GB2165448A

GB2165448A - An umbrella frame

Info

Publication number: GB2165448A
Application number: GB08424089A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Liam Forde
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-09-24
Filing date: 1984-09-24
Publication date: 1986-04-16
Also published as: GB2165448B; GB8424089D0

Abstract

In an umbrella frame the pivotal couplings between the ribs (20) and the notch member (12), and between the stretchers (18) and the slider member (13) each comprise enlargements 45, 57 respectively at the end of the rib (20) or stretcher (18), trapped between upper and lower parts of the respective notch (12) or slider (13) member. The umbrella frame is non-metallic. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Umbrella This invention relates to umbrellas and more particularly, but not exclusively, to umbrellas of the larger kind, sometimes called goif umbrellas.

One object of the invention is to provide a construction conveniently adapted for the use of plastic materials.

A common form of construction presently used requires the connection oi ribs at the top notch member by a wire and a similar connection of the stretchers at the slider member. A particular object of the invention is to provide a simple construction obviating the need for these wire connections.

With the above objects in view the invention provides an umbrella having a shaft, ribs pivoted to atop notch member of the shaft, a slider member movable along the shaft and stretchers pivoted to the slider and to the ribs: all of the shaft, top notch member, ribs, slided member and stretchers being non-metallic; the top notch and slide member being each formed with upper and lower parts concentric with the shaft and capable of being secured in predetermined relationship, the ribs being connected to the top notch member, and the stretchers to the slider members, by end enlargements of disc or spherical shape trapped between the two parts of the member and capable of movement relative thereto.

Preferably both the top notch and slider members provide radial slots for guidance of the ribs and stretchers in radial planes.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of an umbrella, with a single rib and stretcher shown; Figure 2 is a side elevation, partly in longitudinal section, of a top notch member showing certain parts spaced from one another, and showing also the end portions of two co-operating ribs; Figure 3 is a plan view of the lowermost part of the top notch assembly; Figure 4 shows the slider member partly in side elevation and partly in iongitudinal section, the parts being separated: the end portions of two cooperating stretchers are shown; Figure 5 is a plan view seen from below of the upper part of the slider member; Figure 6 is a plan view of the middle part of the slider member; Figure 7 is a plan view from below of a third part of the slider member; and Figure 8 is a view of an end portion of a stretcher seen in the direction of the arrow A in Figure 4.

Referring to the drawings, the umbrella construc- tion illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a central shaft 10, conveniently a GRP tube, having a handle 11 fixed at one end and a top notch member designated generally 12 fixed at the other. A slider member designated generally 13 is movable along the shaft between a lower position where it engages a lower spring 14 and an upper position where it engages an upper spring 15. Stretchers 18 are pivotally connected to the slider member 13, and to pivotal joints 19 part way along the ribs 20, which are pivotally connected at the top to the top notch member 12. A cushion in the form of an elastomeric collar 22 is provided on the shaft 10 under the top notch member 12. A sleeve 23 is provided on the shaft close to the handle to engage the tips 24 on the ends of the ribs 20.The construction so far described is conventional, and in so far as detail of the members 12 and 13 is shown in Figure 1 it does not conform to that of later figures.

Turning now to the remaining figures, which illustrate the invention, and in particular to Figures 2 and 3, the top notch member designated generally 12 comprises a cap 30 screwed to an upper part 31 which in turn is screwed on to a lower part 32 which is located in position on the shaft 10. The part 32 comprises an annular base 33 with a flat top 34 formed with a series of part spherical recesses 35 arranged concentrically each communicating with a radial slot 36. An exteriorly threaded axial flange 37 upstands from the base 33 to surround the shaft 10, and an annular groove 38 is formed around the flange.

The upper part 31 is of disc formation, with a central threaded bore 40 for threaded engagement with the flange 37. An annular groove 42 of partcircular cross-section is formed on the underside of the part 31 in alignment with the recesses 35 in the lower part 32.

The part 31 presents a downwardly directed annular projection 43 to enter the groove 38 in the lower part 32 on assembly.

