Operation system for outdoor umbrella

Abstract

An outdoor umbrella includes an umbrella frame, an awning element, and an operation system. The umbrella frame includes a supporting frame and an awning frame adapted to fold between an opened position and a closed position. The operation system includes an operational controller supported at the supporting frame, a pulley unit supported within the umbrella frame in a hidden manner; and an elongated controlling element running from the operational controller to the awning frame through the pulley unit and defining an operation length between the operational controller and the awning frame. When the operational controller is actuated to shorten the operation length of the controlling element, the awning frame is pivotally folded at the closed position. When the operational controller is actuated to extend the operation length of the controlling element, the awning frame is pivotally folded at the opened position.

1 . An outdoor umbrella, comprising:
 an umbrella frame which comprises a supporting frame and an awning frame, suspendedly supported by said supporting frame, wherein said awning frame is adapted to fold between an opened position and a closed position;   an awning element supported by said awning frame to define a shading area underneath said awning element when said awning frame is folded at said opened position; and   an operation system, comprising:   an operational controller supported at said supporting frame;   a pulley unit supported within said umbrella frame in a hidden manner; and   an elongated controlling element running from said operational controller to said awning frame through said pulley unit and defining an operation length between said operational controller and said awning frame, wherein when said operational controller is actuated to shorten said operation length of said controlling element, said awning frame is pivotally folded at said opened position, and when said operational controller is actuated to extend said operation length of said controlling element, said awning frame is pivotally folded at said closed position.   
   
   
       2 . The outdoor umbrella, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said controlling element, which is embodied as a durable cable, has a first end affixed to said operational controller and a second end extended through an interior of said umbrella frame to affix at said awning frame. 
   
   
       3 . The outdoor umbrella, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said awning frame comprises an upper housing coupling with said supporting frame, a lower housing positioned below said upper housing, and a plurality of awning arms radially and pivotally extended from said upper housing to support said awning element, wherein said controlling element runs between said upper and lower housings to control a vertical movement of said lower housing that when said lower housing is upwardly lifted towards said upper housing, said awning arms are outwardly and pivotally folded to fold said awning frame at said opened position, and when said lower housing is downwardly dropped from said upper housing, said awning arms are downwardly and pivotally folded to fold said awning frame at said closed position. 
   
   
       4 . The outdoor umbrella, as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said awning frame comprises an upper housing coupling with said supporting frame, a lower housing positioned below said upper housing, and a plurality of awning arms radially and pivotally extended from said upper housing to support said awning element, wherein said controlling element runs between said upper and lower housings to control a vertical movement of said lower housing that when said lower housing is upwardly lifted towards said upper housing, said awning arms are outwardly and pivotally folded to fold said awning frame at said opened position, and when said lower housing is downwardly dropped from said upper housing, said awning arms are downwardly and pivotally folded to fold said awning frame at said closed position. 
   
   
       5 . The outdoor umbrella, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said pulley unit comprises a first operation pulley rotatably supported in an upper portion of said awning frame and a second operation pulley rotatably supported in a lower portion of said awning frame to align with said first operation pulley, wherein said controlling element is guided to run between said first and second operation pulleys. 
   
   
       6 . The outdoor umbrella, as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said pulley unit comprises a first operation pulley rotatably supported in an upper portion of said awning frame and a second operation pulley rotatably supported in a lower portion of said awning frame to align with said first operation pulley, wherein said controlling element is guided to run between said first and second operation pulleys. 
   
   
       7 . The outdoor umbrella, as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said pulley unit comprises a first operation pulley rotatably supported in an upper portion of said awning frame and a second operation pulley rotatably supported in a lower portion of said awning frame to align with said first operation pulley, wherein said controlling element is guided to run between said first and second operation pulleys. 
   
   
       8 . The outdoor umbrella, as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said first and second operation pulleys are rotatably supported upper and lower housings respectively, wherein said second end of said controlling element is affixed to said upper housing, wherein a second end portion of said controlling element is downwardly extended from said first operation pulley at said upper housing to said second operation pulley at said lower housing and is then made a detour to return back to said upper housing to affix said second end of said controlling element to said upper housing. 
   
   
       9 . The outdoor umbrella, as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said pulley unit further comprises a plurality of guiding pulleys spacedly supported in said umbrella frame to guide said controlling element being directionally extended from said supporting frame to said awning frame. 
   
   
       10 . The outdoor umbrella, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said pulley unit further comprises a plurality of guiding pulleys spacedly supported in said umbrella frame to guide said controlling element being directionally extended from said supporting frame to said awning frame. 
   
   
       11 . The outdoor umbrella, as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said first and second operation pulleys and said guiding pulleys are stationary pulleys. 
   
   
       12 . The outdoor umbrella, as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said first and second operation pulleys and said guiding pulleys are stationary pulleys. 
   
