Umbrella with rain gutter function

Abstract

To provide an umbrella with a gutter function which prevents a user from getting wet unintentionally from rainwater running down the umbrella base without impairing the appearance of the umbrella or interfering with folding the umbrella, allows an existing umbrella to be easily modified, and furthermore, allows the rainwater flowing into the gutter to be drained smoothly and in an orderly manner. SOLUTION: A groove-shaped gutter-like portion 2 is provided around the periphery of the umbrella base 1 to receive rainwater that runs down the umbrella base 1. A support member 4 that supports the gutter-like portion 2 is attached to the tip of the ribs 3. A member 7 for maintaining the groove shape of the gutter-like portion 2 is provided on the gutter-like portion 2. A drainage point for rainwater is also formed in the gutter-like portion 2.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This invention relates to an umbrella for use in rainy weather, and more specifically to an umbrella with a rain gutter function that prevents the user from accidentally getting their clothes wet from rainwater running down the umbrella base in rainy weather. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional umbrellas of this type are described, for example, in Patent Documents 1 and 2. The conventional product in Patent Document 1 has rubber attached around the outer surface of the umbrella base in the shape of a dam, which prevents rainwater from running down around the umbrella base.

[0003] However, as mentioned above, this conventional product had rubber wrapped around the umbrella fabric, which caused problems in that the rubber was unsightly and made the umbrella look bad, and also made it difficult to fold the umbrella fabric neatly. Furthermore, with this conventional product, there was a problem in that no measures were taken to drain the rainwater that was blocked by the rubber, making it impossible to drain the rainwater in an orderly manner.

[0004] In addition, the conventional product in Patent Document 2 had the tips of all ribs curved upward, a recess for a rain gutter provided on the inside of these tips, and the umbrella fabric was sewn tightly into this recess.

[0005] Therefore, in the case of this conventional product, a special rib with a curved tip was required, making it difficult to easily convert an umbrella into one with a rain gutter function using existing ribs.

[0006] Furthermore, with this conventional product, the curvature of the gutter was determined only by the position of the tips of the ribs, so the gutter portion between the ribs was prone to deformation due to the flow pressure of rainwater. Therefore, when using this conventional product, rainwater would run off from the deformed parts and could not be drained away orderly and reliably, so that the user would often accidentally wet their clothes.

[0007] Furthermore, in the case of this conventional product, like the conventional product of Patent Document 1, no measures were taken to drain rainwater that had flowed into the gutter. As a result, rainwater could not be drained smoothly and orderly. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 52-144856 [Patent Document 2] JP 2001-346619 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present invention has been proposed in view of the problems associated with the prior art. Therefore, the technical problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide an umbrella with a rain gutter function that can be easily formed by using the ribs of an existing umbrella without using rubber to make the umbrella look bad or to interfere with folding the umbrella, and without specially processing the tips of the ribs, and that is further formed so that rainwater can be drained smoothly and in an orderly manner from the rain gutter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention adopts the following technical means. In other words, as shown in Figure 1 etc., this device is an umbrella with a gutter function, in which a groove-shaped gutter-like portion 2 is provided all around the periphery of the umbrella base 1 to catch rainwater that runs down the umbrella base 1, and is characterized in that a support member 4 that supports the gutter-like portion 2 is attached to the tip of the ribs 3 on which the umbrella base 1 is stretched, a member 7 for maintaining the groove shape of the gutter-like portion 2 is provided in the gutter-like portion 2, and a drainage point 8 for rainwater is formed in the gutter-like portion 2.

[0011] In this case, it is preferable that the support member 4 of the present invention is formed of a main body portion 4a that is sewn to the rib 3 and a curved portion 4b that extends from the main body portion 4a to form the gutter-shaped portion 2 into a groove shape.

[0012] This is because it is possible to support the gutter-shaped portion 2 by a simple means. In the case of the present invention, the material for forming the support member 4 is arbitrary and is not limited to rust-proofed wire or stainless steel metal wire, but may also be other materials, such as a resin material.

