GB2453539A

GB2453539A - A parasol for attaching to a pushchair

Info

Publication number: GB2453539A
Application number: GB0719588A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Carole Anne Henry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-10-08
Filing date: 2007-10-08
Publication date: 2009-04-15
Also published as: WO2009047482A3; GB0719588D0; EP2200473A2; WO2009047482A2

Abstract

A parasol or umbrella comprises a shaft having a female connector at one end incorporating either a clip means or detent for engagement with a cooperating male connector. The shaft 13 may be telescopically collapsible wherein a cylindrical hollow handle 16 may be formed in the free end thereof to form the female part of the connector (Figure 3, 21). The handle may further include indentations on the outer surface for gripping by a user. In use the female connector (Figure 3, 21) engages with a male connector (Figure 3, 22). The male connector may further include guide surfaces that engage with complementary guide surfaces on the female connector to assist in aligning the clip means with the detent. The male connector (Figure 3, 22) may be located at the free end of an arm 17 wherein the arm may also be deformable. The opposite end of the arm 17 may be mounted to a clamp 18 which in use may be secured to a frame element 19 of a pushchair, pram or the like.

Description

An Umbrella Assembly

Field

This invention relates to umbrella or parasols and in particular umbrellas and parasols that can be attached 10 a second article such as the frame of a pushchair, buggy, pram or the like.

Background of the Invention

Clamp assemblies for securing a parasol or umbrella to a pushchair frame are well known. GB-A-2265 410 discloses a clamp having jaws that clamp around a frame member of the pushchair and which includes one part of a connector, the parasol has a second part of the connector moulded onto the foot of the supporting shaft and the parasol may be mounted to the frame by coupling the two connector parts.

Another example, showing means for mounting an umbrella to a pushchair is shown IS in FR-A-261 7 91 9 which discloses connected to one end of delormable arm which * *.

at its other end has an elastic sleeve which can receive the handle of an umbrella. *SS* * . S...

The deformable arm allows the umbrella to be orientated to convenient and/or useful * * S*..

* : positions. A disadvantage is that the umbrella handle may fall out of the elastic S..... * .

sleeve if subject to excess side loads. S. S. * S * * S

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Yet a further Example is a parasol sold by Mothercare under the trade name of Buzz/

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Loola parasol in which the parasol shaft having a deformable portion at its foot with

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one part of a connector mounted at the free end of the deformable portion which engages in use with a second part of a connector incorporated into a clamp.

The prior art parasols and attachment devices of. GB-A-2265 410 and the Mothercare example have the disadvantage that the parasol is not readily useable

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alter detachment from the pushchair. Furthermore in the case of the Mothercare

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example the deformabje section of the handle remains fixed to the parasol shaft.

This could make the parasol inconvenient to uses away from the pushchair.

The present invention provides an umbrella or parasol which ameliorates some or all of the above problems.

Statements of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present Invention there is provided a parasol or umbrella having a shaft with a female part of a connector formed on the free end thereof, the female part connector Incorporating one of a clip means or detent for engagement with a co-operating mate part connector having the other of the clip **t means or detent. * *.

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The shaft is preferably a telescopically collapsible shaft comprising a plurality of I telescopic lengths, Preferably upto four lengths, with the larger section length adjacent the canopy and the smallest section length adjacent the handle Preferably, the female part connector includes the detent for engagement with co-operating clip means on the male part of the connector. Preferably the female part of the connector is shaped as a substantially cylindrical handle preferably with indentations on the outer surface forming finger grips for a user.

A second aspect of the present Invention provides for an umbrella or parasol assembly comprising an umbrella having a shaft and further comprising a clamp f or attachmenl to a frame of a pushchair or the like, an arm mounted on the clamp, and a readily separable connector comprising a female part secured to the shaft and a male part secured to the arm, the male part having one of a resilient clip means or detent engagable with the other of the clip means or detent on the female part The am is preferably a deformable or bendable support arm.

Preferably, the detent is formed on the female part of the connector. The mare part of the connector is conveniently provided with guide surfaces that engage complementary guide surfaces within the female part of the connector to align the *:*: clip rnean,s with the detent I.. * * *SS.

The clip means on the male part comprise a pair of Opposing raised bosses which *..S..

