REVERSIBLE UMBRELLA

Abstract

A reversible umbrella is provided. This device includes a supportive pole having an upper portion and a lower portion and a canopy assembly slidably mounted thereon. The canopy assembly further includes first, second, and third sliding collars mounted on the supportive pole; a canopy attached to a plurality of canopy support rods, wherein each of the plurality of canopy support rods is hingeably attached at one end to the third sliding collar; a first plurality of connector rods, wherein one end of each connector rod is hingeably attached to one of the canopy support rods and wherein the other end of the connector rod is hingeably attached to the second sliding collar; and a second plurality of connector rods, wherein one end of each connector rod is hingeably attached to one of the first plurality of connector rods and wherein the other end is hingeably attached to the first sliding collar.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, schematically illustrate one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description given above and detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the reversible umbrella of the present invention shown in a normal, closed orientation.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the reversible umbrella of the present invention shown in a normal, open position.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the reversible umbrella of the present invention shown partially open in an inversed/reversed orientation.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the reversible umbrella of the present invention shown closed in an inversed/reversed orientation.

Claims

1. A reversible umbrella, comprising: (a) a supportive pole having an upper portion and a lower portion; and(b) a canopy assembly slidably mounted on the supportive pole, wherein the canopy assembly further includes: (i) first, second, and third sliding collars mounted on the supportive pole, wherein the first sliding collar is located on the lower portion of the pole, wherein the third sliding collar is located on the upper portion of the pole, and wherein the second sliding collar is located between the first and third sliding collars;(ii) a canopy attached to a plurality of canopy support rods, wherein each of the plurality of canopy support rods is hingeably attached at one end to the third sliding collar;(iii) a first plurality of connector rods, wherein one end of each connector rod is hingeably attached to one of the canopy support rods and wherein the other end of the connector rod is hingeably attached to the second sliding collar; and(iv) a second plurality of connector rods, wherein one end of each connector rod is hingeably attached to one of the first plurality of connector rods and wherein the other end is hingeably attached to the first sliding collar.

2. The reversible umbrella of claim 1, further comprising a pliable cup mounted on the first sliding collar for facilitating closure of the umbrella in an inverted orientation.

3. The reversible umbrella of claim 1, further comprising a slidable sleeve mounted on the supportive pole between the second and third sliding collars for facilitating closure of the umbrella in an inverted orientation.

4. The reversible umbrella of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of elastic connectors, wherein one end of each elastic connector is attached to the canopy, and wherein the other end is attached to a canopy support rod opposite the end hingeably attached to the third sliding collar.

5. The reversible umbrella of claim 1, wherein the supportive pole further comprises: (a) a cap mounted on one end thereof;(b) a handle mounted on the opposite end thereof; and(c) first, second, and third locking members mounted partially within the supportive pole, wherein the first locking member is located near the handle, wherein the third locking member is located near the cap, and wherein the second locking member is located between the first and third locking members

6. The reversible umbrella of claim 5, wherein the first sliding collar cooperates with the second locking member to retain the umbrella in an open orientation, and wherein the first sliding collar also cooperates with the first locking member to retain the umbrella in a closed, inverted position.

7. The reversible umbrella of claim 1, wherein the canopy further comprises an upper portion and a lower portion connected to the upper portion.

8. An inwardly folding umbrella, comprising: (a) a supportive pole, wherein the supportive pole further includes: (i) a cap mounted on one end thereof;(ii) a handle mounted on the opposite end thereof; and(iii) first, second, and third locking members mounted partially within the supportive pole, wherein the first locking member is located near the handle, wherein the third locking member is located near the cap, and wherein the second locking member is located between the first and third locking members; and(b) a canopy assembly slidably mounted on the supportive pole, wherein the canopy assembly further includes: (i) first, second, and third sliding collars mounted on the supportive pole, wherein the first sliding collar is located near the handle, wherein the third sliding collar is located near the cap, and wherein the second sliding collar is located between the first and third sliding collars;(ii) a canopy attached to a plurality of canopy support rods, wherein each of the plurality of canopy support rods is hingeably attached at one end to the third sliding collar;(iii) a first plurality of connector rods, wherein one end of each connector rod is hingeably attached to one of the canopy support rods and wherein the other end of the connector rod is hingeably attached to the second sliding collar; and(iv) a second plurality of connector rods, wherein one end of each connector rod is hingeably attached to one of the first plurality of connector rods and wherein the other end is hingeably attached to the first sliding collar.

9. The reversible umbrella of claim 8, further comprising a pliable cup mounted on the first sliding collar for facilitating closure of the umbrella in an inverted orientation.

10. The reversible umbrella of claim 8, further comprising a slidable sleeve mounted on the supportive pole between the second and third sliding collars for facilitating closure of the umbrella in an inverted orientation.

11. The reversible umbrella of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of elastic connectors, wherein one end of each elastic connector is attached to the canopy, and wherein the other end is attached to a canopy support rod opposite the end hingeably attached to the third sliding collar.

12. The reversible umbrella of claim 8, wherein the first sliding collar cooperates with the second locking member to retain the umbrella in an open orientation, and wherein the first sliding collar also cooperates with the first locking member to retain the umbrella in a closed, inverted position.

13. The reversible umbrella of claim 8, wherein the canopy further comprises an upper portion and a lower portion connected to the upper portion.

14. An invertible umbrella, comprising: (a) a supportive pole, wherein the supportive pole further includes: (i) a cap mounted on one end thereof;(ii) a handle mounted on the opposite end thereof; and(iii) first, second, and third locking members mounted partially within the supportive pole, wherein the first locking member is located near the handle, wherein the third locking member is located near the cap, and wherein the second locking member is located between the first and third locking members; and(b) a canopy assembly slidably mounted on the supportive pole, wherein the canopy assembly further includes: (i) first, second, and third sliding collars mounted on the supportive pole, wherein the first sliding collar is located nearest the handle, wherein the third sliding collar is located nearest the cap, and wherein the second sliding collar is located between the first and third sliding collars;(ii) a canopy attached to a plurality of canopy support rods, wherein each of the plurality of canopy support rods is hingeably attached at one end to the third sliding collar;(iii) a first plurality of connector rods, wherein one end of each connector rod is hingeably attached to one of the canopy support rods and wherein the other end of the connector rod is hingeably attached to the second sliding collar; and(iv) a second plurality of connector rods, wherein one end of each connector rod is hingeably attached to one of the first plurality of connector rods and wherein the other end is hingeably attached to the first sliding collar; and(c) a pliable cup mounted on the first sliding collar for facilitating closure of the umbrella in an inverted orientation; and(d) a slidable sleeve mounted on the supportive pole between the second and third sliding collars for facilitating closure of the umbrella in an inverted orientation.

15. The reversible umbrella of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of elastic connectors, wherein one end of each elastic connector is attached to the canopy, and wherein the other end is attached to a canopy support rod opposite the end hingeably attached to the third sliding collar.

16. The reversible umbrella of claim 14, wherein the first sliding collar cooperates with the second locking member to retain the umbrella in an open orientation, and wherein the first sliding collar also cooperates with the first locking member to retain the umbrella in a closed, inverted position.

17. The reversible umbrella of claim 14, wherein the canopy further comprises an upper portion and a lower portion connected to the upper portion.

18. The reversible umbrella of claim 14, wherein the canopy further includes a detached piece of canopy material circumferentially mounted on the supportive pole between the cap and the third sliding collar.