Windproof Umbrella Frame

Abstract

A windproof umbrella frame is presented comprising a main rib (1) supporting a canopy, a support rib (2), and a connecting rod (3) connecting the main rib (1) and the support rib (2). A center plate (5) is arranged at the middle-section of the main rib (1). A support rib joint (6) is fixedly arranged at one end of the support rib (2). One end of the connecting rod (3) is hinged to the center plate (5) along the main rib (1) and the other end is integrally formed with the support rib joint (6). The support rib joint (6) and the connecting rod (3) are connected by a flexible soft plastic segment (31). The soft plastic segment (31) has a tab (34) arranged along the outside thereof so as to extend radially outward therefrom. The windproof umbrella frame of the present invention is easy and convenient to assemble, robust, and less costly.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims priority from Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No. PCT/CN2013/000021 filed Jan. 10, 2013 entitled Windproof Umbrella Frame which further claims priority from Chinese Patent Application No. 201220009818.6 filed Jan. 11, 2012 entitled Windproof Umbrella Skeleton. The subject matters of the prior applications are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference thereto.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an umbrella structure, and more particularly to an improved frame for an umbrella resistant to wind-induced damage.

2. Background

In many presently known umbrellas, a support rib is directly hinged to an intermediate element along a main rib supporting an umbrella fabric. Use of such umbrellas during windy weather often results in eversion-induced damage to the frame supporting the umbrella fabric. The prior art includes a design intended to avoid wind-induced damage wherein a short connecting rod is disposed between and connected to a main rib and a support rib. The connecting rod provides a cushioning force at the main rib to avoid damage to the frame, thus extending the useful life of an umbrella. However, both ends of the connecting rod are connected respectively to the main rib and the support rib via rivets. This design feature complicates assembly. Also, this design feature is complex and costly. Furthermore, this design feature remains susceptible to wind-induced damage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a windproof umbrella frame that that avoids the limitations of the prior art.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a windproof umbrella frame that simplifies assembly, reduces cost, and is robust.

The invention includes a main rib supporting an umbrella fabric, a support rib, and a connecting rod disposed between the support rib and the main rib. The main rib includes a center plate centrally disposed thereon. The support rib includes a support rib joint at an end thereof. One end of the connecting rod is hingedly connected to the center plate and another end of the connecting rod is integrally molded to the support rib joint. The support rib joint is connected to the connecting rod via a flexible soft plastic segment. The soft plastic segment includes a tab that extends radially outward therefrom.

In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the center plate includes a clamping portion and a catch fixed to and extending from the clamping portion. The clamping portion includes a clamping slot for receiving the main rib. The clamping slot is less wide than the main rib so that the clamping slot mechanically secures the center plate to the main rib. The connecting rod includes a through hole. The catch engages the through hole.

In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the connecting rod and the center plate are secured via a rivet.

In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the connecting rod is provided with a seating depression along one side toward the main rib.

Exemplary advantages of the invention include the following. The integral connection between connecting rod and support rib via a flexible soft plastic segment provides an assembly that simplifies assembly, reduces cost, and is robust.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will be understood and will become more readily apparent when the invention is considered in the light of the following description made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating features of the invention when the main rib of the windproof umbrella frame is properly configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating features of the invention when the main rib of the windproof umbrella frame is deformed by wind loading in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view illustrating features of the invention wherein the center plate includes a catch configured to engage a through hole along the connecting rod in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view illustrating features of the invention wherein the center plate and connecting rod are connectable via a rivet in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating design features of the connecting rod, support rib joint, soft plastic segment, seating depression, and tab in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the windproof umbrella frame includes a main rib 1, a support rib 2 and a connecting rod 3. The main rib 1 supports an umbrella fabric. The support rib 2 supports the main rib 1. The connecting rod 3 is disposed between and connected to an outer end of the support rib 2 and the main rib 1. A center plate 5 is disposed along the central portion of the main rib 1. The support rib 2 is provided with a support rib joint 6 disposed along an outer end. The connecting rod 3 is hinged to the center plate 5 of the main rib 1 at one end and integrally molded with the support rib joint 6 at another end, the latter illustrated in FIG. 5. The support rib joint 6 is connected to the connecting rod 3 via a flexible soft plastic segment 31. The integrally molded structure avoids the need for rivets, yet facilitates a simple, convenient, low cost, robust, and reliable assembly. The soft plastic segment 31 includes a tab 34 disposed radially outward from the outer side of the soft plastic segment 31. This arrangement ensures that the soft plastic segment 31 of the connecting rod 3 moves radially outward when an umbrella is opened, so that the connecting rod 3 is inversely folded without bending toward the opposing inside.

The connecting rod 3 and the center plate 5 may be hinged as described below.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the center plate 5 includes a clamping portion 51 and a catch 52 fixed to the bottom end of the clamping portion 51. The clamping portion 51 is provided with a clamping slot 53 configured to receive the main rib 1 along a top surface. The width of the opening along the clamping slot 53 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the main rib 1. One end of the connecting rod 3 is provided with a through hole 32. The through hole 32 is configured to receive the catch 52, thus enabling the catch 52 to be secured to the connecting rod 3. When assembled, the catch 52 passes through the through hole 32 adjacent to one end of the connecting rod 3 and the main rib 1 is pressed into and locked within the clamping slot 53, so as to provide a rivet-less hinge between the connecting rod 3 and the main rib 1. The catch 52 abuts the main rib 1 so that the connecting rod 3 does not separate from the center plate 5.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the center plate 5 and the connecting rod 3 are hingedly connected via rivets. The center plate 5 and connecting rod 3 include holes that mutually align to facilitate secured attachment of a rivet through both structures.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the connecting rod 3 is provided with a seating depression 33 along the side directed toward the main rib 1. Referring again to FIG. 1, the main rib 1 seats onto the seating depression 33, thereby increasing the positional stability of the main rib 1 and reducing the volume of the umbrella. Referring again to FIG. 2, the main rib 1 with the umbrella fabric could possibly reverse outward when wind loads contact the inner surface of the umbrella; however, the connecting rod 3 connected to the main rib 1 would correspondingly rotate, and the position of which would move upward, largely buffering the force at the junction between both the connecting rod 3 and the main rib 1, thereby increasing the operational life of the frame.

The description above indicates that a great degree of flexibility is offered in terms of the present invention. Although various embodiments have been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the versions contained herein.

Claims

1. A windproof umbrella frame comprising:

a main rib supporting an umbrella fabric;

a support rib; and

a connecting rod disposed between said support rib and said main rib, said main rib includes a center plate centrally disposed thereon, said support rib includes a support rib joint at an end thereof;

wherein, one end of said connecting rod hingedly connected to said center plate and another end of said connecting rod integrally molded to said support rib joint, said support rib joint connected to said connecting rod via a soft plastic segment, said soft plastic segment being flexible and includes a tab that extends radially outward therefrom.

2. The windproof umbrella frame of claim 1, wherein said center plate includes a clamping portion and a catch fixed to and extending from said clamping portion, said clamping portion includes a clamping slot for receiving said main rib, said clamping slot less wide than said main rib so that said clamping slot mechanically secures said center plate to said main rib, said connecting rod includes a through hole, said catch engages said through hole.

3. The windproof umbrella frame of claim 1, wherein said connecting rod and said center plate are secured via a rivet.

4. The windproof umbrella frame of claim 1, wherein said connecting rod includes a seating depression along one side toward said main rib.

5. The windproof umbrella frame of claim 2, wherein said connecting rod includes a seating depression along one side toward said main rib.

6. The windproof umbrella frame of claim 3, wherein said connecting rod includes a seating depression along one side toward said main rib.