Umbrella system

Abstract

An operating mechanism for “patio type” umbrellas uses an actuator sleeve in order to open and close the canopy. The sleeve is in connection with rods on the canopy that in turn can open and close the canopy. The actuator sleeve is guided by two fixed supports, the outer and inner sleeve that form a channel. The actuator sleeve can travel within the channel is limited in travel via a slot on the actuator sleeve that interacts with a bolt on the inner sleeve. Movement of the actuator sleeve upward will the inner ribs downward so as to close the canopy. Movement of the actuator sleeve downward will pull the ribs away from the central shaft and hence open the canopy. The latch is used to lock the actuator sleeve in position vis a vis the inner sleeve.

1 . An improved patio canopy apparatus comprising: a first and second upright support means, said first upright support means of a hollow section and able to accommodate said second upright support means so as to form a hollow section between said first and second upright support means, said first upright support means in connection with a table and said first upright support means extending from said table to a distance below said table, and said second upright support means extending above said table, an actuator sleeve having a top and a bottom portion and of size able to fit inside said hollow section and fixed for sliding up and down within said hollow section and for sliding on the outside of said second upright support means, a canopy of size sufficient to cover said table and having a series of struts extending from the edges of said canopy and converging upon a centralized point, said top portion of said actuator sleeve in connection with said centralized point, a plurality of ribs; each of said ribs in connection with one of said struts and said ribs extending from said struts to a circular shaped yoke, said yoke fixed upon said second support means via a bolt means, said bolt in connection with said yolk and said second upright support means, said actuator sleeve having a slot suitable to slide over said bolt means when said actuator sleeve moves up and down, a means for engaging said actuator sleeve and fixing said sleeve into position vis a vis said second upright means, said engagement means in connection with said second upright means and positioned upon said means so that when said actuator sleeve is moved downward to fully deploy said canopy over said table, said sleeve will engage said engagement means and said sleeve will be fixed into position.