Handle comprising mobile weight

Abstract

A cap assembly for a handle comprises a housing 101 having a hollow interior and an opening or aperture at one end; a bearing in the housing oriented with the aperture or opening; a spindle 107 retain

Description

The present invention relates to a product for installation as part of handle, such as an umbrella handle, in order that the handle is provided with a self-levelling component whose position is visible through a portal in the component or shown by an indicator that is externally visible. Preferably the portal or indicator are located at or on the end of the handle. The primary advantage of a vehicle is the ease of travel which it provides. Part of the ease and convenience of travel stems from the security, safety and comfort during travel provided by the vehicle cabin. In particular a weatherproof cabin is considered essential, or at least highly desirable, in the vast majority of modem vehicles. Protection of the occupants of the vehicle from the elements is a major advantage in everyday life. However, passengers must still face the elements when entering or leaving a vehicle because, in general, protection of a vehicle does not extend beyond the cabin of the vehicle and users of the vehicle are therefore not protected when entering or exiting the vehicle. Various means of protecting vehicle users from the elements when entering / exiting a vehicle cabin are known. Protective clothing can be used but this can be cumbersome to remove and store within the cabin, especially when the wearer is seated. One method of protection that is widely used in the context of vehicles is an umbrella (for wet conditions) and / or a parasol or sunshade for hot weather or high UV (ultraviolet light) conditions. Umbrellas or parasols are particularly advantageous for use in the context of entering and exiting a vehicle because they can be more easily stowed within the cabin of the vehicle than protective clothing. Specialised storage positions for an umbrella within a vehicle door have been described previously. A vehicle door with a recess for an umbrella is described in patent application DE000019705680. This publication describes a door of a private vehicle comprising a tubular housing for an umbrella which is constructed as a side impact protector that extends over the whole width of the door. An apparatus for triggering the deployment of an object such as an umbrella from a storage location such as a tubular housing, within a door of a vehicle is described in UK Patent No. 2580702. Thus, an umbrella can be stored in a housing within a vehicle door and conveniently the handle, and in particular the end of the handle, is visible in the housing when the door is opened. Typically, umbrellas are produced with decorations, badges, or other adornments on the end cap of the umbrella handle. Accordingly, such decorations or adornments on the end cap are immediately visible to a user opening a car door and viewing the end of the umbrella handle. Necessarily, a design or adornment is often intended to be seen at a particular direction or angle. That is, the design will often have a “correct” orientation. In the case of a logo or other design e.g. a trade mark then the presentation of the mark may be considered part of the “trade dress” in conjunction with the use of the mark in the context of a product such as an umbrella or other apparatus with a handle. It is therefore desirable that the design or decoration always be seen in the correct orientation so that the observer receives the correct impression of the aesthetic design or trade dress associated with the product. Examples of systems where a trade mark is presented in the desired orientation in association with the trade dress of a product are known, for example, from Rolls-Royce motor cars. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars produce vehicle in which the central portion of the hub cap of the wheel comprises a roundel or badge on which the “Double-R” Rolls-Royce trade mark is depicted. The badge is mounted in an assembly attached to the hub cap such that the design on the badge is always keep vertical in spite of the rotation of the wheel on which it is mounted. That is, the badge rotates independently of the Hub Cap in order that the intended, upright presentation of the logo is always visible to an observer. Similarly, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars produced a pen in which the end of the lid comprises a badge comprising the “Double-R” trade mark on the circular end of the substantially cylindrical barrel of the lid. The badge is mounted in a bearing and weighted asymmetrically so that the badge freely rotates independently of the angle of the pen cap. Thus the badge is always presented in the upright position no matter how the pen is rotated. An umbrella may bear a badge or other identifier on the pommel of the umbrella handle. Thus, installation of an umbrella in a housing and in an automobile door may be at any angle and thus the badge or other adornment on the end of the umbrella may be installed in an orientation that is not upright or correct. Therefore an object of the invention is to provide a product wherein a badge, roundel, emblem, or other adornment on the end of a handle will automatically rotate to reorient itself in order that it is typically always visible in the desired or optimum orientation to suit the atheistic considerations of the logo or the trade-dress requirements of the product of which it is part. The invention provides a cap assembly for a handle comprising: a) a housing having a hollow body and an opening or aperture at at least one end; b) a bearing, wherein the exterior of the bearing is mounted in connection with the aperture or opening; c) a first member mounted in connection with the inner rotating component of the bearing such that the centre of mass of the first member is radially separated from the axis of rotation of the bearing; and d) a second member mounted in connection with the inner rotating component of the bearing and / or with the first member, wherein the second member comprises a mark indicating the rotational position of the first member. In the context of the present invention a handle is a part of, or attachment to, an object that allows it to be grasped and manipulated by hand. Thus, the handle may be for a hand tool. The handle may be for an umbrella. The advantage of using the cap assembly described herein in the context of an umbrella is that umbrellas may be stowed horizontally and therefore decorations or other adornments on the end cap can be visible. While it possible to orientate an umbrella so that the adornment is in the “correct” or most desirable orientation, it requires attention and action on the part of the person stowing the umbrella to orientate the umbrella in this way. It is therefore a saving in time and attention to detail if the orientation of the decoration or adornments is automatically “self-levelling” or self-orienting in the desired or preferable orientation. In the context of the present invention the terms opening or aperture may also be defined to relate to a as a hole or