Fastener Patents (Class 135/33.4)
  • Patent number: 11898774
    Abstract: The misting system has, in one embodiment, two seats with misting heads above each seat. A platform supports the seats, a tank, a pump and a power source. A supply line couples the tank-supplied pump and the misters. Removable canopy is mounted above seats by vertical and curvaceous struts and the misters are mounted on the struts. A user actuated UA control on the seat(s) activates pump ON to release mist. Wheels make the module mobile. Battery, solar power, and chiller are options. A countdown timer turns OFF the pump or controllable, inline valves after initial activation of the UA control. A level sensor in the tank alerts the user via a user display. A pressurized system can be used. Multiple modules coupled together are controlled by a master module with master controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SINKFIELD AND HART ENTERPRISES, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Joseph Sinkfield, C. Brian Hart, Robert C. Kain, Sr.
  • Patent number: 11598538
    Abstract: The misting system has, in one embodiment, two seats with misting heads above each seat. A platform supports the seats, a tank, a pump and a power source. A supply line couples the tank-supplied pump and the misters. Removable canopy is mounted above seats by vertical and curvaceous struts and the misters are mounted on the struts. A user actuated UA control on the seat(s) activates pump ON to release mist. Wheels make the module mobile. Battery, solar power, and chiller are options. A countdown timer turns OFF the pump or controllable, inline valves after initial activation of the UA control. A level sensor in the tank alerts the user via a user display. A pressurized system can be used. Multiple modules coupled together are controlled by a master module with master controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph Sinkfield, C. Brian Hart, Robert C. Kain, Sr.
  • Patent number: 10617185
    Abstract: An umbrella with umbrella cloth connected using retaining blocks is disclosed. The retaining blocks each have a block body fastened one rib of the umbrella, and two retaining plates respectively extended from the periphery of the block body toward each other. The umbrella cloth has a plurality of radial engagement portions at the bottom side thereof that are respectively inserted in between the retaining plates of the retaining blocks and clamped in place by the retaining plates. This design achieves easy assembly, reduces manufacturing costs and extends the lifespan of the umbrella.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Inventor: Sheng-Chun Li
  • Patent number: 9516934
    Abstract: A tip element, for mounting on to a rib of an umbrella frame, comprises a pair of wings, and optionally a mounting portion for mounting onto the umbrella rib. The wings at least defining an outer edge for a canopy mounted on the umbrella frame, wherein one wing may be mounted for pivotal movement relative to the umbrella rib. The wings, or at least one of the wings, can be pivotally mounted to the mounting portion by living or other hinges. Alternatively, the wings can be pivot directly about the umbrella rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventors: Hubert Samuel Frost, Paul W. Dorsett
  • Publication number: 20130284221
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: Peter John Beaulieu
  • Patent number: 8485206
    Abstract: A sun shade designed for portability and selective angular orientation in a body of water. The device comprises an umbrella portion, together with at least two distally joined buoyant members to keep the umbrella from sinking. The umbrella portion's cover comprises generally opaque material to keep the sun's rays from penetrating. The user orients the expanded umbrella towards the sun and allows the umbrella to float on the buoyant members while the user is below the umbrella. The shape and selective angular orientation of the sun shade enable the user to block rays of the sun from 0° to 90° relative to the surface of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Janice Elaine Rose
  • Patent number: 8360081
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruno Zweideck
  • Patent number: 8220473
    Abstract: A foldable umbrella capable of auto-adjustment of the umbrella cloth comprises: a plurality of foldable ribs; an umbrella pole for connecting one ends of the ribs; an umbrella cloth expanded along a space spanned by the ribs; at least one connection portion located on an inner side of the umbrella cloth and two adjacent ribs. Each connection portion includes two L-shaped retainers and one connecting unit; and each L-shaped retainer is made of flexible and bendable material. When the umbrella is folded, by the clamping effect of the two L-shaped retainers of one connection portion, the umbrella cloth will present a smooth folded shape so that the umbrella cloth is folded along the umbrella pole easily. Thus the umbrella cloth can be folded easily, rapidly, and directly with a beautiful outlook and a small size. It is difficult to be damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: Han-Hsiang Chang
  • Publication number: 20110265836
    Abstract: An umbrella is disclosed. In one embodiment, the umbrella includes an extensible, collapsible handle adapted to interchangeably secure the umbrella to a surface to allow for hands-free operation while a user is beneath the umbrella in order to remain dry and shaded. In at least one embodiment, the umbrella includes a retractable, magnetic attachment device in the handle. The umbrella includes a multiplicity of angle, pivot, and rotation configurations for use. The umbrella is adapted to pivot and bend in various locations. The umbrella provides for hands-free use when mounted. It at least one embodiment, the umbrella includes one or more of a shaft light and a frame light to provide illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventor: Cindy A. Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20110030745
