Abstract: A reel has a housing, an axle, a handle, a wheel and a friction element. The friction element is mounted in the housing and presses against the wheel. The friction element is made of an elastic material. The friction element includes an inverse U-shaped base and a protruding contact pad extending up from the base portion to press against the outer edge of the wheel. Consequently, the wheel can be stopped in any desired position by the friction element, and the degree to which the canopy can be expanded is controlled. The use of the suspended sunshade becomes more versatile.

Abstract: An umbrella frame has a hollow shaft, an upper runner disposed on the hollow shaft, a lower runner receiving the hollow shaft, a winding device inserted through the hollow shaft, a pulley disposed on the hollow shaft, and a thread connected to the pulley and the winding device. A plurality of ribs are connected to the upper runner. A plurality of stretchers are connected to the lower runner and the ribs. A handle engages with the winding device.

Abstract: An umbrella includes a tube having a whale bone device, a barrel slidably engaged on the tube and coupled to the whale bone device. Two spring-biased catches are received in the tube and selectively engaged into the barrel to lock the barrel to the tube and to prevent the barrel from rotating relative to the tube. A latch is slidably received in the barrel for selectively disengaging the catch from the barrel and is received in the barrel which is moved away from the handle when the whale bone device is opened, such that the latch will not be actuated inadvertently.

Abstract: A closing mechanism used in an automatic quadruple folding collapsible umbrella is provided that comprises a pair of rollers and a round pin that cooperate with a rope to perform a closing operation. The pair of rollers is provided on one side of the umbrella runner. The round pin is disposed on the cap and orientated in the same direction as the rollers. With that mechanism, the rope extending from the interior of the umbrella rod passes to the outside through an opening in the cap to be routed around the rollers and the pin and finally tied to the cap. Thus the rope of the mechanism is longer, five times longer than the distance between the rollers and the round pin.

Abstract: Cord winding device for large-size sunshade, including a seat body, a tube body and a cord winder. The seat body is tightly fitted around the tube body. The cord winder is passed through two sides of the seat body and tube body. The cord winder is composed of a locating seat and a crank movably connected with the locating seat. The locating seat is connected with the seat body. An outer circumference of the locating seat is formed with multiple oblique recesses which are serially connected to form an annular face. A locating block outward projects from upper side of the crank. A front end of a bent insertion pin is passed through a through hole of the locating block and fitted with a resilient member. A locking member is disposed on the crank for cooperatively for winding a cord.

Abstract: An umbrella includes a tube having a whale bone device, a barrel slidably engaged on the tube and coupled to the whale bone device. Two spring-biased catches are received in the tube and selectively engaged into the barrel to lock the barrel to the tube and to prevent the barrel from rotating relative to the tube. A latch is slidably received in the barrel for selectively disengaging the catch from the barrel and is received in the barrel which is moved away from the handle when the whale bone device is opened, such that the latch will not be actuated inadvertently.

Abstract: An umbrella includes a tube having a lower handle and having an upper whale bone device. A barrel is slidably engaged on the tube and coupled to the whale bone device. A spring-biased catch is received in the tube and selectively engaged into the barrel to lock the barrel to the tube. A latch is slidably received in the barrel for selectively disengaging the catch from the barrel to release the barrel from the tube. The latch is received in the barrel which is moved away from the handle when the whale bone device is opened, such that the latch will not be actuated inadvertently.

Abstract: A stretching structure for sunshade body. The structure includes a stem, an auxiliary lever, a push lever, an upper beehive, a lower beehive, several upper support ribs, several lower support ribs, several cock members, several pivot blocks, several arch fitting blocks, several L-shaped fitting blocks and two metal cords. When stretching the sunshade body, a locating collar fitted on the stem is upwardly pushed or downwardly pulled and located by a locating handle. At this time, the upper support rib pivotally connected with the locating collar drives the auxiliary lever which drives the push lever and the lower support rib so as to upwardly and outwardly stretch open the upper and lower support ribs.

Abstract: A double-story umbrella includes an upper umbrella, and a lower umbrella detachably coupled with the upper umbrella and operatively opened to be a beach umbrella or a big umbrella having large shielding area; whereby upon uncoupling of the upper and lower umbrellas, each umbrella can be folded to have a short folding length for a convenient handling and storage when the umbrella is folded.

Abstract: An auxiliary elastic support mechanism for a large umbrella with automatic open feature is provided. The umbrella is supported by a plurality of ribs and a plurality of spreaders. The mechanism comprises a plurality of rib joint members each put on the rib having a pivot joint and a first spring anchoring lug; a plurality of spreader joint members, each having an outer end secured to one of the rib joint members, an inner end for receiving the spreader therein, and a second spring anchoring lug; and a plurality of auxiliary springs each having an outer hook engaged with the first spring anchoring lug and an inner hook engaged with the second spring anchoring lug.

Abstract: An umbrella operating system allows for the simple opening, closing and locking of an umbrella while allowing the frame to freely rotate about the pole, wherein the pole is held in a stationary position. The umbrella includes a pair of hub members mounted about a pole member wherein the lower hub member is slidable up and down the pole. A pulley system with locking cam member may be employed to allow the umbrella to safely and easily open to any desired level. A locking stabilizer arm may be used to secure the main hub member in the fully open position and a stabilizer base provides strong support to the pole member to help it withstand severe weather conditions. The umbrella is rotatable about the pole axis regardless of the degree to which it is opened.

Abstract: An umbrella frame has a hollow shaft, an upper runner disposed on the hollow shaft, a lower runner receiving the hollow shaft, the upper runner having a first upper casing and a first lower casing, the lower runner having a second upper casing and a second lower casing, a key-shaped hole formed on the second upper casing, a thread inserted through the key-shaped hole, the thread having a blocking end, a plug inserted in the key-shaped hole, a winding device inserted through the hollow shaft, and the thread connected to the winding device. A plurality of ribs are connected to the first upper casing. A plurality of stretchers are connected to the lower runner.

Abstract: An umbrella skeleton comprises a runner controlling device which is formed of a first plastic plate and a second plastic plate. The runner controlling device is located in a receiving slot of the top end of a shaft of the umbrella skeleton. The first plastic plate is provided with a rachet pillar, an arcuate locating plate, a movable ratchet wheel movably located between the ratchet pillar and the locating plate, and a pulley on which an activation cord is wound such that one end of the activation cord is fastened with the runner, and that other end of the activation cord is fastened with an activator located in proximity of the bottom end of the shaft.

Abstract: A tilt device for a sunshade comprises an upper sleeve having an upper end securely connected to an upper end of an upper support tube of a sunshade and a lower sleeve having a lower end securely connected to a lower end of a lower support tube of the sunshade. A lower end of the upper sleeve comprises several positioning grooves. The lower end of the upper sleeve is pivotally connected to the upper end of the lower sleeve. A push member is biased to selectively engage with one of the positioning grooves of the upper sleeve. The push member moves downward and inward when it is pushed inward.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a portable sunshade comprising a mast structure extending in a generally vertically direction, means for attaching the mast structure at its lower end to a support structure, a boom extending outwardly from the mast structure, having first and second ends, the first end being movably attached to the mast structure, a hub assembly attached to the second end of the boom, a plurality of elongated support ribs extending radially from the hub assembly, each of said support ribs, having one end rotatably attached to the hub assembly, a canopy positioned over the elongated support ribs and fastened thereto, the canopy having an opening in it corresponding to a predetermined position along the boom, and a boom support strut pivotably attached at one end to the upper end of the mast structure, and at the other end pivotably secured to boom at a predetermined position along the length of it, the boom support strut extending through the opening in the canopy at the point where it is connected to the

Abstract: A four-segment foldable umbrella comprises a shank, a rib assembly, an opening spring, a closing spring, a control mechanism, and a plurality of gores. The shank further comprises a top fulcrum, an outer pipe, a second middle pipe, a first middle pipe, an inner pipe, a handgrip. a long plastic pipe, and an outer pipe plug. The rib assembly consists of a plurality of top stretchers, lower ribs, inner connection ribs, middle ribs, inner resilient ribs, small slide sockets, outer resilient ribs, outer connection ribs, tail ribs, and a runner. An upper end or a lower end of the opening spring sustains a lower end of the outer pipe plug or props a long controller at its upper end respectively. The long controller, the inner pipe, and a main body sheathing the long plastic pipe are fixed by nailing the main body to the opening spring. Besides, the closing spring is disposed on the rib assembly.

Abstract: Fixing structure for large-size sunshade, including a series of chain elements, a locating seat and a locating pin. The series of chain elements are composed of several identically-sized chain elements looped with each other and tied to a middle section of a sunshade pull cord. Two ends of the series of chain elements are respectively connected with an upper cord body and a lower cord body of the pull cord. The locating seat is locked on a lower end of the sunshade stem and has two cantilevers parallel to each other. The two cantilevers define therebetween a split for the chain element to pass therethrough. Each of the cantilevers is formed with a locating notch opposite to the other. The locating pin is a rectangular bar member having a length able to cross two sides of the split. The locating pin has a width corresponding to the width of the locating notch of the locating seat.

Abstract: A collapsible wind-resistant umbrella including an elongated main support pole and an umbrella top. The umbrella top includes a tubular secondary pole slidably translatable over the main support pole, a hub connected at an upper end thereof to the secondary pole and supportively engaged against a support member on the main support pole whereby the secondary pole and hub are supported on the upright main support pole. A plurality of vanes, each being wider at the outer end thereof, are pivotally connected in evenly spaced relation at a central or inner end thereof to and around substantially the entire hub periphery. A vane carrier is mounted for sliding translation over the secondary pole and a plurality of rigid or semi-rigid vane support rods are pivotally connected at one end thereof in evenly spaced relation to and around substantially the entire said vane carrier periphery. The end of each said vane support rod is pivotally connected to a mid point of one longitudinal edge of each corresponding vane.

Abstract: An umbrella includes a panel attached to a crown and supported by ribs. A runner is coupled to the ribs by stretchers to be movable with respect to the crown. A pole located beside the panel is arranged upright with a slide mounted thereon to be movable along the pole. An arm has an end pivoted to the slide and is further supported by a link pivoted to both the pole and the arm. A first rope to which the slide is attached is movably received in the pole and supported by an upper pulley and a crank whereby by actuating the crank the first rope moves the slide along the pole. A second rope movably received in the arm having an end fixed to the pole via a pulley fixed on the slide and an opposite end extending beyond the arm and through the crown to be fixed to the runner whereby by moving the slide along the pole, the arm is rotated between a closed position and an open position where the runner is moved toward the crown by the second rope.

Abstract: A tilt control device is incorporated in a parasol for controlling tilting angle of a canopy of the parasol with respect to a central post of the parasol. The central post includes an upper segment to which the canopy is attached and a lower segment pivoted to the upper segment fir supporting the canopy. The tilt control device includes an operating ring rotatably mounted on the lower segment and forming an inner ring gear. A transmission shaft has a lower end forming an input gear mating the inner ring gear and an upper end forming a worm. A gear system is mounted to the second segment, including an output gear mounted to the pivotal pin of the upper segment and fixed to the upper segment and a worm gear mating the worm whereby rotation of the operating ring is transferred to the output gear via the transmission shaft and the gear system for moving the upper segment with respect to the lower segment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a portable sunshade comprising a mast structure extending in a generally vertically direction, means for attaching the mast structure at its lower end to a support structure, a boom extending outwardly from the mast structure, having first and second ends, the first end being movably attached to the mast structure, a hub assembly attached to the second end of the boom, a plurality of elongated support ribs extending radially from the hub assembly, each of said support ribs, having one end rotatably attached to the hub assembly, a canopy positioned over the elongated support ribs and fastened thereto, the canopy having an opening in it corresponding to a predetermined position along the boom, and a boom support strut pivotably attached at one end to the upper end of the mast structure, and at the other end pivotably secured to boom at a predetermined position along the length of it, the boom support strut extending through the opening in the canopy at the point where it is connected to the

Abstract: A golf bag umbrella adapted for use in a golf bag for providing optimal protection to items stored within the golf bag, having an extendable and retractable shaft and a collapsible and expandable canopy, underneath which is a flexible material, preferably mesh or netting, for preventing the golf clubs from becoming entangled in the support structure for the umbrella canopy. The golf bag umbrella further includes a handle, providing easy movement between an extended position and a lowered position while the canopy is expanded, such that the golf clubs within the golf bag may be easily accessible without having to remove the golf bag umbrella from the bag. The protective material beneath the canopy functions to prevent entanglement between the golf clubs and the support structure of the canopy, which prevents damage to both the support structure and the golf clubs themselves while also avoiding frustration on the part of the golfer as the golfer attempts to remove golf clubs from within the golf bag.

