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(11) | EP 0 202 769 B1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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| (54) |
Pivot assemblies for umbrella ribs Anlenkung für Schirmdachstangen Articulation pour tige de parapluie |
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| Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). |
[0001] This invention relates to pivot assemblies for umbrella ribs or struts, such as at a notch or runner.
[0002] It is known for a notch or a runner member for an umbrella to be provided with pairs of lugs forming radial slots between which flattened ends of ribs or struts locate, the flattened ends and the lugs being provided with holes through which a wire is threaded to form pivot portions for the ribs or struts, and the ends of the wire being twisted together to secure it in place.
[0003] US 904349 (Moulton) discloses a two-part pivot assembly for a notch, where the two parts are held together by a separate spring arrangement in the shaft.
[0004] The object of the invention is to simplify the construction and fitting of the pivot assemblies for either notches or runners.
[0005] According to the present invention, a pivot assembly for umbrella ribs or struts of the kind having a knob end adjacent a flattened portion comprises a notch or runner in two parts capable of being held together by a locking means and affording in the locked state radial slits, each of which leads to a cavity, so that, in use, the ribs or struts can pivot while the respective knob end is held captive in the cavity, wherein one of the parts is an inner part having a tubular body portion with a bore for fitting closely on an umbrella shaft and an outward annular flange portion adjacent one end of the tubular body portion, the other end of which is divided to form at least two tongues, and the other part is an outer part having a sleeve portion fitting closely on the body portion of the inner part and having an outward annular flange portion engaging the flange portion of the inner part so as to form the cavity for each slit, the slits being provided in one of the flange portions, there being an abutment on the tongues of the inner part for engagement with the sleeve portion of the outer part to prevent them being separated after fitting on an umbrella shaft.
[0006] The knob ends of the ribs or struts held captive between the flange portions act as pivots for the ribs or struts, which are guided for swinging by the sliding fit of their flattened portions within the radial slits, from positions alongside the shaft to radial positions. Thus no separate pivot or pivots need to be formed and fitted.
[0007] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :
Figure 1 is an axial section through a notch for an umbrella and in accordance with the invention, the section being taken from the line I-I of Figure 2;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the outer part of the notch shown in axial section in Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 is an axial section through a runner for an umbrella and in accordance with the invention, the section being taken from the line lll-lll of Figure 4 ;
Figure 4 is an underneath plan view of the inner part of the runner shown in the axial section in Figure 3 ; and
Figure 5 is a cap or « ornament for the top of the umbrella shaft and the notch.
[0008] In Figures 1 and 3 a pivot assembly 1 for umbrella ribs or struts 2 comprises a notch (Figure 1) or runner (Figure 3) formed by inner and outer parts 3, 4, the inner part 3 having a bore 5 for fitting closely on an umbrella shaft 6 (indicated in broken lines) and an outward annular flange portion 7 adjacent one end of a tubular body portion 8 the other end of which is divided to form two tongues 9, though more could be used, and the outer part (4) having a sleeve portion 10 fitting closely on the body portion 8 of the inner part 3 and having an outward annular flange portion 11 engaging the flange portion 7 of the inner part, one of the flange portions being provided with radial slits 12 each of which leads to a cavity 13 formed between the flange portions.
[0009] The ribs or struts 2 each have a knob end 14 adjacent a flattened portion 15 for sliding in one of the radial slits 12 with the knob end held captive in the cavity 13 (see also Figures 2 and 4 in which only one rib or strut 2 is shown for simplicity), there being an engagement between the tongues 9 of the inner part and the sleeve portion 10 of the outer part to prevent them being separated after fitting on to the umbrella shaft 6.
[0010] The knob ends 14 of the ribs or struts 2 held captive between the flange portions 7, 11 act as pivots for the ribs or struts, which are guided for swinging by their flattened portions 15 within the radial slits 12, from positions alongside the shaft 6 (as shown at the right of Figures 1 and 3) to radial positions (as shown at the left in those Figures).
[0011] In the notch (Figure 1) the radial slits 12 are formed in the flange portion 11 of the outer part 4 and individual cavities 13 for the knob ends 14 are formed by radiating pairs of webs 16 (see Figure 2) across an annular recess 17 in that flange portion. The flange portion 7 of the inner part 3 has a generally U-shaped radial cross-section (minimising material whilst maximising strength) with the base 18 of the U effectively closing the cavities 13 in the flange portion of the outer part, and the outer limb 19 of the U is turned back outwards to form a rebate for location of a rim 20 of the flange portion 11 of the outer part 4.
