Umbrella

Abstract

An improved umbrella frame comprising a four-rib canopy frame comprising only five parts plus a simplified four-panel canopy that greatly reduces manufacturing costs. The frame comprises four arms that snap together with a tool-less tongue and groove connection around a central shaft, allowing the four-panel canopy to be stretched over top. The tongue and groove assembly forms an improved runner that gently slides up and down the central shaft to provide open and close functions. The improved umbrella frame is lightweight and may-be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled for packing or storage.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An umbrella, comprising:
 an elongate shaft;   a plurality of pairs of arms each comprising an elongate stretcher pivotally joined at one end to a mid-section of an elongate rib, the opposing ends of all of said stretchers being connected in a sleeve that is slidably engaged along a mid-section of said elongate shaft, and a distal end of all of said ribs being connected in a receptacle affixed to a distal end of said shaft; and   a folding canopy supported by said plurality of pairs of arms.   
     
     
         2 . The umbrella according to  claim 1 , wherein each said elongate stretcher is pivotally joined to each corresponding rib at a living hinge. 
     
     
         3 . The umbrella according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of pairs of arms comprises two pairs of arms. 
     
     
         4 . The umbrella according to  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of pairs of arms comprise a first pair of arms and a second pair of arms smaller than said first pair of arms. 
     
     
         5 . The umbrella according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of pairs of arms comprises three pairs of arms. 
     
     
         6 . The umbrella according to  claim 5 , wherein said three pairs of arms are connected, to a discrete collar that is slidably engaged along a mid-section of said elongate shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The umbrella according to  claim 1 , wherein said shaft comprises a first clip for removably attaching said cap to said shaft. 
     
     
         8 . The umbrella according to  claim 7 , wherein said shaft comprises a second clip for limiting sliding range of said sleeve. 
     
     
         9 . An umbrella, comprising:
 an elongate shaft;   a flexible canopy;   two long arms each comprising a first elongate rib joined at roughly a midpoint thereof by a first elongate stretcher, said near end of said first rife and said first stretcher each comprising at least one lateral groove; and   two short arms each comprising a second elongate rib joined at roughly a midpoint thereof by a second elongate stretcher, said near end of said second rib and said second stretcher each comprising at least one perpendicular tongue, said tongues sized to correspond in shape and size to said at least one lateral groove.   
     
     
         10 . The umbrella according to  claim 9 , wherein each said elongate stretcher is pivotally joined to each corresponding rib at a living hinge. 
     
     
         11 . The umbrella according to  claim 9 , wherein said shaft comprises a first, clip for removably attaching said cap to said shaft. 
     
     
         12 . The umbrella according to  claim 9 , wherein said shaft comprises a second clip for limiting sliding range of said sleeve.