A wind resistant umbrella includes an upper canopy that is attached to a lower canopy at select points. Elastic fasteners (e.g., elastic straps) elastically connect the upper canopy to the lower canopy. Flexible connectors that wrap around a peripheral edge of the lower canopy serve to both fixedly attach first ends of the elastic fasteners and provide pockets that receive free ends of the ribs to securely attach the ribs to the lower canopy.

A wind resistant umbrella includes an upper canopy that is attached to a lower canopy at select points. Elastic fasteners (e.g., elastic straps) elastically connect the upper canopy to the lower canopy. Flexible connectors that wrap around a peripheral edge of the lower canopy serve to both fixedly attach first ends of the elastic fasteners and provide pockets that receive free ends of the ribs to securely attach the ribs to the lower canopy.

An umbrella has a plurality of ribs attached to a runner by main struts. The umbrella has an anti-inversion mechanism formed of a plurality of anti-inversion struts. Each anti-inversion strut is pivotally coupled to one respective main strut and is pivotally connected to a floating joint member that is freely movable along a length of one respective rib. The anti-inversion mechanism also includes a stop that is fixedly attached to the rib and restricts the degree of travel of the floating joint member along the rib and is positioned to prevent the respective rib from inverting in response to an applied force.

An umbrella has a plurality of ribs attached to a runner by main struts. The umbrella has an anti-inversion mechanism formed of a plurality of anti-inversion struts. Each anti-inversion strut is pivotally coupled to one respective main strut and is pivotally connected to a floating joint member that is freely movable along a length of one respective rib. The anti-inversion mechanism also includes a stop that is fixedly attached to the rib and restricts the degree of travel of the floating joint member along the rib and is positioned to prevent the respective rib from inverting in response to an applied force.

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

An umbrella has a plurality of ribs attached to a runner by main struts. The umbrella has an anti-inversion mechanism formed of a plurality of anti-inversion struts. Each anti-inversion strut is pivotally coupled to one respective main strut and is pivotally connected to a floating joint member that is freely movable along a length of one respective rib. The anti-inversion mechanism also includes a stop that is fixedly attached to the rib and restricts the degree of travel of the floating joint member along the rib and is positioned to prevent the respective rib from inverting in response to an applied force.

An umbrella has a plurality of ribs attached to a runner by main struts. The umbrella has an anti-inversion mechanism formed of a plurality of anti-inversion struts. Each anti-inversion strut is pivotally coupled to one respective main strut and is pivotally connected to a floating joint member that is freely movable along a length of one respective rib. The anti-inversion mechanism also includes a stop that is fixedly attached to the rib and restricts the degree of travel of the floating joint member along the rib and is positioned to prevent the respective rib from inverting in response to an applied force.

A wind-resistant foldable umbrella includes a main shaft; a runner mounted around the main shaft and sliding between an opening position and a folding position; a first canopy and a second canopy with a central portion thereof fixed to the runner and the top end of the main shaft, respectively; a plurality of the umbrella ribs and a plurality of the pulling elements peripherally disposed around the main shaft and between the first canopy and the second canopy. Two ends of the pulling elements are connected to the corresponding umbrella rib and the runner, respectively. When the runner is at the opening position, the umbrella ribs expand toward the bottom end of the main shaft, so the first and the second canopy expand. Moreover, the umbrella ribs are pulled toward the main shaft by the resilient force from each pulling element.

A wind-resistant foldable umbrella includes a main shaft; a runner mounted around the main shaft and sliding between an opening position and a folding position; a first canopy and a second canopy with a central portion thereof fixed to the runner and the top end of the main shaft, respectively; a plurality of the umbrella ribs and a plurality of the pulling elements peripherally disposed around the main shaft and between the first canopy and the second canopy. Two ends of the pulling elements are connected to the corresponding umbrella rib and the runner, respectively. When the runner is at the opening position, the umbrella ribs expand toward the bottom end of the main shaft, so the first and the second canopy expand. Moreover, the umbrella ribs are pulled toward the main shaft by the resilient force from each pulling element.

An umbrella has a plurality of ribs attached to a runner by main struts. The umbrella has an anti-inversion mechanism formed of a plurality of anti-inversion struts. Each anti-inversion strut is pivotally coupled to one respective main strut and is pivotally connected to a floating joint member that is freely movable along a length of one respective rib. The anti-inversion mechanism also includes a stop that is fixedly attached to the rib and restricts the degree of travel of the floating joint member along the rib and is positioned to prevent the respective rib from inverting in response to an applied force.