U.S. patent application number 10/518678 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-22 for umbrella storage device and umbrella holding lock.
This patent application is currently assigned to SUGATSUNE KOGYO CO. LTD. Invention is credited to Manabe, Koumi.
Application Number | 20050205505 10/518678 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30003584 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050205505 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Manabe, Koumi |
September 22, 2005 |
Umbrella storage device and umbrella holding lock
Abstract
A supporting column part 2 is erected from a rear end part of a
water receiving part 3. A basal end part of a supporting member 4
is rotatably disposed at an upper end part of the supporting column
part 2. The supporting member 4 is, when in use of an umbrella
storage apparatus A, rotated such that the supporting member 4
becomes horizontal in posture and positionally fixed. A plurality
of umbrella retaining locks 5, 5' are disposed, side by side in the
longitudinal direction of the supporting member 4, at left and
right side parts of the supporting member 4. The water-drops
dropping from the umbrellas retained by the umbrella retaining
locks 5, 5' are received in the water receiving part 3.
Inventors: |
Manabe, Koumi; (Chiba,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OSHA LIANG L.L.P.
1221 MCKINNEY STREET
SUITE 2800
HOUSTON
TX
77010
US
|
Assignee: |
SUGATSUNE KOGYO CO. LTD
TOKYO
JP
|
Family ID: |
30003584 |
Appl. No.: |
10/518678 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
June 23, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP03/07913 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/61 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B 73/02 20130101;
Y10T 70/5013 20150401; A47G 25/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/061 |
International
Class: |
A47F 007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 24, 2002 |
JP |
2002-183010 |
Apr 17, 2003 |
JP |
2003-112474 |
Apr 21, 2003 |
JP |
2003-115762 |
Claims
1. An umbrella storage apparatus comprising an apparatus main body,
a supporting member arranged with a longitudinal direction thereof
directing in a direction intersecting with an up and down direction
and with a basal part thereof supported on said apparatus main
body, and a plurality of umbrella retaining locks disposed, side by
side, on at least one side part of said supporting member along
said longitudinal direction of said supporting member and adapted
to retain a part-to-be-retained of the umbrella.
2. An umbrella storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
apparatus main body is provided at least at one side part thereof
with a reference plane directing in an arrangement direction
orthogonal to an up and down direction and a longitudinal direction
of said supporting member, and said reference plane is arranged to
be separated by a predetermined distance or more in the arrangement
direction from said umbrella storage apparatus.
3. An umbrella storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
basal end part of said supporting member is rotatably supported on
said apparatus main body about a horizontal axis between a use
position where the longitudinal direction of said supporting member
is directed in a direction intersecting with the up and down
direction and a receipt position where the distal end part is
located generally downward of the basal end part and the entire
supporting member is disposed generally along said apparatus main
body, said apparatus main body is rotatably provided with a
cosmetic cover, said cosmetic cover can rotate between an open
position and a closed position, said cosmetic cover, when located
in the open position, allows said supporting member to rotate
between the use position and the receipt position and when located
in the closed position, covers said supporting member located in
the receiving position and said umbrella retaining lock in
co-action with said apparatus main body.
4. An umbrella storage apparatus comprising an apparatus main body,
a plurality of supporting members arranged with a longitudinal
direction thereof directing in a direction intersecting with an up
and down direction and with basal parts thereof supported on said
apparatus main body, a plurality of umbrella retaining locks
disposed, side by side, on at least one side parts of said
supporting members along said longitudinal direction of said
supporting member and each adapted to retain a part-to-be-retained
of the umbrella, said supporting members are mutually spacedly
arranged in the horizontal direction, and a gap between said
mutually adjacent two supporting members and an extension part of
said gap downward by a predetermined distance are open forward in
the longitudinal direction of said supporting members.
5. An umbrella storage apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said
plurality of supporting members are arranged in mutually parallel
relation.
6. An umbrella storage apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said
apparatus main body is provided at least at one side part thereof
in the separation direction of said plurality of supporting members
with a reference plane directing toward the outside in the
separation direction, said reference plane is arranged to be
separated outward by a predetermined distance or more from said
umbrella retaining lock adjacent the inner side in the separation
direction with respect to said reference plane.
7. An umbrella storage apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said
apparatus main body includes a plurality of supporting column parts
mutually spacedly arranged on a horizontal straight line and
vertically erected, and a plurality of second supporting column
parts arranged in opposing relation on a straight line parallel to
said straight line on which said plurality of supporting column
parts are arranged and vertically erected, and the basal end parts
and the distal end parts of said supporting members are supported
on said mutually opposing supporting column parts and said second
supporting column parts, respectively.
8. An umbrella storage apparatus according to claim 7, wherein at
least an upper part of a gap between said mutually adjacent second
supporting column parts is open forward in the longitudinal
direction of said supporting members.
9. An umbrella storage apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a
reference plane directing toward the outside in the separation
direction is disposed at least at one side part of said apparatus
main body in the separation direction of said supporting member,
and said reference plane is arranged to be separated outward by a
predetermined distance or more from said umbrella retaining lock
adjacent to the inside in the separation direction with respect to
said reference plane.
10. An umbrella storage apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
said apparatus main body includes two supporting column parts
arranged to be separated from each other in the horizontal
direction and with their longitudinal direction directing in the up
and down direction and a retaining member whose opposite end parts
in the longitudinal direction are supported by said two supporting
column parts, respectively, said plurality of supporting members
are arranged to be separated from each other in the longitudinal
direction of said retaining member, and the basal end parts of said
supporting members are retained by said retaining member.
11. An umbrella storage apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a
reference plane directing toward the outside in the separation
direction is disposed at least at one side part of said apparatus
main body in the separation direction of said two supporting column
parts, and said reference plane is arranged to be separated outward
by a predetermined distance or more from said umbrella retaining
lock adjacent to the inside in the separation direction with
respect to said reference plane.
12. An umbrella storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
said umbrella retaining lock includes a lock main body attached to
a side part of said supporting member and formed in a front surface
part thereof facing sideward of said supporting member with a
receiving recess extending upward and downward and open sideward of
said supporting member, and a lock member disposed at said lock
main body such that said lock member is displaceable between a
releasing position and a locking position, said lock member, when
located in the releasing position, allowing a part-to-be-retained
of an umbrella to be brought in and out of said receiving recess
through said opening part, and when located in the locking
position, prohibiting the part-to-be-retained of the umbrella from
escaping from said receiving recess through said opening part, and
a deepest part of said receiving recess is offset toward the
longitudinal direction of said supporting member with respect to a
central part of said opening part of said receiving recess.
13. An umbrella storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
said umbrella retaining lock includes a lock main body attached to
a side part of said supporting member and formed in a front surface
part thereof facing sideward of said supporting member with a
receiving recess extending upward and downward and open sideward of
said supporting member, and a lock member disposed at said lock
main body such that said lock member is displaceable between a
releasing position and a locking position, said lock member, when
located in the releasing position, allowing a part-to-be-retained
of an umbrella to be brought in and out of said receiving recess
through said opening part, and when located in the locking
position, prohibiting the part-to-be-retained of the umbrella from
escaping from said receiving recess through said opening part, and
a depth direction of said receiving recess is inclined with respect
to the longitudinal direction of said supporting member so that the
depth of said receiving recess becomes deeper from one end side in
the longitudinal direction of said supporting member toward the
other end.
14. An umbrella retaining lock including a lock main body formed in
a front surface thereof with a receiving recess extending in the up
and downward direction and open forward, and a lock member disposed
at said lock main body such that said lock member is displaceable
between an releasing position and a locking position, said lock
member, when located in the releasing position, allowing a
part-to-be-retained of an umbrella to be brought in and out of said
receiving recess through said opening part, and when located in the
locking position, prohibiting the part-to-be-retained of the
umbrella from escaping from said receiving recess through said
opening part, wherein a deepest part of said receiving recess is
offset in the horizontal direction along the front surface of said
lock main body with respect to a central part in said horizontal
direction of said opening part of said receiving recess.
15. An umbrella retaining lock including a lock main body formed in
a front surface thereof with a receiving recess extending in the up
and downward direction and open forward, and a lock member disposed
at said lock main body such that said lock member is displaceable
between a releasing position and a locking position, said lock
member, when located in the releasing position, allowing a
part-to-be-retained of an umbrella to be brought in and out of said
receiving recess through said opening part, and when located in the
locking position, prohibiting the part-to-be-retained of the
umbrella from escaping from said receiving recess through said
opening part, wherein a depth direction of said receiving recess is
inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of said
supporting member so that the depth of said receiving recess
becomes deeper toward the horizontal direction along the front
surface of said lock main body.
16. An umbrella retaining lock according to claim 14, wherein a
movable member with a part thereof projecting from a bottom surface
of said receiving recess is disposed at said apparatus main body
such that said movable member is displaceable in the depth
direction of said receiving recess, and said movable member is
connected to said lock member so that when said movable member is
abutted with the part-to-be-retained of the umbrella inserted in
said receiving recess and then displaced toward the deep side of
said receiving recess together with the part-to-be-retained, said
lock member is displaced toward the locking position side from the
releasing position interlocking with said displacement of said
movable member.
17. An umbrella retaining lock according to claim 16, wherein an
intermediate part located within said apparatus main body of said
lock member is rotatably disposed at said apparatus main body for
rotation about an axis extending in the up and down direction, said
lock member is provided at one end part thereof projecting toward
the outside from said apparatus main body with an engagement part
for prohibiting the part-to-be-retained of the umbrella from
escaping from the opening part of said receiving recess when said
lock member is located in the locking position, and said movable
member is integrally disposed at the other end part projecting from
a bottom surface within said receiving recess of said lock
member.
18. An umbrella retaining lock according to claim 17, wherein the
bottom surface of said receiving recess includes a pair of side
surfaces extending in parallel relation to each other toward the
deep side of said receiving recess from an opening part thereof,
and a deep surface disposed between end parts on the deep side of
said pair of side surfaces, a recess is formed in an area in the
vicinity of an opening part of a side surface opposing the opening
part of said receiving recess of said pair of side surfaces, and a
part of said engagement part is received in said recess so that
when said lock member is located in the releasing position, said
engagement part is not projected toward the outside from the
opening part of said receiving recess and a part-to-be-retained of
an umbrella inserted in said receiving recess through the opening
part thereof is not abutted with said engagement part.
19. An umbrella storage apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
basal end part of said supporting member is rotatably supported on
said apparatus main body about a horizontal axis between a use
position where the longitudinal direction of said supporting member
is directed in a direction intersecting with the up and down
direction and a receipt position where the distal end part is
located generally downward of the basal end part and the entire
supporting member is disposed generally along said apparatus main
body, said apparatus main body is rotatably provided with a
cosmetic cover, said cosmetic cover can rotate between an open
position and a closed position, said cosmetic cover, when located
in the open position, allows said supporting member to rotate
between the use position and the receipt position and when located
in the closed position, covers said supporting member located in
the receiving position and said umbrella retaining lock in
co-action with said apparatus main body.
20. An umbrella storage apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
said umbrella retaining lock includes a lock main body attached to
a side part of said supporting member and formed in a front surface
part thereof facing sideward of said supporting member with a
receiving recess extending upward and downward and open sideward of
said supporting member, and a lock member disposed at said lock
main body such that said lock member is displaceable between a
releasing position and a locking position, said lock member, when
located in the releasing position, allowing a part-to-be-retained
of an umbrella to be brought in and out of said receiving recess
through said opening part, and when located in the locking
position, prohibiting the part-to-be-retained of the umbrella from
escaping from said receiving recess through said opening part, and
a deepest part of said receiving recess is offset toward the
longitudinal direction of said supporting member with respect to a
central part of said opening part of said receiving recess.
21. An umbrella storage apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
said umbrella retaining lock includes a lock main body attached to
a side part of said supporting member and formed in a front surface
part thereof facing sideward of said supporting member with a
receiving recess extending upward and downward and open sideward of
said supporting member, and a lock member disposed at said lock
main body such that said lock member is displaceable between a
releasing position and a locking position, said lock member, when
located in the releasing position, allowing a part-to-be-retained
of an umbrella to be brought in and out of said receiving recess
through said opening part, and when located in the locking
position, prohibiting the part-to-be-retained of the umbrella from
escaping from said receiving recess through said opening part, and
a depth direction of said receiving recess is inclined with respect
to the longitudinal direction of said supporting member so that the
depth of said receiving recess becomes deeper from one end side in
the longitudinal direction of said supporting member toward the
other end.
22. An umbrella retaining lock according to claim 15, wherein a
movable member with a part thereof projecting from a bottom surface
of said receiving recess is disposed at said apparatus main body
such that said movable member is displaceable in the depth
direction of said receiving recess, and said movable member is
connected to said lock member so that when said movable member is
abutted with the part-to-be-retained of the umbrella inserted in
said receiving recess and then displaced toward the deep side of
said receiving recess together with the part-to-be-retained, said
lock member is displaced toward the locking position side from the
releasing position interlocking with said displacement of said
movable member.
23. An umbrella retaining lock according to claim 22, wherein an
intermediate part located within said apparatus main body of said
lock member is rotatably disposed at said apparatus main body for
rotation about an axis extending in the up and down direction, said
lock member is provided at one end part thereof projecting toward
the outside from said apparatus main body with an engagement part
for prohibiting the part-to-be-retained of the umbrella from
escaping from the opening part of said receiving recess when said
lock member is located in the locking position, and said movable
member is integrally disposed at the other end part projecting from
a bottom surface within said receiving recess of said lock
member.
24. An umbrella retaining lock according to claim 23, wherein the
bottom surface of said receiving recess includes a pair of side
surfaces extending in parallel relation to each other toward the
deep side of said receiving recess from an opening part thereof,
and a deep surface disposed between end parts on the deep side of
said pair of side surfaces, a recess is formed in an area in the
vicinity of an opening part of a side surface opposing the opening
part of said receiving recess of said pair of side surfaces, and a
part of said engagement part is received in said recess so that
when said lock member is located in the releasing position, said
engagement part is not projected toward the outside from the
opening part of said receiving recess and a part-to-be-retained of
an umbrella inserted in said receiving recess through the opening
part thereof is not abutted with said engagement part.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to an umbrella storage apparatus and
an umbrella retaining lock suited to be used for the umbrella
storage apparatus.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In general, an umbrella storage apparatus includes an
apparatus main body, a plurality of supporting members arranged in
mutually parallel relation at upper end part of the apparatus main
body, and a plurality of umbrella retaining locks arranged, side by
side, at least at one side part of each supporting member in the
longitudinal direction of the supporting members. The umbrella
retaining locks retain the grip parts (parts-to-be-retained) of the
umbrellas to be stored in their locked states (see Official Gazette
of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H08-308711).
[0003] In the above-mentioned conventional umbrella storage
apparatus, gaps between one end parts and between the other end
parts in the longitudinal direction of the mutually adjacent
supporting members are closed, respectively. Therefore, in case an
umbrella is inserted between the supporting members so that the
umbrella is retained by the umbrella retaining lock, the entire
umbrella must be once lifted up to a level above the supporting
members and then inserted between the supporting members. However,
there is such a problem that when the umbrella is lifted up to the
level above the supporting members, the grips, etc. of umbrellas
which are already stored in the umbrella storage apparatus will get
wet by waterdrops dropping from the ferrule of the umbrella.
Moreover, it is difficult for children who are not yet high enough
to lift up the umbrellas to the level above the supporting members
and so, they cannot utilize the umbrella storage apparatus.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In order to solve the above problem, the first embodiment of
the present invention is characterized by comprising an apparatus
main body, a supporting member arranged with a longitudinal
direction thereof directing in a direction intersecting with an up
and down direction and with a basal part thereof supported on the
apparatus main body, and a plurality of umbrella retaining locks
disposed, side by side, on at least one side part of the supporting
member along the longitudinal direction of the supporting member
and adapted to retain a part-to-be-retained of the umbrella.
[0005] In this case, it is preferred that the apparatus main body
is provided at least at one side part thereof with a reference
plane directing in an arrangement direction orthogonal to an up and
down direction and a longitudinal direction of the supporting
member, and the reference plane is arranged to be separated by a
predetermined distance or more in the arrangement direction from
the umbrella storage apparatus.
[0006] It is preferred that the basal end part of the supporting
member is rotatably supported on the apparatus main body about a
horizontal axis between a use position where the longitudinal
direction of the supporting member is directed in a direction
intersecting with the up and down direction and a receipt position
where the distal end part is located generally downward of the
basal end part and the entire supporting member is disposed
generally along the apparatus main body, the apparatus main body is
rotatably provided with a cosmetic cover, the cosmetic cover can
rotate between an open position and a closed position, the cosmetic
cover, when located in the open position, allows the supporting
member to rotate between the use position and the receipt position
and when located in the closed position, covers the supporting
member located in the receiving position and the umbrella retaining
lock in co-action with the apparatus main body.
[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the second embodiment
of the present invention is characterized by comprising an
apparatus main body, a plurality of supporting members arranged
with a longitudinal direction thereof directing in a direction
intersecting with an up and down direction and with basal parts
thereof supported on the apparatus main body, a plurality of
umbrella retaining locks disposed, side by side, on at least one
side parts of the supporting members along the longitudinal
direction of the supporting member and each adapted to retain a
part-to-be-retained of the umbrella, the supporting members are
mutually spacedly arranged in the horizontal direction, and a gap
between the mutually adjacent two supporting members and an
extension part of the gap downward by a predetermined distance are
open forward in the longitudinal direction of the supporting
members.
[0008] In this case, it is preferred that the plurality of
supporting members are arranged in mutually parallel relation.
[0009] It is preferred that the apparatus main body is provided at
least at one side part thereof in the separation direction of the
plurality of supporting members with a reference plane directing
toward the outside in the separation direction, the reference plane
is arranged to be separated outward by a predetermined distance or
more from the umbrella retaining lock adjacent the inner side in
the separation direction with respect to the reference plane.
[0010] It is preferred that the apparatus main body includes a
plurality of supporting column parts mutually spacedly arranged on
a horizontal straight line and vertically erected, and a plurality
of second supporting column parts arranged in opposing relation on
a straight line parallel to the straight line on which the
plurality of supporting column parts are arranged and vertically
erected, and the basal end parts and the distal end parts of the
supporting members are supported on the mutually opposing
supporting column parts and the second supporting column parts,
respectively. In that case, it is preferred that at least an upper
part of a gap between the mutually adjacent second supporting
column parts is open forward in the longitudinal direction of the
supporting member.
[0011] It is preferred that a reference plane directing toward the
outside in the separation direction is disposed at least at one
side part of the apparatus main body in the separation direction of
the supporting member, and the reference plane is arranged to be
separated outward by a predetermined distance or more from the
umbrella retaining lock adjacent to the inside in the separation
direction with respect to the reference plane.
[0012] It is preferred that the apparatus main body includes two
supporting column parts arranged to be separated from each other in
the horizontal direction and with their longitudinal direction
directing in the up and down direction and a retaining member whose
opposite end parts in the longitudinal direction are supported by
the two supporting column parts, respectively, the plurality of
supporting members are arranged to be separated from each other in
the longitudinal direction of the retaining member, and the basal
end parts of the supporting members are retained by the retaining
member. In this case, it is preferred that a reference plane
directing toward the outside in the separation direction is
disposed at least at one side part of the apparatus main body in
the separation direction of the two supporting column parts, and
the reference plane is arranged to be separated outward by a
predetermined distance or more from the umbrella retaining lock
adjacent to the inside in the separation direction with respect to
the reference plane.
[0013] It is preferred that the umbrella retaining lock includes a
lock main body attached to a side part of the supporting member and
formed in a front surface part thereof facing sideward of the
supporting member with a receiving recess extending upward and
downward and open sideward of the supporting member, and a lock
member disposed at the lock main body such that the lock member is
displaceable between a releasing position and a locking position,
the lock member, when located in the releasing position, allowing a
part-to-be-retained of an umbrella to be brought in and out of the
receiving recess through the opening part, and when located in the
locking position, prohibiting the part-to-be-retained of the
umbrella from escaping from the receiving recess through the
opening part, and a deepest part of the receiving recess is offset
toward the longitudinal direction of the supporting member with
respect to a central part of the opening part of the receiving
recess.
[0014] It is preferred that the umbrella retaining lock includes a
lock main body attached to a side part of the supporting member and
formed in a front surface part thereof facing sideward of the
supporting member with a receiving recess extending upward and
downward and open sideward of the supporting member, and a lock
member disposed at the lock main body such that the lock member is
displaceable between a releasing position and a locking position,
the lock member, when located in the releasing position, allowing a
part-to-be-retained of an umbrella to be brought in and out of the
receiving recess through the opening part, and when located in the
locking position, prohibiting the part-to-be-retained of the
umbrella from escaping from the receiving recess through the
opening part, and a depth direction of the receiving recess is
inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the
supporting member so that the depth of the receiving recess becomes
deeper from one end side in the longitudinal direction of the
supporting member toward the other end.
[0015] The first embodiment of an umbrella retaining lock according
to the present invention is characterized by including a lock main
body formed in a front surface thereof with a receiving recess
extending in the up and downward direction and open forward, and a
lock member disposed at the lock main body such that the lock
member is displaceable between a releasing position and a locking
position, the lock member, when located in the releasing position,
allowing a part-to-be-retained of an umbrella to be brought in and
out of the receiving recess through the opening part, and when
located in the locking position, prohibiting the
part-to-be-retained of the umbrella from escaping from the
receiving recess through the opening part, wherein a deepest part
of the receiving recess is offset in the horizontal direction along
the front surface of the lock main body with respect to a central
part in the horizontal direction of the opening part of the
receiving recess.
[0016] The second embodiment of an umbrella retaining lock
according to the present invention is characterized by including a
lock main body formed in a front surface thereof with a receiving
recess extending in the up and downward direction and open forward,
and a lock member disposed at the lock main body such that the lock
member is displaceable between a releasing position and a locking
position, the lock member, when located in the releasing position,
allowing a part-to-be-retained of an umbrella to be brought in and
out of the receiving recess through the opening part, and when
located in the locking position, prohibiting the
part-to-be-retained of the umbrella from escaping from the
receiving recess through the opening part, wherein a depth
direction of the receiving recess is inclined with respect to the
longitudinal direction of the supporting member so that the depth
of the receiving recess becomes deeper toward the horizontal
direction along the front surface of the lock main body.
[0017] In the above-mentioned umbrella retaining lock, it is
preferred that a movable member with a part thereof projecting from
a bottom surface of the receiving recess is disposed at the
apparatus main body such that the movable member is displaceable in
the depth direction of the receiving recess, and the movable member
is connected to the lock member so that when the movable member is
abutted with the part-to-be-retained of the umbrella inserted in
the receiving recess and then displaced toward the deep side of the
receiving recess together with the part-to-be-retained, the lock
member is displaced toward the locking position side from the
releasing position interlocking with the displacement of the
movable member.
[0018] It is preferred that an intermediate part located within the
apparatus main body of the lock member is rotatably disposed at the
apparatus main body for rotation about an axis extending in the up
and down direction, the lock member is provided at one end part
thereof projecting toward the outside from the apparatus main body
with an engagement part for prohibiting the part-to-be-retained of
the umbrella from escaping from the opening part of the receiving
recess when the lock member is located in the locking position, and
the movable member is integrally disposed at the other end part
projecting from a bottom surface within the receiving recess of the
lock member.
[0019] It is preferred that the bottom surface of the receiving
recess includes a pair of side surfaces extending in parallel
relation to each other toward the deep side of the receiving recess
from an opening part thereof, and a deep surface disposed between
end parts on the deep side of the pair of side surfaces, a recess
is formed in an area in the vicinity of an opening part of a side
surface opposing the opening part of the receiving recess of the
pair of side surfaces, and a part of the engagement part is
received in the recess so that when the lock member is located in
the releasing position, the engagement part is not projected toward
the outside from the opening part of the receiving recess and a
part-to-be-retained of an umbrella inserted in the receiving recess
through the opening part thereof is not abutted with the engagement
part.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a side view showing the first embodiment of an
umbrella storage apparatus according to the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the above embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a front view of the above embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the above embodiment with a
supporting member and a water retainer received in a supporting
column part.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a pair of umbrella retaining
locks attached to opposite side parts of the supporting member in
the above embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a view when viewed in a direction as indicated by
an arrow X of FIG. 5.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a view when viewed in a direction as indicated by
an arrow Y of FIG. 5.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing one of the pair of umbrella
retaining locks of FIG. 5.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a lower surface view in which a lower half part of
the umbrellas retaining lock of FIG. 8 is removed and the lock
member is located in a releasing position.
[0029] FIG. 10 is a view, like FIG. 9, in which the lock member of
the above umbrella retaining lock is located in a lock start
position.
[0030] FIG. 11 is view, like FIG. 9, in which the lock member of
the above umbrella retaining lock is located in a locking
position.
[0031] FIG. 12 is a view showing the lock member used in the above
umbrella retaining lock, FIG. 12(A) is a view when viewed in a
direction as indicated by an arrow A of FIG. 12(B), FIG. 12(B) is a
plan view, and FIG. 12(C) is a view when viewed in a direction as
indicated by an arrow C of FIG. 12(B).
[0032] FIG. 13 is a view showing a key shaft used in the above
umbrella retaining lock, FIG. 13(A) is a front view, FIG. 13(B) is
a sectional view taken on line B-B of FIG. 13(C), FIG. 13(C) is a
plan view, and FIG. 13(D) is a sectional view taken on line D-D of
FIG. 13(A).
[0033] FIG. 14 is a front view showing the second embodiment of an
umbrella storage apparatus according to the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 15 is a plan view of the above embodiment.
[0035] FIG. 16 is a side view of the above embodiment.
[0036] FIG. 17 is a side view showing the above embodiment, in
which a supporting member is rotated in a receiving position and a
water receiving part is rotated in a folding position.
[0037] FIG. 18 is a front view showing the third embodiment of an
umbrella storage apparatus according to the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 19 is a plan view of the above embodiment.
[0039] FIG. 20 is a side view of the above embodiment.
[0040] FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken on line X-X of FIG.
19.
[0041] FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the fourth embodiment
of an umbrella storage apparatus according to the present
invention.
[0042] FIG. 23 is a front view of the above embodiment.
[0043] FIG. 24 is a plan view of the above embodiment.
[0044] FIG. 25 is a side view of the above embodiment.
[0045] FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing an umbrella retaining
lock used in the above embodiment.
[0046] FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing the fifth embodiment
of an umbrella storage apparatus according to the present
invention.
[0047] FIG. 28 is a front view of the above embodiment.
[0048] FIG. 29 is a plan view of the above embodiment.
[0049] FIG. 30 is a side view of the above embodiment.
[0050] FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing the sixth embodiment
of an umbrellas storage apparatus according to the present
invention.
[0051] FIG. 32 is a front view of the above embodiment.
[0052] FIG. 33 is a plan view of the above embodiment.
[0053] FIG. 34 is a side view of the above embodiment.
[0054] FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing another example of an
umbrella retaining lock suitably used in an umbrella storage
apparatus according to the present invention.
[0055] FIG. 36 is a plan view showing an essential part of the
seventh embodiment of an umbrella storage apparatus according to
the present invention.
[0056] FIG. 37 is a plan view showing an essential part of the
eighth embodiment of an umbrella storage apparatus according to the
present invention.
[0057] FIG. 38 is a perspective view showing the ninth embodiment
of an umbrella storage apparatus according to the present
invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0058] Some embodiments of the present invention will be described
hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 1 through 38.
[0059] FIGS. 1 through 13 shows the first embodiment of an umbrella
storage apparatus according to the present invention. An umbrella
storage apparatus A of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 through
3, includes an apparatus main body 1. The apparatus main body 1
includes a supporting column part 2 erected with its longitudinal
direction directing upward and downward, and a water receiving part
3 disposed at a lower end part of this supporting column part
2.
[0060] The supporting column part 2 is formed in a box-like
configuration which is open at its front surface. A pair of
mutually opposing bearing parts 2a, 2a are disposed at opposing
side parts in the left and right direction of an upper end face of
the supporting column part 2. The bearing parts 2a, 2a are
integrally formed with the supporting column part 2. The pair of
bearing parts 2a, 2a are arranged with their axes directing in the
left and right direction and aligned with each other. A notch part
2b is formed at an upper end part of the front surface of the
supporting column part 2. This notch part 2b is arranged in such a
manner as to be located between the pair of bearing parts 2a, 2a in
the left and right direction. A notch part 2c is formed at a lower
end part of the front surface of the supporting column part 2. This
notch part 2c is arranged at a generally same position as the notch
part 2b in the left and right direction. The notch part 2c has an
approximately same width (width in the left and right direction) as
the notch part 2b.
[0061] A basal end part of the supporting member 4 is inserted
between the pair of bearing parts 2a, 2a. The basal end part of the
supporting member 4 is rotatably supported by the bearing parts 2a,
2a about a horizontal axis extending in the left and right
direction. The rotating range of the supporting member 4 is
restricted to between a use position where a distal end part of the
supporting member 4 becomes approximately same in height as the
basal part and as a result, the entire supporting member 4 becomes
generally horizontal in posture and a receipt position where the
distal end part of the supporting member 4 is located normal and
downward to the basal end part. A lock mechanism (not shown) is
disposed between the supporting member 4 and the supporting column
part 2. When the supporting member 4 is held in the use position
and the lock mechanism is held in the locked state, the supporting
member 4 is maintained in the use position. When the locked state
caused by the locking mechanism is released, the supporting member
4 becomes able to rotate from the use position to the receipt
position. When the supporting member 4 is rotated into the receipt
position, its part adjacent to the bearing parts 2a, 2a on the
lower side is brought into the notch part 2b and its part located
on the lower side of the notch part 2b is almost entirely received
in the supporting column part 2.
[0062] As shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, a plurality of umbrella
retaining locks 5 are arranged at one side part (left side part in
FUG. 5) in the left and right direction of the supporting member 4
along the longitudinal direction of the supporting member 4, and a
plurality of umbrella retaining locks 5' are arranged at the other
side part along the longitudinal direction of the supporting member
4. The umbrella retaining locks 5, 5', which are adjacent in the
direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the
supporting member 4, are arranged at the same position in the
longitudinal direction of the supporting member 4. Since the
umbrella retaining locks 5, 5' are fixed to the supporting member
4, when the supporting member 4 is rotated between the use position
and the receipt position, the locks 5, 5' are also rotated
integrally with the supporting member 4. Moreover, the umbrella
retaining locks 5, 5' are almost entirely received in the
supporting column part 2 when the supporting member 4 is rotated
into the receipt position. The construction of the umbrella
retaining locks 5, 5' will be described later.
[0063] The left side surface 2d and the right side surface 2e of
the supporting column part 2 are each comprised of a normal plane
orthogonal to the axis of the bearing part 2a. The left side
surface 2d is located at the leftmost side in the entire umbrella
storage apparatus A, and the right side surface 2e is located at
the rightmost side in the entire umbrella storage apparatus A. The
left side surface 2d and the right side surface 2e each serves as a
reference plane (hereinafter, the left side surface 2d is referred
to as the "left reference plane" and the right side surface 2e is
referred to as the "right reference plane"). Instead of serving the
entire left and right side surfaces 2d, 2e each as a reference
plane, it is accepted that a projection part projecting in the left
side direction is formed on a part of the side surface 2d and a
projection part projecting in the right side direction is formed on
a part of the side surface 2e, so that only distal end faces of the
projection parts may serve as a reference plane. The same is true
for each of the embodiments to be described hereinafter. A front
surface 6c facing leftward of the umbrella retaining lock 5 is
arranged to be separated inward by a predetermined distance with
respect to the left reference plane 2d. A front face 6c facing
rightward of the umbrella retaining lock 5' is arranged to be
separated inward by the same distance between the front surface 6c
of the umbrella retaining lock 5 and the left reference plane 2d
with respect to the right reference plane 2e. The distance between
the left reference plane 2d and the front surface 6c of the
umbrella retaining lock 5, and the distance between the right
reference plane 2e and the front surface 6c of the umbrella
retaining lock 5' are same. The distances are set to any one of the
following dimensions, for example.
[0064] Presume here that the left reference plane 2d is
face-contacted with a normal wall surface so that the supporting
member 4 becomes parallel to the normal wall surface. Then, a gap
having the same dimension as the distance between the left
reference plane 2d and the front surface 6c is formed between the
normal wall surface and the front surface 6c of the umbrella
retaining lock 5. The distance between the left reference plane 2d
and the front surface 6c is established such that an umbrella can
be inserted between the normal wall surface and the front surface
6c of the umbrella retaining lock 5 through this gap. In the like
manner, the distance between the right reference plane 2e and the
front surface 6c of the umbrella retaining lock 5' is
established.
[0065] Otherwise, as shown in FIG. 2 or 3, presume that a plurality
of umbrella storage apparatuses A are, side by side, arranged in
the left and right direction such that the left reference plane 2d
of one umbrella storage apparatus A and the right reference plane
2e of the other umbrella storage apparatus A are face-contacted
with each other. By arranging so, a gap having a dimension twice as
large as the distance between the left reference plane 2e and the
front surface 6c of the umbrella retaining lock 5 (this distance is
equal to the distance between the right reference plane 2e and the
front surface 6c of the umbrella retaining lock 5') is formed
between the front surface 6c of the umbrella retaining lock 5 of
the one umbrella storage apparatus A and the front surface 6c of
the umbrella retaining lock 5' of the other umbrella storage
apparatus A which is adjacent to the one umbrella storage apparatus
A. The distance between the left reference plane 2d and the front
surface 6c and the distance between the right reference plane 2e
and the front surface 6c are established such that the umbrella can
be inserted between the front surfaces 6c, 6c of the umbrella
retaining locks 5, 5' of the adjacent two umbrella storage
apparatuses A, A through this gap.
[0066] A basal end part of the water receiving part 3 is rotatably
supported on a lower end part of the front surface of the
supporting column part 2 about the horizontal axis. The water
receiving part 3 is formed in a rectangular container, in a plan
view, having an open top and a small depth. The water receiving
part 3 is determined in its length in the back and forth direction
and its width in the left and right direction such that any
waterdrop dropping from any umbrella retained by any umbrella
retaining lock 5, 5' can be received in the receiving part 3.
Moreover, the width of the water receiving part 3 is established to
be narrower than the width in the left and right direction of the
supporting column part 2, i.e., the distance between the left and
right reference places 2d, 2e within a range capable of satisfying
such conditions. Accordingly, the opposite side surfaces of the
water receiving part 3 is located on the inner side in the left and
right direction of the reference planes 2d, 2e of the supporting
column part 2.
[0067] The rotating range of the water receiving part 3 is
restricted to between a water receiving position shown in FIG. 1
where the distal end part of the water receiving part 3 extends
generally horizontally forward from the supporting column part 2
and a folding position where the distal end part extends generally
normally upward from the basal end part. The water receiving part 3
is rotated into the use position when the umbrella storage
apparatus A is normally in use. The water receiving part 3 rotated
into the use position receives waterdrops dropping from the
umbrellas retained by the umbrella retaining locks 5, 5'. On the
other hand, the water receiving part 3 is rotated into the folding
position when the umbrella storage apparatus A is not in use. The
water receiving part 3 rotated into the folding position is mostly
received in the supporting column part 2. At that time, the water
receiving part 3 is generally in contact with the upper surfaces of
keys 11, 11 of the umbrella retaining locks 5, 5' which are located
in the receipt position.
[0068] One side part of a cosmetic cover 2f is disposed at one side
part in the left and right direction of the front surface of the
supporting column part 2 such that the cosmetic cover 2f can rotate
between a closed position indicated by a solid line and an open
position as indicated by an imaginary line in FIG. 4 about an axis
directing in the up and down direction. When the cosmetic cover 2f
is located in the open position, the supporting member 4 and the
umbrella retaining locks 5, 5' are allowed to rotate between the
use position and the receiving position and the water receiving
part 3 is allowed to rotate between a water receiving position and
a folding position. When the cosmetic cover 2f is located in the
closed position, it covers fully the entire supporting member 4
which is rotated into the receiving position only excluding the
upper end part, the entire umbrella retaining locks 5, 5' disposed
at the supporting member 4, and the water receiving part 3 which is
rotated in the folding position. Even when the umbrella storage
apparatus A is in use wherein the supporting member 4 is in the use
position and the water receiving part 3 is in the water receiving
position, the cosmetic cover 2f is rotated to the closed position
to cover the inside of the supporting column part 2. The width in
the left and right direction of the cosmetic cover 2f is narrower
than the width in the left and right direction of the supporting
column part 2. When the cosmetic cover 2f is located in the closed
position, the opposite side surfaces in the left and right
direction of the cover 2f are located on the inner side in the left
and right direction of the left and right reference planes 2d, 2e
of the supporting column part 2.
[0069] Next, the construction of the umbrella retaining locks 5, 5'
will be described. As apparent from FIGS. 2 and 5, since the
umbrella retaining locks 5, 5' are symmetrically constructed with
respect to a line passing through the center of the supporting
member 4, only one umbrella retaining lock 5 will be described.
With respect to the other umbrella retaining lock 5', identical
component parts to those of the umbrella retaining lock 5 are
denoted by identical reference numeral and description thereof is
omitted.
[0070] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the umbrella retaining lock 5
includes a main body part 6. The main body part 6 consists of an
upper half member 6A and a lower half member 6B. Both the upper and
lower half members 6A, 6B are obtained by molding from hard resin.
The upper half members 6A and the lower half member 6B are fixed
with each other in their vertically opposing postures. By this, the
main body part 6 having a hollow rectangular parallelepiped
configuration is constructed. An attachment recess 6b is formed in
a rear surface 6a of the main body part 6 in such a manner as to
transverse the rear surface 6a in the longitudinal direction of the
supporting member 4. By fixedly inserting one side part of the
supporting member 4 in this attachment recess 6b, the main body
part 6 is attached to the supporting member 4 with its front
surface 6c directing in the horizontal direction which is
orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the supporting member
4.
[0071] A receiving recess 6d is formed in the front surface 6c of
the main body part 6. As shown in FIGS. 8 through 11, the receiving
recess 6d allows a grip part (part-to-be-retained) of the umbrella
retained by the umbrella retaining lock 5 to insert therein, and
transverses the front surface 6c in the up and down direction. The
deepest part of the receiving recess 6d is offset to the basal end
side of the supporting member 4 with respect to the central part of
an opening part 6e of the receiving recess 6d in the horizontal
direction (left and right direction in FIG. 8) along the front
surface 6c. That is, the depth of the receiving recess 6d becomes
gradually larger toward the basal end side from the distal end side
of the supporting member 4. The depth direction of the receiving
recess 6d is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction
(left and right direction in FIG. 8) of the supporting member 4.
This inclination angle is preferably set to about 30 degrees to 45
degrees. In correspondence to inclination of the depth direction of
the receiving recess 6d, the opposite side surfaces 6g, 6h, which
constitute a part of the bottom surface 6f of the receiving recess
6d, is likewise inclined. By inclining the depth direction of the
receiving recess 6d with respect to the front surface 6c, the
location of the deepest part of the receiving recess 6d is offset
to the basal end side of the supporting member 4 from the central
part of the opening part 6e of the receiving recess 6d in the
horizontal direction along the front surface 6c. A semi-circular
arcuate surface (inner surface) 6i whose opposite end parts are in
contact with the side surfaces 6g, 6h, is formed between the end
parts on the inner side of the opposite side surfaces 6g, 6h. Of
course, this arcuate surface 6i also constitutes a part of the
bottom surface 6f.
[0072] It should be noted here that the expression "central part"
of the opening part 6e refers to a place which is located at a
distance D/2 from the opposite end edges, wherein D is a distance
between the opposite end edges in the left and right direction in
FIG. 8 of the opening part 6e. In this case, the opposite end edges
of the opening part 6e are bent instead of extending straight in
the up and down direction, so that the distances between the
opposite end edges are different at various parts in the up and
down direction, the above-mentioned "central part" refers to a
central part at a place where the distance between the opposite end
edges is narrowest, or it refers to a central part between a place
located on the most basal end side of the supporting member 4 in
the end edge (right-side end edge in FIG. 8) located on the distal
end side of the supporting member 4 and a place located at the same
position in the up and down direction as the first-mentioned end
edge, in the end edge located on the basal end side of the
supporting member 4.
[0073] A relief surface 6j is formed between the end edge located
on the distal end side of the supporting member 4 in the opposite
end edges which define the opening part 6e of the receiving recess
6d and the side surface 6h (side surface 6h opposing the opening
part 6e) adjacent to the first-mentioned end edge. This relief
surface 6j is inclined in the opposite direction to the side
surface 6h. In other words, the surface 6j is inclined such that
the relief surface 6j is separated from the front surface 6c toward
the distal end side from the basal end side of the supporting
member 4. A recess 6k is defined by the relief surface 6j and the
end part on the opening part 6e side of the side surface 6h. As
shown in FIGS. 7, and 9 through 11, a communication hole 61 for
intercommunicating the inside of the main body part 6 and the
inside of the receiving part 6d is formed the area range from the
end part on the relief surface 6j side of the side surface 6h to
the end part on the side surface 6g side of the arcuate surface
6i.
[0074] As shown in FIGS. 9 through 11, a lock member 7 is disposed
at a generally central part of the inside of the main body part 6.
The lock member 7 includes a core part (intermediate part) 7a
having a generally circular configuration in section and with its
axis directing in the up and down direction, an engagement part 7b
integral with the core part 7a and extending outward from the outer
peripheral surface of the core part 7a along its radial direction,
and an abutment part (movable member) 7c integral with the core
part 7a and extending outward along the radial direction of the
core part 7a from a place about 90 degrees separated in the
peripheral direction with respect to the engagement part 7b of the
outer peripheral surface of the core part 7a.
[0075] The core part 7a is disposed at the inside of the main body
part 6 and positionally fixed to the main body part 6 such that the
core part 7a can rotate about its own axis. The rotating range of
the core part 7a, i.e., the rotating range of the lock member 7 is
restricted to between a releasing position shown in FIG. 9 and a
locking position shown in FIG. 11. When the lock member 7 is
located between the releasing position and an intermediate position
which is offset by a predetermined angle toward the releasing
position side from the lock start position shown in FIG. 10, the
lock member 7 is rotationally biased toward the releasing position
from the locking position by a spring (rotation biasing means)
disposed between the lock member 7 and the main body part 6. When
the lock member 7 is located between the intermediate position and
the locking position, the lock member 7 is rotationally biased
toward the locking position side from the releasing position side
by the afore-mentioned spring. When in the releasing position, the
lock member 7 is maintained in the releasing position by the
biasing force of the spring 8 and when in the locking position, the
lock member 7 is maintained in the locking position by the biasing
force of the spring 8.
[0076] As shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of ratchet teeth 7d and a
projection 7e are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the
core part 7a. The ratchet teeth 7d and the projection 7e are
arranged at a generally central part of one of two parts, this one
being longer in peripheral direction, which are defined by the
engagement part 7b and the abutment part 7c on the outer peripheral
surface of the core part 7a. Moreover, the ratchet teeth 7d are
arranged nearer to the abutment part 7c and the projection 7e is
arranged nearer to the engagement part 7b. The ratchet teeth 7d and
the projection 7e are slightly spacedly arranged in the axial
direction (up and down direction) of the core part 7a.
[0077] The forward part of the engagement part 7b is projected into
the receiving recess 6d through the communication hole 61
irrespective of the rotational position of the lock member 7.
Especially, when the lock member 7 is located in the releasing
position, the forward part (a part) of the engagement part 7b is
received in the recess 6k and abutted against the side surface 6h,
which defines the recess 6k, by the rotational biasing force of the
spring 8. In other words, abutment of the engagement part 7b
against the side surface 6h, which defines the recess 6k, restricts
the releasing position of the lock member 7. When the lock member 7
is located in the releasing position, insertion of the forward part
of the engagement part 7b into the recess 6k, prohibits the
engagement part 7b from projecting outward through the opening part
6e of the receiving recess 6d, and the entire engagement part 7b is
located on the inner side from the opening part 6e of the receiving
recess 6d. Accordingly, when the lock member 7 is located in the
releasing position, even if the grip part (part-to-be-retained) H
of an umbrella erected in a vertical posture is moved backward
(upward in FIG. 2) between the umbrella retaining lock 5 attached
to one side part of one of the mutually adjacent two supporting
members 4, 4 and the umbrella retaining lock 5' attached to the
other side part of the other supporting member 4, the grip part H
of the umbrella is never abutted with the engagement part 7b and
the lock member 7 is not rotated to the locking position side from
the releasing position by the grip part H. As shown in FIG. 9, when
the lock member 7 is located in the releasing position, almost the
entire engagement part 7b is located on the inside of the receiving
recess 6d with respect to a line L which passes through the end
edge of the recess 6k side in the opening part 6e of the receiving
recess 6d, and extends in parallel with the depth direction of the
receiving recess 6d. Accordingly, when the grip part H of the
umbrella is inserted in the deep side along the depth direction
through the opening part 6e of the receiving recess 6d, the grip
part H is hardly abutted with the engagement part 7b. Accordingly,
an occurrence of a state can be prevented in which the lock member
7 is rotated to the locking position side in accordance with the
insertion of the grip part H into the receiving recess 6d and as a
result, the grip part H is prohibited from inserting in the deep
side of the receiving recess part 6d by the engagement part 7b.
[0078] When the lock member 7 is located in the releasing position,
the abutment part 7c is projected toward the inside of the
receiving recess 6d after passing through the communication hole
61. Accordingly, when the grip part H is inserted into the
receiving recess 6d through the opening part 6e along the line L,
the grip part H is abutted against the one side surface facing the
opening part 6e side of the abutment part 7c. When the grip part H
is further inserted into the receiving recess 6d from that
position, the lock member 7 is rotated toward the locking position
side from the releasing position side against the rotational
biasing force of the spring 8. When the lock member 7 arrives at
the lock start position shown in FIG. 10, the entire abutment part
7c is brought out of the receiving recess 6d and located on the
interior side of the main body part 6. When the abutment part 7c is
abutted with a stopper part (not shown) disposed in the main body
part 6, the lock member 7 becomes unable to rotate further toward
the locking position side from the releasing position side. The
location of the lock member 7 at that time is the locking position.
The abutment part 7c is abutted against the stopper part by the
rotational biasing force of the spring 8, thereby the lock member 7
is maintained in the locking position.
[0079] As shown in FIGS. 10 through 12, a key shaft 9 with its axis
directing in the up and down direction is disposed within the main
body part 6 such that the key shaft 9 is rotatable about its axis
but non-movable. The rotating range of this key shaft 9 is
restricted between the lock-on position and the lock-off position.
The key shaft 9 is normally rotational biased in a direction
(opposite direction to the OPEN direction as indicated by an arrow
in FIG. 8: clockwise direction in FIG. 9) toward the lock-on
position side from the lock-off position side by the spring 10. An
engagement hole 9a is formed in the key shaft 9 such that the hole
9a extends through the key shaft 9 along the axis of the key shaft
9. A key 11 is non-rotatably inserted in this engagement hole 9a
through a hey hole 6m (see FIG. 5) formed in the upper surface of
the upper half member 6A. The key shaft 9 is rotationally operated
by the key 11. When the key 11 is located in the lock-on position,
the key 11 can be withdrawn from the key hole 6m, but when the key
11 is located in any other position than the lock-on position, the
key 11 cannot be withdrawn from the key hole 6m. Since the
construction capable of achieving such operation is known and since
it is not an essential part of the present invention, either,
description thereof is omitted.
[0080] A lock member 12 is disposed within the main body part 6.
One end part of this lock member 12 is rotatably supported by the
main body part 6 through the shaft 13 with its axis directing in
the up and down direction. The other end part of the lock member 12
is opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the core part 7a. At
least one ratchet tooth 12a is formed on the other end part of the
lock member 12 which is opposed to the outer peripheral surface of
the core part 7a. When this ratchet tooth 12a is engaged with the
ratchet teeth 7d formed on the core part 7a of the lock member 7,
the lock member 7 becomes rotatable only from the releasing
position side toward the locking position side, and the member 7 is
prohibited from rotating from the locking position side toward the
releasing position side.
[0081] The lock member 12 is normally rotationally biased by a
spring (not shown) in a direction where its ratchet toot 12a
approaches the core part 7a. However, a cam surface 12b is formed
on the opposing surface to the core part 7a of the lock member 12.
When the key shaft 9 is located in the lock-off position and the
lock member 7 is located in the releasing position, this cam
surface 12b is, as shown in FIG. 9, brought to be in parallel with
the key shaft 9 and abutted with an engagement shaft part 9b,
opposite ends of which are integrally connected to the key shaft 9
(see FIG. 11). By this, the lock member 12 is prohibited from
rotating toward the lock member 7 side and the key shaft 9 is
prohibited from rotating toward the lock-on position side from the
lock-off position.
[0082] When the lock member 7 is rotated by a predetermined angle
toward the locking position side from the releasing position, the
projection 7e is abutted with the engagement shaft part 9b to cause
the key shaft 9 to rotate toward the lock-on position side from the
lock-off position. When the lock member 7 is arrived at the lock
start position shown in FIG. 10, the cam surface 12b allows the key
shaft 9 to rotate to the lock-on position, and the key shaft 9 is
forcibly rotated to the lock-on position by the biasing force of
the spring 10. Then, the engagement shaft member 9b is brought into
a recess 12c which is formed continuously on the cam surface 12b.
As a result, the lock member 12 becomes rotatable toward the lock
member 7 side. When the lock member 12 is rotated toward the lock
member 7 side by the rotational biasing force of the spring, the
ratchet tooth 12a formed on the distal end part of the lock member
12 is engaged with the ratchet tooth 7d adjacent to the projection
7e of the plurality of ratchet teeth 7d. When the ratchet tooth 12a
is engaged with the ratchet tooth 7d, the lock member 7 is
prohibited from rotating toward the releasing position side from
the locking position side by the lock member 12, and the lock
member 7 is allowed to rotate only toward the locking position
side. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 10 or 11, when the grip part H
is inserted in the receiving recess 6d until it hits the bottom
surface 6f of the receiving recess 6d, the lock member 7 is rotated
by the spring 10 toward the locking position side until it is
brought to the position in accordance with the thickness of the
grip part H. As a result, the grip part H is fixedly sandwiched
between the engagement part 7b and the bottom surface 6f. Moreover,
since the lock member 7 is never rotated toward the releasing
position side, the grip part H is not escaped from the receiving
recess 6d.
[0083] In case the grip part H is in a state retained by the
receiving recess 6d, since the key shaft 9 is rotated to the
lock-on position the key 11 can be withdrawn from the engagement
hole 9a and the key hole 6m. When the key 11 is withdrawn from the
key hole 6m, the key shaft 9 cannot be rotated toward the lock-off
position side from the lock-on position side. Thus, the grip part H
can hardly be escaped from the receiving recess 6d. In case the
grip part H is in the shape of a letter "J", the grip part H cannot
be escaped from the receiving recess 6d unless the lock member 7 is
rotated toward the releasing position side. However, in case the
grip part H is straight as in a foldable umbrella, the grip part H
is easily escaped downward from the receiving recess 6d when it is
pushed downward. In order to prevent such a situation from
occurring, the core part 7a is provided at an area on its outer
peripheral surface facing the receiving recess 6d with a friction
member 14 formed of material having a large friction resistance
such as rubber. When this friction member 14 is contacted with the
grip part H, the grip part H is prohibited as much as possible from
escaping in the up and down direction from the receiving recess 6d
by the friction resistance generated therebetween.
[0084] In case the grip part H is to be escaped from the receiving
recess 6d, the key 11 is inserted in the key hole 6m and the
engagement hole 9a. And the key shaft 9 is rotated by the key 11
toward the lock-off position side from the lock-on position side
against the rotational biasing force of the spring 10. Then, the
engagement shaft part 9b is brought into abutment with the side
surface continuous with the cam surface 12b of the recess 12c of
the lock member 12. The lock member 12 is rotated by the engagement
shaft part 9b in such a manner as to be separated from the lock
member 7 against the biasing force of the spring. As a result, the
engagement between the ratchet teeth 12a, 7d is released, and the
lock member 7 becomes rotatable toward the releasing position side
from the locking position side. When the key shaft 9 is further
rotated toward the lock-off position side by the key 11, the
engagement shaft part 9 is brought into abutment with the
projection 7e of the lock member 7 so that the lock member 7 is
rotated toward the releasing position side from the locking
position side. When the lock member 7 is rotated toward the
releasing position side beyond, even slightly, the intermediate
position in accordance with the rotation of the key shaft 9, the
lock member 7 is rotated to the releasing position by the spring 8.
The key shaft 9 is rotated to the lock-off position by the key 11
against the biasing force of the spring 10. As a result, the
umbrella retaining lock 5 is returned into the original state as
shown in FIG. 9. At that time, the key hole 11 is in a state unable
to escape from the key hole 6m.
[0085] One end part of a shielding member 15 is rotatably connected
to an intermediate part between the projection 7e and the
engagement part 7b of the entire outer peripheral of the core part
7a. The other end part of this shielding member 15 is movably
connected to the shaft 13. When the lock member 7 is located in the
releasing position, the shielding member 15 is, as shown in FIG. 9,
fully brought into the main body part 6. However, as shown in FIG.
11, when the lock member 7 is located in the locking position, the
shielding member 15 shields a part (end part on the recess 6k side)
of the communication hole 61 which is opened by the lock member 7
being located in the locking position.
[0086] In the umbrella storage apparatus A thus constructed, since
the umbrella retaining locks 5, 5' are disposed at only one
supporting member 4, the grip part (part-to-be-retained) H of the
umbrella can be inserted in the receiving recess 6d without lifting
up the umbrella to a level higher than the umbrella supporting
member 4. As shown in FIG. 2 or 3, even in a case where a plurality
of umbrella storage apparatuses A are arranged, side by side, in
the left and right direction, since a gap opening on the front side
in the longitudinal direction of the supporting member 4 is formed
between the umbrella retaining locks 5, 5' of one umbrella storage
apparatus A and the umbrella retaining locks 5', 5 of the umbrella
retaining apparatus A adjacent thereto, the umbrella can be moved
in the horizontal direction toward the basal end side from the
front side of the supporting member 4 through the gap without
lifting up the umbrella to a level higher than the supporting
member 4 until the umbrella is brought to the empty umbrella
retaining lock 5 (5'). Accordingly, there can be prevented a
situation from occurring in which the grip part, etc., of other
umbrellas already stored in the umbrella storage apparatus A get
wet by waterdrops dropping from the umbrella to be stored in the
umbrella storage apparatus A. The same is true with respect to the
case wherein the umbrella storage apparatuses A are arranged along
a normal wall surface. Moreover, since the umbrella retaining locks
5, 5' are disposed at the opposite side parts of the supporting
member 4, the installation number of the umbrella retaining locks
5, 5' can be increased compared with the case wherein the umbrella
retaining locks 5 or 5' are disposed at only one side part of the
supporting member 4.
[0087] Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be
described. With respect to the embodiments to be described
hereinafter, only the construction different from the above
embodiment is described, and the identical component parts are
denoted by identical reference numeral and description thereof is
omitted.
[0088] FIGS. 14 through 17 show the second embodiment of the
present invention. In an umbrella storage apparatus B of this
embodiment, an apparatus main body 20 is used instead of the
apparatus main body 1 of the umbrella storage apparatus A of the
above embodiment. The apparatus main body 20 includes a pair of
basal parts 21, 21 which are mutually separately arranged in the
left and right direction. The pair of basal parts 21, 21 are
fixedly connected together by a connection member 22 disposed
therebetween. A caster K with a stop mechanism is disposed at a
front end part and a rear end part of the lower surfaces of the
respective basal parts 21, 21. Owing to this arrangement, the
umbrella storage apparatus B can easily be moved and the apparatus
B can be positionally fixed to a desired place. Supporting column
parts 23, 23 are erected in their normal postures from the upper
surfaces of the respective basal parts 21, 21. A reinforcement
member 24 is suspended at the intermediate parts in the up and down
direction of the supporting column parts 23, 23. A rotatable member
(retaining member) 25 is rotatably disposed between the upper end
parts of the supporting column parts 23, 23 for rotation about a
horizontal axis extending in the left and right direction. A basal
end part of a water receiving part 3 is rotatably supported between
the lower end parts of the supporting column parts 23, 23 for
rotation about the horizontal axis.
[0089] Basal end parts of a plurality of supporting members 4 are
fixed to the rotatable member 25. The respective supporting members
4 mutually separately arranged in the longitudinal direction (left
and right direction) of the rotatable member 25. Moreover, the
respective supporting members 4 are arranged at the same positions
in the peripheral direction of the rotatable member 25 and extend
in the same direction in mutually parallel relation. Of course, the
respective supporting members 4 extend forward generally in their
horizontal postures when in use position and they extend downward
generally in their normal postures when in receiving position. A
plurality of umbrella retaining locks 5, 5' are disposed at
opposite side parts in the left and right direction of the
supporting member 4 along the longitudinal direction of the
supporting member 4, respectively. The leftward and rightward
adjacent supporting members 4, 4 are separated in the left and
right direction with a predetermined distance. That is, in order to
form a gap necessary for moving an umbrella in the back and forth
direction, the supporting members 4, 4 are separately arranged in
the left and right direction between the umbrella retaining locks
5, (5') disposed at one supporting member 4 and the umbrella
retaining locks 5', (5) disposed at the other supporting member 4
adjacent to the above-mentioned one supporting member 4. The gap
formed between the umbrella retaining locks 5, 5' is open forward
of the supporting member 4, so that an umbrella erected upward and
downward can be inserted in the gap from the front side in the
longitudinal direction of the supporting member 4. Moreover, if the
gap formed between the umbrella retaining locks 5, 5' should be
extended to the upper surface of the water receiving part 3, the
extended part would be also open forward. Accordingly, the umbrella
can be inserted into the gap merely by moving the umbrella toward
the upper side from the water receiving part 3. However, instead of
opening forward the entire range of the gap, which is formed
between the umbrella retaining locks 5, 5', extending to the water
receiving part 3, only the range extending toward the lower side by
a predetermined distance from the supporting member 4 may be open
as in the sixth embodiment to be described later.
[0090] After the supporting member 4 is rotated into the receiving
position, the water receiving part 3 is rotated into the folding
position and the water receiving part 3 is locked to a lock member
23 disposed at a supporting column part 23, thereby the supporting
member 4 and the water receiving part 3 can be positionally fixed
to the receiving position and the folding position.
[0091] In the umbrella storage apparatus B of this embodiment, in
case the grip part H of an umbrella is to be inserted in a
receiving recess 6d of the umbrella retaining locks 5, 5' of this
embodiment, the umbrella is erected with the grip part on the upper
side, and this umbrella is inserted between the umbrella retaining
locks 5, 5' which are disposed at one and the other side parts of
the leftward and rightward adjacent supporting members 4, 4 from
the distal end side of the supporting member 4. Then, the umbrella
can be inserted in the receiving recess 6d of the empty umbrella
retaining lock 5 or 5'. At that time, since the receiving recess 6d
is inclined such that depth of the recess 6d becomes deeper toward
the basal end side from the distal end side of the supporting
member 4, and as a result, the deepest part of the receiving recess
6d is offset toward the basal end side of the supporting member 4
with respect to the center of the receiving recess 6d in the
longitudinal direction of the supporting member 4, the grip part H
of the umbrella can be inserted in the receiving recess 6d without
greatly changing the moving direction of the umbrella. Accordingly,
the grip part H can easily be inserted in the receiving recess 6d
compared with the conventional umbrella storage apparatus in which
the depth direction of the receiving recess 6d is directed in a
direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the
supporting member 4. For the same reason, the grip part H can
easily be taken out of the receiving recess 6d.
[0092] In this umbrella storage apparatus B, the casters K, K are
located outside of the side surfaces 23b, 23b facing outside in the
left and right direction of the supporting column parts 23, 23.
However, by providing the caster K on the inner side from the side
surface 23b and by making the relation between the side surface 23b
and the front surface 6c of the umbrella retaining lock 5 (5') as
in the case with the relation between the comparable components in
the first embodiment, the side surface 23b may serve as a reference
plane and a plurality of umbrella storage apparatuses B may be
arranged side by side leftward and rightward and used in that
condition.
[0093] FIGS. 18 through 21 show the third embodiment of the present
invention. In an umbrella storage apparatus C according to this
embodiment, an apparatus main body 30 is used. In this apparatus
main body 30, casters K are disposed at the lower surface part of a
water receiving surface 3. Lower end parts of a plurality of front
supporting column parts (second supporting column parts) 31 which
are separately arranged in the left and right direction are fixed
to the front surface of the water receiving part 3 and lower end
parts of a plurality of rear supporting column parts (supporting
column parts) 32 which are separately arranged in the left and
right direction are fixed to the rear surface of the water
receiving part 3. A front end part and a rear end part of a
supporting member 4 extending in a horizontal posture in the back
and forth direction are fixedly supported by upper end parts of the
front and rear supporting column parts 31, 32 opposing in the back
and forth direction. Namely, the supporting member 4 is supported
in a cantilever supporting fashion in the above-mentioned two
embodiments, while in the umbrella storage apparatus C of this
embodiment, the supporting member 4 is supported in a two parts
supporting fashion. The side surfaces (reference planes) 3a, 3b
directing in the left and right direction of the water receiving
part 3 are located at outer sides in the left and right direction
from any part of the entire umbrella storage apparatus C, and they
are separated from the respective front surfaces of the umbrella
retaining locks 5, 5' with the same relation as the relation
between the reference planes 2d, 2e and the front surface 6c of the
first embodiment. Accordingly, in the plurality of umbrella storage
apparatuses C, by arranging one umbrella storage apparatus C and
other umbrella storage apparatuses C, side by side, in the left and
right direction with the side surface 3a (3b) of the one umbrella
storage apparatus and the side surfaces 3b (3a) of the other
umbrella storage apparatuses C surface-contacted with each other,
the plurality of umbrella storage apparatuses C can be used as if
they were one umbrella storage apparatus. All the other
construction is same as in the above-mentioned umbrella storage
apparatus B.
[0094] FIGS. 22 through 26 show the fourth embodiment of the
present invention. In an umbrella storage apparatus D of this
embodiment, an apparatus main body 40 is used instead of the
apparatus main body 20 of the umbrella storage apparatus B. Two
supporting column parts 41 are fixedly erected from the upper
surface of a water receiving part 3 of the apparatus main body 40.
Two supporting column parts 41, 41 are arranged at the opposite
left and right corner parts on the rear end side of the upper
surface of the water receiving part 3, respectively. Reinforcement
connection members 42 are disposed between the intermediate parts
in the up and down direction of the supporting column parts 41, 41.
One end part and the other end part of a retaining member 43
extending horizontally in the left and right direction are
integrally disposed at the upper end parts of the supporting column
parts 41, 41. Basal end parts of a plurality of supporting members
4 are integrally disposed at the front surface of a retaining
member 43. Accordingly, in this apparatus main body 40, the
supporting column parts 41, the retaining member 43 and the
supporting members 4 are integrally disposed. Of course, it is
accepted that the supporting column parts 41, the retaining member
43 and the supporting members 4 are separately made and then they
are mutually fixed together. The respective supporting members 4
extend horizontally forward and in mutually parallel relation from
the retaining member 43. Of course, the leftward and rightward
adjacent supporting members 4, 4 are separated at a predetermined
distance. Reinforcement members 44 are disposed between the distal
end parts of the supporting members 4 which are arranged at the
opposite left and right ends and the supporting column parts 41,
and between the distal end parts of the supporting members 4 which
are arranged at the intermediate parts in the left and right
direction and the connection member 42.
[0095] Umbrella retaining locks 50 instead of the umbrella
retaining locks 5, 5' are disposed at a right side part of the
supporting member 4 which is arranged at the left end, a left side
part of the supporting member 4 which is arranged at the right end,
and the left and right side parts of the supporting member 4 which
are arranged at the intermediate part. Each umbrella retaining lock
50 includes a main body part 51. An attachment recess 52 is formed
in a rear surface of this main body part 51. On side part of the
supporting member 4 is fitted to this attachment recess 52. The
main body part 51 is fixed to the supporting member 4 by fixing
means such as a machine screw (not shown).
[0096] A receiving recess 54 is formed in a front surface part 53
facing in the left and right direction of the main body part 51 in
such a manner as to vertically divide the front surface part 53 in
the up and down direction. In case of an umbrella having a grip
part (part-to-be-retained) formed, for example, in a shape of a
letter "J", the linear upper end part (the lower end part when the
umbrella is stored therein in its up-side-down posture) of the
umbrella is removably inserted in this receiving recess 54. In case
of an umbrella, such as a foldable umbrella having a large and
thick grip part, a part of an intermediate shaft extending upward
(downward when the umbrella is stored therein in its up-side-down
posture) from the grip part and located in the vicinity of the grip
part is removably inserted in the receiving recess 54. The main
body part 51 is provided with an opening and closing member 55 bent
to have a generally arcuate shape. A part of this opening and
closing member 55 projects from a front surface part 53 of the main
body part 51. The opening and closing member 55 is disposed at a
location adjacent to the receiving part 54 in the back and forth
direction. That is, in the umbrella retaining lock 50 which is
disposed at the right side part of the supporting member 4, the
opening and closing member 55 is disposed behind the receiving
recess 54, while in the umbrella retaining lock 50 which is
disposed at the left side part of the supporting member 4, the
opening and closing member 55 is disposed in front of the receiving
recess 54. This arrangement results in that same umbrella retaining
locks are used as the umbrella retaining locks 50, 50 which are
arranged at the left and right side parts of the supporting member
4. Of course, the umbrella retaining locks 5, 5' may be used
instead of the umbrella retaining lock 50.
[0097] The opening and closing member 55, just like the opening and
closing member of an umbrella retaining lock disclosed in Japanese
Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. H04-20585, for example, is
retractably rotatable between an open position as indicated by a
solid line of FIG. 26 and a closed position as indicated by an
imaginary line. When an umbrella is inserted into the receiving
recess 54 until its grip part or intermediate shaft is almost
abutted with the bottom surface of the receiving recess 54 and a
control projection (not shown) projecting from the bottom surface
of the receiving recess 54 is pushed by the grip part or
intermediate shaft toward the bottom surface side until it reaches
a predetermined location, the opening and closing member 55 located
in the open position is rotationally displaced into the closed
position against biasing means which is installed within the main
body part 51. When rotationally moved into the closed position, the
opening and closing member 55 is locked to the closed position by a
latch mechanism (not shown) which is installed within the main body
part 51. In this state, since a part of an opening part on the
front side of the receiving recess 54 is closed by the opening and
closing member 55, the grip part or intermediate shaft of the
umbrella cannot be removed from the receiving recess 54, and a key
11 for releasing the latch mechanism is rotated by about 90 degrees
in one direction (for example, clockwise direction) from the state
shown in FIG. 26, so that the key 11 can be withdrawn from a key
hole (not shown) formed in the upper surface of the main body part
51. When the key 11 is withdrawn from the key hole, the opening and
closing member 55 is locked to the closed position. On the other
hand, when the key 11 is inserted into the key hole and rotated by
about 90 degrees but in the opposite direction, the locked state of
the opening and closing member 55 caused by the latch mechanism is
released, and the opening closing member 55 is rotationally
displaced into the open position by biasing means. In this state,
the grip part or intermediate shaft of the umbrella can be
withdrawn from the receiving recess 54 but the key 11 cannot be
withdrawn from the key hole.
[0098] FIGS. 27 through 30 show the fifth embodiment of the present
invention. An umbrella storage apparatus E of this embodiment is a
modification of the umbrella storage apparatus D and an apparatus
main body 40' is used instead of the apparatus main body 40. In the
apparatus main body 40', a rear surface opening part of the
apparatus main body 40' which is defined by a supporting column
part 41, a retaining member 43 and a water receiving part 3 is
closed by a punch board 45. Second column parts 46 extending up and
down are disposed between front end parts of supporting members 4
and a front end part of the upper surface of the water receiving
part 3. Although the second supporting column parts 46 are
integrally formed with the supporting members 4, they may be
separately formed and then fixed to the supporting members 4 by
bonding or other fixing means. Reinforcement members 47 are
disposed between the intermediate parts in the up and down
direction of the second supporting column parts 46 and the
supporting column parts 41 which are arranged at the left and right
end parts and between the second supporting column parts which are
arranged at the intermediate parts in the left and right direction
and the punch board 45.
[0099] FIGS. 31 through 34 show the sixth embodiment of the present
invention. In an apparatus main body 40" of an umbrella storage
apparatus F of this embodiment, a plurality of supporting column
parts 41 erected from one left and right side part of the upper
surface of a water receiving part 3, and second supporting column
parts 46 are erected from the other side part. The supporting
column parts 41 are arranged at a predetermined distance in the
back and forth direction. The second supporting column parts 46 are
arranged at the same distance as the supporting column parts 41
likewise in the back and forth direction and placed opposite to the
supporting column parts 41 in the left and right direction. One and
the other end parts of the supporting members 4 horizontally
extending in the left and right direction are integrally disposed
at the upper end parts of the supporting column parts 41 and the
second supporting column parts 46 which are mutually opposed to
each other in the left and right direction. Umbrella retaining
locks 50 are disposed at a side part of a rear end side of a
supporting member 4 disposed at a front end, a side part of a front
end side of the supporting member 4 disposed at a rear end, and
each of opposite side parts of the supporting member disposed at an
intermediate part in the back and forth direction. Every front and
rear two adjacent supporting members 4, 4 are separately arranged
by a predetermined distance in the back and forth direction, so
that an umbrella can be inserted between the umbrella retaining
locks 50, 50. A gap formed between the umbrella retaining locks 50,
50 and a clearance formed by extending this gap to the water
receiving part 3 are open in the left and right direction from the
opposite left and right end parts of each supporting member 4. As
indicated by imaginary lines in FIG. 31, by providing a
reinforcement member 48 between the intermediate parts in the up
and down direction of every adjacent front and rear second
supporting column parts, the clearance may be open in the left and
right direction by a range restricted by the reinforcement member
48 downward from the supporting member 4. A reinforcement member 48
is disposed between the intermediate parts of each supporting
column part 41 and each second supporting column part 46 which is
opposite to the supporting column part 41 in the left and right
direction.
[0100] In this umbrella storage apparatus F, the gap formed between
the umbrella retaining locks 50, 50 which are disposed at the
supporting members 4, 4 which are adjacent in the back and forth
direction, and the clearance obtained by extending this gap to the
water receiving part 3 are open in the left and right direction
from the opposite left and right end parts of the supporting
members 4, 4. Accordingly, in case an umbrella is to be retained by
the umbrella retaining lock 50, the umbrella can be inserted
between the umbrella retaining locks 50, 50 through the left side
and right side opening parts, and inserted in the receiving recess
54 of the empty umbrella retaining lock 50.
[0101] FIG. 35 shows another example of an umbrella retaining lock
suited to be used for an umbrella storage apparatus according to
the present invention. In this umbrella retaining lock 60, an
attachment recess 62 is formed in a rear surface part of the main
body part 61. This attachment recess 62 transverses the rear
surface part in the longitudinal direction of the supporting member
4. After one side part of the supporting member 4 is inserted in
this attachment recess 62, the main body part 61 is fixed to the
supporting member 4 by fixing means such as a machine screw. A
front surface 63 of the main body part 61 is generally in parallel
to the longitudinal direction of the supporting member 4. A
retaining body 64 is disposed at one end part of the front surface
63 in the longitudinal direction of the supporting member 4. This
retaining body 64 includes a vertical part 64a projecting forward
from the front surface 63 and a horizontal part 64b horizontally
extending from the distal end side of the vertical part 64a to the
other end side along the front surface 63. A receiving recess 65
whose opposite ends in the up and down direction is open and whose
one side part facing the other end side of the main body part 61 is
open, is defined by a vertical part 64a, the horizontal part 64b
and the front surface 63. A part-to-be-retained, such as, a grip
part or an intermediate shaft part of an umbrella are inserted in
this receiving recess 65 all the way therethrough in the up and
down direction.
[0102] A window hole 66 is formed in the other end part of the
front surface 63 of the main body 61. An opening and closing member
67 is inserted in this window hole 66. This opening and closing
member 67 is placed within the main body part 21 such that the
member 67 is retractable and displaceable with respect to the front
surface 63. The opening and closing member 67 is placed within the
main body part 21 such that the member 67 is rotationally
displaceably between an open position where the entire opening and
closing member 67 is brought into the window hole 66, and a closed
position where one end part is projected through the window hole 66
and proximate in opposing relation to the distal end part of the
horizontal part 64b. When the opening and closing member 67 is
displaced to the open position, the part-to-be-retained of the
umbrella can be inserted in and withdrawn from the receiving recess
65. When the opening and closing member 67 is displaced to the
closed position, the part to be retain, which is inserted in the
receiving recess 65, cannot be escaped from the receiving recess
65.
[0103] In case the umbrella retaining lock 60 thus constructed is
to be used in an umbrella storage apparatus, the umbrella retaining
lock 60 is attached to the supporting member 4. In this case, the
umbrella retaining lock 60 is attached to the supporting member 4
such that one end opening part of the receiving recess 65 faces the
open end part side of the gap between the supporting members 4, 4
which are adjacent to each other in the left and right direction.
In the umbrella retaining apparatus with the umbrella retaining
lock 60 attached thereto, the umbrella is inserted between the
supporting members 4, 4 through its open end part side, and simply
moved along the front surface 63 of the umbrella retaining lock 60.
By doing so, the part-to-be-retained of the umbrella can be
inserted into the receiving recess 65. When the key 11 is rotated
by about 90 degrees from the opening position shown in FIG. 35 to
the closed position after the part-to-be-retained is inserted in
the receiving recess 65, the opening and closing member 67 closes
the opening part of the receiving recess 65. By this, the umbrella
is stored in the umbrella storage apparatus. Thereafter, the key 11
is withdrawn from the key hole (not shown).
[0104] In case the umbrella stored in the umbrella storage
apparatus is to be removed therefrom, the key 11 is inserted in the
key hole and rotated into the open position. Then, the opening and
closing member 67 is displaced into the open position to open the
receiving recess. Then, by moving the umbrella in to opposite
direction to the direction at the time of inserting the umbrella in
the umbrella storage apparatus, the umbrella is withdrawn from the
receiving recess 65 and also withdrawn between the supporting
members 4, 4 through the opening part.
[0105] FIG. 36 shows an essential part of the seventh embodiment of
an umbrella storage apparatus according to the present invention.
In this embodiment, the supporting members 4 are bent at their
basal end parts on the retaining member 25 side. As a result, a
part on the distal end side from the bent part of each supporting
member 4 is diagonally, instead of orthogonally, extended with
respect to the retaining member 25. And umbrella retaining locks 5,
5' are disposed at opposite side parts of the part on the distal
end side which is inclined with respect to the retaining member
25.
[0106] FIG. 37 shows an essential part of the eighth embodiment of
an umbrella storage apparatus according to the present invention.
In this embodiment, the basal end part of each supporting member 4
is supported by a retaining member 25 such that the supporting
member 4 is horizontally rotatable about an axis extending in the
up and down direction. Accordingly, the respective supporting
members 4 can be used in their postures directing in desired
directions. After being directed in desired directions, the
respective supporting members 4 are fixed to the retaining member
25 by fixing means which is disposed between each supporting member
4 and the retaining member 25.
[0107] FIG. 38 shows the ninth embodiment of an umbrella storage
apparatus according to the present invention. In an umbrella
storage apparatus G of this embodiment, a water receiving part 3 is
formed in a circular shape. A supporting column part 2 is fixedly
erected in its normal posture from the central part of the water
receiving part 3. A disc part 2g is disposed at an upper end part
of the supporting column part 2. Basal end parts of a plurality
(four in this embodiment) of supporting members 4 are fixed to the
outer peripheral surface of this disc part 2g. The respective
supporting members 4 are equidistantly arranged in the peripheral
direction of the disc part 2g. Moreover, the supporting members 4
are radially arranged at the disc part 2g with their longitudinal
direction directing in the horizontal direction. A plurality of
umbrella retaining locks 5, 5' are disposed at the opposite side
parts of each supporting member 4. Every adjacent supporting
members 4, 4 in the peripheral direction of the disc part 2g are
horizontally separately arranged by a predetermined distance so
that an umbrella can be inserted between the distal end parts
toward the basal end side and further inserted between the umbrella
retaining locks 5, 5'.
[0108] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned
embodiments but many changes and modifications can be made in
accordance with necessity.
[0109] For example, in the above embodiment, the supporting members
4 located in a use position, are horizontally arranged. However, it
is also accepted the supporting members 4 are inclined downward in
the forward direction.
[0110] In the umbrella storage apparatus according to the present
invention, the wall part of the skeleton structure of a house or
building may serve as the apparatus main body. In that case, a
recess extending upward and downward is formed in the wall surface
of the wall part serving as the apparatus main body. A supporting
member is disposed at an upper end part of this recess such that
the supporting member is rotatable between a used position and a
receiving position, and a water receiving part is disposed at a
lower end part of the recess such that the water receiving part is
rotatable between a water receiving position and a folding
position. A part, which is adjacent either in the left or right
direction with respect to the recess formed in the wall surface of
the skeleton structure is provided with a cosmetic cover. The
supporting member and the water receiving part rotated into the
receiving position and the folding position, respectively, and
umbrella retaining locks attached to the supporting member are
receiving in the recess. Then, the recess is closed by the cosmetic
cover rotated into the closed position from the open position, so
that the supporting member, the water receiving part and the
umbrella retaining locks are shielded from the outside.
[0111] Moreover, a plurality of supporting members 4 may be
integrally formed. This will be hereinafter described with
reference to the example of the above-mentioned umbrella storage
apparatus G. The umbrella storage apparatus G can be modified in
the following manner. That is, the supporting column part 2 is
merely formed in a circular column-like shape without providing the
disc part 2g on the upper end part of the supporting column part 2.
Of four supporting members 4, two supporting member 4 arranged on a
straight line are mutually integrally formed. Then, an intermediate
part of the integrally formed supporting member is fixedly placed
on the upper end face of the supporting column part 2. The basal
end parts of the remaining two supporting members 4, 4 arranged on
another straight line are fixed to the opposite side surfaces of
the intermediate part of the integrally formed supporting member.
In an umbrella storage apparatus thus constructed, the intermediate
part of the integrally formed supporting member constitutes the
both basal end parts of the supporting member 4 on one end side in
the longitudinal direction and the supporting member 4 on the other
end side. Moreover, one end part and the other end part of the
integrally formed supporting member constitute the distal end parts
of the respective supporting members 4, 4, respectively.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0112] The present invention can be utilized as an umbrella storage
apparatus which is designed such that the grip parts, etc. of the
umbrellas already stored will not get wet by waterdrops dropping
from the umbrellas which are to be stored thereafter.
* * * * *