| 摘要 |
A collapsible umbrella-like device comprising flexible ribs 20 and a hollow storage tube 5. The device includes short restraining lines 40 connected to the flexible ribs at one end and to a portion of the tube at their other end. When the ribs are pushed out of an open end of the tube, the restraining lines pull on the flexible ribs causing them to arc downwards. The device may comprise a reservoir for collecting rain that falls on the canopy. The canopy of the device may include photovoltaic cells or solar thermal collectors. Also disclosed is an umbrella-like device that makes use of a reel to control the extension of two or more flexible shafts. |
