Double action umbrella

Claim 1

An umbrella having a canopy and a frame of interconnected ribs and a means for the automatic opening and closing of the aforesaid ribs and canopy comprising: a hollow outer cylinder; a hollow inner cylinder located concentrically within the aforesaid outer cylinder wherein the inner cylinder slidably moves within the aforesaid hollow outer cylinder; a sleeve which slidably moves on the exterior of the aforesaid hollow outer cylinder; a hollow inner tube located concentrically within the aforesaid hollow inner cylinder; a handle attached to the aforesaid hollow outer cylinder and hollow inner tube wherein said handle contains an ampule of compressed gas and said ampule is connected by passageways to the aforesaid hollow inner tube; an extension spring attached at one end to the aforesaid inner cylinder and at its alternate end attached to the aforesaid outer cylinder; a latching mechanism preventing the movement of the inner cylinder with respect to the outer cylinder wherein said mechanism is released by the movement of the aforesaid sleeve; a shaft which fits snugly within the aforesaid inner tube; a valve disposed within said handle which either stops or allows flow of gas from the aforesaid ampule through passageways to the aforesaid inner tube; a vent port communicating with said passageways which permits communication of said passageways with the atmosphere upon the movement of the aforesaid sleeve; movement in one direction of said sleeve simultaneously releasing said latching mechanism and opening said vent port to atmosphere, movement of said sleeve in a direction reverse of the aforesaid direction allowing said latching mechansim to engage while sealing said vent so that fluid pressure from said ampule may impinge against said shaft.