Windproof umbrella
A windproof umbrella includes a shank (10); a runner (12) on the shank (10); ribs (20); a canopy (101); stretchers (30); U-shaped first joints (51) each secured onto the rib (20); U-shaped second joints (61) each slidably put on the rib (20); U-shaped third joints (71) each secured onto the stretcher (30); auxiliary rods (40); and sets of first, second, and third pivotal members (52, 62, and 72). The first pivotal member (52) is formed at the other end of the stretcher (30) and is pivotably connected to the first joint (51). The second pivotal member (62) is formed at one end of the auxiliary rod (40) and is pivotably connected to the second joint (61). The third pivotal member (72) is formed at the other end of the auxiliary rod (40) and is pivotably connected to the third joint (71). In response to strong wind, the second joint (61) slides to change an angle between the rib (20) and the stretcher at the first joint (51). Therefore, the wind escape capability of windproof umbrella (1) of the invention is greatly increased.
1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to umbrellas and more particularly to a windproof umbrella with improved characteristics.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, umbrellas are classified as symmetrical ones having a circular canopy with a shank extending downward from a center of the canopy and non-symmetrical ones having a non-circular canopy with a shank extending downward from a non-central position of the canopy as shown in
Typical symmetrical umbrellas are not capable of withstanding strong wind which exerts a force against the inner surface of canopy. Thus, it is often that the canopy inverts from its normal operable position to an outwardly convex or bowed position. For typical non-symmetrical umbrellas, they even provide little resistance to inversion due to high wind. Typically, a person may hold a non-symmetrical umbrella obliquely with canopy area having a shorter length S in the front when high wind is blowing (i.e., exerts a force against the inner surface of canopy area having a greater length L) and heavy rain is falling in an angle with respect to the person. However, this umbrella holding manner has the danger of blocking view while walking as shown in
There have been numerous suggestions in prior patents for windproof umbrella. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,715,504 discloses a stick umbrella with reinforced frame. The windproof umbrella comprises a number of sets of rib A and rib B being alternate therewith. For rib A, a cord 32 is provided between a middle position of a stretcher and an outer position of main ribs 2. For rib B, a movable joint 31 is provided at an outer end of stretcher 3 to be positioned on the main ribs 2 between two fixed rings 21. When upward wind occurs, ribs A are held tight by the cords 32 and ribs B move upward or downward as the movable joints 31 move between the fixed rings 21 to escape the strong wind. As a result, an inversion of the umbrella is avoided.
However, in fact when upward wind occurs suddenly, ribs A are held tight by the cords 32 and ribs B do not move upward or downward as ribs B and ribs A are held firmly together with overall extended canopy and further, the movable joints 31 move between a small gap range of the fixed rings 21. Hence, its claimed advantage of escaping strong wind is not obtained.
Thus, it is desirable to provide a novel windproof umbrella in order to overcome the inadequacies of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is therefore one object of the invention to provide a improved windproof umbrella comprising a shank; a runner on the shank; a plurality of ribs; a canopy; a plurality of stretchers; a plurality of U-shaped first joints each secured onto the rib; a plurality of U-shaped second joints each slidably put on the rib; a plurality of U-shaped third joints each secured onto the stretcher; a plurality of auxiliary rods; and a plurality of sets of first, second, and third pivotal members. The first pivotal member is formed at the other end of the stretcher and is pivotably connected to the first joint. The second pivotal member is formed at one end of the auxiliary rod and is pivotably connected to the second joint. The third pivotal member is formed at the other end of the auxiliary rod and is pivotably connected to the third joint. In response to strong wind, the second joint slides to change an angle between the rib and the stretcher at the first joint with the frame being flexibly deformed. By utilizing the invention, the following advantages including sufficient wind escape and durability can be obtained.
It is another object of the invention to provide a non-symmetrical windproof umbrella. Advantageously, view is not blocked and rain is prevented from falling on a person when the umbrella is held by the person with heavy rain falling. This is because the person is substantially under a center of the umbrella. Moreover, the umbrella holding is stable since wind force exerted on the umbrella is substantially uniform with respect to canopy area to the left of the shank having a first length and canopy area to the right of the shank having a second length. The umbrella holding is stable since force exerted on the umbrella is substantially uniform. It is still another object of the invention to provide a improved windproof umbrella having the advantage of being capable of smoothly closing the umbrella due to pivotal capability of the pivotal members and sliding capability of the joint.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
Frame 100 of the windproof umbrella comprises a central shank 10, a plurality of ribs 20, a plurality of stretchers 30, and a plurality of auxiliary rods 40. A canopy 101 is covered over the frame 100 (see
The shank 10 comprises an upper hub 11 with the ribs 20 radially extending therefrom, and a spring biased runner 12 under the hub 11 with the stretchers 30 radially extending therefrom.
