Manually Opened and Automatically Closing Umbrella

The invention relates to a field of an umbrella, and more particularly to a manually opened and automatically closing umbrella.

When an existing umbrella capable of implementing manual opening and automatic closing is being retracted, a multi-section middle rod is affected by a retracting spring and performs rapid curving and retracting. This makes a foldable rib member easily hit the user's hand, and the user experience is affected. To this end, an umbrella retracting structure, in which a bottommost stick of a middle rod is not retracted upon automatic retracting, has been developed. However, such the umbrella retracting structure has the longer retracted length of the middle rod when the middle rod is fully retracted, and is not advantageous to the storage.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, it is necessary to develop a manually opened and automatically closing umbrella advantageously having a simple structure and a small size when the umbrella is fully closed.

An objective of the invention is to provide a manually opened and automatically closing umbrella having advantages of the simple structure and the small size when the umbrella is fully closed.

To achieve the above-identified objective, a solution of the invention is to provide a manually opened and automatically closing umbrella including a multi-section middle rod, an upper nest, a lower nest, a head, a foldable rib member and an umbrella-closing assembly. The multi-section middle rod includes at least three sticks, comprising a lowest stick, a middle stick and a topmost stick, sequentially telescoping from top to bottom, a sidewall of the lowest stick of the multi-section middle rod is formed with a longitudinal hole, and a sidewall of the middle stick of the multi-section middle rod or a sidewall of the topmost stick of the multi-section middle rod is formed with a retaining hole. The upper nest and the head respectively fit with an upper end and a lower end of the multi-section middle rod, the lower nest movably telescopes the multi-section middle rod, the foldable rib member is pivotally connected to the upper nest and the lower nest, and the foldable rib member has a retracting spring; the umbrella-closing assembly includes a fixed pulley, an umbrella retracting cord, an elastic fastener, a pull sleeve, a connector and a linking cord; the fixed pulley rotatably fits with the upper nest; an outer end of the umbrella retracting cord goes around the fixed pulley and fits with the lower nest, an inner end of the umbrella retracting cord goes and is fixed into the multi-section middle rod; the elastic fastener fits into the multi-section middle rod and is connected to one of the sticks of the multi-section middle rod, and the elastic fastener movably snaps into the retaining hole; the pull sleeve movably telescopes outside the lowest stick of the multi-section middle rod, the connector passes through the longitudinal hole, an outer end of the connector is connected to the pull sleeve, an inner end of the connector is connected to one end of the linking cord, and the other end of the linking cord is connected to the elastic fastener; in the multi-section middle rod, one or each of multiple ones of the sticks exclusive of one of the sticks formed with the retaining hole and one of the sticks fitting into the elastic fastener movably snaps with an adjacent one of the sticks through an elastic snap; when the manually opened and automatically closing umbrella is in a fully retracted state, the elastic fastener unsnaps from the retaining hole, all of the sticks of the multi-section middle rod are fully retracted, the foldable rib member is fully retracted, and the pull sleeve is accommodated within the head; and when the manually opened and automatically closing umbrella is in a fully deployed state, all of the sticks of the multi-section middle rod are fully deployed, the foldable rib member is fully deployed, and the elastic fastener snaps with the retaining hole.

A sidewall of the head is formed with an operation notch; and when the manually opened and automatically closing umbrella is in the fully deployed state, the pull sleeve is accommodated within the head and disposed opposite the operation notch.

The outer end of the connector is formed with a connection hooking part hooking the pull sleeve. The linking cord has at least two knots.

A positioning connector fits into the middle stick of the multi-section middle rod, and the inner end of the umbrella retracting cord is connected to the positioning connector; the outer end of the umbrella retracting cord goes around the fixed pulley, fitting with the upper nest, and is then directly connected to the lower nest; or the outer end of the umbrella retracting cord sequentially goes around the fixed pulley, fitting with the upper nest, and a movable pulley, fitting with the lower nest, and is then connected to the upper nest.

A top end of the elastic fastener is provided with a mounting part connected to one of the sticks of the multi-section middle rod, a bottom end of the elastic fastener is provided with a connection part connected to the linking cord, a middle portion of the elastic fastener is provided with a curved bending part, the elastic fastener is further provided with a snapping part lower than the bending part, and the snapping part movably snaps into the retaining hole; and the linking cord is connected with a hook connector hooking the connection part.

The elastic fastener has a mounting body and a snapping body connected together in a curved manner, the mounting body has a mounting part connected to one of the sticks of the multi-section middle rod, and the snapping body is provided with a snapping part movably snapping into the retaining hole, and a connection part connected to the linking cord.

