Integrated Pulley System for an Umbrella

Abstract

An umbrella includes a pole and upper pulley assembly, a lower hub assembly, and a rope. The pole has a base portion and a top end portion. The top end portion defines a through passage that extends entirely through the top end portion. The upper pulley assembly is disposed substantially within the through passage. The lower hub assembly is slidingly disposed about the pole such that the lower hub assembly has a first position in which the umbrella is in a closed configuration and a second position in which the umbrella is in an open configuration. The second position is above the first position. The rope extends through a lower pulley assembly and the upper pulley assembly. The rope is configured to translate the lower hub assembly from the first position to the second position and to maintain the lower hub assembly in the second position.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to outdoor shades and, more specifically, to an outdoor shade in the form of an umbrella and a pulley system for the umbrella.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Outdoor shades come in a variety of forms. One form is a pole umbrella that has a closed position in which struts of the umbrella are substantially parallel with a pole of the umbrella and an open position in which the struts of the umbrella extend at an angle from the pole to support a shade of the umbrella. Generally, a pole umbrella is transitioned from the closed position to the open position by lifting a lower hub or runner along the pole to a position adjacent an upper hub. The lower hub may be lifted by drawing cords or ropes that pass through one or more pulleys positioned adjacent a top end of the pole and in the lower hub. The pulleys positioned adjacent the top end of the pole can be disposed in the upper hub or secured directly to the outside of the pole.

SUMMARY

This disclosure relates generally to a pole umbrella that includes a pulley system integrated into the top end of the pole. Specifically, the pulley system is disposed substantially within an interior circumference of the pole. The pulley system may be more compact than previous pulley systems. The pulley system disclosed herein may be more aesthetically pleasing than previous pulley systems. The pulley system disclosed herein may have an improved functionality than previous pulley systems. Disposing the pulley system within the interior circumference of the pole, the upper hub assembly may be substantially similar to the lower hub assembly without a pulley.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, an umbrella includes a pole, a lower hub assembly of first upper pulley, a second upper pulley, and a rope. The pole has a base portion and a top end portion that is opposite the base portion. The top end portion defines a through passage that extends entirely through the top end portion. The lower hub assembly is disposed about the pole and is translatable along the pole to transition the umbrella between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The upper hub assembly includes a first lower pulley and a second lower pulley. The first upper pulley and the second upper pulley are disposed substantially within the through passage of the pole. The rope extends through the first lower pulley, the first upper pulley, the second lower pulley, and the second upper pulley. The rope is configured to be drawn to transition the umbrella towards the open configuration and to be released to transition the umbrella towards the closed configuration.

In aspects, the umbrella further includes a rope end mount secured to the pole. The rope end mount may secure a first end of the rope to the pole. The lower hub assembly may include a cleat that is configured to fix a length of the rope between the cleat and the first end of the rope. The rope may have a first length between the cleat and the first end of the pole in the closed configuration and a second length between the cleat and the first end of the rope in the open configuration. The second length may be less than the first length.

In some aspects, the umbrella includes an insert that is disposed within the pole. The insert may define an opening that is in communication with the through passage. The first upper pulley and the second upper pulley may be disposed substantially within the insert. The umbrella may include an upper hub assembly that is fixed to the top end portion of the pole. The upper hub assembly may be positioned above the through passage.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, an umbrella includes a pole, an upper pulley assembly, a lower hub assembly, and a rope. The pole has a base portion and a top end portion that is opposite to the base portion. The top end portion defines a through passage that extends entirely through the top end portion. The upper pulley assembly is disposed substantially within the through passage of the pole. The lower hub assembly is slidingly disposed about the pole such that the lower hub assembly has a first position along the pole in which the umbrella is in a closed configuration and a second position along the pole in which the umbrella is in an open configuration. The second position is disposed above the first position. The lower hub assembly also includes a lower pulley assembly. The rope extends through the lower pulley assembly and the upper pulley assembly. The rope is configured to transition the lower hub assembly from the first position to the second position and to maintain the lower hub assembly in the second position.

In aspects, the umbrella includes a rope end mount secured to the pole. The rope end mount may receive and fix a first end of the rope relative to the pole. The rope end mount may be secured to the pole between the upper hub assembly and the lower hub assembly.

In some aspects, the umbrella includes a cleat that is configured to receive a portion of the rope there through. The rope has a first active length that is defined along the rope from the first end of the rope to the cleat when the lower hub assembly is in the first position. The rope may have a second active length defined along the rope from the first end of the rope and the cleat when the lower hub assembly is in the second position. The first active length may be longer than the second active length. The cleat may be secured to the lower pulley assembly.

