GB2370500A

GB2370500A - An umbrella container

Info

Publication number: GB2370500A
Application number: GB0031773A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colleen Sandra Kellaway
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-12-29
Filing date: 2000-12-29
Publication date: 2002-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 2020-12-29
Also published as: GB0031773D0; GB2370500B

Abstract

A container for an umbrella comprising a tubular body 10 of waterproof construction and having an open end for receiving an umbrella and means 14, 16 for fixing the container against a support surface, particularly inside a car. Preferably, the container has a drainage hole (figure 4, 13), at its closed end, closed with a removable cap (figure 4, 12).

Description

Umbrella Container

The present invention relates to a container for an umbrella and has particular, but not sole, application in a car or other road vehicle.

It is often a problem to stow an umbrella, particularly when wet, in a car or other vehicle. I have now devised a container which provides a convenient receptacle for stowing an umbrella and is particularly advantageous when the umbrella is wet.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a container for an umbrella, the container comprising a tubular body of waterproof construction and having an open end for receiving an umbrella and means for fixing the container against a support surface.

Preferably the tubular body of the container is of rigid construction. Preferably the tubular body tapers at its end opposite the end which receives the umbrella.

Preferably the tubular body has a flat rear surface for fitting against the support surface to which, in use, the container is fixed.

Preferably the tubular body is provided with a seal adjacent the end which receives the umbrella: preferably the seal is a flexible seal having an aperture through which the umbrella is inserted.

Preferably the fixing means for the container comprise fixing holes to receive screws, bolts or other fasteners passed through them. Preferably these fixing holes are formed in lugs projecting from the container.

Preferably the end of the container, opposite the end which receives the umbrella, is formed with a drainage hole. Preferably this end receives a cap which closes the drainage hole, but can be removed when it is desired to drain the container.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the

accompanying drawings, in which : FIGURE 1 is a view of a car fitted with an umbrella container in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a similar view of the car, indicating an umbrella being placed in the container; FIGURE 3 is a view of the umbrella container; and FIGURE 4 comprises a series of sectional views to explain the use of the umbrella container.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a hatch-back car having an umbrella container 10 fixed to the inside of the rear hatch door D, adjacent its lower edge: the container is fixed in a manner such that it is constrained against movement. The umbrella container 10 is fixed to the hatch door D in a generally horizontal orientation and has an open end allowing an umbrella U to be inserted longitudinally, as indicated in Figure 2. The position in which the umbrella container is fixed, in the example shown, is one of a variety of positions which may be appropriate, depending on the size and type of vehicle concerned.

Referring to Figure 3, the umbrella container 10 comprises an elongate tube of rigid, waterproof construction which is open at one end to receive the umbrella, and tapers at its opposite end. The container has a flat rear wall and curved front wall, such that it is generally D-shaped in section. The tapered end of the container is formed with a drainage hole 13 (Figure 4) and fits into a removable conical cap 12 provided with a projecting lug 14. A pair of similar lugs 16 project from either side of the container 10 adjacent its open and. The lugs 14,16 are apertured to permit the container to be fixed to a convenient flat surface by means of screws, bolts or other fasteners.

A flexible seal 18 is fitted across the inside of the container 10, adjacent but inset from its wider end. The seal 18 has a circular aperture formed with a lip 20.

In use, and referring to Figure 4, the umbrella U is

inserted into the container 10 through its open, wider end and through the aperture in its seal 18, for the ferrule of the umbrella to rest against the inside-bottom of the container and the handle of the umbrella to project partially from the container. Upon inserting the umbrella, the lip 20 of the seal 18 is deflected inwardly, whilst the lip 20 is deflected outwardly as the umbrella is withdrawn.

It will be appreciated that the umbrella container which has been described provides a convenient receptacle for an umbrella, and has particular advantage when the umbrella is wet.

Claims

Claims 1) A container for an umbrella, the container comprising a tubular body of waterproof construction and having an open end for receiving an umbrella and means for fixing the container against a support surface.
2) A container as claimed in claim 1, in which said tubular body is of rigid construction.
3) A container as claimed in claim lot, 2, in which said tubular body tapers at its end opposite said open end.
4) A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said tubular body has a flat rear surface for seating against the support surface to which, in use, the container is fixed.
5) A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said tubular body is provided with a seal at its said open end.
6) A container as claimed in claim 5, in which said seal comprises a flexible seal having an aperture through which said umbrella may be inserted.
7) A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said fixing means comprises fixing holes to receive screws, bolts or other fasteners passed through them.
8) A container as claimed in claim 7, in which said holes are formed in lugs projecting from said tubular body.
9) A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said tubular body is formed with a drainage hole in its end opposite said open end.
10) A container as claimed in claim 9, provided with a removable cap for closing said drainage hole.
11) A container for an umbrella, the container being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.