Windproof umbrella with integral upper canopy and method of making same

Abstract

Windproof umbrella and method of making same are disclosed. The method includes providing an integral, polygonal cloth having corners; forming substantially conic members each disposed on a joining end of one corner and another adjacent corner by shaping and stitching; providing a folding radial frame; securing a lower canopy having a central opening onto the frame; and securing the cloth onto the frame to form an upper canopy having sectors in covering relation to the central opening. The conic members are substantially flat in an inoperative state and are expanded to form a substantially conic shape in response to high winds. Each escape path for wind is thus formed between the sector of the upper canopy and an upper edge of the lower canopy. No cutting is involved in the method. Also, no creases and looseness in a central portion of the umbrella are formed.

1 . A process of manufacturing a windproof umbrella, comprising the steps of: 
 (i) providing an integral piece of polygonal cloth having a plurality of corners;    (ii) forming a plurality of substantially conic members each disposed on a joining end of one corner and another adjacent corner by shaping and stitching wherein the conic members are substantially flat in an inoperative state and are expanded to form a substantially conic shape in response to high winds;    (iii) providing a folding radial frame including a center post, a plurality of stretchers, and a plurality of ribs;    (iv) securing a lower canopy having a central opening onto the frame; and    (v) securing the cloth onto the frame to form an upper canopy having a plurality of sectors in covering relation to the central opening.    
   
   
       2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the forming of a substantially conic shape in each of the conic members in the step (ii) further forms a plurality of escape paths for wind each between the sector of the upper canopy and an upper edge of the lower canopy.  
   
   
       3 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of printing one or more patters on the cloth prior to the step (i).  
   
   
       4 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the cloth has eight corners.  
   
   
       5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the cloth has six corners.  
   
   
       6 . A windproof umbrella, comprising: 
 a folding radial frame including a center post, a plurality of stretchers, and a plurality of ribs;    a lower canopy having a central opening secured onto the frame; and    an upper canopy having a plurality of sectors secured onto the frame in covering relation to the central opening; wherein    the upper canopy is formed by an integral piece of polygonal cloth having a plurality of corners and a plurality of substantially conic members each formed on a joining end of one corner and another adjacent corner by shaping and stitching;    the conic members are substantially flat in an inoperative state and are expanded to form a substantially conic shape in response to high winds; and    a plurality of escape paths for wind each between the sector of the upper canopy and an upper edge of the lower canopy are formed in response to the forming of a substantially conic shape in each of the conic members.    
   
   
       7 . The umbrella of  claim 6 , wherein one or more patters are printed on the cloth prior to forming the upper canopy.  
   
   
       8 . The umbrella of  claim 6 , wherein the cloth has eight corners.  
   
   
       9 . The umbrella of  claim 6 , wherein the cloth has six corners.