FOLDING UMBRELLA THAT HAS MECHANISM PE OPENING AND CLOSURE OPERATED ELECTRICALLY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the field of manual electric umbrellas. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are two main types of linkages used in portable umbrellas: one includes a plurality of full-length radial bars (i.e., which extend in one piece each from the center of the web to the circumference of the web). ), which allows the fabric to be folded with its radio lines remaining in full length adjacent to, and parallel to, the cane of the umbrella. The other type includes a plurality of partial length rods, that is, they do not extend in a single piece from the center of the fabric to the circumference of the fabric, but rather comprise at least one rod segment of a length that it is about half the length of a radial line, or less, which allows the fabric to bend twice or more along its radius lines. Non-telescopic umbrellas, which have folding cloths of the first type, are sometimes called "parasols with walking stick", because their post, along with the handle, can be as long as a walking stick and, According to various umbrella designs, it can actually be used as a
walking stick. In the parasols of the second type, however, the post is formed regularly telescopically, so that, when the fabric is folded, it is possible to reduce the length of the post to match the length of the folded fabric. Umbrellas having a second type of fabric (hereinafter referred to as "multi-folding umbrellas") can also be divided into two main groups: one group includes manually operated folding umbrellas, and the other includes so-called "umbrellas". automatic ". The so-called automatic umbrellas are actually automatic only in the opening direction, since their automation is commonly achieved by releasing the energy of a compressed spring that pushes the fabric rods to open and that (according to some of the various umbrella designs) automatic), also drives the telescopic pole to open. Once the spring is released from an automatic umbrella (that is, forced to open the umbrella), no additional automation is available, and the spring must be manually retracted when the umbrella is folded. In addition to the problem of having the automation only in the opening direction, the spring loaded umbrellas are also uncomfortable and sometimes also dangerous, due to the uncontrolled release of the spring. While in the first mentioned type the length of the folded umbrella can not be less than the length of a rod (assuming that the cane of the umbrella shortens, or could
otherwise shortened to the length of a rod), in the second type of umbrella the length of the folded umbrella may be a fraction of a rod length, for example, one-half or one-third, or a quarter of a a rod of full length, according to the number of segments of a rod, and assuming that the cane of the umbrella could be shortened along the length of a rod segment. Normally in both types of actual length of a folded umbrella also includes the length of a handle located on the bottom of the cane, and protruding beyond the folded fabric, as well as the length of a top cap, located at the upper end of the cane, to secure and close the upper end of the cloth. For several decades, efforts have been made to develop umbrellas that can be opened automatically, and many of those umbrellas can be found in markets around the world. Its automation is based on the strength of one or more compressed springs, which can be released (by pressing a trigger button) to simultaneously operate a fabric and a telescopic pole of the umbrella from a closed state, to an open state. When the umbrella is manually closed, the spring is retracted by the manual force of the user and, in this way, activated for another automatic opening. The advantage of these umbrellas is that they can be opened automatically by a single manual operation. One disadvantage is that they can not be closed automatically, and that they require both hands of the user to
close the umbrella and retract the spring. Another disadvantage is that the operation of the spring is uncontrolled and that, once fired, it can not be stopped, for example, when it is triggered accidentally, or in order to avoid hitting people who are in the vicinity, or who causes damage to the owner . The sudden expansion of the rod and stick are unpleasant for the user and unsafe if they are not carried out very carefully. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0131875 discloses an umbrella, intended to allow the automatic closure of the umbrella, which includes its telescopic pole, by means of one-hand operation, without clamping or otherwise securing the handle of the umbrella . As noted before, this can not be achieved in umbrellas that incorporate automatic closing with automatic opening function. However, it should be noted that, in order to allow full automatic closure of the fabric and the telescopic mast, US 2003/0131875 renounces the automatic opening function of the umbrella. It will also be appreciated that whenever the automation of the umbrella is based on the force of a compressed spring, full automation can not be obtained, since it will always be necessary to retract the spring with the manual force of the user for the next operation. Therefore, it has been concluded that a fully automatic mechanism can be obtained to open and close an umbrella only through the use of storage
of mobile power, which is not a spring, so that no manual power is required to recharge it. Said energy storage can be a container of compressed gas, or, for example, an electric battery that can be replaced or recharged after several opening and closing operations. U.S. Patent No. 5,291,908 describes in its figures 5 to 20 two modalities of open and closed, fully automatic umbrella, in which the cloth and the post are folded simultaneously. However, its rods can not be bent twice and, therefore, the folded umbrella can not be shorter than the full length of a rod, even when the mast is shortened during folding. In addition, the umbrella mast has slots on opposite sides, along most of its wall length (shown as 41 and 45 in Figure 19), where a first pair of slots, formed in the upper part of the telescopic pole are necessary to allow the connection between the donut-shaped collar (37), and the actuator mechanism that is inside the mast; while another pair of grooves, formed in the lower part of the telescopic pole, is necessary to allow the insertion of the lower part, telescopically, inside the upper part, through its part 16, shown in figure 5. Since umbrellas are naturally used in aqueous environments, it seems to be necessary, in the sunshade post, that as far as possible the mechanism accommodated therein is protected against the penetration of water. The penetration
