Umbrella

Abstract

To obtain an umbrella that is easy to use even in environments such as crowded sidewalks and when the wind is strong. 【Solution means】 A plurality of main ribs 3 are rotatably attached to the upper part of the middle rod 1. The main ribs 3 extend radially outward from the center of the middle rod 1 to support the umbrella cloth 4, and are connected to a lower lock 8 having a lower cross bar 9 via an intermediate portion of the main rib 3. The lower lock 8 is fitted with the middle rod 1 and is capable of lifting and lowering. By pushing it up along the middle rod 1, the lower lock 8 that deploys the main ribs 3, a lower stopper 11 that is incorporated in a biased state so as to enter the hollow interior of the middle rod 1, is disposed at the lower part, and locks the lower lock 8 so that the umbrella is in a folded state, and a middle stopper 20, 21 that is incorporated in a biased state so as to enter the hollow interior of the middle rod 1 and is provided between the upper part of the umbrella and the lower stopper 11.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to an umbrella that prevents items carried on the back from getting wet, especially when used as an umbrella in the rain. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, when using an umbrella, if a child was carrying a school bag or backpack, the bag would stick out from the umbrella and get wet in the rain, so large umbrellas were often used.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes attaching a water-repellent cloth that can be fixed to the ribs of an umbrella to prevent children from getting their school bags or other items wet.

[0004] Also known is an asymmetric umbrella that provides an off-center shaft to prevent the user's sides and back from being exposed to the elements, thereby improving the user's protection from the elements, and is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,393. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-120320 [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2008-517709 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The umbrellas described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 had to be large. Especially large umbrellas made it difficult to walk on crowded sidewalks and created a lot of resistance for the user in strong winds. Therefore, users had no choice but to fold the umbrella, i.e., close it small and leave it unlocked, rather than fully open and locked.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the above-mentioned prior art, prevent the carried items from getting wet, and provide an umbrella that is easy to use even in environments such as crowded sidewalks and strong winds.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides an umbrella in which a plurality of main ribs are rotatably attached to the upper part of a central rod. The main ribs extend radially outward from the center of the central rod to support the umbrella cloth, and the umbrella has a lower lock that is connected to the middle part of the main rib via a receiving rib. The lower lock is fitted with the central rod to enable lifting and lowering, and by pushing it up along the central rod, the main ribs are deployed. There is also a lower pusher that is incorporated in a biased state so as to enter the hollow interior of the central rod, is arranged at the lower part, and locks the lower lock so that the umbrella is in a folded state. And a middle pusher that is incorporated in a biased state so as to enter the hollow interior of the central rod and is provided between the upper part of the central rod and the lower pusher.

[0009] Also, in the above umbrella, it is preferable that a plurality of the middle pushers are provided.

[0010] Furthermore, in the above umbrella, it is preferable that the handle attached to the lower part of the central rod can be removed by making the central rod a male screw and the handle a female screw.

[0011] Furthermore, in the above umbrella, it is preferable that the central rod with the handle removed can be inserted in close contact with a cylindrical part provided at the center of the back of a backpack.

[0012] Furthermore, in the above umbrella, it is preferable that the position of the central rod is made an asymmetric umbrella that is eccentric from the center of the umbrella cloth.

[0013] Furthermore, in the above umbrella, it is preferable that the amount of eccentricity is 1 / 4 to 1 / 8 with respect to the length of the main rib.

[0014] Furthermore, in the above-described umbrella, it is preferable that a water-repellent cloth can be attached to the umbrella cloth.

[0015] Furthermore, in the above-described umbrella, it is preferable that the water-repellent cloth is transparent and is attached to the umbrella cloth with a spring hook.

[0016] Furthermore, in the above-described umbrella, it is preferable that the length of the water-repellent cloth is 1 / 3 to 1 / 6 of the length of the main rib 3.

[0017] Furthermore, in the above-described umbrella, it is preferable that the lower lock is a jump umbrella that is biased upward by a spring.

[0018] Furthermore, in the above-described umbrella, the main ribs are preferably any one of a total of 10, 12, or 16, and it is preferable to have the umbrella cloth equally divided according to the number of the main ribs.

[0019] According to the present invention, without increasing the size of the umbrella, it is possible to make the umbrella into a state where it is not fully opened but is squeezed, that is, closed and made small and locked. This makes it easier to walk on a crowded sidewalk or reduces the resistance to the user when the wind is strong.

