Umbrella with Wind-Compliant Canopy Attachment

Abstract

An umbrella employs an apparatus and method for movably attaching a canopy to an underlying support frame. In the event of strong winds, the canopy can lift up off its support frame to let the air pass underneath, rather than turning the canopy into a large sail and toppling the umbrella over. After the wind passes, the canopy is drawn back down onto the ribs.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An umbrella comprising:
 an upstanding support member;   a plurality of ribs, each of the ribs having an upper surface, a first end pivotably mounted at the upper end of the support member, and a second free outer end, each of the ribs extending radially outward from the support member;   a canopy supported by the upper surfaces of the ribs, the canopy having an outer periphery;   a plurality of flexible strips, each of the plurality of strips having an inner end affixed to the upper surface of a rib and an outer end located proximate to the outer end of the rib, the flexible strip normally extending along the upper surface of one of the ribs; and   means for attaching the outer end of each flexible strip to the lower surface of the canopy at a location proximate to the outer periphery of the canopy.   
     
     
         2 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a mast having a lower end for resting on a support surface and an upper end; and   wherein the upstanding support member comprises the upper end of the mast.   
     
     
         3 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a mast having a lower end for resting on a support surface and an upper end; and   a cantilevered arm having a first end attached to the mast adjacent the upper end of the mast and a second end;   wherein the upstanding support member is attached to the second end of the cantilevered arm.   
     
     
         4 . The umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein the means for attaching the outer end of each flexible strip to the lower surface of the canopy comprises a plurality of pockets adjacent the outer periphery of the canopy, the outer end of each flexible strip being received within a corresponding pocket. 
     
     
         5 . The umbrella of  claim 4 , wherein each of the plurality of pockets has an opening extending generally radially with respect to the canopy to facilitate introduction of the outer end of the flexible strip into the pocket, and further comprising:
 means for closing the pocket opening to retain the outer end of the corresponding strip within the pocket.   
     
     
         6 . The umbrella of  claim 5 , wherein the means for closing the pocket opening comprises a zipper. 
     
     
         7 . The umbrella of  claim 5 , wherein the means for closing the pocket opening comprises a snap closure comprising male and female components, the male element of the snap closure being affixed to the pocket on one side of the opening, and the female element of the snap closure being affixed to the pocket on the other side of the opening 
     
     
         8 . The umbrella of  claim 5 , wherein the means for closing the pocket opening comprises hook and loop fabric fasteners. 
     
     
         9 . The umbrella of  claim 4 , wherein the means for attaching the outer end of each flexible strip to the lower surface of the canopy comprises a plurality of pairs of straps. 
     
     
         10 . The umbrella of  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of pairs of straps are tied together around the corresponding strap. 
     
     
         11 . The umbrella of  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of pairs of straps comprises hook and loop fabric fasteners. 
     
     
         12 . The umbrella of  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of pairs of straps comprises a snap closure comprising male and female portions, the male portion of the snap closure being affixed to one of each of the plurality of straps, and the female portion of the snap closure being affixed to the other of each of the plurality of pairs of straps.