Abstract
An umbrella hub is provided that comprises an inner portion, an outer periphery, a lower portion and an upper portion. A plurality of vertical grooves is disposed in the outer periphery and is configured to receive umbrella ribs or struts. A plurality of grooves extends transverse to the vertical grooves. A retention member is disposed in each of the transverse grooves. A first configuration of the hub permits deflection of the retention member such that a transverse pin coupled with the umbrella ribs or struts can be inserted into the transverse groove in which the retention member is disposed. A second configuration of the hub prevents deflection of the retention member such that inadvertent withdrawal of the pin from the transverse groove in which the retention member is disposed is prevented.
Claims
1-16. (canceled)
17. An assembly method, comprising: coupling a lower portion of a hub with an upper portion of the hub, the lower and/or upper portions defining a first groove for enabling movement of a rib or strut, the upper and/or lower portions defining a plurality of second grooves disposed transversely to the first groove, retention structures disposed on at least one of the upper and lower portions; inserting one end of each of a first plurality of ribs into the first groove and ends of shaft pins of the ribs into the second grooves; causing the shaft pins to move from an outer periphery of the hub toward the retention structures; disposing the shaft pins in the second grooves between the retention structures and a central axis of the hub; and providing relative movement between the upper portion and the lower portion to move the upper and lower portions of the hub to a position in which movement of the shaft pins from the retention structures toward the outer periphery of the hub is prevented.
18. The assembly method of claim 17, wherein pressing the shaft pins against the retention structures deflects the retention structures and after providing relative movement, the retention members are substantially prevented from deflecting in the second grooves to prevent inadvertent withdrawal of the shaft pins from the second grooves.
19. The assembly method of claim 17, wherein the upper portion comprises a first inverted fastening unit and the lower portion comprises a first inverted groove and wherein providing relative movement causes the first inverted fastening unit to be engaged with the first inverted groove.
20. An assembly method, comprising: coupling in a first position a lower portion of a hub with an upper portion thereof, the hub having a cavity therein; inserting one end a rib into the hub such that an end of a transverse member of the rib is in the cavity; and providing relative movement between the upper portion and the lower portion of the hub to block the transverse member from being dislodged from the cavity; and coupling the lower portion and the upper portion in a second position.
21. The assembly method of claim 18, further comprising providing relative movement between the upper portion and the lower portion to move the upper and lower portions of the hub to a position in which deflection of the retention members is prevented.
22. The assembly method of claim 17, wherein the lower portion of the hub and the upper portion of the hub are coupled together by a second inverted fastening unit engaged with a second inverted groove.
23. The assembly method of claim 19, wherein the first inverted fastening unit comprises a deflectable cantilevered hook.
24. The assembly method of claim 20, wherein the relative movement between the upper portion and the lower portion of the hub is linear and closes a distances between the upper portion and the lower portion of the hub without required complete rotations of the hub portions relative to each other.
25. The assembly method of claim 20, wherein one of the upper portion and the lower portion of the hub comprises a retention member having a free end.
26. The assembly method of claim 25 further comprising, blocking the cavity with the retention member after inserting the one end of the rib into the cavity.
27. The assembly method of claim 26, wherein the other one of the upper portion and the lower portion of the hub that is opposite the retention member comprises a recess, the method further comprising inserting the free end of the retention member within the recess.
28. The assembly method of claim 27 further comprising securing the upper and lower portions of the hub together after inserting the free end of the retention member within the recess.
29. An assembly method, comprising: providing a shade structure rib-receiving component having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion comprising a transverse rib-receiving groove having a first and a second rib-hitching slot; engaging the upper portion with the lower portion wherein the first rib-hitching slot is in an open position and the second rib-hitching slot is in the open position engaging inserting a rib end into the transverse rib-receiving groove; inserting a first transverse side of the rib end into the first rib-hitching slot and a second transverse side of the rib end into the second rib-hitching slot; actuating an inverted coupling unit to couple the upper portion with the lower portion; blocking the first and second rib-receiving slots to retain the first and second transverse sides of the rib end within the first and second rib-receiving slots, respectively.
30. The assembly method of claim 29, wherein inserting the rib end into the transverse rib-receiving groove deflects a retention member within the first rib-receiving slot.
31. The assembly method of claim 29 further comprising, inserting a retention member attached to the upper portion into a cavity within the lower hub portion.
32. The assembly method of claim 31 wherein the retention member blocks the first rib-receiving slot.
33. The assembly method of claim 29, wherein the transverse rib-receiving groove is located across an interface of the upper and lower hub portions.
34. The assembly method of claim 29, wherein the inverted coupling unit comprises a first deflectable cantilevered hook extending a first distance from the upper portion.
35. The assembly method of claim 34, wherein the inverted coupling unit further comprises a second deflectable cantilevered hook extending a second distance from the upper portion.
36. The assembly method of claim 34, wherein the first deflectable cantilevered hook is attached to one of the upper and lower portions of the hub and extends a first distance from that hub portion and the second deflectable cantilevered hook is attached to the other one of the upper and lower portions of the hub and extends a second distance from that hub portion, the second distance being greater than the first distance.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0050] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a specific embodiment of the upper runner of this invention in a first fastening position.
[0051] FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective view of a specific embodiment of the upper runner cover shown in FIG. 1.
[0052] FIG. 2B is a schematic bottom view of a specific embodiment of the upper runner cover shown in FIG. 1.
[0053] FIG. 2C is a schematic sectional view taken through section plane A-A in FIG. 2B.
[0054] FIG. 3A is a schematic perspective view of a specific embodiment of the upper runner base shown in FIG. 1.
[0055] FIG. 3B is a schematic top view of a specific embodiment of the upper runner cover shown in FIG. 1.
[0056] FIG. 3C is a schematic sectional view taken through section plane B-B in FIG. 3B.
[0057] FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view taken through section plane C-C in FIG. 1.
[0058] FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of a specific embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
[0059] FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view taken through section plane D-D in FIG. 5.
[0060] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional front view of a specific embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in a second fastening position.
[0061] FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of a specific embodiment of the lower runner of this invention in a first fastening position.
[0062] FIG. 9A is a schematic perspective view of a specific embodiment of the lower runner cover shown in FIG. 8.
[0063] FIG. 9B is a schematic top view of a specific embodiment of the lower runner cover shown in FIG. 8.
[0064] FIG. 9C is a schematic sectional view of taken through section plane E-E in FIG. 9B.
[0065] FIG. 10A is a schematic perspective view of a specific embodiment of the lower runner base shown in FIG. 8.
[0066] FIG. 10B is a schematic top view of a specific embodiment of the lower runner cover shown in FIG. 8.
[0067] FIG. 10C is a schematic sectional view taken through section plane F-F in FIG. 10B.
[0068] FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view taken through section plane G-G in FIG. 8.
[0069] FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional front view of a specific embodiment shown in FIG. 8 in a second fastening position.
[0070] FIG. 13 is a schematic front view of a specific embodiment of the umbrella frame of this application.
[0071] FIG. 14 is a schematic partial cross-sectional front view of an upper portion of the umbrella frame shown in FIG. 13.
[0072] FIG. 15 is a schematic partial cross-sectional front view of a lower portion of the umbrella frame shown in FIG. 13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0073] In order to be able to understand the technical content of the embodiments more clearly, the following implementations are specially cited and described in detail.
[0074] With reference to FIGS. 1-7, an upper runner or hub 1 of this invention comprises an upper hub cover 2 and an upper hub base 3. Several upper hub rib hitching grooves or coupling grooves 21 are created around the circumference of the outer periphery of the upper hub cover 2. A first upper hub vertical groove 22 is located between the upper hub rib hitching grooves 21. The upper hub base 3 has several upper runner stop blocks 31. The stop blocks 31 are examples of retention members within the scope of the embodiments herein. A second upper hub vertical groove 32 is located on the outer periphery of the upper hub base 3. The first upper hub vertical groove 22 is aligned with the second upper hub vertical groove 32. The upper hub cover 2 and the upper hub base 3 should be able to fit into each other and become mutually fastened at positions 1 and 2. At the position 1, the upper hub stop blocks 31 are set into the respective upper hub rib hitching grooves 21 and these partially seal up all of the upper hub rib hitching grooves 21. At the position 2, the upper hub stop blocks 31 are set into the respective upper hub rib hitching grooves 21 and they completely seal up all the upper hub rib hitching grooves 21.
[0075] Any suitable structure can be employed to cause the upper hub cover 2 and the upper hub base 3 to become mutually fastened at positions 1 and 2. With reference to FIGS. 1-7, in the specific embodiment of this invention, the upper hub cover 2 has first upper hub inverted fastening units 23 and second upper hub inverted grooves 24. The upper hub base 3 has first upper hub inverted grooves 33 and second upper hub inverted fastening units 34. At the position 1, the first upper hub inverted fastening units 23 are fastened to the first upper hub inverted grooves 33. At the second position, the second upper hub inverted fastening units 34 are fastened to the second upper hub inverted grooves 24.
[0076] The quantity of the first upper hub inverted fastening units 23 and the upper hub inverted grooves 33 and their installation method can be arbitrarily defined. Preferably, there are at least two of the first upper hub inverted fastening units 23 that are symmetrical with respect to the axis of the corresponding upper hub cover 2. Preferably, there are at least two of the first upper hub inverted grooves 33 that are symmetrical with respect to the axis of the corresponding upper hub base 3. With reference to FIGS. 2B and 3A, in the specific embodiment of this invention, the quantity of the first upper hub inverted fastening units 23 and the first upper hub inverted grooves 33 is two.
[0077] The quantity of the second upper hub inverted fastening units 34 and the second upper hub inverted grooves 24 and their installation method can be arbitrarily defined. More preferably, there should be at least two of the second upper hub inverted grooves 24 and that are symmetrical with respect to the axis of the said corresponding upper hub cover 2. There also should be at least two of the second upper hub inverted fastening units. The second upper hub inverted fastening units preferably are symmetrical with respect to the axis of the said corresponding upper hub base 3. With reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 5, in the specific embodiment of this invention, the quantity of the second upper hub inverted fastening units 34 and the second upper hub inverted grooves 2 24 is four.
[0078] Any suitable structure can be employed to install the upper hub 1 on the shaft 10. With reference to FIGS. 1-2C, in the specific embodiment of this invention, the center of the said upper hub cover 2 has a hollow sleeve 25 and the upper hub base 3 is fitted over the hollow sleeve 25. The upper hub 1 is installed on the shaft 10 by means of the hollow sleeve 25.
[0079] Any suitable structure can be employed to install the upper hub 1 on the shaft 10 by means of the hollow sleeve 25. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2A, in various embodiments of this invention, the lower section of the hollow sleeve 25 is provided with positioning holes 26. The upper hub 1 is installed on the shaft 10 by means of the positioning holes 26.
[0080] With reference to FIGS. 8-12, the lower runner 4 comprises a lower runner cover 5 and a lower runner base 6. Several lower runner rib hitching grooves or coupling grooves 51 are created around the circumference of the outer periphery of the lower runner cover 5. A first lower runner vertical groove 52 is located between the lower runner rib hitching grooves 51. The lower runner base 6 has several lower runner stop blocks, or retention members 61. A second lower runner vertical groove 62 is located on the outer periphery of the lower runner base 6. The first vertical groove 52 is aligned with the second vertical groove 62, and the lower runner cover 5 and the lower runner base 6 should be able to fit into each other and be mutually attached at positions 1 and 2. At position 1, the lower runner stop blocks 61 are set into the respective lower runner rib hitching grooves 51 and partially seal up (as broadly defined herein) all the lower runner rib hitching grooves 51. At position 2, the lower runner stop blocks 61 are set into the respective lower runner rib hitching grooves 51 and completely seal up (as broadly defined herein) all the lower runner rib hitching grooves 51.
[0081] Any suitable structure can be employed to cause the lower runner cover 5 and the lower runner base 6 to become mutually fastened at positions 1 and 2. With reference to FIGS. 8-12, in specific embodiments, the lower runner cover 5 has first lower runner inverted fastening units 53 and second lower runner inverted grooves 54), and the lower runner base 6 has first lower runner inverted grooves 63 and second lower runner inverted fastening units 64. At position 1, the first lower runner inverted fastening units 53 are fastened to the first lower runner inverted grooves 63. At position 2, the second lower runner inverted fastening units 64 are fastened to the second lower runner inverted grooves 54.
[0082] The quantity of first lower runner inverted fastening units 53 and first lower runner inverted grooves 63 and their installation method can be arbitrarily defined. Preferably, there should be a plurality, e.g., at least two, of the first lower runner inverted fastening units 53. The first lower runner inverted fastening units 53 may be symmetrical with respect to the axis of the corresponding lower runner cover 5 There should be a plurality, e.g., at least two, of the first lower runner inverted grooves 63. The first lower runner inverted grooves 63 can be symmetrical with respect to the axis of the corresponding lower runner base 6. With reference to FIGS. 9A, 9B and 11, in a specific embodiment of this invention, there is a plurality, e.g., two of the first lower runner inverted fastening units 53 and the first lower runner Inverted Grooves 63.
[0083] The quantity of the second lower runner inverted fastening units 64) and the second lower runner inverted grooves 54 and their installation method can be arbitrarily defined. Preferably, there is a plurality, e.g., at least two of the second lower runner inverted grooves 54. The second lower runner inverted grooves 54 may be symmetrical with respect to the axis of the corresponding lower runner cover 5. There should be a plurality, e.g., at least two of the second lower runner inverted fastening units 64. The second lower runner inverted fastening units 64 may be symmetrical with respect to the axis of the said corresponding lower runner base 6. With reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B, in specific embodiments there is a plurality of, e.g., four of the second lower runner inverted fastening units 64 and the second lower runner Inverted Grooves 54.
[0084] In order to secure the connection, with reference to FIGS. 8-12, in the specific embodiment of this invention, the lower runner cover 5 has a first center hole 55. Third lower runner inverted fastening units 56 are located at the extension of the edge of the firstcenter hole 1 55. The first center hole 55 can be an aperture, e.g., a short cylindrical structure that facilitates sliding movement along an umbrella pole. The lower runner base 6 should have a second center hole 65. The second center hole 65 preferably has third lower runner inverted grooves 66. The second center hole 65 can be an aperture, e.g., a short cylindrical structure that facilitates sliding movement along an umbrella pole. At the fastening position 2, the third lower runner inverted fastening units 56 are fastened to the third lower runner inverted grooves 66.
[0085] The quantity of the third lower runner inverted fastening units 56 and the third lower runner inverted grooves 66 and their installation method can be arbitrarily defined. Preferably, there should be a plurality of, e.g., at least two of the third lower runner inverted fastening units 56. The third lower runner inverted fastening units 56 preferably are symmetrical with respect to the axis of the corresponding lower runner cover 5. There should be a plurality of, e.g., at least two of the third lower runner inverted grooves 66. The third lower runner inverted grooves preferably are symmetrical with respect to the axis of the said corresponding lower runner base 6. With reference to FIGS. 9A, 9B and 12, in specific embodiments, the quantity of the third lower runner inverted fastening units 56 and the third lower runner inverted grooves 66 is 2.
[0086] With respect to FIGS. 13-15, an umbrella frame of this invention comprises first ribs 7, second ribs 8 and a shaft 10. One end of the first ribs 7 has first shaft pins (not illustrated). One end of the second ribs 8 has second shaft pins (not illustrated) and the other end of the second ribs 8 is swivel-connected to the center of the first ribs 7. The umbrella frame further comprises the upper hub 1 and the lower runner 4 of a quick frame assembly system. The upper hub 1 is installed on the said shaft 10. The upper runner cover 2 and the said upper runner base 3 mutually come together at position 2. One end of the first ribs 7 is situated in the first upper runner vertical grooves 22, and the two ends of the first shaft pins are situated in two adjacent upper runner rib hitching grooves 21. The first shaft pins are retained by the upper runner stop blocks 31 situated in the upper runner rib hitching grooves 21. The lower runner 4 is mounted and slides on the said shaft 10 and is situated below the upper hub 1. The lower runner cover 5 and the lower runner base 6 mutually come together at the position 2. One end of the second ribs 8 is situated in the first lower runner vertical grooves 52, and the two ends of the second shaft pins are situated in the two adjacent lower runner rib hitching grooves 51 and are retained by the lower runner stop blocks 61 situated in the lower runner rib hitching grooves 51.
[0087] Any suitable structure can be employed to install the upper hub 1 on the shaft 10. With reference to FIG. 14, in specific embodiments, the center of the upper runner cover 2 has a hollow sleeve 25. The upper runner base 3 is fitted into or over the hollow sleeve 25 and the hollow sleeve 25 is set into the shaft 10, and the upper runner base 3 is held up against the said shaft 10.
[0088] In order to ensure that the connection between the upper hub 1 and shaft 10 is reliable, the bottom section of the hollow sleeve 25 is provided with positioning holes 26, the shaft 10 is provided with fastener holes 9 and the positioning holes 26 and the fastener holes 9 are connected with fasteners 91. With reference to FIG. 14, in specific embodiments, the positioning holes 26 are threaded holes, the fastener holes 9 are screw holes and the fasteners 91 are screws. The screws are screwed into the said threaded holes and screw holes to achieve the connection.
[0089] Any suitable structure can be employed to install the lower runner 4 on the shaft 10. With reference to FIG. 15, in specific embodiments, the lower runner cover 5 has a first center hole 55 and the third lower runner inverted fastening units 56 are located at the extension of the edge of the center hole 1 (55). The lower runner base 6 should have a second center hole 65. The second center hole 65 has the third lower runner inverted grooves 66. The third lower runner inverted fastening units 56 are fastened to the third lower runner inverted grooves 66. The shaft 10 goes through the first center hole 55 and the second center hole 65 and is secured with the third lower runner inverted fastening unit 56. As no excess space between the third lower runner inverted fastening unit 56 and shaft 10, the lower runner will not fall off easily and thus achieve the effect of being immobilized.
[0090] When the upper hub cover 2 and the upper hub base 3 are fitted together, it will cause the upper hub 1 to be fastened at position 1 as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4 and 6. One end of the first ribs 7 is situated in the first upper runner vertical groove 22, and the two ends of the first shaft pins are situated in the two adjacent upper runner rib hitching grooves 21, which then pushes the first ribs 7, causing the first shaft pins to press against the upper runner stop blocks 31. At least a portion of the said upper runner stop blocks 31 will be displace, e.g., out of the upper runner rib hitching grooves 21 as a result of the elastic deformation of the upper runner stop blocks 31 or the elastic deformation arising from the fastening of the first upper runner inverted fastening unit 23 to the first upper runner inverted groove 33. Upon such displacement the shaft pins 1 are able to enter the said upper runner rib hitching grooves 21. Thereafter, the upper runner stop blocks 31 return to their original position to immobilize or retain the shaft pins 1. The upper hub cover 2 and the upper hub base 3 are moved closer to each other until they become mutually fastened at position 2 as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 14. The upper hub stop blocks 31 will move further into the upper runner rib hitching grooves 21 and in turn completely seal up or block all the upper hub rib hitching grooves 21 to firmly immobilize or retain shaft pins 1.
[0091] Similarly, when the lower runner cover 5 and the said lower runner base 6 are fitted together, it will cause the lower runner 4 to fasten at position 1 as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 11. One end of the second ribs 8 is situated in the first lower runner vertical groove 52, and the two ends of the shaft pins 2 are situated in the two adjacent lower runner rib hitching grooves 51, which then pushes the second ribs 8, causing the second shaft pins to press against the lower runner stop blocks 61. At least a portion of the said lower runner stop blocks 61 will be displaced, e.g., out of the lower runner rib hitching grooves 51 as a result of the elastic deformation of the lower runner stop blocks 61 or the elastic deformation arising from the fastening of the first lower runner inverted fastening unit 53 to the first lower runner inverted groove 63, and thus the shaft pins 2 are able to enter the said lower runner rib hitching grooves 51. Thereafter, the lower runner stop blocks 61 return to their original position to immobilize or retain the second shaft pins. The lower runner cover 5 and the lower runner base 6 move closer to each other until they become mutually fastened at position 2 as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 15. The lower runner stop blocks 61 will move further into the lower runner rib hitching grooves 51 and in turn completely seal up or block all the lower runner rib hitching grooves 51 to firmly immobilize or retain shaft pins 2.
[0092] Therefore, no fixtures, tools or screws are required, only the runner covers and runner bases need to be securely fastened. The fastening units will be firmly fastened and the umbrella ribs can be assembled upside down (horizontal assembly).
[0093] In summary, the upper and lower hubs of these embodiments are cleverly designed and structurally simple. In another embodiment, a quick frame assembly method is provided. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate parts of a method related to an upper hub for an umbrella. A base 3 or lower portion is coupled with a cover 2 or upper portion of the hub. The hub has a groove 22 for ribs to move in during umbrella operation. The hub has transverse grooves 51 for receiving and retaining pins or other transverse members of an umbrella rib. Projections that may be flat members, referred to herein as stop blocks 31, are retention structures that are disposed on the base 3 but can also or alternatively be disposed on the cover 2. The retention structures extend into the transverse grooves 51 in a first assembly position (as in FIG. 6). One end of each rib of a plurality of ribs is inserted into the grooves 22 and ends of transverse members of the ribs into the transverse grooves 51. In one embodiment, the retention structures 31 are flexible so that when the shaft pins are pressed against them, the retention structures 31 are deflected. The deflection of the retention structures 31 permits the transverse members to be disposed in the transverse grooves. The position can be between the retention structures 31 and a central axis of the hub, e.g., passing through the centre of the sleeve 25. Relative movement is provided between the cover 2 and the base 3 to move the cover and base in to engagement (as in FIG. 7). The cover 2 and base 3 of the hub in this position prevent deflection of the retention structures 31. Deflection is prevented in the FIG. 7 position because the retention structures 31 are received in a recess that provides a rigid wall on both sides of the free end of the retention structures 31. These rigid walls hold the free end of the retention structures 31 so that the retention structures 31 will not deflect when the umbrella rib is loaded in normal use in a manner that permits the rib to be dislodged from the hub. There may be some deflection of course, but not sufficient of permit the free end of the retention structures 31 to come free of the rigid structures into which it is received.
[0094] Various figures show hook-like projections, which may be referred to as fastening units and corresponding grooves or inverted grooves, which have surfaces for engaging the hook-like members. These sturtures define first and second positions in a discrete and very secure way. These structures are discussed above in great detail.
[0095] No fixtures, tools or screws are required for the rib assembly. The assembly is quick, easy and flexible, and the ribs can either be assembled vertically or horizontally. It is also suitable for large-scale application.
[0096] In this specification, embodiments have been described with reference to specific implementations. However, many modifications and variations can clearly still be made without departing from the essence and scope of the inventions. Therefore, the Specifications and drawings should be considered as illustrative rather than restrictive.
