Powered umbrella

#It is known in the art to construct umbrellas which open automatically with the manual release of a catch wherein the compression of a spring causes a hollow member, to which the ribs of the umbrella are attached, to move along a shaft extending through the hollow member. It is also known in the art to provide means for the biasing closed of the umbrella by springs. However, the umbrellas of the art in general require the movement of the hand from one position to another in order to effect closing or even worse require the use of two hands. Alternatively, or conincidentally, the user of such umbrellas which use springs to automatically open and close must remember to compress the spring each time before using the umbrella. Without this prior spring compression such existing umbrellas cannot even be opened, let alone closed. Further, umbrellas previously disclosed in the art had the disadvantage of the batteries too quickly discharging to attain a satisfactory number of openings and closings from one battery charge. In addition, the previously disclosed umbrella embodiments had the disadvantage of not being collapsible to a shorter shaft length for ease of storage and carrying.

#FIG. 1 contains a sectional view of the umbrella mechanism of fixed shaft length, which is provided with specific means for conserving battery power, wherein the umbrella ribs are shown in the open or extended position.

#FIG. 2 contains a sectional view of the umbrella mechanism of FIG. 1 wherein the ribs 7 of embodiment 1 are in a closed position.

#FIG. 3 presents in sectional view Detail A-A of FIG. 2.

#Be it known that, for clarity of presentation, in Figures herein in which the cloth 8 and the ribs 7 are depicted, that the multiplicity of ribs 7 is represented by only two such ribs 7, and the cloth 8, is represented in sectional view only by two parallel lines.

#In FIG. 1 can be seen umbrella ribs 7, held in an open position by umbrella struts 2, wherein umbrella ribs 7, are pivotally attached to end piece 3, wherein end piece 3, is affixed to one piece shaft 5, in such a manner that end piece freely rotates within one piece shaft 5, and yet is not readily separated from one piece shaft 5, this attachment being accomplished by various means known to those skilled in the art of mechanical devices.

#Strut 2, is pivotally attached to rib 7, at one end and strut 2, is pivotally attached at its opposite end to collar 18. Ribs 7 are covered by and attached to water repellent fabric 8.