An embodiment of the present invention relates to a portable shelter, whether being of the type having a floating canopy or an umbrella. The shelter includes a support including an upright. A canopy is supported by the support. The canopy includes an expandable frame, and a sheet of material supported by the frame. The frame includes retractable ribs supporting the sheet. The frame also includes a stretcher arrangement for stretching out each rib from the support. The stretcher arrangement includes a first stretcher for coupling between the support and the rib; and a second stretcher for coupling to the first stretcher.

An umbrella includes an anti-inversion mechanism that is configured to apply to each rib assembly a force that counters an inversion force that is applied to the umbrella. The anti-inversion mechanism includes a first rib joint that is coupled to first and second ribs, a first elongated member that is coupled to the first rib joint and a second elongated member that is coupled to the first elongated member and to the distal rib. The first rib joint includes an inner slot and the first elongated member comprises a wire having a bent clip portion at a first end of the wire, the bent clip portion being received within the inner slot and being biased against a floor of the inner slot resulting in the wire being attached to the first rib joint.

An umbrella includes an anti-inversion mechanism that is configured to apply to each rib assembly a force that counters an inversion force that is applied to the umbrella. The anti-inversion mechanism includes a first rib joint that is coupled to first and second ribs, a first elongated member that is coupled to the first rib joint and a second elongated member that is coupled to the first elongated member and to the distal rib. The first rib joint includes an inner slot and the first elongated member comprises a wire having a bent clip portion at a first end of the wire, the bent clip portion being received within the inner slot and being biased against a floor of the inner slot resulting in the wire being attached to the first rib joint.

A foldable frame is disclosed. The foldable frame contains at least one multiple-fold frame assembly containing an inner intermediate stretcher rib containing a first end and a second end, an outer intermediate stretcher rib containing a first end and a second end, and an outer leverage arm containing a first end and a second end, wherein the inner intermediate stretcher rib's second end is pivotally coupled with the outer intermediate stretcher rib's second end, wherein the outer leverage arm's second end is pivotally coupled with the outer intermediate stretcher rib adjacent to the first end, wherein the outer leverage arm's second end is pivotally coupled with the outer intermediate stretcher rib a first distance from the first end.

A foldable frame is disclosed. The foldable frame contains at least one multiple-fold frame assembly containing an inner intermediate stretcher rib containing a first end and a second end, an outer intermediate stretcher rib containing a first end and a second end, and an outer leverage arm containing a first end and a second end, wherein the inner intermediate stretcher rib's second end is pivotally coupled with the outer intermediate stretcher rib's second end, wherein the outer leverage arm's second end is pivotally coupled with the outer intermediate stretcher rib adjacent to the first end, wherein the outer leverage arm's second end is pivotally coupled with the outer intermediate stretcher rib a first distance from the first end.

An automatic inversely foldable umbrella includes a skeleton structure provided with a main shaft; an upper runner fixed to one end of the main shaft; a lower runner slidably disposed on the main shaft; a middle runner slidably disposed on the main shaft between the upper runner and the lower runner; plural skeleton linkages having a first rib, a second rib, and a foldable rib; plural linking members with one end pivotally disposed on the lower runner and the other end connected with the first rib; a resilient member disposed between the middle runner and the lower runner, and compressible due to the middle runner and the lower runner movement; a first canopy combined to the upper runner and a second canopy combined to the lower runner for covering the skeleton linkages; and a handle. Therefore, the folding and expanding operation of the umbrella are facilitated.

An automatic inversely foldable umbrella includes a skeleton structure provided with a main shaft; an upper runner fixed to one end of the main shaft; a lower runner slidably disposed on the main shaft; a middle runner slidably disposed on the main shaft between the upper runner and the lower runner; plural skeleton linkages having a first rib, a second rib, and a foldable rib; plural linking members with one end pivotally disposed on the lower runner and the other end connected with the first rib; a resilient member disposed between the middle runner and the lower runner, and compressible due to the middle runner and the lower runner movement; a first canopy combined to the upper runner and a second canopy combined to the lower runner for covering the skeleton linkages; and a handle. Therefore, the folding and expanding operation of the umbrella are facilitated.

The invention is a solar and/or battery powered umbrella with a light directing enhancement. Specifically, the umbrella is configured to provide a light within the inside of the umbrella canopy, while also being capable of use as a handheld flashlight. The umbrella includes a handle comprising a grip that allows the user to hold and maneuver the umbrella, as well as control and operate the light source. The umbrella also includes an illuminator positioned above the handle, adjacent to the umbrella canopy. An inner covering is provided to block user light exposure when the illuminator is in use. Advantageously, the disclosed umbrella allows a user to see in the dark while it is raining, and also provides a convenient storage option for both an umbrella and flashlight.

The invention is a solar and/or battery powered umbrella with a light directing enhancement. Specifically, the umbrella is configured to provide a light within the inside of the umbrella canopy, while also being capable of use as a handheld flashlight. The umbrella includes a handle comprising a grip that allows the user to hold and maneuver the umbrella, as well as control and operate the light source. The umbrella also includes an illuminator positioned above the handle, adjacent to the umbrella canopy. An inner covering is provided to block user light exposure when the illuminator is in use. Advantageously, the disclosed umbrella allows a user to see in the dark while it is raining, and also provides a convenient storage option for both an umbrella and flashlight.

Disclosed is an electrically folding and unfolding multi-fold umbrella, which includes a handle, a pull cord, and an intermediate shaft, the handle is defined at one end of the intermediate shaft, an upper nest and a lower nest are defined at two sides of the intermediate shaft respectively, and the lower nest is adjacent to the handle, a motor, a first gear, and at least one pulley are all located in the upper nest, the first gear is coaxial with one pulley, a side of the motor defines a lead screw, an axis of the pulley is connected to an inner surface of the upper nest, a fixed pulley is defined at a side of an inner surface of the lower nest, one end of the pull cord is fixed in the end of the intermediate shaft, the other end of the pull cord is fixed on the upper nest.