Abstract: An automatic locking and release device for a beach umbrella includes a hollow shaft containing two opening thereon and having a runner movably mounted around the hollow shaft, a lever having a lug and a flat head and a stop ring attached to the hollow shaft. A base member securely received in the hollow shaft, the base member has a channel and a recessed cavity with two holes and receives a fastener. The fastener contains a groove to receive a locking member moved therein and two through holes aligning with the two holes of the base member. The fastener includes a cavity defined therein, a boss extending therefrom and a linkage having a first end received in a bore of the boss and the second end moving in the cavity. A locking member extends through the groove of the fastener and includes a locking bar having an extension block and a spring. The extension block is attached to the top of the locking bar.

Abstract: An operation mechanism for a parasol, including a deflection mechanism, a winding mechanism, a damper mechanism and a clutch mechanism. The deflection mechanism is installed on a locating seat. An upper and a lower sections of the locating seat are formed with upper and lower pin holes. Two shaft rods at two ends of a spiral rod are passed through the upper pin holes with the spiral rod received in the locating seat. One side of the locating seat is rotatably fixed with a first gear. A bottom of a swinging head is formed with a spiral toothed face engaged with and driven by the spiral rod. The winding mechanism and damper mechanism are passed through the lower pin hole. The clutch mechanism connected with a crank is disposed at one end of the winding mechanism. When rotating the crank, the winding mechanism is driven to wind a cord for stretching open the parasol face.

Abstract: A support framework for an umbrella-type tent, the tent including a fabric tent shell suspended from the support framework. The top and center hubs for the support framework are fabricated from a suitable material so as to provide increased strength to the top hub and the center hub. The fabric tent shell is tethered to the support framework to limit slippage of the fabric tent shell down the tent poles. The tent poles are segmented so as to provide foldable tent poles. A bungee cord keeper system is incorporated into the upper coupling for the segmented tent pole.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adjustable static umbrella with a static mast (2) to which an arm (10) is secured by means of a hinge (12) allowing for the arm to be either adjusted into a use position or collapsed into a rest position and to be tipped about the hinge (12) tilting axle (14) perpendicular to the mast axis. The hinge (12) has toggle head (80) and a pair of shells (82, 82′) symmetrically inverted one to each other, encompassing the toggle head (80) therein and rotatably mounted about the tilting axle (14), while the pair of hinge shells (82, 82′) is provided with a length guide perpendicular to the tilting axle (14), in which the arm (10) is inserted.

Abstract: An umbrella opening device for a vehicle includes a casing slidably received in a housing and moved inward and outward of the housing with a motor. A follower is rotatably received in the casing for supporting an an umbrella with a support. A motor is coupled to the follower for rotating the follower and the support and the umbrella to an erect position and to open the umbrella above the driver or the passenger. The casing has a rack engaged with a gear of the motor for being moved relative to the housing by the motor. A cover may be opened by the casing.

Abstract: A sunshade device has a sunshade awning, a clamp device, an angle adjusting device, and an extensible support. The sunshade awning has a flexible steel ring and a fabric. The extensible support has an outer pipe, and an inner pipe inserted in the outer pipe. The clamp device has a lower tube, a first clamping plate, and a second clamping plate. The first clamping plate and the second clamping plate clamp the flexible steel ring. The angle adjusting device has an upper sleeve inserted in the lower tube and a lower sleeve engaging with the upper sleeve. The lower sleeve has a lower pipe inserted in the inner pipe.

Abstract: A lightening multiple-fold automatic umbrella comprises: a central shaft consisting of a plurality of tubes telescopically engageable with one another; a rib assembly having at least a top rib and a stretcher rib pivotally secured to an upper notch on the central shaft and a lower runner slidably held on the central shaft for securing an umbrella cloth on the rib assembly; an opening spring retained within the central shaft for opening the umbrella; a drag rope retained between the central shaft and the lower runner for pulling the lower runner as upwardly moved when opening the umbrella and extending the rib assembly; and a control module embedded in a grip of the central shaft normally locking the lower runner when closing the umbrella for folding the rib assembly; and operatively unlocking the lower runner when opening the umbrella for extending the rib assembly. By these mechanisms, a multiple-fold automatic umbrella will be produced for quick assembly and convenient operation or maintenance.

