An umbrella assembly is described. Manual movement of a knob away from a handle moves each rib and a canopy to a position outside of an inner hollow component of a frame such that the umbrella assembly is in an open and in-use position. In the open and in-use position, a shape of each rib of the set of ribs is curved. Elastic potential energy of a spring located within the inner hollow component of the frame retracts each rib and the canopy into the inner hollow component of the frame. Each rib has a bending resistance such that when each rib is retracted into the inner hollow component of the frame, a shape of each rib moves towards a planar shape.

An aerodynamic umbrella includes a dual durometer skeleton forming an aerodynamic rectangular dome of an apex and a plurality of triangles extending from the apex thereof over a motorcyclist. A front triangle portion thereof is attached to a motorcycle at multiple points on a motorcycle handlebar and front end. A waterproof translucent skin is attached to the skeleton and a portion of the skin attached to the front isosceles triangle and a dome portion over a motorcyclist head is transparent. A remainder of the waterproof translucent skin is highly colored for safety purposes. A rear skirt is attached to the rear triangle on a side opposite the apex. The rear skirt portion is wedged between the motorcyclist and a seat of the motorcycle when sat upon by the motorcyclist to provide an adjustable point of attachment of the umbrella to the motorcycle and to the motorcyclist versus a rear spoiler.

Animal umbrellas adapted to protect animals, more specifically household pets, from precipitation and sun radiation. The animal umbrellas include a shade held at a distance from an animal's body by a plurality of ribs and stretchers, and is attached and extends from at least one collar or harness placed on the animal. A leash can be incorporated and releasably attached thereto.

A combined umbrella and canopy (10) that provides the advantages of both of these devices for providing maximum shade. The umbrella portion (12) is substantially similar to a standard beach umbrella having a vertical pole (16) with spokes or ribs (22, 24, 26, 28) extending radially outwardly adjacent the top (20) for supporting a fabric cover (30). The fabric cover (30) defines a front (32) and back (34) and at least two sides of the umbrella. The back (34) of the umbrella includes an additional length of fabric (36) that extends horizontally rearwardly and then curves downwardly and terminates in two spaced apart ends (38, 40). Each end includes a pocket (42, 44) that can be filled with sand to weigh the same down to maintain the ends on the beach. The additional fabric (36) is essentially a canopy (14). The umbrella structure (12) provides better support for the forward end of the canopy and prevents the same from collapsing when the wind conditions change.

The invention features a dual shade apparatus adapted to provide shade to an individual or individuals while the individual(s) is/are outside and in need of shade from sunlight. Aspects of embodiments of the present invention contemplate a dual shade apparatus that is easily portable and easily adapted to the sun's changing positions, thereby providing the individual(s)/user(s) with shade from sunlight.

The invention is a shading structure (10) having an open state and a closed state and comprising a canopy (12), wherein the canopy (12) is affixed to further components of the shading structure (10) at at least two attachment places (18), wherein the two attachment places (18) define an axis of rotation (21), and at least two stiffening sections (14) arranged along a periphery of the canopy (12), wherein adjacent stiffening sections (14) are coupled to each other by a respective articulating member (16), and wherein the canopy (12) is stretched in the open state of the shading structure (10) by means of the stiffening sections (14) coupled to each other by the articulating member(s) (16).

The shading structure is characterised in that in the open state of the shading structure (10) the stiffening sections (14) are skew with respect to the axis of rotation (21), and in the closed state of the shading structure (10) the stiffening sections (14) extend in the direction of the axis of rotation (21), and the canopy (12) is rolled up around the axis of rotation (21). (FIG. 15)

An outdoor umbrella frame has a telescopic structure, and includes an umbrella pole, a pull rod assembly and a rib assembly. The pull rod assembly includes a first pull rod and a second pull rod. The rib assembly includes a longer rib and a shorter rib, the umbrella pole may be telescopic along a length direction, and one or more of the first pull rod, the second pull rod, the longer rib and the shorter rib may be telescopic along a length direction. When the outdoor umbrella frame is assembled, the umbrella pole, the first pull rod, the second pull rod, the longer rib and the shorter rib are all in an extended and fixed state. When the outdoor umbrella frame is disassembled for packing, any one or more of the umbrella pole, the first pull rod, the second pull rod, the longer rib and the shorter rib are in a retracted state.

A novel umbrella is disclosed with a simplified structure that creates a clean, elegant profile with reduced component count and increased wind resistance. The umbrella includes a support post, a housing supported thereby, spokes pivotally disposed about the housing, a canopy, and an actuator. The housing has a top hub and a bottom hub. The actuator slides the hubs together to pivot the spokes away from the housing, whereby the umbrella moves from a closed position to an open position. Rollers are preferably retained within the top hub, and each spoke preferably has a spoke cam attached to one end. The spokes pivot away from the housing by having a roller surface of each spoke cam slide along each respective roller. The actuator may have a crank operated worm drive mechanism to raise and lower the canopy.

A parasol includes a tension rod-type pole that has multiple, length-adjustable telescopic portions; a lower hub that may be penetrated by the pole and that is configured to move in a vertical direction along the pole; a protruding portion that is provided on the pole and that is configured to restrict downward movement of the lower hub; an upper hub that is fixed to the pole; ribs that are joined to the upper hub and that are configured to rotate vertically but not horizontally; struts that are provided for the ribs and that connect the ribs and the lower hub; and a sheet that is provided between the ribs.

A folding mechanism contains a rail which forms a guide for a series of runners which are slideable in relation to each other on the rail, whereby each runner or at least a part thereof is provided with a rib which is attached hingeably on the runner around a shaft largely perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rail between an open position whereby the ribs are turned away from the rail and a closed position whereby the ribs are turned towards the rail and whereby at least some of the ribs lying on the same side of the rail are connected with each other using a transmission which, when sliding the runners towards or away from each other on the rail, makes the ribs hinge on the runners.