GB2250434A

GB2250434A - Automatic opening umbrella

Info

Publication number: GB2250434A
Application number: GB9127015A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fu-Tien Liu; Toshio Okuda
Original assignee: Totes Inc
Current assignee: Totes Isotoner Corp
Priority date: 1990-11-05
Filing date: 1991-12-18
Publication date: 1992-06-10
Also published as: GB9127015D0; GB9209215D0; GB2253784A; GB2250191A; CA2043209A1; GB9111715D0; CN2091564U

Abstract

In a self-opening, partially self-closing telescopic umbrella, the telescopic shaft 16 incorporates a shock-absorbing spring guide rod surrounded by the opening spring 10 and containing a cushioning spring 17 for cushioning the impact forces exerted by the opening spring as the umbrella is opened. <IMAGE>

Description

AUTOMATIC UMBRELLA This invention relates to umbrellas. More particularly, this invention relates to automatic umbrellas, i.e., to umbrellas in which the cover opens and closes automatically.

Spring loaded self-opening or automatic umbrellas are known to the prior art. And spring loaded self-closing umbrellas also are known to the prior art. Under certain commercial circumstances, the more automatic an umbrella is, and the more safe that automatic umbrella is to use, the more commercially successful it may be. In some use circumstances, it even may be more desirable that an umbrella have the self-closing function rather than the self-opening function. Therefor, it is desirable to provide retail consumers with a self-opening and self-closing umbrella which can be conveniently used.

Most currently sold automatic umbrellas are in fact only semi-automatic because spring force is used only for opening the umbrella. It is difficult to create a commercially practical umbrella having both functions of self-opening and self-closing because the operation of closing an umbrella is the reverse of the operation of opening the umbrella. In other words, both of the umbrella's opening and closing movement need the use of springs, but these springs tend to counteract or conflict with one another during use. So most conventional spring loaded umbrellas are designed primarily for selfopening by use of the spring force, while closing or collapsing the umbrella is carried out by hand.

The prior art automatic umbrella is readily actuated, i.e., the umbrella is opened, by merely pressing a button. In this self-opening umbrella, and when the umbrella is of the collapsible centerpost type, the spring force that pushes or extends onto the centerpost is very strong. Accordingly, damage to people or property may be risked if the umbrella's button is inadvertently pressed to cause the umbrella to open. Therefor, it also is desirable to provide the retail consumer with a self opening and self opening umbrella the incorporates a safety latch system for the umbrella' operator button.

Accordingly, it is a primary objective of this invention to provide an automatic umbrella Comprising a handle having an operator button, a rib linkage connected to an exterior linkage runner slidably carried on a collapsible centerpost, an exterior latch runner slidably carried on the centerpost, both the linkage and the latch runner being separately latchingly connectable with the button, a pulley mounted to the umbrella's crown, a cord passing over the pulley connected at one end to the latch runner and at the other end to the linkage runner, an extension spring in the centerpost for extending the rib linkage and the centerpost during the umbrella opening step, and retractor springs connected with the rib linkage for collapsing the rib linkage during the umbrella closing step.When closed, the umbrella can be opened by pushing the button which simultaneously latches the slidable latch runner in place, and releases the linkage runner so the centerpost spring can extend out the centerpost. The linkage runner is pulled on the centerpost by the cord as the centerpost extends out to a position where the rib linkage is completely opened when the centerpost is completely extended. In this opening sequence, after the linkage runner passes over a primary latch, the push button is then released to allow that primary latch to catch the slidable latch runner and hold it in the umbrella open position. When the umbrella is to be closed, the button is pushed down again to now release the primary latch from the latch runner.This allows the retractor spring to close or collapse the rib linkage which causes the linkage runner to move downwardly along the centerpost toward the umbrella's handle and which, in turn, causes the latch runner to move upwardly along the centerpost toward the umbrella's crown. This establishes a partial self-closing position where the rib linkage is collapsed but the centerpost is still extended. Since the rib linkage now is collapsed, the centerpost can be pushed or telescoped into its collapsed position where the umbrella is completely closed.

It is a further objective of this invention to provide an automatic collapsible centerpost umbrella where a slidable linkage runner is caught and held by a secondary latch as long as the umbrella's cover is held wrapped about the centerpost in the event the umbrella's push button is inadvertently pushed and released, that secondary latch also functioning as a safety to prevent the umbrella from being opened thereafter until the linkage runner is first re-engaged with a primary latch. So even when the button is pressed again, the umbrella cannot be opened as long as the safety is engaged to minimize prospective damage to people or property that otherwise might be caused by the inadvertent opening of the umbrella when the umbrella's cover is unwrapped prior to opening the umbrella.