portal through the housing. In the context of the present invention a housing is a rigid casing that encloses and protects a piece of moving equipment or component thereof. In the context of the present invention mounting is defined as the attachment to a further supporting or cooperating component. In the context of the present invention a bearing is a component or part of the assembly that enables at least two parts to turn, rotate, or slide, preferably turn or rotate, relative to one another. The second member may be a badge, decoration, roundel, or other adornment. The second member may, advantageously, be formed and installed independently of the rest of the assembly in order that any particular adornment, logo, trade mark or other embellishment may be shown by the second member for viewing by the user. The embellishment may be a trade mark, e.g. the “Double-R” trade mark of Rolls-Royce motor cars. The first member may be longitudinally aligned with the axis of rotation of the bearing. This has the advantage that the first member can be installed symmetrically on the bearing but the asymmetric mass distribution of the first member will conventionally provide a twisting moment or torque force in order to cause the first member to turn on the bearing to the position where the centre of mass of the first member lies substantially vertically beneath the axis of rotation. Accordingly, such distribution of the mass advantageously yields the effect of automatic self-levelling or reorientation of the first member. Similarly, such movement of the first member yields a similar cognate movement of the second member that is connected with the inner rotating component of the bearing and / or the first member. The first member may comprise two or more components. That is, the first member may comprise more than a single component. Thus the first member may comprise at least one component which is longitudinally aligned with the axis of rotation of the bearing, and at least a further component which is mounted on the first member such that the centre of mass of the further or additional member is radially separated from the axis of rotation of the bearing. This advantageously yields a component with the centre of mass removed from the axis of rotation of the bearing by a defined distance and which thus yields a torque or moment force in order to provide the effect of automatic self-levelling or self re orientation of the first member. The first member may be an axle, which may be rod shaped and / or may be cylindrical. Accordingly, the first member may be elongate and preferably extends from the bearing, on which the first member may be mounted, into the hollow body of the housing. This arrangement has the advantage of allowing the mass of the first member to be distributed over a longer linear length such that the mass of material offset from the central axis the rotation of the bearing can be distributed over a longer length and therefore the same moment to twisting force can be provided with a lesser distance from the axes of rotation. This is advantageous to the user of an umbrella as they are less able to perceive a difference in weight distribution of a handle. As umbrella handles are typically round or cylindrical then a symmetric appearance is perceived to be inconsistent with an asymmetric weight distribution and is thus less preferred by users of tools with handles. The mass providing the effect of automatic orientation is preferably of a diameter that substantially fills the housing, while providing sufficient space for free rotational movement. Thus the levelling weight may be of greater diameter than the aperture or portal at the end of the cap assembly. The advantage of the weight having a greater diameter than the window through which the badge can be seen is that a greater force or turning moment can be achieved than if the levelling weight has the same diameter as the badge. The housing may be substantially cylindrical. The handle being substantially cylindrical simplifies installation of the rotating components of the assembly. However, the housing may be of many different forms and is not limited to being cylindrical in shape. The opening or aperture in the housing may be in the end of the housing, and preferably is centrally located. The end of the of the housing may be substantially flat, preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of rotation of the housing. The end of the housing may be contoured, domed or hemispherical. The opening or aperture in the housing may be substantially circular. A circular shape is particularly convenient. Roundels, medallions, coins, and / or badges that are intended to rotate within the area of the aperture can then match the shape of the second member that is visible through the aperture. Accordingly, the walls of the opening or aperture may be cylindrical. The advantage of such cylindrical walls is that the second member can be set into the cylindrical space so that the upper surface or outer surface of the second member can be set to be flush with the end of the Assembly. This is advantageous aesthetically and also in providing less surface area or opportunity for the increase of dust or other matter. Preventing dust entering this space is particularly advantageous as it protects the rotational mechanism of the bearing and thus provides for longer service life. The axis of rotation of the bearing may be substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the rotation of the housing. In this way, advantageously, the second member and the badge or other adornment mounted thereon are shown in the centre or middle of the end of the handle. Thus the adornment or badge will always be shown upright but the effect of the correct presentation of the adornment or badge may be impeded or spoilt by other surrounding asymmetric elements. Thus it is preferable that the badge be located in the middle of the handle so that it has the same appearance in all rotational orientations of the handle. The second member may substantially fill the area of the opening of the aperture, while being sized to have sufficient separation between the sides of the second member and the inner walls of the aperture to allow rotation of the second member therein. This has the advantage of minimising the area or space between these components while preventing the ingress of dust or other matter, as noted above. The mark or logo adornment or trade mark shown on the second member may be aligned with the direction of the radial position of the centre of mass of the second member. In this way, the orientation of the adornment, badge, logo, design, or trade mark can be preset so that it will automatically return to the correct, intended orientation due to the force of gravity providing a rotational moment on the first member in order to cause the second to turn to the pre-defined position. The bearing may be a sealed unit, thus the bearing may be effectively maintenance free over the service life of the device. Advantageously a sealed bearing also prevents the ingress of dirt or other contaminants that might affect the rotational movement of the first or second