An automatic foldable umbrella includes a central shaft unit (30) having upper, lower and middle shafts (32, 31, 33) telescopically coupled to one another. A first force transmitting unit (80) is disposed to pull the upper shaft (32) to a stretched-out position relative to the middle shaft (33) when the middle shaft (33) is biased by a central spring (40) to move to an extended position, and to permit the upper shaft (32) to move downward to a retracted position when a rib-and-stretcher assembly (70) is collapsed. A second force transmitting unit (90) is disposed to permit movement of a runner (60) toward a top hub (50) when the upper shaft (32) is displaced to the stretched-out position, thereby rendering the folding operation convenient and effortless.

A foldable umbrella includes a ferrule (35) fixed on an upper end of a handle (2), a runner (36) sleeved slidably on the handle (2). A first rib (20) has a first proximate end (201) connected pivotally to the ferrule (35), a first distal end (202), a first pivot (203) and a slide slot (220) formed therethrough between the first pivot (203) and the first distal end (202). A second rib (30) has second proximate and second distal ends (301,302), and a second pivot (303) between the second proximate and second distal ends (301,302) and disposed adjacent to the second proximate end (301) and connected pivotally to the first distal end (202) of the first rib (20). A third rib (40) has third proximate and third distal ends (401,402), and a third pivot (403) between the third proximate and third distal ends (401,402). The third pivot (403) is connected pivotally to the distal end of the second rib (30). A stretcher has a fourth proximate end connected pivotally to the runner, and a fourth distal end connected pivotally to the first pivot of the first rib. A first connecting member (60) interconnects the stretcher (50) the second rib (30), and has a projection (62) extending through the slide slot (220)of the first rib (20) to connect pivotally with one end of a second connecting member (70).

Stem B consists of sections such as 14 and 19 which may be telescopic or screw together. Top piece A screws onto the top of the stem B before the umbrella is opened. Collar 3 is then lowered by sliding on the stem top-piece 1 so that support ribs 5, pivotally-attached to the collar 3, and main ribs 4, pivotally-attached to the flange 2 on the top-piece 1, swing outwards. Each main rib 4 is connected to a support rib 5 by a hinge 6, to which is also connected an extension rib 7. The extension ribs 7 are swung over to align with the main ribs 4 before the collar 3 is lowered to engage the latch on the stem B, causing the covering fabric 8 to be stretched and the main and extension ribs to adopt a bowed formation.

An umbrella includes ten links (1-10) pivotally connected with one another and pivotally secured to a central handle (20) of the umbrella and secured under an umbrella hood having at least three pairs of juxtaposed links each pair of links composed of a link formed a U-shape groove and a link rod corresponding to the U-shape groove and operatively encased into the groove of the juxtaposed link so that all links can be folded to minimize their length and volume to be about one fifth of their extended length adapted for convenient handling and storage.

An improved folding mechanism for telescopic umbrella includes additional rib members (2,4) which allow the length of an umbrella to be shortened to a value of approximately one third the radial span of the canopy, thereby enabling it to be conveniently received in a handbag while providing sufficient shading for the user.