U.S. patent application number 13/095240 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-01 for umbrella auxiliary screen.
This patent application is currently assigned to Joseph B. Pandak. Invention is credited to Joseph B. Pandak.
Application Number | 20120273016 13/095240 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47066956 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120273016 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pandak; Joseph B. |
November 1, 2012 |
UMBRELLA AUXILIARY SCREEN
Abstract
An umbrella (10) having an expandable auxiliary screen (30)
supported from the ribs (12), struts (6) or canopy of the umbrella
is expandable from a collapsed configuration by rotation of a spool
(20) in a first direction to spool out line to descend a distal end
of the auxiliary screen relative to the proximal end of the
auxiliary screen. The auxiliary screen may comprise a plurality of
panels, comprising a generally water-resistant material, coupled
along seams to adjacent panels of the auxiliary screen.
Alternately, the auxiliary screen may comprise a pliable and
generally water-resistant material that generally corrugates to a
collapsed configuration and generally flattens to an expanded
configuration.
Inventors: |
Pandak; Joseph B.; (League
City, TX) |
Assignee: |
Pandak; Joseph B.
League City
TX
|
Family ID: |
47066956 |
Appl. No.: |
13/095240 |
Filed: |
April 27, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45B 25/00 20130101;
A45B 2200/1072 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/16 |
International
Class: |
A45B 25/00 20060101
A45B025/00 |
Claims
1. An umbrella comprising: a plurality of ribs; a plurality of
struts; a canopy; a support rod; and an auxiliary screen
supportable from at least one of the ribs, struts and canopy and
collapsible from an expanded configuration to a collapsed
configuration; wherein the auxiliary screen, in the expanded
configuration, shields a user holding the support rod from
precipitation bypassing the canopy.
2. The umbrella of claim 1 further comprising: a spool coupled to
the support rod and to rotate relative to the support rod; a line
having a first portion coupled to the spool and a second portion
coupled to the auxiliary screen; and a plurality of line guides
coupled to at least one of the ribs, the struts and the canopy;
wherein the spool rotates in a first direction to accumulate the
line on the spool to reposition at least a portion of the auxiliary
screen.
3. The umbrella of claim 2 wherein a proximal portion of the
auxiliary screen is coupled to at least one of the ribs, struts and
canopy, and a distal portion of the auxiliary screen is coupled to
the second portion of the line.
4. The umbrella of claim 1 wherein at least one screen support
tether is coupled at a proximal end to at least one of the ribs,
struts and canopy and a distal portion of the at least one screen
tether is coupled to a proximal portion of the auxiliary
screen.
5. The umbrella of claim 1 wherein a proximal portion of the
auxiliary screen is directly coupled to at least one of the ribs,
struts and canopy to support the auxiliary screen in the expanded
configuration.
6. The umbrella of claim 1 further comprising at least one fastener
coupled to at least one of the ribs, struts and canopy to secure
the auxiliary screen in the collapsed configuration in a stored
position.
7. The umbrella of claim 6 wherein the at least one fastener
comprises at least one of a tie, Velcro.RTM., snaps, a hook and
loop, and a magnet.
8. An umbrella comprising: a support rod; a plurality of ribs
coupled at a first end to the support rod; a collapsible fabric
canopy coupled to the plurality of ribs; a plurality of struts
coupled at a first end to the ribs and at a second end to a ring
that is movable along the support rod between a closed position, to
collapse the fabric canopy, and an open position, to expand the
fabric canopy; a plurality of line guides coupled to at least some
of the ribs; an auxiliary screen supportable from at least one of
the ribs, the struts and the fabric canopy in the expanded mode;
and a spool coupled to a the support rod and rotatable in a first
direction to reel in, and rotatable in a second direction to spool
out, a first portion of at least one line that is coupled at a
second portion to a portion of the auxiliary screen and that
engages at least one of the plurality of line guides intermediate
the first portion and the second portion of the line; wherein at
least a portion of the auxiliary screen is positionable by rotation
of the spool when the auxiliary screen is supported from at least
one of the ribs, the struts and the fabric canopy.
9. The umbrella of claim 8 wherein the auxiliary screen is
supportable by at least one tether having a first end coupled to at
least one rib and a second end coupled to an upper portion of the
auxiliary screen.
10. The umbrella of claim 9 further comprising a second line having
a first portion coupled to the spool and a second portion coupled
to the portion of the auxiliary screen and engaging at least one of
the plurality of line guides intermediate the first portion and the
second portion.
11. The umbrella of claim 9 wherein a lower portion of the
auxiliary screen is positionable by rotation of the spool.
