1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an umbrella, and more particularly concerns an umbrella which can be supported by a backpack worn by the user.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Umbrellas intended for hand-held use are generally comprised of a collapsible canopy, an elongated shaft that is usually telescopically extendable, and a holding handle disposed at the lower extremity of the shaft. Such umbrellas have long been used by persons desiring to shield themselves from the sun and rain. It is well established that, from a health standpoint, it is desirable to minimize exposure to direct sunlight.
Conventionally, umbrellas are hand carried by the person using the umbrella. Carrying an umbrella, however does not allow the free use of a person's hands to carry packages or the like, or perform other functions. It is therefore desirable to provide an improved umbrella that will allow a person using the umbrella to use their hands without being encumbered by the umbrella.
While umbrellas have heretofore been strapped to the back of a person, they are difficult to attach and the harnesses are clumsy. Further, such harnesses must be detached if the umbrella is to be hand-held, as is conventional. It is therefore desirable to provide an umbrella which can be worn, if desired, but which includes structure which allows the umbrella to be worn or hand-held, as desired, while still being convenient to use and conveniently stored.
Examples of such back-mounted umbrellas are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. D330,455; D345,856; D361,654; 3,892,251 and 4,188,965. In general, such back-mounted umbrellas involve a harness which either secures an umbrella of usual construction having a bottom handle, or secures a specially constructed umbrella having a straight shaft that removably inserts into a holding structure associated with the harness.
A common shortcoming of prior back-mounted umbrellas is that the umbrella tends to rotate within the holding structure, particularly in strong winds. Also, tilting movements in both the path of the person's walking movement and in the lateral or transverse direction are difficult to control. When a specialized harness is employed, it is difficult to emplace and is restrictive, and serves no other useful purpose.
Backpack carrying units are in commonplace use by hikers, campers and school students. The usual backpack is comprised of a storage compartment adapted to be worn on the back and secured by paired shoulder straps and a waist belt.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an umbrella and backpack combination wherein the backpack provides support for the umbrella.
It is a further object of this invention to provide the combination of the foregoing object wherein the umbrella is easily attached to and removed from the backpack.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the combination of the aforesaid nature wherein the umbrella, in its deployed, open state is stabilized with respect to rotative and tilting movements.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide the combination of the aforesaid nature wherein said backpack contains means for securing said umbrella in its collapsed, storage state.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide the combination of the aforesaid nature wherein the separate functionality of umbrella and backpack remains unimpaired.
These objects and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.
The above and other beneficial objects and advantages are accomplished in accordance with the present invention by an umbrella and backpack combination comprising:
For a fuller understanding of the nature and, objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawing:
a is a side view of the backpack partially disconnected.
b is a side view of the backpack fully disconnected.
c is a side view of the backpack disconnected and inside the storage compartment.
a is a frontal view of the stabilizing unit with the horizontal anchor.
b is a side view of device.
a is a cutaway view of the umbrella.
b is a cutaway view of the flexible handle.
a is a cutaway view of the stabilizing unit with the horizontal anchor.
a is a side view of the anchor within a conventional backpack.
b is a frontal view of the anchor within a conventional backpack.
a is frontal view of the handle within the receiver with the horizontal anchor.
Referring now to
Backpack 11 is of conventional construction, comprised of a storage compartment 115 which can be fabricated of sturdy fabric such as rip-stop nylon or another suitable material, and bounded in part by forward and rearward surfaces 14 and 15, respectively. Paired vertically oriented shoulder straps 16, which can be fabricated from heavy duty fabric belting, are fixably attached to forward surface 14 on adjacent opposite sides. Said shoulder straps (16) are usually equipped with adjusting mechanism 18 which can be conventional buckles. For insertion of items into compartment 115 a fastening element (116) extends across the median of compartment 115.
In an alternative embodiment, a horizontally oriented waist strap 19 can be also associated with forward surface 14, and equipped with an adjustment mechanism 20 which can be conventional buckle.
Referring to
Referring
In one embodiment, anchoring structure 21 can be removably inserted into a special compartment located within facing panel 26 in front of forward surface 14. Other means may, however be employed to secure said anchoring structure to said backpack. Alternatively, anchoring structure 21 can be inserted within a storage compartment 115 of a conventional back pack 11. To be secured in place each elongated bar (24, 25) can extend the length of the compartment (115, 116). In use, the fastener along the median of storage compartment 115 is detached and anchoring structure 21 is placed within storage compartment 115. To securely hold anchoring structure 21 in place fasteners are closed on opposing sides of anchoring structure 21 as shown in
In an alternative embodiment, as shown in
Umbrella 12 is comprised of collapsible canopy 28 and a straight center shaft 29 interactive in conventional manner with said canopy. Shaft 29, preferably of telescopically extendable tubular construction, extends to a lower terminal handle 30 equipped with male fastener 51 that inter locks into the female fastener 52 located within the cavity of receiver 22. Alternatively, as shown in
As shown, locking mechanism comprises female fastener 51 and male fastener 52. Female fastener 51 can be fabricated as a recessed portion incorporated within handle 30 or removable sleeve 130. Mating male fastener 52 can be fabricated as a locking pin or a spline with receiving slots which securely engaged within recessed portion. Alternatively, locking mechanism can comprise an internal padding within the cavity which securely engages with handle 30 of the umbrella shaft 29 wherein umbrella 12 is held in place. Locking mechanism can be manufactured by way of other means.
A push-button control 34 on shaft 29 causes the canopy 55 of the umbrella to move vertically upward or downward. The umbrella, in its collapsed storage state may have a length of between about 10 and 14 inches. In
When shaft 29 is inserted into receiver 22, the user pushes downward as shown in
While particular examples of the present invention have been shown and described, it is apparent that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention in its broadest aspects. The aim of the appended claims, therefore, is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20130213445 A1 | Aug 2013 | US |