WO2016120036A1

WO2016120036A1 - Beach umbrella

Info

Publication number: WO2016120036A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/050182
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luciano Alberto CAVASINO
Original assignee: Cavasino Luciano Alberto
Priority date: 2015-01-26
Filing date: 2016-01-07
Publication date: 2016-08-04

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a beach umbrella composed of two parts, the lower part (10) fixable on the ground, and the upper part (11) comprising the umbrella (12), wherein the pole comprises a fixing system of both parts, the fixing system comprising: a groove (20) on the lower part of the upper part (11) of the pole, and a locker (30) on the upper part of the lower part (10) of the pole that in closing position is embedded into the groove (20) of the upper pole (11). The beach umbrella of the present invention provides a secure and durable fastening of the two parts of a daily beach umbrella.

Description

Beach Umbrella

[0001]. Beach umbrella fall into two main categories: one type is the bathhouse umbrella, whose installation usually lasts all bathing period; the second type is the common daily carried one, i.e. the umbrella used during the day which has to be mounted, unmounted and carried off from the beach each time it is used.

[0002] . In order to make the daily beach umbrella handy, the umbrella pole is separated in two parts. The bottom end fixable on the ground, and the upper end comprising the umbrella (12) connected to the lower part once it has been fixed to the ground. A typical problem of the daily carried beach umbrella is that they are difficult to use even in the moderate wind because of the separation between the upper part from the lower one.

[0003]. Beach umbrellas currently on market are usually equipped with a thruster flap inserted onto the lower end of the pole applying a simple side -pressure on the upper pole once inserted inside the lower end.

[0004]. Nevertheless, this fixing method is not well-functioning, and it becomes even less efficient once the umbrella has been used for some time. The result is that most of the people have a tendency to close the umbrella at first breath of wind.

[0005]. There is the need of a fixing system for daily beach umbrella, which system allows a secure fastening of the two parts of the beach umbrella.

[0006]. The present invention is directed to a beach umbrella comprising a fixing system of the two parts of the beach umbrella pole, which system comprises:

[0007]. A groove (20) on the lower part of the upper pole (11) of the beach umbrella, and

[0008]. A locker (30) on the upper part of the lower pole (10) which, once in locked position, fits the groove (20) of the upper pole (11).

[0009]. Said locker (30) can be made in different ways, provided that they have an open position wherein the internal part of the pole (10) is empty and can let the upper pole (11) inside, and a locked position wherein said locker (30) fits the empty part of the groove (20) and avoids the upper part of the pole (11) to be removed from the lower part (10).

[0010]. Preferably the locker (30) fits together with most of the surface of the groove (20), so that there is no space between both parts of the pole, which are firmly connected. [0011]. Preferably, the groove (20) is uniformly made all around the upper pole (11) at a distance from the lower end of the upper pole preferably comprised between 2 and 20 cm, more preferably between 3 and 15 cm, and has a width comprised between 0.5 and 5 cm, more preferably between 1 and 3 cm. The depth of the groove (20) is not particularly important, as long as it is enough to lock both parts of the pole.

[0012]. In a preferred embodiment, the groove (20) has a depth comprised between 0.1 cm and 1.0 cm. Even more preferably the groove has a depth comprised between 0.2 and 0.8 cm. One more factor which can also be taken into account is the ratio between width and depth of the groove. It's clear that a low depth of 0.1-0.2 cm can be used when the width of the groove is small, e.g. 0.5-1.0 cm, while it becomes less efficient when the width becomes larger, e.g. larger than 2.0 cm; in which case it is preferred to use a larger depth.

[0013]. Consequently, it is preferable to maintain a ratio between length and depth of the groove comprised between 2 and 20, preferably between 2.5 and 10. When the ratio is 2, the groove gets the shape of a half-circumference. Practically, it is enough to have a less deep groove corresponding to a circumference arch of 120° or less, provided that the depth is enough to create an efficient lock.

[0014]. The shape of the groove is not necessarily a circumference arch, but any shape, also with blunt or sharp corner, that is functional to the above mentioned purpose can be used.

[0015]. Figure 1 shows the beach umbrella with both poles mounted and with the invention device in locking position.

[0016]. Figure 2 shows the upper beach umbrella and a magnification of the groove zone. [0017]. Figure 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the lock.

[0018]. Figure 4 shows the lock of figure 3 in locking position on the beach umbrella.

[0019]. In the embodiment of fig. 3 and 4, the beak shaped lock is placed on a lever hinged next to the upper edge of the lower pole. Once inserted the upper pole into the lower one, the lever to which the beak shaped lock (30) is connected is turned down, and it engages the groove (20), creating a large contact surface.

[0020] . In this embodiment, the length of the lever is large enough to be easily held and not too long to be too bulky.

[0021]. Preferably, the lever has a length comprised between 8 and 30 cm, more preferably between 10 and 25 cm, even more preferably between 12 and 22 cm.

Claims

1. A beach umbrella composed of two parts, the lower part (10) fixable on the ground, and the upper part (11) comprising the umbrella (12), characterized in that the pole comprises a fixing system of both parts, the fixing system comprising:

a. a groove (20) on the lower part of the upper part (11) of the pole, and

b. a locker (30) on the upper part of the lower part (10) of the pole that in closing position is embedded into the groove (20) of the upper pole (11).

2. A beach umbrella according to claim 1 wherein the groove (20) has a width comprised between 0.5 and 5 cm.

3. A beach umbrella according to claim 2 wherein the groove (20) has a width comprised between 1.0 cm and 3.0 cm.

4. A beach umbrella according to claims 1-3 wherein the depth of the groove (20) is comprised between 0.1 cm and 1.0 cm.

5. A beach umbrella according to claim 4, wherein the depth of the groove (20) is comprised between 0.2 and 0.8 cm.

6. A beach umbrella according to claims 1-5 wherein the ratio between the width of the groove (20) and its depth is comprised between 2 and 20.

7. A beach umbrella according to claim 6 wherein the ratio between the width of the groove (20) and its depth is comprised between 2.5 and 10.0.

8. A beach umbrella according to claims 1-7 wherein the locker (30) on the lower part of the pole is shaped as a beak on a hinged lever, said beak inserting into the groove when the lever is lowered along the pole.

9. A beach umbrella pole according to claim 8 wherein the lever has a length comprised between 8 and 30 cm.

10. A beach umbrella pole according to claim 8 wherein the lever has a length comprised between 10 and 25 cm.

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