Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ELECTRICAL UMBRELLA AND CANOPY MECHANISM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of hand held umbrellas.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Umbrellas that can be opened automatically by triggering a compressed
spring, are well known in the marlcet. Those spring loaded umbrellas has the
advantage of easy opening, however they have also disadvantages accoinpanying
their spring mechanism. Firstly, their opening is un-controlled after
triggering,
that is once the spring has triggered on by pressing and releasing its stopper
tooth, it cannot be stopped. For example, one who wants to exit a car cannot
open the canopy partially so it could be passed through the door and
simultaneously protect from rain and snow during exiting. Secondly, the
opening
is aggressive, with a risk that the edges of the opened canopy will hurt
people in
its close proximity. Furthermore, when the umbrella is to be folded, excessive
hand power should be exerted in order to close the canopy while retracting the
spring for a future opening. It is not only the force that should be exerted,
the
operation itself is uncomfortable since it requires both hand of the user, one
for
holding the umbrella and the other for pulling the canopy retraction handle,
wherein the motion of the retracted canopy threats to hurt the user in case
the
umbrella is held too close to the body. The folding procedure ends only after
returning the stopper tooth to the initial position, which is not very easy
accoinplish while the ulnbrella spring is tensely drawn in full. Failing to
return
the stopper tooth properly, will cause a sudden aggressive and unintentional
opening of the umbrella. The operation of commonly available spring loaded
ulnbrellas, is therefore considered not very comfortable to adults, and very
uncomfortable to children, to elders, and to disabled ones.
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In non automated umbrellas both - opening and closing operations
requires both hands of the user to operate, one for holding the umbrella and
the
other for pushing the canopy open or for pulling it close. In both, the
umbrella
should be held distantly in order to eliminate possible hurting by the moving
canopy. Furthermore, when a wet umbrella is being closed, the user is nonnally
careful not to fold it close to his body in order to eliminate rain water fall
onto his
dry clothes. As can be appreciated, both spring loaded or non automated
umbrellas are required to be closed remotely from user's body, while using
both
hands.
It is therefore a need for an umbrella that could be opened and closed
automatically, by one hand activation, wherein the operation can be paused,
stopped or canceled at any given moment, allowing for partial opening e.g. in
order to allow passing through a narrow passageway.
Several patents were issued, disclosing automated mechanisms for hand-
held umbrellas, based on electrical motor drive. US4,572,226; US5,213,122;
US5,141,010; US5,213,122 and EP0760609 are examples for the efforts made in
the last decades for developing hand-held umbrellas having electrical motor
drive. In spite of the efforts made, there is no evidence to a coinmercial
success
to any type of electrical umbrellas, and for several decades the only
automated
umbrellas available in the worldwide markets are half automated ulnbrellas, of
the type having spring for opening, wherein the closing is made manually.
According to a survey especially ordered by the inventor of the present
invention,
there is no electrical umbrella available in the market. As will be further
discussed in the following chapters of this specification, is believed that
the basic
concepts adopted by the inventors of said inventions are certainly prevent a
success in developing marketable electrical umbrellas.
U.S.5,711,332 discloses umbrellas especially suited for patio and
recreational use. Although this patent does not relate to electrical umbrellas
and
is of limited relevance to hand held umbrellas as a whole, it is considered to
be
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relevant prior art, as will be discussed in detail in the following chapters
of this
specification.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a motor driven
mechanism for hand-held umbrellas that will overcome the preventions that
cause the fail of the prior art mechanisms to comply with the long felt need
for a
reliable and comfortably operated umbrella.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The inventor of the present invention had a basic assumption when
starting to develop a successfully marketable electrical umbrella: the
umbrella
mechanism should be designed so as to allow short movement range of the
element which is driven by the motor for conducting the canopy between open
and closed states. The element which is driven by the motor for conducting the
canopy between open and closed states is called in other patents "rider",
"collar",
"guiding member", and is located inside the umbrella post and is moveable
along
the post. In the present invention this element will be referred to as "canopy
conducting element", and it is located and moveable outside of the post," from
above. In the context of the present invention 'short movement range' relates
to a
movement distance not greater than 20% of the length of the post, preferably
not
greater than 14% of it, and most preferably lesser than 7% of it. For example,
in a
first operating model that was built, the post length is 80 centimeters and
the step
of the element which conducts the canopy between open and closed states (i.e.
the "conducting element") is of 4 centimeters length, that is about 5%
respective
to total post length. In order to achieve full canopy deployment through such
a
short movement range, it is required that the canopy ribs will be driven by a
short
lever arm which shall be located near the close end of each of the ribs (i.e.
the rib
end that is close to the post). A new innovative short movement conducting
mechanism for operating this short lever arm was developed by the inventor of
the present invention in order to comply with the requirement of short
movement
range of the conducting element.
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Accordingly the present invention relates to a short movement less
coinponents canopy conducting mechanism for umbrellas, especially useful for
hand held umbrellas, and essentially recommended for motor driven hand held
ulnbrellas, comprising (a) a hollow pole of a small diameter (i.e. of a
diameter
similar and in any event not very much larger than the diameter of poles of
conventional hand held umbrellas, that is much lesser than the diameter of
posts
of stationary umbrellas) having a top end and a bottom end ; (b) a canopy
conducting melnber comprising a plurality of a first part (i.e. a pin, or a
slide) of
a pin and slide joint, spaced angularly and rigidly connected about a common
central point ; (c) a plurality of angularly spaced canopy ribs each having a
short
lever arm comprising a second part (a mate of the first part) of the pin and
slide
joint, the lever is capable of pivoting the rib about a pivot point located
between
the short lever arm and the rib, the lever arm forms an angle of between 120
degrees and 165 degrees, and preferably of about 135 degrees, with the rib,
about
the pivot point, the rib is pivotably connected at the pivot point to a spacer
keeping the pivot point distantly from the hollow pole; (d) means for moving
the
canopy conducting ineinber for a short movement between two vertically spaced
positions above the top end of the pole, a most lower position wherein the
first of
the pin an slide joints are close to the top end of the pole and wherein the
canopy
is open, and a most upper position wherein the first of the pin an slide
joints are
distant from the top end of the pole and wherein the canopy is closed.
Reference is herewith made to the U.S. Patent No. 5,711,332 which
discloses in figures 2 and 3 a patio umbrella in its opened and closed states,
respectively. The umbrella is driven open and closed by the movement of a
plunger (14) along the post (12). The plunger (14) is connected to the
plurality of
ribs (34) of the umbrella through a plurality of link connections (20)
connected to
the ribs (34) by first link connections (22) and to the plunger (14) by second
link
connections(24). In order to open the umbrella (as shown in Figure 2) the
plunger
(14) should be moved downwardly inside the post (12) thus pulling the link
connections (20) inside the post, which in turn pull the ribs (34) to pivot
about
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the rib connections (40) to the open state. In order to close the umbrella,
the
plunger (14) is moved upwards, pushing the link connections (20) out of the
post
to the position shown by Figure 3. The mechanism of the umbrella of this
U.S.5,711,332 is inappropriate for use in hand held umbrellas, from several
reasons. First, although the post of patio umbrellas is of a diameter
sufficient to
allow link connections to move inside the post (as in Figure 2) or can easily
be so
designed, hand held ulnbrellas has posts of relatively small diameters (any
100%
enlargement of post diameter increases post weight by 314% assuming the same
raw material is used) which does not allow for insertion of link connections
inside the post. Furthermore, each link has two pivoting connections (22) and
(24) thus in total consists of 3 parts (i.e. one link meinber plus its two
connections) that should be asseinbled during manufacturing of the umbrella,
thereafter withstand repeated operation cycles, and last for the life tenn of
the
umbrella. In stationary patio umbrellas this maybe not very problematic
connection type, since the link connections could be made of stiff massive
material, and since the umbrella is normally not being opened and closed more
than once or twice a day. In hand held umbrellas however, the demand for a
small post diameter and for coinpact umbrella dimensions on one hand, do not
allow for using massive materials for the linlcs and for their connections to
the
plunger (which diaineter of the plunger is smaller then the post, and should
allow
at least five or six pivoting link connections spaced angularly around its
circumference) while on the other hand, hand held umbrellas are normally being
opened and closed several times a day, namely much more times comparing to
patio umbrellas.
