WO2001067914A1 - Stick assembly for a parasol or umbrella or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

Stick assembly for a parasol or umbrella or the like, comprising a lower half of a stick and an upper half of a stick connected to each other by means of a hinge, and a collar which is slidable over the hinge and the halves of the stick. The collar is provided with support ribs for unfolding the parasol, umbrella or the like, and with fixation means for fixing the lower half of the stick at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to the upper half of the stick.

Description

Stick assembly for a parasol or umbrella or the like.

The invention relates to a stick assembly for a parasol or umbrella or the like, comprising a lower half of a stick and an upper half of a stick connected to each other by means of a hinge, and a collar which is slidable over the hinge and the halves of the stick, the stick assembly being provided with fixation means for fixing the lower half of the stick at an angle with respect to the upper half of the stick.

Such a stick assembly is known from amongst others FR-A-756598. Here the fixation means consist of the upper side of the lower hinge member being provided with recesses, as a result of which the lower half of the stick of the parasol described can be fixed in a pre-determined angle with respect to the upper half of the stick by sliding the collar downwards in the recess. The fixation device described however, is unsuitable to fix the lower half of the stick in a position of approximately 90° .

The fixing of a lower half of a stick with respect to an upper half of a stick offers new possibilities for the use of a parasol, umbrella or the like, such as amongst others can be seen in Dutch patent 1 .004.754. Moreover it is possible for instance to attach a parasol on a balcony, by for instance providing a wall with attachment means to which the half of the stick, which has been fixed at an angle of approximately 90° with respect to the lower half of the stick, can be attached. As a result there is no inconvenient stick in the middle of a generally small balcony.

However, there still was no simple solution to fix a lower half of a stick at an angle of 90 ° with respect to the upper half of the stick. It is amongst others the object of the present invention to solve this problem.

To that end the invention provides a stick assembly according to the preamble, characterized in that the collar is provided with fixation means for fixing the lower half of the stick at an angle of approximately 90 ° with respect to the upper half of the stick.

By also providing the collar with a fixation means, such a stick assembly is simple to produce and simple to use. Moreover a furthermore standard parasol umbrella or the like can be used on cooperation with the stick assembly. For the stick assembly as well mainly standard parts can be used. As a result the stick assembly according to the invention can simply and cheaply be mass-produced. Moreover the outside of the collar according to the present invention remains untouched and will not be damaged during use.

Apart from that the parasol, umbrella or the like according to the invention is easy to put up. The lower half of the stick is not buckled until the parasol, umbrella or the like is completely opened.

From FR-A-750914, for that matter, an umbrella or parasol having a stick assembly according to the preamble is known, in which the unfolded part of the umbrella or parasol can be brought into a parallel position with respect to the lower half of the stick. Here the ribs have different lengths, as a result of which such a parasol cannot easily be mass-produced.

Additionally umbrellas and parasols are known from amongst others US-A- 1 .996.071 and US-A-3.521 .651 having a stick assembly in which the lower and upper halves of the stick can be fixed with respect to each other in a predetermined angle with respect to each other. Here the stick assembly is always provided with fixation means separately from the collar. Moreover, the fixation means described are again not suitable to fix the halves of the stick at an angle of approximately 90° with respect to each other.

The stick assembly may for instance be used in a parasol provided with a foot as shown in the international model registration DM/039.763, or

Dutch patent 1 .004.754.

Preferably the collar is provided with a fixation position in which the lower half of the stick is fixed at an angle of preferably approximately 90° with respect to the upper half of the stick. Here the collar is slid downwards as much as possible, around the upper half of the stick. Preferably the collar is situated at the bottom of the upper half of the stick. More preferably the umbrella, parasol or the like is unfolded in the fixation position. This makes it possible to combine a fixation function and an unfolding function, as a result of which a simple construction becomes possible.

Preferably the collar is provided with support ribs for unfolding the parasol, umbrella or the like. As a result a simple construction is possible, in which the collar combines an unfolding function and a fixation function.

Preferably the fixation means of the collar comprise a first stop at the lower side of the inside of the collar, which stop is situated below the hinge centre line when the stick assembly is in the fixation position. For a firm fixation the collar comprises a second stop, which second stop is situated above the hinge centre line when the stick assembly is in the fixation position.

Preferably the hinge comprises an upper hinge member which is connected to the upper half of the stick and a lower hinge member which is con- nected to the lower half of the stick.

Preferably a part of the top side of the lower hinge member which is situated below the hinge centre line in the fixation position forms a stop against the first stop in the fixation position. In order to optimize the fixation of the halves of the stick a part of the top side of the lower hinge member which is situated above the hinge centre line in the fixation position forms a stop against the second stop in the fixation position, which stop is situated above the first stop. Additionally or instead a part of the top side of the lower half of the stick in the fixation position forms a stop against the second stop which is situated opposite the first stop.

More preferably the lower and upper half of the stick are fixed at an angle of approximately 90 ° with respect to each other by means of the fixation means of the collar and stop planes of the hinge. Preferably the bottom side of the collar in the fixation position is situated in line with the downwardly oriented side of the lower half of the stick.

In order to ensure the fixation the stick assembly is provided with a pre- biassed fixation position, in which preferably above the collar the stick assembly is provided with spring means.

Preferably the collar at the bottom side is provided with a recess at the side of the collar towards which the lower half of the stick can be fixed. More preferably the recess is slidable over at least a part of the lower half of the stick in the fixation position.

Preferably the top side of the lower half of the stick or the top side of the part of the hinge that is attached at the lower half of the stick below the hinge point comprises a stop against the inside of the collar.

In order to ensure the fixation the top side of the recess forms a stop for the lower half of the stick.

Preferably the hinge is formed by a lip at the lower half of the stick and lips at the bottom side of the upper half of the stick between which the lip is rotatably accommodated, in which more preferably an axle is arranged through the lip and the lips.

Preferably the top side of the lip, below the axle of the hinge at least has a portion which is situated in line with the side of the upper half of the stick, when the lower and upper half of the stick are situated at an angle of approximately 90 ° with respect to each other.

In a preferred embodiment the spring means are pressed in in the fixation position as a result of which the collar is pressed downwards.

The invention moreover relates to a stick assembly for a parasol or umbrella or the like, comprising a lower half of a stick and an upper half of a stick connected to each other by means of a hinge, and a collar which is slidable over the hinge and the halves of the stick, the collar being provided with support ribs for unfolding the parasol, umbrella or the like, the top side of a part of the hinge that is connected to the lower half of the stick forming a stop plane to stop at the inside of the collar when the halves of the stick make an angle with each other.

Moreover the invention relates to a known stick assembly for a parasol or umbrella or the like, comprising a lower half of a stick and an upper half of a stick connected to each other by means of a hinge, and a collar which is slidable over the hinge and the halves of the stick, the collar being provided with support ribs for unfolding the parasol, umbrella or the like, and the stick assembly being provided with fixation means for fixing the lower half of the stick at an angle with respect to the upper half of the stick, characterized in that the top side of a part of the hinge connected to the lower half of the stick forms a stop plane.

Preferably said stop plane extends on both sides of the rotary shaft of the hinge. As a result the lower half of the stick can be fixed with respect to the upper half of the stick with the help of the collar.

Preferably the stop plane is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lower half of the stick, as a result of which the lower half of the stick can be fixed perpendicular to the upper half of the stick with the help of the fixation means of the collar.

To that end the inside of the bottom side of the collar is provided with a stop for said stop plane.

In the described embodiments preferably at least one of either halves of the stick is provided with a blocking device, and the collar is provided with blocking means suitable for cooperation with the blocking device. Preferably the blocking device blocks the collar in which case the collar partially or entirely envelops the hinge, or either partially or entirely covers the hinge. Preferably said blocking device is of a kind known per se for a parasol.

A specific embodiment of the invention will be elucidated in the basis of the figures. The figures serve to illustrate the invention and should not be considered as a limitation of the invention.

Figure 1 shows an umbrella, parasol or the like in an unfolded position.

Figure 2 shows the umbrella, parasol or the like of figure 1 , in which the lower half of the stick is fixed at an angle of approximately 90 ° with respect to the upper half of the stick.

Figure 3 shows in detail the fixation of the lower half of the stick.

Figure 4 shows the rotation of the parasol, umbrella or the like of figure 1 about the fixed lower half of the stick.

Figure 5A-5D shows one part of a possible hinge and a half of a stick according to the invention.

Figure 6A-6D shows a hinge member corresponding to or cooperating with the hinge member of figure 5A-5D, and a half of a stick.

Figure 7 shows in detail the fixation of both halves of the stick with the help of the collar.

