Login| Sign Up| Help| Contact|

Patent Searching and Data


Title:
IMPROVED UMBRELLA
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2003/051150
Kind Code:
A2
Abstract:
An improved umbrella (10) designed for children, primarily comprising fluorescent fabric panels (20), of which, at least one panel is transparent, a skeleton (30), a shaft assembly (50), and a cover assembly (70). The panels (20) are secured to the skeleton (30) of the umbrella (10). Interconnecting the skeleton (30) to the shaft assembly (50) is a runner (42), which allows a user to open and close the umbrella (10). A telescopic cover assembly (70) collects water when the umbrella (10) is closed, reducing the probability of the water damage or accidents to the user or others, resulting from slippage upon water.

More Like This:
Inventors:
BLOOM MARTIN (US)
BLOOM CYNTHIA R (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2002/027267
Publication Date:
June 26, 2003
Filing Date:
August 28, 2002
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
BLOOM MARTIN (US)
BLOOM CYNTHIA R (US)
International Classes:
A45B25/18; A45B25/24; A45B25/20; A45B25/28; A45B25/30; (IPC1-7): A45B/
Foreign References:
US5425388A1995-06-20
US1581843A1926-04-20
US4887543A1989-12-19
US5876995A1999-03-02
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Sanchelima, Jesus (FL, US)
Download PDF:
Claims:
vm. CLAIMS What is claimed is:
1. An improved safety umbrella, comprising: A) An elongated shaft having a longitudinal axis with first and second ends, said first end having a handle; B) a skeleton assembly comprising first and second hub members, said first hub member fixedly secure at said second end and having a plurality of rib members pivotally secured thereon, each of said rib members having connector joints and blunt tips, said second hub member slidably journals said elongated shaft between said first and second ends, said second hub member further having a plurality of hub connectors outwardly and radially extending therefrom and connecting to said connector joints; C) a canopy fixedly secured to said rib members, having at least one panel section that is transparent to allow a user to view through said panel section; and D) an elongated collapsible cover assembly having third and fourth ends, said third end securely mounted onto said second end, said elongated collapsible cover assembly having telescopic means, wherein said fourth end extends over said canopy when said umbrella is closed.
2. The improved safety umbrella set forth in claim 1, wherein said canopy is fluorescent in color.
3. The improved safety umbrella set forth in claim 2, wherein said handle has an identification tag secured thereon.
4. The improved safety umbrella set forth in claim 3, wherein said elongated collapsible cover assembly has draining means at said third end to drain water accumulated on said canopy, when said umbrella is closed.
5. An improved safety umbrella, comprising: A) An elongated shaft having a longitudinal axis with first and second ends, said first end having a handle ; B) a skeleton assembly comprising first, second, and third hub members, said first hub member fixedly secure at said second end and has a plurality of rib members pivotally secured thereon, each of said rib members having first connector joints and blunt tips, said second and third hub members have a spring in between them and slidably journal said elongated shaft between said first and second ends, said second hub member having a plurality of first hub connectors extending therefrom and connecting to said first connector joints, said first hub connectors having second connector joints, said third hub member having a plurality of second hub connectors extending therefrom and connecting to said second connector joints; C) a canopy fixedly secured to said rib members, having at least one panel section that is transparent to allow a user to view through said panel section; and D) an elongated collapsible cover assembly having third and fourth ends, said third end securely mounted onto said second end, said elongated collapsible cover assembly having telescopic means, wherein said fourth end extends over said canopy when said umbrella is closed.
6. The improved safety umbrella set forth in claim 5, wherein said spring biases said second and third hub members towards said second end to keep said umbrella open.
7. The improved safety umbrella set forth in claim 6, wherein said handle has an identification tag secured thereon.
8. The improved safety umbrella set forth in claim 7, wherein said elongated collapsible cover assembly has draining means at said third end to drain water accumulated on said canopy, when said umbrella is closed.
Description:
I. TITLE : IMPROVED UMBRELLA II. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an umbrella, and more particularly, to a safety umbrella for children.

III. BACKGROUND ART Many designs for umbrellas have been designed in the past.

None of them, however, include safety features designed to protect children. In particular, safety features include the combination of fluorescent color umbrella panels having at least one transparent panel for viewing through the umbrella and a telescopic cover assembly designed to contain water when the umbrella is in a closed position.

There are no safety umbrellas to the best of applicant's knowledge, which include a transparent panel to view through when utilized by children that have a telescopic cover assembly designed to contain water when the umbrella is in a closed position.

IV. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An improved safety umbrella, comprising an elongated shaft having a longitudinal axis with first and second ends. The first end has a handle. The umbrella also has a skeleton assembly, comprising first and second hub members. The first hub member is fixedly secure at the second end and has a plurality of rib members pivotally secured thereon. Each of the rib members has connector joints and blunt tips.

