# US 5,345,960 A · Connecting piece for large umbrellas

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 5,345,960 A
- Document ID: US5345960A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/091,151
- Filed: 1993-07-12
- Granted: 1994-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 1993-07-12
- Inventors: Pai-Feng Tung
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5345960A

## CPC

- A45B 25/02: Umbrella frames
- A45B 23/00: Other umbrellas
- A45B 25/00: Details of umbrellas (sticks for umbrellas A45B1/00 - A45B9/00; illuminating devices for umbrellas A45B3/02; {sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22})
- A45B 2023/0012: {Ground supported umbrellas or sunshades on a single post, e.g. resting in or on a surface there below}
- Y10T 403/32221: Articulate joint comprises pivoted clevis or channel bar
- A45B: WALKING STICKS (walking aids, e.g. sticks, for blind persons A61H3/06); UMBRELLAS; LADIES' OR LIKE FANS (cane or umbrella stands or holders A47G25/12)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A large umbrella includes a plurality of ribs and stretchers and a connecting piece mounted to a mediate section of each rib for connecting the rib and associated stretcher. The connecting piece is substantially U-shaped and has a base section with two ends and a lateral wall extending from each end of the base section. A protrusion projects from an inner side of each lateral wall to form a pair of aligned protrusions adjacent to the base section for securely engaging with the rib. A pair of aligned holes are formed in the lateral walls adjacent to the distal ends of the lateral walls for allowing riveting of the stretcher.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A connecting piece for a large umbrella with a plurality of ribs and stretchers, said connecting piece being substantially U-shaped and comprising a base section (42) with two ends and a lateral wall (41) having distal ends extending from each said end of said base section (42), a protrusion (43) projecting from an inner side of each said lateral wall to form a pair of aligned protrusions (43) adjacent to said base section (41) adapted to securely engage with a through hole (21) of a rib (20), and a pair of aligned holes (45) being formed in said lateral walls (41) adjacent to the distal ends of said lateral walls (41).

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The connecting piece as claimed in claim 1 wherein a guiding ridge (44) extends between said holes (45) and said protrusions (43) from said inner side of each said lateral wall (41), dividing the U-shaped connecting piece into an inner space and an outer space accessible to said inner space.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The connecting piece as claimed in claim 2 wherein each said guiding ridge (44) has a guiding surface (441) which faces said outer space and tapers toward said base section (42).

### Claim 4

A large umbrella comprising a plurality of ribs and stretchers and a connecting piece mounted to a mediate section of each said rib for connecting said rib and associated said stretcher, the improvement comprising:
said connecting piece being substantially U-shaped and comprising a base section (42) with two ends and a lateral wall (41) having distal ends extending from each said end of said base section (42), a protrusion (43) projecting from an inner side of each said lateral wall to form a pair of aligned protrusions (43) adjacent to said base section (41) for securely engaging with said rib (20), a pair of aligned holes (45) being formed in said lateral walls (41) adjacent to the distal ends of said lateral walls (41).

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The large umbrella as claimed in claim 4 wherein a guiding ridge (44) extends between said holes (45) and said protrusions (43) from said inner side of each said lateral wall (41), dividing the U-shaped connecting piece into an inner space and an outer space accessible to said inner space.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The large umbrella as claimed in claim 5 wherein each said guiding ridge (44) has a guiding surface (441) which faces said outer space and tapers toward said base section (42).

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The large umbrella as claimed in claim 4 wherein the rib and the stretcher are substantially tubular and rectangular in section.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The large umbrella as claimed in claim 4 wherein the rib and the stretcher are substantially tubular and circular in section.