阅读说明：本技术 具有外部撑杆框架的伞 (Umbrella with external stay rod frame ) 是由 T·赫曼森 于 2020-02-26 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开涉及一种伞,包括轴、伞面和在打开状态和关闭状态之间移动伞面的打开和关闭机构。内部撑杆框架具有内部毂和多个内部撑杆。多个内部撑杆中的每一个具有远侧端部和可旋转地连接到内部毂的近侧端部。外部撑杆框架具有外部毂和多个外部撑杆。多个外部撑杆中的每一个具有远侧端部和可旋转地连接到外部毂的近侧端部。多个连接器组件将该多个内部撑杆的每一个的远侧端部可旋转地连接到多个外部撑杆的对应的一个的远侧端部,并且保持该伞面的外边缘。(The present disclosure relates to an umbrella comprising a shaft, a canopy, and an opening and closing mechanism to move the canopy between an open state and a closed state. The inner brace frame has an inner hub and a plurality of inner braces. Each of the plurality of inner struts has a proximal end rotatably connected to the inner hub and a distal end. The outer brace frame has an outer hub and a plurality of outer braces. Each of the plurality of outer struts has a proximal end rotatably connected to the outer hub and a distal end. A plurality of connector assemblies rotatably connect the distal end of each of the plurality of inner struts to the distal end of a corresponding one of the plurality of outer struts and retain the outer edge of the canopy.)

1. An umbrella, comprising:

a shaft having an upper end and a lower end defining a longitudinal shaft axis;

a canopy having an outer edge and an inner edge centrally mounted to the upper end of the shaft;

an opening and closing mechanism disposed between an upper end and a lower end of the shaft, the opening and closing mechanism configured to move the canopy between an open state and a closed state;

an inner brace frame having:

an inner hub mounted centrally to the shaft on an inner side of the canopy; and

a plurality of inner struts, each of the plurality of inner struts having a distal end and a distal end rotatably connected to the inner hub;

an outer brace frame having:

an outer hub mounted centrally to the shaft on an outer side of the canopy; and

a plurality of outer struts, each of the plurality of outer struts having a distal end and a tip end rotatably connected to the outer hub; and

a plurality of connector assemblies rotatably connecting the distal end of each of the plurality of inner struts to the distal end of a corresponding one of the plurality of outer struts and retaining the outer edge of the canopy.

2. An umbrella as claimed in claim 1, wherein,

wherein the shaft comprises:

a longitudinal slot disposed between an upper end and a lower end of the shaft; and

a hook hole provided below the longitudinal groove near a lower end portion of the shaft, an

Wherein the opening and closing mechanism includes:

a slider mounted to the shaft, the slider having an inner portion embedded within the shaft and an outer portion having an edge on a lower end and configured to slide along the shaft;

a hook configured to protrude from the hook hole and having a protrusion configured to catch an edge of an outer portion of the slider to prevent the slider from sliding along a shaft; and

a button connected with the hook, an

Wherein the hook is biased to protrude from the hook aperture and when a user pushes the button inward, the hook retracts into the hook aperture and releases an edge of the outer portion of the slider.

3. The umbrella of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of connector assemblies comprises:

an inner distal connector having a cylindrical portion attached to an end of one of the plurality of inner struts and a tab portion having a central through hole and extending toward one side of an axis of the cylindrical portion of the inner distal connector;

an outer distal connector having a cylindrical portion attached to one of the plurality of outer struts, a first tab portion having a central through hole, and a second tab portion having a central through hole, the first and second tab portions being spaced apart to form a gap therebetween, and the first and second tab portions extending toward one side of an axis of the cylindrical portion of the outer distal connector; and

a rivet extending through said central through hole of said first tab portion of said outer distal connector, said central through hole of said tab portion of said inner distal connector, and said central through hole of said second tab portion of said outer distal connector, said rivet configured to secure said inner distal connector to said outer distal connector.

4. A strut frame assembly for opening a canopy of an umbrella, the strut frame assembly comprising:

an inner brace frame having:

an inner hub centrally mountable to a shaft of the umbrella; and

a plurality of inner struts, each of the plurality of inner struts having a distal end and a distal end rotatably connected to the inner hub; an outer brace frame having:

an outer hub centrally mountable to the shaft; and

a plurality of outer struts, each of the plurality of outer struts having a distal end and a tip end rotatably connected to the outer hub; and

a plurality of connector assemblies rotatably connecting the distal end of each of the plurality of inner struts to the distal end of a corresponding one of the plurality of outer struts and configured for retaining an outer edge of the canopy.

5. The brace frame assembly of claim 4 wherein each of the plurality of connector assemblies comprises:

an inner distal connector having a cylindrical portion attached to an end of one of the plurality of inner struts and a tab portion having a central through hole and extending toward one side of an axis of the cylindrical portion of the inner distal connector;

an outer distal connector having a cylindrical portion attached to one of the plurality of outer struts, a first tab portion having a central through hole, and a second tab portion having a central through hole, the first and second tab portions being spaced apart to form a gap therebetween, and the first and second tab portions extending toward one side of an axis of the cylindrical portion of the outer distal connector; and

a rivet extending through said central through hole of said first tab portion of said outer distal connector, said central through hole of said tab portion of said inner distal connector, and said central through hole of said second tab portion of said outer distal connector, said rivet configured to secure said inner distal connector to said outer distal connector.

6. An umbrella, comprising:

a shaft;

an opening and closing mechanism connected to the shaft;

an inner brace frame assembly connected to the shaft and having a plurality of inner braces;

an outer brace frame assembly connected to the shaft and having a plurality of outer braces; and

a canopy connected to the inner strut frame assembly and the outer strut frame assembly,

wherein when said opening and closing mechanism is open, said inner strut frame assembly and said outer strut frame assembly are deployed outwardly from said axis to open said canopy, and when said opening and closing mechanism is closed, said inner strut frame assembly and said outer strut frame assembly are retracted inwardly toward said axis to close said canopy.

7. The umbrella of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of connector assemblies connecting the inner strut frame assembly to the outer strut frame assembly,

wherein the inner brace bar frame assembly comprises a plurality of inner brace bars, the outer brace bar frame assembly comprises a plurality of outer brace bars, an

Wherein each of the plurality of connector assemblies comprises:

an inner distal connector having a cylindrical portion attached to an end of one of the plurality of inner struts and a tab portion having a central through hole and extending toward one side of an axis of the cylindrical portion of the inner distal connector;

an outer distal connector having a cylindrical portion attached to one of the plurality of outer struts, a first tab portion having a central through hole, and a second tab portion having a central through hole, the first and second tab portions being spaced apart to form a gap therebetween, and the first and second tab portions extending toward one side of an axis of the cylindrical portion of the outer distal connector; and

a rivet extending through said central through hole of said first tab portion of said outer distal connector, said central through hole of said tab portion of said inner distal connector, and said central through hole of said second tab portion of said outer distal connector, said rivet configured to secure said inner distal connector to said outer distal connector.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an umbrella. More particularly, the present invention relates to an umbrella having an inner pole frame and an outer pole frame.

Background

Umbrellas are designed to protect users from the elements of nature, namely precipitation (rain, snow, etc.) and sunlight. Umbrellas typically include a folding canopy mounted to a frame that includes at least one hub and a plurality of struts. In conventional umbrellas, the hub and struts are mounted on a central shaft, the canopy is formed of fabric or flexible plastic, and the frame and shaft are formed of lightweight metal or plastic. In addition, the struts typically have one or more engagement portions that allow the struts to extend (i.e., open) and retract (i.e., close) relative to the hub and shaft. One engagement portion is provided at the inner end of each strut, where the strut is connected to the hub, one or more engagement portions may be provided along the length of each strut, connecting the canopy to the strut at an intermediate point, and one engagement portion provided at the outer end of each strut. When the struts are extended, the struts form an arcuate shape to curve downwardly from the hub to extend the canopy into a dome-like shape. The engagement portion attached to the inner end of the strut rotates within the hub by an amount generally determined by the relative shapes of the engagement portion and the hub. The engagement portion attached to the inner end of the strut may also be spring loaded to rotate in a direction to open the strut relative to the hub and shaft. When the struts are retracted, the struts rotate toward the shaft and form a linear shape generally parallel to and adjacent to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, thereby folding the canopy.

The umbrella can be classified as a fully collapsible umbrella, wherein the shaft is made up of an upper tube supporting the hub, struts and canopy, and a lower tube into which the upper tube is telescopically retracted, such that the hub slides down towards the lower tube, and the struts and canopy are collapsed towards the shaft, such that the umbrella is small enough to fit into a handbag or backpack. The stay of a fully collapsed umbrella has at least one intermediate junction provided between a junction provided at the inner end of the stay and a junction provided at the outer end of the stay. The middle joint allows the stay to fold in half when the upper tube of the shaft is retracted into the lower tube. Thus, when the upper tube is retracted into the lower tube and the struts are folded in half along the axis, the fully collapsible umbrella can be collapsed to reduce overall height. Alternatively, the umbrella may be a non-collapsible umbrella, wherein the shaft is formed by an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube moves within the outer tube, thereby moving the hub and opening or closing the struts and canopy. The overall height of the umbrella when closed, which is not foldable, is not reduced compared to a fully foldable umbrella.

The umbrella may also be classified as a manually operated umbrella which requires the user to manually open the umbrella by sliding a slider along a shaft, pushing up the upper tube of the fully collapsible umbrella or the inner tube of the non-collapsible umbrella, and pushing a joint at the inner end of the stay to rotate in order to extend the stay and open the canopy into a dome shape. The umbrella may also be classified as a spring-loaded automatic umbrella that requires the user to press a button to release a spring that pushes up either the upper tube of a fully collapsible umbrella or the inner tube of a non-collapsible umbrella to expand the struts and unfold the canopy into a dome shape.

The frame and shaft of the conventional umbrella are both optimized to be lightweight so that a user can hold and support the conventional umbrella with one hand. Therefore, the struts of the frame tend to be relatively thin. Furthermore, struts are typically provided on the underside of the canopy in order to minimise the structure and therefore the weight of the frame of a conventional umbrella.

When a conventional umbrella is opened, strong wind may strike the underside of the canopy, causing the struts to bend in an upward direction, thereby flipping the dome-like shape of the canopy. This makes the umbrella ineffective against precipitation. Furthermore, such overturning may cause the stay to break and thus the umbrella to become unusable.

The structure of the umbrella of the present invention prevents the above-mentioned problems of the conventional umbrella.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, the present invention provides an umbrella comprising a shaft, a canopy, and an opening and closing mechanism. The shaft has an upper end and a lower end defining a longitudinal shaft axis. The canopy has an inner edge and an outer edge. The inner edge is centrally mounted to the upper end of the shaft. The opening and closing mechanism is provided between the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the shaft. The opening and closing mechanism is configured to move the canopy between an open state and a closed state. The inner strut frame has a plurality of inner struts and an inner hub mounted centrally to the shaft on the inner side of the canopy. Each of the plurality of inner struts has a distal end and a distal end rotatably connected to the inner hub. The outer strut frame has a plurality of outer struts and an outer hub mounted centrally to the shaft on the outer side of the canopy. Each of the plurality of outer struts has a distal end and a distal end rotatably connected to the outer hub. Additionally, a plurality of connector assemblies rotatably connect a distal end of each of the plurality of inner struts to a distal end of a corresponding one of the plurality of outer struts and maintain an outer edge of the canopy.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a pole frame assembly for opening the canopy of an umbrella. The strut frame assembly includes an inner strut frame and an outer strut frame. The inner strut frame has a plurality of inner struts and an inner hub that can be centrally mounted to the shaft of the umbrella. Each of the plurality of inner struts has a distal end and a distal end rotatably connected to the inner hub. The outer strut frame has a plurality of outer struts and an outer hub centrally mountable to the shaft. Each of the plurality of outer struts has a distal end and a distal end rotatably connected to the outer hub. Additionally, a plurality of connector assemblies rotatably connect a distal end of each of the plurality of inner struts to a distal end of a corresponding one of the plurality of outer struts and are configured to retain an outer edge of the canopy.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides an umbrella comprising a shaft, an opening and closing mechanism connected to the shaft, an inner strut frame assembly, an outer strut frame assembly and a canopy. The inner brace frame assembly is connected to the shaft and has a plurality of inner braces. The outer brace frame assembly is connected to the shaft and has a plurality of outer braces. Said canopy is connected to said inner strut frame assembly and said outer strut frame assembly. When the opening and closing mechanism is open, the inner and outer strut frame assemblies are deployed outwardly from the shaft, thereby opening the canopy, and when the opening and closing mechanism is closed, the inner and outer strut frame assemblies are retracted inwardly toward the shaft, thereby closing the canopy.

These and other aspects of the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an umbrella in one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the lower end of the shaft of the umbrella in one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the lower end of the shaft shown in fig. 2, taken along section line 3-3 of fig. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an umbrella in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an inner strut frame of an umbrella in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an outer strut frame of an umbrella in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the hubs included in the inner and outer strut frames of an umbrella in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a proximal connector of the connector assembly of the umbrella in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the outer distal connector of the connector assembly of the umbrella in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the inner distal connector of the connector assembly of the umbrella in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a rivet of a connector assembly of an umbrella in one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT (S) OF INVENTION

In describing the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the terms "inner" and "outer" are used with respect to the inner and outer sides, respectively, of the canopy of an umbrella, and are interchangeable with the terms "inner" and "outer," respectively. The terms "upper" and "lower" are used with respect to the upper and lower ends of the shaft, respectively, when the umbrella is oriented vertically as shown in fig. 4. In addition, the terms "distal" and "proximal" are used with respect to the shaft. More specifically, "proximal" refers to a position relatively closer to the shaft, and "distal" refers to a position relatively farther away from the shaft.

As shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the present invention, umbrella 100 comprises shaft 105, canopy 110, and a flexible shaft,An opening and closing mechanism 115, an inner brace frame 120, an outer brace frame 125, and a plurality of connector assemblies 130. The shaft 105 has an upper end 135 and a lower end 140, and a cap 145 is provided at the upper end 135 of the shaft 105. The upper end 135 and the lower end 140 of the shaft 105 are aligned along a longitudinal axis a-a of the shaft 105. The shaft 105 may be formed of plastic or metal. The inner brace frame 120 is mounted to the shaft 105 by an inner hub 150 (shown in fig. 4) and the outer brace frame 125 is mounted to the shaft 105 by an outer hub 155. The outer hub 155 is disposed in a fixed position near the upper end 135 of the shaft 105. An inner hub 150 is movably disposed on the shaft 105 below the outer hub 155. A cap 145 is attached to the upper end 135 of the shaft 105 over the outer hub 155. The inner brace frame 120 includes an inner hub 150 and a plurality of inner braces 160, and the outer brace frame 125 includes an outer hub 155 and a plurality of outer braces 165. The umbrella further comprises a handle 170 at the lower end 140 of the shaft 105, and a strap 175 for securing the umbrella in the closed state. The strap 175 may be secured using hook and loop fasteners, for exampleAlternatively, two straps (not shown) may be provided on the outside of canopy 110 to secure canopy 110 in the collapsed state by tying the straps together.

As shown in fig. 2, the shaft 105 includes a longitudinal slot 180 disposed between the upper end 135 and the lower end 140 of the shaft 105. A connector 185 is provided at the lower end 140 of the shaft 105 and connects the shaft 105 to the handle 170. A hook aperture 190 is provided in the connector adjacent to the longitudinal slot 180. The opening and closing mechanism 115 includes a slider 195, a hook 200, and a button 205. The slide 195 has an inner portion (not shown) embedded within the shaft 105 and a generally cylindrical outer portion having a widened edge 210 nearest the lower end 140 of the shaft 105. The slide 195 is mounted to the shaft 105 so as to slide along the shaft 105 and in an upward and downward direction along the longitudinal axis a-a.

The hook 200 protrudes from the hook hole 190 and is shaped to have a protrusion that can catch a widened edge 210 of the slide 195 to prevent the slide 195 from moving along the shaft 105. The hook 200 is mounted within the shaft 105 and is connected to the button 205. The hook 200 is mounted within the connector 185 and is biased such that it is normally in a protruding position relative to the shaft (protruding from the hook aperture 190). When the user pushes the button 205 on the shaft 105 inward, the hook 200 retracts into the hook hole 190 into the retracted position and releases the widened edge 210 of the slide 195, thereby allowing the slide 195 to move in an upward direction along the shaft 105. When the user releases the button 205, the hook 200 returns to the protruding position. Preferably, the button 205 provides a flat, ergonomic surface such that a user can easily and comfortably press the surface to move the hook 200 from the protruding position to the retracted position.

As shown in fig. 3, the opening and closing mechanism further includes a rod 215 mounted in the shaft 105 and attached to the slider 195, and a spring 220 mounted in the lower end 140 of the shaft 105. The spring 220 of this embodiment is a compression spring that biases the rod 215 toward the upper end 135 of the shaft 105. However, the spring 220 is not limited thereto, and any suitable spring may be used. The rod 215 is connected to the slide 195. Any suitable connection may be used, but in this embodiment, the insertion lock pin 217 is inserted through the longitudinal slot 180 to connect the rod 215 to the slide 195. Rod 215 moves telescopically within shaft 105 along longitudinal axis a-a. The rod 215 and the slide 195 are preferably formed of a relatively hard plastic material or metal.

When the umbrella 100 is closed, the slider 195 is held by the hook 200 and the spring 220 is compressed by the rod 215 and the slider 195. Because the slide 195 is connected to the rod 215 by the longitudinal slot 180 in the shaft 105, the amount of slide 195 sliding up and down the shaft 105 is limited to the length of the longitudinal slot 180 measured along the longitudinal axis a-a. When the user presses the button 205 inwards towards the centre of the shaft 105, the hook 200 releases the widened rim 210 of the slide 195 and the spring 220 pushes the rod 215 in an upward direction, thereby opening the umbrella 100.

The present invention is not limited to the opening and closing mechanism 115 described above, and other opening and closing mechanisms may be used.

Referring to fig. 4, the inner brace frame 120 includes an inner hub 150 and a plurality of inner braces 160, and the outer brace frame 125 includes an outer hub 155 and a plurality of outer braces 165. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the inner brace frame 120 includes six inner braces 160 and the outer brace frame 125 includes six outer braces 165. The inner struts 160 are symmetrically arranged relative to the inner hub 150 (i.e., they are disposed at equal angles relative to adjacent inner struts 160). Similarly, the outer struts 165 are symmetrically arranged relative to the outer hub 155 (i.e., they are disposed at equal angles relative to adjacent outer struts 165). The inner strut frame 120 and the outer strut frame 125 are connected to each other at the distal ends via a plurality of connector assemblies 130. The inner brace frame 120 and the outer brace frame 125 may be formed of plastic or metal. More specifically, the inner struts 160 of the inner strut frame 120 and the outer struts 165 of the outer strut frame 125 may be formed of a relatively flexible plastic, and the inner hub 150 and the outer hub 155 may be formed of a metal. The plurality of connector assemblies 130 may be formed of metal.

As shown in fig. 5, each inner brace 160 includes a post 225 with an inner proximal connector 230 attached to one end of the post and an inner distal connector 235 attached to the other end of the post. As shown in fig. 6, each external strut 165 includes a post 240 with an external proximal connector 245 attached to one end of the post and an external distal connector 250 attached to the other end of the post.

The inner hub 150 has substantially the same structure as the outer hub 155. Thus, the following description applies to both the inner hub and the outer hub. As shown in fig. 7, the hubs 150 and 155 have a substantially circular shape, and a groove 255 is formed in the periphery. Although six grooves 255 are provided on the hubs 150, 155 as shown in fig. 7, the present invention is not limited to this number of grooves 255. Preferably, the number of slots 255 on the inner hub 150 corresponds to the number of inner struts 160 and the number of slots 255 on the outer hub 155 corresponds to the number of outer struts 165. As shown in fig. 7 and 8, the hubs 150, 155 also include a central through-hole 260 for mounting the hubs 150, 155 to the shaft 105. As described above, the outer hub 155 is fixed near the upper end 135 of the shaft 105 and the inner hub 150 is movable along the shaft 105. In this embodiment, an insert locking pin (not shown) is used to connect the inner hub 150 to the rod 215, and the inner hub 150 is moved by the rod 215.

The inner proximal connector 230 and the outer proximal connector 245 have substantially the same structure. Thus, the following description applies to both the inner and outer proximal connectors. As shown in fig. 8, the proximal connectors 230, 245 have cylindrical portions 265 attached to the posts 225 of the inner struts 160 and tab portions 270 attached to the hubs 150, 155. As shown in fig. 8, the tab portion 270 is substantially centered on the axis of the cylindrical portion 265. The tab portion 270 includes an aperture 275 for securing the proximal connectors 230, 245 to the hubs 150, 155. The tab portion 270 is inserted into the slot 255 on the hub 150, 155 and the proximal connector 230, 245 can rotate relative to the hub 150, 155. In this embodiment, a wire loop (not shown) is inserted through the hole 275 in each proximal connector 230, 245 and the hub 150, 155 to secure the proximal connectors 230, 245 to the hubs 150, 155. In a preferred embodiment, the number of inner struts 160 corresponds to the number of slots 255 on the inner hub 150 and the number of outer struts 165 corresponds to the number of slots 255 on the outer hub 155. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, as described above, six inner struts 160 and six outer struts 165 are provided, and the inner hub 150 and the outer hub 155 each include six slots 255. However, the present invention is not limited by the number of inner struts 160 or the number of outer struts 165 or the number of slots 255.

The distal connector 250 (or external distal connector 250) attached to the external strut 165 is shown in more detail in fig. 9. The outer distal connector 250 includes a cylindrical portion 280 attached to the end of the post 240 of the outer strut 165, and a first tab portion 285 and a second tab portion 290. The cylindrical portion 280 may be attached to the end of the post 240 using any suitable method, but in this embodiment a steel insertion detent (not shown) is used. Each of the first tab portion 285 and the second tab portion 290 includes a centrally located aperture 295. The first tab portion 285 and the second tab portion 290 are spaced apart from each other to form a gap G. As shown in fig. 9, the first tab portion 285 and the second tab portion 290 extend toward one side of the axis of the cylindrical portion 280. The cylindrical portion 280, the first tab portion 285, and the second tab portion 290 are integrally formed. Preferably, the outer distal connector 250 is formed of metal.

The distal connector 235 (or the inner distal connector 235) attached to the inner strut 160 is shown in more detail in fig. 10. The inner distal connector 235 includes a tab portion 305 and a cylindrical portion 300 attached to the end of the post 225 of the inner strut 160. The cylindrical portion 300 may be attached to the end of the post 225 using any suitable method, but in this embodiment a steel insertion detent (not shown) is used. The tab portion 305 includes a centrally located aperture 310. As shown in fig. 10, the tab portion 305 extends toward one side of the axis of the cylindrical portion 300. The cylindrical portion 300 and the tab portion 305 are integrally formed. Preferably, the inner distal connector 235 is formed of metal.

Each inner distal connector 235 disposed on the end of the post 225 of the inner strut 160 is connected to a respective one of the outer distal connectors 250 disposed on the end of the post 240 of the outer strut 165 by, for example, a tubular rivet 315. Distal connectors 235 and 250 and rivet 315 form connector assembly 130. Referring to fig. 11, each rivet 315 has a head 320 at one end and a tail 325 at the other end.

To form each connector assembly, the holes 310 in the tab portions 305 of the inner distal connector 235 attached to the inner struts 160 are aligned with the holes 295 in the first and second tab portions 285, 290 of the outer distal connector 250 attached to the outer struts 165. More specifically, the tab portion 305 of the inner distal connector 235 attached to the inner strut 160 is inserted between the first tab portion 285 and the second tab portion 290 of the outer distal connector 250 attached to the outer strut 165 such that the hole 295 is aligned with the hole 310. The tail 325 of the rivet 315 is then inserted through one of the holes 295 attached to a corresponding one of the first tab portion 285 and the second tab portion 290 of the outer distal connector 250 of the outer strut 165, through the hole 310 of the tab portion 305 of the inner distal connector 235 attached to the inner strut 160, and through the other of the holes 295 attached to a corresponding one of the first tab portion 285 and the second tab portion 290 of the outer distal connector 250 of the outer strut 165. The rivets 315 are then bent or deformed to secure the tab portions 285 and 290 of the outer distal connector 250 and the tab portions 305 of the inner distal connector 235 together. However, the present invention is not limited to the use of rivets 315 to secure the tab portions 285 and 290 of the outer distal connector 250 with the tab portion 305 of the inner distal connector 235. It is also within the scope of the present invention to use alternative mechanical fasteners to secure the tab portions 285 and 290 of the outer distal connector 250 and the tab portion 305 of the inner distal connector 235 together.

When the holes 295 and 310 are aligned, the distal connectors 235 and 250 are arranged such that the sides with respect to which the first and second tab portions 285 and 290 of the cylindrical portion 280 of the outer distal connector 250 attached to the outer strut 165 protrude face the sides with respect to which the tab portions 305 of the cylindrical portion 300 of the inner distal connector 235 attached to the inner strut 160 protrude. In this manner, the connector assembly 130 forms a space between the outer distal connector 250 and the inner distal connector 235.

By forming the connector assembly 130 in this manner, the connector assembly 130 can be rotated about the axis of the rivets 315, allowing the inner and outer strut frames 120, 125 to open to thereby open the umbrella 100, and allowing the inner and outer strut frames 120, 125 to close to thereby close the umbrella 100. That is, the inner and outer distal connectors 235, 250 may rotate about the rivet 315 to allow the inner and outer strut frames 120, 125 to open and close.

Referring to FIG. 1, canopy 110 includes a central aperture 330 (not shown) forming an inner edge 335 that is centrally mounted and secured to upper end 135 of shaft 105. The inner edge 335 of canopy 110 is fixed below the outer hub 155. The outer edge 340 of canopy 110 is secured between each of the plurality of connector assemblies 130.

When umbrella 100 is closed, inner hub 150 is at a relatively low position along axis 105 and each of inner strut frame 120, outer strut frame 125 and canopy 110 are folded inwardly. The hook 200 of the opening and closing mechanism 115 holds the slide 195, and thus the rod 215, in a lower position along the shaft 105. In addition, the user may use straps 175 to secure inner struts 160, outer struts 165, and canopy 110 to shaft 105.

When the user presses the button 205, the hook 200 moves to the retracted position and the spring 220 urges the lever 215 and the slide 195 upward along the shaft 105. As rod 215 moves upward, inner proximal connector 230 and outer proximal connector 245 rotate within inner hub 150 and outer hub, respectively, causing the distal ends of inner strut 160 and outer strut 165 to rotate away from shaft 105. The flexibility of the inner and outer struts 160, 165 enables the inner and outer strut frames 120, 125, respectively, to flex. Connector assembly 130 retains outer edge 340 of canopy 110 as inner strut frame 120 and outer strut frame 125 flex, thereby stretching canopy 110 into a dome shape. More specifically, due to the relative lengths of inner struts 160 and outer struts 165, canopy 110 forms a dome shape when inner strut frame 120 and outer strut frame 125 are deployed or open and, therefore, canopy 110 is deployed or open, with outer strut frame 125 being located on the outside of dome canopy 110 and inner strut frame 120 being located on the inside of dome canopy 110, as shown in fig. 1 and 4. Canopy 110 can be locked in the open dome-like shape by using a locking mechanism that locks with slide 195 or inner hub 150. In this case, any suitable locking mechanism known in the art may be used, including, for example, a triangular shaped catch that engages a groove formed in the slide 195 or the inner hub 150.

The combination of the inner strut frame 120 and the outer strut frame 125 has been found to be particularly useful in preventing the umbrella 100 from tipping, i.e., turning inside out. In other words, connector assembly 130 remains in a lower position along longitudinal axis a-a relative to inner hub 150, and therefore umbrella 100 will not flip over.

While the present invention has been described with reference to what are presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.