Abstract: An umbrella has a shaft anchorable in or on the ground or in the air by an anchor and defining an axis and a canopy movable between an unfolded open position in which it is wavy and a folded position inclined to the axis, made of a preferably nonstretching membrane or fabric, formed of a whole number of polygonal sections with outer corners defining alternating high points and low points, traversed at a center by the shaft, centrally axially slidable along the shaft or centrally fixed on the shaft, and having an outer edge. An array of rods extending radially from and pivoted on the shaft extend in the open unfolded position from the shaft to the corners. These rods are wholly above the canopy and do not pass through the canopy.

Abstract: Previously known protective canopy structures which discharge accumulating rain water in an outward direction are characterized in that the members (30) required for stretching the canopy area (10) are entirely or partly disposed below the canopy area (10), a setup which has the disadvantage of the members (30) spoiling the esthetic appearance while the use of the canopy area (10) as an advertising surface or reflecting surface is restricted from below. The aim of the invention is not to affect the canopy area (10) from below. Said aim is achieved by arranging all members (30) required for opening the protective canopy structure exclusively above the canopy area, resulting in a large variety of embodiments which mainly show the applicability of the invention to many different canopy areas and opening mechanisms.