Title of Invention

UMBRELLA WITH A ROTATABLE CANOPY

Abstract An umbrella includes a notch member (20) aligned with an elongate stem (10,10'} along an axis (L) for connection with a rib assembly (41) , a canopy (42) mounted on the notch member (20), and a runner (30) slidably sleeved on the stem (10,10') and connected to a stretcher assembly (90) to stretch or retract the rib assembly (41) . First and second coupling members (22, 22", 512, 620,722,822,13,13',13",160,130,610,810) are respectivelysecuredtothenotchmember (20) andthestem (10,10') , and have couplingends (221,131,131") swivelable and frictionally rotatable relative to each other about the axis (L) . A retaining member is disposed toprevent relative displacement of the coupling ends (221,131,131") along the axis (L) . As such, the canopy (42) can be forced to rotate relative to the stem (10,10') about the axis (L) once subjected to a relatively strong external force.
Full Text This invention relates to an umbrella, more particularly to
an umbrella with a canopy which is rotatable relative to a stem
when subjected to a relatively strong force.
Referring to Fig. 1, a conventional umbrella 1 is shown to
include a stem 1, a notch member 2 secured on a top of the stem
1, a runner 3 slidably sleeved on the stem 1 to connect pivotally
with a stretch assembly 4 for supporting a rib assembly 6 disposed
on the underside of a canopy 5. The runner 3 is movable between
an upper position for stretching the rib assembly 6 and a lower
position for collapsing the same. During use, when the umbrella
is subjected to a strong wind or when it accidentally comes into
a forceful contact with a person or object nearby, the canopy
5, which is in a spread-out state, is likely to be twisted to
result in breaking of the stretcher assembly 4 and the stem 1,
and sharp tips of the rib assembly 6 may hurt those that come
into therewith.
The object of the present invention is to provide an umbrella
in which a canopy is forced to rotate relative to a stem upon
being subjected to relatively strong force or upon a forceful
contact with a person or object nearby so as to reduce risks of
damage to the stem and to avoid hurting people nearby.
According to this invention, the umbrella includes an
elongate stem extending along an axis, and having an upper stem
end portion and a runner si iding portion. A notch member is aligned
with the upper stem end portion along the axis, and has upper
and lower notch end portions. A first coupling member has an upper
secured end secured to the lower notch end portion, and a lower
coupling end opposite to the upper secured end. A second coupling
member has a lower secured end secured to the upper stem end
portion, and an upper coupling end opposite to the lower secured
end. The upper coupling end is swivelable and frictionally
rotatable relative to the lower coupling end about the axis. A
retaining member is disposed to prevent displacement of the lower
coupling end relative to the upper coupling end along the axis
during frictional rotation of the upper coupling end relative
to the lower coupling end. A canopy is mounted on the upper notch
end portion of the notch member. A rib assembly includes a
plurality of ribs, each of which has a proximate rib end pivoted
to the lower notch end portion, and a distal rib end disposed
at an underside of the canopy to support the canopy in a spread-out
position and in a collapsed position. A tubular runner is slidably
sleeved on the runner sliding portion of the stem, and is movable
between upper and lower positions which correspond respectively
to the spread-out and collapsed positions of the canopy. A
stretcher assembly interconnects the rib assembly and the runner
so as to stretch or retract the rib assembly, thereby placing
the canopy in the spread-out position or the collapsed position
when the runner is moved to the upper position or the lower
position, respectively, and thereby permitting the runner to be
rotated with the lower coupling end of the first coupling member.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent in the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a fragmentary schematic view of a conventional
umbrella in a spread-out state; and
Figs. 2 to 12 are respectively fragmentary sectional views
of the first to eleventh preferred embodiments of an umbrella
according to this invention.
Before the present invention is described in greater detail,
it should be noted that same reference numerals have been used
to denote like elements throughout the specification.
Referring to Fig. 2, the first preferred embodiment of an
umbrella according to the present invention is shown to comprise
an elongate stem 10, a notch member 20, first and second coupling
members 22,13, a retaining member, a canopy 42, a rib assembly
41, a tubular runner 30, and a stretcher assembly 90.
The stem 10 extends along an axis (L) , and has an upper stem
end portion 11 and a runner sliding portion 16 which extends
downwardly from the upper stem end portion 11 along the axis (L) .
The upper stem end portion 11 is tubular, and has a surrounding
wall surrounding the axis (L) to define a hole 111.
The notch member 20 is disposed on and is aligned with the
upper stem end portion 11 along the axis (L) , and has upper and
lower notch end portions opposite to each other along the axis
(L>.
In this embodiment, the first coupling member 22 is formed
integrally with the notch member 20, and is configured as a
protrusion. The first coupling member 22 has an upper secured
end which extends downwardly from the lower notch end portion
of the notch member 20, and a lower coupling end 221 which is
disposed opposite to the upper secured end along the axis (L).
The retaining member includes a first retaining portion 23 which
is formed integrally with and which extends radially and inwardly
from the lower coupling end 221 of the first coupling member 22.
The second coupling member 13 is configured as a tube which
is received in the hole lll. The second coupling member 13 has
a lower secured end which is secured to the surrounding wall of
the upper stem end portion 11 by a fastening pin 12 that extends
through the surrounding wall and the lower secured end in a
direction radial to the axis (L) , and an upper coupling end 131
which is opposite to the lower secured end along the axis (L).
Thus, the first coupling member 22, which is configured as the
protrusion, is inserted into the second coupling member 13, which
is configured as the tube, downwardly and in a longitudinal
direction parallel to the axis (L) such that the lower coupling
end 221 of the first coupling member 22 is swivelable and is
frictionally rotatable relative to the upper coupling end 131
of the second coupling member 13 about the axis (L).
The retaining member further includes a second retaining
portion 14 which is formed integrally with and which extends
radially and inwardly from the upper coupling end 131 of the second
coupling member 13 and which is superimposed upon the first
retaining portion 23 so as to permit slidable contact therebetween
during f rictional rotation of the upper coupling end 131 relative
to the lower coupling end 221, thereby preventing displacement
of the lower coupling end 221 relative to the upper coupling end
131 along the axis (L).
Preferably, the first coupling member 22 has a slit 223 which
is formed in the lower coupling end 221 so as to facilitate
insertion of the first coupling member 22 into the second coupling
member 13.
The canopy 42 is mounted on the upper notch end portion of
the notch member 20.
The rib assembly 41 includes a plurality of ribs, each of which
has a proximate rib end that is pivoted to the lower notch end
portion of the notch member 20, and a distal rib end that extends
from the proximate rib end radial to the axis (L) and that is
disposed at an underside of the canopy 41 to support the canopy
41 in a spread-out position and in a collapsed position.
The tubular runner 30 is slidably sleeved on the runner sliding
portion 16 of the stem 10, and is movable between upper and lower
positions which correspond respectively to the spread-out and
collapsed positions of the canopy 41.
The stretcher assembly 90 is disposed to interconnect the rib
assembly 41 and the runner 30 so as to stretch or retract the
rib assembly 41, thereby placing the canopy 42 in the spread-out
position or the collapsed position when the runner 30 is moved
to the upper position or the lower position, respectively, and
thereby permitting the runner 30 to be rotated with the lower
coupling end 221 of the first coupling member 22.
Since the canopy 42, the rib assembly 41, the runner 30 and
the stretcher assembly 90 are similar to those in the conventional
umbrella, a detailed description thereof is dispensed with herein
for the sake of brevity.
When the canopy 42 of this embodiment is in the spread-out
position during use, and is subjected to a relatively strong force,
such as the wind or comes into a forceful contact with an object
or a person, the canopy 42 is forced to rotate with the notch
member 20, the first coupling member 22 and the runner 30 relative
to the stem 10 about the axis (L) , thereby reducing the risks
of damage to' the stem 10.and the rib assembly 41. As such, the
service life of the umbrella can be prolonged, and injury to nearby
people and objects can be avoided.
Fig. 3 shows the second preferred embodiment of an umbrella
according to the present invention, which is similar to the first
preferred embodiment in construction, and which is shown to
comprise an elongate stem 10', a notch member 20, first and second
coupling members 22,13', a retaining member with first and second
retaining portions 23,14' , a canopy (not shown) , a rib assembly
(not shown) , a tubular runner (not shown) and a stretcher assembly
(not shown) . The difference resides in that the second coupling
member 13' is formed integrally with and extends upwardly from
the upper stem end portion 11' of the stem 10' . Thus, there is
no need for a fastening pin to secure the second coupling member
13' to the stem 10' .
Fig. 4 shows the third preferred embodiment of an umbrella
according to the present invention, which is similar to the first
preferred embodiment in construction. In this embodiment, the
