Patents by Inventor Benson Tung

Benson Tung has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11432627
    Abstract: A sunshade switchable between a manual mode and an electric mode includes an operating device having a shaft. A driven gear is rotatably coupled to the shaft. A driving gear for electric mode is rotatable in unison with the shaft. A runner interlocks with the shaft. The shaft is movable to couple with the driven gear for electric mode or the driving gear for manual mode. When the driven gear for electric mode is coupled with the shaft, a motor can be used to move the runner for folding, unfolding, tilting, or straightening the sunshade. When the driving gear for manual mode is coupled with the shaft, a handle can be operated to move the runner for folding, unfolding, tilting, or straightening the sunshade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Inventor: Benson Tung
  • Publication number: 20220151349
    Abstract: A sunshade switchable between a manual mode and an electric mode includes an operating device having a shaft. A driven gear is rotatably coupled to the shaft. A driving gear for electric mode is rotatable in unison with the shaft. A runner interlocks with the shaft. The shaft is movable to couple with the driven gear for electric mode or the driving gear for manual mode. When the driven gear for electric mode is coupled with the shaft, a motor can be used to move the runner for folding, unfolding, tilting, or straightening the sunshade. When the driving gear for manual mode is coupled with the shaft, a handle can be operated to move the runner for folding, unfolding, tilting, or straightening the sunshade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventor: Benson Tung
  • Patent number: 10448715
    Abstract: A modular umbrella includes a fixed hub device mounted on a top end of a post and a runner device slideably mounted to the post. The fixed hub device is detachably coupled with four, six, or eight rib seats for coupling with a corresponding number of ribs. A corresponding number of stretchers is detachably mounted between the ribs and the rib seats. Thus, the modular umbrella can be assembled to include four, six, or eight ribs and can be arranged to support a square or rectangular canopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Inventor: Benson Tung
  • Publication number: 20190226229
    Abstract: A modular umbrella includes a fixed hub device mounted on a top end of a post and a runner device slideably mounted to the post. The fixed hub device is detachably coupled with four, six, or eight rib seats for coupling with a corresponding number of ribs. A corresponding number of stretchers is detachably mounted between the ribs and the rib seats. Thus, the modular umbrella can be assembled to include four, six, or eight ribs and can be arranged to support a square or rectangular canopy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventor: Benson Tung
  • Patent number: 9615637
    Abstract: An umbrella includes a fixing tube and a coupling member mounted on an end of the fixing tube. A positioning ring is mounted around and not rotatable relative to the coupling member. A rotational sleeve is rotatably mounted to the coupling member and is spaced from the positioning ring. A driving jacket is mounted around the connecting ring and the positioning ring. The driving jacket is fixed to the positioning ring and is movable between an engagement position in which the positioning ring engages with the connecting ring and a disengagement position in which the positioning ring disengages from the connecting ring. The rotational sleeve is rotatable relative to the coupling member when the driving jacket is in the disengagement position, permitting a change in an orientation of a tilted canopy of the umbrella to face the sun for obtaining a better shielding effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Benson Tung
  • Patent number: 8899250
    Abstract: A tiltable sunshade (12) includes a pole (111) rotatably receiving a rod (573) around which a helical spring (579) is mounted. The helical spring (579) can be rotated by operating a handle (213) to cause movement of a follower (599) in the pole (111) between a folded position and an unfolded position and an optional tilted position to fold ribs (451), unfold the ribs (451), and optionally tilt the ribs (451), respectively. When the follower (599) is in the unfolded position or the tilted position, if a canopy (475), the ribs (475), or stretchers (451) of the tiltable sunshade (12) is subjected to an external force causing the runner (297) to move along the longitudinal axis of the pole (111), the helical spring (579) is compressed by the follower (599) and undergoes elastic deformation, providing a buffering effect to the external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventor: Benson Tung
  • Publication number: 20140182640
    Abstract: A rotatable sunshade includes a pole rotatably coupled to a connection tube fixed to a base. A runner is slideably mounted around the pole to fold, unfold, or tilt a canopy. A control tube is slideably mounted around the pole. When the canopy is tilted and the control tube is in an engagement position, at least one tooth of the control tube engages with at least one tooth of a positioning ring fixed to the connection tube, and the pole is not rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the pole relative to the connection tube. When the canopy is tilted and the control tube is in a disengagement position, the at least one tooth of the control tube disengages from the at least one tooth of the positioning ring, and the pole is rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the connection tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventor: Benson Tung
  • Patent number: 8763620
    Abstract: A rotatable sunshade includes a pole rotatably coupled to a connection tube fixed to a base. A runner is slideably mounted around the pole to fold, unfold, or tilt a canopy. A control tube is slideably mounted around the pole. When the canopy is tilted and the control tube is in an engagement position, at least one tooth of the control tube engages with at least one tooth of a positioning ring fixed to the connection tube, and the pole is not rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the pole relative to the connection tube. When the canopy is tilted and the control tube is in a disengagement position, the at least one tooth of the control tube disengages from the at least one tooth of the positioning ring, and the pole is rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the connection tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: Benson Tung
  • Patent number: 8534304
    Abstract: A tiltable sunshade (12) includes a pole (111) rotatably receiving a screw rod (511) that can be rotated by operating a handle (213) to cause movement of a follower (277) in the pole (111) between a folded position, an unfolded position, and a tilted position to fold ribs (451), unfold the ribs (451), and tilt the ribs (451), respectively. The screw rod (511) has a large pitch portion (519) and a small pitch portion (517). When the follower (277) moves between the folded position and the unfolded position, the follower (277) moves along the large pitch portion (519) at a first speed. When the follower (277) moves between the unfolded position and the tilted position, the follower (277) moves along the small pitch portion (517) at a second speed smaller than the first speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventor: Benson Tung
  • Patent number: 8522804
    Abstract: A sunshade (12) includes a pole (111) rotatably receiving a screw rod (295) that is can be rotated by operating a handle (213) to cause movement of a follower (277) in the pole (111) between a folded position, an unfolded position, and a tilted position. A runner (297) is mounted around the pole (111) and fixed to the follower (277) to move therewith. A pivotable member (383) is pivotably connected to a fixing member (363) fixed on an upper end (113) of the pole (111). Ribs (451) are pivotably mounted to a hub (439) fixed on the pivotable member (383). Stretchers (313) are pivotably mounted between the ribs (451) and the runner (297). The hub (439) and the ribs (451) are tilted when the pivotable member (383) is pivoted due to movement of the follower (277) from the unfolded position to the tilted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventor: Benson Tung
  • Patent number: 8393340
    Abstract: A flexible sunshade includes an elastic element having a lower end mounted to an upper end of a pole. A hub is fixed to an upper end of the elastic element. A canopy is mounted to a plurality of ribs each having an end pivotably connected to the hub. A runner is slideably mounted to the pole. A first end of each of a plurality of stretchers is pivotably connected to the runner. A second end of each stretcher is pivotably connected to one of the ribs. When the canopy, the ribs, or the hub is subjected to a force at a non-parallel angle to a longitudinal axis of the pole, the elastic element flexes to cause the hub to flex in a direction of the force, absorbing at least a portion of the force acting on the flexible sunshade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Benson Tung
  • Publication number: 20130019914
    Abstract: A flexible sunshade includes an elastic element having a lower end mounted to an upper end of a pole. A hub is fixed to an upper end of the elastic element. A canopy is mounted to a plurality of ribs each having an end pivotably connected to the hub. A runner is slideably mounted to the pole. A first end of each of a plurality of stretchers is pivotably connected to the runner. A second end of each stretcher is pivotably connected to one of the ribs. When the canopy, the ribs, or the hub is subjected to a force at a non-parallel angle to a longitudinal axis of the pole, the elastic element flexes to cause the hub to flex in a direction of the force, absorbing at least a portion of the force acting on the flexible sunshade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventor: Benson Tung
  • Patent number: 8127780
    Abstract: A telescopic sunshade includes an outer tube having upper and lower positioning holes. An inner tube is slideably received in the outer tube and includes an upper end beyond the outer tube. Ribs are pivotably mounted to a hub fixed to the inner tube. Stretchers are pivotably mounted between the ribs and the outer tube. The sunshade is in a folded state when the inner tube is in an upper position. The sunshade is in an unfolded position when the inner tube is in a lower position. The protruded length of the inner tube in the upper position is larger than that in the lower position. A sleeve is slideably mounted around the outer tube and engaged with the inner tube to move therewith. A positioning button is engaged in the upper or lower positioning hole to retain the sunshade in the folded or unfolded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Benson Tung
  • Publication number: 20110277800
    Abstract: A telescopic sunshade includes an outer tube having upper and lower positioning holes. An inner tube is slideably received in the outer tube and includes an upper end beyond the outer tube. Ribs are pivotably mounted to a hub fixed to the inner tube. Stretchers are pivotably mounted between the ribs and the outer tube. The sunshade is in a folded state when the inner tube is in an upper position. The sunshade is in an unfolded position when the inner tube is in a lower position. The protruded length of the inner tube in the upper position is larger than that in the lower position. A sleeve is slideably mounted around the outer tube and engaged with the inner tube to move therewith. A positioning button is engaged in the upper or lower positioning hole to retain the sunshade in the folded or unfolded state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Benson Tung
  • Patent number: 7886755
    Abstract: A side-supporting sunshade includes a mast and an adjusting sleeve slideably mounted on the mast in a vertical direction. A lower end of a supporting arm is pivotably connected to the adjusting sleeve. A linking rod includes an end pivotably connected to an upper end of the mast. The other end of the linking rod is pivotably connected to an intermediate portion of the supporting arm. A canopy support frame is coupled to an upper end of the supporting arm and supports a canopy. A cable includes a first end fixed to an axle rotatably mounted in the adjusting sleeve and a second end fixed to the canopy support frame. The cable is movable in a winding direction to fold the canopy when the axle rotates in a direction. The cable is movable in a releasing direction to unfold the canopy when the axle rotates in a reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventor: Benson Tung
  • Patent number: 7836902
    Abstract: A sunshade includes a coupling seat mounted to a top face of a base. A gear is rotatably received in the coupling seat and includes a plurality of positioning grooves spaced in a circumferential direction. A supporting rod for supporting a canopy is fixed to the gear. An operative member includes an end pivotably coupled to the coupling seat. A pawl extends from the end of the operative member. The other end of the operative member is operable to move the operative member between a coupling position releasably engaged in one of the positioning grooves of the gear to fix the gear relative to the coupling seat and a release position disengaged from the positioning grooves with the supporting rod and the gear rotatable relative to the base about a vertical axis perpendicular to the circumferential direction, allowing adjustment of an angular position of the canopy relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Inventor: Benson Tung
  • Publication number: 20100212705
    Abstract: A side-supporting sunshade includes a mast and an adjusting sleeve slideably mounted on the mast in a vertical direction. A lower end of a supporting arm is pivotably connected to the adjusting sleeve. A linking rod includes an end pivotably connected to an upper end of the mast. The other end of the linking rod is pivotably connected to an intermediate portion of the supporting arm. A canopy support frame is coupled to an upper end of the canopy support frame and supports a canopy. A cable includes a first end fixed to an axle rotatably mounted in the adjusting sleeve and a second end fixed to the canopy support frame. The cable is movable in a winding direction to fold the canopy when the axle rotates in a direction. The cable is movable in a releasing direction to unfold the canopy when the axle rotates in a reverse direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: Benson Tung
  • Publication number: 20100206346
    Abstract: A sunshade includes a coupling seat mounted to a top face of a base. A gear is rotatably received in the coupling seat and includes a plurality of positioning grooves spaced in a circumferential direction. A supporting rod for supporting a canopy is fixed to the gear. An operative member includes an end pivotably coupled to the coupling seat. A pawl extends from the end of the operative member. The other end of the operative member is operable to move the operative member between a coupling position releasably engaged in one of the positioning grooves of the gear to fix the gear relative to the coupling seat and a release position disengaged from the positioning grooves with the supporting rod and the gear rotatable relative to the base about a vertical axis perpendicular to the circumferential direction, allowing adjustment of an angular position of the canopy relative to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Benson Tung
  • Patent number: 7431259
    Abstract: A sunshade base includes a base, a swivel seat to which a support tube of a sunshade is mounted, a retaining member fixed to the swivel seat, and a braking device. The swivel seat includes a flange rotatably received in a recessed portion of a top face of the base. The braking device is mounted in the base and includes a rod movable in the base and a braking arm having a first end fixed to the rod and a second end releasably engaged with the retaining member. The second end of the braking arm is biased to engage with the retaining member to thereby lock the swivel seat. The rod is operable to disengage the second end of the braking arm from the retaining member to thereby allow free rotational movement of the swivel seat relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Inventor: Benson Tung
  • Patent number: D591867
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Inventor: Benson Tung