Tent – canopy – umbrella – or cane – Umbrella – Having quick assembly feature
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-13
2001-09-11
Stephan, Beth A. (Department: 3635)
Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane
Umbrella
Having quick assembly feature
C135S025400, C135S025410
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286528
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a disposable umbrella and in particular to a flexible shaft disposable umbrella with chemical light.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Conventional umbrellas require the mechanical assembly of many parts made of a wide variety of materials. Such multiplicity of parts and materials makes the umbrella expensive. A desired alternative is a disposable umbrella of simple design and inexpensive manufacture. U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,756 discloses a disposable umbrella with supporting struts joined by living hinges which when folded is contained within a protective tube. What is needed beyond the prior art is an even simpler design. A second need beyond the prior art is for an umbrella with an inexpensive means of illumination. A third need beyond the prior art is for an umbrella with a flexible shaft that will bend with the force of the wind to prevent the umbrella from breaking.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention meets the needs and solves the problems identified above by providing an umbrella having a molded handle, a translucent telescopic center shaft, a flexible hinge, a base, a plastic dome, spokes connected to the dome and to the base and ribs connected to the spokes and to the ring. When opened, the umbrella's dome is supported by a series of flexible plastic spokes with living hinges. The plastic dome is attached to the spokes by heat welding to supporting tabs. The section of the telescoping shaft nearest the handle has a cut out section for insertion of a “lightstick” so that the user can activate the chemically based glowstick and insert it into the cut out section and also remove and replace it as needed. The top shaft and the center shaft are joined by a flexible hinge which is slightly larger than the diameter of the shaft and flexes to allow passage of the ring and will hold the ring in position once the ring has passed over the hinge.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers represent like parts of the invention.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 3765433 (1973-10-01), Futamura et al.
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patent: 4783856 (1988-11-01), Bouwens et al.
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patent: 5725004 (1998-03-01), Moulder
patent: 5960805 (1999-10-01), Murphy
patent: 5964234 (1999-10-01), Bailly
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patent: 6095168 (2000-08-01), Berges
patent: WO 87/01262 (1987-03-01), None
Corso Barbara A.
Truchan Gary G.
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