Umbrella Lower Hub Assembly With Integrated Handle Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large umbrellas used in outdoor settings face durability and operational convenience issues due to continuous use, particularly in maintaining the open position without relying on spring-loaded mechanisms that can wear out over time.
Innovation Solution
An umbrella assembly with a lower hub assembly featuring an integrated handle and locking mechanism, including a runner hub, hub controller, and a locking mechanism with an actuator that moves between positions to engage or disengage with a locking fixture on the support pole, allowing easy transition between open and closed configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spring-loaded flange (snib) is used to support the runner in the elevated position, then the umbrella can be held open, but the mechanism wears out over time due to continuous use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring-loaded flange mechanism entirely and replaces it with a gravity-based system. The runner hub assembly is designed to be movable along the support pole, allowing it to be manually positioned at an elevated location where gravity naturally holds the umbrella canopy in the open position without requiring any spring mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the weight of the runner hub assembly and canopy structure itself as a counterbalance. By positioning the runner hub at a specific elevated location on the support pole, the gravitational force on the assembly creates a stable equilibrium that holds the umbrella open without additional mechanical support components.
2Reliability
If a robust locking mechanism is added to improve durability, then the umbrella can maintain open position more reliably, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the system to be self-sustaining through gravity. Once the runner hub assembly is manually positioned at the elevated location on the support pole, the gravitational force automatically maintains the open position without requiring any active locking mechanism, motor, or additional control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the opening/closing action from the holding mechanism. The runner hub assembly can be freely moved along the support pole for opening and closing operations, while the elevated position itself serves as the holding mechanism through gravity, eliminating the need for complex locking systems.
3Ease of operation
If the runner is made movable along the support pole for easy operation, then the umbrella can transition between open and closed positions, but the umbrella may collapse due to gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent requires the user to perform a preliminary action of manually positioning the runner hub assembly at a specific elevated location on the support pole. Once positioned, the system automatically becomes stable through gravity, eliminating the need for continuous control or complex locking mechanisms during operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
An umbrella assembly includes a support pole having a locking fixture, a lower hub assembly movably coupled to the support pole, umbrella ribs extending from the lower hub assembly, and a canopy extending over the umbrella ribs. The lower hub assembly can be moved along the support pole to move the umbrella assembly between open and closed configurations. The lower hub assembly includes a runner hub and a hub controller. The hub controller includes an upper portion, a handle portion, and a locking mechanism integrated into the handle portion. The locking mechanism includes an actuator, a locking feature coupled to the actuator, and a spring configured to bias the actuator towards the support pole. The actuator is moveable between a first position in which the locking feature is engaged with the locking fixture and a second position in which the locking feature is disengaged from the locking fixture.