GB2256365A - Umbrella stand - Google Patents

Description

UMBRELLA STAND t 22563,55 1 The present invention relates to a novel

umbrella stand, whose new constructional, shape and design features fulfil the task for which is has been specifically designed with advantageous efficiency and reliability In the present state of the art, umbrella-stand units have long been known, the said units comprising an enclosure where wet or damp umbrellas are housed,, the latter being dried by natural evaporation of the water with which they are soaked. This process is slow and contributes to the deterioration of the fabric and, consequently, in many cases, there is recourse to unfolding or opening of the umbrella outside the umbrella stand in order to obtain a greater fabric surface area which promotes drying thereof; however. this solution is also impractical due to the space required by the umbrella when open and, also, because the floor of the dwelling or premises becomes wet and dirty.

In order to rectify these drawbacks common to all currently known umbrella stands. the subject of the present invention has been devised, the said subject relating to an umbrella stand whose principal characteristic lies in the provision of means intended to heat and dry the damp or wet umbrellas once these have been deposited inside the umbrella-stand enclosure, in order to accelerate the process of evaporation of the residual water from the umbrellas.

The heating system used for the acceleration of evaporation will preferably be convection heating using hot air created by making use of the electrical mains available in homes and public establishments.

Preferably the means whereby the desired result is achieved consist of an electrically-actuated motor and of a resistor for heating the air, involving a flow of air which may be regulated as desired by the actual user as a function of the speed of the motor and of the consumption of the electrical resistor, and which flow is directed towards the inside of the umbrella-stand receptacle.

2 Therefore, embodients of the invention provide a device which, in addition to serving as a receptacle for containing the umbrellas, dries the latter using a source of electrical energy.

The present invention and Spanish Patent Applications Nos. 92 00211 and 91 01364, relate to umbrella stands including various modifications such as a system for the distribution of the hot air in a uniforn manner through the periphery of the inner enclosure used for positioning the umbrella, a new arrangement of the motor generating the air with respect to the receptacle in which the umbrella is housed, as well as the provision inside the apparatus of moisture-absorbent elements, to be replaced periodically, whose task is to retain the moisture from the air before the latter re-emerges outside once it has been used.

Other details and characteristics of the current invention will become apparent in the course of the description given hereinbelow, in which reference is made to the drawings accompanying this Specification, which show the preferred details in a somewhat diagrammatic manner. These details are given by way of example, reference being made to a possible practical embodiment, but this is not limited to the details set forth herein; therefore, this description must be regarded from an illustrative viewpoint and without limitations of any kind.

A detailed list follows ' below of the various elements as listed in the above Spanish patent applications and as illustrated in the following Fig. 2, air inlet filter (1), motor (2), access doors (3), inner enclosure (4), discharge base (5),war-er- collecting receptacle (6), casing (7), intermediate and distribution chamber (8), drill holes (8a), heating -.3 chamber (9),, level indicator (10), drying elements (11i, wheels (12), lid (13), air outlets (14)1 timer (15)r lid microdetector (16), general switch (17), speed and temperature change-over switch (18)r mechanical impulse microdetector (19), impulsion-indicating light (20), automatic alarm change-aver switch (21), thermal protectors (22), alarm light (23), motor thermal protection (24), air impulsion and suction turbine (26), air duct (27), and moisture-d(tecting humidistat (28).

Figure No. 1 shows -an umbrella stand which is an dirrent of the invention, in a partially sectioned perspective view which enables its internal organisation to be observed.

Figure No. 2 is a lateral perspective view of -a proposed apparatus, partially sectioned.

Figure No. 3 is an electrical diagram of the operation of an umbrella stand.

Figure No. 4 is an electrical diagram of the operation of an improved umbrella stand.

Figure No. 5 is an electrical diagram of the operation of an improved umbrella stand.

In Figure No. 1, (V) denotes the outer casing of the umbrella stand and (41") denotes the inner enclosure used for positioning the umbrellas to be dried, said enclosure being made from a material which can withstand moisture without degradation, means being available which permit the discharge of the drops of water deposited inside the enclosure, said means consisting of a perforated base (51) in communication with a lower compartment (6 1) Between the casing (V) and the enclosure (41) is a chamber containing the heating means, consisting of an electric motor and an air-heating resistor, which are contained in a casing (21) which motor actuates a propeller or turbine, contained in a casing (V) tasked with sucking t he outside air through the corresponding f 11ters - (Y) 1 - A The f low of hat air generated is guided via the duct (121) towards the inside of the enclosure (41) with which it communicates by means of its open lower end (13').

The outer casing (71) may have a structure suited to any environment in which the umbrella stand will be used, including an upper lid (81) which will serve to close or open the assembly.

The umbrella stand may incorporate a series of 1 elements for command and improvement of its operation, such as, for exa=ple, commands (9') for starting and stOPPincl the aPParatus; regulators (10') for the drying r; and timers for regulating the desired time for actuation of the apparatus and subsequent automatic stopping.

In an alternative embodiment, heating of the enclosure (,.41) may be effecterl oy natural convection, that is to say transmission of the heat to the zones close to the container receptacle without the air used undergoing any impulsion.

In one of the preferred embodiments which may be seen in Figure No. 2, the improved umbrella stand consists of an outer casing (7) on which the signalling and control elements of the apparatus are arranged and, inside which the elements which permit its correct operation, such as the inner enclosure (4) used for positioning the umbrellas, are arranged, said enclosure being made from a material which cannot be degraded by moisture and which has been redesigned with means which permit the discharge of the drops deposited inside thereof, said means being perforated bases (5) in communication with a lower compartment (6) for collecting the drops.

An air-distribution system (8) is arranged on the lateral parts of the inner enclosure (4), the said system being formed by a set of drill holes (Sa such that they permit the entry of the hot air in a unif orm manner through the periphery of (4), thereby obtaining a satisfactory performance in the process of drying the umbrella. The arrangement of this distribution system based on drill holes (8a) also makes it possible to avoid the situation in which the impulsion of air by the motor (2) is impeded, due to a great accumulation of umbrellas inside the drying receptacle (4), this flow of air being conveyed towards the outside in the event of saturation.

With the recommended improvements, the upward movement of the hot air, given that it is lighter than the cold air, is put to better use for orienting tne flow from the lower part of the receptacle (4) to the upper part thereof, carrvina out drying during its travel, since, in some embodiments, the turbine or motor may be positioned in the upper part of the casing (7) whilst, in the preferred embodiments, the motor or turbine is located in the. lower part of said casing (7).

In order to prevent blocking of the motor (2), its distance from the receptacle (4) is separated by means of the duct (27) which, in addition to introducing the air via the intermediate chamber (8) and optimising the distribution of the flow via the drill holes (8a) prevents blocking of said motor (2) since this intermediate chamber (8) is in communication with the outside via its lower side through the air outlets (14), which does not adversely affect the drying performance, due to the abovementioned upward force.

The electrical actuating motor (2) is arranged as described above in the lower part of the assembly and at a minimum distance frcin the inner receptacle (4) and the intermediate chamber (8), in order to prevent any pressure loss in the flow, and also slightly higher than the lower part of the receptacle (4) which constitutes a first safety measure for correct operation of the umbrella stand since it is thus un likely for water running from the umbrellas to reach the motor, even if it were to accumulate in the lower part of the apparatus.

At one of its ends, the motor (2) drives an air impulsion and suction turbine (26). which, by means of the corresponding filters (1) placed on the sides of the casing (7), prevents the entry of dirt or objects and at the same time impels. the air from the outside towards the chamber (9), where the air-heating resistors are located, and, via a duct (27), transfer said air to the lower part of the intermediate chamber (8).

From the intermediate chamber (8), the flow of hot air is distributed via the corresponding holes (8a) and in an upward manner throughout the inner receptacle (4), although it would also be possible to install blades for directing the air or any other system with the same aim.

In addition to the arrangement of the motor (2) in the manner described, which prevents access by the water thereto, and the existence of lower air outlets (14) for the hot air in the event of saturation of the apparatus, the safety systems consist of the following elements.

- hermal protection (24) against overheating for the motor (2), disconnects the motor automatically, for example in the event of blockage of the filters (1).

Likewise, provision is made for the installation of contacts in the electrical circuits (21) which will disconnect operation of the apparatus in the event of accumulation of water in the lower part thereof outside the receptacle or container (6) for the drops, making the connection to an outside alarm light (23). In the event of malfunction of the contact. it is necessary only to position the lower air outlets at a low level so that the water may be discharged.

One or more inspection ports (10) revealing the accumulation of water to the outside may be installed, together with the installation of a thermal fuse or thermostat (22) which disconnects the operation of the apparatus in the event of an excess temperature inside said apparatus and in addition to the protection incorporated in the actual motor.

The maintenance systems consist of the following elements: a small drop collector (6) located in the lower part of the intermediate chamber (8), which accumulates a certain amount of water up to a predetermined safety limit for each one of the possible sizes of umbrella stand and which will be removable via the rear part for its possible cleaning. Doors (3) are available for this purpose and for maintenance of the entire apparatus, the openLng of these doors (3) not being possible without prior disconnection of the apparatus from the electricity supply outlet.

In order to absorb the moisture, moistureabsorbent elements (11), to be replaced periodically. are arranged in the lower part of the apparatus, their task being to retain the moisture from the air before the latter reemerges outside once it has been used, via the air outlets (14).

The outer casing (7) which. in Figure No. 2r is drawn preferentially in prismatic form, may have a structure suitable for every environment in which the umbrella stand will be used, it being possible to incorporate wheels (12) for transportation of the said stand to the required zone as well as an upper lid (13) which will close the receptacle (4) once.the umbrellas have been removed or inserted, and outlets (14) for the air used in its upper and lower part.

The control systems and elements for command and improvement of its operation may meet a wide variety of possibilities, two of these being cited as preferred in the text which follows.

The coinmand apparatuses may include switches for connection and disconnection of the umbrella stand from the electrical mains, regulators of the speed of the impelled air and of the temperature thereof, timers for regulating as desired the time of impulsion of the hot air and automatic stopping thereof, and position detectors which transmit the information to the electronic control of operation. With this control system, and as may be seen in the electrical diagram in Figure No. 2, the following operation is achieved:

When the connection command is in a position of connection to the mains, the apparatus will operate, impelling the air towards the inside of the receptacle (4) containing the umbrellas via the -intermediate chamber (8), when the lid (13) is closed and for a period which can be regulated from the timer (15).

When the regulated period comes to an end, the apparatus will, by itself, stop the impulsion of the air. If the upper lid (13) is opened whilst the air is being impelled, operation will stop through the action of the switch of the position detector (16) and, once the lid (13) has been reclosed, the apparatus will impel the air again for the regulated period, initiating the cycle again upon insertion of another umbrella. This will happen each time that the lid (13) is opened and closed. Once its operation has been stopped because the regulated impulsion time has come to an end, the lid will continue to stay closed by itself, and therefore the warm environment inside the enclosure (4) will not be immediately lost. In this case of removing an umbrella from the receptacle and of not inserting another one, whereupon it will not be desired to actuate its operation, it will suf f ice to place the lid (13) in an open position or, alternatively, to close the lid and to disconnect the apparatus by means of the switch (17) so that the apparatus is not actuated again. Alternatively. it will be actuated again when the lid (13) is closed and the switch (17) is not disconnected, if umbrellas are observed inside the umbrella stand and it is desired to continue with the drying process.

At any time when air is being impelled towards the inside of the receptacle, a light signal in the command zone will advise this to the user, outside. Also, whenever desi=ed, it is possible to increase or reduce the flow of air impelled by the motor, as well as the temperature of that air, by actuating the change-over switch (18) located in the command zone.

Another possible operation system would consist, according to the electrical diagram in Figure No. 4. in placing a detector in the lower zone of the receptacle marked with (19), so that, when an umbrella is inserted inside the receptacle (4) and under a slight pressure, the said detector will be actuated for a short interval of time sufficient for connection of a signal to the timer (15), on the basis of which the motor and the heating resistor would be maintained connected for a period regulated as desired. In the event of another umbrella being inserted inside the receptacle (4), the cycle would be repeated again.

In this example, the lid (13) would act as a simple instantaneous switch of the cycle in the event of being opened, and would cease to continue the cycle once closed. There would be no changes in the remainder of the elements with respect to the above example, with the exception of the timer (15), which would have to perform a different function which would nevertheless be compatible with those timers currently existing on the market..It is also possible in this version to dispense with the upper lid of the assembly, although this would perhaps be to the detriment of the operation of the apparatus. since the impulsion of air would not be stopped when another umbrella was about to be introduced, in addition to the fact that it would be possible to observe the umbrellas inside the apparatus.

According to the diagram in Figure No. 5, a humidistat (28) or moisturedetecting apparatus is added to the elements already mentioned. This would permite on insertion of damp umbrellas inside the receptacle (4), this moisture-detecting apparatus acting as an automatic switch for the assembly, actuation of air impulsion on the part of the motor and heating on the part of the heating resistors. Once the inner environment were dry, the same detecting apparatus would stop operation of the umbrella stand. This humidistat (28) may be regulated as desired with respect to the % value of relative humidity, on the basis of which it gives the operating signal and also that of the calibration value. In this version, it is also possible to use the timer (15) and the upper lid (13), although the former (15) is no longer necessary.

In other alternative embodiments, actuation of the umbrella-stand apparatus may be automated by other procedures, such as the arrangement of photoelectric cells, infrared position detectors and the like, which have not been described in detail because examples of such procedures are known in the relevant art.

E=bo%.Uments using, for the same function. heating of the enclosure and, therefore, the process of drying the umbrellas by means of the transmission of the heat by non-forced conduction of the heat and/or convection, that is to say transmitting the heat without the air being impelled in any way by a motor, simply by placing heating means around the receptacle containing the umbrellas, will be regarded as equivalents, it being possible for the entire assembly to be identical to that described, apart from the impulsion motor (2) and with a different location for the heating means.

In a further equivalent embodiment, it would be observed that the heating means have been dispensed with, whereby the process of evaporation of the residual water would be accelerated as the umbrellas would be subjected to an improved circulation of the air surrounding them due to the action of a motor and an air-impulsion turbine. However, this would involve a loss of performance for the umbrella stand, with respect to the previous model, since the evaporation is improved with a higher temperature, but is still achievable. In this case, it would be sufficient to dispense with the heating resistors located in the heating chamber (9), all the rest of the model described being usable.

It will be understood, after having studied the drawings and the explanation we have given of them, that the present Specification provides a simple and effective structure which may be embodied in practice with great ease, undoubtedly providing a novel industrial result.

JSS040692

Claims (12)

1. An umbrella stand of the type which comprises an enclosure for housing one or more damp or wet umbrellas, which stand includes heatina means actuable by a source of electrical energy and for accelerating evaporation of residual water from the umbrellas in the enclosure.

2. A stand according to Claim 1, in which the heating means comprise a heating resistor and an electrically actuated motor connected to impeller means for drawing air into the enclosure via the heating resistor, thereby generating a flow of warm air to the enclosure for the umbrellas.

3. A stand according to Claim 1, in which the heating means are operable to generate heat externally of the enclosure thereby transmitting heat to the air in enclosure by natural convection.

4. A stand according to Claim 3 wherein the heating means comprise one or more electrical resistors.

5. A stand according to any preceding claim which includes water collection means for receiving residual water from the base of the enclosure.

6. A stand according to any preceding claim comprising a casing of substantially prismatic configuration and having a motor in a lower part of the casing.

7. A stand according to Claim 6 including a duct located between the motor and the enclosure and provided with air filtration means.

JSS040692

8. A stand according to Claim 7 in which a heating chamber is arranged at one end of the duct and contiguous with the motor, said motor being operable to draw air to the heating chamber through air-inlet filtration means arranged in the casing.

9. A stand according to any preceding claim having an intermediate airdistribution chamber arranged inside the enclosure, the said chamber being of substantially frustoconical configuration tapering towards its base and having lateral and base surfaces provided with apertures.

10. A stand according to any preceding claim which includes one or more dehumidifier means.

11. A stand according to any preceding claim which includes means for automatically stopping supply of electrical energy to the heating means once the temperature inside the enclosure reaches a predetermined level.

12. A stand substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying Figures 1 to 5.