Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6296001
-
Patent Number
6,296,001
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, February 22, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, October 2, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Friedman; Carl D.
- Varner; Steve
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 135 16
- 135 29
- 135 30
- 135 31
- 135 32
- 135 37
- 403 375
- 403 326
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A rib assembly for multiple-fold umbrella includes: an aluminum top rib pivotally secured to an upper notch formed on a top portion of a central shaft, an aluminum stretcher rib pivotally connected between the top rib and a lower runner slidably held on the central shaft, a plastic intermediate rib interconnected between the top rib and an aluminum or plastic outer rib, an aluminum connecting rib pivotally connected between the stretcher rib and the intermediate rib, and a spring rib slidably coupled to the intermediate rib by a ring member fastened on the intermediate rib; with the plastic intermediate rib interconnected among those light ribs for strengthening the rib assembly substantially made of light-weight materials.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
For making multiple-fold umbrella, the weight of the rib assembly is expected to be decreased as much as possible. If all ribs of the rib assembly are made of aluminum alloy, the umbrella weight can be greatly reduced. However, the aluminum rib may be easily deformed or broken when subjected to strong wind.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,931,175 to the same inventors of this application disclosed a top rib (1) made of light materials including aluminum alloy and an outer rib (2) made of composite or plastic materials for forming a rib assembly especially adapted for making a single-fold umbrella. However, it did not disclose a rib assembly for making triple fold or multiple-fold umbrella.
The present inventor has found the drawbacks of the prior arts and invented the present rib assembly for multiple-fold umbrella having a plastic intermediate rib interconnected among other light ribs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a rib assembly for multiple-fold umbrella including: an aluminum top rib pivotally secured to an upper notch formed on a top portion of a central shaft, an aluminum stretcher rib pivotally connected between the top rib and a lower runner slidably held on the central shaft, a plastic intermediate rib interconnected between the top rib and an aluminum or plastic outer rib, an aluminum connecting rib pivotally connected between the stretcher rib and the intermediate rib, and a spring rib slidably coupled to the intermediate rib by a ring member fastened on the intermediate rib; with the plastic intermediate rib interconnected among those light ribs for strengthening the rib assembly substantially made of light-weight materials.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is an illustration showing an opening umbrella of the present invention.
FIG. 2
shows a folded umbrella of the present invention.
FIG. 3
is a perspective view showing the folding step of the present invention.
FIG. 4
is an illustration of the present invention when completely folded from FIG.
3
.
FIG. 5
is an exploded view of the intermediate rib, the ring member and the spring rib of the present invention.
FIG. 6
is an illustration of the present invention when assembled from FIG.
5
.
FIG. 7
is a cross-sectional drawing of the present invention when viewed from
1
—
7
direction of FIG.
6
.
FIG. 8
shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9
shows still another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10
shows further preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11
shows still further preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12
shows another modification for fastening the ring member on the intermediate rib of the present invention.
FIG. 13
shows still another modification for fastening the ring member on the intermediate rib of the present invention.
FIG. 14
shows further modification for fastening the ring member on the intermediate rib of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As shown in
FIGS. 1-7
, the rib assembly
2
of the present invention comprises: a top rib
21
having its inner portion
211
pivotally secured to an upper notch
15
formed on a top portion of the central shaft
1
; a stretcher rib
22
having an inner portion
221
thereof pivotally secured to a lower runner
20
slidably held on the central shaft
1
and having an outermost end
222
of the stretcher rib
22
pivotally connected to a middle portion of the top rib
21
; an intermediate rib
23
having an inner portion
231
thereof pivotally connected with an outermost end
212
of the top rib
21
; a connecting rib
24
having an inner portion
241
thereof pivotally connected with an outer portion
223
of the stretcher rib
22
adjacent to the outermost end
222
of the stretcher rib
22
, and having an outer portion
242
of the connecting rib
24
pivotally connected to an innermost end
233
of the intermediate rib
23
adjacent to the inner portion
231
of the intermediate rib
23
; an outer rib
25
having an inner portion
251
thereof pivotally connected with an outer portion
232
of the intermediate rib
23
, and having an outer portion
253
of the outer rib
25
secured with a ball tip for securing an umbrella cloth
4
on the outer portion
253
of the outer rib (with the cloth
4
also secured to the upper notch
15
of the shaft
1
); and a spring rib
26
having an inner portion
261
thereof pivotally secured to an outer portion
213
of the top rib
21
adjacent to the outermost end
212
of the top rib
21
, and having an outer portion
262
of the spring rib
26
pivotally connected to an innermost end
252
of the outer rib
25
.
The inner portion
251
and the innermost end
252
of the outer rib
25
may be formed as a joint member for respectively pivotally connecting the intermediate rib
23
and the spring rib
26
.
The connecting rib
24
may be formed as an elongate strip having reinforced ribs integrally formed theron. the central shaft
1
includes: a lower tube
11
having a grip
12
secured thereunder, a middle tube
13
, and a upper tube
14
telescopically engageable with one another; with the upper notch
15
formed on a top of the upper tube
14
.
The spring rib
26
may be formed with metallic wire or rod including steel wire or rod having suitable resilience, passing through a ring member
3
fastened on a middle portion of the intermediate rib
23
for slidably coupling the spring rib
26
in a groove longitudinally formed in the intermediate rib
23
.
All the ribs in construction of the rib assembly
2
of the present invention may be made of light materials including aluminum alloy, except the intermediate rib
23
and the spring rib
26
.
The intermediate rib
23
as shown in FIGS.
5
˜
7
includes: a longitudinal groove
234
longitudinally recessed in a first surface (or an upper surface when the umbrella is opened) of the intermediate rib
23
for slidably coupling the spring rib
26
within the longitudinal groove
234
, a pair of side walls
230
respectively disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal groove
234
, and an annular groove
235
circumferentially recessed in a circumference of the intermediate rib
23
including the two side walls
230
and a second surface (or bottom surface) of the intermediate rib
23
opposite to the first surface about a longitudinal axis X defined at a longitudinal center of the intermediate rib
23
.
The ring member
3
is resiliently engaged with the annular groove
235
recessed in the intermediate rib
23
to be projectively perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the intermediate rib
23
.
The intermediate rib
23
is made of materials having durable strength for resisting deformation, twisting, bending or breaking of the rib
23
, including: plastic material, reinforced plastic material, engineering plastic material, and composite reinforced with plastic material in the composite. The grooves
234
,
235
may be formed by plastic molding processes.
The ring member
3
is preferably made of elastomers including: plastic, rubber materials having suitable elasticity and wear resistance in order to be resiliently firmly fastened on the intermediate rib
23
especially wound into the annular groove
235
recessed in the intermediate rib
23
. Other materials including metal or alloy may still be used in this invention.
The ring member
3
is firmly fastened on the (middle portion of) intermediate rib
23
because the rib
23
has a frictional surface disposed around the circumference of the rib
23
to frictionally hold the ring member
3
on the frictional surface of the rib
23
for preventing loosening or withdrawal of the ring member
3
from the rib
23
for stably coupling the spring rib
26
with the intermediate rib
23
.
The plastic intermediate rib
23
is interconnected among the other ribs of the rib assembly
2
made of aluminum alloy or other light materials for strengthening the wind resistance (W) of the ribs
2
as shown in
FIG. 1
when opening the umbrella for preventing deformation or breakage of the ribs.
Since the plastic intermediate rib
23
merely “occupies” a small proportion of the ribs of the rib assembly
2
based on weight and volume, the ribs as substantially made of aluminum alloy are still light in weight, but without impairing their strength of an opening umbrella especially when subjected to strong wind.
So, the present invention discloses the plastic intermediate rib
23
among other ribs substantially made of aluminum to render the multiple-fold umbrella (including triple fold and plural folds) with light weight and proper strength durable for strong wind blowing, thereby being convenient for handling or storage and being reliable for uses.
For considering the resilience of the outer rib
25
, the rib
25
may also be made of resilient plastic material. Since the outer rib
25
is generally formed as a fine round rod, its influence to the total weight of the rib assembly can be neglected.
As shown in
FIG. 8
, the ring member
3
of the present invention may be formed as a cylindrical shape by increasing the length of the ring member
3
(from
FIG. 5
to
FIG. 8
) to be firmly fastened on the intermediate rib
23
for passing the spring rib
26
within the ring member
3
for slidably holding the spring rib
26
within the longitudinal groove
234
recessed in the intermediate rib
23
.
As shown in
FIG. 9
, the side wall
230
of the intermediate rib
23
is formed with at least a protrusion
236
for engaging a cavity
31
as recessed or formed in the ring member
3
for fastening the ring member
3
on a middle portion of the intermediate rib
23
.
The intermediate rib
23
has a cross section formed as U shape, H shape or any other shapes, not limited in the present invention. As shown in FIGS.
10
˜
14
, the intermediate rib
23
is formed to have a cross section of H shape, including a longitudinal groove
234
longitudinally recessed in a first surface of the intermediate rib
23
and a bottom groove
234
a
longitudinally recessed in a second (or bottom) surface of the intermediate rib
23
. The H-shaped rib
23
will render a better structural strength for resisting deformation or breakage of the rib
23
.
The ring member
3
is preferably made of elastomers, but may also be made of other materials including metal or metal alloys. The annular groove
235
as shown in
FIG. 5
may also be omitted if the ring member
3
can be firmly fastened on the rib
23
.
