Abstract: In order to improve a free-standing parasol, particularly a large parasol, in which canopy rods of a canopy are supported through supporting struts on an accommodating collar (8) of a slider (2), which, with the canopy open, can be latched to a parasol pole (4) through a releasable pawl (26) and a catch (30), wherein the pawl (26) is arranged on a tilting lever (12), it is proposed that the tilting lever (12) be surrounded by a housing (20) that comprises bearings (22) for the hinge pin (40). The tilting lever (12) itself has an operating button (13). The housing (20) comprises an aperture (21), through which the the operating button is made accessible. The hinge pin (40) of the tilting lever (12) is oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis (42) of the parasol pole (4) and the hinge pin (40) is closer to the longitudinal axis (42) of the parasol pole (4) than the pawl (26).

Abstract: The invention provides a lever-type umbrella runner. A lever is configured on the runner; the lever is hinged with the runner; the upper end of the lever is connected with a pull rod inside the runner. The lever-type umbrella runner of the invention features simple structure, low manufacturing cost and ease and convenience in use. It is applicable to all fields that need runners, especially to parasol umbrella.

Abstract: An umbrella hub is provided that is operative to engage an umbrella cord for maintaining an umbrella in an open position. The hub can comprise a cord retention mechanism. For example, the hub can comprise upper and lower hub portions that form a hub body and a cord retention mechanism comprising an aperture extending through the hub body, a recess disposed within the upper or lower hub portion, and a pair of engagement members disposed in the recess. The cord lock mechanism can be configured to allow the cord to pass freely in a first direction while preventing movement of the cord therethrough in a second direction that is opposite the first direction or to pass freely in both the first and second directions.

Abstract: A runner fastening device is provided for holding a runner of an umbrella at an upper position relative to a central shaft unit, and includes a spring catch having a retaining region and an actuated region, a retained member moved with the runner and having a retained slot which extends to terminate at an abutment wall to abut against the retaining region at the upper position, and a sleeve member movably surrounding the retained member. By mating engagement between cammed and camming surfaces of the retained member and the sleeve member, when the sleeve member is moved downwardly, the actuated region is pressed against a biasing action to retreat inwardly to sweep the retaining region away from the abutment wall to thereby permit downward movement of the runner.

Abstract: A safety buckle of umbrella is mounted in receiving compartments formed in a runner. The safety buckle is generally a U-shaped having two limbs each forming a hook latch. Two pivot pins are respectively mounted to opposite side surfaces of the buckle and torsion springs are respectively fit to the pivot pins to provide the hook latches with spring biasing force for engagement. The pivot pins of the safety buckle are respectively received in pivot holes defined in inside surfaces of the receiving compartments. To open the umbrella, the runner is moved upward along a center post. A user presses down the safety buckle when the runner gets close to positioning pins formed on the center post to allow the hook latches to respectively engage the positioning pins thereby securely fixing the runner in position on the center post.

Abstract: A cushioning device for umbrella includes a first gear, a plate spring, a bolt, and a second gear collectively arranged in a hollow chamber defined between a side cover and a casing. The umbrella has a central post to which an axially-extending toothed rack is mounted. The side cover and the casing of the cushioning device are mounted to the runner of the umbrella to have the second gear mating the rack of the central post. The first gear and the second gear of the cushioning device mate each other. The first gear has a surface to which the plate spring and the bolt are mounted. Rotating the bolt to different extents of tightness makes the plate spring apply different depression forces to the first gear, which changes the frictional resistance between the first gear and the casing.

Abstract: An operation system for umbrellas includes a multiple-section shaft with a top cap connected to a top thereof and the top cap has a first extension which includes a flexible part formed thereto. A protrusion extends from a distal end of the flexible part. A runner is movably mounted to the shaft and the first extension. The runner has a second extension which has a positioning hole so as to receive the protrusion to stop the runner from moving downward. A hollow sleeve is movably mounted to the second extension and drives the runner to move along the shaft. The sleeve has a compressing member to compress the protrusion inward to disengage the protrusion from the positioning hole when folding the umbrella.

