This invention relates to an umbrella storage apparatus and an umbrella retaining lock suited to be used for the umbrella storage apparatus.
In general, an umbrella storage apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a plurality of supporting members arranged in mutually parallel relation at upper end part of the apparatus main body, and a plurality of umbrella retaining locks arranged, side by side, at least at one side part of each supporting member in the longitudinal direction of the supporting members. The umbrella retaining locks retain the grip parts (parts-to-be-retained) of the umbrellas to be stored in their locked states (see Official Gazette of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H08-308711).
In the above-mentioned conventional umbrella storage apparatus, gaps between one end parts and between the other end parts in the longitudinal direction of the mutually adjacent supporting members are closed, respectively. Therefore, in case an umbrella is inserted between the supporting members so that the umbrella is retained by the umbrella retaining lock, the entire umbrella must be once lifted up to a level above the supporting members and then inserted between the supporting members. However, there is such a problem that when the umbrella is lifted up to the level above the supporting members, the grips, etc. of umbrellas which are already stored in the umbrella storage apparatus will get wet by waterdrops dropping from the ferrule of the umbrella. Moreover, it is difficult for children who are not yet high enough to lift up the umbrellas to the level above the supporting members and so, they cannot utilize the umbrella storage apparatus.
In order to solve the above problem, the first embodiment of the present invention is characterized by comprising an apparatus main body, a supporting member arranged with a longitudinal direction thereof directing in a direction intersecting with an up and down direction and with a basal part thereof supported on the apparatus main body, and a plurality of umbrella retaining locks disposed, side by side, on at least one side part of the supporting member along the longitudinal direction of the supporting member and adapted to retain a part-to-be-retained of the umbrella.
In this case, it is preferred that the apparatus main body is provided at least at one side part thereof with a reference plane directing in an arrangement direction orthogonal to an up and down direction and a longitudinal direction of the supporting member, and the reference plane is arranged to be separated by a predetermined distance or more in the arrangement direction from the umbrella storage apparatus.
It is preferred that the basal end part of the supporting member is rotatably supported on the apparatus main body about a horizontal axis between a use position where the longitudinal direction of the supporting member is directed in a direction intersecting with the up and down direction and a receipt position where the distal end part is located generally downward of the basal end part and the entire supporting member is disposed generally along the apparatus main body, the apparatus main body is rotatably provided with a cosmetic cover, the cosmetic cover can rotate between an open position and a closed position, the cosmetic cover, when located in the open position, allows the supporting member to rotate between the use position and the receipt position and when located in the closed position, covers the supporting member located in the receiving position and the umbrella retaining lock in co-action with the apparatus main body.
In order to solve the above problem, the second embodiment of the present invention is characterized by comprising an apparatus main body, a plurality of supporting members arranged with a longitudinal direction thereof directing in a direction intersecting with an up and down direction and with basal parts thereof supported on the apparatus main body, a plurality of umbrella retaining locks disposed, side by side, on at least one side parts of the supporting members along the longitudinal direction of the supporting member and each adapted to retain a part-to-be-retained of the umbrella, the supporting members are mutually spacedly arranged in the horizontal direction, and a gap between the mutually adjacent two supporting members and an extension part of the gap downward by a predetermined distance are open forward in the longitudinal direction of the supporting members.
In this case, it is preferred that the plurality of supporting members are arranged in mutually parallel relation.
It is preferred that the apparatus main body is provided at least at one side part thereof in the separation direction of the plurality of supporting members with a reference plane directing toward the outside in the separation direction, the reference plane is arranged to be separated outward by a predetermined distance or more from the umbrella retaining lock adjacent the inner side in the separation direction with respect to the reference plane.
It is preferred that the apparatus main body includes a plurality of supporting column parts mutually spacedly arranged on a horizontal straight line and vertically erected, and a plurality of second supporting column parts arranged in opposing relation on a straight line parallel to the straight line on which the plurality of supporting column parts are arranged and vertically erected, and the basal end parts and the distal end parts of the supporting members are supported on the mutually opposing supporting column parts and the second supporting column parts, respectively. In that case, it is preferred that at least an upper part of a gap between the mutually adjacent second supporting column parts is open forward in the longitudinal direction of the supporting member.
It is preferred that a reference plane directing toward the outside in the separation direction is disposed at least at one side part of the apparatus main body in the separation direction of the supporting member, and the reference plane is arranged to be separated outward by a predetermined distance or more from the umbrella retaining lock adjacent to the inside in the separation direction with respect to the reference plane.
It is preferred that the apparatus main body includes two supporting column parts arranged to be separated from each other in the horizontal direction and with their longitudinal direction directing in the up and down direction and a retaining member whose opposite end parts in the longitudinal direction are supported by the two supporting column parts, respectively, the plurality of supporting members are arranged to be separated from each other in the longitudinal direction of the retaining member, and the basal end parts of the supporting members are retained by the retaining member. In this case, it is preferred that a reference plane directing toward the outside in the separation direction is disposed at least at one side part of the apparatus main body in the separation direction of the two supporting column parts, and the reference plane is arranged to be separated outward by a predetermined distance or more from the umbrella retaining lock adjacent to the inside in the separation direction with respect to the reference plane.
It is preferred that the umbrella retaining lock includes a lock main body attached to a side part of the supporting member and formed in a front surface part thereof facing sideward of the supporting member with a receiving recess extending upward and downward and open sideward of the supporting member, and a lock member disposed at the lock main body such that the lock member is displaceable between a releasing position and a locking position, the lock member, when located in the releasing position, allowing a part-to-be-retained of an umbrella to be brought in and out of the receiving recess through the opening part, and when located in the locking position, prohibiting the part-to-be-retained of the umbrella from escaping from the receiving recess through the opening part, and a deepest part of the receiving recess is offset toward the longitudinal direction of the supporting member with respect to a central part of the opening part of the receiving recess.
It is preferred that the umbrella retaining lock includes a lock main body attached to a side part of the supporting member and formed in a front surface part thereof facing sideward of the supporting member with a receiving recess extending upward and downward and open sideward of the supporting member, and a lock member disposed at the lock main body such that the lock member is displaceable between a releasing position and a locking position, the lock member, when located in the releasing position, allowing a part-to-be-retained of an umbrella to be brought in and out of the receiving recess through the opening part, and when located in the locking position, prohibiting the part-to-be-retained of the umbrella from escaping from the receiving recess through the opening part, and a depth direction of the receiving recess is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the supporting member so that the depth of the receiving recess becomes deeper from one end side in the longitudinal direction of the supporting member toward the other end.
The first embodiment of an umbrella retaining lock according to the present invention is characterized by including a lock main body formed in a front surface thereof with a receiving recess extending in the up and downward direction and open forward, and a lock member disposed at the lock main body such that the lock member is displaceable between a releasing position and a locking position, the lock member, when located in the releasing position, allowing a part-to-be-retained of an umbrella to be brought in and out of the receiving recess through the opening part, and when located in the locking position, prohibiting the part-to-be-retained of the umbrella from escaping from the receiving recess through the opening part, wherein a deepest part of the receiving recess is offset in the horizontal direction along the front surface of the lock main body with respect to a central part in the horizontal direction of the opening part of the receiving recess.
The second embodiment of an umbrella retaining lock according to the present invention is characterized by including a lock main body formed in a front surface thereof with a receiving recess extending in the up and downward direction and open forward, and a lock member disposed at the lock main body such that the lock member is displaceable between a releasing position and a locking position, the lock member, when located in the releasing position, allowing a part-to-be-retained of an umbrella to be brought in and out of the receiving recess through the opening part, and when located in the locking position, prohibiting the part-to-be-retained of the umbrella from escaping from the receiving recess through the opening part, wherein a depth direction of the receiving recess is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the supporting member so that the depth of the receiving recess becomes deeper toward the horizontal direction along the front surface of the lock main body.
In the above-mentioned umbrella retaining lock, it is preferred that a movable member with a part thereof projecting from a bottom surface of the receiving recess is disposed at the apparatus main body such that the movable member is displaceable in the depth direction of the receiving recess, and the movable member is connected to the lock member so that when the movable member is abutted with the part-to-be-retained of the umbrella inserted in the receiving recess and then displaced toward the deep side of the receiving recess together with the part-to-be-retained, the lock member is displaced toward the locking position side from the releasing position interlocking with the displacement of the movable member.
