GB2231261A

GB2231261A - Inflatable umbrella

Info

Publication number: GB2231261A
Application number: GB9008172A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Chapman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-04-13
Filing date: 1990-04-10
Publication date: 1990-11-14
Also published as: GB8908356D0; GB9008172D0

Abstract

An umbrella comprises handle 4 including pump and a canopy 13 which is inflatable, the pump being connected, preferably releasably, to the canopy to inflate it and means being provided, either on the canopy or the pump, or both, releasably to retain air in the canopy. In alternative embodiments (not shown), a further encircling canopy area is provided (Fig.2) or straps are provided to secure the canopy to the head of the user, once the handle and pump have been removed (Fig.3). <IMAGE>

Description

fMBRELLA The conventional umbrella comprises fabric attached to spokes which are supported relative to a handle and connected to the fabric in such a way that on expansion of the umbrella the fabric is supported in an approximately part-spherical shape to shield the carrier of the umbrella from falling rain. The conventional umbrella suffers from two distinct disadvantages. The protruding ends of the spokes may cause injury, particularly eye injury, to adjacent pedestrians. Furthermore, the metal spokes are susceptible to bending failure, for example when subjected to high winds.

The present invention sets out to avoid these disadvantages by dispensing with the spokes. It provides an umbrella comprising a handle and a fabric canopy, the fabric canopy comprising an inflatable envelope and the handle comprising a pump for inflating the envelope, a valve being provided to release air from the inflatable envelope to collapse the umbrella. The handle including the pump is preferably detachable from the canopy. A valve may be provided in the envelope to retain air within the envelope when the handle is detached and this valve may be provided with means to release the air from the envelope.

Alternatively or in addition, the pump may be provided with means to release air from the pump cylinder and, when connected, the envelope.

An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a first embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 shows a modification of the umbrella of Figure 1, and, Figure 3 shows a further modification.

Referring to Figure 1, an umbrella comprises an inflatable envelope 13 which is provided with internal cords or bones of plastics material 14 which control the shape of the envelope 13 when it is inflated so that it assumes the conventional concave shape of an expanded umbrella canopy. The umbrella has a lower section 21 is releaseably fixed to the centre of the canopy 13 and comprises a piston and cylinder pump having a handle 4 connected by means of a shaft 3 to a piston 1 within a cylinder 2. The cylinder 2 has upper and lower end pieces 12 and 6, the lower end piece 6 being in the form of a screw-in cap having an aperture provided with a bearing 5 to allow sliding movement of the piston shaft 3 therethrough and an air release aperture 15.If the piston 1 does not include the conventional cup washer of a bicycle pump, a valve 16 may be provided in the piston 1 to allow upwards only passage of air through the piston. The upper end piece 12 contains a threaded nozzle 10 which can be screwed into a receiving boss 9 on the underside of the canopy 13. The boss 9 is provided with an optional valve 11 which can be arranged to maintain air within the canopy 13 when the handle assembly is removed by unscrewing of the nozzle 10 and this valve 11 may have a release button 19 which can be depressed to release air from the canopy.An alternative or additional means of releasing air from the canopy 13 can be provided by making the shaft 3 hollow, the hollow shaft forming an air line 7 which extends to a release valve 8 on the handle 4 so that when the shaft is attached to the canopy 13, operation of the release valve 8 will allow release of air from the envelope 13 through the cylinder 2 and air line 7.

When the umbrella is being carried in its inoperative condition, the canopy 13 is collapsed about the shaft assembly and may be secured thereto by an encircling band. When the umbrella is required to be operated, the band is released and the canopy is inflated by strokes of the pump applied by the handle 4 and the umbrella is carried in the conventional way, the user holding the umbrella by means of the handle.

The piston and cylinder unit may be locked in any desired position so that the shaft has the appropriate length for the desired use of the umbrella. Locking can be acheived for example by the thumb screw 22 tightening the bearing 5. It will be noted that the sole connection between the canopy and the lower section 21 is at the boss 9.

Figure 2 shows a modification of the canopy of Figure 1 where the main canopy 13 is provided with an annular secondary canopy 17 around its periphery with a shield 18 shielding the join between the secondary canopy 17 and the main canopy 13 to prevent rain penetrating the join.

There is an air connection between the canopies 13 and 17 so that both are inflated together. The provision of a separate although interconnected secondary canopy 17 from the main canopy 13 enables the inoperative umbrella to be folded more conveniently. More than one secondary canopy can be provided.

In the alternative embodiment of Figure 3, the canopy is used while detached fran the pump, the valve 11 preventing air from escaping from the canopy until its release button is depressed and the inflated canopy can be used in a variety of ways, including being attached to the wearer's head by means of a strap 22.

The inflated canopy has advantages over the conventional canopy supported by extended spokes because these might cause injuries to the user or other people or obstruct the user holding the handle at any point along its length (which is useful in windy conditions) and they are notoriously prone to failure. The provision of internal cords or other shaping arrangements enable the canopy to be provided with an aerodynamic shape which is stable and more manageable in windy conditions and it may even be provided with special shapes according to fashion and novelty considerations which may make it more attractive to a prospective purchaser. The same shaft and pump may be used to inflate and be used with canopies of different sizes according to the conditions of immediate use.

Claims

CLA :

1. An umbrella comprising a handle and a canopy attached to the handle, the canopy comprising an inflatable envelope and the handle comprising a pump for inflating the envelope.

2. An umbrella as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the canopy is attached to the handle solely at its centre, comprising means for releasably retaining air within the inflatable envelope.

3. An umbrella as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 comprising means for releasably retaining air within the inflatable envelope.

4. An umbrella as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the handle comprises a piston and cylinder pump together with means for selectively releasing air from the cylinder to the surroundings.

5. An umbrella as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the handle is releasably attached to the canopy.

6. An umbrella as claimed in Claim 5 comprising means to attach the canopy to the head of the wearer after detachment of the handle therefrom.

7. An umbrella as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the canopy comprises a main inflatable envelope and a secondary envelope encircling the first envelope, the interiors of the two envelopes being interconnected.

8. An umbrella as claimed in Claim 7 comprising a cover for covering the join between the two envelopes.

9. An umbrella substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.