Abstract: A clamp 10 for holding two elongate members 23a, 23b so that they extend at a preset angle from each other, comprising: two clamp portions 12, 14 each having co-operating engaging surfaces 16a, 16b, each clamp portion having an axial bore 18a, 18b extending perpendicularly to the engaging surfaces and a receiving portion for holding one of the elongate members; a stem or rod 19, passing through the bore of the clamp portions and attached at one end to a lever or handle 20 for rotating the stem in the bore, and a cam acting between the stem and at least one of the clamp portions so that the clamp portions can be moved from a position in which the engaging surfaces are not engaged to a position in which the engaging surfaces co-operatively engage by rotating the lever by approximately 90°.

Abstract: An umbrella frame has a two-part shaft, having a lower portion (10), upon which a runner (12) is slidably mounted, and an upper portion (14). When assembled the upper portion (14) of the shaft is mounted on the lower portion (10) of the shaft by means which allow it to tilt with respect to the lower portion, when the runner is rotated after having opened the umbrella frame. With the frame in the open position the runner engages with a rotating element (34) having a helical thread (36). The thread engages with teeth (30) on a gear element (28) attached to the upper portion of the shaft. Rotation of the rotating element causes the teeth to ride in the thread, which causes the upper portion to tilt. This makes it possible for a user to tilt the umbrella simply by rotating the runner.

Abstract: An umbrella frame includes an upper shaft part 2 and a lower shaft part 1, the two parts being connected by a tilting joint to enable the upper part to tilt with respect to the lower, a runner 4 sliding on the lower shaft part 1, for spreading a cover on the umbrella frame into its unfurled configuration when slid upwardly, and an actuator connected to the upper shaft part 2 and passing down the shaft, through or past the runner 4 when in its upper position with the umbrella open, to an operating location on the lower shaft part 1, the actuator being accessible at its lower end to allow an operator to tilt the upper shaft part 2.

Abstract: A tilting umbrella frame includes an upper shaft part and a lower shaft part, the two parts being connected by a tilting joint to enable the upper shaft part to tilt about an axis with respect to the lower shaft part. A runner slides on the lower shalt part, to spread the cover of the umbrella into its unfurled configuration, and once the umbrella is unfurled, to tilt the upper shaft part. A lever connected to and arranged outside the upper shaft part transmits a pushing force from the runner to the upper shaft part as the runner is pushed beyond a predetermined point at or near the point corresponding to the completely unfurled configuration. The lower end of the lever is held captive in the runner during tilting to enable the runner to pull the shaft back to the straight configuration.

Abstract: A frame for an umbrella has a shaft in two parts 4, 5 connected by a joint 1. Stretchers 6 extend from a runner 2 on the lower shaft part 5 to attachment points on the ribs. A sleeve 10 is located loosely on the upper shaft part so that it can slide over the joint and lock it in the straight configuration. To provide easy access to the sleeve in order to be able to lift it off the joint and allow the shaft to tilt, the runner 2 has an operating rod 30 which allows a user to lift the sleeve without putting his fingers through the stretchers 6.

Abstract: An umbrella handle has an aperture at one end into which an umbrella shaft can be inserted. The handle has a sleeve-shaped integral axial extension on the shaft side for receiving a tip-cup to be slidably mounted thereon, the sleeve having an abutment over which a tip-cup can be passed before assembly of the handle to an umbrella shaft, to prevent the tip-cup sliding off the extension along the shaft after assembly.