BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to umbrellas and more particularly to an improved mechanism for optionally hanging a folded umbrella with its canopy being securely tied or served as a handle of an umbrella bag.
2. Related Art
Conventionally, for tying canopy of a folded umbrella a tie closure is provided on the outer surface of the canopy by stitching. Also, for hanging the tied umbrella a strap handle is provided at its handle. However, in practice both prior designs are typically trouble-prone and unreliable in use. Particularly, a single mechanism capable of tying canopy of a folded umbrella and then hanging same or served as a handle of an umbrella bag is not commercially available so far as the present inventor is aware. Thus, a need for improvement exists.
Summary of the Invention
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism for optionally tying and hanging a folded umbrella or served as a handle of an umbrella bag.
It is one object of the present invention to provide a mechanism for tying and hanging a folded umbrella comprising a strap including a first fastener provided at one end, and a second fastener provided at the other end; and a hanging assembly including a hook, an integral loop member loosely formed at a position between the first and the second fasteners by stitching a half loop element to the strap, and a flexible stop member projected from a joining portion of the hook and the loop member for closing an opening of the hook; whereby wrapping the strap around a canopy of the umbrella and attaching the second fastener to the first fastener will tie the canopy and enable the hook to put on a projecting object for hanging the umbrella thereon.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a mechanism for tying and hanging a folded umbrella comprising a strap including a first fastener provided at one end, and a second fastener provided at the other end; and a straplike hanging assembly extended from a portion of the strap between the first and the second fasteners and including a third fastener provided at the other end; whereby wrapping the strap around a canopy of the umbrella, attaching the second fastener to one portion of the first fastener, bending the hanging assembly, and attaching the third fastener to a remaining portion of the first fastener will tie the canopy and cause the hanging assembly to form a loop.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mechanism for hanging a folded umbrella comprising a strap having one end secured to a center hole of a handle of the umbrella and including a first fastener provided at the other end, and a second fastener provided proximate the first fastener; and a straplike hanging assembly having one end secured to the center hole of the handle and including a loop member loosely formed at the other end; whereby passing the first fastener through the loop member and attaching the first fastener to the second fastener will cause the strap and the hanging assembly to form a loop.
In one aspect of the present invention, each of the fasteners is one of two constituent portions of a Velcro type fastener.
In another aspect of the present invention, each of the fasteners is one of two constituent portions of a button.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the hanging assembly is implemented as a strap having Velcro type fasteners or button and buttonhole combination, or as a chain ring or loop ring or hook and each of which is capable of optionally opening or closing as desired.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first configuration of a first preferred embodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrella and hanging same according to the invention;
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a second configuration of the first preferred embodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrella and hanging same according to the invention;
FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a third configuration of the first preferred embodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrella and hanging same according to the invention;
FIG. 1C is a perspective view of a fourth configuration of the first preferred embodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrella and hanging same according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first configuration of a second preferred embodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrella and hanging same according to the invention;
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a second configuration of the second preferred embodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrella and hanging same according to the invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first configuration of a third preferred embodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrella and hanging same according to the invention;
FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a second configuration of the third preferred embodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrella and hanging same according to the invention;
FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views showing a folded umbrella before and after being tied by the first configuration of the first preferred embodiment of mechanism shown in FIG. 1 respectively;
FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views showing a folded umbrella before and after being tied by the first configuration of the second preferred embodiment of mechanism shown in FIG. 2 respectively;
FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing a folded umbrella being tied by the second configuration of the second preferred embodiment of mechanism shown in FIG. 2A with a loop formed for hanging on an object;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a folded umbrella being tied by the second configuration of the third preferred embodiment of mechanism shown in FIG. 3A with a loop formed for hanging on an object;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a folded umbrella being tied by the second configuration of the third preferred embodiment of mechanism shown in FIG. 3A with the second panel being wrapped around the folded umbrella again;
FIGS. 10 and 11 are perspective views of a first configuration of a fourth preferred embodiment of mechanism implemented as a strap handle showing two steps of forming same according to the invention;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a second configuration of the fourth preferred embodiment of mechanism implemented as a strap handle according to the invention;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a third configuration of the fourth preferred embodiment of mechanism implemented as a strap handle according to the invention;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a fourth configuration of the fourth preferred embodiment of mechanism implemented as a strap handle according to the invention; and
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a fifth preferred embodiment of mechanism implemented as a handle of an umbrella bag according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1, a first configuration of a first preferred embodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrella and hanging same or as a handle of an umbrella bag according to the invention is shown. The mechanism comprises a strap 1 including a panel 11 formed on an outer surface of a canopy of an umbrella by stitching, a Velcro type fastener 12 provided at one end, and a mated Velcro type fastener 13 provided at the other end; and a hanging assembly 2 comprising a hook assembly 20 having a hook 22 and a flexible stop member 29 for closing an opening of the hook 22, and a rigid loop member having one point integrally formed with the hook assembly 20 and being loosely formed at a position between both ends of the strap 1 by stitching a half loop 21 thereto.
