WO2014074125A1

WO2014074125A1 - Umbrella

Info

Publication number: WO2014074125A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/000251
Authority: WO
Inventors: David MARTINSKY
Original assignee: Martinsky David
Priority date: 2012-11-07
Filing date: 2013-11-07
Publication date: 2014-05-15

Abstract

An umbrella includes a shaft having a top end and a bottom end; a deployment mechanism slidably disposed on the shaft between the top end and the bottom end; a plurality of primary support arms configured to support a canopy, the primary support arms being pivotably connected to the deployment mechanism; and a plurality of secondary support arms configured to engage and support the primary support arms, the secondary support arms being pivotably connected to the deployment mechanism. The primary support arms are slidably and pivotably connected to the secondary support arms. The deployment mechanism is configured to slide along the shaft such that the primary support arms pivot upwardly and outwardly with respect to the deployment mechanism and the shaft during an opening operation.

Description

UMBRELLA

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an umbrella. More specifically, the present invention relates to an umbrella having a canopy that is inverted during opening and closing of the umbrella.

Description of Related Art

[0002] Umbrellas utilize a canopy that is supported by a plurality of arms, which are raised and lowered by a mechanism, which may be manually or automatically actuated. Typically, such arms and mechanisms are configured to open the umbrella outwardly from pivot points formed at the top of the canopy and to close the umbrella in a reverse fashion, such that the top surface of the canopy, i.e., the surface exposed to the outside weather conditions, always faces outwardly from the umbrella during opening and closing of the umbrella.

[0003] Such umbrellas, while being effective for protecting the user from outside weather conditions, such as rain or snow, suffer from several drawbacks. First, since the top surface of the canopy is still facing outwardly when the umbrella is closed, the user is subjected to any moisture that has accumulated on the top surface of the canopy due to the sudden collapse of the canopy towards the user and because the moisture will tend to drain towards the user as the umbrella is closed. Second, because the umbrella canopy opens outwardly and cannot be collapsed at an extended position from the user, opening and closing the umbrella while exiting or entering a building, automobile, bus, train, etc. can be difficult and awkward since the user must be completely clear of the doorway before opening or closing the umbrella canopy. Third, the curvature of the canopy means that the inside surface of the canopy will tend to catch wind, especially on very windy days. This can result in the user losing grip of the umbrella and/or damage to the umbrella if the wind is strong enough to cause the canopy arms to break or yield due to bending in the wrong direction or to tear away from the canopy at the edges.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Accordingly, there is a general need in the art for an umbrella that includes a canopy deployment mechanism and canopy support arms that open and close the umbrella canopy from and to an inverted position, such that the top surface of the canopy faces inward toward the shaft of the umbrella during opening and closing of the umbrella.

l [0005] According to one preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, an umbrella is provided. The umbrella includes a shaft having a top end and a bottom end; a deployment mechanism slidably disposed on the shaft between the top end and the bottom end; a plurality of primary support arms configured to support a canopy, the primary support arms being pivotably connected to the deployment mechanism; and a plurality of secondary support arms configured to engage and support the primary support arms, the secondary support arms being pivotably connected to the deployment mechanism. The primary support arms are slidably and pivotably connected to the secondary support arms. The deployment mechanism is configured to slide along the shaft, such that the primary support arms pivot upwardly and outwardly with respect to the deployment mechanism and the shaft during an opening operation.

[0006] The umbrella may further include a top piece positioned at the top end of the shaft, wherein the top piece prevents sliding movement of the deployment mechanism past the top end of the shaft or a handle positioned at the bottom end of the shaft. The deployment mechanism, the primary support arms, and the secondary support arms are configured to invert the canopy during the opening operation. The deployment mechanism is configured to slide along the shaft such that the primary support arms pivot inwardly with respect to the deployment mechanism and the shaft, and then slide downwardly with respect to the shaft during a closing operation. The deployment mechanism, the primary support arms, and the secondary support arms are configured to re-invert the canopy during the closing operation.

[0007] According to the preferred and non-limiting embodiment, each of the plurality of primary support arms is slidably and pivotably connected to a respective one of the plurality of secondary support arms by a joint mechanism. Each joint mechanism includes an end portion fixed to an end of a respective secondary support arm, a sliding portion slidably disposed on a respective primary support arm, and a hinge member pivotably connecting the end portion to the sliding portion. A sliding stop is positioned on the respective primary support arm to limit sliding movement of the joint mechanism toward an end of the primary support arm opposite to the deployment mechanism.