Another disadvantage of the mechanism disclosed by the U.S.5,711,332
patent is that there is a linkage between the length of the link (20), the
distance of
the rib connection (40) from the post (12), and the length of movement of the
plunger inside the post. For example, in the illustrated umbrella the distance
between the rib connection (40) and the post (12) substantially equals to the
diameter of the post. In case the distance of the rib connection (40) will be
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designed as twice much as it is now, the length of the link will have to be
enlarged accordingly, and the step of the plunger between open state and
closed
state of the umbrella will also be increased accordingly. Furthermore, the arc
shape of the enlarged links shall need an enlarged diameter of the post so it
could
be accommodated and be freely moved inside the post.
Contrarily to the U.S. 5,711,332, the mechanism according to the present
invention is (a) free of link type connections which move and change
orientation
inside the post, thus the mechanism according to the present invention allows
to
minimize the pole diameter to any required measure; (b) free of double
pivoting
joint, which in the U.S.5,711,332 connect the links from their one side to a
conducting element moving inside the post and from their next side to the
ribs,
the mechanism of the present invention has less components, and less moving
components, wherein there is only one moving connection which is comprised of
a massive pin and slide joint that can easily be assembled and maintained, and
which dimensions are not restricted by the diameter of the pole since it is
not
moving inside the pole; (c) free of linkage between measure of uinbrella
parts,
the pin and slide joint of the present invention allows for designing the
distance
between the rib pivot joint and the pole without changing the movement range
of
the conducting member and without changing the pole dialneter.
The short movement less components canopy conducting mechanism for
of the present invention is especially useful for the production of motor
driven
electrical umbrella. Due to the short movement of the canopy conducting
member -
A) less rounds of the electrical motor of the umbrella are required for
opening and closing the umbrella;
B) the umbrella can be built from less parts thus having the benefit of
reduced weight and improved durability (e.g. comparing to other electrical
umbrella designs having struts and strut joints for supporting the canopy
ribs,
which struts are driven by a collar for opening or closing the umbrella);
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C) due to its strutless construction the canopy can be lowered adjacent the
user's head for a maximal protection from rain, snow, and storm winds.
D) a new facile override mechanism can be used (as will be further
discussed in detail);
E) an auxiliary hand grip could be added on the umbrella pole near the
canopy in order to allow both user hands efficiently gripping the umbrella
when
complying with storm winds; and
F) more innovative and attractive design could be achieved (i.e. without
struts), which may assist in keeping the product competitive despite of its
naturally increased price deriving from its increased manufacturing costs
respective to non fully automated umbrellas.
G) mass production of single size conducting mechanism can be utilized
for different sizes of umbrellas (e.g. an umbrella collection for children and
for
adults may use the same conducting mechanism). This is in contradiction to
strut
based umbrella constructions which have a linkage between the canopy size, the
pole length, the strut length, and the movement extent of the rider.
According to said paragraph G, the present invention relates not only to a
conducting mechanism supplied with the ribs assembled therein, but also to a
canopy conducting mechanism for hand held umbrellas (that can be designed for
mass production for use with various types and sizes of canopy ribs),
colnprising;
(a) canopy conducting member having a plurality of a first part of pin and
slide
joint rigidly connected and angularly spaced about a common central hub; (b) a
spacer having a central lower end adapted for being connected to a pole of an
umbrella, and a plurality of pivot connection points remotely and angularly
spaced about the central lower end; wherein said mechanism may receive various
types of ribs which may differ in their shape, length, and length of the
flexible
part located at their distal end (see Figure 10), the ribs of the desired type
can
then be connected to the pivot connection points of the spacer.
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The present invention further relates to electrical motor driven hand-held
umbrella having a canopy that can be conducted at any desired position between
an open state and a closed state by means of a conducting element movable
between two points from above the pole of the umbrella, the umbrella comprises
a shortened extent screw thread for driving the conducting element between the
open and closed states. Preferably, in the various embodiments of the present
invention, the motion extent of the conducting element is of effective length
of
between 20% and 100% comparing to the maximal diameter of the umbrella in
its closed state. Most preferably, and according to the preferred embodiments
of
the present invention, the motion extent of the conducting element is of
effective
length of between 50% and 95% of the max diameter of the umbrella in its
closed
state. The term 'conducting element refers to an element or a combination of
elements having back and forth motion along a predetennined extent from above
a central pole of the umbrella, wherein said motion conducts the canopy
respectively between a close state and an open state. The term 'effective
length'
refers to the actual extent of motion of the conducting element between its
two
extreme positions from above the pole (respective to close and open states of
the
canopy), regardless of what is the length of the threading through which
motion
of the element is achieved (however, preferably the length of the threading is
not
longer than required, and the threading portion is connected to the electrical
motor through plain planner parts having reduced weight comparing to a screw,
in order to decrease the total umbrella weight).
As will become more apparent from the following description, and as
mentioned above regarding the short movement less colnponents canopy
conducting mechanism for hand held umbrellas according to the present
invention, the reduction in the movement extent of the canopy conducting
element allows for reducing the number of elements from which the umbrella is
constructed, allows to increase the durability of some of those elements,
allows
to maintain a reasonable weight of the complete ulnbrella, and allows for
directing a collection of safe small sized and easily operated electrical
umbrellas
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for children, even small ones. Said and other advantages of the electrical
umbrella of the present invention are essential in possessing a significant
rank in
the global markets, which is essential for maintaining a commercial presence,
and making realistic the dream of electrical umbrella, contrarily to all other
inventions which were failed in successful development and/or
commercialization of electrical umbrellas.
In order to allow for the shortened extent movement of the conducting
element, the umbrella of the present invention is designed to be conducted
open
through the near end of its ribs, and so the canopy could be fully deployed by
a
levering center concentrated near the top end of the umbrella. The levering
center
of the umbrella has a diameter similar to the max diaineter of the umbrella in
its
closed state, such that according to the preferred embodiments of the present
invention, in an open state of the umbrella no struts extend between the
canopy
ribs and the pole of the uinbrella beyond said levering center. This is
contrarily to
prior art motor operated umbrellas in which the levering center of the
umbrella
includes struts (stretchers) which protrude from a runner of the umbrella and
are
of significant length as required to allow a smooth motion of the runner along
the
post of the umbrella and for essential support of the canopy. Negating the
need in
struts in the canopy conducting mechanism allows to reduce the number of
elements from which the uinbrella is constructed, simplifies its manufacturing
process, assemblage and maintenance, and allows for enforcing the canopy ribs
by thickening, thus having more massive and durable umbrella construction,
without significantly increasing the weight of the complete ulnbrella. The
absence of struts allows to provide (according to various embodiments of the
present invention) the umbrella with an internal hand grip located near the
top
end of the umbrella post, which help in stable gripping of the umbrella during
storm winds, and enable lowering of the umbrella close to the user's head.