Abstract: An umbrella hub is provided that is operative to engage an umbrella cord for maintaining an umbrella in an open position. The hub can comprise a hub body, a channel, a passage section, and an engagement section. The hub body can comprise a series of projections extending outwardly from the hub body. The channel can be formed in one of the projections of the hub body. The channel can be configured to allow the cord to pass therethrough. Further, the passage section can be configured to allow the cord to pass freely therethrough. Finally, the engagement section can be configured to engage the cord to prevent upward movement of the cord relative to the hub body.

Abstract: An umbrella comprising an umbrella shaft (1) and an umbrella frame situated on the umbrella shaft (1), the frame comprising a spider that is formed by umbrella ribs and supports a canopy, and spreader struts that are pivoted on the umbrella ribs and on a slider (2) that is supported so as to be longitudinally displaceable on the umbrella shaft (1) between a closed position and an open position of the umbrella frame. The slider (2) has at least two locking elements (3), each provided for engagement in a lock seat (4) associated with the umbrella shaft in the particular end position of the slider (2), and a handle (5) that is axially displaceable between two end positions is provided on the slider (2). The handle is forcibly entrained from one end position to the other when the slider is actuated, and the locking element (3) that is engaged is shifted to an unlocked state and the other locking element (3) is shifted to a locked state that allows engagement in the other lock seat (4).

Abstract: A runner assembly for use with a central shaft of an umbrella frame includes a tubular retaining block which is movable relative to a tubular runner in a transverse direction relative to an axis of the central shaft, and a tubular thrust member movable along the axis. An inner sleeve surface of the thrust member is configured such that, when the thrust member is pressed from a releasing position to an actuating position, the retaining block is moved from a first position to a second position to permit a retaining member disposed thereon to engage an engaging surface of the central shaft so as to keep the umbrella frame in an open state.

Abstract: A slim safety umbrella runner includes a push button having a pivotal portion formed on a bottom portion of the push button and insertably engaged in a pivotal cavity formed in a bottom rim of the runner, with the push button pivotally biasing a resilient protrusion resiliently formed on a runner sleeve of an umbrella central shaft, whereby upon a depression of the push button to disengage the runner from the resilient protrusion, the runner will be lowered for closing the runner.

Abstract: An umbrella structure according to the invention includes a cover, a shaft, a notch, a runner, main ribs and stretchers. The notch is downwardly extended to form an extension section, which is accommodated with the runner and extruded to form an integral elastic protrusion. The protrusion is devised as a fastening button with one end thereof joined with the extension section, and a projecting top portion forming a supporting plane for butting against the runner. When the umbrella is stretched, the supporting plane of the protrusion section is butted against a lower section of the runner to stretch the umbrella.

Abstract: An umbrella frame includes an upper shaft part 2 and a lower shaft part 1, the two parts being connected by a tilting joint to enable the upper part to tilt with respect to the lower, a runner 4 sliding on the lower shaft part 1, for spreading a cover on the umbrella frame into its unfurled configuration when slid upwardly, and an actuator connected to the upper shaft part 2 and passing down the shaft, through or past the runner 4 when in its upper position with the umbrella open, to an operating location on the lower shaft part 1, the actuator being accessible at its lower end to allow an operator to tilt the upper shaft part 2.

Abstract: A lower nest structure for a collapsible umbrella is provided, which contains a tubular member and a body member. The tubular member is sleeved over the central shaft and contains a tubular section and an operation knob. A pair of guiding holes and a pair of wedges located below the guiding holes are interleaved around the tubular section. The body member has a ring section to sleeve over the tubular section of the tubular member. The ring section is confined by the bottom surfaces of the wedges and the operation knob. A pair of opposing hook elements is configured on top of the ring section which could be flexibly expanded outward, causing a force to clasp inward. On the top ends of the hook elements, reversed hooks are configured to penetrate through the guiding holes of the tubular member and into the positioning holes of the central shaft for fixedly positioning the lower nest.

