JPH0357403A - Umbrella with illumination - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To give user a clearer sight by providing an umbrella with a lighting device onto free ends of ribs holding a cover of the umbrella rib structure and a power on/off switch controller as well as necessary wiring placed in the grip and lower part of the rod. CONSTITUTION: Onto respective free end of ribs 6 are put lighting devices 14 using as a preferable example a light bulbs lighting with lower electricity such as a flashlight with dry cells. An additional lighting device 15 may be further put onto the edge of the free end 3 of a rod 2. A grip assembly 10 having a grip lace 12 is applied onto a lower part 4 of the rod 2. The grip assembly 10 is made to hold a necessary switching device beneath a switch control unit 16 and applied so that it allows a flashlight assembly 30 to turn around free. The flashlight assembly 30 is composed of a body 34 having a lighting edge 35, a bulb 36 put in the edge 35, a switch 38 and a dry cell 40. The control unit 16 includes a three points change-over switch 70, switching circuit 72, dry cell 80 and lead wires 82.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to umbrellas, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for improving the visibility of a person using an umbrella in inclement weather. PRIOR ART As is well known, umbrellas are frequently used under weather conditions that impair visibility. In such situations, especially at night, it is difficult for car drivers and others to see the person using the umbrella, creating a dangerous situation for the person using the umbrella. Reduced visibility also makes it difficult for umbrella users to see approaching objects such as approaching cars, utility poles, and other poles. Previous attempts to improve the visibility of umbrellas have included making the umbrella covering bright or of reflective materials to allow others to better see the umbrella and its user. Conversely, attempts have been made to improve visibility for the user by making at least a portion of the umbrella cover transparent. Although these solutions are useful, they are not suitable for solving the problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, the visibility of conventional umbrellas is increased by providing an umbrella with one or more battery-operated light emitting devices. operates to improve the visibility of the umbrella and the person using it. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an umbrella of conventional construction includes:
The light-emitting device is mounted in a position favorable for visibility, for example, in the rib structure of an umbrella, at the free end of the rib supporting the cover. The lower end of the handle or umbrella shaft is configured to hold a power source (e.g., a battery), an on/off switch control for the lighting device, and any necessary wiring that connects the power source and the lighting device. It is connected to a switch controller for controlling the selection of the lighting state and non-lighting state of the device.

In a preferred form of the invention, the switch controller has a slide switch capable of assuming a plurality of positions. one position provides constant illumination of the light emitting device;
In every six positions the light emitting device flashes automatically, thus increasing battery life and visibility. The third position ends the illumination.

In another form of the invention, the handle end of the umbrella shaft is formed to hold a flashlight mechanism that is retractable and pivotable and lockable in different directions. This flashlight mechanism operates with a power and switch controller that is independent of the power and switch controller used in the light-emitting device. The use of a swiveling flashlight improves the visibility of the umbrella user without the user having to hold the flashlight.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which preferred embodiments are described in detail together with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the figures, and in particular in FIG. 1, there is shown an umbrella of generally standard configuration, generally designated by the reference numeral l, modified to carry a lighting device of the invention. As shown, the umbrella l includes a shaft 2 on which a plurality of support ribs 6 are fixed in the usual manner at the upper r#3 of the shaft 2. A shroud 8 of known design and construction is affixed or otherwise attached to the support rib 6. The ribs are pivotably attached to the shaft so that they can assume a folded and an open state; in the folded state, the ribs 6 and the cover 8 can be easily carried. around an axis to form a compact shape, when in the open position.
As shown in Figure 1, the i8 is placed in a shape to protect it from the rain. A light emitting device l4 is attached to each free end of the lip 6, and the light emitting device is preferably a light bulb of a type that emits light with low power, such as one operated by a flashlight battery. 2 (the device projects above the open cover 8 as shown in FIG. 1). A handle assembly 10 having a handle string l2 is formed at the lower end 4 of the shaft 2. The handle assembly 10 connects the necessary switch devices to the switch control unit 1.
It is assembled to hold it in the shape of 6. A power supply m (not shown) for controlling the illumination of the light emitting device 14 (e.g., switching the light device on and off) is included within the handle assembly 10 and includes a slide opening into the interior of the handle assembly. Preferably, it is accessible by conventional means, such as a movable or hinged plate (not shown). Referring to FIG. 2, handle assembly 10 is illustrated in more detail. As shown, the handle assembly 10 is formed with a groove or cavity 18 at its distal end, and a flashlight assembly 30 is pivotally mounted therein. The pivot bin 32 extends through the lower end 4 of the shaft to allow the flashlight assembly 30 to rotate 360° about the pivot bin 32.
It is fixed at 0. The flashlight assembly 30 can assume a stowed position (FIG. 3) in which the flashlight assembly 30 is substantially contained within the cavity l8. Instead, flashlight assembly 30 can be rotated about pivot bin 32 to the use position shown in FIG. FIG. 2 shows the flashlight assembly 30 rotated approximately 90' about axis 2.
Although shown, flashlight assembly 30 can be rotated to any desired angle. Flashlight assembly 3
0 is conventional in structure and consists of a body 34 with a light-emitting end 35, a light bulb 36 disposed at the end 35, a switch 38, and a battery 40 (shown in dots).