Referring to FIG. 1A, a second configuration of the first preferred embodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrella and hanging same or as a handle of an umbrella bag according to the invention is shown. The mechanism comprises a strap 1 including a panel 11, a Velcro type fastener 12 provided at one end, and a mated Velcro type fastener 13 provided at the other end; and a hanging assembly 2 being shorter than the strap 1, the hanging assembly 2 including a Velcro type fastener 20A at either end and having an intermediate portion 21A secured to an intermediate portion of the strap 1 by stitching.
Referring to FIG. 1B, a third configuration of the first preferred embodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrella and hanging same or as a handle of an umbrella bag according to the invention is shown. The characteristics of third configuration of the first preferred embodiment of mechanism are detailed below. The hanging assembly 2 includes a pair of buttons at one end and a pair of buttonholes at the other end and has an intermediate portion 21B secured to the intermediate portion of the strap 1 by stitching.
Referring to FIG. 1C, a fourth configuration of the first preferred embodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrella and hanging same or as a handle of an umbrella bag according to the invention is shown. The characteristics of fourth configuration of the first preferred embodiment of mechanism are detailed below. The hanging assembly 2 includes a chain 20C and a half loop 21C stitched to the intermediate portion of the strap 1 such that the chain 20C may pass through.
Referring to FIG. 2, a first configuration of a second preferred embodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrella and hanging same according to the invention is shown. The mechanism comprises a strap 1 including a panel 11, a Velcro type fastener 12 provided at one end, and a mated Velcro type fastener 13 provided at the other end; and a hanging assembly 2 shorter than the strap 1 and having one end secured to the other end of the first fastener 12, and including a third fastener 24 provided at the other end.
Referring to FIG. 2A, a second configuration of the second preferred embodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrella and hanging same according to the invention is shown. The second configuration of the second preferred embodiment of mechanism substantially has same structure as the first configuration of the second preferred embodiment thereof. The characteristics of the second configuration of the second preferred embodiment of mechanism are detailed below. The mechanism comprises a strap 1 including a panel 11, two spaced Velcro type fasteners 12 and 12A provided at one end a buttonhole 12B provided between the Velcro type fasteners 12 and 12A, and a mated Velcro type fastener 13 provided at the other end; and a hanging assembly 2A integrally formed with the other end of the other Velcro type fastener 12A and including a strap 23A, a button 24A provided at the other end, and a mated Velcro type fastener 24 proximate the button 24.
Referring to FIG. 3, a first configuration of a third preferred embodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrella and hanging same according to the invention is shown. The mechanism comprises a strap 1 including a panel 11, a first buttonhole 12 provided at one end, and a first button 13 provided at the other end; and a hanging assembly 2 comprising a second panel 23 shorter than the panel 11 and having one end secured to the panel 11 proximate the first buttonhole 12 by stitching, a second buttonhole 26 formed between the first buttonhole 12 and one end thereof, and a second button 25 formed at the other end.