[0013] In the case of the present invention, the member 7 for maintaining the above-mentioned groove shape is preferably formed with a curved portion 7a that is stored in the gutter-shaped portion 2 to shape the gutter-shaped portion 2 into a concavely curved groove, and a pair of parallel attachment portions 7b that are formed integrally with this curved portion 7a and sewn to both side edges along the longitudinal direction of the gutter-shaped portion 2.

[0014] This is because the groove shape of the gutter-shaped portion 2 can be easily formed by the curved portion 7a, and the member 7 can be easily attached to the gutter-shaped portion 2 by utilizing the attachment portion 7b. Effect of the Invention

[0015] Because the present invention is constructed in this way, there is no need to curve the tips of the ribs as in conventional umbrellas, and therefore existing umbrellas can be easily modified to have a rain gutter function.

[0016] In addition, this invention eliminates the need for rubber for forming rain gutters, which was previously required for umbrellas, and allows the gutter-shaped portion to be formed from a fabric separate from the umbrella base. This allows umbrellas to be provided with a high level of design, and increases the commercial value of the umbrella.

[0017] In addition, in this device, a member for maintaining the groove shape of the gutter-shaped portion is housed in the gutter-shaped portion. Therefore, in the case of this device, the groove shape of the gutter-shaped part is firm and the gutter-shaped part will not lose its shape due to the flow pressure of rainwater. Therefore, this device ensures that the gutter-shaped part functions as a rain gutter, so that, for example, a baby carried on the back or in one's arms, luggage such as a bag, or clothing, etc. will not get wet accidentally.

[0018] In addition, the present invention has a drainage area for rainwater formed in the gutter-shaped portion. Therefore, in the case of this invention, by tilting the umbrella so that the drainage point is at the bottom, rainwater can be concentrated in one place and drained smoothly and orderly. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1A shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is an explanatory perspective view of the present invention, and FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1A is a front view of the support member, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the main part showing the attachment state of the support member when viewed from the side of the umbrella. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part taken along line III-III in FIG. 2B. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view of the main part for explaining an example of use of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 5 is a rear view of a main part of the gutter-shaped portion as seen from line VV in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the umbrella when not in use. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a front view showing another embodiment of the support member. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is an explanatory perspective view showing another embodiment of a member for maintaining the groove shape of the gutter-shaped portion. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an explanatory perspective view showing still another embodiment of a member for maintaining the groove shape of the gutter-shaped portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIG. 1A etc., this device has a groove-shaped gutter-like portion 2 around the periphery of the umbrella base 1 to catch rainwater that runs down the umbrella base 1.

[0021] In the umbrella of this invention, a support member 4 is attached to the tip of the ribs 3 on which the umbrella fabric 1 is stretched, to support the gutter-shaped portion 2. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1B and 2, the support member 4 is formed of a main body portion 4a sewn to the ribs 3, and a curved portion 4b extending from the main body portion 4a to form the gutter-shaped portion 2 into a groove shape.

[0022] The support member 4 is made of rust-proofed wire or stainless steel metal wire. Specifically, this type of metal wire is folded in half and each open end is bent to form the curved groove of the trough-shaped portion 2. The main body portion 4a is made of a parallel portion folded in half, and is sewn to the ribs 3 with thread 5 at three intervals in this embodiment.

[0023] The curved portion 4b is disposed in the gutter 2, and its tip and the edge of the gutter 2 are sewn together. In this embodiment, the tip of the curved portion 4b is rounded inward to facilitate the sewing process. The gutter 2 is made of, for example, a waterproof fabric with a different design from the umbrella fabric 1, and is sewn around the periphery of the back side of the umbrella fabric 1. 6 indicates the seam.

[0024] 1, in the present invention, a member 7 for maintaining the groove shape of the gutter-shaped portion 2 is provided on the gutter-shaped portion 2. This member 7 is formed with a curved portion 7a that is housed in the gutter-shaped portion 2 and shapes the gutter-shaped portion 2 into a concavely curved groove, and a pair of parallel attachment portions 7b that are formed integrally with the curved portion 7a and sewn to both side edges of the gutter-shaped portion 2 along the longitudinal direction.

[0025] In this embodiment, the member 7 is realized by bending rust-proofed wire or stainless steel metal wire, similar to the support member 4. The number of members 7 to be attached is arbitrary, but in this embodiment, four are provided at each of the trough-shaped portions 2 between adjacent ribs 3. In this case, it is preferable to provide the members 7 at the trough-shaped portions 2 avoiding the positions of the folds 1a so that the folds 1a are firmly attached when the umbrella is closed.

