EP1005804A1

EP1005804A1 - Improved umbrella

Info

Publication number: EP1005804A1
Application number: EP99500218A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rafael Martinez Fernandez; Ruiz Lorenzo Lopez; Antonio Lopez Ruiz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-12-03
Filing date: 1999-11-23
Publication date: 2000-06-07
Also published as: JP2000166629A

Abstract

Improved umbrella, formed by a shaft (1) fitted with a number of articulated ribs (3,4) on two rings (7,8), one fixed (7) and another movable (8) on a fixing, the ribs being able to be folded on the shaft, and presenting over these ribs a covering (5) of waterproof material, characterised because the ribs (3,4) are suitable for folding on the shaft (1) towards the opposite end from the handle, this end being prolonged beyond the ends of the folded ribs (3), noting that at the end of the shaft opposite to the handle there is a cap (2) whose inner edge is open preferably in a conical trunk shape and which forms a receptacle to receive the water dripped from the umbrella, the umbrella being in the folded position with the ends of ribs (3) pointing towards the interior of the receptacle (2) formed by the cap around the end of the shaft, the umbrella also presenting finally, attached over the articulated ribs, a second protective covering (6) over the said ribs (3,4).

Description

The object of the present application for a Utility Model is the registration of an improved umbrella which incorporates notable innovations and advantages as against the current umbrellas and systems for sheltering from the rain.
More specifically, the new invention has devised an umbrella among the principal advantages of which are its effectiveness in use and its cleaning after use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently there are available in the market various methods for people to protect themselves from rain and the inclemency of the weather when having to go out in bad weather. For this purpose they principally use umbrellas, oilskins, raincoats, gabardines, berets and hats with a wide brim.
Among all these garments, tools and accessories, the most used is the umbrella, due to its portable character and ease of use. Another advantage of the umbrella is that it can be used both for one or for several users at the same time, depending on the extent of the umbrella.
Even so, the conventional umbrella still presents some deficiencies which this invention solves. Among the most important is the noticeable fact that the folded umbrella after use has a wet outside surface. This is inconvenient, since the umbrella drips and wets the floor and also dampens clothing and other objects touched while it is still wet.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The improved umbrella the subject of the present register is characterised because starting from the original construction of a flexible waterproof covering attached to articulated ribs which can be folded on a longitudinal shaft, it has a series of important variations in its construction which significantly improve its operation.
For example, the umbrella is fitted at the end opposite the handle with a stop in a conical trunk shape or similar whose wall is separated from around the longitudinal shaft to form a receptacle to collect the water dripping from the umbrella while folded along the length of the shaft and which drips from the end of the ribs. The ribs in their turn are arranged with a direction of folding on the shaft opposite to the conventional manner, in this way the upper face, dampened by the rain, is kept inside the umbrella, so that the outside of the umbrella shows only the dry side of the cover and the part of the central shaft which is protected from rainwater. This arrangement also has the effect that the wet surface of the waterproof cover drains the water through the folds formed by this sheet between the ribs, debouching at the ends of the said ribs which project over the receptacle located at the end of the shaft and which collects the water without dripping or spilling, thus resulting sufficiently clean and tidy.
The umbrella during use is handled as a conventional umbrella but its aspect also differs through the opposite concavity shown by the waterproof covering with respect to conventional umbrellas.
To complete the description which is given below and with the purpose of assisting a greater understanding of its characteristics, the present descriptive memorandum is accompanied by a set of drawings, illustrative but not limiting, where the most important details of the invention are represented.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DESIGNS

Figure 1. Shows a sectional view of the improved umbrella, open.
Figure 2. Shows a view in perspective of the improved umbrella, closed.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERABLE APPLICATION

On viewing the figures mentioned and in accordance with the numeration adopted, there can be seen in them a preferable application, although not limiting, of the invention, which consists in a shaft (1) or longitudinal stick which has at one end a handle suitable to be held. The aforesaid shaft (1) presents at the opposite end to the handle a finish in the form of a cylindrical or similar cap (2), the edge of which is open in a conical trunk shape to form a receptacle around the end of the shaft (1).
The shaft (1) shows at an intermediate point in its length a fixed ring (7) with several articulations surrounding the perimeter of the section of the shaft (1). Each articulation relates the shaft (1) with a fine rib (3) which folds onto the said shaft (1) in the direction of the end where the cap (2) is located. At the same time, a second sliding ring (8) is found on the shaft (1), this ring (8) being guided by a longitudinal fixing (9) on the shaft (1). The sliding ring (8) also has around it a number of articulation, in the same number and arrangement as those shown on the fixed ring (7), and which are each related with a fine rib (4) which in its turn is attached to the respective principal rib (3) at an intermediate point, where it is articulated.
Over the ribs (4) is a waterproof covering (5) in a circular or polygonal shape, in a single piece or formed by joined sectors of a circle. This covering (5) is attached at evenly spaced points of its perimeter edge with the ends of the principal ribs (3) and in the centre has a hole which is fitted to the section of the shaft and is attached to it by the fixed ring (7), in such a way that it is tightly closed at this point.
The ribs (3, 4) have, on the opposite side to that occupied by the waterproof covering (5), a second textile covering (6) of a circular or similar form for protection.

Claims

IMPROVED UMBRELLA, of the type constituted by a shaft (1) which has around it a number of ribs (3, 4) articulated on two rings (7, 8), a fixed ring (7) and a movable ring (8) on a fixing (9), the ribs (3, 4) being foldable onto the aforesaid shaft (1) and presenting over these ribs (3, 4) a covering (5) of waterproof material, characterised because the ribs (3, 4) are suitable for folding onto the shaft (1) towards the end opposite the handle; because the end of the shaft (1) opposite the handle is prolonged further than the extremes of the folded ribs (3); because at the end of the shaft (1) opposite the handle there is a cap (2) in a cylindrical or similar shape with its inner edge open preferably in a conical trunk shape, forming a receptacle for water dripping from the umbrella; because the umbrella being in a folded position the ends of the ribs (3) project into the interior of the receptacle formed by the cap (2) around the end of the shaft (1); and because the umbrella presents, attached to the articulated ribs (3, 4) and on the side opposite the flexible waterproof sheet (5), a second preferably textile covering (6) for protection of the said ribs (3, 4).