Abstract: An umbrella includes: a central shaft, and a rib assembly respectively pivotally secured to an upper notch formed on a top of the central shaft and to a runner slidably held on a guiding sleeve disposed about the central shaft; with the guiding sleeve integrally formed with a resilient protrusion on the sleeve; and the runner having a socket formed in the runner for engaging the resilient protrusion for opening the umbrella, and a sloping portion inclined upwardly inwardly from the socket for thrusting the resilient protrusion inwardly for disengaging the runner from the resilient protrusion on the guiding sleeve when lowering the runner for closing the umbrella, thereby omitting the lateral depression operation by inwardly depressing a spring catch of a conventional umbrella and thereby enhancing a safe, quick, and ergonomic operation for closing the umbrella.

Abstract: An umbrella actuator for extending and folding an umbrella includes a runner slidable on a vertical rod to drive an umbrella frame to move, an anchor element fixedly mounted on the vertical rod for latching the runner, and a coupling device attached to the runner including an annular ring which may be moved to anchor the runner on the vertical rod at an action position or be released thereby to achieve a safer and more reliable operation.

Abstract: An improved, durable and versatile umbrella frame assembly is provided to more readily endure abusive weather conditions and that may be quickly, easily and inexpensively repaired. In addition, the assembly is also easily modified to accommodate umbrella canopies of different sizes and shapes. In addition, an improved umbrella operating system is provided to permit simple opening, positioning, and locking of an umbrella while allowing the frame to freely rotate about the pole regardless of the degree to which it is opened, while the pole is held in a stationary position. The assembly includes a pair of hub members mounted about a pole member wherein the main hub member is slidable up and down the pole. A pulley system with a locking cam member may be employed to allow the umbrella to safely and easily open to any desired position. A locking stabilizer arm may be used to secure the main hub member in the fully open position.

Abstract: A fastening structure of an umbrella for specifically stabilizing an umbrella post when opening a multiple-fold umbrella is mainly featured that an extending rod is disposed at a connected end of a strutting rib and a lower nest of the multiple-fold umbrella; the said extending rod penetrates directly into an inner hole of the lower nest through a radial channel disposed correspondingly on the lower nest and is supported on the umbrella post; thereby the umbrella post is stabilized relatively to the lower nest to assure that the fastener for opening the umbrella specifically supports the lower nest for a smooth umbrella opening operation; furthermore, the structure of the present invention is simple, convenient, efficient and meets all the requirements of the economic effect.

Abstract: A fastening structure of an umbrella for specifically stabilizing an umbrella post when opening a multiple-fold umbrella is mainly featured that an extending rod is disposed at a connected end of a strutting rib and a lower nest of the multiple-fold umbrella; the said extending rod penetrates directly into an inner hole of the lower nest through a radial channel disposed correspondingly on the lower nest and is supported on the umbrella post; thereby the umbrella post is stabilized relatively to the lower nest to assure that the fastener for opening the umbrella specifically supports the lower nest for a smooth umbrella opening operation; furthermore, the structure of the present invention is simple, convenient, efficient and meets all the requirements of the economic effect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a safe engaging structure for a runner of an umbrella, which mainly includes a runner having a longitude slot with an intercrossed metal wire of a connector of the runner and a downward control rod connected with an upper joint on a shaft of the umbrella. As the umbrella is opened, the metal wire can engages with an engaging end on the control rod for firmly positioning. The umbrella can be safely closed by pushing a round projection on the control rod to release the runner that obtains a utilized purpose and improvement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a positioning structure of a manual folded umbrella, which includes an engaging hook being connected under an upper joint and being formed with an inward step at bottom end, and a runner having an elastic connector with a lower projection at a side. The inward step can engage with the connector for positioning the umbrella in opening state and the projection can be directly pressed to release the runner from the engaging hook for closing the umbrella easily and safely.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a positioning structure of a manual folded umbrella, which includes an engaging hook being connected under an upper joint and being formed with an inward step at bottom end, and a runner having an elastic connector with a lower projection at a side. The inward step can engage with the connector for positioning the umbrella in opening state and the projection can be directly pressed to release the runner from the engaging hook for closing the umbrella easily and safely.

