The present invention relates to an umbrella case. Specifically, but not necessarily exclusively, the invention relates to an umbrella case suitable for holding long/stick umbrellas, which have a fixed length shaft and spokes, of different lengths, sizes and handle structures.
Umbrellas are well known, and widely used to protect users from the elements, particularly but not exclusively, rain, hail or snow.
Personal umbrellas come in many shapes and sizes, ranging from smaller fold-down umbrellas having articulated spokes and telescopic shafts which enable the umbrella to fit into a small bag when not in use, to large umbrellas which have a fixed length shaft and spokes.
It is commonly known in the art to use an elongate bag or case to carry an umbrella when the umbrella is not in use. Where the umbrella has been used to protect the user from rain, hail or snow, an umbrella case advantageously allows the user to conveniently store the umbrella without any water runoff transferring to clothing or inside a hand bag or briefcase.
Such cases are specifically designed for the umbrella with which they are to be sold, and are designed to fit tightly around the collapsed umbrella without leaving much room around the umbrella itself. In general, in relation to long/stick umbrellas, a cover is often not provided at all, but even if a cover is provided it is designed specifically for that umbrella and may not accommodate an umbrella of a different fixed length.
Furthermore, umbrella cases known in the art require the user to use at least one hand to carry the encased umbrella at all times, or supply an additional means to carry it (for example a strap or suitable bag) if they want to keep their hands free.
An umbrella case according to the invention is intended to address at least one or more of the above-mentioned issues.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an umbrella case configured to hold an umbrella having a rigid shaft with a handle at one end and a spike at the other end, the umbrella case comprising an umbrella holding assembly comprising a generally tubular sheath having an open end and a spike-receiving portion defining a spike-receiving aperture at the other end, and a fastening strap having a first end coupled to an outer surface of the umbrella case, close to the open end of the sheath, and having a second, free end configured to be selectively moved to a fastening position in which it is connected to the umbrella case at a generally diametrically opposite location to the first end, the sheath, the spike-receiving portion and the fastening strap when in the fastening position, together, defining the effective length of the umbrella holding assembly, wherein at least one of the sheath, the spike-receiving portion and the fastening strap is selectively longitudinally extendible upon application of a force, in use, thereby to increase the effective length of the umbrella holding assembly to accommodate the length of an umbrella held therein.
In an exemplary embodiment, the fastening strap may be coupled at one end to the sheath, close to its open end, and the other free end being configured to be selectively moved to a fastening position in which it is connected to the sheath at a generally diametrically opposite location to the first end.
In another exemplary embodiment, the umbrella case may further comprise a waterproof housing surrounding the sheath. In this case, the fastening strap may be coupled at a first end to the housing, close to the open end of the sheath, and the free end being configured to be selectively moved to a fastening position in which it is connected to the housing at a generally diametrically opposite location to the first end.
Optionally, the spike-receiving portion and/or the sheath is formed of an elastic material configured to be elastically stretched upon application of a longitudinal force.
The sheath and/or the spike-receiving portion may be formed of a waterproof or semi-permeable material, and the spike receiving portion may include at least one opening configured to allow water to drain out through it, when in use.
In an exemplary embodiment, the fastening strap comprises a strip of elastic material, connected at one end to the outer surface of the sheath, close to the open end, and having a first connecting portion at the other end. Optionally, the fastening strap further comprises a retaining member, slidably mounted thereon, said retaining member configured to be placed, in use, over the handle of an umbrella held in said umbrella case. The retaining member my further comprise a support loop extending from an inner and/or outer side edge thereof.
The spike-receiving portion may, optionally, comprise a generally conical portion configured to be selectively longitudinally extended upon application of a force, said generally conical portion comprising a base connected to, or formed integrally with, the sheath, and a frustrum defining said spike-receiving aperture. In this case, a rigid or semi-rigid ring may be mounted around said spike-receiving aperture. In an exemplary embodiment, the inner surface of the ring may be provided with ridges defining the maximum diameter of the spike-receiving aperture, and interposing grooves or notches.