This is
contrarily to prior art umbrellas which have struts occupying the space around
the top portion of the post. It should be however clarified that the present
invention does not restrict its scope to a strutless construction, and if one
so
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wishes he may add struts for passive reinforcement, wherein the umbrella will
still defer from prior art umbrellas by having the short movement canopy
conducting element using for canopy deployment without active help of struts
(struts are used for passive support or stabilization purpose only)
Another advantage of the absence of struts visible between the canopy ribs
and the post is a more pleasant and attractive design. This allows also to
cover
the ribs from both sides of the canopy (i.e. by having a double sheet canopy,
or
by having cloth sleeves extending non interruptedly along the ribs for
covering,
such that the ribs may be hidden according to various embodiments of the
present
invention).
As mentioned above, the strutless construction of the umbrella allows for
having shortened extent screw thread of the conducting mechanism, useful for
erecting the canopy open by a reduced number of motor rounds which allows for
faster opening and closing operations, and which reduces motor hours (which is
equivalent to reduction in motor wearing).
Accordingly, the present invention further relates to a short movement less
components conducting mechanism for hand held uinbrellas, especially useful
for motor driven hand held umbrellas, comprising (a) a hollow pole of a small
diameter (i.e. of a diameter similar and in any event not very much larger
than
the diameter of poles of conventional hand held umbrellas, that is much lesser
than the diameter of posts of stationary umbrellas) having a top end and a
bottom
end ; (b) a canopy conducting member comprising a plurality of a first part
(i.e. a
pin, or a slide) of a pin and slide joint, spaced angularly and rigidly
connected
about a common central point ; (c) a plurality of angularly spaced canopy ribs
each having a short lever arm comprising a second part (a mate of the first
part)
of the pin and slide joint, the lever is capable of pivoting the rib about a
pivot
point located between the short lever arm and the rib, the lever arm forms an
angle of between 120 degrees and 165 degrees, and preferably of about 135
degrees, with the rib, about the pivot point, the rib is pivotably connected
at the
pivot point to a spacer keeping the pivot point distantly from the hollow
pole; (d)
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electrical motor geared for moving the canopy conducting member for a short
movement between two vertically spaced positions above the top end of the
pole,
a most lower position wherein the first of the pin and slide joints are close
to the
top end of the pole and wherein the canopy is open, and a most upper position
wherein the first of the pin an slide joints are distant from the top end of
the pole
and wherein the canopy is closed; (e) battery housing electrically connected
for
energizing the motor; (f) at least one manual switch allowing a user to
control the
canopy between open and closed states.
According to various preferred embodiments of the present invention the
electrical umbrella is further comprising load recognition circuit which stops
the
motor (by disconnecting the battery power) upon recognition of increase in the
motor current beyond a predetermined threshold. According to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention the load recognition circuit is used not
only
to protect the motor but also to automatically stop the motor once the canopy
reaches its fully opened state or once the canopy reaches its fully closed
state,
wherein in both states the motor is physically being blocked from continuing
its
revolve which in turn causes an increase in the motor current, thus activates
the
load recognition circuit which in turn disconnects the power from the motor.
According to various embodiments, the electrical circuit of the umbrella is
designed such that each activation of the load recognizing circuit (that in
normal
circumstances is equivalent to the termination of a fully opening or of a
fully
closing operations of the umbrella) inverts the polarity of the power
connection
to the motor, such that in the next user activation the motor will revolve in
an
opposite direction respective to its last operation. By means of this
arrangement
the umbrella may be provided with only one switch for both opening and closing
operations, which automatically switches its role after each operation.
It should be appreciated that although the preferred einbodiments of the
present invention relate to a pin and slide joint connection between the
conducting element and each of the ribs, the use of similar or equivalent
arrangements such as a telescopic connection wherein a short lever arm of a
rib
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moves in telescopic manner respective to a corresponding arin of the
conducting
element should be considered within the scope of the present invention, and as
will be further claimed.
The present invention further relates to a system of rechargeable electrical
uinbrella comprised of (a) an electrical umbrella powered by a rechargeable
batteiy/ies and having battery charge circuit ending with terminal contacts
and of
(b) a stand having a connection to an AC power network, an AC to DC converter,
and at least one terminal having contacts matching the terminal contacts of
the
electrical umbrella; or of (c) a stand having a connection to a vehicle
battery and
at least one terminal having contacts matching the terminal contacts of the
electrical umbrella
According to various preferred embodiments of the present invention, the
electrical umbrella is provided with electronic circuit for the detection and
alarming of low battery power. The alarm of low battery power is preferably
through turning on a LED light.
According to various embodiments the electrical umbrella of the present
invention has a back-up battery (or batteries). The back-up battery could be
provided in a housing for manually replacement with the main battery upon
recognition of decreasing in the power of the main battery (or batteries)
wherein
the replacement is either by physical replacement or by activating an
electrical
switch which switches between the electrical circuits, or could be switched
automatically by means of switching circuit governed by the circuit for
detection
of low battery power, wherein in such a case there is an alarming LED showing
that the backup battery is in use . The back-up battery can be either of
rechargeable or of non-rechargeable type. In case that the main battery is of
rechargeable type and having recharging circuit inherent to the umbrella (i.e.
the
batteries are recharged in their housing inside the umbrella), and the back-up
battery is also of rechargeable type, then there is preferably provided a
separate
recharging circuit for the baclcup battery capable of recognizing the presence
of
external power and connecting the backup battery for simultaneous recharging
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with the main battery, wherein after disconnection of the external power, the
backup battery is disconnected and maintained in full power until low power of
the main battery is detected. In case that the main battery is of rechargeable
type
and having recharging circuit inherent to the umbrella (i.e. the batteries are
recharged in their housing inside the ulnbrella), and the back-up battery is
of non
rechargeable type, then there is provided a switch which prevents mistaken
charging of the non- rechargeable battery (the same switch which replaces
between the main battery and the backup one).
According to various embodiments of the present invention the electrical
umbrella is further coinprising location recognizer means allowing for fast
locating of the umbrella. The location recognizer means is comprised of a
first
and a second electronic circuits, the first one is attached to or located
inside the
umbrella, and the second one is held by the user, wherein an alarm or a beep
sound is generated (a) upon the lost of communication between the two circuits
(in such a case the alarm will occur at the circuit held by the user) , or (b)
upon
an activation command generated by the user in order to locate the umbrella
(in
such a case the alarm will occur at the circuit attached to the umbrella).
Preferably, each umbrella will have its unique identification code such that
one
can locate and recognize his own umbrella from a plurality of similar
umbrellas.
The location recognizer circuit is preferably powered by an inherent battery,
i.e.
separately from the main umbrella battery, in order to enable locating the
umbrella even in cases where the main battery is empty. Accordingly, the
location recognizer circuit can be placed in the top portion of the umbrella,
near
the lifting center and distantly from the handle of the umbrella where the
main
battery is located.
The present invention further relates to canopy conducting mechanism for
multifold canopies. This embodiment differs from the embodiments for plain
folding canopies by further comprising a plurality of pivot joints remotely
and
angularly spaced about the central lower end each is adapted for receiving a
rib
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stretcher to be associated with a rib receivable by a corresponding pivot
connection point.
The present invention relates also to a situation wherein the canopy
conducting mechanism is further comprising the canopy mechanism. The canopy
mechanism for multifold canopies includes: (i) multifold ribs pivotally
connected to the pivot connections and further form a plurality of pin and
slide
joints with the conducting member; and (ii) a plurality of rib stretchers,
pivotally
connected to respected pivot joints and to respective multifold ribs.
Furthermore the present invention relates to electrical umbrella
coinprising a canopy conducting mechanism according to the einbodiment of
multifold canopy. According to this embodiment the canopy conducting
mechanism of the multifold canopy is connected at its lower end to the top of
a
telescopic pole, the telescopic pole is connected at its lower end to a main
handgrip of the umbrella, wherein the canopy conducting member is driven along
a short path between an uppermost position and a lowermost position from above
the pole, corresponding to a closed state and an open state of the umbrella,
respectively, upon rotation of an electrical motor located near or inside the
main
handgrip, powered by batteries located nearby, and transmitting its rotation
to a
screw or to a helical shaft adapted to convert the rotation into vertical
movement
of the conducting member and into a telescopic movement of at least two
telescopic sections of the pole.
According to various embodiments the umbrella is provided with
decorative illumination e.g. through LEDs. Such light may be distributed over
the canopy through optic fibers.
According to various preferred embodiments the uinbrella of the present
invention is provided with a battery recharger having integral power plug
concealed inside the handgrip and may be pulled up, opened or unfolded for
connecting to a wall outlet.;
According to various preferred embodiments the umbrella of the present
invention is cooperative with a remote controller through wireless
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colnmunication means situated at a concealed compartment, preferably from
above the upper connection hub.
The umbrella may further have voice or sonic alarm indicative of various
abnormal states that may occur during its use, and that are recognizable by
its
sensors and its electronic utility circuits.
According to various preferred embodiments the handgrip is cushioned or
having a padding protection against downfall damages.
According to various embodiments the umbrella of the present invention
is further comprising folding or pull out foots accommodated in the handgrip
and
useful for positioning of the umbrella uprightly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out
in practice, a preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of non-
limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 illustrates a first preferred embodiment of a short movement
canopy conducting mechanism according to the present invention (in a closed
umbrella state).
Fig. 1A illustrates a partial view of the short movement canopy
conducting mechanism of Fig. 1 (in an opened umbrella state).
Fig. 2 illustrates a short movement canopy conducting mechanism
according to the present invention especially adapted for use of electrical
uinbrellas, and illustrating parts of the electrical umbrella.
Fig. 2A illustrates a bottom view of a flange of the conducting
mechanism.
Fig. 2B illustrates a top view of an embodiment of umbrella pole
illustrated by Figure 2.
Figures 3 to 5 illustrate various positions describing the operation of the
conducting mechanism and of the override arrangement illustrated by Figure 2.
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Figs. 6, 6A and 6B illustrate partial views of another preferred
embodiment of an electrical umbrella according to the present invention.
Fig. 7 illustrates a concealed compartment located at the covering of the
conducting mechanism, usful for placement of utility electronic circuits.
Fig. 8 illustrates a partial isometric cross sectional view of the lower end
of the electrical umbrella according to the present invention, with the main
handgrip and the electrical components located inside.
Fig. 8A illustrates the overload detector which stops the motor upon
recognition of load exceeding a predetermined threshold.
Fig. 8B illustrates the 'low battery' detection and alarm circuit.
Fig. 9 illustrates a general view on an electrical umbrella according to the
present invention (without the canopy cloth).
Fig. 10 illustrates the distal end of a rib according to the best mode of the
present invention.
Fig. 11 and 12 illustrate two different designs of the relation between the
canopy cloth and its conducting mechanism.
Fig. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a canopy having aeration channels.
Fig. 14 illustrates short movelnent canopy conducting mechanism
according to another embodiment of the present invention, adapted for
multifold
canopies having telescopic umbrella pole, in a closed state of the umbrella.
Fig. 14 A illustrates a top view of the canopy conducting member of the
einbodiment of Fig. 14 as it is situated in its guide.
Fig. 15 illustrates the same embodiment illustrated by Fig. 14, in an open
state of the umbrella.
Fig. 16A to 16C illustrates in partial vertical cross section view three
states during the operation of a canopy conducting mechanism according to
another preferred embodiment pin and slide joiilt.
Fig. 17 illustrates a partial lateral cross section view of the canopy
conducting mechanism of the embodiment illustrated by Figs. 16A to 16C in the
state illustrated by Fig. 16 B.
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Fig. 18 illustrates a side view of a canopy rib according to the
embodiment illustrated by Figs 16A to 17, made of one piece of material.
Fig. 19 illustrates a top view of the canopy rib of Fig. 18.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will be further explained in detail by Figures 1- 13.
These Figures are solely intend to illustrate several preferred embodiments
of the present invention and in no manner intended to limit its scope as
defined
by the claims.
Fig. 1 illustrates a short movement canopy conducting mechanism for
umbrellas, especially hand held umbrellas, and utmost essential for motor
driven
hand held umbrellas, according to the present invention. The conducting
mechanism is comprised of; (a) a base member (1) (in the context of the
present
invention referred to also as "spacer") having a plurality of pivot
connections (la)
spaced angularly around its outer circumference (lb) for the connection of
corresponding canopy ribs (2), each of which can thus be pivoting about its
pivot
connection (la) between a closed state (the illustrated state) and an open
state
(the state illustrated by Figure 1A) of the umbrella. The ribs are conducted
between the open and the closed states by means of a lever arm (2a) being the
close end portion of the rib (the distal end of the rib can be seen in Figure
10, and
is made of a flexible material in order to allow stretching the canopy in a
mushroom shape (i.e. with lowered circumference end). At the end of the lever
arm(2a) there is a pin (2b) slidably located inside a slide (4c) formed in a
slide
bar (4b), altogether forming a pin and slide joint. A plurality of the slide
bar (4b),
one per each canopy rib, are rigidly connected, and angularly spaced from one
another, about a central hub (4a). The sliding bars (4b) and the hub (4a) form
together the canopy conducting lnelnber (4), which is moveable along the path
illustrated by arrow A, between an uppermost position (the illustrated
position)
wherein the hub is in an extreme distant position from above the top end of a
pole (3) of the umbrella, and between a lowermost position (the position
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illustrated in figure 1A) wherein the hub is located in an extreme close
position
near and above the top end of the pole (3). The movement of the conducting
member (4) between said two extreme positions along the path A, conducts the
plurality of ribs (2) simultaneously, between a closed canopy state (the
illustrated
state) corresponding to the uppennost position of the hub (4a) and between an
open canopy state (the state illustrated by Figure 1A) corresponding to the
lowermost position of the hub (4). The base lneinber (1) has a lower flange
(1c)
adapted for joining to the top end of a pole (3) of an umbrella.
As can be appreciated, the short movement canopy conducting mechanism
which is comprised of the conducting member (4), the base member (1), and the
ribs (2), can be manufactured in a mass production and be supplied to
uinbrella
producers, which can then connect it to a post, and cover it with a canopy,
according to their own design, wherein the hub (4a) can be connected (either
by
welding, by having an inner threading for receiving screw connection, or by
having a hole open on both ends for receiving a rode reinforced by pressure
rings, or through any other acceptable connective means) to a top end of a rod
which passes through the hollow middle of the pole (3) and is connected on its
next rod end to appropriate driving mechanism selected and designed by each
specific producer according to his own product requirements and needs.
Different
canopy sizes can be produced using the same base member and the same canopy
conducting member with different sizes of ribs. This could be performed by
means of ribs produced in different sizes or, alternatively, by using ribs of
adjustable size.
Fig. 1 A illustrates a partial view of the canopy conducting mechanism of
Fig. 1, in an open state of the umbrella. In this state, the hub (4a) is in
its
lowermost position from above the top end of the pole (3), i.e. near the lower
flange (1c) at the bottom of the base member. During shortened extent movement
of the conducting element from the uppermost position illustrated by Fig. 1 to
the
lowermost position illustrated by Fig. 1A, the sliding bars (4b) are forcing
the
pins (2b) downwards such that each pin (2b) slides along its slide (4c) during
the
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downward motion of the conducting member, thus lowering the short lever arm
(2a) and lifting the rib (2) in a pivoting motion about the pivot connection
(la).
Fig. 2 illustrates a short movement canopy conducting mechanism
according to the present invention especially adapted for use in electrical
umbrellas. Accordingly, the figure contains parts of an electrical umbrella,
as
they are combined with the short movement canopy conducting mechanism. The
hub (4a) of canopy conducting member according to the present embodiment has
a helical thread inside, matching a helical shaft (5). Upon rotation of the
helical
shaft, and depending in the rotation direction, the conducting member is moved
between its uppermost and lowermost positions from above the hollow pole (13).
The rotation of the helical shaft (5) is through a rotation transmission rod
(5b)
passing inside the pole and connected at its lower end (not illustrated in
this
figure) to an electrical motor (the connection is through appropriate gear
adapting
the motor torque to the expected resisting force of the canopy upon
deployment).
As can be appreciated, the inner diameter of the pole through which passes the
transmission rod can be reduced to a minimal dimension, having the only
restriction it should accommodate the rotating transmission rod, wherein the
diameter of the transmission rod itself can be reduced as much as it can
withstand
the resisting forces which may develop during motor operation, without
winding.
The embodiment illustrated by Fig. 2 further disclose an override mechanism
which allows to open and close the umbrella manually, as may be required in
case of malfunction in the motorized system, and in case the batteries
becoming
empty. The advantage in this specific override arrangement is that it does not
deal with the motorized system, which remains connected and ready to use
regardless of user activities, while freeing the user from the responsibility
to the
accurate connection and disconnection of sensitive technical systems and to
their
proper operation. This simple and user friendly override system is one of the
beneficial results deriving from the development of the unique canopy
conducting mechanism according to the present invention. The override
arrangement is comprised of an extended flange (11c) of the base member (11),
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which allow a telescopic motion of the pole (13) with respect to the flange
(11c).
Accordingly, and differently than the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, in the
present embodiment the canopy conducting mechanism is not being permanently
fixed to the upper end of the pole, and the flange (11c) of the present
embodiment differs from the flange (1c) of the embodiment illustrated by Fig.
1,
in that it has a greater length, i.e. a length that may allow a telescopic
motion of
the flange with respect to the pole, to an extent sufficient for elevating the
bottom
of the base member (11) until it reaches the conducting member (4). The
greater
length of the flange (llc) comparing to that of (lc) of Fig. 1, can be
achieved
either by producing it in a greater length, or by connecting to the flange (1
c) an
extension for having a length similar to that of (11c).
As an alternative to the permanent connection between the flange (lc) and
the pole (3) of the einbodiment illustrated by Fig. 1, the flange (11c) of the
present embodiment is releaseably fixed to the pole (11) of the electrical
umbrella, by means of screw-in handgrip (6) which tightens the lower end (11
e)
of the flange to the pole (13), and by means of a catch (l ld) and groove
(13a)
connection which helps in positioning of the flange (11c) in an appropriate
predetermined location with respect to the pole (13) before tightening them
together by rotating the handgrip. When a need rises (e.g. batteries are
empty),
the screw-in handgrip can be rotated in the appropriate direction (let say
counterclockwise) a few rotations for releasing the flange from tightly
embracing
the pole, then by pressing the catch lever (lldl) for retracting the catch
(lld)
from the groove (13 a) the flange (11 c) can be freely moved up and down in a
telescopic motion about the pole (13) by holding the hand grip and moving it
in
the desired direction, wherein pulling it down will pull the flange and the
base
member (11) away from the conducting member (4) thus closing the canopy (in
case it was fully or partially opened), and wherein pushing it (i.e. the
handgrip)
up will push the flange and the base member (11) towards the conducting
member (4) thus opening the canopy (in case it was fully or partially closed).
After the canopy is brought to the desired position, the handgrip (6) should
be
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rotated clockwise for re-tightening the end portion (1 le) of the flange to
the pole
in the direction of arrows B. The rotation of the handgrip (6) cloclcwise is
designed so as to decrease the diameter of the end portion (l le) of the
flange,
due to vertical grooves (11f) made in that end portion and allow for a slight
change in the diameter of the end portion of the flange upon rotation of the
handgrip (6), which change is sufficient to tighten the flange to the pole or
to
release it from the pole, according to the relative overlapping between the
threading of the handgrip and the corresponding threading of the end portion
of
the flange.
According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention the
override screw-in handgrip (6) can be located very close to the canopy since
there are no stretchers of struts disturbing between the pole and the canopy.
Therefore, the handgrip (6) is not only essential for the override operation,
but
also very helpful for gripping the umbrella by both hands, i.e. one hand is
gripping the conventional handgrip located at the bottom end of the pole while
the other is gripping the handgrip (6) near the canopy, which is very
essential
when complying with storm winds. Furthermore it could be appreciated that the
umbrella according to the present invention has the advantage that it could be
lowered and held with the canopy adjacent the user's head, which is very
essential for protecting the user from wind driven rain or snow, and which can
not be achieved with prior art umbrellas.
Fig. 2A illustrates a view of the bottom end (lle) of the flange, from
below. In this figures it is seen how this end is divided by the vei-tical
grooves
(11f) into three sections located between the grooves, which can become closer
to one another by means of a pressure exerted in the direction of arrows B by
clockwise rotation of the hand grip (6) of Fig. 2. When said sections become
closer and tightly embrace the umbrella pole, the flange becomes fixed to the
pole and a telescopic motion between them is prevented, thus canopy is
maintained
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Fig. 2B illustrates a top view of the pole (13), according to one optional
variation, wherein the pole is made of hollow thin material (e.g. Aluminum)
made by extrusion process and having a plurality of reinforcing ribs (14)
forming
grooves (15) in between. This grooves can be utilized for placing electrical
wires
that may be required according to various possible embodiments for connecting
between a battery located at the bottom side of the pole and an electronic
circuit
or light located above the top of the pole.
As can be appreciated, the motorized system of the umbrella which
includes the motor unit (not illustrated in this figure), the rotation
transmission
rod (5b), and the helical shaft (5) (including the location of the hub (4a)
about the
helical shaft), remains unchanged and is not involved with the operation of
the
override mechanism. This separation between the two systems (i.e. override and
motorized) assures a simple reliable and user friendly device.
Fig. 3 Illustrates the override arrangement illustrated by Fig. 2 as it is
utilized to open the closed umbrella of Fig. 2. As can be seen the relative
position
between the pole (13), the rotation transmission rod (5b), the helical shaft
(5) and
the conducting member (4) have not been changed between Fig. 2 and Fig. 3,
that
is to say the motorized system maintained its state between the two
illustrated
situations, and no motor rotation occurred between them two (in case a motor
rotation have been occurred, the hub (4a) of the conducting member would have
been changing its position along the helical shaft, which is not the case).
Although nothing has changed in the motorized system, the canopy ribs that
were
in closed position as illustrated by Fig. 2, have reached an open position in
Fig. 3.
This change has been achieved by freeing the flange (11c) from the pole (13)
as
explained in the text of Fig. 2, then pushing the handgrip (6) causing a
telescopic
motion of the flange (11c) about the pole (13) towards the conducting member
(4), thus forcing the base member (11) to becoming closer to the conducting
member (4), while lifting the ribs (2).
Fig. 4 illustrates the same mechanism illustrated by Fig. 2, after the
activation of the motorized system for lifting the canopy ribs to open state.
As
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can be observed, the rotation of the helical shaft conducted the hub (4a) (and
the
conducting member (4)) to reach their lowermost position above the top of the
pole (13), while simultaneously pivoting the conducting the short lever arms
(2a)
downwards and lifting the ribs (2) about the pivot points, accordingly. The
next
Fig. illustrates how the override arrangement could be utilized for closing
the
canopy in case of 'low battery'.
Fig. 5 illustrates the mechanism illustrated by Fig. 4, wherein the canopy
ribs that were in open state, have reached a closed state by means of the
override
arrangement. As can be seen the relative position between the pole (13), the
rotation transmission rod (5b), the helical shaft (5) and the conducting
member
(4) have not been changed between Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, that is to say the
motorized
system maintained its state between the two illustrated situations, and no
motor
rotation occurred between them two (in case a motor rotation have been
occurred, the hub of the conducting member would have been changing its
position along the helical shaft, which is not the case). Although nothing has
changed in the motorized system, the canopy ribs that were in open position as
illustrated by Fig. 4, have reached a closed position in Fig. 5. This change
has
been achieved by freeing the flange (11c) from the pole (13) as explained in
the
text of Fig. 2, then pushing the handgrip (6) causing a telescopic motion of
the
flange (11c) downwardly about the pole (13), thus forcing the base member (11)
away from the conducting member, while lowering the ribs.
Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate how the override mechanism can manage between
two extreme positions of the ribs when the ribs were originally in closed
state,
while Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate how the override mechanism can manage between
two extreme positions of the ribs when the ribs were originally in open state.
It
could therefore be clearly appreciated how the override arrangement according
to
the present invention could manage the ribs from any initial position that may
occasionally exist, to any alternative position preferred by the user.
Fig. 6 illustrates a partial isometric cross sectional view of another
embodiment of the short movement canopy conducting mechanism according to
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the present invention. This embodiment differs from the one illustrated by
Figures 2 to 5 in several details as will be listed below.
First, the hub (4a) of the conducting member (4) is driven between its
uppermost position and its lowermost position by means of hub extension
member (4aa) ending with a hollow tube (64) having an inner threading matching
an outer threading of a screw rod (65) being the upper end of a rotation
transmission rod (not illustrated in this Fig., see Fig. 6A). When the screw
rod is
rotated inside the hollow tube (64) threading, the rotation is converted to a
vertical motion and the hub extension member (4aa) is shifted upwardly or
downwardly depending on the rotation direction of the screw rod (65) thus
shifting the conducting member (4), accordingly, between a lowerinost position
and between the illustrated uppermost position, which corresponds to an open
state and to the illustrated closed state of the umbrella, respectively. It
should be
appreciated that a system having the hub extension member ending with an outer
threading matching an inner threading of a rod being the upper end*of a
rotation
transmission rod, is equivalent to the system described hereinbefore,
therefore
included in the scope of the present invention. This remark should be noticed
in
general view, thus any role switching between matching parts of the present
invention should be considered within the inventions scope.
Second, the flange (lc) is extended from below by means of a pipe
segment (1 cc), which ends with a handgrip (66) fixed to and overlapping its
lower end. This handgrip is not a rotating one, and it can be used for pulling
or
for pushing the flange extension pipe segment (1cc) in a telescopic motion
with
respect to the pole (63), upon releasing of a rotating tightening nut (66a) of
Fig.
6A which forms the bottom end of the handgrip 66), and after pressing the
catch
lever (61d1) for retracting the catch (61d). In this embodiment the catch is
located on the handgrip (66) (see Fig. 6B), wherein as mentioned above, the
handgrip in this embod'unent overlaps a certain extent of the extended portion
of
the flange (lc). When the tightening nut (66a) is released and the catch is
retracted, the override arrangement can be operated in the same manner of that
of
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Figures 2 to 5, wherein moving the handgrip upwards results in pushing the
ribs
(2) open, and moving the handgrip downwards results in pulling the ribs close
(in
case they were partially or fully opened, which is not the illustrated case).
The short movement conducting mechanism according to the present
invention is preferably protected, isolated, and covered, by means of the base
member (1) from below, and by means of a conical covering (70) from above.
Fig. 7 illustrates a concealed department (72) that can be designed at the
top portion of the covering (71) for placing miniature electronic circuits
(73)
useful for various utilities, such as location identifier which activates
alarm when
losing RF connection (according to other embodiments ultrasonic connection)
with a corresponding circuit held by the user (useful also as anti theft
alann); or
such as umbrella identifier which turns on a blinking LED light (according to
other embodiments a bip sound, or a combination of sound and light) when
called by a remote controller held by the user in order to locate the umbrella
and/or identify it between other similar umbrellas; or such as emergency light
that can be activated by a remote controller held by the user; or such as
safety
blinking light useful for notating the user when walking in the dark. Such
utility
electronic circuits can be powered by an inherent miniature batteries, or
through
wires passing along the hollow pole of the umbrella, i.e. through one of the
grooves of the pole type illustrated by Fig. 2B. In case the umbrella parts
are of
conductive material all along the path between the battery compartment and the
electronic circuit, they can be used instead of one of the wires required for
conducting the battery power to the utility electronic circuits and/or the
lights,
located at the covering.
Fig. 8 illustrates a partial isometric cross sectional view of the lower end
of the electrical umbrella according to the present invention, consisting of a
main
handgrip (80) having a battery compartment (81) inside, rechargeable batteries
(81a) (81b), a jack (81c) for receiving a connector of a recharging power
source,
an electrical motor (82), a switching circuit (83) having a press button (83o)
for
opening the umbrella, a press button (83c) for closing the umbrella, a 'low
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battery' indication light (83c), an electronic circuit for overload detection
(see
Fig. 8A) and an electronic circuit for 'low battery' indication light (see
Fig. 8B),
and a gear unit (84) for gearing between the motor (82) and between the
rotation
transmission rod (65b) which transfers the rotation to the short movement
canopy
conducting mechanism. According to another preferred embodiment there may
be provided additional electronic circuit for measuring and displaying of the
surrounding temperature, and/or comprising an electronic watch.
According to various preferred embodiments of the present invention the
battery compartment is made withdrawable, thus can be instantly replaced by
fresh recharged batteries located inside a similar spare battery compartment,
and
put for recharging separately (i.e. out of the umbrella, which can now be used
by
the replacement battery set until becoming empty, and recurrently).
Fig. 8A illustrates a circuit for overload detection, which disconnects the
motor from the battery power upon detection of increase in the motor current
beyond a predetermined threshold. This circuit is not only directed to protect
the
motor in unexpected emergency situations, but is also very useful during
conventional operation, for indicating the end of the opening and the closing
operations of the umbrella, wherein in the end of the closing operation, when
the
hub (4a) (see Figures 2 to 5) of the conducting member reaches the top end
(5a)
of the helical shaft (5), or in the end of the opening operation, when the hub
reaches the bottom end of the helical shaft, the motor operation is
drainatically
resisted thus the motor current which passes via resistor (81) dramatically
increases and an overload condition is immediately detected, and the automatic
switch (80) (a FET gate) disconnects the battery power from the motor. When
the
user identifies that the motor has stopped he naturally releases the press
button,
and the umbrella remains in its current position until an opposite operation
will
be activated by the user, by pressing the press button which governs the
opposite
operation.
Fig. 8B illustrates an electronic circuit for 'low battery' detection, which
lights a red LED light alarm upon detection of insufficient battery voltage.
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Fig. 9 illustrates an isometric view of a complete electrical umbrella
according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, without the
canopy. The canopy conducting mechanism is located behind the conical
covering (70), and is capable of conducting the ribs (2) between the
illustrated
open position and between a closed position wherein the ribs become
substantially parallel to the pole (63), the umbrella could be griped by one
hand
holding the main handgrip (80), and when a need rises, by the other hand
holding
the upper handgrip (66). As can be appreciated from this figure, the space
below
the canopy is completely free (except of the pole), thus the canopy could be
lowered by a user adjacent his head.
The handgrip (66) uses also for activating an override arrangement, and
when released by rotating the nut (66a) and by pressing a catch lever (see
61d1 of
Fig. 6B), it can be used for closing the canopy by moving it down and for
opening the canopy by moving it up. When an appropriate canopy state is
achieved, the nut (66a) can be rotated and tighteined back for maintaining the
state.
Fig. 10 illustrates the distal end of a rib (2) according to various preferred
embodiments of the present invention. The rib body (21) is made of a rigid
metal,
and the rib distal end (22) is made of a flexible metal bar (e.g. flexible
steel). The
two parts can be connected together in any acceptable way such as miniature
screws, pins, pegs (23), welding or combinations thereof. The connection can
be
reinforced by inserting the flexible bar into a groove prepared in the end of
the
rib body. The flexible part is essential for receiving a inushroom shape of
the
canopy in its open state wherein the flexible ends of the ribs are forced to
bent
downwards in an arc shape (e.g. to the position illustrated by the doted
line), by
means of the canopy cloth which is sewn in a mushroom shape. When the canopy
is closed the flexible portion of the ribs returns to a straight orientation
which is
required for having the umbrella folded in a straight compact shape.
According to various preferred embodiments illustrated by Fig. 11, the
canopy (120) is sewn from above the covering of the conducting mechanism
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(70), and has another covering (77), from above. According to other preferred
embodiments, illustrated by Fig. 12, the central portion (121a) of the canopy
(121) is inserted and held in the inner space between the base member (1) and
the
covering (70) of the conducting mechanism.
According to various preferred embodiments illustrated by Fig. 13, the
umbrella of the present invention is provided with aeration channels (as
inarked
by arrows) useful for decreasing wind forces which tend to flinging the
umbrella
or to deform its construction. Wind arriving from the bottom side of the
canopy
is (at least partially) released through the aeration channels illustrated by
the
arrows. The aeration channels can be created by leaving parts of the proximal
(i.e. central) end (122a) of the canopy un tightened, and by providing
additional
cloth sheet (123) for covering above the central portion of the canopy. The
additional cloth sheet can be used also for decoration purpose, thus can be
provided in a color or pattern other than that of the canopy (122). The top of
the
umbrella (to its various embodiments) can be designed as that of conventional
umbrellas having a sharpened tip (124) that can be connected to the covering
(70)
by means of threading (or by any other desired connected method).
Another option is to make the aeration channels formed not between the
canopy cloth and the conducting mechanism base and covering, rather formed as
hollow pipes made in the rigid material of the base meinber and of the
covering.
Fig. 14 illustrates short movement canopy conducting mechanism
according to another embodiment of the present invention, adapted for
multifold
canopies having telescopic umbrella pole, in a closed state of the umbrella.
As
can be observed, the ribs (only one is illustrated) are formed of three
folding
sections (202) (212) and (216). The rib section (202) has a rib lever portion
(202a) having a pin (202b) movable along a slide (4c) of the slide bar (4b). A
plurality of slide bars (4b) are angularly spaced about a hub (204a) which is
moveable vertically between a plurality of vertical guide members (240)
arranged in a circle around the hub (204a), each in the space between a pair
of
respective slide bars (4a). In this figure the hub (204a) is situated in its
uppermost
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location between the guide members, which is corresponding to a closed state
of
the umbrella. Accordingly, the three section rib is folded and having its
three rib
sections (202) (21) and (216) lying substantially parallel to each other. As
can be
appreciated, and similarly to the canopy conducting mechanism of the above
described embodiments, movement of the hub (204a) downwards, will result in
sliding of the pins (202b) along the slides (4c) and thus in rotating the rib
section
(202) by the work of rib lever (202a), about the pivot connection (201a). As
can
be appreciated, the pivoting of the rib section (202) upwardly will result in
a
correlated pivoting of rib stretcher (217) about its pivot joint (217a), and
in turn
in a linear movement of its pin (217b) in the direction indicated by arrow R,
along a corresponding slide (202h) made in the rib section (202). As a result
of
the linear movement of the stretcher (217) in the indicated direction, the rib
section (212) will rotate about hinge (232) due to the pulling of its lever
member
(212a) by the pulling member (217b) linked to the lever member (212a) by pivot
joint (231). Simultaneously, the still wire (218) will pull the rib lever
(215) to
pivot about the hinge (235) and thus to lift the elastic rib section (216).
The result
of said movements is depicted in Fig. 15, showing the open state of the
umbrella.
The guide meinbers (240), the extension tube (222) and the base member
(201) can all be made of the saine piece of material. Alternatively, it is
possible
to manufacture them as separate parts and to connect them afterwards in any
acceptable way.
As can be further observed in this Fig. 14, the pole of the uinbrella is
telescopic and is comprised of an upper telescopic section (220) connected on
its
top to the bottom of the canopy conducting mechanism, and of a lower
telescopic
section (221) connected at its bottom to a handgrip (277) of the umbrella
which
is also a housing of the motor (279). A helical drive shaft (226) is
operatively
coupled to the motor (229), and can be rotated by the motor clockwise or
counterclockwise, in order to open and close both the canopy and the
telescopic
pole. In this Fig. the telescopic pole is closed, wherein the lower telescopic
section (221) is fully inside the upper telescopic section (220). Upon
rotation of
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the motor in a direction to open the umbrella, the lower telescopic section
will be
pulled out of the upper telescopic section due to advancing of the tube nut
(227)
along the threading of the helical drive shaft (226), since the tube nut (227)
is
connected through an extension tube (222) to the top of the upper telescopic
section (220). After a while during the rotation of the drive shaft, the drive
shaft
shoulder (226a) which is of a larger diameter than that of the drive shaft
(226)
itself, will engage the top of a hollow ring (225), and will start pulling it
toward
the tube nut (227). The hollow ring (225) is connected to the hub (204a)
through
wires (223) and (224) located from two opposite direction of the drive shaft
(226)
and anchored to both the hollow ring (225) and the hub (204a) of the
conducting
member (204). As a result of this pull, the conducting member (204) will move
downwards, driving the multifold canopy open by opening the inultifold ribs in
the mechanism described hereinbefore. When the hollow ring (225) will reach a
close proximity of the tube nut (227) the conducting member (204) will reach
its
lowermost position along its vertical guides (240), with the multifold canopy
open and with the telescopic pole in its max length.
