Abstract: A parafoil for operation at high altitudes, in low density air, or at low airspeeds, and methods for opening same. Some versions of the parafoil comprise flexible members connected to the parafoil canopy. When the parafoil canopy is in a stowed configuration, the members are deformed, storing elastic energy. When the canopy is released from its stowed configuration, the members spring back to their undeformed shapes, thereby opening or assisting with opening the canopy. The flexible member may also be attached to a base structure, which is attached to the payload. The members may comprise rods or hollow tubes that can be flexed using a fulcrum near the base structure, or a spacer plate, so that the ends connected to the canopy are restrained by a parachute bag containing the stowed or packed canopy. The parachute bag can be opened prior to or during detachment of the parafoil from the flight vehicle.

Abstract: Umbrella assemblies described herein are advantageously configured with simple yet robust arrangements for securing an umbrella in an open configuration, for example, with a runner in an elevated position. In some embodiments, the umbrella assemblies are self-opening and/or include locking devices. The locking devices can engage support structures positioned on an umbrella pole.

Abstract: An improved automatic umbrella including a tube plug fixed to a top of a second tube of a telescopic tube assembly, an inner tube fixed to the tube plug within the second tube of the telescopic tube assembly, a control tube being movably fitted in the inner tube, wherein the control tube is provided with a lower control pulley at its inner bottom end and the inner tube is provided with an upper control pulley at its inner top end, and a control line being provided such that a first end of the control line is fixed to a bullet head in the telescopic tube assembly, whereas a second end of the control line is sequentially looped around the upper control pulley and the lower control pulley, and finally fixed to a top end of the control tube, whereby the umbrella can be easily folded into a fully compact form.

Abstract: An automatic folding/unfolding umbrella includes a main rod, umbrella ribs for supporting a canopy, a slide element, and a handle. The umbrella ribs are pivotally installed at the tip of the main rod, and primary link rods are pivotally installed under the tip of the main rod. A secondary link rod is pivotally coupled between each corresponding umbrella rib and each primary link rod. The slide element is installed on the main rod. A handle installed at a bottom end of the main rod includes a link mechanism. The main rod includes a link element and a link mechanism coupled to the slide element. Elastically stretchable elements couple the slide element with the primary link rod. The link mechanism is driven by the link element to slide the slide element. The elastically stretchable elements are pulled to drive the primary link rods to unfold or fold the umbrella ribs.

Abstract: A rain shielding device for an automobile includes an umbrella holder, an umbrella cloth, and a power accumulator. The umbrella holder includes a first edge column mounted on a vehicle door, a second edge column mounted on a vehicle body, a plurality of main umbrella sticks between the first edge column and the second edge column, and two interlock members. The umbrella cloth is covered on the umbrella holder. The power accumulator includes a movable member, a plurality of auxiliary umbrella sticks, and an energy-storing member. The interlock members move the movable member when the vehicle door opens, and then the movable member interacts with the auxiliary umbrella sticks to push the main umbrella sticks and umbrella cloth unfolding. The energy-storing member stores energy when the umbrella cloth unfolds and releases energy when the vehicle door is closed; thus provides an auxiliary force when the umbrella cloth folds/unfolds.

Abstract: An automatic folding/unfolding umbrella includes a main rod, umbrella ribs for supporting a canopy, a slide element, and a handle. The umbrella ribs are pivotally installed at the tip of the main rod, and primary link rods are pivotally installed under the tip of the main rod. A secondary link rod is pivotally coupled between each corresponding umbrella rib and each primary link rod. The slide element is installed on the main rod. A handle installed at a bottom end of the main rod includes a link mechanism. The main rod includes a link element and a link mechanism coupled to the slide element. Elastically stretchable elements couple the slide element with the primary link rod. The link mechanism is driven by the link element to slide the slide element. The elastically stretchable elements are pulled to drive the primary link rods to unfold or fold the umbrella ribs.

Abstract: A guy structure for an automatic unfolding and folding umbrella is provided. The guy structure includes two or more guys: One guy is a lower nest guy, provided at least between a middle rod and a lower nest; the other is an unfolding guy, provided at least between the middle rod and a spreading component in the umbrella head. While unfolding the umbrella, an unfolding spring stretches and opens part of the middle rod pipe. The unfolding guy pulls and opens the rest section of middle rod pipe with the cooperation of the lower nest guy, and forms the complete unfolding status. While folding the umbrella, the folding spring makes the lower nest move downward under force of the folding spring. At this time, the unfolding spring does not generate tension on the middle rod pipe above it, thus the middle rod pipe above the unfolding spring can be collected through the lower nest guy or the unfolding guy.

Abstract: An outdoor umbrella that closes automatically in high wind is disclosed. The wind causes the main support post of the umbrella to flex from the vertical dislodging a plunger from its weight bearing mounting on a rigid rod. The plunger is attached to an actuator rod extending upward within the support post. When the plunger is displaced the actuator rod is caused to move downward thereby activating a releasing ratchet which frees a shaft to rotate and the cable which holds the canopy to unwind. A hydraulic cylinder attached to one of the canopy ribs presses on the rib to close the canopy and maintain the canopy in closed orientation. As the canopy closes a reset mechanism is activated which resets the plunger onto the rigid rod. Once closed the canopy will remain closed until raised by manually rewinding the cable onto the shaft using a hand crank attached to the end of the shaft. A second ratchet assembly incorporated into the hand crank prevents the hand crank from spinning when the umbrella closes.

Abstract: An automatic umbrella has an electric motor, nose, and gear assembly which rides up or down the interior of the handle/body of the umbrella on threading/gearing on the interior of the umbrella shaft. As the traveler assembly rises the ribs hingedly connected to the traveler extend through notches or slots in the end of the umbrella, until the nose extends out the end and the ribs actually swing downwards. Motion of the ribs is controlled by a pin or guide on the side of the notch which cooperates with the shaped sides of the umbrella ribs. The nose acts to tension the canopy in the deployed position. The traveler may move due to a rotating gear engaging the threaded inside surface of a tubular body, or the tubular body may be rotated (preferably within an outer housing) and the traveler forced upward by the motion.

Abstract: An umbrella provided with motor means suitable for automatically carrying out the closing and opening operations. The umbrella is provided with sticks suitable for rotating so as to move, in a closed configuration, into a shaft of the umbrella, along with the relevant covering sheet.

Abstract: A shade structure includes a vertical column and a roof having a cover, a framework supporting the cover, and a mount attached for rotational adjustment to a top of the column and supporting the roof on the column. The framework includes a triangularly-shaped main beam arrangement comprising a plurality of beams secured together to form a triangle that lies in a vertical plane and that defines a peak and opposing first corners, with the mount being located between the peak and one of the opposing corners. The framework further includes a pair of transverse beams and a bracing beam secured to the triangular main beam arrangement that define opposing second corners. By this arrangement, an adjustable shade structure is provided that is able to withstand over 40 mph wind loads.

Abstract: An enhanced frame of an auto-opening umbrella comprises hollow cylindrical intermediate joints with spreaders passed through and each including two spaced bottom lugs, a bar across the lugs, and a recess between the lugs. The bar is disposed less than half of a projected distance of the lug. A plurality of links has hooked ends pivotably coupled to a lower ring and the bar. Also, the recess is in communication with a hole of the joint. The outer hooked end of each link is sufficiently smaller than the recess so that ribs are spaced apart from the spreaders by a much smaller distance when the umbrella is folded. This can achieve a smooth folding operation and a more compact umbrella after folded.

