BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating the overall manipulation of the cover and ring assembly upon a collapsed umbrella according to a representative embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the detailed steps in covering a conventional collapsed umbrella according to a representative embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating an opened umbrella, cover and ring assembly according to a representative embodiment of the invention.
FIGS. 4
a, 4b, 4c, and 4d are cutaway views illustrating how said cover and ring assembly may lay dormant or can be temporarily affixed to an opened umbrella according to a representative embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a magnified view illustrating a possible variation of the cover to handle connection according to a representative embodiment of the invention.
FIGS. 6
a and 6b are side views illustrating two cover attachment possibilities and end ring shapes; FIG. 6c illustrates a possible cover retraction mechanism; and 6d is a prospective view illustrating a double or secondary end ring 25 according to a representative embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7
a is a magnified view illustrating an expandable ring influenced by the cord of a retraction mechanism. FIG. 7b is a magnified view illustrating an expanding ring influenced by an independent drawstring. FIG. 7c is a magnified view illustrating a deformable or collapsible end ring, and FIG. 7d is a magnified view illustrating a funnel shaped end ring according to a representative embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 8
a is a magnified view illustrating a permanent cover attachment to an umbrella hub and FIG. 8b is a magnified view illustrating a temporary cover attachment according to a representative embodiment of the invention.
FIGS. 9
a, 9b, 9c, and 9d are side views illustrating a cover assembly utility for sports equipment according to a representative embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating one possible variation of an additional or secondary cover or covers according to a representative embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating the overall manipulation of removing the cover from a conventional umbrella.
DRAWINGS
Reference Numerals
1 Cover
2 Ring
3 Fixating means; elastic band
4 Umbrella hub
5 Umbrella tip
6 Opened umbrella
7 Umbrella handle
8 Ring attachment (counterpart)
9 Retractable line mechanism
10 Retractable line
11 Cord
12 Expandable ring
13 Pressure releasing aperture
14 Temporary attachments means; a clip
15 Skis
16 Surfboard or ski board
17 Golf bag
18 Cover containment means
19 Extension for tying a cover
20 Modified umbrella hub
21 Additional cover
22 Adapter for additional cover
23 Collapsed umbrella
24 Umbrella extension or rib
25 Double or secondary end ring
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.
FIG. I is a side view illustrating a collapsed umbrella 23 with cover 1 and end ring 2 attached and systematically illustrates how the cover is employed.
FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating more detailed steps in employment of the cover 1 and end ring 2 assembly upon a collapsed conventional uncovered umbrella 23. FIG. 2a is a side view illustrating a collapsed umbrella with the cover 1 and ring 2 assembly attached to said umbrella. FIGS. 2b and 2c are side views illustrating a collapsed umbrella with the cover ring in approximation to the hub of said umbrella. FIGS. 2d and 2e are side views illustrating a collapsed umbrella with the cover and ring being urged down the length of the umbrella and the remainder of the cover. FIG. 2f illustrates the resulting covered umbrella.
FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating how the attached inverted cover 1 and end ring 2 can lay on the top of a deployed or opened umbrella 6, and an elastic band 3 version of how the ring and cover can be temporarily affixed to the tip 5 of an umbrella rib 24.
FIG. 4
a is a cutaway view illustrating one particular embodiment of how the cover 1 and end ring 2 assembly may lay atop or upon a short multi-folded opened umbrella 6. The end ring 2 and/or part of the cover 1 is magnetized thereby affixing itself to one of the umbrella's rib or extensions 24. FIG. 4b illustrates an elastic band 3 that attaches at or near the end ring 2 and to the umbrella hub 4. FIG. 4c illustrates an end ring 2 that can adapt to the umbrella hub 4. FIG. 4d illustrates a cover 1 that gathers by means of inherent elastic memory and/or a retracting mechanism.
FIG. 5 illustrates one of the many shapes the cover ring 2 can have and one of the many ways it can fit the handle 7 and/or its hub 8, i.e., latches, magnetism, threaded fittings, rubber bushings, drawstrings, etc., which can completely close the umbrella.
FIG. 6
a is a magnified view illustrating one way the cover 1 can be attached to the main hub of an umbrella and one of the many possible shapes of the end ring 2. FIG. 6b illustrates another variation of the cover to hub attachment and possible shape of the end ring 2 sewn within a cuff of said cover. FIG. 6c illustrates a retracting mechanism 9 that can gather the cover 1. 6d illustrates a double or secondary end ring 25.
FIG. 7 is a magnified perspective view illustrating possible additional ring attributes. FIG. 7a illustrates a cord from the retracting mechanism that closes an expandable ring 2. FIG. 7b illustrates an expandable ring 2 influenced by an independent drawstring. FIG. 7c illustrates a collapsible ring 2 opened by finger pressure. FIG. 7d illustrates a funnel shaped end ring 2.
FIG. 8
a is a side view illustrating the cover 1 permanently bound to an umbrella hub 4. FIG. 8b is a side view illustrating a closed cover with extensions 19 for tying a cover to an article and illustrating an auxiliary pressure-releasing aperture 13.
FIG. 9
a illustrates a cover 1 and end ring 2 assembly attachment to a golf bag 17 wherein said cover can be stowed and/or fixated by a cover flap or pocket means 18. FIG. 9b illustrates a cover I and end ring 2 assembly attachment to skis 15 with a cover flap or pocket 18. FIG. 9c illustrates a cover 1 and end ring 2 assembly that is temporarily attached to skis by a clamping means or the like 14. 9d illustrates a cover 1 and end ring 2 assembly attachment wherein the cover is temporarily attached to a surf or ski board 16 by a clamp 14.
FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating one possible method of attaching an additional cover 21 by modifying the hub 4 to accept an adapter or a fixating means 22. A similar method would attach the additional cover to the end ring.
FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating the manipulation of the end ring 2 to remove the cover 1 from a collapsed umbrella 23. As the ring 2 is urged toward the hub 4, the outer surface of said cover folds onto itself exposing its inside surface. Once said cover has cleared the umbrella, the umbrella can then be deployed.
Although the present invention has been described in detail with regard to the exemplary embodiments and drawings thereof, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various adaptations and modifications of the present invention may be accomplished without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the precise embodiment shown in the drawings and described in detail hereinabove. Rather, it is intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof as limited solely by the claims appended hereto.
In addition, several different embodiments of the present invention are described above, with each such embodiment described as including certain features. However, it is intended that the features described in connection with the discussion of a single embodiment are not limited to that embodiment but may be included and/or arranged in various combinations in any of the other embodiments as well, as will be understood to those skilled in the art.
In the following claims, those elements which do not include the words “means for” are intended not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. §112¶6.
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Patent Application
20070267052