    Abstract: A foldable umbrella with one-piece umbrella cloth includes a frame, a one-piece umbrella cloth, and a plurality of connecting pieces. The frame has a shaft, a runner, a plurality of stretchers, and a plurality of ribs. The runner is slidably disposed on the shaft. One end of each of the ribs is radially connected to the distal end of the shaft. A first rod of the rib has at least one penetrating hole. One end of each of the stretchers is together connected to the runner, and the other end of each of the stretchers is connected to the first rods respectively. The one-piece umbrella cloth is integrally formed without seams, disposed on the ribs, and connected thereto via the connecting pieces through the inside of the one-piece umbrella cloth and the penetrating hole of the first rod; therefore it can protect against the penetration of rain reliably.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: Feng-To Yu
  • Publication number: 20100024854
    Abstract: An umbrella includes a shaft, a notch, a runner, a plurality of ribs, a plurality of stretchers, a plurality of tips and an umbrella cloth. The notch is fixed with the shaft, the runner slides on the shaft, the ribs are connected with the notch pivotally, the stretchers are pivotally connected between the runner and the ribs, the tips are fixed to the ribs, two ribs are inserted into each tip, and there is a clearance between the two ribs inserted into the same tip, umbrella cloth is fixed with ribs, ribs are covered with umbrella cloth, and umbrella cloth has a plurality of folded parts passing through the clearances respectively. Accordingly, the umbrella cloth of the invention is different from a conventional umbrella cloth which is made by sewing together many small panels of waterproof cloth with each other, so that the umbrella cloth has higher waterproof ability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventor: Feng-To Yu
  • Patent number: 7654274
    Abstract: An umbrella includes a shaft, a notch, a runner, a plurality of ribs, a plurality of stretchers, a plurality of tips and an umbrella cloth. The notch is fixed with the shaft, the runner slides on the shaft, the ribs are connected with the notch pivotally, the stretchers are pivotally connected between the runner and the ribs, the tips are fixed to the ribs, two ribs are inserted into each tip, and there is a clearance between the two ribs inserted into the same tip, umbrella cloth is fixed with ribs, ribs are covered with umbrella cloth, and umbrella cloth has a plurality of folded parts passing through the clearances respectively. Accordingly, the umbrella cloth of the invention is different from a conventional umbrella cloth which is made by sewing together many small panels of waterproof cloth with each other, so that the umbrella cloth has higher waterproof ability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventor: Feng-To Yu
  • Publication number: 20090120478
    Abstract: A lightweight vertical attachment shield that forms a canopy like structure for protection from falling rain when the vertical attachment shield is attached underneath any conventional umbrella in an open arrangement. The vertical attachment shield is attached about the circumference of the conventional umbrella via spring-loaded plastic clips and elastic nooses. When attached to a conventional umbrella, the vertical attachment shield has a length that extends a few inches from the ground. The vertical attachment shield includes a clear view window, as well as vent and hand openings for added convenience and comfort for the user. Alternatively, the vertical shield attachment shield attaches to unique designed umbrella via snap buttons located around the upper rim of the vertical attachment shield and on the underside of the unique designed umbrella. A vertical umbrella stand is utilized to aid in assembling and disassembling the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventor: Godfrey B. Church
  • Patent number: 7527063
    Abstract: A kind of rib structure in an umbrella with two layers of umbrella cover mainly uses a thinner metal bar to be bent and formed the sleeve rings and paralleled long and short skeletons, and circular rings are wrapped in the end of the long and short skeletons. The sleeve ring is used to be sleeve-set directly on the position close to the mounting seat of the last folded rib with rounded bar shape in the umbrella rib. A front edge of the upper layer umbrella cover is fix-mounted on the upper rib-mounting nest of umbrella, and its lower edge is mounted on the circular ring of the long skeleton by the silk wire. The front edge in the lower layer of umbrella cover is mounted on the circular ring of the short skeleton by the silk wire, and its lower edge is mounted on the ball tail of the last folded rib by the silk wire. The upper and lower layers of umbrella cover can be linked by this independent sleeve-set method without the need of change in original elements of the umbrella rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Inventor: Hsia Hui Chen
  • Publication number: 20090071519
    Abstract: An umbrella is provided that comprises a canopy and a support structure upon which the canopy is supported. The canopy can comprise a first panel and a second panel. The support structure can comprise a spacer configured to provide a gap separating the first and second panels to permit air to be vented through the canopy. A method of venting an umbrella is also provided wherein the method comprises providing a plurality of gaps in the canopy extending substantially horizontally, when the umbrella is open, between at least one pair of adjacent ribs and located along the at least one pair of adjacent ribs, and providing a plurality of spacers mounted on the at least one pair of adjacent ribs to open the gaps when the umbrella is on use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventor: Oliver Joen-an Ma
  • Publication number: 20080210281
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Erin MacDonald, Njemile Vinson, Tony Koenigsknecht, Marc Uphues
  • Publication number: 20040226592
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an umbrella undercanopy fastening system including a plurality of reclosable fasteners. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a fastening system comprising a first and second member. The first member has a first portion of a fastening device. The second member has a second portion of the fastening device adapted to engage the first portion of the fastening device in a reclosable manner. The reclosable fasteners may be used, fore example, for securing a lighting system to an undercanopy of an umbrella.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventor: Mike Nipke
  • Patent number: 6681784
    Abstract: An umbrella facet connecting mechanism which mainly comprises the umbrella facet connection, there is a bending position on said umbrella facet connection, and there settles a connecting portion on two ends portion and the bending portion respectively; the connecting portion on one end of the umbrella facet connection is fixed and connected with the second umbrella facet, whereas another end portion and the connecting portion on bending being fixed and connected with the first umbrella facet so that the peripheral of the first umbrella facet overlaps and connects with that of the second umbrella facet and there keeps a space so when the umbrella facet is on the accepting wind facet said stream could be vent from the space between the overlap position of the first and the second umbrella facet to avoid the flip-out of the major bone of the umbrella to achieve the purpose of anti-winds as well as elonger the usage lifetime of the umbrella.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Fortune Umbrella Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fu-Yi Chou, Chiu-Chan Yen
  • Patent number: 6604846
    Abstract: A selectively collapsible lamp shade in which the shade is extended between upper and lower rings, the rings being held apart by a series of struts which are transverse to and engage the rings in a series of equidistant supports about the perimeter of the shade. The struts are pre formed to define the shape of the shade and inhibit improper installation of the struts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Jerry Strickland
  • Patent number: 6520193
    Abstract: An umbrella comprises an umbrella frame, a lower cloth, and an upper cloth, the upper cloth being in covering relation to an upper periphery of the lower cloth. The upper periphery in each sector of the lower cloth is formed as a suspending cambered-recess element. A plurality of cambered-recess elements are formed by a piece of elongate cloth. A continuous multiple-lobe element is formed along the upper periphery of the lower cloth by stitching the suspending cambered-recess elements to the upper periphery of the lower cloth. The upper periphery of each unit of the lower cloth is loosely connected to each sector of the upper cloth so that a plurality of vents are formed between the upper periphery of the lower cloth and a periphery of the upper cloth for venting wind therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Ching-Chuan You
  • Publication number: 20020139406
    Abstract: This invention discloses a connecting structure of an umbrella tip, which has an axial hole for receiving a tail rib. The tip has provided with a side engaging groove and the tail rib has provided with an elastic outward extended folded slice at its end side. While the tail rib inserts into the axial hole of the tip, the folded slice being firmly engaged with the engaging groove automatically. The manufacturing and the assembling of the tip and the tail rib are easy and convenient that obtains improved effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventor: Chin-Sung Ko
  • Publication number: 20010025647
    Abstract: A retractable umbrella jacket structure which can be assembled and disassembled comprising a water-guiding plug, water-collection collar and umbrella jacket, screw ring, the water-guiding plug allowing the tip of the umbrella to pass through and being secured, and the water-guiding plug passed through the water-collection collar, and the umbrella jacket being a plurality of tapered mounting rings, characterized in that the top end of the water-collection collar is mounted with a hollow screw seat, after the first mounting ring is mounted onto the water-collection collar, screwed ring is secured to the screw seat such that the umbrella jacket is engaged at the water-collection jacket, and if the screwed ring is removed, the umbrella jacket is disengaged from the water-collection jacket, and the hollow screw seat of the water-collection jacket is mounted with a spring and a water-discharging valve, the water discharging valve is a hollow cap extended with a teeth-like valve rod having an inverted hook at the to
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventors: Tsung-Tai Chen, Tsung-Cheng Chen, Tsung-Heng Chen