Umbrella Sling

Abstract

This invention provides a new and versatile hands-free device for securing an umbrella to a person's back. The umbrella is secured in a vertical pouch by way of a rod that passes upwards through the umbrella's handle. The circumference of the pouch holds the umbrella in a folded position, whereas the rod and a sleeve of narrower circumference secure the umbrella when the canopy is extended. The device positions the canopy around and about the user's head, thereby providing protection from precipitation.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related to climatic protective wear and equipment. More particularly, it provides a hands-free device for securing an umbrella protectively above a user in need thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Umbrellas and similar equipment for shielding individuals during inclement weather are in frequent use throughout Canada and elsewhere. However, to use an umbrella when walking, the user needs to hold the umbrella by way of its handle, leaving at most one hand free for other activities. This can be a problem when carrying large items or a plurality of packages requiring both hands.

Previous umbrella holding slings, support brackets, straps, bags, and other support devices are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,025,819; 5,188,331; 5,660,309; 5,692,582; 6,024,464; 6,053,385 and 6,619,520. However, none of the prior art devices provide the security and adaptability of the invention described here.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In drawings which illustrate by way of example only a preferred embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 shows the umbrella securing device with the pouch open and the umbrella detached.

FIG. 2 shows the umbrella securing device with the harness extended and an umbrella zippered into the pouch with the handle upward.

FIG. 3 shows the umbrella securing device with the harness on a user and the umbrella deployed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a new and versatile hands-free device 1 for securing an umbrella 5 to a person's back. The umbrella 5 is secured in a vertical pouch 10 by way of a rod 15 that passes upwards through the umbrella's handle 20. The circumference of the pouch 10 holds the umbrella in a folded position, whereas the rod 15 and an inner sleeve 25 of narrower circumference secure the umbrella 5 when the canopy is extended. The device positions the canopy around and about the user's head, thereby providing protection from the ravages of precipitation.

Referring to the drawings, the device 1 typically has the following components:

• • a. a back plate 30;
  • b. a harness 35 for securing the back plate 30 to a person's back;
  • c. a vertically oriented pouch 10 attached to the back plate; and
  • d. a rigid vertically positioned member 15 in the pouch for securing an umbrella.

The back plate 30 is typically rectangular in shape, or otherwise shaped to conform comfortably to the user's back. It is generally made of a semi-rigid material, such as a foam or bendable plastic, covered with synthetic weather-resistant material, such as polyester or nylon. The back plate 30 may have an internal frame (although this is not usually required), and may have padding to enhance the comfort of the user.

The harness 35 can be any shape and structure that holds the device securely to the user in a comfortable manner. Typically, the harness has two adjustable loops that are attached at one end at or near the top of the back plate, and at the other end at or near the bottom of the back plate. One loop is configured to pass over the person's shoulder and under their left arm, and the other lop is configured to pass over the person's shoulder and under their right arm. Each loop of the harness may be padded where it passes over the person's shoulder. To be adaptable to users of different size, the harness or loop size is typically adjustable, for example, by way of a plastic tri-glide buckle. Optionally, the harness may contain other straps and attachments: for example, an unbuckleable strap that secures one loop to the other across the wearer's front torso.

The vertically oriented pouch 10 is essentially cylindrical, with a closeable zipper running vertically from the top of the pouch to the bottom. When zippered closed, the pouch has an inside circumference that approximates the circumference of a closed umbrella 5. The zipper typically runs from the bottom to the top of the pouch, and leaves an opening at the top through which the umbrella may extend and protect the user. As for the rest of the pliable portions of the device, the pouch may be made of polyester, nylon, or other hearty and weather-resistant synthetic fabric.

The rigid member 15 directly secures the umbrella to the device in an upright position by conforming tightly to a handle 20 of an umbrella 5. The canopy of the umbrella when secured extends upwards around and about the user's head. Various configurations of securing means are usable for this purpose. For example, the rigid member may be a tube or series of clamps that grasp the handle from the outside. Alternatively, the rigid member is a cylindrically shaped rod or tube extending from the bottom of the pouch and adapted to pass up the handle of an umbrella that has a straight and hollow handle. In the working example of this invention shown in the figures, the rigid member is a cylindrically shaped doweling 5 extending at least 8 inches from the bottom of the pouch. The doweling may be made, for example, of wood, rigid plastic, aluminum, or carbon fiber.

The working example in the figures also has an essentially cylindrical sleeve 25 positioned vertically in the pouch. The sleeve 25 has an inside diameter that approximates the outside diameter of an umbrella's handle 20, and is open at the top and bottom end. The sleeve is positioned to receive the handle such that the handle can be secured onto the rigid vertically positioned member.

