Connecting bracket for an umbrella assembly

A method of forming an umbrella assembly, comprising:

• pivotably coupling an inner end of a rib to an upper hub, the rib having an outer end opposite to the inner end, an elongate body extending between the inner end and the outer end, the elongate body having a bottom surface, a central portion, and a lateral support extending at least partially along the elongate body;
• pivotably coupling an inner end of a strut to a lower hub, the strut having an outer end opposite to the inner end, and an elongate body extending between the inner end and the outer end;
• coupling a connecting bracket with the bottom surface of the rib;
• positioning the connecting bracket at a connection position where the outer end of the strut is to be coupled with a central portion of the rib, the connecting bracket being self-supported during positioning;
• and
• coupling the strut to the connecting bracket.

An umbrella assembly, comprising:

• an upper hub;
• a lower hub;
• a plurality of ribs, each rib of the plurality of ribs comprising:
• an inner end pivotably coupled with the upper hub;
• an outer end opposite to the inner end,
• an elongate body extending between the inner end and the outer end, the elongate body having a bottom surface, and
• a rail extending at least partially along the elongate body and away from a central plane, the central plane being oriented transverse to a first pivot axis extending through the inner end;
• a plurality of struts, each strut of the plurality of struts comprising:
• an inner end pivotably coupled with the lower hub:
• an outer end opposite to the inner end:
• an elongate body extending between the inner end and the outer end;
• and
• a first joint component disposed at the outer end of the elongate body;
• and
• a plurality of connecting brackets, each connecting bracket configured to join one of the plurality of ribs to one of the plurality of struts, each connecting bracket comprising:
• a body portion configured to be coupled to the bottom surface of the rib;
• and
• an overhanging support extending from the body portion and configured to be disposed over the rail, wherein the overhanging support, when disposed over the rail, is self-supporting of at least a weight of the connecting bracket;
• and
• a second joint component extending from the body portion along the central plane in a direction away from the bottom surface, the second joint component configured to be pivotably coupled to the first joint.

An umbrella assembly, comprising:

• an upper hub;
• a lower hub;
• a plurality of ribs, each rib of the plurality of ribs comprising:
• an inner end pivotably coupled with the upper hub;
• an outer end opposite to the inner end;
• and
• an elongate body extending between the inner end and the outer end, the elongate body having a bottom surface and an I-shaped cross-section;
• a plurality of struts, each strut of the plurality of struts comprising:
• an inner end pivotably coupled with the lower hub:
• an outer end opposite to the inner end:
• an elongate body extending between the inner end and the outer end;
• and
• a first joint component disposed at the outer end of the elongate body;
• and
• a plurality of connecting brackets, each connecting bracket configured to join one of the plurality of ribs to one of the plurality of struts, each connecting bracket comprising:
• a body portion configured to be coupled to the bottom surface of the rib;
• an overhanging support extending from the body portion and configured to be disposed over a lateral protrusion of the I-shaped cross-section of the rib, wherein the overhanging support, when disposed over the lateral protrusion, is self-supporting of at least a weight of the connecting bracket;
• and
• a second joint component extending from the body portion, the second joint component configured to be pivotably coupled to the first joint component.