Portable umbrella holder

Abstract

An umbrella holder is presented. The umbrella holder includes a container, at least one securing member and a flexible strap. The container is coupled to the securing member and to the flexible strap. The umbrella holder positions an umbrella such that the person can perform a variety of tasks.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a holder, and, more particularly, to an umbrella holder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An umbrella protects a person from inclement weather (e.g. rain, sleet, snow etc.). An individual may desire to perform one or more tasks while holding an umbrella. Satisfactorily performing the task may be difficult when at least one hand is holding the umbrella. It is therefore desirable to have a device that addresses this limitation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of an exemplary umbrella holder;

FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of an exemplary umbrella holder with an umbrella handle positioned therein;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an exemplary umbrella holder with an automatic umbrella positioner;

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of an automatic umbrella positioner;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary position detector; and

FIG. 4 depicts a flow diagram of a method to form an exemplary umbrella holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings to identify similar elements. As used herein, the term “module” or “controller” refers to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, or other suitable components that provide the described functionality.

The present invention is directed to a portable umbrella holder. The umbrella holder includes a container, at least one securing member, and a flexible strap. The container is coupled to the securing member and to the flexible strap. The umbrella holder securely positions an umbrella such that the person can freely perform a variety of tasks.

FIGS. 1A through 1C depict details of a portable umbrella holder 10. Umbrella holder 10 includes a cylindrically-shaped container 12, one or more securing members 16, and a flexible strap 20. Flexible strap 20 is connected to container 12 by inserting strap 20 through aperture 21 along container 12. Strap 20 can be temporarily secured around a person's torso through a latch (not shown). Container 12 includes a top end 70 (also referred to as a first end) configured to receive and securely hold a base 50 of an umbrella 52. Optionally, container 12 includes an inflexible inner container 14 to further securely hold base 50 of umbrella 52. At least one or more securing members 16A-D (e.g. screws, fasteners, etc.) are coupled to container 12. A substantially circular flat base 18 of securing members 16A-D, which extends through container 12 and inner container 14, is configured to directly contact base 50 of umbrella 52. For example, base 18 may comprise flexible material able to form some grasping characteristics to hold onto base 50 of umbrella 52. Base 50 of umbrella 52 optionally extends through an aperture 13 at a bottom end 72(also referred to as a second end) of container 12.

A person puts his or her arms through shoulder straps 22 and wraps flexible strap 20 around his or her torso. A latch (not shown) is temporarily closed in order to secure strap 20 to the person. The person inserts base 50 of umbrella 52 through container 12. Securing members 16A-D are secured (e.g. turn along threads of screws etc.) to base 18. If only one securing member 16A-D is used to hold base 50 in position, the securing member 16A-D pushes against a first side of base 50 until a second side of base 50 contacts either an inner wall of container 14 or a protruding member (not shown) extending from the inner wall of container 14. Securing members 16A-D directly contact and securely hold base 50 of umbrella 52. By securing base 50 in place, a person may perform a multitude of tasks without holding base 50 of umbrella 52 with his or her hands.

FIGS. 2A-2B depict umbrella holder 100 that includes an automatic umbrella positioner coupled to container 12 and temporarily coupled to base 50 of umbrella 52. Automatic umbrella positioner 200 includes a power source 205 (e.g. a battery), control module 210, a position detector 220, an umbrella 50, and an umbrella positioner 240. Power source 205 supplies power to control module 210 and to umbrella positioner 240. The person signals control module 210 via a push button (not shown) connected to container 12 to indicate a desirable position for umbrella 50. Position detector 220 (e.g. strain gages, gyrometer etc.) then determines whether umbrella 230 has significantly moved from its desired position. In one embodiment, a significant move is defined as umbrella 230 moving greater than 5 percent (%) along the X or Z axis from the original position. If a significant move has occurred, position detector 220 signals control module 210 indicating that umbrella 230 has significantly moved from its original position. Control module 210 signals umbrella positioner 240 to reposition umbrella 230. Umbrella positioner 240 (e.g. an actuator such as a stepper motor actuator etc.) repositions umbrella 50 back to its original position by moving at least one or more securing members 16A-D.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary position detector 220. Position detector 220 includes a strain gage 250, a power source 205, voltmeter 254, and resistors R1, R2, and R3. Strain gage 250, coupled to base 50 of umbrella 52, converts mechanical motion into an electronic signal. A change in resistance is proportional to the strain experienced by strain gage 250. If a wire is held under tension, it gets slightly longer and its cross-sectional area is reduced. Reducing the cross-sectional area of the wire changes its resistance in proportion to the strain sensitivity of the wire's resistance.

Typically, R2, the rheostat arm of the bridge is set at a resistance value equal to the strain gauge resistance with no force applied. R1 and R3, the two ratio arms, are set at a resistance value equal to each other. Therefore, with no force applied to strain gauge 250, the bridge is symmetrically balanced and voltmeter 254 indicates zero volts, representing zero force on strain gauge 250. As strain gauge 250 is either compressed or tensed, its resistance decreases or increases, respectively. When strain gage 250 is compressed or tensed, the bridge becomes unbalanced. Voltmeter 254 then produces a high or a low voltage signal to control module 210. In this embodiment, a high voltage signal indicates umbrella 50 should be repositioned along the Z-axis and a low voltage signal indicates umbrella 50 should be repositioned along the X-axis.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method of securely positioning and an umbrella. At block 300, at least one securing member is coupled to a container. The securing member is configured to directly contact a base of an umbrella. At block 310, a flexible strap is coupled to the container. At block 320, an automatic umbrella positioner is coupled to the umbrella and the container. At block 330, the automatic umbrella positioner repositions an umbrella when the base of the umbrella significantly moves from its position.

Skilled artisans understand that alternative embodiments may be implemented. For example, while position detector is depicted as a quarter bridge (i.e. single gage) in which the strain gage is connected into a Wheatstone bridge circuit, position detector may also include a combination of four active gages (i.e. full bridge), or two gages (i.e. half bridge). Additionally, the portable umbrella holder may be comprised of nonconductive material such as a polymer. Nonconductive material prevents current from passing through the portable umbrella holder during inclement weather that may produce lightning. In another embodiment, the conductive portable umbrella holder may be combined with a nonconductive umbrella. A nonconductive umbrella is comprised of radial arms for supporting a water-resistant cover material and a base that extends from the center at which the radial arms are joined. The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A portable umbrella holder comprising:

a container;

at least one securing member coupled to the container, the securing member configured to directly contact a base of an umbrella; and

a flexible strap coupled to the container and adapted to strap to a person's torso.

2. The umbrella holder of claim 1 wherein the container includes a first end and a second end, the first end includes a first aperture to receive a handle of the umbrella.

3. The umbrella holder of claim 2 wherein the second end includes a second aperture to receive the handle of the umbrella.

4. The umbrella holder of claim 3 wherein the at least one securing member being coupled to the handle of the umbrella.

5. The umbrella holder of claim 4 further comprising a second securing member coupled to the container and to the umbrella handle.

6. The umbrella holder of claim 3 wherein the container being inflexible.

7. A portable umbrella holder comprising:

a container;

at least one securing member coupled to the container;

a flexible strap coupled to the container;

a sensor coupled to the container and to the umbrella;

a control module coupled to the container; and

an actuator coupled to the control module and to the at least one securing member.

8. The portable umbrella holder of claim 7, wherein the sensor being one of a gyrometer and a strain gauge.

9. The portable umbrella holder of claim 7, wherein the sensor signals the control module a first position of the umbrella.

10. The portable umbrella holder of claim 7, wherein the sensor signals the control module a second position of the umbrella, the second position being substantially different from the first position.

11. The portable umbrella holder of claim 7, wherein substantially different being defined as greater than 5 percent (%) from one of an x-position and a Z-position.

12. The portable umbrella holder of claim 10, wherein the control module signals the actuator to adjust the securing member in order to place the umbrella into a second position.

13. A method of postioning an umbrella comprising:

coupling a container to a flexible strap;

coupling at least one securing member to the container;

coupling an automatic umbrella positioner to the container and a base of the umbrella;

repositioning an umbrella when the base of the umbrella significantly moves from its original position.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the automatic umbrella positioner includes a position detector.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the position detector is one of a strain gage and a gyroscope.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the automatic umbrella positioner detects a significant motion by the umbrella.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein significant motion being a move greater than 5% from an original position to a new position of the umbrella.

18. A portable umbrella holder comprising:

a container;

at least one securing member coupled to the container;

a flexible strap coupled to the container;

a sensor coupled to the container and to a nonconductive umbrella;

a control module coupled to the container; and

an actuator coupled to the control module and to the at least one securing member.