GB2524332A

GB2524332A - Umbrella dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2524332A
Application number: GB1405121.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lee Maskill; Esme Kelly
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-03-21
Filing date: 2014-03-21
Publication date: 2015-09-23
Also published as: GB201504640D0; GB2526409A; GB201405121D0

Abstract

An apparatus for receiving and dispensing umbrellas comprises a storage system 40 for storing umbrellas, the storage system enclosed within a housing 10 having a first port 20 and a second port 30, the first and second ports being in communication with the storage system. The first port is adapted to receive an umbrella and deliver it to the storage system. The second port is adapted to receive an umbrella from the storage system and make it available from the exterior of the housing. The apparatus further comprises a controller to control the receiving of an umbrella and the dispensing of an umbrella from the storage means through the respective ports. The first port can receive an umbrella through a first opening which may be adapted to receive only one type of umbrella. The umbrella may have an RFID chip or the like for tracking purposes, with the apparatus having an RFID chip reader. The apparatus may also have a user interface including a display 60 and a payment input mechanism 50. The apparatus may be used for the rental of umbrellas, with a number of apparatuses at a number of locations for the hire and return of the umbrellas at different locations.

Description

Umbrella Dispenser

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of dispensers, in particular ap-paratus for receiving and dispensing umbrellas.

Background to the Invention

When it rains or when the sun is shining brightly, people often carry um-brellas to avoid getting wet or getting sunburn. Once inside a building or away from the elements, the umbrella has no function and is put away, perhaps left to dry somewhere, or carried as a cumbersome accessory. This makes umbrellas very prone to being lost or discarded. Then when the person decides to re-enter the elements only to find his or her umbrella misplaced, the result is that they get wet or get sunburnt. Lost or discarded umbrellas are treated as litter and are commonly thrown away. Whilst this is good from an economical sense, it is not good from an environmental perspective or from the perspective of the user is who is now getting wet or sunburnt.

To overcome this problem, umbrella vending machines have been de-veloped to make the process of buying an umbrella quick and easy. However such vending machines do not address the problem of what to do with the um-brella when it is no longer required.

There has now been developed an apparatus for receiving and dispens-ing umbrellas which overcomes or substantially mitigates the above mentioned and/or disadvantages associated with the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for receiv- ing and dispensing umbrellas comprising a storage system for storing umbrel-las, the storage system enclosed within a housing, the housing having a first port and a second port, the first and second ports being in communication with the storage system, the first port being adapted to receive an umbrella and de- liver it to the storage system, the second port being adapted to receive an um-brella from the storage system and make it available from the exterior of the housing, the apparatus further comprising a controller for controlling the receiv-ing of the umbrella through the first port and dispensing of an umbrella from the storage means through the second port.

The apparatus according to the invention is advantageous in that it pro- vides a means for storing unwanted umbrellas, whilst also making them acces-sible if and when required.

The first port is adapted to receive an umbrella preferably through a first opening in the housing. The first opening is preferably adapted to receive only one type of umbrella. The umbrella is preferably adapted to mutually engage with the first opening. That is to say the first opening has dimensions which match the exterior dimensions of one type of umbrella, so that the apparatus according to the invention may only be used with one type of umbrella. The first opening is preferably covered by a first flap. Preferably the first flap allows ac- cess to the first opening. The umbrella preferably comprises means for display-ing advertising information.

The apparatus may be provided with a supply of umbrellas. Each umbrel-la preferably comprises electronic tracking means for the umbrella. Preferably the tracking means is an RFID chip or the like.

The apparatus may be provided with a means for displaying information concerning the apparatus and/or the umbrellas. Said means may be in the form of a display monitor, auditory system or the like. Examples of information dis- played may be the numbers of umbrellas stored, the functional status of the ap-paratus, advertising information or the instructions for use etc. The controller for controlling the receiving and dispensing of an umbrella preferably comprises one or more electric and/or mechanical actuation systems.

