GB1405680A - Folding umbrella - Google Patents

Abstract

1405680 Shortenable umbrellas K SAITO 13 Dec 1972 [13 Dec 1971 31 March 1972 (4) 8 July 1972 (4)] 57386/72 Heading A4P A shortenable umbrella comprises a runner 5 on a telescopic stick 1a, 1b having a crown 2 to which inner ends of main ribs 3 are pivoted, auxiliary links 8 pivoted to the outer end of ribs 3 and to outer ribs 6, connecting links 7 pivoted to ribs 3 and to the inner ends of ribs 6 and struts 9, Fig. 10, pivoted at their inner ends to the runner 5 and at their outer ends either all to respective links 8, Fig. 10, or all to respective links 7, Fig. 32, or all to respective ribs 6 Fig. 26 (not shown), the umbrella having a first state of closure wherein the rib structure is extended, Fig. 11, and a second state of closure wherein the rib structure is shortened with ribs 6 folded on to ribs 3, Fig. 12. The umbrella may be arranged so that lowering of runner 5 from the open position causes the umbrella to assume the extended closed position, subsequent upward movement of runner 5 folding the umbrella to the shortened closed position, or so that lowering of runner 5 from the open position first moves the umbrella to the shortened closed position due to the action of springs 13 between runner 5 and struts 9, from which position the extended closed position may be achieved by further lowering of the runner. The springs 13 may be replaced by magnetic means. The pivots between links 8 and ribs 6 may be fixed relative to the ribs 6 or slidable therealong. The links 8 may pass through gaps between the legs of bifurcated outer end parts of struts 9 in embodiments wherein the struts 9 are pivoted to links 7. The umbrella may be rendered automatically operable by the provision of a cushioning spring 20 Fig. 32, between runner 5 and crown 2, a stick-extending spring 21 inside the stick 1, and an opening spring 15 between runner 5 and an actuator 14 sliding on the stick and connected to struts 9' by pivoted struts 16. A catch 17 retains actuator 14 in the closed positions of the umbrella, or catch 17 may lock actuator 14 in the shortened closed position and a second catch may be provided above catch 17 to lock actuator 14 in the extended closed position. Runner 5 and actuator 14 may be locked together in the closed positions of the umbrella by a hook (23), Figs. 38-41 (not shown), pivoted on actuator 14 and engaged by a leaf-spring (24). A rib support member (12), Fig. 9 (not shown), may be provided under the crown 2 which is provided with grooves (2a) each communicating with a respective groove (12a) in member (12). The base (3a) of each rib 3 being received in a respective groove (2a) and, when the umbrella is closed, also in the corresponding groove (12a). Each link 7 may be hinged intermediate its ends into two parts (7a), (7b), Figs. 13, 14 (not shown).