It is preferred that an intermediate part located within the apparatus main body of the lock member is rotatably disposed at the apparatus main body for rotation about an axis extending in the up and down direction, the lock member is provided at one end part thereof projecting toward the outside from the apparatus main body with an engagement part for prohibiting the part-to-be-retained of the umbrella from escaping from the opening part of the receiving recess when the lock member is located in the locking position, and the movable member is integrally disposed at the other end part projecting from a bottom surface within the receiving recess of the lock member.
It is preferred that the bottom surface of the receiving recess includes a pair of side surfaces extending in parallel relation to each other toward the deep side of the receiving recess from an opening part thereof, and a deep surface disposed between end parts on the deep side of the pair of side surfaces, a recess is formed in an area in the vicinity of an opening part of a side surface opposing the opening part of the receiving recess of the pair of side surfaces, and a part of the engagement part is received in the recess so that when the lock member is located in the releasing position, the engagement part is not projected toward the outside from the opening part of the receiving recess and a part-to-be-retained of an umbrella inserted in the receiving recess through the opening part thereof is not abutted with the engagement part.
Some embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to
The supporting column part 2 is formed in a box-like configuration which is open at its front surface. A pair of mutually opposing bearing parts 2a, 2a are disposed at opposing side parts in the left and right direction of an upper end face of the supporting column part 2. The bearing parts 2a, 2a are integrally formed with the supporting column part 2. The pair of bearing parts 2a, 2a are arranged with their axes directing in the left and right direction and aligned with each other. A notch part 2b is formed at an upper end part of the front surface of the supporting column part 2. This notch part 2b is arranged in such a manner as to be located between the pair of bearing parts 2a, 2a in the left and right direction. A notch part 2c is formed at a lower end part of the front surface of the supporting column part 2. This notch part 2c is arranged at a generally same position as the notch part 2b in the left and right direction. The notch part 2c has an approximately same width (width in the left and right direction) as the notch part 2b.
A basal end part of the supporting member 4 is inserted between the pair of bearing parts 2a, 2a. The basal end part of the supporting member 4 is rotatably supported by the bearing parts 2a, 2a about a horizontal axis extending in the left and right direction. The rotating range of the supporting member 4 is restricted to between a use position where a distal end part of the supporting member 4 becomes approximately same in height as the basal part and as a result, the entire supporting member 4 becomes generally horizontal in posture and a receipt position where the distal end part of the supporting member 4 is located normal and downward to the basal end part. A lock mechanism (not shown) is disposed between the supporting member 4 and the supporting column part 2. When the supporting member 4 is held in the use position and the lock mechanism is held in the locked state, the supporting member 4 is maintained in the use position. When the locked state caused by the locking mechanism is released, the supporting member 4 becomes able to rotate from the use position to the receipt position. When the supporting member 4 is rotated into the receipt position, its part adjacent to the bearing parts 2a, 2a on the lower side is brought into the notch part 2b and its part located on the lower side of the notch part 2b is almost entirely received in the supporting column part 2.
As shown in
The left side surface 2d and the right side surface 2e of the supporting column part 2 are each comprised of a normal plane orthogonal to the axis of the bearing part 2a. The left side surface 2d is located at the leftmost side in the entire umbrella storage apparatus A, and the right side surface 2e is located at the rightmost side in the entire umbrella storage apparatus A. The left side surface 2d and the right side surface 2e each serves as a reference plane (hereinafter, the left side surface 2d is referred to as the “left reference plane” and the right side surface 2e is referred to as the “right reference plane”). Instead of serving the entire left and right side surfaces 2d, 2e each as a reference plane, it is accepted that a projection part projecting in the left side direction is formed on a part of the side surface 2d and a projection part projecting in the right side direction is formed on a part of the side surface 2e, so that only distal end faces of the projection parts may serve as a reference plane. The same is true for each of the embodiments to be described hereinafter. A front surface 6c facing leftward of the umbrella retaining lock 5 is arranged to be separated inward by a predetermined distance with respect to the left reference plane 2d. A front face 6c facing rightward of the umbrella retaining lock 5′ is arranged to be separated inward by the same distance between the front surface 6c of the umbrella retaining lock 5 and the left reference plane 2d with respect to the right reference plane 2e. The distance between the left reference plane 2d and the front surface 6c of the umbrella retaining lock 5, and the distance between the right reference plane 2e and the front surface 6c of the umbrella retaining lock 5′ are same. The distances are set to any one of the following dimensions, for example.
Presume here that the left reference plane 2d is face-contacted with a normal wall surface so that the supporting member 4 becomes parallel to the normal wall surface. Then, a gap having the same dimension as the distance between the left reference plane 2d and the front surface 6c is formed between the normal wall surface and the front surface 6c of the umbrella retaining lock 5. The distance between the left reference plane 2d and the front surface 6c is established such that an umbrella can be inserted between the normal wall surface and the front surface 6c of the umbrella retaining lock 5 through this gap. In the like manner, the distance between the right reference plane 2e and the front surface 6c of the umbrella retaining lock 5′ is established.
Otherwise, as shown in
A basal end part of the water receiving part 3 is rotatably supported on a lower end part of the front surface of the supporting column part 2 about the horizontal axis. The water receiving part 3 is formed in a rectangular container, in a plan view, having an open top and a small depth. The water receiving part 3 is determined in its length in the back and forth direction and its width in the left and right direction such that any waterdrop dropping from any umbrella retained by any umbrella retaining lock 5, 5′ can be received in the receiving part 3. Moreover, the width of the water receiving part 3 is established to be narrower than the width in the left and right direction of the supporting column part 2, i.e., the distance between the left and right reference places 2d, 2e within a range capable of satisfying such conditions. Accordingly, the opposite side surfaces of the water receiving part 3 is located on the inner side in the left and right direction of the reference planes 2d, 2e of the supporting column part 2.
The rotating range of the water receiving part 3 is restricted to between a water receiving position shown in
One side part of a cosmetic cover 2f is disposed at one side part in the left and right direction of the front surface of the supporting column part 2 such that the cosmetic cover 2f can rotate between a closed position indicated by a solid line and an open position as indicated by an imaginary line in
Next, the construction of the umbrella retaining locks 5, 5′ will be described. As apparent from
As shown in
A receiving recess 6d is formed in the front surface 6c of the main body part 6. As shown in
It should be noted here that the expression “central part” of the opening part 6e refers to a place which is located at a distance D/2 from the opposite end edges, wherein D is a distance between the opposite end edges in the left and right direction in
A relief surface 6j is formed between the end edge located on the distal end side of the supporting member 4 in the opposite end edges which define the opening part 6e of the receiving recess 6d and the side surface 6h (side surface 6h opposing the opening part 6e) adjacent to the first-mentioned end edge. This relief surface 6j is inclined in the opposite direction to the side surface 6h. In other words, the surface 6j is inclined such that the relief surface 6j is separated from the front surface 6c toward the distal end side from the basal end side of the supporting member 4. A recess 6k is defined by the relief surface 6j and the end part on the opening part 6e side of the side surface 6h. As shown in
As shown in
The core part 7a is disposed at the inside of the main body part 6 and positionally fixed to the main body part 6 such that the core part 7a can rotate about its own axis. The rotating range of the core part 7a, i.e., the rotating range of the lock member 7 is restricted to between a releasing position shown in
As shown in
The forward part of the engagement part 7b is projected into the receiving recess 6d through the communication hole 61 irrespective of the rotational position of the lock member 7. Especially, when the lock member 7 is located in the releasing position, the forward part (a part) of the engagement part 7b is received in the recess 6k and abutted against the side surface 6h, which defines the recess 6k, by the rotational biasing force of the spring 8. In other words, abutment of the engagement part 7b against the side surface 6h, which defines the recess 6k, restricts the releasing position of the lock member 7. When the lock member 7 is located in the releasing position, insertion of the forward part of the engagement part 7b into the recess 6k, prohibits the engagement part 7b from projecting outward through the opening part 6e of the receiving recess 6d, and the entire engagement part 7b is located on the inner side from the opening part 6e of the receiving recess 6d. Accordingly, when the lock member 7 is located in the releasing position, even if the grip part (part-to-be-retained) H of an umbrella erected in a vertical posture is moved backward (upward in
When the lock member 7 is located in the releasing position, the abutment part 7c is projected toward the inside of the receiving recess 6d after passing through the communication hole 61. Accordingly, when the grip part H is inserted into the receiving recess 6d through the opening part 6e along the line L, the grip part H is abutted against the one side surface facing the opening part 6e side of the abutment part 7c. When the grip part H is further inserted into the receiving recess 6d from that position, the lock member 7 is rotated toward the locking position side from the releasing position side against the rotational biasing force of the spring 8. When the lock member 7 arrives at the lock start position shown in
As shown in
A lock member 12 is disposed within the main body part 6. One end part of this lock member 12 is rotatably supported by the main body part 6 through the shaft 13 with its axis directing in the up and down direction. The other end part of the lock member 12 is opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the core part 7a. At least one ratchet tooth 12a is formed on the other end part of the lock member 12 which is opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the core part 7a. When this ratchet tooth 12a is engaged with the ratchet teeth 7d formed on the core part 7a of the lock member 7, the lock member 7 becomes rotatable only from the releasing position side toward the locking position side, and the member 7 is prohibited from rotating from the locking position side toward the releasing position side.
The lock member 12 is normally rotationally biased by a spring (not shown) in a direction where its ratchet toot 12a approaches the core part 7a. However, a cam surface 12b is formed on the opposing surface to the core part 7a of the lock member 12. When the key shaft 9 is located in the lock-off position and the lock member 7 is located in the releasing position, this cam surface 12b is, as shown in
When the lock member 7 is rotated by a predetermined angle toward the locking position side from the releasing position, the projection 7e is abutted with the engagement shaft part 9b to cause the key shaft 9 to rotate toward the lock-on position side from the lock-off position. When the lock member 7 is arrived at the lock start position shown in
In case the grip part H is in a state retained by the receiving recess 6d, since the key shaft 9 is rotated to the lock-on position the key 11 can be withdrawn from the engagement hole 9a and the key hole 6m. When the key 11 is withdrawn from the key hole 6m, the key shaft 9 cannot be rotated toward the lock-off position side from the lock-on position side. Thus, the grip part H can hardly be escaped from the receiving recess 6d. In case the grip part H is in the shape of a letter “J”, the grip part H cannot be escaped from the receiving recess 6d unless the lock member 7 is rotated toward the releasing position side. However, in case the grip part H is straight as in a foldable umbrella, the grip part H is easily escaped downward from the receiving recess 6d when it is pushed downward. In order to prevent such a situation from occurring, the core part 7a is provided at an area on its outer peripheral surface facing the receiving recess 6d with a friction member 14 formed of material having a large friction resistance such as rubber. When this friction member 14 is contacted with the grip part H, the grip part H is prohibited as much as possible from escaping in the up and down direction from the receiving recess 6d by the friction resistance generated therebetween.
In case the grip part H is to be escaped from the receiving recess 6d, the key 11 is inserted in the key hole 6m and the engagement hole 9a. And the key shaft 9 is rotated by the key 11 toward the lock-off position side from the lock-on position side against the rotational biasing force of the spring 10. Then, the engagement shaft part 9b is brought into abutment with the side surface continuous with the cam surface 12b of the recess 12c of the lock member 12. The lock member 12 is rotated by the engagement shaft part 9b in such a manner as to be separated from the lock member 7 against the biasing force of the spring. As a result, the engagement between the ratchet teeth 12a, 7d is released, and the lock member 7 becomes rotatable toward the releasing position side from the locking position side. When the key shaft 9 is further rotated toward the lock-off position side by the key 11, the engagement shaft part 9 is brought into abutment with the projection 7e of the lock member 7 so that the lock member 7 is rotated toward the releasing position side from the locking position side. When the lock member 7 is rotated toward the releasing position side beyond, even slightly, the intermediate position in accordance with the rotation of the key shaft 9, the lock member 7 is rotated to the releasing position by the spring 8. The key shaft 9 is rotated to the lock-off position by the key 11 against the biasing force of the spring 10. As a result, the umbrella retaining lock 5 is returned into the original state as shown in
One end part of a shielding member 15 is rotatably connected to an intermediate part between the projection 7e and the engagement part 7b of the entire outer peripheral of the core part 7a. The other end part of this shielding member 15 is movably connected to the shaft 13. When the lock member 7 is located in the releasing position, the shielding member 15 is, as shown in
In the umbrella storage apparatus A thus constructed, since the umbrella retaining locks 5, 5′ are disposed at only one supporting member 4, the grip part (part-to-be-retained) H of the umbrella can be inserted in the receiving recess 6d without lifting up the umbrella to a level higher than the umbrella supporting member 4. As shown in
Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be described. With respect to the embodiments to be described hereinafter, only the construction different from the above embodiment is described, and the identical component parts are denoted by identical reference numeral and description thereof is omitted.
Basal end parts of a plurality of supporting members 4 are fixed to the rotatable member 25. The respective supporting members 4 mutually separately arranged in the longitudinal direction (left and right direction) of the rotatable member 25. Moreover, the respective supporting members 4 are arranged at the same positions in the peripheral direction of the rotatable member 25 and extend in the same direction in mutually parallel relation. Of course, the respective supporting members 4 extend forward generally in their horizontal postures when in use position and they extend downward generally in their normal postures when in receiving position. A plurality of umbrella retaining locks 5, 5′ are disposed at opposite side parts in the left and right direction of the supporting member 4 along the longitudinal direction of the supporting member 4, respectively. The leftward and rightward adjacent supporting members 4, 4 are separated in the left and right direction with a predetermined distance. That is, in order to form a gap necessary for moving an umbrella in the back and forth direction, the supporting members 4, 4 are separately arranged in the left and right direction between the umbrella retaining locks 5, (5′) disposed at one supporting member 4 and the umbrella retaining locks 5′, (5) disposed at the other supporting member 4 adjacent to the above-mentioned one supporting member 4. The gap formed between the umbrella retaining locks 5, 5′ is open forward of the supporting member 4, so that an umbrella erected upward and downward can be inserted in the gap from the front side in the longitudinal direction of the supporting member 4. Moreover, if the gap formed between the umbrella retaining locks 5, 5′ should be extended to the upper surface of the water receiving part 3, the extended part would be also open forward. Accordingly, the umbrella can be inserted into the gap merely by moving the umbrella toward the upper side from the water receiving part 3. However, instead of opening forward the entire range of the gap, which is formed between the umbrella retaining locks 5, 5′, extending to the water receiving part 3, only the range extending toward the lower side by a predetermined distance from the supporting member 4 may be open as in the sixth embodiment to be described later.
After the supporting member 4 is rotated into the receiving position, the water receiving part 3 is rotated into the folding position and the water receiving part 3 is locked to a lock member 23 disposed at a supporting column part 23, thereby the supporting member 4 and the water receiving part 3 can be positionally fixed to the receiving position and the folding position.
In the umbrella storage apparatus B of this embodiment, in case the grip part H of an umbrella is to be inserted in a receiving recess 6d of the umbrella retaining locks 5, 5′ of this embodiment, the umbrella is erected with the grip part on the upper side, and this umbrella is inserted between the umbrella retaining locks 5, 5′ which are disposed at one and the other side parts of the leftward and rightward adjacent supporting members 4, 4 from the distal end side of the supporting member 4. Then, the umbrella can be inserted in the receiving recess 6d of the empty umbrella retaining lock 5 or 5′. At that time, since the receiving recess 6d is inclined such that depth of the recess 6d becomes deeper toward the basal end side from the distal end side of the supporting member 4, and as a result, the deepest part of the receiving recess 6d is offset toward the basal end side of the supporting member 4 with respect to the center of the receiving recess 6d in the longitudinal direction of the supporting member 4, the grip part H of the umbrella can be inserted in the receiving recess 6d without greatly changing the moving direction of the umbrella. Accordingly, the grip part H can easily be inserted in the receiving recess 6d compared with the conventional umbrella storage apparatus in which the depth direction of the receiving recess 6d is directed in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the supporting member 4. For the same reason, the grip part H can easily be taken out of the receiving recess 6d.