In certain aspects, the umbrella includes an insert that is disposed within the pole. The insert may define an opening that is in communication with the through passage. The upper pulley assembly may be disposed substantially within the insert.

In particular aspects, the umbrella includes an upper hub assembly that is fixed to the top end portion of the pole. The upper hub assembly may be positioned above the through passage. The umbrella may include ribs, stretchers, and a canopy. The canopy may be supported on the ribs with each rib pivotably received in the upper hub assembly. Each stretcher may be pivotally received in the lower hub assembly and pivotally secured to the respective rib. Each stretcher may lift the respective rib such that the canopy is opened as the lower hub assembly is translated towards the second position.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of operating an umbrella includes drawing a free end of the rope and releasing the free end of the rope. Drawing the free end of the rope may translate a lower hub assembly upwards along the pole of the umbrella to transition the umbrella from a closed configuration to an open configuration. The rope extends through the pole adjacent a top end of the pole. Releasing the free end of the rope may allow the lower hub assembly to translate downwards along the pole as the umbrella transitions towards the closed configuration.

In aspects, drawing the free end of the rope may include the rope passing over an upper pulley assembly that is disposed substantially within a through passage defined entirely through the pole adjacent a top end of the pole. The rope may pass through a lower pulley assembly that is disposed in the lower hub assembly. Releasing the free end of the rope may include releasing the free end of the rope from a cleat that is fixed to the lower hub assembly.

Further, to the extent consistent, any of the embodiments or aspects described herein may be used in conjunction with any or all of the other embodiments or aspects described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an umbrella provided in accordance with the present disclosure in an open configuration thereof;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the umbrella of FIG. 1 illustrating a pulley system of the umbrella with ribs, stretchers, and canopy removed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an upper portion of the pulley system of the umbrella of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a portion of the pulley system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the portion of the pulley system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pole insert of the pulley system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the pole insert of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the pole insert of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a rope end mount of the top end of the pole of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the rope end mount of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an upper hub assembly of the umbrella of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the lower hub assembly of the umbrella of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to example embodiments thereof with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. These example embodiments are described so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Features from one embodiment or aspect can be combined with features from any other embodiment or aspect in any appropriate combination. For example, any individual or collective features of method aspects or embodiments can be applied to apparatus, product, or component aspects or embodiments and vice versa. The disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “the,” and the like include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, while reference may be made herein to quantitative measures, values, geometric relationships or the like, unless otherwise stated, any one or more if not all of these may be absolute or approximate to account for acceptable variations that may occur, such as those due to manufacturing or engineering tolerances or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a pole umbrella 1 is provided according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The pole umbrella 1 includes a pole 10, an upper hub assembly 20, a lower hub assembly 40, a plurality of stretchers 130, a plurality of ribs 140, a rope 110, and a canopy 120. The pole 10 includes a base portion 12 that is secured in a base or in the ground to support the pole 10 in a substantially vertical orientation. The pole 10 includes a top end portion 16 opposite the base portion 12 that terminates in a top end 19 of the pole 10 (FIG. 3). The pole 10 includes a runner portion 14 between the base portion 12 and the top end portion 16.

With additional reference to FIG. 2, the runner portion 14 and the top end portion 16 of the pole 10 are shown which include the upper hub assembly 20 and the lower hub assembly 40. The upper hub assembly 20 and the lower hub assembly 40 may have a similar structure which is described in detail below. The upper hub assembly 20 is fixed to the pole 10 adjacent the top end 19 thereof. The lower hub assembly 40 includes a runner tube 50 that is slidingly disposed about the pole 10 such that the lower hub assembly 40 is translatable along the pole 10 as the umbrella 1 transitions between the closed configuration and the open configuration.

