US20140202507A1

US20140202507A1 - Apparatus for holding an umbrella

Info

Publication number: US20140202507A1
Application number: US14/159,331
Authority: US
Inventors: Pauline L. Geraci
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-01-18
Filing date: 2014-01-20
Publication date: 2014-07-24

Abstract

One or more systems and/or techniques are described herein for an apparatus for holding an umbrella. A case may comprise a first end and a second end. The first end may comprise an opening, and the second end may not comprise an opening. The case may comprise one or more materials. The case may alternatively and/or additionally comprise water-proof material. One or more loops may be connected and/or attached to the case. A loop may, for example, comprise a segment of material that may be attached to the case at a first point and a second point. One or more straps may be connected to a loop. A strap may comprise a mechanism that can attach a first end of the strap to a second end of the strap and/or attach the apparatus to a second apparatus.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Non-Provisional filing of U.S. Provisional Application 61/754,289, filed Jan. 18, 2013 and titled “APPARATUS FOR HOLDING AN UMBRELLA”, which is incorporated herein by reference

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key factors or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
A person may use an umbrella to protect the person from weather (e.g., rain) while the person is walking from a first location (e.g., an automobile) to a second location (e.g., a building), for example. The person may, for example, hold the umbrella while it is open in the person's hand(s), for example. When the person arrives at the second location and, for example, no longer needs to use the umbrella (e.g., since the person no longer needs protection from the weather), the person may desire to not hold the umbrella in the person's hand(s) anymore (e.g., for physical convenience, to avoid social awkwardness associated with walking around with an open umbrella inside a building, etc.). The person may close the umbrella (e.g., to decrease its size, fold one or more parts of the umbrella, etc.), and may try to place the umbrella in a holder (e.g., a bag, a purse, etc.) of the person. However, the umbrella may be wet (e.g., as a result of the weather), for example, and placing the wet umbrella in the holder may cause one or more problems for the person. For example, placing the wet umbrella in the holder may cause one or more objects (e.g., paper, a book, a checkbook, etc.) in the holder to become wet and/or damaged. Alternatively, the person may try to place the umbrella in a second holder that does not comprise one or more objects. For example, the person may try to place the umbrella in a case that was manufactured for and/or sold with the umbrella. However, in such a case, the water on the umbrella may be nearly sealed inside the case, such that the umbrella may be unable to dry. Additionally, in such a case, the person may still have to hold the umbrella and/or the case in the person's hand(s).
Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques are described herein for an apparatus for holding an umbrella. In one aspect, a case (e.g., that is approximately cylindrical in shape) may comprise a first end (e.g., a top of a cylinder) and a second end (e.g., a bottom of a cylinder). The first end may comprise an opening, and the second end may not comprise an opening (e.g., the second end may be sealed and/or closed). The case may comprise one or more materials including one or more types of cloth, leather, or plastic (e.g., and/or one or more other fabrics), for example. The case may alternatively and/or additionally comprise water-proof (e.g., and/or water-proofing) material. For example, the case may comprise a material (e.g., plastic) that does not absorb water and/or one or more liquids. In another example, the case may comprise a second material (e.g., cloth) that on its own may absorb water and/or one or more liquids, but may be (e.g., and/or may have been) applied and/or coated with a protective (e.g., water-proofing) material that causes the second material (e.g., in combination with the protective material) to not absorb water and/or one or more liquids. One or more loops may be connected and/or attached to the case. A loop may, for example, comprise a segment of material (e.g., the same as and/or different than material of the case) that may be attached (e.g., sewn) to the case at a first point and a second point (e.g., where the first point is different than the second point). The segment of material may, however, not be attached to the case at a third point that is located between the first point and the second point (e.g., where, from one perspective, the first point may be located to the left of the third point while the second point may be located to the right of the third point). One or more straps may be connected to a loop. A strap may, for example, comprise a mechanism (e.g., a buckle and/or a parachute clip) that can attach a first end of the strap to a second end of the strap and/or attach the apparatus to a second apparatus (e.g., a purse, a briefcase, and/or a suitcase).
The following description and annexed drawings set forth certain illustrative aspects and implementations. These are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which one or more aspects may be employed. Other aspects, advantages, and novel features of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the annexed drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary apparatus for holding an umbrella.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary apparatus for holding an umbrella.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an exemplary apparatus for holding an umbrella.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary apparatus for holding an umbrella.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an exemplary apparatus for holding an umbrella.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an exemplary apparatus for holding an umbrella.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The claimed subject matter is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are generally used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are illustrated in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the claimed subject matter.
Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques are described herein for an apparatus for holding an umbrella (e.g., 102 in FIG. 1, 212 in FIG. 2). In particular, the apparatus may comprise a case. In one embodiment, the case may be cylindrical and/or similar to a cylinder in shape. Alternatively, the case may at least partially resemble an (e.g., imperfect) triangle and/or cone (e.g., such that a one end of the case may be narrower than another end of the case). For example, one end of the case may comprise a circumference (e.g., approximately 10 inches) that is larger than a second circumference (e.g., approximately 7 inches) of another end of the case. In a different embodiment, the case may be similar to a shape of a closed umbrella. The case may comprise a first end (e.g., 112 in FIG. 1) and a second end (e.g., 104 in FIG. 1). The first end may comprise an opening. For example, the opening in the first end may be used to slide the umbrella into the case and/or out of the case. The second end may not comprise an opening. For example, the second end may be closed and/or sealed, and may prevent the umbrella (e.g., when it is slid into the case via the first end) from sliding out of the case via the second end.
At least some of the case may comprise a first material. For example, at least some of the case may be made of one or more types of cloth, leather, or plastic. The case may alternatively and/or additionally comprise water-proof (e.g., and/or water-proofing) material. For example, the case may comprise a material (e.g., plastic) that does not absorb water and/or one or more liquids, and/or does not allow water and/or one or more liquids to permeate through the material and/or the case. In another example, the case may comprise a second material (e.g., cloth) that may, on its own, absorb water and/or one or more liquids, but may be (e.g., and/or may have been) applied and/or coated with a protective (e.g., water-proofing) material (e.g., marine coating) that may cause the second material (e.g., in combination with the protective material) to not absorb water and/or one or more liquids.
The case may, for example, comprise more than one piece of material. For example, the case may comprise a first piece of material and a second piece of material. The first piece of material may be a same and/or similar material as the second piece of material (e.g., where the first piece of material may comprise cloth and the second piece of material may comprise cloth). Alternatively and/or additionally, the first piece of material may be a different material than the second piece of material (e.g., where the first piece of material may comprise cloth and the second piece of material may comprise plastic).
The first piece of material may be attached to the second piece of material. For example, the first piece of material may be sewn to the second piece of material. The attachment of the first piece of material to the second piece of material may provide for one or more seams. A seam may, for example, comprise an area and/or stitching between the first piece of material and the second piece of material. It may be appreciated that even if the first piece of material and the second piece of material each comprise material that does not absorb and/or leak liquid, the seam may, in some instances, absorb and/or leak liquid (e.g., from inside the case to outside the case). Therefore, a sealing material (e.g., silicone) may be comprised (e.g., applied) on, around and/or near the seam to prevent liquid (e.g., water) from being absorbed and/or leaked through the seam.
At least some of the case may comprise netting (e.g., 110 in FIG. 1, 206 in FIG. 2, 306 in FIG. 3). Netting may, for example, comprise open-meshed material made by knotting together twine, wire, rope, and/or thread. The netting may, for example, be comprised on a first side of the case which may, for example, be located between the first (e.g., open) end and the second (e.g., closed) end of the case. Additionally and/or alternatively, the first side comprising the netting may be (e.g., approximately) perpendicular to the first end and/or the second end. The netting in the case may, for example, enable an umbrella (e.g., that is at least partially) comprised in the case to, for example “breathe”, such that, for example, water and/or other liquids on the umbrella may (e.g., efficiently) dry off of the umbrella, even while the umbrella is (e.g., at least partially) comprised in the case. It may be appreciated that in this manner, the netting may prevent the umbrella from developing mold, mildew, odor, and/or other form(s) of damage.
The case may comprise a top flap and a bottom flap. The top flap and the bottom flap may, for example, be comprised in the first side, and may comprise material (e.g., cloth) comprised in one or more other portions of the case. The top flap may, for example, overlap at least a portion of the bottom flap. The top flap may comprise a magnet, magnetic (e.g., ferromagnetic) material, and/or another material that may be attracted to and/or repelled away from a magnet. Additionally and/or alternatively, the bottom flap may comprise a magnet, magnetic (e.g., ferromagnetic) material, and/or another material that may be attracted to and/or repelled away from a magnet. Therefore, at least some of the top flap may be magnetically attracted to at least some of the bottom flap when at least some of the top flap is located near (e.g., within a distance of) at least some of the bottom flap. For example, when a part of the top flap is located near, but not directly attached to, a part of the bottom flap, a magnetic force may pull the top flap towards the bottom flap and/or the bottom flap towards the top flap until the top flap is attached to and/or touching the bottom flap. The magnetic force may keep the top flap attached to the bottom flap, which may keep the case in a closed state (e.g., rather than an open state). It may be appreciated that in the closed state, the umbrella may be securely comprised within and/or attached to the case, while in the open state, the umbrella may not be securely comprised within and/or attached to the case, and may be removed from the case (e.g., by a user of the case).
