US3498306A

US3498306A - Umbrella cover

Info

Publication number: US3498306A
Application number: US702575A
Authority: US
Inventors: Dorothy Edelking
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-02-02
Filing date: 1968-02-02
Publication date: 1970-03-03
Anticipated expiration: 1987-03-03

Description

March 3, 1970 D. EDELKING UM'BRELLA COVER Filed Feb. 2. 1968 INVENTOR DOROTHY EDELKIND ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,498,306 UMBRELLA COVER Dorothy Edelking, 1276 Carolyn Drive NE., Atlanta, Ga. 30329 Filed Feb. 2, 1968, Ser. No. 702,575 Int. Cl. A45b 25/18 US. Cl. 13533 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention comprises an umbrella having a rod with collapsible ribs connected thereto. A transparent cover is connected to the ribs and is provided with a plurality of widely dispersed light reflective areas so that light impinging on these light reflective areas will be reflected thereby locating the umbrella and its user.

The present invention relates to an umbrella, and more particularly to an umbrella having light reflective areas on a transparent cover.

Heretofore, umbrellas have conventionally been manufactured with cloth or plastic covers having plain solid black, white or colors, or having variously colored ornamental patterns on their covers. Such umbrellas a e not readily visible when carried at night. Even when carried during the day they do not reflect light sufficiently so as The objects of the present invention have been achieved by providing an umbrella comprising an elongated rod, radial ribs collapsibly supported at one end of said elongated rod, and a transparent cover disposed over and secured to said radial ribs, the outer surfaces of said transparent cover being provided with plurality light reflective areas.

For a better understanding of the present invention and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference should be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIGURE 1 is a top perspective view of an umbrella embodying one form of the invention,

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of an umbrella cover, and

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the cover showing light reflective areas.

Referring in detail to the drawings, in FIGURE 1 there is shown an umbrella having a cover or body 12, an elongated rod 14 protruding through the center of the cover, on both sides thereof, and a handle 16 on the end of the long reach of the elongated rod 14. The cover 12 is formed of a plastic sheet material and is secured in the conventional manner either by stitching to and over the collapsible radial ribs 18, or by securing the cover 12 to 3,498,306 Patented Mar. 3, 1970 ice tips 19 after being placed over collapsible radial ribs 18.

In accordance with the present invention, the outer surface 20 of the cover 12 may be provided with areas 22 of light reflective material 24. This material 24 may take the form of paint placed thereon by a brush, or may take the form of granular material spread thereover by a tool (not shown). Light reflective designs in the form of adhesive backed decals 26 may also be provided and adhe ed in such a manner that they appear integral with the cover 12. The material 24 is of such a character that it will reflect light quite brilliantly so that the umbrella is visible at a considerable distance while being carried by the user.

The umbrella cover 12, may be made of a transparent plastic or other synthetic material so that the user of the umbrella may see therethrough. Manifestly, certain areas of the transparent cover 12 will be obstructed by the various designs of the reflective material 24, however not sufficiently to prevent the user ready viewing through the transparent cover 12.

In FIGURE 3, the umbrella 10 embodying a modified form of the transparent cover 12' is shown. This cover 12' differs from cover 12 in that it is formed such that at the seams 28 another type of reflective material 24 in the form of strips may be adhered or sewn therealong. Or the reflective material may be placed on the ribs 18 and since the cover 12' is transparent these also will reflect. As shown in FIGURE 3 when viewed from the top the cover 12' resembles a wheel having spokes extending radially from its center to its outer periphery. The reflective material 24 offers this effect.

In the form of the invention as shown, the material of the cover 12 and 12' may be transparent to permit the person carrying the umbrella to see through the umbrella. At the same time, the light reflective material 24 and 24' on the

outer surface

20 and 20 of the cover 12 and 12' can be seen at a considerable distance by motorists or others to alert them to the presence of a person on the road carrying the umbrella 10 or 10'.

The invention is applicable to existing types of conventional umbrellas by merely attaching areas with light reflective material 24 and/or 24' directly to the panels of such umbrellas. Alternatively, the invention can be applied to or built in the umbrellas at the time of manufacture.

The light reflective material 24 and/ or 24' may be manufactured and sold as separate pieces to be attached to umbrellas. A package of such light reflective materials can be made up to be sold at notion counters of department and variety stores. The light reflective areas can be readily attached by stitching, cementing, heat, pressure, spring clips or other suitable means to the ribs of the umbrellas or to the outer surface or undersides of the cover of the umbrella.

In summary, the objects of the present invention have been achieved by providing a transparent umbrella cover having light reflective materials thereon and/or reflective material on collapsible radial ribs so that the user thereof can see through the cover and the umbrella may be seen at night because of spurious light reflecting from the light reflective surfaces.

While in accordance with the patent statute preferred embodiment of the invention is hereinabove described, it is to be understood that the present inventions precise constructions herein disclosed, should not be construed as a limitation and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

I claim:

1. An umbrella comprising an elongated rod, radial ribs supported at one end of said elongated rod, a transparent cover of plastic sheet material stretched over said ribs, said transparent cover being connected to said ribs, a plurality of widely dispersed light reflective areas disposed on said transparent cover, said plurality of light reflective areas being applied to said transparent cover by means of a heat seal, and a plurality of light reflective strips connected to said transparent cover and running radially from the center of said transparent cover over said radially extending ribs thereby covering the same, said transparent cover thereby permitting impinging light to be reflected from said reflective areas and said reflective strips to lock the same and yet allowing the user of 1 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain.

US. Cl. X.R.

P0405" UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent: No. I I 6 Dated March 3' 1970 Inventor(s) Dorothy ind It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Change the inventor's name from "D. EDELKING" to D. EDELKIND.

SI'GNED AND SEALED JUL 141970 @EAL) Attest:

Edma Flmlm' wmrm E. Bqmnmm, JR. An Officer Commissioner of Pat ants