The umbrella is designed with the idea of flexibility instead of rigidity. Ropes are used where normally stiff metal rods would break. For the skeleton, I have natural materials in mind: hemp ropes and bamboo. Metal, wood, or plastic and nylon can be used.

The ropes connect over each arm and then go down a hollow central pole connecting to a ring around the central pole.

To open: (1) slide the ring down to lift up the arms and open the canopy. (2) turn the ring to lock the ropes in the down position to keep the canopy open. A second set of ropes keep the arms from swinging too far up.

To close: turn the ring back and allow the arms to fall down.

Canopy slips on: The tips of the arms fit into sleeves in the canopy fabric and keep it in place. The canopy fabric can be changed. Take one off and put on another. A vented canopy is optional, and makes sense.

Umbrellas can be made with arms of different lengths and the canopy shaped to fit. Square and asymmetric canopies can be made.

Easy-to-fix: If a rope breaks, cut it off and tie on another. If an arm breaks, snap it off and snap in another at the pivot point near the top of the central pole. If all else fails, use the bamboo sticks in the garden, the ropes to tie up newspaper bundles, the canopy as an apron.

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