The flashlight assembly 30 is held at the desired angle of rotation by friction between the flashlight body 34 and the inner surface of the lower shaft end 4. To increase this friction, the surface of the flashlight body 34 has several raised ribs 42, which means that the pivot point 32
It extends radially from the part that penetrates 4. Similarly, the inner surface of the lower end 4 of the shaft has several identically shaped grooves 52, which are formed to mate with the raised lips 42. In use, the frictional contact and engagement between these ribs 42 and 52 (shown in phantom) rotates the flashlight assembly 30 about the pivot axis 32 and holds it at any selected angle. Ru.

Referring to FIG. 3, the pivot locking mechanism of handle assembly 10 is shown in detail in a side view. FIG. 3 shows the flashlight assembly 3 rotated upward and housed inside the cavity l8 of the shaft 2.
It shows 0. As can be seen, the flashlight assembly 30 is held in this stowed position by the frictional contact between the ribs 42 and the grooves 52.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 5A, the control unit L6 includes three changeover switches 70, a switching circuit 72,
, battery 80 (indicated by dots), and connections &'i! 82.

3. Position ABC of the changeover switch 70 is operated to the first position A to open the electric circuit 100 between the battery 80, the wiring 82, and the light emitting device l4 to turn off the light emitting device 14, and to the second position B. The third position C is activated to connect the electric circuit between the battery 80 and the light emitting device l4 to turn on the light, and the third position C is activated to place the switching circuit 72 in the electric circuit 100.

Switching circuit 72 is a conventional circuit or component for alternately connecting and disconnecting power source 80 to light emitting device 14 for flashing operation. FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which the light emitting end 35 of the flashlight assembly 30 is in the form of a decorative character 90.

FIG. 5B is a block diagram of circuit 101 used to illuminate flashlight assembly 30 in accordance with the present invention.

In use, the umbrella l is opened in the usual manner. In the open state, the cover 8 is open as shown in FIG. 1 and the light emitting device 14 is unobstructed. If the user wants to improve the visibility of the umbrella, use the 3 changeover switch 7.
0 from position A to position B, and light emitting devices l4 and l
Turn on 5. If you wish, 3 changeover switch 7
0 in position C, the device l4 can be automatically flashed. Of course, if increased visibility is no longer required, the three switches 70 can be returned to position A to turn off the light emitting devices l4 and 15.

When the user wishes to use the flashlight assembly 30, the flashlight assembly 34 can be rotated out of its seated position in the cavity 8 by pushing the flashlight assembly 34. Flashlight assembly 30 can also be turned on or off by switch 38 in a conventional manner. Furthermore, the flashlight assembly 30 is rotated to a desired rotational position and held at the angle by friction between the ribs 42 and the grooves 52.

Once the flashlight assembly 30 is held at the desired angle, it can be further pointed in any direction by moving the umbrella shaft 2.