Optionally, the fastening strap may be pivotally connected at its first end to the outer surface of the sheath.
The umbrella case may further comprise adjustment means, coupled to the open end of the sheath, and operable to selectively increase and decrease the diameter or width of said open end.
In an exemplary embodiment, the umbrella case may further comprise a carrying strap coupled to the outer surface of the sheath, the length of which may be selectively adjustable.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described by reference to specific examples as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring to
In the example shown, the sheath 106 is formed of a flexible material, beneficially tearproof, waterproof and/or quick-dry properties (which may or may not be elastically deformable, at least longitudinally, as referenced above). The sheath 106 may be of any suitable length and cross-sectional diameter, depending largely on the material used (whether elastic or not, for example) to enable the umbrella-receiving cavity it defines to be adapted to receive long-stick umbrellas of varying sizes.
An adjustable closure means 104, 105 may be provided at an open end of the sheath 106, and configured to selectively allow the open end of the sheath 106 to be extended to its maximum cross-sectional diameter (for receiving or removing an umbrella), partially closed (around the shaft of an umbrella), or fully closed (for storage). Referring additionally to
At the end of the sheath 106 longitudinally opposite the open end, there is provided a spike-receiving portion 107 configured to accommodate the spike of a long-stick umbrella. In the example illustrated, the spike-receiving portion 107 comprises a conical member having a base of shape and diameter (or width) substantially the same as that of the sheath 106, and affixed thereto, and a frustrum defined by a ring 108 providing a hole through which a spike of an umbrella may extend, in use. The ring 108 may be formed of any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material. Referring additionally to
In the embodiment shown, the spike-receiving portion 107 is a separate member to the sheath 106 and connected or affixed thereto at the base. However, in alternative embodiments, the spike-receiving portion may be integrally formed with the sheath 106 (i.e. of the same material) such that it is defined by a closed (lower′) end of the sheath 106 with a spike-receiving opening therein. The spike-receiving portion could, in this case, be defined by a tapered ‘lower’ section of the sheath, having a gradually reducing diameter, for example, and terminating at the spike-receiving opening. The ridged ring could be affixed around the spike-receiving opening, as in the exemplary embodiment illustrated and described above.
In the case where the spike-receiving portion 107 is affixed to the sheath 106, as illustrated in the drawings, it is beneficially (although not necessarily) formed of an elastically deformable material or ‘stretchy’ material (e.g. a stretchy fabric such as cotton, polyester, nylon or rayon, or a combination of fabrics designed to provide properties such as tear-proof, waterproof, permeable, or semi-permeable). In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the spike-receiving portion is elastically deformable (or ‘stretchy) and permeable (at least one the inside) to allow water to run out and ‘down’ from a wet umbrella stored within the umbrella case. In this case, the sheath 106 is formed of a flexible material that may or may not also be formed of an elastically deformable or ‘stretchy’ material; and the sheath may or may not be formed of a material (or have a configuration) that enables it to be selectively extended, in use, upon application of a longitudinal force, to accommodate long-stick umbrellas of varying lengths. A person skilled in the art will understand that the materials used may be dependent on various design factors, and the present invention is not necessarily intended to be limited in this regard.
Referring back to
A retaining member 102 is provided on the fastening strap 100, and is configured, at least one an ‘inner’ surface thereof, i.e. the surface facing the open end of the sheath 106, to receive or support the end of an umbrella handle or a curved part of a hooked umbrella handle. In the example illustrated, and as can be seen more clearly in
A carrying strap 110 is affixed to the outer surface of the sheath 106, with a first end (in this case) affixed just below the end of or pivotally over the fastening strap 100 and the other end, longitudinally spaced from the first end, and affixed close to the base of the spike-receiving portion 107. A second strap 111a is affixed, at one end, to the outer surface of the sheath 106, at or close to the first end of the carrying strap 110, and coupled at the other end to the carrying strap via a suitable adjuster 111 so as to provide means for selectively adjusting the size of the loop defined between the carrying strap 110 and the sheath, to take into account different user preferences, as well as the length of the umbrella being carried in the umbrella case. Any suitable flexible material, such as leather, can be used to form the carrying strap 110, as will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, and the present invention is not intended to be limited in this regard.
