Umbrella

Abstract

The invention relates to an umbrella comprising an umbrella shaft ( 2 ) and an umbrella frame ( 3 ) located on the umbrella shaft ( 2 ), said frame consisting of a spider, which is formed by umbrella ribs ( 4 ) and supports a canopy ( 5 ), and tensioning spokes ( 6 ), which are connected in an articulated manner to a runner ( 7 ) that can be displaced along the umbrella shaft ( 2 ) and to the umbrella ribs ( 4 ). A supporting rib ( 8 ) is connected in an articulated manner to at least one of the tensioning spokes ( 6 ). The other end of said rib is provided with an articulated sliding part ( 9 ) that is mounted so that it can be displaced along the umbrella rib ( 4 ) on the section of the latter facing the free end.

1 - 14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . An umbrella comprising: 
 a central axis-defining shaft;    a plurality of ribs having inner ends secured to the shaft and outer ends and movable between a closed position extending axially along the shaft and an open position extending radially from the shaft;    a flexible canopy spanned over the ribs;    an actuator movable axially along the shaft;    respective spreaders each having an outer end pivoted on a respective one of the ribs and an inner end pivotal on the actuator;    a slide shiftable along one of the ribs adajcent the outer end thereof; and    a brace having an outer end pivoted on the slide and an inner end pivoted on the spreadeer between the inner and outer ends thereof.    
   
   
       16 . The umbrella defined in  claim 15  wherein a length of each rib between its outer end and its pivotal connection with the outer end of the respective spreader is at least equal to a length of the respective brace plus a length of the respective spreader between its pivotal connection with the respective rib and with the respective brace.  
   
   
       17 . The umbrella defined in  claim 15  wherein the umbrella has a plurality of the braces distributed angularly and extending between respective spreaders and the respective ribs.  
   
   
       18 . The umbrella defined in  claim 15  wherein the ribs are made of plastic such that in open position a tension of the canopy on the elastically bent ribs and on the braces is such that only a sectoral inversion of the frame with the canopy is possible and a complete inversion of the canopy is inhibited circumferentially.  
   
   
       19 . The umbrella defined in  claim 18  wherein the plastic spreaders have a diameter of 2 to 6 mm.  
   
   
       20 . The umbrella defined in  claim 18  wherein the plastic spreaders have a diameter 3 to 4 mm.  
   
   
       21 . The umbrella defined in  claim 15  wherein the braces are made of plastic.  
   
   
       22 . The umbrella defined in  claim 15  wherein in open position the canopy and the ribs form a spring element acting as a damping member that resists inversion.  
   
   
       23 . The umbrella defined in  claim 22  wherein a spring strength of the damping member is such that only a sectoral inversion is possible and that it forces an automatic restoration by the damping member when wind pressure drops.  
   
   
       24 . The umbrella defined in  claim 15  wherein every other spreader has one such brace.  
   
   
       25 . The umbrella defined in  claim 15  wherein the slide is formed as a tube engaged around the respective rib and forming a pivot.  
   
   
       26 . The umbrella defined in  claim 15  wherein each rib has at least where it engages the respective slide a U-section in which a shoe carried by the respective slide can shift.  
   
   
       27 . The umbrella defined in  claim 26  wherein a diameter of the brace is smaller than the interior width of the U-section and in the closed position each brace is nested in the respective rib.  
   
   
       28 . The umbrella defined in  claim 15  wherein the rib engaged by the brace has an abutment for limiting sliding of the respective slide toward the respective rib inner end.  
   
   
       29 . The umbrella defined in  claim 28  wherein the abutment is mounted on the respective rib at a spacing from its outer end that is effective via the respective brace to curve the respective rib so as to prestress the frame when open in a direction resisting inversion of the canopy.