Umbrella assembly with gas spring
OwnerZhun-An MAinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An umbrella is provided that includes a hollow pole, a shade assembly, and a lift assembly. The shade assembly is coupled with an upper portion of the hollow pole. The shade assembly includes an upper hub, a lower hub, and a shade structure coupling the upper hub to the lower hub. The shade structure supports a shade member and the lower hub is moveable along the hollow pole. The lift assembly is disposed within the hollow pole. The lift assembly includes a gas spring and a cord. The cord has a first end coupled with the hollow pole and a second end coupled with the lower hub. When closing the umbrella, the cord applies a load to compress the gas spring. When opening the umbrella, the gas spring applies a load to the cord, to cause the lower hub to be moved upward.
Claims21
-24. (canceled)
An umbrella comprising:
- a hollow pole;
- a lower hub configured to be moveable along the hollow pole;
- a lift assist assembly disposed within the hollow pole;
- and
- a cord having a first end coupled with the hollow pole and a second end coupled with the lower hub,
- wherein, when closing the umbrella, the cord applies a load to the lift assist assembly, and wherein when opening the umbrella the lift assist assembly applies a load to the lower hub by way of the cord.
A method of opening an umbrella comprising:
- moving a lower hub in an upward direction along a hollow pole, the hollow pole coupled with a first end of a cord and the lower hub coupled with a second end of the cord;
- decreasing a length of the cord between the second end of the cord and a lower end of a lift assist assembly disposed within the hollow pole as the lower hub is moved in the upward direction;
- and
- applying a load to the cord via the lift assist assembly to assist in moving the lower hub in the upward direction.
A method of closing an umbrella comprising:
- moving a lower hub in a downward direction along a hollow pole, the hollow pole coupled with a first end of a cord and the lower hub coupled with a second end of the cord;
- increasing a length of the cord between the first end of the cord and a lower end of a lift assist assembly disposed within the hollow pole as the lower hub is moved in the downward direction;
- and
- applying a load to the lift assist assembly via the cord.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.