The controller for controlling the receiving and dispensing of an umbrella prefer- ably comprises one or more detectors. Preferably the detectors detect the pres-ence of a tracking means within the umbrella. Preferably the detector comprises an RFID chip reader. Preferably, an umbrella placed within the first opening is scanned by the detector. Scanning by the detector is preferably initiated by closing of the first flap over the first opening. Preferably, the umbrella is detect-ed as legitimate if the detector detects an electronic tracking means. Preferably the controller actuates a trap door in the first opening to cause the umbrella to enter the apparatus through the first port. The first port is preferably in commu-nication with the storage system. The umbrella preferably rolls onto the storage system from the first port.

The storage system is preferably adapted to store one or more umbrel-las. The umbrellas may be stored in stacked, vertical, horizontal, diagonal, or random arrangement.

The controller preferably comprises a release mechanism for releasing an umbrella from the storage system. The release mechanism may comprise an electric and/or mechanical actuation system. The controller may comprise a us-er operated interface adapted for receiving and delivering a coin, bank note, bank card or token. The user operated interface is preferably operated by deliv-ering a coin, bank note, bank card or token through the input of the interface.

Operation of the user operated interface preferably causes the controller to dis-pense one or more umbrellas from the storage means through the second port to a second opening by actuation of the electric and/or mechanical actuation system. The second opening is preferably a recess in the housing adapted to receive one or more umbrellas. The second opening may be covered by a sec- ond flap. Preferably the second flap allows access to the second opening. Pref-erably the second flap allows collection of the dispensed umbrella.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a system for the rental of umbrellas using the apparatus as described above. The apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention may be used for the rental of um-brellas. That is to say the apparatus dispenses an umbrella from the storage system upon operation of the controller, which is activated by the input of a specified amount of money or tokens through the interface. When the umbrella is returned it is received through the first opening and preferably some or all of the specified amount of money or tokens is returned to the user through the in-terface. In use there may be a plurality of apparatus according to the invention in different locations, such that an umbrella or umbrellas is dispensed from one apparatus in one location, but returned back to a separate apparatus in a differ-ent location.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of illustration, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a three dimensional cutaway illustration of an embodi-ment of the apparatus according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a two dimensional schematic drawing of an embodiment of an umbrella according to the invention.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment

In Figure 1 there is provided an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention generally designated 1 comprising a housing 10. The housing has a base 12 and is positioned on the ground in a generally upright orienta-tion. The housing 10 has a first port 20 and a second port 30. The first port 20 is positioned in the upper portion of the housing 10. The second port 30 is posi-tioned towards the base 12. Enclosed by the housing 10 is a storage system 40.

is One end 42 of the storage system 40 is in communication with the first port 20 whilst another end 44 of the storage system 40 is in communication with the second port 30. The first port 20 comprises a first opening which is dimensioned to receive an umbrella 3 as shown in figure 1. Only the umbrella 3 which has an external shape as is shown in Figure 1 will fit in the port 20. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the umbrella 3 according to the invention. In the example shown, the umbrella 3 has an end 5 and a handle 7. The end 5 has an RFID chip embedded within it. The end 5 is also rounded, which is provided as such for health and safety reasons. The umbrella 3 also has a collar 8 which helps to give the umbrella its distinctive shape. In order for the umbrella 3 to be received into the first opening of the first port 20 the collar must be in the position as shown in figure 1. In this position the umbrella is closed. Advantageously this means that only closed umbrellas are allowed to be received into the apparatus.

In order to access the first opening of the first port 20, the flap 9 must be lifted.

The internal part of the first port 20 comprises a channel for delivery of the umbrella 3 to the storage system 40. The storage system 40 comprises a zig-zag shaped rack. At the end 44 of the storage system there is a plate 32 which is part of the second port 30. The plate 32 is in the proximity of the end 44 of the zig-zag rack. The second port 30 has second opening which is cov-ered by a hinged flap 34 with a handle 36. A controller (not shown) is provided to control the dispensing of an umbrella 3 from the storage means 40 through the second port 30. The controller also controls the receipt of umbrellas through the first port. The mechanism of the controller is an electromechanical actuator of the type generally known in the art which interfaces with a release mecha-nism at the end 44 of the storage system and the coin operated means 50. The housing also comprises coin openings 50 and 52 for receiving and returning coins. The housing 10 also comprises a monitor screen 60 which displays in-formation regarding the apparatus. The housing 10 also has a window 70 which is a clear screen which shows the contents of the storage system and/or an ex-ample of the type of umbrella 3 the apparatus holds. Box 80 is also provided which is a heater/blower unit to dry out wet umbrellas and provide ventilation.

