JPH04220201A - Umbrella - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an umbrella capable of being folded into a small shape, convenient to carry, and not becoming bulky. CONSTITUTION: This umbrella is provided with a hub 12 having multiple spokes 16 extended in the radial direction toward the outside when the umbrella is opened. Each spoke 16 is provided with at least two flat and elastic steel strips, and they are connected to the hub 12 at one end section. The spokes 16 can be moved to the extension state that they are extended outward in the radial direction from the hub 12 and the storage state that they are wound around the hub 12 in the overlapped state together.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an umbrella.

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Most umbrella frames are collapsible at some point. The spokes of the frame are usually attached to the handle via a shaft so that they can be opened and closed. The handle often has a handle that can be shortened. Although these umbrellas can be folded, they are still bulky, making them difficult to carry and making them uncomfortable.

[0003] Soviet patent SU479468 (Russi
a Patent No. SU 479 468
) discloses an umbrella having a central hub with a metal guide extending therefrom to guide the spokes between a closed position in which the spokes wrap around the hub and an open position in which the spokes extend from the hub. ing. This umbrella has the disadvantage that when open, the spokes are simply long strips that are not strong enough to support the stretched fabric. In addition, even if this umbrella is made smaller by winding the spokes, the bulky guide and handle spoil it, and the guide that is rotated downwards when folding the umbrella puts stress on the spokes. There is an inconvenience that it may break or break.

[0004].

[Means for Solving the Problems] An umbrella according to the present invention includes a hub and a plurality of elongated spokes, each spoke including at least two flat elastic band members, one end of which is connected to the hub. and the spokes are movable between an extended state in which they extend radially outwardly from the hub and a stowed state in which the spokes are wrapped around the hub in an overlapping manner. It is characterized by certain things.

[0005] The umbrella of the present invention preferably also includes guide means for guiding the spokes as they move between the retracted state and the extended state.

The guiding means comprises a plurality of guiding mechanisms arranged radially around the hub.

[0007] Said guide mechanism preferably has a transverse guide opening or slot, said opening or slot extending substantially tangentially to the outer circumference of said hub.

[0008] Said guide slot or guide opening preferably has a truncated conical shape, the larger diameter side being closer to said hub than the smaller diameter side, and the shape of the cylindrical tube formed by the strip. The hub is unwound to ensure flatness and wrapped around the hub to ensure flatness.

The guide means has an upper disk and a lower disk that are axially spaced from each other, and either end of the guide means is adapted to hold the strip member in the lateral direction. It is designed to do the following.

[0010] For each spoke, its extended shape preferably extends substantially tangentially from the hub.

The pair of flat strips have respective spokes that, when wound around the hub, form flat steel or plastic strips that are arranged parallel to each other and adjacent to each other. There is.

[0012] A flat, elastic, steel or plastic strip is adapted to be fitted into a storage position with a C-shaped cross section.

In the extended configuration, each blank poke strip overlaps to form a cylindrical tube.

When unwound from the hub, each strip member preferably has an arcuate cross-sectional shape with a central angle of about 275°.

[0015] Preferably, the umbrella has a handle attached to the hub.

The handle is made of a strip of material of a predetermined length, one end of which is coaxially attached to the hub, supports the hub in the extended state, and supports the hub in the retracted state. It is preferable that it be wrapped around the bush.

[0017] One end of said strip of material is attached to a first collar, which collar is preferably spaced from and coaxially disposed with said bushing.

The single extension of the handle strip is extended into a ready state by moving the collar axially away from the hub, thereby causing the strip to be ready for use. It becomes a spiral. and said handle is locked in use by rotating said first collar relative to said bushing to frictionally engage the helically overlapping portions of the strip of material with each other. It looks like this.

The handle is provided with a stopper that limits its extension.

The handle is provided with locking means for locking the handle in the stored state.

The locking means comprises a pair of opposed latches mounted on the holder and biased into engagement with the hub.

Further, another aspect of the umbrella of the present invention includes a hub;
a plurality of elongated spokes, each spoke having a continuously cylindrically extending resilient material connected at one end to a hub, the spokes extending radially outwardly from the hub; It is characterized in that it is movable between an extended state and a stored state in which these spokes are wound around the hub in an overlapping state.

