Abstract: An umbrella includes a hollow tubular handle, a hub slidably contained in the handle between an upper extended position and a lower stored position; a spider hinge mounted on the hub and including radially extending spider arms; a plurality of flexible struts, each having a fixed end and a free end, with each strut having a width which tapers from the fixed end to the fre end and with the fixed end being secured on each spider arm; a retainer bushing and plug which fixedly secures the spider hinge onto the hub; each strut further having a block thereon with an outwardly radially extending opening; a cord extending peripherally about the umbrella and connected within the openings of the blocks and thereby to the struts for applying a pre-loading tensioning force to the struts so as to bend the struts into a bowed configuration; and a one-piece web of flexible, water-resistant material connected to the ends of the tensioned struts.