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EP-4740780-A1 - FRAME FOR SHELTERING PRODUCT, JOINT, AND BEACH UMBRELLA

EP4740780A1EP 4740780 A1EP4740780 A1EP 4740780A1EP-4740780-A1

Abstract

A frame for a sheltering product, a joint, and a beach umbrella. The frame for a sheltering product comprises a central support pole; a plurality of top frame units, which are supported by the central support pole and can relatively fold and unfold, wherein each top frame unit comprises a first top pole and a second top pole, the inner end of the first top pole being rotatably connected to a top cap; and a first slider, which is arranged on the central support pole and can move in a vertical direction, and which is located below the upper end of the central support pole, wherein the inner end of each second top pole is rotatably connected to the first slider. The first top pole, the second top pole, the central support pole, and the first slider form a crank and slider mechanism. The frame further comprises extension poles, wherein the inner end of each extension pole is pivotally connected to a top frame unit, in order to allow the extension pole to flip upwards relative to the top frame unit when the frame falls over sideways.

Inventors

  • YUAN, Chunliang
  • YANG, SHENGYONG

Assignees

  • With-U e-Commerce (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240425

Claims (20)

  1. A frame for a sheltering product, comprising: a central rod having an upper end portion and a lower end portion for supporting or fixing on the ground, the lower end portion being located below the upper end portion; a plurality of top frame units supported by the central rod and capable of unfolding and folding, each top frame unit comprising a first top rod and a second top rod, and an inner end portion of each first top rod being rotatably connected to the upper end portion of the central rod; a first slider arranged on the central rod and capable of moving in an up-down direction, the first slider being spaced apart from the upper end portion of the central rod, an inner end portion of each second top rod being rotatably connected to the first slider, and the first top rod being rotatably connected to the second top rod, such that the first top rod, the second top rod, the central rod, and the first slider form a crank-slider mechanism; and an extension rod with an inner end portion being pivotally connected to one of the top frame units to allow the extension rod to flip upwards relative to the one top frame unit when the frame overturns on its side to the ground.
  2. The frame for a sheltering product as in claim 1, is characterized in that , further comprising a joint, wherein the joint is arranged on an outer end portion of one first top rod, an outer end portion of one second top rod is rotatably connected to the joint, and an inner end portion of the extension rod is rotatably connected to the joint and configured to only allow the extension rod to flip upwards relative to the one top frame unit when the frame overturns on its side to the ground.
  3. The frame for a sheltering product as in claim 2, is characterized in that , the joint has an accommodating groove, and when the frame is in an unfolded state, the outer end portion of the extension rod is accommodated in the accommodating groove, and the accommodating groove has an open upper portion to allow the extension rod to flip upwards.
  4. The frame for a sheltering product as in claim 2 or 3, is characterized in that , when the frame is in the unfolded state, centerlines of the extension rod and the one first top rod coincide or are parallel to each other, the extension rod is connected to the joint via a first pivot, and the first pivot is located above the centerline of the extension rod.
  5. The frame for a sheltering product as in claim 4, is characterized in that , the one second top rod is connected to the joint via a second pivot, and the second pivot is located below the centerline of the extension rod.
  6. The frame for a sheltering product as in claim 5, is characterized in that , the joint comprises a body and a metal reinforcement sheet fixedly connected to the body, and the metal reinforcement sheet is provided with pivot holes for the first pivot and the second pivot to pass through, respectively.
  7. The frame for a sheltering product as in claim 2, is characterized in that , when the frame is in a folded state, the joint and the central rod are close to each other, the first slider and the upper end portion of the central rod are close to each other, and the inner end portions of the second top rods and the inner end portions of the first top rods are close to each other.
  8. The frame for a sheltering product as in claim 7, is characterized in that , length of the first top rods is smaller than length of the second top rods; the central rod comprises a plurality of sub rods that can be relatively retracted or detached, and/or the central rod further comprises a ground nail arranged on a lowermost sub rod.
  9. The frame for a sheltering product as in any one of the preceding claims, is characterized in that , a spring is arranged between the upper end portion of the central rod and the first slider.
