GB2522947A

GB2522947A - An umbrella device

Info

Publication number: GB2522947A
Application number: GB1414656.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cristina Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-08-19
Filing date: 2014-08-19
Publication date: 2015-08-12
Anticipated expiration: 2034-08-19
Also published as: GB201414656D0; GB2522947B

Abstract

An umbrella device, comprising a body 7; a mechanism 5 for attachment to an independent structure; a deployment means arranged to distance an umbrella frame from the body; a canopy 2 secured to the umbrella frame, said frame extending outwardly from a support member that connects the body and frame. Preferably: the body is an elongated sleeve or tube, wholly contains the umbrella for storage, shielding it from dirt, rainwater or moisture and includes perforations or a mesh for drainage; the frame comprises ribs 3 extending from a central sliding boss 6; the ribs and boss are spring biased to open; attachment mechanism 5 comprises tightening, locking, and resiliently deformable mechanisms, allows articulation in a plurality of axes, and rotation between the body and the structure; deployment means comprise a telescopic support member, contained within the body; umbrellas apex has a handle 88; said independent structure could be a stroller.

Description

AN UMBRELLA DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an umbrella device, in particular a device for providing a hands-free umbrella; more particularly but not exclusively for providing an umbrella to users of infant carriages.

Background

Increasing numbers of users enjoy taking infants or babies outside to experience fresh air and social situations. The easiest way to do this is with a pushchair, perambulator, stroller or buggy, hereafter generically known as pushchairs.

Unfortunately increasingly unpredictable weather has in some instances led to increased albeit temporary rainfall create wet conditions in a moment's notice.

Many solutions are available for the infant in the pushchair to be covered from rain, however when out and about in wet conditions it is very difficult to both push the stroller and stay dry when using known umbrellas.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: United States patent application US 2002 074 774 (HSU et al) discloses an adjustable handle of the umbrella stroller by telescoping and swiveling, comprising:a polygonal tube with one end fixed to the frame of the umbrella stroller and provided with a plurality of positioning holes at each side of said polygonal tube; a circular tube slidably installed into the other end of said polygonal tube and provided with a positioning hole, at least one rotationally positioning hole, and a through hole at the wall of said circular tube; a pulling sleeve combined with said circular tube by a knob passing through the wall of said pulling sleeve and said slot such that said pulling sleeve is moved along said circular tube in the range defined by the length of said slot; a spring piece with one end fixed to the inside of said circular tube and another end fixed at said knob, said spring piece being provided with a protruding portion which is protruded from said positioning hole of said circular tube and one of said positioning holes of said polygonal tube such that said circular tube is positioned after said circular tube is displaced with respect to said polygonal tube; a grip fixed at one end of said circular tube; and a rotationally positioning spring piece disposed at the far end of said circular tube relative to said grip and provided with at least one protruding portion which is protruded from one of said rotationally positioning holes for positioning said circular tube as said circular tube revolves with respect to said polygonal tube.

Granted United States patent US 6 244 557 (MAZE) discloses an umbrella mounting device for securing an umbrella to a pair of handles of a stroller, the mounting device comprising: a bridging assembly adapted for bridging between the spaced handle bars of the stroller, said bridging assembly comprising a pair of side members each adapted for engaging one of the spaced handle bars; and a holding assembly adapted for engaging a handle of the umbrella; a support member for releasably engaging said holding assembly to said bridging assembly; a plurality of band clamps for securing said holding assembly to the handle of the umbrella and said side members to the handles of the stroller; and wherein said holding assembly has an arcuate first member with a curved inner surface adapted for abutting against a portion of the exterior surface of the handle of the umbrella, a cylindrical second member is coupled to said first member, said second member is for engaging said support member.

Granted United Kingdom patent GB 2 256 896 (BUCKLEY) tubular part, into which the handle of an umbrella or a part of some other device can be inserted downwardly, is fixed to, or removably connected by a rod to, a clamping part comprising an upper cup-shaped portion and a lower cup-shaped portion held together by screws. The two portions together look rather like a golf ball, but larger.

The portion has a recess which receives a bar, for example a bar forming part of a golf caddy car. A U-shaped clamping member has a base which goes under the bar and two limbs which pass on opposite sides of the bar into the portion, where nuts are screwed on to them to clamp the portion to the bar. The cup-shaped portion includes a clock.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an umbrella device comprising: a body with an attachment mechanism; an umbrella comprising a canopy secured to an umbrella frame, said frame extending outwards in use from a support member; and a deployment means; wherein the deployment means is arranged in use to distance the umbrella frame from the body, and in which the attachment mechanism is arranged in use to attach the body to an independent structure and the support member connects the body and frame.

The support member may also extend from the body by the deployment means, wherein the support member is partly self-contained and wholly or partly contained within the body prior to deployment.

The device may be arranged for use on a pushchair, wherein the device advantageously allows a pusher of said pushchair or buggy to dispose an umbrella as and when necessary according to climatic conditions; wherein the term umbrella is envisaged to comprise parasols.

Advantageously in order to be suitable for a variety of structures, strollers or pushchairs, the attachment mechanism allows rotation between body and the structure.

In preferred embodiments the deployment means comprises an elongatable support member, wherein for example said member may be formed of elongate coaxial sections, which sections extend from the body to the umbrella frame.

The umbrella frame may comprise a plurality of ribs extending from a centre of the member, wherein the ribs are pivoted at said centre, in common with known umbrellas.

In some embodiments the ribs and/or centre are spring biased to open, wherein the canopy's material is held taut.

Advantageously the body may be dimensioned and configured in a manner capable of accepting the umbrella frame, material and member.

In this way some embodiments the umbrella is wholly contained within the body prior to deployment, wherein the umbrella is deployed out of the body in use.

Advantageously this permits the umbrella to be compactly stored ready for use, and/or kept dry or free from damage when not in use.

In some embodiments the body may comprise a lid or cover, which is displaced from the body so as to allow the umbrella to extend and which prevents ingress of dirt, rainwater or moisture when the umbrella is stored.

In some preferred embodiments the body includes perforations or mesh, wherein the perforations allow draining of a wet umbiella. Said perforations are ideally mainly distributed to lowermost areas of the body.

In some other embodiments the umbrella may fold up from the body, for example wherein the body comprises a hinge.

The umbrella may be disposed upwards from the body, wherein the body comprises an elongate sleeve, tube or tubular container. In some embodiments the body is flexible whereas in other embodiments the body consists of a relatively rigid tube.

The attachment mechanism may allow the user to attach the body to an independent structure, and ideally the body and attachment mechanism allow articulation in a plurality of axes.

Advantageously the attachment mechanism is envisaged to allow positioning of the canopy with respect to the user, without reattachment or detachment. In preferred embodiments this positioning is subjected to a first attachment step, whereby the attachment provides a flexible mechanism accommodating of a plurality of independent structures.

Ideally therefore in some embodiments the attachment mechanism comprises a resiliently deformable pad and clamp sections.

In preferred embodiments the attachment mechanism is configured to prevent unauthorised rotation of the body with respect to the structure For example the mechanism may include a lock or catch, which must be overcome to allow rotation or other articulation.

In this way the body may be situated on the pushchair's legs, uprights or handle or any other useful part, typically wherein the pad consists of a tubular member and the attachment mechanism comprises a clamp.

In preferred embodiments the umbrella comprises a handle, wherein such handle is located on the umbrella's apex. In this way said handle may be used to pull the umbrella from the body. Spring loading may provide deployment impetus after the umbrella has been released from the body.

In some embodiments the handle may operate the umbrella in addition or the alternative, wherein the movement of the handle may release or drive extension of the ribs or canopy.

In some embodiments the deployment means further comprises at least one spring, wherein the umbrella is disposed upwards and the frame outwards by spring biasing.

The body in such embodiments comprises a catch, wherein the catch prevents the spring having an effect on the umbrella and disposal involves release of the catch.

In some embodiments the deployment means comprises a lever or handle, which handle or lever is operated to pull or push the umbrella from the body.

Embodiments of the umbrella are operated as per known umbrellas, wherein extension of the material and frame is driven manually by pushing a collar upwards towards the centre to extend the ribs outwards.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a deployed umbrella on an embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of a deployed umbrella as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of an attachment mechanism for the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figures 4 show side views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figures 5 show plan views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; And Figures 7 show isometric views of the embodiment as shown in Figure 1 in use on a stroller.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures, the device provides a retro fit umbrella system which provides hands free protection to the user in wet conditions that is: Quick to fit and deploy.

Suitable for high or low end strollers.

Versatile fit on most tube shapes and sizes.

Variable height and angle adjustment.

The device comprises a: Umbrella 1 Canopy 2 Canopy deployment mechanism or frame, consisting of: Ribs 3 Canopy ribs 12 Central sliding boss 6 Umbrella cap 8 Height adjustable telescopic poles 4 Adjustable stroller attachment mechanism 5 consisting of: Screw locking cap 51 Retention screw 52 Indexing spring 58 Rubber strap 57 Cam lock 56 Rubber pad 55 Index plate 53 Umbrella cover vent 9 Handle 88 Body 7 with attachment band 13 The attachment system allows the user to attach the device to most stroller frames regardless of shape or size whilst allowing for rotation into almost any position for perfect setup according to prevailing conditions.

The umbrella operates in a similar way to a standard umbrella but includes a vented cover 9 to stop the canopy catching the wind. A spring pin adjustment system on the poles allows the user to alter the canopy height.

In use the mount is attached to the stroller frame using the adjustable rubber strap which is then clamped into place. The locking cap is loosened and the canopy mount rotated to the desired angle before tightening.

The body is clipped into the attachment mechanism at a resiliently deformable catch on the attachment band, making it ready to use with minimal difficulty, and allowing the attachment mechanism to be left in place for sunny days.

Deployment is quick and easy. Once mounted, pulling on the handle raises the canopy from the body. This, combined with a known height and canopy adjustment feature ensures the best possible coverage in just a few seconds.

This simple clean design is intended to integrate with a range of prams and strollers available on the market regardless of price.

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. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, 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, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. 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 as set out in the accompanying claims.