[0023] The elastic material is preferably a plastic material, such as glass fiber reinforced plastic, KEVLAR, carbon fiber, nylon.

[0024]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An umbrella according to the invention is designated by the reference numeral 10 in FIGS. The umbrella has a central hub 12 and a handle 14. The hub 12 has a plurality of spokes 16 that extend radially outward when the umbrella is opened.

The spokes 16 consist of a pair of cold-rolled steel strips 16.1 and 16.2 (FIG. 3).
). Pair of steel strips 16.1 and 16.2
are located parallel to each other and opposite each other around the core 18 when the umbrella is closed. The core 18 has a plurality of slots 28 spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, and the ends of the pair of strips 16.1 and 16.2 located on the inside of the umbrella are inserted into the slots and inserted into the slots. It is bent (Figure 6). The collar 32 shown in FIG.
It is fitted into the core 18 until it comes into contact with the core 18. This results in
The folded end of the strip is fixed in place.

If even one spoke 16 is pulled in the tangential direction of the core 18, all the spokes 16 will expand simultaneously. The spokes 16 are slightly curved, as shown in Figure 1, so that when they unfold, they assume the shape of a normal umbrella.

The strips 16.1 and 16.2 are formed either by die extrusion or by rolling. Both strips are then subjected to an annealing process, hardening and tempering. The tempering is preferably performed by austempering. Through such processing, when the strip is opened and separated from the core 18, its cross section restores to a C-shape as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8. The strips of each pair face each other at the C-shaped opening and partially overlap each other to form a round cylindrical elongated tube when the umbrella is in the open position. Each strip has the shape of an arc of approximately 275° in cross section.

The annealing process is done in air to prevent oxidation of the steel. After annealing or heat treatment, the strip is shaped by rapid cooling. The exact time of shaping will vary depending on the degree to which the strip maintains its stability. Corrosion prevention treatment is applied to the strip by electrolytic galvanizing or cadmium plating.

[0029] Since the unfolded spokes 16 are in their home position, energy is required to return the spokes 16 to their flat, folded, and retracted state wrapped around the core 18. This stored energy assists in the outward movement of the spokes 16 as the umbrella opens.

[0030] The strip is approximately 0.05 mm thick and approximately 12 mm wide. The strip contains enough carbon to be stiff. Carbon content is approximately 0.7%
to 0.8%. In addition, the strip contains about 0.5% to 0.8% manganese, about 0.15% to 0.3% silicon, up to 0.04% phosphorus, and up to 0.05% sulfur. ing. Note that all percentages are based on weight. The strip meets American Standard SA 1074, AITS C 1074.

Both strips 16.1 and 16.2 extend to form a tube so that they can withstand the forces exerted by the fabric 66 when the umbrella is open and the fabric 66 is taut. In this state, they reinforce each other to form a rigid frame. Because traditional spokes are constructed from a single metal strip, they are too weak to support the fabric and often collapse when the fabric is stretched taut.

To guide the spokes 16 from a flat, wrapped condition to a tubular, unwrapped condition, the hub 12 has a plurality of guides 20 around its periphery.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the guide 20. Each of the guides 20 is provided with a conical transverse guide hole 22 therein. A wide diameter end of the guide hole 22 faces the core 18 , and a narrow diameter end faces the core 18 in a tangential direction of the outer peripheral surface thereof. When the plurality of spokes are in the stowed condition, there is sufficient frictional engagement between the spokes 16 and the guide holes 22 to maintain the spokes 16 in the folded condition. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the guide 20 includes a lower circular disk 24 and an upper circular disk 2.
It is held and supported by 6. The guide member 20 is helically tightened to the discs 24, 26 and then
auxiliary engagement with the core 18.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the handle 14 is
It is formed of a single length steel spring piece 34, similar to the steel strips 16.1, 16.2. However, the handle 14 is processed so that it has a memorized position in the enlarged shape of a helical spring. The inner end of the steel spring piece 34 is fitted into a slot 38 defined in the bushing 36 and its outer end is secured to the collar 40. This collar 40 has a groove 42 near its bottom.
The groove 42 is configured as a side wall 44 having elasticity. The elasticity of the collar 40 is also enhanced by a longitudinal slit 46 defined in the side wall 44.
It is elevated. A peripheral lip 51 is provided at the top of the sidewall 44 .

