The present invention relates to an umbrella coupling for mounting plural umbrella members to an umbrella shaft. The present invention also relates to an umbrella having one or more such umbrella couplings.

Umbrellas typically comprise a canopy supported by plural rib members. The rib members are pivotably coupled to the top of the umbrella shaft via a static coupling, which is often referred to as the “top notch” coupling. The rib members can be pivoted from a stowed configuration, in which the rib members are substantially parallel to the umbrella shaft, to a deployed configuration, in which the rib members project radially outwardly from the umbrella shaft. The rib members are typically supported in the deployed configuration by respective stretcher members. One end of each stretcher member is pivotably coupled to a rib member and the other end of the stretcher member is pivotably coupled to the umbrella shaft via a slidable coupling, which is often referred to as the “runner” coupling. The rib members can be pivoted from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration by sliding the runner coupling towards the top notch coupling. The runner coupling is then held in place adjacent the top notch coupling, for example with a catch or a loaded spring. The rib members can also be pivoted from the deployed configuration to the stowed configuration by sliding the runner coupling away from the top notch coupling. Umbrellas are often used in inclement weather, which may include heavy rain and strong winds, and should ideally be strong enough to withstand such weather conditions. Typically, umbrella members are pivotably mounted to the umbrella coupling via a wire which extends circumferentially around the coupling with the wire being threaded through holes in the ends of the umbrella members. However, this wire arrangement can be unstable and can be difficult to assemble and difficult to repair if damaged.

It is desired to provide improvements relating to umbrella couplings.

Thus, according to an aspect of the present invention there is provided an umbrella coupling for mounting plural umbrella members to an umbrella shaft, the umbrella coupling comprising: an axially extending central aperture for receiving an umbrella shaft; and plural radially extending peripheral slots, each peripheral slot having opposed mounting recesses within which corresponding pegs of an end of an umbrella member are pivotably mountable.

As will be appreciated, embodiments of the present invention can provide an umbrella coupling via which plural umbrella members may be securely and easily pivotably mounted to the umbrella shaft and which avoids the need to provide the wire arrangement discussed above.

In embodiments, the umbrella coupling may be substantially circular in planes orthogonal to the axis of the central aperture. The umbrella coupling may be substantially rotationally symmetrical about the axis of the central aperture. These embodiments can allow the umbrella coupling to be used in different rotational orientations on the umbrella shaft. The umbrella coupling may comprise a slotted region comprising the plural radially extending peripheral slots. The umbrella coupling may also comprise a tubular or fluted region. The slotted region may have a span (diameter) which is greater than a span (diameter) of the tubular or fluted region. The slotted region can allow adequate space to pivotably mount the umbrella members whilst the tubular or fluted region can help to stabilise the umbrella coupling on the umbrella shaft without greatly adding to the bulk of the umbrella coupling.

In embodiments, the central aperture may extend entirely through the umbrella coupling. These embodiments can again help to stabilise the umbrella coupling on the umbrella shaft. The central aperture may be substantially circular in planes orthogonal to the axis of the central aperture. These embodiments can again allow the umbrella coupling to be used in different rotational orientations on the umbrella shaft. The umbrella coupling (e.g. the tubular or fluted region) may comprise one or more shaft fastening openings for receiving respective mechanical fastenings that secure the umbrella coupling to the umbrella shaft.

In embodiments, the peripheral slots may be spaced substantially equally about the periphery (e.g. circumference) of the umbrella coupling. The peripheral slots may comprise at least three, four, five or six peripheral slots. The peripheral slots may be substantially rectangular in planes orthogonal to the axis of the central aperture. The peripheral slots may not extend all the way to (i.e. may terminate short of) the central aperture.

In embodiments, the opposed mounting recesses (e.g. holes) of a peripheral slot may be provided in facing (e.g. vertical) side walls of that peripheral slot. The opposed mounting recesses and/or the corresponding pegs may be circular in cross section in planes parallel to (e.g. through) the axis of the central aperture. The opposed mounting recesses and/or corresponding pegs may have central axes which are axially aligned with one another. These embodiments can allow smooth pivoting of the umbrella members when pivotably mounted within the opposed mounting recesses.

