Easy-to-fold automatic opening and closing umbrella

Abstract

We offer an easy-to-fold, automatically opening and closing umbrella. [Solution] The umbrella ribs 4 are tri-fold umbrella ribs, and the central shaft is made up of first tubular members 11 to fourth tubular members 14 arranged in order from the outside to the inside, and the umbrella release spring inside the central shaft includes a first spring 51 provided inside the third tubular member 13 and the fourth tubular member, and a second spring 52 with a larger diameter and a third spring 53 with a smaller diameter provided inside the second tubular member 12, and a sleeve 54 is provided between the second spring and the third spring, The two tubular members are joined vertically via a sleeve, and a first rope 71 and a second rope 72 are provided inside the central shaft. One end of the first rope is connected to the upper part of the second tubular member, and the other end is connected to the lower ferrule 22 after rotating the first pulley 112 provided on the upper part of the first tubular member. One end of the second rope is connected to the bullet 61, and the other end is connected to the lower part of the first tubular member after rotating the second pulley 122 provided on the upper part of the second tubular member. In the automatic opening and closing umbrella of this invention, when closing the umbrella, the central shaft automatically folds one section of the tubular member, and the force required to compress the central shaft is reduced while ensuring sufficient umbrella opening elasticity, making it easier to fold and store the umbrella.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an umbrella commonly used in daily life, and particularly to an automatic opening and closing umbrella provided with an umbrella opening spring in the inner cavity of the middle rod.

Background Art

[0002] Currently, in some commercially available automatic opening and closing umbrellas, the purpose of automatically opening and closing the umbrella ribs can be achieved by pressing a button on the handle of the umbrella, which is very convenient. For example, in the Chinese utility model with the Chinese patent publication number CN2827075, an automatic opening and closing device for a multi-fold umbrella is disclosed. This device is provided with an opening and closing control assembly for controlling the opening and closing of the umbrella. The opening and closing control assembly provides power to extend the middle rod by providing an umbrella opening spring in the inner cavity of the middle rod, and provides power to fold the umbrella ribs by providing structures such as tension springs on the umbrella ribs. Inside the middle rod, there are provided members such as a rope and a bullet that is fixed or released inside the handle of the umbrella. One end of the rope is connected to the bullet, and the other end is connected to a pulley provided at the upper part of the middle rod and then wound downwards. The middle rod of such a conventional automatic opening and closing umbrella is usually formed by covering a tubular member divided into three sections, and only one umbrella opening spring and one rope are provided respectively. After pressing the button to fold the umbrella ribs, it is necessary to manually compress the middle rod from the length of the three extended sections to the length of one section. The stroke required for compression is relatively long, and the force required for compression is also relatively large. In many cases, a force of 6 - 8 kg is required. Therefore, it is relatively difficult to use for the elderly, children and other elderly and weak people.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an automatic opening and closing umbrella that is easy to fold, with a short compression stroke of the middle rod and a small force required to compress the middle rod, because the middle rod automatically folds one section when the umbrella is closed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve the above technical problems is an easily foldable automatic opening and closing umbrella comprising a central shaft, an upper ferrule and a handle attached to the upper and lower parts of the central shaft, a lower ferrule slidably mounted on the outside of the central shaft, umbrella ribs connecting the upper and lower ferrules, and an opening and closing control assembly for controlling the opening and closing of the umbrella, wherein the opening and closing control assembly includes an umbrella release spring, a bullet, and a rope attached to the inside of the central shaft. The aforementioned umbrella ribs are tri-fold umbrella ribs, and the central shaft is covered in order from the outside to the inside by a first tubular member, a second tubular member, a third tubular member, and a fourth tubular member. The umbrella release spring includes a first spring disposed within the third and fourth tubular members, and a second spring with a larger diameter and a third spring with a smaller diameter disposed within the second tubular member, with a sleeve provided between the second and third springs, and the two springs joined vertically via the sleeve. The objective is to design and manufacture an easily foldable automatic opening and closing umbrella, wherein the rope includes a first rope and a second rope, the first rope having one end connected to the upper part of the second tubular member and the other end connected to the lower runner after rotating a first pulley provided on the upper part of the first tubular member, and the second rope having one end connected to the bullet and the other end connected to the lower part of the first tubular member after rotating a second pulley provided on the upper part of the second tubular member.

