Background Art Everybody knows which are the problems we encounter when, once we've used the umbrella in raining days, we would like to go inside places, but we must carry the umbrella that, after use, is dripping rainwater, so causing inconvenience inside public places, where staff need to constantly keep floor clean and dry, also in order to reduce the risks of slipping on it. In addition, according to the flooring, said drawback may cause the wear and tear of the materials, being either moquette or parquet, or even the clear danger in the case of escalators or particularly smooth and waxed floors. In some places, the problem is solved by the use of containers where patrons of the local put their umbrellas. This solution, however, cannot be appropriate in large places where many people come and go, such as stores, hospitals, airports, stations, supermarkets, banks, hotels or similar. As a matter of fact, a container for umbrellas in such public places is not useful because of the constant and large turnout that may entail people who forget their umbrellas or even thefts.

We also know the difficulties arising in packing other products, always long and round, in particular the French bread called baguettes, which is currently packed by hand.

Disclosure of invention In order to solve these drawbacks, the present invention offers an innovative system aiming at bridging this gap by means of an apparatus having a double use that allows, by means of various mechanisms and a simple manual operation, to cover the used dripping umbrella, or other long round product, in a suitable plastic film, which permits to carry it inside public places, avoiding the drawback of dripping rainwater on floors. Moreover, the size and shape of the invention, make it possible to use the apparatus when it's not raining, as advertising space made pleasing to look at by a simple accessory, a flowerpot or other ornament integral part of the invention.

The apparatus is principally formed by a metallic rectangular box, fixed at a base large enough to guarantee its stability and as high as the average cloth part of the closed umbrella. There are two openings in the front, which correspond to two holes on the hinged cover of the box. The possibility of opening the cover allows possible tuning or maintenance, as well as the side opening of two doors allows the introduction of the plastic packs forming the isolating coverage of the wet umbrella or other products into the side containers inside the box. By closing the two doors, the respective mechanisms placed on them push the packs in such a position as to be hooked by a central bilateral device that is

preferably placed in the middle of the box. By closing the hinged door of the upper cover, the apparatus will be ready for use. The two holes made on the upper door, where the umbrella must be entered, have indeed some openings corresponding to the frontal openings of the box. Inside them two simple mechanisms are screwed acting as a guide for the insertion of the umbrella from the top, with two small doors placed along the front openings and permitting the horizontal pull of the umbrella, thanks to their clockwork opening. The covering takes place during the vertical movement. The insertion of the umbrella or other similarly-shaped product in one of the two holes activates the central device. This device is made of two PVC surfaces, suitably shaped that, tied by a double lever mechanism and pressed by the tip of the umbrella or other product, makes a variable geometric projection, caused by the change of the hinge point of the mechanism. Said exact projection, which can be regulated by screws in its departure and arrival position, allows the ends of the PVC surfaces to catch the edge of the pack and gradually open it, letting the product enter it. Once this product has been completely inserted, it will be sufficient to pull it out horizontally thanks to the small doors of the flanged guide ferrules mounted on the cover, then tearing the side of the pack still fixed at the container and getting the packaging. Said mechanics are identical regardless of the entering hole, as the manufacturing of the apparatus and its mechanisms are symmetrical.

Reduced to its essential structure and with reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, an automatic bilateral apparatus for the

protective covering of umbrellas or other long products, according to the invention, comprises : - Means to steer and guide the insertion of the products from the top, by two flanged ferrules (15, 16) screwed to the upper door (8), equipped with a front opening closed by two clockwork (53) hinged doors (49).

- Means to contain and isolate the wet part of the umbrella (54) used, or the body of the other product, by a series of packs (67) made of plastic film, having a long rectangular shape, closed on three sides and open above, with an higher back edge equipped with a central hole (68) for their insertion in bulk in a pivot (47) into the loading container.

- Means to press the packs in working position, by two mechanisms (21, 22) fixed on the side doors (9, 10) of the loading containers.

- Means to open the packs (67) one by one at the insertion of the umbrella (54) or other product, by a bilateral mechanism (23), located in the centre, which hooks and enlarges the pack until the complete insertion of the umbrella.

- Means to allow the horizontal pull of the packed product, by two small clockwork (53) hinged doors (49) placed in front on the upper insertion ferrules (15, 16).

- Means to aesthetically improve the apparatus when it's not in use, by a cap (71) to be placed by pressure on its top (8), which may contain flowers or other ornamental and/or functional items.

Conveniently, the insertion openings of the invention are two, similarly working and permitting therefore a longer duration according to the use, thanks to the double reloading container.

Conveniently, the containing packs (67) are mass-produced by planned producing machinery or alteration of plastic films and are about a micron thick so permitting large loads with consequent good working autonomy.

Conveniently, the packs are closed on three sides and open on the top and have a hole (68) in the centre of the upper projecting edge, for their easy insertion in the pivot (47) of the container.

Conveniently, the containers have side doors (9, 10) that can be opened by means of handles (25, 26) and internal pushing mechanisms (21, 22) so that, when closing, the packs are ready to be use.

Conveniently, the packs pushing mechanisms (21, 22) have a lever with variable hinge point (59), so that the projection of the final part of push (56) carrying the buttonhole (55) has a movement linear enough not to interfere with the pivot (47) where packs (67) are placed through the holes (68).

Conveniently, the central device (23) is formed by two symmetrical systems that take on the same axis their end parts (31) fit to open the packs.

Conveniently, said device (23), thanks to an exchange of rotation point, lets the terminals (31) make a first projection with principally vertical component, so as to hook the first opening (70) of the pack (67).

Conveniently, this device (23) lets the terminals (31) make a second projection with principally horizontal direction, which permits the complete opening of the pack (67) and the complete insertion of the umbrella (54).

Conveniently, the flanged ferrules (15, 16) are equipped with hinged and clockwork (53) doors having a frontal opening (49), which permits the horizontal pull of the packed object.

Conveniently, the apparatus is equipped with a cap (71) fast to set up, which must be inserted by pressure on the upper part (8) and has space for ornaments in case of non-use.

Conveniently, considered the type of places this invention is addressed to, the shape and size of the apparatus allow the use of a large surface (2) that may be used as advertising space.

In practice, the manufacturing details may, however, vary as regards shape, size, position of elements, and type of materials used, but still remain within the range of the idea proposed as a solution and, consequently, within the limits of the protection granted by this patent for invention.

Brief description of drawings The originality and functionality of this invention can be better understood by reading the following description and referring to the enclosed drawings, given as practical examples of the invention, but not to be considered restrictive.

-Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show the apparatus before its use in its three natural views : front (Fig. 1), side (Fig. 2) and top (Fig. 3). We can see the inserting devices (15, 16) fixed on the upper door

(8), the frontal coverings (4, 3) inside which the loads of packs will be placed, the central covering (5) holding the mechanism whose terminals (31) are placed under the holes of the devices (15, 16) and can be seen in the front view. Fig. 2 highlights the side door (9), equipped with a handle (11) for the opening, which is completed on the side closure by a fixed part (13), everything anchored to a base (1).

Fig. 4 shows a front section where inner components can be seen, consisting of three main mechanisms : the upper ferrules (15, 16) serving as a guide for the insertion, fixed on the door (8) where the umbrella will be put ; the mechanism (23) supported by a central box in plate (24) and the two mechanisms (21, 22) fixed at the side doors (9, 10), which can be opened by means of the pivots (18, 19) and stopped by two hooks (20, 48) ; two fixed parts (13, 14) complete the box on the sides.

Fig. 5 shows a diagonal section highlighting shape and position of the mechanism (22), fixed at the side door (10), and the upper closing door (8), hinged in (17), which holds the entrance device (16) having, as'depicted in Fig. 6, two small doors that can be opened outside.

Fig. 7 shows a side section of the invention, consisting of : a back plate (2) that, thanks to its large surface free from any obstruction for the working of the apparatus, together with its ideal location in crowded public places, makes it possible to be used for adverting purposes the two side doors (9, 10) ; the two side and frontal protections (4, 3) ; thé. central protection (5)

holding the square tube (24), support of the mechanism (23). This shape creates two internal rooms (7, 6) serving as reloading containers for the packs.

Fig. 8 shows the apparatus with all the doors open. Such an operation is necessary for the loading of the apparatus : the inserting devices (15, 16) are fixed on the door (8), which is hinged in (17) and rotated through 90'on the box. This operation makes the side doors (9, 10), hinged in (18, 19), free from any obstruction ; by pulling the knobs (25, 26) the closure (29, 30) unblocks, so opening the side doors until they are stopped by the hooks (20, 48).

Figs. 9 and 10 show respectively the same components during the same phase from the side and top view. It's possible to notice that (Fig. 10) the terminals in PVC (31) are in horizontal axis thanks to the shape of the mechanism (23).

Figs. 11, 12 and 13 show in the three natural views, front (Fig.

11), side (Fig. 13) and top (Fig. 12), the shape of the mechanism (23) assembled. The terminals in PVC (31) suitably directed thanks to the shape of their support levers (32) result in horizontal axis. The supports (32), tied by the pivot (33) with the upright (43), are pushed upwards by the spring (34) twisted between the two levers. A further couple of levers (38) secures the lift, as they are tied with the fixed part to the element (32), apt to be lifted, by means of the pivot (36), so obtaining a balance. Even if, in this way, this balance, as well as the consequent diagonal and vertical positioning, gives a definite

position to the terminal (31), it is subject to more precise regulation movements, thanks to the two holes (42) on the supports (32), allowing the introduction of a screwdriver working on the screws (39) fixed on the angle section (40) connected to the upright (43) by means of the screws (45). By working on these stop screws, we get a small projection of the terminals (31) and their definitive position.

Fig. 14 shows a single device in balanced position.

Fig. 15 shows a scheme that simplifies the system of levers in such a position : the parallel levers (D, B), anchored to a fixed support (C) by means of the points (4, 3) are connected each other by the lever (A) thanks to the points (1, 2). Their stability is given by the twisting (F) of the spring mounted in axis to point (1). This force would imply the lift of the opposite end of the lever (A), but the tie given by the lever (B), considering the off-line position of the points (3, 2) divides (F) into (F1) and (F2). This last component (F2) causes the lever system rotate clockwork, finding a stability of the contrast of point (R) (screw 23) with the fixed base (C).

