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: The tilt mechanism has a pair of tubular members and a catch which is fixedly mounted in the upper member and pivotally mounted in the lower member to permit tilting of the two members relative to each other. A pin is mounted in the lower member and is biased into one of several recesses in the lower end of the catch in order to hold the sections in either an upright or a tilted position relative to each other. A coil spring is used to bias the pin into a recess of the catch. Pulling down on the pin allows the tubular members to be tilted relative to each other.

Abstract: The chair frame of a swivel rocker is slidably mounted via a pair of sleeves on the arms of a pair of flexures mounted on the base of the rocker to allow the chair frame to be moved into different positions on the flexures. Bolts are used to secure the sleeves in place on the flexures. Movement of the sleeves along the flexures changes the position at which the weight of an occupant is transferred to the flexures and thereby changes the bending moments imposed on the flexures.

Abstract: The seat pad as a free-standing structure which provides a seat and back. A pair of contoured rigid bars are enclosed within opposite sides of a fabric sleeve to shape the sleeve into a seat and back. In addition, a web of densified padding is disposed between the bars and within the fabric sleeve to bias the rigid bars outwardly of each other to flatten the sleeve. Rows of stitching are employed to secure the padding to the fabric to provide not only reinforcement but also a pleasing aesthetic appearance to the seat pad.