lower coupling end of the first coupling member 22" is configured
as a tube which surrounds the axis (L) . The upper coupling end
131" of the second coupling member 13" is configured as a
protrusion which is inserted into the tube upwardly and in the
longitudinal direction to permit the first and second retaining
portions 23" , 14" to be superimposed upon each other. Preferably,
the second retaining portion 14" has a frusto-conical cross
section for facilitating insertion of the protrusion into the
tube. More preferably, the protrusion has a slit 132 so as to
be able to be press-fitted into the tube.
In addition, the lower secured end 133 of the second coupling
member 13" is secured on the upper stem end portion 11 of the
stem 10 by a fastening pin 12" which extends through the lower
secured end 133 and the upper stem end portion 11 in a direction
radial to the axis (L).
Fig. 5 shows the fourth preferred embodiment of an umbrella
according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the second
coupling member and the second retaining portion are configured
as a screw bolt 140 which includes a threaded shank 160 that
engages threadedly the upper stem end portion 11 of the stem 10
along the axis (L) and that serves as the second coupling member,
and a head 150 that extends from the threaded shank 160 upwardly
to be distal from the upper stem end portion 11, and that
cooperates with the threaded shank 160 to define a shoulder 141
serving as the second retaining portion. The first coupling member
and the first retaining portion are configured as a sleeve 230
which is formed integrally with the notch member 20. The sleeve
230 has an inner wall 231 that is sleeved on the threaded shank
160, and an upper annular edge 232 that extends radially and
outwardly from the inner wall 231 and that engages frictionally
the shoulder 141 so as to serve as the first retaining portion.
Fig. 6 shows the fifth preferred embodiment of an umbrella
according to the present invention which is similar to the first
preferred embodiment in construction, except that the first
coupling member 512 is a separate part from the notch member 20,
and is secured to the notch member 20 by a fastening pin 513 which
extends therethrough in a direction radial to the axis (L).
Fig. 7 shows the sixth preferred embodiment of an umbrella
according to the present invention, which is similar to the third
preferred embodiment in construction, except that the lower
secured end 134 of the second coupling member 130 extends into
the upper stem end portion 11 of the stem 10 along the axis (L) ,
and is secured to the upper stem end portion 11 by a fastening
pin 135 which extends therethrough in a direction radial to the
axis (L).
Fig. 8 shows the seventh preferred embodiment of an umbrella
according to the present invention. As shown, the upper stem end
portion 11 of the stem 10 has a surrounding wall surrounding the
axis (L) to define a hole lll. The second coupling member 610
is formed integrally with the surrounding wall and extends
upwardly from the surrounding wall along the axis (L) . In this
embodiment, the second coupling member 610 is punched radially
and inwardly relative to the axis (L) to form an annular protrusion
611 that serves as the second retaining portion. The first
coupling member 620 is inserted into the second coupling member
610 in the longitudinal direction, and is formed with an annular
concave portion 622 that serves as the first retaining portion
and that frictionally and rotatably engages the protrusion 611.
Alternatively, in the eighth preferred embodiment of an
umbrella according to this invention as shown in Fig. 9, the second
retaining portion 611' is curved radially and outwardly from the
second coupling member, and the first retaining portion
622' projects radially and outwardly relative to the axis and mates
with the second retaining portion 611' so as to frictionally and
rotatably engages the second retaining portion 611'.
Fig. 10 shows the ninth preferred embodiment of an umbrella
according to the present invention, which is similar to the
seventh preferred embodiment in construction. The difference
resides in that the first coupling member 722 is configured as
a tube which is sleeved securely on the notch member 20 and which
is formed with an annular concave portion 723 to serve as the
first retaining portion.
Alternatively, in the tenth preferred embodiment of an
umbrella according to this invention as shown in Fig. ll, the
second retaining portion 711' is curved radially and outwardly
from the second coupling member, and the first retaining portion
723' projects radially and outwardly relative to the axis and
mates with the second retaining portion 711' so as to frictionally
and rotatably engage the second retaining portion 711' .
Fig. 12 shows the eleventh preferred embodiment of an umbrella
according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the second
coupling member 810 is configured as a tube which extends upwardly
from the upper stem end portion 11 of the stem 10 along the axis,
and which has two diametrically opposite through holes 811. The
