United States Patent [19]
`Wu
`
`[54] ILLUMINATING UMBRELLA HAVING
`RELIABLE CONNECTING WIRES FOR
`MULTIPLE FOLDS
`
`US006126293A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,126,293
`Oct. 3, 2000
`
`5,611,614 3/1997 Morgan ................................... 362/102
`5,954,417 9/1999 Mai ......................................... 362/102
`
`[76] Inventor: Tsun-Zong Wu, 8F, No. 76, Lane 103,
`Nei-Hu Road, Sec. 2, Taipei 104,
`Taiwan
`
`Primary Examiner—Stephen Husar
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`An illuminating umbrella includes a top illuminator fixed on
`a top end of an umbrella central shaft, a plurality of tip
`[21] Appl. No.: 09/314,196
`illuminators respectively fixed on a plurality of tips of the
`[22] Filed:
`May 17, 1999
`umbrella ribs of two or multiple folds; each illuminator
`having a positive wire electrically connected to a positive
`Related U.S. Application Data
`conducting ring secured on an upper notch of the central
`shaft, and having a negative wire electrically connected to a
`[63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/157,464, Sep. 18,
`negative conducting ring formed on the upper notch of the
`1998, Pat. No. 6,089,727.
`central shaft, with the positive conducting ring electrically
`connected to a positive pole of a power source, and the
`[51] Int. Cl." … A45B 3/02
`negative conducting ring electrically connected to the nega
`[52] U.S. Cl. ............................................. 362/102; 135/910
`tive pole of the power source through an on-off switch,
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 362/102, 234,
`having a safely protected and reliably connected electrical
`362/253; 135/910
`circuit provided among the illuminators and the power
`source; and a flasher connected between the power source
`and the illuminators for flashing the illuminators.
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`5,502,624 3/1996 Tu ........................................... 362/102
`
`20 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets
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`Yotrio Ex. YOT-1012, Page 1
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`1
`ILLUMINATING UMBRELLA HAVING
`RELIABLE CONNECTING WIRES FOR
`MULTIPLE FOLDS
`
`This application is a second Continuation-In-Part of U.S.
`patent application of Ser. No. 09/157,464 filed on: Sep. 18,
`1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,727 by the same inventor of
`this application.
`
`5
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Original application (U.S. Ser. No. 09/157,464) discloses
`an illuminating umbrella having a top illuminator fixed on
`the top of the umbrella shaft and a plurality of tip illumi
`nators fixed on the tips of the umbrella ribs. However, when
`it is provided for a two-fold umbrella as shown in FIGS. 17,
`18 of the original application, the positive and negative
`wires P, N as suspended from the outer rib (24) towards the
`upper notch (20) may still be tangled or easily broken during
`the folding or opening operation of the umbrella.
`Meanwhile, the power supply system among the illumina
`tors and the power source is still not satisfactory and can be
`improved for a reliable power connection, while not causing
`a complex and costly illuminating umbrella.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The object of the present invention is to provide an
`illuminating umbrella including a top illuminator fixed on a
`top end of an umbrella central shaft, a plurality of tip
`illuminators respectively fixed on a plurality of tips of the
`umbrella ribs of two or multiple folds; each illuminator
`having a positive wire electrically connected to a positive
`conducting ring secured on an upper notch of the central
`shaft, and having a negative wire electrically connected to a
`negative conducting ring formed on the upper notch of the
`central shaft, with the positive conducting ring electrically
`connected to a positive pole of a power source, and the
`negative conducting ring electrically connected to the nega
`tive pole of the power source through an on-off switch,
`having a safely protected and reliably connected electrical
`circuit provided among the illuminators and the power
`source; and a flasher connected between the power source
`and the illuminators for flashing the illuminators.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is an illustration of the present invention showing
`the rib assembly and the wire connection thereof.
`FIG. 2 is a cross sectional drawing of the present inven
`tion when viewed from 2–2 direction of FIG. 1.
`FIG.3 shows another method for securing the wires in the
`umbrella rib as modified from FIG. 2.
`FIG. 4 is a cross sectional drawing when viewed from
`4–4 direction of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the top rib.
`FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the tip illuminator and the
`rib assembly of the present invention.
`FIG. 7 is a sectional drawing of the tip illuminator as
`assembled from FIG. 6.
`FIG. 8 is a modification of the tip illuminator from FIG.
`7.
`FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the top illuminator and its
`cap means.
`FIG. 10 is a partial sectional drawing of the top portion of
`the present invention when opened.
`FIG. 11 is a modification from that as shown in FIG. 10.
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`FIG. 12 shows the base washer as shown in FIG. 11.
`FIG. 13 shows the umbrella of the present invention when
`opened.
`FIG. 14 shows a folded or closed umbrella from FIG. 13.
`FIG. 15 shows a partial portion of the central shaft as
`shown in FIG. 13.
`FIG. 16 shows the partial portion of the shaft as shown in
`FIG. 14.
`FIG. 17 shows an opened umbrella of the present inven
`tion when the central shaft is made of electrically insulative
`aluminum alloy.
`FIG. 18 is a partially enlarged illustration of the electrical
`connection in the shaft as shown in FIG. 17.
`FIG. 19 shows the folded umbrella when closed from
`FIG. 17.
`FIG. 20 shows another preferred embodiment of the
`present invention having the flasher 43 formed in an upper
`portion of the shaft.
`FIG. 21 is a top view of the preferred embodiment as
`shown in FIG. 20.
`FIG. 22 shows a printed-circuit-board (PCB) disk for
`connecting the wires as shown in FIG. 21.
`FIG. 23 shows an opened automatic umbrella as modified
`from the aforementioned.
`FIG. 24 shows still another preferred embodiment of the
`present invention when opened.
`FIG. 25 shows the folded umbrella as closed from FIG.
`24.
`FIG. 26 shows further preferred embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 27 shows the folded umbrella as closed from FIG.
`26
`FIG. 28 shows still further preferred embodiment of the
`present invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`As shown in FIGS. 1-16, the present invention com
`prises: a central shaft 1 having a lower tube 1a and an upper
`tube 1b telescopically engageable each other, and a grip 11
`formed on a lower portion of the lower tube 1a; a rib
`assembly 2 having at least a top rib 21 pivotally secured to
`an upper notch 20 fixed on a top portion 12 of the shaft 1,
`a stretcher rib 22 pivotally secured to the top rib 21 and a
`lower runner 23 slidably held on the shaft 1, an outer rib 24
`pivotally connected with the stretcher rib 22 and connected
`with a connecting rib 25 which is pivotally secured to the top
`rib 21; an illuminating means 3 including a top illuminator
`31 which may be a bulb or a light-emitting diode (LED)
`fixed on a top end of the shaft 1 and a plurality of tip
`illuminators 32 each fixed on a tip end (or outer end) of each
`outer rib 24 and each tip illuminator 32, which may be a
`light-emitting diode (LED), parallelly electrically connected
`to a power source; and a power supply means 4 for powering
`the illuminators 31, 32. An umbrella cloth 5 is provided to
`cover the rib assembly 2, having an inner cloth portion 51
`secured to the upper notch. Several fastening threads F are
`provided for securing the cloth 5 on the rib assembly. The
`present invention is provided for a two fold or multiple-fold
`umbrella.
`The top illuminator 31 has a positive wire P electrically
`connected to a positive conducting ring 44 embedded or
`fixed on an inner peripheral portion of the upper notch 20
`which may be made of electrically insulative material, and
`a negative wire N electrically connected to a negative
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`conducting ring 45 embedded or fixed on an outer peripheral
`portion of the upper notch 20 (FIGS. 9, 10). The wires P. N
`may be led from the top illuminator 31, through a slot 121
`cut through the shaft 1, to the rings 44, 45. The top
`illuminator 31 has its illuminator holder 310 fixed on a top
`of the shaft 1.