Figure 8 shows the collar according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows an umbrella/parasol or the like according to the invention. The stick assembly 2 is provided with a lower half of a stick 3 and an upper half of a stick 4. Both halves of the stick 3, 4 are connected to each other by means of hinge 5. Both halves of the stick with hinge are also called a buckling arm (articulated arm). Around the stick assembly 2 a collar 6 is arranged which is slidable over both halves of the stick 3, 4 and the hinge 5. At the top side of the collar 6 support ribs 7 are attached for unfolding the parasol/umbrella or the like. Said support ribs 7 support the biassing ribs which unfold the parasol/umbrella or the like. The biassing ribs are generally hingably attached to the top side of the upper half of the stick 4. Both halves of the stick 3, 4 and the hinge 5 are provided with fixation means 8. Moreover a stop 10 is arranged around the upper half of the stick 4. Between the stop 10 and the collar 6 spring means 9 are situated, in the figure the volute spring around the half of the stick.

Figure 2 shows the parasol/umbrella or the like of figure 1 , in which the lower half of the stick is fixed in a position of approximately 90° with respect to the upper half of the stick by means of the collar 6. The lower half of the stick 3, therefore is at right angles or perpendicular to the upper half of the stick 4. It can be seen that in this position the bottom side 1 2 of the lower half of the stick is substantially almost equal to the bottom side 1 1 of the collar 6. Here the spring means 9 are somewhat pressed in so that the collar 6 is pressed downwards, so that the lower half of the stick is fixed in a position of approximately 90° with respect to the upper half of the stick. Additionally or instead the collar can also be pressed downwards by the biassed support and biassing ribs.

In figure 3 the collar 6 plus spring means 9 plus the hinge 5, of figure 1 and 2 can be seen in more detail. When bringing the lower half of the stick

3 at right angles, the fixation position, with respect to the upper half of the stick 4, the collar is pressed upwards past the hinge 5, in which the spring 9 is pressed in. After that the lower half of the stick is turned into a position of approximately 90° with respect to the upper half of the stick 4. The collar 6 then has to be slid upwards to such an extent that the top side of the hinge part that is attached to the lower half of the stick is released for rotation. Said lower half of the stick is subsequently brought into a position of 90° with respect to the upper half of the stick 4 after which the collar 6 is slid downwards in which the lower part 1 1 of the collar is approximately level to the bottom side 1 2 of the lower half of the stick. As a result the top side of the hinge member which is attached to the lower half of the stick stops against the inside of the collar and the halves of the stick are mutually fixed by the collar.

Figure 4 shows a view of the parasol 1 in which the lower half of the stick

3 points into the paper or out of the paper. With the help of an attachment means such as for instance a T-part, which is not shown in the figure, the parasol/umbrella can be placed in positions. By tightening a hand bolt in the T-part or wall position the parasol can be placed in any desired positions, not only 45° but also 90°. As a result the parasol cannot only be used very well as a sunshade, but may also serve as windbreak. Figure 5A-5D shows various parts of the hinge. In figure 5A a hinge part can be seen, which is provided with two lips 1 6 and a hole for an axle extending through them. The half of the stick which can be attached to this hinge member is shown in figure 5D. Said half of the stick can for instance be slid over the left end of the hinge member, so that the lips extend on the other side. A bolt can here be put through the hole through the half of the stick and the hinge member as a result of which the half of the stick is attached to the hinge member. In figure 5B a side view of said hinge can be seen and in figure 5C a head view.

In the figures 6A-6D various views can be seen of a second hinge member which cooperates with the above described hinge member in the figures 5A-5D. Said hinge member comprises one lip 1 5 provided with a continuous hole and an upper part of the hinge 14. In figure 6B a side view can be seen of a hinge part of figure 6A, in figure 6C a head view can be seen of the same hinge member. In figure 6D a half of a stick can be seen provided with a continuous hole which can be slid over the end of the hinge member that is not provided with the lip and can be secured to the hinge member by means of bolts through the half of the stick and the hinge member.

In figure 7 a detail can be seen of a lower half of a stick and an upper half of a stick 4 in a position of approximately 90° with respect to each other, in other words approximately at right angles. The collar 6 is then slid over the halves of the stick. In the figure a preferred embodiment for the fixation mechanism according to the invention is clearly shown. By moving the collar 6 upwards, as a result of which the end of the lower half of the stick 3 near the hinge is set free, indicated by 14, it is possible to turn the lower half of the stick straight and the collar 6 can be slid entirely downwards and the umbrella/parasol or the like can be folded. Now by moving the collar upwards again past the hinge, the lower half of the stick 3 can be turned in a position of approximately 90° with respect to the upper half of the stick, after which subsequently the collar 6 is moved downwards. As a result the collar 6 abuts the top side 1 8 of the lower half of the stick near the stop plane 1 7 and the top side of the hinge member of the lower half of the stick 14 abuts the stop plane 1 9 at the inside of the bottom side 1 1 of the collar 6. Preferably the bottom side 1 2 of the lower half of the stick is approximately level with the bottom side 1 1 of collar 6. In this figure it can be seen that the lower half of the stick 3 is fixed by the collar 6 because it abuts the two stop planes against the collar: first of all against stop plane 1 9 at the inside of the collar 6. This stop plane is situated below the hinge point 5 as a result of which in case of a downward force, exerted on the lower half of the stick 3, a counter force is exerted by the collar 6 because the top side 14 of the hinge presses against the inside of the collar 6. When pressing the lower half of the stick 3 upwards the top side 18 of the lower half of the stick presses against the stop plane 17 of the collar 6 as a result of which a coupling is made and the lower half of the stick cannot rotate further upwards. Here the collar 6 is provided with a recess which surrounds the stick. This can clearly be seen in figure 8. Preferably the top side 14 of the hinge 5 also has a stop point just above the axle of hinge 5. As a result the lower half of the stick is more securely fixed in case of an upward force.

In figure 8 the collar 6 is shown. Preferably the top side of the hinge 14 of the lower half of the stick 3 also stops against the inside of the collar 6 above the hinge 5 so that when turning upwards a force is also exerted at the inside of the collar 6 so that the collar 6 fixes the lower half of the stick 3 in a position of approximately 90° that is to say at right angles with respect to the upper half of the stick 4.

In figure 8 a schematic view of the collar is shown in which the recess 1 3 can clearly be seen which recess surrounds the lower half of the stick 3.

Said recess 1 3 is shown in two views. It can clearly be seen that said recess is formed to envelop the lower half of the stick 3 as a result of which the top side of the recess forms a stop, in figure 7 indicated by 1 7, for the top side of the lower half of the stick 4.

According to other embodiments it is also possible to provide the bottom side of a collar at one side with an extension. In this embodiment the collar is slid upwards until past the hinge in order to fix the lower half of the stick. Subsequently the lower half of the stick is turned and the collar is slid downwards until the bottom side of the extension is almost level with the bottom side of the lower half of the stick. The top side of the hinge half that is connected to the lower half of the stick is again provided with a stop, preferably a flat surface, which stops or abuts the inner sides of the extension. Preferably the flat surface extends just above and below the hinge point of the hinge, as a result of which the lower half of the stick is fixed in the desired position.

Preferably the top side of the hinge half that is connected to the lower half of the stick forms a stop plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lower half of the stick. As a result the lower half of the stick can be fixed perpendicular to the upper half of the stick with the help of the collar. However, it is also possible to arrange the top side of the hinge half that is connected to the lower half of the stick at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the lower half of the stick. As a result the lower half of the stick can be fixed at a random angle to be chosen when manufacturing, with respect to the upper half of the stick.

If so desired the stick assembly could additionally be provided with blocking means which in cooperation with the blocking means at the collar can block the collar below or above the hinge, as a result of which the parasol, umbrella or the like can also be used in the conventional manner. Preferably the collar can then be blocked in a position as shown in figure 1 , so that the collar also blocks the hinge, as a result of which the lower and the upper halves of the stick are fixed in line, and the parasol, umbrella or the like can be used in the conventional manner.

If so desired a parasol, umbrella or the like can also be provided with more than one stick assemblies according to the invention. For instance a parasol, umbrella or the like could be provided with two stick assemblies according to the invention, possibly reversed with respect to each other. As a result two buckling parts can be realised and for instance the parasol according to Dutch patent 1 .004.754 as shown in figure 4 could be realised.

Claims

Claims

1 . Stick assembly for a parasol or umbrella or the like, comprising a lower half of a stick and an upper half of a stick connected to each other by means of a hinge, and a collar which is slidable over the hinge and the halves of the stick, the stick assembly being provided with fixation means for fixing the lower half of the stick at an angle with respect to the upper half of the stick, characterized in that the collar is provided with fixation means for fixing the lower half of the stick at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to the upper half of the stick.

2. Stick assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the collar is provided with a fixation position in which the umbrella, parasol or the like is in unfolded position and the lower half of the stick is fixed at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to the upper half of the stick.

3. Stick assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fixation means of the collar comprise a first stop at the bottom side of the inside of the collar, which stop is situated below the hinge centre line when the stick assembly is in the fixation position.

4. Stick assembly according to claim 3, wherein the collar comprises a second stop, which second stop is situated above the hinge centre line when the stick assembly is in the fixation position.

5. Stick assembly according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the hinge comprises an upper hinge member which is connected to the upper half of the stick and comprising a lower hinge member which is connected to the lower half of the stick.

6. Stick assembly according to claim 5, wherein a part of the top side of the lower hinge member which is situated below the hinge centre line in the fixation position forms a stop against the first stop in the fixation position.

7. Stick assembly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a part of the top side of the lower hinge member which is situated above the hinge centre line in the fixation position forms a stop against the second stop in the fixation position, which stop is situated above the first stop.

8. Stick assembly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a part of the top side of the lower half of the stick in the fixation position forms a stop against the second stop which is situated opposite the first stop.

9. Stick assembly according to one or several of the preceding claims, wherein the collar is provided with support ribs for unfolding the parasol, umbrella or the like.

1 0. Assembly according to one or several of the preceding claims, wherein the lower and upper half of the stick are fixed at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to each other by means of the fixation means of the collar and stop planes of the hinge.

1 1 . Stick assembly according to any one of the preceding claims 2-1 0, wherein the bottom side of the collar in the fixation position is situated in line with the downwardly oriented side of the lower half of the stick.

1 2. Stick assembly according to one or several of the preceding claims 2-

1 1 , wherein the stick assembly is provided with a pre-biassed fixation position.

1 3. Stick assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, above the collar being provided with spring means.

1 4. Stick assembly according to one or several of the preceding claims, wherein the collar at the bottom side is provided with a recess at the side of the collar towards which the lower half of the stick can be fixed.

1 5. Stick assembly according to claim 14, wherein the recess is slidable over at least a part of the lower half of the stick in the fixation position.

1 6. Stick assembly according to one or several of the preceding claims 2-

1 5, wherein the top side of the lower half of the stick in the fixation position below the hinge centre line comprises a stop against the bottom side of the collar.

1 7. Stick assembly according to one or several of the preceding claims 1 5-

1 6, wherein the top side of the recess forms a stop for the lower half of the stick.

1 8. Stick assembly according to one or several of the preceding claims, wherein the hinge is formed by a lip at the lower half of the stick and lips at the bottom side of the upper half of the stick between which the lip is rotatably accommodated.

1 9. Stick assembly according to claim 1 8, wherein an axle is arranged through the lip and the lips.

20. Stick assembly according to claim 1 9, wherein the top side of the lip, below the axle at least has a portion which is situated in line with the side of the upper half of the stick, when the lower and upper half of the stick are situated at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to each other.

21 . Stick assembly according to one or several of the preceding claims 1 3- 20, wherein the spring means are pressed in in the fixation position as a result of which the collar is pressed downwards.

22. Stick assembly for a parasol or umbrella or the like, comprising a lower half of a stick and an upper half of a stick connected to each other by means of a hinge, and a collar which is slidable over the hinge and the halves of the stick, the collar being provided with support ribs for unfolding the parasol, umbrella or the like, the top side of a part of the hinge that is connected to the lower half of the stick forming a stop plane to stop at the inside of the collar when the halves of the stick make an angle with each other.

23. Stick assembly for a parasol or umbrella or the like, comprising a lower half of a stick and an upper half of a stick connected to each other by means of a hinge, and a collar which is slidable over the hinge and the halves of the stick, the collar being provided with support ribs for unfolding the parasol, umbrella or the like, and the stick assembly being provided with fixation means for fixing the lower half of the stick at an angle with respect to the upper half of the stick, characterized in that the top side of a part of the hinge connected to the lower half of the stick forms a stop plane.

24. Stick assembly according to claim 23, wherein the stop plane extends on both sides of the rotary shaft of the hinge.

25. Stick assembly according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the stop plane is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lower half of the stick.

26. Method for fixing the lower half of the stick of a parasol, umbrella or the like at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to the upper half of the stick of a parasol, umbrella or the like provided with a stick assembly according to one or several of the preceding claims, the collar being slid upwards past the hinge, the parasol, umbrella or the like being unfolded, the lower half of the stick being angled at approximately 90 degrees with respect to the upper half of the stick, and the collar being slid downwards until a recess at the bottom side of the collar at the side of the turned half of the stick slides over the half of the stick.

27. Device comprising one or several of the characterizing measures shown in the description and/or in the drawings.

28. Connection construction comprising one or several of the characterizing measures shown in the description and/or in the drawings.

29. Method comprising one or several of the characterizing measures shown in the description and/or in the drawings.