It is also an objective of this invention to provide an automatic collapsible centerpost umbrella which has a spring guide rod in the collapsible centerpost for preventing the bending or deformation of an extension spring in order to ensure repeated smooth openings of the umbrella.

It is an other objective of this invention to provide an automatic collapsible centerpost umbrella of the type described in the above paragraph which is provided with a cushion spring between the spring guide rod and a cushion rod, the spring guide rod being connected to one section of the centerpost and the cushion rod being connected to another section of the centerpost. This structure provides a cushion effect for protecting the joint portion between the centerpost sections from damage which might otherwise result from the impact forces exerted on the centerpost when the centerpost reaches its final position during the umbrella's opening sequence.

In accord with these objectives, the automatic umbrella of this invention is a full selfopening and partial self-closing umbrella comprising an upper rib linkage runner and a lower latch runner slidable on a collapsible centerpost. A cord passes over a pulley fixed to the centerpost's top end, one cord end being connected to the rib linkage runner and the other cord end being connected to the latch runner. The umbrella's centerpost and rib linkage self-opens in response to a centerpost spring when the rib linkage runner is released from its storage position because the latch runner is held in its storage position, i.e., one end of the cord is held in a fixed position, while the rib linkage runner is allowed to move up the centerpost during the opening step. In the opened position, and when the latch runner is released, the rib linkage runner is no longer held in place by the cord.This causes closure springs which are part of the rib linkage to collapse the ribs toward the centerpost as the rib linkage runner slides down the centerpost, and as the latch runner slides up the centerpost to intermediate closure positions. Thus the umbrella's cover and rib linkage is collapsed, but the centerpost is still fully extended. The centerpost is then itself collapsed against the bias of the extension spring until the rib linkage and latch runner are latched in position adjacent the umbrella's handle. The umbrella also includes a spring guide rod with a cushion device for cushioning the impact forces exerted by the centerpost extension spring as the umbrella is opened.

Also, the umbrella includes a safety hook that engages the linkage runner if the umbrella's push button is inadvertently pushed when the umbrella is closed and the umbrella's cover is wrapped with-a closure strap.

The safety hook prevents the umbrella from opening prematurely when the closure strap is released.

Other objectives and advantages of the invention are described in greater detail below in conjunction with the drawings in which: Fig. 1 illustrates an umbrella according to the invention in a closed or collapsed position; Fig. 2 illustrates the umbrella with the push button depressed and the umbrella ready to open; Fig. 3 shows the umbrella according to the invention with the push button depressed, with the rib linkage held collapsed against the centerpost, and with the safety latch activated; Fig. 4 illustrates the umbrella about half opened in the opening sequence; Fig. 5 illustrates the umbrella fully opened or erected; Fig. 6 shows the umbrella in an intermediate or partially closed position where the rib linkage is collapsed but the centerpost is still extended;; Fig. 7 is an exploded view showing construction of the umbrella's centerpost, latch system, slidable latch runner, push button, pulley, pulley cord and linkage runner of the invention; Fig. 8 illustrates the umbrella of Figs. 1-7 with a cushion device, the umbrella being shown in the -closed or collapsed position; Fig. 9 illustrates the umbrella of Fig. 8 but with the umbrella being shown in the opened or extended position; Fig. 10 illustrates in detail the cushion device used with the umbrella shown in Figs. 8 and 9; Fig. 11 is a partially exploded view showing the spring guide rod; and Fig. 12 is a fully exploded view showing the spring guide rod.

In the following detailed description the various structural elements of the umbrella bear the following reference numerals: handle 1; centerpost 2; rib linkage 3; crown 4; linkage runner 5; push button 6t latch lever 7; joint 8; primary latch finger 9; extension spring 10; pulley 11; cord 12; latch runner 13; primary latch projection 14; retractor spring 15; spring guide rod 16; cushion spring 17; cushion rod 18; handle tube 19; upper centerpost section 21,; lower centerpost section 22; secondary latch hook 71; primary latch hook 72; safety latch 73.

The umbrella of this invention includes a centerpost 2, a handle 1 fixed to the lower end of the centerpost 2, and the rib linkage 3 mounted between the crown 4 and linkage runner 5, which upper runner 5 is displaceable or slidable on the centerpost 2; The handle 1 is provided with a pushbutton 6 having finger 9 that cooperates with latch runner 13 for use in the opening of the umbrella. The centerpost 2 includes upper tube 21 and lower tube 22 which can be telescoped relative one to the other, and which hold extension spring 10 inside thereof for extending or collapsing the centerpost 2. A pulley 11 located the crown 4 is fixed in place at the upper end of the centerpost 2. A cord 12 passed over the pulley 11 has one end secured to the linkage runner 5 and the other end fixed to the latch runner 13.Both runners 5, 13 are slidable along the centerpost 2, and the latch runner 13 has a projection 14 that cooperates with the push button 6 as shown in Figs. 2 and 7.

When the umbrella is fully collapsed as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, and when it is desired to open the umbrella, the push button is pushed down so that primary latch projection 9 of the button 6 engages primary latch projection 14 of the latch runner 13.

The slidable latch runner 13 is thereby held in place, and the primary latch hook 72 and the secondary latch hook 71 are moved or pivoted into the interior of the centerpost 2. This disengages the linkage runner 5 from the primary and secondary hooks 72, 71, and allows the runner 5 to be pulled upwardly by the cord 12 as the spring 10 pushes out or extends the centerpost 2 (and, hence the pulley 11) to open the umbrella. During the opening sequence, the button 6 is released to allow the latch hooks 71, 72 to be spring biased again out of the centerpost 2 once the linkage runner 5 passes upwardly over the latch hooks 71, 72. This allows slidable latch runner 13 to move up lightly and engage the lower edge of the primary latch hook 72, see Fig. 5.

The outer end of the secondary latch hook 71 is provided with an extension portion forming a safety hook 73, as shown in Fig. 3. When closed, the rib linkage 3 is generally bundled, and held that way, by a cover strap (not shown). If button 6 is inadvertently pushed the linkage runner 5 merely moves over the primary hook 72 into a position where it can be caught by the secondary hook 71 so that the umbrella can not open, i.e., so the centerpost 2 cannot extend when the button is released. Now if the rib linkage 3 was thereafter unbundled (i.e., if the cover strap, not shown, was thereafter released), then the umbrella would open thereafter if the button 6 was inadvertently pushed and if the safety hook 73 was not present.

But even if a further inadvertent push occurs on the button 6, the safety hook 73 will catch the runner 5 and prevent the secondary hook 71 from releasing the runner 5. This prohibits the deeper push on the button 6 which ensures that there is no risk of uncontrolled opening of the centerpost 2 that may damage people or property after the button has been inadvertently pushed a first time and after the cover strap (not shown) has bee released after that first inadvertent push. In this safety hook 73 position shown in Fig. 3, the centerpost 2 needs to be pushed or re-collapsed back into its fully shortened position shown in Fig. 1 in order to re-prepare it for another opening sequence which only can occur after the cover strap (not shown) has been released.

The umbrella is provided with retraction springs 15 between the upper end of the linkage runner 5 and joint 8 of the rib linkage 3, as shown in Figs.

5 and 6. If an opened umbrella is to be closed, it is necessary to push down button 6 to depress latch hooks 71 and 72 into the centerpost 2. This allows the slidable latch runner 13 to move up as the rib linkage 3 collapses in response to the retraction springs 15.

In other words, the cord 12 no longer exerts a restraint on the linkage runner 5 because it is no longer held in place at that end fixed to the latch runner 13. This allows the linkage runner 5 to move downwardly on the centerpost as the closure springs 15 pull the joints 8 toward the centerpost 2. As the rib linkage 3 is collapsed, the cord 12 lifts the latch runner 13 up the centerpost to a position near the linkage runner 5 to complete the self-closing movement. After the rib linkage 3 is self-closed, the centerpost 2 is then pushed or collapsed manually into a preliminary closed position where latch hook 71 catches the runner 5. In this preliminary closure position, the rib linkage 3 and cover (not shown) can be furled around the centerpost, and then held in that furled position by a cover strap (not shown).The umbrella is then completely closed as shown in Fig. 1 by collapsing the centerpost 2 further until hook 72 catches the runner 5.

This invention provides a full self-opening and partial self-closing umbrella which has the advantage that it is convenient to use, for instance, on a rainy day by a car's driver. For example, whether the driver is getting in or out of the car, the driver can stretch a hand out of the car and control the opening or closing movement of the umbrella by merely pressing a button without getting wet in the rain.

The extension spring 10 has substantial length and power, and is received in the centerpost's upper tube section 21 and lower tube section 22. The exterior diameter of the spring 10 is designed to be operably received in the smaller diameter inner tube section 21 as compared with the outer tube section 22.