The base 12 forms a drip tray for the collection of water.

The controller includes a detector which is an REID reader which reads the RFID chip in the umbrella to verity it when it is in the first opening. It is the closing ot the flap 9 which initiates the reading of the RFID chip. In response to verification the controller signals a trap door on the first port 20 to release and let the umbrella 3 into the housing 10. The REID is also used for tracking where the umbrellas are passed from one machine to the next. If an object such as a waste cigarette package which does not have an RFID tag (or does not have an REID which is recognised by the apparatus) is placed in the first port 20 the controller will not recognise it and therefore the trap door on the first port will not open. Due to the shape of the first port, and the controller, only an object with a corresponding shape, and a recognised REID tag will be received into the appa-ratus.

In use the operator inserts the correct coinage into the slot of the coin operated means 50. Information regarding operation of the apparatus and the correct coinage required is displayed on the monitor 60. The monitor 60 also displays the number of umbrellas 3 stored by the apparatus 1. The coin operat- ed means 50 then activates the controller (not shown) which actuates an elec-tromechanical release mechanism at the end 44 of the storage system 40. An umbrella 3 is released from the storage system 40 and falls onto the plate 32.

The plate 32 is angled away from the horizontal and towards the second port 30. The umbrella 3 thus rolls down the plate 32 to the second port 30. The user then lifts the handle 36 of the door 34, thereby raising the door 34 and can then take out the umbrella 3 from the second opening of the second port 30. Any monetary change is provided to the user via the opening 52.

After the user has used the umbrella he returns it to the apparatus 1 through the first port 20. In order to do this be orientates the umbrella 3 so that it fits in the opening provided. Due to the angular nature of the channel which makes up the first port 20 the umbrella 3 then falls onto the zig-zag rack of the storage system 40. Each umbrella 3 is stored substantially parallel to one an-other. The umbrella 3 falls around the rack until it meets a previously inserted umbrella. This can continue (and thus many umbrellas can be stored) until the last umbrella received into the apparatus 1 is unable to fall onto the zig-zag rack, because it is full. When this happens information is displayed on the moni- tor 60 say that the apparatus 1 is full and only available for dispensing. A por-tion of the money used to dispense the umbrella is returned to the user through the opening 52. If different apparatus's are used in different locations, then it cannot be the exact same coins that are returned, but coins which represent a percentage of what was inserted into the first apparatus at the first location.

The apparatus 1 shown is one of an interconnected network and co-ordinated by a server.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus for receiving and dispensing umbrellas comprising a storage system for storing umbrellas, the storage system enclosed within a housing, the housing having a first port and a second port, the first and second ports being in communication with the storage system, the first port being adapted to receive an umbrella and deliver it to the storage system, the second port being adapted to receive an umbrella from the storage system and make it available from the exterior of the housing, the apparatus further comprising a controller for controlling the receiving of the umbrella through the first port and dispensing of an umbrella from the storage means through the second port.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first port is adapted to receive an umbrella through a first opening in the housing.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first opening is adapted to receive only one type of umbrella.is
4. An apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the umbrel-la is adapted to mutually engage with the first opening.
5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each umbrella com-prises electronic tracking means for the umbrella.
6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the tracking means is an REID chip or the like.
7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the appa- ratus is provided with a means for displaying information concerning the appa-ratus and/or the umbrellas.
8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the con-troller comprises one or more electric and/or mechanical actuation systems.
9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the con-troller comprises one or more detectors to detect the presence of a tracking means within the umbrella.
10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the detector comprises an REID chip reader.
11. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the con-troller comprises a user operated interface adapted for receiving and delivering a coin, bank note, bank card or token.
12. An apparatus according to any preceding claim used for the rental of umbrellas.
13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein there is a plurality of apparatus according to the invention in different locations, such that an umbrella or umbrellas is dispensed from one apparatus in one location, but returned back to a separate apparatus in a different location.
14. An apparatus substantially as described with reference to, or as shown in, the drawings.