Abstract: A safety runner of a foldable umbrella includes a runner body slidably held on a central shaft of the umbrella, and an actuating sleeve slidably coupled with the runner body having a thrusting protrusion formed on the actuating sleeve for engaging a sloping portion formed on a spring catch, which is resiliently held on the central shaft for locking the runner when opening the umbrella; whereby upon a downward movement of the runner by cooperatively pulling the actuating sleeve downwardly, the thrusting protrusion on the actuating sleeve will thrust the sloping portion of the spring catch inwardly to disengage the spring catch from the runner, thereby allowing a smooth operation for closing the umbrella.

Abstract: An umbrella includes a runner sleeved slidably on a stem for spreading and collapsing a canopy which is mounted on a ferrule. A tubular member surrounds the stem, is fixed on the ferrule, and is formed with a retaining slot therein. An upper end portion of the runner is formed with a through hole which is aligned with the retaining slot longitudinally, and which can be registered with the same radially when the runner is moved to stretch the canopy. A lever member is pivoted to the runner at a fulcrum portion, and has upper and lower segments at two opposite sides of the fulcrum portion. The upper segment has an anchoring end portion to be received and retained in the retaining slot by the action of a biasing member when the canopy is stretched.

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: 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 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 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 hub and rib assembly for umbrella comprises a hub and a plurality of ribs, all made of ductile material. Each rib has an end integrally formed and connected with the hub, whereby assembling thereof is easy and not involved other tools. In other word, the cost is reduced and the safety is enhanced.

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 opening mechanism of quadruple collapsible umbrellas, wherein the main improvements are two independent pulling ropes governing the movement of a runner and a stretcher system as well as the motion of the tubular elements of the umbrella stick. These improvements further include a hollow plug disposed in the umbrella stick, against the upper and the lower face of which plug two individual springs are respectively seated to provide sufficient resilient forces. A locating spring and a locating pin are arranged to prevent inadvertent triggering, which may cause damages to the umbrella.

Abstract: An improved opening structure of an unfolded umbrella includes a shaft with an upper mounting ring, a runner around the shaft, a frame having many ribs connected with the upper mounting ring and the runner, a button mounted on the shaft to engage with the runner for closing the umbrella. A rod is provided in the shaft at a lower position, an aperture is formed on the shaft with a wheel, and an elastic rope having one end connected with the rod and the other end extending upward to pass by the wheel, and to connect with the runner. When the umbrella is closed, the elastic rope is stretched that obtains a recovering force to open the umbrella quickly and automatically when the runner is unlocked.

Abstract: An automatic umbrella of the collapsible pocket type includes a handle accommodating a first release mechanism (A1) for the opening operation and a second release mechanism (A2) for the closing operation, a control button (11) arranged in the umbrella handle (12) for staggered actuation of the release mechanisms (A1, A2), a telescopically shortenable umbrella stick (1) with an umbrella crown (4), a runner (5) traveling along the umbrella stick (1) and a canopy rib assembly (2) formed by canopy rib units (2.degree.

