Device for reducing wind resistance of protective fabric of parasol or other covering

Abstract

Device for reducing the wind resistance of the protective fabric, particularly of a parasol of the type mainly including a pole, a protective fabric, and a supporting frame having stiff ribs connected, via one end thereof and by means of a hinge, to the top portion of the pole, each rib being connected, by a connecting rod or brace and hinges, to a socket or annular block-slideably mounted along said. The device is characterized in that fabric freely rests on the ribs, at least on the distal portion of the latter, and in that a flexible slat capable of elastic deformation in the vertical plane and connected to the fabric is placed on the top side of each rib, in the vertical plane and along the latter, said flexible slats being attached to the ribs at a point remote from the distal end of the latter.

1 . Device permitting to reduce the exposure to wind of protective fabric, in particular of an umbrella of the type comprising primarily a pole, a protective fabric attached to the top of said pole, and a support framework of said fabric comprising generally a number of stiff ribs fastened at one of their ends and by means of a joint at an upper part of the pole, each rib being, on the other hand, connected, by means of a rod or brace and joints, to a bushing or annular nut mounted so it can slide along said pole, so as to enable the unfurling of the fabric or its furling along the latter, characterized in that the fabric rests freely on the ribs, at least on the distal part of the latter, and in that a flexible lath which is capable of elastic deformation in the vertical plane and joined to the fabric at least in its distal part, is positioned on the upper side of each rib, in the vertical plane and along the rib, said flexible laths being fastened on the ribs at a point away from the distal end of the latter. 
     
     
         2 . Device as per  claim 1 , characterized in that the internal face or underside of the protective fabric is provided with fasteners that are oriented radially and spaced in an angular fashion, so that the flexible laths and said fabric can be united, at least in the distal part of said flexible laths. 
     
     
         3 . Device according  claim 1 , characterized in that the proximal part of the flexible laths is attached on the proximal part of the ribs. 
     
     
         4 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the proximal part of the flexible laths is attached on the proximal part of the ribs by clamping colliers. 
     
     
         5 . Device according  claim 1 , characterized in that the flexible laths comprise flat laths that are stiff in the horizontal plane. 
     
     
         6 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the distal ends of the flexible laths extend over the distal ends of the ribs. 
     
     
         7 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the flexible laths feature increasing flexibility in the direction of their distal end. 
     
     
         8 . Device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the connecting devices on the internal face or underside of the fabric comprise radial sheaths in which, preferably in a movable manner, at least the distal part of the flexible laths is housed. 
     
     
         9 . Device according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the sheaths are of a length that enables the flexible laths to be positioned, over a large part or the quasi-totality of their length, beginning from their fastening location on the ribs. 
     
     
         10 . Device according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the radial sheaths feature a longitudinal slot, preferably along one of the sides of said sheaths, said slot being provided with a zipper. 
     
     
         11 . Device according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the flexible laths feature a decreasing thickness in the direction of their distal end or are constituted by the overlay of a number of flexible laths of decreasing length in the direction of their proximal end. 
     
     
         12 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the end portion of the distal part of the ribs is made of a material capable of elastic bending, the degree of elastic bending of said end portion being less than the flexibility coefficient of the flexible laths. 
     
     
         13 . Umbrella characterized in that it features a device permitting to reduce the exposure to wind of its protective fabric, in accordance with  claim 1 .