* are biased resiliently outwards to engage co-operating apertures formed in the body of the fem.ale part. The bosses are mounted on leaf springs formed integrally with the body female and outwardly to engage the apertures in the mile part.

Preferably the female part of the connector has a substantially cylindrical hollow body and the male part also comprises a substantially cylindrical hollow body which is telescopically slidable into the hollow body of the female part.

Yet another aspect of the Invention provides for a method of attachment of a parasol or umbrella to a pushchair frame or the like, wherein the umbrella or parasol has a shaft provided on the free end thereof with female part of a readily separable connector provided with one of a detent or clip means, and this is coupled to a co-operating male part of the connector provided with the other of the detent or clip rneais the male part of the connector being attached to one end of an arm having a clamp at its other end whereby the arm is secured to a pushchair or the like.

The arm is preferably deformable arm, and may be left clamped to the push chair and the shaft is disconnected from the push chair by uncoupling the connector, and is retrtVed by-the reverse operation

Detailed Description of the Drawings

*:*: The Invention will be described by way of Example only and with reference to the S...

S..... accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a side elevation of an umbrella assembly according to

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* S the present invention Fig. 1A show the umbrella shaft in an extended condition.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view of the connector when assembled Fig.. 3 is I an enlarged side view of the connector normal to that in Fig. 2 and when separated, Fig.. 4 is a side view of the male part of the connector from the same side as Fig.2.

Fi95 is a section on the line V-V and Fig.6 is an end view of the mail part from the direction of arrow A

Detailed Description of the Invention

With reference to Fig.1 and Fig. 1A of the drawings there is shown an umbrella assembly having a canopy 12 mounted at one end of a shaft 13 with the usual sliding collar 15 and struts 14 forming a collapsible assembly as is well known. The shaft 13 is a collapsible telescopic shaft comprising a plurality of lengths 101 -1 04, preferably four lengths, with the larger cross-section length 101 adjacent the canopy 12 and the smallest cross-section length 104 adjacent the handle 16 The lengths when fully extended lock into position using resiliently a mounted ball mechanism This allows the umbrella 11 to collapse from a length convenient for storage in a bag to a maximum length shaft typically in the range of 22-24 inches (250-300mm).

The larger section length 1 01 being adjacent the canopy provides an improved *.. stability for the canopy opening mechanism. * *I S... * . *.S.

: The free end portion of the shaft 13 us attached to one end of a connector 16 which * S**** * forms a handle f or the umbrella as will be detailed below. The other end of the *. *5 * . connector 16 is secured to a flexible support arm 17 which is preferably bul not necessarily, readily deform able. The other end of the arm 1 7 is mounted to a clamp 1 8 wbich in use may be secured to a frame element 19 of a push chair or the like.

With reference to Figs 2 to 6, the connector 1 6 comprises a female part 21 which is foimad tram a suitable plastics material and may be attached to the shaft by any suitable means for example screw thread or being moulded directly to the shaft 13, preferably by moulding directly onto the shaft, and a male part 22 similarly fixed to one end of the arm 1 7 The female part 21 of the connector has a hollow body 23 which is substantially cylindrical and forms a hollow handle for the umbrella if it is desired to carry the umbrella (11.12,13,14,15,16) by hand. The body 23is substantially oval in cross-section having inner and outer flat sides 27 and an elongate oval cavity. The outer surface of the female part 21 is provided on its curved sides with indentations 24,25 forming grips for fingers and palm of a user.

Dete.nts-28 in the form of shaped apertures are provided in the flat sides for engaging co-operating clip means 38 on the male part 22.

The mate part 22 is a moulded plastics part and again has a substantially hollow body 31 which may have internal strengthening webs 32. The body comprises an end cap 33 shaped to blend with the outer surface of the female part 21 and a smaller section elongate nose 34 with a shoulder 35 therebetween. The nose 34 *:** has a matching external shape to the inside of the female part 21 so that the nose 34 is telescopically slidable into hollow body 23 of the female part. The matching * * flat sides 37 on the nose 34 form guide surfaces thereon that engage *.S*..

*....: complementary flat sides 27 within the female part 21 of the connector to align the clip means 38 with the detent 28.

