US Patent 7255118 Tilting umbrella

An umbrella frame has a two-part shaft, having a lower portion (10), upon which a runner (12) is slidably mounted, and an upper portion (14). When assembled the upper portion (14) of the shaft is mounted on the lower portion (10) of the shaft by means which allow it to tilt with respect to the lower portion, when the runner is rotated after having opened the umbrella frame. With the frame in the open position the runner engages with a rotating element (34) having a helical thread (36). The thread engages with teeth (30) on a gear element (28) attached to the upper portion of the shaft. Rotation of the rotating element causes the teeth to ride in the thread, which causes the upper portion to tilt. This makes it possible for a user to tilt the umbrella simply by rotating the runner.