Abstract: An automatic umbrella control mechanism, which includes a socket defining a receiving chamber, a receptacle supported on a compression spring in the receiving chamber inside the socket, a hook turned about a pivot in the socket and supported on a torsional spring at the pivot, a button controlled to turn the hook for enabling the folding collapsible umbrella frame to be opened by a return spring, and a retainer bit to be retained to secured in position by a pressure spring to hold the umbrella in the open position. When the button is depressed again, the retainer bit is released from the constraint, enabling the umbrella to be collapsed by means of the operation of the return spring.

Abstract: An umbrella wire-winding device includes a casing fixed to a shank of an umbrella. A crank arm is manually operable and has an axle rotatable received in an opening defined in the casing. The axle defines a central bore for drivingly receiving a reel shaft therein. The reel shaft extends through holes defined in the shank for winding a wire extending through the shank to move a runner. The reel shaft has a threaded end and a nut engages with the threaded end of the reel shaft. The nut is axially movably received in a bore defined in the casing whereby the rotation of the reel shaft causes an axial movement of the nut in the bore. The bore has a bottom that limits the axial movement of the nut and thus the rotation of the reel shaft for avoiding over-tensioning the wire. A toothed section is formed on the axle and at least one spring plate is fixed in the casing and engaging with the toothed section thereby serving as a ratchet between the casing and the reel shaft.

Abstract: A hanging sun umbrella includes a column; an umbrella frame including a hanging arm; a movable hanging arm holder for movably attaching the hanging arm to the column; a pull arm extending from the column above the hanging arm holder, wherein the hanging arm, the hanging arm holder, and the pull arm provide a cantilevered shape to the umbrella frame; a crank lift provided on the column to move the movable hanging arm holder up and down along the column for opening and closing the umbrella; and an umbrella cloth fitted on the umbrella frame.

Abstract: An automatic opening umbrella mechanism which provides a new design, by which users can open an umbrella in a quick and accurate manner with enhanced efficiency. The structure primarily contains a spring disposed between the midpoint of a first main umbrella stretcher and the upper end of the umbrella runner. The resilient restoring force of the spring helps opening an umbrella.

Abstract: An electric stretching/collecting device for a parasol including a touch switch, a remote control circuit, a motor driving mechanism, a manually operated clutch mechanism and a ratchet damper mechanism. A motor serves to drive the motor driving mechanism to wind or unwind a cord for stretching/collecting the parasol. When the crank is switched, a clutching effect is provided to change the electrically driving operation into a manually driving operation. Therefore, the stretching/collecting device of the parasol is able to achieve double uses of manual and electric operation for conveniently stretching or collecting the parasol face.

Abstract: A patio umbrella has a pole that has an opening extending therethrough. The patio umbrella has a plurality of ribs for supporting and umbrella covering, and a runner adapted to slide along the pole and coupled to the ribs. The patio umbrella further includes a pulley system that has a first pulley member secured to a first side of the pole, a second pulley member coupled to the runner on the first side of the pole, a wheel positioned inside the opening of the pole, and a pulley rope. The pulley rope has a first end secured to the second pulley member and passes through the first and second pulley members, and then through the wheel inside the opening of the pole, to a free end that is positioned on a side of the pole that is opposite to the first side.

Abstract: An umbrella opening mechanism adapted to open an umbrella comprising a shank having a central bore, a crown fixed to a top end of the shank, a runner movable along the shank and rib-stretcher sets connected between the crown and the runner for supporting an umbrella canopy is disclosed. The umbrella opening mechanism includes a winding device manually controlled by a crank arm. A first rope which has a first end fixed to the winding device and is capable to be wound onto the winding device extend through the central bore of the shank with a second end thereof attached to a movable connection element. Two pulleys are fixed to the shank and arranged in two radial holes defined in the shank proximate the crown and in communication with the central bore. A second rope has a center point fixed in the central bore and two half sections slidably extending through and supporting the connection element.