[0012] In the runner (Figure 3) the radial slits 12 are formed in the flange portion 7 of the inner part 3, and individual cavities 13 for the knob ends 14 are formed by radiating pairs of webs 21 (see Figure 4) across an annular recess 22 in that flange portion, the sleeve portion 10 of the outer part 4 has an extension 23 incorporating the usual catch (not shown) in a housing 24 at one side of the extension, and the flange portion 11 of the outer part has a generally U-shaped radial cross section (again minimising material whilst maximising strength) with radial webs 25 providing abutment for the knob ends 14. A narrower U 26 formed round the outside of the flange portion 11 of the outer part 4 forms a rebate for location of rim 27 of the flange portion 7 of the inner part 3.
[0013] The engagement between the tongues 9 of the inner part 3 and the sleeve portion 10 of the outer part 4 has a snap action, which is shown provided by outward ribs or « barbs 28 on the tongues being pushed past a portion 29 of reduced diameter inside the sleeve portion, to prevent the two parts 3, 4 being separated after assembly with the ribs or struts 2 and before fitting on the umbrella shaft. Thus the two parts 3, 4 of both notch and runner can be formed conveniently of thermoplastics, and a separate cap or « ornament" 30 (see Figure 5) be provided for the top of the umbrella shaft 6 and the notch after the latter has been secured to the shaft by a pin 31.
1. A pivot assembly (1) for umbrella ribs or struts (2) of the kind having a knob
end adjacent a flattened portion, the assembly comprising a notch or runner in two
parts (3, 4) capable of being held together by a locking means and affording in the
locked state radial slits (12), each of which leads to a cavity (13), so that, in
use, the ribs or struts can pivot while the respective knob end is held captive in
the cavity (13), characterised in that one of the parts is an inner part (3) having
a tubular body portion (8) with a bore (5) for fitting closely on an umbrella shaft
(6) and an outward annular flange portion (7) adjacent one end of the tubular body
portion (8), the other end of which is divided to form at least two tongues (9), and
the other part is an outer part (4) having a sleeve portion (10) fitting closely on
the body portion (8) of the inner part (3) and having an outward annular flange portion
(11) engaging the flange portion (7) of the inner part (3) so as to form the cavity
(13) for each slit, the slits being provided in one of the flange portions, there
being an abutment on the tongues (9) of the inner part (3) for engagement with the
sleeve portion (10) of the outer part (4) to prevent them being separated after fitting
on an umbrella shaft (6).
2. A pivot assembly according to claim 1 and comprising a notch, characterised in
that the radial slits (12) are formed in the flange portion (11) of the outer part
(4) and individual cavities (13) for the knob ends (14) are formed by radial pairs
of webs (16) across an annular recess (17) in that flange portion.
3. A pivot assembly according to claim 2, characterised in that the flange portion
(7) of the inner part (3) has a generally U-shaped radial crosssection with the base
(18) of the U effectively closing the cavities (13) in the flange portion (11) of
the outer part (4), and the outer limb (19) of the U is turned back outwards to form
a rebate for location of a rim (20) of the flange portion (11) of the outer part (4).
4. A pivot assembly according to claim 1 comprising a runner, characterised in that
the radial slits (12) are formed in the flange portion (7) of the inner part (3),
and individual cavities (13) for the knob ends (14) are formed by radial pairs of
webs (21) across an annular recess (22) in that flange portion, the sleeve portion
(10) of the outer part (4) has an extension (23) incorporating the usual catch in
a housing (24) at one side of the extension, and the flange portion (11) of the outer
part (4) has a generally U-shaped radial cross section with radial webs (25) providing
abutment for the knob ends (14).
5. A pivot assembly according to claim 4, characterised in that a narrower U-section
(26) formed round the outside of the flange portion (11) of the outer part (4) forms
a rebate for location of a rim (27) of the flange portion (7) of the inner part (3).
6. A pivot assembly according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the engagement
between the tongues (9) of-the inner part (3) and the sleeve portion (10) of the outer
part (4) has a snap action.
7. A pivot assembly according to claim 6, characterised in that the snap action is
provided by outward ribs or « barbs (28) on the tongues (9) being pushed past a portion
(29) of reduced diameter inside the sleeve portion (10), to prevent the two parts
(3, 4) being separated after assembly with the ribs or struts (2) and before fitting
on the umbrella shaft (6).
8. A pivot assembly according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the two
parts (3, 4) of the notch or runner are formed of thermoplastics.
9. A pivot assembly according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the knob
end (14) on each rib or strut (2) is formed by cropping the rod material from which
the ribs or struts are formed a short distance beyond the end of its flattened portion
(15).
1. Anlenkung (1) für Schirmdachstangen oder - streben (2) der Art, daß sie ein einem
abgeflachten Bereich benachbartes Knaufende aufweist, mit einer Raste oder einem Läufer
in zwei Teilen (3, 4), die von einer Verriegelungseinrichtung zusammengehalten werden
und im verriegelten Zustand radiale Schlitze (12) bilden, von denen jeder zu einem
Hohlraum (13) führt, so daß die Stangen oder Streben beim Gebrauch schwenken können,
während das dazugehörige Knaufende im Hohlraum (13) eingekäfigt ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß eines der Teile ein Innenteil (3) ist und ein rohrförmiges Körperstück (8) mit
einem Bohrloch (5) zum Festhalten eines Schirmstocks (6) und ein äußeres, ringförmiges
Flanschstück (7) aufweist, das einem Ende des rohrförmigen Körperstücks (8) benachbart
ist, dessen anderes Ende geteilt ist, um mindestens zwei Zungen (9) zu bilden, und
daß das andere Teil ein Außenteil (4) ist, das eine Muffe (10) aufweist, die das Körperstück
(8) des Innenteils (3) ohne Abstand umfaßt und einen nach außen gerichteten Ringflansch
aufweist, der mit dem Ringflansch (7) des Innenteils (3) so im Eingriff ist, daß der
Hohlraum (13) für jeden Schlitz gebildet wird, wobei die Schlitze in einem der Ringflansche
vorgesehen sind und wobei ein Anschlag an den Zungen (9) des Innenteils (3) der zum
Eingriff mit der Muffe (10) des Außenteils (4) bringbar ist, vorgesehen ist, um zu
verhindern, daß die Teile nach der Aufnahme auf einem Schirmstock voneinander getrennt
werden.
2. Anlenkung nach Anspruch 1, mit einer Raste, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die radialen
Schlitze (12) im Ringflansch (11) des Aussenteils (4) vorgesehen sind und daß einzelne
Hohlräume (13) für die Knaufenden (14) durch radiale Zwischenwandpaare (16) in einer
ringförmigen Nut (17) in diesem Ringflansch gebildet werden.
3. Anlenkung nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Ringflansch (7) des
Innenteils (3) einen im wesentlichen U-förmigen, radialen Querschnitt aufweist, wobei
die Basis (18) des U die Hohlräume im Ringkranz (11) des Außenteils (4) wirksam abschließt,
und daß der Außenschenkel (19) des U nach außenläuft, um einen Falz zur Aufnahme eines
Rands (20) des Ringkranzes (11) des Aussenteils (4) zu bilden.
4. Anlenkung nach Anspruch 1, mit einem Läufer, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die radialen
Schlitze (12) im Ringkranz (7) des Innenteils (3) gebildet sind und einzelne Hohlräume
(13) für die Knaufenden (14) durch radiale Zwischenwandpaare (21) in einer radialen
Nut (22) in diesem Ringkranz gebildet sind und daß die Muffe (10) des Außenteils eine
Verlängerung (23) aufweist, die auf der einen Seite den üblichen Verschluß in einem
Gehäuse (24) enthält und daß der Ringkranz (11) des Außenteils (4) einen im wesentlichen
U-förmigen, radialen Querschnitt mit radialen Zwischenwänden (24), die Anschläge für
die Knaufenden (14) bilden, aufweist.
5. Anlenkung nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß ein engeres U-Stück (26),
das entlang der Außenseite des Ringkranzes (11) des Außenteils (4) vorgesehen ist,
einen Falz zur Aufnahme eines Rands (27) des Ringkranzes (7) des Innenteils bildet.
6. Anlenkung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
die Zungen (9) des Innenteils (3) und die Muffe (10) des Außenteils (4) durch einen
Schnappvorgang in gegenseitigen Eingriff bringbar sind.
7. Anlenkung nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Schnappvorgang durch
nach außen gerichtete Rippen oder « Klauen (28) auf den Zungen (9) bewirkt wird, die
über einen reduzierten Durchmesser aufweisenden Bereich (29) in der Muffe (10) hinweggeschoben
werden, um zu verhindern, daß die zwei Teile (3, 4) nach dem Zusammenbau mit den Stangen
oder Streben (2) und vor dem Aufstekken auf den Schirmstock (6) voneinander getrennt
werden.
8. Anlenkung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
die zwei Teile (3, 4) der Raste bzw. des Läufers aus thermoplastischem Kunststoff
bestehen.
9. Anlenkung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
das Knaufende (14) an jeder Stange oder Strebe (12) dadurch gebildet wird, daß das
Stangenmaterial, aus dem die Stangen oder Streben gemacht sind, kurz nach dem Ende
des abgeflachten Bereichs (15) abgeschnitten ist.
