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: 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 umbrella includes a shaft with a top member connected to a top end thereof and a runner is movably mounted to the shaft. Multiple stretchers are pivotably connected between the top member and the runner. The shaft includes an inner tube and an outer tube in which the inner tube is retractably received. The runner is movably mounted to the outer tube and a stopper extends outward from an outside of the outer tube. The runner is movable over the stopper and supported by the stopper when the umbrella is opened. The shaft does not need to make a slot so as to have better strength and the inner diameter of the runner and the outer diameter of the stopper is matched so that the runner does shake.

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: An umbrella includes an elongated stem having telescopically connected inner and outer tubular segments, a top hub secured to the inner tubular segment to define an upper annular space therebetween, a tubular runner surrounding the stem, slidable between upper and lower positions to spread-out or collapse a canopy and rib assembly, and spaced apart from the inner tubular segment to define a lower annular space therebetween, a tubular spacer slidably sleeved on the inner tubular segment to be inserted into the lower annular space when the runner is displaced to the upper position so as to prevent wobbling movement of the runner, and movable by the outer tubular segment to be thereby withdrawn into the upper annular space when the outer tubular segment is displaced to the retracted position, and a biasing member disposed to bias the spacer into the lower annular space.

Abstract: Provided is an opening device mounted on a shank of automatic umbrella including a sliding sleeve having a lower extension and a slot on the extension. The device comprises an upper trigger mechanism lockingly engaged with the extension in a closed condition of the umbrella such that pressing the trigger mechanism will disengage the trigger mechanism from the extension prior to automatically opening the umbrella, and a lower, spring biased rib tip retaining mechanism put on the shank and disposed above the handle, the rib tip retaining mechanism adapted to contain tips of ribs therein in the closed condition of the umbrella. Thus, the tips of ribs are not tangled with foreign objects or other umbrellas when the umbrella is stored in, for example, an umbrella stand.

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: A runner lock device for umbrella includes a retainer attached onto an outer peripheral portion of a central post, a barrel slidably engaged onto the central post and having an opening to receive the retainer and to latch the barrel to the retainer and to the central post. A sleeve is slidably engaged onto the barrel and has an actuator arranged to engage with the retainer and to disengage the retainer from the barrel when the sleeve is moved relative to the barrel. The retaining device may be easily secured onto the central post, and no holes are required to be formed in the central post, and no spring members or latches are required to be engaged into the central post.

Abstract: An umbrella frame structured for use in a strong wind conditions such as those conditions frequently encountered on a boat traveling at relatively high speeds. An umbrella frame assembly includes a reinforcing assembly connected thereto in a supportive, operative orientation thereby providing a stable support for an umbrella canopy which can remain open even during travel of the boat. The frame assembly can be modified to support canopies of varying shapes and sizes and the frame assembly can be easily removed, for storage purposes, from a supporting base which may be mounted on or connected to a boat.

Abstract: An umbrella frame device includes a runner slidably sleeved on a stem for spreading and collapsing a canopy. A retaining member has a retaining end which is movable radially in a slot in the runner and which is extendable inwardly of the runner to slidably contact a slideway on a protuberance disposed on the stem. The retaining end is brought to slip over an upper edge of the protuberance so as to be retained on a shoulder when the runner is moved to an engaging position. A sleeve member surrounds and is movable relative to the runner, and has a cam surface portion which can depress the retaining end radially with a friction force that arrests the runner in the engaging position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control apparatus for an automatic-opened umbrella, which includes a button with an inner ring body having two engaging ends. The umbrella is also provided with a runner with engaging edge on both sides. The runner will be securely engaged with the ring body of the control apparatus when the umbrella is closed. So the umbrella can prevent from accidentally opened in use that obtains a utilized effect.

Abstract: An umbrella includes: a flat upper notch formed on a top of a central shaft and a flat lower runner slidably held on the central shaft for pivotally securing a plurality of ribs between the upper notch and the lower runner, either the upper notch or lower runner having four ribs pivotally secured to a narrow right side portion of the upper notch or the lower runner, and having three ribs pivotally secured to a narrow left side portion of the upper notch or the lower runner, thereby decreasing the separating angle between every two opposite ribs disposed on a wide front or rear side portion of the upper notch or the lower runner for smoothening the folding operation when closing the umbrella and also for enhancing the strength of the umbrella ribs.