Abstract: An automatic folding umbrella is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stick type umbrella with reinforced frame including a shaft, which connects with a frame having several sets, such as six sets or eight sets, of main ribs and stretchers. The frame is to provide with two different rib-set structures alternately on the frame. One set is to provide a cord between a middle position of the stretcher and an outer position of the main rib, and the other set is to provide a movable joint at the outer end of the stretcher positioned on the relative main rib between two fixed rings. As the cord pulls the main rib tight and the movable joint functions on the main rib to release wind pressure, the stick type umbrella with the present invention can be quite useful and is capable of avoiding breakage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a structure for automatic opening umbrella, which mainly includes a runner having a middle connector and a lower connector. A main rib of umbrella frame has its inner end to connect with the upper joint. A supporting rib has its inner end to connect with the middle connector of the runner and has its outer end to connect with middle position of the main rib. A spring has its inner end to connect with the lower connector and has its outer end to connect with the outer end of the supporting rib. The spring will be tensioned as the umbrella is folded to provide a recovery force for automatic opening the umbrella.

Abstract: A multiple-fold automatic umbrella includes: a central shaft, a rib assembly including a top rib, a stretcher rib, at least an intermediate rib and a tail rib pivotally connected one another and pivotally connected to the central shaft, an opening spring, a plurality of closing springs and a control device for controlling the opening and closing of the umbrella; with the intermediate rib formed by extrusion molding process to have a cross section of two-lobe shape having an inner joint and an outer joint respectively connected on opposite ends of the intermediate rib for pivotally connecting inner and outer ribs of the rib assembly for obtaining a light-weight and proper strength of the rib assembly.

Abstract: The free-arm shade has radial shade ribs (6), support ribs (7) attached to the latter, and a shade rod slide (8) that is freely attached to support ribs (7). It also has a decentral pole (1) standing outside the shade. One of the shade ribs is vertically displaceably attached to pole (1) by its outer end, and functions as a side arm (2). On its top side, it is connected to pole tip (11) via an articulated rib (4), with this shade rib (2) having a pivot joint (13) between the edge of the shade fabric and the pole. Articulated rib (4) is connected to shade rib (2) via a pivot hinge (12). Shade rib (2) can therefore be pivoted around the axis between pivot joint (13) and pivot hinge (12) so that the entire shade can be tilted sideways in relation to pole (1).

Abstract: An automatic multiple folded umbrella comprises a body edges of two sides of which are installed with a first spring, respectively, and a guiding track, respectively; further, a penetrating hole being formed at the center of the body; a stop being inserted into the body from a lower side; a center thereof being installed with a stopping portion; a retaining piece being inserted into the body from a lower side thereof; and a center thereof being installed with a retainer; a lower cover covering the stop and the retaining piece to be in the body; a button being installed above and at two lateral walls of the body; an inner edge thereof being installed with a downward protruded press portion; a post being inserted into the penetrating hole of the body; a movable toggle being placed in the body; two sides of the movable toggle being protruded with bosses and being installed with a fourth spring; a folding block with an inverse L shape is formed between two extending pieces at the upper end of the movable toggle;

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: A patio umbrella has a pole, a plurality of primary ribs extending from the pole, a hub slidably supported on the pole, and a plurality of secondary ribs, each secondary rib having a first end pivotally coupled to the hub and a second end pivotally coupled to one of the primary ribs. The patio umbrella has a ledge positioned on the pole, and a spring slidably supported on the pole between the hub and the ledge. The patio umbrella can also have at least one stretcher having a first end pivotally coupled to one of the secondary ribs, and a second end pivotally coupled to the ledge.

Abstract: A retracting mechanism used in an automatic multiple collapsible umbrella. The mechanism primarily consists of a spring, one end of which is attached to a second umbrella stretcher and the other end connected to a flexible rib and an umbrella strut. When the umbrella is collapsed, the restoring force of the spring will directly urge umbrella stretchers and ribs to move toward the central umbrella rod. The mechanism of the invention can produce an effect of smoothly collapsing umbrellas with less acting force. In addition, there is only one hole required for the attachment of the umbrella strut and flexible rib. Thus it also has the effects of enhanced strength and shortened manufacturing processes.

Abstract: An umbrella includes a shaft having a plurality of ribs radially and pivotally connected to a finishing cap on the top of the shaft and a sleeve is slidably mounted to the shaft. A stop, a first flange and a second flange respectively extend radially outward from the sleeve, wherein the first flange is located between the stop and the second flange. A collar is movably mounted to the sleeve and located between the stop and the first flange. A plurality of first stretchers pivotally connected between the collar and the ribs. A runner is movably mounted to the sleeve and located between the first flange and the second flange. A plurality of second stretchers are pivotally connected between the runner and the ribs. The sleeve is pushed toward the collar to move the collar and to let the panel be expanded by the first stretchers and the movement of the ribs expand the second stretchers.

Abstract: A foldable umbrella includes an elongate handle, a ferrule fixed on an upper end thereof, a runner sleeved slidably on the handle. Each of a plurality of rib assemblies includes elongated first, second and third ribs. The first rib has a first proximate end connected pivotally to the ferrule, a first distal end, a first pivot and a longitudinal slide slot. The second rib has second proximate and second distal ends, and a second pivot disposed adjacent to the second proximate end. The second pivot is connected pivotally to the first distal end of the first rib. The third rib has third proximate and third distal ends, and a third pivot connected pivotally to the second distal end of the second rib. A stretcher has a fourth proximate end connected pivotally to the runner, and a fourth distal end connected pivotally to the first pivot of the first rib.

Abstract: A safety umbrella includes: a central shaft; a rib assembly having a plurality of top ribs pivotally secured to an upper notch on the shaft each top rib pulled by a pulling rope to be tensioned towards an upper portion on the shaft, and a plurality of stretcher ribs each pivotally connected between each top rib and a runner slidably held on the shaft, with each stretcher rib forming an acute angle between the stretcher rib and the shaft; whereby upon opening of the umbrella, the tension force as effected by the pulling rope and acting upon each top rib will be transferred to each stretcher rib to form an upwardly orienting fraction force to lift the stretcher rib along the shaft to stably hold the rib assembly at an opening state; and a ball resiliently held in a lower portion of the shaft, whereby upon closing of the umbrella, the runner will be engaged with the ball for stably retracting the rib assembly at a folded condition, thereby eliminating the acute spring catches as found in a conventional umbrella

Abstract: A multiple-fold automatic umbrella includes: a central shaft consisting of plural tubes telescopically engageable with one another; a rib assembly including at least a top rib pivotally secured to an upper notch of the central shaft, a stretcher rib pivotally secured between the top rib and a lower runner slidably held on the central shaft, and other ribs pivotally connected with one another and pivotally secured to the top rib and the stretcher rib; an opening spring resiliently retained in the central shaft for opening the umbrella; a plurality of closing springs for closing the umbrella; and a control device including a drawer shaped push button slidably held in a grip of the central shaft having an upper latch integrally formed on the push button operatively disengaging the lower runner for opening the umbrella, and a lower latch for closing the umbrella when opened and perpendicularly secured under the lower latch with a safety spring member resiliently held in a front chamber formed in a front portion o

Abstract: The present invention relates to a collapsing mechanism of automatic fourfold collapsible umbrellas, especially to an umbrella structure in which a restoring spring is disposed in a second parallelogrammatic frame set. The restoring spring can exert enough forces to quickly retract umbrella stretchers and ribs when an umbrella is collapsed. Thus the collapsing mechanism according to the invention can rapidly and smoothly pull down a fourfold collapsible umbrella.

Abstract: An auto-opening mechanism can make the pivotal coupling between the supporting ribs and the linkage beams highly firm and secure while nonetheless retaining the light-weighted quality of the supporting ribs The folding frame structure is more durable than the prior art by using enforced light-weighted materials such as FRP to form the umbrella frame and steel bars to form the linkage beams. Therefore, the foldable frame structure is longer in the life of use than the prior art.