As shown in
FIG. 10
, the intermediate rib
23
further includes: a diaphragm extension
234
b
transversely formed in the bottom groove
234
a
, and the ring member
3
has a pair of bottom protrusions
32
formed on a bottom inside wall of the ring member
3
for frictionally clamping the diaphragm extension
234
b
formed on the bottom surface of the rib
23
for firmly fastening the ring member
3
on the intermediate rib
23
for passing the spring rib
26
within the ring member
3
for slidably coupling the spring rib
26
with the intermediate rib
23
.
An shown in
FIG. 11
, the ring member
3
includes a pair of lugs
33
pressed inwardly or protruding centripetally towards the longitudinal axis X of the rib
23
for clamping the diaphragm extension
234
b
transversely formed on the bottom surface of the rib
23
for fastening the ring member
3
on the rib
23
.
As shown in
FIG. 12
, the ring member
3
is formed with a transverse extension
32
a
on a bottom portion of the ring member
3
for engaging a bottom recess
235
a
transversely recessed in the bottom portion of the intermediate rib
23
for fastening the ring ember
3
on the rib
23
.
As shown in
FIG. 13
, the ring member
3
includes a pair of clamping hooks
34
formed on opposite bottom portions of the ring member
3
for respectively clamping two side walls
230
(bottom portions of the side walls) of the intermediate rib
23
for fastening the ring member
3
on the rib
23
.
As shown in
FIG. 14
, the ring member
3
is made of metal or alloy and is directly pressed in a bottom central portion of the ring member
3
to form a “pressing” portion
35
pressed inwardly towards the longitudinal axis X of the rib
23
to tightly squeeze the bottom central portion of the ring member
3
into the bottom groove
234
a
of the intermediate rib
23
for firmly fastening the ring member
3
on the rib
23
.
The present invention may be further modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Claims
- 1. A rib assembly for multiple-fold umbrella comprising:a top rib pivotally secured to an upper notch formed on a top portion of a central shaft; a stretcher rib pivotally connected between the top rib and a lower runner slidably held on said central shaft; an intermediate rib having a cross section of H shape and pivotally connected to said top rib; a connecting rib pivotally connected between said stretcher rib and said intermediate rib; an outer rib pivotally secured to said intermediate rib; and a spring rib made of light-weight materials including plastic and aluminum alloy and pivotally connected between said top rib and said outer rib, said spring rib slidably coupled with said intermediate rib by a ring member, with said ring member fastened on said intermediate rib for passing said spring rib through said ring member; each said top rib, said stretcher rib and said connecting rib made of aluminum alloy; the improvement which comprises: said intermediate rib made of materials capable for resisting deformation, bending and twisting, including plastic, engineering plastic, and reinforced plastic material, and composite reinforced with plastic material; said ring member firmly fastened on said intermediate rib for passing said spring rib within said ring member for slidably coupling said spring rib to said intermediate rib.
- 2. A rib assembly according to claim 1, wherein said ring member has a cross section formed as circular, square and rectangular shape to be engaged with a ring groove circumferentially recessed in said intermediate rib about a longitudinal axis defined at a longitudinal center of said intermediate rib.
- 3. A rib assembly according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate rib includes a diaphragm extension transversely formed in a bottom groove longitudinally recessed in a bottom portion of said intermediate rib; and said ring member having a pair of bottom protrusions formed on a bottom portion of said ring member for clamping said diaphragm extension of said intermediate rib for fastening said ring member on said intermediate rib.
- 4. A rib assembly according to claim 1, wherein said ring member includes a pair of lugs formed on a bottom portion of said ring member for clamping a diaphragm extension transversely formed on a bottom portion of said intermediate rib for fastening said ring member on said intermediate rib.
- 5. A rib assembly according to claim 1, wherein said ring member is formed with a transverse extension on a bottom portion of said ring member for engaging a bottom recess transversely recessed in a bottom portion of said intermediate rib for fastening said ring member on said intermediate rib.
- 6. A rib assembly according to claim 1, wherein said ring member includes a pair of clamping hooks formed on opposite bottom portions of said ring member for respectively clamping two side walls of said intermediate rib for fastening said ring member on said intermediate rib.
- 7. A rib assembly according to claim 1, wherein said ring member is fastened on said intermediate rib by inwardly pressing a bottom portion of said ring member into a bottom groove in said intermediate rib for fastening said ring member on said intermediate rib.
- 8. A rib assembly according to claim 1, wherein said ring member is made of plastic and metal materials.
US Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
5931175 |
Lin et al. |
Aug 1999 |
|
6035873 |
Lin et al. |
Mar 2000 |
|