[0005] The aforementioned umbrella ribs are equipped with tension springs that provide the power to fold the umbrella ribs.

[0006] The sleeve has an upper edge extending outward at its top and a lower edge extending inward at its bottom, the third spring has at least its lower end attached inside the sleeve with its lower end in contact with the lower edge and its upper end in contact with the upper part of the second tubular member, the second spring has at least its upper end overhanging the outside of the sleeve with its upper end in contact with the upper edge and its lower end in contact with the upper part of the third tubular member.

[0007] The automatic opening and closing umbrella of the present invention further includes a safety device to prevent the central shaft from springing back when compressed, the safety device including a safety rope and a winding ring attached inside the handle, the safety rope having one end wound around the winding ring and the other end passing upward through the internal cavity of the central shaft and connected to the upper part of the second tubular member.

[0008] A first pulley base is fixedly positioned on the upper part of the first tubular member, and the first pulley is attached to the first pulley base. A second pulley base is fixedly positioned on the upper part of the second tubular member, and the second pulley is attached to the second pulley base. One end of the first rope and the safety rope are connected to the second pulley base. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] Compared to conventional technology, the central shaft of this easily foldable automatic opening and closing umbrella has four sections and is equipped with three umbrella opening springs. One spring is located within the tubular members of the two innermost sections, and the other two springs are located within the tubular members of the second section. Two ropes are provided to pull up the lower runner and the outermost tubular member, respectively. As a result, the compression ratio required for folding the springs within the tubes of each section is significantly reduced compared to conventional integrated umbrella opening springs, and consequently, the force required to compress the central shaft when closing the umbrella is also significantly reduced. However, because two springs are provided within the tubular members of the two sections, the elastic force for opening the umbrella is stronger. At the same time, when closing the umbrella, the outermost tubular member automatically folds downward in response, reducing the compression stroke of the springs. The combination of the above structures makes the umbrella's central shaft easier to fold, allowing for more comfortable use by the elderly and those with limited physical strength. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the automatic opening and closing umbrella of the present invention in the open state. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of the automatic opening and closing umbrella of the present invention, in which the umbrella ribs are folded and stored when a button is pressed. [Figure 3]This is a schematic diagram showing the automatic opening and closing umbrella of the present invention when the central shaft is compressed to the closed state. [Figure 4] This is an exploded view of the automatic opening and closing umbrella of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a vertical cross-sectional view of the automatic opening and closing umbrella of the present invention when the umbrella is in the open position. [Figure 6] This is a vertical cross-sectional view of the automatic opening and closing umbrella of the present invention when the umbrella ribs are folded and stored by pressing a button. [Figure 7] This is a vertical cross-sectional view of the automatic opening and closing umbrella of the present invention when the central shaft is compressed to the closed state. [Figure 8] This is an enlarged view of the first tubular member in Figure 5. [Figure 9] This is an enlarged view of the second tubular member in Figure 5. [Figure 10] This is an enlarged view of the third and fourth tubular members in Figure 5. [Figure 11] This is an enlarged view of the first and second tubular members in Figure 6. [Figure 12] This is an enlarged view of the third and fourth tubular members in Figure 6. [Figure 13] Figure 7 is a magnified view of the central shaft section after it has been fully folded (the umbrella ribs and lower runner are not shown). [Figure 14] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection between the second spring 52 and the third spring 53 and the sleeve 54. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The following will provide further details with reference to preferred embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the easy-to-fold automatic opening and closing umbrella of the present invention comprises a central shaft 1, an upper ferrule 21 attached to the upper part of the central shaft 1, a lower ferrule 22 slidably mounted on the outside of the central shaft 1, a handle 3 attached to the lower part of the central shaft 1, umbrella ribs 4 connecting the upper ferrule 21 and the lower ferrule 22, and an opening and closing control assembly for controlling the opening and closing of the umbrella. Here, the umbrella ribs 4 are three-fold umbrella ribs, and the umbrella ribs 4 are provided with a tension spring 41 for providing power to fold the umbrella ribs. The central shaft 1 is a four-fold type, and is constructed by sequentially mounting a first tubular member 11, a second tubular member 12, a third tubular member 13, and a fourth tubular member 14 from the outside to the inside. The length of the umbrella ribs 4 after folding matches the length of the four-section type central shaft after complete folding.