In this umbrella storage apparatus B, the casters K, K are located outside of the side surfaces 23b, 23b facing outside in the left and right direction of the supporting column parts 23, 23. However, by providing the caster K on the inner side from the side surface 23b and by making the relation between the side surface 23b and the front surface 6c of the umbrella retaining lock 5 (5′) as in the case with the relation between the comparable components in the first embodiment, the side surface 23b may serve as a reference plane and a plurality of umbrella storage apparatuses B may be arranged side by side leftward and rightward and used in that condition.
Umbrella retaining locks 50 instead of the umbrella retaining locks 5, 5′ are disposed at a right side part of the supporting member 4 which is arranged at the left end, a left side part of the supporting member 4 which is arranged at the right end, and the left and right side parts of the supporting member 4 which are arranged at the intermediate part. Each umbrella retaining lock 50 includes a main body part 51. An attachment recess 52 is formed in a rear surface of this main body part 51. On side part of the supporting member 4 is fitted to this attachment recess 52. The main body part 51 is fixed to the supporting member 4 by fixing means such as a machine screw (not shown).
A receiving recess 54 is formed in a front surface part 53 facing in the left and right direction of the main body part 51 in such a manner as to vertically divide the front surface part 53 in the up and down direction. In case of an umbrella having a grip part (part-to-be-retained) formed, for example, in a shape of a letter “J”, the linear upper end part (the lower end part when the umbrella is stored therein in its up-side-down posture) of the umbrella is removably inserted in this receiving recess 54. In case of an umbrella, such as a foldable umbrella having a large and thick grip part, a part of an intermediate shaft extending upward (downward when the umbrella is stored therein in its up-side-down posture) from the grip part and located in the vicinity of the grip part is removably inserted in the receiving recess 54. The main body part 51 is provided with an opening and closing member 55 bent to have a generally arcuate shape. A part of this opening and closing member 55 projects from a front surface part 53 of the main body part 51. The opening and closing member 55 is disposed at a location adjacent to the receiving part 54 in the back and forth direction. That is, in the umbrella retaining lock 50 which is disposed at the right side part of the supporting member 4, the opening and closing member 55 is disposed behind the receiving recess 54, while in the umbrella retaining lock 50 which is disposed at the left side part of the supporting member 4, the opening and closing member 55 is disposed in front of the receiving recess 54. This arrangement results in that same umbrella retaining locks are used as the umbrella retaining locks 50, 50 which are arranged at the left and right side parts of the supporting member 4. Of course, the umbrella retaining locks 5, 5′ may be used instead of the umbrella retaining lock 50.
The opening and closing member 55, just like the opening and closing member of an umbrella retaining lock disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. H04-20585, for example, is retractably rotatable between an open position as indicated by a solid line of
In this umbrella storage apparatus F, the gap formed between the umbrella retaining locks 50, 50 which are disposed at the supporting members 4, 4 which are adjacent in the back and forth direction, and the clearance obtained by extending this gap to the water receiving part 3 are open in the left and right direction from the opposite left and right end parts of the supporting members 4, 4. Accordingly, in case an umbrella is to be retained by the umbrella retaining lock 50, the umbrella can be inserted between the umbrella retaining locks 50, 50 through the left side and right side opening parts, and inserted in the receiving recess 54 of the empty umbrella retaining lock 50.
A window hole 66 is formed in the other end part of the front surface 63 of the main body 61. An opening and closing member 67 is inserted in this window hole 66. This opening and closing member 67 is placed within the main body part 21 such that the member 67 is retractable and displaceable with respect to the front surface 63. The opening and closing member 67 is placed within the main body part 21 such that the member 67 is rotationally displaceably between an open position where the entire opening and closing member 67 is brought into the window hole 66, and a closed position where one end part is projected through the window hole 66 and proximate in opposing relation to the distal end part of the horizontal part 64b. When the opening and closing member 67 is displaced to the open position, the part-to-be-retained of the umbrella can be inserted in and withdrawn from the receiving recess 65. When the opening and closing member 67 is displaced to the closed position, the part to be retain, which is inserted in the receiving recess 65, cannot be escaped from the receiving recess 65.
