Support unit for umbrella ferrule

Abstract

An end unit mounted to an umbrella ferrule includes a tube, a ball and a pad. The tube has a top collar connected to the top thereof and a bottom member is received in the tube. A room is defined between the bottom member and the lower end of the tube. The ball is pivotably engaged with the room and the top of the ball contacts the bottom member. The ball has a shank which is connected to the pad. The bottom member provides proper friction to allow the ball to pivot.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An end unit mounted to an umbrella ferrule, comprising:
 a tube having a top collar connected to a top thereof, a bottom member received in the tube, a room defined between the bottom member and a lower end of the tube;   a ball pivotably engaged with the room and a top of the ball being in contact with the bottom member, a shank extending from the ball, and   a pad connected to the shank of the ball.   
     
     
         2 . The end unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the top collar has a downward tapered inner periphery. 
     
     
         3 . The end unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bottom member has a top recess defined in a top thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The end unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the room has a downward tapered inner periphery and the ball is enclosed by the inner periphery of the room. 
     
     
         5 . The end unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shank  221  of the ball is a threaded rod and the pad has a threaded hole in the top thereof, the shank is threadedly connected to the threaded hole. 
     
     
         6 . The end unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pad comprises a top part and a bottom part, the top part has a positioning recess defined in an underside thereof, the bottom part has a positioning protrusion on a top thereof, the positioning protrusion is engaged with the positioning recess, the bottom part has multiple protrusions extending from an underside thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The end unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tube and the top collar are applied with adhesive which is adapted to adhere the umbrella ferrule. 
     
     
         8 . The end unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tube is threadedly connected to the top collar which has a securing ring receiving therein. 
     
     
         9 . The end unit as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the bottom part has three protrusions. 
     
     
         10 . The end unit as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the bottom part has three protrusions and each protrusion has a flat face.