Umbrella and canopy thereof

Abstract

An umbrella canopy 2, comprising a canopy body 21 and a plurality of rib-retaining units 22 disposed on and spacedly arranged around an inner surface 212 of the canopy body adjacent an outer periphera

Description

[0001] The disclosure relates to an umbrella and a canopy thereof, and more particularly to an umbrella having a rib-retaining unit and a canopy thereof. 5

[0002] An existing umbrella canopy has a plurality of rib pockets for respective insertion of ends of a plurality of ribs of a support frame of an umbrella thereinto. When a user desires to assemble the existing umbrella canopy to support frames of different specifications, because the lengths of the ribs of the support frames of different specifications are different, the ribs of the support frames of 10 different specifications cannot be smoothly inserted into the respective rib pockets due to too long or too short factors, so that the existing umbrella canopy is not flexible to use.

[0003] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an umbrella canopy that can alleviate at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art. 15

[0004] According to this disclosure, the umbrella canopy includes a canopy body and a plurality of rib-retaining units. The canopy body has a central portion, an inner surface, and an outer peripheral edge surrounding the central portion. The rib-retaining units are disposed on and spacedly arranged around the inner surface adjacent to the outer peripheral edge. Each rib-retaining unit has a plurality of ribretaining pockets spaced apart from the central portion at different distances.

[0005] Another object of this disclosure is to provide an umbrella that can alleviate at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art. 5

[0006] According to this disclosure, the umbrella includes a support frame and an umbrella canopy. The support frame supports the umbrella canopy, and includes a plurality of radially arranged ribs. Each rib has a distal end portion inserted into one of the rib-retaining pockets of a respective one of said ribretaining units so as to be held by the one of the rib-retaining pockets. 10

[0007] Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that various features may not be drawn to scale.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an umbrella according to the first 15 embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary schematic view of the first embodiment, illustrating an assembly relationship between a rib of a support frame and a rib-retaining unit of an umbrella canopy.

[0010] FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic view of the rib-retaining unit of the first embodiment which includes a first retaining portion, a second retaining portion and a third retaining portion with the first retaining portion being sewn to an inner surface of a canopy body of the umbrella canopy along a first lateral side and an 5 outer end of the first retaining portion.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but with the second retaining portion of the rib-retaining unit being folded over the first retaining portion and being sewn to the inner surface of the canopy body of the umbrella canopy along a second lateral side of the first retaining portion and a first lateral side and an 10 outer end of the second retaining portion to form a proximal rib-retaining pocket of the rib-retaining unit.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but with the third retaining portion of the rib-retaining unit being folded over the second retaining portion and being sewn to the inner surface of the canopy body of the umbrella canopy along a 15 second lateral side of the second retaining portion and a first lateral side, an outer end and a second lateral side of the third retaining portion to form a middle ribretaining pocket and a distal rib-retaining pocket of the rib-retaining unit.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but illustrating the rib of the support frame inserted into a retaining space of the proximal rib-retaining pocket.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but illustrating a rib of a support frame of different specification inserted into a retaining space of the middle ribretaining pocket. 5

[0015] FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but illustrating a rib of another support frame of different specification inserted into a retaining space of the distal rib-retaining pocket.

[0016] FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary schematic view of a portion of an umbrella according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. 10

[0017] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a rib-retaining unit of the second embodiment which includes a first retaining portion sewn to the inner surface of the canopy body of the umbrella canopy to form a proximal rib-retaining pocket of the rib-retaining unit.

[0018] FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, but with the rib-retaining unit of 15 the second embodiment further including a second retaining portion overlapping the first retaining portion and sewn to the inner surface of the canopy body of the umbrella canopy to form a middle rib-retaining pocket of the rib-retaining unit.

[0019] FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11, but with the rib-retaining unit of the second embodiment further including a third retaining portion overlapping the second retaining portion and sewn to the inner surface of the canopy body of the umbrella canopy to form a distal rib-retaining pocket of the rib-retaining unit.