The rib 20 comprises, between its releasable first cup 21 at one end and a releasable second cup 21 at the other end, a first joint 51 proximate to the first cup 21 and a second joint 61 proximate to the second cup 22. The first cup 21 is pivotably connected to the hub 11. The first joint 51 comprises a U-shaped member 511, a first hollow member 512 extending from one end of the U-shaped member 511, and a second hollow member 513 extending from the other end of the U-shaped member 511. Likewise, the second joint 61 comprises a U-shaped member 611, a first hollow member 612 extending from one end of the U-shaped member 611, and a second hollow member 613 extending from the other end of the U-shaped member 611.
The rib 20 passes through the second hollow member 513, the first hollow member 512, the second hollow member 613, and the first hollow member 612 to have the other end fitted into the second cup 22. One end of the rib 20 is fitted into the first cup 21. The coupling of the rib 20 and both the second hollow member 513 and the first hollow member 512 is fixed, i.e., the first joint 51 is fixed. The second joint 61 is adapted to slide along the rib 20, i.e., sliding along both the second hollow member 613 and the first hollow member 612.
The stretcher 30 comprises a separate cup element 31 pivotably connected to the runner 12. One end of the stretcher 30 is fastened in the cup element 31. A third joint 71 comprises a U-shaped member 711, a first hollow member 712 extending from one end of the U-shaped member 711, and a second hollow member 713 extending from the other end of the U-shaped member 711. The stretcher 30 passes through the second hollow member 713 and the first hollow member 712 to have its other end fastened in one end of a first pivotal member 52.
The bifurcated first pivotal member 52 has a transverse bar 520 at the other end pivotably fitted in the U-shaped member 511 of the first joint 51. The auxiliary rod 40 has one end fastened in the other end of a third pivotal member 72 and the other end fastened in one end of a second pivotal member 62. The bifurcated third pivotal member 72 has a transverse bar 720 at one end pivotably fitted in the U-shaped member 711 of the third joint 71. The bifurcated second pivotal member 62 has a transverse bar 620 at the other end pivotably fitted in the U-shaped member 611 of the second joint 61. An angle θ is formed between the rib 20 and the stretcher 30 at the first joint 51 (see
Referring to
In
It is contemplated by the invention that a triangle t is formed with the first joint 51 as the first vertex, the second joint 61 as the second vertex, and the third joint 71 as the third vertex. Also, the triangle t may change three angles thereof in response to wind strength. In short, angle θ may become greater θ1 as wind strength increases and angle θ1 may further become even greater θ2 as wind strength further increases. This has the benefit of reducing force exerted upon the frame 100 (particularly the ribs 20). Also, the auxiliary rods 40 can share force exerted upon the ribs 20. The ribs 20 and thus windproof umbrella 1 may flexibly deform when high wind is blowing (see
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
It is noted that the frames 100, 100a, 100b, and 100c are made of FRP (fiber reinforced plastic) and the joints and the pivotal members are made of plastic in the first, second, third, and fourth preferred embodiments.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Preferably, each of the rib 20d, the stretcher 30d, and the auxiliary rod 40f has a section of U and is formed of iron plate.
While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.
Claims
1. A windproof umbrella comprising:
- a shank (10) having an upper hub (11) and a lower runner (12) slidably put on the shank (10);
- a plurality of ribs (20) extending outwardly in a radial direction from the hub (11);
- a canopy (101) secured in covering relation on the ribs (20);
- a plurality of stretchers (30) having one end pivotably connected to the runner (12);
- a plurality of first joints (51) each secured onto the rib (20) and being proximate to the hub (11), the first joint (51) comprising a U-shaped member (511);
- a plurality of second joints (61) each slidably put on the rib (20) and being distal from the hub (11), the second joint (61) comprising a U-shaped member (611);
- a plurality of third joints (71) each secured onto the stretcher (30) and comprising a U-shaped member (711);
- a plurality of auxiliary rods (40); and
- a plurality of sets of first, second, and third pivotal members (52, 62, and 72),
- wherein the first pivotal member (52) of each set is formed at the other end of the stretcher (30) and is pivotably connected to the U-shaped member (511) of the first joint (51);
- wherein the second pivotal member (62) of each set is formed at one end of the auxiliary rod (40) and is pivotably connected to the U-shaped member (611) of the second joint (61); and
- wherein the third pivotal member (72) of each set is formed at the other end of the auxiliary rod (40) and is pivotably connected to the U-shaped member (711) of the third joint (71).
2. The windproof umbrella of claim 1, wherein the first joint (51) further comprises a first hollow member (512) extending from one end of the U-shaped member (511), and a second hollow member (513) extending from the other end of the U-shaped member (511); the second joint (61) further comprises a first hollow member (612) extending from one end of the U-shaped member (611), and a second hollow member (613) extending from the other end of the U-shaped member (611); the rib (20) fixedly passes through the second hollow member (513) and the first hollow member (512); and the rib (20) passes through the second hollow member (613) and the first hollow member (612) with both the first and second hollow members (612, 613) being slidable thereon.
