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US 7,891,367 B2Granted
Quick connector hub for shade structure
AssigneeOliver Joen-an Ma
InventorOliver Joen-an Ma
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An umbrella hub is provided which can comprise a central portion, a body, and a retention mechanism. The central portion can be configured to receive to an umbrella pole. The body extends between the central portion and an outer periphery of the hub and can comprise an engagement section adjacent to the outer periphery. The engagement section can be configured to receive an end portion of an umbrella structural member. The retention mechanism can be disposed within the engagement section and can comprise an elongate channel having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion can be located between the second portion and the outer periphery of the body and have a width less than the width of the second portion.
Claims34
An umbrella hub comprising:
- a central portion configured to receive to an umbrella pole;
- a body extending between the central portion and an outer periphery of the hub, the body comprising an engagement section adjacent to the outer periphery, the engagement section being configured to receive an end portion of an umbrella structural member;
- and
- a retention mechanism disposed within the engagement section, the retention mechanism comprising an elongate channel and a pair of capture members extending into the elongate channel, the capture members being configured to move in a generally horizontal plane while being constrained from movement in a generally vertical plane for permitting passage of the end portion of the umbrella structural member into the engagement section.
1 more element
An umbrella hub comprising:
- a central portion configured to receive to an umbrella pole;
- a body extending between the central portion and an outer periphery of the hub, the body comprising an engagement section adjacent to the outer periphery, the engagement section being configured to receive an end portion of an umbrella structural member;
- and
- a retention mechanism disposed within the engagement section, the retention mechanism comprising an elongate channel and at least one capture member extending into the elongate channel, the capture member comprising a ramped surface disposed in the elongated channel, the ramped surface configured to engage a structural member directed through the first portion of the elongate channel toward the second portion thereof and to respond to said engagement by moving from a first position in which the ramped surface protrudes a first amount into the engagement section to a second position in which the ramped surface protrudes a lesser amount into the engagement section, the capture member being configured to move in a generally horizontal plane while being constrained from movement in a generally vertical plane for permitting passage of the end portion of the structural member into the engagement section.
1 more element
An umbrella hub comprising:
- a hub body comprising:
- an upper hub section configured to receive an umbrella pole, the upper hub section defining a lower region and a plurality of first slots, the first slots being disposed about an outer periphery of the upper hub section;
- and
- a lower hub section configured to receive the umbrella pole, the lower hub section defining an upper region and a plurality of second slots, the second slots being disposed generally about an outer periphery of the lower hub section, the lower hub section being configured with the upper region thereof being connectable to the lower region of the upper hub section;
- at least one of the upper and lower hub sections defining an interior recess, the recess comprising one or more raised portions;
- a plurality of engagement sections formed by the pluralities of first and second slots of the upper and lower hub sections, respectively, each engagement section being configured to receive an end portion of an umbrella structural member;
- and
- a locking component being disposed at least partially within the interior recess of the at least one of the upper and lower hub sections when the upper hub section is connected with the lower hub section, the locking component comprising a component body and pairs of capture members extending from the component body into the engagement sections of the hub body for securing the end portion of the umbrella structural member to the hub, the component body being positioned adjacent to the one or more raised portions of the interior recess to restrict rotational or translational movement of the locking component relative to the hub body while permitting movement of the capture members relative to the engagement sections of the hub body.
5 more elements
An umbrella hub comprising:
- a hub body comprising:
- an upper hub section configured to receive an umbrella pole, the upper hub section defining a lower region and a plurality of first slots, the first slots being disposed about an outer periphery of the upper hub section;
- and
- a lower hub section configured to receive the umbrella pole, the lower hub section defining an upper region and a plurality of second slots, the second slots being disposed generally about an outer periphery of the lower hub section, the lower hub section being configured with the upper region thereof being connectable to the lower region of the upper hub section;
- at least one of the upper and lower hub sections defining an interior recess, the recess comprising one or more raised portions;
- a plurality of engagement sections formed by the pluralities of first and second slots of the upper and lower hub sections, respectively, each engagement section being configured to receive an end portion of an umbrella structural member;
- and
- a locking component being disposed at least partially within the interior recess of the at least one of the upper and lower hub sections when the upper hub section is connected with the lower hub section, the locking component comprising a component body and a plurality of capture members extending from the component body into the engagement sections of the hub body for securing the end portion of the umbrella structural member to the hub, the component body being positioned adjacent to the one or more raised portions of the interior recess to restrict rotational or translational movement of the locking component relative to the hub body while permitting movement of the capture members relative to the engagement sections of the hub body;
- wherein the locking component comprises a plurality of Y-shaped resilient latch portions, each Y-shaped resilient latch portions being generally disposed in a horizontal plane and having first and second capture members extending from distal ends thereof, the first and second capture members being configured to extend into respective first and second engagement sections for securing the end portion of the umbrella structural member to the hub, the first and second capture members being configured to deflect in the horizontal plane.
6 more elements
An umbrella comprising:
- an umbrella hub having an outer periphery and a plurality of engagement sections spaced about the outer periphery thereof, the engagement sections each comprising a pair of capture members being movable relative to the engagement section between first and second positions, the capture members being permitted to move in a first plane that is oriented transverse relative to a longitudinal axis of an umbrella pole about which the umbrella hub is adapted to be mounted, the capture members being constrained from movement in a second plane that is oriented transverse relative to the first plane;
- and
- a plurality of ribs each comprising an engagement member configured to be at least partially and removably received within an engagement section of the umbrella hub, the engagement member causing movement of the capture members from the first position toward the second position during insertion of the engagement member into the engagement section, the engagement member being retained in the engagement section upon return of the capture members toward the first position.
An umbrella hub comprising:
- a hub body comprising an upper hub section and a lower hub section that are connectable to form the hub body, the upper and lower hub sections being configured to receive an umbrella pole, at least one of the upper and lower hub sections defining an interior recess, the interior recess comprising one or more raised portions;
- a plurality of engagement sections formed in the hub body, each engagement section being configured to receive an end portion of an umbrella structural member, the engagement sections each comprising a pair of elongate channels;
- and
- a locking component being disposed at least partially within the interior recess of the at least one of the upper and lower hub sections when the upper hub section is connected with the lower hub section, the locking component comprising a component body and a plurality of capture members extending from the component body from within the elongate channels into the engagement sections of the hub body for securing the end portion of the umbrella structural member to the hub, the component body being disposed adjacent to the one or more raised portions of the interior recess to restrict rotational or translational movement of the locking component relative to the hub body while permitting movement of the capture members relative to the engagement sections of the hub body.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.