[0020] FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12, but illustrating a rib of a support 5 frame inserted into a retaining space of the proximal rib-retaining pocket.

[0021] FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 12, but illustrating a rib of a support frame of different specification inserted into a retaining space of the middle ribretaining pocket.

[0022] FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 12, but illustrating a rib of another 10 support frame of different specification inserted into a retaining space of the distal rib-retaining pocket.

[0023] FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary schematic view of a portion of an umbrella according to the third embodiment of this disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary schematic view of a portion of 15 an umbrella according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Before the disclosure is described in greater detail, it should be noted that where considered appropriate, reference numerals or terminal portions of reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements, which may optionally have similar characteristics.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an umbrella 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown to comprise a support frame 1 and 5 an umbrella canopy 2. In this embodiment, the umbrella 100 is exemplified as an outdoor umbrella, but not limited thereto. In other embodiment, the umbrella 100 may be a handheld umbrella.

[0027] The support frame 1 supports the umbrella canopy 2, and includes a support rod 11, a top notch 12, and a plurality of ribs 13. The support rod 11 has 10 a lower rod body 111, and an upper rod body 112 rotatably connected to a top end of the lower rod body 111. The top notch 12 is disposed on a top end of the upper rod body 112. The ribs 13 are radially arranged and connected to the top notch 12. Each rib 13 has a pivot end portion 131 pivoted to the top notch 12, and a distal end portion 132 opposite to the pivot end portion 131 and distal to the top notch 15 12.

[0028] The umbrella canopy 2 includes a canopy body 21 and a plurality of rib-retaining units 22. The canopy body 21 covers the top notch 12 and the ribs 13, and has a central portion 211 located on top of the top notch 12, an inner surface 212 facing the support frame 1, and an outer peripheral edge 213 surrounding the central portion 211.

[0029] The rib-retaining units 22 are disposed on and spacedly arranged around the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 adjacent to the outer peripheral 5 edge 213. The number of the rib-retaining units 22 is the same as the number of the ribs 13. Each rib-retaining unit 22 is adjacent to the outer peripheral edge 213, and has a plurality of rib-retaining pockets spaced apart from the central portion 211 at different distances. The distal end portion 132 of each rib 13 is inserted into one of the rib-retaining pockets of a respective one of the rib-retaining units 22, 10 and is held by the same.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, in combination with FIG. 2, in the first embodiment, each rib-retaining unit 22 is a separate cloth piece that goes through several steps of folding and stitching to form the rib-retaining pockets which overlap each other. Specifically, the number of the rib-retaining pocket of each rib-retaining 15 unit 22 is three, but not limited thereto. The rib-retaining pockets of each ribretaining unit 22 are a proximal rib-retaining pocket 23, a middle rib-retaining pocket 24, and a distal rib-retaining pocket 25. Since the forming of the three rib retaining pockets 23, 24, 25 of each rib-retaining unit 22 is the same, only the forming of the three rib-retaining pockets 23, 24, 25 of one of the rib-retaining units 22 will be described hereinafter.

[0031] The cloth piece of the rib-retaining unit 22 has a first retaining portion 221, a second retaining portion 222, and a third retaining portion 223 5 arranged in a step-like manner. The first retaining portion 221 is elongated, and has a first lateral side 231, a second lateral side 232 opposite to the first lateral side 231, a first inner end 233 connected between inner ends of the first and second lateral sides 231,232, and a first outer end 234 connected between outer ends of the first and second lateral sides 231, 232 and opposite to the first inner end 233. 10 The second retaining portion 222 is elongated, and has a first lateral side 241 integrally connected to the second lateral side 232 and extending out of the first outer end 234, a second lateral side 242 opposite to the first lateral side 241, a second inner end 243 connected between inner ends of the first and second lateral sides 241,242, and a second outer end 244 connected between outer ends of the 15 first and second lateral sides 241, 242 and opposite to the second inner end 243. The third retaining portion 25 is elongated, and has a first lateral side 251 integrally connected to the second lateral side 242 and extending out of the second outer end 244, a second lateral side 252 opposite to the first lateral side 251, a third inner end 253 connected between inner ends of the first and second lateral sides 251, 252, and a third outer end 254 connected between outer ends of the first and second lateral sides 251,252 and opposite to the third inner end 253. Furthermore, the second inner end 243 is spaced apart from the first inner end 233 such that a 5 portion of the second lateral side 232 of the first retaining portion 221 protrudes out of the second inner end 243, and the third inner end 253 is spaced apart from the second inner end 243 such that a portion of the second lateral side 242 protrudes out of the third inner end 253.

