Set of umbrella needles

Abstract

A aiguillette assembly of an umbrella is disclosed. The aiguillette assembly includes a aiguillette shaft removably disposed on a distal end of an outer cylindrical rib of a rib and a shield piece arranged at a distal end of the aiguillette shaft. The aiguillette shaft is provided with a mounting hole for mounting the distal end of the outer cylindrical rib therein. The shield piece includes a curved outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. The outer surface abuts respective support ends of a canopy without exposing outside the canopy. The distal end of the aiguillette shaft is located on the inner surface of the shield piece to be shielded thereon.Thus, the needle assembly will not have a sharp end or be exposed outside the canvas when the canvas is unfolded by the plurality of ribs. Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Umbrella aiguillette assembly

[0001] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a needle assembly of an umbrella, more particularly to a needle assembly of an umbrella with a reduced manufacturing cost thanks to a simple structure.

[0003] Generally, a ball-shaped skewer is mounted at the outermost end (such as an outer cylindrical rib or a folding rib) of each rib of an umbrella for convenient connection to a canopy. However, the skewer is exposed and may be accidentally struck by objects or people. Ribs are easily damaged when the skewers strike hard objects. People may be injured when the skewers strike them. Therefore, there is an umbrella available on the market today whose skewers are hidden and protected by the canopy, without being exposed. With reference to JP Patent No. 3227012 U, a skewer 41 is enclosed in a cover cloth 51 shown in FIG. 2, without being exposed. Thus, people or objects will not be injured or damaged by the exposed skewer.

[0004] However, the above-mentioned umbrella needs two external cylindrical ribs 43 with needles 41 in order to support the canvas and resist external forces more effectively. Most products of this type have a complicated structure which results in a higher production cost. Therefore, it is possible to make improvements and it is necessary to provide a needle assembly with a simplified structure in order to reduce the production cost. Summary of the invention

[0005] Thus, the main object of the present invention is to provide a needle assembly for an umbrella, which comprises a protective piece disposed on a distal end of a needle shaft. The protective piece is composed of a curved outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. The outer surface abuts against a supporting end of a canvas, without exposing itself outside the canvas. The distal end of the needle shaft is located at the inner surface of the protective piece so as to be protected by the protective piece. It is thus possible to solve the problem of increased production costs caused by the complicated structure of the needle assembly currently available.

[0006] For this purpose, a needle assembly of an umbrella according to the present invention is arranged on a distal end of an external cylindrical rib of a rib. The umbrella comprises a plurality of ribs arranged symmetrically around of a plate of a mast and extending outwardly from the plate. The ribs are radially arranged on a rear surface of a canvas so that the canvas is divided into a plurality of panels each of which has the same area. A support end is formed at an outermost edge of an area between the two adjacent panels. The skewer assembly which is used for connection to the canvas and located at the support end has a skewer rod and a protective piece. The skewer rod is removably arranged on the distal end of the outer cylindrical rib of the rib. An inner end of the skewer rod is provided with a mounting hole for mounting the distal end of the outer cylindrical rib therein.The protective piece which is arranged at a distal end of the awl rod has a curved outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. The outer surface abuts against the supporting end, without exposing outside the canopy. The distal end of the awl rod is located on the inner surface of the protective piece to be protected by the protective piece. Thus, the awl assembly will not have a sharp end or expose outside the canopy when the umbrella canopy is supported and unfolded by the plurality of ribs to be in an open state.

[0007] Preferably, the protective piece is removably arranged at the distal end of the needle shaft.

[0008] Preferably, the needle rod and the protective piece are connected and integrated by a fixing member which has a first fixing part and a second fixing part. The first fixing part and the second fixing part are respectively mounted on the needle rod and the protective piece. The protective piece connected to the needle rod can be rotated at an angle relative to the needle rod. When the fabric is affected and deformed due to external factors, the needle rod remains stationary and the protective piece is rotated with the deformation of the fabric and subjected to a force so as to be in a displaced and stressed state. In such a state, the needle rod remains stationary and the protective piece is returned to an initial position with the fabric being returned to an initial state while it is no longer affected by the external factors and is no longer subjected to the deformation.

[0009] Preferably, the needle rod and the protective piece are connected and integrated by a rivet. The protective piece on the needle rod can be rotated at an angle relative to the needle rod. When the fabric is affected and deformed due to external factors, the needle rod remains stationary and the protective piece is rotated with the deformation of the fabric and subjected to a force so as to be in a displaced and stressed state. In such a state, the needle rod remains stationary and the protective piece is returned to an initial position with the fabric being returned to a state initial when it is no longer affected by external factors and is no longer subject to deformation.

[0010] Preferably, the protective part is a strip. The protective part further comprises a shaft portion located on a central portion thereof and two symmetrical wing portions. A rear end of the respective wing portions is curved inward.

[0011] Preferably, the whalebone may be a non-folding whalebone, a two-ply whalebone, a three-ply whalebone, or a four-ply whalebone.

[0012] Preferably, the fabric further comprises an edge fabric sewn on the outermost edge of the fabric and a plurality of cover fabrics each of which is located on the support end and on the back surface of the fabric. The number of the cover fabric corresponds to the number of the support end and the needle assembly on the support end is covered by the cover fabric. Brief description of the drawings

[0013] The structure and technical means adopted by the present invention to achieve the above and other objectives may be better understood by referring to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] [Fig. 1] represents a perspective view of an embodiment according to the present invention;

[0015] [FIG. 1a] represents a partial enlarged view of the embodiment in [Fig. 1] (showing a canvas with an edge fabric) according to the present invention;

[0016] [FIG. 1b] represents a diagram showing a rear side of the embodiment in [FIG. 1a] according to the present invention;

[0017] [FIG. 2a] is an exploded view showing a needle rod and a protective piece connected and fixed in part by a rivet of an embodiment according to the present invention;

[0018] [FIG. 2b] represents a perspective view showing an assembly of a needle rod and a protective piece connected by a rivet of an embodiment according to the present invention;

[0019] [FIG. 2c] represents a diagram showing a protective part of the embodiment in [FIG. 2b] rotated through an angle according to the present invention;

[0020] [FIG. 3a] is an exploded view showing a needle rod and a protective piece connected and fixed in part by a fixing member of an embodiment according to the present invention;

[0021] [FIG. 3b] represents a perspective view showing an assembly of a needle rod and a protective piece connected by a fixing element of an embodiment according to the present invention;

[0022] [FIG. 3c] represents a diagram showing a protective part of the embodiment in [FIG. 3b] rotated through an angle according to the present invention;

[0023] [Fig.4] represents a diagram showing an embodiment of a needle applied to a folding umbrella according to the present invention;

[0024] [Fig.5] represents a diagram showing an embodiment of a needle applied to a non-folding rib of a folding umbrella according to the present invention;

[0025] [Fig.6] represents a diagram showing an embodiment of a needle applied to a two-fold rib of a folding umbrella according to the present invention;

[0026] [Fig.7] represents a diagram showing an embodiment of a needle applied to a three-fold rib of a folding umbrella according to the present invention;

[0027] [Fig.8] represents a diagram showing an embodiment of a needle applied to a four-fold rib of a folding umbrella according to the present invention;

[0028] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The structure and technical characteristics of the present invention are described in detail in the following embodiments, with reference to the figures and corresponding reference signs. The size of the respective components shown in the figures is not drawn to scale.

[0030] Referring to [Fig.l], a skewer assembly 1 of an umbrella is revealed. The skewer assembly 1 is disposed on a distal end 2b of an outer cylindrical rib 2a of a rib 2, as shown in [Fig.4]. There are a plurality of ribs 2 symmetrically arranged around a plate 3a of a mast 3 and extend outward from the plate 3a. The ribs 2 are radially disposed on a rear surface 4e of a canvas 4 such that the canvas 4 is divided into a plurality of panels 4a each of which has the same area. A support end 4b is formed at an outermost edge of an area between the two adjacent panels 4a. The needle assembly 1 is connected to the web 4 and located at the support end 4b, as shown in [Fig. 1] to 1b. With reference to [FIG. 2a] to 3c, the needle assembly 1 comprises a needle shaft 10 and a protective piece 20.

[0031] The rib types 2 include, but are not limited to, the non-folding rib 2c (as shown in [Fig.5]), the two-folding rib 2d (as shown in [Fig.6]), the three-folding rib 2e (as shown in [Fig.7]), and the four-folding rib 2f (as shown in [Fig.8]). Thus, the umbrella has more applications and greater market competitiveness.

[0032] Referring to [Fig.l] to 1b, the fabric 4 further comprises an edge fabric 4c sewn on the outermost edge of the fabric 4 and a plurality of cover fabrics 4d each of which is located on the support end 4b and the back surface 4e of the fabric 4. The number of the cover fabric 4d corresponds to the number of the support end 4b and the cover fabric 4d is used to cover the needle assembly 1 at the support end 4b. Thus, the needle assembly 1 is enclosed in the cover fabric 4d, without being exposed.

