Wind -resistant umbrella

Abstract

An umbrella is disclosed which includes a frame having a shaft, a plurality of ribs pivotally mounted to the frame, a plurality of stretchers adapted to extend the ribs to angular positions with respect to the frame, and a combined cover, which is structured to provide wind vents in the regions between the ribs. The combined cover includes a first cover panel having a generally circular configuration and being positioned over the ribs. A second cover panel having a generally annular configuration is also positioned over the ribs at a location radially outward of the first cover panel, the first cover panel having a radially outermost dimension greater than the radially innermost dimension of the second cover panel such that the first cover panel overlaps at least a portion of the second cover panel to prevent water from passing thereby. The second cover panel is configured and dimensioned at the radially innermost marginal edge portion in the region of each rib to have a generally saw-tooth shaped portion which facilitates respective attachment with respect to each rib by folding the saw-tooth shaped portion over the rib, and attaching the folded portions together by stitch lines. The folded saw-tooth shaped portions maintain the first cover panel and the second cover panel in spaced relation between adjacent pairs of ribs by causing the innermost marginal portions of the second cover panel to assume a spaced position below the corresponding portions of the first cover panel, while the innermost marginal portions of the second cover panel are also maintained in a taut condition to maintain the space between the panels.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to provisional application No. 60/248,181, filed Nov. 13, 2000, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to umbrellas and, in particular, to umbrellas having wind resistant characteristics.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] There have been many attempts in the past to develop umbrellas that will resist winds normally found in rainstorms or thunderstorms and in which umbrellas are used. Specifically, the objective in such umbrellas designs is to prevent the umbrella from assuming an inverted position due to wind forces while in a user's hand. In other words, an umbrella covering normally has a downward curving configuration with respect to the user in order to shield the user from rain. In an inverted condition, however, the umbrella would assume an upward curving condition with respect to the user, thereby, at the least, causing the user the inconvenience of pulling the umbrella down into a downward curving position or, at most, permanently damaging or rendering the umbrella unusable.

[0006] Attempts have been made to provide an umbrella with wind escape opening using various means, such as by modifying the frame and rib structure or by utilizing elastic bands in order to maintain a space between separate sections of the cover. Since the ideal opening is thought to be in the form of a uniform space between the cover sections and between the ribs, any departure from uniformity can create a pressure drop whenever the space is reduced. This phenomenon will in turn, cause the cover sections to close the space even further.

[0007] Several patents representative of prior efforts to create such a wind vent are Farley, U.S. Pat. No. 3,456,661, Williams, U.S. Pat. No. 4,865,063, Lee, U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,166, Johnson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,055, and Lin, U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,769.

[0008] Farley discloses an umbrella with a lower canopy in which a central circular hole is cut at the top of the canopy around the central shaft of the umbrella. To cover that central hole, a series of triangular pieces of material are arranged around the central shaft, being attached to the central shaft, and to the lower canopy directly above ribs extending radially outward with respect to the central shaft and supporting the lower canopy. Moreover, each such triangular piece of material is connected to the adjacent triangular piece of material so that collectively such triangular pieces of material form a continuous cover over the central hole. Each triangular piece of material is wider at its base than the width between the ribs above which the opposite ends of the triangular piece of material attach. In a rainstorm or when the wind is otherwise blowing, the triangular pieces of material are intended to act as cone-shaped vents allowing the upward escape of air from the umbrella, thereby preventing it from becoming inverted. When no wind is blowing, the triangular pieces of material are designed to collapse and cover the central hole, thereby preventing rain from passing through the hole.

[0009] Williams, similarly to Farley, also discloses a lower canopy with a central hole. However, instead of using a plurality of contiguous triangular pieces of material to cover the hole, Williams uses a single circular piece of material which forms an upper canopy. The upper canopy is held to the lower canopy by radial straps along the ribs running along the outside of the upper canopy and the lower canopy. A movable ring at the top of the central shaft connects the upper canopy to the shaft, while allowing vertical movement of the upper canopy. Further reinforcement of the inside of the umbrella can be obtained with a plurality of circumferentially arranged canopy support straps spanning adjacent ribs on the inside of the umbrella and forming at least one circle around the central shaft. The umbrella resists upwardly flowing air by upward movement of the upper canopy with respect to the lower canopy, thereby allowing air to flow out through the central hole and between the vents thus formed between the upper canopy and the lower canopy.

[0010] Lee, again, discloses a lower canopy which has a central hole with respect to the umbrella shaft on which it is supported. The upper canopy, however, is supported on a second set of ribs connected to a first set of ribs supporting the lower canopy, thereby altering the conventional umbrella support structure by adding a second rib support structure on the top of the umbrella, the first rib support structure supporting the lower canopy. The space between these two canopies again is expected to permit the exit of upwardly flowing air, thereby preventing the inversion of the umbrella in wind conditions.

[0011] Johnson et al. discloses an umbrella again with two canopies. However, Johnson et al. allows for the lower canopy to eliminate the central hole. Instead, a series of concentrically arranged holes are placed in the upper part of the lower canopy around the umbrella shaft. One hole is placed in the lower canopy between each pair of adjacent ribs. The upper canopy is attached by elastic bands to the ends of the ribs supporting the lower canopy in such a manner as to leave a space between the upper canopy and the lower canopy, thereby permitting air to escape from the holes in the lower canopy and through the space between the lower canopy and upper canopy to the outside of the umbrella. Areas of egress of the air from the upper canopy can be increased by either or both of a series of holes in the upper canopy arranged radially outwardly from the holes in the lower canopy and/or by radial slits in the upper canopy extending partially along radial lines above the ribs of the umbrella.

[0012] Finally, Lin shares the characteristic of a lower canopy with a central hole and an upper canopy covering the central hole. In order, however, to produce the vents between the upper canopy and lower canopy needed for the escape of upwardly flowing air, a network of elastic bands are attached to the stretchers of a conventional rib and shaft framework, and to the middle of each panel of the lower canopy.

[0013] All of the previously mentioned patents, except Farley, either involve extra structure, whether it be elastic bands or modifications to the conventional rib structure to provide the necessary vents between upper and lower canopies, or numerous holes cut into the canopies to provide the vents. In the case of Farley, there is the possibility of substantial rain falling on the user because of the provision of triangular pieces of material which provide substantial vents between the triangular pieces of material and the lower canopy, thus potentially allowing a substantial amount of rain to enter through those vents.

[0014] The present invention allows for the provision of sufficient air vents to allow for the escape of upwardly flowing air while eliminating the need for substantial modification to either the conventional shaft and rib structure of an umbrella, or to the canopies themselves. The air vents provided herein are uniquely substantially uniform between two cover panels and between adjacent ribs. Although the fabric cover panels of such umbrellas are generally maintained in tension when the umbrella is opened, an additional measure of tension is desirable to maintain air vents between the ribs in the absence of additional structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The invention comprises an umbrella having an upper canopy—or cover panel—centered on the umbrella shaft, and a lower canopy—or cover panel—of annular shape and positioned at a location radially outward of the first canopy. The upper canopy overlaps the lower canopy. The lower canopy is connected to the ribs at their tips in conventional fashion, and is also attached with respect to each rib at the radially innermost marginal edge of the lower canopy closest to the umbrella shaft by a saw-toothed shaped edge portion. The saw-tooth shaped edge portion is brought inwards of the rib to which it is adjacent and secured in a folded condition about the rib by stitches which extend along a line oriented at an angle, acute or 90 degrees (90°), to the rib. The particular manner in which the saw-tooth shaped portions are attached together in folded relation about the adjacent rib(s) causes the inner canopy to assume a position between the ribs downwardly away from the rib and the upper canopy, thus producing air escape vents which allow upwardly flowing air to escape from the umbrella in windy conditions.

[0016] An object of the invention is to provide a means for rendering an umbrella wind resistant. A further object of the invention is to provide means for rendering an umbrella wind resistant without modification to the conventional rib and shaft structure of an umbrella. A yet further object of the invention is to provide wind vents in an umbrella to allow upwardly flowing air to escape from the umbrella, thereby rendering the umbrella wind resistant. A still further object of the invention is to provide an umbrella with vents large enough to render the umbrella wind resistant, but not large enough or located in such a manner as to allow rain to fall through such vents.