first coupling member 822 is configured as a sleeve which is
sleeved rotatably on the tube and which has a surrounding convex
portion 823 that surrounds the axis and that covers the through
holes 811 to serve as the first retaining portion. The second
retaining portion includes two rollers 814 which are respectively
received in the through holes 811 and which rollably and
frictionally engage the surrounding convex portion 823, and a
spring 813 which is disposed to bias the rollers 814 towards the
surrounding convex portion 823.
As illustrated, in the umbrella of this invention, since the
canopy 42 can be forced to rotate with the notch member 20, the
first coupling member 22 and the runner 30 relative to the stem
10,10' about the axis (L) once the canopy 42 is subjected to a
force from the wind, or comes into a forceful contact with a person
or an object nearby, damage to the stem 10,10' and the rib assembly
41 can be reduced to help prolong the service life of the umbrella,
and possible injuries to people and objects that come into contact
therewith can be avoided.
WE CLAIM:
1. An umbrella comprising:
an elongate stem (10,10' ) extending along an axis (L), and
having an upper stem end portion (11,11' ) , and a runner sliding
portion (16) extending downwardly from said upper stem end
portion (11,11') along the axis (L);
a notch member (20) aligned with said upper stem end portion
(11,11' ) along the axis (L) , and having upper and lower notch
end portions opposite to each other along the axis (L);
a canopy (42) mounted on said upper notch end portion of
said notch member (20);
a rib assembly (41) including a plurality of ribs, each
of which has a proximate rib end that is pivoted to said lower
notch end portion of said notch member (20), and a distal rib
end that extends from said proximate rib end radial to the
axis (L) and that is disposed at an underside of said canopy
(42) to support said canopy (42) in a spread-out position and
in a collapsed position;
a tubular runner (30) slidablysleevedonsaidrunnersliding
portion (16) of said stem (10,10' ), and movable between upper
and lower positions which correspond respectively to the
spread-out and collapsed positions of said canopy (42); and
a stretcher assembly (90) disposed to interconnect said
rib assembly (41) and said runner (30) so as to stretch or
retract said rib assembly (41), thereby placing said canopy
(42) in the spread-out position or the collapsed position when
said runner (30) is moved to the upper position or the lower
position, respectively, said umbrella being further characterized by:
a first coupling member (22,22",512,620,722,822) having an upper
secured end which is secured to said lower notch end portion, and a lower
coupling end (211) which is disposed opposite to said upper secured end along
the axis (L);
a second coupling member (13,13',13",160,130,610,810) having a lower
secured end (133,134) which is secured to said upper stem end portion (11,11'),
and an upper coupling end (131,131") which is opposite to said lower secured
end (133,134) along the axis (L) and which is disposed to be swivelable and
frictionally rotatable relative to said lower coupling end (221) about the axis (L)
so as to permit said runner (30) to be rotated with said lower coupling end
(221) when said runner (30) is in the upper position, at least one of said upper
secured end and said secured end being integrally formed with a respective one
of said lower notch end portion and said upper stem end portion; and
a retaining member disposed between said upper and lower secured ends
along the axis so as to prevent displacement of said lower coupling end (221)
relative to said upper coupling end (131,13") along the axis (L) during frictional
rotation of said upper coupling end (131,131") relative to said lower coupling end
(221).
2. The umbrella as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of said upper and lower
coupling ends (131,131",221) is sleeved on the other one of said upper and
lower coupling ends (131,131", 221)
along the axis (L) so as to be swivelable relative thereto
about the axis (L), said retaining member including first
and second retaining portions
(23,23",232,622, 622',723,723',823,14,14',14",141,611,611
',711',813,814) which are disposed on said lower and upper
coupling ends (221,131,131"), respectively, and which extend
in a direction radial to the axis (L) such that said first
and second retaining portions (23,23",232,622,622',723,
723', 823,14,14',14",141,611,611',711',813,814) are
superimposed upon each other so as to permit slidable contact
therebetween when said upper and lower coupling ends
(131,131",221) are forced to frictionally rotate relative
to each other.
3. The umbrella as claimed in Claim 3 whreinsaid first
andsecondretainingportions(23,23",232,622,622',723,723' ,
14,14',14",141,611,611',711' ) are formed integrally with
said lower and upper coupling ends (221,131,131"),
respectively, and are configured to mate with each other so
as to frictionally and rotatably engage each other in a
longitudinal direction parallel to the axis (L) .
4. The umbrella of Claim 3, characterized in that said upper
stem end portion (11,11') has a surrounding wall surrounding
the axis (L) to define a hole (lll), said second coupling
member (13,13' ) being configured as a tube which is received
in said hole (111) and being secured to said surrounding wall,
said first coupling member (22,22) being configured as a
protrusion which is inserted into said tube downwardly and
in the longitudinal direction to permit said first and second
retaining portions (23,14,14') to be superimposed upon each
other.
5. The umbrella as claimed in Claim 4 ,whereinsaid second
coupling member (13') is formed integrally with said upper
stem end portion (11' ) and extends upwardly from said upper
stem end portion (11').
6. The umbrella as claimed in Claim 4,wherin said protrusion
has a slit (223) formed in said lower coupling end (221) so
as to facilitate insertion of said protrusion into said tube.
7 . The umbrella of Claim 4, further characterized by a fastening
pin (513) extending through said first coupling member (512)
and said notch member (20) in a direction radial to the axis
(L) so as to secure said first coupling member (512) to said
notch member (20).
8. The umbrella as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said lower
coupling end of said first coupling member (22") is configured
as a tube which surrounds the axis (L), said upper coupling
end (131") being configured as a protrusion which is inserted
into said tube upwardly and in the longitudinal direction
to permit said first and second retaining portions (23", 14")
to be superimposed upon each other.
9. The umbrella as claimed in Claim 8,wherein said protrusion
hasaslit (132) soas to facilitate insertionof saidprotrusion
into said tube.
10. The umbrella as claimed in Claim 8,wherein said lower
secured end (133) of said second coupling member (13") is
sleeved on said upper stem end portion (11), said umbrella
further comprising a fastening pin (12") which extends through
said second coupling member (13") and said upper stem end
portion (11) in a direction radial to the axis (L) so as to
secure said second coupling member (13") to said upper stem
end portion (11).
11. The umbrella as claimed in claim 8,wherein said lower
secured end (134) extends into said upper stem end portion
(11) along the axis (L), said umbrella further comprising
a fasteningpin (135) which extends through said lower secured
end (134) and said upper stem end portion (11) in a direction
radial to the axis (L) so as to secure said lower secured
end (134) to said upper stem end portion (11).
12 . The umbrella as claimed in Claim 3,wherein said second
coupling member (160) and said second retaining portion (141)
are configured as a screw bolt (140) which includes a threaded
shank (160) that engages threadedly said upper stem end portion
(11) along the axis (L) and that serves as said second coupling
member (160), and a head (150) that extends from said threaded
shank (160) upwardly anddistal fromsaidupper stemend portion
(11) , and that cooperates with said threaded shank (160) to
define a shoulder (141) servingassaidsecondretainingportion
(141), said first coupling member and said first retaining
portion being configured as a sleeve (230) which has an inner
wall (231) that is sleeved on said threaded shank (160) , and
an upper annular edge (232) that extends radially and outwardly
from said inner wall (231) and that frictionally engages said
shoulder (141) so as to serve as said first retaining portion
(232) .
13.The umbrella of Claim 3, characterized in that said upper
stem end portion (11) has a surrounding wall surrounding the
axis (L) to define a hole (111), said second coupling member
(610) being formed integrally with said surrounding wall and
extending upwardly from said surrounding wall along the axis
(L).
14. The umbrella as claimed in Claim 13 wherein. said second
couplingmember(610)ispunchedradiallyandinwardlyrelative
to the axis (L) to form a protrusion (611) that serves as
saidsecondretainingportion(611) , saidfirstcouplingmember
(620) being inserted into said second coupling member (610)
in the longitudinal direction and being formed with an annular
concave portion (622) that serves as said first retaining
portion (622) and that frictionally and rotatably engages
said protrusion (611).
15.The umbrella as claimed in Claim 2,wherein Said second
coupling member (810) is configured as a tube which extends
upwardly from said upper stem end portion (11) along the axis
(L), and which has two diametrically opposite through holes
(811) , said first coupling member (822) being configured as
a sleeve which is sleeved rotatably on said tube and which
has a surrounding convex portion (823) that surrounds the
axis (L) and that covers said through holes (811) to serve
as said first retaining portion (823), said second retaining
portion (813,814) including two rollers (814) which are
respectively received in said through holes (811) and which
rollably and frictionally engage said surrounding convex
portion (823), and a spring (813) which is disposed to bias
said rollers (814) towards said surrounding convex portion
(823) .

