UMBRELLA HAVING INSTANTLY INTERCHANGEABLE PARTS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of umbrella assembling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are several design degrees according which umbrellas are usually categorized, priced, and marketed.

In order to provide for a wide collection of umbrellas, manufacturers produce certain parts of an umbrella of a predetermined structure in several color options to ensure that the same design may be offered to retailers in several style options. For example, the canopy cloth may be manufactured in several colors and/or ornamental styles, and the handle may be manufactured in several colors or designs, etc. In most cases, once an umbrella collection has been manufactured, each umbrella in such a collection will have a predetermined and unchangeable colors and style.

Various umbrella designs with interchangeable parts are described in the literature, for example in the following patent publications:

GB 789,178 relates to ornamental handles for fashionable ladies' umbrellas.

According to the invention, an umbrella has an interchangeable handle provided or formed with a plug portion of reduced diameter and an annular space between the plug and the handle into which space the tubular shaft of the umbrella, which fits over the plug, enters and abuts against the inner end of such space, the shaft being also provided with an aperture in which a detent, carried by the plug portion, engages to lock the handle and shaft together.

GB 822,798 discloses an umbrella stick assembly in which the umbrella handle is detachably fixed to the stick of the umbrella by a fitting sleeve having a cross section matching the cross section of the stick.

GB 1,041,928 relates to improvements in umbrellas, parasols and sunshades, with the objective to provide a construction which permits instant interchange of the covering.

US 4,061,154 relates to an umbrella having a centrally located vertical shaft, a plurality of generally equally spaced ribs collapsibly coupled to a top end of the vertical shaft and a detachable cover stretched over the spaced ribs and fastened thereto by corresponding fabric fasteners located at the distended ends of the ribs.

US 6,244,283 relates to an umbrella comprising a shank, a handle, a rib, multiple tip beads, a canopy, and a ferrule, characterized by a series of connectors which are installed at least between the handle and the shank, between the tip beads and the rib, between the canopy and the rib, and between the ferrule and the shank. Users can change various shapes and colors of canopies, tip beads, handles, and ferrules to assemble new umbrellas through simple lock and insertion operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main idea of the invention is associated with the following: Among the umbrella types available in the market, it is often the case that the one umbrella differs from another not only in the ornamental design, but also in quality and durability of the mechanical parts of the umbrella. Umbrellas of different qualities are typically marketed at different prices. In past decades, optimization of production methods, materials, and machinery, have allowed industry to significantly reduce production costs while improving product quality. Due to these developments, it often happens that the costs involved in producing a high quality product are not significantly different from those involved in producing so called 'junk products'. Thus, many times product market prices nowadays become less dependent on production expenses. Many times they are quoted arbitrarily, or as a matter of supply and demand. Good quality umbrellas may be

produced through mass production lines at significantly low cost. It can be appreciated that umbrellas of high quality can be marketed at prices of some tens of US dollars per unit and more, no matter how low the production expenses are. At the same time there exists a great demand for cheap umbrellas, and low production costs permit addressing the need for cheap umbrellas from the same production line using good quality umbrellas. It may be somewhat unreasonable, however, to offer exactly the same product in different pricing categories for customers of different financial capabilities or product quality expectations.

The invention is inter alia aimed at enabling to adapt a homogeneous stock of umbrellas to a variety of style degrees, prestige, and market prices.

It may be of interest to umbrella producers if they could use the same production process and machinery for producing a collection of variously designed umbrellas, to be sold within a wide price range, even though all the umbrellas are of a quality degree justifying the maximal pricing of the range.

Furthermore, it is an obvious interest of a manufacturer, as well as of a retailer, to optimize stocks by possessing the minimal number of prepared units expected to satisfy the market demand for each individual product style. Since it is not simple to predict the amount of each product style and/or color that will be required, sufficiently large stocks should be provided separately per each design and color in order to ensure availability. The larger the collection of styles, the larger will be the amount of unsold merchandise gat the end of a marketing season.

The present invention provides for utilizing a single production line for manufacturing a wide collection of umbrellas that can be classified into different style and pricing ranges, each including its own sub-collection of fashion items or accessories.

It should be noted that the techniques of the above three patents GB 789,178, GB 822,798, and US 6,244,283 deal with detachable umbrella handles, i.e. handles that can be instantly disconnected from the umbrella stick, thus allowing the user to change handles. These techniques suffer from the fact that a user has to possess a collection of

handles having a special connection mechanism to the stick; and that the connection between the handle and the stick becomes subjected to the user's maneuvering.