The second hub member slidably journals the elongated shaft between the first and second ends. The second hub member further has a plurality of hub connectors outwardly and radially extending therefrom, connecting to said connector joints.

A canopy is fixedly secured to the rib members and has at least one panel section that is transparent. This is to allow a user to view through the panel section. Additionally, the umbrella has an elongated collapsible cover assembly having third and fourth ends. The third end is securely mounted onto the second end. The elongated collapsible cover assembly has telescopic means, wherein the fourth end extends over the canopy when the umbrella is closed. The elongated collapsible cover assembly also has draining means at the third end to drain water accumulated on the canopy, when said umbrella is closed.

In the preferred embodiment, the canopy is fluorescent in color and the handle has an identification tag secured thereon.

In an alternate embodiment, the improved safety umbrella comprises an elongated shaft having a longitudinal axis with first and second ends, where the first end has a handle.

A skeleton assembly comprises first, second, and third hub members. The first hub member is fixedly secure at the second end and has a plurality of rib members pivotally secured thereon. Each of the rib members has first connector joints and blunt tips. The second and third hub members have a spring in between them and slidably journal the elongated shaft between the first and second ends, wherein the spring biases the second and third hub members towards the second end to keep said umbrella open. The second hub member has a plurality of first hub connectors extending therefrom that connect to the first connector joints. The first hub connectors have second connector joints, and the third hub member has a plurality of second hub connectors extending therefrom, which connect to the second connector joints.

As with the preferred embodiment, a canopy is fixedly secured to the rib members and has at least one panel section that is transparent to allow a user to view through. An elongated collapsible cover assembly has third and fourth ends. The third end is securely mounted onto the second end. The elongated collapsible cover assembly also has telescopic means, wherein the fourth end extends over the canopy when the umbrella is closed.

With this embodiment, the handle may also have an identification tag secured thereon, and the elongated collapsible cover assembly has draining means.

It is therefore one of the main objects of the present invention to provide an umbrella that may be safely utilized by children.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an umbrella that has a transparent panel, to allow the user to see through that section of the umbrella.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an umbrella that reduces the probability of eye injury to others in the vicinity of an open umbrella.

It is another object of this invention to provide an umbrella that has fluorescent coloring that is highly visible to others.

It is another object of this invention to provide an umbrella that may contain water after becoming wet and while in a closed position.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an umbrella that is recognized as one utilized by children.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness.

Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.

V. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 represents an elevation view of the instant invention with the cover assembly in the extracted position.

Figure 2 represents an elevation view of the instant invention with the cover assembly in the retracted position.

Figure 3 illustrates an elevation view of the umbrella in the open position.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the instant invention with the umbrella in the open position.

Figure 5 is an elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the instant invention with the umbrella in the open position.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the alternate embodiment seen in figure 5, with the umbrella in the open position.

VI. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE'tPt EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral 10, it can be observed that it basically includes fabric 20, skeleton 30, shaft assembly 50, and cover assembly 70.

As seen in figure 1, instant invention 10 is an umbrella having shaft assembly 50. Extending from shaft assembly 50 is handle 56. The curvature of handle 56 may vary, however in the preferred embodiment; the curvature is ergonomically designed to be comfortable for the user. Protruding from an elongated portion of handle 56 is tab 58. Tab 58 secures tag 62 and loop 60, seen in figure 2, thereon, and is made of a durable weather resistant material, as is instant invention 10 itself. Tag 62 may contain personal information for the benefit of the user. Secured onto the end opposite handle 56 and serving as a telescopic exterior cover is cover assembly 70. End 74 is securely mounted onto an end of shaft assembly 50, and is threaded to complement end cap 76. Telescopically extending from end 74 are a plurality of telescopic members 72,. which increase diametrically to cover fabric 20, seen in figure 2, when instant invention 10 is in the illustrated position.

Cover assembly 70 contains water when instant invention 10 is in the illustrated position. Containing water within prevents water damage to clothing, furniture, and other items commonly wet by an umbrella. More importantly however, cover assembly 70 prevents water from accumulating on a surface such as a floor, which may lead to an accident if someone slips. In this illustration, end-cap 76 is removed. After water has accumulated within cover assembly 70, water may drain out from end 74 to a safe receptacle or location.

As seen in figure 2, cover assembly 70 is in the retracted position whereby the larger-most telescopic member 72 slides over the next to larger telescopic member and so forth, until fully retracted as illustrated. Secured onto shaft 52 of shaft assembly 50, seen in figure 1, is fabric 20. In the illustrated position, fabric 20 is wrapped around shaft 52 and is securely wrapped by tie closure 26, which may be sewed thereon.

As seen in figure 3, instant invention 10 is in the open position whereby a user typically may seek cover from rain. In the preferred embodiment, fabric 20 has a plurality of panels 22, which are fluorescent in color. The fluorescent color is designed to give notice to others around the user, that the user is a child. In addition, fabric 20 also has symbols 24 affixed thereon. Symbols 24 also serve to give notice to others that the user of instant invention 10 is a child.

Fabric 20 also has at least one transparent panel defined as clear panel 22'. Clear panel 22'is designed to allow the user to see through that portion of fabric 20 when otherwise it would be difficult to do so, possibly because of rain, snow, dust, other similar matter that is airborne. Clear panel 22'is also useful for viewing by the user, when wind may disturb the user.

As seen in figure 4, instant invention 10 is open as illustrated in figure 3. Best seen in this figure, skeleton 30 provides the structural integrity to keep instant invention 10 in the illustrated position, when desired by the user. Skeleton 30 has inside cap 32, ribs 34, tips 36, joints 38, stretchers 40, and runner 42.

Inside cap 32 secures fabric 20 onto shaft assembly 50. Tips 36 are blunt to prevent injury to the user or others in the vicinity of the user.

In the preferred embodiment, ribs 34 are secured onto the inside face of fabric 20, on seams dividing panels 22 and clear panel 22'. Runner 42 slides longitudinally upon shaft 52 of shaft assembly 50. Extending from one end of runner 42 are stretchers 40, which connect to joints 38 of ribs 34. Joints 38 are positioned on ribs 34 to support skeleton 30 in the concave position shown, without an additional retaining mechanism, when runner 42 is slid in the uppermost position of shaft 52.

To close instant invention 10, runner 42 is pulled towards handle 56 until protrusion 54 secures runner 42. Protrusion 54 has a spring-like member to provide resistance when runner 42 slides over it.

Seen in figure 5, is an alternate embodiment of the instant invention. The illustrated embodiment, defined as instant invention 10', contains many of the beneficial characteristics as instant invention 10.

However, instant invention 10'is designed to be utilized by a user that is not a child. Fabric 20'need not be fluorescent and does not require symbols 24 to be placed thereon. Panels 23 may be of any color, and clear panel 23'is transparent, as is clear panel 22'. Extending from shaft assembly 50'is handle 56'. The curvature of handle 56'may vary, however in the preferred embodiment; the curvature is ergonomically designed comfort the user. Near handle 56'is push tab 55', which is connected to protrusion 54'. Protrusion 54'retains runner 42', seen in figure 6, when the umbrella is in the closed position, as seen in figure 2.

Tab 58'for loop 60'and tag 62'are optional in this embodiment.

Similarly as in instant invention 10, cover assembly 70'contains water within instant invention 10'. Secured onto the end opposite handle 56'and serving as a telescopic exterior cover, is cover assembly 70'. End 74'is securely mounted onto an end of shaft assembly 50', and is threaded to complement end cap 76'. Telescopically extending from end 74'are a plurality of telescopic members 72', which increase diametrically to retract to the illustrated position and cover fabric 20', as shown in figure 1.

As seen in figure 6, instant invention 10'is open as illustrated in figure 5. Best seen in this figure, skeleton 30', with complementing spring 33', provide the structural integrity to keep instant invention 10' in the illustrated position when desired by the user. Skeleton 30'has inside cap 32', spring 33', ribs 34', ring 35', tips 36', joints 38'and 45', stretchers 40'and 43', and runner 42'.

Inside cap 32'secures fabric 20'onto shaft assembly 50'. Tips 36' are blunt to prevent injury to the user or others in the vicinity of the user. In the preferred embodiment, ribs 34'are secured onto the inside face of fabric 20'on seams dividing panels 23 and clear panel 23'.

Connecting ring 35'to runner 42'is spring 33', all which longitudinally slide upon shaft 52'of shaft assembly 50'. Spring 33'biases ring 35'and runner 42'apart from each other, and in an approximated relax state, maintains instant invention 10'in the illustrated position. When the user desires to close instant invention 10', runner 42'is pulled towards handle 56'and is locked by protrusion 54'. Runner 42'has a slit, not seen, to receive protrusion 54'. To open instant invention 10', as illustrated in this figure, the user may simply push push tab 55'until protrusion 54'slides out of the slit of runner 42', and allowing the spring force of spring 33'to open the umbrella.

Extending from runner 42'are stretchers 43', which connect to joints 45'of stretchers 40'. Extending from ring 35'are stretchers 40', which connect to joints 38'of ribs 34'. Joints 38'are positioned on ribs 34'to support skeleton 30'in the concave position shown with the spring force of spring 33', when runner 42'is slid on shaft 52'towards inside cap 32'.

Additionally, as in instant invention 10, tie closure 26'is utilized to wrap fabric 20'when instant invention 10'is closed.

The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention.

It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

VII. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY It is apparent from the previous paragraphs that an improvement of the type for such a safety umbrella for children is quite desirable for viewing through the umbrella and containing water when the umbrella is in a closed position. The safety umbrella for children is also quite desirable for provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness.




 
Previous Patent: A CLIP

Next Patent: HANDBAG