Abstract: The umbrella frame is provided with a movable yoke at the upper end and a stationary yoke at an intermediate point. Ribs are pivotally mounted on the movable yoke and struts are pivotally mounted on the fixed yoke while being pivotally mounted to intermediate points on the ribs. A downward movement of the upper yoke causes the ribs to splay outwardly so as to open the umbrella. A crank mechanism is connected to the upper yoke via a cord so that upon cranking of the crank mechanism in one direction, the upper yoke is pulled downwardly to open the umbrella. A clutch assembly is also provided in the crank assembly to lock the crank assembly against the weight of the ribs and cover while allowing a reverse rotation of the crank mechanism under a manually applied force to permit the umbrella to close under the weight of the ribs and cover.

Abstract: A safety umbrella includes: a lower runner for pivotally connecting the ribs of the umbrella slidably held on a central shaft of the umbrella and formed with a latch hole in the lower runner; a controller formed in a grip of the central shaft having a push button normally protruding outwardly from the grip, and a latch connectable with the push button and resiliently urged by a restoring spring retained in the grip for operatively engaging the latch hole in the lower runner for locking the lower runner and the ribs at a folded condition, to thereby eliminate a long slot cut in the shaft above the grip to prevent deformation or damage of the shaft and to eliminate the acute spring catch formed in the shaft to prevent injury to the umbrella user as stuck by the conventional spring catch.

Abstract: An umbrella frame shaft assembly includes a hollow shaft, a spring piece fastened in the upper segment of the shaft, a runner fitted slidably over the shaft, and a sleeve fastened with the runner. The spring piece has an upper retaining projection and a lower retaining projection. The runner has two retaining holes. The sleeve is provided in the inner wall thereof with two retaining recesses. When the umbrella is being unfolded, the runner is moved upwards along the shaft by the sleeve such that the upper and the lower retaining projections of the spring piece are located by the retraining holes of the runner and engaged with the retaining recesses of the sleeve. When the umbrella is being folded, the upper and the lower retaining projections of the spring piece are forced by the sleeve into the hollow interior of the shaft to allow the runner to be moved downwards by the sleeve.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved umbrella runner in which the body of the runner is provided with attachment means to which a cap is fixed for furnishing a shelter for sharp ends of finishing wires. The cap prevents people's fingers from an inadvertent touch with cutting wire ends during an opening or closing operation of an umbrella thereby providing better protection to users.

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 automatic umbrella includes a central shaft pivotally secured with a plurality of ribs on the shaft and a handle vertically slidably secured with a push button which can be pushed upwardly for opening the umbrella as urged by an opening spring retained in the shaft and may be pushed downwardly for closing the umbrella as effected by a closing spring retained in the shaft for preventing a confusing or false operation when extending or folding the umbrella.

Abstract: A fastening assembly for an umbrella comprising a runner mounted with a fastening device and an inner seat including a push button mounted thereon is disclosed. The fastening portion of the push button engages with either the fastening holes or the fastening edges. The inner seat is placed within the handle of the umbrella such that the pressing portion is close to the circumferential edge of the handle facilitating the opening of the 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: 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 umbrella comprising a staff, a canopy, and chords having their outer ends secured to the canopy margin and their inner ends slidable on the staff and being under the influence of a spring while the canopy is moved from folded position to open position and wherein the canopy is under tension when it is open and wherein the canopy, the chords, and a portion of the staff form a stabilizing triangular structure when the canopy is open.

Abstract: A shortenable umbrella having a telescopic stick, two lowermost parts (2a) of which are latched in their extended position by a spring hook (20). The latch is overridden by the final downward movement of a slider (8) upon bundling the framework and canopy around, and compressing them towards, the stick, whereby the slider is received within a hollow handle (1).

Abstract: An umbrella has a mechanism for latching and releasing a slider (8) which tuates the umbrella canopy framework as it slides to and fro along a stick (12). The slider is fixed in the closed position by means of a latching bolt (18) which is mounted in a handle (1) and has a latching nose engaging in a notch (8b) in a guide sleeve (8c) of the slider. The slider is released by pressing a button (15) which causes the bolt (18) to slide transversely to the axis (X) of the stick against the action of a spring (17).

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: 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.