[0026] In addition, in the present invention, a rainwater drainage portion 8 is formed in the gutter-shaped portion 2. In this embodiment, this drainage portion 8 is formed in only one place at the position of the support member 4. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5, the end 2a of the gutter-shaped portion 2 is sewn to the curved portion 4b of the support member 4, and the drainage portion 8 is formed between the curved portions 4b.

[0027] In this case, as shown in the figure, it is preferable that a mark 9 is provided so that the drainage point 8 can be seen at a glance from inside the umbrella when it is in use. In this embodiment, this mark 9 is realized by sewing a button to the extension position of the gutter-shaped portion 2 overlapping the back side of the periphery of the umbrella fabric 1.

[0028] Next, an example of how the present invention is used in this embodiment will be described.

[0029] In the case of this invention, rainwater that runs down the umbrella base 1 flows into the gutter-shaped portion 2 and is guided by the gutter-shaped portion 2. In this case, even if the flow pressure of the rainwater is applied to the gutter-shaped portion 2, the product of this invention is provided with a member 7 for maintaining the groove shape in the gutter-shaped portion 2, and this member 7 prevents the gutter-shaped portion 2 from losing its shape and firmly maintains its groove shape. Therefore, according to this, rainwater flows smoothly and orderly through the gutter-shaped portion 2, so that the user can use the device with peace of mind without getting wet unintentionally.

[0030] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, when the front of the umbrella is raised slightly with drainage point 8 at the rear, rainwater flows along the gutter-shaped portion 2 toward drainage point 8, and is then drained in a line from this drainage point 8 as indicated by the arrow in the figure. This allows rainwater to be drained smoothly and orderly, thereby preventing belongings from getting wet.

[0031] In the above, in the case of the present invention, the support member 4 is not limited to being formed by bending a wire as in the above example, but may be formed by inserting it into the tip of the rib 3, or the main body portion 4a may be formed in a flat plate shape with a pair of curved portions 4b formed at one end (see FIG. 7). In this case, it is preferable that the main body portion 4a has a threading hole 4a1 formed so that it can be easily sewn to the rib 3.

[0032] Also, the member 7 for maintaining the groove shape may be formed by bending a wire and providing multiple curved portions 7a, as shown in Figure 8. In this case, the number of members 7 of this type to be attached can be reduced, and the time and effort required for attachment can be reduced accordingly. Also, in this case, the gutter-shaped portion 2 can be formed into a long groove shape with one member 7, which can facilitate the flow of rainwater accordingly.

[0033] In addition, in the present invention, the member 7 for maintaining the groove shape may be formed in a coil spring shape as shown in Fig. 9. In this case, the member 7 is bendable, so that the member 7 can be easily attached to the gutter-shaped portion 2.

[0034] In the case of the present invention, the mark 9 may be formed by, for example, attaching a sticker instead of a button, or by sewing a piece of fabric of a different color from the gutter portion 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1 Umbrella area 2 Gutter-like part 3 main bone 4 Support member 7. Members for maintaining the groove shape of the gutter 8 Drainage points

Claims

1. This umbrella with rain gutter function has a groove-shaped gutter-like portion around the periphery of the umbrella base to catch rainwater that runs down the umbrella base, a support member for supporting the gutter-like portion is attached to the tip of the rib on which the umbrella base is stretched, a member for maintaining the groove shape of the gutter-like portion is provided in the gutter-like portion, and a drainage point for rainwater is formed in the gutter-like portion.

2. 2. The umbrella with rain gutter function according to claim 1, wherein the support member is formed of a main body portion sewn to the ribs and a curved portion extending from the main body portion to form the gutter-like portion into a groove shape.

3. 3. An umbrella with a rain gutter function as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the member for maintaining the gutter shape is formed with a curved portion that is stored in the gutter-shaped portion to shape the gutter-shaped portion into a concavely curved groove, and a pair of parallel attachment portions that are formed integrally with the curved portion and sewn to both side edges along the longitudinal direction of the gutter-shaped portion.

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