Patent Grant
8087420
1. Field of the Invention
The teachings provided herein are generally directed to gravity-powered, wind-resistant, and self-opening umbrella systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
Everyone is familiar with the use and limitations of currently available umbrella systems. State-of-the-art umbrella systems have problems in their construction and operation that, if solved, would be very beneficial in the art.
Umbrellas can be designed, for example, to restrict or block rain, wind and/or sunlight. And, they can be handheld or non-handheld, typically larger umbrellas. The non-handheld type can include a fixed-position use, a portable use, or even a hybrid use that can be fixed or portable. These larger umbrellas are often used on beaches, patios, decks, courtyards and sidewalks, and are available in variety of configurations, And, the choice of configuration usually includes considering a number of main factors, such as the intended use (e.g., handheld or non-handheld), ease-of-use (e.g., force needed to open and close, as well as carry), cost, and durability. At the time of purchase, an umbrella can be assumed to function as intended. A variety of mechanical configurations are available to provide ease of opening and closing, for example, but these configurations will often affect cost detrimentally, as well as weight and, thus, portability. As such, existing systems suffer trade-offs, and there is no good balance. Moreover, existing systems tend to be limited in wind-resistance.
One of skill will appreciate an umbrella that functions as intended, while providing a balance of (i) ease of use, (ii) reasonable cost, and (iii) durability that includes wind resistance.
The teachings provided herein are generally directed to gravity-powered, and self-opening umbrella systems that can also be wind-resistant. The umbrella systems can include, for example, nearly any configuration desired by a user. In some embodiments, the umbrella covering can be, for example, a patio umbrella covering with a mechanical advantage for self-opening and retracting, the mechanical advantage based on a gravitational power supplied by a counterweight and pulley system taught herein.
The teachings include an umbrella system comprising a static component, a dynamic component, a counterweight component, and a compound pulley component. The static component can have a top portion, and the dynamic component can include a retractable umbrella covering having a center and an outer edge. The center of the covering can be attached to the top portion of the pole, and there can be a plurality of ribs for supporting the umbrella covering. There can also be a runner circumscribing the pole, adapted to slide vertically on the pole and coupled to the plurality of ribs through a plurality of stretchers. And, there can be a user rope having a fixed-end and a user-end, the user end receiving a force, F1, applied by a user to close the umbrella covering. The umbrella system can also have a counterweight component to provide a gravitational force, F2. The umbrella system can also have a compound pulley component including, for example, a class-1 pulley attached to the static component, a class-2 pulley attached to the dynamic component, and a pulley rope (i) having a fixed end and a weighted end attached to the counterweight component, and (ii) in operable connection with the pulleys to provide a mechanical advantage to the umbrella system.
The teachings are also directed to an umbrella system that is a gravity-powered, self-opening patio umbrella. The umbrella can have a pole with a top end portion; a umbrella covering having a center attached to the top end of the pole; a plurality of ribs for supporting the umbrella covering; a runner that circumscribes the pole, is adapted to slide vertically on the pole and is coupled to the plurality of ribs through a plurality of stretchers; a rope having a fixed end and a user-end that can receive a force F1 to close the umbrella covering by a user; a counterweight to provide a gravitational force, F2, for a self-opening of the umbrella covering; and, a pulley system having a fixed pulley, a moveable pulley, and a pulley rope. The pulley rope can have a fixed end for receiving F1 and a weighted end attached to the counterweight. The pulley rope can also be in operable connection with the pulleys and the counterweight to provide a mechanical advantage to the umbrella of at least 2.
The teachings are also directed to a balanced, gravity-powered, and self-opening patio umbrella comprising a cylindrical pole, a retractable patio umbrella covering, a plurality of ribs for supporting the umbrella covering, a runner circumscribing the pole, a user rope, a counterweight, a pulley system. The cylindrical pole can have a base portion and a top portion. The retractable patio umbrella covering can have a center and an outer edge, the center attached to the top portion of the pole. The plurality of ribs can be used to support the umbrella covering and can emanate radially from the center to the outer edge of the umbrella covering. The runner can circumscribe the pole, be adapted to slide vertically on the pole, and be coupled to the plurality of ribs through a plurality of stretchers. The user rope can have a fixed end and a user end, the user end configured to receive a force F1 from a user; and, the fixed end operably attached to the runner. The counterweight can provide a gravitational force, F2, the counterweight contained within the cylindrical pole. And, the pulley system can have a fixed pulley, a moveable pulley, and a pulley rope. In some embodiments, the pulley rope can have (i) a fixed end for receiving the force F1, (ii) a weighted end attached to the counterweight component, and (iii) an operable connection with the pulleys to provide a mechanical advantage to the umbrella of at least 2.