This leaves a clearance between the spring 10 and the inner wall of the lower tube section 22 which could allow deformation of the spring 10 during closing or collapsing of the centerpost 2. In order to avoid such deformation, a guide rod 16 is mounted on the joint between handle tube 19 and lower tube 21 so that the spring 10 operates smoothly and firmly within that lower tube.

The spring guide rod 16 is preferably formed as a hollow tube provided at its upper end with a cushion spring 17 retained in position within the guide rod tube 16 by a cushion rod 18 which extends through the spring 17 and bears against it with a lower.cylindrical base, cylindrical base, see Figs. 8-10 and 12. The upper end of the cushion rod 18 and the lower end of the guide rod 16 may be connected to the centerpost 2 by connecting pins, respectively, as shown in the enlarged view of Fig. 10. When opening the umbrella, the spring 10 extends the centerpost 2 upwardly, and upon the centerpost 2 reaching its final position a cushion effect is provided to protect the joint portion between the upper tube section 21 and lower tube section 22 from damage due to the impact force thereof.

It will of course be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and that modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

(1 ) A collapsible umbrella comprising a centerpost having first and second sections telescopable one within the other, an extension coil spring located interiorly of said centerpost, said extension spring being adapted to extend said sections out one from the other when said umbrella is opened, a latch connected with said centerpost, said latch being adapted to hold said first and second sections in telescoped position when said umbrella is collapsed, said centerpost being extended by said extension spring when said latch is released, and a spring guide rod mounted to that one of said -first and second sections with greatest crosssectional area, said guide being located interiorly with said coil spring.

(
2 ) A collapsible umbrella as set form in Claim 1, said umbrella comprising a cushion rod mounted to the other of said first and second sections, said cushion rod being connected with said guide rod, and a cushion spring connected between said cushion rod and said guide rod.
( 3) A collapsible umbrella as set forth in Claim 2 comprising one of said guide rod and said cushion rod being hollow, the other of said guide rod and said cushion rod being telescopable within that one hollow rod.
4) A collapsible umbrella as set forth in Claim 3, said cushion spring being interposed interiorly of that hollow rod between the free end of said guide rod and the free end of said cushion rod.

( 5) An umbrella comprising a centerpost having a handle at one end, a crown at the other end, and a linkage runner slidable on said centerpost, a rib linkage connected between said crown and said linkage runner, an extension spring connected with said rib linkage, said extension spring being adapted to erect said rib linkage, a cover connected to said rib linkage, said cover including a cover strap adapted to hold said cover in a furled position about said centerpost when said umbrella is collapsed, a primary latch connected with said handle, said primary latch being adapted to hold said rib linkage in a collapsed position when said extension spring is cocked, said rib linkage is collapsed, and said cover is unfurled, and said primary latch being adapted to release said rib linkage from said collapsed position in order to erect said rib linkage in response to release of said cocked extension spring when said cover is unfurled, a safety latch connected with said handle, said safety latch being adapted to prevent opening of said rib linkage after said cover is no longer held furled by said cover strap if said primary latch has been first activated with said cover held furled by said cover strap.

(6 ) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 5, said safety latch being adapted to prevent opening of said rib linkage when said cover no longer is held furled by said cover strap whether said primary latch is activated again or not.

(7 ) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 6, said safety latch being releasable only by re-activating said primary latch to hold said rib linkage in that collapsed position where said spring is cocked, said rib linkage is collapsed, and said cover is unfurled.

(8 ) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 7, said umbrella comprising first and second sections telescopable one within the other that define said centerpost, said extension spring being located interiorly of said centerpost, said spring being adapted to extend said sections out one from the other when said rib linkage is opened, said primary latch also being adapted to hold said first and second sections in telescoped position when said umbrella is collapsed.

(9) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 8, said umbrella comprising a secondary latch connected with said handle, said secondary latch being adapted to hold said rib linkage in a collapsed position relative to said centerpost which is a preliminary storage position relative to said handle in order to allow said cover to be furled and strapped around said centerpost upon closing said umbrella.

(lO) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 9, said secondary latch comprising a latch lever pivotally mounted to said handle, and a secondary latch hook connected to said latch lever.

(11) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 10, said safety latch comprising a safety hook connected to said latch hook.

(12) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 11, said primary latch comprising a primary latch hook connected to said latch lever.

(lea) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 9, said umbrella further comprising a push button connected with said handle, said push button being adapted to operate all of said primary latch, said secondary latch and said safety latch.

(14) An umbrella as set forth in Claim 13, said push button being depressable along only a single motion path.

(15) An umbrella according to Claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 7 or Figures 8 to 12 of the accompanying drawings.