The detent 28 is provided by a pair of opposed raised bosses 38 which are resiliently biased outwardly of the two opposed sides 37. The bosses 28 are mounted on leaf springs 39 which are preferably integrally Formed with the sides 37 of the 23 male part The two pai'ts 21.22 of the connector 1 6 are coupled together by sliding the nose 34 into the hollow body 23 The side 37 on the nose and the side 27 on the body co-operate to align the bosses 38 with the co-operating apertures 28 and guide the relative movement of the two parts. The nose 34 moves into the body 23 until the shoulder 35 abuts the end of the fern aie part and the bosses 38 engage in the apertures 28. De-coupling the connector i 6 is simply achieved by depressing the bosses 38 and withdrawing the male part 22.

The umbrella may be attached as a complete assembly to a pushchair frame 19 or the like by means of the clamp 18. When attached to or adjacent the push handle(s) and fully extended the umbrella provides shelter for the person pushing the push chair If it is desired to remove the umbrella alone, the connector 16 is merely separated allowing the umbrella to be used on its own.

On the other hand the flexible arm 1 7 may be secured by the clamp to the ****** pushchair and the two parts 21,22 of the connector 16 then coupled together. **.. * I

The coupling mechanism could be reversed with the clip means formed on the fern ig.p.art aid a detent formed on the male part. The clamp and flexible support * S * * * arm 1 7 allow f or the adjustment in the position of the umbrella relative to the pushchair.

The umbrella assembly may be used in combination with supports other than pushchairs to which it may be clamped, when it is desired to have hands free f or other purposes

Claims

Claims 1. A parasol or umbrella having a shaft with a female part of a connector formed on the free end thereof, the female part connector incorporating one of a clip means or detent I o.r engagement with a co-operating male part connector having the other of the clip means or detent.

2 A parasol or umbrella as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the shaft is a telescopically collapsible shaft comprising a plurality of telescopic lengths, preferably upto four lengths, with the larger section length adjacent the canopy and the smallest * ** section length adjacent the handle.

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3. A parasol or umbrella as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the handle ** * includes the detent for engagement with co-operating clip means on the male part * S 5 * I at tha.conneclor 4. A parasol or umbrella as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the female part of the connector is shaped as a substantially cylindrical hollow handle A parasol or umbrella as Claimed in Claim 4, being provided with indentations on lhe o4e.i s.uaace thereof forming finger grips for a user.

6. An umbrella or parasol assembly having a shaft and further comprising a clamp 1 or attachment to a frame of a pushchair or the like, an arm attached to the clamp, and a connector comprising a female part secured to the shaft and a male part secured to the arm, the male part having one of a resilient clip means or detent engagabje with the other of the cup means or detent on the female part.

7. An assembly as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the arm is a deformable support arm.

8 An assembly as Claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein the detent is formed on the rem-aLe pait of the connector.

9. An assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the female part of the connectoi provides a handle on the shaft * * . An assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 6 to 9, wherein the male part of the connector has guide surfaces thereon that engage complementary guide surfaces within the female part of the connector to align the clip means with the detent.

11. An assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 6 to 1 0, wherein the clip means is provided on the male part and comprises a pair of Opposing raised bosses which ar biased resiliently outwards to engage co-operating apertures forming the detent in the body of the female part.

12 An assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the male part connector comprises a body which is slidable into the female part and the bosses are mounted on leaf springs formed integrally with the male body and are biased outwardly to engage the apertures in the female part.

13 A assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 6 to 12, wherein the female part of the connector has a substantially cylindrical hollow body and the male part also comprises a substantially cylindrical hollow body which is telescopically slidable into hollow body of the female part.

1 4 A method of attachment of a parasol or umbrella to a pushchair frame or the like, wherein the umbrella or parasol has a shaft provided on the free end thereof * ** *. S * *5 * with a female part of a connector provided with one of a detent or clip means, and *S.

* this is coupled to a co-operating male part of the connector provided with the other *S**.s * S 5:11 of the detent or clip means the male part of the connector being attached to one end of an arm having a clamp at its other end whereby the arm is secured to a S. S

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pushchair or the like.

1 3. A method as claimed in Claim 1 2 wherein the arm is left clamped to the push chair and the shaft is disconnected from the push chair by uncoupling the connector, and is refitted by the reverse operation.