The present invention relates to folding umbrellas. It is particularly applicable to folding umbrellas in which the umbrella canopy folds away inside out.
There have been many years of development in designing compact umbrellas, typically following the same principle of utilising a taut wire to stiffen the spokes that support the canopy. The spokes are normally in 3 or 4 hinged segments, which are foldable, with the canopy fabric being gathered around them. Normally a pouch is also provided for storing the folded umbrella. There are a number of disadvantages of the conventionally designed compact umbrellas as listed below:
The supporting spokes are folded such that the canopy fabric is gathered around them and a substantial part of the wet side of the fabric is on the outside.
The folding process requires handling of the wet fabric and even when fully folded it does not prevent water dripping from it.
A separate pouch is required to store the folded umbrella and as much of the fabric is loose and wet, it is difficult to store in a cover pouch. It is also difficult to incorporate the cover and the lid as part of a single unit.
The arrangement of the spokes, fabric and the folding process limits capacity of the umbrella frame to resist turning inside out against wind. The wire supported hinged spokes have no inherent stiffness to right themselves if the umbrella is blown inside out in the wind. The hinge mechanism presented in this invention is inherently stiffer and more stable.
Various attempts have been made to improve on the conventional umbrella design but, for various reasons, none have yet met with any significant commercial success. For example GB2329123 (Harasawa) describes an umbrella having a cylindrical sleeve used either as a handle or for storing the umbrella. However, although collapsible, the umbrella in this invention still folds up with the wet side outermost. An umbrella, which folds up reversibly, is known from JP08056725 (Okumura). However, this is not of the collapsible type. Furthermore, any water trapped within the canopy fabric is simply free to drain out if the furled umbrella falls over or is inverted.
EP0596180 (Vincenzi) describes an umbrella, which collapses into a handle. Once again, this is not of the collapsible type and, from the geometry of the struts and ribs, it is doubtful if this could ever be erected.
GB9903285 (Kazim) describes an umbrella that attempts to solve the shortcomings outlined above, but which dispenses with a central spine.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a foldaway umbrella moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, said umbrella comprising:
Preferably the central spine comprises an outermost section and an inner section, the inner section movable inside the outermost section.
Preferably the lower crown is fixed to the outermost section of the central spine and the upper crown is moveable with respect to the outermost section of the central spine.
Preferably movement of the inner section of the central spine out of the outermost section of the central spine results in the movement of the upper crown from a position close to the lower crown to a position remote from the lower crown.
Preferably the inner section of the central spine is connected to the upper crown by a string and pulley system.
Preferably the upper crown comprises an upper section and a lower section.
Preferably the upper section of the upper crown is movable with respect to the lower section of the upper crown.
Preferably the upper section of the upper crown is connected to the lower section of the upper crown with a connecting member.
Preferably the umbrella further comprises a compression spring to move the upper crown from a position remote of the lower crown to a position close to the lower crown.
Preferably the upper crown is not telescopically connected to the lower crown.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a umbrella frame comprising:
Preferably the motion of the outer strut is actuated by means of a push pull rod which connects via a lever arm to the outer strut wherein pushing or pulling the push pull rod results in the outer strut pivoting the hinge assembly. Preferably the hinge assembly further comprises a spring rod the spring rod being adapted to resist movement of the outer strut about the hinge assembly without the movement being replicated by the push pull rod. This results in a wind resistant outer strut which will always return to its open rest position after being blown in the wind, but which will easily fold away when desired.
According to the present invention there is provided a foldaway umbrella moveable between an open configuration and a closed or stored configuration such that when it is closed, the wet side or outside of the canopy is folded upon itself substantially preventing water dripping and allows the user to handle the dry side of the canopy. A cover sleeve and lid provides further protection against leakage and dripping. Key components of an umbrella according to the present invention comprise:—
A Central Spine. This is telescopic, typically tubular structure that supports the canopy frame and the canopy. In its lowest section, it supports a handle grip. In its uppermost section it supports a pulley system holder. The uppermost section either has a vertical slit or a vertical groove along part of or whole of its length to allow a string system to run within it. The next section down from the uppermost section, run within the uppermost section and provides an anchor for the string system and incorporates latch system for locking the Central Spine and the canopy frame together when the canopy is fully opened.
Handle Grip is fixed on to the lowest segment of the Central Spine. This is also usually cylindrical and usually made out of plastic or wood. The sleeve cover for the umbrella can be fixed onto the handle grip. It can be made out of flexible material such as fabric which can roll up or down, or it can be made out of tubing, preferably telescopic with one or more segments and preferably see through to minimise its visual impact. Uniquely, the lid to the cover is incorporated onto it. The closing action of the cover closes the lid and the opening action opens it. The advantage of this is that the whole system, including the umbrella cover and the lid are part of the same unit. Alternatively, the lid of the cover can be a separate preferably cylindrical cap to cover the part of the umbrella on the opposite end to the handle or fabric fold and Velcro to fix it. This arrangement has the advantage that the umbrella folds up inside out as well as folding completely within the handle body and the cover. By then closing off the open end of the handle and the cover in some waterproof manner the dampness associated with a used umbrella is fully contained within the handle.
A Canopy Framework. Preferably comprises a plurality of support arms extending radially from the Central Spine. Each support arm comprising a series of pivotally linked struts in substantially linear end-to-end alignment. In this particular example there are two struts pivoted together for each arm extending from the centre. The inner strut is pivoted on to a Sliding Support which is designed to slide vertically along the uppermost section of the Central Spine. The inner end of the inner strut is shaped so that the central axis of the strut is offset from the pivot point on the Sliding Support. In its closed position, this offset allows the canopy frame to fold within the space between the inner strut and the Central Spine. It also has the added benefit of providing additional leverage for moving the inner arm. The inner arm is supported by a brace. The brace is pivoted on one end on to the inner arm and on the other end on to a Brace Support fixed on to the lower part of the outermost section of the Central spine.
Upper Crown or Sliding Support. Preferably made of plastic, it provides pivotal support for the inner struts. The upper crown is circular with a hole in the middle and slides up an down the central spine.
Lower Crown or Brace supports. Preferably made of plastic, it provides pivotal support for the brace for the inner strut. It also incorporates a pulley system that along with the string system and the pulley system on the top of the central spine facilitate the movement of the Sliding Supports. The lower crown is circular with a hole in the middle and is fixed to the central spine.
String System. It is designed so that opening action of the Central Spine moves the sliding support up, deploying the canopy. Closing of the Central Spine moves the Sliding Support down in towards the Brace Support, closing the canopy. Another feature of the string system is that it incorporates a loop on to the Sliding Support that partially de-couples the movement of the Central Spine Sections from the movement of the Sliding Support. This has an advantage of being able optimise the length of the section of Central Spine without being constrained by the movement range of the Sliding Support.
Hinge System. In this innovation, the outer strut is pivoted on to the inner strut and able to rotate with respect to the inner strut far beyond 180 degrees. To do this and then rotate the strut back to its original position on top of the inner strut is not possible with use of mechanical links. The present innovation overcomes this problem by ensuring that although the strut rotates more then 180 degrees the link point does not.
Actuation System for the hinge lever. The outer strut rotates by a rod pushing or pulling on the hinge lever arm. The length of the lever arm affects the force required to pull or push it. Longer the lever arm less the force. However, this has an impact on the size of the umbrella. The sliding support also has a pre-determent movement range and the rod pulling and pushing the hinge lever arm has to be moved the required distance within this movement range. The present invention solves this problem by providing a linkage system which is connected to the movement of the sliding support so that when the sliding support moves up, deploying the canopy, the linkage opens up pulling on the rod pulling the hinge lever arm open. Preferably the arm of the linkage connected to the pulling/pushing rod extends beyond its pivot and preferably sliding within the slit provided on the inner strut. The extent of which the link pulling the rod extends beyond the pivot is dependent on the required by the rod.
Main Canopy: This is made from typical materials used in the industry. It will have creased to ensure when closed the canopy fold in a pre-determined manner. Preferably the outer edge of the canopy between the struts will be creased or stiffened to prevent the outer edge of the canopy folding back on itself. The canopy will be stitched on to the struts so that in open position the canopy has a taut configuration. The innermost part of the canopy takes the shape of a fabric tube extending up away from the sliding support. The top of this tube is preferably left open to allow the wind pressure under the canopy to force the air flow through the tube and under the Mini Canopy covering the Crown of the umbrella. This allows the release of the wind pressure through the tube and out from under the Mini Canopy and over the top of the Main Canopy.