[0008] Further, according to the preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the deployment mechanism includes a first release member slidably disposed on the shaft and a second release member slidably disposed on the shaft, the first release member and the second release member being releasably connected by at least one release clip disposed on the first release member. The secondary support arms are pivotably connected to the first release member and the primary support arms are pivotably connected to the second release member. The at least one release clip is configured to engage the shaft. During the opening operation, the at least one release clip disengages the second release member and engages the shaft such that the first release member is retained at a position along the shaft and the second release member is released to slide upwardly along the shaft away from the first release member. The deployment mechanism further includes a first release spring having an upper end connected to the top end of the shaft and a lower end connected to the first release member to bias the first release member toward the top end of the shaft. The shaft may be formed from a hollow member with a channel extending at least partially along a length of the shaft and through the shaft from an exterior to a hollow interior, and the first release spring may extend within the hollow interior of the shaft and be connected to the first release member through the channel.

[0009] The deployment mechanism further includes a second release spring disposed between the first release member and the second release member. The second release spring biases the second release member upwardly away from the first release member.

[0010] According to another preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a method of operating an umbrella is provided. The method includes providing an umbrella. The umbrella includes a shaft having a top end and a bottom end; a deployment mechanism slidably disposed on the shaft between the top end and the bottom end; a plurality of primary support arms configured to support a canopy, the primary support arms being pivotably connected to the deployment mechanism; and a plurality of secondary support arms configured to engage and support the primary support arms, the secondary support arms being pivotably connected to the deployment mechanism. The primary support arms are slidably and pivotably connected to the secondary support arms. The method further includes performing an opening operation of the umbrella. The opening operation includes sliding the deployment mechanism upwardly along the shaft toward the top end such that the primary support arms pivot upwardly and outwardly with respect to the deployment mechanism and shaft. During the opening operation, the deployment mechanism, the primary support arms, and the secondary support arms are configured to invert the canopy.

[0011] According to the preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the method further includes performing a closing operation of the umbrella. The closing operation includes actuating the deployment mechanism such that the primary support arms pivot upwardly and inwardly with respect to the deployment mechanism and the shaft; and sliding the deployment mechanism downwardly along the shaft toward the bottom end such that the primary support arms and the secondary support arms are in collapsed positions extending along the shaft. During the closing operation, the deployment mechanism, the primary support arms, and the secondary support arms are configured to re-invert the canopy.

[0012] Further, according to the preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the deployment mechanism includes a first release member slidably disposed on the shaft and a second release member slidably disposed on the shaft, the first release member and the second release member being releasably connected by at least one release clip disposed on the first release member. The secondary support arms are pivotably connected to the first release member and the primary support arms are pivotably connected to the second release member. The at least one release clip is configured to engage the shaft. The sliding step of the opening operation includes sliding the first release member and the second release member connected by the at least one release clip upwardly along the shaft toward the top end such that the primary support arms and the secondary support arms also slide upwardly along the shaft; disengaging the at least one release clip from the second release member and engaging the at least one release clip with the shaft such that the first release member is retained at a position along the shaft and the second release member is released from the first release member; and further sliding the second release member upwardly along the shaft toward the top end and away from the first release member such that the primary support arms are pulled by the secondary support arms to pivot outwardly and downwardly with respect to the second release member into a deployed position.

[0013] The deployment mechanism further includes a first release spring having an upper end connected to the top end of the shaft and a lower end connected to the first release member to bias the first release member toward the top end of the shaft. The shaft may be formed from a hollow member with a channel extending at least partially along a length of the shaft and through the shaft from an exterior to a hollow interior. The first release spring may extend within the hollow interior of the shaft and be connected to the first release member through the channel.

[0014] The deployment mechanism further includes a second release spring disposed between the first release member and the second release member. The second release spring biases the second release member upwardly away from the first release member.

[0015] Still further, according to the preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the actuating step of the closing operation of the umbrella includes disengaging the at least one release clip from the shaft and sliding the first release member upwardly along the shaft toward the top end such that the primary support arms are pushed by the secondary support arms to pivot upwardly and inwardly with respect to the deployment mechanism and the shaft, and re-engaging the second release member with the at least one release clip to re-connect the second release member to the first release member. The sliding of the closing operation includes sliding the re-connected first release member and second release member downwardly along the shaft toward the bottom end such that the primary support arms and the secondary support arms are in the collapsed positions extending along the shaft.

[0016] These and other features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structures and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and the claims, the singular form of "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is a side view of an umbrella in a closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the umbrella in the closed position of FIG. 1 ;

[0019] FIG. 3 is a side view of the umbrella of FIG. 1 in a partially open position during an opening operation of the umbrella;

[0020] FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the umbrella in the partially open position of FIG. 3;

[0021] FIG. 5 is a side view of the umbrella of FIG. 1 in another partially open position during the opening operation of the umbrella;

[0022] FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the umbrella in the partially open position of FIG. 5;

[0023] FIG. 7 is a side view of the umbrella of FIG. 1 in a fully open position;

[0024] FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the umbrella in the fully open position of FIG. 7;

[0025] FIG. 9 is a side view of the umbrella of FIG. 1 in a partially closed position during a closing operation of the umbrella; [0026] FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the umbrella in the partially closed position of FIG. 9;

[0027] FIG. 1 1 is a side view of the umbrella of FIG. 1 in another partially closed position during the closing operation of the umbrella;

[0028] FIG. 12 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the umbrella in the partially closed position of FIG. 11;

[0029] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of the umbrella of FIG. 1 ;

[0030] FIG. 14 is an enlarged side view of a joint mechanism of the umbrella in the closed position of FIG. 1 ; and

[0031] FIG. 15 is an enlarged side view of the joint mechanism of the umbrella in the fully open position of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] For purposes of the description hereinafter, the spatial orientation terms, such as "end", "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "lateral", "longitudinal", and derivatives thereof, if used, shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention and should not be considered as limiting. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

[0033] FIGS. 1-13 illustrate an umbrella 10 according an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 1 1, and 13, the umbrella 10 includes a shaft 11 of a fixed length. An end piece 12, which may act as an abutment for a deployment mechanism 20 of the umbrella 10, is disposed at the top end of the shaft 1 1. A handle 13 is disposed at the bottom of the shaft 11. The handle 13 is shown as having a curved shape frequently found on umbrellas, though the handle 13 may have any shape known to be suitable to those having ordinary skill in the art and may also incorporate ergonomic hand or finger grips. The handle 13 may be made from any suitable material and may include a rubber or similar coating to effect better gripping of the handle 13. The handle 13 may also include a shaped cap or end piece that allows the handle 13 to support the weight of the umbrella 10 when the umbrella 10 is hung over the edge of a flat surface, such as a table top or bar, and an LED flashlight assembly incorporated therein.

[0034] A canopy C of the umbrella 10, which is indicated by the dashed lines in FIG. 7, is supported by a plurality of primary canopy or support arms 14 that are pivotably connected to the deployment mechanism 20, such that the canopy arms 14 extend upwardly in a direction away from the handle 13 when the umbrella 10 is in a closed position, as shown in FIG. 1, move upwardly towards the end piece 12 and then pivot outwardly away from the shaft 11 to invert the canopy during an opening operation of the umbrella 10, and hold the canopy in the open position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, and 7, and pivot inwardly towards the shaft 11 to re- invert the canopy and then move downwardly towards the handle 13 during a closing operation of the umbrella, as shown in FIGS. 1, 7, 9, and 1 1. The plurality of primary canopy arms 14 are supported by a plurality of secondary support arms 15 that are also pivotably connected to the deployment mechanism 20. The secondary support arms 15 are pivotably and slidably connected to the primary support arms 14 by joint mechanisms 16, which are positioned at the ends of the secondary support arms 15.

[0035] Further details of the joint mechanism 16 are illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, which illustrate the joint mechanism 16 when the umbrella 10 is in a closed position and a fully open position, respectively. As shown, each of the plurality of primary support arms 14 is slidably and pivotably connected to a respective one of the secondary support arms 15 by the joint mechanism 16. The joint mechanism 16 includes an end portion 32 fixed to an end of the secondary support arm 15, a sliding portion 33 that is slidably disposed on the primary support arm 14, and a hinge member 34, which may be in the form of a pin and which pivotably connects the end portion 32 to the sliding portion 33. In this manner, the joint mechanism 16 is configured to pivot and slide on the primary support arm 14 such that the primary support arms 14 are able to slide and pivot with respect to the secondary support arms 15. Each of the primary support arms 14 includes a sliding stop 35 positioned thereon to limit sliding movement of the joint mechanism 16 toward an end of the primary support arm 14 opposite to the deployment mechanism 20. The primary support arms 14 may also include additional sliding stops to prevent the primary support arms 14 from sliding, with respect to the joint mechanisms 16, too far in either direction.

