Abstract: An cantilever umbrella (100) comprises a base (102), post (101), cantilever arm (103) and a canopy (106) that is supported on a hub (104) with radial arms (105). The canopy (106) can pivot about an axis parallel to the cantilever arm (103) by pivoting the hub (104) relative to the cantilever arm. The umbrella (100) is protected against excess wind by pivoting outer parts (202) of the radial arms (105) upwards, but holding the outer parts (202) down with tension in the canopy (106) during normal use. A concealed, self-aligning angle bracket (300) is used to attach an upper end (302) of the post (101) to a proximal end (303) of the cantilever arm (103).

Abstract: An umbrella mechanism (10) comprises a central post (12), eight ribs (14) that are pivotally connected to the post, a sliding hub (16) that is slideably retained on the post, eight struts (18) that each extend between a particular rib (14) and the sliding hub (16), eight tensioning cords (20) and a gas spring (22) that is disposed at an upper end of the central post for exerting a pulling force on the tensioning cords. The ribs are pivotally displaceable between a collapsed condition wherein the ribs (14) are disposed adjacent the post (12) and an open condition wherein the ribs extend radially from the central post. Each tensioning cord is connected at one end to an upper end of the gas spring and at the other end, to a distal end of a particular rib. The gas spring exerts a pulling force on the tensioning cords for assisting in lifting the ribs.

Abstract: A collapsible storage structure for the storage of an object includes a base having front and rear ends and on or over which the object can be placed. The base comprises a pair of longitudinally extending, spaced, parallel rails. A plurality of inverted, substantially U-shaped canopy supports span the base from one rail to the other and are mounted so as to be foldable with respect to the base. A canopy is carried on the canopy supports, the arrangement being such that, when the canopy supports are in a collapsed configuration, the object can be positioned with respect to the base, whereafter the canopy supports can be displaced to an configuration in which the canopy covers the object. A transport mechanism comprises a pair of carriages. One carriage is slidably arranged on each rail, the carriages carrying at least certain of the canopy supports and being displaceable between a first position in which the canopy supports are collapsed and a second position in which the canopy supports are erected.