In this way, the user of the umbrella has the advantage of being able to direct the flashlight in the required direction without having to hold the flashlight with an open hand.6 Modifications and variations of the patent claim To the disclosed embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in scope. For example, although FIG. 5 shows light emitting devices 14 and 15 as low power incandescent light bulbs, they could be light emitting diodes, and light bulb 36 is shown as an incandescent light bulb, but the same is true.
It will be appreciated that other types of light emitting devices may be used in either application. Furthermore, although FIG. 5 shows the light emitting devices 14 connected in parallel, those skilled in the art will understand that
It will be appreciated that the light emitting devices l4 can be connected in other ways, for example in series. Furthermore, the light emitting device 14
may be used in other positions of umbrella 1,

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. I is a perspective view of an umbrella assembled according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the umbrella handle assembly shown in FIG. 1, showing the control unit and flashlight assembly. 3 is a side view of the handle assembly of FIG. 2, showing the flashlight assembly housed within a cavity formed in the handle assembly; FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the flashlight unit of FIG. 2 incorporating decorative lighting characters. Figures 5a and 5b are each a circuit diagram of a lighting electrical circuit that may be used with the umbrella of Figure 1;・ ・ ・ ・ 2 ・ ・ ・ 6 ・ ・ ・ 8 ・ ・ ・ 1 0 ・ ・ 1 3 ・ ・Umbrella, shaft, support rib, cover, handle assembly, elucidation device l 4, l 6 ・ 30 ・ 32 ・ 42・ 52 ・ 72 ・ 80 ・ 15 ・・Light-emitting device・・Control unit・・Flashlight assembly・・Swivel bottle・・Rib・・Groove・・Switching circuit・・Power source

Claims (10)

[Claims] (1) In a type of umbrella having a cover comprising a shaft having an upper shaft end and a lower shaft end, a rib connected to the upper shaft end, and an outer part covering the rib, the outer part of the cover a lighting means mounted on, a power supply; circuit means for connecting said lighting means to said power supply, said circuit means comprising means for switching said lighting means on and off; Sex enhancement device. (2) The visibility improving device according to claim (1), wherein the illumination means includes circuit means for automatically blinking. (3) The visibility improving device according to claim (1), further comprising means for accommodating the power source, the circuit means, and the circuit means for automatically blinking in the lower shaft end. 4. The visibility improvement device of claim 1, further comprising a flashlight pivotably and retractably mounted to the end of the lower shaft for directing a beam of light in a selected direction. (5) the flashlight has a light-emitting end, and a decorative animal head is attached to the light-emitting end, the head including an area through which light from the flashlight can pass; The visibility improving device according to claim (4). (6) In a type of umbrella having a cover comprising a shaft having an upper shaft end and a lower shaft end, a rib connected to the upper shaft end, and an outer part covering the rib, the outer part of the cover. a light emitting diode mounted on the light emitting diode; a power supply; circuit means for connecting the illumination means to the power supply, the circuit means comprising means for switching on and off the illumination means; means for automatically blinking, means for housing said power source, said circuit means, and said circuit means for automatically blinking in said lower shaft end; said means for directing said luminous flux in a selected direction; A visibility enhancement device including a flashlight rotatably and retractably mounted to the end of the lower shaft. (7) the flashlight has a light emitting end; a decorative animal head is attached to the light emitting end; the head includes an area through which light from the flashlight can pass; The visibility improving device according to claim (6). (8) In a type of umbrella having a shaft comprising an upper shaft end and a lower shaft end, a rib connected to said upper shaft end, and a cover comprising an outer part covering said rib, in a selected direction; A visibility enhancement device including a flashlight rotatably and retractably mounted on the lower shaft end for directing a beam of light. (9) illumination means mounted on the outer side of the cover, a power source; circuit means for connecting the illumination means to the power source; means for switching on and off the illumination means; Further comprising circuit means including means for automatically blinking the illumination means; means for housing the power supply, the circuit means, and the circuit means for automatically blinking in the lower shaft end. The visibility improving device according to claim (8). (10) A method for improving the visibility of a type of umbrella that includes a shaft having an upper shaft end and a lower shaft end, a rib connected to the upper shaft end, and a cover having an outer portion covering the rib. attaching an illumination means to the outer side of the cover; activating the illumination means; automatically blinking the illumination means; attaching a rotatable and retractable flashlight to the lower shaft end; and directing a beam of light from the flashlight in a desired direction.