UMBRELLA ASSEMBLY WITH COUNTERWEIGHT SYSTEM

Abstract

An umbrella is provided that includes a hollow pole, a shade assembly, a counterweight system, and a locking device. The shade assembly includes a guide rod coupled with an upper hub. The guide rod has a stop surface. The counterweight system has a ballast and a cord that has a first end coupled with the ballast and a second end coupled with a lower hub. The locking device has pushrod mechanism. When closing the umbrella, the pushrod mechanism moves upward disengaging a moveable locking surface from the guide rod to allow the lower hub to move downward and the ballast to move upward.

Claims

1.-28. (canceled)

29. An umbrella comprising: a pole; a shade assembly coupled with an upper portion of the pole, the shade assembly comprising an upper hub; a guide rod movably disposed within the pole and coupled with the upper hub; and a locking device, the locking device comprising: a hook assembly configured to engage the guide rod to lock the umbrella in an open state, and a pushrod at least partially disposed below the hook assembly, wherein, when closing the umbrella, the pushrod is actuated to move upward to disengage the hook assembly.

29. The umbrella of claim 29, wherein the hook assembly comprises a prong configured to fit within a corresponding recess of the guide rod.

31. The umbrella of claim 30, wherein the hook assembly comprises a plurality of prongs, each prong configured to fit within a corresponding recess of the guide rod.

32. The umbrella of claim 29, wherein the pushrod comprises a fixture configured to disengage the hook assembly when the pushrod moves upward.

33. The umbrella of claim 32, wherein the fixture comprises an angled surface, the angled surface configured to disengage the hook assembly when the pushrod moves upward.

34. The umbrella of claim 29, wherein the pushrod comprises at least one width that corresponds with a width of an interior space of the guide rod, the corresponding widths configured to prevent the pushrod from deflecting away from the hook assembly when the pushrod moves upward.

35. The umbrella of claim 29, wherein the locking device comprises a spring configured to urge the hook assembly to engage the guide rod.

36. The umbrella of claim 29, further comprising a counterweight system disposed within an interior space of the pole.

37. The umbrella of claim 36, wherein the counterweight system comprises a ballast and a cord having a first end coupled with the ballast and a second end coupled with a lower hub.

38. The umbrella of claim 37, wherein the pushrod is actuated by movement of the ballast.

39. An umbrella comprising: a pole; a shade assembly coupled with an upper portion of the pole, the shade assembly comprising: an upper hub coupled with a guide rod, and a lower hub moveable along the pole; and a locking device configured to engage the guide rod, the locking device comprising a pushrod positioned at least partially below the lower hub, wherein when closing the umbrella, the pushrod moves upward disengaging the locking device from the guide rod, allowing the lower hub to be moved downward.

40. The umbrella of claim 39, wherein the locking device comprises a moveable locking surface configured to engage the guide rod.

41. The umbrella of claim 40, wherein the locking device comprises a spring configured to move the moveable locking surface to engage the guide rod.

42. The umbrella of claim 40, wherein the moveable locking surface comprises at least one prong configured to engage a corresponding recess of the guide rod when the umbrella is in an open state.

43. The umbrella of claim 39, wherein the pushrod comprises a fixture configured to disengage the locking device when the pushrod moves upward.

44. The umbrella of claim 43, wherein the fixture comprises an angled surface, the angled surface configured to disengage the locking device when the pushrod moves upward.

45. The umbrella of claim 39, wherein the pushrod comprises at least one width that corresponds with a width of an interior space of the guide rod, the corresponding widths configured to prevent the pushrod from deflecting away from the locking device when the pushrod moves upward.

46. The umbrella of claim 39, further comprising a counterweight system disposed within an interior space of the pole.

47. The umbrella of claim 46, wherein the counterweight system comprises a ballast and a cord having a first end coupled with the ballast and a second end coupled with the lower hub.

48. The umbrella of claim 47, wherein the pushrod is actuated by movement of the ballast.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] Features of the invention can be better understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying schematic drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only. The drawings include the following figures:

[0044] FIG. 1 shows an umbrella including a pole assembly, a shade assembly, an upper hub, a lower hub and a counterweight assembly;

[0045] FIG. 2 shows the umbrella of FIG. 1 in a closed state where the upper hub has moved upwards compared to the position shown in FIG. 1;

[0046] FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of an improvement of an umbrella similar to that of FIG. 1;

[0047] FIG. 4 shows a lower hub, a handle, and a covered locking device of the umbrella of FIG. 3;

[0048] FIG. 4A shows a cross section of the umbrella FIG. 4 showing features of a counterweight assembly and a locking device including a hook, a pushrod mechanism, a pulley, and a cord;

[0049] FIG. 5 shows a cross section of the umbrella FIG. 4 illustrating a central portion of a pole assembly including a pushrod;

[0050] FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the umbrella FIG. 4 illustrating a pole assembly including a ballast connected to a cord and a bottom portion of a push rod;

[0051] FIG. 6A shows a top perspective view of portion of a push rod and a ballast disposed within a lower portion of a pole assembly, an outer pole portion shown in phantom;

[0052] FIG. 6B shows a cross section of the umbrella of FIG. 4 illustrating a guide rod lifting mechanism including a pulley, a cord, and an extender;

[0053] FIG. 6C shows a cross section of the umbrella of FIG. 4 illustrating an upper hub and the cord illustrated in FIG. 6B;

[0054] FIG. 7 shows a cross section of the umbrella of FIG. 4 illustrating a lower hub and a handle when an umbrella is in an open state;

[0055] FIG. 8 shows a cross section of the umbrella of FIG. 4 similar to that of

[0056] FIG. 7 illustrating a lower hub and a handle when a handle has been pulled down to disengage the lower hub from a ledge securing the lower hub to the pole assembly;

[0057] FIG. 9 shows a top perspective view of a portion of a lower hub assembly, an upper portion thereof having been removed to show a spacer;

[0058] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a design of an umbrella hub with a handle;

[0059] FIG. 11 shows a top view of the umbrella hub design of FIG. 10;

[0060] FIG. 12 shows a bottom view of the umbrella hub design of FIG. 10;

[0061] FIG. 13 shows a side view of the umbrella hub design of FIG. 10 with the handle in a first position; and

[0062] FIG. 14 shows a side view of the umbrella hub design of FIG. 10 with the handle in a second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] While the present description sets forth specific details of various embodiments, it will be appreciated that the description is illustrative only and should not be construed in any way as limiting. Furthermore, various applications of such embodiments and modifications thereto, which may occur to those who are skilled in the art, are also encompassed by the general concepts described herein. Each and every feature described herein, and each and every combination of two or more of such features, is included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in such a combination are not mutually inconsistent.

[0064] This application is directed to new umbrella assemblies that facilitate one or both of counterweight assist in the opening and/or closing of large umbrellas and position locking of one or more hubs of an umbrella to enhance stability of the umbrella in an open or closed state. These assemblies can be embodied in or operate with novel hub configurations and designs. A combination of one or more, e.g., one or more pairs, e.g., two pairs of pulleys on or within a pole assembly facilitate movement of the upper and lower hubs as well as a ballast of a counterweight system.

[0065] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an umbrella assembly 50 including a pole assembly 54, a guide tube 56, a shade assembly 58, an upper hub 62, a lower hub 64, a ballast 78, and a pulley 82. The shade assembly 58 includes ribs 66, struts 70, and a shade member (not shown). The ribs 70 are coupled to the upper hub 62 along their length to one end of corresponding struts 66 at the other end. The end of the struts 66 that are not coupled to the ribs 70 are coupled to the lower hub 64. When the umbrella assembly 50 closes the lower hub 64 is lowered and the upper hub 62 is raised as shown in FIG. 2. The raising of the upper hub 62 also elevates the ribs 70. If the upper hub 62 were not enabled to be raised during closing of the umbrella the lower end of the ribs 70 would swing down much lower than is seen in FIG. 2. Thus, the elevation of the upper hub 62 while closing prevents the long ribs 70 from coming in contact with other objects, such as tables or chairs, when closing.

[0066] FIG. 3 shows an example improved umbrella 100 including a pole assembly 104 and a shade assembly 108, the shade assembly 108 including an upper hub 120 and a lower hub 124. The umbrella 100 also includes a counterweight assembly 112 in some embodiments, for example as shown in FIG. 6A. The umbrella 100 also includes a locking device 116 in some embodiments, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A. The pole assembly 104 can include an upper portion 126 and a lower portion 130. The pole assembly 104 can enclose an interior space along a central longitudinal axis. The shade assembly 108 can be disposed above the lower portion 130 of the pole assembly 104. The shade assembly 108 includes struts 134 and ribs 138. There can be any number of struts 134 and ribs 138, for example three, four, five, six, or more ribs. The struts 134 can be coupled to ribs 138 at or near a first end and coupled to the lower hub 124 at a second end. The ribs 138 can be coupled to the upper hub 120 at or near a first end and can have a second end opposite the first end connected to a shade member 142 (shown in dashed lines) of the shade assembly 108. The upper hub 120 can move upwards when the umbrella 100 is closed (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2).

[0067] The lower hub 124 can be disposed on the pole assembly 104. The lower hub 124 can be moveable along the pole assembly 104. For example, the lower hub 124 can be moved in the downward direction to close the umbrella 100 and moved in the upward direction to open the umbrella 100. The lower hub 124 can include a handle 125 disposed on the pole assembly 104. In some embodiments, the handle 125 can be pulled down and pushed up to move the lower hub 124 along the pole assembly 104. The handle 125 can also function to disengage a locking mechanism of the lower hub 124 as discussed further below. In some embodiments a separate handle 125 may not be needed and a lower hub 124 can function as both a handle and lower hub. The upper hub 120 can be disposed at least partially at or near the upper portion 126 of the pole assembly 104. The upper hub 120 can include a guide rod 121 that is moveable within the pole assembly 104. The guide rod 121 can include an inside passage 122 defined within a hollow space of the guide rod.

[0068] FIGS. 4-6A show further details of the counterweight assembly 112 and the locking device 116. The locking device 116 works with the counterweight assembly 112 in some embodiments to enable the user to manipulate the umbrella 100 between open and closed states and also to provide for securing the umbrella 100 in one of these states, e.g., in the open state. In some embodiments, the locking device 116 can be used without a counterweight assembly 112.

[0069] The counterweight assembly 112 can include a ballast 170 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6), a pulley 178 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4A), and a cord 180 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4A, 5 and 6). The counterweight assembly 112 can be disposed within the interior of the pole assembly 104. As shown in FIG. 4A, two pulleys 178 can be located along the pole assembly 104 above the lower hub 124. The cord 180 can be attached to the lower hub 124 by any suitable means. For example, one or more ends of the cord 180 can be anchored in a passage of an upper portion of the lower hub 124. The cord 180 can be positioned over a first pulley 178 and can extend down the interior of the pole assembly 104. In one embodiment, a space 181 is defined within the interior of the pole assembly 104 between, at, or near the lower hub 124 and the lower end 143 of the pole assembly 104. The space 181 can be hollow and the cord 180 can be positioned within the space 181. As shown in FIG. 5, the cord 180 extends between an outer surface of the guide rod 121 and the inner wall 105 of the pole assembly 104. In some embodiments, the guide rod 121 does not extend to the lower end 143 of the pole assembly 104. As shown in FIG. 5, the guide rod 121 can end or have a lowermost portion at an intermediate portion 226 of the pole assembly 104. The cord 180 can pass through two openings 220 when extending through space 181. The openings 220 can be disposed through an upper spacer 183 coupled with a lower end of the guide rod 121. The upper spacer 183 can help to maintain the guide rod 121 in alignment within the pole assembly 104.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 6A, the cord 180 can continue to extend through space 181. The cord 180 can pass through two spacer openings 224 of a lower spacer 216. The cord 180 can be attached to the ballast 170 and the remaining portion of the cord 180 can extend up the interior of the pole assembly 104, as previously described, and can be positioned over a second pulley 178 and attached to the lower hub 124 by any suitable means. In one embodiment, the ballast 170 includes a channel 171 and the cord 180 is passed or threaded through the channel 171, as shown in FIG. 6. In this approach a single cord can extend from the first pulley 178 to the second pulley 178.

[0071] When the umbrella is opened, the handle 125 can be pushed upwards moving the lower hub 124 in the upward direction as the length of the cord 180 disposed between the pulley 178 and the lower hub 124 becomes less as more of the cord 180 is disposed between the pulley 178 and the ballast 170. The movement of the lower hub 124 upward will move the ballast 170 downward within the interior of the pole assembly 104. When the umbrella is closed, the handle 125 can be pulled downward which will move the lower hub 124 downward and the ballast 170 will move upward. This movement will cause more length of the cord 180 to be disposed between the pulley 178 and the lower hub 124. Stated another way, the ballast 170 can be configured as a weight that unless restrained will be guided by gravity downward within the space 181 of the pole assembly 104. The downward movement of the ballast 170 will raise or will help to raise the lower hub 124 which will cause the struts 134 and the ribs 138 (together a frame) of the shade assembly 108 to open.

[0072] Although the ballast 170 tends to hold the umbrella 100 in an open configuration absent a user collapsing it, the open position can be secured by one or more locking devices. As discussed above, the locking device 116 secures the elevation of the guide rod 121 relative to the outer pole of pole assembly 104. Also, as discussed further below, one or more hooks 234 disposed within the lower hub 124 can secure the elevation of the lower hub 124 relative to the pole assembly 104.

[0073] A pushrod 190 and a hook assembly 154 (discussed below) can form parts of the locking device 116. The hook assembly 154 can lock the position of the upper hub 120 relative to the pole assembly 104 in an open state. The pushrod 190 can be used to disengage the hook assembly 154 as discussed below. In one convenient configuration the pushrod 190 is operated by movement of the ballast 170 within the space 181 disposed within the pole assembly 104. The distance the pushrod 190 can be moved by the ballast 170 in order to push the pushrod 190 up to the hook assembly 154 can be predetermined. As discussed further below, a wedge element can be used to urge prongs 158 of the hook assembly 154 out of recesses 162 formed in or through the guide rod 121. For example, in some embodiments the ballast 170 can move the pushrod 190 upward a distance L (see FIG. 6). The distance L can be sufficient for the pushrod 190 to disengage the locking device 116, as described herein. As shown in FIG. 6A, a slot 212 positioned in the pushrod 190 can be configured to limit the distance L that the pushrod 190 can move relative to a lower spacer 216. As described above, the ballast 170 will move the pushrod 190 in the upward direction. When the pushrod 190 has moved a distance L, the slot 212 and a rod or pin 230 extending from the lower spacer 216 through the lower spacer 216 will prevent further movement of the pushrod 190. The pin 230 can extend through the slot 212 and into the lower spacer 216 to limit the movement of the pushrod 190. The bottom 194 of the pushrod 190 will now be at or near the bottom of the lower spacer 216.

[0074] Limiting movement can be beneficial because it limits the amount of movement necessary to disengage the locking device 116 to allow the umbrella 100 to close when in an open configuration, therefore reducing potential problems due to internal movement of parts. In some embodiments, the ballast 170 continues to move in the upward direction once the pushrod 190 has moved a distance L. The ballast 170 will continue to move in the upward direction which will move the guide rod 121 in the upward direction. In some embodiments, the upward movement of the guide rod 121 can cause the upper hub 120 to move upwards when the umbrella is closing as described herein. In one embodiment, the guide rod 121 is above the ballast and an extender 121A may be provided between a lower end of the guide rod 121 and the ballast 170. The extender 121A can be a member configured to support a compressive load such that as an upward force is applied by the ballast 170 to the lower spacer 216, that load is transferred to the extender 121A and is transferred by the extender 121A to the guide rod 121.

[0075] The hook assembly 154 can be coupled with the intermediate portion 167 of the pole assembly 154. The hook assembly 154 can be covered by a cover 204 to protect the hook assembly 154 from external elements. The hook assembly 154 can include prongs 158. Any number of prongs 158 can be used. For example, one, two, three, or more, prongs 158 can be used. The lowest of the prongs 158 can have an angled lower portion 159 that will engage with the fixture 186 described herein. The prongs 158 are configured to fit into corresponding recesses 162 in or through the guide rod 121. The corresponding recesses 162 can have sufficient space to allow the prongs 158 to engage and disengage from the recesses 162. In the illustrated embodiment, the recesses 162 extend through guide rod 121 but the recesses do not have to extend all the way through the guide rod 121. The guide rod 121 can be positioned in and moveable within the pole assembly 104. The prongs 158 can be urged into the corresponding recesses 162 by a spring 166 to lock the umbrella in an open state. Any suitable spring 166, e.g., a coil spring, a torsion spring, a leaf spring, can be used.

[0076] The pushrod 190 can be part of a pushrod mechanism 174 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4A). The pushrod mechanism 174 can include a fixture 186 that can be coupled to the guide rod 121 and coupled to side surface 191 of the pushrod 190. The fixture 186 is configured to disengage the prongs 158 from the corresponding recesses 162 when the umbrella is closed. The fixture 186 can be any suitable shape. In one embodiment, the fixture can be at least partially wedge-shaped. An angled upper corner 208 of the fixture 186 can form a portion of a wedge that is configured to have disengage the prongs 158 from the recesses 162. The angled upper corner 208 can be positioned over the pushrod 190 as shown in FIG. 4A. The fixture 186 has an outer periphery 187 that has a square or rectangular shape. The shape of the outer periphery 187 can be the same as the inner walls of the guide rod 121. The width of the fixture 186 corresponds to the width of the inside passage 122 of the guide rod 121. The corresponding widths and the outer periphery 187 matching up with the inner walls of the guide rod 121 allows the fixture 186 to engage with the prongs 158 of the hook assembly 154. The corresponding widths will prevent or limit the fixture 186 from deflecting away from the prongs 158 when the fixture 186 pushes against the angled lower portion 159 of the prongs 158.

[0077] When the umbrella is opened the ballast 170 moves downward. The ballast 170 moving downward allows for the pushrod 190 to move downward and the fixture 186 to move downward. The fixture 186 moving downward can allow the spring 166 of the hook assembly 154 to urge the prongs 158 into the corresponding recesses 162 to lock the umbrella in an open state. The use of two prongs 158 can be beneficial to increase the stability of the umbrella 100 in a locked or open state.

[0078] As described herein, when the umbrella 100 is to be closed the ballast 170 is moved upward. The ballast 170 moving upward pushes the pushrod 190 upward which advances the fixture 186 upward toward the prongs 158. When the angled upper corner 208 of the fixture 186 contacts the angled lower portion 159 of the prongs 158, the fixture 186 disengages the prongs 158 from the corresponding recesses 162. Where the fixture 186 and the lower prong 158 have an angled shape, the prongs 158 more easily disengaging from the corresponding recesses 162. The angled upper corner 208 of the fixture 186 removes the risk of the fixture 186 not disengaging the prongs 158. For example, if the engagement portion of the fixture 186 was square or rectangular shape the disengagement may not be as smooth if the fixture where to get stuck when moving up to disengage the prongs 158. After disengaging the prongs 158 from the corresponding recesses 162, the guide rod 121 can move up which can move the upper hub 120 upwards. As described herein, the upper hub 120 moving upwards when the umbrella 100 closes can prevent or limit the ribs 138 from contacting other objects external to the umbrella 100, such as tables or chairs.

[0079] FIGS. 6B and 6C illustrate section views of the umbrella 100 having a guide rod lifting assembly 308. The guide rod lifting assembly 308 can move the upper hub 120 upward when the umbrella 100 is closed. The guide rod lifting assembly 308 can include a cord 310, at least one pulley 314, and an extender 121A. As described above, the extender 121A can be disposed within the pole assembly 104 and can be positioned next to the pushrod 190. At least one pulley 314 is coupled to the upper spacer 183 cap disposed at a bottom portion of the guide rod 121. The extender 121A can be slideably disposed through an aperture in the upper spacer 183 such that a top portion thereof can be extended past the elevation of the pulley(s) 314 as discussed below. The extender 121A can have a fixture 334 coupled to the upper portion of the extender 121A, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6B. The fixture 334 can have an opening 338 that the cord 310 can extend through. The lower portion 342 of the opening 338 may have a rounded edge, as shown in FIG. 6B.

[0080] The pole assembly 104 can have ring 326 coupled to the upper portion of the pole assembly, as shown in FIG. 6C. The ring 326 can have points 330a, 330b where the cord 310 can be coupled at each end to the pole assembly 104 by any suitable means. A first end of the cord 310 can be coupled or anchored to point 330a. The cord can then extend down the pole assembly 104 at least partially between an inner surface of the pole assembly 104 and an outer surface of the guide rod 121. The cord 310 can then extend under a pulley 314 upward and through the opening 338 of the fixture 334. The lower portion 342 of the opening 338 can have a rounded edge or profile that can allow the cord 310 to extend through the opening 338 without any sharp turns or sharp edges. The cord 310 can then extend downward from the fixture 334 and under a second pulley 314. The cord 310 can then extend upward between an inner surface of the pole assembly 104 and an outer surface of the guide rod 121. The second end of the cord 310 can be coupled or anchored to point 330b. In one configuration, the points 330a, 330b are openings in an upper surface of the ring 326. The cord 310 can be knotted at an end portion above the openings in the ring 326 such that the cord 310 will not pull through the openings.

[0081] As described throughout, the upper hub 120 of the umbrella 100 can move in the upward direction when the umbrella 100 is closed. The lower hub 124 can be moved downward to close the umbrella 100. As described in more detail above, when the lower hub 124 is moved downward, the ballast 170 moves upward pushing the pushrod 190 upward which advances the fixture 186 upward toward the prongs 158 to unlock the umbrella 100. When the pushrod 190 has moved a distance L, as described above, the ballast 170 moving upward can continue to move the extender 121A in the upward direction. The extender 121A can comprise a second pushrod disposed alongside the pushrod 190. The extender 121A moving upward can apply a force to the guide rod 121 and assist the guide rod 121 to move upward, which can assist the upper hub 120 in moving upward. In particular, the upward movement of the extender 121A raises the span of the cord 310 over the lower portion 342 of the opening 338. The ends of the cord 310 at points 330a, 330b are fixed. Raising the span of the cord 310 over the lower portion 342 raises the pulleys 314 relative to the points 330a, 330b, which raises the guide rod 121. While the extender 121A is moving upward (e.g., when closing the umbrella), the length of the cord 310 between points 330a, 330b and the pulleys 314 will decrease, while the length of the cord 310 between the opening 338 and the pulleys 314 will increase. When the extender 121A moves downward (e.g., when opening the umbrella), the length of the cord 310 between points 330a, 330b will increase, while the length of the cord 310 between the opening 338 and the pulleys 314 will decrease. Also, while the extender 121A is moving upward, the length of the extender 121A within the guide rod 121 will increase. When the extender 121A moves downward (e.g., when opening the umbrella), the length of the extender 121A within the guide rod 121 will decrease.

[0082] FIG. 7 illustrates a section view of the lower hub 124 and the handle 125 of an umbrella 100 when the umbrella 100 is in an open state. The handle 125 is positioned in a recess 233 of the lower hub 124. When the handle 125 is pulled down, the handle 125 can create a separation between the upper portion 250 of the handle 125 and an internal aspect of the recess 233 of the lower hub 124. The lower hub 124 is secured to the pole assembly 104 via hooks 234. The illustrated embodiment shows two hooks 234, but any number of hooks 234 can be used. For example, 1, 2, 3, 4, or more hooks 234 can be used. The hooks 234 can include a lower rounded portion 258 and a prong 262 configured to engage a ring 242. The ring 242 can be coupled to the exterior of the pole assembly 104. The ring 242 can include a ledge 246.

[0083] The hooks 234 engage with ring 242 to secure the lower hub 124 in a locked state, securing the umbrella 100 in an open state. In one embodiment, the hooks 234 can be used with the locking device 116, described above, to better secure the umbrella 100 in an open state. The ring 242 partially or completely encircles the pole assembly 104. The ledge 246 can engage the hooks 234. The ledge 246 can extend around the entire ring 242 or one or more ledges 246 can be provided at the location of the hooks 234. The lower rounded portion 258 of the hooks 234 are configured to interact with pins 254 to secure and unsecure the lower hub 124 to the pole assembly 104.

[0084] FIG. 8 illustrates a section view of a lower hub 124 and a handle 125 of an umbrella 100 when the umbrella 100 is being moved to a closed state. To close the umbrella 100, the handle 125 can be pulled down relative to the portion of the lower hub 124 coupled with the struts 134. The upper portion 250 of the handle 125 moves downward from the recess 233 of the lower hub 124 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The downward movement of the upper portion 250 of the handle 125 can allow pins 254 to move down and apply a force to the lower rounded portion 258 of the hooks 234. The application of this force can cause the hooks 234 to disengage from the ledge 246 of the ring 242. FIG. 8 illustrates the hooks 234 moving away from the ledge 246 of the ring 242. The distance the hooks 234 move from the ledge 246 of the ring 242 can be limited by an interior wall 266 of the lower hub 124. The interior wall 266 encircles the hooks 234 around the pole assembly 104. The interior wall 266 limiting the distance the hooks 234 can allow for a more controlled locking and unlocking process. The disengagement of the hooks 234 can allow the lower hub 124 to move down the pole assembly 104 allowing the umbrella 100 to close.

[0085] FIG. 9 shows a top perspective view of a bottom portion 270 of the lower hub 124. An upper portion (not shown) has been removed to illustrate internal components. A spacer 274 is positioned in the center of the bottom portion 270 between the pole assembly 104 and the lower hub 124. The spacer 274 can be made of plastic. In the illustrated embodiment, the spacer 274 includes aligners 278. There can be one, two, three, four or more aligners 278. The aligners 278 can be used to secure the spacer 274 in place or in a predetermined location. In the illustrated embodiment, the aligners 278 are ring-like tabs securing the spacer 274 to the lower hub. The ring-like tabs of the aligners 278 can be advanced over pins molded, formed or mounted in the bottom portion 270 of the lower hub 124. In other embodiments, the aligners 278 or other suitable means can be provided to couple or attach the spacer 274 to the lower hub 124.

[0086] In the illustrated embodiment, two spacers 274 can be provided. In other embodiments, the spacer 274 can be one piece the encircles the entire diameter of the pole assembly 104. In some embodiments, the pole assembly 104 and the lower hub 124 can be metallic. The lower hub 124 moves along the pole assembly 104 as previously described and the spacer 274 can prevent or limit the wearing down of the pole assembly 104 and the lower hub 124.

[0087] FIGS. 10-14 show a design of an umbrella hub 290. FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a design of an umbrella hub 290 with a handle 294 in a first position. An upper portion of the umbrella hub 290 can be positioned above the handle 294. An upper portion of the handle 294 is positioned in a recess 298 of the umbrella hub 290. The upper portion of the umbrella hub 290 can include two portions, a top portion 302 and a bottom portion 306. FIG. 11 shows a top view of the top portion 302 of the umbrella hub 290 design of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 shows a bottom view of the bottom portion 306 and of the handle 294 of the umbrella hub 290 design of FIG. 10.

[0088] FIG. 13 shows a side view of the umbrella hub 290 design of FIG. 10 with a handle 294 in a first position. The handle 294 is positioned in the recess 298 of the umbrella hub 290. FIG. 14 shows a side view of the umbrella hub 290 design of FIG. 10 with a handle 294 in a second position. In FIG. 14, an upper portion of the handle 294 has been moved downward and partially out of the recess 298.

[0089] While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the systems and methods described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present inventions is defined only by reference to the appended claims.

[0090] Features, materials, characteristics, or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described in this section or elsewhere in this specification unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The protection is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The protection extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0091] Furthermore, certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

[0092] Moreover, while operations may be depicted in the drawings or described in the specification in a particular order, such operations need not be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Other operations that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in the example methods and processes. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the described operations. Further, the operations may be rearranged or reordered in other implementations. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments, the actual steps taken in the processes illustrated and/or disclosed may differ from those shown in the figures. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the steps described above may be removed, others may be added. Furthermore, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Also, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products.

[0093] For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. Not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

[0094] Conditional language, such as can, could, might, or may, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

[0095] Conjunctive language such as the phrase at least one of X, Y, and Z, unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

[0096] Language of degree used herein, such as the terms approximately, about, generally, and substantially as used herein represent a value, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms approximately, about, generally, and substantially may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount. As another example, in certain embodiments, the terms generally parallel and substantially parallel refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 15 degrees, 10 degrees, 5 degrees, 3 degrees, 1 degree, or 0.1 degree.

[0097] The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the specific disclosures of preferred embodiments in this section or elsewhere in this specification, and may be defined by claims as presented in this section or elsewhere in this specification or as presented in the future. The language of the claims is to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to the examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive.