How to close an umbrella if it doesn't close. Do-it-yourself umbrella repair
Repair of the machine umbrella device
During the rainy season, the most relevant accessory is, of course, an umbrella. But everyone knows the eternal problem of even the most expensive umbrellas: they break easily, and even a strong gust of wind can damage them. The biggest nuisance is if the automatic umbrella, although simple, is still a mechanism, breaks down.
The legs of the bed can be folded by simply pressing buttons. The bed dial at 2 makes it easier for him to use the bed. All its elements are designed with fabrics, avoiding the risk of scratching the child. Indeed, the design makes it easier to control the child. This model advises parents who want their child to sleep in a comfortable bed, just like at home. Indeed, the crib umbrella is lightweight and especially comfortable.
The bed folds and unfolds in just 3 gestures, allowing for simple and quick installation. The bed will also act as a play area and serve as a park for babies during waking periods. This bed is one of the world's most revolutionary bedding for children, meeting the European standard. The umbrella system of the bed allows it to open automatically and it is the same for storage. All operations will be supported by systems developed by the bed designers.
Knowing the repair is much easier:
- Actually a pen, with a button built into it.
- Three extendable iron tubes.
- The lower support for the spokes, in which there is a wheel for the cord and a thin rail that attaches the support to the handle.
- The upper support for the spokes, into which a wide pipe is mounted using a screw and a cord is attached to it.
- Plastic pipe. It is inserted into the upper support. In the upper part it has a thickening and a wheel.
- Cord. Using a shuttle, it is attached to the handle, and a button releases it.
The weakest point of an umbrella is its spokes. If the problem is with them, then you need to take a thin tube three centimeters long, and then straighten the broken knitting needle at the ends, put the tube on them and secure it. Take a metal tube.
The latter is stored in a lid for transportation. It is very light with 3.4 kg, it is one of the most practical children's beds. It is also easy to store, when folded on the lid it becomes quite flat and does not require much space to store it. Safety is enhanced in a bed with these two mesh walls, which ensures good ventilation in the bed.
The bed follows the development of children from birth to 3 years. During the first two years, parents can use a changing table located on top of the bed. This item is attached to the child's bed. Moreover, a higher level is introduced into the bed, allowing parents to easily or easily accept the baby or rest without the need to feed themselves and back pain. Therefore, if the child is not sleeping well, parents can easily reach them to calm them down. This space will allow you to avoid all possible risks.
If the rivet at the end of the knitting needle is broken, it is better to wrap it with soft wire, otherwise the fabric of the umbrella will tear.
Repairing the machine's umbrella device is very labor-intensive; for example, if the tape breaks, it needs to be replaced. We remove the plug that is located on the top, then the fabric, and pull out the fixing nail from the knot. Then we take out the entire assembly and carefully open the tube. Do this carefully, otherwise the spring will pop out and then cannot be inserted. We take out the roller, change the tape, and assemble everything in the reverse order. 
What is an umbrella?
The baby will develop in an envious living space as the baby umbrella bed is well ventilated and will also serve as a playground for all children. An umbrella bed is an additional folding and lightweight bed that can be easily transported in individual clothing. It is easy to assemble and disassemble, unfold and install in a few gestures. It adapts to all sizes of children. Made from easy-to-clean material, it is not afraid of dirt. This is your baby's second bed, so choose it well.
If the rod is broken, then it needs to be repaired only after you have loosened all the connections and removed them from the hooks. The repair process is not easy and you need a soldering iron to repair the machine's umbrella device. So, we take tinned tin and make a trough out of it, approximately 40x12 millimeters in size. It needs to be installed in place of the damage and soldered along its entire length.
There are many selection criteria. We can list: ease of assembly, size, comfort of bedding, accessories and equipment offered, safety for the child and for yourself, adaptability depending on the age of the child, or weight. The price of this article does not always depend on its quality, but often offers accessories with the bed.
However, do you really need all these extra accessories that will exceed your budget like the weight of the bed? The number of accessories available does not necessarily mean the quality of the product. It's critical to take the time to compare different products because the price ranges are very different and there are several options.
A broken latch is repaired as follows: press on the protrusion that blocks the mechanism and move it towards the handle. We take it out of the tube, straighten it and mount it back.
Often the product does not allow you to repair the device of the machine umbrella, since a diagram is needed. But if you managed to get it (and this is not a problem in the information age), then you will succeed, because the process, although long, is not particularly difficult. In general, if you handle your umbrella carefully, you won’t have to repair it.
Criteria to consider to make the right choice
The bed should not be too heavy to carry. It is usually a lightweight and easily portable structure. Think that madam will be brought to carry this bed with a paraplea while the child is in her arms, and sometimes ladders to climb. Therefore, weight remains a very important and even decisive criterion. Beds come in different sizes. Some models are only for sleeping, others are for playing.
Some brands offer models depending on the age of the child. You will be able to find specific models for babies. Usually these are small models. The mattress will make a difference. The size of the bed takes into account the space occupied when it is folded but also unfolded. Consider measuring the size of your car's trunk, as a bed can fill it up quickly. Keep in mind that this bed should be portable. Therefore, it is easy to install for all the adults who will need to use it.
And you can also look video Repairing a semi-automatic umbrella with your own hands
The weather is often unpredictable, and a little rain can turn into heavy rain with strong gusts of wind. If your automatic umbrella breaks during such natural weather, do not rush to take it to the workshop or throw it away. Our tips will help you repair it at home. By the way, look, perhaps you already have broken umbrellas in your house, the parts of which you can use in the repair process.
Think about grandparents and any family members who will occasionally install it. It should be easy to install while remaining undeniably safe for everyone. If you notice that the bed rises too easily, the problem is sure to recur one day.
Ease of assembly and disassembly is an important criterion. You should absolutely read other parents' opinions before you decide. Some models are particularly difficult to install. You should also know that a structure that is easy to assemble with a secure system is a guarantee of quality.
Automatic umbrella device
Design diagram of a standard automatic umbrella
The structure of umbrellas can vary greatly, but in general several main parts of the structure can be distinguished. The main elements are a handle with a button, sliding tubes (there are 6 or 8 of them in the device), lower and upper supports for the spokes, and a plastic pipe. The upper part of the latter is thickened, a wheel is attached to it, which is inserted into the upper support for the spokes. Short and long springs are in turn attached to the support.
In any case, never leave a poorly installed bed in place, and even less will the child settle in. Fingers can then easily get caught in corners or hinges and cause injury. Never purchase or use a damaged model. Before you buy, take the time to learn how to use this bed. If you have any confusion or questions, please ask the sellers. So it's easier for you to buy your own bed if you want to help.
The comfort of a bed does not lie so much in the circumference of the structure, but rather in the mattress. On many models, the mattress is actually heavy and uncomfortable for the child. The lightweight mattress includes a comfortable bed. Some parents choose to add a second mattress. This is an interesting option if your child has to sleep several nights in a row in their umbrella bed while on vacation, for example.
This is interesting: The most common today are semi-automatic umbrellas. They open when you press a button, and close manually. In a fully automatic umbrella, pressing a button both opens and closes the umbrella.
The most common breakdowns and instructions for fixing them
There are a lot of parts in automatic and semi-automatic umbrellas that could theoretically break. But, as practice shows, there are 5 most common breakdowns. We invite you to learn about methods for eliminating them.
However, a mattress can cost more than a bed and especially clutter up your car. Consider purchasing several covers and undercovers that you take with you everywhere. Children easily get their beds dirty, even when traveling! Comfort runs through many details.
Will your child have a comfortable open-sided model? Many styles actually offer ventilated fabrics on the sides, allowing your baby to see what's going on outside. Keep in mind that some children are not very comfortable using this system, which may prevent them from feeling safe and therefore falling asleep. In this case, prefer models with opaque sides or close to them. This last option will allow you to see your baby and have fun with him if you use your bed as a play area.
Spokes
To repair a spoke, an antenna from an old TV or radio can be useful.
As it turns out in practice, it is the grooved spokes that break most often. In order to fix the problem, take a metal tube with a diameter of 6 mm and cut off a small piece 3 cm long from it. The tube can be a spoke from another umbrella, an antenna from a receiver or a TV. Straighten the broken spoke of your umbrella, put the prepared element on top of it and clamp it with pliers on both sides. Then put the umbrella cover on and try opening and closing it several times. If the spoke does not fall out, you did everything right. You can safely continue to use your favorite umbrella.
Equipment and accessories
Outdoor use is very pleasant and is appreciated by parents. Consider whether your bed is up to standard. You will have an easier time choosing sheets, mattresses or an additional mattress. Some models offer many amenities. Think about this before you make any purchase. Additional equipment is often more attractive than it is actually useful.
For example, an additional changing table allows you to change the child under any circumstances, regardless of the location and hygiene of the place. Some models have storage pockets on the sides, which are practical and insightful. Some models offer arches for hanging toys, which can be practical when traveling.
Useful information: Modern models of automatic umbrellas use from 8 to 16 spokes. The more knitting needles a particular model has, the smoother the dome will look: the fabric will not sag. Also, an umbrella with more spokes resists the wind better. Even with strong gusts, it will not bend in the opposite direction.
Look at the wheels, self-locking preferences. This option is really interesting. Some models also play park, which is ideal for family travel. Lastly, look into a customized mosquito netting option that will allow your baby to sleep and play outside and safely, which is great when the weather is nice.
Some models feature removable booster seats that allow the mat to be positioned at different heights, especially for infants. They offer the great benefit of getting rid of your back when leaning over the bed to catch your baby.
Damaged ends on the knitting needles
It also happens that the tips on the knitting needles themselves break. Then the fabric material stops holding on and the knitting needle becomes exposed. This can cause harm to you and others as the knitting needles are quite sharp. They can scratch the body, tear clothes, etc. For repairs, you will need stainless steel wire. Insert it into a knitting needle and roll the other edge into a small sphere shape. Then stretch the fabric and insert it into the resulting ball. The most important thing is to twist the wire tightly so that after repair the knitting needle does not jump out in a strong gust of wind.
However, the equipment is optional, not optional, but simple comfort equipment. First, don't forget that they add to the overall weight of the bed that you will have to carry and move around. Finally, you may not need all of these options when you're on the move, so think about it.
Secondary equipment should remain secondary, and not hide or forget about the most important criteria, which are safety, comfort for you and for the child. Plus, they generally tend to make you spend more than you could otherwise use on other baby purchases.
Replacing the cord of an automatic umbrella
The design of automatic umbrellas includes a special tape, which may break during operation. But this is easy to fix. Unscrew the top part (the plug of the umbrella), remove the canvas and take out the locking nail, which is located in the upper unit. Then disassemble the entire assembly. To do this, place your hand near the open tube and very carefully remove it. This must be done carefully and carefully, since there is a tight spring inside the assembly that can bounce off and injure you. After this, replace the torn tape with a new one, assemble the assembly and install the latch in place.
Safety is an important criterion. We must distinguish between safety for your child and also for you. The bed must be equipped with safety devices. It should not come off too easily, especially as the child grows, moves, and jumps into bed. The zone bed should have rounded corners so that the child himself does not hit you. The feet should be non-slip to prevent the bed from sliding when the child moves.
If it has casters, they must be equipped with locks. The mattress must be secured so that the child does not lift it arbitrarily. The bed must be securely locked. Under no circumstances should the bed bend. The child should be able to move, play when he is old, or even stand without the bed being closed. Therefore, the bed must have double safety. It should be stable and not tip if a child rests on it. Take the time to check all of these safety points in the store before making your choice.
Traction failure
Quite often, the rod located at the hinge joint fails. It is important to remember that such a part can be repaired only after loosening the connections on the umbrella and removing the hooks - otherwise you may be injured.
The ideal is to list safety items to check and check on each of the beds you want to look at. Beds are often made of mesh fabrics, which allows for good ventilation inside. This is important in case of high temperature. These accessories are quite useful. Indeed, if you live in warm and sunny regions, you will want to put your child in a garden. Left to play in his park allows him to have fun or fall asleep at his leisure. In this case, it will be difficult to move it.
Thus, the sun protection cover allows you to safely leave it outside. Nothing can be better than letting your child play in bed under a tree in the garden. However, insects can bother him. A mosquito net is a simple and effective accessory to ensure the safety of your child. This way it will be protected but still ventilated. A mosquito net is an inexpensive accessory.
Retainer repair
If the latch cannot be fixed, it may need to be replaced.
It happens that in modern umbrellas the latch fails. Because of this, it is not held open. But such a breakdown is easy to fix.
Press the locking tab and move it to the side with a sharp movement of your hand. Then remove the bent retainer, carefully straighten it and install it back.
However, if the clamp is made of low-quality metal, then straightening it will not help for long. Then it's better to just replace it. Find the old umbrella, remove the retainer from it and place it in the new umbrella. Assemble the structure and test it. If everything is done correctly, the mechanism will work as it should.
Video. How to repair an automatic umbrella with your own hands?
Many people do not want to waste time on fixing a broken umbrella and are looking for a replacement. But choosing a product that will not break after several trips to rainy and windy weather is quite difficult. And it won't be cheap. Therefore, it would be better to save time and money by repairing your old umbrella. We hope our tips will help you do this.
What makes you happier in rainy weather than a bright umbrella? Nothing lifts your spirits like a new purchase!
All folding umbrellas can be divided into the following types:
- a mechanical umbrella is equipped with the simplest mechanism, and you have to open and close it yourself;
- a semi-automatic umbrella has an automatically opening canopy, which is triggered by pressing a button, but has to be closed manually;
- A fully automatic umbrella has the most convenient and simplest use, because the canopy of such an umbrella will open and close automatically, just by pressing a button.
Let's look at the advantages of the most popular fully automatic umbrella and determine why it deserves such wide distribution.
Men's umbrellas are mostly in discreet colors, such as black, blue, gray, brown. You can also see umbrellas with a checkered pattern, which are perfect for any style of clothing. For men who frequently travel, a 2-fold automatic umbrella with a strong handle and automatic opening will be a convenient model. Young people prefer umbrellas in unisex colors; they are distinguished by a wide range of colors and patterns. It should be noted that an automatic umbrella will be a wonderful gift for a man.
Think that automatic umbrellas are less durable than the cane model? It's a delusion. Modern technologies make it possible to produce umbrellas with a probability of breakdown approaching zero. Feel free to choose an automatic umbrella, trusting your taste!
Mom will stop worrying when her baby has a fully automatic umbrella. After all, he will always help out a child in rainy weather, for whom it is not so easy to use a mechanism that requires self-closing. An umbrella that opens and closes with a simple press of a button is a godsend accessible to modern society! By giving your child an automatic umbrella with a cheerful design, no trace of sadness will remain on the child’s face in rainy weather.
A fully automatic umbrella is the ideal solution! Easy to use, small-sized, lightweight. The child will learn to use it instantly! A small bright umbrella is so convenient to hang in your wardrobe on a hanger or put in the side pocket of your briefcase.
Choosing the right one
Before you go to the store to buy an umbrella, open your closet and see what style the main part of your wardrobe is. After all, umbrellas are produced in a variety of models and fashion trends. You can see ruffles on umbrellas, sewn-on animal ears, and umbrellas sewn from combined materials, including various oilcloth details. It is not uncommon to see embroidery, colorful patterns, and ribbon decorations. We can safely say that an umbrella in the modern world serves as a fashion accessory.
So, you have decided on the umbrella model and its color scheme. The choice of automatic umbrellas is so huge that your eyes widen and it’s difficult to make a choice. Various doubts arise regarding its structure.
In the store, be sure to press the button several times so that the umbrella responds to each command, check the functionality of the entire mechanism and, in particular, the automation.
When you press the button, the automatic umbrella should completely straighten the canopy and tighten the spokes tightly. When pressed again it should close automatically.
Automatic umbrellas are equipped with a spring that protects the canopy from opening on its own. Is the fabric that is attached to the knitting needles stretched poorly? It is better to refuse to purchase such an umbrella.
Give preference to the following fabrics: polyester, rubberized satin, twill, and any other fabrics with a water-repellent coating. Umbrellas with the inscription “bubble” are made of polyvinyl, a material similar to film. This list is only a small part of what you can find on store shelves. The fabric from which umbrellas are made must be waterproof and durable in strong winds. Teflon-coated fabrics dry quickly due to their water-repellent properties.
In the manufacture of the cheapest umbrellas, nylon is used; silk and cotton can be found in the fabrics of expensive umbrellas. The umbrella, the canopy of which is covered with soft shiny fabric, is made of twill.
Umbrellas for protection from the sun's rays are made of satin, silk, satin, chiffon, and linen. There is no point in walking in the rain with such an umbrella, because it does not have water-repellent characteristics.
The knitting needles, which are made of an aluminum frame, are less durable, but the umbrella itself is lighter. The most durable are steel spokes coated with titanium. Spokes made of carbon fiber have become widespread. This umbrella is practically unbreakable; the spokes can be bent without compromising the integrity of the structure.
An important role is played by the automatic umbrella locking system, which prevents sudden opening. If drops of water get into the automatic mechanism, this may cause premature failure of the umbrella.
Design matters
In modern society, we are accustomed to using lightweight umbrellas. The umbrella industry strives every year to introduce lighter and lighter models to consumers. The spokes are made from such materials that the umbrella is as light as possible and at the same time durable.
There are several weight groups of umbrellas:
- weight less than 200 grams - the lightest umbrella
- 201 to 300 grams – lightweight;
- 301 to 500 grams – average weight;
- 501 to 1000 grams – heavy.
Automatic umbrellas have the ability to fold to the most compact sizes. They are convenient for daily carrying in a handbag, school bag or women's backpack.
The largest in size is considered to be the dome of an automatic umbrella with two folded spokes. The most popular are 3 fold umbrellas. But 4-fold umbrellas will be small in size and are rightfully considered lightweight. The lightest umbrellas today are 5-fold.
The lighter the automatic umbrella, the smaller the canopy size. This should be remembered when purchasing.
You will find three and two-stage folding in most women's and men's automatic umbrellas.
Umbrellas of various designs can have from six to twenty-four spokes. The structure is stronger than the greater number of spokes in the umbrella. Automatic umbrellas with 24 spokes are the most durable and, accordingly, their price is higher. Most 24-spoke umbrellas are canes.
Below are a variety of automatic umbrella handles.
The design of the handles of automatic umbrellas is very different. You can find pens of very small sizes, square, rectangular or spherical shapes. Most models have a lanyard for convenience. Using a cord you can carry an umbrella on your hand.
Manufacturers
Folding automatic umbrellas are manufactured by all major companies specializing in the manufacture of umbrellas. Companies Fulton And Zest are known for umbrellas with traditional English quality. The Japanese manufacturer is well known "Three elephants", which has been popular on the Russian market for many years and annually pleases consumers with interesting models. Talk about the German quality of the company's umbrellas "Dolphin" it doesn't take long. These umbrellas are high quality, durable, comfortable, and have a modern design! The smallest automatic umbrellas are made by a German company Knirps. Umbrella manufacturers are working on creating models for men, women and children. And they strive to maximally satisfy the requirements of the most demanding clients!
What to do if it doesn't work out
First of all, don't worry too much. Worrying will not help you deal with the problem faster! Take a close look at the simplest design diagram of an umbrella and you will immediately understand how to cope on your own in case of any breakdown of the automatic umbrella.
Often, due to the most minor damage, many people throw away their umbrella. Although a completely inexperienced person without special skills can fix the problem on his own.
Most often, the rods break, indicated in the figure by the letters A, B. Most often, the breakdown occurs in rod A, because when the umbrella is opened, it carries the greatest load. When the rod breaks, the compression hook of the power spring is immediately lost. Relieve the tension from the frame and repairing the rod will not be difficult. Place the umbrella against any vertical surface, compress the power spring, lowering the umbrella fixing sleeve.
Loosely remove all hooks from the rods.
With full-automatic children's umbrellas, it happens that it stops returning to its original position. This is due to the fact that the protrusion of the latch hook may have changed its shape or broken. If the integrity of the latch protrusion is damaged, the umbrella will stop folding. And this breakdown cannot be repaired on your own; the umbrella repair service will offer you to replace the failed latch with a new one. But if the latch has not changed its geometric shape, just press the locking protrusion, lower the protrusion towards the handle, and bend the latch. Such measures will help extend the service life of the latch, but soon be prepared for another bend in the latch protrusion. Therefore, we recommend that you purchase a high-quality retainer in advance or make it yourself from available materials, for example, from wire or any soft metal.
To repair more serious damage, special tools are required, which are available from umbrella repair services. Therefore, you should look at the warranty card for the product. Manufacturers provide a guarantee of at least 6 months. If a warranty case occurs, you will receive free repairs or the broken umbrella will be replaced with a new one.
Warranty cases do not include:
- Scratches or dents on the handle;
- Handle chipped;
- Cuts on the canopy fabric;
- Burnt spots on the dome;
- Bent rod;
- Any damage due to mechanical impact on the umbrella.
Remember that the umbrella is repaired in specialized services. An umbrella seller can recommend the addresses of such services. Different umbrella manufacturers also use various structural elements, such as a spoke, rod, handle, cap and others. A part from one umbrella will not always fit another, therefore, you will not always be able to fix the damage yourself. If your umbrella is dear to you and you are not ready to change it, do not hesitate to contact a specialized repair service!
