GB2593855A

GB2593855A - Compact inside out umbrella

Info

Publication number: GB2593855A
Application number: GB2000015.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kazim Jenan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-01-02
Filing date: 2020-01-02
Publication date: 2021-10-13
Anticipated expiration: 2040-01-02
Also published as: WO2021136850A1; US20230049060A1; EP4084650A1; JP2023508700A; CN114929061A; GB202000015D0; GB2593855B

Abstract

A folding umbrella comprising a single-piece or telescopic shaft (10, fig 1), three or four sliding runners (11, 12, 13, 14, fig 1) mounted on the shaft that are capable of coupling and uncoupling, sliding connections 23 between primary spokes 18 and secondary spokes19, where the primary spokes support the canopy, the secondary spoke supporting a connector that allows the primary spoke to slide through it, a slider 24 on the secondary spoke that is attached to a further spoke assembly (20, 21, 22) supported by the uppermost sliding runner and to a linkage mechanism that controls the position of the primary spoke, and a further mechanism actuated by the movement of the secondary spoke and connected sliding runner. Also claimed is a frame closure and canopy furling mechanism and a spring latch mechanism

Description

Inside out Compact Umbrella

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The present aspects and embodiments represent currently the best ways known to the applicant of putting the inventions into practice. However, these are not the only ways in which this could be achieved. They are illustrated referring to the drawings, and they will now be described, by way of example only.

Figure 1 and 2 should be observed together. The marking is done on two figures for clarity. Figure 1 shows the sliders movable along the shaft marked 10 which can either be telescopic or non-telescopic. In this example the slider 14 and slider 11 are connected with an outer shaft marked 15. This is may be required if the position of the top slider marked 11 is not fixed. In this example the sliders 13 and 14 have coupling mechanisms which allow them to be coupled and uncoupled depending on their relative position along the shaft. To open the canopy, the sliders 13 and 14 are pushed up the shaft from their starting positions until the slider marked 11 reaches the end stop at the top of the shaft. The sliders marked 12 and 13 are also coupled or uncoupled to connect and disconnect to facilitate the turning of the canopy inside out, facilitate the tensioning of the canopy as well as closing the folded frame and facilitating the furling of the canopy around the frame and the shaft. The secondary spoke 19 supports the primary spoke 18 via sliding pivotal support 23 which allows primary spoke 18 slide through it. The secondary spoke 19 is also connected to the rest of the frame via sliding connection 24 which is free to slide along spoke 19. This unique arrangement allows the frame to expand and tension the canopy and contract sliding the primary spoke 18 along the secondary spoke 19 closing the frame in a compact configuration where the pivot joining the spoke 20 and 18 which also support the canopy is contracted to the bottom of the spoke 19 close to the slider 13. This facilitates the best way of compacting the frame minimizing the size of its close configuration, so that the frame can be pull trough confined spaces such as the closing car door. The compactness of the frame holds the canopy substantially firm minimizing the risk of water spilling out of the canopy. The relative movement of sider 13 to slider 12 facilitates the rotation of spoke 18 and 19 and relative movement of 12 and 11 facilitates tensioning or releasing tension in the canopy. There are a number of different ways the internal framing structures can be arranged to mobilize the spoke 20 which is pivotally connected to primary spoke 18 and spoke 21 pivotally connected via the sliding support 24 to supporting spoke 18. These are explained in the following text referring to the drawings.

Figure 2 shows the main spokes of the frame. The primary spokes support and tension the canopy are marked 18 and 20. The secondary spoke which supports the primary spoke marked 19. Spoke marked 21 facilitates the rotation of the secondary spoke 19 to open and closed configuration. Spoke marked 22 rotates the spoke marked 21 to open and closed configuration. The movement of the sliders 11,12 and 13 relative to each other facilitates turning of the canopy inside out, opening the frame, tensioning the canopy, releasing the canopy tensioning, turning the canopy outside which is the wet side of the canopy inwards so that dry side of the canopy is on the outside ready to furl around the frame and the shaft.

