Tip cap of umbrella

Abstract

There were problems that the umbrella was slippery and could not stand on its own. 【Solution means】The present invention is a tip cap 10 of an umbrella, which includes a hole portion having a hole for inserting the tip portion of the umbrella 20 on the plane side, and a bottom portion having a flat bottom surface for standing the umbrella upright. Further, the region of the bottom portion that overlaps with the hole portion has a plurality of small holes, is formed of an elastic material, and is characterized by a hemispherical shape.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cap attached to the tip of an umbrella, and more particularly to a tip cap of an umbrella that can prevent slipping and improve stability when the umbrella is leaned against a surface.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a wooden or metal rod-shaped body has been attached to the tip of an umbrella, and a plastic, rubber, or metal head cap has been attached to protect the tip. These head caps have a rounded tip, and when the umbrella is leaned against a wall or chair in a place without an umbrella stand, the contact with the floor surface is a point contact, resulting in a small frictional resistance and a problem of being slippery.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the anti-slip member of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to adjust the tip of the umbrella to always contact the floor surface at an appropriate angle, and there are cases where the frictional effect may not be fully exerted depending on the orientation of the umbrella. However, when leaning the umbrella, if the installation angle of the anti-slip member is not appropriate, sufficient frictional resistance cannot be obtained, and the umbrella is likely to slip. Therefore, it has been required to ensure a more stable contact surface and make the umbrella less slippery when leaned against a surface.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In the tip cap of the umbrella according to one embodiment of the present invention, the present invention may include a hole portion having a hole for inserting the tip portion of the umbrella on the flat surface side, and a bottom portion having a flat bottom surface side for standing the umbrella.

[0006] In the tip cap of the umbrella according to one embodiment of the present invention, the present invention may have a plurality of small holes in a region of the bottom portion that overlaps with the hole portion on the flat surface side.

[0007] In the tip cap of the umbrella according to one embodiment of the present invention, the tip cap of the umbrella may be formed of an elastic material and have a hemispherical shape.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the above configuration, the present invention widens the contact area with the floor surface by making the bottom of the tip cap of the umbrella flat, making it difficult to slip when the umbrella is placed and enabling stable self-standing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, an embodiment of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the tip cap 10 of the umbrella of the present invention is a member attached to the tip portion of the umbrella 20, and includes a hole portion 11 for inserting the stone protrusion 21 of the umbrella 20, and a bottom portion 12 for stably self-standing the umbrella 20 when placed on the floor surface. The tip cap 10 of the umbrella is provided with a hole portion 11 for attaching the stone protrusion 21 of the umbrella 20. The inner diameter of this hole portion 11 is designed to match the outer diameter of the stone protrusion 21.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 2, the tip cap 10 of the umbrella has a hole 11 for inserting the stone projection 21 of the umbrella 20, a bottom 12 for stably standing on its own when the umbrella 20 is placed on the floor, and small holes 13 in the bottom 12. These small holes 13 are provided in the bottom 12 of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella. The small holes 13 are arranged according to the structure of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella and are designed without affecting the stability of the umbrella 20.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 3, there are a plurality of small holes 13 in the region where the hole 11 and the bottom 12 of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella overlap. The broken line in the bottom 12 of Fig. 3 indicates the region where the hole 11 and the bottom 12 of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella overlap.

[0013] The tip cap 10 of the umbrella is hemispherical in shape. By making it hemispherical, there are no corners on the tip cap 10 of the umbrella. Since there are no corners, it is possible to suppress the impact at the time of contact from concentrating at one point. By dispersing the impact, the safety is further enhanced. As a result, a further effect of preventing injuries can be obtained.

[0014] The tip cap 10 of the umbrella of the present invention is formed using an elastic material such as rubber or silicon as the material. These elastic materials are excellent in workability and can reproduce a highly accurate shape even during molding, so they are extremely suitable for integrally molding the structural elements of the hole 11, the bottom 12, and the small holes 13 in the present invention.

[0015] The tip cap 10 of the umbrella of the present invention is configured on the premise of being applied to a long umbrella. The long umbrella here means a general straight rod-type umbrella having a sufficiently long handle of the umbrella and a non-retractable middle rod of the umbrella and having no folding mechanism.

[0016] The stone protrusion 21 is a component located at the grounding part of the umbrella 20 and is the part that directly receives the impact when the umbrella 20 contacts the ground. In the umbrella 20, there are no particular restrictions on the shape and material of the stone protrusion 21, and those made of wood, metal, or plastic that are commonly used may be used. Therefore, the tip cap 10 of the umbrella of the present invention can also correspond to these different types of stone protrusions 21, and is characterized in that it can be widely attached to the umbrella 20 without being greatly dependent on the specific shape and material of the stone protrusion 21.

[0017] The hole part 11 is formed on the planar side with a size that allows the stone protrusion 21 of the umbrella 20 to be inserted, thereby enabling the tip cap 10 of the umbrella to be securely attached. Specifically, the inner diameter of the hole part 11 is appropriately matched to the outer diameter of the stone protrusion 21, and the stone protrusion 21 of the umbrella 20 can be firmly inserted. As a result, the tip cap 10 of the umbrella is difficult to come off, is stably attached, and can reliably perform its function even during the use of the umbrella 20.

[0018] The bottom part 12 refers to the bottom part of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella. The bottom part 12 is flat. This flat bottom part 12 structure is necessary to stably attach the tip cap 10 of the umbrella to the umbrella 20. Due to the bottom part 12 being flat, the tip cap 10 of the umbrella can stand independently in a stable state when it contacts the floor surface.

[0019] The small hole 13 is formed to penetrate the bottom part 12. And the small hole 13 exists only in the region overlapping the hole part 11. The small hole 13 has the role of discharging the rainwater that has entered the hole part 11. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the retention of water inside the tip cap 10 of the umbrella and maintain the cleanliness of the stone protrusion 21 of the umbrella 20. Also, by eliminating the moisture between the umbrella 20 and the tip cap 10 of the umbrella, it is possible to prevent the tip cap 10 of the umbrella from coming off.

[0020] Hereinafter, the effects in one aspect of the present invention will be described.

[0021] The tip cap 10 of the umbrella of the present invention has a flat bottom 12, so that when the umbrella 20 is placed on the floor, it can stand stably and independently. Therefore, even in a place without an umbrella stand, the umbrella 20 can be propped up. Specifically, the umbrella 20 can be safely stood up even in a narrow space inside a train or a store. In addition, since the umbrella 20 stands independently, the risk of collision with surrounding objects and people can be reduced. And the self-standing function of the umbrella 20 also has the effect of preventing damage to the umbrella 20. With this function, it can be conveniently stored even in a place without a conventional umbrella stand.

[0022] Taking advantage of the self-standing function of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella of the present invention, the umbrella 20 can also be used as a walking stick. When temporarily propping up the umbrella 20 held in the hand on the ground, by using it as a walking stick, it can function effectively as an assistive device when the hand is tired or when temporary support is needed. As a result, the usage scenarios of the umbrella 20 are expanded and it can be utilized more versatilely.

[0023] The tip cap 10 of the umbrella of the present invention is made of an elastic material. The elastic material according to this embodiment refers to a material that deforms when an external force is applied and returns to its original shape when the external force is removed. The elastic material may be natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or a sealing material. The elastic material according to the present invention has a function of absorbing an external impact. Therefore, even when the ferrule 21 contacts others during the use of the umbrella 20, the impact caused by a direct collision can be mitigated. In particular, it is possible to reduce the risk of damage to the eyeball that may occur when the ferrule 21 hits near the face, contributing to the prevention of serious accidents including blindness. In addition, due to the hemispherical shape of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella, the pressure at the time of contact is not concentrated at one point and the impact is dispersed, so the safety for surrounding people is improved.

[0024] The tip cap 10 of the umbrella of the present invention can also be utilized as a countermeasure against social issues. In situations where umbrella management is required in limited spaces such as evacuation shelters and temporary facilities during disasters, the umbrella 20 with the tip cap 10 of the umbrella can be self-supportingly held, so that the umbrella 20 can be stored hygienically without wetting the floor surface. And since the umbrella 20 can be made self-supporting, it also contributes to reducing the risk of slipping accidents and infectious diseases caused by the wet umbrella 20, so it can also be expected to be utilized as a disaster prevention supply.

[0025] The tip cap 10 of the umbrella of the present invention can be configured to also consider quietness during use. The bottom 12 is formed of an elastic material. Thereby, the impact sound when the umbrella 20 contacts the floor surface can be effectively reduced. In particular, the quietness in spaces where silence is required, such as libraries, hospitals, conference rooms, and inside houses, is an important consideration not only for users but also for people around.

