Abstract: There have been attempts to create a folding umbrella so that once folded the wet side of the canopy folds upon itself containing any residual water on the canopy within allowing the user to handle the dry side when furling the canopy closed. This prevents the residual water on the canopy dripping on the floor or wetting the user. The design is also to facilitate folding of the frame away from the user allowing it to close through small spaces, such as the close gap of a doorway. The present innovation achieves the intended objectives whilst maintaining the size and weight of the umbrella comparable to conventional single fold folding umbrellas.

Abstract: A foldaway umbrella (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, said umbrella comprising: k) a central spine (12, 112, 212, 312, 312, 412, 512); l) an upper crown (24, 124, 224, 324, 424, 524) moveable with respect to the central spine; m) a lower crown (38, 138, 238, 338, 438, 538) fixed with respect to the central spine; n) a collapsible canopy framework (16, 116, 216, 316, 416, 516) connected to the upper crown and the lower crown; and o) a main canopy (18, 118, 218, 318, 418, 518) covering the collapsible canopy framework said main canopy (18, 118, 218, 318, 418, 518) covering the collapsible canopy framework said main canopy having an inside face closest to the collapsible canopy framework and an outside face crown from a position remote of the lower crown to a position close to the lower crown results in the collapsible canopy framework, and thus the main canopy, to move from the open configuration to the closed configuration wherein the main canopy i

Abstract: A foldaway umbrella (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, said umbrella comprising: k) a central spine (12, 112, 212, 312, 312, 412, 512); l) an upper crown (24, 124, 224, 324, 424, 524) moveable with respect to the central spine; m) a lower crown (38, 138, 238, 338, 438, 538) fixed with respect to the central spine; n) a collapsible canopy framework (16, 116, 216, 316, 416, 516) connected to the upper crown and the lower crown; and o) a main canopy (18, 118, 218, 318, 418, 518) covering the collapsible canopy framework said main canopy (18, 118, 218, 318, 418, 518) covering the collapsible canopy framework said main canopy having an inside face closest to the collapsible canopy framework and an outside face crown from a position remote of the lower crown to a position close to the lower crown results in the collapsible canopy framework, and thus the main canopy, to move from the open configuration to the closed configuration wherein the main canopy i

Abstract: A buoyancy assembly suitable for supporting, either alone or in combination, a load deck or other marine body, said assembly comprising: i) a first portion adapted to be connected to or form an integral part of the marine body, said portion incorporating a piston; ii) a second portion adapted to envelope the piston and thus create a variable volume chamber, the first and second portions being moveable with respect to each other; iii) sealing means adapted to form a fluid tight seal between the piston and the second portion; iv) a constant pressure source adapted to maintain a constant pressure within the variable volume chamber; v) tether means adapted to tether the second portion to the sea bed; wherein the buoyance assembly is adapted such that displacement of the marine body from its hydrostatic equilibrium position results in the generation of a restoring force, upwards or downwards, tending to restore equilibrium.

Abstract: A buoyancy assembly suitable for supporting, either alone or in combination, a load deck or other marine body, said assembly comprising a first portion adapted to be connected to the marine body and a second portion (1) adapted, in combination with the first portion, to contain a variable volume (4) of compressed gas, characterised in that the first portion is moveable, in use, relative to the second portion (1), said movement tending to maintain hydrostatic equilibrium such that when disturbed from its position of equilibrium the marine body will develop a restoring force, upwards or downwards.