Fig. 16 shows the first part of projection of terminal (31) caused by the lever system schematically depicted in Fig. 17 : by exerting on the projecting end of the lever (A) a force (P) greater than (F1), we'll get a rotation (R) with the centre in point (1) ; this movement, which draws a principally vertical projection of the terminal (31), is permitted until the total projection of the buttonhole in (B) on point (3).

Fig. 18 shows how the direction of movement of the terminal (31) changes in the second phase of shift, schematically depicted in Fig. 19 : once finished the projection of the pivot (3) on the lower buttonhole of (B), at a further pressure (P) the hinge point will change from point (1) to point (3) of the lever system ; it will be followed by a rotation (R1) around the axis (3) causing a component of diagonal shift (S1) much greater than the vertical shift. This solution of the system is the best for its purpose, as we will see in the functional illustrations of the mechanism.

Fig. 20 shows the symmetrical mechanisms (15, 16) assembled to the upper door (8), by an inside view.

Fig. 21 shows the same view as Fig. 20 with the mechanism isolated, showing the holes (50) threaded to anchor the door (8), and the two small doors (49).

Fig. 22 shows the possibility of movement of said small doors letting the umbrella (54) come out. The front (Fig, 23) and side (Fig. 24) view show how the hinges (52), thanks to the spring (53), press in position the small doors (49) against the flanged ferrule (15). Also the further guide element (51) is highlighted, which will have symmetrical position in the corresponding mechanism (16).

Figs. 25 and 26 show the shape of the mechanisms (21, 22) fixed by means of the holes (60) to the side doors (9, 10) of the invention. In particular, they respectively show the front section and view of the mechanism essentially constituted by a

fixed part (66) to which the mobile part (61) is hinged by means of the pivot (59), however tied by a lever (64) connected to the fixed part (66) with the pivots (58, 63). The pivot (59) can run along the buttonhole (65) made in (63), while at the end of the lever (61) a terminal (56) is fixed, with buttonhole in axis (55), connected to the lever (61) by screws (57). This system is designed in order to make the projection of the terminal (56) as more horizontal as possible ; this is possible thanks to the gradual shift of the hinge centre (59) along the buttonhole (65), which offsets in this way the natural vertical component (H) of the lever, thanks indeed to the drop of the hinge point caused by the interposed lever (64) and the projection (R2) (see Figs. 27 and 28). The push outwards of the terminal (56) is exerted by the pull springs (62) depicted in Fig. 25.

Fig. 29 shows the loading of the packs for the covering of the umbrellas into the containers of the apparatus. The shape of these packs, made of plastic film, about a micron thick, is depicted in the detail (67) of Fig. 30. The pack (67) is closed on three sides and open on the top and is equipped in the back surface, which will result higher than the frontal one (70), with a hole (68) permitting their insertion in bulk on the pivots (47). In Fig. 30 also an umbrella (54) is drawn, in order to give an idea of the dimensions.

Figs. 31, 32 and 33 show the apparatus loaded with the doors closed. Fig. 31 shows the front view of the system free from the frontal protections and intentionally with different loads. In

this way, it's possible to notice the capability of the pushing mechanisms (21, 22) to suit different loads and therefore different thickness, thanks to the above-mentioned possibility of diagonal projection along the pivots (47). Fig. 33 enlarges the crucial detail of the mechanism during rest : the front view shows the insertion device (16) with its lower guide element (51) suitably directed. Underneath, we'll immediately find the terminal (31) of the mechanism (23), whose final part is formed by two teeth (31) depicted in the side view. Thanks to the regulations of the system (23), previously described, said teeth exactly enter the notches made on the plate (56), which serves to stop the load of packs put into the pivot (47) and pushed by the terminal (56) of the side mechanism (22). Therefore the teeth (31) get in touch with the pack (67), in particular immediately above the opening (70).

Figs. 34, 35 show the two phases relating to the insertion of the umbrella. Fig. 34 shows the first operation of the insertion of the umbrella (54) : the pressure of its tip on the terminal (31) causes a first projection having a principally vertical component. This fact allows the teeth placed at the end of the terminal (31) to hook the opening (70) of the pack (67). A further insertion will cause (Fig. 35) the change of direction of the projection of the terminal (31), with principally horizontal component. In this way, a space large enough to insert the umbrella (54) inside the apparatus is created.

Fig. 36 shows this insertion completed. The umbrella (54), by means of the guide entering mechanism (16), is completely inside the apparatus and inside the pack (67). At this point (Figs. 37, 38), its pull will cause the tear of the part of pack still attached and, with the umbrella properly protected, the restoration of the initial conditions. This is because the packs are attached each other by means of sticking, soldering or similar, so that when the one is pulled the other comes out.

Fig. 39 shows the invention when it's not in use, with the upper part equipped with a suitable cap (71) made of plastic material, equipped with lower ornaments (73) and inserted by joint. This element may contain flowers or other decorations.