Referring to FIG. 3A, a second configuration of the third preferred embodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrella and hanging same according to the invention is shown. The mechanism comprises a strap 1 including a panel 11, a Velcro type fastener 12 provided at one end, a mated Velcro type fastener 13 provided at the other end, a first button 14 provided between the fasteners 12 and 13, and a second button 15 provided at the fastener 13; and a hanging assembly including a panel having one end secured to the fastener 12 by stitching, and a buttonhole 28 provided at the other end. As viewed from the FIG. 3A, the length of the hanging assembly 2A is almost equal to that of the strap 1 to enable the buttonhole 28 may be engaged with the second button 15 and combined with the strap 1 into one piece as shown in FIG. 9.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, it shows a folded umbrella 3 having its canopy 31 being formed with the first configuration of the first preferred embodiment of mechanism shown in FIG. 1. For tying the canopy 31, a person may wrap the strap 1 around the canopy 31 prior to attaching the mated Velcro type fastener 13 to the Velcro type fastener 12 for fastening. At this time, the hook 22 is adapted to put on an object for hanging the folded umbrella 3 thereon. Also, the hanging is secured since the stop member 29 is adapted to automatically, flexibly close the opening of the hook 22.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, it shows a folded umbrella 3 having its canopy 31 being formed with the second configuration of the first preferred embodiment of mechanism shown in FIG. 2. For tying the canopy 31, a person may wrap the strap 1 around the canopy 31 prior to attaching the mated Velcro type fastener 13 to one portion of the Velcro type fastener 12 for fastening, and bend the hanging assembly 2 prior to attaching the mated Velcro type fastener 24 to a remaining portion of the Velcro type fastener 12 for fastening. As an end, the canopy 31 is tied and a loop is formed by the hanging assembly 2, the loop being adapted to put on an object for hanging the folded umbrella 3 thereon.
Referring to FIG. 7A, it shows a folded umbrella being tied by the second configuration of the second preferred embodiment of mechanism shown in FIG. 2A with a loop formed by the strap 23A for hanging on an object.
Referring to FIG. 8, it shows a folded umbrella being tied by the second configuration of the third preferred embodiment of mechanism shown in FIG. 3A with a loop formed by the strap 23A for hanging on an object.
Referring to FIG. 9, it shows a folded umbrella being tied by the second configuration of the third preferred embodiment of mechanism shown in FIG. 3A with the panel 23A being wrapped around the folded umbrella again.
Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, it shows a first configuration of a fourth preferred embodiment of mechanism implemented as a strap handle according to the invention. The mechanism comprises a strap 1 having one end secured to a center hole 33 of a handle 32 of an umbrella 3 and including a first panel 11, a mated Velcro type fastener 13 provided at the other end, and a Velcro type fastener 12 provided proximate the mated Velcro type fastener 13; and a hanging assembly 2 having one end secured to the center hole of the handle 32 and including a loop 27 loosely formed at the other end, and a second panel 23 shorter than the first panel 11. For forming the strap handle, a person may pass the mated Velcro type fastener 13 through the loop 27 prior to attaching the mated Velcro type fastener 13 to the Velcro type fastener 12 for fastening. As an end, a large second loop is formed by both the strap 1 and the hanging assembly 2 and the second loop is adapted to put on a projecting object for hanging the folded umbrella 3 thereon.
Referring to FIG. 12, it shows a second configuration of the fourth preferred embodiment of mechanism implemented as a strap handle according to the invention. The second configuration of the fourth preferred embodiment substantially has same structure as the first configuration of the fourth preferred embodiment. The differences between the first and the second configurations of the fourth preferred embodiments are that the Velcro type fastener 12 is replaced by the second button 25 and the mated Velcro type fastener 13 is replaced by the second buttonhole 26 respectively.
Referring to FIG. 13, it shows a third configuration of the fourth preferred embodiment of mechanism implemented as a strap handle according to the invention. The third configuration of the fourth preferred embodiment substantially has same structure as the second configuration of the fourth preferred embodiment. The differences between the second and the third configurations of the fourth preferred embodiments are that the hanging assembly 2 is eliminated and the second button 25 is formed proximate the center hole 33 such that the second button 25 is adapted to engage with the second buttonhole 26 for forming a strap handle.
Referring to FIG. 14, it shows a fourth configuration of the fourth preferred embodiment of mechanism implemented as a strap handle according to the invention. The fourth configuration of the fourth preferred embodiment substantially has same structure as the first configuration of the fourth preferred embodiment. The characteristics of the fourth configurations of the fourth preferred embodiments are that the hanging assembly 2 is formed as a loop by fastening at the center hole 33 and the strap 1 is stitched to the hanging assembly L. The Velcro type fasteners 12 and 13 are adapted to engage with each other to form a smaller loop. Also, the button 12A is adapted to engage with the buttonhole 13A for enhancing the fastening of the Velcro type fasteners 12 and 13.
Referring to FIG. 15, it shows a fifth preferred embodiment of mechanism implemented as a handle of an umbrella bag B according to the invention. The button 12 formed at an opening edge of the umbrella bag B is adapted to engage with the buttonhole 13 formed at an open end of the strap 1 so as to form a handle of the umbrella bag B.
While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.
Patent Application
20070068563
