Umbrella storage device

Abstract

To provide an umbrella storage device capable of simplifying a configuration and realizing reduction in size.SOLUTION: An umbrella storage device includes a storage part 2 storing an umbrella other than a handle thereof and a top plate part 3 covering a top part of the storage part 2. The storage part 2 has an opening part 221 for taking in and out the umbrella. The top plate part 3 includes an outlet 31, which is formed such that the umbrella passes therethrough one by one when taking in or out the umbrella from the storage part 2 and formed at a position continuous to an upper part of the opening part 221, cut parts 33 for arrangement for individually arranging umbrellas, which are stored in the storage part 2 other than handles thereof, on the top plate part 3, cut parts 34 for passage forming passages, which allow the umbrellas to pass one by one to the outlet 31 from the respective cut parts 33 for arrangement, and a lock 32 for locking the outlet 31 so as not to take out the umbrellas stored in the storage part 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an umbrella storage device. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses an umbrella vending machine that sells umbrellas. This umbrella vending machine stores umbrellas to be sold by setting multiple umbrellas on a guide member provided inside the machine. When a customer inserts a predetermined amount of money and selects the desired button, the umbrella corresponding to the selected button is dispensed from the vending machine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-230578 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, the umbrella vending machine of Patent Document 1 discharges umbrellas set in the guide member by driving the motor to sequentially discharge the umbrellas set in the guide member to the outlet, which makes the internal structure of the device complicated and leads to an increase in the size of the device.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an umbrella storage device that can be simplified in structure and made smaller in size. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An umbrella storage device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a storage section for storing umbrellas other than the handle portion, and a top panel portion covering the top of the storage section, wherein the storage section has an opening for putting umbrellas in and taking them out, the top panel portion is formed so that umbrellas can pass through one by one when putting them in and taking them out of the storage section, and has an outlet formed in a position connected to the top of the opening, placement notches which are notches for individually placing umbrellas on the top panel portion when the umbrellas other than the handle portion are stored in the storage section, passage notches which are notches that form a path for passing umbrellas one by one from each placement notch to the outlet, and a lock for locking the outlet so that umbrellas stored in the storage section cannot be taken out.

[0007] According to this aspect, the umbrella storage device can be easily constructed by having a storage section that stores everything except the handle of the umbrella and has an opening, and a top plate section that covers the top of the storage section.In addition, umbrellas can be efficiently stored by passing them through the aisle cutout from the outlet and placing them in one of multiple placement cutouts provided along the aisle cutout, making it possible to make the umbrella storage device smaller.

[0008] In the above aspect, the placement notch may be formed so that when an umbrella is placed in the placement notch, the umbrella placed in the placement notch does not obstruct the passage of other umbrellas through the passage notch in which the placement notch is formed.

[0009] According to this aspect, even when the umbrella is placed in the placement cutout, the umbrella can be moved smoothly along the passage cutout.

[0010] In the above aspect, the passage cutout may be formed so as to branch into a plurality of passage cutouts.

[0011] According to this aspect, the passage cutout can be branched and a placement cutout can be formed in the branched passage cutout, so that the passage cutout and the placement cutout can be provided so that the umbrellas can be placed efficiently.

[0012] In the above aspect, among the passage cutouts, the passage cutouts extending laterally on the surface of the top plate portion may be formed so as to connect the vicinity of the centers of the plurality of passage cutouts extending vertically.

[0013] According to this aspect, it is possible to make the distance from the outlet to the end of each passage cutout uniform.

[0014] In the above aspect, the placement cutout may be formed such that the major axis direction of the placement cutout and the major axis direction of the passage cutout are substantially perpendicular to each other.

[0015] According to this aspect, it is possible to easily and reliably place the umbrella in the placement notch.

[0016] In the above aspect, the storage section may be formed so that when installed, the height of the front side having the opening is lower than the height of the rear side located opposite the front side, so that the surface of the top plate is inclined, and the placement notch may be formed so that the long axis direction of the placement notch intersects with the inclination direction of the top plate.

[0017] According to this aspect, the top plate can be tilted forward, making it easier to take out umbrellas stored in the storage section, and since the long axis direction of the placement notch can be made different from the tilt direction of the top plate, umbrellas placed in the placement notch can be reliably placed so that they do not shift due to the tilt of the top plate.

[0018] In the above aspect, in the passage cutout portion whose long axis is formed in a direction intersecting with the inclination direction of the top plate portion, the placement cutout portion may be formed on the side of the passage cutout portion that is lower in height above the surface of the top plate portion.

[0019] According to this aspect, an umbrella being moved along the passage cutout, whose long axis is formed in a direction intersecting the inclination direction of the top plate, can be reliably and easily placed in the placement cutout by utilizing the inclination of the top plate.

[0020] In the above aspect, the top plate portion may further include a reader portion that reads data from an IC tag, and a control portion that, when data for settling the purchase price of the umbrella is read by the reader portion, controls the unlocking of the lock based on the read data.

[0021] According to this aspect, for example, data is read from an IC tag held by the user, and if it is determined that the cost of purchasing the umbrella can be paid for, the lock can be unlocked.

[0022] In the above aspect, the device may further include a communication unit that, when data related to an umbrella passing through the outlet is read by the reader unit, transmits the read data to an external server as umbrella information.

[0023] According to this aspect, it is possible to manage umbrella sales information based on the umbrella information transmitted to the server.

[0024] In the above aspect, the lock may be powered by a rechargeable battery.

[0025] This aspect makes it possible to eliminate the need to replace the battery that powers the lock. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an umbrella storage device that has a simple configuration and can be made smaller. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an umbrella storage device according to an embodiment, seen from diagonally front. [Figure 2]1A is a perspective view of the umbrella storage device with an umbrella stored therein, seen obliquely from the front, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the umbrella. [Figure 3] 2 is a top view of the top plate of the umbrella storage device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a view of the umbrella storage device with an umbrella stored therein, viewed obliquely from above. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a top view of the top plate of the umbrella storage device according to the modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are merely examples, and are not intended to exclude various modifications or applications of techniques not explicitly described below. In other words, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of its spirit. Furthermore, in the following description of the drawings, identical or similar parts are denoted by identical or similar reference numerals. The drawings are schematic and do not necessarily correspond to actual dimensions, ratios, etc. Parts in the drawings may have different dimensional relationships or ratios.

[0029] The configuration of the umbrella storage device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the umbrella storage device 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 2(A) is a perspective view of the umbrella storage device 1 with an umbrella U stored therein, and Figure 2(B) is a diagram illustrating an umbrella U stored in the umbrella storage device 1.

[0030] The umbrella U is a long umbrella, such as a vinyl umbrella, and is composed of a handle Ua and a portion other than the handle Ub. The portion other than the handle Ub includes, for example, a shaft, a tip, ribs, and fabric. An IC tag Ut, such as an RFID chip, is embedded near the base of the handle Ua of the umbrella U. Information about the umbrella, including an identification ID for identifying the umbrella, is stored in the IC tag Ut.

[0031] The umbrella storage device 1 is a device that stores and sells umbrellas U, and when it confirms that payment for the purchase price is possible, it unlocks the outlet described below, allowing one of the stored umbrellas U to be taken out. When an umbrella U is taken out, information about the umbrella is read from the IC tag Ut attached to the umbrella U and sent to a server (not shown).

[0032] The umbrella storage device 1 includes a storage section 2 that stores the umbrella U except for the handle Ua, and a top panel section 3 that covers the top of the storage section 2.

[0033] When the umbrella storage device 1 is installed, the storage section 2 has a bottom plate 21 that forms the bottom surface, a front plate 22 that forms the front surface, side plates 23 that form the left and right side surfaces, and a back plate 24 that forms the back surface. Making some or all of the side plates 23 transparent or semi-transparent makes it easier to check the storage state of the umbrellas U from the outside. The shape of the storage section 2 is not limited to a rectangular prism, and may be a rectangular prism other than a rectangular prism, a cylinder, or the like.

[0034] An opening 221 with an open top is formed in the front panel 22 of the storage section 2 for taking in and out the umbrella U. The horizontal width and vertical length of the opening 221 are desirably designed to be wide and long enough to take in and out a single umbrella U stored in the storage section 2 except for the handle Ua.

[0035] The storage section 2 is formed so that the height of the front panel 22 is lower than the height of the back panel 24. This allows the surface of the top panel 3 to be tilted so that it becomes lower from the back side to the front side when the umbrella storage device 1 is installed. By tilting the top panel 3 toward the front, it becomes easier to take out the umbrella U stored in the storage section 2.

[0036] 3, the top panel 3 has an outlet 31, a lock 32, a plurality of placement notches 33, a plurality of passage notches 34, an RFID reader 35, a control unit 36, and a communication unit 37. The RFID reader 35, the control unit 36, and the communication unit 37 are provided below the dotted line area shown on the top panel 3 (inside the storage unit 2).

[0037] The outlet 31 is formed so that the umbrellas U can pass through one by one when taking the umbrellas U in and out of the storage section 2. The outlet 31 is also formed at a position that is continuous with the upper part of the opening 221 of the storage section 2. This allows the umbrellas U that are stored in the storage section 2 except for the umbrella Ua at hand to be taken in and out one by one through the outlet 31.

[0038] The lock 32 is a lock for locking the outlet so that the umbrella U cannot be taken out when only the handle Ua is stored in the storage section 2. The lock 32 is controlled to be locked or unlocked by the control section 36. The lock 32 is powered by a battery. It is desirable to use a rechargeable battery as the battery. Using a rechargeable battery can eliminate the need to replace the battery.

[0039] The placement notches 33 are notches for placing umbrellas U individually on the top plate 3 when the umbrellas U are stored in the storage section 2 except for the handle Ua. The umbrellas U stored in the storage section 2 are placed in a state where the annular part formed to protrude from the center rod at the base of the handle Ua is hooked onto the top plate 3 around the placement notches 33 and hangs down by its own weight.

[0040] The passage cutouts 34 are cutouts that form a passage for passing the umbrellas U one by one from each placement cutout 33 to the outlet 31.

[0041] The passage cutout 34 branches into a plurality of passage cutouts 34. It is desirable that the placement cutouts 33 are formed on both sides of the branched passage cutouts 34 that extend in the vertical direction on the paper. It is desirable that the placement cutouts 33 formed on both sides of the passage cutout 34 be formed alternately and offset in the vertical direction so as not to intersect with the passage cutout 34.

[0042] Of the passage cutouts 34, those that extend horizontally (left and right on the paper) on the surface of the top plate 3 are desirably formed so as to connect the centers of multiple passage cutouts 34 that extend vertically (up and down on the paper). This makes it possible to make the distance from the outlet 31 to the end of each passage cutout 34 uniform.

[0043] By forming the placement cutouts 33 and the passage cutouts 34 as described above, the umbrella U stored in the storage section 2 can be placed in the placement cutouts 33 without protruding into the passage cutouts 34. This allows other umbrellas passing through the passage cutouts 34 to move smoothly along the passage cutouts 34 without being obstructed. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, even when umbrellas are placed in all of the placement cutouts 33, any umbrella can be freely and easily taken out.

[0044] The RFID reader unit 35 shown in Fig. 3 has a function of reading data from an IC tag. Specifically, when an umbrella purchased by a user passes through the outlet 31, the RFID reader unit 35 reads data about the umbrella from the IC tag attached to the umbrella. The IC tag is also called an RFID (Radio Frequency ID) tag or wireless tag, and in response to a request from the RFID reader unit 35, it reads data from a memory built into the IC tag and transmits it to the RFID reader unit 35. The IC tag is used, for example, by being embedded in a terminal such as a smartphone or a card, or by being attached to an umbrella as in this embodiment.