[0036] With reference to FIG. 13, the shaft 11 of the umbrella 10 may be formed from a hollow member, which includes a channel 17 extending along the length of the shaft 1 1 and through the shaft 11 from an exterior to the hollow interior of the shaft 1 1. [0037] As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 13, the deployment mechanism 20 of the umbrella 10 includes a first release member 21 and a second release member 22 that are slidably disposed on the shaft 11. The secondary support arms 15 are pivotably connected to the first release member 21, and the primary support arms 14 are pivotably connected to the second release member 22. A first release spring 23, shown in FIG. 13, is a tension spring extending within the hollow interior of the shaft 1 1. An upper end of the first release spring 23 is connected to the top piece 12 of the umbrella 10 so as to hang down into the hollow interior of the shaft 11. A lower end of the first release spring 23 is connected to the first release member 21 via an eyelet 31 extending from the first release member 21 into the hollow interior of the shaft 11 via the channel 17, such that tension in the first release spring 23 biases the first release member 21 upwardly and away from the handle 13. Further, the first release member 21 and the second release member 22 may each include a portion (not shown), such as an internal protrusion or rib, that extends into and engages with the channel 17 of the shaft 11 to guide the sliding movement and prevent rotation of the release members 21, 22 with respect to the shaft 11 during the opening and closing of the umbrella 10. The handle 13 incorporates a release button (not shown) that engages the first release member 21 to retain the first release member

21 in proximity to the handle 13 against the bias of the first release spring 23 when the umbrella 10 is in the closed position. The release button is pushed inward to disengage from the first release member 21 in accordance with known principles and may be of any configuration known to be suitable to those having ordinary skill in the art.

[0038] The second release member 22 is releasably connected to the first release member 21 by release clips 25. A second release spring 24 is disposed between the second release member

22 and the first release member 21, and biases the second release member 22 upwardly in a direction away from the first release member 21. To that end, the second release member 22 may also be shaped in the form of a cup to conceal the second release spring 24 when the first release member 21 and the second release member 22 are engaged with each other, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 12. The second release member 22 is retained in engagement with the first release member 21 against the bias of the second release spring 24 when the umbrella 10 is in a closed position and during portions of the opening and closing operations of the umbrella 10 by release clips 25. The release clips 25 are pivotably connected to the first release member 21 at hinge connections 26. The release clips 25 each include a top portion 27 that engages a flange 29, or a notch or void, on the second release member 22 to retain the second release member 22 in engagement with the first release member 21. The release clips 25 also each include a bottom portion 28 that engages the shaft 11. To that end, the first release member 21 may include a number of slots or holes (not shown) extending therethrough that allow the bottom portions 28 to extend through the first release member 21 to engage the shaft 11, or the release clips 25 may be configured to extend over and around the bottom of the first release member 21 to engage the shaft 1 1. The hinge connections 26 may include a mechanism, such as torsion springs (not shown), that biases the release clips 25 toward the engagement with the shaft 1 1 and away from engagement with the flange 29 of the second release member 22.

[0039] During the opening and closing operations of the umbrella 10, as the first release member 21 and the second release member 22 slide along the shaft 1 1, the bottom portions 28 of the release clips 25 will also slide in engagement with the shaft 1 1, which is dimensioned to prevent the top portions 27 of the release clips 25 from pivoting out of engagement with the flange 29 on the second release member 22. The shaft 11 includes holes or notches 30, shown in FIG. 4, formed therein, which catch the bottom portions 28 of the release clips 25 as they slide along the shaft 11. During the opening operation of the umbrella 10, as the bottom portions 28 of the release clips 25 fall into and are caught by the notches 30, they stop movement of the first release member 21 along the shaft 1 1. The top portions 27 of the release clips 25 simultaneously pivot out of engagement with the flange 29 on the second release member 22 to allow the second release member 22 to continue to move upwardly along the shaft 11 due to the bias of the second release spring 24.