  10. The frame for a sheltering product as in any one of the preceding claims, is characterized in that , each top frame unit further comprises a slant support rod, and an upper end portion of the slant support rod is rotatably connected to the first or second top rod; the frame further comprises a second slider, the second slider is arranged on the central rod and capable of moving in the up-down direction, and is located below the first slider, and a lower end portion of each slant support rod is rotatably connected to the second slider; each top frame unit is connected with one extension rod.
  11. The frame for a sheltering product as in claim 10, is characterized in that , when the frame is in the unfolded state, the first slider and the second slider are locked to each other; when the frame for a sheltering product is in the folded state, the first slider and the second slider are detached from each other; one of the first slider and the second slider is provided with a locking member that can deform elastically and the other one is provided with a locking groove, when the frame is in the unfolded state, the locking member is inserted into the locking groove, and the locking member has a lug that matched with a groove wall of the locking groove.
  12. The frame for a sheltering product as in claim 10 or 11, is characterized in that , each top frame unit comprises two second top rods arranged in parallel, and the slant support rod passes between the two second top rods; or, each top frame unit comprises two first top rods arranged in parallel.
  13. A frame for a sheltering product, having an unfolded state and a folded state, comprising: a central rod having an upper end portion and a lower end portion for supporting or fixing on the ground, the upper end portion of the central rod being fixedly connected or integrated with a top cap; a plurality of top frame units supported by the central rod and capable of unfolding and folding, each top frame unit comprising a first top rod and a second top rod, and an inner end portion of each first top rod being rotatably connected to the top cap; a first slider arranged on the central rod and capable of moving in an up-down direction, the first slider being located below the top cap, and the first top rods being rotatably connected to the second top rods, such that the first top rod, the second top rod, the central rod, and the first slider form a crank-slider mechanism; and a spring in contact with or connected to the first slider; when the frame is in the folded state, the spring is deformed, such that having a trend to drive the first slider to slide downward.
  14. The frame as in claim 13, is characterized in that , the spring is arranged between the top cap and the first slider.
  15. The frame as in claim 14, is characterized in that , the spring is sleeved on the central rod, and the spring is pressed between the top cap and the first slider.
  16. The frame as in any one of claims 13 to 16, is characterized in that , the frame further comprises a second slider arranged on the central rod and capable of moving in the up-down direction, and the second slider is located below the first slider; each of the top frame units further comprises a slant support rod, a lower end portion of the slant support rod is rotatably connected to the second slider, and an upper end portion of the slant support rod is rotatably connected to the first top rod or the second top rod.
  17. The frame as in claim 16, is characterized in that , the first slider and/or the second slider comprises a sliding sleeve slideable sleeved on the central rod.
  18. The frame as in claim 16 or 17, is characterized in that , a length of the slant support rod is smaller than length of the first top rod and a length of the second top rod. In an embodiment, the upper end of the slant support rod is rotatably connected to the first top rod, and a distance between a connection of the slant support rod and the first top rod and the outer end portion of the first top rod is less than half of the length of the first top rod. In an embodiment, a sum of the distance and the length of the slant support rod is less than or equal to the length of the second top rod.
  19. A frame for a sheltering product, having an unfolded state and a folded state, comprising: a central rod; a plurality of top frame units supported by the central rod and capable of unfolding and folding; a first slider for rotatably connecting with first rods of the top frame units, the first slider being arranged on the central rod and capable of moving in an up-down direction; a second slider for rotatably connecting with second rods of the top frame units, the second slider being arranged on the central rod and capable of moving in an up-down direction; and a locking mechanism arranged on the first slider and/or the second slider, to lock the first slider and the second slider; when the frame is in the unfolded state, the first slider and the second slider are spaced apart from each other, and the locking mechanism is in an unlocked state; when the frame is in the folded state, the first slider and the second slider are close to each other, and the locking mechanism locks the first slider and the second slider to each other.
  20. The frame as in claim 18, is characterized in that , the locking mechanism comprises a mutually matched locking member and a locking groove, wherein the locking member and the first slider are fixedly connected or integrated, and the locking groove is opened on the second slider, when the outdoor sheltering product is in the unfolded state, the locking member is inserted into the locking groove, and when the outdoor sheltering product is in the folded state, the locking member disengages from the locking groove.