[0045] In this embodiment, in addition to the RFID reader unit 35, a card reader unit 38 that supports electronic money payment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, is provided. The card reader unit 38 reads data for paying the purchase price of the umbrella from an IC tag embedded in a terminal such as a smartphone or a card held over the device by the user.

[0046] The RFID reader unit 35 and the card reader unit 38 can include multiple types of readers depending on the IC tag standards used. In other words, if multiple IC tag standards are used, readers corresponding to each standard can be provided. Furthermore, a writer function may be added to the RFID reader unit 35 and the card reader unit 38 so that data can be written to the memory of the IC tag. In this embodiment, the RFID reader unit 35 and the card reader unit 38 are collectively referred to as the reader unit.

[0047] When data for paying for the purchase of the umbrella is read by the card reader unit 38, the control unit 36 ​​shown in Fig. 3 controls the unlocking of the lock 32 based on the read data. Specifically, when the control unit 36 ​​determines based on the data read by the card reader unit 38 that the purchase price of the umbrella can be paid, the control unit 36 ​​unlocks the lock 32. On the other hand, when the control unit 36 ​​determines based on the data read by the card reader unit 38 that the purchase price of the umbrella cannot be paid, the control unit 36 ​​keeps the lock 32 locked.

[0048] The payment method for the purchase of the umbrella can be any of prepaid electronic money, credit card, bank account, etc. Alternatively, the user may register in advance and payment may be made by a payment method designated by the user. Payment methods can include, for example, payment at a convenience store or other location.

[0049] When data related to the umbrella is read by the RFID reader unit 35, the communication unit 37 generates umbrella information based on the read information and transmits it to the server. The umbrella information can include, for example, an identification ID for identifying the umbrella, the manufacturing date of the umbrella, the manufacturing location of the umbrella, the selling location of the umbrella, the circumstances when the umbrella was sold, the price of the umbrella, etc.

[0050] The server can manage umbrella sales information based on the umbrella information received from the umbrella storage device 1.

[0051] As described above, the umbrella storage device 1 in the embodiment can be easily configured by including a storage section 2 that stores the umbrella except for the handle Ua and has an opening 221, and a top panel section 3 that covers the top of the storage section 2. When storing an umbrella U in this umbrella storage device 1, the umbrella U is passed through the outlet 31 through the passage cutout 34 and placed in one of the multiple placement cutouts 33 provided along the passage cutout 34, allowing the umbrella to be stored efficiently. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the umbrella storage device. Therefore, it is possible to provide an umbrella storage device 1 that can be simplified in configuration and made smaller.

[0052] Furthermore, according to the umbrella storage device 1 in the embodiment, even when an umbrella is placed in the placement notch 33, other umbrellas can be moved smoothly along the passage notch 34.

[0053] Furthermore, according to the umbrella storage device 1 in the embodiment, the passage cutout 34 can be branched and the placement cutout 33 can be formed in the branched passage cutout 34, so that the passage cutout 34 and the placement cutout 33 can be provided so that umbrellas can be placed efficiently.

[0054] Furthermore, according to the umbrella storage device 1 in the embodiment, the passage cutout 34 extending in the horizontal direction can be formed so as to connect the centers of the multiple passage cutouts 34 extending in the vertical direction, making it possible to make the distance from the outlet 31 to the end of each passage cutout 34 uniform.

[0055] Furthermore, according to the umbrella storage device 1 in the embodiment, the long axis direction of the placement cutout 33 and the long axis direction of the passage cutout 34 can be formed so as to be approximately perpendicular to each other, making it easier to reliably place the umbrella U within the placement cutout 33.

[0056] Furthermore, according to the umbrella storage device 1 in the embodiment, the storage section 2 is formed so that the surface of the top plate section 3 is inclined, and the top plate section 3 can be tilted forward, making it easier to take out the umbrella U stored in the storage section 2.

[0057] [Variations] The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The elements of the embodiments, as well as their arrangement, shape, size, etc., are not limited to those exemplified and may be modified as appropriate.

[0058] For example, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the placement notch 33 is formed on both sides of the passage notch 34, but as shown in FIG. 5, the placement notch 33 may be formed on one side of the passage notch 34.

[0059] 5, the passage cutout 34 in the region R surrounded by the dashed line has its major axis formed in a direction (left-right direction on the paper) that intersects at a substantially right angle with the tilt direction of the top plate 3 (the direction from top to bottom on the paper). The upper side of this passage cutout 34 on the paper has a higher height above the surface of the top plate 3, while the lower side on the paper has a lower height above the surface of the top plate 3. In such a passage cutout 34, it is desirable to form the placement cutout 33 on the side where the height above the surface of the top plate 3 is lower, and not form the placement cutout 33 on the side where the height above the surface of the top plate 3 is higher.

[0060] This makes it possible to reliably and easily place an umbrella U, which is being moved along the passage cutout 34 in the area R surrounded by the dashed line, in the placement cutout 33 by utilizing the inclination of the top plate portion 3.

[0061] The above-described formation of the placement notch 33 only on the side where the height of the top plate 3 is lower is not limited to cases where the tilt direction of the top plate 3 and the long axis of the passage notch 34 intersect at approximately right angles. For example, if the tilt direction of the top plate 3 and the long axis of the passage notch 34 intersect, and this condition is met, the placement notch 33 may be formed only on the side where the height of the top plate 3 is lower. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1...umbrella storage device, 2...storage section, 3...top plate section, 21...bottom plate, 22...front plate, 23...side plate, 24...back plate, 31...removal opening, 32...lock, 33...placement notch, 34...passage notch, 35...RFID reader section, 36...control section, 37...communication section, 38...card reader section, 221...opening, U...umbrella, Ua...handle section, Ub...section other than hand section, Ut...IC tag

Claims

1. A storage area for storing everything except the handle of the umbrella, a top plate portion covering an upper portion of the storage portion; Equipped with The storage section has an opening for inserting and removing the umbrella, The top plate portion is an outlet formed at a position continuous with the upper part of the opening, through which umbrellas can pass one by one when taking them in and out of the storage section; A placement notch is a notch for individually placing an umbrella in the top plate portion when the umbrella is stored in the storage portion except for the handle portion; A passage cutout portion is a cutout portion that forms a path for passing an umbrella one by one from each of the placement cutout portions to the outlet; a lock for locking the outlet so that the umbrella stored in the storage section cannot be taken out; and The storage section is formed so that, when installed, the height of the front side having the opening is lower than the height of the back side located opposite the front side so that the surface of the top plate portion is inclined, The placement notch is formed so that the long axis direction of the placement notch intersects with the inclination direction of the top plate portion. Umbrella storage device.

2. The placement cutout is formed so that when an umbrella is placed in the placement cutout, the umbrella placed in the placement cutout does not obstruct the passage of other umbrellas through the passage cutout in which the placement cutout is formed. The umbrella storage device according to claim 1.

3. The passage cutout portion is formed by branching into a plurality of the passage cutout portions.

3. The umbrella storage device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Among the passage cutouts, the passage cutouts extending in the horizontal direction on the surface of the top plate portion are formed so as to connect the centers of the plurality of passage cutouts extending in the vertical direction. The umbrella storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The placement notch is formed so that the long axis direction of the placement notch and the long axis direction of the passage notch are in a substantially perpendicular relationship. The umbrella storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. In the passage cutout portion, the major axis of which is formed in a direction intersecting with the inclination direction of the top plate portion, the placement cutout portion is formed on the side of the passage cutout portion that is lower in height above the surface of the top plate portion. The umbrella storage device according to claim 1.

7. The top plate portion is a reader unit that reads data from the IC tag; and a control unit that, when the data for paying the purchase price of the umbrella is read by the reader unit, controls unlocking of the lock based on the read data. The umbrella storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The device further includes a communication unit that, when the reader unit reads data related to an umbrella passing through the outlet, transmits the read data to an external server as umbrella information. The umbrella storage device according to claim 7.

9. The lock is powered by a rechargeable battery. The umbrella storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images