`Each tip illuminator 32 has a positive wire P electrically
`connected to the positive conducting ring 44, and a negative
`wire N electrically connected to the negative conducting
`ring 45, both wires P, N being disposed within each of plural
`protective tubes such as a PVC tube, including an outer tube
`46 having the outer rib 24 disposed therein, a middle tube
`46a clamped in the U-shaped stretcher rib 22, and an inner
`tube 46b clamped within the top rib 21 having a cross
`section of U shape, having at least a pair of crimping edges
`211, 221 bent inwardly from rib 21, 22 for clamping the
`protective tube 46, 46a within the top rib 21 and the stretcher
`rib 22 as shown in FIG. 1-4. The crimping edge 221 may be
`modified as that as shown in FIG. 3.
`Each positive or negative wire should be covered (or
`integrally formed) with electrically insulative sheath. The
`positive and negative wires P, N as disposed in the outer tube
`46 are juxtapositioned to the outer rib 24 (FIGS. 1,4).
`The positive and negative wires P, N of each tip illumi
`nator 32 are led through the tubes 46, 46a, 46b within the
`ribs, then inwardly protruded through an inner hole 212
`bifurcated or formed in an inner portion 21a of the top rib
`21 to be wound around a fastening wire 200 annularly
`fastened on the upper notch 20 and to pass through an
`electric-wire slot 202 formed in the upper notch 20, and then
`respectively connected to the positive and negative conduct
`ing rings 44, 45 such as by soldering or other connection
`methods.
`The positive or negative wire P, N is wound about the
`fastening wire 200 on the upper notch 20, without obstruct
`ing the pivotal motion of the ribs 21 about the fastening wire
`200 to prevent or minimize the twisting, tangling, bending,
`stretching or even breaking of the positive and negative
`wires P. N.
`So, the present invention is provided for a more reliable
`stable electric-wire connection to be better than the original
`application.
`The positive conducting ring 44 is electrically connected
`to the positive pole of the power source 41(FIGS. 10, 13),
`which may be a battery or batteries stored in the grip 11
`made of electrically insulative material, through an exter
`nally insulated positive conductor 411,411a passing through
`a hole formed through the shaft and through an interior in the
`central shaft 1; while the negative conducting ring 45
`electrically connected to the negative pole of the power
`source 41 through a negative conductor 412 which is served
`by the central shaft 1 including the upper tube 1b and the
`lower tube 1a telescopically engageable and electrically
`conductive with each other.
`Between the power source 41 and the two conducting
`rings 44, 45, a flasher 43 and an on-off switch 42 are
`electrically connected therebetween. The on-off switch 42 is
`slidably held on the grip 11 for switching on (or off) the
`power source 41 for actuating (or deactivating) the flasher
`43 which may be an integrated circuit for intermittently
`turning on the illuminators 31, 32 for flashing purpose.
`As shown in FIGS. 13~16, the positive conductor 411 is
`connected with a coiled positive conductor 411a, which is
`also externally insulated, telescopically wound in the lower
`tube 1a having a plug 1c plugged in a lower end of the upper
`tube 1b for retaining the upper end of the coiled positive
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`conductor 411a, with the coiled positive conductor 411a
`electrically connected to the positive pole of the power
`source through the flasher 43.
`The shaft 1 includes a coupling spring catch 1d made of
`electrically conductive material and having an upper end 1e
`secured to a lower portion of the upper tube 1b, and a lower
`hook end 1? bent outwardly to contact the lower tube 1a
`through a catch hole 1h formed in the upper tube 1b when
`the upper tube 1b is upwardly extended and coupled with the
`lower tube 1a when opening the umbrella as shown in FIGS.
`15, 13 as coupled by the coupling spring catch 1d protruding
`outwardly through the catch holes 1h, 1j respectively formed
`in the upper tube 1b and the lower tube 1a, thereby ensuring
`a continuous electrical connection between the upper tube
`1b and the lower tube 1a and completing the negative
`conductor 412 as formed by the upper and the lower tubes
`1b, 1a.
`A cap means 31a as provided on a top of the shaft 1 as
`shown in FIGS. 9, 10 includes: a transparent top cover 311
`encasing the top illuminator 31 having an intermediate cap
`portion 312 protruding downwardly from the transparent top
`cover 311 and having a lower flange 312f formed on a
`bottom portion of the cap portion 312; and a base member
`313 having brackets 313a formed thereon to be engaged
`with the bracket hole 120 formed through the shaft 1 to be
`firmly secured on the shaft 1 and having a male-threaded
`portion 313t engaged with a female-threaded portion 312t of
`the cap portion 312 and having a bottom flange 313f of the
`base member 313 engaged with an outer rim of the upper
`notch 20 for encasing the positive and negative conducting
`rings 44, 45 in between the upper notch 20 and the bottom
`flange 313f of the base member 313, with the bottom flange
`313f of the base member 313 and the lower flange 312f of
`the cap portion 312 cooperatively clamping an inner cloth
`portion 51 of the umbrella cloth 5 between the two flanges
`313f, 312f of the base member 313 and the cap portion 312
`(FIG. 10) for enhancing the water proof effect of the
`umbrella.
`Or, the base member 313 is modified to be a base washer
`313W as shown in FIGS. 11, 12 to be engaged with the lower
`flange 312f of the cap portion 312. The female-threaded
`portion 312t of the cap portion 312 is now engaged with the
`male-threaded portion 20t formed on the upper notch 20.
`Each tip illuminator 32 has a pair of pins 32p protruding
`from an illuminator base 320 to be plugged in a socket 321s
`of a tip holder 321 and connected with the positive and
`negative wires P N led from the protective tube 46 which
`encase the outer rib 24 therein (FIGS. 1, 6, 7); with the tip
`holder 321 coupled to an outer end portion 24b of the outer
`rib 24 and with the tip holder 321 coupled to a tip sleeve 322
`for further protecting the tip illuminator 32 and for securing
`an outer portion 52 of the umbrella cloth 5 on the tip sleeve
`322.
`The tip holder 321 includes: a rib hole 321a formed in the
`tip holder 321 for inserting the outer end portion 24b of the
`outer rib 24 into the rib hole 321a, a slot 321h formed in the
`tip holder to be engaged with a rib lug 24L formed on the
`outer rib 24, a holder lug 321L formed on the tip holder 321
`to be engaged with a sleeve slot 322h formed in the tip
`sleeve 322, a flat portion 321t longitudinally formed on a
`circumference of the tip holder 321 to be engaged with a
`secant through hole 322f longitudinally formed through the
`tip sleeve 322 and a pair of grooves 321g parallelly recessed
`in opposite sides of the tip holder 321 for embedding the
`positive and negative wires P, N in the two grooves as led
`from the protective tube 46.
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`The tip sleeve 322 has the secant through hole 322f
`engaged with the flat portion 321t of the tip holder 321 and
`also engaged with a flat edge portion (FIG. 6) formed on the
`illuminator base 320 of the tip illuminator 32 for preventing
`twisting of the tip illuminator 32, the tip holder and the tip
`sleeve when coupled together.
`The tip sleeve 322 also includes a transparent end cover
`322c for encasing the tip illuminator 32 (FIG. 8).
`The tip sleeve 322 has a top hole 322e formed in a top
`portion of the tip sleeve 322 eccentrically deviated from a
`longitudinal axis 24x of the outer rib 24 as shown in FIG. 7
`for firmly securing the umbrella cloth 5 on the tip sleeve 322
`by fastening a thread F through the top hole 322e (FIGS. 1,
`7).
`As shown in FIGS. 17-19, the aforementioned negative
`conductor 412 is formed by using the tubes 1a, 1b of the
`central shaft 1 to be the negative conductor. However, if the
`central shaft 1 is made of anodized aluminum alloy, it will
`not be electrically conductive. So, besides the positive
`conductor 411 in an upper portion of the shaft 1 connected
`with a coiled positive conductor 411a held in the lower tube
`1a of the shaft 1, the negative conductor 412 as formed in
`an upper portion of the shaft 1 is slidably contacted with a
`lower rod negative conductor 412a electrically connected to
`the negative pole of the power source 41 through the on-off
`switch 42.
`The negative conductor 412 and the lower rod negative
`conductor 412a are respectively covered with electrically
`insulative sheath 412s, having an electrically conductive top
`end portion formed on a top end of the lower rod negative
`conductor 412a adjacent a top insulative head portion 412i
`and electrically conducted with a hook end 412c formed on
`a bottom end of the negative conductor 412 (FIG. 18) when
`the umbrella is opened and the upper tube 1b of the shaft 1
`is upwardly extended above and stably coupled with the
`lower tube 1a (the head portion 412i limiting the hook end
`412c), thereby completing the electrical connection among
`the power source and the illuminators through the positive
`conductors 411, 411a and the negative conductors 412,
`412.a.
`So, this application provides a reliable electrical connec
`tion even under a sliding movement of the upper tube 1b and
`the lower tube 1a of the shaft, having better improvement
`over the original application.
`As shown in FIG. 28, a grip illuminator 33 is further
`provided in the grip 12, with the grip illuminator 33 respec
`tively electrically connected to a positive pole of the power
`source 41 of the power supply means 4 through a positive
`conducting wire 411g, and electrically connected to a nega
`tive pole of the power source 41 through a negative con
`ductive wire 412g, having a pair of contactors formed across
`the negative conducting wire 412g, whereby upon closing of
`the pair of contactors on the negative conducting wire 412g
`by the on-off switch 42, the grip illuminator 33 will be
`powered and lit.
`The aforementioned conducting rings 44, 45 are now
`modified to be a printed-circuit-board (PCB) disk 40 dis
`posed on the top portion of the upper notch 20 having at least
`a positive conducting ring concentrically formed on a the
`PCB disk 40 for connecting a positive wire P of each
`illuminator, and having a negative conducting ring concen
`trically formed on the PCB disk 40 for connecting a negative
`wire N of each illuminator.
`As shown in FIGS. 20–22, two groups of tip illuminators
`32A, 32B are alternatively flashed, including a first group of
`tip illuminators 32A having a positive wire of the first-group
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`tip illuminator 32A connected (by soldering S) to a first
`positive conducting ring 44a concentrically formed on a
`printed-circuit-board (PCB) disk 40 disposed on the upper
`notch 20 and a negative wire of the first-group tip illumi
`nator 32A connected (by soldering) to a negative conducting
`ring 45a concentrically formed on the PCB disk 40; and a
`second group of tip illuminators 32B having a positive wire
`of the second-group tip illuminator 32B connected to a
`second positive conducting ring 44'a concentrically formed
`on the PCB disk 40 and a negative wire of the second-group
`tip illuminator 32B connected to the negative conducting
`ring 45a.
`The PCB disk 40 will greatly simplify the production and
`assembly for the conducting rings 44, 45 of this invention.
`The number of groups of the flashing tip illuminators 32 are
`not limited in this invention. The power supply circuit of the
`embodiment as shown in FIG. 20 may be referred to that as
`shown in FIG. 17, but removing the flasher 43 from the grip
`11 (FIG. 17) to the upper portion of the shaft (20).
`As shown in FIG. 23, the umbrella is an automatic
`umbrella having an opening spring 14 retained in the shaft
`1 and a push button 13 depressible for opening the umbrella,
`in which the negative conductor 412 is the same as that
`shown in FIG. 13, and the positive conductor 411 as exter
`nally insulative is however slidably contacted with a lower
`rod positive conductor 411'a which is externally insulative
`and is electrically connected to the positive pole of the
`power source 41, having a top hook end 411c of the lower
`rod positive conductor 411'a electrically contacted with an
`electrically conductive bottom end of the positive conductor
`411 adjacent to a bottom insulative head portion 411i formed
`on a bottom of the positive conductor 411.
`As shown in FIGS. 24, 25, the on-off switch 42 is
`removed or eliminated from the grip 11 of the shaft 1, and
`the on-off switch is modified to be an automatic switch
`which is actuated to turn on the illuminators when the
`umbrella is opened (FIG. 24), or actuated to turn off the
`illuminators when the umbrella is closed (FIG. 25).
`The positive conductor 411 as externally insulative is
`slidably contacted with the lower rod positive conductor
`411'a also externally insulative, with a hook end 411c
`formed on a bottom end of the positive conductor 411
`electrically contacted with an electrically conductive top end
`of the lower rod positive conductor 411'a adjacent a top
`insulative head portion 411i formed on a top end of the lower
`rod positive conductor 411'a. The negative conductor 412 is
`formed in situ on the shaft 1. Upon opening of the umbrella
`as shown in FIG. 24, the power supply circuit is closed to
`light the illuminators 31, 32 for a safe illumination in a dark
`rainy day.
`As shown in FIGS. 26, 27, the power supply circuit as
`aforementioned as shown in FIGS. 13, 14 has been modified
`to eliminate the on-off switch 42 as slidably held on the grip
`11; and the on-off switch, now being simplified, includes: an
`actuating rod 42a protruding downwardly from a plug 1c
`retained on a bottom end of the upper tube 1b of the shaft 1,
`and a negative contactor 412s resiliently held in the grip 11
`and normally contacted with a bottom end of the lower tube
`1a of the shaft 1 for closing a negative pole of the power
`source 41 with the negative conductor 412 formed in situ on
`the lower tube 1a and the upper tube 1b of the shaft 1;
`whereby upon closing of the umbrella to lower the upper
`tube 1b down to the lower tube 1a, the actuating rod 42a will
`be downwardly extended to depress the negative contactor
`412s to be separated from the negative conductor 412 of the
`shaft 1, thereby disconnecting the power source to the
`
`Yotrio Ex. YOT-1012, Page 18
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`7
`illuminators 31, 32; while opening the umbrella to extend
`the upper tube 1b from the lower tube 1a, the negative
`contactor 412s will be automatically resiliently restored to
`contact the negative conductor 412 to complete the power
`supply circuit to turn on the illuminators.
`The present invention provides more selective power
`switching devices and electrical connection mechanisms to
`be much improved over the original application.
`The present invention may be further modified without
`departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.
`I claim:
`1. An illuminating umbrella comprising:
`a central shaft (1) having at least a lower tube (1a) and an
`upper tube (1b) telescopically engageable each other
`and having a grip (11) formed on a lower portion of said
`lower tube;
`a rib assembly (2) for securing an umbrella cloth (5)
`thereon having a plurality of top ribs (21) each pivot
`ally secured to an upper notch (20) fixed on a top
`portion of said shaft, and a plurality of stretcher ribs
`(22) each pivotally connected to each said top rib (21)
`and a runner (23) slidably held on said shaft, a plurality
`of outer ribs (24) each pivotally connected to each said
`stretcher rib (22), and a plurality of connecting ribs (25)
`each pivotally connected between each said outer rib
`(24) and each said top rib (21);
`an illuminating means (3) including a top illuminator (31)
`secured on a top of said shaft, and a plurality of tip
`illuminators (32) each secured on a tip end of each said
`outer rib (24); and
`a power supply means (4) including a power source (41)
`of at least a battery stored in said grip, an on-off switch
`(42) formed on said grip for switching on or off said
`power source, a positive conducting ring (44) disposed
`on said upper notch (20) for electrically connecting a
`positive pole of each said illuminator through an exter
`nally insulated positive wire (P) and electrically con
`nected to a positive pole of the power source (41)
`through a positive conductor means in said shaft, and a
`negative conducting ring (45) disposed on said upper
`notch (20) on said central shaft (1) for electrically
`connecting a negative pole of each said illuminator
`through an externally insulated negative wire (N) and
`electrically connected to a negative pole of said power
`source (41) through the on-off switch (42) and a nega
`tive conductor means in said shaft (1);
`a flasher (43) connected between said illuminators and
`said power source for flashing said illuminators when
`said switch is switched on;
`each said top rib (21) having an inner hole formed in an
`inner portion of the top rib for leading said positive and
`negative wires (P, N) from each said tip illuminator (32)
`and through a plurality of protective tubes (46, 46a,
`46b) respectively coupled with each said outer rib (24),
`said stretcher rib (22), and said top rib (21) for con
`tinuously disposing said positive and negative wires in
`each said protective tube to be connected with said
`positive and negative conducting rings (44, 45) on said
`upper notch (20); and a cap means (31a) provided on a
`top of said central shaft (1) for encasing said top
`illuminator (31) therein and for shielding said positive
`and negative conducting rings (44, 45) therein and for
`fastening an inner portion (51) of the umbrella cloth (5)
`therein.
`2. An illuminating umbrella according to claim 1, wherein
`each said illuminator is a light-emitting diode.
`
`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
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`6,126,293
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`8
`3. An illuminating umbrella according to claim 1, wherein
`each said tip illuminator (32) has said positive and negative
`wires (P, N) subsequently disposed in an outer protective
`tube (46) encasing the outer rib (24) therein, a middle
`protective tube (46a) clamped in said stretcher rib (22), and
`an inner protective tube (46b) clamped in said top rib (21).
`4. An illuminating umbrella according to claim 1, wherein
`each said top rib (21) is bifurcated at an inner end portion of
`said top rib for forming said inner hole in the inner end
`portion of said top rib for leading the positive and negative
`wires (P, N) from said tip illuminator (32) towards said
`positive and negative conducting rings (44, 45) on said
`upper notch (20) by winding said positive and negative
`wires around a fastening wire (200), which is annularly
`fastened on the upper notch for pivotally securing the top
`ribs (21) on said upper notch (20).
`5. An illuminating umbrella according to claim 1, wherein
`said illuminating means (3) further includes a grip illumi
`nator (33) secured on said grip and electrically connected to
`said power source through said on-off switch.
`6. An illuminating umbrella according to claim 1, wherein
`said positive conductor means includes a positive conductor
`(411) as externally insulated and connected with a coiled
`positive conductor (411a), which is externally insulated and
`telescopically wound in the lower tube (1a) of said shaft,
`with said coiled positive conductor (411a) electrically con
`nected to the positive pole of said power source (41).
`7. An illuminating umbrella according to claim 6, wherein
`said lower tube (1a) has a plug (1C) plugged in a lower end
`thereof for retaining an upper end of said coiled positive
`conductor (411a).
`8. An illuminating umbrella according to claim 1, wherein
`said negative conductor means is formed in situ on said shaft
`(1), with the upper tube (1b) and the lower tube (1a)
`telescopically engageable and electrically conductive each
`other.
`9. An illuminating umbrella according to claim 8, wherein
`said shaft (1) includes a coupling spring catch (1d) made of
`electrically conductive material and having an upper end
`(1e) secured to a lower portion of the upper tube (1b), and
`a lower hook end (1?) bent outwardly to contact the lower
`tube (1a) through a catch hole (1h) formed in the upper tube
`(1b) when the upper tube (1b) is upwardly extended and
`coupled with the lower tube (1a) when opening the umbrella
`as coupled by the coupling spring catch (1d) protruding
`outwardly through two catch holes (1h, 1j) respectively
`formed in the upper tube (1b) and the lower tube (1a),
`thereby ensuring a continuous electrical connection between
`the upper tube (1b) and the lower tube (1a) for completing
`the negative conductor means (412) as formed by the upper
`and the lower tubes (1b, 1a).
`10. An illuminating umbrella according to claim 1,
`wherein said cap means (31a) as provided on a top of the
`shaft (1) includes: a transparent top cover (311) encasing the
`top illuminator (31) having an intermediate cap portion
`(312) protruding downwardly from the transparent top cover
`(311) and having a lower flange (312?) formed on a bottom
`portion of the cap portion (312); and a base member (313)
`secured on the shaft (1) and having a male-threaded portion
`(313t) engaged with a female-threaded portion (312t) of the
`cap portion (312) and having a bottom flange (313?) of the
`base member (313) engaged with an outer rim of the upper
`notch (20) for encasing the positive and negative conducting
`rings (44, 45) in between the upper notch (20) and the
`bott