Multi-Cam Hub Umbrella Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reflective umbrellas used in photography and film applications are difficult and hazardous to open, secure, and collapse, often resulting in pinching injuries and requiring cumbersome tools for setup and breakdown.
Innovation Solution
The auto-collapsing umbrella employs a multi-cam floating ball bearing locking hub and interlocking spacer tube, allowing for safe and quick opening and closing without removing the umbrella from its stand, using a clockwise rotation to lock and a counterclockwise rotation to collapse, while keeping hands away from harm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional umbrella closing method is used (pushing down on ring of joints with fingers), then the umbrella can be collapsed, but pinching injuries and safety hazards occur
Solution Approach 1:
A foot pedal acts as an intermediary device to apply force to the umbrella's ring of joints during collapse, eliminating the need for direct finger contact with the hazardous moving parts. The pedal transfers the operator's foot force through a mechanical linkage to the umbrella structure, maintaining safety while enabling controlled collapse.
Solution Approach 2:
The umbrella incorporates self-latching toggle joints that automatically lock into place during opening and closing operations. The resilient forces within the umbrella structure automatically engage and disengage the latching mechanism without requiring manual intervention, eliminating finger insertion into hazardous zones while maintaining controlled operation.
2Productivity
If conventional umbrella breakdown method is used (removing from stand and using tools), then the umbrella can be collapsed, but additional tools and floor space are required
Solution Approach 1:
The foot pedal collapse mechanism is integrated directly into the umbrella's existing hub and spoke structure, merging the collapse function with the umbrella's structural components. This eliminates the need for separate breakdown tools and reduces the number of parts, while enabling rapid one-handed operation that improves productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex multi-tool breakdown system is extracted and replaced by a single simplified foot pedal mechanism. This removes unnecessary parts and accessories from the system, reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving the speed of breakdown operations through the streamlined pedal actuation.
3Loss of time
If conventional umbrella opening method is used (manual assembly), then the umbrella can be opened, but the process is time-consuming and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The umbrella spokes and hub are pre-configured with toggle joints and resilient elements that are ready to automatically engage during opening. When the hub is lifted, these pre-positioned components automatically latch into the open configuration without requiring manual assembly steps, dramatically reducing setup time and simplifying the operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The umbrella's resilient forces and self-latching toggle joints automatically perform the opening action when the hub is lifted. The structure uses its own stored elastic energy to drive the spokes outward and lock into place, eliminating the need for manual manipulation of multiple components and reducing setup time to a single lifting motion.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution streamlines the setup and breakdown process, ensuring safety and speed by utilizing the umbrella's resilient forces to collapse while maintaining the light source in place, eliminating the need for additional tools and minimizing the risk of injury.
Implementation Method 1
a ring shaped multiple cam in said bearing housing base ring rotates with said top ring and said multi-lobed cam ring forces said ball bearings to index and interlock with said indexing holes on said spacer tube
Implementation Method 2
four steel floating ball bearings in said bearing housing are engaged by said multiple cam
Implementation Method 3
the maximum point of resistance from the resilient forces created by that umbrella's spokes and umbrella skin is overcome. The resilient forces in that arrangement then change direction from front to back
Data Source
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AI summary
A multiple cam hub apparatus for use with an umbrella that allows for deploying and collapsing a light reflecting umbrella rapidly to facilitate its use for stage, studio, motion picture and still photography. A multiple cam floating bail bearing locking hub and interlocking spacer tube are provided for opening and collapsing an umbrella using the internal compression or resilient forces in die umbrella construction. Utilizing a push and clockwise rotation of the locking hub, the umbrella is locked in the opened position. When it is time to breakdown or close the umbrella, a counterclockwise rotation of the locking hub unlocks the hub and the umbrella collapses.