GB2500376A - Device for tethering an umbrella - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for tethering an umbrella having a ferrule at the top and a plurality of ribs, comprises a ring for placement over the ferrule, in use, a plurality of straps attached to the ring that extend at least to a rim of the umbrella, wherein each of the straps provide a means of attachment to a bag weighted in use. The umbrella may be a beach umbrella and the tethering means may prevent the umbrella turning inside out. The ring may engage with the umbrella ribs and the straps may include means to fasten them to the umbrella, in use

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

OF

VIVIEN WHITE

FOR

AN UMBRELLA SUPPORT DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an umbrella support device, for use in windy conditions.

Background

The use of an umbrella on the beach to provide protection from the elements is commonplace today, particularly for parents with young children or for people with delicate skin. An umbrella can provide shelter from the wind, rain and protection from the sun.

However in windy conditions use of an umbrella can be unpractical as it can be difficult to secure the umbrella to prevent it blowing away or being blown inside out, particularly in the beach environment.

Various anchoring systems have been developed to assist with keeping the umbrella grounded in windy conditions, such as ground weights that connect to the umbrella.

However, this can mean a requirement of guide ropes which can limit movement under and around the umbrella.

Devices have been developed to secure the umbrella tube to the ground, however, this does not prevent inversion of the umbrella hood.

Other support systems require extensive structures that attach to the umbrella to prevent inversion and may be difficult or awkward to carry. Also due to the variations in size of umbrella some of the fittings for the support system may not be suitable.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem, including the following: Granted United States patent US 7 946 305 (MAILMAN) discloses a method for stabilizing an umbrella, the umbrella comprising an umbrella pole, the method comprising the steps of: a. configuring one or more bags, each bag further comprising a reclosable top opening and a upper attachment cord; b. filling each bag with a medium to increase its weight, and c. suspending each bag from the umbrella by tying the upper attachment cord directly to the umbrella pole at an upper portion thereof and distal from a ground surface, and without the pole passing through a body of any of the bags.

Intemational patent application WO 2010 052 348 (JIMENEZ) discloses a supporting device, designed and created in order to obtain notable advantages, to reinforce the holding of the sunshade and to prevent it from being blown away by the wind. It comprises a triangular (square or circular) piece of fabric with an aperture in the centre, to attach it to traditional sunshades, and three cords and three bags, which together form the device. As set out in the claims, the central part may be plastic and of different shapes and sizes (triangular, circular, square, etc.) as may the bags.

The device can be used fully (body, cords and bags) or partially using only the cords and the bags, and these (cords and bags) may be loose or incorporated into the sunshade by means of tapes, rings, stitching, etc., and may be folded up for storage.

United States patent application US 5 452 877 (RIFFLE et al) discloses a beach umbrella anchor bag providing for the anchoring of a beach umbrella shaft thereto, comprising: a bag formed of a thin, flexible sheet of material having an inner surface and an outer surface, said bag including a bottom panel, a side enclosure, and an open top providing for the insertion of an umbrella shaft therein and for the temporary placement of loose weighted material therein; said inner surface of said bag including umbrella shaft attachment means secured adjacent to said open top, and said open top including top securing means providing for the closure of said open top about the umbrella shaft; said umbrella shaft attachment means comprising two elongated, oppositely spaced apart first panels of hook-and-loop fastening material extending along said inner surface of said bag downwardly from said top opening; sealing means for said first panels, comprising a flap of mating material of hook-and-loop fastening material secured to said inner surface immediately below each of said first panels and foldable thereover, whereby intrusion of foreign material into said first panels is precluded when each said flap of mating material is folded thereover; said bottom panel including a small opening therein, adapted to provide a close fit about an umbrella shaft inserted therethrough, whereby; an umbrella shaft is inserted through said bag by means of said open top and said small opening in said bottom panel and inserted into an underlying surface, loose weighted material is temporarily placed within said bag, said umbrella shaft attachment means is secured to the umbrella shaft, and said securing means is secured about the umbrella shaft to close said top opening and secure said anchor bag to the umbrella shaft and provide further security for an umbrella inserted into the underlying surface.