[0032] A first width (W1) is formed between the first and second lateral 10 sides 231, 232 of the first retaining portion 221. A second width (W2) is formed between the first and second lateral sides 241,242 of the second retaining portion 222. A third width (W3) is formed between the first and second lateral sides 251, 252 of the third retaining portion 223. The second width (W2) is greater than the first width (W1), and the third width (W3) is greater than the second width (W2). 15

[0033] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, to connect the rib-retaining unit 22 to the canopy body 21, the first retaining portion 221 of the cloth piece is first superimposed on the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 adjacent to the outer peripheral edge 213 with the first inner end 233 facing the central portion 211 of the canopy body 21, and is then sewn to the inner surface 212 along the first lateral side 231 and the first outer end 234 through an L-shaped first stitching line 235.

[0034] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, next, the second and third retaining portions 222, 223 are rotated in a first rotation direction (R1) (see FIG. 3) such that 5 the second retaining portion 222 is folded over the first retaining portion 221 through a junction of the second lateral side 232 of the first retaining portion 221 and the first lateral side 241 of the second retaining portion 221. Since the second width (W2) is greater than the first width (W1), after the second retaining portion 222 is folded, a large portion of the second retaining portion 222 is superimposed 10 on the first retaining portion 221, while a small portion thereof that is proximate to the second lateral side 242 and the secondouter end 244 is superimposed on the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21. Since a portion of the second lateral side 232 of the first retaining portion 221 protrudes out of the second inner end 243, after the second retaining portion 222 is folded, the second inner end 243 is spaced 15 apart from and located outside the first inner end 233.

[0035] Subsequently, the second retaining portion 222 is sewn to the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 along the portion of the second lateral side 232 of the first retaining portion 221 that protrudes out of the second inner end 243 and the first lateral side 241 and the second outer end 244 through an inverted L-shaped second stitching line 245. At this time, the first retaining portion 221 and the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 cooperatively define the proximal ribretaining pocket 23 having a proximal retaining space 236 with an opening formed 5 at the first inner end 233.

[0036] With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, afterwards, the third retaining portion 223 is rotated in a second rotation direction (R2) (see FIG. 4) opposite to the first rotation direction (R1) (see FIG. 3) such that the third retaining portion 223 is folded over the second retaining portion 222 through a junction of the second 10 lateral side 242 of the second retaining portion 222 and the first lateral side 251 of the third retaining portion 223. Since the third width (W3) is greater than the second width (W2), after the third retaining portion 223 is folded, a large portion of the third retaining portion 223 is superimposed on the second retaining portion 222, while a small portion thereof that is proximate to the second lateral side 252 and the third 15 outer end 254 is superimposed on the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21. Since a portion of the second lateral side 242 of the second retaining portion 222 protrudes out of the third inner end 253, after the third retaining portion 223 is folded, the third inner end 253 is spaced apart from and located outside the second inner end 243.

[0037] Next, the third retaining portion 223 is sewn to the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 along the portion of the second lateral side 242 of the second retaining portion 222 that protrudes out of the third inner end 253 and the first 5 lateral side 251, the third outer end 254, and the second lateral side 252 of the third retaining portion 223 through a U-shaped third stitching line 255. At this time, the second retaining portion 222, the first retaining portion 221 and the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 cooperatively define the middle rib-retaining pocket 24 having a middle retaining space 246 with an opening formed at the 10 second inner end 243. Moreover, the second and third retaining portions 222, 223 and the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 cooperatively define the distal ribretaining pocket 25 having a distal retaining space 256 with an opening formed at the third inner end 253.

