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Title:
UMBRELLA HOLDER CONSOLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2016/132346
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The present invention is directed, to an umbrella holder in the form of a storage console which is designed to facilitate the entry of a collapsed umbrella in a vehicle, by providing one or more tiltable umbrella receiving compartments.

Inventors:
ELRON SAGI (IL)
Application Number:
PCT/IL2016/050110
Publication Date:
August 25, 2016
Filing Date:
February 02, 2016
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
ELRON SAGI (IL)
International Classes:
B60R7/12; A45B25/28; B60R7/04
Foreign References:
KR20070035400A2007-03-30
US1955436A1934-04-17
US7124516B22006-10-24
DE4441803A11996-05-30
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
LUZZATTO, Kfir et al. (P.O. Box 5352, 02 Beer Sheva, IL)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1. An umbrella holder for a vehicle, comprising:

a) a body having a bottom portion and an upstanding enclosing sidewalls integrally connected at the peripheral edge of the bottom!

b) at least one tiltable umbrella receiving compartment having an open top and an open bottom, wherein said at least one tiltable umbrella receiving compartment having an upright position and a tilting position; and

c) a drain tray for collecting water drops from said at least one umbrella receiving compartment through the open bottom of said at least one tiltable umbrella receiving compartment;

characterized in that said at least one tiltable umbrella receiving compartment providing an access to said compartment from the front seats side of a vehicle when said compartment is pulled into a tilting position towards the front seats of the vehicle.

2. An umbrella holder according to claim 1, further comprising two parallel wing members that extend from the body of said holder, wherein each adapted to be inserted into one of two gaps formed between a center console of the vehicle and a lateral portion of each front seat of the vehicle, thereby enabling to secure said holder in a fixed position on the floorboard of said vehicle.

3. An umbrella holder according to claim 2, in which the wing members are pivotally mounted on the body of said holder in a mirror image relationship while being spaced apart, so that each of said wing member is individually moveable on said body.

4. An umbrella holder according to claim 2, in which each of the wing member having a retention mechanism for securing each of said wing member in the gaps, but yet permitting free movement of said wing members toward and away from each other.

5. The umbrella holder according to claim 4, in which each of the wing member retention mechanism being spring biased to a locking position, so that each of said wing member retention mechanism capable of being manually movable from said locking position to an unlocking position.

6. The umbrella holder according to claim 1, further comprises at least one storage compartment.

7. The umbrella holder according to claim 1, in which the holder being essentially rectangular producing a substantially box-like configuration.

8. The umbrella holder according to claim 1, in which the at least one tiltable umbrella receiving compartment having a cylindrical form.

9. The umbrella holder according to claim 1, in which the at least one tiltable umbrella receiving compartment being pivotally biased to a tilting position.

10. The umbrella holder according to claim 1, in which the at least one tiltable umbrella receiving compartment capable of being locked in an upright position by a locking member that prevents said compartment from being tilted.

11. The umbrella holder according to claim 1, further comprises one or more fixed umbrella receiving compartments adapted to be accessed from the rear seat side of the vehicle.

Description:
UMBRELLA HOLDER CONSOLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of articles holder. More particularly, the invention relates to an umbrella holder for motor vehicles, in particular to an umbrella holder for a center console of a vehicle, which is usually located between the front and back seats of the vehicle.

Background of the invention

It is generally well-known to most individuals that an umbrella is an inconvenience when placed within an automobile or other similar vehicle. The umbrella is utilized in an expanded state as the individual is entering the vehicle. The umbrella is then quickly collapsed and is then placed within the interior of the vehicle, generally on the floor. The umbrella is dripping wet which means that the dripping water comes into contact with various areas of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. What normally occurs is the floor, as well as certain portions of the upholstery, may become soaked. This of course is objectionable.

In the prior-art, there have been numerous attempts of designing umbrella holders for the interior of vehicles. Such attempts of umbrella holders generally require specialized installation techniques to install the umbrella holder at a particular desired location within the passenger compartment of the vehicle. This specific installation takes a certain amount of time as well as requiring certain tools and a special skill which is not available to everyone.

One of the primary objectives of the present invention is to construct an umbrella holder, which facilitates the location and placement of an umbrella within a vehicle, during the time the umbrella is not being used, and provides a collecting container for water drops that might drain from a wet umbrella.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an umbrella holder for a vehicle, which can be utilized within different types of vehicles without using any special installation tools or procedures such as an invasive type of installation (screws and bolt types of fasteners).

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an umbrella holder which can be further utilized as a storage compartment (e.g., to store wastes or articles).

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is directed to an umbrella holder in the form of a storage console which is designed to facilitate the entry and location of a collapsed umbrella so that the umbrella can drain within the console and the drained water will be collected by and remain within a removable tray located at the bottom of that console. The bottom surface of the console is configured so that most of the body of the umbrella is located at a spaced elevation above the bottommost surface of the tray so that the umbrella will not rest within the collected water within the tray. The console includes a pair of mounting wings adapted to engage with a particular type of structure within a vehicle to support the console in an intermediate position between the front seats on the floorboard of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The mounting wings are connected to the body of the console and are also adjustable relative to the console's body so as to accommodate the console to different installation requirements between the front and back seats so that the umbrella holder of this invention can be secured and utilized within a wide number of different vehicles.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to an umbrella holder console for a vehicle, comprising: a) a body having a bottom portion and an upstanding enclosing sidewalls integrally connected at the peripheral edge of the bottom! b) at least one tiltable umbrella receiving compartment having an open top and an open bottom, wherein said at least one tiltable umbrella receiving compartment having an upright position and a tilting position! and c) a drain tray for collecting water drops from said at least one umbrella receiving compartment through the open bottom of said at least one tiltable umbrella receiving compartment, wherein said at least one tiltable umbrella receiving compartment providing an access to said compartment from the front seats side of a vehicle when said compartment is pulled into a tilting position towards the front seats of the vehicle.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the umbrella holder further comprises two parallel wing members that extend from the body of said holder, wherein each adapted to be inserted into one of two gaps formed between a center console of the vehicle and a lateral portion of each front seat of the vehicle, thereby enabling to secure said holder in a fixed position on the floorboard of said vehicle.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the wing members are pivotally mounted on the body of said holder in a mirror image relationship while being spaced apart, thereby enabling each of said wing member to be individually moveable on said body.

According to an embodiment of the invention, each of the wing member having a retention mechanism for securing each of said wing member in the gaps, but yet permitting free movement of said wing members toward and away from each other.

According to an embodiment of the invention, each of the wing member retention mechanism being spring biased to a locking position, so that each of said wing member retention mechanism capable of being manually movable from said locking position to an unlocking position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the umbrella holder further comprises at least one storage compartment. For example, such a storage compartment can be used as a litter bin for storing wastes, or can be adapted to receive a removal litter bin.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the holder being essentially rectangular (and may have rounded edges) producing a substantially box ¬ like configuration.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one tiltable umbrella receiving compartment having a cylindrical form.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one tiltable umbrella receiving compartment being pivotally biased to a tilting position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one tiltable umbrella receiving compartment capable of being locked in an upright position by a locking member that prevents said compartment from being tilted.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the umbrella holder further comprises one or more fixed umbrella receiving compartments adapted to be accessed from the rear seat side of the vehicle. Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings :

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the umbrella holder of the present invention showing with tiltable umbrella receiving compartments and mounting wing members !

Fig. 2 is a top isometric view of the umbrella holder of Fig. 1 depicting the tray in an open position;

Fig. 3 is a semitransparent isometric view through the umbrella holder of Fig. 1! and

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a mounting of the umbrella holder of Fig. 1 in conjunction with vehicular center console that is located between the front and back seats, according to an embodiment of the invention!

Fig. 5A schematically illustrates a top view of the holder of Fig. 1 showing the recesses adapted to receive the tiltable umbrella receiving compartments, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5B schematically illustrates a top view of an umbrella holder provided with additional umbrella receiving compartments, according to another embodiment of the present invention!