The folding umbrella with automatic opening and closing is easy to use. One press of a button on the handle - and now you have a fully open umbrella in your hand and you are ready to head out into bad weather. Pressing the button again will also automatically close the umbrella canopy and you will only have to push the stem in and put on the cover after drying.
However, one wrong move can ruin the entire mechanism, and to prevent this from happening, let’s figure out how it works and works.
When the umbrella is folded, the handle under the button (1) simultaneously holds: the telescopic rod (2) when folded and the anchor (8) in the sleeve (9). Inside the rod, in a tense state, there is a thread, one end of which is attached to the anchor, and the second through the roller (11) located in the crown (6) is attached to the runner (12).
Opening an umbrella
The first press of the button (1) releases the telescopic rod (2) of the umbrella, which, under the action of the spring (3) compressed inside the rod, moves forward.
The thread (7), attached to the rod (2) of the crown (6) through the roller (11), pulls the slider (4) up. Supporting spokes (13) are attached to the outside of the runner, which also move forward and open the umbrella dome structure.
Compensation springs (10) are located on the frame spokes
Note: compensation springs are available for umbrellas with a fully automatic mechanism and for umbrellas with automatic closing (folding the canopy). They serve to counteract the force of the spring (3) at the moment the dome opens, and also participate in its folding when the button is pressed. The necessary and sufficient number of these springs is calculated by the manufacturer for each umbrella model. The number of springs (10) depends on the size of the dome and the material used. Compensation springs may not be on every spoke, and as we have already noted, their number depends on the model and is determined by the manufacturer. The absence of a compensation spring on the spoke is not a defect. For example: umbrellas with manual opening do not have these springs.
The force of the spring (3) in the telescopic rod is insignificant, but exceeds the force of resistance to the opening of the dome. The compensation springs (10) on the spokes of the umbrella stretch when the canopy opens. Due to this, the umbrella opens smoothly and does not suddenly “shoot out”. In the open state of the dome, the compensation springs (10) are stretched.
Folding the canopy and folding the umbrella
When you press the button (1) a second time, the anchor (8) is released from the sleeve (9). The thread (7) is loose and no longer holds the slider. The runner (4) with the supporting spokes (13) attached to it can now move freely.
The springs (10) on the spokes compress, returning to their normal state, and fold the umbrella canopy. All you have to do is push the rod in to compress the main spring and return the armature to the sleeve located in the handle.
Full automatic - features of the mechanism. What not to do.
Remember! The folding umbrella is fully automatic and opens and folds only by pressing a button in the handle of the umbrella!
The first press (opening the umbrella) unlocks and extends the telescopic rod, the canopy opens.
The second press (folding the canopy) releases the anchor and the canopy folds.
Important rule! The umbrella is fully automatic - it opens and folds only by pressing a button located in the handle.
Forbidden! Use your hands to open and fold the canopy of the umbrella. Grasp the umbrella slider with the automatic mechanism to bend it. These actions lead to breakage of: fixing parts, stretching or breaking of the thread (inside the telescopic rod), as well as breakage of its attachment points.
When opening:
Let's say you forgot that your umbrella is fully automatic and did not press the button. Push the slider forward from the umbrella handle with your hand. The umbrella will not open because... the rod is fixed and will not extend. If you push the slider with force, the rod lock located in the umbrella handle will break. The umbrella may not open completely, but you won’t be able to fold it by pressing a button.
When folding:
The first press of the button opened the umbrella. Let's say you forgot that your umbrella is fully automatic and in order to fold the canopy you did not press the button, but forcefully pulled the slider towards the handle. Simultaneously with the folding of the dome, the telescopic rod begins to fold. The anchor is tightly clamped in the sleeve. The load (created by you) can break the anchor, stretch or break the thread. Depending on where the thread breaks, this breakage may prevent the canopy from folding and the umbrella from folding. When the thread is stretched, the umbrella dome does not open completely.
Signs of breakage of the latch, thread attachment points, or its breakage (when pressing the button):
When opening, the umbrella “shoots”, a rope (thread) of the mechanism appears, the canopy does not open.
When closing there is a click and the dome does not fold.
Breakdown options:
1 - the thread is pulled out or torn,
2 - one of the parts to which the thread is attached is broken,
3 - breakdown of the rod (2) or anchor (8) fixation parts of the umbrella handle, or the entire fixation device is damaged.
Advice: Choose umbrellas only from proven brands, follow the rules of operation, care and storage.
After reading our instructions, you will know everything about the care and use of umbrellas and will ensure a long life for your weather protector.
First steps. How to open and close?
If you know what type of mechanism your umbrella has, read the “scientific instructions” below; if you don’t know, follow these steps step by step:
Step 1. Remove the cover, unfasten the strap and shake the umbrella slightly so that the folds of the canopy material do not stick to each other.
Step 2: Look for the button. For folding umbrellas, the button is located on the handle; for cane umbrellas, the button is a lock at the base of the rod.
Step 3. Position your hand so that the suddenly opened dome does not cause damage to you or anyone else.
Step 4: Click the button. This is not a touch phone, press the button confidently. The umbrella didn't open? Try again or ask a more experienced friend. Didn't open up again? If you did everything correctly, what you have in front of you is most likely a semi-automatic umbrella (the button is used to close). Is there no button? Fine. With your other hand, grab the slider and move it in the direction “away from the handle” until the latch clicks.