Figure 3 and 4 and 5 should be observed together. The marking is done on three figures for clarity. Figure 3 is a larger view of the parts shown in figure 4 for clarity. It is a unique feature of the invention that the primary spoke 118 can slide through the connector 123 which is attached to the secondary spoke 119. The connector 123 can rotate in the plane of the movement of spokes 118 and 119. This invention also uniquely has a sliding connector marked U4 which can move along the secondary spoke 119. This sliding connector connects the Spokes 119 and 121 as well as the spokes 119 and 127. When the frame is in closed configuration the slider 113 is latched to the shaft in location close to the handle. When the latch is released and the slider 113 is pushed along the shaft away from the handle, the sliders slider 14 shown in figure 1 is pulled along because the sliders 14 and 113 are coupled together. The movement of 14 pushes the top slider 111 up the shaft because 1 1 1 and 14 are attached with the connector 15. When slider 1 1 1 reaches a stopper close to the top of the shaft, the coupling between 14 and 113 is released and 113 moves up the shaft towards slider 112. This movement facilitates a rotation of the secondary spoke 119 relative to spoke 121 which also rotates the primary spoke 118 so that the tip of the spoke is close or beyond the horizontal relative to the shaft. The tip of the primary spokes is connected to the circumference of the canopy marked 125.

The relative rotation between spokes 119 and 121 also pulls the connector 127 which in turn pulls the link 128 between 121 and 120. In this example the connector 126 allows the spoke 120 slide through it. The link 128 is attached to spoke 121 so that it can rotate in the plane of the opening frame relative to 121. This rotation lifts the spoke 120 away from 121 which also lift the primary spoke 118. The lengths of 120 and 121 is selected to fully stretch the canopy 125 to the curvature required.

Movement of slider 113 which at this stage is coupled with 112 and together they are pushed towards the slider 111 tensioning the canopy in the open configuration. The spring 129 facilitates auto rotation of the spokes 121 towards 122 pulling the sliding connector 124 along the secondary spoke 119 towards the shaft facilitating the auto closing mechanism. To close the frame, the sliders 112 and 113 are pulled downwards along the shaft towards the handle. This movement initiates the closing mechanism of the frame, pulling the primary spoke inwards towards the shaft so that it can flip pass the horizontal configuration of the frame turning the canopy dry side out which is also referred to inside out. When the frame and canopy is beyond this stage the sliders 112 and 113 are uncoupled. Further movement of slider 113 towards the slider 14 which at this stage is latched to the shaft This movement rotates the secondary spokes 119 and primary scopes 118 upwards towards the shaft closing the frame. Further movement of slider 113 couples with slider 14 and disengages it from the shaft and move towards the close configuration of the frame and the canopy which have the dry side of the canopy on the outside and wet enclosed on the inside.

There are several ways the linkage systems can be achieved, and further alternatives are shown with examples on figures, 6 7, 8 and 15.

Figure 6 is the same as figure 5 and it is only shown on for comparison with figure 7 and figure 8 which show two other ways of organising the linkage system. In figure 7 the spoke 220 is in two parts 220 and 220a. These two parts are connected so that they can rotate relative to each other with the plane of the frame. The connector 232 does not allow the spoke 220 to slide through it but it allows the link 128 rotate with relative to 220. On the other end the link 128 is same as explained in figure 3. It is attached to spoke 121 and it rotates relative to it lining and up and forward the spoke 220 and 220a. In this option the length of 220a expands as it rotates from close to open configuration lifting and pushing the connection between 220 and 218 further. In figure 8 another option is shown which achieves the same as the configuration in figure 7 by keeping the spoke 220 one piece and making the connector 231 sliding type which allows the spoke 121 slide through it.

Figure 9 shows the mechanism that help fully close the frame and help furl the canopy around the frame and the shaft. On this option when the sliders 312 and 313 are uncoupled, the slider 312 is restrained by the frame or an obstacle on the shaft to that it can not slide downwards towards the handle, the slider 313 which is being pulled by the user moves along the shaft. The closure and furling frame which is made from rotating component 332 which is supported by 331 with a connector 333 which allows 332 to slide through it. When the slider 313 moves down away slider 312 the rotating component 332 rotates upwards being pulled in towards the shaft by 331. The rotating component 332 can have an arc shaped part which is shown in figure 13 as 538. As 332 rotates up towards to the shaft, the secondary spoke and primary spoke and all other linkages makes up the umbrella frame are enclosed within being pushed towards the shaft. The hook 538 also facilitates the furling of the canopy around the frame and the shaft. Once the slider 313 is pulled as far as possible and latched on to the shaft. The closed configuration will remain.

Figure 10 shows the closure and furling mechanism in partly closed configuration. It also shows a spring 334 which can make the process of closing the mechanism automatic. This is achieved because when the slider 313 is pushed up towards the stationary slider 312 which is someway attached to the shaft, the spring is energised. When 313 and 312 are coupled together the energised spring energy is locked in within the coupled 312 and 313 sliders until it is released again on the way down when the sliders are uncoupled. This is an innovative process of closing the frame and furling the canopy and holding it in closed configuration without using the industry standard method of using hands to hold the frame and furling the canopy using hands and using a wrapping a strap around the canopy to hold it in closed configuration.

Figures 11 and 12 shows a different option of achieving the same objective as demonstrated in figures 9 and 10. hi this case the slider 412 extends through the slider 413 and it is shaped to extend outwards as shown marked 436. The rotating component 432 with and arc shaped part marked 435 is connected to slider 413. When 413 and 412 are uncoupled and 413 moves downwards the handle the rotating component 432 pushes against the part 436 which is part of the slider 412. This rotates 432 up towards the shaft rotating and pushing the secondary spoke 419, primary spoke 418 and all other associated frame parts towards the shaft to their closed configuration. The rotation of the component 432 and the connected part 435 which can also have an arc shaped part in circumferential direction as shown in figure 13 marked 538 contains the frame in its closed configuration as well as the arc 538 furling the canopy around the frame and the shaft. In closed configuration the slider 413 is also latched to the shaft which ensures that the frame remains enclosed and the canopy furled.

Figure 13 shows the closing canopy marked 537 and furling component 538.

Figure 14 shows the spring latch mechanism. This is an innovation to latch the slider 612 in fully open configurations with the canopy in tension. In this innovation the latch is not connected to the shaft but it is able to move down the shaft against the spring 639. As the canopy and the frame is pushed upwards by the wind, the frame pushes the sliders 612 and 613 which are coupled at this stage downwards. The downward movement of the sliders 612 and 613 retracts the frame and the canopy inwards reducing the size of the canopy exposed to the wind which in turn reduces the wind force. The shape of the canopy also changes reducing the wind force. The sliders move downwards against the spring force which pulls back the sliders to their equilibrium position stretching the canopy back to its open configurations. The spacer between 612 and 611 is in two parts. Part 640 which contains the latch 642 and connected to one end of the spring and part 641 which can be part of 611 which also supports the other end of the spring.

Figure 15 is another alternative option in the framing mechanism. It shows the same frame as shown in figure 5 but in this case the connector 726 do not allow the spoke 720 to slide through it. However, the connection 726a which is connection between 728 and 721 allows 721 to slide through it. When 727 moves the slider 726a, the link between 720 and 721 alters the position of 726 either lifting it up to open configuration or brings it down to closed configuration.

Figure 16 is another alternative option in the framing mechanism. In this figure another frame configuration is presented that achieve the same objectives with simple framing arrangement. In this case the spoke 1822 that rotates the spoke 2821 to tension the canopy in its open configuration and rotates the spoke 1821 towards the shaft to close the frame, sliding the sliding connection 1824 long the spoke 1819 towards the shaft. When the frame is in closed configuration, the sliding support 1824 is at the bottom end of the spoke 1819 and close to slider 1813. The spoke 1822 is pivotally supported by the spoke 1821 and the slider 1812 but uniquely extends beyond the pivotal connection on 1821 to the pivotal connection connecting 1822 to 1820. The part of the 1822 spoke extending beyond the pivotal connection to 1821 is marked as 1822a. This configuration actuates a movement in the spoke 1820 as a function of the angular movement of 1822 relative to 1821. The spacer connector 1827 which is pivotally connected to 1821 and 1820 ensures that the spoke 1820 is in the right orientation to tension and give the canopy required shape. 1827 also ensures that the spoke 1820 is pulled back towards 1821 which consequently pulls back the primary slider 1818, collapsing the frame into closed configuration with the inner end of the primary spoke which is attached to the canopy pulling into a position close to slider 1813. In closed configuration all the frame spokes are compacted close to the shaft. When slider 1813 pushed towards 1812 the secondary support spoke 1819 rotates away from the shaft opening the frame with the tip of the primary spoke and the canopy edge it is attached rotating away from the shaft. The initial distance between 1813 and 1812 is important to ensure that as 1813 and 1812 are coupled and moving together up the shaft the tip of the primary spoke and the edge of the canopy has rotated more that 90 degrees from the shaft so that the canopy edge does not restrain further movement. As the two sliders 1813 and 1812 continue moving up the shaft 1822 rotates, moving 1820 extending the primary spoke and with the slider 1824 being pushed up the secondary slider towards 1823 fully tensions the canopy. Further movement upwards is prevented by the spring 1811a or 1819a or both. The spacers 1813a and 1813b are telescopically connected to the slider 1813. As the slider 1813 pulled down the shaft to close the frame and the canopy, the slider 1812 also moves down and the spacing between the sliders 1813 and 1812 when the frame is in closed configuration is defined by the lengths of the telescopic spacers 1813a and 1813b. The slider 1812 is designed to be movable along the spacers but being restrained by the spacer 1813b near the top end of the spacer in closed configuration. The stiffness of the spring 1811a and spring 1819a when used in combination or when using either 1811a or 1819a alone defines the stiffness of the frame to uplifting force in open configuration This feature can be used to minimize the possibility of the primary spokes and canopy turning inside out by the wind when the umbrella is being used in open configuration.

Figure 17 is another alternative option in the framing mechanism. In this figure yet another frame configuration is presented that achieve the same objectives with simple framing arrangement. This configuration is similar to framing shown in figure 16 accept the spoke 822 is only pivotally connected between slider 812 and spoke 821 and does not extend beyond 821. The connector 827 is also pivotally connecting spoke 820 and the slider 824 which can slide along the spoke 819. This arrangement creates a further coupling between the primary spoke 818 and secondary supporting spoke 819. This arrangement alters the way the frame reacts to the wind forces.

Figure 18 shows the canopy 1841 over the framing arrangement presented in Figure 16 but it is also applicable to other framing arrangements presented.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described by way of reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows one of the options of the configuration of the sliders along the shaft.

Although on these drawings the shaft is shown in one piece it can also be telescopic.

Figure 2 Shows the shaft and the sliders same as in figure 1 but also shows the primary spoke, secondary spoke and spokes and linkages involved in the tensioning and inversion mechanism.

Figure 3 Shows in detail, the linkage mechanism involved in the tensioning and inversion mechanism.

Figure 4 and 5 Shows the primary spokes, secondary spokes, the inversion and tensioning mechanism in two stages of opening. Figure 4 is an intermediate stage and figure 5 shows the frame close to final stage of the opening and tensioning.

Figure 6 is same as figure 5 and only shown for comparison on this page with Figure 7 and Figure 8.

Figure 7 and figure 8 show two further alternatives to the tensioning mechanism shown in Figure 5 and 6. These are some examples of tensioning mechanism but there are others.

Figure 9 and figure 10 show one of the mechanisms that can be utilised to achieve substantial closing of the frame and winding of the canopy in close configuration Figure 11 and 12 shows an alternative method to achieve substantial closing of the frame and winding of the canopy in close configuration.

Figure 13 shows a typical shape of the canopy in the process of closing and the mechanism that substantially facilitates the winding of the flaps of the canopy around the shaft.

Figure 14 shows a spring mechanism which allows the primary support sliders to move along the shaft retracting the primary spokes supporting the canopy.

Figure 15 shows another alternative to tensioning mechanism.

Figure 16 shows another embodiment of this invention.

Figure 17 shows another embodiment of this innovation.

Figure 18 shows the arrangement of the canopy over the frame in open configuration.

Claims

Claims I. An inside out folding umbrella that comprises a. One shaft which can be telescopic or one piece b. 4 sliders along the shaft which have coupling and uncoupling features. Bottom slider is only required if the movement of the top slider is controlled by the bottom slider. Otherwise, only 3 sliders are required to control the tension coupling and uncoupling mechanism.c. Sliding connections between primary and secondary spokes. Primary spokes support the canopy. The secondary spoke support the primary spoke with a connector that allows primary spoke through it.d. A slider along the secondary support spoke which is connected to a spoke supported by the top slider on the shaft and connected to a linkage mechanism that actuates a movement that controls the position of the primary spoke e. A mechanism that is actuated by the rotation of the secondary support spoke and the slider on it relative to the spoke that supported by the top slider on the shaft on one end and connected to the slider on the secondary spoke on the other end.
2. A frame closure and canopy furling mechanism comprise f Rotating component rotates up towards the shaft to close the frame and the canopy to contain and lock in position the framework b. A circumferential component attached to the rotating component so that as the component rotates and closes on to the shaft the canopy furls around the frame as well as the shaft.Spring latch mechanism that creates a returning spring force which allows the frame to move from its open configuration to minimise the wind force and return to its equilibrium position. It comprises h. Two-piece elastic spacer. One piece can be connected to the top slider on the shaft and supports one ned of a spring.i. The second piece contains a latch in it end supports the other end of the spring