[0017] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill of the art upon consideration of the attached drawings and the following description of the preferred embodiments, which are meant by way of illustration and example only, but are not to be construed as in any way limiting the invention disclosed and claimed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a prior art umbrella similar to the one disclosed in Lin, U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,769;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the umbrella of FIG. 1, taken along section lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the umbrella of FIG. 2, taken along section lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

[0021] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the umbrella of FIG. 2. taken along section lines 4-4 of FIG. 2;

[0022] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the umbrella constructed according to the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the umbrella of FIG. 5, taken along section lines 6-6 of FIG. 5;

[0024] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the umbrella of FIG. 6, taken along section lines 7-7 of FIG. 6;

[0025] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the umbrella of FIG. 6, taken along section lines 8-8 of FIG. 6, and illustrating the substantially uniform air venting spaces created between the ribs by the cover panels constructed according to the invention;

[0026] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view, partially in cross-section, of the umbrella of FIG. 6, taken along section lines 9-9 of FIG. 6; and

[0027] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the umbrella of FIG. 9, taken along section lines 10-10 of FIG. 9, and illustrating the method of attachment of the lower annular cover panel with respect to the ribs of the umbrella.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Referring initially to FIGS. 1-4, there is illustrated an example of a prior art umbrella of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,769 to Lin. As noted previously, the umbrella 10 includes an upper canopy 12 and a lower canopy 14 on an umbrella frame 16, with vents 18 which are produced by a network of elastic bands 20 attached to 22 and shaft 24 of a conventional rib 26 and shaft 24 framework, and to the middle of each panel of the lower canopy 14 as shown.

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 5, the inventive umbrella 31 comprises a central umbrella shaft 30, ribs 32 projecting radially outwardly and downward from the umbrella shaft 30, stretchers 29, an annular lower canopy 34 attached to the ribs 32 by threads or strings 33 in conventional fashion, and a circular upper canopy 35 whose radially outermost marginal edge portions overlap the radially innermost marginal edge portions of the lower canopy 34. The upper canopy 35 is stitched to the lower canopy 34 along radial lines above each rib 32 and over the length of overlap between the upper canopy 35 and the lower canopy 34. In the region where the radially innermost edge portion of the lower canopy 34 intersects with each rib 32, the marginal innermost edge portion of the lower canopy projects inwardly towards the shaft in the form of a saw-tooth shaped projection 36, the saw-tooth shapes of the projections 36 being visible when the umbrella canopies are viewed from below (see FIG. 6). The upper and lower canopies 35, 34 are made of a conventional water resistant material such as fabric, plastic, or the like.

[0030] When this saw-tooth shaped projection 36 of material is viewed from the side in detail (see FIGS. 8 and 9), it extends below the rib 32 about which it is positioned, thereby forming an approximately triangular shape in that view. There are two sides 38, 40 of the lower canopy 14 extending downwardly around the rib 32 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and being held in that position by stitches 42 connecting the folded sides 38, 40, together in face-to-face relation as shown, the stitches 39 being made along stitch lines 41 which extend at an angle to the rib 32. The angle “C” shown in FIG. 9 is preferably acute, as shown, or may be approximately 90 degrees (90°). This arrangement of the lower canopy and connection with respect to each rib 32 as described, produced with the aid of the stitch lines 41, causes the lower canopy 34 to assume the position as shown in FIG. 8, i.e., below the upper canopy 35 between each pair of adjacent ribs 32 as shown.

[0031] It can be seen that the stitches 39 bring the fabric portions 38, 40 of lower canopy 14 together to cause at least the inner marginal fabric portions 34 between the ribs 32 to become taut, or slightly tensioned, a factor which causes the lower canopy 34 to assume a position downwardly away from the upper canopy 35 and maintains the depth of the wind vent 44. It can also be seen that by decreasing the length of the stitch lines 41, the tension on the inner marginal edge portions of lower canopy 34 will be lessened, and by increasing the length of stitch lines 41, the tension will be increased. Also, it can be seen that attachments alternative to stitches 39 can be used, such as adhesives, for example, to attach fabric portions 38, 40 together.

