TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention regards an umbrella which is intended to prevent the umbrella from turning inside out in wind, and more particularly an umbrella that does not distort in wind by being wind permeable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ordinary umbrellas are difficult to use in wind since they easily catch the wind and are difficult to control. This often results in the umbrella turning inside out. When an umbrella turns inside out the spokes get twisted and lose some of their ability to keep the shape of the umbrella, and this often leads to the umbrella turning inside out easier and easier.

Another common result of this is that the waterproof fabric gets tears and is therefore not waterproof anymore.

There are several solutions that attempt to deal with the problems. This often involves a set of openings in the fabric with flaps over that allows wind to pass through it in one direction, while the flaps prevent water and wind from coming through in the opposite direction.

The most common prior art solution is a set of openings that surround the top of the umbrella. These openings have flaps which overlap the opening. US 5368055 A and US 2004149327 Al describe two different inventions that use this solution to deal with the problem.

The problem with these solutions is that openings in the fabric increase the possibility of the umbrella not being waterproof and that rain can come through. Further solutions to the problem are shown in US 20080163910 Al . It describes a more aerodynamic shape that leads the wind easily around the umbrella . It also discusses how one can have openings in the fabric of the umbrella that leads into tentacles. These tentacles are intended to prevent water coming through in the opposite direction. All the solutions presented here have problems related to them. A more aerodynamic shape is no satisfactory solution. This may reduce the chance that the umbrella is turned inside out, but there is no guarantee that it does not happen. Furthermore, the openings in the fabric with attached tentacles to lead the wind through the umbrella, but prevent water from coming through in the opposite direction is not a good solution as they catch the wind and make it harder to handle the umbrella in the wind. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention as described in set of claims, to solve the problems mentioned above.

The solution is to use a material that allows sufficient wind through it in order to prevent the umbrella from turning inside out, while at the same time keeping rain out. The fabric must therefore have a permeability that is high enough to let wind through while at the same time having a permeability that is low enough to stop water.

A further safety feature is to use an alternative construction of the ribs. This allows the umbrella to keep its shape better since the construction is stronger and thus prevents it from twisting.

Alternatively, a combination of the improved rib structure and the permeable material is a preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an illustration of the problem with the prior art solutions of the umbrella.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 is an illustration of the problem with an ordinary umbrella . In the wind, the ordinary umbrella gets twisted if you are not careful enough and lean it into the wind, further the umbrella is also difficult to control in the wind since gusts of wind can come from different directions. When the umbrella has been turned inside out the user gets wet and risk destroying the umbrella.

In addition, an umbrella that has been turned inside out once is easily to distort again and will eventually be destroyed due to broken ribs and tears in the fabric.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Here, it is illustrated an umbrella. The umbrella includes a fabric 200, a rod 207, ribs 203 which connects the fabric 200 to the top of the umbrella and struts 205 that connect the ribs 203 to an opening and closing mechanism 206 The fabric 200 prevents water 202 from coming through the umbrella. The substance lets wind 204 through in both directions. A further safety feature to prevent the umbrella from turning inside out and twisting is to improve the function of the ribs 203. Ribs 203 in umbrellas presented in prior art documents are purposely designed thin and pliable to prevent the fabric 200 from ripping if a gust of wind should come along. If a fabric 200 that is air permeable is used, the pressure from the gusts of wind is reduced sufficiently to not tear the fabric 200. Is the ribs 203 is also stronger it prevents the umbrella from twisting. The ribs 203 may be made of a material which is less flexible than ordinary ribs. Examples of this may be aluminum or some hardwoods.

Further, one can have ribs 203 with increasing thickness up towards where it is attached at the top. A suitable material here can be plastic. Moreover, one can attach the struts 205 that run from the ribs 203 to the opening and closing mechanism 206 farther towards the end of the ribs 203. This will strengthen the structure and make it more resistant to the impact of the wind. A preferred embodiment of this construction may have a combination of technical features mentioned above.

However, it is also conceivable that a sufficiently air permeable fabric 200 with improved water repellent properties would be enough to prevent the umbrella from twisting and turning inside out.