GB2255713A

GB2255713A - Umbrella carrying attachment

Info

Publication number: GB2255713A
Application number: GB9110723A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven David Burke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-05-17
Filing date: 1991-05-17
Publication date: 1992-11-18
Also published as: GB9110723D0

Abstract

An attachment for facilitating the carrying of an umbrella comprises a main elastic loop 4 having one part which can be trapped within a briefcase (or suitcase) and another part which carries a pair of attachment loops 6 for holding the umbrella 14 in close proximity to the exterior of the briefcase. <IMAGE>

Description

UMBRELLA CARRYING ATTACHMENT This invention relates to an attachment to facilitate the carrying of umbrellas.

It is very common for people regularly to carry both briefcases or the like and umbrellas. If the umbrellas can be collapsed to a sufficiently small size, they are commonly carried within the briefcases.

However, this takes up valuable space in the briefcase, and the shape of the umbrella is such that more space is wasted. If the umbrella cannot be accommodated in the briefcase, it is carried separately, which can be inconvenient.

The present invention relates to an umbrella carrying attachment comprising a main loop, a part of which can be trapped within a briefcase or the like, and a support means carried by a further part of the main loop which in use is located externally of the briefcase or the like, the support means being operable to support an umbrella at positions distributed along the length thereof to enable the umbrella to be carried by the attachment.

The main loop preferably has a degree of elasticity so that it is easily usable with briefcases of different shapes and sizes and so that an umbrella carried thereby is held in close proximity to the briefcase.

The support means preferably comprises an attachment loop, and more preferably at least two attachment loops for supporting the umbrella at discrete positions along its length. Preferably, at least one attachment loop is either elasticated or otherwise adjustable in size so as to cope with umbrellas of different sizes, and so that the umbrella is held firmly by the attachment. At least one and preferably each of the attachment loops is preferably openable to facilitate the attachment of the umbrella to the briefcase and the detachment of the umbrella therefrom, and has fixing means so that the loop can be held closed. The fixing means may for example be one or more press-studsg or co-operating hooked and looped textile materials such as Velcro (Registered Trade Mark).

An arrangement embodying the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows an attachment according to the present invention; and Fig. 2 shows the attachment of Fig. 1 when in use.

Referring to Figure 1, the attachment 2 comprises a main loop 4 made of stretchable fabric. Suitable material is readily available, for example for use as belts or waistbands, or special purpose material having a desired elasticity and thickness can be made using similar techniques to those used to form the known fabrics. Alternatively, the loop 4 could be made of latex. As a further alternative, the loop could be made mainly of non-stretchable material, but have a stretchable section forming part of its circumference.

Preferably, the loop 4 is an endless loop, rather than having ends which are detachably attached to each other, although the latter is a possible alternative.

The main loop 4 carries at spaced locations a pair of attachment loops 6. Each attachment loop 6 is formed by a pair of individual straps 8, each of which has one end attached to a respective edge of the main loop 4 and the other end attachable to and detachable from the adjacent end of the other strap 8. In this embodiment, adjacent ends of the straps 8 are attachable by means of co-operating patches of hooked and looped fabrics indicated at 10. The use of such fabrics permits a degree of adjustment in the size of each attachment loop.

As shown in Fig. 2, in use of the attachment, the main loop 4 is fitted to a briefcase 12 or other such carrying means so that the part carrying the attachment loops 6 is external of the briefcase, the remaining part being located inside the briefcase and thereby trapped within the briefcase when the briefcase is closed. An umbrella 14 is positioned between the two pairs of straps 8, which are then closed to form the attachment loops 6 and which hold the umbrella 14 in close proximity to the briefcase 12. Because the umbrella is held at at least two positions along its length, it can be carried conveniently in a horizontal orientation.

It will be appreciated that the invention not only facilitates the carrying of the umbrella 14 but also makes it more readily accessible than if the umbrella were carried within the briefcase 12.

In the above embodiment, the attachment loops 6 are formed by individual straps connected to the main loop 4, and indeed the main loop 4 forms part of each attachment loop which encircles the umbrella.

However, attachment loops 6 may be formed separately from the main loop 4, and encircle both the umbrella and the main loop. For example, the two straps 8 of an attachment loop 6 could be replaced by a single strap which extends around both the umbrella and the main loop 4 and has its ends detachably attached together.

If desired, more attachment loops 6 could be provided.

The main loop 4 is preferably flat, i.e. of small thickness, so that it does not unduly interfere with the closing of the briefcase, but of substantial width (preferably greater than 1", and more preferably greater than 2") so that it is reasonably strong and so that it does not tend to twist.

In an alternative embodiment, the main loop 4 is of adjustable size. This could be achieved, for example, by forming the loop 4 from a strap, the ends of which can be fitted together at adjustable relative positions, e.g. by using co-operating hooked and looped fabric as in the case of the attachment loops 6.

The attachment may be used with carrying means other than briefcases, e.g. suitcases or other luggage.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An umbrella carrying attachment comprising a main loop, a part of which can be trapped within a briefcase or the like, and a support means carried by a further part of the main loop which in use is located externally of the briefcase or the like, the support means being operable to support an umbrella at positions distributed along the length thereof to enable the umbrella to be carried by the attachment.

2. An attachment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main loop is elastic.

3. An attachment as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the support means comprises at least two attachment loops for supporting the umbrella at discrete positions.

4. An attachment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support means comprises at least one attachment loop of variable size.

5. An attachment as claimed in claim 4, wherein the variable-sized attachment loop is formed of a pair of straps which are detachably connectable end-to-end by fastening means.

6. An attachment as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fastening means is formed by co-operating hooked and looped fabrics.

7. An attachment as claimed in claim 4, wherein the variable-sized attachment loop is elastic.

8. An attachment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the main loop has a flat configuration.

9. An attachment substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.