Self-Sheathing Telescopic Umbrella That Opens and Retracts into Its Own Tube

The problem

Folding umbrellas are compact but leave a wet canopy in your hand, and plastic drip sleeves are slow to use and easily lost. Umbrellas that close into a rigid case exist, but they need a reliable way to extend and retract several nested stem sections and the canopy in the right order with one pair of hands. The patent solves the sequencing with a small two-position toggle.

The solution

The toggle:

1. A rotating disc (5-2) turns on an axis (5-1) and is centered by a return spring (5-4). A toggle tip (5-21) sticks out from its edge.
2. The disc has two notches (5-22) - or two wedge blocks (5-220) in other versions.
3. A support block (5-5) beside the disc holds a push rod (5-6), pressed toward the disc by a second spring (5-7).
4. When the disc is turned one way, the push rod drops into one notch (or behind one wedge) and holds the disc there; turned the other way, it holds the disc in the second position. A version with a sliding lever (5-60) and third spring (5-70) works the same way along the axis.

The umbrella stem:

5. The stem has upper, middle and lower sections, a handle on the lower section and a sleeve around them. The toggle sits at the top of the lower section and runs in groove tracks in the middle section.
6. Opening: press the control button to center the toggle; pull the lower section out (the toggle turns to the open state); push it back in, which unlocks and pushes the upper section out of the sleeve until a pin locks it; pull again, so a slider pulls a cord that lifts the slip ring and opens the canopy.
7. Closing: press the button - the canopy starts to fold under spring force; push the lower section in, pull it down so the frame and canopy are drawn into the sleeve; push it in once more to latch the sections and close the handle against the sleeve.

Who it is for

• Umbrella brands looking for a premium drip-free umbrella for commuters.
• Corporate gift and promotional suppliers wanting an umbrella with a memorable opening action.
• Travel and car accessory sellers whose customers hate wet umbrellas in cars and bags.
• Hotel and office amenity suppliers offering loaner umbrellas that do not drip on lobby floors.

How it works

The main parts

Toggle positions

1. Centered - after the control button is pressed, the return spring centers the disc.
2. Open state - turned one way, the push rod locks it; the stem sequence extends and opens the umbrella.
3. Close state - turned the other way, it guides the stem sequence that draws the canopy back in.

Applications

City commuters

Step onto a train or into an office and slide the canopy back into its case - no puddle at your feet.

Car owners

A sealed umbrella can be laid on a car seat or in a door pocket without soaking it.

Business travelers

A cased umbrella goes into a laptop bag next to papers and electronics.

Corporate and premium gifts

The pull-push opening makes a memorable gift with a logo on the sleeve.

Hotel and office loaner umbrellas

Guests return umbrellas without dripping on lobby floors.

Where it is less suitable

• Golf and large umbrellas - a big canopy needs a longer and heavier sleeve.
• Lowest-price promotional umbrellas - the toggle, telescoping stem and sleeve cost more than a basic folding umbrella.
• Very strong wind - the telescoping stem must be tested for bending; a wind-vented canopy is recommended.