Brief Explanation of Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing an umbrella according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the handle 2 is removed. FIG. 6 is a side view showing the configuration of a conventional umbrella, and FIG. 7 is a side view showing the inner configuration of a conventional umbrella. First, the basic configuration of the umbrella will be described.

[0022] In FIGS. 6 and 7, the umbrella has a central rod 1 of a certain length made of a metal pipe material, and a handle 2 that a user holds by hand is attached to the lower part of the central rod 1. The handle 2 is bent into a substantially J shape from a synthetic resin material, wood, or the like. A plurality of main ribs 3 of the same length are rotatably attached to the upper part of the central rod 1. The main ribs 3 extend radially outward from the center of the central rod 1 and support the umbrella cloth 4.

[0023] A stone projection 5 is attached and fixed to the upper end portion of the central rod 1. The stone projection 5 is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape from a metal material, a synthetic resin material, or the like. The upper lock ring 6, in cooperation with the stone projection 5, sandwiches the central portion of the umbrella cloth 4, and is fitted and fixed near the upper end portion of the central rod 1 as a disk-shaped member made of a synthetic resin material.

[0024] The umbrella cloth 4 is made of a transparent or semi-transparent vinyl sheet, a synthetic fiber (e.g., polyester or nylon) with coloring and / or patterns, a fabric such as cotton or canvas, and is provided with water repellency and waterproofness.

[0025] The main ribs 3 are arranged at equal intervals around the central rod 1 in an overall radially symmetric manner (for example, a total of 8), and the base ends thereof are pivotally attached to the upper lock ring 6 so as to be rotatable. The exposed tip 7 projects a certain length in the radial direction from the upper lock ring 6 and is inserted into the tip portion.

[0026] The ribs 3 are made from metal plate material bent into an approximately U-shaped cross section, and the tips 7 are cap-shaped and made of metal or synthetic resin material, which safely cover the tips of the ribs 3. The umbrella cloth 4 covers the entire ribs 3 from the outside, and its peripheral edge is attached to and integrated with the tips 7 of the ribs 3. As a result, when the umbrella is unfolded and in use, the umbrella cloth 4 is supported in a taut state from the inside by the ribs 3.

[0027] If the umbrella cloth 4 is a vinyl sheet, it is welded and integrated with a tip 7 made of the same type of polyvinyl chloride resin, and if it is a woven fabric such as cotton or synthetic fiber, it is fastened to the metal tip 7 using string or thread.

[0028] The lower wheel 8 is fitted onto the center rod 1 and can move up and down along the center rod 1, and is made of synthetic resin and is roughly cylindrical. The diameter of the upper end of the lower wheel 8 is larger than the diameter of the lower end, forming a flange portion 8-1, and the flange portion 8-1 and the middle portion of the main rib 3 are connected via a support rib 9.

[0029] The ribs 3 of the umbrella are unfolded by the user holding the lower roller 8 with their fingertips and pushing it up along the center pole 1. Conversely, pulling it down will fold the ribs 3. The upper and lower stoppers 10 and 11 lock and secure the lower roller 8 in place so that the umbrella is in its unfolded and folded state, respectively. The upper and lower stoppers 10 and 11 are made from stamped pieces of metal plate and are incorporated in a biased state so that they fit into the hollow interior of the center pole 1.

[0030] Upper stopper 10 is located at the top of the umbrella and engages with lower roller 8, which is pushed up along center pole 1, thereby fixing and holding the umbrella in its unfolded state. To fold the umbrella from this state, upper stopper 10 is pushed into the hollow interior of center pole 1 with the fingertips of the hand, causing it to sink, and lower roller 8 is pulled down along center pole 1. To fix and hold the umbrella in its folded state, lower roller 8 is engaged with lower stopper 11, which is located at the bottom.

[0031] Also, when pushing up the lower lock 8 from this state, it is only necessary to push the lower lever 11 in this state into the hollow interior of the middle rod 1 and sink it. Note that the upper lever 10 may be omitted, and the lower lock 8 and the receiving bone 9 may be used as a jump umbrella that is biased upward by a spring.

