Abstract: A novel umbrella is disclosed with a simplified structure that creates a clean, elegant profile with reduced component count and increased wind resistance. The umbrella includes a support post, a housing supported thereby, spokes pivotally disposed about the housing, a canopy, and an actuator. The housing has a top hub and a bottom hub. The actuator slides the hubs together to pivot the spokes away from the housing, whereby the umbrella moves from a closed position to an open position. Rollers are preferably retained within the top hub, and each spoke preferably has a spoke cam attached to one end. The spokes pivot away from the housing by having a roller surface of each spoke cam slide along each respective roller. The actuator may have a crank operated worm drive mechanism to raise and lower the canopy.

Abstract: An umbrella has a plurality of ribs attached to a runner by main struts. The umbrella has an anti-inversion mechanism formed of a plurality of anti-inversion struts. Each anti-inversion strut is pivotally coupled to one respective main strut and is pivotally connected to a floating joint member that is freely movable along a length of one respective rib. The anti-inversion mechanism also includes a stop that is fixedly attached to the rib and restricts the degree of travel of the floating joint member along the rib and is positioned to prevent the respective rib from inverting in response to an applied force.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for folding and unfolding a shelter frame, e.g., a tent. A plurality of radially arranged connecting bosses is situated on a connecting piece. A pivoting member pivotally attaches to the connecting boss, and a shelter frame rod attaches to the pivoting member. In the folded position, the pivoting members are rotated toward the center of the apparatus. In the unfolded position, the pivoting members are rotated away from the center of the apparatus. The apparatus is rapidly and easily assembled.

Abstract: A foldable parasol having a top surface with a plurality of rigid surfaces, each having at least one solar cell fixed thereto, and at least one mechanical hinge disposed between each adjacent two rigid surfaces, for allowing folding one rigid surface in relation to the other, the at least one mechanical hinge comprising an electrical conductor, for electrically conducting between poles of solar cells of the adjacent rigid surfaces, thereby electrical conduction between solar cells of different rigid surfaces is applied through mechanical hinges, being durable to folding.

Abstract: An improved umbrella top notch and runner are provided for an umbrella including a shaft, plural ribs, and plural stretchers, in addition to the top notch and the runner. The top notch, structurally the same as the runner, includes a main body and plural building blocks. Each building block has a threaded hole through which a screw rod can pass to fasten the building block to the periphery of the main body. Each building block has a projecting pin on one lateral side and a recess on the opposite lateral side. When the building blocks are fastened to the periphery of the main body, the front end of the projecting pin on one lateral side of each building block is fittingly received in the recess of the adjacent building block. Each building block can be detached from the main body to facilitate replacement of the ribs and stretchers.

Abstract: An umbrella structure includes a shaft, a top notch fixed at the top end of the shaft, a runner mounted around and slidable along the shaft, plural ribs, plural stretchers, a canopy, and plural torsion springs. Each rib has an upper end pivotally connected to the top notch. Each stretcher has an upper end pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of one of the ribs and a lower end pivotally connected to the runner. The canopy can be opened or closed by sliding the runner upward or downward along the shaft. One torsion spring is provided where each rib is pivotally connected to the corresponding stretcher. When the runner is slid downward to close the canopy, each torsion spring is compressed and stores energy. When the runner is slid upward to open the canopy, each torsion spring releases the stored energy to reduce the effort required for opening the canopy.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a movable connection structure for an umbrella rib and an umbrella rib using the same. The movable connection structure includes a first connector arranged on a first umbrella rib and a second connector arranged on a second umbrella rib. The first connector and the second connector are connected by a folding junction portion. The first connector, the second connector, and the junction portion are made of a plastic material and formed into an integral element. The present invention avoids specialized manufacturing equipment. The present invention eliminates hole drilling steps and rivet punching steps otherwise required during the manufacture of a movable connector. The movable connection structure and the umbrella rib using the same are conveniently and quickly assembled, thereby minimizing manual labor, improving production efficiency, and reducing production cost. The present invention provides a sturdy and durable umbrella structure.

Abstract: An umbrella is formed of an elongated shaft having a first end and an opposite second end and a runner slidably disposed about the elongated shaft. The umbrella includes a rib assembly including a plurality of ribs that are attached to the runner by a plurality of struts that move between open and closed positions. In accordance with the present invention, the elongated shaft has a cross-sectional shape defined by a plurality of curved sections and a plurality of planar sections interspersed between the plurality of curved sections for providing increased torsional strength to the elongated shaft. At least one of the ribs can have a cross-sectional shape defined by a plurality of curved sections and a plurality of planar sections interspersed between the plurality of curved sections for providing increased torsional strength to the at least one rib.

Abstract: A folding umbrella having a shorter rigid upper segment and a longer flexible or deformable lower segment, such that with at least an upper portion of the flexible or deformable lower segment manipulated so as to be relatively straight, the hub member of the umbrella is slidable onto the flexible or deformable lower segment. The umbrella further has a mounting mechanism adapted to temporarily secure the umbrella to an object during use, wherein the mounting mechanism may be a clip or a deformable handle member, either as a deformable member connected to the lower end of the shaft or the lowermost portion of the shaft itself.

Abstract: An umbrella has a central shaft, a crown, a runner, a plurality of ribs, and a plurality of stretchers. The crown is a polygon each side of which includes a pivot pin mounted in a perpendicular direction to pivotally connect the upper end of a respective one of the ribs to the crown. The runner is a polygon and has a pivot pin mounted to each side in perpendicular direction to pivotally connect the lower end of a respective one of the stretchers to the runner. When the umbrella is closed, each of the ribs and the stretchers is collapsed in a tangential angle to set at one side of the central shaft and the runner and is not interfered with by the central shaft and the runner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a middle disk of sunshade umbrellas, which comprises a first and a second end part which are connected with each other. The first end part is an insertion portion for a short rib and the insertion portion for a short rib is provided with fixing holes for a short rib. The second end part has the first and the second clamp arm which are disposed opposite to each other. The first and the second clamp arm have a first and a second boss respectively and the first and the second boss are disposed opposite to each other. Preferably, the fixing holes for a short rib of which the number is not less than two are disposed at intervals along the length of the insertion portion for a short rib. The first and the second clamp arm are both in curved or corner shape. The middle disk of sunshade umbrellas is composed of a first and a second part. The first part comprises a first and a second end which are connected with each other and the second end has the first clamp arm.

Abstract: It is described a foldable articulated arm comprising a first rod-shaped element, a second rod-shaped element and a third rod-shaped element foldable one another and at least three stretching element of the rod-shaped elements, arranged to form a system of four-bar linkages, further comprising a plurality of joint elements of the rod-shaped elements and the stretching elements and having, at the opposite ends, a retaining mechanism for a respective combining with a tube and an umbrella sheet, wherein the rod-shaped elements, the joint elements, the stretching elements and the retaining mechanism are all made integral in a single piece of plastic material constituting the foldable articulated arm.

Abstract: An umbrella has a central shaft, a crown, a runner, a plurality of ribs, and a plurality of stretchers. The crown is a polygon each side of which includes a pivot pin mounted in a perpendicular direction to pivotally connect the upper end of a respective one of the ribs to the crown. The runner is a polygon and has a pivot pin mounted to each side in perpendicular direction to pivotally connect the lower end of a respective one of the stretchers to the runner. When the umbrella is closed, each of the ribs and the stretchers is collapsed in a tangential angle to set at one side of the central shaft and the runner and is not interfered with by the central shaft and the runner.

Abstract: A light windproof umbrella is provided with a center post including a top ferrule, an upper grommet, an intermediate sliding ring, and a sliding runner under the sliding ring; ribs each having one end pivotably secured to the grommet and the other end being open; main joints each formed at a portion of the rib proximate to the other end of the rib; auxiliary joints each formed at a portion of the rib between the main joint and the grommet; stretchers each having one end pivotably secured to the sliding ring and the other end moveably secured to the rib; struts each having one end pivotably secured to the sliding runner and the other end pivotably secured to the auxiliary joint; a lower canopy; and an upper canopy in a partial covering relationship to the lower canopy.

