GB2391468A

GB2391468A - Rigid case for an umbrella

Info

Publication number: GB2391468A
Application number: GB0215660A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Bate
Original assignee: TOTES ISOTONER UK Ltd
Current assignee: TOTES ISOTONER UK Ltd
Priority date: 2002-07-05
Filing date: 2002-07-05
Publication date: 2004-02-11
Also published as: GB0215660D0

Abstract

A case for an umbrella made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, which could be metal, plastic, nylon, polyester or leather, if a metal is used it can be aluminium. The case can be in two parts 1, 3 or 31, 37, these can be connected by a hinge 5 or in another embodiment the lid of the case is formed by the umbrella handle 37.

Description

239 1 468

Ried case for an umbrella The present invention relates to novel rigid and semi-rigid cases for umbrellas.

Cases for umbrellas are well known In the art. Such cases are generally made from the 5 same flexible deformable fabric as is the umbrella canopy, such that when the case is empty, it does not form a rigid or sem'-rigid structure but instead can for example be folded or scrunched up. Such cases generally have one closed end and one open end and are substantially cylindrical, square or rectangular. The tip of the closed collapsed umbrella is inserted into the open end of the case and the umbrella is then fully inserted 10 into the case in the direction of its shaft. The umbrella handle generally remains outside the case. This type of case essentially acts as a sleeve for the umbrella.

There are a number of disadvantages to this type of case. Due to its nonrigid nature, it does not provide any protection to the umbrella and it is therefore easy to damage the umbrella, for example by sitting on it, or by squashing it with other items. It is also well 15 known that the insertion of an umbrella into such a case is a reasonably awkward procedure. For example, many people find it difficult to hold the umbrella in one hand, locate and open the open end of the case with the other hand and then insert the umbrella into the case. This is partly due to the fact that the case generally has a diameter smaller than that of the folded collapsed umbrella when it is out of the case. Although this serves 20 to compress the umbrella into a smaller more convenient form for carrying or storing, this also makes it difficult to insert the umbrella into the case. Furthermore, wet umbrellas should not be inserted into such cases as are known in the prior art. This is due to a

number of reasons: firstly, the frame of the umbrella may rust (unless the frame is made from a non-corrosive material such as aluminium); secondly, putting a wet umbrella into a 25 case may lead to it smelling and/or rotting along with other degrading processes occurring such as the stitching coming out; and thirdly, if a wet umbrella is put into a case that is known In the art, the case itself often becomes damp and leads to objects that are put in contact with the case (such as objects in a bag or the fabric of a pocket of a garment) becoming damp as well.

30 Umbrella cases made out of a]eatherette material are also known in the art. These are generally rectangular in shape with one closed end and one open end, such that the umbrella can be inserted tip-first. The open end optionally comprises a closeable flap,

In light of the foregoing, the present invention provides a novel case for an umbrella, wherein the case is made from a rigid or semi-rigid material such that it maintains a particular structure in the absence or presence of the particular umbrella with which the case is intended to be used. Such hard cases for umbrellas are not known in the art.

5 Preferably a case according to the present invention is for a closed collapsed mini umbrella, i.e., one in which the ribs of the umbrella fold into at least two during the collapsing process and in which the handle can also be shortened. However, the present invention is also applicable to other forms of umbrella, such as umbrellas which do not collapse to such an extent.

10 A case according to the present invention is made from a rigid or semirigid material. It is preferable that the chosen material is lightweight and cheap, although these are not essential characteristics of the chosen material. Materials having these characteristics include metals such as aluminium, plastics such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene and acrylic, other synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester and 15 natural materials such as leather. Preferably, a case according to the present invention is made from a metal. Never before have metal cases been known. However, a case according to the present invention may be made out of one or more of any of the afore-

mentioned materials or any other material or combination of materials which possess the desired characteristics.

20 Preferably, the chosen material is easily formed into a predetermined shape by methods known in the art such as pressing for metals and injection moulding for plastics.