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: The present invention relates to a simplified controlling apparatus of an automatic umbrella, which includes a control loop and an elastic control bar. A handle with a single button is provided to receive the controlling apparatus. The simplified structure of this controlling apparatus can effectively control an automatic opening and closing of the umbrella that obtains a utility 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: This invention relates to a positioning structure for opening of an umbrella, which includes a runner movably provided around a shaft of an umbrella. The runner has a positioning hole and an extended slice placed over an opening groove. An upper jointer mounted on the top end of the shaft connects with an elastic beam, which is downward extended with a slight inclined angle and is provided with a protrusion at middle portion. And as the protrusion is engaged with the positioning hole, the elastic engagement is obtained, while the runner can be stopped in secure for keeping the umbrella in stable opening state.

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 device incorporating an engaging mechanism for securing the umbrella to fixed location. The device includes an elongated shaft having a top end and a bottom end and which is capable of being extended across an overall axial length. A fabric covering portion is supported by an outwardly actuable frame secured to the shaft, the frame including a plurality of elongate and arcuate ribs to which is secured the fabric covering portion. An annular collar is mounted about the elongated shaft in axially extending fashion. An additional plurality of supporting ribs extend from the collar, each of the supporting ribs engaging an associated fabric securing rib so that, upon a selected upward axial extension of the collar, the frame is engaged in the outwardly actuated manner. A substantially “C” shaped clamp is secured in axially slidable fashion along the extended axial length of the shaft, the clamp affixing the umbrella device to a substantially horizontally extending ledge support.

Abstract: An improved safety locking mechanism according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in a five or more folding collapsible umbrella. The mechanism comprises a specially designed runner in conjunction with an actuator element. A plunger and a spring are disposed under the actuator element in a through hole formed on the runner. The plunger is urged by the spring and so will project out to abut against the upper rim of the bowed resilient element when the umbrella is opened. With such arrangements, an umbrella can be effectively kept at an open state. To close the umbrella users depress the bowed resilient element to make the plunger disengaged from the runner.

Abstract: A safety umbrella runner includes: a push button having a plunger slidably held in a slot transversely formed through the runner to contact a spring catch normally resiliently protruding outwardly from the central shaft for retaining the runner when opening the umbrella, with the push button stably slidably held in the slot formed in the runner for a very ergonomic operation when depressing the push button for disengaging the runner from the catch for closing the umbrella.

Abstract: In an umbrella runner (2) in which a plurality of stretcher holder grooves (5) that hold stretcher ends having axial holes are formed around an end rim in a radial pattern, plate springs (12a, 12) for pivot support of the stretchers and having free ends that are deformed by insertion of said stretcher ends in said grooves (5) and engage the axial holes in said ends after insertion, thereby pivotally supporting said ends.

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: 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 safety umbrella runner includes: a ferrule adapted for winding a fastening wire thereon for pivotally connecting umbrella stretcher ribs on the wire, and circumferentially formed on a runner tube slidably held on a central shaft of the umbrella; a safety tab resiliently secured to a lower rim of the runner tube having a lower convex portion protruding outwardly from the safety tab adapted for a depression of a user's finger for an ergonomic downward pulling of the runner when closing and folding the umbrella; a visor extension integrally formed on the ferrule and positioned above the safety tab to be upwardly pushed by the user's finger for opening the umbrella; and a clamp portion integrally formed on the runner tube and positioned above the visor extension, whereby upon laying-down of a lever-like tool on the visor extension and upon an upward bending of the wire ends of the fastening wire by biasing the lever-like tool against the visor extension, the wire ends of the fastening wire will be eas

Abstract: A spread position securing device for beach parasols includes a shank, a fixing base on an upper portion of the shank, and a runner fitted around slidably along the shank, plural ribs pivotally connected radially to the fixing base, and plural stretchers connected pivotally between the runner and intermediate portions of the ribs. Then the parasol can be spread from a collapsed position to a spread position. The feature of the invention is a cylindrical sleeve fixed in the runner and fitted around the shank to slide up and down so that the cylindrical sleeve may contact the fixing base to secure the contact points of the stretchers with the runners at a little higher position than the contact points of the stretchers with the ribs when the runner is pushed up to the spread position. Thus no other components are needed to secure the spread position of the parasol, convenient to handle.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for "patio type" umbrellas uses an actuator sleeve in order to open and close the canopy. The sleeve is in connection an inner rod on the inside of the main shaft that in turn is used to open and close the ribs that support the canopy of the umbrella. Movement of the actuator sleeve upward will move the inner rod upward as well as pull the ribs downward so as to close the canopy. Movement of the actuator sleeve downward will pull the ribs away from the central shaft and hence open the canopy. Because of the short length of the ribs combined with the weight of the canopy itself, it is believed that this makes such large patio type umbrellas easier to open and close using this sleeve actuator mechanism.

