Umbrella device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an umbrella device that has a canopy, a canopy mechanism adapted to expand and collapse said canopy, a base, an arm assembly disposed between said base and said canopy mechanism, said arm assembly having a proximal end pivotally connected to said base and a distal end pivotally connected to said canopy mechanism, said arm assembly being operable, by pivoting said proximal end relative to said base, between a retracted configuration and a protracted configuration, said arm assembly protracting when said proximal end pivots in a first pivotal direction and retracting when said proximal end pivots in a second opposite pivotal direction. The canopy mechanism may be disposed in a first direction relative to said base in said retracted configuration and in a second direction relative to said base, substantially transverse to said first direction, in said protracted configuration.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to collapsible umbrellas. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Umbrellas are used to provide the user with protection against rain, sunlight or snow and are generally carried by hand. Conventional collapsible umbrellas generally either have a fixed shaft or a telescopically extendable shaft. In order to expand the canopy, it is necessary to point the shaft away from the user to avoid the expanding canopy from contacting the user. [0003] U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,415 discloses an umbrella device having a collapsible shaft comprising a plurality of pivotally connected members arranged in scissor fashion. In order to prevent the expanding canopy from contacting the user during deployment, it is necessary to point the device away from the user until the canopy is fully expanded and then hold the umbrella upright for use. This may not be convenient for the user in circumstances where pointing the umbrella away from the user is difficult or whe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016] The distal end of the arm assembly may be operatively connected to the canopy mechanism such that the operation of the umbrella device simultaneously expands the canopy in the extended open configuration and collapses the canopy in the retracted closed configuration. This arrangement provides the umbrella device an automation feature, allowing both hands of the user free for other purposes.

Problems solved by technology

This may not be convenient for the user in circumstances where pointing the umbrella away from the user is difficult or where it is desirable to hold the device in a fixed position during deployment and use of the umbrella.

It is also often inconvenient to carry an umbrella particularly if the user requires the use of both hands for other purposes.

Further, carrying a wet umbrella after use is somewhat unpleasant.

The drawback of these devices is that although the user wears the holder attached to the torso, it is still necessary to take a separate umbrella by hand and mount and detach it, before and after every use.

The belt is made of a rigid metal which is uncomfortable to wear and makes sitting difficult.

Although this device enables the user to fold and unfold a mounted umbrella without requiring the umbrella to be removed from the device, the umbrella shaft must be arranged behind the user to avoid interfering with the face of the user and is therefore not easily accessible.

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