Boneless zigzag folding umbrellas and shades
A fabric-based bellows-like folding structure addresses the issues of weight, safety, and storage in umbrellas by eliminating frames, ensuring lightweight, safe, and compact design with improved rainproof performance.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025002835U
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-13
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-08-20
AI Technical Summary
Conventional umbrellas with frames and tips are heavy, prone to breakage, and unsafe in crowded areas, while head-mounted umbrellas are difficult to store due to their structural requirements.
A bellows-like folding structure using a single piece of fabric forms an accordion-like shape with fasteners, eliminating the need for a framework and allowing for a compact, safe, and lightweight design.
The solution reduces weight, minimizes breakage risk, enhances safety, and simplifies manufacturing, while maintaining rainproof performance and portability.
Smart Images

Figure 0003254568000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] This invention relates to rain protection equipment, and in particular to a lightweight folding umbrella and head-mounted hat that can be opened and closed using a bellows-like folding structure without using metal or resin ribs. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventional umbrellas have multiple frames and tips, which pose issues with weight, risk of breakage, and safety in crowded areas. Head-mounted umbrellas also require a frame, making them difficult to store in a slim profile. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0003] To provide an umbrella and shade that has a simplified structure by eliminating a framework, ensures sufficient tension and rainproof performance when unfolded, can be made thin when stored, and is excellent in portability and safety. [Means for solving the problem]
[0004] This device forms accordion-like folds in the fabric, similar to a paper harisen, so that when opened it forms an approximately regular polygon, and when folded it forms a rectangle. The edges of the fabric are held in place with fasteners such as snap buttons. When used by hand, it has a shaft and handle in the center, and when used on the head, it has a fastener in the center for wearing on the head. Furthermore, both umbrella fabrics can be formed from a single piece of fabric, reducing the number of seams. [Effects of the Invention]
[0005] This invention eliminates the need for umbrella ribs, making it lighter and reducing the number of parts, and preventing rib breakage. The lack of a protruding tip reduces the risk of stabbing other people or objects when rotating or tilting in crowded areas or narrow passages, making it safer. Furthermore, because it can be molded from a single piece of fabric, there are fewer seams and stitching, simplifying the manufacturing process, reducing material waste, and improving water resistance and durability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0006] [Figure 1] The unfolded diagram of the common parts of the umbrella and hat, and the aspect ratio of the common fabric for both umbrellas and hats. [Figure 2] Floor plan of the common area for umbrellas and hats. [Figure 3] Front view of the umbrella when in use. [Figure 4] Plan view before storing the umbrella, and plan and side view when storing the umbrella. [Figure 5] Plan view of the underside of the hat. [Figure 6] Front view of the hat mask when in use. [Figure 7] Side view of the Kasa mask when in use. [Figure 8] Side view of the hat when using the special fixing device. [Figure 9] Plan view before storing the shade, and plan and side view when storing the shade. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The umbrella fabric is made of waterproof polyester or equivalent fabric, forming an accordion-like structure with alternating mountain and valley folds at a predetermined pitch. When unfolded, the shape is maintained by fasteners around the periphery. The shaft-based umbrella version has a central shaft and handle, and is held like a regular umbrella. The shaft uses a well-known multi-section telescopic shaft used in regular folding umbrellas. The cap version has a head-mounted fastener (elastic band, hook, or round ring) in the center, and is placed on the top of the head. Neither umbrella has a tip, and the tip is made of fabric only. After use, the umbrella (shade) of this invention is carried in a dedicated carrying bag. Note that this invention is not limited to the above configuration; it could also include a mechanism that automatically opens and closes the umbrella fabric in conjunction with the extension and retraction of the multi-section telescopic shaft. If such a configuration could be put into practical use, it would significantly improve operability during use and ensure greater convenience and superiority over conventional frame umbrellas. [Industrial Applicability]
[0008] This device is useful as a portable item for everyday use in rainy weather, and is lightweight and thin enough to store, making it suitable for travel and commuting to work or school. [Explanation of symbols]
[0009] 1 Multi-stage telescopic shaft and handle 2 elastic band hooks 3 Round Wheel 4. Hat fixing device
Claims
1. A folding umbrella or hat that has accordion-like folds formed in the fabric and can be opened and closed without using ribs, is approximately a regular polygon when open and a rectangle when folded, has its peripheral edges held in place by fasteners, has no tip, and is made from a single piece of fabric.
2. 10. The umbrella according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a shaft and a handle in the center and is used by holding it in the hand.
3. The umbrella according to claim 1, characterized in that a fixing device for wearing on the head is provided in the center and the umbrella is used by placing it on the head with a mask or a special device.