Umbrella comprising an illumination device

Abstract

The invention relates to an umbrella, in particular a hand-held umbrella, free-standing umbrella, or offset hanging umbrella for protection against the rain, or for use as a sunshade. Said umbrella comprises a canopy, a supporting construction for said canopy and an illumination unit that is allocated to the supporting construction. An aim of the invention is to provide the greatest possible protection for the illumination unit, whilst giving the umbrella a particularly aesthetic appearance. To achieve this, the invention is characterized in that the illumination unit of the supporting construction is essentially integrated into the umbrella.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a Continuation of International Application No. PCT / DE2006 / 000467, filed Mar. 15, 2006, and which designates the U.S. The disclosure of the referenced application is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to an umbrella, more preferably a hand-held umbrella, free-standing umbrella, or offset hanging umbrella for protection against the rain, or for use as a sunshade. Said umbrella comprises a canopy, a supporting construction for said canopy and an illumination device that is allocated to the supporting construction. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] An apparatus of the mentioned type is known based on utility model patent application DE 298 11 817 U1. To improve the safety of pedestrians in traffic, it proposes an umbrella for protection against the rain equipped with electrical light sources at the tip of some of the ribs supporting the covering of the umbrella. ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] According to the present invention, it has been determined that the ideal protection of the illumination device allocated to the umbrella from being damaged or destroyed can be achieved by partially or completely integrating the illumination device in the supporting construction of the umbrella.

[0044] In an alternative embodiment of the umbrella according to the invention, the automatic activation of the illumination device based on the opening of the canopy is not required. In this case, a hand or foot switch is integrated in the supporting construction which can be used at the choice of the user to activate the illumination device. This embodiment of the umbrella according to the invention is preferable in case the automatic activation of the illumination device with open canopy does not appear to be desirable. For example, for reasons of saving energy, it can appear to be rather worthwhile that the illumination device is exclusively activated and deactivated based on the user's choice.

Problems solved by technology

However, the type-defining umbrellas have a disadvantage that the illumination device is very susceptible to damage as a result of the daily operation.

In particular when the umbrella or the sunshade is folded open or closed, the illumination device can collide with other parts of the umbrella or its supporting construction, thus getting damaged or destroyed—especially over the long-term.

It is common knowledge that—as articles of the daily use—both umbrellas as well as sunshades are not handled with particular care or treated gently, but are exposed to major wear as a result of their intended use and storage.

The illumination device attached to the type-defining umbrella pursuant to the state of the art can be quickly and seriously damaged as a result.

An additional disadvantage of the umbrella comprising an illumination device known from prior art is the fact that the user perceives the illumination device as a highly disturbing foreign object within the otherwise familiar construction of the umbrella.

The attachment of illumination devices to the supporting construction of commercially available umbrellas makes an amateurish impression on the user and creates an unfavorable aesthetical appearance.

This unfavorable aesthetical appearance may have an especially negative impact if the illuminated umbrella is used in professional surroundings, such as for example in the case of very large and cost-intensive sunshades used in the food and beverage industry.

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