Congratulations! The umbrella is open.
Now let's close...
For buttonless umbrellas. Find the latch on the slider, press it so that the slider goes “down”. Fold the umbrella all the way.
For push-button ones. Press the button confidently. The dome will fold, and all you have to do is fold the rod (if it's not a cane). The rod folds in two ways: either pull the slider towards the handle until it stops, or fold the umbrella by resting the palms of both hands on different sides of the rod.
You press, but it doesn’t fold? Look for a lock on the slider. Available? Press and fold the umbrella manually.
Scientific instruction
If you do not know what type of mechanism the umbrella has, check this information with the seller.
Important! Before opening, slightly straighten the folds of the canopy; after closing, fold the umbrella without twisting the knitting needles, as this leads to breakdown.
- Mechanical umbrella- opens and closes manually. There are no buttons on the handle of this umbrella. Grab the slider on the rod and move your hand away from the handle. In this case, the dome will gradually open; bring it to a click by moving the slider through the “lock”. Such an umbrella is closed by pressing the same “latch” and manually folding the rod by the slider.
- Umbrella machine- opens by pressing a button on the handle. It closes manually - grab the slider and pull it towards the handle, which will first fold the dome and then the rod.
- Semi-automatic- opens manually. Grab the slider on the rod and pull it up towards the dome until it clicks. This umbrella closes by pressing a button. Pressing the button collapses the dome, and the rod will need to be folded manually by pulling the slider towards the handle.
- Full automatic- opens and closes by pressing a button (usually for such umbrellas the button is marked with two arrows, but this is not necessary). Closing occurs in two stages - pressing the button when the umbrella is open will collapse its dome, and you fold the rod manually by pulling the slider towards the handle.
How to dry. Subtleties of ordinary business
Long service will be ensured by proper drying after rain. Many people perform this simple action incorrectly, without even realizing the error.
Do not cover a wet umbrella or leave it wet for a long time. This will lead to rapid wear of the dome fabric, as well as the appearance of rust on the metal frame.
At first open the umbrella, place it open away from heat sources, let the water drain.
Do not wait until the umbrella is completely dry; dry it in a half-opened state (not fastened with the strap, but also with the canopy not opened). You need to hang it on some kind of hook. As the fabric dries under tension, it stretches. This will cause the frame to become loose, the fabric will be loosely stretched, and the umbrella will lose its attractive appearance.
Do not dry the umbrella near radiators or heating devices. The fabric will shrink and the umbrella will become unusable.
After drying, the umbrella should be shaken thoroughly and the fabric carefully folded around the frame.
In addition to proper drying, there are other equally important rules, following which will significantly extend the life of your umbrella.
Proper use. 6 important rules
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Important! What to do if the umbrella is blown over by the wind?
Don't be alarmed if the umbrella gets twisted by the wind, and don't try to return it to its normal position with your hands.
Do this in the usual way, in accordance with the mechanism. For example, if it is a full automatic machine, then simply press the button, fold the mechanical one by pulling the slider towards the handle.
If your umbrella accidentally gets dirty, don't worry. It can be cleaned and your weather protector will be as good as new!
How to clean umbrellas?
Most umbrellas are made from polyester. But there are also products made from other materials. For example, transparent umbrellas are made from polyvinyl, and wedding umbrellas are made from cotton and guipure. Unusual materials require special care.
Features of caring for transparent umbrellas
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Usually, many people throw away umbrellas due to minor breakdowns, which are generally easy to fix even for an inexperienced craftsman. Mostly, the rods break at the point of their hinge connection, which is carried out using an axle. More often this happens with a large rod in node “A” (Fig. 1), since this rod in the open umbrella bears the main load, and even a slight lateral pressure on it leads to the rod breaking, as a result of which the compression hook of the power spring is usually lost.
Rice. 1. Design of the umbrella frame: A, B and C – places of the most common breakdowns; 1 – upper linkage fastening unit; 2 – hairpin; 3 – shock absorption spring; 4 – power spring bushing; 5 – power spring; 6 – sleeve for fixing the umbrella when folded; 7 – cavity for the latch hook; 8 – power spring compression hook; 9 – traction
When starting to repair the rod, first of all you should relieve the tension in the elements of the umbrella frame created by the power spring. To do this, the upper end of the umbrella is rested against some surface, for example, against a door, and the power spring is compressed using the sleeve for fixing the umbrella when folded so that all the hooks that hold the spring in a compressed state can be freely unhooked from the rods. When releasing the hooks, you must not weaken the compression of the spring, otherwise the other rods may break.
Rice. 2. Repair of broken rods (using a lining): a – lining; b, c and d – sequence of operations during repair; d – repair with installation of a new axle; 1 – whole thrust; 2 – broken rod; 3 – overlay
To repair a broken rod, you will have to make a connecting pad. To do this, you should cut out a plate measuring 45×13 mm from 0.2...0.3 mm tinned sheet metal (the width is given in excess, since it is not always possible to symmetrically bend the plate exactly along the longitudinal axis), turn the plate into a “trough” so that the latter was tightly put on the rod being repaired, giving the lining the desired shape (Fig. 2, a).