[0035] Collar 40 is disposed within holder 48 . The upper end of this holder 48 is provided with a conical recess 50 for accommodating a lip 51 . Figure 11
As shown, holder 48 includes opposing longitudinally extending slots 52 in its outer wall. Figure 10
As shown, these slots 52 are provided with pivotably mounted catches 54 that engage the inner circumference 56 of the lower circular disc 24 to prevent the handle 14 from being in the folded position. It is eccentrically placed by a plurality of springs (not shown) so that it is at rest at .

To enlarge the handle, the catch 54 is pushed inwardly so as to remove the inner circumference 56 of the lower circular disc 24. Next, the holder 48 is moved axially downward from the hub 12, as shown in FIG. As a result, the steel spring piece 34 is unwound into a spiral shape. As the steel spring piece 34 expands into a spiral shape, the space between the inner surface of the holder 48 and the outer peripheral surface of the collar 40 increases. To reduce this space, the conical recess 50 on the holder 48 approaches the lip 51 as the handle is extended. As a result,
The upper end of the collar 40 is compressed radially inward such that the upper inner surface of the collar 40 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the steel spring piece 34.

Once the steel spring piece 34 is extended,
The holder 48 is rotated relative to the bushing 36 to tighten the coil of the steel spring piece 34. As a result, frictional engagement occurs in the overlapping portions, and the handle is maintained in an extended state. The amount of extension of the handle is limited by the tightening member 58. This fastening member 58 is formed by a predetermined length of string or wire, or the like, and has one end attached to a hole 60 provided at the terminal end of a screw 62 and a lug provided in the collar 40. The other end is attached to a hole 64 defined in .

A screw 62 mating with a supplementary screw element 68 defined in the bushing 36 serves to position the canopy 66 (shown only in FIGS. 1 and 2) about the hub 12. The outer ends of the canopy 66 are attached to the outer ends of the spokes 16 in a conventional manner.

In another embodiment according to the invention, not shown, it is also possible to wrap rigid cylindrical plastic spokes around the central hub. Such spokes are 2 millimeters in diameter and do not lie flat when wrapped around a hub. Nevertheless, the small diameter spokes make the umbrella compact when folded. Strong spokes, even if flexible, are stiff enough to support the canopy. Such spokes are made of glass fiber reinforced plastic, Kevlar, carbon fiber, or the like. A handle arrangement similar to that described above was also optionally used on this type of umbrella. This embodiment is suitable for particularly large umbrellas such as those used for golf or beach umbrellas.

By using a combination of spokes that can be wrapped around a central hub and a handle that can be wrapped around a bush that fits coaxially to the hub, the size of the umbrella itself can be made very small when folded. , easy to carry in your pocket or handbag. When the umbrella is unfolded, the horizontal length is about 850 mm and the height is about 400 mm, and when it is folded, the width is about 400 mm and the height is about 26 mm. Despite the compactness of the umbrella, the double strips or strong cylindrical spokes provide a strong frame on which the canopy can be easily supported and taut. Umbrellas do not require a foldable handle, and when used outdoors, if the hub can be placed on top of a pole, for example, a handle is not needed at all.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side view of the umbrella of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the umbrella of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the hub portion of the umbrella of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a guide used in the hub of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a spoke portion used in the umbrella of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the hub of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the spoke in an exploded state in a memorized state;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the spoke in its functioning configuration in a memorized state;

FIG. 9 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the hub and handle portions of the umbrella of the present invention, with spokes omitted for explanation.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the hub and handle.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the bottom surface of the collar used for the handle.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the handle portion.

[Explanation of symbols]

10...Umbrella, 12...Hub, 14...Handle, 16...Spoke, 1
6.1, 16.2... steel strip, 18... core,
20...Guide, 66...Raw cloth.