[0033] As illustrated in [FIG. 2a] and [FIG. 3a], the needle shaft 10 is removably disposed on the distal end 2b of the outer cylindrical rib 2a of the rib 2. An inner end of the needle shaft 10 is provided with a mounting hole 11 for mounting the distal end 2b of the outer cylindrical rib 2a therein.

[0034] The protective piece 20 which is arranged at a distal end 12 of the needle shaft 10 has a curved outer surface 21 and an inner surface 22 opposite the outer surface 21. The outer surface 21 abuts against the support end 4b, without exposing itself outside the web 4, as illustrated in [Fig. 1] to 1b. The distal end 12 of the needle shaft 10 is located on the inner surface 22 of the protective piece 20 in order to be protected by the protective piece 20, as illustrated in [FIG. 2b] and [FIG. 3b]. Thus, the needle assembly 1 will not have a sharp end or expose itself outside the umbrella cloth 4 when the umbrella cloth 4 is in an open state due to the support and unfolding of the plurality of ribs 2, as shown in [Fig.l].

[0035] The protective piece 20 may be, but is not limited to, a strip, as shown in [FIG. 2a] to 3c. The protective piece 20 further comprises a shaft portion 23 located on a central portion thereof and two symmetrical wing portions 24, as shown in [FIG. 2a] to 3c. The needle assembly 1 effectively supports the support end 4b of the web 4 by the two wing portions 24. A rear end of the wing portion 24 is curved inward to reduce wear on the web 4, as shown in [FIG. 1a], [FIG. 2b] and [FIG. 3b].

[0036] Depending on how the needle rod 10 is connected and integrated with the protective piece 20, the needle rod 10 can be designed into different types to meet the requirements of manufacturers, as shown in the following embodiments, but not limited to them.

[0037] In the embodiment illustrated in [FIG. 2a] to 2c, the protective part 20 is removably arranged on the distal end 12 of the needle shaft 10 and is connected and integrated with the needle shaft 10 by a rivet 30.

[0038] As illustrated in [FIG. 2c], the protective piece 20 on the needle rod 10 can be rotated at an angle relative to the needle rod 10. When the web 4 is affected and deformed due to external factors, the needle rod 10 remains in place and the protection piece 20 is rotated with the deformation of the fabric 4 and subjected to a force so as to be in a displaced and stressed state, as shown in [FIG. 2c]. In such a state, the needle rod 10 remains stationary and the protection piece 20 is returned to an initial position with the fabric 4 which is returned to an initial state after it is no longer affected by the external factors and is no longer subjected to the deformation. The above design prevents the needle rod 10 and the outer cylindrical rib 2a connected to the needle rod 10 from being pulled by the fabric 4 and further prevents the reduction of the service life.

[0039] In the embodiment illustrated in [FIG. 3a] to 3c, the protective piece 20 is not only removably disposed on the distal end 12 of the needle shaft 10, but is also connected and integrated with the needle shaft 10 by a fixing element 40 which comprises a first fixing portion 41 and a second fixing portion 42, as illustrated in [FIG. 3a]. The first fixing portion 41 and the second fixing portion 42 are respectively mounted on the needle shaft 10 and on the protective piece 20.

[0040] As shown in [FIG. 3c], the protective piece 20 disposed on the needle shaft 10 can be rotated at an angle relative to the needle shaft 10. When the fabric 4 is affected and deformed due to external factors, the needle shaft 10 remains stationary and the protective piece 20 is rotated with the deformation of the fabric 4 and subjected to a force so as to be in a displaced and stressed state, as shown in [FIG. 3c]. In such a state, the needle shaft 10 remains stationary and the protective piece 20 is returned to an initial position with the fabric 4 being returned to an initial state while no longer affected by the external factors and no longer subjected to the deformation. The above design prevents the needle rod 10 and the outer cylindrical rib 2a connected to the needle rod 10 from being pulled by the canvas 4 and further prevents the reduction of the service life.

[0041] Compared to currently available needles, the needle assembly 1 according to the present invention has the following advantages:

[0042] (1) As shown in [FIG. 2b] and [FIG. 3b], the distal end 12 of the rod of aiguillette 10 is located on the inner surface 22 of the protective piece 20 so as to be protected by the protective piece 20. Thus, the aiguillette assembly 1 will not have a sharp end or expose itself outside the canopy 4 when the umbrella canopy 4 is in an open state due to the support and unfolding of the plurality of ribs 2, as shown in [Fig.l]. The problem of high cost of the currently available aiguillette structure caused by a complicated structure can be solved.

[0043] (2) The protective part 20 is designed to be able to rotate through an angle relative to to the needle rod 10 while being arranged on the needle rod 10, as shown in [FIG. 2c]. When the fabric 4 is affected and deformed due to external factors, the needle rod 10 remains in place and the protection piece 20 is rotated with the deformation of the fabric 4 and subjected to a force so as to be in a displaced and stressed state, as shown in [FIG. 2c]. In such a state, the needle rod 10 remains stationary and the protection piece 20 is returned to an initial position with the fabric 4 being returned to an initial state after it is no longer affected by the external factors and is no longer subjected to the deformation. The above design prevents the needle rod 10 and the outer cylindrical rib 2a connected to the needle rod 10 from being pulled by the fabric 4 and further prevents the reduction of the service life. Thus, the umbrella is more competitive in the market.

[0044] Other advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Thus, the invention in its broadest aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative devices shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. Claims A needle assembly (1) which is provided on a distal end (2b) of an outer cylindrical rib (2a) of each of a plurality of ribs (2) of an umbrella comprising a needle shaft (10) and a protective piece (20); the ribs (2a) are symmetrically arranged around a plate (3a) of a pole (3), extending outward from the plate (3a), covered by a rear surface (4e) of a canvas (4), and used for radially dividing the canvas (4) into a plurality of panels (4a) each of which has the same area; a support end (4b) is formed at an outermost edge of an area between the two adjacent panels (4a); wherein the needle assembly (1) is used to connect to the canvas (4) and locate at the support end (4b); wherein the needle shaft (10) is removably disposed on the distal end (2b) of the outer cylindrical rib (2a) of the rib (2), while an inner end of the needle shaft (10) is provided with a mounting hole (11) for mounting the distal end (2b) of the outer cylindrical rib (2a) therein; wherein the protective piece (20) is provided on a distal end (12) of the awl shaft (10) and composed of a curved outer surface (21) and an inner surface (22) opposite the outer surface (21); the outer surface (22) abuts against the supporting end (4b), without exposing itself outside the canopy (4); wherein the distal end (12) of the awl shaft (10) is located on the inner surface (21) of the protective piece (20) so as to be protected by the protective piece (20); thus, the awl assembly (1) will not have a sharp end and will not expose itself outside the canopy (4) when the canopy (4) of the umbrella is supported and unfolded by the plurality of ribs (2) so as to be in an open state; wherein the protective part (20) is removably arranged at the distal end (12) of the needle shaft (10); wherein the needle rod (10) and the protective piece (20) are connected and integrated by a fixing element (40); wherein the fixing element (40) comprises a first fixing part (41) and a second fixing part (42) which are respectively arranged on the needle rod (10) and the protective piece (20); wherein the protective piece (20) arranged on the needle rod (10) can be rotated through an angle relative to the needle rod (10); wherein the needle rod (10) remains stationary and the protective piece (20) is rotated with the deformation of the fabric (4) and subjected to a force so as to be in a displaced and stressed state when the fabric (4) is affected and deformed due to external factors; in the displaced and stressed state, the needle rod (10) remains stationary and the protective piece (20) is returned to an initial position with the fabric (4) being returned to an initial state while no longer affected by the external factors and no longer subjected to the deformation.

2. The needle assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the protective piece (20) is a band; wherein the protective piece (20) further comprises a shaft portion (23) located on a central portion thereof and two symmetrical wing portions (24); a rear end of each of the wing portions (24) is bent inward.

3. The needle assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the whalebone (2) is selected from the group consisting of a non-folding whalebone (2c), a two-ply whalebone (2d), a three-ply whalebone (2e) and a four-ply whalebone (2f).

4. The needle assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fabric (4) further comprises an edge fabric (4c) circularly sewn on the outermost edge of the fabric (4) and a plurality of cover fabrics (4d) each of which is located on the supporting end (4b) and the back surface (4e) of the fabric (4); the number of the cover fabric (4d) corresponds to the number of the supporting end (4b), and the needle assembly (1) on the supporting end (4b) is covered by the cover fabric (4d).

Images