ATBECHDEDKESFRGBGRITLILUNLSEMCPTIESILTLVFIROMKCYALTRBGCZEEHUPLSKBAHRIS..MTNORSMESM..................
J
DIM360 Ver 2.15 (14 Jul 2008) - 1100000/0
2329740
EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
A1
20110608
EP
10191568.4
20101117
20101117
en
en
en
20090120344
20091207
KR
20110608
201123
20110608
201123
A45B 25/06 20060101AFI20110324BHEP
A45B 25/10 20060101ALI20110324BHEP
de
Schirm
en
Umbrella
fr
Parapluie
4
Song, Joo Hong
101215774
A122638EP
102-1812, Samsin Pureunsoi Apt. 147-3 Mukhyeon-ri, Hwado-eup
Namyangju-si Gyeonggti-do
KR
Song, Joo Hong
102-1812, Samsin Pureunsol Apt. 147-3, Mukhyeon-r
Namyangju-si, Gyeonggti-do
KR
Lang, Johannes
et al
100042234
Bardehle Pagenberg Galileiplatz 1
81679 München
DE
AL
AT
BE
BG
CH
CY
CZ
DE
DK
EE
ES
FI
FR
GB
GR
HR
HU
IE
IS
IT
LI
LT
LU
LV
MC
MK
MT
NL
NO
PL
PT
RO
RS
SE
SI
SK
SM
TR
BA
ME
The present invention relates to an umbrella comprising a fixture unit with which umbrella ribs are coupled and an elevation tube with which lower ribs are coupled. An umbrella (1) in which umbrella ribs (21) are hinged and coupled to a fixture unit (20) at a top end of an umbrella staff (10) having a handle (40), both ends of lower ribs (31) are hinged and coupled between an elevation tube (30), coupled to the umbrella staff (10) and configured to go up and down, and the umbrella ribs (21) thereto. The fixture unit (20) and the elevation tube (30) are respectively separated into upper and lower fixtures (20a and 20b) and upper and lower elevation tubes (30a and 30b). A sphere-shaped coupling unit (50a) is formed on one side of each of connectors (50) and movably inserted between the first groove (22) and the guide hole (24) of the fixture unit and between the second groove (34) and the guide groove of the elevation tube.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field
The present invention relates to an umbrella. More particularly, the present invention relates to an umbrella with an excellent assembly, cost savings according to assembly, easy mass production, and increased reliability and merchantability by improving a fixture unit with which umbrella ribs are coupled and an elevation tube with which lower ribs are coupled.

Related Art
In general, in an umbrella, when assembling a fixture unit with which umbrella ribs are coupled, an elevation tube with which lower ribs are coupled, and a handle with an umbrella staff, the fixture unit is first inserted into the top portion of an umbrella staff, the elevation tube is then inserted into the lower portion of the umbrella staff. Next, grooves are horizontally formed in the outer circumferential face of the fixture unit and the elevation tube, and the umbrella ribs and the grooves formed in the fixture unit, and the lower ribs and the grooves formed in the elevation tube are wound with wires one by one. Accordingly, the umbrella has a complicated construction and is very cumbersome and inconvenient.
In other words, in assembling the umbrella staff, the fixture unit, the elevation tube, the umbrella ribs, the lower ribs, and the handle, the assembly process, time, and manpower are excessively consumed because the construction is complicated. Accordingly, there is a problem in that the cost inevitably rises because of the manufacture and assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an umbrella with an excellent assembly, cost savings according to assembly, easy mass production, and increased reliability and merchantability by improving a fixture unit with which umbrella ribs are coupled and an elevation tube with which lower ribs are coupled.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an umbrella 1 in which umbrella ribs 21 covered with waterproof cloths 11 are hinged and coupled to a fixture unit 20 at a top end of an umbrella staff 10 having a handle 40, both ends of lower ribs 31 are hinged and coupled between an elevation tube 30, coupled to the umbrella staff 10 and configured to go up and down, and the umbrella ribs 21, when the elevation tube 30 is pushed up, the lower ribs 31 are raised up and the umbrella ribs 21 are fully stretched, and simultaneously the lower ribs 31 approach the fixture unit 20 and fixed thereto. Here, the fixture unit 20 and the elevation tube 30 are respectively separated into upper and lower fixtures 20a and 20b and upper and lower elevation tubes 30a and 30b. A plurality of first grooves 22 of a hemispherical form is formed in a lower circumferential face of the upper fixture 20a. Guide holes 24 respectively corresponding to the first grooves 22 are formed in a circumferential face of the lower fixture 20b so that the upper fixture 20a and the lower fixture 20b are combined with each other. A plurality of guide grooves 32 is formed in a circumferential face of the upper elevation tube 30a. Second grooves 34 of a hemispherical form respectively corresponding to the guide grooves 32 are formed in an upper circumferential face of the lower elevation tube 30b so that the upper and lower elevation tubes 30a and 30b are combined with each other. A sphere-shaped coupling unit 50a is formed on one side of each of connectors 50 and movably inserted between the first groove 22 and the guide hole 24 and between the second groove 34 and the guide groove. Insertion holes 50b into each of which the umbrella rib 21 or the lower rib 31 is inserted is formed on the other side of each of the connectors 50. The umbrella ribs 21 are inserted into the respective insertion holes 50b of the connectors 50 inserted into the upper and lower fixtures 20a and 20b. The lower ribs 31 are inserted into the respective insertion holes 50b of the connectors 50 inserted into the upper and lower elevation tubes 30a and 30b.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a fixture unit illustrating an embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of elevation tubes illustrating an embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the present invention;
- FIGS. 5a and 5b are exploded cross-sectional views of the fixture unit and the elevation tube illustrating an embodiment of the present invention; and
- FIGS. 6a and 6b are exploded cross-sectional views of the fixture unit and the elevation tube illustrating another embodiment of the present invention.

< Description of reference numerals of principal elements in the drawings>
1: | umbrella | 10: | umbrella staff
11: | waterproof cloth | 20: | fixture
20a: | upper fixture | 20b: | lower fixture
21: | umbrella ribs | 22: | first groove
23: | first coupling groove | 24: | guide holes
25: | first coupling protrusion | 40: | handle
25a: | first latch jaw | 30a: | upper elevation tube
30: | elevation tube | 30b: | lower elevation tube
31: | lower rib | 33: | second coupling groove
32: | guide groove | 35: | second coupling protrusion
34: | second groove | 35a: | second latch jaw

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is now described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6b, an umbrella 1 according to the present invention is constructed as follows. Umbrella ribs 21 covered with waterproof cloths 11 are hinged and coupled to a fixture unit 20 at the top end of an umbrella staff 10 having a handle 40. Both ends of lower ribs 31 are hinged and coupled between an elevation tube 30, coupled to the umbrella staff 10 and configured to go up and down, and the umbrella ribs 21. If the elevation tube 30 is pushed up, the lower ribs 31 are raised up, and so the umbrella ribs 21 are fully stretched. When the lower ribs 31 approach the fixture unit 20, the lower ribs 31 are fixed to the fixture unit 20.
The umbrella 1 constructed as above is already known the art.
However, the most characteristic of the present invention is that the umbrella ribs 21 and the lower ribs 31 are not wound with wires, etc., but the fixture unit 20 and the elevation tube 30 are improved and respectively inserted between the upper and lower fixtures 20a and 20b and between upper and lower elevation tubes 30a and 30b. Accordingly, the umbrella 1 can have an excellent assembly, cost savings according to assembly, easy mass production, and increased reliability and merchantability.
That is, the fixture unit 20 and the elevation tube 30 are respectively separated into the upper and lower fixtures 20a and 20b and the upper and lower elevation tubes 30a and 30b.
A plurality of first grooves 22 of a hemispherical form into which the respective sphere-shaped coupling units 50a of connectors 50 are inserted is formed in the lower circumferential face of the upper fixture 20a.
Guide holes 24 into which the sphere-shaped coupling units 50a of the connectors 50 are respectively inserted at locations corresponding to the first grooves 22 are formed in the circumferential face of the lower fixture 20b.
The upper fixture 20a and the lower fixture 20b are bonded together and combined with each other using adhesive means, etc.
A plurality of guide grooves 32 into which the respective connectors 50 are inserted is formed in the circumferential face of the upper elevation tube 30a.
Second grooves 34 of a hemispherical form into which the sphere-shaped coupling units 50a of the connectors 50 are respectively inserted at locations corresponding to the guide grooves 32 are formed in the upper circumferential face of the lower elevation tube 30b.
The upper elevation tube 30a and the lower elevation tube 30b are bonded together and combined with each other using adhesive means, etc.
The upper and lower fixtures 20a and 20b and the upper and lower elevation tubes 30a and 30b are illustrated to be combined with each other using adhesive means. However, a first coupling protrusion 25 having a first latch jaw 25a formed therein can be formed in the upper fixture 20a, and a first coupling groove 23 into which the first latch jaw 25a is inserted can be formed in the lower fixture 20b, so that the first latch jaw 25a is inserted into the first coupling groove 23 and the upper and lower fixtures 20a and 20b are combined with each other. Furthermore, a second coupling protrusion 35 having a second latch jaw 35a formed therein can be formed in the upper elevation tube 30a, and a second coupling groove 33 into which the second latch jaw 35a is inserted can be formed in the lower elevation tube 30b, so that the second latch jaw 35a is inserted into the second coupling groove 33 and the upper and lower elevation tubes 30a and 30b are combined with each other. In this case, the upper and lower fixtures 20a and 20b and the upper and lower elevation tubes 30a and 30b can be fixed together without being separated from each other.
The sphere-shaped coupling unit 50a is formed on one side of each of the connectors 50. The sphere-shaped coupling units 50a are inserted between the first grooves 22 and the guide holes 24 and between the second grooves 34 and the guide grooves 32 so that they can move in the second grooves 34 and the guide grooves 32. An insertion hole 50b into which the umbrella rib 21 or the lower rib 31 is inserted is formed on the other side of each of the connectors 50.
The umbrella ribs 21 are inserted into the respective insertion holes 50b of the connectors 50 inserted into the upper and lower fixtures 20a and 20b, and the lower ribs 31 are inserted into the respective insertion holes 50b of the connectors 50 inserted into the upper and lower elevation tubes 30a and 30b, thereby constructing the umbrella.
In the present invention constructed as above, the sphere-shaped coupling units 50a of the connectors 50 are moveably constructed between the first grooves 22 and the guide holes 24 of the upper and lower fixtures 20a and 20b and between the second grooves 34 and the guide grooves 32 of the upper and lower elevation tubes 30a and 30b without being separated from them. The umbrella ribs 21 and the lower ribs 31 are inserted into the insertion holes 50b of the connectors 50, thereby completing the umbrella 1. In this case, the connectors 50 can be slidably combined between the upper and lower fixtures 20a and 20b and the upper and lower elevation tubes 30a and 30b so that the umbrella ribs 21 and the lower ribs 31 are rotatably fixed, without connecting the umbrella ribs 21 and the lower ribs 31 using wires as in the prior art. Accordingly, the umbrella 1 can have an excellent assembly, cost savings according to assembly, easy mass production, and increased reliability and merchantability.
As described above, according to the present invention, in the prior art, the umbrella ribs 21 and the lower ribs 31 are hinged and fixed to the fixture unit 20 and the elevation tube 30 using wires. However, in the present invention, the connectors 50 are movably inserted between the upper and lower fixtures 20a and 20b and the upper and lower elevation tubes 30a and 30b. Working hours taken to fix the umbrella ribs 21 and the lower ribs 31 using wires can be reduced. Accordingly, there are advantages in that assembly is excellent, cost savings according to assembly can be achieved, mass production is facilitated, and reliability and merchantability can be improved.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
1. An umbrella 1 in which umbrella ribs 21 covered with waterproof cloths 11 are hinged and coupled to a fixture unit 20 at a top end of an umbrella staff 10 having a handle 40, both ends of lower ribs 31 are hinged and coupled between an elevation tube 30, coupled to the umbrella staff 10 and configured to go up and down, and the umbrella ribs 21, when the elevation tube 30 is pushed up, the lower ribs 31 are raised up and the umbrella ribs 21 are fully stretched, and simultaneously the lower ribs 31 approach the fixture unit 20 and fixed thereto,
wherein the fixture unit 20 and the elevation tube 30 are respectively separated into upper and lower fixtures 20a and 20b and upper and lower elevation tubes 30a and 30b, a plurality of first grooves 22 of a hemispherical form is formed in a lower circumferential face of the upper fixture 20a, guide holes 24 respectively corresponding to the first grooves 22 are formed in a circumferential face of the lower fixture 20b so that the upper fixture 20a and the lower fixture 20b are combined with each other, a plurality of guide grooves 32 is formed in a circumferential face of the upper elevation tube 30a, second grooves 34 of a hemispherical form respectively corresponding to the guide grooves 32 are formed in an upper circumferential face of the lower elevation tube 30b so that the upper and lower elevation tubes 30a and 30b are combined with each other, a sphere-shaped coupling unit 50a is formed on one side of each of connectors 50 and movably inserted between the first groove 22 and the guide hole 24 and between the second groove 34 and the guide groove, insertion holes 50b into each of which the umbrella rib 21 or the lower rib 31 is inserted is formed on the other side of each of the connectors 50, the umbrella ribs 21 are inserted into the respective insertion holes 50b of the connectors 50 inserted into the upper and lower fixtures 20a and 20b, and the lower ribs 31 are inserted into the respective insertion holes 50b of the connectors 50 inserted into the upper and lower elevation tubes 30a and 30b.
2. The umbrella of claim 1, wherein:
the upper and lower fixtures 20a and 20b and the upper and lower elevation tubes 30a and 30b are combined with each other using adhesive means, or
a first coupling protrusion 25 having a first latch jaw 25a formed therein is formed in the upper fixture 20a, a first coupling groove 23 into which the first latch jaw 25a is inserted is formed in the lower fixture 20b so that the first latch jaw 25a is inserted into the first coupling groove 23 and the upper and lower fixtures 20a and 20b are combined with each other, a second coupling protrusion 35 having a second latch jaw 35a formed therein is formed in the upper elevation tube 30a, a second coupling groove 33 into which the second latch jaw 35a is inserted is formed in the lower elevation tube 30b so that the second latch jaw 35a is inserted into the second coupling groove 33 and the upper and lower elevation tubes 30a and 30b are combined with each other, and the upper and lower fixtures 20a and 20b and the upper and lower elevation tubes 30a and 30b are fixed together without being separated from each other.