Umbrella having protected stave assembly

Abstract

A strut device for an umbrella includes an upper stave, a main stave having an inner end portion pivotally coupled to an outer end portion of the upper stave, a lower stave having an outer end portion pivotally coupled to the upper stave with a stave support, and an outer stave having an inner end portion pivotally coupled to the outer end portion of the main stave, the staves are made of a fiber reinforcing material, a number of couplers are attached onto the end portions of the staves and each has a metal member engaged onto the end portions of the staves, and an outer covering attached onto the metal member for covering and protecting the metal member and for preventing the couplers from scraping or damaging the canopy.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an umbrella, and more particularly to an umbrella having reinforced stave end couplers and having coated or covered or protective stave end couplers for preventing the stave end couplers from damaging the canopy or the like. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] Typical umbrella devices comprise a runner slidably attached onto a central telescoping post, and a number of whale bones or strut assemblies attached or coupled to the central telescoping post and the runner for stretching or supporting the canopy. [0005] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,017 to Johnson et al. discloses one of the typical umbrella devices also comprising a number of strut assemblies attached or coupled to the central telescoping post and the runner for stretching or supporting the canopy, and the strut assemblies each include a number of struts pivotally coupled together and the struts are normally ma...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an umbrella including a number of reinforced stave end couplers which are coated or covered or protected with soft or resilient outer coverings for preventing the stave end couplers from scraping or damaging the canopy or the like.

[0015] The other objective of the present invention is to provide an umbrella including a number of reinforced stave end couplers which are coated or covered or protected with soft or resilient outer coverings that have the same or similar color as that of the staves for preventing a difference of the color from being formed between the staves and the reinforced stave end couplers.

Problems solved by technology

However, the struts that are made of metal materials may greatly increase the weight of the struts and the umbrella that may not be easily carried or operated.

In addition, the metal struts may include sharp ends or side portions that may scrape or damage the canopy.

However, the aluminum alloy coupling portions of the struts are exposed and may also include sharp ends or side portions that may scrape or damage the canopy.

However, the strut assemblies made of plastic materials, fiber reinforcing materials, composite materials may have a bending strength that is not good for resisting strong wind.

However, the struts that are made of metal materials may greatly increase the weight of the struts and the umbrella that may not be easily carried or operated.

In addition, the metal struts may include sharp ends or side portions that may scrape or damage the canopy.

Images