US2666442A - Flexible umbrella rib - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 19, 1954 T. FORTNER 2,666,442

FLEXIBLE UMBRELLA RIB Filed April 4, 1950 TTOIPNE) Patented Jan. 19, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 FLEXIBLE UIHBRELLA RIB Thelma. Ione Fortner, Newark, N. J assignor to Staten Frame Manufacturing Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 4, 1950, Serial No. 153,975

3 Claims. (01. 135-31) ing during ordinary useand to unusual strains such as the reverse bend when the umbrella is blown inside out. The. usual channel, or U- shaped type of umbrella frame element is not of a suitable cross-sectional configuration to withstand the strain of reverse bending nor other severe twisting or bending. Although attempts have been made to strengthen the rib elements locally at the crown or cap of umbrella frames and also at the juncture of the ribs with the spreader elements, there has been no successful improvement to strengthen the rib and spreader elements throughout their length.

The object of the present invention is to provide umbrella frame elements which areof considerably stronger construction. than existing types and with sufiicient flexibility to be capable of withstanding both the ordinary and severe strains of usage throughout their length and which may be produced relatively inexpensively and without adding appreciably to the weight of the umbrella.

Another object of the invention is to provide an umbrella frame having frame elements of sufficient strength to withstand. the strain when the umbrella is blown inside out.

To describe the invention, reference is made to the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a portion of the in the opened position; 7 V

Fig. 1a is a detail of-the end portion of a umbrella element;

Figs. 2, 2a, 3, 3a, 4, 4a, 5 and 5a are crosssectional views indicating the manner of formingand the final shape of several forms of umbrella frame elements embodying the invention;

Fig. 6 is a side view of a joint of the spreader and rib elements of the invention, and

Fig. '7 is a sectional view of the joint taken along the line 1---! in Fig. 6.

The umbrella frame elements of the invention are shaped from strips of sheet metal which are frame of an umbrella folded or rolled laterally to form parallel tubu- 'lar portions connected by an intermediate, or web portion. Several preferred forms of the invention are illustrated in Figs. 2a, 3a, 4a and 5a.

Referring to Figs 2 and 2a, a sheet metal strip I of suitable width is laterally folded upon itself 'so that the edges or sides 2 of the strip are folded or rolled to form round or tubular shape members 3. The central portion 4 of the strip forms. a web or connecting portion between the two tubular portions 3 which is substantially tangent to the two coiled tubular portions and parallel to a line drawn through the axes of the coiled portions. Thereafter'the metal strip is suitably heat treated to give the metal appropriate spring.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 3a which shows the cross-section of an alternate form of the invention, the edges 5 of the sheet metal strip are folded or rolled in upon the strip on opposite sides thereof to provide tubular portions 6 which are formed in a figure eight configuration with the central portion 1 of the strip forming the connecting web portion. The central portion 1 isstraight and substantially tangent to the two coiled or tubular members 6 and intersects a line passing through the axes of the coiled portions 6.

Another form of the invention is illustratedin Figs. 4 and 4a wherein the edge 8 of sheet metal is folded upon the strip and coiled laterally to the edge 9 to efiect a member having a continuously spiral cross-sectional configuration shown in Fig. 4a. and which might be defined by saying that it is comprised of two substantially concentrically disposed tubular members l0 and Illa connected by a curved web integral with said members In, Illa.

Another modification or alternate form of the invention, as shown in Figs. 5 and 5a may be produced by laterally folding or rolling the edges I l-upon the strip to form tubular members l2 and thereafter crimping the tubular portions [2 inwardly toward each other and pressing the central portion [3 downward so that it forms a substantially straight connecting web centrally disposed on a line passing through the axis of the two circular portions I2.

The umbrella frame elements are made from strips of sheet metal stock of suitable gauge.

7 Because of the greater structural strength of the finished rib and spreader elements of this invention the sheet metal stock may be of lighter gauge than that used for channel type ribs. However,

- the standard gauge is also suitable. The strips rolling has been performed the web [3 is pressed downward while the tubular portions l2 are crimped inwardly. In all cases the width of the strip is uniform throughout its length and is slightly wider than the width of the metal strip used in the channel type frame elements. Ends of the formed ribs and spreader elements are crimped and rounded, as shown in Fig. 1a The additionalwidth of the metal strip is utilized to provide an additional strength at these points. Holes are thereafter cut in the crimped lugs pro: vided at the ends of the rib and spreader elements.

The rib members are oriented so that the axes of the two tubular portions lie in a plane parallel to the surface of the cloth or other fabric of the canopy when the ribs are assembledin the. frame,

and the spreader elements are mounted so that the tubular portions are in side by side relation- 4 greater flexibility than can be achieved with the channel or the single tubular types of configuration.

When pressure is applied against the back or are of the channel type umbrella element, the

. free sides tend to spring outward and there is no ship with their respective aXes lying in a; conical surface, the apex of which is the central shaft 35.

The shaft or central pole 35 of the umbrella made,

of a standardtype is also provided with the usual annular slotted cap or crown 16. The crimped lugs [4 provided at the ends. of the ribs are introduced into the slots [5. of the crown I 6. as shown in Fig. 1 and the annular retaining wire I? of the cap or crown I6; is passed through the holes (8 provided inthe lugs l4. The sleeve i9 is positioned on the rib element 2]] at the juncture of the rib with the spreader 2| The sleeve may be soldered or otherwise suitably fixed in a position on the rib element. A slotted lug 22 is provided on the under side of the sleeve to receive the crimped spreader lug 23 and a pin 24 is passed through holes 25 provided in the sleeve lug, and through a similar hole provided in the crimped spreader lug 23. The spreader is attached to the runner 2B in the usual fashion, that is, by inserting the crimped spreader lug 21 provided at the inner end of the spreader into a slot 28 provided in the runner. An annular retaining wire 29. is passed through the, hole 311 in the lug 21. The outer end 31, of the. rib 20 is suitablycrimped to receive the standard type tip 32. Ifhereafter the canopy of cloth or other fabric may be attached to the frame in the usual manner.

It will be noted that this. invention. can be readily adapted to standard umbrella manufacturing procedures because. the rib and spreader elements are adapted to be combined in the usual m nne th tand rd crow a u ne o nes ng me ns, 4

U f h l e 1 hich em a s th r the juncture of the spreader is particularly advantageous in that the strength and cross-sectional configuration of the ribs is not weakened by crimping or slotting at the point of juncture. It will be noted particularly thatthe rib and spreader elements will have considerablygreater s r ngth to thstand he lat r an er i al, be d g; trains becau e oi he dual tub lar m: figuration with the connecting central web; the us f he dual ubul r m mber r i t restoring or retaining force whereas in the present invention, considering, the structure as two channels, itiwill'be note d that one; side of; each is retained by the central web and the other side is either yieldingly retained by abutting a corre sponding free side as in the case of the form shown inv Fig. 2a, or the free side is so oriented that it is notsubject to outward spreading. The single tubular-form of elements similarly are not as satisfactory-as structures of the present invention because there are no free ends which can be yieldingly retained;

Although the width of the strip of sheet metal is slightly wider than used to form the standard channel type of umbrella frame elements, it will be appreciated; as noted above, that the'use of the cross-sectional configuration described in this in vention makes it possible toutilize a thinner gauge of metal and at thesame time having sufiicient strengthand greater flexibility without adding to the weight of the frame.

It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the forms shown in the application and that the various features and elements in the combinations and relations described may be altered and modified in ways other than those suggested without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionf What claimed is 1. .An improved umbrella frame element formed of a strip of sheet metal which ha a configuration in cross-section comprising two substantially circular portions connected by a straight portion. l l

2. An improved umbrella frame element. formed of a strip of sheet metal which has a con figuration in cross-section comprising two substantially circular portions and a substantially straight portion connecting said circular portions along a line passing through theatres of the two circular portions.

' 3. An umbrella frame element which has a confi uration in cross-section including two end portions connected by a straight portion, said end nat ns com r sin ub nt a com e P -W 'I -I-lELMA 1on3; FORTNER.

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