members. In the case of the use of an umbrella handle then such contaminants may include any material that can be borne on the hands of users, e.g. hand creams, sun screen creams, dirt, mud, dust, or other materials. The bearing may be a ball bearing, preferable the bearing is a caged ball bearing. Such bearings have the advantage of particularly low friction and in conjunction with the unit being sealed particularly low maintenance requirements. Alternative forms of bearing may be used other than those using ball bearings such as roller bearings. Conical roller bearings may be sued in order to ameliorate the effect of longitudinal thrust forces on the bearing. The end of the housing distal from the aperture may comprise a screw thread. The screw thread may be internal to the wall of the housing. The screw thread may be external to the wall of the housing. Thus, the Assembly can be mated to a cooperating screw thread in order that further handle components can be attached to the cap. In this way, further internal components can be attached, e.g. to allow the link to the shaft of umbrella, and a further exterior wrapping, or grip component may be separately or simultaneously installed on the assembly. In addition, or alternatively, an existing tool or umbrella may be retrofitted by replacing the existing cap with a cap assembly of the invention. The end of the housing distal to the opening or aperture may be closed or sealed shut. This advantage of providing a sealed handle unit onto which further components may be installed. Advantageously this means that there is less opportunity for ingress of dirt or other contaminants into the housing and thus the bearing of the cap assembly. The invention also provides and umbrella comprising an assembly as described herein. Furthermore, the invention also provides a vehicle comprising an umbrella as described herein, or an assembly as described herein for a device or other tool. Therefore, the invention also provides a vehicle comprising a tool with a handle, such as an umbrella, installed in a tube mounted within the body of the vehicle. The tube may be installed within the door of the vehicle. The tube may be installed within the door so that the end of the tube is open to the end of the door which is obscured when the automobile door is shut. This has the advantage of providing a sealed tube compartment within the door when the door is shut but which is automatically opened upon opening of the automobile door to allow the umbrella to be available to the vehicle user. Thus the umbrella may be installed In the vehicle at an angle of the 45 degrees or less to the horizontal. Such a location and orientation has the advantage of causing the automatic re orientation of the second member to be correct or preset angle. The vehicle may be an automobile, train, boat, or aeroplane, preferably the vehicle is an automobile The invention also provides methods of installing products and / or apparatuses of the invention in vehicles. Examples and Drawings The invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings and examples in which: Fig. 1 shows the central portion of a hub cap of a Rolls-Royce motor car in which the central “Double-R” trade mark is mounted on a roundel or badge at the centre of the hub cap and is further mounted on a mechanism that ensures the Double-R design always appears in the correct, vertical orientation. Fig. 2 shows a photograph of an umbrella handle as described herein in which the umbrella cap shown to the left is mated to the wooden exterior handle portion through a cooperating screw thread that is internal to the end cap and external to the proximal end of the external grip portion of the umbrella handle. A third component comprising a shaft that protrudes through the hollow handle portion and into the end cap for installation thereon is shown to the right. This third component also provides means for mounting further items thereon such as a shaft for a tool or an umbrella. Fig. 3 shows a cross sectional view of a cap assembly for a handle as described herein. The housing 101 comprises a hollow body with central aperture at the left end in which is installed a bearing 107. A spindle 103 is mounted on the central rotating portion of the bearing 107. Mounted onto the spindle 103 is a circumferential and cylindrical levelling weight 105 in which the mass of the levelling weight is asymmetrically distributed. The badge or other logo is not visible in Figure 3 but is mounted to rotate freely but in concert with the spindle and levelling weight. Examples A hollow umbrella handle has a shaft for an umbrella installed at the distal end and an aperture in the hollow umbrella handle at the proximal end. The aperture is circular and centrally located in order to coincide with the central axis of rotation of the umbrella handle. The umbrella handle is not necessarily cylindrical but has, preferably, rotational symmetry around the longitudinal axes of rotation. A bearing is installed in the circular aperture at the proximal end of the handle. The bearing is a sealed ball bearing unit and may be press fitted into the aperture such that its position is maintained by friction. Alternately, other fixings or mechanical means may be used in order to secure its location in the aperture. Mounted on the inner rotating portion of the bearing is an axle or spindle that extends out from the bearing along the longitudinal axis in the interior of the handle component. On the spindle is mounted a weight wherein the centre of mass of the weight is removed or separated from the central axes of rotation of the bearing. Accordingly, the weight will move under gravity and will cause the spindle also to move under gravity in order to come to rest at a predefined orientation. An adornment, embellishment, roundel, badge, or trade mark is displayed by attachment to the end of the spindle such that it substantially covers the area of the bearing mounted in the end of the handle. Thus the roundel or embellishment installed on the bearing rotates freely and independently of the rotational orientation of the handle of the umbrella. Accordingly, the badge will automatically reorientate itself to its correct and pre-set vertical position in accordance with the distribution of the mass within the handle. Similarly, installation of an umbrella equipped with such an end cap in the tubular recess of a door of an automobile will also yield the correct orientation of the badge in the end of the handle no matter how the umbrella is initially installed in the door. Accordingly, the invention provides an assembly for installation on a tool handle, preferably on the end of a toll handle. Most preferably the cap assembly would be installed on the end of an umbrella handle. The assembly provides a mechanism for automatically resetting or orientation the position of embellishment, roundel, badge, or trade mark displayed on the end of the handle such that it is substantially always upright with respect to the view of an observer of the roundel, embellishment, or badge on the end of the handle. Reference List 101 - Umbrella handle 103 - Spindle 105 - Levelling weight 107 - Badge

