Frame of self-opening umbrella having reduced space after closing

Abstract

A frame of self-opening umbrella is provided wherein both ribs and spreader are formed of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) tubes. Also there is no provision of pin and legs on pivotal member between each of link formed of stainless steel and each spreader. Each link has an upper hook end coupled to the pivotal member of the spreader. Accordingly, the folded self-opening umbrella has a reduced space. Such umbrella further has simple components and aesthetic appearance.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A self-opening umbrella having a frame supported by a center post, the frame comprising: 
 a lower ring slidably mounted on a lower portion of the post;    an upper ring slidably mounted on an upper portion of the post;    a hub disposed on a top of the post;    a spring mounted on the post and biased between the lower ring and the upper ring;a plurality of ribs, each being formed of fiber reinforced plastics (FRP) material, and having an inner end thereof pivotally extended from the hub and a first connecting member sleeved thereon;    a plurality of spreaders, each being formed of FRP tube and including an outer connecting element mounted at an outer end thereof pivotably coupled to the first connecting member of the rib and an inner connecting element mounted at an inner end thereof pivotably coupled to the upper ring, and a first half oval recess on an outer end thereof;    a plurality of second pivotal member, each including, a first bore therein, and a second half oval recess at an inner end thereof; and    a plurality of links formed of stainless steel, each including a lower hook end coupled to the lower ring and an upper hook end coupled to the second pivotal member;    wherein a first pivotal hole is provided on each of the spreader, the half oval recess on the inner end of the second pivotal member and the half oval recess on outer end of the inner connecting element are combined together to form a second pivotal hole, when each of the spreader is passed through the second pivotal member and inserted into the inner connecting element, each of the second pivotal member and each of the inner connecting element are fitted and sleeved on each of the spreader, whereby the second pivotal hole of the second pivotal member is aligned with the first pivotal hole of the spreader when each of the spreader, the second pivotal member, and the inner connecting element are assembled together to thereby enable the upper hook end of each link to be pivotally coupled to the first and second pivotal holes.    
     
     
         2 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein each of the inner connecting element comprises a first bore provided therein and a second bore extended from an inner side of the first bore to an outside end thereof having an inner diameter larger than that of the first bore, and a steel tube like connection member is further mounted within the second bore of each of the inner connecting element.  
     
     
         3 . The umbrella of  claim 2 , wherein each of the second pivotal member comprises a first bore provided therein, a second bore, extended from the inner side of the first bore, having an inner diameter larger than that of the first bore, and a second half oval recess provided at an inner end thereof; each of the inner connecting element further comprises a cylindrical joint on outer end thereof having a smaller outer diameter than that of the element; 
 wherein the cylindrical joint of the inner connecting element is inserted into the second pivotal member when the inner connecting element and the second pivotal member are fitted together.    
     
     
         4 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein each inner connecting element comprises a first bore provided therein and a second bore, extended from an outer side end of the first bore to an outer side end of the connecting element, having a diameter larger than that of the first bore of the connecting element, a first half oval recess at an outer end thereof, and a first cylindrical joint at the outer end thereof, a steel sleeve fitted within the second bore of the inner connecting element; and each second pivotal member comprises a first bore provided therein and a second bore extended from an inner side end of the first bore to an inner side end thereof and having a diameter larger than that of the first bore of the second pivotal member, a second half oval recess at an inner end of the second pivotal member; wherein each spreader has a first pivotal hole on a surface, an outer surface of the sleeve contacts a bottom of the first recess, the first cylindrical joint is fitted within the second bore of the second pivotal member for coupling the inner connecting element and the second pivotal member together, whereby the first and the second recesses are combined to form a second pivotal hole which is aligned with the first pivotal hole of each spreader when the spreader, the second pivotal member, and the inner connecting element of the spreader are assembled together.  
     
     
         5 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein the inner connecting element is separately formed from the pivotal connection member.  
     
     
         6 . The umbrella of  claim 5 , wherein an outer end of the inner connecting element contacts an inner end of the pivotal connection member.  
     
     
         7 . The umbrella of  claim 4 , wherein the sleeve in the second bore of the inner connecting element comprises a third half oval recess on an outer end thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein each inner connecting element comprises a first bore provided therein and a second bore, extended from an outer side end of the first bore to an outer side end of the connecting element, having a diameter larger than that of the first bore of the connecting element, and a third bore further formed and extended from an outer side end of the second bore to an outer side end of the connecting element, having a diameter larger than that of the second bore of the connecting element and a first half oval recess at an outer end thereof, a steel sleeve fitted within the second bore of the inner connecting element; and each second pivotal member comprises a bore through therein and a second cylindrical joint provided at an outer surface of the inner side end thereof and having an outer diameter smaller than that of the second pivotal member, a second half oval recess at an inner end of the second pivotal member; wherein each spreader has a first pivotal hole on a surface, an outer surface of the sleeve contacts a bottom of the first recess, the second cylindrical joint is fitted within the third bore of the inner connecting element for coupling the inner connecting element and the second pivotal member together, whereby the first and the second recesses are combined to form a second pivotal hole which is aligned with the first pivotal hole of each spreader when the spreader, the second pivotal member, and the inner connecting element of the spreader are assembled together.  
     
     
         9 . The umbrella of  claim 8 , wherein the sleeve in the second bore of the inner connecting element comprises a third half oval recess on an outer end thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein each of the inner connecting element and the pivotal member are formed by plastic injection molding.