Latch Stop Spring. Preferably a latch is incorporated in the top but sliding section of the Central Spine. This latch will act as a stopper preferably acting on either on the Fixed Brace Support or on the uppermost section of the Central Spine. A unique feature of this innovation is that a small movement of the sliding support from its uppermost position results in a relatively large movement of the outer strut. A strong spring positioned between the latch and its stopper will facilitate this movement. This will allow the outer struts to move up in a control manner forced by a strong wind pressure, further releasing the force acting on the umbrella. When the wind pressure is released the spring pushes the spine down relative to brace support which pushes the sliding support up and the canopy back to its original position.
The present invention primarily relates to umbrellas. It is particularly applicable to folding umbrellas in which the umbrella canopy folds away inside out and preferably into the umbrella handle or a sleeve attached to the handle during storage. This folding arrangement keeps the wet side of the umbrella canopy away from the user and once folded, entraps the remaining water within the wet side of the canopy and prevents it from dripping out. Optionally, an umbrella casing cover or sleeve is so arranged to be an extension of the handle grip and to provide further seal against leakage. Uniquely, this cover is designed to minimise the visual impact on the handle and incorporates a unique lid.
The present invention provides an umbrella that can be folded dry side out in such a way to provide a substantial non-drip seal without a separate pouch and without the need to handle the wet side of the fabric. The present invention also incorporates a cover system attached to the handle grip. Uniquely this cover incorporates its lid as part of itself. Advantageously, umbrellas according to the present invention incorporates and inherent venting system as well as having inherent stiffness against being blown inside out in the wind. The specially developed folding process is also better suited for more compact packing of the fabric minimising its size and weight.
It is recognised by the inventor that the existing umbrellas, even with the weaknesses outlined above are commercial reality and as such they have public acceptance. This innovation maintains the visual and operational characteristics of the existing umbrellas but with added advantage of being dry to handling, non drip, wind resistant and inherently safer to fold.
The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
a and 23b illustrate the top of the central spine, upper crown and lower crown according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;
a, 24b and 24c illustrate the top of the central spine, upper crown and lower crown according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;
a and 25b illustrate the top of the central spine, upper crown and lower crown according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention; and
a and 26b illustrate the top of the central spine, upper crown and lower crown according to ninth embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to
The central spine 12 is telescopic, typically tubular structure that supports the collapsible canopy framework 16 and the main canopy 18. In its lowest section, it supports a handle grip 14. In its uppermost section it supports a pulley system holder which will be described later.
The handle grip 14 is fixed on to the lowest segment of the central spine 12. This is also usually cylindrical and usually made out of plastic or wood. The optional sleeve cover (not shown) for the umbrella 10 can be fixed onto the handle grip 14.
The collapsible canopy framework 16 comprises a plurality of support arms 22 extending radially from the central spine 12 (illustrated further in
The main canopy 18 is made from typical materials used in the industry. It will be pre-creased to ensure when closed the main canopy 18 folds in a pre-determined manner. In one alternative the outer edge of the main canopy 18 between the support arms 22 of the collapsible canopy framework 16 will be creased or stiffened to prevent the outer edge of the main canopy 18 folding back on itself. The main canopy 18 will be stitched on to the support arms 22 of the collapsible canopy framework 16 so that in open position the main canopy 18 has a taut configuration.
Referring to
Referring to
The upper crown 24 is made of a plastics material, it provides pivotal support for the inner struts 28.
The lower crown is made of a plastics material, it provides pivotal support for the brace 34 for the inner strut 28. It also incorporates a pulley system that along with the string system and the pulley system on the top of the central spine 12 facilitate the movement of the upper crown 24.
The string system is designed so that opening action of the central spine 12 moves the upper crown 24 up, deploying the canopy. Closing of the central spine 12 moves the upper crown 24 down in towards the lower crown 38, closing the canopy. Another feature of the string system is that it incorporates a loop on to the upper crown 24 that partially de-couples the movement of the central spine sections from the movement of the upper crown 24. This has an advantage of being able optimise the length of the section of central spine 12 without being constrained by the movement range of the upper crown 24.