[0038] The cloth piece or the rib-retaining unit 22 is folded several times 15 such that the proximal rib-retaining pocket 23, the middle rib-retaining pocket 24 and the distal rib-retaining pocket 25 can overlap each other. Through this, an area occupied by the rib-retaining unit 22 on the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 can be reduced. By using the first stitching line 235 to sew the first retaining portion 221 to the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21, the second stitching line 245 to sew the first and second retaining portions 221,222 to the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21, and the third stitching line 255 to sew the second and third retaining portions 222, 223 to the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21, 5 convenience, speed, and efficiency of stitching threads can be enhanced, thereby quickly assembling and fixing the rib-retaining unit 22 to the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 6, in combination with FIGS. 1 and 2, the proximal rib-retaining pocket 23 is near to and has a shortest distance from the central 10 portion 211 of the canopy body 21; the distal rib-retaining pocket 25 is away from and has a longest distance from the central portion 211 of the canopy body 21; and the middle rib-retaining pocket 24 is between the proximal and distal rib-retaining pockets 23, 25, and has a distance between the distances of the proximal and distal rib-retaining pockets 23, 25 from the central portion 211 . 15

[0040] In the first embodiment, the distal end portion 132 of each rib 13 is exemplified as being inserted into the proximal retaining space 236 of the proximal rib-retaining pocket 23 of the respective rib-retaining unit 22. Through this, the distal end portion 132 of each rib 13 can be held by the proximal rib-retaining pocket 23 of the respective rib-retaining unit 22.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 7, in combination with FIG. 1, when a user desires to assemble the umbrella canopy 2 to another support frame 1’ of different specification, and the length of each rib 13’ of the support frame 1 ’ is longer than 5 that of the rib 13 shown in FIG. 6, the umbrella canopy 2 is first detached from the support frame 1, after which each rib 13’ of the support frame 1 ’ is inserted into the middle retaining space 246 of the middle rib-retaining pocket 24 of the respective rib-retaining unit 22 of the umbrella canopy 2. Through this, the user can smoothly transfer the umbrella canopy 2 from the support frame 1 to the support frame 1 ’. 10

[0042] Referring to FIG. 8, in combination with FIG. 1, when the user desires to assemble the umbrella canopy 2 to a yet another support frame 1” of different specification, and the length of each rib 13” of the support frame 1” is longer than the length of the rib 13 shown in FIG. 6 and the length of the rib 13’ shown in FIG. 7, the umbrella canopy 2 is first detached from the support frame 1, 15 after which each rib 13” of the support frame 1 ” is inserted into the distal retaining space 256 of the distal rib-retaining pocket 25 of the respective rib-retaining unit 22 of the umbrella canopy 2. Through this, the user can smoothly transfer the umbrella canopy 2 from the support frame 1 to the support frame 1

[0043] Through the proximal, middle and distal rib-retaining pockets 23, 24, 25 of each rib-retaining unit 22 that can provide insertion of different lengths of the ribs 13,13’, 13”, respectively, the user can assemble the umbrella canopy 2 to the different support frames 1,1’, 1” of different specifications, thereby enhancing the 5 flexibility and convenience of use of the umbrella canopy 2 of this disclosure. Furthermore, with the second inner end 243 being spaced apart from and located outside the first inner end 233, and with the third inner end 253 being spaced apart from and located outside the second inner end 243, the user can determine the position of the opening of each of the proximal, middle and distal retaining spaces 10 236, 246, 256 according to the first, second and third inner ends 233, 243, 253. In this way, the user can conveniently insert the distal end portion 132 of each rib 13, 13’, 13” of the support frame 1, T, 1” into the proximal, middle or distal retaining space 236, 246, 256 of any one of the proximal, middle and distal rib-retaining pockets 23, 24, 25. 15