An umbrella includes a notch member (20) aligned with an
elongate stem (10,10'} along an axis (L) for connection with
a rib assembly (41) , a canopy (42) mounted on the notch member
(20), and a runner (30) slidably sleeved on the stem (10,10')
and connected to a stretcher assembly (90) to stretch or retract
the rib assembly (41) . First and second coupling members
(22, 22", 512, 620,722,822,13,13',13",160,130,610,810) are
respectivelysecuredtothenotchmember (20) andthestem (10,10') ,
and have couplingends (221,131,131") swivelable and frictionally
rotatable relative to each other about the axis (L) . A retaining
member is disposed toprevent relative displacement of the coupling
ends (221,131,131") along the axis (L) . As such, the canopy (42)
can be forced to rotate relative to the stem (10,10') about the
axis (L) once subjected to a relatively strong external force.

Documents:

559-KOL-2003-(03-01-2012)-FORM-27.pdf

559-kol-2003-abstract.pdf

559-kol-2003-claims.pdf

559-KOL-2003-CORRESPONDENCE 1.1.pdf

559-KOL-2003-CORRESPONDENCE.1.3.pdf

559-kol-2003-correspondence.pdf

559-kol-2003-description (complete).pdf

559-kol-2003-drawings.pdf

559-KOL-2003-EXAMINATION REPORT.1.3.pdf

559-kol-2003-examination report.pdf

559-kol-2003-form 1.pdf

559-KOL-2003-FORM 18.1.3.pdf

559-kol-2003-form 18.pdf

559-kol-2003-form 2.pdf

559-KOL-2003-FORM 26.1.3.pdf

559-KOL-2003-FORM 3.1.3.pdf

559-kol-2003-form 3.pdf

559-KOL-2003-GRANTED-ABSTRACT.pdf

559-KOL-2003-GRANTED-CLAIMS.pdf

559-KOL-2003-GRANTED-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

559-KOL-2003-GRANTED-DRAWINGS.pdf

559-KOL-2003-GRANTED-FORM 1.pdf

559-KOL-2003-GRANTED-FORM 2.pdf

559-KOL-2003-GRANTED-LETTER PATENT.pdf

559-KOL-2003-GRANTED-SPECIFICATION.pdf

559-KOL-2003-OTHERS.1.3.pdf

559-KOL-2003-PA-CERTIFIED COPIES.pdf

559-KOL-2003-PA.pdf

559-KOL-2003-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

559-KOL-2003-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT.1.3.pdf

559-KOL-2003-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

559-kol-2003-specification.pdf


Patent Number 247557
Indian Patent Application Number 559/KOL/2003
PG Journal Number 16/2011
Publication Date 22-Apr-2011
Grant Date 20-Apr-2011
Date of Filing 28-Oct-2003
Name of Patentee MAX WANG
Applicant Address NO.19, TA-YUAN 13TH ST. TAI-PING CITY, TAICHUNG HSIEN,
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 MAX WANG NO.19, TA-YUAN 13TH ST. TAI-PING CITY, TAICHUNG HSIEN,
PCT International Classification Number A45B 25/10
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA