Inverted Canopy Umbrella for Dripless Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional umbrellas cause water to drain onto surrounding areas when closing, leading to wet floors and surfaces, as the collapsible frame design directs water outward, posing issues during use in rainy or snowy conditions.

Innovation Solution

The umbrella features a frame that folds the canopy inwardly, with an upper canopy folding down into a cavity at the handle's upper end and a lower canopy folding upward, directing water inwardly to prevent it from draining onto the surrounding area, similar to conventional umbrellas but with improved water management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the canopy section collapses in a conventional manner, then the umbrella structure is compact and easy to store, but water drains onto the surrounding area creating wet floors and surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveumbrella compact sizeVSAvoidwater drainage onto surrounding area

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional canopy collapse direction. Instead of the peripheral edge moving downward and inward causing water to drain outward, the peripheral edge moves upward and inward, reversing the water flow direction to drain toward the center and into the handle cavity, thus eliminating the harmful water drainage effect while maintaining compact storage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Volume of moving object

If the peripheral edge of the upper canopy is positioned downward when closed, then the canopy fits into a compact space, but water accumulates and drains onto the surrounding area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecanopy storage spaceVSAvoidwater accumulation and drainage

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the peripheral edge of the upper canopy upward when closed, opposite to conventional design. This inversion changes the water drainage path from outward to inward, allowing water to flow into the handle cavity rather than onto the surrounding area, while the canopy still achieves compact storage through the folding mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of water accumulation on the canopy into a beneficial feature by designing the handle with a cavity that receives the folded upper canopy and collects the water. The water that would otherwise be a problem is now contained and can be drained through a spout, transforming a harmful factor into a manageable feature

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS8667975B1Umbrella for dripless closure

Publication Date: 2014.03.11 CHESSUM CHARLENE F

AI summary

An improved umbrella configured to reduce the likelihood that water on top of the umbrella will drain onto the area around the user when the umbrella is closed. The improved umbrella has a handle supporting a canopy section comprising of an upper canopy, a lower canopy and a collapsible frame attached to and disposed between the upper and lower canopies. An operating mechanism allows the user to move the umbrella between its open and closed positions. When being closed, the operating mechanism inverts the frame so the peripheral edge of the upper canopy is directed upward and the center area thereof is pulled down into an interior cavity at the top end of the handle so water will drain inward to the cavity instead of outward. The upper canopy is pulled into the cavity and the frame, with the lower canopy wrapped around it, is collapsed against the handle.