US20020100497A1

US20020100497A1 - Folding flat umbrella

Info

Publication number: US20020100497A1
Application number: US09/771,507
Authority: US
Inventors: Jennifer Austin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-01-26
Filing date: 2001-01-26
Publication date: 2002-08-01

Abstract

A folding flat umbrella including a pair of plates each having an inner edge, an outer edge, and a span therebetween. The pair of plates are aligned along their respective inner edges to form a foldable central crease whereby the pair of plates can be extended to an extended position and can be collapsed to a collapsed position. The pair of plates are fabricated of a waterproof material. A pair of brackets extend between the pair of plates in a spaced relationship. The pair of brackets facilitate the extending and collapsing of the pair of plates with respect to one another. A handle portion is coupled with respect to the pair of plates.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a folding flat umbrella and more particularly pertains to allowing for easy storage and usage.

People are often caught unprepared when weather conditions change. This is frequently the case when it begins to rain. Many occasions find people without an umbrella when it begins to rain. A typical person does not like to tote an umbrella around with them even when inclement weather is threatening. Most of these people will take a chance that the weather will not change. However, once the conditions change, these people wish they had an umbrella with them to provide the protection that they desire. What is needed is a way for people to carry an umbrella around with them in a way that is not inconvenient.

The present invention attempts to solve the abovementioned problem by providing a folding umbrella that can easily be stored in a carrying bag or brief case when not in use so as not to be required to be carried separately by the user.

The use of umbrella devices is known in the prior art. More specifically, umbrella devices heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of keeping user's dry from inclement weather are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

By way of example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,615,697 and 5,706,844 both to Lin, disclose telescopic umbrellas, capable of folding to a miniature size for storing in a pocket or handbag. U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,220 to Wu discloses an umbrella capable of narrowing to fold flat.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a folding flat umbrella for allowing for easy storage and usage.

In this respect, the folding flat umbrella according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of allowing for easy storage and usage.

Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved folding flat umbrella which can be used for allowing for easy storage and usage. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of umbrella devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved folding flat umbrella. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved folding flat umbrella which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a pair of plates each having an inner edge, an outer edge, and a span therebetween. The pair of plates are aligned along their respective inner edges to form a foldable central crease whereby the pair of plates can be extended to an extended position forming an angle of about ninety degrees and can be collapsed to a collapsed position forming an angle of less than ten degrees. The pair of plates are fabricated of a waterproof material. A pair of brackets extend between the pair of plates in a spaced relationship. The pair of brackets each have opposed ends. The opposed ends are secured to the spans of the respective plates. The pair of brackets facilitate the extending and collapsing of the pair of plates with respect to one another. A handle portion is coupled with respect to the pair of plates. The handle portion has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is foldably coupled with the foldable central crease of the pair of plates. The upper portion telescopically receives the lower portion whereby the lower portion can be extended downwardly to a usable position.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved folding flat umbrella which has all the advantages of the prior art umbrella devices and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved folding flat umbrella which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved folding flat umbrella which is of durable and reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved folding flat umbrella which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a folding flat umbrella economically available to the buying public.

Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved folding flat umbrella for allowing for easy storage and usage.

Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved folding flat umbrella including a pair of plates each having an inner edge, an outer edge, and a span therebetween. The pair of plates are aligned along their respective inner edges to form a foldable central crease whereby the pair of plates can be extended to an extended position and can be collapsed to a collapsed position. The pair of plates are fabricated of a waterproof material. A pair of brackets extend between the pair of plates in a spaced relationship. The pair of brackets facilitate the extending and collapsing of the pair of plates with respect to one another. A handle portion is coupled with respect to the pair of plates.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: [0021]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the folding flat umbrella constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. [0022]
FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention illustrated in an extended orientation. [0023]
FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention illustrated in a collapsed orientation. [0024]
FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the present invention.[0025]
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts through the various figures. [0026]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular, to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved folding flat umbrella embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the [0027] reference number 10 will be described.
Specifically, it will be noted in the various figures that the device relates to a folding flat umbrella for allowing for easy storage and usage. In its broadest context, the device consists of a pair of plates, a pair of brackets, and a handle portion. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective. [0028]
The pair of [0029] plates 12 each have an inner edge 14, an outer edge 16, and a span 18 therebetween. The pair of plates 12 are aligned along their respective inner edges 14 to form a foldable central crease 20 whereby the pair of plates 12 can be extended to an extended position forming an angle of about ninety degrees (FIG. 2) and can be collapsed to a collapsed position forming an angle of less than ten degrees (FIG. 3). The pair of plates 12 are fabricated of a waterproof material.
The pair of [0030] brackets 22 extend between the pair of plates 12 in a spaced relationship. The pair of brackets 22 each have opposed ends 24. The opposed ends 24 are secured to the spans 18 of the respective plates 12. The pair of brackets 22 facilitate the extending and collapsing of the pair of plates 12 with respect to one another. The pair of brackets 22 are further defined by a central pivot point essentially aligned with the foldable central crease 20 with a pair of arms extending outwardly therefrom.
The [0031] handle portion 26 is coupled with respect to the pair of plates 12. The handle portion 26 has an upper portion 28 and a lower portion 30. The upper portion 28 is foldably coupled with the foldable central crease 20 of the pair of plates 12. The upper portion 28 telescopically receives the lower portion 30 whereby the lower portion 30 can be extended downwardly to a usable position. Note FIGS. 2 and 3. The upper portion 28 can be folded against the foldable central crease 20 when not in use. Note FIG. 4.
In order to use the present invention, the [0032] upper portion 28 is folded outwardly from the foldable central crease 20 and the lower portion 30 is then extended outwardly from the upper portion to the usable position. The pair of plates 12 are then extended outwardly to the extended position whereupon the present invention is ready for use.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. [0033]
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the 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. [0034]
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. [0035]

Claims

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. A folding flat umbrella for allowing for easy storage and usage comprising, in combination:

a pair of plates each having an inner edge, an outer edge, and a span therebetween, the pair of plates being aligned along their respective inner edges to form a foldable central crease whereby the pair of plates can be extended to an extended position forming an angle of about ninety degrees and can be collapsed to a collapsed position forming an angle of less than ten degrees, the pair of plates being fabricated of a waterproof material;

a pair of brackets extending between the pair of plates in a spaced relationship, the pair of brackets each having opposed ends, the opposed ends secured to the spans of the respective plates, the pair of brackets facilitating the extending and collapsing of the pair of plates with respect to one another; and

a handle portion coupled with respect to the pair of plates, the handle portion having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being foldably coupled with the foldable central crease of the pair of plates, the upper portion telescopically receiving the lower portion whereby the lower portion can be extended downwardly to a usable position.

2. A folding flat umbrella for allowing for easy storage and usage comprising, in combination:

a pair of plates each having an inner edge, an outer edge, and a span therebetween, the pair of plates being aligned along their respective inner edges to form a foldable central crease whereby the pair of plates can be extended to an extended position and can be collapsed to a collapsed position, the pair of plates being fabricated of a waterproof material;

a pair of brackets extending between the pair of plates in a spaced relationship, the pair of brackets facilitating the extending and collapsing of the pair of plates with respect to one another; and

a handle portion coupled with respect to the pair of plates.

3. The folding flat umbrella as set forth in claim 2, wherein the pair of plates can be extended to the extended position forming an angle of about ninety degrees and can be collapsed to the collapsed position forming an angle of less than ten degrees.

4. The folding flat umbrella as set forth in claim 2, wherein the pair of brackets each have opposed ends, the opposed ends secured to the spans of the respective plates.

5. The folding flat umbrella as set forth in claim 2, wherein the handle portion has an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being foldably coupled with the foldable central crease of the pair of plates.

6. The folding flat umbrella as set forth in claim 5, wherein the upper portion telescopically receives the lower portion whereby the lower portion can be extended downwardly to a usable position.