Foldable articulated arm

Abstract

A foldable articulated arm including at least a first rod and a second rod connected together, each of which is configured for connection to the stem of a parasol, at least a third rod, connected to the second rod, and a fourth rod connected to the third rod; a first flexible element which connects the first rod with the third rod and a second flexible element which connects the fourth rod with the second rod; the first, second, third and fourth rods and the first and second flexible elements are a single piece; in particular, the second flexible element includes a first portion slidably constrained to the second rod and a second portion slidably constrained to the third rod.

1 . A foldable articulated arm comprising at least a first rod and a second rod connected together, each of which is configured for connection to the stem of a parasol, at least a third rod, connected to the second rod, and a fourth rod connected to the third rod; a first flexible element connects the first rod with the third rod and a second flexible element connects the fourth rod with the second rod;
 the first, second, third and fourth rods and the first and second flexible elements being a single piece;   the articulated arm is characterised in that the second flexible element comprises a first portion slidably constrained to the second rod and a second portion slidably constrained to the third rod.   
     
     
         2 . The arm according to independent  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the second flexible element is configured to pass from a first to a second end position following a relative rotation of the fourth rod relative to the third rod, a rotation which occurs when the foldable articulated arm is arranged in its open position. 
     
     
         3 . The arm according to independent  claim 1 , wherein during the opening and closing operations of the foldable arm, following a relative rotation of the third rod relative to the second rod and/or of the fourth rod relative to the third rod, the second portion of the second flexible element runs along the third rod from a first to a second end position, and vice versa, and, simultaneously, the first portion of the second flexible element is configured to remain at one of the two end positions. 
     
     
         4 . The arm according to  claim 1 , wherein the second flexible element has a respective line of weakness connecting the first portion with the second portion. 
     
     
         5 . The arm according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the second flexible element is connected to the second rod in the proximity of the connection end of the second rod with the third rod. 
     
     
         6 . The arm according to  claim 1 , wherein one of the ends of the second rod comprises a pin free to rotate about a respective axis of rotation during the relative rotation of the first rod relative to the second rod. 
     
     
         7 . The arm according to  claim 6 , wherein the end of the second rod comprises contact means configured to come into contact with end portion or head of the stem of the parasol following the relative rotation of the first rod relative to the second rod, in particular during the passage from the closed position to the open position of the foldable arm. 
     
     
         8 . A parasol wherein it comprises a plurality of foldable articulated arms, according to  claim 1 , configured to open and close a same sheet; the closed position of the foldable arm corresponds to the closed position of the sheet of the parasol and the open position of the foldable arm corresponds to the open position of the sheet of the parasol. 
     
     
         9 . The parasol according to  claim 8 , wherein the second rod has a respective end designed to be associated with the stem of the parasol, in particular to be connected to the end portion or head of the stem of the parasol. 
     
     
         10 . The parasol according to  claim 8 , wherein the first rod is configured to be connected to an element, slidable along the stem, for controlling the opening and closing of the sheet of the parasol. 
     
     
         11 . The parasol according to  claim 8 , wherein the end portion or head of the stem of the parasol has a plurality of seats for housing and retaining a respective pin; each seat is designed to house and retain a respective pin in which it is free to rotate about a respective axis of rotation, in particular between two end positions corresponding to the closed position and to the open position of the foldable arm. 
     
     
         12 . The parasol according to  claim 8 , wherein the end portion or head of the stem of the parasol has a plurality of seats each of which engages at least partly with respective contact means of the end of the second rod, in the open position of the foldable arm.