In embodiments, the umbrella coupling may comprise (e.g. distinct) upper and lower parts which are attachable together. The upper and lower parts may hold (e.g. clamp) the pegs of the ends of the plural umbrella members in place, whilst still allowing pivoting of the plural umbrella members, when those pegs are pivotably mounted within the opposed mounting recesses. The upper part and/or lower part may have a locating structure for aligning the upper and lower parts relative to one another. For example, the locating structure may comprise a peripheral lip on the upper part within which the lower part is seated and/or the locating structure may comprise a peripheral lip on the lower part within which the upper part is seated. These embodiments can help to align the upper and lower parts when assembled together.

In embodiments, the upper part may comprise a plurality of upper slot sections and/or the lower part may comprise a plurality of lower slot sections. The upper slot sections may align (respectively) with the lower slot sections to form the peripheral slots. The upper part may comprise upper opposed mounting recess sections (e.g. in facing side walls of the upper slot section) and/or the lower part may comprise lower opposed mounting recess sections (e.g. in facing side walls of the lower slot section). The upper opposed mounting recess sections may align (respectively) with the lower opposed mounting recess sections to form the opposed mounting recesses. The opposed mounting recess sections may be semi-circular in cross section in planes parallel to (e.g. through) the axis of the central aperture. The upper part may comprise an upper central aperture section and/or the lower part may comprise a lower central aperture section. The upper central aperture section may align with the lower central aperture section to form the central aperture.

In embodiments, the upper part and lower part may be attachable together with a mechanical connection. This may allow the upper part and lower parts to be repeatedly separable and re-attachable. The mechanical connection may comprise one or more mechanical (e.g. threaded) fasteners, such as screws. The upper part may comprise one or more upper (e.g. threaded or nonthreaded) fastener openings for receiving one or more respective mechanical fasteners and/or the lower part may comprise one or more lower (e.g. threaded or non-threaded) fastener openings for receiving one or more respective mechanical fasteners. The one or more upper fastener openings may align (respectively) with the one or more lower fastener openings to form one or more mechanical fastener openings. The peripheral slots may be interspersed circumferentially with the mechanical fasteners and/or fastener openings. The number of peripheral slots may be equal to the number of mechanical fastenings and/or fastener openings. These embodiments can help to hold the pegs of the ends of the plural umbrella members in place firmly between the upper and lower parts, whilst still allowing pivoting of the plural umbrella members, when those pegs are pivotably mounted within the opposed mounting recesses.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an umbrella comprising an umbrella coupling as described herein in any aspect or embodiment, the umbrella further comprising: a shaft received within the central aperture of the umbrella coupling; and plural umbrella members pivotably respectively mounted to the opposed mounting recesses of the plural radially extending peripheral slots of the umbrella coupling.

In embodiments, the umbrella may comprise plural rib members for supporting a canopy of the umbrella. The umbrella may comprise a canopy supported on the plural rib members. The umbrella may comprise a finial and/or cap for securing the centre of the canopy in place. The umbrella may comprise plural stretcher members for deploying the plural rib members of the umbrella. The plural stretcher members may be respectively pivotably mounted to the plural rib members.

In any of the above aspects and embodiments, the umbrella coupling may be a top notch coupling for coupling plural rib members to the umbrella shaft. In these embodiments, the plural rib members may be pivotably respectively mounted to the opposed mounting recesses of the plural radially extending peripheral slots of the umbrella coupling. The top notch coupling may be statically couplable or coupled to the umbrella shaft. The finial and/or cap may be received within the central aperture of the top notch coupling.

Alternatively, the umbrella coupling may be a runner coupling for coupling plural stretcher members to the umbrella shaft. In these embodiments, the plural stretcher members may be pivotably respectively mounted to the opposed mounting recesses of the plural radially extending peripheral slots of the umbrella coupling. The runner coupling may be slidably couplable or coupled to the umbrella shaft. ln yet other embodiments, the umbrella may comprise first and second umbrella couplings as described herein in any aspect or embodiment, with the first umbrella coupling being the top notch coupling for coupling the plural rib members to the umbrella shaft and the second umbrella coupling being the runner coupling for coupling the plural stretcher members to the umbrella shaft.

