Abstract: There is provided an umbrella (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) moveable between an open position and a closed position, said umbrella comprising; a. a canopy framework (16, 18, 116, 118, 216, 218, 316, 318, 416, 418, 16, 518, 616, 618, 716, 718); b. a central spine (12, 112, 212, 312, 412, 512, 612, 712) configured to support the canopy framework; c. a main canopy (24, 124, 224, 324, 424, 524, 624, 724) configured to cover the canopy framework; and d. a tensioning mechanism 20, 22, 120, 122, 220, 222, 320, 322, 420, 422, 520, 522, 620, 62, 720, 722) configured to tension the main canopy about the canopy framework when the umbrella is in the open position and release the tension to the main canopy about the canopy framework to allow the umbrella to move to the closed position.

Abstract: An umbrella rib assembly including a plurality of main ribs hinged at a main rib fixing member fixed at a top of an umbrella shaft, a plurality of a first auxiliary ribs hinged at a first auxiliary rib fixing member fixed at the umbrella shaft at a position lower than the main rib fixing member and connected with the main ribs, a plurality of second auxiliary ribs hinged at a second auxiliary rib fixing member coupled to the umbrella shaft and slidably movable between the main rib fixing member and the second auxiliary rib fixing member. The umbrella rib assembly is unfolded when the second auxiliary rib fixing member descends toward the fixed first auxiliary rib fixing member while the umbrella rib assembly is folded when the second auxiliary rib fixing member ascends toward the fixed main rib fixing member.

Abstract: A foldaway umbrella (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, said umbrella comprising: k) a central spine (12, 112, 212, 312, 312, 412, 512); l) an upper crown (24, 124, 224, 324, 424, 524) moveable with respect to the central spine; m) a lower crown (38, 138, 238, 338, 438, 538) fixed with respect to the central spine; n) a collapsible canopy framework (16, 116, 216, 316, 416, 516) connected to the upper crown and the lower crown; and o) a main canopy (18, 118, 218, 318, 418, 518) covering the collapsible canopy framework said main canopy (18, 118, 218, 318, 418, 518) covering the collapsible canopy framework said main canopy having an inside face closest to the collapsible canopy framework and an outside face crown from a position remote of the lower crown to a position close to the lower crown results in the collapsible canopy framework, and thus the main canopy, to move from the open configuration to the closed configuration wherein the main canopy i

Abstract: A light windproof umbrella is provided with a center post including a top ferrule, an upper grommet, an intermediate sliding ring, and a sliding runner under the sliding ring; ribs each having one end pivotably secured to the grommet and the other end being open; main joints each formed at a portion of the rib proximate to the other end of the rib; auxiliary joints each formed at a portion of the rib between the main joint and the grommet; stretchers each having one end pivotably secured to the sliding ring and the other end moveably secured to the rib; struts each having one end pivotably secured to the sliding runner and the other end pivotably secured to the auxiliary joint; a lower canopy; and an upper canopy in a partial covering relationship to the lower canopy.

Abstract: An umbrella includes an internal shaft fit into an interior chamber of a central post. A cap is fixed to a top end of the internal shaft. An intermediate collar is movably fit to the central post and a runner located below the collar is fixed to the central post. Each of ribs has an inner end connected to the cap. Each of stretchers has two ends connected to the intermediate collar and the respective rib. Each of the driving bars has ends connected to the runner and the respective rib at a location between the connection of the rib to the cap and the connection of the rib to the respective stretcher. A connector is movably fit over the central post below the runner and is connected by a pull bar to the intermediate collar. The connector includes a fixing member engageable and fixable to the central post.

Abstract: A reversible umbrella is provided. This device includes a supportive pole having an upper portion and a lower portion and a canopy assembly slidably mounted thereon. The canopy assembly further includes first, second, and third sliding collars mounted on the supportive pole; a canopy attached to a plurality of canopy support rods, wherein each of the plurality of canopy support rods is hingeably attached at one end to the third sliding collar; a first plurality of connector rods, wherein one end of each connector rod is hingeably attached to one of the canopy support rods and wherein the other end of the connector rod is hingeably attached to the second sliding collar; and a second plurality of connector rods, wherein one end of each connector rod is hingeably attached to one of the first plurality of connector rods and wherein the other end is hingeably attached to the first sliding collar.

Abstract: A pagoda-shaped umbrella includes a center post, a crown fixed to an upper end of the center post, a runner movable along the center post, a plurality of ribs each coupled to the runner by a stretcher, and a canopy supported by the ribs. A canopy retainer is mounted to the canopy to move to the topmost position when the canopy is open. A collar movably fits over the center post between the runner and the crown and a pair of slide bars extending from the collar, along opposite sides of the center post and movably through openings defined in the crown. Upper ends of the bars are fixed to the canopy retainer. When the runner is moved upward to drive the stretchers and the ribs for opening the canopy, the runner gets into contact with and thus drives the collar upward, which in turn causes upward movement of the retainer to the topmost position thereby shaping the canopy as a pagoda.

Abstract: A reversible umbrella is provided. This device includes a supportive pole having an upper portion and a lower portion and a canopy assembly slidably mounted thereon. The canopy assembly further includes first, second, and third sliding collars mounted on the supportive pole; a canopy attached to a plurality of canopy support rods, wherein each of the plurality of canopy support rods is hingeably attached at one end to the third sliding collar; a first plurality of connector rods, wherein one end of each connector rod is hingeably attached to one of the canopy support rods and wherein the other end of the connector rod is hingeably attached to the second sliding collar; and a second plurality of connector rods, wherein one end of each connector rod is hingeably attached to one of the first plurality of connector rods and wherein the other end is hingeably attached to the first sliding collar.

Abstract: An umbrella a fixed ring secured on top of a rod, a middle ring and a lower ring slidably engaged on the rod, a number of main staves having inner ends rotatably securing to the middle ring, a number of upper staves pivotally coupled between the fixed ring and the main staves, and a number of stave supports each having an inner end rotatably coupled to the lower ring and an outer end secured to the middle portion of the main staves. The main staves and the stave supports are made of composite materials for increasing the strength and for reducing the weight of the umbrella.

Abstract: A multiple-fold automatic umbrella includes: a central shaft; a rib assembly pivotally secured to an upper notch and a lower runner on the central shaft; an opening spring and a plurality of closing springs for opening or closing the umbrella; and a control device including a push button, an opening controller having an upper latch for controlling the opening of the umbrella, a closing controller including a lower latch for controlling the closing of the umbrella, and a multiple-fold rope respectively sinuously wound on a plurality of rollers which are respectively mounted on an upper holder formed on an upper portion of the central shaft adjacent to the upper notch and on a lower holder formed on the lower runner for smoothly winding the rope on the rollers for enhancing a smooth opening or closing operation of the umbrella.

Abstract: A canopy frame for umbrellas has a structure adapted for various shapes, making the appearance of umbrellas dexterous and interesting. The frame has a main shaft, an upper sliding notch, a lower sliding notch, multiple positioning ribs, multiple upper spreaders, upright ribs, upper angle-forming clamps, auxiliary stretchers, lower spreaders and multiple clamping pieces. Two positioning holes are on the main shaft for the fixing of the upper and lower sliding notch and at the top end of the main shaft is disposed the fixed notch. The upper and lower sliding notch mounted consecutively on the main shaft under the fixed notch. One end of each positioning rib is connected to the fixed notch and the other end is associated with an upper angle-forming clamp. One end of each upper spreader is fixed to the upper sliding notch and the other end is engaged with the middle hinge point of the upper angle-forming clamp.