Reverse folding umbrella

Abstract

A reverse folding umbrella folds away from a user of the umbrella, thus reducing the likelihood that rain or other water on the primary fabric of the umbrella will fall onto the user while the umbrella is being folded and while the umbrella is in the closed position.

1 . A reverse folding umbrella, comprising:
 a pole having a top end and a bottom end;   a handle fixedly secured to the bottom end;   a cap fixedly secured to the top end, the cap having a substantially flat surface;   a first hub secured adjacent the cap;   a stopper positioned on the pole adjacent the first hub;   a second hub slidably connected to the pole;   a third hub slidably connected to the pole;   a fourth hub slidably connected to the pole;   a runner slidably connected to the pole and movable between a first position and a second position;   a plurality of rib assemblies, each rib assembly comprising:
 a first rod pivotally connected to the first hub; 
 a second rod pivotally connected to the second hub; 
 a third rod pivotally connected to the third hub; 
 a biasing member pivotally connected to the fourth hub; and 
 an end rod pivotally connected to the first rod and the third rod; 
   a primary fabric extending from underneath the cap along the first rod and the end rod; and   a secondary fabric extending from proximate the runner to proximate an end of the third rod;   wherein movement of the runner from the first position to the second position causes the plurality of rib assemblies to move from a closed position, in which the primary fabric is folded between the first rod and the end rod of each rib assembly, to an open position, in which the primary fabric is stretched across an upper surface of the first rod and the end rod of each rib assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The reverse folding umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein the second hub is connected to the fourth hub, the fourth hub is connected to the third hub, and the third hub is connected to the runner, and further wherein movement of the runner causes corresponding movement of the second hub, the third hub, and the fourth hub. 
     
     
         3 . The reverse folding umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing member stores potential energy when the runner is in the first position. 
     
     
         4 . The reverse folding umbrella of  claim 3 , wherein the biasing member uses the stored potential energy to move the runner from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         5 . The reverse folding umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is a spring. 
     
     
         6 . The reverse folding umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is also connected to the second rod. 
     
     
         7 . The reverse folding umbrella of  claim 6 , wherein the second rod comprises a channel that at least partially receives the biasing member when the runner is in the first position. 
     
     
         8 . The reverse folding umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary fabric comprises a plurality of vents. 
     
     
         9 . The reverse folding umbrella of  claim 1 , wherein the end rods terminate proximate a plane defined by the substantially flat surface of the cap when the runner is in the first position. 
     
     
         10 . The reverse folding umbrella of  claim 1 , further comprising a biased pin that engages the runner when the runner is in the first position. 
     
     
         11 . A reverse folding umbrella, comprising:
 a frame assembly comprising:
 a pole having a cap at one end and a handle at another end, the cap having a planar upper surface; 
 a first hub fixedly secured to the pole adjacent the cap; 
 a hub assembly comprising a second hub, a third hub, a fourth hub, and a runner, the hub assembly slidingly connected to the pole between the first hub and the handle; and 
 a plurality of rib assemblies, each rib assembly comprising:
 a first rod pivotally connected to the first hub; 
 a second rod having a first end pivotally connected to the second hub and a second end pivotally connected to the first rod; 
 a third rod having a third end pivotally connected to the third hub; 
 a biasing member connected to the third hub and the second rod; and 
 an end rod having a fifth end pivotally connected to the first rod, the end rod pivotally connected to a fourth end of the third rod; 
 
   a primary fabric extending from underneath the cap to a sixth end of the end rod, the primary fabric connected to the first rod and the end rod;   a secondary fabric extending from above the runner to proximate the fourth end, the secondary fabric comprising a plurality of vents;   wherein each rib assembly is movable between an open position in which the primary fabric is tightly stretched across the plurality of rib assemblies, and a closed position in which the plurality of rib assemblies and the primary fabric are positioned between the secondary fabric and the pole.   
     
     
         12 . The reverse folding umbrella of  claim 11 , wherein the hub assembly is proximate the handle when the plurality of rib assemblies is in the closed position. 
     
     
         13 . The reverse folding umbrella of  claim 11 , further comprising a stopper positioned on the pole between the first hub and the second hub. 
     
     
         14 . The reverse folding umbrella of  claim 13 , wherein the hub assembly is proximate the stopper when the plurality of rib assemblies is in the open position. 
     
     
         15 . The reverse folding umbrella of  claim 11 , wherein the sixth end of each end rod extends proximate a plane defined by the planar upper surface when each of the plurality of rib assemblies is in the closed position. 
     
     
         16 . The reverse folding umbrella of  claim 11 , wherein the fifth end is pivotally connected to the first rod via a connector. 
     
     
         17 . The reverse folding umbrella of  claim 16 , wherein each rib assembly further comprises:
 a lead member pivotally connected to the connector, the lead member having a U-shape.   
     
     
         18 . The reverse folding umbrella of  claim 17 , further comprising a spring member extending between the connector and the lead member. 
     
     
         19 . The reverse folding umbrella of  claim 11 , wherein the second rod comprises a slot configured to receive at least a portion of the biasing member. 
     
     
         20 . A free-standing umbrella comprising:
 a pole having a top end and a bottom end, a cap with a flat surface secured to the top end and a handle secured to the bottom end;   a plurality of rib assemblies secured to the pole between the cap and the handle, each rib assembly comprising a pair of upper members and a lower member, each rib assembly being adjustable between a closed position and an open position;   a primary fabric extending from underneath the cap and secured to the pair of upper members; and   a secondary fabric secured to the lower member of each of the plurality of rib assemblies, the secondary fabric comprising a plurality of vents;   wherein when the plurality of rib assembles are in the closed position, the primary fabric is folded between each of the pairs of upper members, each of the pairs of upper members is folded between the secondary fabric and the pole, and a terminal end of one upper member of each pair of upper members extends proximate a plane defined by the flat surface.