   
       13 . The outdoor umbrella, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said upper housing has an upper housing compartment supporting said first operation pulley thereat and comprises an enlarged upper body for said awning arms pivotally and radially extending therefrom and a tubular lower body downwardly extended from said upper body, wherein said lower housing has a lower housing compartment supporting said second operation pulley thereat and a retention socket upwardly extended to align with said lower body of said upper housing, such that when said lower housing is upwardly lifted to fold said awning frame at said opened position, a bottom portion of said lower body is biased against said retention socket. 
   
   
       14 . The outdoor umbrella, as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said upper housing has an upper housing compartment supporting said first operation pulley thereat and comprises an enlarged upper body for said awning arms pivotally and radially extending therefrom and a tubular lower body downwardly extended from said upper body, wherein said lower housing has a lower housing compartment supporting said second operation pulley thereat and a retention socket upwardly extended to align with said lower body of said upper housing, such that when said lower housing is upwardly lifted to fold said awning frame at said opened position, a bottom portion of said lower body is biased against said retention socket. 
   
   
       15 . The outdoor umbrella, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said pulley unit comprises a first operation pulley rotatably supported in an upper portion of said awning frame, a second operation pulley rotatably supported in a lower portion of said awning frame to align with said first operation pulley, and a third operation pulley rotatably supported in said upper portion of said awning frame at a position below said first operation pulley, wherein said controlling element is guided to run among said first, second, and third operation pulleys. 
   
   
       16 . The outdoor umbrella, as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said pulley unit comprises a first operation pulley rotatably supported in an upper portion of said awning frame, a second operation pulley rotatably supported in a lower portion of said awning frame to align with said first operation pulley, and a third operation pulley rotatably supported in said upper portion of said awning frame at a position below said first operation pulley, wherein said controlling element is guided to run among said first, second, and third operation pulleys. 
   
   
       17 . The outdoor umbrella, as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said pulley unit comprises a first operation pulley rotatably supported in an upper portion of said awning frame, a second operation pulley rotatably supported in a lower portion of said awning frame to align with said first operation pulley, and a third operation pulley rotatably supported in said upper portion of said awning frame at a position below said first operation pulley, wherein said controlling element is guided to run among said first, second, and third operation pulleys. 
   
   
       18 . The outdoor umbrella, as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said first and third operation pulleys are rotatably and spacedly supported in said upper housing, wherein said second operation pulley is rotatably supported in said lower housing, wherein said second end of said controlling element is affixed to said lower housing, wherein a second end portion of said controlling element is downwardly extended from said first operation pulley at said upper housing to said second operation pulley at said lower housing and is then made a detour to return back to said upper housing, wherein said second end portion of said controlling is then upwardly extended to said third operation pulley at said upper housing and is made a detour to return back to said lower housing to affix said second end of said controlling element to said lower housing. 
   
   
       19 . The outdoor umbrella, as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said pulley unit further comprises a plurality of guiding pulleys spacedly supported in said umbrella frame to guide said controlling element being directionally extended from said supporting frame to said awning frame. 
   
   
       20 . The outdoor umbrella, as recited in  claim 18 , wherein said pulley unit further comprises a plurality of guiding pulleys spacedly supported in said umbrella frame to guide said controlling element being directionally extended from said supporting frame to said awning frame. 
   
   
       21 . The outdoor umbrella, as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said first, second, and third operation pulleys, and said guiding pulleys are stationary pulleys. 
   
   
       22 . The outdoor umbrella, as recited in  claim 20 , wherein said first, second, and third operation pulleys, and said guiding pulleys are stationary pulleys. 
   
   
       23 . The outdoor umbrella, as recited in  claim 17 , wherein a diameter of each of said first and second pulleys is larger than a diameter of said third pulley, wherein said first and second operation pulleys are aligned with each other. 
   
   
       24 . The outdoor umbrella, as recited in  claim 22 , wherein a diameter of each of said first and second pulleys is larger than a diameter of said third pulley, wherein said first and second operation pulleys are aligned with each other. 
   
   
       25 . The outdoor umbrella, as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said upper housing comprises an enlarged upper body which is supporting said first operation pulley thereat and is pivotally coupling said awning arms, and a tubular lower body downwardly extended from said upper body to support said third operation pulley at said lower body, wherein said lower housing has a lower housing compartment supporting said second operation pulley thereat and a retention socket upwardly extended to align with said lower body of said upper housing, such that when said lower housing is upwardly lifted to fold said awning frame at said opened position, a bottom portion of said lower body is biased against said retention socket. 
   
   
       26 . The outdoor umbrella, as recited in  claim 24 , wherein said upper housing comprises an enlarged upper body which is supporting said first operation pulley thereat and is pivotally coupling said awning arms, and a tubular lower body downwardly extended from said upper body to support said third operation pulley at said lower body, wherein said lower housing has a lower housing compartment supporting said second operation pulley thereat and a retention socket upwardly extended to align with said lower body of said upper housing, such that when said lower housing is upwardly lifted to fold said awning frame at said opened position, a bottom portion of said lower body is biased against said retention socket.