[0040] With reference to FIGS. 1-13, the opening and closing operations of the umbrella 10 will now be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the umbrella 10 is in a closed position, the first release member 21 and the second release member 22 of the deployment mechanism 20 are disposed in proximity to the handle 13 at the bottom of the shaft 11 , with the first release member 21 held in place against the bias of the extended first release spring 23 by the mechanism of the release button (not shown). The second release member 22 is held in engagement with the first release member 21 against the bias of the second release spring 24 by the top portions 27 of the release clips 25 engaging the flange 29 on the second release member 22. The primary support arms 14 and the secondary support arms 15 are pivoted to extend upwardly from the release members 21 , 22 of the deployment mechanism 20 and collapsed with respect to the shaft 11 , such that the canopy of the umbrella 10 is collapsed and inverted with the top surface of the canopy facing inward toward the shaft 1 1. The opening operation of the umbrella 10 is commenced by actuating the push button in the handle 13 to release the first release member 21 from the handle 13 and allow the deployment mechanism 20 to begin to move upwardly along the shaft 1 1 due to the bias of the first release spring 23. [0041] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, during the opening operation, as the deployment mechanism 20 slides upwardly along the shaft 1 1 due to the bias of the first release spring 23 pulling upwardly on the deployment mechanism 20, the bottom portions 28 of the release clips 25 will engage the shaft 1 1 , such that the top portions 27 of the release clips 25 remain in engagement with the flange 29 on the second release member 22 to retain the second release member 22 in engagement with the first release member 21. The primary support arms 14 and the secondary support arms 15 remain pivoted to extend upwardly from the release members 21, 22 and collapsed with respect to the shaft 1 1 , such that the canopy remains collapsed and inverted.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, during the opening operation, as the deployment mechanism 20 continues to slide upwardly along the shaft 1 1, the bottom portions 28 of the release clips 25 fall into and are caught by the notches 30, which cause the release clips 25 to pivot about the hinge connections 26 such that the top portions 27 of the release clips 25 disengage from the flange 29 to release the engagement between the first release member 21 and the second release member 22. As the engagement between the release members 21, 22 is released, the position of first release member 21 along the shaft 11 is maintained by the engagement between the bottom portions 28 of the release clips 25 and the notches 30 in the shaft 11. The second release member 22 continues to move upwardly along the shaft 11 due to the bias of the second release spring 24. As the second release member 22 moves upwardly along the shaft 11 away from the first release member 21, the primary support arms 14 will slide upwardly with respect to the secondary support arms 15 through the joint mechanisms 16 and will begin to pivot outwardly and downwardly with respect to the second release member 22 and the shaft 11 due to being pulled by the engagement with the joint mechanisms 16 and secondary support arms 15. The outward and downward pivoting of the primary support arms 14 with respect to the shaft 11 in turn causes the canopy of the umbrella to begin to deploy away from the shaft 1 1 with the top surface of the canopy facing upwardly. Slide stops may be provided on the primary support arms 14 between the joint mechanisms 16 and the second release member 22 to prevent the primary support arms 14 from sliding too far with respect to the joint mechanisms 16 and the secondary support arms 15, such that the deployment mechanism 20 jams. Such stops can also act as bearing points to facilitate pivoting of the primary support arms 14 with respect to secondary support arms 15 about the pivot points in the joint mechanisms 16.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the opening operation is completed and the umbrella 10 is in the open position, the second release member 22 is positioned at the top of the shaft 11 in proximity to the end piece 12, which may include an abutment surface to prevent further upward movement of the second release member 22 along the shaft 11. The first release member 21 is retained in its position along the shaft 11 due to the engagement between the notches 30 and the bottom portions 28 of the release clips 25. The primary support arms 14 are fully pivoted outwardly and downwardly with respect to the second release member 22 and the shaft 11, such that the canopy of the umbrella 10 is deployed and non-inverted so that the top surface of the canopy faces upwardly and outwardly from the shaft 11. The secondary support arms 15 are also pivoted outwardly from the first release member 21 and engage the primary support arms 14 to support the deployed canopy. The primary support arms 14 include the slide stops 35 between the joint mechanisms 16 and the ends of the primary support arms 14 to prevent the joint mechanisms 16 from sliding along the primary support arms 14 toward the outside of the canopy (as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15).

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the closing operation of the umbrella 10 is commenced by pinching top portions 27 of the release clips 25 inward, such that the bottom portions 28 of the release clips 25 are disengaged from the notches 30. The first release member 21 is then slid upwardly along the shaft 11 towards the second release member 22 to collapse the second release spring 24. As the first release member 21 approaches the second release member 22, the secondary support arms 15 and the joint mechanisms 16 will push upwardly on the primary support arms 14, causing the primary support arms 14 to pivot upwardly and inwardly toward the shaft 11. The upward and inward pivoting of the primary support arms 14 with respect to the shaft 11 in turn causes the canopy of the umbrella to begin to re-invert and collapse toward the shaft 11 with the top surface of the canopy facing upwardly and inwardly toward the shaft 11. The slide stops 35 provided on the primary support arms 14 between the joint mechanisms 16 and the ends of the primary support arms 14 prevent jamming of the release of the deployment mechanism 20 during the closing operation and act as bearing points to facilitate pivoting of the primary support arms 14 with respect to secondary support arms 15 about the pivot points in the joint mechanisms 16 (as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15).

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, during the closing operation, the first release member 21 is slid upwardly along the shaft 11 until the top portions 27 of the release clips 25 re-engage the flange 29 on the second release member 22, thus re-securing the second release member 22 to the first release member 21 and collapsing both the first release spring 23 and the second release spring 24. The primary support arms 14 and the secondary support arms 15 are pivoted with respect to the release members 21, 22 to extend upwardly, such that the canopy of the umbrella 10 is re-inverted and collapsed toward the shaft 1 1 with the top surface of the canopy facing inwardly. The release members 21 , 22 are then pulled downwardly along the shaft 11 until the first release spring 23 is extended and the first release member 21 re-engages the mechanism of the push button release so that the umbrella 10 is returned to the closed position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0046] As can be appreciated from the drawings and the foregoing description, the deployment mechanism 20 is configured to automatically open the umbrella 10 upon actuation of the push button release by a user. The user must manually actuate the deployment mechanism 20 in the manner described above to return the umbrella 10 to the closed position. However, it is to be appreciated that the umbrella 10 may be configured to be opened manually by simply removing the release springs 23, 24 from the deployment mechanism 20. Likewise, it is to be appreciated that the deployment mechanism 20 may also be configured to close automatically.

[0047] While several embodiments of an umbrella were described in the foregoing detailed description, those skilled in the art may make modifications and alterations to these embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. The invention described hereinabove is defined by the appended claims and all changes to the invention that fall within the meaning and the range of equivalency of the claims are embraced within their scope.

Claims

THE INVENTION CLAIMED IS

1. An umbrella, comprising:

a shaft having a top end and a bottom end;

a deployment mechanism slidably disposed on the shaft between the top end and the bottom end;

a plurality of primary support arms configured to support a canopy, the primary support arms being pivotably connected to the deployment mechanism; and

a plurality of secondary support arms configured to engage and support the primary support arms, the secondary support arms being pivotably connected to the deployment mechanism,

wherein the primary support arms are slidably and pivotably connected to the secondary support arms, and wherein the deployment mechanism is configured to slide along the shaft such that the primary support arms pivot upwardly and outwardly with respect to the deployment mechanism and the shaft during an opening operation.

2. The umbrella according to claim 1, further comprising a top piece positioned at the top end of the shaft, wherein the top piece prevents sliding movement of the deployment mechanism past the top end of the shaft.

3. The umbrella according to claim 1, further comprising a handle positioned at the bottom end of the shaft.

4. The umbrella according to claim 1 , wherein the deployment mechanism, the primary support arms, and the secondary support arms are configured to invert the canopy during the opening operation.

5. The umbrella according to claim 4, wherein the deployment mechanism is configured to slide along the shaft such that the primary support arms pivot inwardly with respect to the deployment mechanism and the shaft and then slide downwardly with respect to the shaft during a closing operation, and

wherein the deployment mechanism, the primary support arms, and the secondary support arms are configured to re-invert the canopy during the closing operation.

6. The umbrella according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of primary support arms is slidably and pivotably connected to a respective one of the plurality of secondary support arms by a joint mechanism.

7. The umbrella according to claim 6, wherein each joint mechanism comprises an end portion fixed to an end of a respective secondary support arm, a sliding portion slidably disposed on a respective primary support arm, and a hinge member pivotably connecting the end portion to the sliding portion.

8. The umbrella according to claim 7, wherein a sliding stop is positioned on the respective primary support arm to limit sliding movement of the joint mechanism toward an end of the primary support arm opposite to the deployment mechanism.

9. The umbrella according to claim 1 , wherein the deployment mechanism comprises a first release member slidably disposed on the shaft and a second release member slidably disposed on the shaft, the first release member and the second release member being releasably connected by at least one release clip disposed on the first release member,

wherein the secondary support arms are pivotably connected to the first release member and the primary support arms are pivotably connected to the second release member, wherein the at least one release clip is configured to engage the shaft, and wherein during the opening operation, the at least one release clip disengages the second release member and engages the shaft such that the first release member is retained at a position along the shaft and the second release member is released to slide upwardly along the shaft away from the first release member.

10. The umbrella according to claim 9, wherein the deployment mechanism further includes a first release spring having an upper end connected to the top end of the shaft and a lower end connected to the first release member to bias the first release member toward the top end of the shaft.

11. The umbrella according to claim 10, wherein the shaft is formed from a hollow member with a channel extending at least partially along a length of the shaft and through the shaft from an exterior to a hollow interior, and wherein the first release spring extends within the hollow interior of the shaft and is connected to the first release member through the channel.

12. The umbrella according to claim 9, wherein the deployment mechanism further includes a second release spring disposed between the first release member and the second release member, and

wherein the second release spring biases the second release member upwardly away from the first release member.

13. A method of operating an umbrella, comprising:

providing an umbrella comprising:

a shaft having a top end and a bottom end;

a plurality of primary support arms configured to support a canopy, the primary support arms being pivotably connected to the deployment mechanism; and a plurality of secondary support arms configured to engage and support the primary support arms, the secondary support arms being pivotably connected to the deployment mechanism,

wherein the primary support arms are slidably and pivotably connected to the secondary support arms; and

performing an opening operation of the umbrella, the opening operation comprising:

sliding the deployment mechanism upwardly along the shaft toward the top end such that the primary support arms pivot upwardly and outwardly with respect to the deployment mechanism and shaft.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein during the opening operation the deployment mechanism, the primary support arms, and the secondary support arms are configured to invert the canopy.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising performing a closing operation of the umbrella, the closing operation comprising: actuating the deployment mechanism such that the primary support arms pivot upwardly and inwardly with respect to the deployment mechanism and the shaft; and

sliding the deployment mechanism downwardly along the shaft toward the bottom end such that the primary support arms and the secondary support arms are in collapsed positions extending along the shaft,

wherein during the closing operation, the deployment mechanism, the primary support arms, and the secondary support arms are configured to re-invert the canopy.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the deployment mechanism comprises a first release member slidably disposed on the shaft and a second release member slidably disposed on the shaft, the first release member and the second release member being releasably connected by at least one release clip disposed on the first release member,

wherein the secondary support arms are pivotably connected to the first release member and the primary support arms are pivotably connected to the second release member, wherein the at least one release clip is configured to engage the shaft, and wherein the sliding step of the opening operation includes:

sliding the first release member and the second release member connected by the at least one release clip upwardly along the shaft toward the top end such that the primary support arms and the secondary support arms also slide upwardly along the shaft;

disengaging the at least one release clip from the second release member and engaging the at least one release clip with the shaft such that the first release member is retained at a position along the shaft and the second release member is released from the first release member; and

further sliding the second release member upwardly along the shaft toward the top end and away from the first release member such that the primary support arms are pulled by the secondary support arms to pivot outwardly and downwardly with respect to the second release member into a deployed position.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the deployment mechanism further includes a first release spring having an upper end connected to the top end of the shaft and a lower end connected to the first release member to bias the first release member toward the top end of the shaft.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the shaft is formed from a hollow member with a channel extending at least partially along a length of the shaft and through the shaft from an exterior to a hollow interior, and

wherein the first release spring extends within the hollow interior of the shaft and is connected to the first release member through the channel.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the deployment mechanism further includes a second release spring disposed between the first release member and the second release member, and

20. The method according to claim 16, wherein the actuating step of the closing operation of the umbrella includes disengaging the at least one release clip from the shaft and sliding the first release member upwardly along the shaft toward the top end such that the primary support arms are pushed by the secondary support arms to pivot upwardly and inwardly with respect to the deployment mechanism and the shaft and re-engaging the second release member with the at least one release clip to re-connect the second release member to the first release member, and

wherein the sliding of the closing operation includes sliding the re-connected first release member and second release member downwardly along the shaft toward the bottom end such that the primary support arms and the secondary support arms are in the collapsed positions extending along the shaft.