Thus, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an umbrella comprising a first umbrella coupling as described herein in any aspect or embodiment and a second umbrella coupling as described herein in any aspect or embodiment, the umbrella further comprising: a shaft received within the central apertures of the umbrella couplings; plural rib members pivotably respectively mounted to the opposed mounting recesses of the plural radially extending peripheral slots of the first umbrella coupling; and plural stretcher members pivotably respectively mounted to the opposed mounting recesses of the plural radially extending peripheral slots of the second umbrella coupling.

Again, in embodiments, the first (top notch) coupling may be statically coupled to the umbrella shaft. The second (runner) coupling may be slidably coupled to the umbrella shaft. The plural stretcher members may be respectively pivotably mounted to the plural rib members. The umbrella may comprise a canopy supported on the plural rib members. The umbrella may comprise a finial and/or cap for securing the centre of the canopy in place. The finial and/or cap may be received within the central aperture of the first (top notch) coupling. As will be appreciated, the terms “top”, “vertical”, “upper” and “lower” and the like as used herein are with reference to an umbrella in normal use, i.e. with the shaft of the umbrella being vertical and with the deployed canopy being uppermost. It will also be appreciated that the umbrella may nevertheless be differently orientated when not in normal use.

By way of example only, embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an umbrella having a top notch coupling and a runner coupling according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the umbrella of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a close up view of the top notch coupling of the umbrella of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the top notch coupling of Figure 3 in isolation;

Figure 5 is a first perspective cross-sectional view of the top notch coupling of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a second perspective cross-sectional view of the top notch coupling of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a close up view of the runner coupling of the umbrella of Figure 1 ;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the runner coupling of Figure 7 in isolation; Figure 9 is a first perspective cross-sectional view of the runner coupling of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a second perspective cross-sectional view of the runner coupling of Figure 8;

Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the umbrella of Figure 1 ;

Figure 12 is a first perspective cross-sectional view of the umbrella of Figure 1 ;

Figure 13 is a first side cross-sectional view of the umbrella of Figure 1 ;

Figure 14 is a second perspective cross-sectional view of the umbrella of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 15 is a second side cross-sectional view of the umbrella of Figure 1.

Figures 1 and 2 show an umbrella 10 having a vertical shaft 12. The umbrella 10 further comprises a top notch coupling 14 for mounting rib members 16 to the shaft 12. The top notch coupling 14 is statically coupled to the shaft 12. The rib members 16 can be pivoted from a stowed configuration, in which the rib members 16 are substantially parallel to the shaft 12, to a deployed configuration, in which the rib members 16 project radially outwardly from the shaft 12 (as is shown in these Figures). The umbrella 10 further comprises a runner coupling 18 for mounting stretcher members 20 to the shaft 12. The runner coupling 18 is slidably coupled to the shaft 12. Although not visible in the Figures, the other ends of the stretcher members 20 are also respectively pivotably mounted to the rib members 16. The rib members 16 can be pivoted from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration by sliding the runner coupling 18 towards the top notch coupling 14. The rib members 16 can also be pivoted from the deployed configuration to the stowed configuration by sliding the runner coupling 18 away from the top notch coupling 14. The umbrella 10 also comprises a catch or loaded spring (not shown for clarity purposes) for holding the runner coupling 18 adjacent the top notch coupling 14. The umbrella 10 also comprises a canopy (again not shown for clarity purposes) supported on the rib members 16 and a finial cap 22 for securing the centre of the canopy in place on the top notch coupling 14. In this embodiment, the umbrella 10 comprises six rib members 16 and six stretcher members 20 (it will be noted that one rib member and one stretcher member have been omitted from the Figures for clarity purposes).

Figure 3 is a close-up view of the top notch coupling 14 with the finial cap 22 removed. Figure 3 shows mechanical fastenings in the form of screws 24 which secure together upper and lower parts of the top notch coupling 14. Figure 3 also shows the ends 26 of the rib members 16 which are pivotably mounted within radially extending peripheral slots 28 of the top notch coupling 14.

Figures 4-6 are various views of the top notch coupling 14 in isolation. As is shown, the top notch coupling 14 comprises a slotted region having plural radially extending peripheral slots 28. Each peripheral slot 28 is defined by a pair of vertical facing surfaces 30 having a pair of opposed mounting recesses 32 within which a corresponding pair of axially aligned pegs at the end 26 of the rib member 16 are pivotably mountable. As is shown, the top notch coupling 14 comprises distinct upper and lower parts 34, 36 that are separable and attachable together with the screws 24, which are received in fastener openings 38. The upper and lower parts 34, 36 hold the corresponding pegs of the ends 26 of the rib members 16 in place whilst still allowing pivoting of the rib members 16. The sections of the fastener openings 38 in the upper part 34 are non-threaded whereas the sections of the fastener openings 38 in the lower part 36 are threaded for engagement with the screws 24. The top notch coupling 14 further comprises an axially extending central aperture 40 for receiving the umbrella shaft 12. The central aperture 40 extends through both the wider slotted region and a narrower tubular region 41 of the top notch coupling 14. The tubular region 41 comprises shaft fastener openings 35 for receiving screws which secure the top notch coupling 14 in place on the shaft 12. The upper part 34 further has a locating structure in the form of a peripheral lip 39 within which the lower part 36 is seated. This helps to align upper and lower slot sections to form the peripheral slots 28, to align upper and lower semi-circular mounting opening sections to form the circular mounting recesses 32, to align upper and lower fastener opening sections to form the fastener openings 38, and to align upper and lower central aperture sections to form the central aperture 40. However, some rotational alignment of the upper and lower parts 34,36 may be needed. As is shown, the top notch coupling 14 is rotationally symmetrical and substantially circular in planes orthogonal to the axis of the central aperture 40 to facilitate this.

Figure 7 is a close-up view of the runner coupling 18 from below. Figure 7 shows mechanical fastenings in the form of screws 42 which secure together upper and lower parts of the runner coupling 18. Figure 7 also shows the ends 44 of the stretcher members 20 which are pivotably mounted within radially extending peripheral slots 46 of the runner coupling 18.

Figures 8-10 are various views of the runner coupling 18 in isolation. As is shown, the runner coupling 18 comprises a slotted region having plural radially extending peripheral slots 46. Each peripheral slot 46 is defined by a pair of vertical facing surfaces 48 having a pair of opposed mounting recesses 50 within which a corresponding pair of axially aligned pegs at the end 44 of the stretcher member 20 are pivotably mountable. As is shown, the runner coupling 18 comprises distinct upper and lower parts 52, 54 that are attachable together with the screws 42, which are received in fastener openings 56. The upper and lower parts 52, 54 hold the corresponding pegs of the ends 44 of the stretcher members 20 in place whilst still allowing pivoting of the stretcher members 20. In this case, the sections of the fastener openings 56 in the upper part 52 are threaded for engagement with the screws 42 whereas the sections of the fastener openings 56 in the lower part 54 are non-threaded. The runner coupling 18 further comprises an axially extending central aperture 58 for slidably receiving the umbrella shaft 12. The central aperture 58 extends through both the wider slotted region and a narrower fluted region 59 of the runner coupling 18. The lower part 54 further has a locating structure in the form of a peripheral lip 57 within which the upper part 52 is seated. This helps to align upper and lower slot sections to form the peripheral slots 46, to align upper and lower semi-circular mounting opening sections to form the circular mounting recesses 50, to align upper and lower fastener opening sections to form the fastener openings 56, and to align upper and lower central aperture sections to form the central aperture 58. However, some rotational alignment of the upper and lower parts 52, 54 may again be needed. As is shown, the runner coupling 18 is rotationally symmetrical and substantially circular in planes orthogonal to the axis of the central aperture 58 to facilitate this. Figure 11 is an exploded view of the umbrella 10 and Figures 12-15 are various cross-sectional views of the umbrella 10. Figures 11-15 show in more detail the screws 24 which secure the upper and lower parts of the top notch coupling 14 together and the screws 42 which secure the upper and lower parts of the runner coupling 18 together. Figures 11-15 also show in more detail the ends 26 of the rib members 16 which have opposed pegs that are pivotably mounted within the peripheral slots 28 of the top notch coupling 14 and the ends 44 of the stretcher members 20 which have opposed pegs that are pivotably mounted within the peripheral slots 46 of the runner coupling 18.