12. The umbrella of claim 11 wherein the whole of the auxiliary
screen is positionable by rotation of the spool.
13. A kit for adding an auxiliary screen to an umbrella having a
plurality of ribs coupled at a first end to a support rod, a
plurality of struts coupled at a second end to the plurality of
ribs and at a first end to a ring slidable along a portion of the
support rod between a closed position and an open position, and a
fabric canopy coupled to the ribs, comprising: a plurality of line
guides securable to the plurality of ribs; a spool connectable to
the support rod and rotatable in a first direction to reel in a
first portion of a line and in a second direction to spool out the
first portion of the line; at least one line having a first portion
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This application relates to an umbrella auxiliary screen to
shield a user from precipitation and/or sunlight that bypasses the
canopy of an umbrella from which the auxiliary screen is
supported.
[0003] 2. Brief Description of the Related Art
[0004] Umbrellas are devices for shielding users from precipitation
or sunlight. Umbrellas are made with canopies of various sizes. A
shortcoming of conventional umbrellas is that the canopy shields
the user only from precipitation or sunlight that falls or impinges
on the canopy and the umbrella does not shield the user from, for
example, wind-driven precipitation that can bypass the canopy of
the umbrella and wet the clothing of the user, especially the
pants' legs and shoes. Umbrellas having larger canopies offer more
protection to the user, but are less compact and less convenient to
carry. Even a large umbrella, however, may not offer protection
from wind-driven precipitation.
[0005] What is needed is an umbrella having a canopy and an
auxiliary screen to shield the user from precipitation that
bypasses the canopy of the umbrella. What is needed is an umbrella
having an auxiliary screen that is retractable from a deployed
configuration, retainable in a retracted configuration and
deployable from the retracted configuration to a deployed
configuration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Embodiments of the apparatus disclosed herein satisfy one or
more of these needs. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an
umbrella having a support rod to support a plurality of ribs and a
plurality of struts that make up a support structure for the
canopy. The canopy, which may comprise a generally water-resistant
fabric, is coupled to the ribs to provide a collapsible covering
when the umbrella is in an open configuration with the ribs
extending generally radially outwardly from the support rod. The
struts, ribs and canopy may together collapse and/or fold to a
collapsed configuration for convenient storage, as is well-known in
the art.
[0007] One embodiment of the auxiliary screen comprises a generally
water-resistant material such as, for example, fabric or plastic,
which is preferably pliable and light-weight material. The
auxiliary screen may comprise a generally rectangular piece of
fabric that can be folded or corrugated to a collapsed
configuration for storage when not in use. In another embodiment,
the auxiliary screen may comprise a plurality of elongate panels
interconnected one to the others to form a foldable screen. The
elongate sections may comprise, for example, light-weight plastic,
and the panels may be interconnected along seams to adjacent
panels. An auxiliary screen of this embodiment may be foldable to a
collapsed configuration by folding panels, one relative to others,
to a collapsed configuration. The auxiliary screen may further be
securable in the collapsed configuration to one or more struts,
ribs and/or to the canopy portion (for example, to the fabric) of
the umbrella. The auxiliary screen may be removed from the stored
configuration and then expanded from the collapsed configuration to
an expanded configuration or to a partially expanded configuration
to protect the user from precipitation.
[0008] In one embodiment, the present invention is adapted to
cooperate with the structures of a conventional umbrella comprising
a plurality of ribs, a plurality of struts to support the ribs in a
radially-extended configuration, a canopy, such as a fabric,
connected to the ribs, a support rod to support the struts and ribs
and an auxiliary screen supportable from at least one of the ribs,
struts and the canopy, and collapsible from an expanded
configuration to a collapsed configuration for storage. The
auxiliary screen is movable from an expanded configuration, to
shield a user holding the support rod from precipitation that may
bypass the canopy, to a collapsed configuration, to facilitate
storage generally adjacent to the ribs.
[0009] In one embodiment, the area or size of the auxiliary screen
may be adjustable. For example, but not by way of limitation, an
umbrella may comprise a plurality of ribs, a plurality of struts to
support the ribs in a radially-extended configuration, a canopy
connected to the ribs, a support rod to support the ribs and
struts, and an auxiliary screen supportable from at least one of
the ribs, struts and the canopy, the auxiliary screen being
collapsible from an expanded configuration to a collapsed
configuration. In addition, the auxiliary screen may be movable
from an expanded configuration, to shield a user holding the
support rod from precipitation that may bypass the canopy, to a
collapsed configuration, to facilitate storage of the collapsed
auxiliary screen generally adjacent to the ribs. The umbrella may
further comprise a spool coupled to the support rod and rotatable
in a first direction relative to the support rod to reel in a line,
or rotatable in a second direction to spool out the line. The line
may have a first portion coupled to the spool and a second portion
coupled to a distal end of the auxiliary screen so that, when the
spool is rotated to spool out line, the distal end of the auxiliary
screen descends relative to the rib(s), strut(s) or canopy from
which a proximal end of the auxiliary screen is supported. In one
embodiment, the second portion of the line may be threaded through
a plurality of generally alignable holes strategically disposed in
the auxiliary screen, and the second portion of the line may be
coupled to (or near) a distal end of the auxiliary screen. Rotating
the spool to reel in the line would then raise the distal portion
of the auxiliary screen upwardly toward a proximal end of the
auxiliary screen to (at least partially) collapse the auxiliary
screen and thereby make the area or size of the auxiliary screen
smaller.
[0010] Alternately, in another embodiment, the second portion of
the line may be connected to a proximal end of the auxiliary
screen. Rotating the spool to reel in the line would move the
entire auxiliary screen up or down relative to the support rod. In
this embodiment, the auxiliary screen may be secured in a collapsed
configuration using a band, zipper, or any of a variety of
fasteners such as, for example clamps, snaps, hook and loop,
Velcro.RTM. or other fasteners. In this embodiment, the area or
size of the expandable auxiliary screen may be variable using the
fasteners, for example, instead of by using the spool.
[0011] The line may traverse along the exterior of the support rod
or, preferably, through the hollow interior of the support rod of
the umbrella. The line may further be threaded through or over a
plurality of line guides coupled to at least one of the
radially-extending ribs, the struts and the canopy. For example,
but not by way of limitation, the line guides may comprise eyelets
connected to one or more ribs or struts, or the eyelets may be
connected to the canopy, or to a combination of these portions of
the umbrella. The eyelets may be aligned one with the others to
provide a smooth pathway to facilitate reeling in and spooling out
of the line to and from the spool, respectively. The eyelets may
comprise a material of a lubricious material to decrease friction
and prevent unwanted abrasion to the line as it moves through or
over the eyelet. Alternately, the line guides may comprise an
insert of a lubricious material. The eyelets need not form a
continuous ring and, in one embodiment, may comprise a gap or
interruption to permit convenient insertion and removal of the line
to and from an eyelet without having to thread an end portion of
the line through an eyelets as if threading the eye of a
needle.
[0012] In one embodiment, one or more support tethers are coupled
at a first end to at least one a rib, a strut and the canopy. The
one or more support tethers may be coupled at a second end to a
proximal end of the auxiliary screen. This arrangement causes the
auxiliary screen to be supported at a distance determined by the
length of the support tether(s) below the rib, strut or the canopy
to which the support tether(s) is connected. The length of the
support tether may be optimized or adjustable to provide sufficient
and/or adjustable clearance between the canopy and the proximal end
of the auxiliary screen so that the deployment and use of the
auxiliary screen in front of the user does not impair the user's
view of the sidewalk, curbs, obstacles, etc. that the user may
encounter while walking with the umbrella.
[0013] In one embodiment, the auxiliary screen may comprise an
opaque material such as, for example, clear plastic, so that the
user may see the sidewalk, curbs, obstacles and the like through
the auxiliary screen. In one embodiment, the auxiliary screen may
comprise or be treated with a hydrophobic material that deters
water adherence or accumulation on at least a portion of the
auxiliary screen to enable the user to see through the portion. In
one embodiment, the auxiliary screen may comprise panels or
sections connected along seams or creases to adjacent panels or
sections to facilitate uniform and predictable folding of the
auxiliary screen along the seams or creases to a collapsed
configuration for efficient storage.
[0014] In one embodiment, the auxiliary screen may be removed from
being supported by the ribs, struts, or the canopy. In another
embodiment, the auxiliary screen may be collapsed and then stored
adjacent the ribs, struts or canopy using one or more fasteners.
For example, but not by way of limitation, the auxiliary screen may
be collapsed and stored adjacent to the ribs, struts or canopy
using ties, Velcro.RTM. ties or straps, ties or straps securable
using snaps, ties or straps connectable using a hook and loop
fastener, and/or one or more magnets.
[0015] The auxiliary screen may be supported from at least one of
the ribs, struts and the canopy and suspended by a plurality of
tethers coupled at a first end to the at least one the ribs, struts
and the canopy and at a second end to a portion of the auxiliary
screen.
[0016] The foregoing, as well as other, objects, features, and
advantages of the invention will be more fully appreciated and
understood by reference to the drawings, described below, and to
the claims appended hereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an umbrella support
structure supporting an expandable auxiliary screen.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an expandable auxiliary
screen suspended from the ribs of the support structure of FIG.
1.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of the expandable
auxiliary screen of FIG. 2 in a partially expanded
configuration.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the expandable auxiliary
screen of FIG. 2 in a fully expanded configuration.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of an
expandable auxiliary screen in a partially expanded
configuration.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a section view of an embodiment of a spool coupled
to a support rod.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an umbrella
support 10 structure supporting an expandable auxiliary screen 30.
The canopy of the umbrella is removed to reveal the support
structure 10 to facilitate the explanation of the present
invention. The umbrella support structure 10 FIG. 1 comprises a
plurality of radially-extending ribs 12 supportable, in an
operative position, by a support rod 8 and a plurality of struts 6
coupled at a first end to a slider ring 7 and at a second end to a
rib 12. The support structure 10 further comprises a plurality of
line guides 14 connected in an aligned configuration to each of two
adjacent ribs 12 to guide and support lines 16. The support
structure 10 further comprises screen tethers 17 connected at a
first end 17A to ribs 12 and at a second end 17B to the expandable
auxiliary screen 30. The screen tethers 17 may be of a fixed or an
adjustable length to position the proximal end of the expandable
auxiliary screen 30 relative to the ribs 12 of the support
structure 10 as will be discussed in more detail in connection with
FIGS. 2-5 below. The lines 16 each comprise a proximal portion (now
shown--see FIG. 6) coupled to the spool 20 on the support rod 8 and
a distal portion 16B coupled to the expandable auxiliary screen 30.
In one embodiment, the lines 16 may be part of one line, and it
will be understood by those skilled in the art that a middle
portion of the one line may be coupled to the spool with the two
portions on each side of the middle portion being positioned on the
line guides and terminating at the distal portion of the auxiliary
screen. Alternately, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that a middle portion of the one line may be coupled to the
auxiliary screen with the two portions on each side of the middle
portion being positioned on the line guides and terminated at the
spool.
[0024] The spool 20 on the support rod 8 may be manipulated to
expand and retract the expandable auxiliary screen 30. In the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the spool 20 may be rotated in a
first direction to spool out line 16 through a hollow interior (now
shown) of support rod 8 and through aligned line guides 14 to allow
the distal end 30B of the expandable auxiliary screen 30 to descend
relative to the ribs 12 to which the screen tethers 17 are
connected. The screen tethers 17 prevent movement of the proximal
end 30A of the expandable auxiliary screen 30 from the ribs 12 as
the line 16 is spooled out from the spool 20 to expand the
auxiliary screen 30.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an expandable auxiliary
screen 30 suspended in a generally contracted configuration from a
rib 12. The expandable auxiliary screen 30 is suspended from a
second line 16 and rib 12 behind the line 16 and rib 12 shown in
the side elevation view of FIG. 2. The expandable auxiliary screen
30 of FIGS. 2-4 is an auxiliary screen 30 comprising a plurality of
interconnected panels 30B each having one or more apertures 30A
therein through which one or more lines 16 are threaded. The panels
30B may be coupled one to another along a seam 30C having an acute
angle in FIG. 2. The panels 30B may comprise any generally
water-resistant material such as, for example, plastic. The panels
30B may be integrally formed and connected one to the others along
a seam 30C. The distal end 16C of the line 16 may comprise a knot
or enlargement to prevent the distal end 16C of the line 16 from
being withdrawn through the apertures 30A in the panels.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of the expandable
auxiliary screen 30 of FIG. 2 in a partially expanded
configuration. The distal end 16C of the line 16 is illustrated as
having descended relative to the rib 12 and as a result of the
spool 20 (see FIG. 1) being rotated in the first direction to spool
out the line 16 and expand the auxiliary screen. Returning to FIG.
3, the screen tether 17 is illustrated as remaining in its position
of FIG. 2 and supporting the proximal end 31 of the expandable
auxiliary screen 30 while the distal end 32 of the expandable
auxiliary screen 30 descends as the line 16 is spooled out from the
spool 20 (see FIG. 1). The panels 30B remain coupled one to another
along seam 30C at a greater, but still generally acute, angle as
compared to the angles of the seams 30C illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the expandable auxiliary
screen 30 of FIG. 2 in a fully expanded configuration. The distal
end 16C of the line 16 is illustrated as having descended further
relative to the rib 12 and as a result of the spool 20 (see FIG. 1)
being further rotated in the first direction to spool out
additional length of the line 16 and fully expand the auxiliary
screen. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the screen tether 17 remains in
its position of FIG. 2 and supporting the proximal end 31 of the
expandable auxiliary screen 30 while the distal end 32 of the
expandable auxiliary screen 30 descends further as the line 16 is
spooled out from the spool 20 (see FIG. 1). The panels 30B remain
coupled one to another along a seam 30C having generally obtuse
angles as compared to FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of an
expandable auxiliary screen 39 in a partially expanded
configuration. Expandable auxiliary screen 39 comprises a generally
pliable member, such as a sheet of plastic, canvas, leather or
cloth, having a plurality of apertures 30A to receive line 16
threaded therethrough and terminated at distal end 16C. A knot or
enlargement may be connected to distal end 16C to prevent
withdrawal of the distal end 16C through the apertures 30A. The
absence of seams at which the auxiliary screen 30 may fold causes
the alternate embodiment of the auxiliary screen 39 illustrated in
FIG. 5 to corrugate as the line 16 is reeled into the spool 20 and
to un-corrugate, or flatten, as the line 16 is spooled out from the
spool 20.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a section view of an embodiment of a spool 20
coupled to a support rod 8 that supports the support structure 10
(not shown--see FIG. 1). The spool 20 comprises a line accumulator
21 fixed on an axle 22 coupled to a handle 23. The line accumulator
21 is rotatable (in a first direction) within the housing 24 using
the handle 23 to spool out the line 16 to descend the distal end
30B of the expandable auxiliary screen 30 (not shown--see FIGS.
2-5) relative to the rib 12 (not shown--see FIGS. 2-5) to expand
the auxiliary screen 30, and rotatable (in a second direction)
within the housing 24 using the handle 23 to reel in the line 16 to
raise the distal end 30B of the expandable auxiliary screen 30 (not
shown--see FIGS. 2-5) relative to rib 12 (not shown--see FIGS. 2-5)
to collapse the auxiliary screen 30.
[0030] The line 16 shown in FIGS. 1-6 may be any type of string,
cord or filament. In one embodiment, the line 16 may comprise a
nylon string, such as is used to make fishing line, to provide high
strength and water-resistance. The line 16 may comprise a
monofilament, cofilament, thermally fused lines or braided lines.
Other materials that may be used for the line 16 include
polyvinylidene fluoride, or PVDF, or polyethylene. Optionally, the
line may be coated or treated to resist erosion from being spooled
in and reeled out through the line guides. Optionally, the line
guides 14 may comprise a lubricious material to prevent erosion and
to decrease the amount of torque at the spool 20 and tension in the
line 16 required to raise the distal end of the auxiliary screen
30.
[0031] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and
equivalents of all means or steps plus function elements in the
claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or
act for performing the function in combination with other claimed
elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description, but it is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to
the invention in the form disclosed.
[0032] Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those
of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in
order to best explain the principles of the invention and the
practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in
the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with
various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated.
[0033] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. It will be further understood that the terms
"comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification,
specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,
operations, elements, components and/or groups, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0034] The term "article," as that term is used in this
application, means one or more articles, and may specifically a
single article or a plurality of articles. The terms "comprising,"
"including," and "having," as used in the claims and specification
herein, shall be considered as indicating an open group that may
include other elements not specified.
[0035] The terms "a," "an," and the singular forms of words shall
be taken to include the plural form of the same words, such that
the terms mean that one or more of something is provided. The term
"one" or "single" may be used to indicate that one and only one of
something is intended. Similarly, other specific integer values,
such as "two," may be used when a specific number of things is
intended. The terms "preferably," "preferred," "prefer,"
"optionally," "may," and similar terms are used to indicate that an
item, condition or step being referred to is an optional (not
required) feature of the invention.
[0036] From the foregoing detailed description of specific
embodiments of the invention, it should be apparent that an
apparatus. Although specific embodiments of the apparatuses and
methods are disclosed herein, this is done solely for the purpose
of describing various features and aspects of the invention, and is
not intended to be limiting with respect to the scope of the
invention.
[0037] It is contemplated that various substitutions, alterations,
and/or modifications, including but not limited to those
implementation variations which may have been suggested herein, may
be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims
which follow.
[0038] While embodiments of the invention have been described
herein, various modifications of the apparatus and method of the
invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention, which is more fully defined in the following
claims.
* * * * *