The teachings are also directed to a counterweighted, self-opening umbrella. The umbrella can have a pole with a top end and a bottom end, along with a retractable umbrella covering attached at its center to the top end of the pole. The umbrella can include a mechanical support framework for opening and retracting the umbrella covering. The umbrella can also include a fixed pulley operably attached to the pole, a moveable pulley operably attached to the mechanical support framework for the umbrella, a pulley rope in operable contact with the pulleys and a counterweight to open and retract the umbrella with a mechanical advantage of at least 2 from the pulleys, and a user rope having a fixed end and a user end, the user end receiving a force from a user to retract the retractable umbrella. The umbrella can (i) self-open using only the gravitational force of the counterweight and (ii) retract with a minimal force, due to the mechanical advantage.
The static component can take any of a variety of forms known to one of skill such as, for example, a pole. In some embodiments, the pole can comprise a cylindrical pole. Moreover, the cylindrical pole can contain the counterweight in some embodiments.
In some embodiments, F2 is substantially greater than ft+0.5 F3; F3 is the upward vertical force on the runner, in the absence of any friction, applied to open the umbrella covering; and, ft is the total frictional force in the system realized at the counterweight component. And, in some embodiments, F2 can be at least 4 pounds greater than ft+0.5 F3, and F1 can sometimes be no more than about 8 pounds. In some embodiments, the umbrellas taught herein can be designed such that the forces are balanced on each side of the pole.
In some embodiments, the compound pulley component can comprise two class-1 pulleys, two class-2 pulleys, and a cable-tension compensator pulley to balance forces between the pulleys. In some embodiments, the compound pulley component can comprise two fixed pulleys, two moveable pulleys, and a tension compensator pulley to balance forces between the pulleys. The moveable pulleys, for example, can be (i) in operable contact with the rope, (ii) positioned between the fixed-end and the user-end of the rope, and (iii) function to provide the mechanical advantage. The system of pulleys can have one fixed pulley and one moveable pulley on each side of the pole, functioning to provide the mechanical advantage. Moreover, the pulley rope can comprise a cable rope.
The teachings provided herein are generally directed to gravity-powered, and self-opening umbrella systems that can also be wind-resistant. As evidenced from the teachings provided herein, the systems can be designed in a variety of configurations. The umbrella system can include a counterweight and system of pulleys, where the system of pulleys includes class 1 and class 2 pulleys configured with the counterweight to gain a mechanical advantage in the normal operation of the umbrella. The umbrella can be, for example, a patio umbrella in which the mechanical advantage provides a self-opening of an umbrella canopy and ease-of-retracting of the canopy for a user. And, the system can also be dynamic, such that it's also resistant to external forces, such as the wind.
The term “mechanical advantage” describes an important feature of the teachings provided herein and can be used to refer to a ratio of the force produced by the umbrella system to the force applied to it by a user. For example, if a user applies a force, such as a force, F, to operate an umbrella as taught herein, the mechanical advantage can be any multiple obtained by one of skill in the mechanical design of the system, such that the multiple is a multiplier of the force, F, applied by the user. In some embodiments, the multiple can be equal to, or approximately, 1.25×, 1.50×, 1.75×, 2.00×, 2.50×, 3.00×, 3.50×, 4.00×, 4.50×, 5.00×, or greater, of the force applied by the user. One of skill will appreciate that systems variables, such as system friction, can vary the amount of the multiple obtained from most any design. And, any advantage greater than 1.00× can be seen in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the mechanical advantage can include operational longevity, durability, and the like, due to the construction, and simplicity thereof, of the umbrella systems taught herein. And, the term “wind resistant” can refer to the ability of the umbrella to withstand wind forces applied to the umbrella while it is in the open position, where the wind-resistant character of the umbrella can include the dynamic movement of mechanical systems taught herein as they receive forces from the wind during operation.
