AU2024300879A1

AU2024300879A1 - Beach umbrella framework

Info

Publication number: AU2024300879A1
Application number: AU2024300879A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Mark Andrew Fraser
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2023-07-21
Filing date: 2024-07-17
Publication date: 2026-01-22
Also published as: WO2025019885A1; CN220255880U

Abstract

A beach umbrella framework comprises an umbrella handle, umbrella ribs and an extension rod, wherein the framework comprises a short rib and a supporting rib; the supporting rib comprises a short supporting rib and a long supporting rib; a blocking plug, a locking buckle and a spring are sequentially disposed in the short rib in the direction approaching the umbrella handle; the blocking plug, the locking buckle and the spring are disposed in the joint recess at one end of the short rib far away from the umbrella handle; the short rib is hinged with the long supporting rib; the short supporting rib is hinged with the long supporting rib. The present disclosure has the characteristics of convenient use, easy to fold and unfold, having a large coverage area when unfolded, occupying a small space when stowed, having strong wind resistance and good stability.

Description

BEACH UMBRELLA FRAMEWORK

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of beach umbrellas and shelters, in particular to a beach umbrella framework.

BACKGROUND

A beach umbrella is a parasol suitable for beach leisure and relaxation, it has a large umbrella canopy that can shade people and objects below, the umbrella handle has a base that can be placed on the beach or directly inserted into the sand for fixation.

For example, the windproof folding beach umbrella, as disclosed in in a Chinese utility model application with a publication number CN218784288U, comprises an umbrella handle, and a plurality of rib assemblies distributed in rotational symmetry around the umbrella handle, and an umbrella canopy covering the rib assemblies, wherein a first connector is fixed to the umbrella handle, and a second connector is fixed to the top of the umbrella handle; the rib assembly comprises a first umbrella rib, a second umbrella rib, and a third umbrella rib, a first rotating connection member is provided between the first umbrella rib and the first connector, a second rotating connection member is provided between the second umbrella rib and the first umbrella rib, a third rotating connection member is provided between the third umbrella rib and the second umbrella rib, and a fourth rotating connection structure is provided between the third umbrella rib and the second connector; a first retaining portion is provided on the first umbrella rib to prevent the second umbrella rib from sagging. The beach umbrella is a two-fold umbrella, which covers a small area when unfolded and occupies a large space when stowed, making it inconvenient to use, transport and store. i SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a portable shelter including: a support including an upright; and a canopy for being supported by the support.

The present disclosure provides a beach umbrella framework, which has the characteristics of being convenient to use, easy to fold and unfold, having a large coverage area when unfolded, occupying a small space when stowed, having strong wind resistance and good stability.

A beach umbrella framework comprises an umbrella handle, umbrella ribs and extension rods, wherein the framework comprises a short rib and a supporting rib; the supporting rib comprises a short supporting rib and a long supporting rib; and a blocking plug, a locking buckle and a spring are sequentially disposed in the short rib along the direction to the umbrella handle; and the blocking plug, the locking buckle and the spring are disposed in the joint recess at one end of the short rib distal from the umbrella handle; the short rib is hinged to the long supporting rib; the short supporting rib is hinged to the long supporting rib. The locking buckle is an integral irregular structure including a cylinder with a reinforcing ridge on the cylinder and an irregular inclined block on the reinforcing ridge, which can lock the hinge knuckle of the short rib and the long supporting rib. The cylinder is placed in the recess of the short rib, and the irregular inclined block stops the long supporting rib to limit the angle between the long supporting rib and the short rib. A set of frameworks generally comprises a short rib, a short supporting rib and a long supporting rib.

Furthermore, a first mounting portion is fixed to the top of the umbrella handle; a second mounting portion is fixed to one end of the umbrella handle close to the first mounting portion; via the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion, a plurality of sets of umbrella ribs are fixed to the umbrella handle. In this way, the shear strength and stability of the umbrella can be increased, and the force exerted on the sunshade fabric or the umbrella ribs of the beach umbrella can be transmitted to the umbrella handle in windy or other bad environments, so as to prevent the umbrella ribs from being damaged.

Furthermore, the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are provided with protrusions, and the number of the protrusions is consistent with the number of umbrella ribs; the short rib is hinged to the second mounting portion; the short supporting rib is hinged to the first mounting portion; the extension rod is hinged to the end of the long supporting rib distal from the umbrella handle. In this way, it can increase the sunshade area of the parasol and increase its stability at the same time. The three-fold beach umbrella can also reduce the volume of the beach umbrella in the stowed state, making it more convenient to move or store.

Furthermore, the projections on a horizontal plane of each set of umbrella ribs and the extension rod connected to the umbrella ribs extend in the same direction. In this way, the sunshade area of the umbrella is maximized.

Furthermore, the short supporting rib comprises a plurality of rods of equal lengths disposed in parallel. In this way, it can increase the mechanical strength of the whole umbrella, and can increase the wind resistance and service life of the beach umbrella.

Furthermore, the number of the protrusions on the first mounting portion and the protrusions on the second mounting portion, the short ribs, the short supporting ribs, the long supporting ribs and the extension rods are the same.

Furthermore, the distance between the hinge of the short rib and the long supporting rib and the umbrella handle is shorter than the distance between the hinge of the short supporting rib and the long supporting rib and the umbrella handle. In this way, the umbrella handle, short ribs, short supporting ribs and long supporting ribs form a quadrilateral structure. The present disclosure has the following advantages.

(1) Convenient to use and easy to fold and unfold.

(2) It covers a large area when unfolded and occupies a small space when stowed.

(3) Long service life and strong wind resistance.

(4) The parts are universal, easy to maintain and purchase, and the production cost is low.

(5) Simple structure, easy to process, and mature technology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a beach umbrella framework according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the beach umbrella framework according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged view of the hinge between the short rib and the supporting rib of a beach umbrella framework according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged view of the hinge between the long supporting rib and the extension rod of the beach umbrella framework according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view of the first mounting portion, the umbrella handle and the short supporting rib of the beach umbrella framework according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged view of the second mounting portion, the umbrella handle and the short rib of the beach umbrella framework according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the joint of the short supporting rib of a beach umbrella framework according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a beach umbrella framework according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the joint of the short supporting rib of a beach umbrella framework according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partial enlarged view of the hinge between the short rib and the supporting rib of a beach umbrella framework according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In the foregoing figures: 1 -umbrella handle, 2-first mounting portion, 3-second mounting portion, 4-short rib, 5-short supporting rib, 6-long supporting rib, 7-extension rod, 8-joint recess, 9-blocking plug, 10-locking buckle, 11-spring, and 12-locking sleeve.

FIG. 11 is an upper perspective view of another embodiment with expanded tri-fold ribs.

FiG. 12 is a plan view of the expanded embodiment of FIG 11.

FIG. 13 is an upper perspective view of the embodiment of FIG 11 with collapsed tri-fold ribs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The preferred embodiments described below are for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will appreciate other obvious variations. The basic principles of the present disclosure defined in the following description can be applied to other embodiments, modifications, improvements, equivalents and other technical solutions without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. With reference to the attached drawings, the present disclosure will be further described below in conjunction with embodiments.

According to Embodiment 1 as shown in FIGs. 1-7, a beach umbrella framework proposed in the embodiment of the present invention comprises 1 -umbrella handle, 2-first mounting portion, 3 -second mounting portion, 4-short rib, 5-short supporting rib, 6-long supporting rib, 7-extension rod, 8-joint recess, 9-blocking plug, 10-locking buckle, 11-spring, and 12-locking sleeve.

In Embodiment 1 as shown in the drawings, a beach umbrella framework comprises an umbrella handle 1, umbrella ribs and extension rods 7, wherein the framework comprises short ribs 4 and supporting ribs; a supporting rib comprises a short supporting rib 5 and a long supporting rib 6; a blocking plug 9, a locking buckle 10 and a spring 11 are sequentially disposed in the short rib 4 along the direction towards the umbrella handle 1; the blocking plug 9, the locking buckle 10 and the spring 11 are disposed in the joint recess 8 positioned at one end of the short rib 4 distal from the umbrella handle 1; the short rib 4 is hinged with the long supporting rib 6; while the short supporting rib 5 is hinged with the long supporting rib 6. The locking buckle 10 is an integral irregular structure including a cylinder with a reinforcing ridge on the cylinder and an irregular inclined block on the reinforcing ridge, which can lock the hinge knuckle of the short rib 4 and the long supporting rib 6. The cylinder is placed in the recess of the short rib 4, and the irregular inclined block stops the long supporting rib 6 to restrict an angle between the long supporting rib 6 and the short rib 4. One set of framework generally comprises a short rib 4, a short supporting rib 5 and a long supporting rib 6. As shown in FIG. 3, a blocking plug 9 is disposed beside the reinforcing ridge of the locking buckle 10. The inclined block is arranged to protrude from the hinge joint; a pull ring or the like can be disposed on the inclined block. A component capable of fixing the spring 11 is disposed inside the joint recess 8 of the short rib 4, one end of the spring 11 is connected to the component capable of fixing the spring 11 in the joint recess 8, and the other end is connected to the locking buckle 10. In the figures, a rotating point of the hinge of the short rib 4 and the long supporting rib 6 is set on the side further away from the ground, and a rotating point of the hinge of the short supporting rib 5 and the long supporting rib 6 is set on the side closer to the ground, the setting of the rotating points of the hinge of this embodiment comprises but is not limited to this manner.

A first mounting portion 2 is fixed to the top of the umbrella handle 1; a second mounting portion 3 is fixed to the end of the umbrella handle 1 close to the first mounting portion 2; the first mounting portion 2 and the second mounting portion 3 jointly fix a plurality of sets of umbrella ribs to the umbrella handle 1. In this way, the umbrella can be enhanced in terms of shear strength and stability, and the force exerted on the sunshade fabric or the umbrella ribs of the beach umbrella can be transmitted to the umbrella handle 1 in windy or other bad environments, so as to avoid the umbrella ribs from being damaged. The bottom of the umbrella handle 1 is usually equipped with stones as weights, which can effectively stabilize the beach umbrella. As shown in FIGs. 5 and 6, both the first mounting portion 2 and the second mounting portion 3 are fixed to the umbrella handle 1 by screws, and both the first mounting portion 2 and the second mounting portion 3 are provided with limiting devices for limiting the angle between the short rib 4 and the supporting rib and the umbrella handle 1. The first mounting portion 2 is fixed to the top of the umbrella handle 1 from above.

Protrusions are arranged on the first mounting portion 2 and the second mounting portion 3, and the number of the protrusions is consistent with the number of umbrella ribs; the short ribs 4 are hinged to the second mounting portion 3; the short supporting ribs 5 are hinged to the first mounting portion 2; the extension rod 7 is hinged to the end of the long supporting rib 6 distal from the umbrella handle 1. In this way, it can increase the sunshade area of the parasol and increase its stability at the same time. The three-fold beach umbrella can also reduce the volume of the beach umbrella in a stowed state, making it more convenient to move or store. As shown in FIG. 4, a through slot is disposed on the extension rod 7, a limiting device is provided at the joint of the long support rod, and the extension rod 7 is slidably hinged to the long support rod.

The projections of each set of umbrella ribs and the extension rod 7 connected to the umbrella ribs on a horizontal plane extend in the same direction. This can maximize the sunshade area of the umbrella.

The short supporting rib 5 comprises a plurality of rods of equal length disposed in parallel. This can increase the mechanical strength of the whole umbrella, and can increase the wind resistance and service life of the beach umbrella. As shown in FIG. 7, the short supporting rib 5 in this embodiment comprises two rods of equal length disposed in parallel.

The number of the protrusions on the first mounting portion 2 and the protrusions on the second mounting portion 3 are the same as the number of the short ribs 4, the short supporting ribs 5, the long supporting ribs 6 and the extension rods 7. As shown in FIGs. 1 and 7, in this embodiment, the number of the protrusions on the first mounting portion 2 and the protrusions on the second mounting portion 3, the number of the short ribs 4, the short supporting ribs 5, the long supporting ribs 6 and the extension rods 7 are all four.

The distance between the hinge of the short rib 4 and the long supporting rib 6 and the umbrella handle 1 is shorter than the distance between the hinge of the short supporting rib 5 and the long supporting rib 6 and the umbrella handle 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the umbrella handle 1, the short ribs 4, the short supporting ribs 5 and the long supporting ribs 6 thus form a quadrilateral structure.

The use mode of this embodiment is as follows: snap the locking buckle 10 into the clamping slot, and the hinge knuckle is locked to be kept in the unfolded state; slide the button on the locking buckle 10 outward, and the beach umbrella is unlocked and can be stowed.

