US20030131875A1

US20030131875A1 - Automatic close umbrella with automatic resetting feature

Info

Publication number: US20030131875A1
Application number: US10/046,039
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Wu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-01-15
Filing date: 2002-01-15
Publication date: 2003-07-17

Abstract

An automatic close umbrella is disclosed. As the umbrella is to be folded, the user only needs to press an elastic control device on a handle by one finger so that a tenon is released from a buckle and thus the buckle unit of the lower rib collector is separated with the lower sub-bar. Furthermore, the lower rib collector descends due to the elasticity of the upper rib collector and lower rib collector so as to impact the hook device of the sub-bar. Thereby, two sub-bars are separated and the hook device of each sub-bar will release. Therefore, each multi-sectional bar is telescopic automatically. Furthermore, as the ribs are folded, the canopy will be closed. Thus, as the user enters into a room or a car, the user may close the umbrella easily by only one hand.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to umbrellas, and particularly to a fully automatic closing umbrella which includes functions of automatically closing an umbrella canopy and automatically retracting and resetting a telescopic shaft as a button is pushed.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventional umbrellas are opened and closed manually by both hands. The canopy on the umbrella is pushed up for opening and pulled down for closing the umbrella. Both manual actions require the use of both hands. To open an umbrella, one hand pushes the canopy upward while the other hand securely holds the handle for leverage. To close an umbrella, a user pulls down the canopy and pulls one end of the umbrella against the other to compress the telescopic shaft together.

The prior automatic opening function allows on umbrella canopy to automatically open by pushing a button with one hand. The shaft is telescopically stretched out and the canopy of the umbrella is opened. However, to close the umbrella, the user still needs to pull one end of the umbrella against the other and compress the telescopic shaft together. This inconvenience poses a problem during rainy days, i.e. when a user is holding an object by one hand. The user must firstly put the object aside and then proceed to close the umbrella with both hands.

Automatic closing function was later developed and incorporated with the automatic opening function. Thus known as the automatic opening and closing function, current automatic closing function automatically closes the canopy and ribs of the umbrella by pushing a button. However, the telescopic shaft remains stretched and unfolded. To properly close the umbrella and fold the telescopic shaft, the user still needs to pull one end of the umbrella against the other and compress the telescopic shaft together. This resets the telescopic shaft and prepares it for use again. Additionally, these prior art designs are complicated in structure and comprise many parts, which can be damaged easily.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An automatic close umbrella is disclosed. As the umbrella is to be folded, the user only needs to press an elastic control device on a handle by one finger so that a tenon is released from a buckle and thus the buckle unit of the lower rib collector is separated with the lower sub-bar. Furthermore, the lower rib collector descends due to the elasticity of the upper rib collector and lower rib collector so as to impact the hook device of the sub-bar. Thereby, two sub-bars are separated. Then, the hook device of each sub-bar will release. Therefore, each multi-sectional bar is telescopic automatically. Furthermore, as the ribs are folded, then the canopy will be closed. Thus, as the user enters into a room or a car, the user may close the umbrella easily by only one hand.