The interior cavity of a case according to the present invention has substantially the same dimensions as does the closed collapsed umbrella such that the closed collapsed umbrella can be inserted into the case. Preferably, the overall shape of the case is substantially 25 similar to the overall shape of the closed collapsed umbrella. The size of the case is also preferably substantially the same size as the closed collapsed umbrella, thereby providing a snug fit. The dimensions and overall shape of a case according to the present invention may vary depending upon the particular umbrella with which it is to be used.

A case according to the present invention may take one of a number of different designs: 30 In one design, the exterior walls of the case are comprised of two parts which come together to form a closed structure. Preferably, the two parts are connected by a hinge along an axis, thereby forming a clamshell.

In a second design, the exterior walls of the case are again provided by two parts.

However, in this second design, the main part of the case is provided by the first part whilst the second part forms a lid. This lid-forming second part may be attached to the first part of the case by any suitable means including but not limited to a hinge or a pivot, 5 or it may be a screwable or push-on lid.

In a third design, the walls of the case are formed by a single part that is substantially i cylindrical in shape, with one closed and one open end. The umbrella is inserted tip-frst into the case such that the handle of the umbrella remains outside the case. The handle of the umbrella itself provides a lid which serves as a means of closing the case.

10 In a fourth design, the part of the case which opens to allow the closed collapsed umbrella to be inserted also provides a flap which serves as a means of closing the case. Preferably, this opening is located along a longitudinal side of the case.

Although the designs described above are concerned with cases consisting of just one or two parts, the scope of the present invention also includes rigid or semi-rigid cases for 15 umbrellas wherein the case consists of more than two parts.

Preferably, a case according to the present invention can maintain itself in the closed position. This is preferably achieved by a sprung-hinge, catch, button, popper, Velcro-

type, push-on or screw-thread mechanism. There are a number of reasons why this is an important feature. For example, it is important that the case remains closed to prevent the 20 umbrella falling out which may lead to it becoming damaged or getting lost. Furthermore, in the case that the closure device provides an air-tight seal, it will help prevent a wet umbrella from becoming rusty and will prevent the egress of water from the case, thus keeping any items that the case comes into contact with dry.

Specific embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way of example only, 25 with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a case according to a first embodiment of the invention in an open position; Figure 2 shows the case according to the first embodiment of the invention in a closed position; Figure 3 shows a case according to a second embodiment of the invention in an open 30 position;

Figure 4 shows the case according to the second embodiment of the invention in a closed position; Figure 5 shows a case according to a third embodiment of the invention in a closed position; S Figure 6 shows a case according to a fourth embodiment of the invention in an open position; Figure 7 shows the case according to the fourth embodiment of the invention in a closed position; Figure 8 shows a case according to a fifth embodiment of the invention in an open 10 position; Figure 9 shows the case according to the fifth embodiment of the invention in a closed position; Figure 10 shows a case according to a sixth embodiment of the invention in an open position; and IS Figure 11 shows the case according to the sixth embodiment of the invention in a closed position. In a first embodiment of the invention' there is provided an aluminium case comprised of two parts which come together to form a closed structure. The two parts or half-shells (1, 20 3) are connected by a hinge (5) attached to the rim of one of the long sides of each of the half-shells, thereby forming a clamshell. When the case is closed by placing the rims of the two half-shells together, a substantially sealed structure is formed (Figure 2). A cross^ section (7) of the closed case in the plane where the two half-shells meet is substantially rectangular in shape. In order to insert the umbrella into the case, the two half-shells (1, 3) 25 are separated along their unhinged long sides (9, 11) (Figure 1). The closed collapsed umbrella (13) is then inserted into one half-shell (1) of the case. Preferably, the umbrella is inserted such that the shaft of the umbrella is parallel to the hinge mechanism. Upon closure of the case, a catch (15) attached to one half-shell (1) is inserted under the rim (17) of the other half-shell (3) in order to maintain the case in its closed position. The case is 30 re-opened by pressing a release button (19) to which the catch (15) is attached in order to

release the catch. This is possible due to the slightly resilient nature of the alummium from which the case is made.

In a second embodiment of the invention, there is provided a case very similar to that of the first embodiment of the invention. IIowever, this case is maintained in its closed S position (Figure 4) by means of a slightly different catch mechanism consisting of a hook (21) attached to one half-shell (23) which engages a keep (25) on the other half-shell (27) .

The case is re-opened by pressing a button (29) attached to the hook which releases the hook from the keep (Figure 3).

In a third embodiment of the invention, there is provided a case made from aluminium 10 which is formed by two parts (Figure 5). The first part (31) is substantially cylindrical in shape with one closed end (33) and one open end (35) and forms the main part of the case.

The second part (37) forms a lid, which may be either a push-on lid or a screw-threaded lid. The umbrella can be inserted tip-first or handlefirst into the case. In another embodiment (not shown), a handle of an umbrella may form the lid of the case to close the 15 first part of the case.

In a fourth embodiment of the invention, there is provided a case made from aluminium which is formed by two parts (Figures 6 and 7). The first part (39) is substantially cylindrical in shape with an ellipsoid crosssection. The first part has one closed end (41) and one open end (43) and fonns the main part of the case. The second part (45) forms a 20 lid that is attached to the first part by means of a pivot (47).

In a fifth embodiment of the invention, there is provided a substantially cylindrical case with an ellipsoid cross-section. The ends of the cylinder (49, 51) are made from a metal, such as aluminium, or other rigid material. The walls of the cylinder (53) are made from a single piece of flexible yet semi-rigid clear plastic, the first edge of which (55) overlaps the 25 second edge (57) where the two edges meet. A popper mechanism, comprising half the popper (59) attached to the first edge and the reciprocal half (61) attached to the second edge, allows the case to be either in an open position (Figure 8) for insertion of an umbrella (62) or maintained in a closed position (Figure 9).

In a sixth embodiment of the invention, there is provided a 'clutch bag' type case having 30 an opening (63) along one longitudinal side. The case is made from polyester-nylon which is flexible yet semi-rigid in nature. The case is substantially rectangular in shape and is composed of a number of panels sewn together - a front panel (65), a back panel, two side

panels (67, 69), a bottom panel, a top panel (71) and a flap (73). The flap is attached to the top panel and folds down so that it overlaps the front panel. A Velcro-type closing device, wherein one half of the Velcro is attached to the inner side of the flap and the reciprocal half of the Velcro (75) is attached to the outer side of the front panel with which the flap 5 overlaps, enables the case to be maintained in the closed position (Figure ll) when necessary. In order to insert an umbrella (77), the two Velcro halves are separated and the flap is lifted up such that the top panel is also lifted up (Figure lo), providing an opening (63) into which the umbrella can be inserted. The umbrella is inserted into the case such that the tip and the handle of the umbrella are at opposite ends of the case.

10 It will of course be understood that the present invention has been described by way of example only, and that modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the claims hereinafter.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A case for an umbrella, wherein the case is made from a rigid or sem,ngid material such that it maintains a particular structure in the absence or presence of the particular umbrella with which the case is intended to be used.

2. A case according to claim 1, for use with a Tr,ni umbrella.

3. A case according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the case is manufactured from one or 10 more of metals, plastics, nylon, polyester or leather.

4. A case according to claim 3, wherein the metal is aluminium.

5. A case according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the case is formed from two 15 parts.

6. A case according to claim 5, wherein the two parts are connected by a hinge, thereby forming a clamshell.

20

7. A case according to any preceding claim, wherein said case is maintained in a closed position by means of a sprung hinge or by means of a fastening devise such as a button or a catch.

8. A case according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first part forms the main part 25 of the case, and the second part forms a lid.

9. A case according to claim 8, wherein the second part forming a lid is attached to the first part by means of a hinge, pivot or screw-thread.

30

10. A case according to claim 8, wherein the lid engages the main part of the case with a friction fit.

11. A case according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the walls of the case are formed by a single part having one closed and one open end, such that when an umbrella is inserted tip-first into the case, the handle of the umbrella remains outside the case and provides a lid which serves to close the case.

s

12. A case according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an opening is provided parallel to the longitudinal axis of the case for receiving an umbrella.

13. A case according to claim 12, wherein said case has two rigid ends.

14. A case according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the case is maintained in a closed position by a fastening such as a popper, button or Velcro-type hooks and eyes.

15. An umbrella case substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in 15 any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

16. An umbrella in combination with a case according to any preceding claim.