In case the umbrella retaining lock 60 thus constructed is to be used in an umbrella storage apparatus, the umbrella retaining lock 60 is attached to the supporting member 4. In this case, the umbrella retaining lock 60 is attached to the supporting member 4 such that one end opening part of the receiving recess 65 faces the open end part side of the gap between the supporting members 4, 4 which are adjacent to each other in the left and right direction. In the umbrella retaining apparatus with the umbrella retaining lock 60 attached thereto, the umbrella is inserted between the supporting members 4, 4 through its open end part side, and simply moved along the front surface 63 of the umbrella retaining lock 60. By doing so, the part-to-be-retained of the umbrella can be inserted into the receiving recess 65. When the key 11 is rotated by about 90 degrees from the opening position shown in
In case the umbrella stored in the umbrella storage apparatus is to be removed therefrom, the key 11 is inserted in the key hole and rotated into the open position. Then, the opening and closing member 67 is displaced into the open position to open the receiving recess. Then, by moving the umbrella in to opposite direction to the direction at the time of inserting the umbrella in the umbrella storage apparatus, the umbrella is withdrawn from the receiving recess 65 and also withdrawn between the supporting members 4, 4 through the opening part.
The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments but many changes and modifications can be made in accordance with necessity.
For example, in the above embodiment, the supporting members 4 located in a use position, are horizontally arranged. However, it is also accepted the supporting members 4 are inclined downward in the forward direction.
In the umbrella storage apparatus according to the present invention, the wall part of the skeleton structure of a house or building may serve as the apparatus main body. In that case, a recess extending upward and downward is formed in the wall surface of the wall part serving as the apparatus main body. A supporting member is disposed at an upper end part of this recess such that the supporting member is rotatable between a used position and a receiving position, and a water receiving part is disposed at a lower end part of the recess such that the water receiving part is rotatable between a water receiving position and a folding position. A part, which is adjacent either in the left or right direction with respect to the recess formed in the wall surface of the skeleton structure is provided with a cosmetic cover. The supporting member and the water receiving part rotated into the receiving position and the folding position, respectively, and umbrella retaining locks attached to the supporting member are receiving in the recess. Then, the recess is closed by the cosmetic cover rotated into the closed position from the open position, so that the supporting member, the water receiving part and the umbrella retaining locks are shielded from the outside.
Moreover, a plurality of supporting members 4 may be integrally formed. This will be hereinafter described with reference to the example of the above-mentioned umbrella storage apparatus G. The umbrella storage apparatus G can be modified in the following manner. That is, the supporting column part 2 is merely formed in a circular column-like shape without providing the disc part 2g on the upper end part of the supporting column part 2. Of four supporting members 4, two supporting member 4 arranged on a straight line are mutually integrally formed. Then, an intermediate part of the integrally formed supporting member is fixedly placed on the upper end face of the supporting column part 2. The basal end parts of the remaining two supporting members 4, 4 arranged on another straight line are fixed to the opposite side surfaces of the intermediate part of the integrally formed supporting member. In an umbrella storage apparatus thus constructed, the intermediate part of the integrally formed supporting member constitutes the both basal end parts of the supporting member 4 on one end side in the longitudinal direction and the supporting member 4 on the other end side. Moreover, one end part and the other end part of the integrally formed supporting member constitute the distal end parts of the respective supporting members 4, 4, respectively.
The present invention can be utilized as an umbrella storage apparatus which is designed such that the grip parts, etc. of the umbrellas already stored will not get wet by waterdrops dropping from the umbrellas which are to be stored thereafter.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2002-183010 | Jun 2002 | JP | national |
2003-112474 | Apr 2003 | JP | national |
2003-115762 | Apr 2003 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/JP03/07913 | 6/23/2003 | WO | 12/17/2004 |