the crown, sliding stick section, and dome rib portions within the hinge points of the struts to the dome ribs.

5. An umbrella as defined in claim 1, wherein the pivoting leverage means is pivoted to a fixed lateral axis spaced from the stick a distance greater than the axis of the flexible connecting means from the stick so as to provide a dead-center pivoting arrangement thereby locking the leverage means and flexible connecting means when the umbrella is drawn down to an open position.

6. An umbrella, especially suitable as a garden or beach umbrella, a crown fixed to a sliding stick member, and adapted for sliding movement relative to a support stick member, dome ribs being hinged to the crown, support struts extending from fixed hinge locations on the support stick to pivot points on the dome ribs, characterized in that the distance travelled by the crown in opening and closing of the umbrella is approximately equal to the distance between the support strut hinge points to the dome ribs and the dome rib hinge point to the crown when the umbrella is opened, and in that the upward displacement of the dome rib support strut hinge point occurring while the umbrella is being closed is equal to half the distance between the dome rib strut hinge point and the dome rib crown hinge point.

7. An umbrella as defined in claim 1, suitable for a garden or beach umbrella having a base, the support section being fixed to the base, the support stick section having means, such that the upper section of the support stick can be tilted at an angle to the vertical by joint means, a sliding sleeve on the stick adapted to retain the support stick in a vertical erect position, when the sliding sleeve is coincidental with the joint area, and a guide passage in the sleeve parallel to the axis of the stick for guiding the flexible connecting means, the sleeve being movable to a position adjacent the joint to allow the umbrella upper portion to be tilted, such that the sleeve and guide passage in the sleeve will cause the flexible connecting means to retain parallelism with the sections of the umbrella and thereby not lose tension so as to retain the umbrella in an open position.

8. An umbrella as defined in claim 7, wherein the umbrella can still be opened or closed by the leverage means and flexible connecting means connected to the crown when the umbrella is in its open position.

9. An umbrella as defined in claim 8, characterized in that the support stick section upwardly beyond the joint is greater than the amount of travel of the slidable stick section, such that when the umbrella is in a fully opened position, the sliding stick section does not reach the joint position.

10. An umbrella as defined in claim 1, wherein the dome ribs are made up of two sections and the strut is hinged to the inner section, the outer section being movable relative to the inner section, and spring means normally urging the outer section to its fullest extent relative to the inner section.

11. An umbrella as defined in claim 10, wherein there is provided a cavity within the inner section adapted to receive the end of the outer section, spring means are provided in the cavity urging against the end of the outer dome rib section.

12. An umbrella which can be used as a garden or beach umbrella having a crown mounted to A slidable stick section, the slidable stick section movable relative to a support stick section mounted to a base, the slidable stick section being connected to an operating lever moving parallel with the axis of the umbrella stick and capable of being locked in its terminal position, corresponding to the open position of the umbrella, characterized in that the operating lever is adapted to pass the flexible connecting means past the dead-center position to lock the lever and connecting means when the umbrella is being opened.

13. An umbrella as defined in claim 12, wherein struts are linked to the support stick section, and inner dome rib sections are linked to the crown; and the struts and stick, as well as the inner dome rib sections and crown are integral and the hinge of the members are provided with transverse slits in the material in the area of the hinge, characterized in that the sides of the inner dome rib member and strut member adjacent the transverse slit area abuts against supporting surfaces curved to correspond to the curvature in the vicinity of the hinge location.

14. An umbrella as defined in claim 1, wherein the flexible connecting means is a steel cable.

15. A frame for an umbrella with a crown fixed to a stick section slidable in a support stick by means of a remote control pivoted lever connected by transfer means to the crown on which dome ribs are hinged, the dome ribs being hinged to struts which extend directly from fixed hinge points on the stick section, characterized in that said remote control pivoted lever can be swung down in the vertical direction through at least 90*.

16. An umbrella frame as in claim 15, characterized in that the connecting point of the remote control pivoted lever and the transfer means leading to the crown passes to a locking position of the remote control pivoted lever through a dead-centre position T-T.

17. An umbrella frame as in claim 15, characterized in that the umbrella support stick section mounts a sideways projecting guide member defining an axially extending guide slot, having a major dimension and a minor dimension, being adapted to slide in said slot, the width of said slot corresponding to the width of the minor dimension, means mounting the remote control pivoted lever and said slot being enlarged at one end to a diameter corresponding approximately with the major dimension of the slider.

18. An umbrella frame as in claim 17, characterized in that an intermediate lever is located on the slider means, which extends into the interior of the umbrella support stick section through an axial slot and the transfer means to the crown carrier.

19. An umbrella frame as in claim 18, characterized in that the intermediate lever includes a bent portion in the zone of its length which passes through the slot in the umbrella support stick section.

20. An umbrella frame as in claim 16, characterized in that the handle of the remote control pivoted lever forms with its side faces stops for the rotating motion of the remote control pivoted lever in and out of the locking position.

21. An umbrella frame as in claim 15, characterized in that the dome ribs consist of inner and outer sections and the connection points between the two sections lie between the crown and the hinge points of the struts.

22. An umbrella frame as in claim 15, characterized in that the remote control pivoted lever is formed as a single-armed pivoted lever pivotable about a fixed transverse axis in the support stick section and engages at its mid-section with the transfer means.

23. An umbrella frame as in claim 15, characterized in that the remote control pivoted lever is shaped like a stirrup, that the transfer means engages with a cross bar of the stirrup and that with the umbrella canopy open, the cross bar comes to a stop against the umbrella support stick section after passing through the dead-centre line.

24. An umbrella frame as in claim 15, characterized in that a lockable knee joint is provided in the support stick section below the hinge points of the struts.

25. An umbrella frame, as defined in claim 15, having a tiltable umbrella support stick section for obtaining an inclined attitude of the expanded canopy, whereby a sliding sleeve to fix a coaxial attitude is associated with the knee joint, and the canopy is closable and operable in the tilted condition of the support stick section.

26. An umbrella frame as in claim 15, characterized in that the portion of the support stick section above the knee joint is longer than the vertical displacement of the sliding stick relative to the support stick section during opening and closing, and that the transfer means comprises, at least in the zone of the knee joint, a flexible and guided member.

27. An umbrella frame as in claim 15, characterized in that the transfer means runs outside the umbrella support stick section.

28. An umbrella frame as in claim 26, characterized in that the transfer means consists of a Bowden wire.

29. An umbrella frame as in claim 28, characterized in that the Bowden cable sheath is anchored at one end to an abutment arranged on the umbrella support stick section between the remote control pivoted lever and the knee joint and at the other end to an annular ring mounting the strut hinges.

30. An umbrella frame, as defined in claim 25, characterized in that the sliding sleeve includes an angular deflection guide for the transfer means.

31. An umbrella frame, as in claim 30, characterized in that the sliding sleeve includes a guide channel for the transfer means extending parallel with and outside the umbrella support stick section.

32. An umbrella frame as in claim 30, characterized in that the hinge pin connects the portions of the support stick section at the knee joint and that the axis of the guide for the transfer means is in a plane passing through the axis of the stick and the hinge pin at the knee joint.

33. An umbrella frame as in claim 15, characterized in that the hinge point between the crown and the dome ribs, the support stick and the struts is formed by a number of adjacent transverse slits, the edges of the openings which abut together in a force fit in the expanded position of the canopy.

34. An umbrella frame as in claim 33, characterized in that the struts are arranged on an annular collar on the support stick section.

35. An umbrella frame as in claim 33, characterized in that in the open position of the umbrella, the sides of the openings of the cross slits come up against supporting surfaces which are curved in accordance with the curvature in the zone of the hinge points.

36. An umbrella frame as in claim 35, characterized in that the supporting surfaces are formed of a skirt projecting in the zone of the hinge points from the crown and the strut respectively.

37. An umbrella frame as in claim 36, characterized in that the skirt of the strut extending from the annular collar is formed by the free end of a rib on the underside of the strut.

38. An umbrella frame as in claim 35, characterized in that supporting surfaces opposite one another are associated with the hinge point between the strut and the annular collar, whereby the supporting surface lying inside is formed of a collar fixed to the support stick section.

39. An umbrella frame as in claim 38, characterized in that the collar is arranged on a spacer sleeve arranged on the umbrella sliding stick and preferably extending up to the underside of the crown.

40. An umbrella frame, as defined in claim 15, wherein the dome ribs are of multipart construction such that an inner section of rib adjacent the crown and coupled by a hinge to a strut is attached to an outer section of dome rib, characterized in that the outer section of the dome rib is supported in a recess in the inner section of rib, in which it has limited lengthwise sliding movement and is spring loaded outwardly, and its free end enters a pocket or the like in the canopy covering material which provides the Resistance to the spring pressure.

41. An umbrella frame, as in claim 40, characterized in that the outwards lengthwise sliding of the outer section of rib is limited by a stop.

42. An umbrella frame as in claim 41, characterized in that the stop is formed by a split thickened end of the dome rib, and is adapted to slide in an enlarged well within the recess.

43. An umbrella frame as claimed in claim 25, characterized in that the transfer means runs outside the umbrella support stick section.

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