The snapping body has a connection piece and a snapping piece connected together in a bent manner, the connection piece is connected to the mounting body in a bent manner, the connection piece is provided with the connection part, and the snapping piece is provided with the snapping part; and when the elastic fastener is in a naturally deployed state, the connection piece is inclined against the mounting body, and the snapping piece is parallel to the mounting body.

The snapping body has a jointing piece, a connection piece and a snapping piece sequentially connected together in a bent manner, the jointing piece is connected to the mounting body in a bent manner, the connection piece is provided with the connection part, and the snapping piece is provided with the snapping part; and when the elastic fastener is in a naturally deployed state, the connection piece is inclined against the mounting body, and the jointing piece and the snapping piece are parallel to the mounting body.

When the manually opened and automatically closing umbrella is in the fully retracted state, the lower nest is inserted into the head and an inserting connection is formed between a lower portion of the lower nest and the pull sleeve.

After the above-mentioned solutions have been adopted, the working principle of the invention may be explained in the following. When the umbrella of the invention is deployed, the user pushes the lower nest upwards, so that the multi-section middle rod and the foldable rib member are fully deployed. When the lower nest is pushed upwards to a predetermined position, the elastic fastener snaps into the retaining hole of the multi-section middle rod under its own elasticity, so that the manually opened and automatically closing umbrella of the invention is kept in the fully deployed state. At this time, the linking cord is in tension. When the umbrella of the invention is retracted, the user pulls the pull sleeve downwards so that the pull sleeve drives the linking cord to move downwards through the connector, and the linking cord pulls the elastic fastener to deform so that the elastic fastener unsnaps from the retaining hole of the multi-section middle rod. Thereafter, under the action of the retracting spring, the foldable rib member is retracted so that the lower nest moves downwards, and the lower nest moves downwards so that the umbrella retracting cord pulls the multi-section middle rod to automatically perform partial retraction. At this time, the linking cord becomes loose, and the manually opened and automatically closing umbrella of the invention is in a semi-retracted state. Because the retaining hole is disposed on the middle stick or the topmost stick of the multi-section middle rod, the pull sleeve is pulled downwards to make the lowest stick of the multi-section middle rod cannot be retracted when the multi-section middle rod automatically performs the partial retraction, and such the configuration can prevent the foldable rib member from hitting the user's hand when the umbrella is retracted, and can enhance the user experience. After the manually opened and automatically closing umbrella of the invention enters the semi-retracted state, the user can exert forces on the upper nest and the head so that the multi-section middle rod is fully retracted, and the manually opened and automatically closing umbrella of the invention is in the fully retracted state. At this time, the lower nest and an inner support rib of the foldable rib member can be retracted into the head. Because the pull sleeve is accommodated within the head when the manually opened and automatically closing umbrella of the invention is in the fully retracted state, such the configuration can make the multi-section middle rod be retracted as possible as it can, so that it is advantageous to the shortening of the retracted length of the multi-section middle rod, and to the small size of the invention when the umbrella is fully retracted.

In order to further describe the technical solutions of the invention, the invention will be explained in detail below according to specific embodiments. Referring to, the invention discloses a manually opened and automatically closing umbrella including a multi-section middle rod, an upper nest, a lower nest, a head, a foldable rib member(multiple ones may be provided) and an umbrella-closing assembly. The multi-section middle rodincludes at least three sticks(lowest, middle and topmost sticks) sequentially telescoping from top to bottom, a sidewall of the lowest stickof the multi-section middle rodis formed with a longitudinal hole, a sidewall of the middle stickof the multi-section middle rodor a sidewall of the topmost stickof the multi-section middle rodis formed with a retaining hole. The upper nestand the headrespectively fit with an upper end and a lower end of the multi-section middle rod. The lower nestmovably telescopes the multi-section middle rod. The foldable rib memberis pivotally connected to the upper nestand the lower nest. The foldable rib memberhas a retracting spring. The umbrella-closing assemblyincludes a fixed pulley, an umbrella retracting cord, an elastic fastener, a pull sleeve, a connectorand a linking cord. The fixed pulleyrotatably fits with the upper nest; an outer end of the umbrella retracting cordgoes around the fixed pulleyand fits with the lower nest, an inner end of the umbrella retracting cordgoes and is fixed into the multi-section middle rod. The elastic fastenerfits into the multi-section middle rodand is connected to one of the sticksof the multi-section middle rod. The elastic fastenermovably snaps into the retaining hole. The pull sleevemovably telescopes outside the lowest stickof the multi-section middle rod.

The connectorpasses through the longitudinal holeof the multi-section middle rod. An outer end of the connectoris connected to the pull sleeve. An inner end of the connectoris connected to one end of the linking cord.

The other end of the linking cordis connected to the elastic fastener. In the multi-section middle rod, one or each of multiple ones of the sticksexclusive of the stickformed with the retaining holeand the stickfitting into the elastic fastenermovably snaps with an adjacent one of the sticksthrough an elastic snapto guarantee that the multi-section middle rodcan be deployed (opened) and positioned. When the manually opened and automatically closing umbrella of the invention is in a fully retracted state, the elastic fastenerunsnaps from the retaining hole, all the sticksof the multi-section middle rodare fully retracted and the foldable rib memberis fully retracted, and the pull sleeveis accommodated within the head. When the manually opened and automatically closing umbrella of the invention is in the fully deployed state, all the sticksof the multi-section middle rodare fully deployed, the foldable rib memberis fully deployed, and the elastic fastenersnaps with the retaining hole.

The working principle of the invention will be described in the followings. When the umbrella of the invention is deployed or opened, the user pushes the lower nestupwards, so that the multi-section middle rodand the foldable rib memberare fully deployed.

When the lower nestis pushed upwards to a predetermined position, the elastic fastenersnaps with the retaining holeof the multi-section middle rodunder its own elasticity, so that the manually opened and automatically closing umbrella of the invention is kept in the fully deployed state. At this time, the linking cordis in tension. When the umbrella of the invention is retracted, the user pulls the pull sleevedownwards so that the pull sleevemoves the linking corddownwards through the connector, the linking cordpulls the elastic fastenerto deform, and the elastic fastenerunsnaps from the retaining holeof the multi-section middle rod. Thereafter, under the action of the retracting spring, the foldable rib memberis retracted so that the lower nestmoves downwards, and the lower nestmoves downwards so that the umbrella retracting cordpulls the multi-section middle rodto automatically perform partial retraction. At this time, the linking cordbecomes loose, and the manually opened and automatically closing umbrella of the invention is in the semi-retracted state. Because the retaining holeis formed on the middle stickor the topmost stickof the multi-section middle rod, the lowest stickof the multi-section middle rodcannot be retracted when the pull sleeveis pulled downward to make the multi-section middle rodautomatically perform the partial retraction. Such the configuration can prevent the foldable rib memberfrom hitting the user's hand when the umbrella is retracted, thereby improving the user experience. After the manually opened and automatically closing umbrella of the invention enters the semi-retracted state, the user can exert forces on the upper nestand the headso that the multi-section middle rodis fully retracted, and the manually opened and automatically closing umbrella of the invention is in the fully retracted state. Because the manually opened and automatically closing umbrella of the invention is in the fully retracted state, the pull sleeveis accommodated within the head, so that the multi-section middle rodcan be retracted as possible as it can, and it is advantageous to shortening of a retracted length of the multi-section middle rod, and thus to the small size of the invention when the umbrella is fully retracted.

In order to further explain the technical solution of the invention, the invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments.

Referring toshowing the first embodiment of the invention, the multi-section middle rodis a three-section middle rod, apertures of the sticksof the multi-section middle rodare sequentially increased from top to bottom, the retaining holeof the multi-section middle rodis disposed on an upper portion of the second (counted from top to bottom) section of stickof the multi-section middle rod, and the elastic fasteneris mounted on a lower portion of the first (counted from top to bottom) section of stick(i.e., the topmost stick) of the multi-section middle rod. In this way, when the pull sleeveis pulled downwards so that the multi-section middle rodautomatically performs the partial retraction, the two upper sections of sticksof the multi-section middle rodare retracted. The foldable rib memberis a corresponding three-fold umbrella rib member. In the first embodiment of the invention, a top end of the elastic fasteneris provided with a mounting partconnected to one stickof the multi-section middle rod, a bottom end of the elastic fasteneris provided with a connection partconnected to the linking cord, a middle portion of the elastic fasteneris provided with a curved bending partso that the elastic fastenercan deform. The elastic fasteneris further provided with a snapping partlower than the bending part. The snapping partmovably snaps into the retaining hole. When the umbrella of the invention is retracted, the linking cord pulls the elastic fastenerso that the bending partof the elastic fastenerdeforms, and the snapping partof the elastic fastenershifts so that the snapping partunsnaps from the retaining hole. The linking cord may be knotted with the connection part, and the linking cord may also be connected with a hook connectorhooking the connection part. An inserting connection may be formed between the mounting partand the stick.

In the first embodiment of the invention, a positioning connectormay fit into the middle stickof the multi-section middle rod, and the inner end of the umbrella retracting cordis connected to the positioning connectorto mount the inner end of the umbrella retracting cordinto the multi-section middle rod. Specifically, the positioning connectoris mounted to the lower portion of the second (counted from top to bottom) section of stickof the multi-section middle rod, the positioning connectorhas a hollow structure through which the linking cordcan pass. The outer end of the umbrella retracting cordis connected to the lower nest, so that the umbrella retracting corddrives the middle rodto perform the partial retraction when the lower nestmoves downwards.

In the first embodiment of the invention, the linking cordhas at least two knots. The knotcan prevent the linking cordfrom escaping from the longitudinal holeof the multi-section middle rod. The linking cordmay be knotted with the connector, and the outer end of the connectoris formed with a connection hooking parthooking the pull sleeve, and the connection between the connectorand the pull sleeveis simple.

In the first embodiment of the invention, a sidewall of the headis formed with an operation notchto provide an operation space for a person who pulls the pull sleevedownwards. When the manually opened and automatically closing umbrella of the invention is in the fully deployed state, the pull sleeveis accommodated within the headand disposed opposite the operation notch. The invention is configured such that the multi-section middle rodcan be retracted as possible as it can, so that it is advantageous to the shortening of the retracted length of the multi-section middle rod, and to the small size of the invention when the umbrella is fully retracted. In addition, when the manually opened and automatically closing umbrella of the invention is in a fully retracted state, the lower nestis inserted into the head. Such the configuration also makes the multi-section middle rodbe retracted as possible as it can, so that it is advantageous to the shortening of the retracted length of the multi-section middle rod, and to the small size of the invention when the umbrella is fully retracted. When the lower nestis inserted into the head, an inserting connection may be formed between the lower portion of the lower nestand the pull sleeve. Such the configuration is further beneficial to that the multi-section middle rodcan be retracted as possible as it can.

Referring to, the difference between the second and first embodiments of the invention resides in the elastic fastener. Specifically, in the second embodiment of the invention, the elastic fastenerhas a mounting bodyand a snapping bodyconnected together in a curved manner so that the elastic fastenerhas the elasticity. The mounting bodyhas a mounting partconnected to one of the sticksof the multi-section middle rod, the snapping bodyis provided with a snapping partmovably snapping into the retaining hole, and a connection partconnected to the linking cord.

The linking cord may be knotted with the connection part, and the linking cord may also be connected with a hook connectorhooking the connection part. An inserting connection may be formed between the mounting partand the stick.

In the second embodiment of the invention, the snapping bodyhas a connection pieceand a snapping piececonnected together in a bent manner, the connection pieceis connected to the mounting bodyin a bent manner, the connection pieceis provided with the connection part, and the snapping pieceis provided with the snapping part. When the elastic fasteneris in a naturally deployed state (see), the connection pieceis inclined against the mounting bodyand the snapping pieceis parallel to the mounting body. Such the configuration makes the linking cordeasily drive the snapping bodyto deform.

Referring to, the difference between the third and first embodiments of the invention resides in the elastic fastener. Specifically, in the third embodiment of the invention, the elastic fastenerhas a mounting bodyand a snapping bodyconnected together in a curved manner so that the elastic fastenerhas the elasticity. The mounting bodyhas a mounting partconnected to one stickof the multi-section middle rod, the snapping bodyis provided with a snapping partmovably snapping into the retaining hole, and a connection partconnected to the linking cord. The linking cord may be knotted with the connection part. The linking cord may also be connected with a hook connectorhooking the connection part. An inserting connection may be formed between the mounting partand the stick.

In the third embodiment of the invention, the snapping bodyhas a jointing piece, a connection pieceand a snapping piecesequentially connected together in a bent manner. The jointing pieceis connected to the mounting bodyin a bent manner. The connection pieceis provided with the connection part. The snapping pieceis provided with the snapping part. When the elastic fasteneris in a naturally deployed state (see), the jointing pieceand the connection pieceare inclined against the mounting body, and the snapping pieceis parallel to the mounting body. Such the configuration also makes the linking cordeasily drive the snapping bodyto deform.

Referring to, the difference between the fourth and first embodiments of the invention resides in the elastic fastener. Specifically, in the fourth embodiment of the invention, the elastic fastenerhas a mounting bodyand a snapping bodyconnected together in a curved manner so that the elastic fastenerhas the elasticity. The mounting bodyhas a mounting partconnected to one stickof the multi-section middle rod. The snapping bodyis provided with a snapping partmovably snapping into the retaining hole, and a connection partconnected to the linking cord. The linking cord may be knotted with the connection part. The linking cord may also be connected with a hook connectorhooking the connection part. An inserting connection may be formed between the mounting partand the stick.

In the fourth embodiment of the invention, the snapping bodyhas a jointing piece, a connection pieceand a snapping piecesequentially connected together in a bent manner. The jointing pieceis connected to the mounting bodyin a bent manner. The connection pieceis provided with the connection part. The snapping pieceis provided with the snapping part. When the elastic fasteneris in a naturally deployed state (see), the connection pieceis inclined against the mounting body, and the jointing pieceand the snapping pieceare parallel to the mounting body. Such the configuration also makes the linking cordeasily drive the snapping bodyto deform.

Referring to, the multi-section middle rodin the fifth embodiment of the invention is a four-section middle rod, wherein apertures of the sticksof the multi-section middle rodare sequentially increased from top to bottom, the retaining holeof the multi-section middle rodis disposed on the upper portion of the third (counted from top to bottom) section of stickof the multi-section middle rod, and the elastic fasteneris mounted on the lower portion of the second (counted from top to bottom) section of stickof the multi-section middle rod. In this way, when the pull sleeveis pulled downwards so that the multi-section middle rodautomatically performs the partial retraction, middle two sections of sticksof the multi-section middle rodare retracted. The foldable rib memberis a corresponding four-fold umbrella rib member.

In the fifth embodiment of the invention, a top end of the elastic fasteneris provided with a mounting partconnected to one stickof the multi-section middle rod, a bottom end of the elastic fasteneris provided with a connection partconnected to the linking cord, and a middle portion of the elastic fasteneris provided with a curved bending partso that the elastic fastenercan deform. The elastic fasteneris further provided with a snapping partlower than the bending part, and the snapping partmovably snaps into the retaining hole. When the umbrella of the invention is retracted, the linking cord pulls the elastic fastenerso that the bending partof the elastic fastenerdeforms, and the snapping partof the elastic fastenershifts so that the snapping partunsnaps from the retaining hole. The linking cord may be knotted with the connection part, and the linking cord may also be connected with a hook connectorhooking the connection part. An inserting connection may be formed between the mounting partand the stick.

In the fifth embodiment of the invention, the positioning connectormay fit into the middle stickof the multi-section middle rod, and the inner end of the umbrella retracting cordis connected to the positioning connectorto mount the inner end of the umbrella retracting cordinto the multi-section middle rod. Specifically, the positioning connectoris mounted on the lower portion of the third (counted from top to bottom) section of stickof the multi-section middle rod, and the positioning connectorhas a hollow structure through which the linking cordcan pass. The lower nestfits with a movable pulley. An outer end of the umbrella retracting cordsequentially goes around the fixed pulleyand the movable pulley, and is then connected to the upper nest. In this manner, when the lower nestmoves downwards, the umbrella retracting corddrives the multi-section middle rodto perform the partial retraction.

In the fifth embodiment of the invention, the linking cordhas at least two knots. The knotcan prevent the linking cordfrom escaping from the longitudinal holeof the multi-section middle rod. The linking cordmay be knotted with the connector, and an outer end of the connectoris formed with a connection hooking parthooking the pull sleeve. The connection between the connectorand the pull sleeveis simple.

In the fifth embodiment of the invention, the sidewall of the headis formed with the operation notchto provide the operation space for the user to pull the pull sleevedownwards. When the manually opened and automatically closing umbrella of the invention is in the fully deployed state, the pull sleeveis accommodated within the headand disposed opposite the operation notch. The invention is configured such that the multi-section middle rodcan be retracted as possible as it can, so that it is advantageous to the shortening of the retracted length of the multi-section middle rod, and to the small size of the invention when the umbrella is fully retracted. In addition, when the manually opened and automatically closing umbrella of the invention is in the fully retracted state, the lower nestis inserted into the head. Such the configuration also makes the multi-section middle rodbe retracted as possible as it can, so that it is advantageous to the shortening of the retracted length of the multi-section middle rod, and to the small size of the invention when the umbrella is fully retracted.

When the lower nestis inserted into the head, an inserting connection may be formed between the lower portion of the lower nestand the pull sleeve, and this is further beneficial to that the multi-section middle rodcan be retracted as possible as it can.

The above-mentioned embodiments and drawings do not intend to limit the product form and style of the invention. Any appropriate changes or modifications made by those of ordinary skill in the art shall be regarded as not departing from the claims of the invention.