Abstract: A simplified flat top umbrella includes: a central shaft (1) having an upper notch (11) formed on an upper portion of the shaft (1) and a lower runner (12) slidably held on the shaft (1), a top rib (2) pivotally secured to the upper notch (11), an outer rib (3) fixed to the top rib (2), a stretcher rib (4) pivotally connected between the lower runner (12) and the top rib (2), and a pulling rib (5) secured between the stretcher rib (4) and an outer portion (32) of the outer rib (3); whereby upon extending of the ribs having an umbrella cloth retained thereon for opening the umbrella, the top rib (2) and the outer rib (3) will be lifted to form a generally horizontal canopy and the outer portion (32) of the outer rib (3) will be pulled inwardly by the pulling rib (5) and the stretcher rib (4) to form a skirt portion generally perpendicular to the horizontal canopy, thereby providing a light compact flat top umbrella for a convenient carrying and operation.

Abstract: A multiple-fold automatic umbrella includes: a control device having a ring-shape push button slidably held in the grip having an upper latch integrally formed on a ring portion of the push button which is engaged with a slot formed in a lower runner slidably held on a central shaft of the umbrella for locking the runner and central shaft at their folded state, and which is disengaged from the slot of the runner for opening the umbrella when depressing the push button; and an elongated cylinder of an anti-false operation safety device resiliently held in the grip having a lower latch resiliently formed on a lower portion of the cylinder for preventing unexpected depression on the lower latch and only after the umbrella is opened, the lower latch may then be actuated, upon depression of the push button, for closing the umbrella from an opened umbrella, thereby providing an automatically opening and closing umbrella with simplified structure and minimized elements for the control device of the umbrella.

Abstract: A conical tension membrane structure capable of resisting high winds in which the fabric is tensioned both radially and tangentially by radial support arms operable to provide tension peripherally by radial support arms, operable to provide tension peripherally of the fabric and being foldable to a closed position, with cover supported by radial cables, and arms held down by hold-down cables.

Abstract: A sun shade assembly (10) includes a shade means (11) including a flexible cover (13) attached to a plurality of support arms (14), the support arms being movable from a lowered position in which the cover is in a stowed attitude and a raised position in which the cover is in an operative shading attitude, and support means (12) having a mounting base (16) and a support structure (15) upstanding from said mounting base and extending in part above said shade means (11) for supporting said shade means offset from said mounting base, and a plurality of cables (44) connected to respective ones of the support arms (14) and disposed above the cover for maintaining the cover in the operative shading attitude.

Abstract: A fire escape parachute is provided and includes a center shaft, top ribs, stretcher ribs, a main runner, reinforcing ribs, an upper runner, a fabric and a safety belt. The function of the runner is to drive the stretcher ribs which in turn push the top ribs to open the fabric. The reinforcing ribs will tightly pull the outer ends of the top ribs, so that the top ribs are bent downwards to form an arc and such is secured by reinforcing ropes to effectively prevent reverse upward turning of the fabric and the top ribs. Thus, in case of fire in a high-rise building, the fabric can be controlled and opened directly by the escapee, who will use the fire escape parachute to slowly descend from the high-rise building.

Abstract: In an umbrella, particularly a standing umbrella, sunshade, garden umbrella or similar, with a frame, a roof structure and a canopy, where the roof rods (5) are linked to a pole element (2) bearing a cap (3) and moveable in a telescopic manner relative to the vertical pipe (1), and a slide (4), on which stretchers (6) linked to the roof rods (5) act flexibly, is moveable along the vertical pipe (1), the cap (3) and the slide (4) moving in opposite directions during opening and closing of the umbrella, and with at least one additional stretcher (8) arranged flexibly above the slide (4) between the umbrella pipe (1) and a roof rod (5), the slide (4) being fitted with a locking device (12) with which it can be locked in its upper position and the canopy can be tensioned, it is envisaged that the locking device (12) works in conjunction with a retaining device (13) located on the cap (3) or the moveable pole element (2) to enable simple manual opening of the umbrella and stretching of the canopy, particularly for

Abstract: A portable shade umbrella comprises a weighted base having a supporting pole secured in it, with the supporting pole having a curved upper section with a downwardly depending stud attached to the outer end of the curved section for supporting a rib assembly and a canopy, each of which includes central apertures penetrated by the stud and secured to the stud with a nut, which stretches the flexible canopy into a traditional umbrella shape. The length of the supporting pole is adjustable. The canopy includes a plurality of insertion pockets about its perimeter for receiving and retaining the outer ends of the curved ribs.

Abstract: An automatic umbrella including an inside cap at the top of the umbrella shaft thereof, a top runner mounted around the umbrella shaft, an open control spring mounted between the inside cap and the top runner and compressed to preserve energy for opening the umbrella when the umbrella is collapsed, a collapse control spring compressed and retained in the compressed position by means of the operation of the hook of a locating device on the top end of the bottom shaft of the umbrella shaft, and the operation of the detent of a release control device inside the umbrella shaft, to preserve energy for collapsing the umbrella when the umbrella is opened, and a control block with a push plate moved vertically to actuate the release control device in automatically opening/closing the umbrella, and a bottom runner having a hook hooked on the umbrella shaft for allowing the umbrella to be operated manually when the hook of the bottom runner is released.

Abstract: An automatic umbrella with multiple folds particularly of triple folds includes: a central shaft device having an upper, a middle, and a lower tubular shaft telescopically engageable with one another and having a grip formed on a lower portion of the central shaft device, a controller formed in the grip for controlling an opening or closing of the umbrella, a rib assembly pivotally secured to the central shaft device for supporting an umbrella cloth on the rib assembly, an extending spring retained within the central shaft device for extending the shaft and the umbrella when opening the umbrella, and a plurality of retraction restoring springs secured on the rib assembly for retracting the rib assembly for closing the umbrella, in which the extending spring is jacketed on an upper sleeve fixed in the upper tubular shaft and jacketed in a middle sleeve secured on the middle tubular shaft of the central shaft device so as to prevent any frictional contacting of the coiled extending spring with an inside wall of

Abstract: An umbrella includes: a central shaft having a lower tube secured on a grip and an upper tube telescopically mounted on the lower tube, a plurality of umbrella ribs pivotally secured to the central shaft for securing an umbrella cloth thereon, a plurality of rib restoring springs respectively secured on the ribs for operatively automatically closing the umbrella, which is previously opened to tension the rib restoring springs for storing their restoring spring energy, a control device having a push button transversely slidably held in a grip and a closing actuator vertically slidably held in the lower tube having a pulling rod linked to a resilient latch for operatively retracting the resilient latch for uncoupling the upper tube from the lower tube when closing the umbrella, and a rope secured between the lower tube and a lower runner of the umbrella ribs by slidably winding the rope in an upper portion of the upper tube to be operatively tensioned on the rope when opening the umbrella to have a tendency for

Abstract: An umbrella includes a shaft restoring spring provided in a central shaft of the umbrella which will store its elastic force when opening the umbrella and extendig the shaft so that upon a depression of a closing controller formed on a grip of the umbrella, the shaft restoring spring will restore to retract the shaft in order to quickly close the umbrella as assisted by a rib restoring spring which restores to close the umbrella ribs.

Abstract: This invention relates to a springless umbrella capable of being opened and closed under the elasticity of the ribs, which simplifies the manufactured and assembled process of the shaft and reduces the cost and provides a convenient umbrella for use.

Abstract: An automatic umbrella has a telescopic stick, a frame carrying a canopy and connected to the stick by rings, automatic closing and opening means, a case connected to the lower tube of the stick, and means for twisting the folds of the canopy. Means for twisting the folds may have a thread provided on the middle tube of the stick, and a notch provided on the lower tube of the stick and engaging with the thread.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for the power-assisted opening of parasols, umbrellas and the like comprising a shaft of which one of the ends is provided with a cap on which ribs are articulated in star-like manner, wherein at least one compressed air jack is articulated by its cylinder on a ring fixed to the shaft, while the free end of its piston rod is pivotally mounted with respect to a tab of the rib lying in the same vertical plane as the jack. In folded position, the point of pivoting of the end of the piston rod with respect to the tab lies between the shaft and a line joining the axis of articulation of said jack on the ring and the point of articulation of the rib in question on the cap with a view to constituting a toggle joint maintaining the parasol closed.