Claims (25)

[Claims] 1. A hub and a plurality of elongated spokes, each spoke comprising at least two flat elastic strips, one end of which is connected to the hub; An umbrella that is movable between an extended state in which the spokes extend radially outward from the hub and a stored state in which the spokes are wound around the hub in an overlapping state. 2. The umbrella according to claim 1, further comprising guide means for guiding said spokes as they move between said retracted state and said extended state. 3. An umbrella according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, in the extended state, said spokes extend substantially tangentially from said hub. 4. The flat elastic band-like member of each of the spokes is processed so that its cross section is C-shaped in its free state. or 1 umbrella. 5. The umbrella according to claim 4, wherein the flat elastic band members of each of the spokes overlap each other in the extended state of the spokes to form a cylindrical shape. 6. The umbrella according to claim 4, wherein the flat elastic band members of each of the spokes are in contact with each other so that their surfaces are parallel to each other when the spokes are in the stored state. . 7. The band-shaped member is characterized in that, when the spoke is in an extended state, its cross-sectional shape is an arcuate shape with a central angle of about 275°. umbrella. 8. An umbrella according to claim 6, wherein said guiding means comprises a plurality of guiding mechanisms arranged radially around said hub. 9. The guide mechanism has a lateral guide opening or slot, the opening or slot being tangential to the outer circumference of the hub. umbrella. 10. The guide slot or guide opening has a truncated conical shape, the larger diameter side of which is closer to the hub than the smaller diameter side, and the guide slot or guide opening has a truncated conical shape, the larger diameter side being closer to the hub than the smaller diameter side, and the guide slot or the guide opening has a truncated conical shape, the larger diameter side being closer to the hub than the smaller diameter side, and the guide slot or opening has a truncated conical shape, and the larger diameter side is closer to the hub than the smaller diameter side. 10. Umbrella according to claim 9, characterized in that it ensures the movement of the spokes. 11. An upper disc and a lower disc are provided at both ends of the guide means and are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction, and the belt-shaped member is held in the lateral direction. The umbrella according to any one of claims 8 to 10. 12. The umbrella according to claim 1, wherein a handle is attached to the hub. 13. The handle is made of a band-shaped material of a predetermined length, and one end thereof is coaxially attached to the hub, and supports the hub in the extended state and is also used for storage. 13. The umbrella according to claim 12, wherein the umbrella is wrapped around a bush in the state. 14. One end of said strip of material is attached to a first collar spaced apart from and coaxial with said bushing, and an upper end of said first collar. 14. An umbrella according to claim 13, characterized in that the portion is formed with a circumferential lip. 15. The device comprises a holder, the first collar can be housed in the holder, and the holder is formed with a recess for accommodating the circumferential lip. The umbrella according to claim 14. 16. The handle is configured such that the holder and the first collar are movable axially away from the hub, so that the strip member has a spiral shape. The umbrella according to claim 14 or claim 15, characterized in that: 17. The handle is arranged such that the first collar is rotated relative to the bushing to frictionally engage the helically overlapping portions of the strip of material with each other so that the handle is in use. The umbrella according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that it is locked. 18. Claim 12, wherein the handle is provided with a stopper that limits its extension.
The umbrella according to any one of claims 1 to 17. 19. The umbrella according to claim 12, wherein the handle is provided with locking means for locking the handle in the stored state. 20. Said locking means comprises a pair of opposed latches mounted on said holder and biased toward engagement with said hub. Item 19: Umbrella. 21. The hub has a core including a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots in which one end of the spoke is held. Claims 1 to 19 characterized by
Any one of the following umbrellas. 22. A second collar, the collar being a tight fit within the core and retaining the ends of the spokes within the slots. umbrella. 23. A hub and a plurality of elongated spokes, each spoke comprising an elongated cylindrical member of elastic material, one end of which is connected to said hub, and said spokes are connected to said hub. An umbrella that is movable between an extended state in which the spokes extend radially outward from the hub and a stored state in which the spokes are wound around the hub in an overlapping state. 24. The umbrella of claim 20, wherein said elastic material is a synthetic resin material. 25. Claim 1, further comprising a flexible covering stretched between said spokes, said covering being attached to an end of said spoke opposite said hub. 25. The umbrella according to any one of claims 24 to 24.