[0032] An embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The basic configuration of the embodiment is the same as that described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, but mainly differs in that the middle levers 20 and 21 are provided between the upper lever 10 and the lower lever 11, and the hand part 2 is detachable from the middle rod 1. Note that the middle levers 20 and 21 may have the same structure as the lower lever 11.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the middle lever 21 portion. The locking hole 8-2 is formed so as to open to the body portion of the lower lock 8. When collapsing and fixing the umbrella fixed in the deployed state, the upper lever 10 is pushed into and sunk into the hollow interior of the middle rod 1 with the fingertips of the hand, and the lower lock 8 is pulled down along the middle rod 1. Then, the user locks the locking hole 8-2 and the middle lever 21.

[0034] As a result, the open / closed state of the umbrella can be fixed in a collapsed state, that is, a state closer to the closed state than the deployed state, compared to the state where the locking hole 8-2 is locked to the lower lever 11. FIG. 2 shows that the deployment angle of the main rib 3 is smaller and fixed compared to FIG. 1.

[0035] When the wind is strong, the deployment angle of the umbrella becomes smaller as shown in the state of FIG. 2, so that the resistance to the user can be reduced, and since it can be fixed and locked in this state, the deployed state of the umbrella is stable and the usability is improved.

[0036] Note that the middle levers 20 and 21 are not limited to two, and it is desirable to provide more than two. As a result, when the wind is strong, depending on its strength, or not only when the wind is strong but also when walking on a crowded sidewalk, it is possible to appropriately adjust the deployment state of the umbrella.

[0037] In addition, in one embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the handle 2 can be removed by screwing it from the middle rod 1, for example, with a male thread on the middle rod 1 side and a female thread on the handle 2 side. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of using the handle 2 removed from the middle rod 1.

[0038] The attached backpack 30 is preferably lightweight and waterproof so as to be suitable for going to school, commuting, traveling, business trips, etc. For example, the main body is preferably made of a polyester fabric, which has excellent water repellency, high abrasion resistance, and is strong against tearing, and is required to protect the contents of the bag from sudden rain and dirt and to last long.

[0039] And the attached backpack 30 is configured such that the middle rod 1 with the handle 2 removed can be closely inserted into the central part of the back, and has a cylindrical part 34 made of the same material as the main body. The cylindrical part 34 is supported at the top and bottom by belts 32 and 33 and is firmly sewn to the main body with a plurality of belt fasteners 35.

[0040] Therefore, the user can insert the middle rod 1 into the cylindrical part 34 by deploying the umbrella or adjusting the deployed state, so that both hands are not blocked, and the freedom of movement is maintained. For example, at night, it is possible to avoid wind and rain while holding a flashlight. Note that the backpack in this embodiment is used integrally with the umbrella, and is intended to enable the user to freely use both hands while carrying the umbrella. Therefore, the umbrella and the backpack are integrally configured as components that cooperate with each other and are included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a top view showing an asymmetric umbrella in which the position of the middle rod 1 in one embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is offset from the center of the umbrella cloth 4. The dotted line in FIG. 4 shows the case where the position of the middle rod 1 is the center of the umbrella cloth 4, and the solid line shows the case where it is offset from the center of the umbrella cloth 4.

[0042] Asymmetric umbrellas are known for improving protection from wind and rain by having the user stand under the center of the umbrella cloth 4. However, conventional asymmetric umbrellas can only be in a deployed state, and a sufficient effect could not be obtained unless the offset amount E was increased.

[0043] The umbrella of one embodiment can be collapsed, that is, closed and made smaller, and locked, so when combined with an asymmetric umbrella, it can reduce the more eccentric amount E, for example, to about 1 / 4 to 1 / 8 of the length of the main rib 3, and prevent the user's body side and back from being exposed to wind and rain.

[0044] FIG. 5(a) is a top view showing that a water-repellent cloth 40 can be attached to the umbrella cloth 4 of one embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5(b) is a side view. When carrying a backpack or a rucksack, it will protrude from the umbrella and get wet in the rain. Therefore, when using an umbrella, it is known to attach the water-repellent cloth 40 so that the things being carried do not get wet. Generally, a fitting-type fixing device is attached so that it can be fixed to the main rib 3 part.

[0045] FIG. 5(a) is a top view showing the state where the water-repellent cloth 40 is attached, and (b) is a side view. The water-repellent cloth 40 is attached to the rear side of the user by a plurality of fasteners 41, 42, 43. The fasteners 41, 42, 43 are hooks, which are mainly metal fittings used for sewing and clothing, and particularly spring hooks are desirable in terms of being easy to remove.

[0046] The spring hook is a mechanism that can be opened and closed by the movement of two wires in the center of the concave part and has the role of a spring. The spring hook functions as a button by the meshing of the thin parts with the spring in the spring parts. The water-repellent cloth 40 is preferably a transparent vinyl sheet or a synthetic fiber (such as polyester or nylon) with water-repellent and waterproof properties provided with coloring and / or patterns.

[0047] An umbrella with a conventional water-repellent cloth 40 attached could only be in the deployed state, and a sufficient effect could not be obtained unless the length F of the water-repellent cloth 40 was increased. In contrast, the umbrella of one embodiment can be folded, that is, closed and made smaller, and used in a locked state. Therefore, by combining with attaching the water-repellent cloth 40, the length F can be made smaller. For example, even if it is 1 / 3 to 1 / 6 of the length of the main rib 3, it is possible to prevent the user's body side and back from being exposed to wind and rain, and the convenience is improved.

[0048] Although the above embodiment has described a manually opened (non-automatically deployable) umbrella, if the lower pusher 11 is pushed into and submerged in the hollow interior of the middle rod 1, it may be a so-called jump-type umbrella in which the lower lock 8 automatically rises and deploys.

[0049] In addition, in the above embodiment, an umbrella having a configuration in which the umbrella cloth 4 is divided into eight equal parts by a total of eight main ribs 3 has been described. However, it may be an umbrella having an umbrella cloth 4 that is finely divided into any of a total of 10, 12, or 16 parts according to the number of main ribs 3.

Explanation of Signs

[0050] 1 Middle rod 2 Hand 3 Main rib 4 Umbrella cloth 5 Stone protrusion 6 Upper lock 7 Tip 8 Lower lock 8-2 Locking hole 9 Receiving rib 10 Upper pusher 11 Lower pusher 20, 21 Middle pusher 30 Attached rucksack 32, 33 Belt 34 Cylindrical part 35 Belt stopper 41, 42, 43 Fastener 40 Water-repellent cloth

Claims

1. An umbrella having a lower lock mechanism in which a plurality of main ribs are rotatably attached to the upper part of a middle rod, the main ribs extending radially outward from the center of the middle rod to support an umbrella cloth, and being connected to a middle part of the main ribs via receiving ribs, the lower lock mechanism being configured to be fitted with the middle rod to enable lifting and lowering operations, and to deploy the main ribs by pushing it upward along the middle rod, a lower stopper being incorporated in a biased state so as to enter the hollow interior of the middle rod and being disposed at the lower part to lock the lower lock mechanism so that the umbrella is in a folded state, a middle stopper being incorporated in a biased state so as to enter the hollow interior of the middle rod and being provided between the upper part of the middle rod and the lower stopper, characterized by comprising the above components.

2. The umbrella according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of the middle stoppers are provided.

3. The umbrella according to claim 1, characterized in that a handle attached to the lower part of the middle rod is removable by making the middle rod a male screw and the handle a female screw.

4. The umbrella according to claim 3, characterized in that the middle rod with the handle removed can be closely inserted into a cylindrical part provided at the center of the back of a backpack used in combination with the umbrella.

5. The umbrella according to claim 4, characterized in that the cylindrical part in the backpack used in combination with the umbrella is made of the same material as the main body of the backpack, supported vertically by belts, and sewn to the main body with a plurality of fasteners.

6. The umbrella according to claim 1, characterized in that it is an asymmetric umbrella with the position of the middle rod eccentric from the center of the umbrella cloth.

7. The umbrella according to claim 6, characterized in that the amount of eccentricity is 1 / 4 to 1 / 8 with respect to the length of the main rib.

8. The umbrella according to claim 1, characterized in that a water-repellent cloth can be attached to the umbrella cloth.

9. The umbrella according to claim 8, characterized in that the water-repellent cloth is transparent and attached to the umbrella cloth with a spring hook.

10. The umbrella according to claim 9, characterized in that the length of the water-repellent cloth is 1 / 3 to 1 / 6 with respect to the length of the main rib 3.

11. The umbrella according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a jump umbrella in which the lower lock mechanism is biased upward by a spring.

12. The umbrella according to claim 1, characterized in that the main ribs are any one of a total of 10, 12, or 16, and the umbrella cloth is equally divided according to the number of the main ribs.

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