Description

Related applications This application claims the priority of Chinese patent applications CN 2023109965536, CN 2023221245022, CN 2023221248618, CN 202322124875X, CN 2023221299639, and CN 202322124522X, filed on August 8, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field The present disclosure relates to outdoor products, and especially relates to a frame and a joint for a sheltering product, and a beach umbrella having the same. Background Outdoor shading products, typically beach umbrellas, are widely used in outdoor activities for sunshading or sheltering from rain. The beach umbrella usually uses a foldable frame, which can unfold or fold the sunshade umbrella, and can also be easily transported or stored. One type of beach umbrella adopts a foldable frame, which comprises a central rod located in the center and a plurality of top frame units that can be folded and unfolded, the central rod stands vertically on the ground (such as a beach), and inner end portions of the respective top frame units are connected to the upper end portion of the support rod and the respective top frame units extend radially outward along a radial direction of the central rod. Each top frame unit comprises three elongated rods, an inner end portion of a first elongated rod is hinged to an upper fixed block, an inner end portion of a second elongated rod is hinged to a lower fixed block, the upper fixed block is fixed to an upper end portion of the central rod, and the lower fixed block is fixed to the central rod and located at a distance below the upper fixed block; outer end portions of the first elongated rod and the second elongated rod are respectively hinged to different positions of a third elongated rod, and each top frame unit and the central rod form a four-bar linkage mechanism, so that each top frame unit can be folded and unfolded. However, this type of beach umbrella has the following defects: if the beach umbrella overturns on its side due to strong lateral winds or other reasons, the third elongated rod will be directly impacted. Although the third elongated rod may flip upwards to avoid direct impact, when the third elongated rod flips upwards, it will inevitably cause the first elongated rod and the second elongated rod to flip, posing a high risk of deformation or even breakage of the rods. Summary A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a frame for a sheltering product including: a central rod having an upper end portion and a lower end portion for supporting or fixing on the ground, the lower end portion being located below the upper end portion;a plurality of top frame units supported by the central rod and capable of unfolding and folding, each top frame unit comprising a first top rod and a second top rod, and an inner end portion of each first top rod being rotatably connected to the upper end portion of the central rod;a first slider arranged on the central rod and capable of moving in an up-down direction, the first slider being spaced apart from the upper end portion of the central rod, an inner end portion of each second top rod being rotatably connected to the first slider, and the first top rod being rotatably connected to the second top rod to form a crank-slider mechanism between the first top rod, the second top rod, the central rod, and the first slider; anden extension rod with an inner end portions being pivotally connected to one of the top frame units to allow the extension rod to flip upwards relative to the one top frame unit when the frame overturns on its side to the ground. In an embodiment, the frame further comprises a joint, wherein the joint is arranged on an outer end portion of one first top rod, an outer end portion of one second top rod is rotatably connected to the joint, and an inner end portion of the extension rod is rotatably connected to the joint and configured to only allow the extension rod to flip upwards relative to the one top frame unit when the frame overturns on its side to the ground. The extension rod is pivoted on the joint, and when the product falls to the ground, the extension rod will fold upwards to cushion the impact, avoiding direct impact on the end portion of the extension rod and reducing the risk of breakage or deformation of the extension rod. The extension rod also increases the sheltering area of the frame for a sheltering product. In an embodiment, the joint has an accommodating groove, and when the frame is in an unfolded state, the outer end portion of the extension rod is accommodated in the accommodating groove, and the accommodating groove has an open upper portion to allow the extension rod to flip upwards. In addition to accommodating the inner end portion of the extension rod, the accommodating groove also restrict the direction of rotation of the extension rod, and only allow the extension rod to flip upwards relative to the joint when the frame for a sheltering product is in the unfold