U.S. patent application number 13/475726 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-23 for bag for umbrella.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jeffrey FIELD. Invention is credited to Jeffrey FIELD, Tara FUNG.
Application Number | 20130126571 13/475726 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48425832 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130126571 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FIELD; Jeffrey ; et
al. |
May 23, 2013 |
BAG FOR UMBRELLA
Abstract
A bag for carrying and storing an umbrella includes an
elongated, tubular sleeve portion with an open end and a closed end
defining an interior sized to accommodate the umbrella. The opened
end can receive the umbrella lengthwise into the interior. Attached
to the closed end can be an end cap having a central drainage
aperture disposed therethrough. The drainage aperture can sealingly
engage with an elongated tip on the umbrella to retain moisture
from the umbrella within the interior of the bag. The umbrella tip
can be selectively removed from and inserted into the drainage
aperture to selectively seal and unseal the drainage aperture. In
some embodiments, a sealing gasket can be disposed in the end cap
to facilitate sealing of the drainage aperture.
Inventors: |
FIELD; Jeffrey; (Chicago,
IL) ; FUNG; Tara; (Montreal, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FIELD; Jeffrey |
Chicago |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48425832 |
Appl. No.: |
13/475726 |
Filed: |
May 18, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61488534 |
May 20, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/613 ;
206/494 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45B 25/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/613 ;
206/494 |
International
Class: |
A45B 25/26 20060101
A45B025/26 |
Claims
1. A bag for an umbrella, comprising: an elongated tubular sleeve
portion having an opened first end and a closed second end, the
sleeve portion defining an interior for receiving the umbrella via
the first end; an end cap attached to and enclosing the closed
second end, the end cap having a drainage aperture disposed
therethrough; wherein the drainage aperture is configured to engage
an elongated tip of the umbrella.
2. The bag of claim 1, further comprising a sealing gasket
proximate the drainage aperture, the sealing gasket having an
annular shape and comprised of an elastomeric or semi-flexible
material, the sealing gasket defining a center hole for permitting
moisture from the interior to exit the bag; the sealing gasket
configured to at least partially receive the tip of the umbrella in
the center hole to generally seal the interior.
3. The bag of claim 2, wherein the end cap is generally cylindrical
with a partially tapered bore disposed therein, the bore oriented
toward the opened first end of the sleeve portion and terminating
at a bottom-most wall, the drainage aperture disposed through the
bottom-most wall; the bore configured to receive a distal end of
the umbrella.
4. The bag of claim 3, wherein the tubular sleeve portion is a
multi-ply material including a water-resistant inner ply, an outer
ply, and a padding between the inner ply and the outer ply.
5. The bag of claim 4, wherein the tubular sleeve portion includes
an elongated rod-like spine extending from proximate the opened
first end to proximate the closed second end; the spine comprising
a resilient material configured to enable the tubular sleeve
portion to bend form a normal, elongated tubular shape.
6. The bag of claim 1, further including a plug for reception in
the drainage aperture to seal the interior.
7. The bag of claim 1, further comprising a belt with a releasable
buckle extending between the opened first end and the closed second
end.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims the priority benefit of FIELD
et al., U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/488,534, filed
on May 20, 2011, entitled "BAG FOR UMBRELLA," the contents of which
are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety,
including any references therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Umbrellas are widely used to keep people protected from
rain, snow and other inclement weather. Umbrellas include a
collapsible fabric cover that, when opened, can be held overhead to
shelter the user from precipitation, and that, when collapsed,
forms a narrow staff-like shape that can be taken indoors and/or
easily stored away. If the umbrella is wet, however, it will often
drip when brought indoors making a mess and otherwise being
inconvenient. To store the wet umbrella when collapsed, a flexible
sleeve may be provided into which the umbrella can be inserted.
However, these sleeves are often made of a thin, inexpensive
material that may still leak, are prone to being lost and are
otherwise inconvenient when not in use, and maybe relatively
unattractive.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A carrying bag for accommodating, storing and carrying an
umbrella, including when the umbrella is wet, includes an tubular
sleeve portion defining an interior for receiving the umbrella. The
tubular sleeve portion has an opened first end and a closed second
end. An end cap is attached to and encloses the second end. To
permit water from a wet umbrella placed in the interior to exit the
bag, the end cap has a drainage aperture disposed through it. To
prevent the unintentional leakage of water from the bag, for
instance when the bag is carried indoors, the drainage aperture is
configured to sealingly engage with an elongated tip of the
umbrella.
[0004] In a preferred embodiment, the bag is designed and
constructed to be a high quality fashion item with a stylistic
appearance. To this end, the bag may include several aesthetic and
functional features. For example, the sleeve portion of the bag can
be made from a three-ply, durable material that is water resistant
to retain water in the interior. Grommets can be disposed through
the sleeve portion to vent the interior and dry the umbrella. To
facilitate carrying of the bag, an adjustable belt with a
releasable buckle can be attached to it. A flexible spine can be
incorporated along the length of the bag to provide some rigidity
or stiffness but still also allow the bag to be bent or collapsed
when not in use.
[0005] A possible advantage of the bag is that it can accommodate a
wet umbrella without leaking when carried indoor or to other dry
locations. Another possible advantage is that the bag includes a
drainage aperture that can be selectively sealed or unsealed to
permit selective discharge of water from the interior of the bag.
Yet another possible advantage is that the bag may exude a stylish,
fashionable and/or durable appearance. These and other advantages
and features will be apparent from the included drawings and the
detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a rear elevational view of the bag for receptively
accommodating an umbrella including a strap and buckle that may
used to assist in carrying the bag.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the bag including
grommets that may be included to vent the interior of the bag to
assist in drying the umbrella.
[0008] FIG. 3 is an elevational view of an embodiment of a type of
umbrella sometimes referred as an executive umbrella in its opened
state.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the opened first end of
the bag into which the umbrella can be inserted.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the closed second end
of the bag including the end cap which defines the drainage
aperture.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a transparent perspective view of the end cap
including a tapered bore component, a bottom wall component and a
sealing gasket located therebetween.
[0012] FIG. 7 is an assembly view of the end cap including the
tapered bore component, the sealing gasket and the bottom wall
component as they may be assembled together.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional perspective view of the
tapered bore component of the end cap.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a three-dimensional wire model of the bottom wall
component.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing gasket
illustrating a possible lip seal construction of the sealing
gasket.
[0016] FIG. 11 is an assembly view of another embodiment of an end
cap configured to receive a plug in the drainage aperture.
[0017] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
multi-plied material for the sleeve portion of the bag.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Now referring to the drawings, wherein like reference
numbers refer to like features, there is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and
2 a sleeve-like bag 100 for accommodating an umbrella 102 such as
the one illustrated in FIG. 3. The illustrated umbrella 102, which
may be of the type sometimes referred to as an executive umbrella,
includes a fabric cover 104 which is supported over a shaft 106 and
which may collapse about the shaft when not in use. Unlike most
telescoping umbrellas, executive style umbrellas often include an
elongated, narrow, rod-like tip 108 that protrudes beyond the
fabric cover 104 even when the cover is opened. Hence, the rod-like
tip 108 forms the distal-most portion of the umbrella 102 when
collapsed. Disposed at the opposite end of the umbrella is a handle
109 which, when collapsed, may be the only or most significant
portion of the umbrella not covered by the cover 104.
[0019] Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the bag 100 includes an
elongated, tubular sleeve portion 110 having an opened first end
112 and a closed second end 114 and which defines an interior for
receiving the umbrella. The bag may have a flexible or pliable
characteristic to conform to the inserted umbrella can be made from
any suitable material including a preferred material describe
herein. The length of the sleeve portion 110 between the opened
first end 112 and the closed second end 114 may correspond to the
length of the umbrella such that, when inserted, the handle 109 is
only portion of the umbrella to protrude from the opened first end
112 100 while the tip 108 is proximate the closed second end
114.
[0020] To insert the collapsed umbrella into the interior of the
bag, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the opened first end 112 defines an
opening 116 that can be roughly of the same diameter or size as the
collapsed umbrella. Disposed about the rim of the opening 116 may
be a piece of trim 120 that can be cuffed about the opening and
secured thereto by, for example, stitching. The trim 120 can be
made of leather or other stylish material. To facilitate insertion
of the umbrella, a piece of resilient wire 122 or fishing line may
be disposed underneath the trim 120 about the circumference of the
opening 116. The resilient wire 122 can maintain the opening 116
roughly in its illustrated circular shape but is also malleable to
enable the opening 116 to collapse when the bag 100 is not in use
or distort about the inserted umbrella and may also provide a
resilient force that helps secure the umbrella within the bag.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 5, there is illustrated the closed second
end 114 of the bag including an end cap 130 which is attached to
and encloses the bottom end of the tubular sleeve portion 110. The
end cap 130 may be attached to the sleeve portion by any suitable
means, including adhesive or by heat sealing to the material of the
sleeve portion. For aesthetic reasons, another piece of trim 134
made from leather or a similar stylish material may be disposed
about the closed second end 114 and the end cap by, for example,
stitching. To enable water to exit the interior of the bag when a
wet umbrella is placed therein, the end cap 130 defines a drainage
aperture 132 which is disposed through the end cap to access the
interior.
[0022] To prevent water from unintentionally exiting the bag when,
for example, the bag is brought indoors, the drainage aperture 132
can be configured to sealingly engage with the tip of the umbrella.
As mentioned above, the length of the bag 100 generally corresponds
to the length of the umbrella so that the tip of the umbrella is
located proximate the closed second end 114 of the bag when the
umbrella is inserted. The drainage aperture 132 may be centrally
disposed through the end cap 130 so as to correspond to the
location of the tip when the umbrella is inserted. Additionally,
the circumference of the drainage aperture may be sized to
sealingly mate with the tip, either by abutting against or sliding
receiving the tip. Hence, the tip can block water from the interior
of the bag from exiting through the drainage aperture 114. Further,
a user can selectively release water from the interior by slightly
removing an inserted umbrella upward from the bag to unseal the
drainage aperture and then fully reinserting the umbrella to
sealingly engage the tip and the drainage aperture.
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, an embodiment of the
construction of the end cap 130 is illustrated which facilitates
sealing of the drainage aperture 132. The end cap 130 may include a
tapered bore component 140 (also illustrated in FIG. 8), a bottom
wall component 150 (also illustrated in FIG. 9), and a sealing
gasket 160 (also illustrated in FIG. 10). The tapered bore
component 140 may be generally cylindrical with a slight outer
taper and may be made from a rigid material such as, for example,
injection molded or machined plastic. By way of example, the length
and general diameter of the tapered bore component may be on the
order of about 3 inches and 1.825 inches, respectively. To
facilitate engagement of the umbrella tip with the drainage
aperture, the tapered bore component 140 may define an internal
bore 142 that tapers slightly from an upper end 144 of the
component 140 towards a lower end 145 of the component. Hence, as
the umbrella is inserted into the bag, the internal bore 142
assists in aligning the tip with the drainage aperture 132. In
various embodiments, the angle of the taper may increase with the
depth of the bore.
[0024] The bottom wall component 150 is attached to the tapered
bore component 140 and provides a flat, bottom surface 152 which,
when end cap is attached to the sleeve portion, protrudes slight
from the sleeve portion. The bottom wall component 150 thereby
provides both an aesthetically pleasing appearance and a flat
surface upon which the bag can be vertically supported in an
upright position or vertically leaned against a wall. The bottom
wall component 150 can include circular bosses and grooves 156 that
axially engage with corresponding, concentrically arranged,
circular bosses and grooves 146 on the tapered bore component 140
to mate the two components together. The bottom wall component 150
can also be joined to the tapered bore component 140 by any other
suitable means such as adhesive, ultrasonic welding, engagable
threads formed on the two components, threaded fasteners, dowel
pins and the like. The drainage aperture 132 is centrally disposed
through the bottom wall component 150.
[0025] To further assist in sealing the bag, a sealing gasket 160
can be placed within or proximate to the drainage aperture 132 and
between the joined tapered bore component 140 and the bottom wall
component 150. The sealing gasket 160 may be shaped as an annular
ring or washer with a circular center hole 162 and may be made from
an elastomeric or semi-flexible material. The sealing gasket can be
made from any suitable material such as natural or synthetic rubber
or a relatively soft plastic. The mating boss and grooves 146, 156
on the tapered bore component and the bottom wall component 150 can
also be shaped and sized to provide a gasket seat for receiving and
maintaining the sealing gasket 160 in position.
[0026] The center hole 162 can be sized to slidingly receive at
least a portion of the umbrella tip and can urge against the
umbrella tip to for a water-tight seal. In an embodiment, the
sealing gasket 160 can include an annular groove concentrically
disposed about the center hole 162 which provides a lip seal
structure to the sealing gasket. As can be appreciated by those of
skill in the art, when the umbrella tip is inserted through the
center hole 162, the portion of the sealing gasket 164 inside the
annular groove 162 can displace outwardly and urge back against the
tip. Such a lip seal structure may prolong the life of the sealing
gasket.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 11, there is illustrated another
embodiment of the end cap 180 adapted to receive a plug 184 through
the drainage aperture 182 if the bag 100 is used with an umbrella
that lacks rod-like tip. The end cap 180 can include a taper bore
component 186 and bottom wall component 188 that are joined
together by any suitable method and can be fitted or attached to
the bottom end of the bag. The drainage aperture 182 is disposed
through a bottom wall 190 of the bottom wall component 188 at a
central location to be axially aligned with the tubular shaped bag.
To seal the drainage aperture 182 if used with umbrellas lacking
tips, the plug 184 can include a protruding post 192 extending from
a circular disk-like base member 194. The post 192 can have a shape
and size complementary to the drainage aperture 182 so as to make
an interference fit with the drainage aperture and seal moisture in
the bag interior. To facilitate the interference fit, the post 192
can be formed from a soft, malleable material such as natural or
synthetic rubber and can include an undercut 196 disposed about
midway along its length that is adapted to engage with the inner
rim defining the drainage aperture 182. When the plug 184 is
removed, moisture in the interior can drain through the drainage
aperture 182. To retain the plug 184 with the bag, a chain or
string can link the base member to the end cap 182. In a further
feature, the illustrated embodiment of the end cap 180 can have a
protruding flange 190 encircling the bottom edge of the bottom wall
component 188 which has a slightly larger diameter than the rest of
the bottom wall component and/or the distal end of the taper bore
component. Because of the larger diameter, the protruding flange
190 can help prevent the end cap 180 from pulling back through the
second end of the tubular sleeve portion when an umbrella is
removed from a bag and an umbrella tip is removed from the drainage
aperture.
[0028] Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the bag 100 may include
various other features that facilitate its use. For example, a
plurality of grommets 170 or eyelets may be disposed along the
length of the tubular sleeve portion 110 to access and vent the
interior of the bag 100 to the environment. These grommets 170
assist in drying the interior of the bag and an umbrella placed
therein. For aesthetic purposes, the grommets 170 can be made from
or to appear as polished or plated metals. To assist in carrying
the bag 100, an adjustable belt 172 and releasable buckle 174 can
be included and can extend between the opened first end 112 and the
closed second end 114 of the sleeve portion 110. The adjustable
belt 172 and buckle 174 allows the bag to be carried over the
shoulder of a user. When not in use, the adjustable belt 172 can be
tightened to lie adjacent along the length of the bag. In an
embodiment, to provide the bag 100 with partial structural
rigidity, an elongated, rod-like spine 176 can be incorporated into
the sleeve portion 110 along the interior and can extend between
the opened first end 112 and the closed second end 114. The spine
can be made from a flexible but resilient material, such as
fiberglass or plastic, so that the bag can bend or be folded over
itself but will return to its normal, elongated linear shape. The
shape memory of the spine allows for manipulating the shape of the
bag for storage while also facilitating insertion of an umbrella
into the straightened, linear bag.
[0029] To provide an aesthetically pleasing and durable appearance,
in a preferred embodiment the sleeve portion 110 of the bag can be
comprised of a multilayer or multi-plied materials and in
particular the three-plied material 200 as illustrated in FIG. 12.
The innermost layer or inner ply 202, which when the bag is
constructed will line the interior, can be made of a water
resistant material such as water proof nylon. Thus, when a wet
umbrella is inserted into the bag, the inner ply 202 will trap the
water inside the bag and direct it toward the drainage aperture.
The outer ply 204, which will form the exterior of the assembled
bag, can be made from a relatively more visually pleasing material
such as, for example, pylon, vinyl or leather. In various
embodiments, the outer ply 204 can include various patterns or
images. Disposed between the inner and outer plies 202, 204, can be
a layer of padding 206 such as fibrous filler material that may
enhance the perceived and actual durability of the bag. All the
materials can be flexible or pliable so that the bag can conform to
the shape of an inserted umbrella and can be collapsed or folded
over itself for storage when not in use. In embodiments including
the spine, the spine can be disposed between the inner and outer
plies 202, 204. In other embodiments, the sleeve portion 110 can be
made from other materials such as leather, vinyl or canvas.
[0030] All references, including publications, patent applications,
and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to
the same extent as if each reference were individually and
specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set
forth in its entirety herein.
[0031] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar
referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in
the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover
both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein
or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising,"
"having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as
open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,")
unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are
merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring
individually to each separate value falling within the range,
unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is
incorporated into the specification as if it were individually
recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in
any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise
clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples,
or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is
intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not
pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise
claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as
indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of
the invention.
[0032] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described
herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying
out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may
become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading
the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to
employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for
the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all
modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the
claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover,
any combination of the above-described elements in all possible
variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise
indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
* * * * *