FIG. 1 shows the umbrella securing device 1 of this invention with the pouch 10 open and the umbrella 5 detached. The securing rod 15 can be seen in the middle, attached to the bottom of the pouch, and running upwards. It is generally free to accept the handle of the umbrella, but may be secured part way up by way of one or more strap loops, as shown. The cylindrical sleeve 25 is positioned above the securing rod 15.

FIG. 2 shows the device 1 with the harness 35 extended to go over the shoulders of the user and an umbrella 5 is zippered into the pouch 10 with the handle 20 positioned upwards. In this example, the pouch is adapted with a small opening in the bottom, allowing the finial 21 of the umbrella to extend downwards from the opening. Note that the cylindrical pouch comfortably encircles the umbrella in the closed position, including the ribs, the canopy, the hub and runner, and the pole to which the ribs are attached.

FIG. 3 shows the umbrella securing device of this invention with the harness 35 in position on a user and the umbrella 5 deployed.

To carry the umbrella 5 in an open position, the user passes the handle 20 of the umbrella 5 through the sleeve 25, and down over the securing rod 15 (passing through the hollow interior of the umbrella's handle) to near the bottom of the pouch. The zipper is then closed. The securing rod 15 and the sleeve 25 keep the umbrella 5 in position so as to provide ample visibility, but also protecting the user from precipitation or excess sun.

The umbrella securing device 1 of this invention may be designed for carrying only an umbrella, as shown in the figures. Alternatively, there may be additional pouches for securing small items, or the entire device may be built into a back pack mutatis mutandis, which can be used for carrying other items as well.

The vendor may wish to sell the umbrella holding device of this invention along with an umbrella specifically fitted to the securing rod and sleeve of the device, to save the purchaser from searching for a suitable umbrella from another merchant. The manufacturer or vendor may also adapt the device to carry vertical objects that are not umbrellas, as long as they can be configured to the rigid securing means in a similar fashion.

Various embodiments of the present invention having been thus described in detail by way of example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the invention. The invention includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hands-free device for securing to a person's back an umbrella having a handle, a pole, and a closeable canopy, the device comprising:

a) a back plate;

b) a harness for securing the back plate to the person's back;

c) a vertically oriented essentially cylindrical pouch attached to the back plate, comprising a closeable zipper running vertically from the top of the pouch to a position near the bottom of the pouch;

d) a rigid vertically positioned member in the pouch for securing an umbrella; wherein the pouch has an inside circumference when closed that approximates the circumference of the umbrella when closed;

wherein the rigid member is adapted to conform tightly to a handle of an umbrella, thereby securing the umbrella in a vertical upright position when the pouch is closed such that the canopy extends around and about the person's head.

2. The umbrella securing device of claim 1, wherein the rigid member is a cylindrically shaped rod or tube extending from the bottom of the pouch and adapted to pass up the handle of an umbrella that has a straight and hollow handle.

3. The umbrella securing device of claim 1 wherein the rigid member is a cylindrically shaped wooden doweling extending at least 8 inches from the bottom of the pouch.

4. The umbrella securing device of claim 1, wherein the harness consists essentially of two adjustable loops that are attached at one end at or near the top of the back plate, and at the other end at or near the bottom of the back plate, wherein one loop is configured to pass over the person's shoulder and under their left arm, and the other loop is configured to pass over the person's shoulder and under their right arm.

5. The umbrella securing device of claim 4, wherein each loop of the harness is padded where it passes over the person's shoulder, and is adjustable in loop size by way of a plastic tri-glide buckle.

6. The umbrella securing device of claim 1, further comprising an essentially cylindrical sleeve positioned vertically in the pouch, wherein the sleeve has an inside diameter that approximates the outside diameter of an umbrella's handle, wherein the sleeve is open at the top and bottom ends, and wherein the sleeve is positioned to receive the handle such that the handle can be secured onto the rigid vertically positioned member.

7. The umbrella securing device of claim 6, wherein the essentially cylindrical sleeve is positioned above the top of the wooden doweling of claim 3.

8. The umbrella securing device of claim 1, designed for carrying only an umbrella.

9. The umbrella securing device of claim 1, built into a back pack designed for carrying other items as well.

10. A commercial product comprising an umbrella with an essentially straight handle, and the umbrella securing device of claim 1 fitted to secure said umbrella within its pouch.

11. A method for a user to carry an umbrella, comprising securing it in the device of claim 1, and fixing the device to the user's back by way of the harness.

12. A method of protecting a user from precipitation or other particulate matter having an essentially downwards trajectory, comprising carrying an umbrella in an umbrella securing device according to claim 11, such that the canopy of the umbrella extends around and about the user's head.