The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a structural view of the umbrella of the present invention. [0009]
FIG. 2 is a cross section view showing the upper rib collector, the lower rib collector and the uppermost sub-bar; [0010]
FIG. 3 is a cross section view of the upper rib collector, lower rib collector and uppermost sub-bar of FIG. 1, where the umbrella has been expanded. [0011]
FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the handle of the present invention, wherein the umbrella has been expanded. [0012]
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the handle and control device of the present invention. [0013]
FIG. 6 is a cross section view showing an expanded umbrella. [0014]
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the hook device of the present invention. [0015]
FIG. 8 is a cross section view of the present invention, wherein two sub-bars of the present invention is positioned with a hook device. [0016]
FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing the two sub-bars are disengaged with the hook device. [0017]
FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing that after the control device is pressed, wherein the lower rib collector is disengaged from the rod. [0018]
FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a process next to that of FIG. 10, wherein the folding of the sub-bars and the canopy are closed. [0019]
FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing the expansion of the lower rib collector and the sub-bars in the present invention.[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, an exploded perspective view of the present invention is illustrated. The umbrella has a multi-node telescopic [0021] main rod 10, an upper rib collector 20, a lower rib collector 30 movable along the telescopic main rod 10, a handle 40 fixed at a lower end of the main rod 10, a control device 50 installed on the handle 40 and capable of folding the umbrella, an umbrella stand 60 formed by a plurality of ribs 60, and a canopy 62 arranged on the ribs 60.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an enlarged view showing the [0022] upper rib collector 20 and lower rib collector 30 of the present invention. It is illustrated that an elastomer 70 (for example, a compressible spring) is installed between the upper rib collector 20 and lower rib collector 30. After the elastomer 35 is compressible by the elastomer 70, it has an effect of expansion for restoring to original condition.
Referring to FIG. 3, the cross section view of the [0023] upper rib collector 20 and lower rib collector 30 of the present invention is illustrated. A pulley 52 is installed in the upper rib collector 20. In the present invention, the pulley 52 can be neglected, however, it is preferable to install the pulley. By this pulley 52, the wire 51 can lead into the upper sub-rod 11. An upper end of the wire 51 is connected to the key 22 in the through hole 21 of the lower rib collector 30. The wire 51 can be lead into the upper sub-rod 11 through the pulley 52. One end of the wire 51 is connected to the key 22. The key 22 may be pushed by the elastomer 23 in the lower rib collector through hole 21. Another end thereof is connected to the tenon 54 in the lower sub-rod 14 (referring to FIG. 4).
Other than connecting with a plurality of [0024] ribs 60, the lower rib collector 30 has a buckle unit 33. The buckle unit 33 includes an inserting bar 36 which vertically passes through the straight through hole 301 in the lower rib collector 30; an elastomer 37 in the straight through hole for elastically moving the inserting bar 36; a positioning pin 38 transversally installed in the lower rib collector transversal hole 302 and operated by an elastomer 39; and a button 34 transversally installed in the lower rib collector transversal hole 303 and operated by an elastomer 35. The inserting bar 38 passes through the positioning pin 38 vertically, and the button 34 passes through the lower end of the inserting bar 36. The rear end of the positioning pin 38 is pushed by the elastomer 39 so that the front end thereof is embedded into the positioning hole 111 of the upper sub-rod 11. Thereby, the lower rib collector 30 is fixed to the upper end of the upper main rod 10. Moreover, the rear end of the button 34 is pushed by the elastomer 35 to protrude out of the transversal hole 303. When the button 34 moves, the stud hole 361 of the inserting bar 36 will affect by the tapered surface 341 so that the inserting bar 36 lifts upwards or descend downwards. Further, when the inserting bar 36 moves, the positioning pin 38 will move transversally due to the action of the tilt surface 362.
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the handle of the umbrella of the present invention. The [0025] wire 51 is connected to the tenon 54 in the lower sub-rod 14 from the lower rib collector 30. The lower end of the tenon 54 is connected to the elastomer 57. The lower end of the elastomer 57 is fixed in the lower sub-rod 14 (for example by pin 58). The elastomer 57 pulls the tenon 54 and the wire 51. The tenon 54 has a stopping ring 542 which resists against the hook 502 integral with the button 501. The button 501 is a part of the control device 50. Referring to FIG. 5, the control device 50 has an annular ring 503, a hook 502 in the ring, and a button 501 integrally formed with the ring. The ring 503 is in an annular groove 42 of the handle 40. The button 501 is embedded into the embedding groove 43. The rear end of the ring 503 resists against a small spring 55 locating in a spring groove 44. After the lower sub-rod 14 passes through the straight hole 45, the through hole 141 at the lower end is aligned to the annular groove 42. Then the hook 502 in the ring 503 passes through the through hole 141 to resist against the stopping ring 542 of the tenon. When the umbrella is opened, the stopping ring 542 is positioned below the hook 502. When the button 501 is pressed, the hook 502 will retract so that the tenon 54 lifts automatically due to the contraction of the elastomer 23 in the upper rib collector 20 (since the elastic force of the elastomer 23 is larger than that of the elastomer 57). As a result, the tenon stopping ring 542 is above the hook 502.
FIG. 6 shows a whole cross section view as the umbrella is expanded. In the figure, the structures of the [0026] upper rib collector 20 and lower rib collector 30 have been described. The elastomer 56 in the main rod 10 is fixed to the upper rib collector 20 by the upper end 561 thereof. The lower end 562 thereof is fixed to the lower portion of the lower sub-rod 14. After each sub-rod is expanded, the wire 51 is vertical. The hook device 90 of each sub-rod (despite of the lower sub-rod 14) has a structure which may be known from FIG. 7. The hook device 90 illustrated in the drawing is formed by an opening elastic ring clip 91, an elastic buckling piece 92, an impacting portion 96 at an upper end of the elastic buckling piece, and a buckling hook 97. The clip ring 91 is around the outer edge of the lower end of each sub-rod (for example, sub-rod 11). Two hook pieces 98 at the opening of the ring clip insert into the two slits 116 of the sub-rod 11. To avoid the ring clip 91 to slide down, a sleeve 99 encloses the clip ring 91. Then, the buckle hook 97 passes into the hook hole 117 of the sub-rod and then further into the hook hole 125 of the lower sub-rod 12 so that the upper and lower sub-rods are combined and thus fixed.
FIG. 9 shows that when the umbrella is folded, the [0027] lower rib collector 30 will descend due to the expansion of the elastomer 70. When the lower end contacts the impact portion 96 of the hook device 90. The buckle 92 moves outwards so that the buckle hook 97 will separate the hook hole 125 of the sub-rod 12 so that the upper and lower sub-rods will disengage and the sub-rod 11 will descend continuously. Similarly, when the sub-rod 12 descends to touch the hook device 90 of the sub-rod 12, the buckling relation will be released so that the sub-rod 12 descends continuously. Likewise, finally, the sub-rods 11˜13 will descend to the lower sub-rod 14 so as to be as a sub-rod of one section.
FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the umbrella being folded. In the drawing, it is illustrated when the user press the [0028] button 501 on the handle 40 by only one finger, the wire 51 will lift upwards due to the expansion of the elastomer 23 in the upper rib collector 20 so that the key 22 descends. The key 22 further presses the inserting bar 36 so that the inserting bar 36 descends to enforce the positioning pin 38 to retract, and thus is separated from the positioning hole 111. Therefore, the retaining relation between the lower rib collector 30 and the upper sub-rod 11 is detached. Then, the lower rib collector 30 will descend immediately by the expansion of the elastomer 70. Then, the buckling relations of hook devices 90 of each sub-rod can be released and the length of the main rod 10 is shortened due to the compression of the elastomer 56, as illustrated in FIG. 11. After all of the sub-rods are combined as a single section, the wire 51 is loose. Therefore, the tenon 54 will descend due to the compression of the elastomer 57. The stopping ring 542 will slide through the hook 502 to be located therebelow. When the user's finger separates from the button 501, by the expansion of the elastomer 55, the control device 50 will return to the original condition. Moreover, each rib 61 of the umbrella stand 60 will automatically fold.
FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing the lower rib collector moving upwards. It is illustrated that after the user pushes the [0029] lower rib collector 30 upwards by a single hand. Each rib 60 of the umbrella stand 60 will expand with the lifting of the lower rib collector 30 until the lower rib collector 30 is positioned upon the upper sub-rod 11.
Therefore, by the present invention, the umbrella may fold automatically by using only one hand. Therefore, as the user enters into a house or a car, the user can fold the umbrella by one hand. [0030]
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details described thereof. Various substitutions and modifications have been suggested in the foregoing description, and others will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. [0031]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic close umbrella comprising:

a telescopic multi-sectional rod formed by a plurality of sub-bar, other than a lowest sub-bar at a lowest position of the multi-section bar, each sub-bar having a hook device for positioning two sub-bars; an upper rib collector fixed upon the multi-sectional bar; an elastic key being installed in the upper rib collector; the key being connected to one end of a wire, another end of the wire being extended and then entering into the multi-sectional bar and then being connected with a tenon in the lowest sub-bar;

a first elastomer in the multi-sectional rod for folding the bar; one end of the elastomer being fixed to the upper rib collector; and another end of the elastomer being fixed to a lower end of the lowest sub-bar;

a second elastomer having an end connected to a lower end of the tenon and having another end connected to the lowest sub-bar;

a lower rib collector movable along the multi-sectional bar; the lower rib collector being installed with a buckle unit which can be pressed by the key;

a third elastomer installed out of the uppermost sub-bar and between the upper rib collector and lower rib collector;

a handle fixed to a lower end of the lowest sub-bar;

a control device installed in the handle and being buckled with the tenon;

an umbrella stand formed by a plurality of ribs; and

a canopy arranged on the ribs;

characterized in that each hook device is an opened elastic clip ring having an opening at a ring section and is installed at a lower edge of a respective sub-bar; two sides of the opening have respective bending hooks which insert into two slits, respectively, in the sub-bar; the clip ring has an elastic buckle; an upper end of the elastic buckle has an impact portion and buckling hook; each sub-bar has a buckle hole; and the buckling hook passes through buckling holes of two sub-bars so as to combine the two sub-bars.

2. The automatic close umbrella as claim in claim 1, wherein a sleeve is installed around the clip ring for fixing the sleeve.

3. The automatic close umbrella as claim in claim 1, wherein fourth elastomers are installed to the ribs.

4. The automatic close umbrella as claim in claim 1, wherein the buckle unit includes an inserting bar vertically passes through a straight through hole in the lower rib collector; a fifth elastomer in the straight through hole for elastically moving the inserting bar; and a positioning pin transversally installed in the lower rib collector transversal hole and operated by a sixth elastomer.

5. The automatic close umbrella as claim in claim 1, wherein an interior of the upper rib collector has a pulley, thereby, the wire is guided into the multi-sectional bar.

6. The automatic close umbrella as claim in claim 1, wherein the control device is formed by an annular ring, a hook in the annular ring, and a button connected to the annual ring, the hook is capable of being buckled to a tenon; and the tenon has a stopping ring.