Patent Application
20220248817
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The subject matter of this disclosure is in the field of umbrellas or parasols.
An umbrella (rain shield) or parasol (sun shade) is a foldable canopy defined by a fabric-covered, hub-and-spoke frame coaxially situated at the top of a pole.
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The traditional umbrella frame and cover is not suitable for all situations. In most cases, for example, the umbrella/parasol spokes are often flimsy and the flimsiness causes the hub and spoke frame to be easily turned inside out when caught in the wind. Additionally, the cover's valances are slack and, as a result, flap in the wind which can make undesirable noise and can cause emblems or branding positioned on the valances to be obscured. So, there is a need for umbrellas/parasols that have sturdier frames and covers that have valances that can maintain their configuration.
In view of the foregoing, an object of this specification is to disclose an umbrella/parasol frame with a cover that is sturdy and features valances that do not flap in the wind while folding in the traditional way. It is a further objective of this specification to disclose an umbrella or parasol with an improved look and appearance where the fabric cover is pulled taut over a solid framework that functions as a traditional umbrella or parasol frame. Suitably, the fabric creates a solid, “wrap around” look to the canopy and creates a tight fit so that the valance of the canopy are restricted from flapping in the wind.
In a preferred embodiment, the disclosed canopy frame maybe defined by a center pole with a top hub and a first set of spokes positioned at the top of the center pole, a bottom hub with a second set of spokes positioned at a midpoint of the center pole below the top hub, a first set of risers that connects the first set of spokes to the second set of spokes via the tips of each spoke, a second set of risers that connects the first set of spokes to the second set of spokes at a midpoint of the spokes, and a riser with ribs pivotably connected to a mid point of the spokes.
Other objectives of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the invention has been shown and described. The manner in which these objectives and other desirable characteristics can be obtained is explained in the following description and attached figures in which:
It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments that will be appreciated by those reasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Also, figures are not necessarily made to scale but are representative.
Disclosed is an umbrella or parasol with a framework that operates as a traditional umbrella frame. The details of the improved umbrella or parasol are shown in
In use, the umbrella may be popped-up to create a canopy that can include branding or other messaging on the valance. Ideally, the valance of the are pulled tight or taught and provide space for logos, messages, or icons. The ability to avoid valance wind flap In some cases, LED lights could suitably be added to the first or second set of spokes to create an attractive appearance at nighttime. Attachments, such as those disclosed in U.S. patent Ser. No. 11/072,942 (issued Jul. 27, 2021) to Dotterweich, could be used to support accessories that may be desirably secured to the framework.
Although the method and apparatus is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead might be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claimed invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments.
Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like, the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more,” or the like, and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that might be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future.
The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases might be absent. The use of the term “assembly” does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of a module, whether control logic or other components, might be combined in a single package or separately maintained and might further be distributed across multiple locations.
Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives might be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.
All original claims submitted with this specification are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63140139 | Jan 2021 | US |