Referring to
Once the base of the spike 118 or the ‘open cap’ of the umbrella engages with the inner ridged circumference of the ring 108, any further pushing (or longitudinal) force exerted by the user on the handle end of the umbrella (in a direction toward the spike-receiving portion 107 of the umbrella case) will cause elastic stretching 114 of the elastically deformable spike-receiving portion 107 (as shown in
Referring to
Referring now to
Referring to
Referring now to
In the illustrated embodiment, a grip strip 125 is provided, which may be formed of a grip/anti-slip material that is attached to the retaining member 102 as an alternative to loop 103. The grip strip 125 stops the retaining member 102 and the fastening strap 100 from slipping off an umbrella handle 116/117. The grip strip 125 is a much easier method to use/apply than the loop 103. The retaining member 102 may be permanently attached midway/centre length of the fastening strap 100 (excluding the attachment part to housing 128) since the retaining member 102 will always be equidistant on either side of umbrella handle 116/117 to the base of such handle.
Unless the material used for the sheath 106 and spike receiving portion 107 is like rubber or latex that maintain their waterproof properties/qualities when stretched, the waterproof or semi-permeable properties of the sheath 106 and spike-receiving portion 107 materials may reduce upon stretching due to fibres realigning/separating. In order to alleviate this issue, the sheath 106 and spike-receiving portion 107 may be surrounded by an affixed housing 128. The housing 128 may be formed of a waterproof or semi-permeable material that may be in any flexible to rigid form (e.g., fabric to solid tubing). When a long stick umbrella is inserted, the sheath 106 and spike-receiving portion 107 may protrude out of the housing 128. The fastening strap 100, second connecting portion 101b, carrying strap 110 and second strap 111a instead of being affixed to the outer surface of the sheath 106 are now affixed to the outer surface of the housing 128 similarly.
An upper skirt 126 is attached to the top end of the housing 128 and may be formed of a waterproof or semi-permeable material which can be opened and closed using a draw string 104 with respective adjuster 105. The upper skirt 126 may also help to keep/lock the umbrella 115 in the sheath 106 and spike-receiving portion 107.
A lower skirt 127 is attached to the bottom end of the housing 128 and may be formed of a waterproof or semi-permeable material which can be opened and closed using a draw string 104 with respective adjuster 105. The lower skirt 127 may also help to keep/lock foldable umbrellas from falling too deep into the sheath 106 and spike-receiving portion 107 due to gravity and weight of the foldable umbrella stretching the sheath 106 and spike-receiving portion 107 more than needed/necessary.
In some cases, the housing 128 could be made quite flexible, which would enable the draw string portions to be formed integrally with the body of the housing. However, the more rigid the housing 128 the more difficult it may become to open and close the ends of the housing 128 using draw strings 104 if integrated as part of the top and bottom ends of the housing 128. Instead, upper and lower skirts, 126 and 127 respectively, may be incorporated accordingly to alleviate this issue and permit easy opening and closing of both ends of the housing 128, even if it is made of a substantially rigid material.
An alternative to ring 108 may include a cuff and outward folding of the material end of the spike-receiving portion 107, similar to a long shirt sleeve folded up, and stitched/secured into a ring cuff 129. The ring cuff 129 may be of adequate size to permit only the umbrella spike 118 to jut out and stop the actual umbrella 115 from falling through.
It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, from the foregoing description, that modifications and variations can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, a shoulder guard (not shown) may be incorporated, to provide comfort when the umbrella case is carried over a user's shoulder. The shoulder guard underside may be soft, with cushion feel and with some anti-slip quality. In some embodiments, the shoulder guard could loosely grasp strap 110/111a and slide up and down strap 110/111a; and the strap 110/111a is preferably configured such that it does not easily slide once the shoulder guard is in use/applied when the case is carried over the shoulder.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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1915160.4 | Oct 2019 | GB | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/GB2020/052151 | 9/8/2020 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20240130492 A1 | Apr 2024 | US |