Fig. 6 schematically illustrates a perspective view of the umbrella holder of Fig. 5B showing both the tiltable umbrella receiving compartments and the additional umbrella receiving compartments, according to an embodiment of the invention! and

Fig. 7 schematically illustrates a top view of the mounting of the umbrella holder of Fig. 6 in conjunction with vehicular center console that is located between the front seats, according to an embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description of the Invention

Throughout this description the term "umbrella holder" is used to indicate an essentially vertical container adapted to hold one or more elongated articles. This term does not imply any particular shape, construction material or geometry, and invention is applicable to all suitable elongated articles, such as umbrellas.

Reference will now be made to several embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. Wherever practicable similar or like reference numbers may be used in the figures and may indicate similar or like functionality. The figures depict embodiments of the present invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein.

Referring now to the drawings Figs. 1-4, there is shown an umbrella holder 10 of this invention which is composed primarily of one or more umbrella receiving hollow and bottomless (or perforated bottom) tiltable compartments (as indicated by numerals 12 and 13), a drain tray 14 for collecting water drops, and an installation arrangement for holder 10 in form of two moveable wing members 16A and 16B. In some embodiments, holder 10 may also include an additional storage compartment 15, e.g., which can be used as a car's litter bin for storing wastes or which may receive a removable litter bin.

For example, each tiltable compartment can be tilted to an angle of about 30-60 degrees (e.g., 45 degrees towards the front seats) with respect to its upright position, in order to enable a comfortable and easy insertion of an umbrella into the compartment (at its tilting position). In some embodiments, the angle can be similar to the position of a common hand brake lever (of a car) at its parking position (i.e., when the lever is pulled up).

According to an embodying of the present invention, the body of umbrella holder 10 may have a box-like configuration, which can be formed of rigid or semi-rigid material such as plastic or metal. Holder 10 has a bottom portion 19 (e.g., which can be basically rectangular in configuration). Integrally connected at the peripheral edge of the bottom 19 is an upstanding enclosing sidewall that includes side portions 11A and 11B and a rear portion 11C. The sidewalls 11A and 11B is also formed of rigid material similar to the bottom 19. Water is drained from an umbrella inserted within compartment 12 or 13, both having an open top and an open bottom, and collected against tray 14 that is located at the bottom of holder 10.

In this embodiment, at the two front ends of side portions 11A and 11B of the sidewall are pivotally mounted in parallel the two wing members 16A and 16B, respectively. Wing member 16A extends from side portion 11A and wing member 16B extends from side portion 11B.

It is considered to be within the scope of this invention, that holder 10 should be placed on a supportive surface such as a floorboard of a vehicle. To prevent holder 10 from sliding around on the floorboard (usually during a ride), the parallel wing members 16A and 16B secures/anchors holder 10 between the front seats of a motor vehicle (see Figs. 4 and 7), preferably by being inserted within the gaps formed by a vehicle's center console 21 and the sides of each front seat 22 and 23. In many types of vehicle, two narrow gaps (usually in the ranges of few centimeters, e.g., 1-3 cm) are usually formed (a first gap 26B is formed between the driver seat 22 and one side of the vehicle's center console 21 and a second gap 26A is formed between the front occupant seat 23 and the other side of the vehicle's center console 21, as best seen in Fig. 7). Members 16A and 16B extend (e.g., perpendicularly protrude) from the body of holder 10, and are adapted to be positioned in the gaps formed by the center console and each of the front seats of the vehicle. Optionally, an adhesive layer or a securing layer can be provided at the outer bottom surface of holder 10 to attach holder 10 the vehicle's floorboard, such as a Scotch tape or Velcro, to prevent the sliding of holder 10.

The basic construction of the wing members 16A and 16B is identical except for wing member 16A being a mirror image of wing member 16B. For purposes of this invention, the parts that are similar between wing members 16A and 16B will be assigned the same number in the drawings with it being understood that both members 16A and 16B include the same parts. In this embodiment, members 16A and 16B are pivotally connected to the lower portion of holder 10 (as indicated by numeral 17 in Fig. l) using a retention mechanism (e.g., a spring arrangement). As a result of such arrangement, members 16A and 16B can be utilized within the gaps formed by a vehicle's center console 21 and the side of each front seat 22 and 23 of a wide variety of different types of vehicles.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the drain tray 14 is provided in form of drawer that is inserted through a side opening 9 respectively disposed in communication with an interior space at the lower portion of the body of holder 10. The water tray 14 is inserted through the side opening 9 into the interior space to collect water drops from compartment 12 and 13, and may include a retaining knob for positioning (not shown). When the retaining knob is pressed down, tray 14 can be smoothly taken out of the body of holder 10 through the side opening 9.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, each umbrella receiving compartment 12 and 13 is adapted to be pivotally biased into a tilted position, thereby enabling an easy access to insert or to pull out an umbrella from the open top of the compartment (in particular, for passengers/users located at the front seats side of the vehicle, when each compartment 12, 13 is pulled into a tilted position towards the front side of the vehicle). Tiltable compartments 12, 13 can be locked in an upright position (e.g., by using a simple mechanical locking arrangement, such as a locking arm member or barrier that prevents/blocks the titling of compartments 12, 13) to allow access to the center console and to avoid the umbrellas stored in device 10 to interrupt the driver (or the passenger in the front seat) while driving the car. For example, a "sport model" of holder 10 may include only two tiltable umbrella receiving compartments that are adapted to be used by a car driver and/or a passenger seating in the front seats.

According to an embodiment of the invention, in order to insert a wet umbrella into one of the compartments (e.g., compartment 13), this compartment is pulled to a tilted position (see Fig. 3) via axis members 18, permitting the wet umbrella to be easily inserted from the front seat side. After the insertion, the compartment 13 can be returned to an upright position and optionally locked in that position, while the water drops from the wet umbrella drain into tray 14. Rain drops drop from the umbrella to the inside of the water tray 14 through the bottomless opening of that compartment. The other compartment 12 remain in its initial upright position (i.e., perpendicular) as shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 shows an exemplary installation of holder 10 within a car at the center console while both tiltable umbrella receiving compartments 12 and 13 are located in their initial upright position, and which both can be pulled into a tilted positon toward the front area of the car's passenger compartment to allow easy access to a passenger seating at the front seat of the car.

Fig. 5A schematically illustrates a top view of holder 10 showing recesses 32 and 33 each of which is adapted to receive tiltable umbrella receiving compartments 12 and 13, respectively. The tiltable umbrella receiving compartments 12 and 13 are not shown in order to better see the recesses 32 and 33 as well as the axis members 18 used for allowing the tilting of umbrella receiving compartments 12 and 13. The mirror image relationship between wing members 16A and 16B can also be easily seen this figure. According to an embodiment of the invention, a logo 31, branding or other commercial item can be attached or printed on top of the holder 10 (e.g., adjacent to the location where a removable litter bin can be inserted as indicated by numeral 15).

Referring now to Figs. 5B and 6-7, in some embodiments, holder 10 may further comprise additional umbrella receiving compartments as indicated by numerals 34 and 35, which can be located on side portions 11A and 11B of the sidewall (e.g., from one or both sides of holder 10), thereby enabling easy access to insert or to pull out an umbrella into or out of the open top of such compartments 34 and 35 for passengers/users located at the rear seats of the vehicle. For example, as shown in Figs. 6-7, a "family model" of holder 10 may include four umbrella receiving compartments, two tiltable umbrella receiving compartments adapted to be used by a car driver and/or a passenger seating in front seat and the other two compartments by passangers/users seating at the rear seat of that car. The additional compartments 34 and 35 can either be fixed (i.e., non- titlable) or tiltable. As can be easily seen, Fig. 5B is similar to Fig. 5A expect the additional compartments 34 and 35. Fig. 7 schematically illustrate the "family model" of holder 10 mounted within a passenger compartment of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention. As can be easily seen in this figure, wing member 16A is positioned in the gap between one lateral side of the center console 21 and the front seat 23, while wing member 16B is positioned in the gap between the second lateral side of the center console 21 and the front seat 22, thereby anchoring holder 10 within the interior of the vehicle. As will be appreciated by the skilled person the arrangement described in the figures results in an universal umbrella holder which facilitates the location and placement of an umbrella within a vehicle during the time it is not being used and provides a collecting container for water as the umbrella drains.

All the above description and examples have been given for the purpose of illustration and are not intended to limit the invention in any way. Many different mechanisms and elements can be employed, all without exceeding the scope of the invention.