US 5,711,333 A · Umbrella frame and umbrella for outdoor furniture

Abstract

The umbrella frame is provided with a movable yoke at the upper end and a stationary yoke at an intermediate point. Ribs are pivotally mounted on the movable yoke and struts are pivotally mounted on the fixed yoke while being pivotally mounted to intermediate points on the ribs. A downward movement of the upper yoke causes the ribs to splay outwardly so as to open the umbrella. A crank mechanism is connected to the upper yoke via a cord so that upon cranking of the crank mechanism in one direction, the upper yoke is pulled downwardly to open the umbrella. A clutch assembly is also provided in the crank assembly to lock the crank assembly against the weight of the ribs and cover while allowing a reverse rotation of the crank mechanism under a manually applied force to permit the umbrella to close under the weight of the ribs and cover.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An umbrella frame comprising

an pole;
a first yoke fixedly mounted on said pole;
a second yoke movably mounted on said pole above said first yoke;
means for moving said second yoke along said pole between a remote position and a distal position relative to said first yoke;
a plurality of radially disposed ribs, each rib being pivotally connected at one end to said second yoke to move therewith;
and
a plurality of radially disposed struts, each strut being pivotally connected at one end to said first yoke and being pivotally connected at an opposite end to a respective one of said ribs whereby said struts cause said ribs to splay outwardly of said pole in response to movement of said second yoke to said distal position and said struts cause said second yoke to move towards said remote position in response to collapsing of said ribs inwardly under gravity.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Umbrella frame and umbrella for outdoor furniture

Life of this patent

Umbrella frame and umbrella for outdoor furniture

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21