US2584502A - Garden and beach umbrella - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 5, 1952 R, A, RUSSELL 2,584,502

v GARDEN AND BEACH UMBRELLA Filed Aug. 17, 1946 VEN TOE atented Feb. 5., 1952 UNITED [STATES eATsNT OFFICE GARDEN AND BEACH UMBRELLA' Raya. Russell, santa Ana, Calif.

I -Application August 17, 1946, Serial No. 691,263-

This invention relates'particularly to .structures for large umbrellas of thetype to be set `up in stationary positions, at least temporarily, and commonly known as garden umbrellas and beach umbrellas. These. frequently have means' for tilting the umbrella canopy with .respect to a center post or staff which carries the canopy and is adapted for beingthrustinto the.. earth or sand or otherwise heldupright.

The vprincipal objects of the invention are to provide novel, eflicient and simple structures lfor use in umbrella manufacture ofthe indicated type and to furnish to the purchasing public devices which arehighly serviceable'while at the Sametime relatively economical. y

A more specific object is to provide a novel, easily operable, and unusually vdurable tilting head or joint whereby'the opened canopy may be locked against swingingmovement both up and down from a tilted position, well as to provide novel, serviceable and simple means. -for joining and latching two separable portions o f the post.

A further object is to provide novel, simple and serviceable means for latching the opened canopy in open position. Another object is to provide novel, simple and serviceable means for securing the center of the canopy permanently to the top of the post, and Afor slidably mounting the lower ends of the usual canopy bracing ribs upon the DOSI;-

Further objects, and featuresof novelty, will become apparent uponreference to' the accom-v panying vdrawing wherein one useful embodiment of the invention is disclosed by way of example.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view `of'the assembledparts of the umbrella, and showing'the canopy-positioning' parts in normal canopylelevating position, portions being broken awayto facilitate disclosure;

Fig. 2 is a similar view on an enlagedlscale of the tilting joint or headiindicated at the middleofFg'lg, L

Fig. 3 is a horizontalv cross section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;"

Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevational view of the canopy securing lmeans shown atV thev top of Fig. 1, portions being broken away; f

Fig'. 5 is a horizontal cross'section taken 'on the lines 5-5 of Figs. 1 and 4;' and Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale of the latching means joining two post sections as v indicated by`the line 6-3 of fsbiims. (C1. l13s-46) 2 The structure illustrated includes an aluminum or other metal post I0 comprising va lower tube ksection Il, an upper tube section I2, an intermediate tube section I4, and a tilting joint I5 joining the tube sections I2 Yand I4. A plunger lock I6 connects the tube section II to the tube section I4. On thetop of the upper tube section I2 of the post IIIy a rib and canopy retainer I B is mounted whereby to position the inner and upper ends of the usual canopy supporting ribs I9. Below the `retainer I8, a spreader ring structure 2@ is slidably mounted on the post I0 for the purpose of positioning the usual bracing and spreadingribs 2 I The ring structure 2i) is held ,in operative position by a supporting latch 22. The tiltingjoint I5 comprises an upstanding shank 25 integral with a lower plug 26 (Fig. 2) which rits into the upper end of the lower tube section II,v the plug 26 being positioned by an overhanging ange 2 1 and locked in place by a lock pin 28 secured in a socket 29 in the plug y23 and in a corresponding aligned hole in the tube section I I. The lower portion of the shank 25 carries a transverse pivot pin3ll whose ends project and receive the lower ends of a pair of spaced arms 32 which are integral with an upper plug 33 tted into the lower end of the upper tube section I2 and having a flange 3 4seated against the lower edge thereof. A lock pin 35 iixed in a hole in the tube section I2 and in a. socket 36 in the plug 33 insures proper positioning of the respective parts.