A tab (e.g., 210 in FIG. 2) may be comprised in and/or attached to the top flap. The tab may be able to be held and/or pulled (e.g., by a hand of a user). Pulling of the tab may cause the top flap to be pulled away from the bottom flap (e.g., which may be resisted by a magnetic force). The lifting may cause at least some of an inside of the case to be visible, where the at least some of the inside of the case may not have been visible temporally before the lifting. Alternatively and/or additionally, if at least some of an umbrella is attached to and/or comprised in the case, the lifting may cause at least some of the umbrella to be visible, where the at least some of the umbrella may not have been visible temporally before the lifting.
One or more loops (e.g., 208 in FIG. 2, 308 in FIG. 3, 502 in FIG. 5, 504 in FIG. 5, 506 in FIG. 5, 508 in FIG. 5) may be connected to the case. A loop may comprise a segment of material (e.g., cloth) that is attached (e.g., sewn) to the case at a first point of the (e.g., outside of the) case, and at a second point of the case, where the second point may be different than the first point. The segment of material may not be attached to the case at a third point that is located (e.g., relative to a first axis) between the first point and the second point (e.g., where the first point, the second point, and/or the third point may be located at a same and/or similar location relative to a second axis perpendicular to the first axis). In one embodiment, the first point may be located to the left of the third point while the second point may be located to the right of the third point. It may be appreciated that the loop may comprise a hole (e.g., corresponding to the third point) (e.g., that is surrounded by cloth) between the segment of material and the case. An object (e.g., a strap) may, for example, be inserted through the hole in the loop.
One or more straps may be connected to at least some of the one or more loops. A strap (e.g., 108 in FIG. 1, 202 in FIG. 2, 302 in FIG. 3) may comprise a (e.g., rectangle-shaped) material (e.g., cloth) comprising a first end and a second end (e.g., that is approximately parallel to the first end). In one embodiment, the first end may comprise a first part of a mechanism and the second end may comprise a second part of the mechanism, where the mechanism may enable the first end (e.g., and/or the first part of the mechanism) to be attached to the second end (e.g., and/or the second part of the mechanism) (e.g., without typing, gluing and/or taping). The mechanism (e.g., 106 in FIG. 1, 204 in FIG. 2, 304 in FIG. 3) may comprise a buckle, a parachute clip and/or one or more magnetic materials, for example. The first end (e.g., and the first part of the first mechanism) (e.g., but not the second end) may be inserted through a hole in a loop, and the second end may be attached to the first end (e.g., via the first part of the mechanism interacting with the second part of the mechanism, and/or by tying, gluing and/or taping the first end to the second end). In this manner, the strap may be securely attached to the apparatus via the loop.
One or more straps may be connected to one or more portions of a second apparatus. The second apparatus may, for example, comprise a purse, a briefcase, a suitcase or a bag, for example. A strap of the apparatus (e.g., that is connected to a loop) may, for example, be connected to a handle (e.g., and/or other part) of the second apparatus. The first end of the strap (e.g., and the first part of the first mechanism) (e.g., but not the second end) may be inserted through a hole associated with the handle, and the second end may be attached to the first end (e.g., via the first part of the mechanism interacting with the second part of the mechanism, and/or by tying, gluing and/or taping the first end to the second end). In this manner, the strap (e.g., and one or more other straps) may be securely attached to the second apparatus via, for example, the handle (e.g., and/or other part) of the second apparatus. In one example, merely one strap (e.g., connected via a loop located at the second end of the apparatus) may be used to attach the second apparatus to the apparatus (e.g., such that the apparatus may be oriented (e.g., substantially) vertically). In another example, two or more straps (e.g., connected via one or more loops located at the first side of the apparatus) may be used to attach the second apparatus to the apparatus (e.g., such that the apparatus may be oriented (e.g., substantially) horizontally).
It may be appreciated that one or more straps may attach the apparatus to the second apparatus in a secure manner so that, for example, a person could use the person's hand(s) to hold the second apparatus, and the apparatus (e.g., comprising an umbrella) could remain conveniently within the person's reach (e.g., without the person directly using the person's hand(s) to hold the umbrella and/or the apparatus). It may further be appreciated that the case may prevent an excessive and/or undesirable amount of water and/or other liquids on the umbrella from leaking and/or touching one or more locations and/or objects. Alternatively and/or additionally, the netting may enable the umbrella to dry while it is being conveniently held by the apparatus.
Various operations of embodiments are provided herein. The order in which some or all of the operations are described should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. Alternative ordering will be appreciated by one skilled in the art having the benefit of this description. Further, it will be understood that not all operations are necessarily present in each embodiment provided herein.
Moreover, the word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims may generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. Also, at least one of A and B or the like generally means A or B or both A and B.
Although the disclosure has been shown and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art based at least in part upon a reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. The disclosure includes all such modifications and alterations and is limited only by the scope of the following claims. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (e.g., elements, resources, etc.), the terms used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary implementations of the disclosure. In addition, while a particular feature of the disclosure may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes”, “having”, “has”, “with”, or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.”

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for holding an umbrella, comprising:

a case with a first end comprising an opening and a second end not comprising an opening, at least some of the case comprising a water-proofing material;

one or more loops connected to the case, a loop comprising a segment of material that is attached to the case at a first point and a second point, but is not attached to the case at a third point located between the first point and the second point; and

one or more straps connected to at least one of the one or more loops and configured to attach the apparatus to a second apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, the second apparatus comprising at least one of a purse, a briefcase, a backpack or a suitcase.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising netting comprised in at least part of the case, the netting configured to allow air to at least one of enter or exit the case.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, at least some of the umbrella comprised in the case and at least some of the umbrella protruding out of the case through the opening comprised in the first end.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, the case comprising:

a bottom flap comprising at least one of a magnet or a magnetic material; and

a top flap configured to overlap at least some of the bottom flap and comprising at least one of a magnet or a magnetic material.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, comprising a tab attached to the top flap, the tab configured to enable a user to lift the top flap away from the bottom flap.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, the lifting causing at least some of at least one of an inside of the case or the umbrella to be visible, the at least some of at least one of an inside of the case or the umbrella not visible temporally before the lifting.

8. An apparatus for holding an umbrella, comprising:

a case with a first end comprising an opening and a second end not comprising an opening, at least some of the case comprising a water-proofing material, at least some of the umbrella comprised in the case and at least some of the umbrella protruding out of the case through the opening comprised in the first end;

one or more straps connected to at least one of the one or more loops and configured to attach the apparatus to a second apparatus comprising at least one of a purse, a briefcase, a backpack or a suitcase.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, the second apparatus comprising the purse.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, comprising netting comprised in at least part of the case, the netting configured to allow air to at least one of enter or exit the case.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, the second apparatus comprising the briefcase.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, the case comprising:

a bottom flap comprising at least one of a magnet or a magnetic material; and

13. The apparatus of claim 12, comprising a tab attached to the top flap, the tab configured to enable a user to lift the top flap away from the bottom flap.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, the lifting causing at least some of at least one of an inside of the case or the umbrella to be visible, the at least some of at least one of an inside of the case or the umbrella not visible temporally before the lifting.

15. An apparatus for holding an umbrella, comprising:

a case with a first end comprising an opening and a second end not comprising an opening, at least some of the case comprising a water-proofing material, at least some of the umbrella comprised in the case and at least some of the umbrella protruding out of the case through the opening comprised in the first end, the case comprising:

a bottom flap comprising at least one of a magnet or a magnetic material; and

a top flap configured to overlap at least some of the bottom flap and comprising at least one of a magnet or a magnetic material;

a tab attached to the top flap, the tab configured to enable a user to lift the top flap away from the bottom flap, the lifting causing at least some of at least one of an inside of the case or the umbrella to be visible, the at least some of at least one of an inside of the case or the umbrella not visible temporally before the lifting;

16. The apparatus of claim 15, the second apparatus comprising the purse.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, the second apparatus comprising the briefcase.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, the second apparatus comprising the backpack.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, the second apparatus comprising the suitcase.

20. The apparatus of claim 15 different than the second apparatus.