CA2060713A1 - Umbrella centrepost latch system - Google Patents
Umbrella centrepost latch systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA2060713A1 CA2060713A1 CA 2060713 CA2060713A CA2060713A1 CA 2060713 A1 CA2060713 A1 CA 2060713A1 CA 2060713 CA2060713 CA 2060713 CA 2060713 A CA2060713 A CA 2060713A CA 2060713 A1 CA2060713 A1 CA 2060713A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- latch
- centerpost
- guide seat
- section
- finger
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45B—WALKING STICKS; UMBRELLAS; LADIES' OR LIKE FANS
- A45B19/00—Special folding or telescoping of umbrellas
- A45B19/04—Special folding or telescoping of umbrellas with telescopic sticks
Landscapes
- Walking Sticks, Umbrellas, And Fans (AREA)
- Holders For Apparel And Elements Relating To Apparel (AREA)
Abstract
UMBRELLA CENTERPOST LATCH SYSTEM
Abstract of the Disclosure An umbrella centerpost latch system for a collapsible centerpost type umbrella. The system includes a latch finger that floats free in a closed end guide seat of a plug received in an inner tele-scoping tubular section of a centerpost, the guide seat being accessible only through a side wall of the plug so that the latch finger can move in one or both of a direction transverse to and a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the centerpost.
Abstract of the Disclosure An umbrella centerpost latch system for a collapsible centerpost type umbrella. The system includes a latch finger that floats free in a closed end guide seat of a plug received in an inner tele-scoping tubular section of a centerpost, the guide seat being accessible only through a side wall of the plug so that the latch finger can move in one or both of a direction transverse to and a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the centerpost.
Description
J ~t ~_~
UMBRELLA CENTERPOST LATCH SYSTEM
This invention relates to umbrellasO More particularly, this invention relates to a centerpost latch system for a collapsible umbrella~
There are two basic types of umbrellas in use today, to wit: the stick umbrella, and the collapsible umbrella. The collapsible umbrella has a centerpost that is collapsible or shortenable when use of the umbrella is not desired, so the collapsible umbrella can be easily stored in, e.g., a briefcase or a handbag or a car's glove compartment. The center-post of the stick umbrella cannot be collapsed or shortened, on the other hand, so the stick umbrella cannot be stored as easily as the collapsible umbrella.
In a centerpost collapsible umbrella, the centerpost is comprised of two or more tubular sections that telescope one within the other. When use of the umbrella is desired, i.e., when the center-post is extended, the umbrella's centerpost latch system must be effective to hold those tubular -2- 2~
sections in the extended or use position. In one commercially used prior art centerpost latch system (described in detail below), it i5 known to pin a latch finger to a plug inserted in one of the center-post's tubular sections so the latch finger can pivotbetween latch and unlatch positions when those tubular sections are extended and rPtracted. But this prior art system is relatively difficult and time consuming to manufacture, and therefore materially increases the cost of manufacture for the centerpost collapsible type of manufacture.
Therefore, the primary objective of this invention is to provide an improved centerpost latch system for a collapsible umbrella in which the struc-ture, and the assembly procedures therefor, aresimplified relative to the prior art. In accord with this objective, the centerpost latch system of this invention includes a latch finger that floats free in a closed end guide seat of a plug received in an inner telescoping tubular section of a centerpost, the guide seat being accessible only through a side wall of the plug so that the latch finger can move in one or both of a direction transverse to and a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the centerpost. A pin for fixing the latch finger at one end of the guide seat, therefor, is not needed in the umbrella centerpost latch system according to the present invention.
- , ~ '''~ ~ ' , ~r~
Othe~ objectiveg, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the following dètailed description of the preferred embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which:
Fig. 1 is an exploded view showing a center-post latch system for a collapsible umbrella according to the present invantion;
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the assembled centerpost latch system of Fig.
l;
Fig. 3 is an exploded view showing a prior art centerpost latch system for a collapsible umbrella; and Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the assembled centerpost latch system of FigO
UMBRELLA CENTERPOST LATCH SYSTEM
This invention relates to umbrellasO More particularly, this invention relates to a centerpost latch system for a collapsible umbrella~
There are two basic types of umbrellas in use today, to wit: the stick umbrella, and the collapsible umbrella. The collapsible umbrella has a centerpost that is collapsible or shortenable when use of the umbrella is not desired, so the collapsible umbrella can be easily stored in, e.g., a briefcase or a handbag or a car's glove compartment. The center-post of the stick umbrella cannot be collapsed or shortened, on the other hand, so the stick umbrella cannot be stored as easily as the collapsible umbrella.
In a centerpost collapsible umbrella, the centerpost is comprised of two or more tubular sections that telescope one within the other. When use of the umbrella is desired, i.e., when the center-post is extended, the umbrella's centerpost latch system must be effective to hold those tubular -2- 2~
sections in the extended or use position. In one commercially used prior art centerpost latch system (described in detail below), it i5 known to pin a latch finger to a plug inserted in one of the center-post's tubular sections so the latch finger can pivotbetween latch and unlatch positions when those tubular sections are extended and rPtracted. But this prior art system is relatively difficult and time consuming to manufacture, and therefore materially increases the cost of manufacture for the centerpost collapsible type of manufacture.
Therefore, the primary objective of this invention is to provide an improved centerpost latch system for a collapsible umbrella in which the struc-ture, and the assembly procedures therefor, aresimplified relative to the prior art. In accord with this objective, the centerpost latch system of this invention includes a latch finger that floats free in a closed end guide seat of a plug received in an inner telescoping tubular section of a centerpost, the guide seat being accessible only through a side wall of the plug so that the latch finger can move in one or both of a direction transverse to and a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the centerpost. A pin for fixing the latch finger at one end of the guide seat, therefor, is not needed in the umbrella centerpost latch system according to the present invention.
- , ~ '''~ ~ ' , ~r~
Othe~ objectiveg, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the following dètailed description of the preferred embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which:
Fig. 1 is an exploded view showing a center-post latch system for a collapsible umbrella according to the present invantion;
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the assembled centerpost latch system of Fig.
l;
Fig. 3 is an exploded view showing a prior art centerpost latch system for a collapsible umbrella; and Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the assembled centerpost latch system of FigO
3.
A centerpost latch system 10 for a col-lapsible umbrella is shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The centerpost latch system 10 connects upper centerpost tubular section 10a and lower centerpost tubular section 10b that telescope one with the other. Each tubular section 10a, 10b includes a latch slot 10a', 10b' adapted to overlie one another when those tubular sections are extended into the centerpost use posi-tion, see Fig. 2.
, '' : :
' ' ~ : ' ' :
~o ~
The centerpost latch system 10 includes a movable latch finger 11 with head section lla, a comprPssion spring 12 applying a spring ~orce to the latch finger 11 to allow movement of the latch finger upon extension and retxaction of the tubular sections lOa, lOb, and a plug 13. The plug 13 is provided with a guide seat 14 for receiving the latch finger 11, see Fig. 1. The middle portion of the guide seat 14 is wider than both end portions thereof so as to receive and position the spring 12. Note the guide seat 14 according to the present invention is a closed groove which is closed at the ends thereof by end walls 14a, 14b, at the sides by side walls 14c, 14d, and at the bottom by floor 14e. Hence, the latch finger 11 is adapted to float free in the guide seat 14, and is not fixedly connected to the plug 13.
In use, and as shown in Fig. 4, the latch finger 11 is depressed by the umbrella's runner (not shown) when the cover (not shown) of the umbrella is collapsed, and thus it is moved into the guide seat 14 so that the centerpost lOa, lOh also can collapse. In this regard, the guide seat 14 and the latch finger 11 are sized so that the latch finger can move to a Iimited extent in on~ or both of a direction 15 transverse to, and a direction ~6 parallel to, the longitudinal axis 17 of the cen~erpost sections lOa, lOb. Note also the latch finger 11 includes a nose : , ~
~ _ L~ J ~ 3 llb at one end that cooperates with the guide seat's floor 14e and one guide seat end wall 14a to allow the latch finger to pivot between its extended (see Fig.
2) and retracted (not shown) positions. Note also the latch finger 11 includes a toe llc at the other end with the spring 12 being engaged with the latch finger closer to the toe than the nose llb so as to promote the pivot movement.
A prior art centerpost latch system 20 over which this invention constitutes an improvement is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The prior art latch system 20 for a collapsible umbrella centerpost 21a, 21b com-prises a movable latch finger member 1, a spring 2, a plug 3 provided with a groove 4, and a pin 5. The middle portion of the groove 4 is wider than both end portions thereof so as to receive and hold the spring 2. The groove 4 is closed at only one end 4a, and is open at the other end 4b, so as to form a U snape in cross section. Holes 6, 6 to receive pin 5 are formed through the two side walls of the U-shaped groove 4.
A hole 7 is also formed at the top portion of the latch finger 1. The pin 5 is inserted into the holes 6, 6 and the hole 7 to pivotably fix the latch finger ` 1 to the plug 3.
In us~, the prior art latch finger 1 is pivoted on pin 5 as the umbrella's runner (not shown) passes over it on the centerpost 21 as the umbrella is :
:, .
J
~ 6--opened and closed. However, such a latch system 20 is complicated and hard to manufacture relative to the latch system 10 of this invention. Since the prior art latch finger 1 is fixed at the top portion thereof by the pin 5, it can only pivot about that pln 5. If the latch finger 1 must be short to meet certain spatial requirements due to the size of the umbrella, then its swing distance i5 small, and thus the opening and closing of the umbrella may not be smooth.
Having specifically described a preferred embodiment of the invention, what we desire to claim and protect by Letters Patent is:
:, ~
; , .
A centerpost latch system 10 for a col-lapsible umbrella is shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The centerpost latch system 10 connects upper centerpost tubular section 10a and lower centerpost tubular section 10b that telescope one with the other. Each tubular section 10a, 10b includes a latch slot 10a', 10b' adapted to overlie one another when those tubular sections are extended into the centerpost use posi-tion, see Fig. 2.
, '' : :
' ' ~ : ' ' :
~o ~
The centerpost latch system 10 includes a movable latch finger 11 with head section lla, a comprPssion spring 12 applying a spring ~orce to the latch finger 11 to allow movement of the latch finger upon extension and retxaction of the tubular sections lOa, lOb, and a plug 13. The plug 13 is provided with a guide seat 14 for receiving the latch finger 11, see Fig. 1. The middle portion of the guide seat 14 is wider than both end portions thereof so as to receive and position the spring 12. Note the guide seat 14 according to the present invention is a closed groove which is closed at the ends thereof by end walls 14a, 14b, at the sides by side walls 14c, 14d, and at the bottom by floor 14e. Hence, the latch finger 11 is adapted to float free in the guide seat 14, and is not fixedly connected to the plug 13.
In use, and as shown in Fig. 4, the latch finger 11 is depressed by the umbrella's runner (not shown) when the cover (not shown) of the umbrella is collapsed, and thus it is moved into the guide seat 14 so that the centerpost lOa, lOh also can collapse. In this regard, the guide seat 14 and the latch finger 11 are sized so that the latch finger can move to a Iimited extent in on~ or both of a direction 15 transverse to, and a direction ~6 parallel to, the longitudinal axis 17 of the cen~erpost sections lOa, lOb. Note also the latch finger 11 includes a nose : , ~
~ _ L~ J ~ 3 llb at one end that cooperates with the guide seat's floor 14e and one guide seat end wall 14a to allow the latch finger to pivot between its extended (see Fig.
2) and retracted (not shown) positions. Note also the latch finger 11 includes a toe llc at the other end with the spring 12 being engaged with the latch finger closer to the toe than the nose llb so as to promote the pivot movement.
A prior art centerpost latch system 20 over which this invention constitutes an improvement is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The prior art latch system 20 for a collapsible umbrella centerpost 21a, 21b com-prises a movable latch finger member 1, a spring 2, a plug 3 provided with a groove 4, and a pin 5. The middle portion of the groove 4 is wider than both end portions thereof so as to receive and hold the spring 2. The groove 4 is closed at only one end 4a, and is open at the other end 4b, so as to form a U snape in cross section. Holes 6, 6 to receive pin 5 are formed through the two side walls of the U-shaped groove 4.
A hole 7 is also formed at the top portion of the latch finger 1. The pin 5 is inserted into the holes 6, 6 and the hole 7 to pivotably fix the latch finger ` 1 to the plug 3.
In us~, the prior art latch finger 1 is pivoted on pin 5 as the umbrella's runner (not shown) passes over it on the centerpost 21 as the umbrella is :
:, .
J
~ 6--opened and closed. However, such a latch system 20 is complicated and hard to manufacture relative to the latch system 10 of this invention. Since the prior art latch finger 1 is fixed at the top portion thereof by the pin 5, it can only pivot about that pln 5. If the latch finger 1 must be short to meet certain spatial requirements due to the size of the umbrella, then its swing distance i5 small, and thus the opening and closing of the umbrella may not be smooth.
Having specifically described a preferred embodiment of the invention, what we desire to claim and protect by Letters Patent is:
:, ~
; , .
Claims (3)
1. An umbrella centerpost latch system com-prising first and second tubular centerpost sections, said first section being telescopable relative to said second section between an extended centerpost use position and a collapsed centerpost storage position, each of said first and second sections defining a latch slot at one end thereof, said latch slots being adapted to overlie one another when said first and second sections are extended into said centerpost use position, a plug located in that end of said first section that defines its latch slot, said plug defining a guide seat that underlies said first section latch slot, said guide seat being defined by opposed end walls, opposed side walls and a floor so that said guide seat is accessible only through a side wall of said plug, a latch finger with head section received in said guide seat, said latch finger being of a length greater than the length of said first section latch slot, said latch finger floating free in said guide seat and not being fixedly connected to said plug, said latch finger being extendable within said guide seat so that said head can extend through both said first section latch slot and said second section latch slot when said first and second sections are extended into said centerpost use position for holding said first and second sections in a latched centerpost use position, and said latch finger being retractable within said guide seat so that said head section can retract through said second latch slot to allow said first and second sections to collapse into said centerpost storage position, said latch finger and said guide seat being sized so that said latch finger can move to a limited extent in one or both of a direction transverse to and a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said centerpost sections as said head section extends and retracts through said second section latch slot, and a spring located in said guide seat, said spring continually biasing said latch finger toward said latched position.
2. An umbrella centerpost latch system as set forth in Claim 1, said latch finger comprising a nose at one end thereof, said nose cooperating with one or both of said guide seat floor and one guide seat end wall to allow said latch finger to pivot between its extended and retracted positions.
3. An umbrella centerpost latch system as set forth in Claim 2, said latch finger comprising a toe on that end opposite to said nose, said spring being engaged with said latch finger closer to said toe than to said nose.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US77780791A | 1991-10-17 | 1991-10-17 | |
| US07/777,807 | 1991-10-17 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2060713A1 true CA2060713A1 (en) | 1993-04-18 |
Family
ID=25111340
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2060713 Abandoned CA2060713A1 (en) | 1991-10-17 | 1992-02-05 | Umbrella centrepost latch system |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2060713A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE4203636A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2260488A (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2320188A (en) * | 1996-12-13 | 1998-06-17 | Ko Chin Sung | Reinforced inner tube for telescopic umbrella |
-
1992
- 1992-02-03 GB GB9202251A patent/GB2260488A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1992-02-05 CA CA 2060713 patent/CA2060713A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1992-02-08 DE DE19924203636 patent/DE4203636A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2260488A (en) | 1993-04-21 |
| DE4203636A1 (en) | 1993-04-22 |
| GB9202251D0 (en) | 1992-03-18 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US5390686A (en) | Multiple-fold automatic umbrella | |
| US4256320A (en) | Pull handle for roller mounted suitcases | |
| US6016822A (en) | Automatic umbrella with quadruple folds or the like | |
| US5186197A (en) | Collapsible umbrella handle | |
| US10856630B1 (en) | Automatic telescopic pole | |
| US6298863B1 (en) | Cosmetic case having a brush with a sliding cap | |
| EP2082662B1 (en) | Canopy device | |
| US6112755A (en) | Automatic penta-fold umbrella | |
| US5645094A (en) | Multiple-fold automatic umbrella with reinforced ribs and simplified mechanism | |
| US5267583A (en) | Multiple-fold automatic umbrella controlled by single push button | |
| US8011379B2 (en) | Portable and compact umbrella | |
| WO2005102097A3 (en) | Electrical umbrella and canopy mechanism | |
| US20030019514A1 (en) | Protective cover for umbrellas and umbrella with the protective cover fixed thereto | |
| US20090205693A1 (en) | Control device for umbrella | |
| US3901257A (en) | Umbrella | |
| US20040050409A1 (en) | Obstruction-free golf bag umbrella | |
| CA2060713A1 (en) | Umbrella centrepost latch system | |
| US5533535A (en) | Pocketable folding umbrella | |
| US5161562A (en) | Umbrella with simplified automatic closing mechanism | |
| US6047798A (en) | Foldable suitcase having retractable handle device | |
| CA2103959A1 (en) | Simplified fully automatic umbrella | |
| US5297572A (en) | Improved frames of a folded umbrella | |
| US3411519A (en) | Telescopic collapsible umbrella frame | |
| US3699988A (en) | Collapsible umbrella | |
| US6418950B1 (en) | Umbrella having a rotation prevention mechanism |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |