Umbrella handle with a snow globe mounted on its end

Abstract

An umbrella having a handle for opening and closing the umbrella. The umbrella includes a central shaft; and the central shaft has a first end and a second end. The second end is connected to a main umbrella frame having an umbrella canopy which is movable between an open and closed configuration. The central shaft also includes a handle section adjacent to the first end. The handle section includes a snow globe mounted on the first end of the central shaft. The snow globe includes an exterior wall and an interior chamber therein. The snow globe has disposed therein a caricature-type three-dimensional unit and movable artificial snowflakes for simulating falling snow within the interior chamber of the snow globe; and the caricature-type three-dimensional unit is visible from the exterior of the snow globe.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an umbrella having a handle section with a snow globe mounted on its end. More particularly, the snow globe includes a caricature-type, three-dimensional unit and movable artificial snowflakes being disposed within a liquid media in the interior chamber of the snow globe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Snow globes having figurines, winter scenes, animals are well known in the art. Further, ornamental handles for umbrellas for embellishment of the umbrella handle, such as decorative and carved ivory and wood handles, various geometric shapes (i.e. spheres, swords, cylinders, etc.), as well as molded handle grips having decorative colors and shapes are also well known in the art. None of these snow globes have been combined with umbrella handles to produce a decorative and ornamental umbrella handle for use with umbrellas.

[0003] There remains a need for a novel and decorative umbrella handle having a snow globe mounted on its end. The snow globe would include an interior chamber having a liquid media therein with movable snowflakes for simulating falling snow, as well as a caricature-type three-dimensional unit disposed within the interior chamber of the snow globe. Additionally, the caricature-type three-dimensional unit would be in the form of a cartoon character, a humanoid-type body, a doll-like body, an animal-type body or an entertainer/celebrity-type body.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0004] Decorative and ornamental umbrella handles and snow globes having various designs, configurations and materials of construction are well known in the art. For example, U.S. Design Pat. Nos. D315,637 and D322,883 disclose decorative and ornamental umbrella handles. These prior art patents do not disclose or teach the structure and method of use for an umbrella handle having a snow globe mounted on its end.

[0005] None of the aforementioned prior art references disclose the present invention of an umbrella handle having a decorative snow globe mounted on its end.

[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an umbrella handle with a snow globe mounted on its end for providing a decorative, ornamental and aesthetic appearance to the handle section of a conventional umbrella.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an umbrella handle with a snow globe mounted on its end, wherein the snow globe includes a caricature-type three-dimensional unit being disposed within a liquid filled interior chamber also having movable snowflakes for simulating falling snow also being disposed with the liquid filled interior chamber of the snow globe.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide an umbrella handle with a snow globe mounted on its end wherein the caricature-type three-dimensional unit is in the form of a cartoon character, a humanoid-type body, a doll-like body, an animal-type body or an entertainer/celebrity-type body.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide an umbrella handle with a snow globe mounted on its end wherein the snow globe is light-weight, easy to clean and is made from shatter-resistant plastic or glass.

[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide an umbrella handle with a snow globe mounted on its end that can be mass-produced in an automated and economical manner and is readily affordable by the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an umbrella having a handle for opening and closing the umbrella. The umbrella includes a central shaft; and the central shaft has a first end and a second end. The second end is connected to a main umbrella frame having an umbrella canopy which is movable between an open and closed configuration. The central shaft also includes a handle section adjacent to the first end. The handle section includes a snow globe mounted on the first end of the central shaft. The snow globe includes an exterior wall and an interior chamber therein. The snow globe has disposed therein a caricature-type three-dimensional unit and movable artificial snowflakes for simulating falling snow within the interior chamber of the snow globe; and the caricature-type three-dimensional unit is visible from the exterior of the snow globe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon the consideration of the following detailed description of the presently-preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the umbrella having an umbrella handle with a snow globe mounted thereon of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the major component parts thereof, and in a fully assembled and opened configuration for operational use thereof;

[0014] FIG. 2 is an enlarged front perspective view of the umbrella handle with a snow globe mounted thereon of the present invention showing a lower catch member, a central umbrella shaft, a handle section, a snow globe having a three-dimensional caricature-type unit and movable artificial snowflakes therein, liquid media, and a platform member for holding the caricature-type unit thereon;

[0015] FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of the umbrella handle with a snow globe mounted thereon of the present invention showing a first end of the handle section of the central shaft being received within a collar member being mounted on the exterior wall of the snow globe;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the umbrella handle with a snow globe mounted thereon of the present invention taken along section lines 3-3 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows showing the handle section connected to the snow globe, the liquid media, the artificial snowflakes, the three-dimensional caricature-type unit, and the platform member; and

[0017] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the umbrella handle with a snow globe mounted thereon of an alternate embodiment of the present invention showing the three-dimensional caricature-type unit freely disposed and floating within the liquid media of the snow globe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT

Preferred Embodiment 10

[0018] The umbrella 10 having a handle section 30 and the component parts of the preferred embodiment of the present invention are represented in detail by FIGS. 1 through 3 of the patent drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the umbrella 10 includes a central shaft 20 having a first end 22 and a second end 24. The second end 24 is connected to an umbrella frame 26 having a main umbrella canopy 28 attached thereto. The main umbrella canopy 28 is movable between an open and closed configuration in a conventional manner. The central shaft 20 further includes the handle section 30 being adjacent to the first end 22 of central shaft 20. The central shaft 20 also includes upper and lower catch members 32u and 32l for maintaining the umbrella frame 26 in the opened configuration, as depicted in FIG. 1.

[0019] The handle section 30 includes a snow globe 34 being mounted on the first end 22 of the central shaft 20. The snow globe 34 may be permanently attached to the first end 22 of central shaft 20 by attachment means 35 in the form of gluing 35g, epoxy cement, laser welding and the like. Alternately, the snow globe 34 can be detachably mounted to the first end 22 of central shaft 20 by the use of a threaded collar 50 or similar structure. The snow globe 34 includes an exterior wall 36 and an interior chamber 38 thereon. The interior chamber 38 includes a platform member 40 for mounting a caricature-type three-dimensional unit 42 thereon. The platform member 40 is positioned at a lower end 44 of the interior chamber 38 of the snow globe 34. The interior chamber 38 is filled with a liquid media 46 for dispensing movable artificial snowflakes 48 therein. The movable artificial snowflakes 48 are used for simulating falling snow on the caricature-type unit 42 within the interior chamber 38 of the snow globe 34. The liquid media 46 is water, glycol or combinations thereof. The exterior wall 36 is made of shatter-resistant plastic or shatter-resistant glass.

[0020] The caricature-type three-dimensional unit 42 is in the form of a cartoon character, a humanoid-type body, a doll-like body, an animal-type body or an entertainer/celebrity-type body. Examples of caricature-type three-dimensional units 42 are as follows:

[0021] 1. Cartoon characters such as Peanuts™, Superman™, Spiderman™, the Hulk™ and the like;

[0022] 2. Humanoid-type bodies such as soldiers, cowboys, Indians, firemen, action figures and the like;

[0023] 3. Doll-like bodies such as Ken and Barbie™, Raggedy Ann and Andy and the like;

[0024] 4. Animal-type bodies such as a frog, a pig, a cow, a lamb, a monkey, a pony, a donkey, a duck, a hawk, a mouse, a lion cub, a puppy, a kitten, a purple dinosaur and other animals; and

[0025] 5. Entertainers/celebrity-type bodies such as Elvis, Madonna, Celine, Back Street Boys, Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson, and the like.

[0026] The caricature-type three-dimensional unit 42 is visible from the exterior of the snow globe 34.

[0027] In an alternate design, snow globe 34 further includes a collar member 50 for attaching to the first end 22 of handle section 30 of central shaft 20, as depicted in FIG. 2A of the drawings.

Alternate Embodiment 100

[0028] The umbrella 100 having a handle section 130 and the component parts of the alternate embodiment of the present invention are represented in detail by FIG. 4 of the patent drawings. Elements illustrated in FIG. 4 which correspond to the elements described above in the preferred embodiment 10 with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 have been designated by corresponding reference numbers increased by one hundred. The alternate embodiment 100 is constructed and operates in the same manner as the preferred embodiment 10, unless it is otherwise stated. All aspects of the alternate embodiment of the umbrella handle section 130 having the snow globe 134 mounted on its first end 122 of central shaft 120 are exactly the same as the preferred embodiment of the handle section 30 having the snow globe 34 mounted on its first end 22 of central shaft 20 except that in the alternate embodiment the caricature-type three-dimensional unit 42 is freely disposed in a floating manner F within the liquid filled media 146 of interior chamber 138 of snow globe 134. The snow globe 134 of this alternate embodiment does not include a platform member 40 as in the preferred embodiment.