Abstract: A light windproof umbrella is provided with a center post including a top ferrule, an upper grommet, an intermediate sliding ring, and a sliding runner under the sliding ring; ribs each having one end pivotably secured to the grommet and the other end being open; main joints each formed at a portion of the rib proximate to the other end of the rib; auxiliary joints each formed at a portion of the rib between the main joint and the grommet; stretchers each having one end pivotably secured to the sliding ring and the other end moveably secured to the rib; struts each having one end pivotably secured to the sliding runner and the other end pivotably secured to the auxiliary joint; a lower canopy; and an upper canopy in a partial covering relationship to the lower canopy.

Abstract: A shade structure is provided, such as an umbrella, particularly a large free-standing umbrella, which can have a variable geometry. In some embodiments, the umbrella can comprise multiple sets of ribs supporting a canopy structure and having a mechanism associated with each set of ribs for influencing the angle or elevation of the rib sets.

Abstract: An umbrella assembly and various embodiments of hub assemblies which provide an umbrellas assembly which is easy to install or remove, is extremely rigid, and is capable of withstanding high wind gusts and other high external forces. A first hub assembly includes a mounting bracket having extended regions for mounting to a hub. A second hub assembly includes securing rings for securely binding mounting brackets to a hub. A third hub assembly includes a mortise-tenon mounting bracket. A fourth hub assembly includes securing rings for securely binding mortise-tenon mounting brackets to a hub. A rib center joint connector having stops is presented. A rotatable fabric connector having a plurality of curved surfaces on the head of the fabric connector is present.

Abstract: The umbrella is constructed with a frame that allows one rib to be manually lifted in order to open the umbrella and allows a manually applied force to be placed on the cover between two adjacent ribs in order to close the umbrella. Mechanical cranks and the like are eliminated. In one embodiment, the upper yoke is movable relative to a fixed lower yoke and the tension in the cover maintains the upper movable yoke in the open condition of the umbrella.

Abstract: The umbrella is constructed with a frame that allows one rib to be manually lifted in order to open the umbrella and allows a manually applied force to be placed on the cover between two adjacent ribs in order to close the umbrella. Mechanical cranks and the like are eliminated. In one embodiment, rods are added to the struts to weight and maintain the lower movable yoke in the open condition of the umbrella. In another embodiment, the tension in the cover maintains the upper movable yoke in the open condition of the umbrella.

Abstract: A modular linkage device used for coupling ribs of a multi-foldable umbrella frame, includes first and second modular linking halves disposed to confront each other in a pivot direction, and respectively having pivotal and pivoting holes registered with each other, and a fastening member including a shank body configured to permit a retained end thereof to fit in the pivotal hole and pass through the registered pivoting hole to be detachably engaged with the second modular linking half while an enlarged abutment end is brought to abut against an outward major surface of the first modular linking half so as to couple the ribs. The fastening member is detachable from the linking halves to permit the shank body to be nondestructively disengaged from the linking halves.

Abstract: A rib assembly of umbrella having added safety to a user and longer service life is provided. The umbrella assembly structure has grooves of the outer and inner ribs faced away from the user. In other words, the sharp edges of the inner and outer ribs are turned away from the user to prevent hand cuts. Structurally, the use of grooved inner rib over a solid rib helps to reduce the weight of the rib assembly. In addition, the umbrella assembly structure has a secure portion of the outer rib removed to maintain the structural strength of the outer rib.

Abstract: An umbrella hub is provided which can comprise a central portion, a body, and an engagement section. The central portion can be configured to receive to an umbrella pole. The body can extend between the central portion and an outer periphery of the hub with the engagement section being located adjacent to the outer periphery thereof. The engagement section can be configured to receive and constrained the movement of an end portion of an umbrella structural member.

