초록 ▼

An umbrella hub is provided which can comprise a central portion, a body, and an engagement section. The central portion can be configured to receive to an umbrella pole. The body can extend between the central portion and an outer periphery of the hub with the engagement section being located adjac

An umbrella hub is provided which can comprise a central portion, a body, and an engagement section. The central portion can be configured to receive to an umbrella pole. The body can extend between the central portion and an outer periphery of the hub with the engagement section being located adjacent to the outer periphery thereof. The engagement section can be configured to receive and constrained the movement of an end portion of an umbrella structural member.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An umbrella hub comprising: a central portion configured to be disposed about a longitudinal axis of an umbrella pole;a body extending between the central portion and an outer periphery of the hub, the body comprising an engagement section adjacent to the outer periphery, the engagement section b

1. An umbrella hub comprising: a central portion configured to be disposed about a longitudinal axis of an umbrella pole;a body extending between the central portion and an outer periphery of the hub, the body comprising an engagement section adjacent to the outer periphery, the engagement section being configured to receive an end portion of an umbrella structural member; anda capture member extending into the engagement section, the capture member being configured to at least partially retract into the body within a plane oriented transverse relative to the longitudinal axis of the support pole to facilitate insertion of the umbrella structural member into the engagement section, the capture member being configured to engage with the end portion of the umbrella structural member when the end portion of the umbrella structural member is disposed in the engagement section. 2. The umbrella hub of claim 1, further comprising a locking component with a ring-like central portion and a plurality of capture members extending radially from the central portion, the locking component being configured to be interposed between upper and lower sections of the hub. 3. The umbrella hub of claim 1, wherein the hub further comprises an elongate channel extending along the engagement section, wherein the capture member extends at least partially into the elongate channel for engaging with the end portion of the umbrella structural member. 4. The umbrella hub of claim 3, wherein the elongate channel extends radially within the body. 5. The umbrella hub of claim 1, wherein the capture member comprises a ramped surface configured to contact the end portion of the umbrella structural member, wherein contact between the ramped surface and the end portion of the umbrella structural member causes deflection of the capture member from a first position to a second position. 6. The umbrella hub of claim 1, wherein the capture member moves along a generally arcuate path. 7. The hub of claim 1, wherein the capture member is configured to deflect between first and second positions in response to insertion of the umbrella structural member into the engagement section. 8. The hub of claim 7, wherein the capture member is configured to deflect in a plane oriented transverse relative to the longitudinal axis. 9. The hub of claim 1, wherein the hub comprises first and second capture members extending into the engagement section, the first and second capture members configured to deflect in generally opposite directions. 10. The hub of claim 1, wherein the capture member protrudes a first amount into the engagement section in a first position and protrudes a lesser amount into the engagement section in a second position. 11. The hub of claim 1, wherein the plane in which the capture member is configured to at least partially retract into the body is a generally horizontal plane. 12. An umbrella comprising: an umbrella hub having an outer periphery and a plurality of engagement sections spaced about the outer periphery thereof, the engagement sections each comprising a capture mechanism being movable relative to the engagement section between first and second positions, the capture mechanism being permitted to move in a first plane that is oriented transverse relative to a longitudinal axis of an umbrella pole about which the umbrella hub is adapted to be mounted, the capture mechanism being constrained from movement in a second plane that is oriented transverse relative to the first plane, the capture mechanism comprising at least one capture member configured to move along a generally arcuate path; anda plurality of ribs each comprising an engagement member configured to be at least partially and removably received within an engagement section of the umbrella hub, the engagement member causing movement of the at least one capture member from the first position toward the second position during insertion of the engagement member into the engagement section, the engagement member being retained in the engagement section upon return of the capture mechanism toward the first position. 13. The umbrella of claim 12, wherein the umbrella hub is configured to permit movement of the capture mechanism generally in the first plane while constraining movement of the capture mechanism generally in the second plane. 14. The umbrella of claim 12, wherein the capture mechanism comprises a plurality of capture members, each capture member being configured to move along a generally arcuate path. 15. The umbrella of claim 12, wherein the capture mechanism comprises a ring-shaped locking component having a central portion and a plurality of capture members extending radially from the central portion. 16. The umbrella of claim 15, wherein the umbrella hub comprises an upper section and a lower section, at least one of the upper and lower sections comprising a recess, wherein when the upper section and the lower section are engaged, a cavity is formed between the recess and an opposite portion of the hub, the cavity configured to receive the locking component. 17. The umbrella of claim 12, wherein the engagement sections each comprise at least one elongate channel extending along a sidewall thereof, and wherein the at least one capture member extends at least partially into the elongate channel. 18. The umbrella of claim 12, wherein the at least one capture member comprises a ramped surface configured to contact the engagement member, wherein contact between the ramped surface and the engagement member causes movement of the capture member from a first position to a second position in the first plane. 19. An umbrella hub adapted to receive an umbrella pole, the hub comprising: an outer periphery;a body extending inward of the outer periphery, the body defining a plurality of engagement sections each being configured to receive an end portion of an umbrella structural member; anda plurality capture members disposed in the engagement sections, each of the capture members comprising a ramped surface being sloped toward the center of the engagement section;wherein each capture member is adapted to respond to radial inward movement of the end portion of the umbrella structural member to cause the capture member to move between a first position in which the ramped surface protrudes a first amount into the engagement section and a second position in which the ramped surface protrudes a lesser amount into the engagement section; andwherein the capture member is adapted to respond to further radial inward movement of the structural member to move between the second and first positions. 20. The hub of claim 19, wherein the engagement sections of the body each comprise a channel extending radially inwardly of the outer periphery, each channel being configured to receive an end portion of an umbrella structural member. 21. The hub of claim 20, wherein the capture members are disposed in the channels of the engagement sections. 22. The hub of claim 19, wherein each capture member moves between the first and second positions in a first plane while being constrained from movement in a second plane. 23. The hub of claim 19, wherein the hub comprises a pair of capture members disposed in each engagement section. 24. The hub of claim 23, wherein each pair of capture members moves in a generally horizontal plane. 25. The hub of claim 19, wherein the capture member engages with a protrusion of the end portion of the structural member to block disengagement of the end portion from the engagement section. 26. The hub of claim 19, wherein the ramped surfaces of the capture members extend in generally vertical planes. 27. The hub of claim 19, further comprising a ring-shaped locking component having a central portion and a plurality of capture members extending radially from the central portion. 28. The hub of claim 19, wherein the capture members move along a generally arcuate path between the first and second positions.