The present invention relates to an umbrella having a stick, a canopy, and a handgrip; the handgrip comprises a core member connected to a lower end of the stick and at least one interchangeable handgrip covering configured to be removably assembled onto the core member

Accordingly, the core member may be defined as the handgrip part being permanently connected to the umbrella stick, while the interchangeable handgrip covering is the part enveloping the core part or at least most of it, to be gripped by the user's palm. Defining the connection between the handgrip and the core member as 'permanent' does not come to exclude the possibility that the core part may be disconnected or replaced, e.g. by a technician when service to internal umbrella components is needed.

. In the context of the present invention the 'core member' of the handgrip is referred to sometimes using the terms 'core part', or 'handgrip core', all three expressions are directed to the same constructional unit of the umbrella.

The dimensions of the handgrip's core member are preferably designed so that most (e.g. 80%- 100%) of the outer surface area of the core member will be enveloped by the covering, and so that the core member will occupy most of the handgrip thickness (e.g. more than 50% of the handgrip's thickness, more preferably above 60% or 70%, most preferably about 85% and in some cases even about 90%-97% of the thickness of the handgrip) while the interchangeable covering serves as a comparatively thin sheath enveloping most (e.g. 80%- 100%) of the outer surface area of the core part, and occupying less than 50%, more preferably less than 40% or 30%, most preferably about 15% and in some cases about only 3% - 10% of the handgrip thickness. The handgrip thickness regarded is to be measured as the average diameter of a typical lateral cross section of an assembled handgrip. The core member preferably extends through the entire longitudinal dimension of the covering.

The covering of the handgrip may be provided in a wide variety of colors, textures and shapes, made of any acceptable (e.g., waterproof) material or combination of such

materials. Thus, by replacing the handgrip's covering, the umbrella according to the present invention, can change its design.

As can be appreciated, the interchangeability of the umbrella's design according to the present invention does not require the user's intervention in the connection between the stick and the handgrip core. Accordingly, the connection between the stick and the handgrip core can be made permanent, or alternatively can be made simpler and yet stronger and more stable than can be achieved through a detachable connection. Furthermore, the covering according to the present invention is simple to produce and may be of smaller weight and simple construction (as compared to the 'whole handle interchangeability' suggested by said patents). Accordingly, one type of umbrella construction may be manufactured through a single production line, providing complete umbrellas in various designs and prices, the latter further being determined by the appearance of the handgrip covering and additional interchangeable parts.

By providing interchangeable handgrip covering and additional interchangeable parts on behalf of their individual creativity, designers and manufacturers can thus stylize a collection of umbrellas independent of the complete uniform umbrella provided by a mass production line. Moreover, the complete uniform umbrella may be manufactured in one location then distributed all over the globe, where local retailers may re-dress the umbrellas using interchangeable handgrip covering and additional interchangeable parts provided by local designers and producers (nevertheless the manufacturer of the complete uniform umbrella may offer the retailers a collection of interchangeable parts of his own).

Preferably, the interchangeable handgrip covering is configured as a tube-like hollow envelope having internal cross-section matching the outer design of the core. In case the handgrip core has a variable cross section design, or an inclined (e.g. banana like) shape, which may prevent replacement of a matching design covering by insertion and removal along a common axis with the core part, the covering can be made of two detachable halves. These may comprise snap connections configured for fast connection and removal onto or from the core part. Alternative reversible connection arrangements configured for securing the two halves of the envelope onto the core part without losing

the option for their instant replacement, may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

According to various embodiments of the invention the handgrip core has a threading near its end, and the interchangeable handgrip covering ends with a hole, the umbrella further comprising a plug having a threading matching said threading at the end of the core so as to secure the covering to the handgrip core by said plug.

The plug can be formed as a curved umbrella handgrip, thus constituting with the handgrip core and covering a walking-stick style umbrella.

According to some embodiments the umbrella may further has a ring with string loop assembly mountable between the plug and the covering, allowing for carrying the umbrella suspended from the user's arm, or for hanging it for storage.

According to various embodiments of the invention the umbrella further has a ferrule of a design feature matching that of the handgrip covering. According to some embodiments the ferrule is interchangeable, e.g. by having a threading matching an opposite threading formed in a top part of the umbrella stick, thus allowing for a facile assembly or removal of the ferrule.

In some embodiments the invented umbrella further comprises an adaptation member, which is wider than the ferrule and is mountable between the canopy and the ferrule. The adaptation member adapts between the ferrule and the canopy cloth of the umbrella. It has a central hole forming a passage for a top bolt of the umbrella thus allowing for mounting it on top of the canopy. The ferrule can then be connected to a portion of the bolt protruding above the adaptation member. The ferrule is wider then the central hole of the adaptation member, thus secures the latter to the umbrella.

Preferably, the adaptation member has at least one design feature (e.g. color, texture, material) compatible with that of the handgrip covering, thus providing for a consistent and elegant appearance of the umbrella.

In one of its broad aspects, the invention relates also to a kit of umbrella components useful for interchanging the parts of an umbrella thereby interchanging the umbrella style, the kit of umbrella components comprising a handgrip covering as described

above, adapted to be mountable on a handgrip core. The kit according to the invention may further comprise at least one of the following interchangeable umbrella components: a ferrule; a ferrule protector; a gripping string or band assembly; a plug for securing the handgrip covering; an adaptation member mountable between a canopy of the umbrella and a ferrule; a canopy cloth; and rib tip caps.

The handgrip covering according to the invention may be manufactured and marketed either as a part of the umbrella, as a part of a kit of umbrella components, or separately. The invention thus relates also to a covering by its own, for use in an umbrella handgrip having a core part connected to a stick of the umbrella. The covering is identifiable by being configured for instant interchangeability, in the form of a sleeve removably mountable onto the handgrip core, or in the form of two halves envelope. . Preferably, the covering comprises a rigid structure. The rigid structure may be formed from a polymeric material. Alternatively, it can be formed of metal, wood, leather, or combinations thereof.

By utilizing the invented interchangeable umbrella components, a method for providing umbrellas of various styles from a basic umbrellas stocks is provided, the method comprising: providing a mass production stock of umbrellas of a certain common mechanism, each umbrella having a stick, a canopy, a handgrip core connected to an end of the stick, and at least one interchangeable handgrip covering, which is removably mounted on the handgrip core; providing a plurality of the handgrip coverings differing from each other in at least one design feature; thereby enabling to change the handgrip coverings according to stock requirements thus eliminating the need to keep stocks of various umbrellas of different styles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of non- limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figs. IA and IB schematically illustrate an umbrella (which in the present example is a strutless umbrella) designed according to the invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates an enlargement of the handgrip region of the umbrella shown by Fig. IA.

Fig. 3 illustrates an enlargement of the top portion of the umbrella shown by Fig. 1 A.

Fig. 4 illustrates a cross section taken along the vertical axis of the handgrip region of an exemplified umbrella according to the present invention.

Fig. 5A illustrates in cross section an interchangeable plug connectible to the handgrip shown by Fig. 4.

5B illustrates an interchangeable handgrip covering designed according to an exemplified embodiment of the invention.

Figs. 5C and 5D illustrate cross sections of two exemplified embodiments of interchangeable plug according to the invention, having extended portion configured to convert the design of the umbrella to a walking stick style umbrella.

Figs. 5E and 5F illustrate lateral cross section views of a handgrip core and a handgrip covering, respectively, designed according to an exemplified embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Fig. IA illustrates an exploded isometric view of umbrella according to the present invention (before mounting the canopy fabric). Fig. IB shows the umbrella of Fig. IA with its interchangeable parts in position on the umbrella. In the present example, the umbrella is of a strutless type, but it should be understood that the invention is not limited to such umbrellas. The umbrella includes a stick 12, canopy ribs 13, and a handgrip core 1 connected to an end of the stick 12; and at least one interchangeable handgrip covering 4 removably mountable onto the handgrip core 1. The exemplified handgrip covering is a tube-like hollow envelope having internal cross- section matching the outer design (cross-section) of the handgrip core. The exemplified design of the core 1 and the covering 4 allows for instant replacement of the covering by insertion or removal of the covering 4 along its common longitudinal axis with the

core part 1. It is appreciable that the exemplified replacement can be easily performed even by unskilled end users, without the help of professionals. Handgrip covering comprised of two detachable halves, allowing for instant replacement without requiring insertion, may alternatively be used.

The umbrella further includes interchangeable ferrule 26 having inner threading matching the outer threading made in a bolt 23 which protrudes upwardly from above the top of the stick 12. A second ferrule 27 is mountable on the ferrule 26 in a manner the second ferrule 27 is held in place on the first ferrule e.g. by friction between its inner wall and the outsides of ferrule 27. The second ferrule is optional, and can be used e.g. for interchanging the style of the umbrella, or as a protective sheath for the ferrule 26. When the second ferrule 27 is made for protecting the inner ferrule 26, the second ferrule can be formed from relatively soft materials such as rubber, thus allowing the umbrella to be used as a walking stick. An adaptation member 24 is mountable between the ferrule and the canopy, as will be explained in more detail in the description of Fig. 3.