Abstract: An umbrella assembly and various embodiments of hub assemblies which provide an umbrellas assembly which is easy to install or remove, is extremely rigid, and is capable of withstanding high wind gusts and other high external forces. A first hub assembly includes a mounting bracket having extended regions for mounting to a hub. A second hub assembly includes securing rings for securely binding mounting brackets to a hub. A third hub assembly includes a mortise-tenon mounting bracket. A fourth hub assembly includes securing rings for securely binding mortise-tenon mounting brackets to a hub. A rib center joint connector having stops is presented. A rotatable fabric connector having a plurality of curved surfaces on the head of the fabric connector is present.

Abstract: A connector is provided for connecting a first portion of a shade structure to a second portion of the structure. The connector can have a first end that can be mechanically coupled with the first portion and a second end that can be mechanically coupled with the second portion of the structure. The second end can have a reinforced portion and an engagement member that extends from the reinforced portion to be movable into and out of the reinforced portion. The engagement member can move between first and second positions to engage or disengage with the second portion of the shade structure.

Abstract: The present inventions relate generally to connectors for interconnecting members of shade structures (e.g. umbrellas and pavilions), such as support ribs and hubs. The connectors can be incorporated or attached to support ribs of shade structures to enable the support ribs to extend from the hubs at various angles to accommodate different shaped canopies. The connectors include an adjustable portion that enables the support ribs to extend to desired points on the periphery of the canopy at an angle that deviates from the angle of the hub channels, which are disposed around the periphery of the hubs.

Abstract: A shade structure is provided, such as an umbrella, particularly a large free-standing umbrella, which can have a variable geometry. In some embodiments, the umbrella can comprise multiple sets of ribs supporting a canopy structure and having a mechanism associated with each set of ribs for influencing the angle or elevation of the rib sets.

Abstract: An umbrella assembly and various embodiments of hub assemblies which provide an umbrellas assembly which is easy to install or remove, is extremely rigid, and is capable of withstanding high wind gusts and other high external forces. A first hub assembly includes a mounting bracket having extended regions for mounting to a hub. A second hub assembly includes securing rings for securely binding mounting brackets to a hub. A third hub assembly includes a mortise-tenon mounting bracket. A fourth hub assembly includes securing rings for securely binding mortise-tenon mounting brackets to a hub. A rib center joint connector having stops is presented. A rotatable fabric connector having a plurality of curved surfaces on the head of the fabric connector is present.

Abstract: An umbrella is provided that comprises a pole, ribs, an uppermost hub, a hub below the uppermost hub, and at least one handle. The hub below the uppermost hub comprises a first hub component and a second hub component each comprising alternating recesses and projections extending substantially radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the pole and being configured to receive ribs of the umbrella. The handle can be operably connectable with the uppermost hub and the second hub component, and downward movement of the handle causes downward movement of the uppermost hub and the upward movement of ends of a first plurality of ribs. Further, upward movement of the second hub component causes upward movement of ends of the second plurality of ribs relative to the ends of the first plurality of ribs to modify a profile of the canopy.

Abstract: Device for reducing the wind resistance of the protective fabric, particularly of a parasol of the type mainly including a pole, a protective fabric, and a supporting frame having stiff ribs connected, via one end thereof and by means of a hinge, to the top portion of the pole, each rib being connected, by a connecting rod or brace and hinges, to a socket or annular block-slideably mounted along said. The device is characterized in that fabric freely rests on the ribs, at least on the distal portion of the latter, and in that a flexible slat capable of elastic deformation in the vertical plane and connected to the fabric is placed on the top side of each rib, in the vertical plane and along the latter, said flexible slats being attached to the ribs at a point remote from the distal end of the latter.

Abstract: An umbrella assembly and various embodiments of hub assemblies which provide an umbrellas assembly which is easy to install or remove, is extremely rigid, and is capable of withstanding high wind gusts and other high external forces. A first hub assembly includes a mounting bracket having extended regions for mounting to a hub. A second hub assembly includes securing rings for securely binding mounting brackets to a hub. A third hub assembly includes a mortise-tenon mounting bracket. A fourth hub assembly includes securing rings for securely binding mortise-tenon mounting brackets to a hub. A rib center joint connector having stops is presented. A rotatable fabric connector having a plurality of curved surfaces on the head of the fabric connector is present.

