Umbrella

Abstract

An improved umbrella comprising: a shaft; a plurality of ribs spaced around the shaft arranged to be capable of extending outwardly of the shaft in a deployed condition; a canopy supportable by the ribs; and a tensioner comprising a filamentary material which extends around the perimeter of the umbrella, wherein the filamentary material is arranged to tension the perimeter of the umbrella and resist inversion of the umbrella by pulling a distal end of each rib towards the shaft when in the deployed condition.

1 . A method of increasing the tension of an umbrella comprising the step of providing a filamentary material around the perimeter of the canopy of the umbrella during manufacturing such that the filamentary material is arranged to tension at the perimeter of the umbrella when in a deployed condition. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the filamentary material is incorporated into the perimeter of the canopy of the umbrella. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the filamentary material adds tension by pulling the distal ends of the ribs of the umbrella towards to shaft of the umbrella and reducing the circumference at the perimeter of the canopy. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the filamentary material is flexible and inextensible. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the filamentary material is secured to each rib of the umbrella. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the filamentary material is sewn into the perimeter of the canopy of the umbrella. 
     
     
         7 . A method of increasing the tension of an umbrella comprising the step of providing a tensioner around the perimeter of the canopy of the umbrella during manufacturing such that the tensioner adds tension at the perimeter of the umbrella when in a deployed condition. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the tensioner adds tension by pulling the distal ends of the ribs of the umbrella towards to shaft of the umbrella reducing the circumference at the perimeter of the canopy. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the tensioner is incorporated into the perimeter of the canopy of the umbrella. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the tensioner is a filamentary material. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the filamentary material is flexible and inextensible. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the filamentary material is secured to each rib of the umbrella. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the filamentary material is sewn into the perimeter of the canopy of the umbrella.