Abstract: A pocketable folding umbrella includes a slim upper notch generally rectangular shaped and secured on an upper portion of a central shaft; a slim lower runner generally rectangular shaped and slidably held on the central shaft; a plurality of extremity rib sets radially pivotally secured to two extremity portions of the upper notch and the lower runner, a plurality of flat-side rib sets universally pivotally secured to two flat-side portions of the upper notch and the lower runner, and an umbrella cloth secured with the rib sets, whereby upon folding of an opened umbrella, the flat-side rib sets will be inwardly folded towards a flat side portion of the upper notch and the lower runner as accompanied with a radially folding of the extremity rib sets on the two extremity portions of the upper notch and the lower runner for greatly minimizing the volume of the folded umbrella for a convenient carrying and storage.

Abstract: A shelter device is integrally formed with a lower ferrule or an upper ferrule on an umbrella shaft and includes: a base portion formed on a ring portion of the lower ferrule or the upper ferrule having a fastening wire for fastening the ribs on the ferrule, a sheath portion longitudinally protruding from the base portion to be contiguous to a cylindrical wall of the ferrule, and a tubular hole longitudinally formed through the sheath portion, whereby upon concealing of a twisted knot of the two wire ends of the fastening wire into the tubular hole in the sheath portion of the shelter device, the acute wire ends of the fastening wire will not prick the umbrella user or assembly worker for safety purpose.

Abstract: An umbrella includes: a central shaft having an upper engaging sleeve member generally cylindrically shaped formed on an upper portion of the shaft and a lower engaging sleeve member generally cylindrically shaped formed on a lower portion of the shaft, and a C-shaped retaining ring expansibly held in a runner which is pivotally secured with a stretcher rib pivotally connected to a top rib pivotally secured to an upper notch formed on a top portion of the umbrella, whereby upon an upward movement of the runner to extend the stretcher rib and top rib for opening the umbrella and upon an expansion of the C-shaped ring to be retained on the upper engaging sleeve member, the umbrella will be opened steadily; and upon a folding of the ribs by lowering the runner and upon the expansion of the C-shaped ring to be retained on the lower engaging sleeve member, the umbrella will be closed steadily.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety runner for use in an umbrella, which makes use of a slidable sleeve that has an internal flange at the upper portion thereof and rides on a runner element embracing an umbrella rod; by means of a slide motion of the sleeve relative to the runner element, a resilient bow lever housed in the umbrella rod being depressed by the internal flange to release the detention of the runner so that users can close the umbrella in an easy and safe way.

Abstract: An improved four-section umbrella framework is provided. The framework includes an attachable flexible frame member having a small slot in the main frame member of the umbrella framework. A connector is positioned inside the main frame member such that the latch ring of the connector protrudes through the small slot on the main frame member and provides for the simple attachment of a hook formed at the end of a flexible frame member to form a secure and practical hook joint.

Abstract: A parasol structure in which the handle is formed with multiple equally spaced through holes and a locating plate is pivotally disposed inside the handle. The locating plate has multiple equally spaced locking projections corresponding to and extending through the through holes of the handle. A compression spring is disposed behind each locking projection. The lower nest-like body is provided with inner pressing block, whereby the parasol cover can be adjustably stretched and selectively located at one of multiple stages of positions. The pressing block is disposed inside the lower nest-like body to easily retract the locking projection and contract the cover member without the possibility of injury of the user's fingers.

Abstract: A sunshade includes an upright post with a runner sleeved slidably thereon so as to be movable to a stretching position for operating a rib assembly in order to stretch collapsibly a top cloth above the upright post. The upright post has a spring-loaded stopper which protrudes radially to retain the rib assembly at the stretching position. The runner has an axially extending groove formed in an inner surface thereof and aligned with the stopper, and a projection formed in the groove. The projection has an upper face which inclines inwardly and downwardly and a lower face which extends radially toward the post. The runner has a releasing unit mounted thereon. The releasing unit is constituted by a pressing member which is radially movably disposed in the groove immediately under the projection and a button member which is formed integrally with the pressing member. The button member protrudes out of the runner via a through-hole in the runner.

Abstract: The invention herein relates to a kind of hidden safety contoured leaf spring positioner device for umbrella structures that is comprised of a center pole, a sliding strut spreader, a handle connector, contoured leaf spring and other components, wherein the tensility of the contoured leaf spring is utilized to produce a special locking function and is installed in a round positioning hole of the positioning cavity inside the sliding strut spreader, thereby enabling an umbrella to be actively and safely locked when opened or closed.

Abstract: A beach umbrella has a shaft, ribs, gores, stretchers, and a runner to open and close the umbrella. A container is attached to the runner, container a radio and a locked storage compartment. A fan assembly is also attached to the runner to force air downward onto a person under the umbrella. The umbrella also has a base with threads on the lower end of the base, so the umbrella can be threaded into the ground. A platform on the base provides a stable foundation, and handles on the platform facilitate the threading of the umbrella into the ground.

Abstract: An oblong umbrella having a hood adapted to be extended oppositely so as to shield several people and which is foldable and extendable in a bellows manner for convenient handling and storage. An umbrella comprises a main shaft, an upper hub secured to the main shaft, a lower runner slidably inserted on the main shaft, main spokes connected to the upper hub, main stretcher links connected to the lower runner at inner ends thereof and to middle parts of the main spokes at the outer ends thereof, two upper frames connected to the upper hub which are projected oppositely, two lower frames connected to the lower runner which are connected to middle parts of the upper frames at middle parts thereof, an upper hinge connected to outer ends of the lower frames, a lower hinge connected to outer ends of the upper frames, second spokes connected to the upper hinges, second stretcher links connected to the lower hinge and to middle parts of the second spokes, and a hood secured to outer ends of the main and second spokes.

Abstract: An umbrella opening and closing device adapted for a non-foldable umbrella and is particularly characterized in its simple structure and the lack of conventional spring lactches used to support the main runner in place when the canopy of the umbrella is opened. The present opening and closing device is made up of a first retainer extended from a fixed upper mounting member and a second retainer secured to the slidable main runner that are able to be tightly engaged with each other when the umbrella is opened and can be forced to separate when the umbrella is to be collapsed. A rib fixing ring having a plurality of securing recesses disposed on the periphery thereof is located just below the second retainer for the catching of the ribs of the closed umbrella.

Abstract: An automatic umbrella includes: a central shaft, a plurality of ribs secured with an umbrella cloth and pivotally secured to the central shaft, an umbrella-opening spring, an umbrella-closing spring, and a control device having a resilient retainer slidably held within an elongate slot formed in the central shaft, whereby upon an acting of a wind pressure on the umbrella cloth to lower the umbrella ribs and the resilient retainer, the elongate slot formed in the central shaft provides a buffer for allowing a downward movement of the resilient retainer and a folding of the umbrella ribs to temporarily reduce a wind-catching area of the umbrella cloth to decrease a total wind force acting on the umbrella for a lighter holding of the umbrella especially under a strong wind.

Abstract: An automatic umbrella includes: a central shaft, a plurality of umbrella ribs, an umbrella-opening spring, an umbrella-closing spring, and a control device having a push button which may be pushed upwardly for opening the umbrella and may be pushed downwardly for closing the umbrella for preventing a confusing or false operation when extending or folding the umbrella.

Abstract: An umbrella canopy mounted to a post structure is arranged to include a base support, wherein the base support directs pressurized air through the post support, that in turn includes a matrix of apertures directed therethrough that are selectively blocked by individuals to permit air flow onto such individuals positioned about an associated table structure relative to the post support.

Abstract: An umbrella frame having a pair of mounting rings and frame members which are pivotally connected to each other and to the mounting rings. A frame member having an elongated rod with a notch. A joint assembly is attached to the elongated rod and includes laterally opposed connector halves which mate to form a sleeve over the elongated rod. The sleeve has an inner boss which fits within the notch in the elongated rod when the connector halves are mated over the elongated rod. A collar slides around the mated connector halves to clamp the connector halves together over the elongated rod and to retain the inner boss within the notch in the elongated rod. Strut frame members have an end joint assembly at each end. Rib frame members have an end joint assembly at their inner ends and midpoint joint assemblies at rib midpoints. A mounting ring having a mounting base with a ring of spaced and vertically extending teeth. The frame members are received between the teeth.

Abstract: An improved umbrella is provided which consists of an elongated hollow shaft having an open top. A collapsible canopy is carried on the elongated hollow shaft. A mechanism is for operating the canopy so that when the canopy is placed in a closed position it will be stored within the open top of the elongated hollow shaft and when the canopy is placed in an opened position the canopy will extend outwardly form the open top over the elongated hollow shaft.

Abstract: An improved opening lock for use in a sunshade or a parasol which is housed in a cavity defined on the shaft of the sunshade. The present opening lock has a stop block having a smoothly curved guide bottom at the front end and a bias spring disposed behind the stop block and a fixing element for mounting the spring, and a cover plate which confines the stop block and the spring and the fixing element inside the cavity so that the runner of the sunshade slidably disposed on the shaft is able to move against the lock, pushing the lock into the cavity when the runner traveling upward to make the sunshade open, and the stop block is able to pop out when the runner passing the same and to support the runner in place, keeping the sunshade opened. To close the sunshade, the stop lock must be pushed into the cavity to permit the runner slide downward.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self opening umbrella having canopy rods (D) wh can be shortened in at least a twofold manner and having a stick (1) which is telescopic in at least two stages and has on it a displaceable slider (2), to which lower struts (3) of the canopy linkage are linked, and having a drive spring (F) for raising the slider and opening the frame. In order to reduce the manual force required when pulling the slider down upon closing the umbrella canopy and also to minimize the sliding friction of the spring on the stick, the spring (F) is to supported with its lower end (F') on a rigid abutment (W) of the stick (1) and acts on a crown (20) which is displaceable axially relatively to the top of the stick.

Abstract: A lightly operable fully automatic umbrella comprising a hollow shank having a reduced neck at intermediate portion to divide it into an upper section having upper and lower apertures and a lower section having upper and lower holes, a longitudinal guide groove at the upper section and a middle ring provided at a location having a distance from the top end, the guide groove having a through hole communicating with the interior of the shank; a cylinder mounted around the shank at the end section above the middle ring for receiving an umbrella opening spring therein, and provided with an upper ring at outer lower end; a slidable sleeve mounted around the shank at the upper section, having upper and lower pawls, and provided with a lower ring at outer upper end, including an inner sleeve having a slot; an inner shaft inserted in the lower section of the shank, having upper and lower holes, including an umbrella closing spring received in a space between the top end thereof and the reduced neck, a wire and a slid

Abstract: An umbrella, having a cover stretched over a plastic folding radial frame which comprises upper, intermediate and lower nest plates respectively mounted on a main shaft for securing a plurality of ribs. The nest plates are identical in structure, each comprised an upper circular member having a plurality of pawls and retaining holes at the bottom respectively engaged with a plurality of retaining holes and pawls on the top of a lower circular member for securing the ribs. The cover comprises a plurality of fastening caps at the corners around its periphery and a plurality of snap fastening elements on each radial line thereof for securing the ribs. Because all the parts are made of plastic material, the umbrella is not electrically conductive and can protect against lightning.

Abstract: An automatic umbrella includes a telescopic shaft having a lower outer tube telescopically mounted with an upper inner tube, a locking device pivotally formed in a grip and a lower portion of the central shaft having a single hook portion respectively engageable with two hook holes formed in a lower runner pivotally secured with a plurality of stretcher ribs of a rib assembly of the umbrella for locking a folded umbrella by engaging a lower hook hole in the lower runner with the hook portion of the locking device and for shielding the rib tips into the grip by engaging the hook portion with an upper hook hole of the lower runner, thereby stably locking the folded umbrella.

Abstract: A rotating canopy umbrella includes a canopy assembly that is free to rotate about the axis of a fixed center post. Also included in the design of the umbrella are disks of bearing material used to reduce surface friction during rotation.

Abstract: A telescopic centerpost includes a slider of umbrella spokes or ribs formed with a catch socket engageable with a stabilizing retainer for preventing an accidental dropping of the slider and preventing an unexpected closing of umbrella canopy or cloth once opened; and having a handle tube of the centerpost formed with a plurality of longitudinal extensions on an outer circumference of the handle tube for firmly gripping the handle tube for preventing its slipping.

Abstract: An automatic umbrella includes: a central shaft having an upper shaft telescopically mounted on a lower shaft, a rib assembly having at least a top rib and a stretcher rib supporting the top rib, an elongate extending spring inserted inside the central shaft which may be lightly operated for resetting the umbrella for restoring its elastic force for extending the shafts, the ribs and the umbrella, a plurality of restoring springs each secured in said rib assembly for normally urging and retracting the ribs, and a seesaw button seesawly formed in a grip of the shaft for selectively extending the shaft, the ribs for opening the umbrella, or for retracting the ribs for closing the umbrella.

Abstract: A hub assembly for pivotally holding the ends of the column-like support rods which make up the skeletal frame of a collapsible, self-supporting structure, comprising extension caps for the ends of the support rods, a circular hub body with retaining slots or sockets which receive and pivotally hold the ends of the extension caps and a circular locking disk which releasably interlocks with the hub body to retain the ends of the extension caps in pivotal relationship within the hub body.

Abstract: A pulley system for opening and closing an umbrella which has a ribholder adapted for slidable movement along an umbrella pole. A pulley wheel is mounted in the umbrella pole below its top portion with one end of a pulley cord fixedly attached to the ribholder while the other end of the pulley cord extends below the closed umbrella cover with a first cord handle adapted for being grasped by an operator. The first cord handle has a locking pin adapted for insertion into a hole in the umbrella pole for stopping the downward travel of the ribholder and supporting the umbrella in its open position. A second cord handle is secured to the pulley cord at a predetermined distance from the first handle such that the second handle can be readily grasped and pulled further downward for raising the ribholder to permit the locking pin to be inserted into the hole for locking the umbrella in its open position.

Abstract: An umbrella frame having an upper mounting member (11) fixed on the upper end of a central shaft (10) and a lower mounting member (12) slidable on said shaft with a circumferential series of outer ribs (13) pivoted at the upper end to the upper mounting member (11), and stretcher rods (16) pivotally connecting intermediate portions of said ribs (13) to said lower mounting member (12). The pivotal connections between the mounting members (11) and (12) and the ribs (13) and rods (16) are locked in place by retainer plates (25) and (25a) respectively, movable on the shaft (10).

Abstract: A latch for a clothes drier of the type having a sliding bush with arms pivoted thereto and radiating outwardly therefrom, the latch having a latching tongue with a ramp face which slides over the striker plate as the bush is elevated on a standard and a shoulder which latches the striker plate so as to effect an interlock between the bush and the standard, but when the tongue is depressed away from the striker plate and radially inwardly towards the standard it releases the interlock.

Abstract: A tent support pole having adjacent one end a plurality of hooks spaced circumferentially around the pole on a fixed collar. A sleeve is slidable on the pole between the hook collar and a fixed stop collar spaced below the hook collar. The sleeve has a like plurality of slots to engage the free end of a tent support strut. The other end of the strut is pivotably connected to a tent support arm and intermediate the ends of the arm. One end of the arm has a bar to engage the hook and the other end a guy securing rope. In use, the bar on the arm is placed on the hook and the free end of the strut is engaged in the sleeve slot. The tent pole is then erected with the top of the pole (i.e., the end adjacent the hooks) projecting through a ring secured to the canvas. The guy ropes are secured to the arm. The sleeve is then moved downwardly toward the stop collar, causing the radially outer end of the arms to be raised and the guy ropes to be fully tensioned to support the canvas.