The top pulley system housing 42 not only provides support and housing for the pulley system which moves the upper crown 24 relative to the lower crown 38 it also provides support for the mini canopy 20 that is provided at the top of the central spine 12.
The uppermost section 44 of the central spine 12 has a vertical slit or groove 46 along part of or whole of its length to allow a string system 48 to run within it. The next section 50 of the central spine 12 down from the uppermost section 44, runs within the uppermost section 44 and provides an anchor for the string system 48 and incorporates latch system (shown more clearly in
The collapsible canopy framework 16 of the umbrella 10 is further provided with an actuation system 52 that facilitates the movement of the push and pull rod 54. The actuation system 52 is connected to both the upper crown 24 with connecting member 56 and the lower crown 38. When the lower crown 24 moves, the actuator system 52 moves forward or backwards pushing or pulling the push and pull rod 54.
The hinge mechanism 58 is adapted to allow the outer strut 30 rotate and come back beyond 180 degrees to fold back on the inner strut 28. The hinge mechanism has a hinge 60 and a spring 62 that acts to move the outer strut from the closed position (folded back on the inner strut 28) to the open position as illustrated in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The top pulley system housing 42 is located on the top of the outermost section 44 of the central spine 12 and houses a pulley system (not shown) for the string 48 that moves the upper crown 24. An anchor housing 64 is fixed on to the next section 50 of the central spine 12 which is located within the outermost section 44 of the central spine 12. The anchor housing 64 houses an anchor 66, for the string 48. When section 50 of the central spine 12 moves relative to outermost section 44 of the central spine 12, the string 48 moves the upper crown 24 up or down along the central spine 12. The string 48 in one alternative is also used to allow some movement in the anchor housing 64 without moving the upper crown 24. This is an advantage when optimising the lengths of the sections for the central spine 12. The string 48 is formed in a string loop from the anchor 66 up and over the top pulley system (not shown) which is housed in the top pulley system housing 42, down through the upper crown and over the lower pulley system (not shown) which is housed within the lower crown 38. The string 48 then goes up through the upper crown 24, where a knot is formed so that when the central spine 12 is being opened, the knot moves up away from the upper crown 24 until the string 48 is tight and as such pulls the upper crown 24 upwards opening the collapsible canopy framework 16 and thus the main canopy 18. When the central spine 12 is being closed, the string 48 moves the other way, the string 48 is loose and there is no movement on the upper crown 24 until the knot above the upper crown 24 makes contact with the upper crown 24. Thereafter, upper crown 24 moves down as the central spine 12 is being closed, folding the collapsible canopy framework 16 and thus the main canopy 18 to its closed configuration.
Referring to
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Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
There are two possible ways the braces and the inner struts can be arranged and they are both equally applicable to the present invention. They can either be arranged so that the inner struts 28, 228 are connected to the upper crown 24, 224 and the braces 34, 234 to the lower crown 38, 238, as shown in
Referring to
When there is a movement forcing the lower crown 238 and upper crown 224 apart, this causes the primary linkage arms being the inner strut 228 and brace 234 as well as secondary linkage arms being the connecting member 256 and actuation system 252 to open up. This action pulls the push pull rod 254 connected to the lever arm 272 rotating the hinge 260 opening the outer strut 230. The main canopy 218 is stretched by the collapsible canopy framework 216 of the umbrella 210. A compression spring 286 can be used to push the upper crown 224 back down to close the collapsible canopy framework 216 of the umbrella 210.
Referring to
Typically with conventional umbrellas, the opening of the collapsible canopy framework is achieved by moving the upper and lower crowns towards each other and closing of the collapsible canopy framework is achieved by moving the upper and lower crowns away from each other. In order to seal the inner part, around the crown of the canopy and minimise the excess loose fabric around the frame, the crown of the canopy is best pulled down towards the lower part of the folded frame close to the bottom support. This allows the largest, outermost part of the fabric to be folded in and contained by the much smaller inner part and substantially improves the seal for water contained within the canopy. It is not possible to achieve the above objective by opening and closing the frame this convention way.
This problem is fundamentally solved by the present invention by moving the supports in the opposite way to the current convention. In this invention, the opening of the frame is achieved by moving the upper and lower crowns away from each other and closing of the frame is achieved by moving the upper and lower crowns towards each other.