[0032] This position of the lower canopy 34 forms a vent 44 of relatively uniform width between two adjacent ribs 32 as shown along dimension “A” in FIG. 8, except for the area in the immediate vicinity of each rib 32 as shown along dimension “B” in FIG. 8. This variance of the width of the space adjacent each rib 32, is negligible and does not affect the wind resistant performance of the umbrella. Such a vent 44 should be contrasted with that formed by the umbrella akin to Lin where the vents 18 are formed by a network of elastic straps 20 attached to the ribs 26 and to points 21 along the inner edge of the lower canopy between each adjacent pairs of ribs 26 as shown in FIGS. 1-4. Each vent 18 of the Lin umbrella is of non-uniform width (see FIG. 4), achieving a maximum width at the connection point 21 of the elastic strap 20, and decreasing to zero at each rib 26. In addition, the vents 44 formed by the inventive umbrella 31 do not require any modification to the conventional rib and shaft structure of an umbrella, eliminating the need for elastic straps 20 as shown in the Lin '769 patent.

[0033] The inventive umbrella has recently been tested in a wind tunnel with quite favorable results. The umbrella was held by a person at 10° from vertical and did not fail even though the wind speed was increased to 53 miles per hour.

[0034] Although the umbrella thus demonstrates excellent wind resistant qualities, the substantial overlap between the upper canopy 32 and the lower canopy 34 insures that no significant amount of rain will leak through the vents 44.

[0035] It should be understood that the particular configuration of the lower canopy 6 in the vicinity of each rib and the arrangement of the stitch 16 are exemplary only. This configuration and stitch can be varied so long as a vent with relatively uniform dept over the width between ribs is produced, or at least a vent which has a substantial depth except in the immediate vicinity of the ribs is produced. For example, the depth of vent 18 in FIG. 8 could be increased towards the middle of the vent without harm to the wind resistant characteristics of the umbrella so long as the substantial depth of the vent closer to each rib is maintained.

Claims

1. An umbrella which includes a frame having a shaft, a plurality of ribs pivotally mounted to the frame, a plurality of stretchers adapted to extend the ribs to angular positions with respect to the frame, and a combined cover, which comprises:

a) a first cover panel having a generally circular configuration and being positioned over said ribs;

b) a second cover panel having a generally annular configuration and being positioned over said ribs at a location radially outward of said first cover panel, said first cover panel having a radially outermost dimension greater than the radially innermost dimension of said second cover panel such that said first cover panel overlaps at least a portion of said second cover panel, said second cover panel being configured and dimensioned at the radially innermost marginal edge portion in the region of each rib to facilitate respective attachment with respect to each rib in a manner to maintain said first cover panel and said second cover panel in spaced relation between adjacent pairs of ribs.

2. The umbrella according to claim 1, wherein said first cover panel is attached to said ribs at preselected locations.

3. The umbrella according to claim 2, wherein said second cover panel is attached to said ribs at preselected locations.

4. The umbrella according to claim 3, wherein said radially innermost marginal edge portions of said second cover panel has a saw tooth-like configuration at least in the regions corresponding to each rib, whereby each said saw tooth shaped portion is folded upon itself and wrapped around the adjacent rib portion and maintained in face-to-face contacting relation so as to cause said radially innermost marginal edge portions of said second cover panel between correspondingly adjacent ribs to assume a position spaced below said corresponding overlapped radially outermost portions of said first cover panel to thereby create a wind escape vent between said first and second cover panels between said ribs.

5. The umbrella according to claim 4, wherein said saw tooth shaped portions of said second cover panel are maintained in said folded configuration about said rib by stitches, adhesives, or the like.

6. The umbrella according to claim 5, wherein said stitches extend along a line oriented at an angle with respect to each said rib.