As can be appreciated, upon rotation of the motor (279) in an opposite
direction, i.e. in a direction to close the umbrella, the rotation of the
drive shaft
(226) inside the tube nut (227) will close the telescopic pole by pushing the
lower
telescopic section (221) inside the upper telescopic section (220), and when
the
top of the drive shaft shoulder (226a) will engage the bottom of the downward
extension (204d) of the hub, it will start pushing the conducting member (204)
upwards, to the initial close position as depicted in this Fig. 14. The hollow
ring
(225) has a free passage with respect to the threading of the drive shaft
(226) and
thus it is not affecting the closing mechanism. From the same reason it is
also
does not affect the first part of the opening mechanism, i.e. prior the
engagement
of the drive shaft shoulder (226a) with the top of the hollow ring as
described
above.
Fig. 14A illustrates a top view of the canopy conducting member (204)
of the embodiment of Fig. 14 as it is situated in its guide members (224). As
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shown in this figure, the hub (204a) is encompassed by a plurality of guide
members (240) marked in black, each of which is situated between a pair of
corresponding slide bars (4a) with a gap between the guide members (240) and
the slide bars (4a), allowing for a vertical movement of the hub (204a) and
the
plurality of slide bars (4a) connected to it, up and down between the guide
members (240). The top of the two wires (223) and (224) are shown anchored
inside the hub from both opposite directions of its downward extension (204d).
These wires connect the conducting member (204) to the hollow ring (225)
shown in Fig. 14, which by its pulling down the conducting member (204) moves
down to open the multifold canopy.
Fig. 15 illustrates the same embodiment illustrated by Fig. 14, in an open
state of the umbrella. The lower telescopic section (221) is drawn out of the
upper telescopic section (220), the drive shaft shoulder (226a) holds the
hollow
ring (225) adjacent the tube nut (227) and thus the conducting meinber (204)
is
held by the wires (223) and (224) in its lowermost position along the guide
members (240) corresponding the open state of the multifold canopy, with the
multifold rib sections (202) (212) and (216) in an open state.
Upon rotation of the motor (279) in a direction to close the umbrella, the
low telescopic section (221) will move into the upper telescopic section (220)
due to the advancing of the threading of the drive shaft (226) through the
tube
nut (227). When the top of the drive shaft shoulder (226a) will reach the
bottom
of the downward extension (204d) of the hub (204a) the conducting member
(204) will be forced upwards while folding the multifold canopy in a process
opposite to the opening process described by Fig. 14. The folding of the
canopy
will be completed when the conducting member returns to the initial closed
position illustrated by Fig. 14, with the telescopic pole in a closed state.
Fig. 16A to 16C illustrates in partial vertical cross section view (taken at
A-A of Fig. 17) three states during the operation of a canopy conducting
mechanism according to another preferred embodiunent pin and slide joint. In
the
illustrated embodiment the pin (300) of the pin and slide joint is actually
the end
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portion of the short lever (303) of a canopy rib (301), and it is wider than
the rib.
Although the pin diameter is significantly greater then its length (which is
perpendicularly to the figure plane) it is still called a pin in the context
of the
present invention, since actually it fulfils the same function as e.g. pin 2b
of Fig.
1. The slide of the pin (300) is a hollow cell (311) (will be referred to also
as
"slide (311)") made in a canopy conducting member (310), which actually is a
hub comprising a plurality of such hollow cells (311) angularly spaced about a
common center, each of which accommodating a pin (300). In Fig. 16A the
canopy conducting member (310) is shown in its uppermost position above the
umbrella pole (not illustrated), with the pin (300) forcing the short lever
(303)
upwards thus keeping the rib (301) downwards, which is a closed canopy state.
When the canopy conducting member (310) moves down to the position
illustrated by Fig. 16B, it forces the pin (300) downwardly and furthermore to
slide inwardly inside the hollow cell (311), thus forcing the rib (301) to
rotate
upwardly about the hinge (302). To a mid position which corresponds to a
partially open state of the canopy. By further lowering the canopy conducting
member (310) to the lowermost position as illustrated by Fig. 16C, the pin
(300)
is forced downwards and laterally outwards from the hollow cell (311), thus
forcing the rib (301) to further pivot about the hinge (302), to the position
illustrated by Fig. 16C which corresponds to open state of the umbrella. As
can
be appreciated the pin and slide joint formed by pin (300) and slide (311)
allows
to convert the up-down vertical movement of the conducting member (310) into
a pivoting movement of the short lever (303) and the rib (311) about the hinge
(302). It is appreciated that the short lever (303) may be designed shorter
then
illustrated, and actually the pin itself may function as a lever. The length
of the
short lever (303) is a matter of design and depends inter allia in the torque
of the
electrical motor to be used (the short lever can be design shorter as long as
the
motor torque is sufficient to lift the rib and stretch the canopy fabric).
Fig. 17 illustrates a partial lateral cross section view (taken at B-B of Fig.
16B) of the canopy conducting mechanism of the embodiment illustrated by
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Figs. 16A to 16C in the state illustrated by Fig. 16 B, wherein the ribs (301)
are
in a mid location with the canopy partially opened and with the pin (300) of
each
rib maximally slid along the slide (311) in the direction of the central axis
of the
conducting member (310). As can be observed in Figs 16A and 16C, the pin
(300) reaches its maximal opposite slid along the slide (311), i.e. its max
distance
from the center of the conducting member (310). The up-down movement of the
conducting member can be achieved by a hub extension (312) (shown in Figs
16A-16C) extended into the pole of the umbrella similarly to the hub extension
member (4aa) of Fig. 6, or by an inner threading represented by the double
dotted
circular line (314), similarly to the inner threading in hub (4a) of Fig. 1.
Fig. 18 illustrates a side view of a canopy rib according to the
embodiment illustrated by Figs 16A to 17, made of one piece of material. The
rib
can be produced from plastic casting, as one unit comprising the pin (300),
the
short lever (303), hinges (302) from both its sides, and the rib (301). The
rib
(301) itself may have recesses (304) from both its sides useful for reducing
its
weight with negligible lose of strength. The end (305) of the rib can be made
gradually tapered, such that its thickness near the rib end is sufficiently
reduced
as to make it flexible, such that when the canopy is fully opened the rib
being
forced to the arched shape illustrated by doted line (306), due to a stress
exerted
by the canopy fabric (not illustrated) which is dimensioned and designed in a
mushroom shape forcing the flexible ends of the ribs to bent downwardly.
Fig. 19 illustrates a top view of the canopy rib of Fig. 18. The rib has a
flat end (305) which is flexible in the direction perpendicular to the
illustration
plane, due to reduced thickness of the end of the rib. Accordingly the present
invention relates to an umbrella comprised of a canopy conducting mechanism as
described above, wherein the ribs are made of a rigid material and having
gradually reduced thiclcness at their distal ends resulting in flexibility of
the ends
of the ribs useful for obtaining mushroom shaped canopy. The invention relates
also to umbrella rib having gradually reduced thickness near its distal end
especially useful for obtaining mushroom shaped canopy in strutless umbrellas.
