Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a flexible canopy. In one embodiment, the flexible canopy includes a central shaft, a sliding collar, a plurality of supports, a plurality of tensioners, a tensioner connection hub, and a membrane. The sliding collar is slidably connected to and surrounds the central shaft. A first end of each of the supports is connected to the sliding collar, and a second end of each of the supports is connected to the membrane near the edge of the membrane. Each of the tensioners is connected at one end to a different one of the supports and at the other end to the tensioner connection hub. In one embodiment, the flexible canopy includes a handle connected to a first, lower end of the central shaft. In other embodiments, the first, lower end of the central shaft includes or is insertable into a base.

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 umbrella canopy that opens and closes not from a stick from within the interior of the umbrella canopy but from the exterior crown where a line is pulled to open the umbrella canopy and where a button is pushed to close the umbrella canopy. The interior of the umbrella canopy includes no stick to hold up the umbrella canopy. Taut edges of the umbrella canopy hold up the umbrella canopy, for instance, on the top edges of a playyard.

A wind-resistant umbrella including a canopy attached to an upper end of a pole member, flexible ribs, and multiple load sensitive connectors (LSCs) is provided. The flexible ribs flex inwardly at a wind speed of more than about 10 miles per hour (mph) to preclude wind from traveling under the canopy. The LSCs detachably couple an upper canopy section to a lower canopy section of the canopy. The upper canopy section partially overlaps the lower canopy section along the LSCs. Upon impact from a wind gust that exceeds a speed of more than about 20 mph, at least one of the LSCs detach to allow wind to flow freely through one or more vents created between the upper and lower canopy sections, while providing warnings to a user, and to preclude wind-induced tilting and lifting actions on the wind-resistant umbrella, thereby precluding dislodgment thereof from an anchoring location.

The present invention may provide a wallet-type portable umbrella comprising: an umbrella including a grip portion; a case including a storage portion which includes a storage space in which the umbrella is accommodated, and a cover portion which can be fastened to the grip portion and opens and closes the storage portion; and a coupling unit for fastening the grip portion and the cover portion.

An umbrella canopy that opens and closes not from a stick from within the interior of the umbrella canopy but from the exterior crown where a line is pulled to open the umbrella canopy and where a button is pushed to close the umbrella canopy. The interior of the umbrella canopy includes no stick to hold up the umbrella canopy. Taut edges of the umbrella canopy hold up the umbrella canopy, for instance, on the top edges of a playyard.

The present invention may provide a wallet-type portable umbrella comprising: an umbrella including a grip portion; a case including a storage portion which includes a storage space in which the umbrella is accommodated, and a cover portion which can be fastened to the grip portion and opens and closes the storage portion; and a coupling unit for fastening the grip portion and the cover portion.

A wind-resistant umbrella including a canopy attached to an upper end of a pole member, flexible ribs, and multiple load sensitive connectors (LSCs) is provided. The flexible ribs flex inwardly at a wind speed of more than about 10 miles per hour (mph) to preclude wind from traveling under the canopy. The LSCs detachably couple an upper canopy section to a lower canopy section of the canopy. The upper canopy section partially overlaps the lower canopy section along the LSCs. Upon impact from a wind gust that exceeds a speed of more than about 20 mph, at least one of the LSCs detach to allow wind to flow freely through one or more vents created between the upper and lower canopy sections, while providing warnings to a user, and to preclude wind-induced tilting and lifting actions on the wind-resistant umbrella, thereby precluding dislodgment thereof from an anchoring location.

An umbrella canopy that opens and closes not from a stick from within the interior of the umbrella canopy but from the exterior crown where a line is pulled to open the umbrella canopy and where a button is pushed to close the umbrella canopy. The interior of the umbrella canopy includes no stick to hold up the umbrella canopy. Taut edges of the umbrella canopy hold up the umbrella canopy, for instance, on the top edges of a playyard.

An umbrella canopy that opens and closes not from a stick from within the interior of the umbrella canopy but from the exterior crown where a line is pulled to open the umbrella canopy and where a button is pushed to close the umbrella canopy. The interior of the umbrella canopy includes no stick to hold up the umbrella canopy. Taut edges of the umbrella canopy hold up the umbrella canopy, for instance, on the top edges of a playyard.