7. The umbrella according to claim 6, wherein said angle of each said stitch line is generally acute.

8. The umbrella according to claim 7, wherein said second cover panel is attached to each rib at preselected locations.

9. The umbrella according to claim 8, wherein said attachments of said first and second cover panels to said ribs are made by thread-like material respectively stitched through said first and second cover panels and tied about said respective ribs.

10. The umbrella according to claim 9, wherein said marginal inner edge portions of said second cover panel between adjacent ribs is maintained in tension and said space between said first and second cover panels is substantially uniform at least over a major portion of the distance thereof between said ribs so as to provide a wind vent therebetween which does not permit water to pass thereby due to the overlapping relation of said first and second cover panels.

11. An umbrella having wind escape vents comprising a collapsible frame structure supporting at least first and second cover panel sections, which comprises:

a) an elongated shaft having a handle adapted to be grasped by a user;

b) a plurality of ribs radially pivotally attached at their inner end portions to said shaft;

c) a plurality of stretchers, each stretcher radially pivotally attached to a respective rib at one end and arranged to selectively pivotally move said ribs between respective closed and open positions, said closed positions being relatively closer to said shaft, and said open positions being generally angular with respect to said shaft;

d) a cover attached to said ribs, said cover being comprised of at least two panels, a first panel having a generally circular shape, and a second panel having a generally annular shape and being positioned outwardly of said first panel, said first panel having a radially outermost dimension greater than the radially innermost dimension of said second panel, said second panel having a radially innermost marginal portion configured in the region of each rib to be folded and stitched in a manner to maintain a wind escape between said first and second panels when said ribs are extended to said open positions, said radially innermost marginal portions of said second panel further being maintained in tension between adjacent ribs.

12. An umbrella which includes a frame having a shaft, a plurality of ribs pivotally attached to said shaft at an upper end portion thereof, a plurality of stretchers comprising generally radially extending elongated members respectively attached to said ribs and adapted to selectively extend the ribs to portions generally at an angle to said shaft to open positions, and a combined rain protective cover, which comprises:

a) a first cover panel attached to said ribs and extending generally from said shaft to a location between said shaft and the ends of said ribs;

b) a second cover panel having a generally annular configuration and being positioned over said ribs at a location generally radially outward of said first cover panel, said first cover panel having a radially outermost dimension greater than the radially innermost dimension of said second cover panel such that said first cover panel overlaps at least a portion of said second cover panel to prevent rain from passing thereby, said second cover panel being configured and dimensioned at the radially innermost marginal edge portion in the region of each rib to facilitate folding said portion downwardly about each rib whereby securement of said folded portions together in face-to-face relation causes the marginal inner edge portions of said second cover panel between adjacent ribs to be tensioned in dependence upon the extent of securement of said folded portions, said securement being such as to cause said marginal innermost portions of said second cover panel between said ribs to assume positions downwardly away from said first cover panel to retain said marginal inner edge portions of said second cover panel between said adjacent ribs in spaced relation with said overlapping portion of said first cover panel, said space being generally uniform at least over a major portion of the distance thereof between said adjacent ribs to provide a wind vent which prevents reversal of said ribs under substantial wind conditions, while maintaining the rain barrier of said combined cover due to the overlapping relation between said first and second cover panels.

13. The umbrella according to claim 12, wherein said first and second cover panels are attached to said ribs by threads extending through said cover panels and tied around each rib.

14. The umbrella according to claim 13, wherein said cover panels are made of water resistant fabric, or the like.

15. The umbrella according to claim 14, wherein said second cover panel has a saw-tooth configuration at least in the region of each rib, each said saw-tooth shaped portion being folded about each respective rib and attached to each other by stitches in face-to-face relation to cause the marginal innermost portions of said second cover panel to be taut.

16. The umbrella according to claim 15, wherein said stitches extend along stitch lines at an acute angle with respect to each respective rib.

17. The umbrella according to claim 16, wherein said first and second cover panels are maintained in tension substantially over the entire area thereof when said ribs are moved by said to their open portions.

18. The umbrella according to claim 15, wherein said stitches extend along stitch lines approximately 90 degrees with respect to each respective rib.