| US5848831A | 1998-12-15 | |||
| US5126922A | 1992-06-30 |
| 1. | What is claimed is: An illuminated umbella comprising: (a) a shaft composed of a solid translucent material and having an lower end and an upper end that terminates in a ferrule; (b) a handle secured to the lower end of the shaft; (c) a spreadable canopy attached to the upper end of the shaft; (d) one or more batteries contained within the handle; (e) a switch mounted on the handle and electrically connected to the batteries; (T) one or more lightemitting diodes (LEDs) contained within the handle and positioned to emit light toward the lower end of the shaft, said LEDs being electrically connected to the batteries by means of the switch, such that the "on" position of the switch activates the LEDs, thereby causing the shaft to become luminous. |
| 2. | The illuminated umbrella according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of reflective flakes embedded in the shaft, whereby the light transmitted through the shaft is dispersed outward from the shaft, thereby making the shaft appear more luminous and making it more visible. |
| 3. | The illuminated umbrella according to claim 1, wherein the LEDs emit white light, and further comprising a rotatable color wheel in the handle above the LEDs, which color wheel contains two or more transparent panels of different colors, whereby the color of the shaft's luminosity may be changed by rotating the color wheel. |
| 4. | The illuminated umbrella according to claim 1, wherein the LEDs emit colored light of a particular wavelength, thereby imparting a colored luminosity to the shaft. |
| 5. | The illuminated umbrella according to claim 4, further comprising a plurality of optical fibers embedded in the shaft, which optical fibers match the color of the light emitted by the LEDs and optimally transmit light of the wavelength emitted by the LEDs, thereby increasing the luminosity of the shaft. |
| 6. | The illuminated umbrella according to claim 5, wherein the optical fibers are longitudinally oriented with respect to the axis of the shaft and extend from the lower end of the shaft to the ferrule. |
| 7. | The illuminated umbrella according to any of claims 1 through 6, further comprising a reflective surface located in the handle below the LEDs so as to reflect the emitted light upward toward the lower end of the shaft, thereby increasing the luminosity of the shaft. |
| 8. | The illuminated umbrella according to claim 7, wherein the ferrule terminates in a convex tip having a rough texture so as to disperse the light, thereby making the ferrule more luminous and more visible. |
| 9. | The illuminated umbrella according to any of any of claims 1 through 6, wherein the ferrule terminates in a convex tip having a rough texture so as to disperse the light, thereby making the ferrule more luminous and more visible. |
| 10. | The illuminated umbrella according to any of claims 1 through 6, further comprising a reflective coating on the underside of the canopy to reflect light emitted by the shaft downward, thereby giving the user better visibility of the terrain. |
| 11. | The illuminated umbrella according to claim 7, further comprising a reflective coating on the underside of the canopy to reflect light emitted by the shaft downward, thereby giving the user better visibility of the terrain. |
| 12. | The illuminated umbrella according to any of claim 8, further comprising a reflective coating on the underside of the canopy to reflect light emitted by the shaft downward, thereby giving the user better visibility of the terrain. |
| 13. | The illuminated umbrella according to any of claim 9, further comprising a reflective coating on the underside of the canopy to reflect light emitted by the shaft downward, thereby giving the user better visibility of the terrain. |
Technical Field
The present invention relates to an illuminated umbrella for use by adults and children. Umbrellas having one or more illuminated components are useful from the standpoint of safety. Since the opened canopy of an umbrella partially obstructs the user's field of vision, a pedestrian user is exposed to increased risks with respect to traffic and other hazards, particularly in low light conditions. An illuminated umbrella makes the pedestrian user more visible to motorists and other pedestrians, thereby reducing the risk of accidental collisions. A source of illumination in the umbrella also gives the user better visibility in the darkness. Such illumination is particularly useful to the extent it's directed toward the user's feet, so that he/she may have a better view of the terrain and such things as tripping hazards, puddles, ice, etc.
Beyond their utility for safety purposes, illuminated umbrellas are an enjoyable novelty item for adults and children. In its preferred embodiment, the present invention provides for colored illumination which may be coordinated with the color of the umbrella canopy. The novelty aspect of the present invention is especially pertinent to the child user, to whom the "fun" of having a colorful luminous umbrella acts an inducement to take advantage of the safety benefits of the illumination feature.
Background Art
The present invention constitutes an improvement in several respects over the prior art in the field of illuminated umbrellas. Insofar as light is transmitted directly through the
umbrella shaft, the present invention affords simplicity of design and economy in fabrication. These advantages are lacking in other designs that involve wiring of a separate light source mounted on the umbrella shaft or canopy, such as in U.S. Patent No. 5,960,805 (issued Oct. 5, 1999, to Sean Murphy) and U.S. Patent Publication No. US2002/0074027 Al (published June 20, 2002, for Stephanie A. Maidment). The disadvantage of complexity also affects U.S. Patent No. 5,126,922 (issued June 30, 1992, to Ib R. Adreasen), which teaches transmission of light to the umbrella canopy through coaxial conductors.
The present invention is also an improvement over other shaft-illuminated umbrella designs, insofar as it utilizes a solid umbrella shaft to transmit the light rather than a hollow shaft, as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,848,831 (issued Dec. 15, 1998, to Akira Tatsumi, U.S. Patent No. 5,493,480 (issued Feb. 20, 1996, to Tien-Tsai Huang), and U.S. Patent No. 4,031,381 (issued June 21, 1977 to Phyllis Carver). Since umbrellas are often subjected to severe stress under windy conditions, which can cause bending or breaking or the shaft, a solid umbrella shaft has the inherent advantage of being stronger and more durable.
The ability of the present invention to provide colored illumination is yet another improvement not found in the prior art. In the preferred embodiment, multiple colored light- emitting diodes (LEDs) located in the umbrella handle transmit light through a series of matching colored optical fibers embedded in the shaft. Such colored illumination is more eye-catching than white light and thus increases the safety utility of the present invention. Colored illumination also enhances the novelty aspects of the present invention and makes it more visually appealing.
Disclosure of the Invention
An umbrella w ith c olored i Uumination h aving features o f the p resent i nvention comprises a shaft made of a solid translucent plastic material. As is the case with a conventional umbrella, a spreadable canopy is attached to the upper end of the shaft. The shaft passes through the canopy and terminates in a ferrule above the canopy.
The lower end of the shaft is connected to a handle. Within the handle beneath the lower end of the shaft are one or more LEDs. The LEDs are electrically connected to one or more batteries through a switch on the exterior of the handle. When the switch is activated, the LEDs transmit light upward through the translucent shaft, causing it to become luminous.
Colored illumination of the shaft may be achieved in one of two ways. If white LEDs are used, a rotatable color wheel containing multiple color filters maybe positioned in the handle between the LEDs and the lower end of the shaft. A portion of the color wheel protrudes to the exterior of the handle, permitting the user to rotate the wheel and thereby change the color of the light transmitted to the shaft. In this embodiment, the dispersion of colored light may be enhanced by multiple reflective flakes embedded in the shaft.
Alternately, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, colored LEDs are used in conjunction with corresponding colored optical fibers embedded in the shaft. The colored optical fibers are selected to optimally transmit the wavelength of colored light emitted by the LEDs, thereby resulting in brighter illumination of the shaft.
Several optional features may be added to either of the two embodiments described above. A reflective surface may be located below the LEDs to reflect light upward toward the lower end of the shaft, thereby increasing its luminosity. The ferrule can be designed to terminate in a convex tip with a roughened texture so as to disperse the light and make the
ferrule more visible for safety purposes. The underside of the canopy can be treated with a reflective coating so as to reflect light from the illuminated shaft downward, providing the pedestrian user with better visibility of the area where he/she is walking.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood in light of the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the entire color-illuminated umbrella having features of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a front sectional view of the lower end of the umbrella shaft and the interior of the handle of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
Referring to Fig. 1, the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a shaft 11 made of a solid translucent plastic material, such as Lucite. A spreadable canopy 12 is attached to the upper end o f the shaft 1 1, which p asses through the canopy 1 2 and terminates in a ferrule 13. The ferrule 13 is provided with a convex tip having a roughened texture for enhanced luminosity. The lower end of the shaft 11 is attached to a handle 14.
Referring to Fig. 2, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention the handle 14 consists of an upper section 15, which is designed to be inserted or screwed into a lower section 16. The upper section 15 of the handle 14 is connected to the lower end of the shaft 11. Below the lower end of the shaft 11 in the upper section 15 of the handle 14 are
positioned multiple LEDs 1?, which emit colored light of a particular wavelength. The LEDs 17 are electrically connected to multiple batteries 18 through a switch 19 positioned on the exterior of the lower section 16 of the handle 14.
As depicted in Fig. 2, multiple optical fibers 20 are embedded in the shaft 11 and extend longitudinally from the lower end of the shaft 11 to the ferrule 13 (Fig. 1). The optical fibers 20 are selected to optimally transmit the wavelength of colored light emitted by the LEDs 17. For example, if green-colored LEDs 17 are used, then green optical fibers 20 would be embedded in the shaft 11. In this manner, the optical fibers 20 optimally transmit the colored light emitted by the LEDs 17, thereby yielding brighter illumination of the shaft 11. The overall appearance of the umbrella is further enhanced and integrated by providing a canopy 12 matching the color of the LEDs 17 and optical fibers 20.
The present invention represents a significant improvement with respect to the prior art in the field of illuminated umbrellas. The feature of colored illumination enhances both the appearance and the safety value o f the umbrella. T he use o f c olored LEDs l 7 in conjunction with matching colored optical fibers 20 provides optimal luminosity for better appearance and visibility.
While the present invention has been described in some detail with reference to certain currently preferred embodiments, other embodiments are feasible and will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims are not limited to the description of the preferred embodiment contained herein.