Umbrella

An umbrella comprising;

• an elongate member having proximal and distal end portions;
• a support structure that is connectable to a canopy able to be disposed about the distal end portion of the elongate member, the support structure being adjustable between an erect position, whereby the canopy is able to be tensioned by the support structure, and a collapsed position, whereby the tension in the canopy is able to be released;
• a collar having an interior channel formed therethrough, the channel being configured to receive therethrough the elongate member, the collar being slideably mounted to the elongate member to adjust the support structure between the erect position and the collapsed position;
• the collar being located adjacent to or on a slider that is also connected to the elongate member, the slider able to move along the elongate member between locations intermediate the proximal and distal end portions of the elongate member to move the collar;
• wherein the support structure further comprises:
• a plurality of arms, each arm being disposed about and pivotally connected to the distal end portion of the elongate member;
• a plurality of rods, each rod being disposed about and pivotally connected to both the slider and a respective arm;
• wherein
• movement of the slider along the elongate member towards the distal end portion of the elongate member causes each rod to pivot the arm to which it is connected away from the elongate member such that the slider is able to adjust the support structure into the erect position, and
• movement of the slider along the elongate member towards the proximal end portion of the elongate member causes each rod to pivot the arm to which it is connected towards the elongate member such that the slider is able to adjust the support structure into the collapsed position;
• and
• a plurality of biasing means, each mounted to both the support structure and the collar;
• wherein each biasing means is configured to bias the support structure towards, so as to maintain the support structure in, the erect position when a force is applied to an underside of the canopy to inhibit the support structure from inverting, and
• wherein each biasing means is resilient and curved along its length in a neutral position, corresponding to when the support structure is in the erect position, such that the biasing means is able to bend when the force is applied to the underside of the canopy and the resilience of the biasing means biases it towards the neutral position, and
• wherein, when the umbrella is in an inverted position, each biasing means tends to straighten upon release of said applied force such that the support structure is biased towards the erect position.