US3692035A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foldable umbrella
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-01-27
•
Granted: 1972-09-19
•
Expires: 1991-01-27
Abstract
Abstract A foldable umbrella comprising a plurality of substantially rigid umbrella sections, each of which is tapered inwardly toward the center of the umbrella and is positioned with respect to the other sections to collectively define the umbrella. A plurality of flexible elongated strips are connected to the side edge portions of the umbrella sections and extend throughout substantially the entire length thereof. Preferably, the strips are slidably connected to the umbrella sections so as to be removable and replaceable. Each of the strips serves as a hinge for adjacent umbrella sections so that they are foldable with respect to each other when the umbrella is closed.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack W Houston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 12:37
CPC Classifications
A; A45; A45B; A45B23/00; A45B25/00; A45B25/18; A45B2023/0012; A45B2200/00; A45B2200/10; A45B2200/1009; A45B2200/1063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A foldable umbrella, comprising: a plurality of substantially rigid umbrella sections, each of said sections being tapered inwardly toward the center of the umbrella and being so positioned with respect to the other sections to collectively define the umbrella, means for hingedly connecting adjacent umbrella sections, said connecting means comprising a plurality of flexible elongated hinge strips, each slidably connected to the side edge portions of adjacent umbrella sections so as to be removable and replaceable by longitudinal movement thereof relative to said sections, each of said strips extending throughout substantially the entire length of the side edge portions of adjacent umbrella sections, means to prevent removal of each strip from said sections in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said strip, and means connected to said umbrella sections for opening and closing said umbrella, whereby when said umbrella is closed said sections fold with respect to each other about said flexible strips.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A foldable umbrella, comprising: a plurality of substantially rigid umbrella sections, each of said sections being tapered inwardly toward the center of the umbrella and being so positioned with respect to the other sections to collectively define the umbrella, means for hingedly connecting adjacent umbrella sections, said connecting means comprising a plurality of flexible elongated hinge strips, each slidably connected to the side edge portions of adjacent umbrella sections so as to be removable and replaceable by longitudinal movement thereof relative to said sections, each of said strips extending throughout substantially the entire length of the side edge portions of adjacent umbrella sections, means to prevent removal of each strip from said sections in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said strip, and means connected to said umbrella sections for opening and closing said umbrella, whereby when said umbrella is closed said sections fold with respect to each other about said flexible strips.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The umbrella of claim 1 wherein each of said strips is formed of a plastic material and has an elongated thin hinge portion extending substantially along the center portion thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The umbrella of claim 2 wherein said umbrella sections are formed of a lightweight metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The umbrella of claim 2 wherein each of said strips comprises an internal elongated opening at each side edge portion thereof which is adapted to retainably receive the side edge portion of the adjacent one of said umbrella sections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The umbrella of claim 4 wherein the side edge portion of each of said umbrella sections comprises a tab that is adapted to be received and retained within the internal opening in the adjacent one of said strips.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The umbrella of claim 4 wherein the side edge portion of each of said umbrella sections comprises a plurality of tabs extending from opposite thereof, said tabs being adapted to be received and retained within the internal opening in the adjacent one of said strips.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The umbrella of claim 1 wherein said opening and closing means comprises an elongated rib connected to each of said umbrella sections and a rod pivotally connected to each of said ribs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The umbrella of claim 7 wherein said umbrella further comprises a center support post, said ribs being pivotally connected at their inner ends to said post, and a sleeve slidably mounted on said post, said rods being pivotally connected at their inner ends to said sleeve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The umbrella of claim 7 wherein each umbrella section comprises a pair of oblique portions which extend upwardly and inwardly and intersect substantially at the center portion of said section, whereby each section is substantially V-shaped in transverse cross section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The umbrella of claim 9 wherein a bracket is secured to the inner surface of the oblique portions of each section, and clips are adapted to be connected to said brackets, said clips being adapted to receive said ribs and to connect them to said sections.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1215223A
Cited
US2829081A
Cited
US2795272A
Cited
FR1127107A
Cited
US2959221A
Cited
US2967379A
Cited
US3388611A
Cited
US3397399A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-19 | 1976-03-20 | 1976-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-19 | 1980-03-20 | 1980-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-19 | 1984-03-20 | 1984-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |