Frameless umbrella and canopy
OwnerDouglas A. Boltoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-supporting umbrella canopy has a high strength-to-weight ratio and the ability to compactly fold flat. The umbrella canopy uses a series of collapsible, closed cross-section cells to provide its support and to provide weather protection for a person or persons below. The closed cross-section cells are attached to each other in series so that the umbrella canopy may conveniently unfurl in a radial manner. Construction of the umbrella canopy lends itself to automated processes. Due to the self-supporting nature of the collapsible, closed cross-section cells, lightweight and inexpensive waterproof materials may be used to construct the umbrella canopy.
Claims16
A frameless umbrella canopy, comprising:
- a first plurality of joined, closed cross-section, open volume cells, the closed cross-section cells providing structural support for the umbrella canopy and protection from sun, wind, and rain for a user of the umbrella canopy.
An umbrella comprising:
- a frameless umbrella canopy having a plurality of closed cross-section cells joined in a serial manner, the closed cross-section cells providing structural support for the umbrella canopy and protection from sun, wind, and rain for a user of the umbrella canopy, single cells of the plurality of closed cross-section cells joined to adjacent, neighboring cells on opposite sides of the single cells, the plurality of closed cross-section cells having a first free side detachably attachable to a second free side, and one end of plurality of closed cross-section cells joined to a central hub;
- and
- a collapsible handle, the handle detachably attaching to the central hub;
- the umbrella canopy capable of folding into a small and compact structure for easy carrying and storage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.