[0044] Moreover, with the second width (W2) of the middle rib-retaining pocket 24 being greater than the first width (W1) of the proximal rib-retaining pocket 23, and with the third width (W3) of the distal rib-retaining pocket 25 being greater than the second width (W2) of the middle rib-retaining pocket 24, the visual difference can be easily recognized by the user. In addition, with the difference in sizes of the openings of the proximal, middle and distal retaining spaces 236, 246, 256, insertion of each rib 13, 13 ', 13” of the support frame 1, 1’, 1” of different specification into one of the proximal, middle and distal rib-retaining pockets 23, 5 24, 25 of the respective rib-retaining unit 22 can be facilitated.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 9, the second embodiment of the umbrella 100 of this disclosure is shown to be generally identical to the first embodiment, but differs in that each rib-retaining unit 22 of the umbrella canopy 2 of the second embodiment is composed of three separate cloth pieces that are connected one 10 after the other to the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 of the umbrella canopy 2 so as to form the proximal, middle and distal rib-retaining pockets 23, 24, 25, respectively. The three separate cloth pieces are a proximal cloth piece 221’, a middle cloth piece 222’, and a distal cloth piece 223’. Since the forming of the three rib-retaining pockets 23, 24, 25 of each rib-retaining unit 22 is the same, only 15 the forming of the three rib-retaining pockets 23, 24, 25 of one of the rib-retaining units 22 will be described hereinafter.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 10 to 12, the proximal cloth piece 221’ has opposite first and second lateral sides 231, 232, a first inner end 233 connected between inner ends of the first and second lateral sides 231,232, and a first outer end 234 connected between outer ends of the first and second lateral sides 231, 232 and opposite to the first inner end 233. The middle cloth piece 222’ has opposite first and second lateral sides 241,242, a second inner end 243 connected 5 between inner ends of the first and second lateral sides 241, 242, and a second outer end 244 connected between outer ends of the first and second lateral sides 241,242and opposite to the second inner end 243. The distal cloth piece 223’ has opposite first and second lateral sides 251, 252, a third inner end 253 connected between inner ends of the first and second lateral sides 251,252, and a third outer 10 end 254 connected between outer ends of the first and second lateral sides 251, 252 and opposite to the third inner end 253. A first width (W1) is formed between the first and second lateral sides 231, 232 of the proximal cloth piece 221’. A second width (W2) is formed between the first and second lateral sides 241, 242 of the middle cloth piece 222’. A third width (W3) is formed between the first and 15 second lateral sides 251,252 of the distal cloth piece 223’. The second width (W2) is greater than the first width (W1), and the third width (W3) is greater than the second width (W2).

[0047] To connect the rib-retaining unit 22 to the canopy body 21, the proximal cloth piece 221’ is first superimposed on the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 adjacent to the outer peripheral edge 213 with the first inner end 233 facing the central portion 211 of the canopy body 21 (see FIG. 1), and is then sewn to the inner surface 212 along the first lateral side 231, the first outer end 5 234 and the second lateral side 232 through a U-shaped first stitching line 235’, as shown in FIG. 10. At this time, the proximal cloth piece 221’ and the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 cooperatively define the proximal rib-retaining pocket 23 having the proximal retaining space 236.

[0048] Next, the middle cloth piece 222’ is superimposed on the proximal 10 rib-retaining pocket 23 such that the first and second lateral sides 241, 242 of the middle cloth piece 222’ are respectively spaced apart from and located outside the first and second lateral sides 231,232 of the proximal rib-retaining pocket 23, and the second inner and outer ends 243, 244 are respectively spaced apart from and located outside the first inner and outer ends 233, 234. At this time, a large portion 15 of the middle cloth piece 222’ is superimposed on the proximal rib-retaining pocket 23, while a small portion thereof that is proximate to the first and second lateral sides 241,242 and the second outer end 244 is superimposed on the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21. The middle cloth piece 222’ is then sewn to the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 along the first lateral side 241, the outer end 244 and the second lateral side 242 thereof through a U-shaped second stitching line 245’, as shown in FIG. 11. At this time, the middle cloth piece 222’, the proximal rib-retaining pocket 23 and the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 5 cooperatively define the middle rib-retaining pocket 24 having the middle retaining space 246.

[0049] Thereafter, the distal cloth piece 223’ is superimposed on the middle rib-retaining pocket 24 such that the first and second lateral sides 251, 252 of the distal cloth piece 223’ are respectively spaced apart from and located outside the 10 first and second lateral sides 241, 242 of the middle rib-retaining pocket 24, and the third inner and outer ends 253, 254 are respectively spaced apart from and located outside the second inner and outer ends 243, 244. At this time, a large portion of the distal cloth piece 223’ is superimposed on the middle rib-retaining pocket 24, while a small portion thereof that is proximate to the first and second 15 lateral sides 251, 252 and the third outer end 254 is superimposed on the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21. The distal cloth piece 223’ is then sewn to the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 along the first lateral side 251, the third outer end 254 and the second lateral side 252 through a U-shaped third stitching line 255’, as shown in FIG. 12. The distal cloth piece 223’, the middle rib-retaining pocket 24 and the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 cooperatively define the distal rib-retaining pocket 25 having the distal retaining space 256.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 13, in the second embodiment, the distal end 5 portion 132 of each rib 13 is also exemplified as being inserted into the proximal retaining space 236 of the proximal rib-retaining pocket 23 of the respective ribretaining unit 22.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 14, when the user desires to assemble the umbrella canopy 2 of the second embodiment to another support frame 1’ of 10 different specification, the umbrella canopy 2 is first detached from the support frame 1 (see FIG. 9), after which each rib 13’ of the support frame T is inserted into the middle retaining space 246 of the middle rib-retaining pocket 24 of the respective rib-retaining unit 22.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 15, when the user desires to assemble the 15 umbrella canopy 2 of the second embodiment to a yet another support frame 1” of different specification, the umbrella canopy 2 is first detached from the support frame 1 (see FIG. 9), after which each rib 13” of the support frame 1” is inserted into the distal retaining space 256 of the distal rib-retaining pocket 25 of the respective rib-retaining unit 22.

[0053] Hence, the rib-retaining unit 22 of the second embodiment can provide a technical solution for insertion of the ribs 13,13’, 13” of different lengths by overlapping the rib-retaining pockets 23, 24, 25, each of which is made from a 5 separate cloth piece.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 16, the umbrella 100 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure is shown to be generally identical to the first embodiment, and only differs in the structure of each rib-retaining unit 22 of the umbrella canopy 2. 10

[0055] Each rib-retaining unit 22 of the third embodiment is also a separate cloth piece having a first retaining portion 221”, a second retaining portion 222”, and a third retaining portion 223”. However, the first to third retaining portions 221”, 222”, 223” are laterally arranged in juxtaposition relative to one another, and are connected to the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 of the umbrella canopy 15 2. The first retaining portion 221” is sewn to the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 along the first lateral side 231, the first outer end 234, and the second lateral side 232 through a U-shaped first stitching line 235”. The second retaining portion 222” is sewn to the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 along the first lateral side 241, the second outer end 244, and the second lateral side 242 through a U-shaped second stitching line 245”. The third retaining portion 223” is sewn to the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 along the first lateral side 251, the third outer end 254, and the second lateral side 252 through a U-shaped third 5 stitching line 255”.

