Abstract: A garden umbrella of the generally large size having a ribholder runner notch adapted for movement along a hollow umbrella pole for operating the canopy ribs to open and close the umbrella canopy. A pulley wheel is mounted in the umbrella pole below its top portion, with one end of a pulley cord being attached to the ribholder runner notch while the other end of the pulley cord extends down through the hollow pole where it connects to a ballast weight. The ballast weight is adapted to travel vertically in the pole in synchronism with movement of the runner notch. The weight of the ballast weight and its pulley arrangement is selected to provide a uniform ballast force and a constant control which facilitates the opening and closing of the umbrella. A second pulley cord can be attached at one end to the runner notch while such cord extends around a second pulley wheel to a handle attached at its other end.

Abstract: A garden umbrella employing an upper canopy extending from the top of the umbrella pole to the middle of long canopy ribs, and a lower outer canopy extending in a ring around the outer part of the umbrella and having long sleeves sewn across the canopy in a radial pattern for receiving a canopy rib in each sleeve. The canopy ribs are pivotally connected to a runner notch, while the other ends of the canopy ribs are received in the canopy sleeves. Stretcher ribs are pivotally connected between each canopy rib and a top ribholder secured at the top of the umbrella pole. The rib and runner notch configuration, together with the outer canopy, permit very easy opening and closing of the umbrella by movement of the runner notch between its upper, open umbrella position and its lower, closed umbrella position. The lower canopy comprises panels sewn together along the bottom of each rib such that a wind vent space is formed with the upper canopy which extends to the top of each rib.

Abstract: A combination puzzle work station, puzzle carrying case and adjustable puzzle picture frame kit includes selected sizes of interlocking frame sections providing; first, a bordered puzzle workstation and, then, a puzzle picture frame. A baseboard is set into the constructed border to provide the work station for assembly of a puzzle. One or more foam cover boards, used as storage areas for puzzle pieces, are placed on top of the puzzle "in progress" sandwiched by a second baseboard to contain the puzzle during travel. Dividers are provided on the foam boards to retain loose puzzle pieces securely while the puzzle is in progress, or during travel. A fastener clip is mounted in holes formed in the back of each frame section for retaining the baseboards and foamboards within the frame, both during transport of the puzzle carry case and for the mounting of the completed framed puzzle on a wall.

Abstract: A garden umbrella of the solid wood pole type is designed to accommodate the pulley cord within a specially drilled cord passage located adjacent to a narrow neck slot extending longitudinally between the pulley, located at the top of the pole, and the hand crank near the bottom of the pole. A special drill bit is designed with both (a) narrow neck cutting edges for drilling the narrow neck slot and (b) relatively large main head cutting edges for drilling the cord passage in one simple manufacturing operation. The cord passage is sized to accommodate the pulley cord for up and down movement therein while the narrow neck slot is smaller than the cord thickness, thereby preventing the pulley cord from passing out of the pole through such narrow neck slot.

Abstract: A garden umbrella with a partial top canopy covering the central area of the umbrella and located on the upper side of the canopy ribs, and an underside outer canopy secured to the underside of the canopy ribs and covering at least the outer ring portion of the canopy ribs not covered by such partial top canopy. The underside outer canopy has canopy rib sleeves formed on its top side and adapted for receiving therein the middle and end tip portions of the canopy ribs. The partial top canopy is secured at its outer ends to the upper side of the canopy ribs and the canopy sleeves such that a deep vent is formed between the partial top canopy and the underside outer canopy for venting wind through the space between the two canopies. In one embodiment, the underside outer canopy has a general ring shape with an opening in the center for further venting of wind and updrafts through the center of the umbrella.