Claims

1. A cap assembly for a handle comprising:a) a housing having a hollow body and an opening or aperture at at least one end;b) a bearing, wherein the exterior of the bearing is mounted in connection with the aperture or opening;c) a first member mounted in connection with the inner rotating component of the bearing such that the centre of mass of the first member is radially separated from the axis of rotation of the bearing; andd) a second member mounted in connection with the inner rotating component of the bearing and / or with the first member, wherein the second member comprises a mark indicating the rotational position of the first member.

2. A cap assembly according to claim 1, wherein the handle is for an umbrella.

3. A cap assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second memberis a badge or roundel.

4. A cap assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the first member is longitudinally aligned with the axis of rotation of the bearing5. A cap assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the first member comprises two or more components, wherein at least one of which is longitudinally aligned with the axis of rotation of the bearing, and at least one of which is mounted on the first member such that the centre of mass of the additional member is radially separated from the axis of rotation of the bearing.

6. A cap assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the first member is an axle.

7. A cap assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the first member is elongate.

8. A cap assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the first member extends from the bearing into the hollow body of the housing5 9. A cap assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the opening oraperture is substantially circular10. A cap assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the bearing is a sealed unit.

11. A cap assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the bearing is a ball 10 bearing.

12. An umbrella comprising a cap assembly of any of claims 1 to 11.

13. A vehicle comprising an umbrella of claim 12.

14. A vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the vehicle is an automobile, train,boat, or aeroplane.15 15. A vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the vehicle is an automobile.

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