1. Un ensemble de pivotement (1) pour des baleines ou tendeurs de parapluie (2) du
type comportant une extrémité panneau adjacente à une portion aplatie, l'ensemble
comprenant un cran coulissant ou patin en deux parties (3, 4) pouvant être maintenues
ensemble à l'aide d'un moyen de verrouillage et présentant dans la condition de verrouillage
des fentes radiales (12) aboutissant chacune dans une cavité (13), de façon que lors
de l'utilisation du parapluie, les baleines ou tendeurs puissent pivoter, tandis que
l'extrémité pommeau respective est maintenue prisonnière dans la cavité (13), le dit
ensemble de pivotement étant caractérisé en ce qu'une des parties est une partie intérieure
(3) comportant une portion de corps tubulaire (8) avec un alésage (5) pour ajustage
de précision sur un manche de parapluie (6) et une portion de rebord annulaire extérieure
(7) adjacente à une extrémité de 12 portion de corps tubulaire (8), l'autre partie
étant une partie extérieure (4) comportant une portion de manchon (10) s'ajustant
avec précision sur la portion de corps (8) de la partie intérieure (3) et ayant une
portion de rebord annulaire extérieure (11) s'engageant avec la portion de rebord
(7) de la partie intérieure (3) de manière à constituer la cavité (13) pour chaque
fente, une butée sur les languettes (9) de la partie intérieure (3) étant prévue pour
s'engager avec la portion de manchon (10) de la partie extérieure (4) afin d'interdire
à ces éléments de se séparer après le montage sur un manche de parapluie (6).
2. Un ensemble de pivotement selon la revendication 1, comprenant un cran coulissant,
et caractérisé en ce que les fentes radiales (12) sont formées dans la portion de
rebord (11) de la partie extérieure (4), et que les cavités individuelles (13) pour
les extrémités pommeau (14) sont formées par des paires radiales de membranes (16)
à travers un évidement annulaire (17) dans cette portion de rebord.
3. Un ensemble de pivotement selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que la portion
de rebord (7) de la partie intérieure (3) présente une section transversale radiale
généralement en forme d'U, avec la base (18) de cette section en forme d'U obturant
efficacement les cavités (13) dans la portion de rebord (11) de la partie extérieure
(4), l'aile extérieure (19) de la section en forme d'U étant coudée extérieurement
de manière à former un encastrement pour la mise en place d'une jante (20) de la portion
de rebord (11) de la partie extérieure (4).
4. Un ensemble de pivotement selon la revendication 1, comprenant un patin, et caractérisé
en ce que les fentes radiales (12) soit formés dans la portion de rebord (7) de la
partie intérieure (3), les cavités individuelles (13) pour les extrémités pommeau
(14) étant formées par des paires radiales de membranes (21) à travers un évidement
annulaire (22) dans cette portion de rebord, la portion de manchon (10) de la partie
extérieure (4) comportant une prolongation (23) incorporant le cliquet usuel dans
un logement (24) sur un côté de la prolongation, la portion de rebord (11) de la partie
extérieure (4) présentant une section transversale radiale généralement en forme d'U
avec des membranes radiales (25) assurant un moyen de butée pour les extrémités pommeau
(14).
5. Un ensemble de pivotement selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce qu'une section
en forme d'U plus étroite (26) prévue autour de l'extérieur de la portion de rebord
(11) de la partie extérieure (4) assure un encastrement pour la mise en place d'une
jante (27) de la portion de rebord (7) de la partie intérieure (3).
6. Un ensemble de pivotement selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisé en ce que l'engagement entre les languettes (9) de la partie intérieure
(3) et la portion de manchon (10) de la partie extérieure (4) est prévu avec une action
déclic.
7. Un ensemble de pivotement selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que l'action
déclic est assurée au moyen de nervures ou de « barbelures extérieures (28) sur les
languettes (9) poussées au-delà d'une portion (29) de diamètre réduit à l'intérieur
de la portion de manchon (10), de manière à interdire aux deux pièces (3, 4) de se
séparer après l'assemblage avec les baleines ou tendeurs (2), et avant le montage
sur le manche de parapluie (6).
8. Un ensemble de pivotement selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisé en ce que les deux parties (3, 4) du cran coulissant ou du patin sont
réalisées à partir de matière thermoplastique.
9. Un ensemble de pivotement selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisé en ce que l'extrémité pommeau (14) sur chaque baleine ou tendeur (2) est
formée en taillant le matériau de tige initiale à partir duquel les baleines ou tendeurs
sont réalisés, sur une courte distance au-delà de l'extrémité de leur portion aplatie
(15).