As will be seen from Figs. 2 and 3, the upstandf ing shank 25 is generally quadrilateral in cross section and is narrow enough in one transverse direction to accommodate at its sides the arms 32 within the diametrical limits of the post secV tions n; l2, and I4. Also, the shank 25 is only` about half that diameter in the other transverse direction so that it provides an inner vertical face 3l against which stop means inthe form of aV latch pin 38 in the arms 32 and a pivoted latch bar 4i) may lie, asin Fig. 1 An inner vertical pocket is also thus provided between the arms 32 to receive the latch bar 4U; see also Fig. 3. In such folded or collapsed position. the parts are aligned. The latch pin 38 is secured in the upper portionsof Athe arms 32 and spans the space between them, this pin 38 being disposed suiciently to one'side of the median line of the arms 32 to permit the folding of the parts.

The latch bar 40 moves between the arms 32' and above the latch pin 38. and is provided on VitsV under edge with spacednotches 4I adapted selestiely t? .lessive thelawh gli@ foreseen positions of adjustment of the arms 32 as the notches 4l will accommodate. The upper end of the latch bar 40 carries an offset integral lug 40a which is received between two upstanding integral ears a on the upper or outer end of the shank 25 and upon a pivot 42 carried by the ears 25a. By reason of such mounting the latch bar 40 and the arms 32 may be swung between any tilted position of adjustment, such as seen in Fig. 2,.and the aligned position of Figs. l and 3. As best indicated in Fig. 3, the heads of the pivot pin and the latch pin 38 are received countersunk seats in the sides of the arms 32.

As Will be apparent from the aboye description, the latch bar may be swung out from its collapsed position oi Fig. 1 into an angular position such as that of Fig. 2. .'Io facilitate such Y swinging movement, the lower end of the latch bar 40 is provided with finger depressions 43 fon opposite sides and the corresponding lower corners .of the arms 32 .are cut away .at 44 to Ypro-- vide for access .to such depressions. When the arms 32 .and the upper tube section IZ'have been disposed Yat an angle to. tip the canopy as de:- sired, the latch bar 40 is depressed to dispose the walls dof the adjacent notch 4l about the latch pin 38. These walls `of the notches 4I, as indicated in Fig. 2, prevent accidental further movement of the arms 32 both upward and downward, it being necessary to lift the latch bar 40 to accomplish a diierent adjustment.

It is to beV noted that an uppermost notch is formed in the latch bar 40 for the purpose of receiving Ithe latch pin 38 when in collapsed position. In view of the short radius, the wall v45a of the notch 45, most remote from the Vpivot 42, isappropriately curved approximately as shown to 'provide for the necessary `movement of the bar 40. This curved wall 45a performs another function, in that, Vif the latch .bar 40 is Vlifted a short `distance -but not enough to clear the notch 45, swinging of the arms 3-2 `will `cause 'the -latch pin l38 to work upon the wall 45a as a cam -face and thereby lift the latch bar 40 until'the -notch 45 is cleared. In this instance the next notch 4l will -not be cleared yand the latch pin-3-8 -will engage therein, thereby preventing further `tilting movement unless the AlatclrbarM) is lift manually. Similarly, if in collapsing the joint Pi,` the arms 32 have -been moved -a little short of alignment, depression of the latch bar 40 will cause Athe curved wall 45a, again to act Ias a cam 'and' force thelatch pin 38, and hence the arms 32, :into aligned position wherein -the latch pin 38 and hence the larms 32 are held bythe latch bar `40;

To insure retention 'of the latch bar 40 in aligned position, a -detent 45 may be usedv which is urged-into a recess Y41 in the lug 40a -by means of a spring 48 which is received in a pocket 49 in the upper portion -o the shankV 25 and 'is disposed `about a stem 45a integral with the detent 46, which detent constitutes a head on the stem and provides vthereby `a bearing surface *for the top ofthe spring 48.

Thus, the latch bar 40 serves to vlock the arms 32 in collapsed position and aligned with'the intermediate tube section I4. When in the above described aligned position, the parts of the tilting joint YI5 assume the circular cross Asectional relationship shown inA Fig. 3, and this position permits the spreader ring structure '20 'to slide .up and down thereover for raising and lowering the canopy. When in lelevated position,` the ring structure v2|() is retained by the elongated springcontrolled supporting vcatch 22 whose upper end portion projects partially through a slot 50 in the upper tube section I2 and whose upper end wall 5| normally acts as a stop, the intermediate portion of the catch 22 bearing upon the lower edge of the slot 50 as a movement-limiting means. The lower end of the supporting catch 22 as shown is integrally provided with a positioning lug 52 which projects somewhat loosely through a corresponding hole the adjacent sidewall of the ytube section l2. The catch 22 is controlled by an elongatedA wire spring 54, one

`end of which is embedded in the lower end of the catch 22 adjacent the lug 52 and the other :end -pf which .is curved downward and bears against the inner wall of the tube section l2 on the yside-opposite from the lug 52. Thus, the top yend `wall y5l :normally retains the spreader ring structure 20 and its canopy in elevated position, the upper end portion of the catch 22 being retractable, as by pressure of the thumb or finger, against the action of `,thepspring54 to .permit the ring structure 2l)v itc be lowered.-

.The spreader.ringpstructure 20 and the retainer .IB :for the v,canopy ,ribs I9 are substantially the same ,in Aconstruction,one being inverted with respect `to til-1e other, and .each being rformed of vtwo notched. rtelescopedring members enclosing a split spring ring. `Tl're spreader rring :structure 20 comprises an inner somewhat '.elongated, sleeve-like retaining ring 50al 4and an -outer retaining ring 62a fitting' upon the ring 50a both being provided with notches :63a in --t-heir upper edges and receiving between them a split spr-ingwire lock ring 64a which passes through eyesl 21| a commonly provided on the umbrella bracingv ribs '2 l. This construction isshown in greater detail in conjunction with the retainer-'|18 Iier vthe-canopy ribs i9.

The `retainer `I8 vcomprise s,as best seen in Fig's. 4 and 5, an 'inner retaining 4:ring 130, Aarrouter retaining ring-62 both of 'these -rings`=having notches 63 in their lower edges,and'asplit-spring wire Vlock ring 64. Thesepar-ts correspond withV the parts similarly numbered, inconunction with-the suffix a,-of the'ring structure l20. =In both instances, the outer 4rings :"62, 62a, are provided with short grooves `the resultant iingers between the notches 53, =6'3a. .Suchg-rooves,as'indicatedat 65, are deep'enoughtoaccommodate-the entire :thickness of the-wire lock rings 54, 64a when the latter are expanded and opposing shallow flocking grooves'intheinner retaining rings v6i), 68a, asindicated attfFig. 5, accommodate approximately one-half the `cross-sectipnal thicknessof the wire ringswhen thela-tter are `reieasedl and permitted to contract into locked position. The spring lock ring 64 receives eyes |9a on the canopy ribs 19, and the spring 10.61 ',ririsrq receives the corre- Spending svegli@ 0n "die 'bracing ribs '2i/these eyes being disposeclin the notches 83, 33a when the 4parts 'are assembled `and 'being -lockedin position when the spring lock rings'contract. Asbest seen: infris- 5; each spring Vutilising may be provided at one endwith an offset '68 received in a hole 5S in the outer retaining ring 62, 62a to facilitate assembly or removal' `of the partsf As will be apparent. when the sprinelock 'rines sleeve-like ring ta-of the spreader structure 20 is free to slide on the post I and carrt7 with it the bracingribs 2 I.

The assembled canopy retainer I8 is installed upon the top of the upper tube section I2 of the post I0, its position being determined, if desired, by a flange 'I8 on the inner ring B8. Retention is accomplished by means of a plurality of anchoring pins 'I2 which project through corresponding holes in the retaining rings 60, 62 and in the tube section I2 and into the base v'of a wooden plug 'I5 tightly tted into the top of the tube section I2 and having an exposed nished extremity which may be tapered as shown or decorated as required. The pins 'I2 are located at any appropriate positions above or below the lock ring 64 whereby to avoid the latter.

For the purpose of attaching and detaching the lowermost tube section I I of the post I8, whereby to make the entire umbrella collapsible into a unit of minimum length, and yet have a stai adequately long for use, the plunger lock I6 is employed in conjunction with a ,telescopic connection between the tube sections Il and the intermediate tube section I4. In the form shown, a sleeve 88 (Fig. 6) is Afixed in the upper end of the tube section II and is adapted to be removably teleseoped into the tube section I4. The plunger lock I6 is carried by the sleeve 80, and comprises a relatively elongated internal plunger portion 82 disposed radially of the sleeve 88. A short normally exposed plunger portion 83 of smaller diameter than the elongated portion 82 connects the portion 82 with a manipulating head 84. The lower end of the tube section I4 is provided with a keyhole type of slot 85 whose lower end is open and whose lower portion is wide enough to pass the short section 83 but too narrow to pass the larger diameter portion 82. However, the upper end of the slot 85 is large enough to receive the outer end of the larger diameter portion 82 whereby, when the plunger is extended the tube sections II and I4 are locked together but when depressed the smaller diameter portion 83 may pass through the narrow portion of the slot for separation of the mentioned tube sections II and I4. The plunger is mounted by positioning the outer end of its larger diameter portion 82 in a hole 86 in the sleeve 88 and its inner end in a small sleeve 88 containing an extending spring 98. A cross pin 92 in the plunger portion 82 between the hole 86 and the inner end of the sleeve 88 both limits the outward movement of the plunger to locking posivtion and its inward movement to releasing position wherein the cross pin 82 strikes the sleeve 88. The outer end of the sleeve 88 is xed in the adjacent wall portion of the sleeve 80 and carries a positioning pin 94 which provides a seat for the spring 98 and may be used also in connection with positioning of the sleeve 88.

In operation of the plunger lock I6, the head 84 is depressed to bring the reduced diameter portions 83 into alignment with the narrow portion of the slot 85, whereby to admit the sleeve 88 into the intermediate tube section I4, as in Fig. 6. Release of the head 84 permits the spring 90 to extend the plunger so that the outer end of the larger diameter section 82 becomes locked in the enlarged upper end of the-slot 85. The post I8 thus assembled may then be thrust into the earth, for example, the 'spreading ring structure 28 moved upward above the supporting catch 22 to elevate and hold the canopy, and the tilting joint I actuated to any desired angle, as above described. N

Since various modifications of the generic structure disclosed may be made Within the scope of the claims, it is intended that these also shall be covered hereby.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination in an umbrella structure: a post having two sections; and a tilting joint disposed between said two sections, said joint comprising a shank secured to andprojecting from one of said sections, an arm secured to and projecting from the other ofsaid sections and pivotally attached to said shank to align therewith in extended rposition, a latch bar pivotally connected to the outer end of said shank and adapted to fold alongside of said shank into'collapsed position, and stop means carried by said arm, said arm providing a transverse passage adjacent said stop means and receiving said latch bar,said latch bar having locking means to engage said stop means and prevent swinging movement between said shank and arm in either direction, both said stop means and the pivotal mounting of said latch bar on said shank being spaced vsubstantial distances from the point of pivotal connection between said shank and said arm, said shank and arml being collapsible into aligned position and said bar being collapsible into a pocket in said joint formed by said passage and to lie alongside said arm and said shank and to engage and retain said stop means in locked position closely adjacent said outer end of said shank.

2. In combination in a tilting joint for umbrellas: a shank member adapted to be secured to one section of an umbrella post to project therefrom; an arm member adapted to be secured to a second section of said umbrella post and project therefrom; pivot means pivotally connecting said shank member and arm member for movement between an aligned position and positions or angular adjustment with respect to each other; a latch bar pivoted upon one of said members; and stop means carried by the other of said members, said latch bar having cooperating means for engagement with said stop means to retain said members in adjusted position, said stop means being spaced longitudinally along its member from said pivot means, and a transverse passage being provided by said arm member through which said latch bar slidably extends, said stop means being movable to a position adjacent the pivotal mounting of the latch bar on said one of said members when the two members are aligned and said latch bar being movable to a position where it engages about said stop means when said members are aligned whereby to lock said members in aligned position.

3. In combination in a joint for an umbrella: two joint members adapted respectively to be attached to and project from opposing sections of an umbrella post and be interposed between said sections; pivot means pivotally connecting said members together for movement between aligned position and positions of angular adjustment with respect to each other; a latch bar pivoted upon one of said members; and cooperating stop means on the other of said members for latching engagement with said bar and retention of said members in adjusted position, said stop means being spaced longitudinally along its member from said pivot means, a transverse passage being provided by said other member adjacent said stop means, said bar lying in said passage, said bar having means for adjustably engaging said stop means in locking relationship, said stop means being movable against said one of said members Vwhen said members are aligned, `and said latch 'bar' being Vmovable vabout .its pivot .into collapsed .relationship alongside said members when said members are in aligned position and engaging said stop means to maintain .said memlocking means on :said latch barincludes notches Y formed in said bar and having side walls, said side walls engaging Asaid stop means to prevent movement in .opposite directions.

6.. `A vcombination Vas in claim '3 including ydetentmeans carried .by the member upon which said latch bar is pivoted 'for locking said latch bar in collapsed position alongside such member uponzwhich said bar is pivoted.

A7. In combination in an umbrella structure: a post .having two sections; and a tilting joint between said two sections, said joint comprising a shank'secureditc and projecting from one of -said sections, an arm secured to the othery of said sections and pivotaliy attached to said shank at the base thereof remote from lits outer vend, and a latch bar having `connections at spaced points with said arm and with the outer end of said shank and adapted to fold alongside vthereof to collapsed position, `said connections including a pivot mounting between said latch bar and one of `said arm and said shank for swinging of said bar, and said connections including cooperating means on said bar and the other of said arm and shank to lock said arm and shank together against swinging movement in either direction when tipped at an angle relative to one another, said cooperating means including stop lmeans 8 carried by .said arm .and notches .carried by seid Lbar for selective :engagement with said stop means, said arm and shank providing a P Cke .into which said bar folds.; -said notches being directed towand said shank and disposed against .saidgstop means when .saidlatch bar is folded vinto collapsed position `in said pocket.

8. `A combination .as Vin :claim 7 wherein said pivot mountingr is located on said outer end of said .shank :and said stop means is a latch pin l.on said v.arm and said Ynotches are located on the .underside `of .said .latch ybarand .have side .Walls for vengaging saidqlatch .pin and preventingrnovementcfzsaidbar onsaid pininei-therlongitudinal direction.

RAY A. RUSSELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are .of record .in the le of .this patent:

UNITED .STATES PATENTS Number 'Name :Date

265,275 Olinger Oct. .3,1882 348,099 Beales Aug. 24, 1886 695,161 Linkert Mar. 11 1'902 704,128 Seymour Julyy 8, 1902 738,554 Lingel Sept. 8, 1903 '746,495 Glassburn Dec. .8, 1903 886,'885 Spanick 'May `5, 1'908 V1,546,015 Durbin July V14, -192,5

1,808,610 Roy June 2, 1931 1,839,958 Ericson Jan. 5, 1932 FOREIGN yPA'I".EJNI`S Number Country V-1Date 19,019 Great'Britain Sept. 3, 1903 `451,914 Germany Nov. 4, '1927

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