Umbrella frame and operating system

• US 6,889,699 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2001
• Issued: 05/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TUUCI Worldwide, LLC
• Original Assignee: Tuuci Engineering & Design, Inc.
• Inventors: Clarke, Dougan H.
• Primary Examiner(s): YIP, WINNIE S
• Application Number:
  US10/008,536
• Publication Number:
  US 20020088483A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,274 Days
• Field of Search: 135 27- 28, 135/38, 135/39, 135/43, 135/98, 135/20.3, 135/16
• US Class Current: 135/20.3
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2025/146 with a crank connected to a rope
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 23/00 Other umbrellas
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 25/02 Umbrella frames
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 25/14 Devices for opening and for closing umbrellas
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 25/22 Devices for increasing the resistance of umbrellas to wind
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/341 Three or more radiating members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/44 Three or more members connected at single locus

Abstract

An improved, durable and versatile umbrella frame assembly is provided to more readily endure abusive weather conditions and that may be quickly, easily and inexpensively repaired. In addition, the assembly is also easily modified to accommodate umbrella canopies of different sizes and shapes. In addition, an improved umbrella operating system is provided to permit simple opening, positioning, and locking of an umbrella while allowing the frame to freely rotate about the pole regardless of the degree to which it is opened, while the pole is held in a stationary position. The assembly includes a pair of hub members mounted about a pole member wherein the main hub member is slidable up and down the pole. A pulley system with a locking cam member may be employed to allow the umbrella to safely and easily open to any desired position. A locking stabilizer arm may be used to secure the main hub member in the fully open position.

Claims

1. An umbrella frame comprising:

a pole member having a longitudinal axis, a bottom end and a top end,

said pole member including a bolt extending from said top end,

a secondary hub member supported on said pole member near said top end thereof, said secondary hub member including a central cavity extending axially there through,

said central cavity having a first diameter sized to receive at least said top end of said pole member therein and having a second diameter sized to receive said bolt therein such that said secondary hub member is capable of rotating about said longitudinal axis of said pole member,

a main hub member movably secured about said pole member and capable of sliding between said bottom end and said top end of said pole member and further capable of rotating about said longitudinal axis of said pole member,

a plurality of rib members pivotally secured to said secondary hub member,

a plurality of strut members each having an inner end and an outer end, said inner ends being pivotally secured to said main hub member, said outer end of each of said strut members being pivotally secured to a respective one of said rib members, and

means for maintaining said main hub member in position along said pole member while permitting rotation of said main hub member about said longitudinal axis of said pole member.

2. The umbrella frame of claim 1 wherein said means for maintaining said main hub member in said position comprise a cam cleat member.

3. The umbrella frame of claim 1 wherein said means for maintaining said main hub member in said position comprise a stabilizer arm having first and second ends, said first and being secured to one of said strut members and said second end being operably coupled to said pole member.

4. The umbrella frame of claim 1 wherein said means for maintaining said main hub member in said position comprise a retaining pin capable of being placed within a retaining pin slot formed in said pole member.

5. An umbrella frame comprising:

a pole member having a longitudinal axis, a bottom end and a top end, wherein at least said top end of said pole member includes an at least partially hollow interior,

a secondary hub member supported on said pole member near said top end thereof, said secondary hub member including a central cavity extending axially there through sized to receive at least said top end of said pole member therein,

said secondary hub member including a rigid bolt member extending downwardly and into said at least partially hollow interior of said pole member such that said secondary hub member is capable of rotating about said longitudinal axis of said pole member,

a main hub member movably secured about said pole member and capable of sliding between said bottom end and said top end of said pole member and further capable of being rotated about said longitudinal axis of said pole member,

a plurality of rib members pivotally secured to said secondary hub member,

a plurality of strut members each having an inner end and an outer end, said inner ends being pivotally secured to said main hub member, said outer end of each of said strut members being pivotally secured to a respective one of said rib members, and

means for maintaining said main hub member in position along said pole member while permitting rotation of said main hub member about said longitudinal axis of said pole member.

6. An umbrella frame, comprising:

a pole member having a longitudinal axis and a top end and a bottom end,

a main hub member secured about said pole member, said main hub member capable of sliding between said bottom end and said top end,

a secondary hub member secured to said pole member near said top end of said pole member,

a hook member secured to an exteriorly exposed surface of said main hub member for hanging a line member thereon,

means for supporting a canopy member,

a pulley system for raising and lowering said main hub member along said pole member, and

means for maintaining said main hub member in a vertical position along said pole member while permitting rotation of said main hub member about said longitudinal axis of said pole member.

7. An umbrella frame, comprising:

a pole member having a longitudinal axis and a top end and a bottom end,

a main hub member secured about said pole member, said main hub member capable of sliding between said bottom end and said top end,

a secondary hub member secured to said pole member near said top end of said pole member,

means for supporting a canopy member,

a pulley system for raising and lowering said main hub member along said pole member,

said main hub member including a top surface and a bracket member secured to said top surface of said main hub member,

said pulley system including at least one pulley member secured to said secondary hub member and a line member having a first end and a second end, said first end of said line member being secured to said bracket member,

said line member cooperatively engaging said at least one pulley member and extending downwardly from said at least one pulley member towards said bottom of said pole member,

said secondary hub member including a bottom surface, said at least one pulley member secured to said bottom surface, and

means for maintaining said main hub member in a vertical position along said pole member while permitting rotation of said main hub member about said longitudinal axis of said pole member.

8. The umbrella frame of claim 7 wherein said means for maintaining said main hub member in said vertical position includes a cam cleat member secured to an exteriorly exposed surface of said main hub member and wherein said line member cooperatively engages said cam cleat member as it extends downwardly from said at least one pulley member.

9. The umbrella frame of claim 8 wherein said cam cleat member has a rested position and includes a pair of cams pivotally secured to said exteriorly exposed surface of said main hub member, said pair of cams each having a toothed side edge, said toothed side edges facing one another in said rested position of said cam cleat member.

10. The umbrella frame of claim 9 wherein said cam cleat member further includes a retaining bracket secured to each of said pair of cams.