United States patent application US 5 520 364 (BLOXSON et al) discloses a detachable weight assembly for holding a cover in a desired position solely by gravity, said weight assembly comprising: (a) a water-permeable weight bag filled with sand, said weight bag being sufficiently heavy to immobilize the cover by gravity; (b) a grommet attached to said weight bag, and defining a reinforced opening therein; and (c) a fastener comprising an elongate flexible strip and a spring-loaded clip connected to said strip for removably attaching the weight bag to the cover, said strip including a free end thereof for being passed through said grommet and complementary snap means for releasably securing said fastener to said weight bag.

United States patent application US 4 924 893 (FUREY) discloses a beach umbrella restraining device comprising: a flexible, longitudinally extending cable member, said cable member having a first end and a second end;first releasable attachment means, fixed to said first end of said cable, for releasably attaching said cable to a beach umbrella, said first releasable attachment means being connectably engageable of a beach umbrella support shaft, wherein said first releasable attachment means comprises: a pair of straps, each of said straps being connected to said cable member, said straps being adapted to wrap around said beach umbrella support shaft; and connection means for releasably locking said straps to one another; second releasable attachment means, fixed to said second end of said cable, for releasably attaching said cable member to an anchor member; third releasable attachment means, attached to said cable member intermediate said first and second ends, for releasably attaching said cable member to said beach umbrella.

In contrast the present invention provides a reliable, easy to use means of preventing umbrellas turning inside out of being blo*n over.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an umbrella supporting device for a cloth umbrella wherein said umbrella has a plurality of ribs extending from a central ferrule to an outer rim, said device including; a ring for placement over the ferrule, a plurality of straps attached to said ring that extend at least to the rim, wherein each of said straps provide a means of attachment to a bag weighted in use.

In the preferred embodiment the ring is made of a lightweight durable material such as metal, plastic, rubber or carbon. Typically the ring is round although other shapes may be used. The ring is shaped to include grooves where the straps sit to prevent movement around the ring when in use.

According to a second aspect of the present invention the ring is shaped in use to accommodate or engage the umbrella ribs, wherein for example the ring may be formed of flexible or articulated material that adapts to raised and lowered pads provided by the ribs and interjoining cloth.

In other embodiments the ring provides structural strength limbs, wherein said limbs extend towards the rim in use, and dissuade the straps from deviating from defined positions or orientations with regards to the rim.

In another embodiment the ring includes cut out regions for the straps to thread through to prevent movement from a preferred orientation.

In the present invention the straps are of a webbing type material that is lightweight and durable. The straps may be looped around the ring and secured by means of stitching or may be buckled or attached by hook and loop means such as VELCRO (Trade Mark).

At the distal end of each strap there is weight bag. Typically the weight bag is of a durable, ultraviolet resistant material such as canvas, acrylic woven fabric or alike that has an opening and form suitable for receipt of sand, pebbles or other material available in outdoor environments to act as weight and thus remove the requirement for the user to transport weights or weight materials.

It is envisaged that the weight bag may be removable from the strap so that it can be easily filled and then put into position. Typically the weight bag attaches to the strap by means of clip, buckle, hook or similar easily operable mechanism, said mechanism ideally requires targeted displacement to release.

In addition or the alternative the weight bag has means of closure to prevent escape of the weighting. For example it may be envisaged that an open end of the bag hook and loop portions, such as VELCRO (Trade Mark), zipper, at least one press stud, button or drawstring which allow the bag to be fully closed to prevent loss or unauthorised removal of the contents of the weight bag.

In the preferred embodiment the closure means extends across the opening fully so as to prevent loss of any contents that may be a hazard if able to leak or escape, in order to minimise dangers experienced by passers-by in windy conditions.

In addition or the alternative in some embodiments the bags are of watertight construction so that they can be filled with liquid to act as a weight.

According to a third aspect of the present invention the straps include a means to fasten to the umbrella.

This may include a moveable clip that attaches to the rim of the umbrella to prevent strap and/or bag orientation movement around the umbrella.

In preferred embodiments as the clip is moveable along the length of the strap it can be adjusted to fit any umbrella wherein in alternative embodiments the straps may have anchor points on the umbrella to secure strap in fixed locations.

For example the straps in such embodiments may be fixed by loops on the umbrella that the straps to run through or by means of hook and loop attachment such as VELCRO (Trade Mark) that is position on the underside of the strap and the upper side of the umbrella.

In another example there may be provided loops on the straps to interact with the ribs ends at the rim. Preferably said loops are adjustable.

In some embodiments the straps may include a pocket that accepts a batten or brace which extends down the strap, providing structure to the strap and ensuring that it reaches the rim of the umbrella and does not get misshapen in windy conditions. It is envisaged that a number of lengths of batten, which may be interlocking, may be used in each strap so that the components are easily transportable, or that the battens may be articulated and/or telescopic.

Typically the battens are made of a flexible, durable, lightweight material such as fibreglass or alike and curved to match the shape of the open umbrella.

Alternatively the battens will be sufficiently flexible so that when the weight bag is in position and filled that the battened strap will flex to match the curvature of the umbrella.

In another embodiment the straps can be specifically positioned around the ring to suit the conditions. Typically for example in high winds an increased number of straps and bags may be used on a side of the umbrella facing the oncoming wind. It is envisaged the ring includes guide marks on it to indicate to the user the preferred orientation for the straps to be positioned.

The addition of increased support in this area of the umbrella facing the oncoming wind prevents it lifting due to the effects of the wind. Being able to move orientation of the strap or straps also assists when the umbrella is placed at an angle to vertical or for example when part of the rim of the umbrella is in contact with the ground surface.

The ring may include a wind indicator to show the wind direction so the user is able to positions the straps for best support and to guide the user in where best to place the umbrella.

In yet a further embodiment the umbrella supporting device may be fitted to the underside of the umbrella wherein the ring is placed on the umbrella pole support.

It is envisaged in such embodiments that the straps may be fed under the ribs of the umbrella and the bag is attached to the strap, acting to weigh down the umbrella and prevent its inversion. This alternative orientation will reduce the movement of the straps around the umbrella in windy conditions as they will be sheltered by the umbrella thus preventing damage to the umbrella, user or third parties.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention therefore the straps in use are capable of being passed under the ribs.

In some embodiments furthermore pads or patches may be provided on the straps in particular around the rim to stop deleterious effects of rubbing that may damage the umbrella andlor strap.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of FiQures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the support: Figure 2 shows a side view of the embodiment; And Figure 3 shows a view from above of the embodiment.

Detailed Description of Figures

The pictured and preferred embodiment includes PVC backed polyester, and UV stabilised materials and provides an attachment for beach umbrellas designed to weigh down and stabilise four sides of a beach umbrella.

Preferably the straps are formed in acrylic woven fabric such as SOLACRYL (Trade Mark) being UV resistant, ideally suited to long periods of outdoor exposure, and easily coloured. Each strap or set of straps can be offered in a series of colourways designed to suit a variety of umbrellas.

In use a circular cast lightweight aluminium ring is placed around the ferrule of the umbrella, attached to this are evenly spaced fabricated straps, with weights at each end, that diverge away from the ferrule and drape over the rim, preventing the umbrella folding in on itself or being blown over. Grooves in the metal allow fabric to sit reducing any unwanted movement.

Once the ring is in a correct position or orientation the straps have bags attached to distal ends from the ferrule, said bags filled in use with either sand or pebbles in order to weigh each strap down.

Each bag is be filled in use with either sand or pebbles; making use of materials already found in the given environment.

VELCRO (Trade Mark) tabs located inside each bag to prevent any filling being lost or blown away in strong winds.

The product is now ready to be used. As wind blows underneath your umbrella, each individual strap will resist that force and keep your umbrella upright and stable.

Claims (4)

1. Claims 1. An umbrella supporting device for a cloth umbrella wherein said umbrella has a plurality of ribs extending from a central ferrule to an outer rim, said device including; a ring for placement over the ferrule, a plurality of straps attached to said ring that extend at least to the rim, wherein each of said straps provide a means of attachment to a bag weighted in use.
2. 2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the ring is shaped in use to engage the umbrella ribs.
3. 3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the straps include a means to fasten to the umbrella.
4. 4. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the straps in use are capable of being passed under the ribs.