3. The windproof umbrella of claim 1, wherein the third joint (71) further comprises a first hollow member (712) extending from one end of the U-shaped member (711), and a second hollow member (713) extending from the other end of the U-shaped member (711); and the stretcher (30) fixedly passes through the second hollow member (713) and the first hollow member (712).
4. The windproof umbrella of claim 1, wherein lengths of the ribs (20) are the same.
5. The windproof umbrella of claim 1, wherein lengths of the ribs (20) are different.
6. The windproof umbrella of claim 1, wherein a triangle (t) is formed with the first joint (51) as the first vertex, the second joint (61) as the second vertex, and the third joint (71) as the third vertex, the triangle (t) may change three angles thereof in response to wind, the second joint (61) slides to change an angle (θ) between the rib (20) and the stretcher (30) at the first joint (51).
7. A windproof umbrella comprising:
- a shank (10) having an upperhub (11) and a lower runner (12) slidably put on the shank (10);
- a plurality of ribs (20) extending outwardly in a radial direction from the hub (11);
- a canopy (101) secured in covering relation on the ribs (20);
- a plurality of stretchers (30) having one end pivotably connected to the runner (12);
- a plurality of first joints (51) each secured onto the rib (20) and being proximate to the hub (11), the first joint (51) comprising a U-shaped member (511);
- a plurality of second joints (61b) each secured onto the rib (20) and being distal from the hub (11), the second joint (61b) comprising a U-shaped member (611);
- a plurality of third joints (71) each secured onto the stretcher (30) and comprising a U-shaped member (711);
- a plurality of extenable auxiliary members (40); and
- a plurality of sets of first, second, and third pivotal members (52, 62, and 72),
- wherein the first pivotal member (52) of each set is formed at the other end of the stretcher (30) and is pivotably connected to the U-shaped member (511) of the first joint (51);
- wherein the second pivotal member (62) of each set is formed at one end of the auxiliary member (40) and is pivotably connected to the U-shaped member (611) of the second joint (61b); and
- wherein the third pivotal member (72) of each set is formed at the other end of the auxiliary member (40) and is pivotably connected to the U-shaped member (711) of the third joint (71).
8. The windproof umbrella of claim 7, wherein the auxiliary member (40) is a telescopic member (40b) comprising an inner tube (41b) having one end fixedly connected to the second pivotal member (62), and an outer tube (42b) slidably put on the inner tube (41b), the outer tube (42b) having a reduced diameter end (43b) fixedly connected to the third pivotal member (72).
9. The windproof umbrella of claim 7, wherein the auxiliary member (40) is an elastic member (40c) having one end (41c) anchored at a hole (62c) formed at the second joint (61b) and the other end (42c) anchored at a hole (72c) formed at the third joint (71).
10. The windproof umbrella of claim 7, wherein lengths of the ribs (20) are the same.
11. The windproof umbrella of claim 7, wherein lengths of the ribs (20) are different.
12. The windproof umbrella of claim 7, wherein a triangle (t) is formed with the first joint (51) as the first vertex, the second joint (61b) as the second vertex, and the third joint (71) as the third vertex, the triangle (t) may change three angles thereof in response to wind, the second joint (61b) slides to change an angle (θ) between the rib (20) and the stretcher (30) at the first joint (51).
13. A windproof umbrella comprising:
- a shank (10) having a upper hub (11) and a lower runner (12) slidably put on the shank (10);
- a plurality of ribs (20d) extending outwardly in a radial direction from the hub (11);
- a canopy (101) secured in covering relation on the ribs (20d);
- a plurality of bifurcated first joints (52d) each secured onto the rib (20d) and being proximate to the hub (11);
- a plurality of stretchers (30d) having one end pivotably connected to the runner (12) and the other end pivotably connected to the first joint (52d);
- a plurality of sliding tubes (61f) each slidably put on the rib (20d) and being distal from the hub (11);
- a plurality of bifurcated second joints (62d) each formed on the sliding tube (61f);
- a plurality of bifurcated third joints (72d) each secured onto the stretcher (30d); and
- a plurality of auxiliary rods (40f) having one end (41f) pivotably connected to the second bifurcated joint (62d) and the other end pivotably connected to the third joint (72d).
14. The windproof umbrella of claim 13, wherein each of the rib (20d), the stretcher (30d), and the auxiliary rod (40f) has a section of U and is formed of iron plate.
15. The windproof umbrella of claim 13, wherein lengths of the ribs (20) are the same.
16. The windproof umbrella of claim 13, wherein lengths of the ribs (20) are different.
17. The windproof umbrella of claim 13, wherein a triangle (t) is formed with the first joint (52d) as the first vertex, the second joint (62d) as the second vertex, and the third joint (72d) as the third vertex, the triangle (t) may change three angles thereof in response to wind, the second joint (62d) slides to change an angle (θ) between the rib (20d) and the stretcher (30d) at the first joint (52d).
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 12, 2009
Publication Date: May 12, 2011
Inventor: Ching-Chuan You (Taipei)
Application Number: 12/591,174
International Classification: A45B 25/06 (20060101); A45B 11/00 (20060101);