Embodiment 2 of the present invention is shown in FIGs. 8, 9 and 10, and involves a beach umbrella framework, and its structure differs from that of embodiment 1 in that: the locking buckle 10 is replaced with a locking sleeve 12 which is easier to fold, wherein, the locking sleeve 12, the spring 11 and the blocking plug 9 are disposed like a sleeve to cover the outside of the short rib 4, while the blocking plug 9, the spring 11 and the locking sleeve 12 are sequentially disposed in the direction departing from the umbrella handle 1, and the blocking plug 9, the locking sleeve 12 and the spring 11 are all made into a size that is easy to install surrounding the short rib 4. It can be used in this embodiment in the following manner: snap the buckle is into the clamping slot, and the hinge knuckle is locked to be kept in the unfolded state; push the locking sleeve 12 towards the umbrella handle 1, and the buckle will be disengaged from the slot, so that the beach umbrella can be folded.

A portable shelter 100 in accordance with another embodiment is shown in FIG 11. As before, the shelter 100 has a support 102 including an upright post 102 extending up from the ground at a single location. Two retractable ribs 200 are shown for simplicity.

The shelter frame 108 includes two opposed retractable ribs 200 supporting a canopy sheet. Each rib 100 is articulated and pivotally expandable. In particular, each rib 200 includes a proximal member 202a and a distal member 202b. At least one intermediate member 202c is located between the proximal member 202a and the distal member 202b. Optionally, each rib 200 unfurls when expanded as shown in FIGs. 11 and 12, and the topmost sheet of material 110 folds in on itself when each rib 200 is collapsed as shown in FIG 13.

The distal member 202b folds up and in toward the intermediate member 202c, and the intermediate member 202c folds up and in toward the proximal member 202a when collapsing the shelter 100. The proximal member 202a, intermediate member 202c and distal member 202 are serially pivotally mounted together, and the intermediate member 202c can cross over the proximal member 202a for a compact fold.

The frame 108 also includes proximal support members 1200 coupled between the support 102 and each rib 200, and in a fixed location along the support 102. Each proximal support member 1200 is pivotally mounted at both ends between the rib 200 and support 102. The support member 1200 is pivotally mounted to the end of the intermediate member 202c, with the proximal member 202a and intermediate member 202c overlapping when expanded to form an over-center locking arrangement 1202 by virtue of the separated pivots on the intermediate member 202c. The lock actuates as the pivots move relative to each other in a vertical plane. In contrast, the intermediate member 202c and distal member 202b freely pivot with respect to each other.

The shelter 100 does not include a slider for sliding along the support 102. Instead, the shelter 100 further includes two fixed hubs 600 along the support 102 to which frame members 202a, 1200 are pivotally mounted. The frame members 202a, 1200 pivot downwards when collapsing the frame 108. In contrast, the articulated ribs 200 have members 202b, 202c that pivot upwards when collapsing the ribs 200. The ribs 200 can be extended independently, one at a time, which is highly advantageous in windy conditions.

The frame 108 can be expanded to include four ribs 200, with a central support extending from the ground at a single location. The shelter 100 can be a cabana style shelter as shown in US 11,980,263, which is incorporated herein by reference. Accordingly, the canopy includes one or more anchors at its periphery, with each anchor including a material strip terminating in a storage pocket for removably storing weight such as sand. The anchors hold the ribs 200 open. Alternatively, the collapsible shelter canopy includes an expandable frame 108, and a sheet of material supported by the frame as shown in AU2023222994, which is incorporated herein by reference.. The sheet of material can be supported by the frame at a fixed end and extend from the frame to a fluttering free end opposite the fixed end. The majority of the sheet is unsupported and fluttering in the breeze to provide suitable shade for at least one person.

Advantageously, the tri-fold shelter 100 achieves a more compact fold for a greater expanse than prior art folds. The locks 10, 12 can be incorporated, as before, to lock the ribs open. As can a variety of other manual locks including sliding, buttons, levers etc or simply a “snug” fit where the rib member 202 interconnect.

The snug fit has a benefit in its simplicity, and when a strong enough upward force is applied to release the lock 10,12. This is particularly relevant during strong winds and can act to “auto fold” an umbrella preventing it from flying away / becoming damaged.

Claims

1. A portable shelter including: a support including an upright; and a canopy for being supported by the support.

2. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the canopy includes an expandable frame, and a sheet of material supported by the frame.

3. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 2, wherein the canopy includes one or more anchors at its periphery, with each anchor including a material strip terminating in a storage pocket for removably storing weight such as sand.

4. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 2, wherein the frame includes retractable ribs supporting the sheet.

5. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 4, wherein each rib is articulated and/or pivotally expandable.

6. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 4, wherein each rib includes a proximal member, a distal member, and at least one intermediate member located between the proximal member and the distal member.

7. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 6, wherein each rib unfurls when expanded, and the sheet of material folds in on itself when each rib is collapsed.

8. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 6, wherein: the distal member folds up and in toward the intermediate member, and the intermediate member folds up and in toward the proximal member when collapsing the shelter; and/or the intermediate member can cross over the proximal member.

9. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 4, wherein the ribs can be extended independently, one at a time.

10. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 4, wherein the frame includes support members coupled between the support and each rib.

11. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 10, wherein each support member is pivotally mounted between the rib and support, and preferably mounted to an intermediate member of the rib.

12. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 11, wherein: the support members are in a fixed location along the support; the shelter does not include a slider for sliding along the support; and the support extends from the ground at a single location.

13. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 1 , further including two fixed hubs along the support to which frame members are pivotally mounted.

14. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the canopy includes an over-center locking arrangement for locking ribs.

15. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the canopy includes a lock which is configured to release under wind force to auto fold and prevent it from flying away or becoming damaged.

16. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the canopy includes ribs, each rib including: a first rib member extending from the support; a second rib member extending from the first rib member; and a lock for locking the first and second rib members in an open configuration.

17. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 16, wherein the locking involves engaging ends of the rib members.

18. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 16, wherein the lock includes a mechanical actuator for unlocking the rib members.

19. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 18, wherein the actuator includes a buckle for manually moving to unlock the rib members.

20. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 18, wherein the actuator includes a sleeve for manually moving to unlock the rib members.

21. A beach umbrella framework, characterized in that the beach umbrella framework comprises an umbrella handle (1), an umbrella rib and an extension rod (7), wherein the framework comprises a short rib (4) and a supporting rib; the supporting rib comprises a short supporting rib (5) and a long supporting rib (6); a blocking plug (9), a locking buckle (10) and a spring (11) are sequentially disposed in the short rib (4) along the direction to the umbrella handle (1); wherein, the blocking plug (9), the locking buckle (10) and the spring (11) are disposed in a joint recess (8) at one end of the short rib (4) farther away from the umbrella handle (1); the short rib (4) is hinged with the long supporting rib (6); the short supporting rib (5) is hinged to the long supporting rib (6).

22. The beach umbrella framework according to claim 21, characterized in that a first mounting portion (2) is fixed to a top of the umbrella handle (1); a second mounting portion (3) is fixed to one end of the umbrella handle (1) close to the first mounting portion (2); and via the first mounting portion (2) and the second mounting portion (3), a plurality of sets of umbrella ribs are fixed to the umbrella handle (1).

23. The beach umbrella framework according to claim 22, characterized in that the first mounting portion (2) and the second mounting portion (3) are provided with protrusions, and the number of the protrusions is consistent with the number of umbrella ribs; the short rib (4) is hinged to the second mounting portion (3); the short supporting rib (5) is hinged to the first mounting portion (2); and the extension rod (7) is hinged to an end of the long supporting rib (6) distal from the umbrella handle (1).

24. The beach umbrella framework according to claim 23, characterized in that projections of each set of the umbrella ribs and the extension rod (7) connected to the umbrella ribs on the horizontal plane extend in the same direction.

25. The beach umbrella framework according to claim 21, characterized in that the short supporting rib (5) comprises a plurality of rods of equal lengths disposed in parallel.

26. The beach umbrella framework according to claim 22, characterized in that the protrusions on the first mounting portion (2), the protrusions on the second mounting portion (3), the short ribs (4), the short supporting ribs (5), the long supporting ribs (6) and the extension rods (7) are the same in number.

27. The beach umbrella framework according to any one of claims 21 to 26, characterized in that a distance between a hinge of the short rib (4) and the long supporting rib (6) and the umbrella handle (1) is shorter than a distance between a hinge of the short supporting rib (5) and the long supporting rib (6) and the umbrella handle (1).