The broken and intact rods are freed from the fabric; if the first one is deformed, it is straightened. The areas of the connected ends of the rod that will be located under the lining must be tinned in excess. If the axle on the attached (whole) rod has no defects, the rod with the axle is installed in place, as shown in Fig. 2, b, the axle on both sides is secured to the rod by soldering, and a connecting plate is installed (Fig. 2, c). Having fixed the end of the rod and the cover in the desired position using a compression clamp, the cover is soldered to the rod without disturbing the soldering of the axle. The other half of the rod is firmly inserted into the lining (Fig. 2d), after which the rod is fixed and the lining is soldered along its entire length. The joint is brought into proper shape, checking the functionality of the hinge joint.
If the axis on the connecting rod is strongly bent and has any other defect, it is removed, a hole with a diameter of 1.5 mm is drilled in the lining, coinciding with the hole on the rod being repaired, and a wire is inserted into the hole, which will act as an axis. Next, carry out the same operations for connecting the rods that were described above. All that remains is to remove the wire, make an axis of the required length out of it and connect it with the rod axis. To prevent the axle from falling out of the rods and clinging to the fabric, it is soldered to the pad on both sides (Fig. 2e). The attachment of the fabric to the rods is restored. If there is easy access to the soldering point of the rod, it is better not to disconnect the fabric from the frame, but in order to avoid hot drops of tin getting on the fabric, you must first place a gasket between the fabric and the soldering point. The breakdown in node B is repaired in the same way (see Fig. 1).
Rice. 3. Repair of broken rods (using an insert and an overlay): a – insert; b – overlay; c, d and e – sequence of repair operations
Umbrellas in which the frame elements are made of thicker steel (in this case, the rods have narrower sidewalls), the broken rods in nodes A, B and C are connected using plug-in lugs, which are pressed against the sidewalls of the rods. For such umbrellas, breakage of the rods most often occurs in node B (see Fig. 1), since in this place the strength of the rod is weakened by the hole intended for the compression hook of the power spring. To repair such a rod, an insert-eye is bent from strong steel wire, the shape of which is shown in Fig. 3, a. The wire is selected with such a diameter that the insert fits tightly between the sidewalls of the rod. The length of the entire insert is approximately 45...50 mm. The main requirement for the insert is that when it is installed in place, the hook hook moves freely in the resulting cavity, and the insert itself does not interfere with the compact folding of the umbrella. To enhance the strength of the traction at the point of failure, it is still necessary to make an overlay from tinned sheet metal with a thickness of 0.2...0.3 mm (Fig. 3, b). Having made the fasteners, all that remains is to straighten the broken rod, tin the finished connecting insert with a thin layer of tin, insert the broken end of the rod closest to the handle so that the highest point of the curved part of the insert is located above the end of the hook hook (Fig. 3,c), and crimp the end of the insert traction sidewalls. Next, the second part of the rod is placed at the free end of the insert, the rod is compressed around the insert and the latter is soldered along its entire length. To increase the reliability of the connection, put an overlay on the place to be repaired, having previously drilled a hole in it with a diameter of 1.2 mm, coinciding with the hole on the rod being repaired, and solder the overlay to the rod.
Rice. 4. Mechanism for fixing the umbrella (manual) when opened: 1 – rod fastening unit; 2 – clamp; 3 – eye
There are cases when, after repair, umbrellas of this type do not fold completely. One of the reasons for this is the displacement of the ear inserts in the repaired units (especially in unit A), which usually occurs due to poor-quality crimping of the sidewalls of the rods. To eliminate such a defect, you will have to lightly hit the part of the eye protruding from the rod with a small hammer to move the eye to the desired place and again press the insert tightly with the sides of the rod. Please note that in order to more securely connect them to the rods, notches are made on the ear inserts (see Fig. 3, a).
In fact, broken rods are repaired only if there are no intact rods from any other umbrella of a similar design that cannot be repaired. Separating the required rod from the umbrella frame is not difficult. It is enough to cut off the flaring of the axles on a suitable rod with a knife and disconnect it from other rods and assemblies. And the axles for the “new” rod can be easily made from wire (or a nail) of the required diameter, not forgetting to solder the ends of the axle to the sides of the rod.
For umbrellas with an extended power spring, along with the above-mentioned breakdowns, the power spring bushing often cracks. I note that all the failed bushings that I dealt with were beyond repair, so to replace them I had to use suitable bushings from umbrellas of other designs. You can install a new bushing either through the upper or lower parts of the umbrella rod. You just need to determine which pin is easier to knock out: either the pin that secures the handle, or the pin that holds the upper linkage attachment. First of all, of course, you need to free the rods from the broken bushing and remove the latter. Installation of the bushing through the upper part of the rod is carried out in the following sequence: move the depreciation spring down (see Fig. 1), knock out the pin from the upper attachment point of the rods, remove this unit and install a new bushing. Assembling the umbrella, of course, is done in the reverse order.
Rice. 5. Option for repairing the umbrella fixation unit when open (using a clamp): a – pattern of a clamp blank; b – workpiece with soldered plates; c – drawing of the clamp
Rice. 6. Option for repairing the umbrella fixation unit in the open form (using surfacing and half-clamps): 1 – surfacing; 2 – half clamp
All of the above repair work is performed with the power spring compression hooks removed. Upon completion of the repair, check the presence of these hooks, make the missing number of them in the shape of the existing ones, install the umbrella fixation sleeve in a folded form so that the cavity (slot) of the hook on it is in line with the latch protrusion, hook the hooks to the sleeve, compress the power spring and insert the hooks into the holes of the rod.
By opening and folding the umbrella, check the correctness of its repair and assembly.
For umbrellas with manual opening, especially with a three-stage rod, in the mechanism that fixes the umbrella when opened, the eye in which the locking axis is installed often breaks due to excessive tension (in Fig. 4, the breakage point is shaded). If it is impossible to replace a failed mechanism, it can be repaired by making a clamp from 0.2...0.3 mm tin-plated sheet. It is clear that the dimensions of the workpiece for the clamp depend on the dimensions of the mechanism sleeve. In Fig. 5, and I gave the dimensions of the clamp blank for the fixation mechanism in the open form of my umbrella, where the size of 35 mm is the distance on the blank from eye to eye, measured along the outer diameter of the bushing. The dimensions of clamp blanks for other mechanisms are determined in the same way. The edges of the workpiece are bent (along the dotted lines) and, applying the edges to the ears of the mechanism, the contours of the ears are transferred to the edges and the location of the hole of the latch axis is precisely marked. Remove “extra” areas on the folds. To increase the strength of the clamp ears, it is better to solder to them plates cut to their size and shape (Fig. 5,b), not forgetting to drill holes in the bends. All that remains is to bend the workpiece, without allowing distortion, around the tube (rod), the diameter of which corresponds to the diameter of the bushing of the fixation mechanism, put the clamp in place, that is, on the bushing, eliminate the inaccuracies, select a screw with a nut instead of the axle, and assemble the mechanism. A drawing of the finished clamp is shown in Fig. 5, c.
Rice. 7. Design of the latch: 1 – locking protrusion; 2 – handle tube; 3 – hook protrusion
You can repair the mechanism in another way. It is a little simpler and takes less time to repair, but the ears are less durable. In this case, take a small plywood (or strip) approximately 5 mm thick and insert it into the slot of the fixation mechanism between the broken ears. Along the remaining part of the lug in the plywood, a hole for the axle is marked and drilled, nails of the appropriate diameter are inserted into the hole, the plywood is installed on the axle in the slot, and the missing parts of the lugs are welded from fragments of the lugs or other suitable material onto the body of the mechanism or glued to it. Next, two strips half the thickness of the ear are cut out of tin (stainless steel, copper, brass), and bent with a half-clamp. By placing one half-clamp on the ear, as shown in Fig. 6, heat the half-clamp with a soldering iron, gradually pressing it into the ear. We also press the second half-clamp into the other ear. All that remains is to remove the stud-axle, remove the plywood, process the ears, and then assemble the mechanism. Don't forget to check the welding quality for strength. (For those who have not welded plastic parts, I inform you that such work is performed in a well-ventilated area.)
With children's umbrellas with automatic opening, it happens that the protrusion of the hook at the latch that holds the umbrella when folded stops returning to its original position. This is due to the fact that the clamp is made of low-quality metal and simply bends under load. This kind of problem can be fixed quickly. To do this, you will have to press the locking protrusion (Fig. 7), move the protrusion towards the handle, pull the latch out of the rod tube, bend the latch at the bend point, and then insert the latch into place. True, after some time the retainer will lose its shape again, so it is better to immediately replace it with a new retainer made of high-quality steel. If you don’t find one, it’s easy to make a retainer yourself from elastic metal.
For those who are thinking about doing umbrella repair, I recommend making the devices shown in Fig. 8 and 9. Although they are primitive, they greatly simplify the repair process. So, to mold the overlays (see Fig. 2,a), you will have to make a simple stamp. The die matrix (Fig. 8a) is bent from sheet steel 1.5 mm thick. In the center of the bottom of the “trough”, a depression is formed with a beard or other suitable tool. The punch (Fig. 8,b), which has a protrusion in the center, is made from a strip of steel 3...4 mm thick. When forming an overlay, a plate measuring 45...50×13 mm is placed on the matrix so that there is a recess under the center of the plate, a punch is placed on top and hit with a hammer. All. The overlay is ready, all that remains is to work on it a little. By the way, the matrix described above is also useful for straightening the rods, but the punch will have to be made new (Fig. 8, c). The deformed rod is placed in the recess of the matrix, after which it is straightened with a punch.
Rice. 8. Die for making linings and straightening rods: a – matrix; b and c – punches
It is also necessary to make devices for compressing the power spring (Fig. 9). The operating principle of this device is similar to that of a simple screw press. Here, two crossbars “run” along two guides (Fig. 10), one of which acts as a base, and the second as a slider, which can be moved by turning or unscrewing the wings on the guides where the M6 thread is cut. Each crossbar consists of two halves (Fig. 10,a).
Rice. 9. Device for compressing the power spring: 1 – crossbar (jumper); 2 – split washer; 3 – power spring bushing; 4 – sleeve for fixing the umbrella when folded; 5 – pin (guide)
We’ll tell you a little about how to compress a spring using this device. First, two halves of the jumper are put on each pin (guide) and screwed on the lamb. Complete assembly of the device is carried out directly on the umbrella. The halves are connected with screws, as a result of which the resulting jumpers wrap around the rod of the umbrella handle. The device is now ready to compress the spring. You just need to tighten the screws. This simplifies the process of removing and installing the spring compression hooks, described at the beginning of the text.
Rice. 10. Design of the crossbar (lintel): a – drawing of half of the lintel; b – assembled jumper
A little about fabric. Broken ends of rods, as a rule, tear the fabric of the umbrella. Small holes can be sealed with the same fabric using BF-6 glue, which is sold in pharmacies, but it is easier to stick a transparent self-adhesive film onto the damaged area, as my friends do.
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