Abstract: An opening structure of a multiple folded umbrella is provided that includes a shaft formed by several tubes, a runner provided around the shaft, an upper connector provided on an upper tube of the shaft, and a frame having many ribs pivotally connected with the upper connector and the runner. The upper tube of the shaft is provided with an inwardly directed flange at a position intermediate opposing ends of the upper tube, and a plate is provided on the flange. A connecting cap is slidingly received in the top end of the upper tube and receives a spring within the cap and within the upper tube, concealing the spring within the upper tube. The upper connector is cylindrical and slides on the upper tube and has a small volume, to thereby be carried and stored more easily and conveniently.

Abstract: A safety umbrella runner includes: a runner tube slidably held on a central shaft of the umbrella; a ferrule integrally circumferentially formed on the runner tube for pivotally securing a plurality of stretcher ribs of a rib assembly, which is provided for fastening an umbrella cloth on the rib assembly, by a fastening wire wound on the ferrule with the wire ends twisted and knotted in a socket formed on the inner ferrule; and a safety cover having a protective cap lockable on the ferrule for sheltering the wire ends in the socket of the ferrule, and having a pendent cover resiliently formed on a lower portion of the protective cap for sheltering a spring catch resiliently protruded from the central shaft for preventing injury to the user's finger as pricked by the spring catch.

Abstract: A safety umbrella runner includes: a runner tube slidably held on a central shaft of the umbrella; an inner ferrule integrally circumferentially formed on the runner tube, adapted for pivotally securing a plurality of ribs for fastening an umbrella cloth on the ribs, by a fastening wire wound on the inner ferrule and having wire ends twisted and knotted in a socket formed in the inner ferrule; and an outer ferrule snugly engaged with and disposed outside the inner ferrule for sheltering the wire ends for preventing the user or worker from being pricked by the wire ends, and having a pendent cover protruding from the outer ferrule for sheltering a spring catch resiliently protruded from the central shaft for preventing injury to the user's finger by the spring catch.

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 invention relates to a safety runner used in umbrellas. The runner is provided with an elongated gap on its side surface and a resilient tab located outside the gap and extending downwardly from the runner base. The resilient tab has a raised portion formed on its internal surface. Users can depress the resilient tab to inwardly move a hook of the umbrella and so the runner can move downwardly with ease. The runner is an integrally molded part that has the advantages of simplified construction and safety in use.

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 structure of a securing runner of an umbrella. The runner includes a sleeve, a nest, and a base, wherein the sleeve has an upper and a lower groove on one side related to a curved end and a holding end of a detent positioned in a main tube of the umbrella. The nest portion connecting with stretchers of the umbrella and the base are provided around the sleeve that the base has an inner circular rim to fit into a circular groove provided on lower part of the sleeve to obtain a good engagement between both. While the runner is pull downward, the sleeve urges the detent spring moving inwardly directly and the runner can be slid down to close the umbrella.

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 improvement on simplified fully automatic umbrella is disclosed. This umbrella comprises a shank consisting of an inner tube and an outer tube, the inner tube has at upper section a middle ring and an extension while the outer tube has at upper end a lower ring with an upper pawl; an umbrella opening spring received within the extension; a cylinder mounted around the extension and provided at lower end with an upper ring; an umbrella closing spring mounted around the inner tube; an actuating mechanism consisting of a push button, an upper insert containing a compression spring, a lower insert containing a lower pawl, an actuator and a detent, and a wire interconnected between the two inserts; a canopy structure connected to the upper, middle and lower rings; and a handle provided at bottom of the outer tube.

Abstract: An improved sunshade opening and supporting device is provided with a rack-like member disposed on the main shaft of a sunshade at a section thereof over which the runner of the sunshade travels during the opening and closing of the sunshade; the rack-like member is equipped with a plurality of consecutive Z-shaped teeth each having an oblique face; a horizontal stop piece is disposed at the topmost end of the rack-like member. A groove is disposed on the inner wall of the slidable runner so as to permit the runner to be slidably engaged with the rack-like member; and a cavity is disposed on the wall of the groove of the runner with a spring housed therein. One end of the spring Abuts against a restraint flange of a supporting pin and the other end is limited by a lid secured at one end of the open-ended cavity.

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: 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: 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.