of water and dust or dirt can be harmful to the mechanical parts as well as to the electrical component, and to its proper operation. U.S. Patent No. 6,543,464 avoids the need for said grooves along the arrow, as explained in column 7, lines 8-10. However, the umbrella mast is at its maximum length when the fabric is closed as shown in Figure 25 of US Patent No. 6,543,464; while in the open state of the fabric, the mast is in its shortest state. GB 2228674 describes various modalities of electric umbrella comprising flexible actuator means. In some embodiment (described by Figures 1 to 14 and 19 to 20 of GB 2228674) the umbrella has a non-collapsible umbrella post. In the other embodiment (Figures 15 to 18 of GB 2228674), the electric umbrella is shown having a double-section telescopic pole. As can be understood from the description of GB 2228674, this modality absolutely lacks reproductivity. In fact, the umbrella comprises a pole having upper and lower telescopic sections 1", movable with respect to each other by means of a threaded transmission 60, and is challenged by moving the cloth plate 6 by means of a medium. flexible actuator 22. With reference to figures 15 and 16 of said publication, it can be seen that the flexible actuator means 22 is connected, at a first end, to a block 61.; and at a second end, to a nut 62, fixed to the lower end of
the upper telescopic section 1 '. By studying the mechanism it can be seen that, on the one hand, the distance between the block 61 and the nut 62 is changeable by the rotation of the threaded rod 60; while, on the other hand, the length of the flexible actuator means 22, between its first end secured to the block 61 and its second end secured to the nut 62, is fixed. The lack of reproducibility of this configuration is associated with the following: While the distance between the two ends of the flexible actuator means 22 changes during the telescopic movement of the post, due to the dynamic change in the distance between the block 61 and the nut 62, there is no respective change in the length of the flexible actuator means itself. Assuming that the length of the flexible actuator means 22 equals the shortest distance available, between the block 61 and the nut 62, the flexible actuator means 22 would be loosened (thereby loosening the fastening of the bolster plate 6) when the distance between the block 61 and the nut 62 increase during the respective movement of the telescopic sections. Alternatively, assuming that the length of the flexible actuator means 22 is equal to the longest distance available between the block 61 and the nut 62, the flexible actuator means 22 would prevent the change in the distance between the block 61 and the nut 62 (thus preventing the respective movement of the telescopic sections), or it would break. This problem has not been identified by GB 2228674, and a way of compensating the length of the flexible actuator means against the change has not been described.
dynamic in the distance between block 61 and nut 62. DE 3737347 illustrates a telescopic umbrella that no longer needs to be closed by hand, but can be closed by an electric motor operated by batteries, which is accommodated in the handle of the umbrella; while the umbrella is opened by means of springs that were put under tension during the closing of the umbrella by the engine. Similar to US Patent No. 5,291, 908, mentioned further back, the mechanism uses slots 8 in the upper part of the post 7, so as to allow connection between the outer collar 3 and the drive mechanism that is inside the post. As far as can be understood from the description of DE 3737347, the slots 8 are spirals around the length of the hollow cylinder 7 that forms the upper part of the umbrella post. The folding of the umbrella is divided into two separate stages. In the first stage both parts of the umbrella post, that is, the hollow cylinder 7 and the mast 2, have to rotate simultaneously. No means is described to prevent the fabric of the umbrella from rotating and, therefore, to eliminate movement between the fabric and the cylinder 7. Furthermore, it does not describe how toothed wheel 1 1 works and if it can affect it, and how , the rotation of the hollow cylinder 7, in which it is accommodated. Furthermore, it is not understood from the description to which part of the umbrella the strings 5 are connected at their upper end, and what function they would fulfill in operation. It can not be understood from the description where the springs are located, which are the
responsible for the forces necessary to close the umbrella, what stretches them during the closing operation, and how they are incorporated in the total mechanism. Furthermore, it can not be understood if the motor must be activated to open the umbrella, or if the umbrella is opened only by the force of the springs. Although attempts to provide automatically operated umbrellas have been directed in the patent literature, and there are on the market umbrellas with multiple pleated fabrics, operated manually, it seems to be necessary in the art to provide an electric umbrella having a "pleated fabric". multiple "that can be opened completely and closed automatically. Brief description of the invention Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-pleated umbrella, which opens and closes in a fully automatic manner, which can simultaneously fold both the sunshade cane and the fabric. This object is achieved according to the invention by means of a parasol with multiple pleated fabric, which opens and closes automatically, comprising: a telescopic pole comprising a first telescopic section and a second telescopic section; an electric motor, located in a handle of the umbrella; a movable slide along the first telescopic section;
a transmission arrow, operatively coupled to the electric motor and extending along at least a part of the pole, and having a nut connected to the first telescopic section, so that the pole can be shortened or extended by making rotating the transmission arrow in one of two respective rotation directions; a sliding actuator mechanism, coupled with the slide and with the second telescopic section, for moving the slide along the first telescopic section, at the same time as the first telescopic section moves with respect to the second telescopic section; a multiple folding fabric, comprising: a plurality of angularly spaced rods, or upper rod levers, pivotally connected to an upper connecting hub, at one end of the first telescopic section remote from the handle; and a plurality of rod struts, angularly spaced and pivotally connected about the slider; so that, when the transmission shaft is rotated in a first direction, the cane is extended and the slide is moved upward and open the multiple pleat fabric; and when the drive shaft is rotated in an opposite direction, the pole is shortened and the slide is moved downwardly and closes the multiple pleat fabric. The plurality of angularly spaced rods is used, in
the modalities of fabric of the class that has direct connection of the rods to the upper connection hub. The upper rod levers, angularly spaced, are used in the fabric modalities of the class that has the rods connected to the upper connection hub, through the upper rod levers, that is, they are located from above the rods . According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the slide actuator mechanism comprises: an upper cord passing through the end of the first telescopic section, and anchored at one end to a first end of the second telescopic section, and anchored at the opposite end, to the slide; and a lower cord passing through a second end of the first telescopic section, remote from the first end, and anchored at one end to the first end of the second telescopic section, and anchored at its opposite end, to the slide. Consequently, the telescopic sections are provided with spacers to space an outer wall of the first telescopic section, of the inner wall of the second telescopic section, and allow the cord to be accommodated therein, without interfering with the telescopic movement between the two sections. telescopic Another option is when the telescopic sections are provided with a longitudinal indentation to separate an outer wall of the first telescopic section, from an inner wall of the second telescopic section, which allows to accommodate
