Abstract

A novel umbrella includes a support post, a housing supported thereby, spokes pivotally disposed about the housing, a canopy, and an actuator. The housing has a top hub and a bottom hub. The actuator slides the hubs together to pivot the spokes away from the housing, whereby the umbrella moves from a closed position to an open position. Rollers are retained within the top hub, and each spoke has a spoke cam attached to one end. The spokes pivot away from the housing by having a roller surface of each spoke cam slide along each respective roller. The actuator may include a beam pivotally disposed about the support post, a strut pivotally disposed about the support post and coupled to the beam, a car slide slideably disposed within the beam, and a cable coupled to the strut and the housing.

IPC Classes  ?

• A45B 25/10 - Umbrella crowns
• A45B 25/14 - Devices for opening and for closing umbrellas
• A45B 11/00 - Umbrellas characterised by their shape or attachment
• A45B 23/00 - Other umbrellas

Abstract

A novel umbrella is disclosed with a simplified structure that creates a clean, elegant profile. The umbrella includes a support post, a top housing supported by the post, and a bottom housing supported by the post. Spokes are pivotally disposed about the top housing. Struts are pivotally disposed about the bottom housing, wherein each strut is pivotally connected to a respective spoke. A canopy is disposed about the plurality of spokes. A first and second set of rollers may be retained with the top housing. A third set of rollers may be retained within the bottom housing. A rope raises and lowers the canopy. A lever lock is disposed about the bottom housing to retain the rope when the umbrella is in an open position. The umbrella also has a rope storage slot within the support post for retaining any excess rope.

IPC Classes  ?

• A45B 25/14 - Devices for opening and for closing umbrellas
• A45B 25/02 - Umbrella frames
• A45B 11/00 - Umbrellas characterised by their shape or attachment

Abstract

A novel sling assembly and corresponding method of stretching sling fabric are disclosed. The assembly preferably comprises a chassis with opposing rails connected by a cross bar. A sling frame having opposing stretch bars connected by a stretchable fabric is disposed over the chassis in a pre-assembled position. A cam lock is inserted into a key hole cut into at least one of the rails; the cam lock is then rotated away from the central axis of the key hole. An engagement member extending from at least one of the stretch bars is then inserted into the key hole. The sling fabric may now be stretched by rotating the cam lock toward the central axis of the key hole to move the engagement member along the key hole until the fabric is taut. The taut fabric is held in place by the engaged cam lock, whereby the assembly is kept in its stretched, fully assembled position. The invention's unique structure thus advantageously makes sling fabric replacement convenient, quick, and without the need for special tools.

IPC Classes  ?

• A47C 4/28 - Folding chairs with flexible coverings for the seat or back elements
• A47C 7/00 - Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools