Umbrella runner assembly

Abstract

An umbrella runner assembly has a runner and multiple connectors. The runner has a tubular body with a top and a bottom, a top flange and multiple through holes. The top flange has an outer periphery and is formed on the top of the tubular body. The through holes are defined through the top flange and arranged in a circle. The connectors are connected to the tubular body of the runner. Each connector has a main body and a resilient strap connected to the main body and having a bottom provided with a hook engaging with one of the through holes in the top flange of the runner. With such an arrangement, the umbrella runner assembly is easily and conveniently assembled.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a runner assembly, and more particularly to an umbrella runner assembly that is slidably mounted around an umbrella shaft.

2. Description of Related Art

With reference to FIG. 4, a conventional umbrella runner in accordance with the prior art comprises a body (50) and a series of slots (51). The body (50) is cylindrical, has a top and a bottom and is slidably mounted around an umbrella shaft The slots (51) are defined radially in an outer periphery of the body (50) and near the top of the body (50). An annular groove (52) is defined in the outer periphery of the body (50) and communicates with the slots (51). Each slot (51) is adapted to receive a connector (60) connected to a rib of the umbrella. A bore (61) is defined in each connector (60) and communicates with the annular groove (52) after the connector (60) is inserted into the slot (51). A steel wire (62) extends through the bore (61) and is mounted in the annular groove (52). Two opposite ends of the steel wire (62) are twisted together to prevent the connectors (60) from detaching from the body (50).

However, inserting the steel wire (62) through the bores (61) of the connectors (60) and mounting it in the annular groove (52) is a difficult and time-consuming chore. Furthermore, ends of the knot of the steel wire (62) are sharp and easily injure workers' or users' fingers.

To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide an umbrella runner assembly to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide an umbrella runner assembly that is easily and conveniently assembled.

To achieve the objective, the umbrella runner assembly in accordance with the present invention has a runner and multiple connectors. The runner has a tubular body with a top and a bottom, a top flange and multiple through holes. The top flange has an outer periphery and is formed on the top. The through holes are defined through the top flange and arranged in a circle. The connectors are connected to the tubular body of the runner. Each connector has a main body and a resilient strap connected to the main body and having a bottom provided with a hook engaging with one of the through holes in the top flange of the runner.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a frame of an umbrella with an umbrella runner assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the umbrella runner assembly in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional side plan view of the umbrella runner assembly in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a side plan view of a conventional umbrella runner in accordance with the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, an umbrella runner assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises a runner (10) and multiple connectors (20). The runner (10) has a tubular body (11) and is slidably mounted around an umbrella shaft (30). The body (11) has a top, a bottom and a top flange (12) with an outer periphery formed on the top of the body (11). Multiple through holes (14) are defined through the top flange (12) and are arranged in a circle. In addition, multiple notches (16) are defined around the outer periphery of the top flange (12) and correspond to the through holes (14).

The connectors (20) are connected to the body (11) of the runner (10), are further pivotally connected to a hub (32) on the shaft (30) and securely attached to ribs (34) of the umbrella. Each connector (20) has a main body (22) and a resilient strap (24) connected to the main body (22). The strap (24) has a bottom end provided with a hook (242) engaging with one of the through holes (14) in the top flange (12) of the runner (10). With the arrangement of the notches (16) in the top flange (12), parts of the straps (24) are received inside the notches (16) to position the hooks (242) near the through holes (12) so that the engagements between the through holes (14) and hooks (242) are very positive.

In such an arrangement, to assemble the runner (10) with the connectors (20) is easy and convenient by means of engaging the hooks (242) with the through holes (14) in the top flange (12), and a steel wire is unnecessary. Workers' or users' fingers are never injured when assembling or using the umbrella. In addition, because the top flange (12) is integrally formed on the body (11), to manufacture the runner is easy.

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

1. An umbrella runner assembly comprising:

a runner having a tubular body with a top and a bottom; a top flange with an outer periphery formed on the top of the tubular body; and multiple through holes defined through the top flange and arranged in a circle; and multiple connectors connected to the tubular body of the runner and each having a main body; and a resilient strap connected to the main body and having a bottom provided with a hook engaging with a respective one of the through holes in the top flange of the runner.

2. The runner assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the runner further has multiple notches defined around the outer periphery of the top flange and corresponding to the through holes.