AU638920B1 - - Google Patents

Description

638920

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A PETTY PATENT (original) Regulation 3.2 S a a.

a a Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: JUDITH D RUSSELL JUDITH D RUSSELL 275 Main South Road, Morphett Vale, South Australia, Australia Invention Title: "BROLLY MINDER" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me.

1 This invention enables a person to carry an umbrella with ease, because te umbrella is held in place against a handbag, briefcase, travel bag, satchel, school bag or similar.

For many people, an umbrella becomes a total nuisance (a necessary evil) and often becomes lost.

To date, there has been no means for attaching umbrellas to bags, cases or satchels which has been completely satisfactory.

The present invention overcomes the worry for many of carrying or losing umbrellas. It also enables people to take an umbrella with them, at even the slightest hint of rain, without any extra effort.

The umbrella holder of the present invention comprises two resilient straps which are joined (as herein defined) at the first end of each strap and having a snap-type fastener, which in use, and without substantial modification of a bag, case or satchel to which said umbrella holder is to be attached, releasably attaches the umbrella holder to said bag, case or satchel, at or near the juncture of the first ends of S the straps, and having a velcro-type system, at the second k0. end of each strap, for releasably attaching the second ends of the straps to each other, so that the straps when in use are too. located around a furled umbrella, thereby attaching it to the too* case or satchel. The joined straps may, of course, S comprise a single strap, folded over. In that case, the snaptype fastener is attached in the vicinity of the fold.

References, throughout the specification and claims, to two straps which are joined should be understood as inclusive of SS CS S such a folded strap.

S A set of two umbrella holders will generally be required to W4. attach a furled umbrella to a bag, case or satchel.

S The invention will now be described with respect to specific embodiments, which are illustrative but not restrictive of the S resent invention.

K -2- Joefv~ In the accompanying drawings, Figs. 1, la and Ib illustrate examples of the umbrella holder, and Figs. 2, 2a and 2b illustrate how the umbrella holder is utilised.

The straps of each umbrella holder wrap around the umbrella, and hold it safely against the bag, case or satchel.

The snap-type fastener is preferably rustproof, and easily snaps onto any strap, buckle etc. on the bag, case or satchel. The snap-type fastener may be a snap shank fastener (as shown in Fig. or a snap-hook fastener (as shown in Fig. la).

As shown in Figs. la, Ib, 2a and 2b, the snap-type fastener may incorporate a split ring which can be snapped shut around the strap or handle of a bag, case or satchel. In the particular embodiments illustrated, the split ring is attached to the straps of the umbrella holder by means of a snap-hook. The split ring models enable the use of the 20 umbrella holder on any size bag, case or satchel.

The straps are preferably manufactured either wholly of velcro, or have velcro ends.

25 In the models shown in Figs. la and Ib, male and female strips of velcro are passed through the bottom of the snaphook fastener, and then held in place, in the vicinity of the fastener, with a row of stitching.

1* 30 Other types of snap-type fastener may be substituted for the fasteners illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The fastener preferably has a spring to provide the snap effect, thus ensuring that the fastener is simple to use by all, and especially by the elderly and handicapped.

Velcro is by far the preferred material for forming the straps, as it is strong, and holds the umbrella firmly "'^against a bag, case or satchel, without any stretch or give.

This applies even when the umbrella is wet. Furthermore, the velcro provides the means for attaching the ends of the straps together, around the umbrella.

While the present invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments in order to facilitate better understanding of the invention, it should be appreciated that various modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention. Therefore, as stated earlier, the description of preferred embodiments is to be regarded as illustrative, and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims.

e o S S *e o* *e -4-

Claims (3)

1. An umbrella holder comprising two resilient straps which are joined (as herein defined) at the first end of each strap and having a snap-type fastener, which in use, and without substantial modification of a bag, case or satchel to which said umbrella holder is to be attached, releasably attaches the umbrella holder to said bag, case or satchel, at or near the juncture of the first ends of the straps, and having a velcro-type system, at the second end of each strap, for releasably attaching the second ends of the straps to each other, so that the straps when in use are located around a furled umbrella, thereby attaching it to the bag, case or saLchel.

2. An umbrella holder according to claim 1, wherein said snap-type fastener incorporates a split ring which, in use, releasably attaches the umbrella holder to a strap or handle of said bag, case or satchel.

3. An umbrella holder according to claim 1 or claim 2, I substantially as herein described, with particular reference to S the accompanying drawings. Dated this day of 1993. seee TH USSELL egoS 00 be. b e S be0