[0013] The opening and closing control assembly mainly includes an umbrella opening spring and an insertion tube 63 installed in the middle rod 1, a bullet 61, a control tube 62 fixedly installed in the handle 3, a rope connected to the lower pulley 22 and the bullet 61, and a button assembly. Here, the button assembly includes a button 31 and a corresponding assembly arranged in the handle 3 of the umbrella, and is used to control the locking and unlocking of the middle rod 1 and the bullet 61. In the state where the umbrella is closed as shown in Fig. 3, the bullet 61 is positioned in the control tube 62, and the folded middle rod 1 is locked by the button assembly and cannot be extended. When the button 31 is pressed for the first time, the middle rod 1 is released, and the middle rod 1 is extended upward by the action of the umbrella opening spring. The rope pulls the lower pulley 22 upward, and the umbrella ribs 4 are opened. At this time, the umbrella is in the open state as shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Figs. 2 and 6, when the button 31 is pressed again in the open state of the umbrella, the button 31 pushes out the bullet 61, disengages from the control tube 62 and is released. The lower pulley 22 loses the tension of the rope, and the umbrella ribs 4 are folded by the action of the tension spring 41 and push down the lower pulley 22. As shown in Fig. 2, in the state where the umbrella ribs are folded, the middle rod 1 is compressed, and the tubular members of multiple sections of the middle rod 1 are folded downward until the middle rod 1 is locked by the button assembly. At the same time, the bullet 61 is pushed into and fixed in the control tube 62 by the insertion tube 63 in the middle rod 1. The above operating principle of the opening and closing control assembly is a prior art and will not be further described here.

[0014] As shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7, the features of the present invention are as follows.

[0015] The umbrella opening spring includes a first spring 51 disposed within the third tubular member 13 and the fourth tubular member 14, a second spring 52 with a larger diameter and a third spring 53 with a smaller diameter disposed within the second tubular member 12. A sleeve 54 is provided between the second spring 52 and the third spring 53 and they are joined vertically through this sleeve 54. Since each of the above springs provides power to extend upward in different tubular bodies, the ratio of the compression length required to fold the springs within the tubular bodies of each section is significantly smaller than that of the conventional integrated umbrella opening spring. Therefore, when closing the umbrella, the force required to compress the middle rod becomes lighter, and even those with weaker strength can easily use it. Also, the second spring 52 and the third spring 53 have overlapping portions with each other. This overlapping portion can significantly increase the number of coils of the spring, so the elastic force when the umbrella is opened can be enhanced, and the elastic force when the umbrella is opened can be made stronger.

[0016] The rope includes a first rope 71 and a second rope 72. One end of the first rope 71 is connected to the upper part of the second tubular member 12, and the other end is connected to the lower pulley 22 after passing around a first pulley 112 provided on the upper part of the first tubular member 11. One end of the second rope 72 is connected to the bullet 61, and the other end is connected to the lower part of the first tubular member 11 after passing around a second pulley 122 provided on the upper part of the second tubular member 12. By arranging the above two ropes, when the button is pressed to close the umbrella, the outermost first tubular member 11 is automatically folded downward outside the second tubular member 12, and the subsequent compression stroke of the middle rod can be significantly shortened.

[0017] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 8, a first pulley base 111 is fixedly positioned on the upper part of the first tubular member 11, the first pulley 112 is attached to the first pulley base 111, a collar 15 is fixedly fitted over the lower part of the first tubular member 11, one end of the second rope 72 passes through the gap between the first tubular member 11 and the second tubular member 12 downwards after going around the second pulley 122, and is connected to the collar 15. A second pulley base 121 is fixedly positioned on the upper part of the second tubular member 12, the second pulley 122 is attached to the second pulley base 121, and one end of the first rope 71 is connected to the second pulley base 121. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, a top plug 16 for separating the first spring 51 and the second spring 52 is fixedly positioned on the upper part of the third tubular member 13, and a vertical through-hole is provided in the center of the top plug 16 through which the insertion tube 63 can pass.

[0018] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 9 and 14, the body of the sleeve 54 is a hollow cylinder, with an upper edge 541 extending outward at its top and a lower edge 542 extending inward at its bottom. The third spring 53 has at least its lower end attached inside the sleeve 54, with its lower part in contact with the lower edge 542 and its upper part in contact with the lower part of the second pulley base 121 attached to the upper part of the second tubular member 12. The second spring 52 has at least its upper end overhanging the outside of the sleeve 54, with its upper part in contact with the upper edge 541 and its lower part in contact with the top plug 16 provided on the upper part of the third tubular member 13. The insertion tube 63 penetrates the internal cavity of the sleeve 54, and the third spring 53 is fitted onto the outside of the insertion tube 63. As a result, the insertion tube 63 also has a guide function for the third spring 53.

[0019] The automatic opening and closing umbrella of this invention is further equipped with a safety device to prevent the central shaft 1 from springing back when compressed. As shown in Figure 4, the safety device includes a safety rope 81, a winding wheel 82 and a ratchet 83 mounted inside the umbrella handle 3 and arranged coaxially, a spring 84 acting on the winding wheel 82, a locking member 85, and the like. Here, one end of the safety rope 81 rotates the winding wheel 82, and the other end passes upward through the internal cavity of the central shaft 1 and is connected to the second pulley base 121 at the top of the second tubular member 12. As shown in Figure 12, when the central shaft 1 is compressed, the elastic force of the spring 84 causes the winding wheel 82 to rotate in the forward direction and wind the safety rope 81. The locking member 85 is pressed against the radial tooth surface of the ratchet 83, preventing the ratchet 83 and the coaxial winding wheel 82 from reversing, releasing the safety rope 81 and preventing the central shaft 1 from springing back. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 13, when closing the umbrella, the bullet 61 is pushed into the control tube 62, which pushes down the horizontal arm of the locking member 85, causing the linear arm of the locking member 85 to swing and disengage from the ratchet 83. At this time, the winding ring 82 is in a reversed state that can release the safety rope 81, and does not affect the upward extension of the central shaft 1 when opening the umbrella. Except for the position where the safety rope 81 is connected to the central shaft 1, the structural principle of the above safety device is similar to that of the prior art, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0020] In this embodiment, the second rope 72 passes through the internal cavity of the insertion tube 63, and the safety rope 81 passes through the outside of the insertion tube 63, thus preventing entanglement and interference between the safety rope 81 and the second rope 72.

[0021] As shown in Figure 3, when the button 31 is pressed for the first time with the umbrella closed, the central shaft 1 is released. As shown in Figures 5, 8, 9, and 10, the third tubular member 13 extends upward relative to the fourth tubular member 14 due to the action of the first spring 51, the second tubular member 12 extends upward relative to the third tubular member 13 due to the action of the second spring 52 and the third spring 53, and the second rope 72 pulls the first tubular member 11 upward. As a result, all the tubular members of the central shaft 1 are extended. At the same time, when the first tubular member 11 extends upward, the first rope 71 pulls the lower ferrule 22 upward, the umbrella ribs 4 open, and the safety rope 81 is also released as the central shaft 1 unfolds, and the umbrella becomes open as shown in Figures 1 and 5.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, when the button 31 is pressed again with the umbrella open, the bullet 61 is released from the control tube 62, as shown in Figures 2, 6, 11, and 12. The first tubular member 11 loses the tension of the second rope 72 and folds downward, covering the outside of the second tubular member 12. At the same time, the lower runner 22 loses the tension of the first rope 71, the umbrella ribs 4 fold due to the action of the tension spring 41, and the lower runner 22 is pushed downward. At this time, the locking member 85 is released from being pushed down by the bullet 61 and approaches the ratchet 83 due to the action of the spring. The ratchet 83 and the winding wheel 82 can only rotate in the forward direction and cannot rotate in the reverse direction. The umbrella is in the folded state of the umbrella ribs as shown in Figures 2 and 6. At this time, it can be seen that the first tubular member 11 of the central shaft 1 is automatically folded downward, and the remaining required compression stroke of the central shaft 1 is significantly shortened.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, when the umbrella ribs are folded, the central shaft 1 is compressed downwards, the winding ring 82 rotates forward due to the action of the spring 84 to wind up the safety rope 81, and the locking member 85 prevents the winding ring 82 from reversing. When the central shaft is fully compressed, as shown in Figure 13, the third tubular member 13 and the fourth tubular member 14 are folded and fitted into the lower end of the internal cavity of the second tubular member 12, and the second spring 52, the third spring 53 and the sleeve 54 sandwiched between them are fitted into the upper end of the internal cavity of the second tubular member 12. The first tubular member 11 is locked and the central shaft 1 cannot be extended upwards, the bullet 61 is pushed into the control tube 62 by the insertion tube 63 and fixed, and the locking member 85 is released from the ratchet 83 due to the action of the bullet 61. At this time, the umbrella is in the closed state as shown in Figures 3 and 7.

[0024] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit it. Various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A folding automatic opening and closing umbrella comprising a central shaft (1), an upper ferrule (21) and a handle (3) attached to the upper and lower parts of the central shaft (1), a lower ferrule (22) slidably mounted on the outside of the central shaft (1), umbrella ribs (4) connecting the upper ferrule (21) and the lower ferrule (22), and an opening and closing control assembly for controlling the opening and closing of the umbrella, wherein the opening and closing control assembly includes an umbrella release spring, a bullet (61), and a rope attached to the inside of the central shaft (1), The umbrella ribs (4) are tri-fold umbrella ribs, and the central shaft (1) is covered in order from the outside to the inside by a first tubular member (11), a second tubular member (12), a third tubular member (13), and a fourth tubular member (14). The umbrella release spring includes a first spring (51) disposed within the third tubular member (13) and the fourth tubular member (14), and a second spring (52) with a larger diameter and a third spring (53) with a smaller diameter disposed within the second tubular member (12), with a sleeve (54) provided between the second spring (52) and the third spring (53), and the two springs being joined vertically via the sleeve (54). The rope comprises a first rope (71) and a second rope (72), wherein one end of the first rope (71) is connected to the upper part of the second tubular member (12), and the other end is connected to the lower ferrule (22) after rotating a first pulley (112) provided on the upper part of the first tubular member (11), and the second rope (72) is connected to the bullet (61), and the other end is connected to the lower part of the first tubular member (11) after rotating a second pulley (122) provided on the upper part of the second tubular member (12), thus making it an easy-to-fold automatic opening and closing umbrella.

2. The easy-to-fold automatic opening and closing umbrella according to claim 1, characterized in that the umbrella ribs (4) are provided with tension springs (41) that provide power to fold the umbrella ribs.

3. The easy-to-fold automatic opening and closing umbrella according to claim 1, characterized in that the sleeve (54) has an upper edge (541) extending outward at the top and a lower edge (542) extending inward at the bottom, the third spring (53) has at least its lower end attached inside the sleeve (54) with its lower end in contact with the lower edge (542) and its upper end in contact with the upper part of the second tubular member (12), and the second spring (52) has at least its upper end overhanging the outside of the sleeve (54) with its upper end in contact with the upper edge (541) and its lower end in contact with the upper part of the third tubular member (13).

4. The easy-to-fold automatic opening and closing umbrella according to claim 1, 2, or 3, further comprising a safety device to prevent the central shaft (1) from springing back when compressed, wherein the safety device includes a safety rope (81) and a winding ring (82) attached inside the handle (3), and the safety rope (81) is wound at one end onto the winding ring (82) and the other end passes upward through the internal cavity of the central shaft (1) and is connected to the upper part of the second tubular member (12).

5. The easy-to-fold automatic opening and closing umbrella according to claim 4, characterized in that a first pulley base (111) is fixedly positioned on the upper part of the first tubular member (11), the first pulley (112) is attached to the first pulley base (111), a second pulley base (121) is fixedly positioned on the upper part of the second tubular member (12), the second pulley (122) is attached to the second pulley base (121), and one end of the first rope (71) and the safety rope (81) is connected to the second pulley base (121).

Images