US20060143803A1

US20060143803A1 - Umbrella Pocket

Info

Publication number: US20060143803A1
Application number: US10/905,413
Authority: US
Inventors: Darren Westervelt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-01-03
Filing date: 2005-01-03
Publication date: 2006-07-06

Abstract

An umbrella pocket is provided that can be attached to any reasonably flat surface, thereby leaving the carrier's hands free to attend to other duties. The umbrella pocket comprises an outermost layer consisting of a flexible material having a secured lower portion and an unaffixed upper portion. The unaffixed upper portion of the outermost layer is capable of being folded down. The unaffixed upper portion has an inside surface that is covered with one component of hook and loop closure. The umbrella pocket further comprises an innermost layer consisting a flexible material. The innermost layer has a lower portion and an upper portion wherein the upper portion has an outside surface that is covered with the opposing component of hook and loop closure. The umbrella pocket yet further comprises a middle layer consisting of an extensible material. The central portion of the middle layer is puckered to form a tubular, hemicylindrical cavity capable of receiving and snugly securing the handle of an umbrella.

Description

The present invention relates to a device to attach and secure an umbrella to a person's clothing, thereby insuring that the umbrella remains in a fixed position with respect to the person's body while leaving the wearer's hands free to perform other duties.

BACKGROUND

The human being is a land dwelling mammal and as such, has evolved to survive and flourish in a moderate environment. Weather extremes of any kind require the human species to take make drastic cultural and behavioral modifications in order to mitigate their effects. The fabrication of artificial body coverings such as fur, for example, have long ago surpassed their original intended purpose of providing protection for an otherwise hairless ape. The construction of exterior sheltering, although having the same humble functional origins, has developed into the epitome of human showmanship with such structures as the 1500 foot Petronas towers of Kuala Lampur. Despite our best and most grandiose attempts, weather is still often the determining factor in scheduling the type and nature of daily activities.
The basic umbrella, invented over four thousand years ago, resembles a portable tree. It moves wherever the person moves, consistently providing a shadow from the sun or rain. However, unlike a tree, an umbrella is inherently top heavy and has no roots. The person using the umbrella must compensate for the loss of a firm foundation.
Consider the mass distribution of the basic umbrella with respect to its point of securement, also its point of rotation. This is the location on the umbrella handle that is grasped by the carrier. While in use, the center of mass is above the point of rotation, in a state of unstable equilibrium. The force of gravity acts to bring the mass of the umbrella below its pivot point, to a state of stable equilibrium. Consequently, a person carrying the umbrella must counteract this force using the agility and strength of their own muscles. This requires work and draws from the energy reserve of the carrier.
Such difficulties are compounded for disabled people. Generally, the agility and strength of a disabled person's muscles have been damaged to some degree, thereby drawing even more energy reserve from the carrier. For instance, people who are wheelchair bound often have the above difficulties in addition to the task of negotiating the wheelchair. Because many wheelchairs require the use of both hands to operate and control, the necessity to negotiate an umbrella as well creates an untenable situation. At best, mitigation of weather effects can make daily chores very difficult, if not altogether impossible, for disabled people.
Clearly, there is a need for a hands free umbrella holder that securely fixes the umbrella in a sheltering position for the wearer.