[0056] The first retaining portion 221” and the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 cooperatively define the proximal rib-retaining pocket 23 having the proximal retaining space 236. The second retaining portion 222” and the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 cooperatively define the middle rib-retaining 10 pocket 24 having the middle retaining space 246. The third retaining portion 223” and the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 cooperatively define the distal ribretaining pocket 25 having the distal retaining space 256. Hence, the rib-retaining unit 22 of the third embodiment can provide a technical solution for insertion of the ribs 13, 13’, 13” of different lengths by laterally arranging and connecting the rib- 15 retaining pockets 23, 24, 25 to the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 17, the umbrella 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure is shown to be generally identical to the third embodiment. However, in the fourth embodiment, the proximal rib-retaining pocket 23, the middle rib-retaining pocket 24, and the distal rib-retaining pocket 25 of each rib-retaining unit 22 of the umbrella canopy 2 are made from three separate cloth pieces. The three separate cloth pieces are laterally spaced from one another, and are connected to the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 so as to respectively 5 form the proximal, middle and distal rib-retaining pockets 23, 24, 25. The three separate cloth pieces are a proximal cloth piece 224, a middle cloth piece 225, and a distal cloth piece 226.

[0058] The proximal cloth piece 224 is sewn to the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 of the umbrella canopy 2 along a first lateral side 231, a first 10 outer end 234 and a second lateral side 232 thereof through a U-shaped first stitching line 235 to form the proximal rib-retaining pocket 23. The middle cloth piece 225 is sewn to the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 along a first lateral side 241, a second outer end 244 and a second lateral side 242 thereof through a U-shaped second stitching line 245 to form the middle rib-retaining 15 pocket 24. The distal cloth piece 226 is sewn to the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 along a first lateral side 251, a third outer end 254 and a second lateral side 252 thereof through a U-shaped third stitching line 255 to form the distal rib retaining pocket 25. Hence, the rib-retaining unit 22 of the fourth embodiment can similarly provide a technical solution for insertion of the ribs 13 of different lengths by laterally arranging the rib-retaining pockets 23, 24, 25 on the inner surface 212 of the canopy body 21 in a spaced-apart manner.

[0059] From the aforesaid description, the umbrella canopy 2 of the 5 umbrella 100 of each embodiment can provide insertion of different lengths of the ribs 13, 13', 13” through the rib-retaining pockets 23, 24, 25 of the rib-retaining units 22, so that the user can assemble the umbrella canopy 2 to the different support frames 1, 1 ’, 1 ” of different specifications, thereby enhancing the flexibility and convenience of use of the umbrella canopy 2 of this disclosure. Therefore, the 10 object of this disclosure can indeed be achieved.

[0060] In the description above, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that one or more other embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. 15 It should also be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” an embodiment with an indication of an ordinal number and so forth means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in the practice of the disclosure. It should be further appreciated that in the description, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of various inventive aspects; such does not mean that every one of these features needs to be practiced with the presence 5 of all the other features. In other words, in any described embodiment, when implementation of one or more features or specific details does not affect implementation of another one or more features or specific details, said one or more features may be singled out and practiced alone without said another one or more features or specific details. It should be further noted that one or more 10 features or specific details from one embodiment may be practiced together with one or more features or specific details from another embodiment, where appropriate, in the practice of the disclosure.

Claims

1. An umbrella canopy, comprising:a canopy body having a central portion, an inner surface, and an outer peripheral edge surrounding said central portionand5 a plurality of rib-retaining units disposed on and spacedly arrangedaround said inner surface adjacent to said outer peripheral edge, each of said ribretaining unitshaving a plurality of rib-retaining pockets spaced apart from said central portion at different distances.

2. The umbrella canopy as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rib-retaining10 pocketsare a proximal rib-retaining pocket proximate to said central portion, a distal rib-retaining pocketdistal to said central portion and proximate to said outer peripheral edge, and a middle rib-retaining pocketbetween said proximal ribretaining pocketand said distal rib-retaining pocket.

3. The umbrella canopy as claimed in claim 2, wherein said rib-retaining15 pocketsoverlap one another.

4. The umbrella canopy as claimed in claim 2, wherein said rib-retaining pockets are arranged laterally.

5. The umbrella canopy as claimed in claim 3, wherein:said proximal rib-retaining pocket is superimposed on said inner surface and cooperates with said inner surface to define a proximal retaining space;said middle retaining pocket is superimposed on and cooperates with said proximal rib-retaining pocket and said inner surface of said canopy bodyto define5 a middle retaining space; andsaid distal rib-retaining pocket is superimposed on and cooperates with said middle rib-retaining pocket and said inner surface of said canopy body to define a distal retaining space.

6. The umbrella canopy as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of said rib-10 retaining unitsis a separate cloth piece that goes through several steps of folding and stitching to form said proximal rib-retaining pocket, said middle rib-retaining pocket and said distal rib-retaining pocket which overlap one another, said proximal rib-retaining pocket having a first inner end, an opening of said proximal retaining space being formed at said first inner end, said middle rib-retaining pocket having15 a second inner end spaced apart from and located outside said first inner end, an opening of said middle retaining space being formed at said second inner end, said distal rib-retaining pocket having a third inner endspaced apart from and locatedoutside said second inner end, an opening of said distal retaining space beingformed at said third inner end.

7. The umbrella canopy as claimed in claim 5, wherein said proximal ribretaining pocket, said middle rib-retaining pocket and said distal rib-retaining pocket of each of said rib-retaining unitsare made from three separate cloth pieces 5 connected one after the other to said inner surface of said canopy body so as to form said proximal rib-retaining pocket, said middle rib-retaining pocket and said distal rib-retaining pocket, respectively, said proximal rib-retaining pocket having a first inner end, an opening of said proximal retaining space being formed at said first inner end, said middle rib-retaining pocket having a second inner endspaced 10 apart from and located outside said first inner end, an opening of said middle retaining spacebeing formed at said second inner end, said distal rib-retaining pocket having a third inner end spaced apart from and located outside said second inner end, an opening of said distal retaining space being formed at said third inner end.15 8. The umbrella canopy as claimed in claim 4, wherein said proximal ribretaining pocket is superimposed on and cooperates with said inner surface of said canopy body to define a proximal retaining space, said middle rib-retaining pocketbeing superimposed on and cooperating with said inner surface of said canopybody to define said middle retaining space, said distal rib-retaining pocket being superimposed on and cooperating with said inner surface of said canopy body to define said distal retaining space.

9. The umbrella canopy as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said rib-5 retaining units is a separate cloth piece having a first retaining portion, a second retaining portion and a third retaining portion laterally arranged in juxtaposition relative to one another and connected to said inner surface of said canopy bodyto form said proximal rib-retaining pocket, said middle rib-retaining pocket and said distal rib-retaining pocket, respectively, said proximal rib-retaining pocket having a10 first inner end, an opening of said proximal retaining space being formed at said first inner end, said middle rib-retaining pocket having a second inner end spaced apart from said first inner end, an opening of said middle retaining space being formed at said second inner end, said distal rib-retaining pocket having a third inner end spaced apart from said second inner end, an opening of said distal retaining15 space being formed at said third inner end.

10. The umbrella canopy as claimed in claim 8, wherein said proximal ribretaining pocket, said middle rib-retaining pocket and said distal rib-retainingpocket of each of said rib-retaining units are made from three separate cloth piecesthat are laterally spaced from one another and that are connected to said inner surface of said canopy bodyto form said proximal rib-retaining pocket, said middle rib-retaining pocket and said distal rib-retaining pocket, respectively, said proximal rib-retaining pocket having a first inner end, an opening of said proximal retaining5 space being formed at said first inner end, said middle rib-retaining pocket having a second inner end spaced apart from said first inner end, an opening of said middle retaining space being formed at said second inner end, said distal ribretaining pocket having a third inner end spaced apart from said second inner end, an opening of said distal retaining space being formed at said third inner end.10 11. An umbrella, comprising:a support frame; andan umbrella canopy as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9;wherein said support frame supports said umbrella canopy and includes a plurality of radially arranged ribs, each of said ribs having a distal end portion15 inserted into one of said rib-retaining pocketsof a respective one of said ribretaining units and held by said one of said rib-retaining pockets.31

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