[0026] The present invention is configured to discharge the internal moisture through the small holes 13. This configuration can prevent troubles such as moisture accumulating at the bottom of the hole portion 11 and the moisture freezing in a cold environment. And the tip cap 10 of the umbrella of the present invention can be comfortably used while maintaining operability even in snowfall areas and extremely cold regions.

[0027] By attaching the tip cap 10 of the umbrella of the present invention, the stone protrusion 21 of the umbrella 20 main body does not directly contact the floor surface, and the wear of the stone protrusion 21 is effectively suppressed. Therefore, the deterioration of the umbrella 20 main body itself is prevented, and it can be used for a longer period. Thus, the present invention can contribute to the realization of a recycling-based society and the improvement of the sustainability of products.

[0028] The tip cap 10 of the umbrella of the present invention is beneficial to visually impaired persons. The bottom 12 of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella is flat and has a certain area. Thereby, compared with the umbrella 20 without the tip cap 10 of the umbrella, the user can more easily recognize the position of the umbrella with the tip of the shoe. It becomes possible to identify the presence of the umbrella 20 by senses other than vision. This also leads to preventing accidental stepping on the umbrella 20 in a facility or a crowded space. The tip cap 10 of the umbrella is made of an elastic material such as rubber or silicon, so that the discriminability of the touch feeling is also enhanced. This embodiment has practicality as a universal design. It is possible to support the independent use of the umbrella 20 by visually impaired persons.

[0029] Since the tip cap 10 of the umbrella of the present invention is configured such that the umbrella 20 can be installed on the floor surface in a self-standing state, it can be held without laying the umbrella down sideways. Thereby, in a public space or at home, it is possible to avoid the wet umbrella coming into wide contact with the floor surface. And the umbrella 20 can prevent the diffusion of water droplets. As a result, appropriate installation actions of the umbrella 20 by the user are promoted, and the awareness of maintaining a hygienic environment naturally improves.

[0030] The tip cap 10 of the umbrella of the present invention is also effective in storing and drying the umbrella 20 at home. Since the umbrella 20 can be made self-standing, it becomes possible to hold it without laying it sideways in the entrance or on the veranda. Thereby, the wetness of the floor surface can be limited locally, and damage to floor materials and storage facilities in the house, as well as the generation of mold, can be suppressed. In addition, since the range of contact with the umbrella 20 becomes narrower, the drying efficiency is also improved, and the hygienic state of the main body of the umbrella 20 and the stone protruding portion can be kept good. Thus, the present invention not only stays for outdoor use, but also provides convenience for the management of the umbrella 20 at home, and has functionality that naturally settles into the user's lifestyle.

[0031] Note that the present invention can be implemented in the following forms with appropriate modifications.

Example

[0032] The tip cap 10 of the umbrella can be of any color. As a result, it can be provided in various color combinations according to the user's preference, expanding the design options. It is also possible to provide specific color variations according to the usage scene of the umbrella 20 and the brand strategy. New designs for each season and the development of color variations for specific target layers can be considered. By offering the tip cap 10 of the umbrella in multiple colors, users can make selections according to their preferences and lifestyle. By adopting designs that combine different colors and variations of gradient colors, the visual appeal can be enhanced, and the umbrella 20 can also be enjoyed as a fashion item.

Example

[0033] Various designs can be applied to the hemispherical part of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella. Specifically, patterns, carvings, and textures can be added to the surface of the hemispherical shape of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella, improving the design quality of the umbrella 20. By embossing the hemispherical part of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella to create a pattern, a visual accent can be added, making the appearance of the umbrella 20 more attractive. Also, by applying a gradient color to the surface of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella, the color change can be visually enjoyable.

Example

[0034] In this embodiment, it is possible to add a highly wear-resistant rubber material to the bottom 12 of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella. This rubber material has a higher friction coefficient and better wear resistance than ordinary rubber. As a result, it has the effect of reducing wear at the contact part with the floor surface. With this improvement, in an environment where it is frequently used, the tip cap 10 of the umbrella can function stably in the long term. And the tip cap 10 of the umbrella becomes a more reliable product for users.

Example

[0035] In this embodiment, by applying a reflective material to the bottom 12 of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella, the visibility can be improved. The reflective material according to this embodiment refers to a material having the property of reflecting light in the direction of the light source. The reflective material is evenly applied to the entire hemispherical surface of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella. Therefore, especially during movement at night, the position of the umbrella can be notified to other pedestrians and vehicle drivers, and the safety is greatly improved.

Example

[0036] In this embodiment, a clinch mechanism for auxiliary attachment is provided inside the tip cap 10 of the umbrella. This clinch mechanism is designed so that the ferrule 21 of the umbrella can be easily inserted into the tip cap 10 of the umbrella. As a result, when the user attaches the ferrule 21 of the umbrella to the tip cap 10 of the umbrella, the ferrule 21 can be inserted smoothly. Especially for elderly people and users with visual impairments, this clinch mechanism is very useful, and since the ferrule 21 is surely attached to the tip cap 10 of the umbrella, there is no worry of it coming off during use. With this improvement, the tip cap 10 of the umbrella has become a product that is easier to use and can be used with confidence for a wider range of users.

Example

[0037] As an example of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella, it is possible to adopt a configuration specialized for children and the elderly. For the tip cap 10 of the umbrella for children, by using a soft and elastic rubber material, silicone material, or thermoplastic elastomer material, the impact can be absorbed even during contact, and the safety can be enhanced. By making the surface of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella have a rounded shape, sharp edge protrusions can be eliminated, and the contact risk to others and surrounding objects can be reduced. And the tip cap 10 of the umbrella can adopt a bright color tone and highly visible coloring. Thereby, this embodiment improves the visibility from third parties during going to and from school and also contributes to traffic safety.

[0038] For the elderly, the bottom surface of the umbrella tip cap 10 is made wider and has a non-slip structure. As a result, the umbrella tip cap 10 of this embodiment can achieve stable grounding even when the umbrella 20 is used as a temporary walking stick. Specifically, the grounding stability is enhanced by laminating a non-slip rubber material with a high friction coefficient on the bottom 12 and applying a grounding pattern designed to receive the load through surface contact rather than point contact. And the umbrella tip cap 10 of this embodiment can also be provided with a flexible attachment port that can be operated by a user with weak grip strength and a rib structure with a finger hold so that it is easy to attach and remove. Thereby, it can be configured to assist the elderly in using the umbrella 20 safely and comfortably.

Embodiment

[0039] The umbrella tip cap 10 of the present invention can also adopt a configuration in which the usage history is visually distinguishable so that the user can grasp the appropriate replacement timing. Specifically, the bottom 12 of the umbrella tip cap 10 has a two-layer structure that changes with wear. By using materials with different colors for the upper layer and the lower layer, the color of the upper layer is exposed on the bottom 12 as the wear progresses. Thereby, it can be configured to visually notify the user that the replacement timing is approaching. Specifically, when black is adopted for the upper layer and red is adopted for the lower layer, it can be easily determined that the wear limit is approaching by the exposure of black on the bottom 12.

[0040] Such a configuration is useful for reducing the risk that the umbrella tip cap 10 wears out unknowingly in an environment where the umbrella 20 is frequently used, compromising safety and independence. Also, by providing convex marks, patterns, characters, etc. on the surface of the bottom 12 and designing them to disappear or change due to wear, the replacement timing can be visually indicated. Thereby, it is possible to indicate the maintenance timing to the user in an extremely simple and low-cost manner without using special sensors or electronic components.

[0041] In public facilities and high-volume usage environments for business purposes, such wear visual recognition structures enable administrators to determine the need for replacement at a glance, thus contributing to the efficiency of maintenance operations. In this way, the tip cap 10 of the umbrella of the present invention has a configuration that intuitively visualizes the usage history, and thus has high practicality also from the viewpoints of durability management, product life optimization, and safety assurance.

Embodiment

[0042] In this embodiment, by using a material having antibacterial and antifungal properties for the tip cap 10 of the umbrella, it is intended to suppress unpleasant odors and the growth of various bacteria in the umbrella after use on rainy days. Specifically, by using a rubber material containing silver ions and a composite molding using an antibacterial polymer, the umbrella 20 can be kept clean even when placed in a public place. This is a particularly effective configuration in spaces where a hygienic environment is required, such as during commuting to and from school, inside stores, and in hospitals.

Embodiment

[0043] In this embodiment, a configuration is adopted to further improve the sound insulation of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella. The specific configuration of this embodiment is to integrally provide a foamed elastomer containing a fine air layer on the outside of the bottom 12 of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella. By using a polyurethane material or an elastomer foam having low resilience for this foamed elastomer, the impact sound generated when contacting the floor surface can be effectively absorbed.

Embodiment

[0044] In this embodiment, in order to prevent freezing troubles in cold regions, a configuration is adopted in which the drainage structure of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella is optimized. A plurality of small holes 13 are provided at the bottom 12 of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella, and the plurality of small holes 13 are formed in a direction inclined obliquely downward. As a result, the rainwater that has entered the hole 11 is quickly discharged according to gravity, preventing moisture from accumulating in the tip cap 10 of the umbrella. Further, by making the cross-sectional shape of the small hole 13 elliptical or a narrow slit shape, it is possible to prevent the intrusion of dust and foreign matter from the outside while maintaining the drainage ability. By forming a drainage guiding groove on the inner surface of the bottom 12, water droplets are surely guided to the small holes 13, realizing efficient drainage. As a result, it is possible to avoid troubles such as deformation of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella due to freezing and the occurrence of ice between the stone projection 21 and the tip cap 10 of the umbrella, resulting in poor mounting. And the safety and operability of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella during use in cold regions are improved.

Example

[0045] In this embodiment, a configuration is adopted to further enhance the drying property of the umbrella indoors. A specific configuration of this embodiment is to add a ventilation slit to the bottom 12 of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella. The ventilation slit is provided as a ventilation port that opens in the lateral direction and the diagonally upward direction separately from the small holes 13. As a result, when the umbrella 20 is stored upright after use on a rainy day, the moisture remaining in the hole 11 can easily escape to the outside, and the effect of promoting drying is obtained. In particular, it is a configuration that contributes to the hygiene and long life of the umbrella 20 in an environment with insufficient ventilation such as during the rainy season or in a condominium.

Example

[0046] In this embodiment, the internal structure of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella is improved to enhance the holding force during mounting. That is, the tip cap 10 of the umbrella is provided with an inner liner for anti-slip on the inner peripheral surface of the hole 11. The inner liner is formed of a material having a high coefficient of friction different from the main body material of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella.

[0047] The inner liner is annularly provided along the inner peripheral surface of the hole portion 11 of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella. When the stone protrusion 21 of the umbrella 20 is inserted, it comes into contact with the outer periphery of the stone protrusion 21 to generate frictional force. Due to this frictional force, the tip cap 10 of the umbrella is firmly held against the stone protrusion 21, and it has a structure that is not easily detached even when vibration or impact is applied.

[0048] By providing such a non-slip inner liner, the mounting stability of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella with respect to the stone protrusion 21 of the umbrella 20 is enhanced, and it is possible to suppress the loosening or dropping of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella even during long-term use and repeated attachment and detachment. In addition, in this embodiment, since stable mountability can be ensured regardless of the surface state of the stone protrusion 21, it leads to an improvement in product reliability.

Embodiment

[0049] As another aspect of the present invention, a non-slip pattern for further increasing the frictional force with the ground surface is formed on the bottom portion 12 of the tip cap 10 of the umbrella. The non-slip pattern is composed of fine irregularities provided on the outer surface of the bottom portion 12, and specifically, has a lattice shape, a herringbone shape, a wave shape, or a dot shape.

[0050] These patterns play a role in locally increasing the frictional resistance and suppressing the sliding of the umbrella 20 when the bottom portion 12 is in surface contact with the floor surface. In addition, since the patterns are in a fine shape that is not visually conspicuous, they can be implemented without impairing the design property in terms of appearance.

[0051] This non-slip pattern has the effect of ensuring the stability of the umbrella 20 especially when the floor material is wet or inclined during the use of the umbrella 20. Furthermore, since the uneven structure formed on the bottom portion 12 creates a slight space between the bottom portion and the floor surface, it is also possible to expect the effect of relaxing the adhesion to the ground surface and preventing the sliding phenomenon due to the water film.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0052] Tip cap 10 of the umbrella Hole portion 11 Bottom 12 Small hole 13 Umbrella 20 Stone protrusion 21

Claims

1. A hole portion having a hole on a flat surface side for inserting a tip portion of an umbrella; A bottom portion having a flat bottom side for standing the umbrella; The tip cap of the umbrella.

2. The tip cap of an umbrella as described in claim 1, wherein the bottom portion has a plurality of small holes in an area that overlaps with the hole portion on the flat surface side.

3. 3. The umbrella tip cap according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the umbrella tip cap is made of an elastic material and is hemispherical in shape.

Images