Fig. 2 illustrates in an exploded isometric view an enlargement of the handgrip region of the umbrella of Fig. IA. The handgrip core 1 is connected to the stick 12 of the umbrella. In the illustrated embodiment the handgrip core 1 is formed of two similar parts Ia and Ib forming together a hollow envelope which may be used for accommodating electrical and or mechanical systems of the umbrella. A fitting unit 3 is configured to secure the connection between the handgrip core 1 and the stick 12. In the illustrated example the fitting unit 3 includes also a pair of press-buttons 3a for controlling the opening and closing of the umbrella, wherein a first of the press buttons is configured to affect opening, and the other is configured to affect closing. Both closing and opening operations may be halted at any point by releasing the pressure from the respective press-button, and may further be reversed by pressing the other button. A tube-like handgrip covering 4 is insertable onto the core 1.

A manufacturer, retailer, or end user may possess a collection of similar coverings 4, differing from one another in one or more design features such as color, texture, material, etc. They can thus change the style of the umbrella by replacing a

currently used covering mounted on the handgrip core 1, by another covering selected from the collection.

The umbrella further comprises a plug 6 having a first connector 7 mate with a second connector 8 located at the lower end of the handgrip core 1. When the plug 6 is mounted onto the lower end of the handgrip core 1, it secures the covering 4 from removal. The inner diameter of the tube-like handgrip covering 4 can be designed to match with slight pressure the outer diameter of the handgrip core 1, so that after securing it with the plug, it will rest immovably on the handgrip core, without exposing a hint regarding its interchangeability. Thus, despite of its interchangeability fact, an umbrella having a firm and stable handgrip - stick connection is provided.

The hand grip covering can be formed from a variety of materials including but not limited to plastics, metals, wood, leather or other materials. It is also may be coated or painted in various designs. Due to its plain structure, it may be produced very easily, and at low expense.

A gripping band loop 10 may optionally be mounted between the plug 6 and the handgrip core 1, with a ring 9 to which the band loop 10 is connected, located in a peripheral gap existing for this purpose between the covering 4 and the plug connector 7. A plurality of ring styles and colors can be produced thus increasing the number of possible design combinations of the umbrella's handgrip.

The plug 6 can be formed with an aperture at its bottom end, thus providing accessibility e.g. to an electrical connector in electrical communication with rechargeable batteries contained in the handgrip core 1, thus allowing to connect a power supply for recharging the batteries without removing them. When not in use, said aperture may be sealed by a closure 11, which can be formed of an elastic material such as silicon, rubber, or the like.

According to an alternative embodiment the plug 6 contains metal prongs (not shown in the fig.) constituting a conventional electrical plug connectable to a conventional domestic wall outlet. The prongs are connected through a cable to a built- in charger accommodated in the handgrip in electrical communication with rechargeable batteries also contained in the handgrip. When not in use the cable may be

folded and inserted into the handgrip, and the plug may be connected to the bottom of the handgrip core, with its prongs facing the inside of the handgrip, thus concealed. By providing the bottom side of the handgrip core with bores matching the prongs, the prongs can be utilized for connecting the plug to the bottom side of the handgrip core, thus eliminating the need in threading 7 and 8.

Fig. 3 illustrates the top portion 20 of the umbrella of Fig. 1 A. The top portion 20 comprises a ribs housing 21 connected on top of the stick 2. The housing has a cap 22 from which an integral threaded bolt 23 protrudes upwardly. The umbrella further comprises an interchangeable ferrule 26 having inner threading (not seen) matching the outer threading made in the threaded bolt 23. A second ferrule 27 is mountable on the ferrule 26 to be held in place e.g. by friction between its inner wall and the outsides of ferrule 27. The second ferrule is optional, and can be used e.g. for interchanging the design of the umbrella, or as a protective sheath for the ferrule 26. When the second ferrule 27 is made for protecting the inner ferrule, it can be formed from relatively soft materials such as rubber, thus allowing the umbrella to be used as a walking stick. An adaptation member 24, which is wider than the ferrule 26 is mountable between the canopy (not illustrated) and the ferrule 26. The adaptation member 24 adapts between the ferrule 26 and the canopy cloth of the umbrella. It has a central hole 25 forming a passage for the bolt 23 when being mounted on top of the canopy. The ferrule 26 can then be connected to the portion of the bolt 23 which will protrude from above the adaptation member 24. The ferrule 26 is wider then the central hole 25 of the adaptation member 24, thus secures the adaptation member 24 to the umbrella. Preferably, the adaptation member has at least one design feature (e.g. color, texture, material) compatible with that of the handgrip covering, thus contributing to a consistent and elegant appearance of the umbrella.

Fig. 4 illustrates a cross section taken along the vertical axis of the handgrip region of an exemplified umbrella according to the present invention. A handgrip core 1 of the umbrella formed of two similar parts Ia and Ib forming together a hollow envelope which may be used for accommodating electrical and or mechanical systems of the umbrella is connected to the stick 2 of the umbrella. The connection between the

handgrip core 1 and the stick 2 is mainly achieved by a neck portion Ic formed as a narrowing of the handgrip core at its upper portion, being inserted into the stick 2 (the stick is a hollow tube). The outer dimensions of the neck portion Ic match with substantial pressure the inner diameter of the stick 1. A fitting unit 3 is stressed around the lower end of the stick 2, such that the lower end of the stick is sandwiched between the neck portion Ic of the handgrip core 1 and the fitting unit 3. A lower end of the fitting unit 3 has an inner dimension fitting with pressure the outer dimension of the handgrip core 1, so that the handgrip core 1 is connected to the stick 2 directly by the neck portion Ic and indirectly by the fitting unit 3. The handgrip core ends at its bottom with a narrower portion 8 having an outer threading 8a. An interchangeable handgrip covering 4 is mounted on the handgrip core 1. The interchangeable handgrip covering 4 is in the form of a sleeve dimensioned to fit the handgrip core 1 and to cover exposed portions thereof, between the fitting unit 3 and the narrower portion 8. According to some embodiments the fitting unit 3 may have an inner rim at its bottom forming an annular gap between the fitting unit 3 and the surface of the handgrip core 1, for accommodating the upper end 4a of the covering 4. In the illustrated embodiment the interchangeable handgrip covering 4 has an inward flange portion 4b at its lower end, forming an opening 4c constituting a hole through which the narrower portion 8 of the handgrip core 1 emerges.

Reference is made to Fig. 5A illustrating an interchangeable plug 6 having a rim

7 with inner threading 7a, matching the outer threading 8a at the narrower portion 8 of the handgrip core 1. The interchangeable plug 6 can thus be connected to the narrower portion 8, by the matching threading 7a and 8a, so as to secure the handgrip covering 4 to the handgrip core 1, while closing and concealing the lower end of the handgrip core 1.

Fig. 5B illustrates another embodiment of an interchangeable handgrip covering 40, similar to the interchangeable handgrip covering 4 of Fig. 4, with the difference that it has a patterned surface 41.

Fig. 5C illustrates another embodiment of an interchangeable plug 15 having a rim 17 with inner threading 17a. The interchangeable plug 15 differs from the interchangeable plug 7 of Fig. 5 A by having an extended portion 13. When plugged to

the narrower portion 8 of the handgrip core 1, the plug 15 converts the design of the umbrella to a walking stick style umbrella, by constituting a curved umbrella handgrip due to the extended portion 13 which is bent from the longitudinal axis of the stick 2.

Fig. 5D illustrates another embodiment of an interchangeable plug 16 having a rim 17 with inner threading 17a. The interchangeable plug 16 differs from the interchangeable plug 57 of Fig. 5C by having a round shaped extended portion 14, instead of the planner shaped extended portion 13.

Reference is made to Figs 5E and 5F, in which Fig. 5E illustrates a lateral cross section view of a handgrip core 1 having a longitudinal protrusion 28, matching a longitudinal groove 29 formed in the handgrip covering 4 illustrated by Fig. 5F. When mounting the handgrip covering 4 onto the handgrip core 1, the handgrip covering 4 should be oriented towards the handgrip core 1 so that the protrusion will be fitted into the groove. Such an arrangement may help in eliminating respective rotation which otherwise might occur between the umbrella and the handgrip covering during use. This is also suitable in case the ornamental design of the handgrip requires a specific axial positioning of the handgrip covering with respect to the handgrip core. It can be appreciated that a groove and protrusion arrangement is only one example how rotation of the covering may be eliminated. Alternative rotation preventing methods known to the skilled in industrial product design, (e.g. a pin to aperture catching arrangement) may be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

Thus, the present invention provides for effectively managing the umbrellas stock. A stock of umbrellas of a certain common mechanism is produced. The umbrellas are of the kind having a stick, a canopy, a handgrip core connected to an end of the stick, and at least one interchangeable handgrip covering. The latter is removably mounted on the handgrip core. Additionally, a plurality of the handgrip coverings differing from each other in at least one design feature is produced. By this, the handgrip coverings can be changed according to stock requirements, thus eliminating the need to keep stocks of various umbrellas of different styles.