Each rib 20 carries at its end a spherical enlargement 45. The enlargement 45 and the recesses 35, are complementary. On assembly, the ribs 20 are located with the enlagement 45 in the recesses 35, and the ribs extending through the slots 36. The upper part 31 is then screwed on to the flange 37 until the projection 43 seats in the groove 38, when the upper portions of the enlargemerits 45 extend into the groove 42. The enlargements are then trapped in position while yet capable of limited movement. The top notch member 12 thus in effect provides a ball joint for each rib 20 and the slots 36 guide the ribs for movement in a radial plane.

An externally threaded upward axial extension 48 on the upper part 31 carries the cap 30. The shaft 10 extends through the member 12 to the upper end of bore 40.

Referring now to Figures 4 to 8, the slider member 13 there shown comprises an upper part 50, a middle part 51, and a lower part 52 providing a sleeve 53 to be grasped by the hand. The upper part is formed with concentrically arranged cylindrical recesses 54 communicating with radial slots 55 to receive disc-like end enlargements 57 on the stretchers 18. The upper part 50 has also an axial flange 60 surrounding the shaft, which is externally threaded at 61. The flange 60 passes through a central aperture 62 in the middle part 51 and on assembly engages threads 63 formed in a counter bore in the lower part 52.

The middle part 51 has concentrically arranged part-cylindrical recesses 65 which correspond to those of the upper part 50.

On assembly, the cylindrical enlargements 57 on the stretchers 18 are inserted into the recesses 54 and 65 in the upper and middle parts 50 and 51, with the stretchers extending through the slots 55. The lower part 52 is then screwed on to the flange 60.

The enlagements 57 on the stretchers 18 are then trapped in the slider member 13, and guided for angular movement in radial planes by the cooperation of the enlagements 57 with the cylindrical recesses 54,65 and also by the slots 55.

An axial annular projection 67 on the flat bottom of the middle part 51 enters a corresponding groove 68 on the flat top of the part 52, to help rigidify the assembly.

The ribs 20 and stretchers 18 are preferably GRP rods. The enlargements 45 and 57 may be polypopylene injection mouldings secured by epoxy adhesive. All parts of the top notch and slider members are preferably injection moulded on polypopylene, although other plastic materials of engineering quality can be used.

In place of the threaded connections shown the mating parts may be push-fitted and secured by epoxy adhesive.

In the construction illustrated the ribs 20 have spherical enlargements 45 and the stretchers 18 cylindrical enlargements 57: both could be cylindrical, or spherical, orthe arrangement shown can be inverted.

The joint 19 could, if desired, be constructed as a ball and socket or similar joint.

In the entire construction the only metal part are the springs 14 and 15.

The construction illustrated is particularly suitable for a golf umbrella where thunder-storms may be encountered on open ground, with attendant risk of lightning strike. The risk is reduced by the use of non-metallic components.

Claims

1. An umbrella having a shaft, ribs pivoted to a top notch member on the shaft, a slider member movable along the shaft and stretchers pivoted to the slider and to the ribs: all of the shaft, top notch member, ribs, slider member and stretchers being non-metallic; the top notch and slider member being each formed with upper and lower parts concentric with the shaft and capable of being secured in predetermined relationship, the ribs being connected to the top notch member, and the stretchers to the slider members, by end enlargements of disc or spherical shape trapped between the parts of the member and capable of movement relative thereto.

2. An umbrella as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the top notch member has its lower part formed with radial slots to guide the ribs in radial planes.

3. An umbrella as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the slider member has its upper part formed with radial slots to guide the stretchers in radial planes.

4. An umbrella as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein one said member comprises three parts, the aforesaid upper and lower parts and a third part, the parts being assembled in axial alignment, the upper and lower parts having aligned recesses to receive the end enlargements, with the third part at one end threadedly connected to the part at the other end to trap the remaining part between them.

5. An umbrella as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the upper and lower parts of one said member threadedly connected, one part having recesses to receive the end enlargements and the other having an annular groove.

6. An umbrella as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein recesses are complementary to the shape of the corresponding end enlargements.