In
The teachings are also directed to a balanced, gravity-powered, and self-opening patio umbrella comprising a cylindrical pole, a retractable patio umbrella covering, a plurality of ribs for supporting the umbrella covering, a runner circumscribing the pole, a user rope, a counterweight, a pulley system. The cylindrical pole can have a base portion and a top portion. The retractable patio umbrella covering can have a center and an outer edge, the center attached to the top portion of the pole. The plurality of ribs can be used to support the umbrella covering and can emanate radially from the center to the outer edge of the umbrella covering. The runner can circumscribe the pole, be adapted to slide vertically on the pole, and be coupled to the plurality of ribs through a plurality of stretchers. The user rope can have a fixed end and a user end, the user end configured to receive a force F1 from a user; and, the fixed end operably attached to the runner. The counterweight can provide a gravitational force, F2, the counterweight contained within the cylindrical pole. And, the pulley system can have a fixed pulley, a moveable pulley, and a pulley rope. In some embodiments, the pulley rope can have (i) a fixed end for receiving the force F1, (ii) a weighted end attached to the counterweight component, and (iii) an operable connection with the pulleys to provide a mechanical advantage to the umbrella of at least 2.
The teachings are also directed to a counterweighted, self-opening umbrella. The umbrella can have a pole with a top end and a bottom end, along with a retractable umbrella covering attached at its center to the top end of the pole. The umbrella can include a mechanical support framework for opening and retracting the umbrella covering. The umbrella can also include a fixed pulley operably attached to the pole, a moveable pulley operably attached to the mechanical support framework for the umbrella, a pulley rope in operable contact with the pulleys and a counterweight to open and retract the umbrella with a mechanical advantage of at least 2 from the pulleys, and a user rope having a fixed end and a user end, the user end receiving a force from a user to retract the retractable umbrella. The umbrella can (i) self-open using only the gravitational force of the counterweight and (ii) retract with a minimal force, due to the mechanical advantage.
The pole can comprise a cylindrical pole and, moreover, the cylindrical pole can contain the counterweight in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the pole can be hinged to allow for tilting. However, in some embodiments, the pole is rigid. In some embodiments, the user rope can be any type of rope known to one of skill. And, in some embodiments, the pulley rope can be any type of rope known to one of skill. For example, the rope can be a large stout cord of strands of fibers or wire twisted or braided together, or it can be a long slender strip of material used as rope. Any structure that can serve the purpose of a rope as intended can be used. Likewise, the pulleys can include any pulley structure known to one of skill. In fact, in some embodiments, the pulleys can be static or dynamic.
In some embodiments, F2 is substantially greater than ft+0.5 F3; F3 is the upward vertical force on the runner, in the absence of any friction, applied to open the umbrella covering; and, ft is the total frictional force in the system realized at the counterweight component. And, in some embodiments, F2 can be at least 4 pounds greater than ft+0.5 F3, and F1 can sometimes be no more than about 8 pounds. In some embodiments, the umbrellas taught herein can be designed such that the forces are balanced on each side of the pole. In some embodiments, the counterweight can range from about 2 pounds to about 20 pounds, from about 4 pounds to about 40 pounds, from about 3 pounds to about 30 pounds, from about 5 pounds to about 15 pounds, or any range therein. In some embodiments, the counterweight can be 4 pounds, 5 pounds, 6 pounds, 7 pounds, 8 pounds, 9 pounds, 10 pounds, 11 pounds, 12 pounds, 13 pounds, 14 pounds, or 15 pounds. One of skill will be able to adjust the counterweights as needed for any desired application.
It should be appreciated that ease-of-use can be measured by the force by which a user needs to pull the user rope to collapse (or retract) the umbrella covering (or canopy). In some embodiments, the user needs to apply a force ranging from about 1 pound to about 20 pounds, from about 2 pounds to about 15 pounds, from about 3 pounds to about 12 pounds, from about 4 pounds to about 10 pounds, from about 5 pounds to about 9 pounds, from about 6 pounds to about 8 pounds to collapse the canopy, or any range therein, to retract the canopy. And, in some embodiments, about 5-7 pounds of force is sufficient to retract the canopy.
In some embodiments, the umbrella coverings can range in diameter from about 4 feet to about 16 feet, from about 5 feet to about 15 feet, from about 6 feet to about 14 feet, from about 7 feet to about 13 feet, from about 8 feet to about 12 feet, from about 9 feet to about 11 feet, from about 6 feet to about 11 feet, from about 5 feet to about 12 feet, from about 8 feet to about 10 feet, or any range therein. In some embodiments, the diameter of the umbrella covering can be 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, or any fraction thereof.
In some embodiments, the static component can range in height from about 4 feet to about 10 feet, from about 5 feet to about 10 feet, from about 6 feet to about 9 feet, from about 7 feet to about 8 feet, from about 8 feet to about 10 feet, from about 9 feet to about 10 feet, from about 6 feet to about 10 feet, from about 5 feet to about 8 feet, from about 7 feet to about 10 feet, or any range therein. In some embodiments, the height of the static component can be at or about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 feet, or any fraction thereof, such as inch increments in this range, and the like.
The counterweight is balanced against the weight of the umbrella covering, or canopy, as well as the mechanical construction used to raise the canopy. In some embodiments, the speed at which the canopy raises ranges from about 0.1 feet/second to about 4 feet/second, from about 0.2 feet/second to about 2 feet/second, from about 0.3 feet/second to about 1 foot/second. In some embodiments, the canopy can raise at a speed of about 0.5 feet/second.
In some embodiments, the compound pulley component can comprise two class-1 pulleys, two class-2 pulleys, and a cable-tension compensator pulley to balance forces between the pulleys. In some embodiments, the compound pulley component can comprise two fixed pulleys, two moveable pulleys, and a tension compensator pulley (see
In some embodiments, the umbrella comprises a counterweight system that can use any mechanism known to one of skill to provide the counterweight function or means. For example, the counterweight system can be fixed when open or allowed to remain dynamic or partially dynamic for the reasons discussed herein. In some embodiments, the system can include one or more pulleys and a gravitational force provided from any position within the system. In some embodiments, the system can have a counterweight exterior to the either the static or dynamic components of the system, or exterior to both. In some embodiments, the counterweight can be designed exterior to the pole or circumscribing the pole. And, in some embodiments, there can be a plurality of gravitational forces, where the opening of the canopy includes a mechanical advantage from a first gravitation force, and the closing of the canopy includes a mechanical advantage from a second gravitational force. In some embodiments, a spring-tension force can be used or combined with a gravitational force to provide a system of forces within an umbrella apparatus. Moreover, in some embodiments, a pneumatic or hydraulic force can be used or combined with a gravitational force or a spring-tension force to provide a system of forces within an umbrella apparatus.
The systems taught herein, regardless of how the design provides a source of forces used to open and/or close an umbrella canopy, can operate with or without a mechanical advantage. The design of the systems can include class 1 pulley systems, class 2 pulley systems or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, any system of pulleys or points of inflexion can be used such as, for example, class 1 pulleys, class 2 pulleys, fixed pivot points, or any combination thereof, to provide a mechanical advantage of greater than 1 where, in some embodiments, the mechanical advantage is 2.0 or greater.
The systems taught herein, regardless of how the design provides a source of forces used to open and close an umbrella canopy, can operate with or without an automatic opening of the canopy. In some embodiments, the counterweight may only assist in the opening of the umbrella. And, in some embodiments, a user can control the speed of opening by applying a counter force, for example, to the user rope. It should be appreciated, however, that the automatic opening option of the canopy provides users with a great advantage. In systems that provide automatic canopy opening, the user can easily open the canopy without discomfort which may be due to, for example, physical ailments or limited physical ability.
The systems taught herein, regardless of how the design provides a source of forces to open and close an umbrella canopy, can operate with a fixed and/or dynamic option for the canopy and/or runner. A “fixed” option can include, for example, a canopy that is at least substantially fixed in place after opening. A “dynamic” option can include, for example, a canopy that remains at least substantially moveable after opening. In these embodiments, the runner, for example, may be able to slide on the pole in response to a force applied to the canopy. Such force can be applied, for example, where (i) strong winds are present or (ii) any physical object strikes the canopy, for example, where a user inadvertently walks into the canopy. As such, one of skill will appreciate that the “dynamic” function includes a safety feature, as a heavy umbrella can do damage to persons or property if subject to forces sufficient to throw the umbrella from its position, for example. Also, a canopy that can retract when a user inadvertently walks into it will likely help prevent harm to the user. In addition, a canopy that can retract or otherwise respond dynamically to external forces may have a longer life. It should be appreciated that the systems taught herein may likewise be fully or partially fixed in position, such that the movement is at least substantially prevented, merely inhibited, or limited to a range. Likewise, the systems taught herein can be fully or partially dynamic, such that the movement could be allowed from a fully retracted position to a fully hyper-extended position of the canopy, or any range in-between. In some embodiments, “hyperextension” occurs when the canopy is allowed to raise above, and extend beyond, a normal operating position. In some embodiments, a stopper can be used to prevent the canopy from raising beyond the normal operating position and, in some embodiments, the stopper can be allowed to move dynamically through a range of movement, and this movement can be dampened through a dampening mechanism, to further control the range and speed of movement of the dynamic canopy. And, likewise, in some embodiments, the canopy is fixed in position after opening, such that the canopy is allowed no substantial movement from its position of operation. Moreover, a system can have any one or any combination of such options.
One of skill will appreciate that the umbrella components can be fabricated from any suitable material, such as plastic, textile, woven or non-woven material, natural products, metal, ceramics, any suitable polymer or polymers, resin composition, or a combination thereof, where a combination can include, for example, a coated material or, perhaps a reinforced material such as, for example, a fiber-reinforced structure. Umbrella components can be molded, cast or extruded, for example, as one or more pieces, assembled from a plurality of pieces, or a combination thereof. And, it should be appreciated that the umbrella system can be manufactured in any size suitable for a particular purpose, where the number and type of components needed or desired for a particular purpose can be readily determined by one of skill.
A prototype based on the design of
The umbrella system tested had a counterweight of about 8 pounds and the pulley system used 4 pulleys and a tension compensator pulley. On each side of the umbrella, the system had a class-1 pulley attached to the static component, and a class-2 pulley attached to the dynamic component. The tension compensator pulley was located at the weighted end of the pulley rope just above the counterweight component, as shown in the figures provided herein, and it was used to balance the tension between the class 1/class 2 pulley combination on the left side of the pole with the class 1/class 1 pulley combination on the right side of the pole.
Using this system, for example, the speed at which the umbrella opens in the absence of wind was approximately 2 feet of counterweight movement in 4 seconds to raise the approximately 9 foot canopy. A user was able to retract the canopy of this system by applying only about 6 pounds of force to the user rope.
The flexibility of the system of Example 1 to winds was tested. It was surprising and unexpected to see the system withstand some relatively strong winds during testing. Current, state-of-the-art umbrella systems are not dynamic and do not open and retract in response to winds, even strong winds and, as a result, tend to capture the wind and cause operational difficulties. These difficulties can potentially cause damage to persons and/or property. A system that can retract in response to wind, for example, can flex with such external forces. The retraction of the canopy can prevent or inhibit the capturing of wind, where capturing wind can result in high forces that lift and throw even some of the heaviest umbrellas available into persons and/or property. The umbrella of this example was found to merely retract in response to wind, retracting more as the wind forces increased and re-opening as the forces decreased.
The umbrella covering 310a self-opens using only the gravitational force, F2, 315a of the counterweight 315. The umbrella covering 310a opens in the opening direction 350 together with the downward movement of the counterweight 315 in the direction of F2 315a. The umbrella 300 comes down in the retraction direction 360 under the force of the wind, Fw, 370 and the umbrella covering 310a retracts up to about a 45 degree angle in the retraction direction 360 with the upward movement of the counterweight 315 against the direction of F2 315a.
The umbrella self-opens as soon as the wind stops or slows down. And, it should be appreciated that force, F2 315a of the counterweight 315 can be readily adjusted to any wind condition of the environment in which the umbrella system is used. Surprisingly, the system could easily withstand winds of at least 25-30 miles/hour with its dynamic and flexible reaction to the wind. And, the system appeared to be ready to take more wind forces.
One of skill reading the teachings will appreciate that the concepts can extend into additional embodiments that go well-beyond a literal reading of the claims, the inventions recited by the claims, and the terms recited in the claims. It will be appreciated that the terms “operable,” “configured,” and like terms, can be used in connection with a function of the systems, components, or parts of the systems taught herein, such that the systems, components, or parts can be operable to function in a specified manner or configured to operate or function in a specified manner. Likewise, the phrase “operably attached to,” “operably configured with,” “in operable contact with,” and like terms, can be used with to describe interrelationships between and within the teachings provided herein.
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