The pulley assembly is configured to translate the lower hub assembly 40 towards the top end 19 of the pole 10 as the umbrella 1 transitions toward the open configuration. The pulley assembly includes a rope end mount 62, lower pulleys 52 mounted in the lower hub assembly 40, and upper pulleys 72 disposed substantially within the top end portion 16 in the pole 10. The upper pulleys 72 are supported within a through passage 18 defined laterally through the pole 10. The through passage 18 extends entirely through the top end portion 16 of the pole 10 (FIG. 3). The through passage 18 is substantially rectangular in profile with rounded top and bottom ends. The through passage 18 is sized and dimensioned to substantially receive the upper pulleys 72 therein. For example, the upper pulleys 72 and other elements of the pulley assembly are within the diameter of the pole 10 with minimal elements, e.g., the outer extremities of the upper pulleys 72, extending beyond the circumference of the pole 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-8, the pulley assembly includes an insert 70 that is disposed within the pole 10 to support the upper pulleys 72. The insert 70 may reinforce the pole 10 to prevent buckling or deformation of the pole 10 as a result of forces in the upper pulleys 72 and a reduction of material in the top end portion 16 of the pole 10. The insert 70 may be formed of steel, aluminum, brass, or a polymer, e.g., a thermoplastic such as nylon. The insert 70 is substantially cylindrical in shape and is sized to have an outer diameter that is the same or slightly smaller than an internal diameter of the pole 10 to allow the insert 70 to fit within the pole 10. The outer diameter of the insert 70 may engage the inner surface of the pole 10 as the insert 70 slides within the pole 10. The outer surface of the insert 70 may support the inside surface of the pole 10 to prevent deformation of the pole 10 as a result of forces in the pulley assembly or forces on the pole, e.g., wind.

The insert 70 includes a top end 71 and a bottom end 79 with an insert opening 74 disposed therethrough. The insert opening 74 is sized and dimensioned to be equal to the through passage 18 or slightly smaller than the through passage 18. When the insert 70 is positioned within the pole 10 and aligned with the through passage 18, the through passage 18 and the insert opening 74 allow for passage entirely through the pole 10. The insert 70 includes a position hole 75 that aligns with a rope support hole 15 of the pole 10. As detailed below, the position hole 75 may receive a fastener that secures the rope end mount 62 to the pole 10 and secures the position of the insert 70 within the pole 10.

The insert 70 defines a spindle hole 76 that passes through the insert 70 at or adjacent the center of the insert 70. The spindle hole 76 is oriented perpendicular to and passes through the center of the insert opening 74. The spindle hole 76 is sized and dimensioned to receive a spindle 78 that passes through the spindle hole 76 and the pole spindle holes 17 in the pole 10 which support the upper pulleys 72 thereabout such that the upper pulleys 72 are positioned within an interior circumference of the pole 10. The spindle 78 may be a two-part fastener with a first part defining an outer or bearing surface of the spindle and a threaded hole and the second part being a threaded fastener that is threaded into the threaded hole to secure the first part in the spindle hole 76. Each of the first part and the second part may include a head that engages the outer surface of the pole 10 and prevents the respective part from passing through the pole 10.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the rope end mount 62 includes a tongue 64 and a body 66. The tongue 64 defines a mounting hole 63 that receives a fastener that passes through the tongue 64, the rope support hole 15 of the pole 10, and into the insert opening 74 of the insert 70 to secure the rope end mount 62 to the pole 10. The body 66 is substantially cylindrical and defines a rope hole 68 that extends into the body 66. The rope hole 68 is sized and dimensioned to receive an end of the rope 110 to secure the rope 110 to the pole 10. The rope end mount 62 may include one or more securement holes 65 that extend through the body 66 and in communication with the rope hole 68. The securement holes 65 may each receive a securement fastener that passes through the securement holes 65 to engage an end of the rope 110 received within the rope hole 68 of the body 66. The back surface 69 of the rope end mount 62 may be flat or concave to match the outside surface of the pole 10 to increase contact between the rope end mount 62 and the pole 10.

Referring briefly back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the path of the rope 110 is described in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The rope 110 has a first end 112 that is secured in the rope end mount 62 as detailed above. The rope 110 extends from the first end 112 through one of the lower pulleys 52 of the lower hub assembly 40 and then through a first upper pulley 72 secured in the insert 70. As the rope 110 extends through the first upper pulley 72, the rope 110 extends through the pole 10. The rope 110 extends from the first upper pulley 72 through the other lower pulley 52 of the lower hub assembly 40 and back through the second upper pulley 72 secured in the insert 70. From the second upper pulley 72, the second end 118 of the rope 110 extends through a cleat 111 of the lower hub assembly 40 that secures the second end 118 of the rope 110 relative to the lower hub assembly 40.

Pulling the free end or second end 118 of the rope 110 reduces an active length of the rope 110 from the cleat 111 to the rope end mount 62, measured along the length of the rope 110, such that the lower hub assembly 40 is translated towards the top end 19 of the pole 10. The stretchers 130 secured to the lower hub assembly 40 extend the ribs 140 secured to the upper hub assembly 20 as the lower hub assembly 40 is translated upwards such that the canopy 120 is deployed in an open configuration of the umbrella 1. In contrast, releasing the second end 118 of the rope 110, the active length of the rope 110 increases from the cleat 111 to the rope end mount 62 to allow the lower hub assembly 40 to move away from the top end 19 of the pole 10 such that the umbrella 1 moves towards its closed configuration. Specifically, the ribs 140 may urge the stretchers 130 downward such that the lower hub assembly 40 is translated downward. In some embodiments, the weight of the lower hub assembly 40 may urge the lower hub assembly 40 downward.