the cord in it, without interfering with the telescopic movement of the two telescopic sections. Preferably the multi-folds umbrella of the present invention is provided with a nulling arrangement to allow manual operation of the umbrella. For example, according to a preferred embodiment, the slide comprises a first part connected to the rod struts, and a second part (according to the modality described in the chapter of the detailed description, is called "slide skeleton") connected to the sliding actuator mechanism, and which is fixed to the first part, so that, by separating the first and second parts of the slider, the rod struts can be manually moved and, therefore, can be opened and closed manually the canvas. According to several preferred embodiments of the present
Invention, the multiple-pleat fabric consists of rod sections and / or straps made and formed by aluminum molding.
According to other preferred embodiments, the molding is effected by an aluminum polymer-powder injection process. In accordance with other embodiments, the rods or the struts are made of mixed materials. According to other embodiments, they are made of aluminum and are formed by aluminum extrusion processes, having a preferred average wall thickness of about 1 millimeter or more.
According to several preferred embodiments of the present invention, the multiple-pleat fabric includes sections of rods and / or braces made of aluminum, having a wall thickness of between 0.8 and 1.6 millimeters. According to several preferred embodiments of the present invention, the umbrella includes a battery compartment, located inside the handle. According to other additional embodiments, the battery compartment is in electrical communication with a female terminal, adapted to receive a male terminal of a power source for recharging the batteries. According to several preferred embodiments, the battery compartment is located removably within the main handle, and can be removed for replacement with a similar, removable battery compartment having fresh batteries. According to several preferred embodiments of the present invention, the electric umbrella additionally comprises a load recognition circuit, which stops the motor (disconnecting battery power) when it recognizes an increase in motor current, beyond a threshold predetermined. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the load recognition circuit is used not only to protect the motor, but also to automatically stop the motor once the fabric reaches its state
completely open, or once the canvas reaches its totally closed state; where in both states the engine is being physically blocked so that its revolution does not continue; which, in turn, causes an increase in the motor current; In this way, it activates the load recognition circuit which, in turn, disconnects the power supply to the motor. According to several modalities, the electric circuit of the umbrella is designed in such a way that each activation of the load recognition circuit (which in normal circumstances is equivalent to the completion of the operations of total opening or total closure of the umbrella) reverses the polarity of the power connection to the engine, so that, on the next activation by the user, the engine revolves in the opposite direction with respect to its last operation. Thanks to this arrangement, the umbrella can be provided with only one switch for both opening and closing operations, which are automatically switched on their paper, after each operation. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the umbrella additionally comprises location recognizing means, which allow the quick location of the umbrella. The location recognition means consist of a first and a second electronic circuit; the first of which is fixed to, or located within, the umbrella; and the second one is retained by the user; where an alarm or a "bis" sound is generated (a) when the communication between the two circuits is lost (in
whose case the alarm will occur in the circuit retained by the user); or (b) when an activation command is activated, generated by the user, in order to locate the umbrella (in that case, the alarm will occur in the circuit fixed to the umbrella). Preferably each umbrella will have its unique identification code, so that one can locate and recognize the own umbrella between a plurality of similar umbrellas. The location recognition circuit is preferably driven by an inherent battery, that is, separated from the main sunshade battery, in order to allow the location of the umbrella even in case the main battery is dead. Consequently, the location recognition circuit can be placed in the upper portion of the umbrella, near the center of elevation, and distant from the handle of the umbrella, in which the main battery is located. A concealed department can be designed in the upper portion of the umbrella, above the upper connection cube, to place miniaturized electronic circuits, useful for various applications, such as the location detector that activates the alarm when the RF connection is lost. (according to other modalities, the ultrasonic connection), with a corresponding circuit retained by the user (also useful as an anti-theft alarm), or as an umbrella identifier that turns on a blinking LED light (according to other modes, a sound of bis, or a combination of sound and light) when requested by a remote control carried by the user, in order to locate the
umbrella and / or identify it among other similar umbrellas; or such as an emergency light that can be activated by a remote control carried by the user; or such as a flashing security light, useful to make the user notice when walking in the dark. Such multiple service electronic circuits may be powered by inherent miniature batteries, or by wires passing through the hollow pole of the umbrella. According to various modalities, the umbrella is provided with decorative lighting, for example, by means of LEDs. Said light may be distributed on the fabric by means of optical fibers. According to several preferred embodiments, the umbrella of the present invention is provided with a battery recharger having an integral power connector concealed within the handle, and which can be removed, opened or unfolded to be connected to an outlet. According to several preferred embodiments, the umbrella of the present invention can cooperate with a remote controller by means of wireless communication means located in a concealed compartment, preferably above the upper connection hub. The umbrella may also have a voice or sonic alarm, indicating various abnormal conditions that may occur during its use, and that are recognizable by its sensors and circuits.
electronic multipurpose In accordance with various preferable embodiments, the handle is cushioned or may have cushioning protection against fall damage. According to various modalities, the umbrella of the present invention additionally comprises foldable or unfolding legs, accommodated in the handle, and useful for placing the umbrella in a vertical position. Thus, according to the invention, the cane and the fabric can be folded simultaneously (in the context of the present invention the simultaneous closure of the umbrella cane and the fabric refers to the simultaneous beginning and end of the folding and opening). of both, in such a way that you do not have to wait for the complete fold of the fabric beyond the end of the folding of the cane, or vice versa), and that the total length of the folded parasol is less than the total length of a cloth rod. . This and other objects of the present invention, such as reducing the weight of the mechanism to avoid unnecessary weight, of the upper part of the umbrella, to allow an umbrella cane without grooves and, additionally, will become more apparent from the following chapters of this invention. Since umbrellas can sometimes be manufactured by separate manufacturing entities, each of which manufactures different parts of the complete device, it should therefore be noted that the present invention also relates to a
m l < mechanism for automatically opening and closing fabric umbrellas with multiple pleats, manufactured separately from the multiple pleat fabric, comprising: a telescopic pole comprising a first telescopic section and a second telescopic section; an electric motor, located in a handle of the umbrella; a slide, movable along the first telescopic section, and having a plurality of angularly spaced connecting joints, adapted to pivotally receive a plurality of lower rod stays, from a multiple folding fabric; an upper connecting hub, located at one end of the first telescopic section, remote from the handle, and having a plurality of angularly spaced connection joints, adapted to receive a plurality of rods or upper rod levers, from a fabric of multiple folding; a transmission arrow, operatively coupled to the electric motor and extending along at least a part of the pole and having a nut connected to the first telescopic section, so that the pole can be shortened or extended by rotating the arrow of transmission in one of two respective rotation directions; a sliding actuator mechanism, coupled to the slide and to the second telescopic section, to move the
sliding along the first telescopic section, at the same time as the first telescopic section moves relative to the second telescopic section; so that, when the transmission shaft is rotated in a first direction, the cane is extended and the slide is moved upwards, in such a way that it is capable of completely opening a multiple folding fabric, which is to be connected between the upper connecting cube and the slider, and when the transmission shaft is rotated in an opposite direction, the stick is shortened and the slider is moved downwards, so that it is capable of closing a multiple folding fabric that goes to be connected between the upper connection hub and the slide. Consequently, it should also be noted that the present invention also relates to a multiple folding fabric, which is to be associated with the mechanism for automatically opening and closing the multiple folding fabric; and the multiple folding fabric is characterized by comprising strands of cloth rods, or levers, formed of aluminum and manufactured by means of an aluminum extrusion process or by means of a polymer injection process with aluminum powder. The wall thickness of said components is not less than about 0.8 millimeter and, preferably, is not less than about 1 millimeter, approximately. The upper limit for the wall thickness is no greater than about 1.6 millimeters and, preferably, no greater than 1.5 millimeters.
Glossary In the context of the present invention, the term "multiple pleat fabric" or "multiple pleat fabric" refers to umbrella curtains that can be folded at least twice; that is, in such a way that the length of the folded fabric is about half or less than the full length of a cloth rod. Cane, mast, pole or upright are equivalent names for the telescopic hollow bar connected at its upper end to the cloth and having at its lower end a handle to be grasped by a user's hand. In the context of the present invention, the term "telescopic section" refers to one of at least two sections, of which the sunshade cane is constructed, and provided with telescopic folding capabilities. Slider, slider, collar, they are equivalent names for the element that moves along the cane of the umbrella to drive the cloth to open and close through a plurality of tie rods connecting between it and a corresponding plurality of cloth rods. , transmission shaft, are equivalent names for a revolving rod, which extends along a telescopic section of the cane, and which is driven by an electric motor from the umbrella in one direction, when the umbrella is to be opened, and in the direction
opposite, when the umbrella is going to be closed. In the frame of the canvas, "braces" are the parts that support the rods; and "rods" are the parts that are in direct contact with the fabric of the fabric, and to which the fabric of the fabric is connected, and by means of which it can be tensioned when the umbrella is opened. In the context of the present invention, when referring to relative locations of the umbrella components of the invention, for example "upper", "lower", "up", "down", are considered with respect to an umbrella oriented with the fabric up and the handle down. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to understand the invention and see how it can be put into practice, the preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a vertical section view, along the telescopic pole of the umbrella and related parts, according to one embodiment of the present invention; with the telescopic pole located in its open position almost completely. Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view, taken along a first telescopic section of the telescopic pole illustrated in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view, taken along a second telescopic section of the telescopic pole illustrated in Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view, taken along the cane of the telescopic sunshade and related parts, illustrated in Figure 1, with the telescopic pole located in the closed state. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a part of the imposition mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a bottom view, on a horizontal section of a telescopic upper section, according to one of the embodiments of the present invention, with the slide skeleton of figure 5 and with the cord protector, in position on the telescopic section. Figure 7 is a bottom view, on a horizontal section of the cord protector illustrated in Figure 6. Figure 8 is a bottom view, on a slide that is part of the imposition mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention. invention. Figure 9 is a horizontal sectional view of a first and second telescopic sections, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with a cord protector and with a cord accommodated therein. Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view, taken along the telescopic pole of the umbrella, and the related parts, according to a three-section telescopic pole embodiment, of the present invention, with the three telescopic sections of the telescope.
cane located in fully open state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY MODES Figure 1 illustrates a vertical sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the mechanism for automatically opening and closing umbrellas, in accordance with the present invention. The mechanism comprises the telescopic pole 1 of the umbrella, comprising two telescopic sections 2 and 3, a slide 4, movable along an upper portion of the pole 1, and having a plurality of angularly spaced connecting points 5, adapted to receive a respective plurality of lower fabric straps, ie, supporting from below the rods of the fabric (not illustrated in this figure), pivoting about the connection points 5; a helical transmission shaft 6, with a length similar to that of the telescopic section, and a mechanism for converting the rotation of an electric motor 7, connected at a lower end of the telescopic umbrella cane 1, to linear telescopic movement of the section telescopic upper 3 (referred to in the "first" claims) with respect to the lower telescopic section 2 (referred to in the "second" claims), in correlation with the linear movement of the slide 4. The relative telescopic movement between the upper telescopic section 3 and the lower telescopic section 2 is achieved by the movement of the tubular nut 19, along the transmission shaft 6. This movement is due to an internal threading of the
tubular nut (represented by double dotted lines all along it), which matches the external threads of the transmission shaft. The tubular nut 19 is fixed to the upper telescopic section 3, through the extension tube 20 and through the extension tube carrier 17. The transmission shaft 6 is rotatably connected to the lower telescopic section 2 through the motor 7 (in the context of the present invention "motor" includes any gear device designed to transmit its power), the handle 10 and the connector 1 1 of mango. Since the transmission shaft 6 is connected to the lower telescopic section 3, while the tube nut 19 is connected to the upper telescopic section 2, the rotation of the transmission shaft generates a relative linear movement between the two telescopic sections. The direction of relative linear movement is determined according to the direction of rotation of the transmission shaft. The linear movement of the slide 4 is obtained by means of a slide actuator mechanism, coupled to the slide and to the second telescopic section, to move the slide along the first telescopic section, at the same time that the first telescopic section moves with relation to the second telescopic section. According to the illustrated embodiment, the sliding actuator mechanism consists of an upper cord 8 which extends between the slide 4, to which an end of the latter is anchored.
top cord, and between the upper end of the lower telescopic section 2, to which the second end of the upper cord is anchored, at a connection point 22; and at least one lower cord 9, which extends between the slide 4, to which the first of its two ends is anchored, and between the upper end of the lower telescopic section 2, to which the second end of the cord is anchored. telescopic lower, at the connection point 22 In this figure the cane 1 is located close to the complete opening of the umbrella. The lower telescopic section 2 of the pole is carried completely outside the upper telescopic section 3, and the slide 4 is close to its highest position, near the upper end of the upper telescopic section 3. An additional rotation of the transmission shaft 6 , in the course of opening the umbrella (which depends on the direction of its threads, represented by the dotted lines all along it, and therefore, it will be assumed, for the purposes of the present description, that it is the right-handed direction) will result in the linear telescopic movement of the lower telescopic section 2, away from the upper part of the umbrella; that is, in the direction indicated by the arrow A, simultaneously with the linear movement of the slide 4 along the upper telescopic section 3, towards the upper part of the umbrella; that is, in the direction indicated by arrow B. The direction in which the motor revolutionizes (and, consequently, the transmission arrow) is selected by the
user by means of an electrical switch, capable of changing the polarity of the electrical voltage supplied to the motor 7 from the batteries (which preferably are located at the lower end of the handle, not shown in the figures). The linear movement of the slide 4 along the upper telescopic section 3 is obtained by means of a full-bead cord mechanism, comprising an upper cord 8, anchored to the slide 4, and extending between the slide 4 and the upper part of the lower telescopic section 2, by means of an upper pulley 13; and further comprising a lower cord 9, anchored to the slide 4, and extending between the slide 4 and the upper part of the lower telescopic section 2, through a lower pulley 1 13, located in the opening 24 , formed at the lower end of the upper telescopic section 3, and which provides a free passage for the lower cord 9. The opening and the cord are preferably protected by a cover (not shown) attached to the outer wall of the telescopic section upper 3. According to the illustrated embodiment, the opening 24 is the only opening through the wall of the sunshade cane. It can be appreciated that the electrical and mechanical components accommodated within the cane 1 are well protected from dust, dirt and water. It should be noted that, in the illustrated embodiment, both the upper cord 8 and the lower cord 9 are secured in a common connection point 22, located in the upper part of the lower telescopic section 2. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the configuration can be
such that the upper cord 8 and the lower cord 9 are both respective parts of a single cord, which forms a loop around the length of the upper telescopic section 3, and secured to the upper part of the lower telescopic section 2, at a mid-point of the cord, in such a way that the cord is divided into two substantially equal parts, secured at their ends opposite to the slide 4. As can be seen, the movement of the lower telescopic section 2 downwards, in the direction indicated by the arrow A will result in an increase in the distance between the upper pulley 13 and the connecting point 22 of the cord, in the upper part of the lower telescopic section 2; what, in turn, will result in the traction of the upper cord 8, following the connection point 22, around the pulley 13, thus lifting the slide 4 towards the upper end of its trajectory along the upper telescopic section 3. On the other hand, the movement of the lower telescopic section upwards, in the direction indicated by the arrow B, will result in an increase in the distance between the lower pulley 1 13 and the connecting point 22 of the cord at the upper end of the lower telescopic section 2; which, in turn, will result in traction of the lower cord 9 following the connection point 22, around the pulley 1 13, thereby lowering the slide 4 towards the lower end of its trajectory along the section Telescopic upper 3.
According to several preferred embodiments of the present invention, the electric motor 7 of the sunshade is connected to the battery through an automatic load sensing circuit, which automatically disconnects the motor from the battery when it recognizes a predetermined increase in current of the motor, which may be associated with an irregular load with which the motor is located. This load sensing function is used to automatically stop the motor when the sunshade reaches its fully open position and its fully closed position; where the slide and the telescopic pole are reaching the dead end of their movement trajectories, thus resulting in a substantial increase in the motor current, due to the sudden resistance of the moving parts, against their further movement. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower telescopic section 2 ends with a flange 23 (in the context of the present invention it is also referred to as a "spacer") at its upper end, and the upper telescopic section 3 ends with a flange 21 (in FIG. the context of the present invention is also called "separator") at its lower end. Due to these flanges, a gap is created in the overlapping area between the two telescopic sections, which allows the lower cord 9 to freely extend between them, independently of the mutual movement between the two telescopic sections. The flanges 21 and 23 are not necessarily formed from the same piece of material of the
respective telescopic sections 3 and 2, as it appears to be in the illustrated mode. They could also be formed as separate rings having an internal diameter that matches the outer diameter of a telescopic section, and an outer diameter that matches the internal diameter of the other telescopic section, fixed at the ends of the telescopic sections, to form the illustrated eyelashes. As can be seen, the displacement of the slide 4 along the telescopic section 3 changes the interval between the angularly spaced connecting points 5 and between the respective angularly spaced connection points 15 formed in the hub 14 of upper connection, fixed at the upper end of cane 1 of the umbrella. The connection points 15 are for pivotally receiving the rods of the fabric or the upper straps of the fabric, according to the type of multiple folding fabric that is used). The multiple folding fabric is designed so that, when the interval between the connection points 1 5 and the connecting points 5 reaches its minimum (ie, when the slide reaches its maximum height of its path along the length of the upper telescopic section 3), the fabric is completely opened, and in such a way that, when said interval reaches its maximum (that is, when the slide reaches a minimum height of its trajectory along the upper telescopic section 3), The cloth completes its folding. The upper connection hub also holds the pulley
upper 13, and allows a path for the upper bead 8, through one or more appropriate openings, formed in the horizontal area of the connecting hub for the passage of the bead, and cooperating with the opening 18 formed in the bearer 17 of the bead extension tube, for the part of the upper cord 8 which is inside the upper telescopic section 3. The exact position of the carrier 17 of the extension tube within the upper telescopic section 3, can be tuned by means of the screw 16, in order to determining the trajectory extension of the transmission shaft 6, through the tubular nut 19. Said determination has influence on the extension of the movement of the slide 4 and, in turn, on the tension measurement of the fabric of the fabric. This is an optional function, which is not necessarily required in the various embodiments of the present invention. As can be seen, the extension tube 20 is easy to manufacture and can be produced from a relatively small amount of material, so as to reduce the weight, since it has no threads all along it, and It does not need extra thickness, as is required when you have threads along a hollow tube. The illustrated modality describes a mechanism of cord mechanism, of full curl; however, it is within the scope of the present invention to use more than one string mechanism unit, located and spaced angularly circumferentially around the telescopic pole. Additionally, the
use of the term "cord" does not mean that the use of similar means is excluded, such as bands, strips, chains, cables, ropes, interwoven cable. Consequently, in the context of the present invention, the term "cord" refers to any other means capable of moving the slide in a similar or equivalent manner. It should also be noted that in the context of the present invention the term "pulley" refers to any means that allows the movement of the cord through its predetermined trajectory. It is believed that a designer will prefer the use of such means that reduces (to the maximum extent possible in a given budget) the friction between the cord and the parts of the umbrella with which it must make contact during its displacement. Figure 2 illustrates the upper parts of the umbrella mechanism illustrated in Figure 1, as if they had been removed from the lower parts of the mechanism. In Figure 2, the slide 4 and the cord parts 8 and 9 are located with the slide in its lowest position (corresponding to a closed state of the umbrella). In this position of the slide, the mid-point 12 of the cord is located near the upper end of the telescopic section 3. The half-polished point 12 is ring-shaped, as a means for easy connection of the upper cord portions and lower 8 and 9, to the connection point 22 (which is not illustrated in figure 2, and which, however, can be seen in figures 1 and 3). As will be appreciated, by controlling the midpoint 12 of the cord, which moves up and down along the inner wall of the
upper telescopic section 3, the slide can be governed, respectively, that is, downwards and upwards, along the outer wall of the upper telescopic section 3. Figure 3 illustrates the lower parts of the sunshade mechanism illustrated in FIG. Figure 1, as if they had been separated from the upper parts illustrated in Figure 2. The cord connection point 22 is represented by a black dot. The midpoint 12 of the cord is to be connected (to the tab / spacer 23) at or near its connection point. According to the illustrated embodiment, in which there is a ring shape at the midpoint 12 of the cord, it could be inserted into an appropriate vertical notch formed in the separator 23, and secured by a horizontal transverse pin (represented by the black dot). 22) inserted through an appropriate horizontal opening, which intersects the vertical groove, and through the ring formed at the midpoint 12, and located in the area of intersection between the groove and the pin. The way to connect the upper cord and the lower cord can vary, as a matter of design; and as a matter of the type of cord or spacer being used, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Consequently, the cord is not necessarily formed as a single unit that includes the upper cord and the lower cord; rather, they can both be formed as a separate unit, and can be connected at or near the upper end of the upper telescopic section, at points of
separate connection, and using connection methods selected from a variety of connection methods (including, but not limited to: nailing, tying, welding, glueing, concreting, winding, pressing, or using thick ends of cord, and inserting the cord through an opening having a diameter less than the thickness), known to those skilled in the art of mechanical devices. Figure 4 illustrates the umbrella mechanism illustrated in Figure 1, located in a fully closed state of the umbrella; where the lower telescopic section 2 has reached its maximum height within the upper telescopic section 3, and simultaneously, the slide 4 has reached its minimum height in the slide 4. Figure 5 illustrates a slide skeleton 25, formed to serve in a mechanism of imposition or cancellation, which allows manual opening or closing of the fabric, in case there is low energy in the battery. The slide skeleton 25 can be formed of a thin metal plate, and can be connected to an upper cord 80 and a lower cord 90, by inserting the cord into a thin tube 85, formed at one end of the sliding skeleton , and then pressing the tube 85 on the cord, to grip it firmly on it. The slide skeleton 25 is further composed of a protrusion 26, bent outwardly from its other end, and having a transverse cut 27 in its middle portion. The placement of the skeleton 25
of slide in an upper telescopic section 30 is illustrated in figure 6, which illustrates a cross-section. FIG. 6 illustrates, in a horizontal section view, a telescopic upper section 30 of a telescopic sunshade with the slide skeleton 25 in position in the telescopic section. The upper bead 80 is seen at one end of the slide skeleton, while a protuberance 26 is located at the other end of the slide skeleton. This protuberance cooperates with a corresponding notch (32 in Figure 8). The upper cord 80, as well as the lower cord (not shown) are protected and covered by a longitudinal protector 28, connected to the outer wall of the upper telescopic section 30. The protector 28 is illustrated separately in Figure 7, with the cord Top 80 placed on it. The shield 28 can be formed of metal foil, plastic, rubber, silicone, or any other acceptable material. It could also be formed as an integral part of the upper telescopic section. For example, both the upper telescopic section and the protector could be formed of aluminum, by means of an aluminum extrusion process. Figure 8 illustrates a bottom view of a slide 40, formed to serve in an anchoring mechanism, together with the slide skeleton 25, illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. The slide 40 comprises eight connection points 31, each of which is adapted to receive a fabric strap, which is to be connected pivotally between two parallel arms of each point
Connection 31. The pivoting capacity can be obtained by means of a horizontal pin that is transverse between the parallel arms of each connection point 31, through an appropriate opening in it and of the brace located there; forming in that way a hinged connection. The slider 40 has a notch 32 adapted to receive the protrusion 26 of the slide skeleton (26 in figure 6), and which additionally has an annulment actuator 29, which according to the illustrated embodiment, is a screw having a wide head, which can be easily operated by the user's fingers. However, according to other embodiments, the actuator may be a spring loaded button, which is normally depressed and which may be pulled out (or rotated to a partial rotation, then removed, according to another variation of this mode) outwardly. , by a user, and having a lug oriented towards the notch 32. The screw (or the spring-loaded button) crosses the wall of the cursor 40 through an appropriate opening, formed at a height corresponding to the location of the cut (27 in Fig. 5) formed in the protrusion (26 in Fig. 5), so that, when the actuator 26 is completely inserted through the body of the slider 40, its end (i.e., the inner end of the screw , or the spring-loaded button lug, according to another embodiment) is inserted in the cut 27 of the slide skeleton 26, thereby locking and securing the slide 40 and the slide skeleton 25 together. When both are locked together, their operation is similar
to that of the slide 4 of the embodiment illustrated in figure 1. In the event that the battery is low, the user could operate the actuator to draw its inner end out of the cut 27 formed in the protrusion 26, releasing the slider 40 from the slider skeleton 27; then move the cursor up or down along the cane of the umbrella, in order to open or in order to close the canvas, according to the preference of the user. According to a variety of modes of the nullifying mechanism, the actuator 29 may be designed to allow the slider 40 to be secured to the pole at the highest position of the slider (e.g., when the actuator is a screw, tightening it to the pole, or, for example, when the actuator is a spring-loaded button, pressing it into an opening formed in the cane, for that purpose), so that the fabric remains open and, in that way, the umbrella can be used provisionally until Replace or recharge the empty battery. The slide 40 is preferably dimensioned so as to completely hide the slide skeleton 25, when mutually secured by the actuator 29. The slide skeleton 25 is preferably formed of a thin metal sheet, so that when manually moved the slide 40 during the override situation, there is a minimum separation between the inner wall of the slide and the outer wall of the upper telescopic section. Figure 9 illustrates, in a horizontal section view, another
modality of the upper and lower telescopic sections 300 and 200, respectively. According to this embodiment, there is no need for tabs or spacers in order to form a separation 202 for the cord, between the two telescopic sections. This is due to the special, internally oriented fold 201 formed in the internal telescopic section, which allows the passage of the cord for a cord 208. It will be appreciated that other forms of bending, such as a wall, can be used as design issues. It will also be appreciated that an outward facing fold may be formed in the outer telescopic section in order to obtain a separation between the two telescopic sections. According to another variation, both the doubling outwardly in the outer telescopic section and also inwardly folding the inner telescopic section can be formed in order to obtain the separation. In this embodiment an integral protector 228 of the cord is formed on the outer wall of the outer telescopic section 300. The telescopic sections 200 and 30 are preferably made of aluminum, by an aluminum extrusion process. The cord can be connected to a sliding skeleton in a manner similar to that of figure 6, or it can be connected to a slider of the embodiment of figure 1, by means of a connecting piece 229. figure 10 illustrates another mode of the foldable umbrella of the present invention. In this mode, the telescopic pole of the umbrella is composed of three telescopic sections; in such a way, it can be shortened more than in the modality illustrated in
Figure 1. As will be appreciated, there is provided a piece of shorter length of the first telescopic section 3 (upper) and a correspondingly shorter piece of the second telescopic section 2 (lower) of the embodiment of figure 1, with a third telescopic section 66, telescopically connected to a lower end of the second telescopic section 2, to form a telescopic pole 100 of three sections. The third telescopic section 66 is connected to a handle 110 by means of a handle connector 1 1 1. It is operatively coupled to the electric motor 7, a two-part transmission shaft, comprising a first transmission shaft member 106 having an external thread on an enlarged end portion 105, and a second transmission shaft member 16 having an internal thread cooperating with the external thread of the first transmission shaft member, and having additionally an external thread cooperating with the internal thread of the tube nut 19. The external thread of the second transmission shaft member 16 cooperates with the tubular nut 19, in a manner similar to the cooperation between the drive shaft 6 and the tube nut 19, in the embodiment of FIG. 1. Consequently, the cooperation between the sliding actuator mechanism and the slide 4 and the second telescopic section 3, remains the same as in the embodiment of FIG. 1; and in that way, the slide actuator mechanism operates in a manner similar to the embodiment of figure 1, and the first and second telescopic sections also cooperate
similarly to the modality of figure 1. However, according to the present embodiment, another cooperation is obtained, which is a cooperation between the two parts 1 16 and 106 of the transmission shaft, where the rotation of the threaded and enlarged end portion 105 of the first arrow member of transmission, within the internal threads of the second transmission shaft member 16, causes a respective telescopic movement between the second telescopic section 2 and the third telescopic section 66, according to the direction of rotation. As can be seen, the third telescopic section 66 is thus movable with respect to the first and second telescopic sections, in correlation with the movement of its widened end portion 105, along the internal threads of the second arrow member 16 of transmission. Accordingly, by rotating the motor in one direction to open the umbrella, the three-part telescopic pole 100 can be extended to a total length, with the slide 4 at its maximum remote location with respect to the handle 10, and with the fabric of FIG. multiple folds (not illustrated) open, which is the situation illustrated in figure 10; and, by turning the motor in the opposite direction, the three-part telescopic pole 100 can be shortened to a minimum length, in which the first and second telescopic sections 3 and 2 are in a respective position, one with the other, similar to that illustrated in Figure 2; and wherein the third telescopic section 66 is in full insertion within the second telescopic section, and with the first transmission arrow member 66
inserted into a maximum extension within the second drive shaft member 16, so that the enlarged end portion 105 is close to the stop washer 126, located at one end of the second drive shaft member 16 (the washer stop 126 prevents the escape of the second transmission shaft member 16 of the tubular nut 19), with the slide 4 at its minimum remote location with respect to the handle, and with the multiple folding fabric (not shown), closed.