Title:

Structure of windshield umbrella rib

United States Patent Application 20020157695

Kind Code:

A1

Abstract:

The present invention relates to an improved rib structure of a windproof umbrella, more particularly to the improved rib structure of an umbrella having an airflow guidance function, mainly comprising a main shaft and a predetermined number of external supporting ribs, internal supporting ribs, stretcher ribs, and linking ribs; wherein an auxiliary set of supporting ribs being disposed at the external edge of the pivotal connecting section of the internal supporting, and such set of supporting ribs using an isolating member substantially in “T” shape being coupled to the external supporting ribs such that there exists an appropriate interval between the two ribs, and a ringed latch being disposed at the appropriate location on the periphery of the auxiliary external rib in order to set up a second umbrella layer and form an airflow space in the interval between the two layers. The airflow space guides the direction of the airflow such that the umbrella will not be bent backward due to strong wind. Therefore, it enhances the stability of the umbrella rib structure by setting up such auxiliary supporting ribs.

Inventors:

Hsieh, Ming-ju (Chang Hua Hsien, TW)

Application Number:

09/848514

Publication Date:

10/31/2002

Filing Date:

04/30/2001

Export Citation:

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Assignee:

HSIEH MING-JU

Primary Class:

135/27

Other Classes:

135/33.7

International Classes:

A45B25/22; (IPC1-7): A45B25/20; A45B25/02

View Patent Images:

Download PDF 20020157695

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Primary Examiner:

FITZGERALD, JOHN P

Attorney, Agent or Firm:

PRO-TECHTOR INTERNATIONAL (Saratoga, CA, US)

Claims:

What is claimed is:

1. An improved rib structure of a windproof umbrella, comprising a main shaft and a predetermined number of external supporting ribs, internal supporting ribs, stretcher ribs, and linking ribs; wherein an end of the internal supporting rib being coupled to a pivotal connecting section of the external supporting rib, and the other end of the internal supporting rib being simultaneously coupled to the main shaft with the external supporting rib separately, such that both ends of the supporting rib being coupled to the pivotal connecting section of the internal supporting rib and the coupling section between the external rib and the main shaft, characterized in that: an auxiliary supporting rib being pivotally coupled to and disposed at a location between the connection section of the internal supporting rib and the outer edge of the external supporting rib; wherein said auxiliary supporting rib uses an isolating member substantially in “T” shape and the external supporting rib to couple its outer edge and keeps the two in an appropriate distance; a second umbrella layer being disposed on a ringed buckle each on the lateral sides at an appropriate position on the periphery of the external rib, thereby it enhances the stability of the umbrella rib structure, and prevents the umbrella from being bent backward due to strong wind by guiding the wind in the direction of the airflow guidance space.

2. An improved rib structure of a windproof umbrella as claimed in claim 1, wherein said auxiliary supporting rib being coupled to the internal supporting rib and the external supporting rib, and a coupling bracket being disposed at the connection section of the internal supporting rib and the external supporting rib, and the other end of said coupling bracket being coupled to the connection section of the external rib to enhance the stability of the structure.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention provides an improved rib structure of a windproof umbrella, more particularly a simple rib structure of an umbrella having the windproof function, not only enhances the stability of the rib structure, but also effectively guides the airflow direction to prevent the umbrella being bent backward due to strong wind.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] As time goes by and technology advances, the tools for sheltering against wind and rain are getting simpler and more practical day after day. Among these tools, umbrella is one of the examples, and the application of an umbrella for modem people is not just for sheltering against rain, but it also provides the function for shading from the sun, and sheltering from the wind. However, when the regular umbrella is used for sheltering from the wind and rain, the umbrella may be bent backward due to strong wind, and this phenomenon is called “sagging”. Such phenomenon may have bad impact on the umbrella, but it also endangers the safety of the user. Please refer to FIG. 1 for the prior art. The conventional umbrella mainly comprises an umbrella shaft, external supporting rib, internal supporting rib, motion rib, and tension rib; wherein the external supporting rib, and the internal supporting rib are foldable parts having a pivotal coupling section at the appropriate position on the middle section, and one end of the internal supporting rib is pivotally coupled to the pivotal coupling section of the external supporting rib, and the other end and the external supporting rib are both coupled to the appropriate location of the periphery of the main shaft. Meanwhile, both ends of the motion rib are each coupled to the pivotal coupling section of the external supporting rib, and the pivotal coupling section between the external supporting rib and the main shaft. The tension ribs are individually coupled to the appropriate location of the pivotal coupling section of the external supporting rib and the main shaft. Such arrangement facilitates the folding of the umbrella and the function of the sheltering people against the rain and the wind. However, the external supporting rib of a regular umbrella is in the shape of an inclined “<” shape, such that the rain can fall accordingly. However, this will also block the wind where it flows. The wind gathered will exceed the stretcher rib's loading, and therefore it will bend the umbrella rib backward as shown in FIG. 2. Hence, it will be a subject on how to improve such shortcoming.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the conventional structure, the inventor of the present invention based on years of experience accumulated from the engagement in the related industry conducted extensive research to resolve the foregoing shortcomings and invented the present improved rib structure.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] Therefore, the primary objective of the present invention is to solve the foregoing problem by providing an auxiliary supporting rib to build a second umbrella layer at the backside of the first umbrella layer. Such arrangement forms an airflow guidance space between the two umbrella layers, thereby when there is strong wind, the gathered wind will be discharged via the airflow guidance space, and capable of preventing the umbrella from being bent backward.

[0007] Another objective of the present invention is to enhance the stability of the umbrella rib structure by implementing the auxiliary set of supporting ribs.

[0008] To make it easier for our examiner to understand the objective of the invention, its structure, innovative features, and its performance, we use a preferred embodiment together with the attached drawings for the detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred but non-limiting embodiment. The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 shows the assembly of a traditional umbrella ribs.

[0011] FIG. 2 shows the bending backward of a traditional umbrella due to strong wind.

[0012] FIG. 3 shows the exterior look of the assembly of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 4 shows the disassembled parts of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 5 shows the exterior look of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 6 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 7 shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] Please refer to FIGS. 3 to 7. The figures show a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Please refer to FIGS. 3 to 5. The improved rib structure of a windproof umbrella according to the present invention mainly comprises a main shaft (1), a predetermined number of external supporting ribs (2), internal supporting ribs (3), stretcher ribs (4), and linking ribs (5). Since these are prior art components, therefore they are not described in details here. The present invention is characterized in that an auxiliary supporting rib (6) is disposed between the connection section (31) of said internal supporting rib (3) and the external edge of the external supporting rib (2). Said auxiliary supporting rib (6) is coupled to the internal branch rib (61) and the external branch rib (62), and a coupling bracket (63) being disposed at the connection section such that the other end of the coupling bracket 63 is coupled to the coupling section 21 of the external supporting rib (2) in order to improve the stability of the umbrella rib structure. In addition, the outer end of the external branch rib (62) of the auxiliary supporting rib (6) makes use of the coupling of an isolating member (64) substantially in “T” shape and the external supporting rib (2) to keep the two apart with an appropriate interval. Meanwhile the ringed bucket (621) at the appropriate location (62) of the external branch rib has a second umbrella layer (7) such that an airflow space (A) is formed in the interval between the external supporting ribs (2) and the auxiliary supporting rib (6) to guide the wind direction. Such arrangement also can improve the stability of the umbrella rib structure.

[0019] By the characteristics of the foregoing elements, it definitely can use the auxiliary supporting rib (6) to form a second umbrella layer (7) at the backside of the first umbrella layer (8) thereby forming an airflow guidance space (A) between the two layers. It gives the feature of having the airflow guidance function, which can prevent the umbrella rib from being bent backward. Please refer to FIG. 6. Since the airflow guidance space (A) produced according to the present invention is tapered convergent, and its cross-sectional area is also descending, therefore it accidentally complies with Venturi meter principle. When the interior of the umbrella bears higher wind speed, the airflow space (A) will guide the wind to discharge outside the umbrella and prevent the umbrella rib from being bent backward due to the strong airflow of the wind. Furthermore, the design of having an auxiliary supporting rib (6) disposed between the connection section (31) of the internal supporting rib (3) and the external supporting rib (2) improves the stability of the entire umbrella rib structure. In addition, please refer to FIG. 7 that shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention and can improve the practice use of the umbrella.

[0020] As described above, the present invention is innovative and more advantageous than the conventional umbrella rib having the foregoing advantages by forming a second umbrella layer at the backside of the first umbrella layer and an airflow guidance space to prevent the umbrella rib from being bent backward due to strong wind. The present invention also improves the stability of the umbrella rib structure and it complies with the patent application requirements. Hence the present invention is submitted to the Patent and Trademark Office for review and the granting of the commensurate patent.

[0021] While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements and procedures, and the scope of the appended claims therefore should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements and procedures.

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