Referring now to FIG. 11, the upper hub assembly 20 is described in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The upper hub assembly 20 includes a central disk 22 and a plurality of plates 26. The central disk 22 defines a central bore 24 that extends through the center of the central disk 22. Each of the plurality of plates 26 is similar to the other plates 26 with upper hub assembly 20 having a total of 8 plates. The plates 26 have a central end 28 and an outer tab 29. The central end 28 is disposed adjacent the pole 10 and may be in contact with the pole 10. In some embodiments, the central ends 28 are fixed directly to the pole 10, e.g., welded or bonded. The central ends 28 of adjacent plates 26 may be fixed or bonded together. Each of the plates 26 may be received in a slot, or define a slot that receives, the central disk 22. Each plate 26 may be bonded or secured to the central disk 22. In some embodiments, each plate 26 is welded to the central disk 22. The outer tab 29 of each plate 26 defines a rib mount hole 27 near a center of the outer tab 29. The rib mount hole 27 is configured to receive a rib mount to rotatably secure a rib of the umbrella 1 between adjacent plates 26. As shown, the umbrella 1 includes four ribs (FIG. 1) and the upper hub assembly 20 includes eight plates; however, it is contemplated that an umbrella may have three, five, six, seven, or eight ribs such that an upper hub assembly 20 may have six, ten, twelve, fourteen, or sixteen plates to rotatably support the ribs.

With reference to FIG. 12, the lower hub assembly 40 is described in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The lower hub assembly 40 includes a central disk 42, a runner tube 50, and a plurality of plates 46. The central disk 42 defines a central bore 44 that extends through the center of the central disk 42. Each of the plurality of plates 46 is similar to the other plates 46 with lower hub assembly 40 having a total of 8 plates. The plates 46 have a central end 48 and an outer tab 49. The central end 48 of each plate 46 is secured to the runner tube 50. The central end 48 may be welded or bonded to the runner tube 50. The runner tube 50 passes through the central bore 44 with the central disk 42 welded or bonded to the runner tube 50. The runner tube 50 is sized and dimensioned to slidably translate along the length of the pole 10. The central ends 48 of adjacent plates 46 may be fixed or bonded together. Each of the plates 46 may be received in a slot, or define a slot that receives, the central disk 42. Each plate 46 may be bonded or secured to the central disk 42. In some embodiments, each plate 46 is welded to the central disk 42. The outer tab 49 of each plate 46 defines a stretcher mount hole 47 near a center of the outer tab 49. The stretcher mount hole 47 is configured to receive a stretcher mount to rotatably secure a stretcher of the umbrella 1 between adjacent plates 46. As shown, the umbrella 1 includes four stretchers 130 and the lower hub assembly 40 includes eight plates; however, it is contemplated that an umbrella may have three, five, six, seven, or eight stretcher such that a lower hub assembly 40 may have six, ten, twelve, fourteen, or sixteen plates to rotatably support the stretchers 130.

The central disk 42 of the lower hub assembly 40 includes a cleat mount 45. The cleat mount 45 extends from the central disk 42 and is bent downward to provide a mount for the cleat 111. The central disk 42 is constructed by a stamping process to form a flat piece of material with the cleat mount 45 subsequently being bent to be substantially perpendicular to the rest of the central disk 42. The cleat mount 45 is positioned between a pair of adjacent plates 46. In some embodiments, the cleat 111 may be fixed to the pole 10 below the lower position of the lower hub assembly 40.

The lower hub assembly 40 includes a pair of pulley mounts 51 that are each secured to adjacent plates 46. Each pulley mount 51 includes a mount tab 53 that extends from a securement segment 55. The mount tab 53 extends upward from the securement segment 55 and is configured to rotatably secure a respective pulley 52 to the mount tab 53 between the mount tab 53 and the runner tube 50. The securement segment 55 has a central portion that is linear and securement tabs 57 that are bent relative to the central portion. The securement tabs 57 include keys 59 that are received in keyways 58 defined by the adjacent plates 46. The pair of pulley mounts 51 are mounted to adjacent plates 46 on opposite sides of the lower hub assembly 40. The plates 46 of the lower hub assembly 40 may be substantially similar to the plates 26 of the upper hub assembly 20. For example, the keyways 58 may be defined in some of the plates 46 of the lower hub assembly 40.

While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Any combination of the above embodiments is also envisioned and is within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. An umbrella comprising: a pole having a base portion and a top end portion opposite the base portion, the top end portion defining a through passage that extends entirely through the top end portion;a lower hub assembly disposed about the pole and translatable along the pole to transition the umbrella between a closed configuration and an open configuration, the lower hub assembly including a first lower pulley and a second lower pulley;a first upper pulley disposed substantially within the through passage of the pole;a second upper pulley disposed substantially within the through passage of the pole; anda rope extending through the first lower pulley, the first upper pulley, the second lower pulley, and the second upper pulley, the rope configured to be drawn to transition the umbrella towards the open configuration and released to transition the umbrella towards the closed configuration.

2. The umbrella according to claim 1, further comprising a rope mount end secured to the pole, the rope mount end securing a first end of the rope.

3. The umbrella according to claim 2, wherein the rope mount end is secured to the pole below the through passage.

4. The umbrella according to claim 2, wherein the lower hub assembly includes a cleat configured to fix a length of the rope between the cleat and the first end of the rope.

5. The umbrella according to claim 4, wherein the rope has a first length between the cleat and the first end of the rope in the closed configuration and a second length between the cleat and the first end of the rope in the open configuration, the second length being less than the first length.

6. The umbrella according to claim 1, further comprising an insert disposed within the pole, the insert defining an opening in communication with the through passage, the first upper pulley and the second upper pulley disposed substantially within the insert.

7. The umbrella according to claim 1, further comprising an upper hub assembly fixed to the top end portion of the pole.

8. The umbrella according to claim 7, wherein the upper hub assembly is positioned above the through passage.

9. An umbrella comprising: a pole having a base portion and a top end portion opposite the base portion, the top end portion defining a through passage that extends entirely through the top end portion;an upper pulley assembly disposed substantially within the through passage of the pole;a lower hub assembly slidingly disposed about the pole such that the lower hub assembly has a first position along the pole in which the umbrella is in a closed configuration and a second position along the pole in which the umbrella is in an open configuration, the second position above the first position, the lower hub assembly including a lower pulley assembly; anda rope extending through the lower pulley assembly and the upper pulley assembly, the rope configured to translate the lower hub assembly from the first position to the second position and to maintain the lower hub assembly in the second position.

10. The umbrella according to claim 9, further comprising a rope mount end secured to the pole, the rope mount end receiving and fixing a first end of the rope relative to the pole.

11. The umbrella according to claim 10, wherein the rope mount end is secured to the pole between the upper hub assembly and the lower hub assembly.

12. The umbrella according to claim 10, further comprising a cleat that is configured to receive a portion of the rope therethrough, the rope having a first active length defined along the rope from the first end of the rope to the cleat when the lower hub assembly is in the first position and a second active length defined along the rope from the first end of the rope and the cleat when the lower hub assembly is in the second position, the first active length longer than the second active length.

13. The umbrella according to claim 12, wherein the cleat is secured to the lower pulley assembly.

14. The umbrella according to claim 9, further comprising an insert disposed within the pole, the insert defining an opening in communication with the through passage, the upper pulley assembly disposed substantially within the insert.

15. The umbrella according to claim 9, further comprising an upper hub assembly fixed to the top end portion of the pole.

16. The umbrella according to claim 15, wherein the upper hub assembly is positioned above the through passage.

17. The umbrella according to claim 15, further comprising ribs, stretchers, and a canopy, the canopy supported on the ribs, each rib pivotally received in the upper hub assembly, each stretcher pivotally received in the lower hub assembly and pivotally secured to a respective rib, each stretcher lifting a respective rib such that the canopy is opened as the lower hub assembly is translated towards the second position.

18. A method of operating an umbrella, the method comprising: drawing a free end of a rope such that a lower hub assembly translates upwards along a pole of the umbrella to transition the umbrella from a closed configuration to an open configuration, the rope extending through the pole adjacent a top end of the pole; andreleasing the free end of the rope such that the lower hub assembly translates downwards along the pole as the umbrella transitions towards the closed configuration.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein drawing the free end of the rope includes the rope passing over an upper pulley assembly that is disposed substantially within a through passage defined entirely through the pole adjacent a top end of the pole and the rope passing through a lower pulley assembly disposed in the lower hub assembly.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein releasing the free end of the rope includes releasing the free end of the rope from a cleat fixed to the lower hub assembly.