Referring to
The top pulley system housing 442 is located on the top of the outermost section 444 of the central spine 412 and houses a pulley system 490 for the string 448 that moves the upper crown 424. An anchor housing 464 is fixed on to the next section 450 of the central spine 412 which is located within the outermost section 444 of the central spine 412. The anchor housing 464 houses an anchor 466, for the string 448. When section 450 of the central spine 412 moves relative to outermost section 444 of the central spine 412, the string 448 moves the upper crown 424 up or down along the central spine 412. The string 448 in one alternative is also used to allow some movement in the anchor housing 464 without moving the upper crown 424. This is an advantage when optimising the lengths of the sections for the central spine 412. The string 448 is formed in a string loop from the anchor 466 up and over the top pulley system 490 which is housed in the top pulley system housing 442, down through the upper crown 424 and over the lower pulley system 492 which is housed within the lower crown 438. The string 448 then goes up through the upper crown 424, where a knot 494 is formed so that when the central spine 412 is being opened, the knot 494 moves up away from the upper crown 424 until the string 448 is tight and as such pulls the upper crown 424 upwards opening the collapsible canopy framework 416 and thus the main canopy 418. When the central spine 412 is being closed, the string 448 moves the other way, the string 448 is loose and there is no movement on the upper crown 424 until the knot above the upper crown 424 makes contact with the upper crown 424. Thereafter, upper crown 424 moves down as the central spine 412 is being closed, folding the collapsible canopy framework 416 and thus the main canopy 418 to its closed configuration.
Referring to
Referring to
b shows the arrangement for bringing the upper crown 624 towards the lower crown 638 to close the frame. In this case the spring 6104 and string 6106 are fixed close to the top of the outermost section 644 of the central spine 612. The string 6106 is then is looped around the pulley 6108 fixed on to the lower crown 638 and back up on to a pulley 6110 close to the top of the outermost section 644 of the central spine 612. The string 6106 from pulley 6110 is the looped over a pulley 6112 close to the bottom of the outermost section 644 of the central spine 612 and back up and fixed 6114 on to upper section 623 of the upper crown 624. When the lower crown 638 is pulled away from the upper crown 624, the upper crown 624 moves towards the lower crown 638. This is because the string 6106 is double length over the lower crown 638 and single everywhere else and therefore, the movement of the lower crown 638 causes twice the movement on the upper crown 624.
a and 25b illustrate the top of the central spine, upper crown and lower crown according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. In
a and 26b illustrate the top of the central spine, upper crown and lower crown according to ninth embodiment of the present invention. In
All of the above arrangements are equally applicable for either arrangement of the braces and the first arms shown in
In this innovation the movement of the supports relative to each other not only actuates the movement of the inner arms and braces, but also actuates the movement of the second arms via a second linkage. The second linkage can either be connected to the same supports as the brace and the inner arms or the top support can be made in two parts one connected to the main arm or brace and the second connected to the second linkage that actuates the second arm.
The present aspects and embodiments represent currently the best ways known to the applicant of putting the invention into practice. But they are not the only ways in which this could be achieved. They are illustrated, and they will now be described, by way of example only.
The present invention primarily relates to umbrellas. It is particularly applicable, but in no way limited, to folding umbrellas in which the umbrella canopy folds inside out and preferably into the umbrella handle or a optional sleeve attached to the handle during storage. This folding arrangement keeps the wet side of the umbrella canopy away from the user and once folded, traps the remaining water within the wet side of the canopy and prevents it from dripping out. The umbrella casing cover or sleeve is so arranged to be an extension of the handle grip and to provide further seal against leakage. Uniquely, this cover is designed to minimise the visual impact on the handle and incorporates a unique lid. The specially developed folding process is also better suited for more compact packing of the fabric minimising its size and weight. Uniquely, the movement of the outer arms are partially uncoupled from the movement of the inner arms. The reason for this is to have the umbrella open in a flowing manner rather than in a disjointed manner. This is done in order to prevent the outer arms clashing onto each other as they fold.
This invention also is inherently more stable and resistant to wind action than conventional umbrellas.
It will be understood that a conventional fabric sleeve could be used to cover an umbrella of this general construction if required.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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0916396.5 | Sep 2009 | GB | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/GB10/51577 | 9/20/2010 | WO | 00 | 6/4/2012 |