SUMMARY

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a hands free umbrella holder.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a hands free umbrella holder that can be worn upon the body and is operable thereon.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a hands free umbrella holder that can be worn and operated by a person seated in a wheelchair.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a hands free umbrella holder that can be attached to any reasonably flat surface and be operated therefrom.
An umbrella pocket is provided that meets the foregoing objectives of the invention. The umbrella pocket comprises an outermost layer consisting of a flexible material having a secured lower portion and an unaffixed upper portion. The unaffixed upper portion of the outermost layer is capable of being folded down. The unaffixed upper portion has an inside surface that is covered with one component of hook and loop closure. The umbrella pocket further comprises an innermost layer consisting a flexible material. The innermost layer has a lower portion and an upper portion wherein the upper portion has an outside surface that is covered with the opposing component of hook and loop closure. The umbrella pocket yet further comprises a middle layer consisting of an extensible material. The central portion of the middle layer is puckered to form a tubular, hemicylindrical cavity capable of receiving and snugly securing the handle of an umbrella.
The features of the invention believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. However the invention itself, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The definitions below serve to provide a clear and consistent understanding of the specification and claims, including the scope given to such terms.
The term “hook and loop closure”, as used herein, means a closure consisting of a fabric section of small loops, herein referred to as “small loops”, that releasably engage a corresponding fabric of small hooks, herein referred to as “small hooks” such as is found in the fabric manufactured under the name “ivelcro”. It should be articulated that, among the many “hook and loop” closures described herein, it is only necessary to have one closure surface covered with one member of the “hook and loop” pair, while the opposing surface is covered with the opposing member. For example, a configuration in which the first surface is covered with hooks and the second surface is covered with loops, is entirely equivalent to the complementary configuration in which the first surface is covered with loops and the second surface is covered with hooks, given that each respective surface only interacts with the opposing surface.

1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a person in a wheelchair wearing a garment having an umbrella pocket in accordance with the present invention attached thereto to secure an umbrella in a protective position.
FIG. 2 is a closeup elevational view of the umbrella pocket attached to a garment.
FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the various components of the umbrella pocket in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows an empty umbrella pocket in the open position.
FIG. 5 shows an umbrella inserted in an open umbrella pocket.
FIG. 6 shows an umbrella inserted in a closed umbrella pocket. The umbrella handle and stem are shown in phantom.
FIG. 7 shows an umbrella secured in an alternative position wherein the stem is more tightly secured.
FIG. 8 shows a person in a wheelchair using a second preferred embodiment of the umbrella pocket.
FIG. 9 shows a closeup of the second embodiment of the umbrella pocket.

2. IDENTIFICATION OF NUMBERS USED IN THE DRAWINGS

10—person in a wheelchair using the umbrella pocket to secure an umbrella
11—umbrella pocket
12—umbrella
13—umbrella stem
20—pocket pull loop
30—outermost layer of umbrella pocket
31—“small loops” section of a hook and loop closure affixed to inward facing surface of outermost layer
32—thin strip of opposing “small hooks” section of a hook and loop closure
33—middle layer of umbrella pocket
34—raised center section of middle layer
35—flank stitching supporting raised center section
36—back, or innermost, layer of umbrella pocket
37—“small hooks” section of hook and loop closure affixed to outward facing surface of innermost layer
38—half cylindrical void created by raised center section of middle layer
60—handle (in phantom) affixed to free end of umbrella stem
70—umbrella stem (partially in phantom) held in pinched position
80—optional tab with pull loop securing the upper part of the umbrella stem
90—optional tab
91—pull loop attached to optional tab

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a person in a wheelchair, generally indicated at (10), wearing a garment that includes an umbrella pocket (11). The umbrella pocket (11) secures the umbrella stem (13) in a fixed configuration with respect to the user, thereby holding the umbrella (12) in a sheltering position while the user's hands are free to attend to other duties. FIG. 8 shows all of the features of FIG. 1 in additional to an optional tab (80) for further stabilization of the upper part of the umbrella stem.
FIG. 2 shows a close up of the umbrella pocket (11) in which a pull loop (20) can be seen. The pull loop (20) enables one to easily open the pocket despite the tight grip of its hook and loop closure components, shown in yet more detail in FIGS. 3-6.
FIG. 3 illustrates the various components of the umbrella pocket (11). The umbrella pocket (11) is comprised of three layers: the outer layer (30), the middle layer (33) and the back layer (36). The outer layer (30) and back layer (36) are comprised of fabric or similar flexible material. The middle layer (33) is constructed of an extensible material such as neoprene. The middle layer (33), back layer (36), and lower portion of the top layer (30) are permanently affixed to the outer surface of the host garment, in this case, a jacket. The top portion of the outer layer (30) can be pulled back using the pull loop (20) to expose the middle layer (33) and the back layer (36). The middle layer (33) is cut slightly wider than the outer layer (30) and back layer (36). The extra width is urged toward the center (34) and held in place by two lines of stitching (35). This creates a slightly raised center section (34) and half cylindrical void (38) underneath the middle layer (33). The handle (60) of the umbrella stem (13) is inserted into the half cylindrical void (38) and held snugly by the neoprene or other stretchable material.
To further secure the umbrella to the garment, the “small loops” section (31) affixed to the inside surface of the outer layer (30), is mated to the “small hooks” section (37) of the outside surface of the back layer (36) with stem (13) and handle (60) positioned snugly therebetween as shown in FIG. 6. This constraint serves to restrict movement of the handle (60) and stem (13) from the position predetermined by the user at the time the hook and loop closure components (31) and (37) were engaged.
To secure the umbrella in a more forward configuration, a slight modification of usage can be made. The thin strip of “small hooks” (32) can be partially wrapped around the stem (13) and secured to the “small hooks” section (31) of the same surface. This provides a “pinched” securement of the stem (13) as shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a closeup of the optional tab (90) and pull loop (91) of FIG. 8. The tab is permanently affixed to the host garment on one end. It is releasably secured on the opposite end with a closure system of small hooks and small loops as described above. An optional pull loop (91) can be secured to the releasable end to further facilitate opening and closing of the tab (90).
Although the example shown here involves a breast pocket affixed to a jacket, the umbrella pocket can be affixed to a sleeve or to any part of a host garment that provides adequate stability. In fact, the umbrella pocket can be secured to any convenient surface that is sufficiently flat, stable, and accessible to the user.
In general, although these particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. An umbrella pocket attached to a host garment comprising,

a. An outermost layer, said outermost layer consisting of a flexible material, said outermost layer having a secured lower portion and an unaffixed upper portion, said unaffixed upper portion of said outermost layer capable of being folded down, said unaffixed upper portion having an inside surface, said inside surface being covered with one component of hook and loop closure,

b. An innermost layer, said innermost layer consisting a flexible material, said innermost layer having a lower portion and an upper portion, said upper portion of said innermost layer having an outside surface, said outside surface being covered with the opposing component of hook and loop closure, and

c. A middle layer, said middle layer consisting an extensible material, said middle layer having a half cylindrical vertical center portion, said half cylindrical vertical center portion being capable of receiving and snugly securing the handle of an umbrella.

2. An umbrella pocket as in claim 1 further comprising a thin vertical strip of opposing hook and loop closure secured to said inside surface of said upper portion of said outermost layer.

3. An umbrella pocket as in claim 1 further comprising a separate pull tab attached to said host garment to secure the upper portion of an umbrella stem.

4. An umbrella pocket as in claim 1 wherein said umbrella pocket is disposed on the inside surface of a host garment and wherein said umbrella pocket is made accessible through the inclusion of a zippered opening disposed above said umbrella pocket.

5. An umbrella pocket comprising:

a. Three rectangular parallel, substantially planar layers, said layers consisting of an extensible material affixed to a host garment, wherein said layers include an outermost layer, a middle layer, and a back layer,

b. wherein said back layer and said middle layer are securely affixed to said host garment,

c. wherein said outermost layer is comprised of an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion is affixed to said host garment,

d. wherein said middle layer has a vertical half cylindrical tubular void capable of snugly receiving the handle of an umbrella and,

e. said back layer and said outermost layer have mated hook and loop closure sections such that, when pressed together, firmly secure said handle of an umbrella positioned therebetween.

6. An umbrella pocket as in claim 5 further comprising a thin vertical strip of opposing hook and loop closure secured to said mated hook and loop closure section of said upper portion of said outermost layer.

7. An umbrella pocket as in claim 5 further comprising a separate pull tab attached to said host garment to secure the upper portion of an umbrella stem.

8. An umbrella pocket as in claim 5 wherein said umbrella pocket is disposed on the inside surface of a host garment and wherein said umbrella pocket is made accessible through the inclusion of a zippered opening disposed above said umbrella pocket.