Abstract: There is disclosed a combination of a sunshade and a terrace heater with light 1. The combination includes a sunshade/canopy 2 mounted on support rods 4 that may be pivoted between a collapsed and a suspended state. Moreover, the combination includes a light element and a heater element with a lattice cage 9 and a reflector plate 10 disposed above it. The canopy 2 is formed of an annular body with a central aperture where the reflector plate 10 has a size of circumference largely corresponding to the central opening in the canopy. The reflector plate 10 extends over a distance from the lattice cage 9 corresponding to the height of the lattice cage 9. Hereby is formed an interspace 13 for ejecting radiant heat with the canopy in collapsed condition when the support rods 4 are connected with the inner side of the reflector plate 10 via a hinge 5 in a position immediately close to the lattice cage 9.

Abstract: A sunshade includes a shaft supporting a set of umbrella ribs mounted for movement on the shaft between opened and closed positions. The sunshade further includes a cloth coupled to the umbrella ribs for movement therewith relative to the shaft to provide a protective cover in the opened position of the set of umbrella ribs.

Abstract: An umbrella includes a staff assembly, a plurality of upper ribs, a plurality of corresponding lower ribs and a canopy. The staff assembly includes an inner staff member and an outer staff member slidably mounted thereon. The upper ribs are pivotally connected to the inner staff member. The lower ribs are pivotally connected to the outer staff member and to the upper ribs. The canopy is mounted on the upper or lower ribs. Sliding the inner and outer staff members with respect to each other in a longitudinal direction thereof shifts the ribs and the canopy between a deployed position in which the ribs and canopy extend generally radially outwardly from the staff assembly so as to open the umbrella, and a retracted position in which the ribs and the canopy are collapsed inwardly toward, the staff assembly so as to close the umbrella.

Abstract: A connector is provided to connect a structural rib of a structure to another rib or portion of the structure, such as an umbrella. The connector comprises first and second ends, and can include a reinforcing rib and/or a closure member. The second end comprises at least one recess extending from a side of the connector. The recess can comprise an open end configured to be coupled to a mounting member of an umbrella hub or rib and a closed end configured to rest on or retain the mounting member. The reinforcing rib can extend between the first and second ends of the connector to enhance its strength. The closure member, if present, can be biased to allow or restrict access to the open end of the recess to retain the mounting member in the closed ends thereof.

Abstract: The umbrella of the preferred embodiments includes a shaft, a canopy, and a spoke system, coupled to the shaft and to the canopy, which supports the canopy and provides a mechanism to open and close the canopy. The spoke system of the preferred embodiments includes a canopy spoke, coupled to the shaft and to the canopy, having a geometry that defines a canopy coupling element; a support spoke, coupled to the shaft and to the canopy spoke, having a geometry that defines a support coupling element; and a first release mechanism that includes the canopy coupling element and the support coupling element. The umbrella 10 is preferably designed to prevent the passage of precipitation or sun and, more specifically, designed to be an umbrella that can be easily assembled, disassembled, repaired, and recycled. The umbrella 10, however, may be alternatively used in any suitable environment and for any suitable reason.

Abstract: An umbrella includes a shank, a fixed ring mounted on the shank, a movable ring movably mounted on the shank, a plurality of mounting brackets secured on the fixed ring and the movable ring, a plurality of ribs each detachably connected with the respective mounting bracket on the fixed ring, a plurality of spreaders each detachably connected with the respective mounting bracket on the movable ring, and a plurality of locking mechanisms each mounted in the respective rib and the respective spreader and each detachably locked onto the respective mounting bracket to detachably lock each of the ribs and the spreaders onto the respective mounting bracket. Thus, each of the spreaders and the ribs can be detached from the respective mounting bracket, so that each of the spreaders and the ribs can be removed for replacement.

Abstract: An umbrella includes a shank, a fixed ring mounted on the shank, a movable ring mounted on the shank, a plurality of connecting members pivotally connected with the fixed ring and the movable ring, a plurality of locking mechanisms each mounted in the respective connecting member, a plurality of ribs each detachably mounted on the respective connecting member on the fixed ring and each releasably locked onto the respective locking mechanism, and a plurality of spreaders each detachably mounted on the respective connecting member on the movable ring and each releasably locked onto the respective locking mechanism. Thus, each of the spreaders and the ribs can be detached from the respective connecting member easily and quickly by operation of each of the locking mechanisms.

Abstract: A connector is provided to connect a structural rib of a structure to another rib or portion of the structure, such as an umbrella. The connector comprises first and second ends, and can include a reinforcing rib and/or a closure member. The second end comprises at least one recess extending from a side of the connector. The recess can comprise an open end configured to be coupled to a mounting member of an umbrella hub or rib and a closed end configured to rest on or retain the mounting member. The reinforcing rib can extend between the first and second ends of the connector to enhance its strength. The closure member, if present, can be biased to allow or restrict access to the open end of the recess to retain the mounting member in the closed ends thereof.

Abstract: An umbrella includes a shank, a fixed ring mounted on the shank, a movable ring movably mounted on the shank, a plurality of ribs each pivotally and detachably connected with the fixed ring, and a plurality of spreaders each pivotally and detachably connected with the movable ring. Thus, each of the spreaders and the ribs can be removed from the movable ring and the fixed ring respectively for replacement or maintenance, thereby enhancing the lifetime of the umbrella.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a connecting device designed for connecting umbrella ribs and specifically refers to one installed on each pivoted part existing among all lengthwise ribs and transverse ribs and it contains a hollow tubular sleeve sheathed on the lengthwise rib and a socket sleeve mounted on the top of the transverse rib. The hollow tubular sleeve has two symmetrical elongated wings where the pinholes existed respectively. The socket sleeve is the same as the hollow tubular sleeve having two symmetrical elongated wings where pinholes are on the same line with the central bore located on the top of the socket sleeve. There are slots formed between the socket sleeve and its two symmetrical elongated wings for receiving two symmetrical elongated wings of the hollow tubular sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a connecting device designed for connecting umbrella ribs and specifically refers to one installed on each pivoted part existing among all lengthwise ribs and transverse ribs and it contains a hollow tubular sleeve sheathed on the lengthwise rib and a socket sleeve mounted on the top of the transverse rib. The hollow tubular sleeve has two symmetrical elongated wings where the pinholes existed respectively. The socket sleeve is the same as the hollow tubular sleeve having two symmetrical elongated wings where pinholes are on the same line with the central bore located on the top of the socket sleeve. There are slots formed between the socket sleeve and its two symmetrical elongated wings for receiving two symmetrical elongated wings of the hollow tubular sleeve.

Abstract: Umbrella rib assembly is presented for use in strutless umbrella having a pin and slide canopy conducting mechanism. The rib assembly comprises a longitudinal rib body having a pivot member at its end, and a rib lever extending from the rib body, and being characterized in that the pivot member and the rib body together with the rib lever present a single piece of material, and the pivot member is located in a corner formed between the rib body and the rib lever.

Abstract: A connector is provided to connect a structural rib of a structure to another rib or portion of the structure, such as an umbrella. The connector comprises first and second ends, and can include a reinforcing rib and/or a closure member. The second end comprises at least one recess extending from a side of the connector. The recess can comprise an open end configured to be coupled to a mounting member of an umbrella hub or rib and a closed end configured to rest on or retain the mounting member. The reinforcing rib can extend between the first and second ends of the connector to enhance its strength. The closure member, if present, can be biased to allow or restrict access to the open end of the recess to retain the mounting member in the closed ends thereof.

Abstract: An umbrella has a shaft having upper and lower ends, a slide piece, and a head piece. One of the pieces has an upper part and a lower part having faces that are engaged together and that form a plurality of seats of predetermined diameter spaced angularly about the shaft. The parts are also formed at each seat with a radially outwardly open and axially extending notch of an angular width substantially smaller than the diameter of the respective seat. They are fixed together at the faces. Respective rib or strut elements each have a shaft of a width at most equal to the notch width and a head of a diameter smaller than the seat diameter. The heads are received in the seats and the shafts project outward from the respective seats through the respective notches. A standard canopy is fitted over the ribs outside the head piece.

Abstract: An umbrella includes a staff assembly, a plurality of upper ribs, a plurality of corresponding lower ribs and a canopy. The staff assembly includes an inner staff member and an outer staff member slidably mounted thereon. The upper ribs are pivotally connected to the inner staff member. The lower ribs are pivotally connected to the outer staff member and to the upper ribs. The canopy is mounted on the upper or lower ribs. Sliding the inner and outer staff members with respect to each other in a longitudinal direction thereof shifts the ribs and the canopy between a deployed position in which the ribs and canopy extend generally radially outwardly from the staff assembly so as to open the umbrella, and a retracted position in which the ribs and the canopy are collapsed inwardly toward, the staff assembly so as to close the umbrella.

Abstract: An umbrella frame provides a stable and enduring support for an umbrella canopy while also allowing canopies of varying shapes and sizes to be mounted thereto. The umbrella frame includes a hub assembly, namely, a main hub member mounted about a central pole member of the umbrella frame which offers improved means for attaching brackets thereto which are structured to pivotally receive a plurality of strut members therein, which strut members are, in turn, pivotally secured to a plurality of rib members interconnected with an upper, secondary hub. The main hub member of the present invention preferably includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and a channel having at least one ledge formed therebetween, with a band formed from a flattened strip of metal secured within the channel about the hub member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hinge coupling comprising a first connective section comprising a hollow first cylinder at one end with a first piece fastened therein, two parallel projections at the other end, each projection having a bent end, a bore in an intermediate portion open to the external, and a bar interconnected the bent ends, the bar being not aligned with rest of the first connective section, and a second connective section comprising an extension at one end, a hollow second cylinder substantially passed from one end to the other end, an intermediate recess, and a groove formed at bottom of the recess. The bar is fastened in the groove by snapping through the recess, a second piece is inserted into the second cylinder by passing over the bar, and the extension is inserted into the bore by counterclockwise pivoting about the bar. Both sections are parallel after folding.

Abstract: One embodiment of a beach umbrella comprises a telescopic shank and a folding radial frame including ribs each including a first segment, a second segment, and a hinge pivotably interconnecting the segments, and spreaders each having one end pivotably connected to the first segment and the other end pivotably connected to a ring on the shank. The segments are substantially parallel in response to folding the hinges. The shank includes an upper support tube, a lower sliding tube adapted to slide in the support tube, and a rotatable locking device fixedly provided on a top of the sliding tube. The sliding tube is adapted to manually raise or lower to a plurality of vertical positions relative to the support tube, and the sliding tube is adapted to be locked in a selected one of the vertical positions.

Abstract: Improved reversibly expandable structures are formed from novel loop assemblies comprising a plurality of links, each of said links having at least one center pivot joint and a plurality of end pivot joints, each of at least two of said plurality of end pivot joints proximate to the outer edge of said loop assembly and connected to another link; each of said plurality of links being connected to another one of said plurality of links by at least two end pivot joints thereby forming a link pair, said loop assembly comprising at least three link pairs, each of said at least three link pairs connected to at least two other link pairs through at least one of said end pivot joints; each of said at least three link pairs connected to a central piece that is central to the loop assembly, said central piece being rotatable around a central axis, wherein the rotation of the central piece reversibly expands said loop assembly.

Abstract: An umbrella includes a shaft with a runner movably mounted thereto and a first cap and a second cap are respectively connected to a top end of the shaft. The first cap is located closer than the second cap to the second end of the shaft. A plurality of first ribs pivotably connected to the second end cap and a main panel is mounted to the first ribs. The main panel has a hole with a center at the shaft. Each first rib has a join connected thereto and each joint having a first passage through which the first rib extends and a second passage through which one of second ribs extends. Each second rib has a first end thereof pivotably connected to the first cap and a section of the second end of each of the second ribs is overlapped on the main panel. A sub-panel is attached to the second ribs and covers the hole in the main panel. A plurality of stretchers are pivotably connected between the runner and the joints.