| 摘要 |
An umbrella rib (1) is disclosed, comprising a body having a proximal end (1a), a distal end (1b), and a most distant fulcrum (1c) at a location there between, which is the most distant point on the rib supported to the umbrella stick. The invented rib is characterized by a directional bending unit (2; 6) constituting a member of the rib body in some mid portion between the distal end and the most distant fulcrum. The directional bending unit is configured to allow bending a rib portion (4) in a first direction (CW) respective to a linearity axis (7) of the rib (1), in response to a small shaping force interacting with the rib through a tensioning canopy fabric, and to prevent bending of said rib's portion (4) in a direction (CCW) opposite to the first even by forces to a substantial extent greater than the shaping force. A method for providing umbrellas with a mushroom-like canopy shape is also disclosed, comprising providing an umbrella with a plurality of ribs each having a directional bending unit located in some mid portion between a free end of the rib and a most distant fulcrum of the rib. |