[0029] In all other respects, the umbrella handle section 130 having the snow globe 134 mounted on the first end 122 of central shaft 120 is exactly the same as the preferred embodiment of the snow globe 34 except that the caricature-type three-dimensional unit 142 is floating freely F within the liquid 146 filled interior chamber 138 of snow globe 134, as depicted in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0030] Accordingly, an advantage of the present invention is that it provides for an umbrella handle with a snow globe mounted on its end for providing a decorative, ornamental and aesthetic appearance to the handle section of a conventional umbrella.

[0031] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for an umbrella handle with a snow globe mounted on its end, wherein the snow globe includes a caricature-type three-dimensional unit being disposed within a liquid-filled interior chamber also having movable snowflakes for simulating falling snow also being disposed within the liquid filled interior chamber of the snow globe.

[0032] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for an umbrella handle with a snow globe mounted on its end wherein the caricature-type three-dimensional unit is in the form of a cartoon character, a humanoid-type body, a doll-like body, an animal-type body or an entertainer/celebrity-type body.

[0033] Another advantage of the present inventor is that it provides for an umbrella handle with a snow globe mounted on its end wherein the snow globe is light-weight, easy to clean and is made from shatter-resistant plastic or glass.

[0034] Another further advantage of the present invention is that it provides for an umbrella handle with a snow globe mounted on its end that can be mass-produced in an automated and economical manner and is readily affordable by the user.

[0035] A latitude of modification, change, and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

Claims

1. An umbrella having a handle for opening and closing the umbrella, comprising:

a) an umbrella having a central shaft;

b) said central shaft including a first end and a second end;

c) said second end being connected to a main umbrella frame having an umbrella canopy which is movable between an open and closed configuration;

d) said central shaft including a handle section adjacent to said first end;

e) said handle section including a snow globe mounted on said first end of said central shaft;

f) said snow globe having an exterior wall and an interior chamber therein;

g) said snow globe having disposed in said interior chamber a caricature-type three-dimensional unit and movable artificial snowflakes for simulating falling snow within said interior chamber of said snow globe; and

h) said caricature-type three-dimensional unit being visible from the exterior of said snow globe.

2. An umbrella handle in accordance with claim 1 wherein said interior chamber of said snow globe further includes a platform member for mounting said caricature-type three-dimensional unit thereon.

3. An umbrella handle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said exterior wall is made of shatter-resistant plastic.

4. An umbrella handle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said exterior wall is made of shatter-resistant glass.

5. An umbrella handle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said interior chamber includes a liquid media for dispensing said artificial snowflakes therein.

6. An umbrella handle in accordance with claim 5, wherein said liquid media is water, glycol or combinations thereof.

7. An umbrella handle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said caricature-type three-dimensional unit is in the form of a cartoon character, a humanoid-type body, a doll-like body, an animal-type body or an entertainer/celebrity-type body.

8. An umbrella handle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said snow globe further includes a collar member for attaching to said handle section.

9. An umbrella handle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first end of said central shaft is permanently attached to an upper wall section of said snow globe.

10. An umbrella handle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first end of said central shaft is detachably mounted to an upper wall section of said snow globe.

11. An umbrella handle in accordance with claim 7, wherein said cartoon character of said caricature-type three-dimensional unit is selected from a group consisting of the Peanuts™ character, the Superman™ character, the Spiderman™ character and the Hulk™ character.

12. An umbrella handle in accordance with claim 7, wherein said humanoid-type body of said caricature-type three-dimensional unit is selected from a group consisting of soldiers, sailors, cowboys, Indians, firemen, policemen, action figures and other sport related figures.

13. An umbrella handle in accordance with claim 7, wherein said doll-like body of said caricature-type three-dimensional unit is selected from a group consisting of Ken and Barbie doll figurines, Raggedy Ann and Andy doll figurines and other dolls.

14. An umbrella handle in accordance with claim 7, wherein said animal-type body of said caricature-type three-dimensional three-dimensional unit is selected from a group consisting of a frog, a pig, a cow, a lamb, a monkey, a pony, a donkey, a duck, a hawk, a mouse, a lion cub, a bear cub, a puppy, a kitten, a purple dinosaur and other animals.

15. An umbrella handle in accordance with claim 7, wherein said entertainer/celebrity-type body of said caricature-type three-dimensional unit is selected from a group consisting of Elvis, Madonna, Celine, Back Street Boys, Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson and other actors/actresses.