Personal Protective Covering Device
According to an aspect, the present embodiments may be associated with a protective covering configured to slip over and at least partially cover an umbrella to provide a user with full body protection against weather elements, while providing for the admittance of light and air therethrough. The protective covering may include a covering member for positioning over and/or connecting to the umbrella and a protective member extending from the covering member. According to another aspect, a protective device may include the umbrella having a canopy and a shaft, as well as a protective member extending from a peripheral edge of the canopy. The shaft may include a telescopic stem configured for extension to a support structure and to support the protective device when configured in its extended position.
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This application claims priority to PCT/US2016/028,777 filed Apr. 22, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/151,699 filed Apr. 23, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/307,607 filed Mar. 2, 2016, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELDA device and a method for providing protection against weather elements is generally described. More specifically, a portable protective device for providing a user with full body protection against weather elements is described.
BACKGROUNDKnown techniques and devices for providing protection against weather elements, such as rain, snow, hail and sleet, include conventional umbrellas and wearable rain protection garments, such as, raincoats. Conventional umbrellas generally include a pole, ribs/spines radially connected to the top portion of the pole, and a canopy attached to the ribs. The pole is often configured to be strong enough to withstand the weight of the ribs and the canopy. Although conventional umbrellas may provide some protection from weather elements, they may only provide protection from straight-falling rain and/or snow and the protection may only be for the top third of a user's body. This often means that a large portion of the user's body and/or items being transported by the user such as, for example, a baby, as for instance a baby being carried in a harness, and/or packages, shopping bags, purses, backpacks, and other valuable items, may remain exposed and/or vulnerable to weather elements and may be exposed to splashing of rain, sleet and/or snow caused by moving vehicles. Moreover, conventional umbrellas may fail to protect users from heavy rain, snow or hail or sleet, particularly when coupled with wind and rain being driven sideways by the wind. In these situations, wind coupled with snow, hail and/or sleet may result in the user's lower body becoming wet. This often results with the user having to walk, stand, or sit with uncomfortably moist or wet clothes, which is at least uncomfortable. In addition, because the underside of the canopies of umbrellas have increased surface areas, in windy conditions, the wind may create a force that pulls and/or lifts the canopy away from the user and in the direction of the wind, which may result in the user having to struggle to maintain control of the umbrella. This may cause a large portion of the user's body, including the top portion and/or items being transported by the user, to become wet.
To help alleviate some of the issues often experienced with umbrellas, raincoats are often used. Conventional raincoats are usually provided in generic sizes, such as small, medium, large and extra-large, and are wearable over the user's clothing. One downfall of conventional raincoats is that they may be usable only for a limited time, at least in part because the user's size may change from, for example, a small to a medium. In other words, the protection that a raincoat may provide may only last for so long as the user is the same size. Raincoats may need to be replaced if they no longer fit the user. In addition, conventional raincoats may fail to provide adequate protection for the user, particularly if the user is transporting items that they cannot fit on their person, such as, for example, shopping bags, purses, paper materials, food, and/or drinks. Moreover, because raincoats may serve to provide protection from a user getting wet, they may often be made of heavy and waterproof materials that limit the exchange of air between the outside and inside of the raincoat. This may result in the user becoming hot and/or causing the user to perspire.
The aforementioned techniques and devices for providing protection may not provide full body protection against weather elements, may fail to provide adequate ventilation while in use, and may not provide a customized fit for an individual user.
In view of the disadvantages associated with currently available methods and devices for protection against weather elements, there is a need for a device and method that provides full body protection against the weather elements, protecting a user's clothing and anything being carried by the user so that they will remain clean, safe and/or dry, while also providing a customizable fit for an individual user. Further, there is a need for a protection device that provides all-around water resistance and ventilation for the individual user, while also being versatile enough to be retrofit to standard umbrellas of all shapes and/or sizes. In addition, there is a need for a protective device that is easily stored and/or transportable, without requiring assembly of multiple components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONAccording to an aspect, the present embodiments may be associated with a protective covering configured to slip over and at least partially cover an umbrella to provide a user with full body protection against weather elements. The protective covering may include a covering member for positioning over and/or connecting to the umbrella and a protective member extending from the covering member. According to an aspect, the protective member is substantially see-through and is composed of an impervious waterproof material.
According to an aspect, the present embodiments may be associated with a protection device configured for providing a user with full body protection against weather elements. The protective device may include an umbrella having a canopy and a shaft, as well as a protective member extending from a peripheral edge of the canopy. The shaft may include a telescopic stem configured for extension to a support structure and to support the protective device when configured in its extended position.
A more particular description will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments thereof and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, exemplary embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
Various features, aspects, and advantages of the embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description, along with the accompanying figures in which like numerals represent like components throughout the figures and text. The various described features are not necessarily drawn to scale, but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevant to some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONReference will now be made in detail to various embodiments. Each example is provided by way of explanation, and is not meant as a limitation and does not constitute a definition of all possible embodiments.
Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to devices and methods for providing full-body protection against weather elements. Such devices provide particular utility in providing a full-body protection against weather elements, such as, rain, snow, sleet, hail, wind, sun, etc. According to an aspect, the devices contemplated can be a protective covering that can be retro-fitted to a standard umbrella and provide a user with full-body protection from weather elements. In such an embodiment, the protective covering may include a covering member configured for positioning over an umbrella and a protective member extending from the covering member, and typically extending a sufficient length to cover at least a portion of the body of the user. In an embodiment, the canopy opens like a conventional umbrella and the protective member may be lowered to provide protection to the user. At least a portion of the protective member is substantially see-through and is composed of an impervious waterproof material. The protective covering may be configured to slip over and at least partially cover the umbrella.
Further, embodiments contemplated relate to a protective device configured for providing a user with full body protection against weather elements. The protective device includes an umbrella, such as a collapsible, foldable umbrella, having a canopy and a shaft extending substantially from a center of the canopy. The shaft may include a telescopic stem configured for extension to a support structure and to support the protective device when configured in its extended position. Thus, the protective device is capable of providing full body protection against weather elements and stand freely, such that the user does not have to manually hold the protective device. The protective device may include a protective member extending from a peripheral edge of the canopy. According to an aspect, at least a portion of the protective member is substantially see-through and is composed of an impervious waterproof material.
Embodiments contemplated further include a portable protective device that is configured for providing a seated user with full body protection against weather elements. The portable protective device may include a collapsible chair, an umbrella attachable to a collapsible chair and a protective member attached to the umbrella.
For purposes of illustrating features of the embodiments, a simple example will now be introduced and referenced throughout the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that this example is illustrative and not limiting and is provided purely for explanatory purposes.
In an embodiment and with particular reference to
In an embodiment, the covering member 20 includes one or more attachment members 22 configured to at least temporarily couple the covering member 20 to the umbrella 50. The attachment members 22 may extend from an interior surface of the covering member 20 and may be positioned at one or more positions to attach to the umbrella 50. As illustrated in
According to an aspect, the covering member 20 is capable of being positioned over the canopy 51 of the umbrella 50. The covering member 20 may be of any shape, including, but not limited to circular, rectangular, octagonal and square. In some configurations, the covering member 20 is adjustable to a shape of the canopy 51 by virtue of being coupled to, for example, the spines 57 of the umbrella. In some embodiment, the covering member 20 is sized to fit canopies 51 of standard umbrella 50 sizes, such as, for example, small, medium, large and extra-large. The covering member 20 may include at least one of canvas or plastic sheeting or film, including but not limited to nylon, polyester, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (high or low density), polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), vinyl, acrylic and the like, including transparent, semi-transparent and/or non-transparent materials made thereof. The covering member 20 may include a waterproof material that is substantially the same as the material of the canopy 51 of the umbrella 50.
In each of the embodiments illustrated in
In some embodiments, at least a portion of the protective member 30 includes a one-way visibility material configured for providing the user with a line of sight extending outwardly therethrough but not extending internally therethrough. The one-way visibility material may present one of an opaque surface or graphic image to persons positioned outside the protective member 30, thereby providing enhanced privacy for the user without compromising the user's line or sight through the protective member 30. According to an aspect, the protective material includes a tinted material that provides protection against UV rays and/or provides enhanced privacy for the user. According to an aspect, at least a portion of the protective member 30 includes an anti-fog coating configured to prevent condensation on the protective member 30. Such anti-fog coating may minimize the surface tension of the protective member 30 in a manner that does not allow beads of liquids, such as water, to form on the protective member 30. The anti-fog coating may be a surfactant film or a solution that is wiped on and subsequently wiped off the protective member 30. In an embodiment, at least a portion of the protective member 30 is anti-reflective. The protective member 30 may further include a reflective material and/or reflective portion and/or have a reflective coating thereon. This may help facilitate safe wearability at night, such that the user using the device 10 and/or protective device 100 would be easily spotted and/or identified in the dark.
The protective member 30, as illustrated, includes a body 34. As illustrated in
As illustrated in
According to an aspect and as illustrated in
According to an aspect, the protective member 30 includes a continuous sheet having a first sheet edge 36a and a second sheet edge 36b, the first and second sheet edges 36a, 36b extend between the first end 31 and the second end 32 and form the access port 33 for the user's entry into and exit from the protective member 30. In an embodiment, the first sheet edge 36a is provided with a closure member 37a and the second sheet edge 36b is provided with an opposing closure member 37b. While
According to an aspect, the protective member 30 is strong and/or sturdy and is capable of withstanding the weather elements by virtue of the material used to make the protective member 30 and/or the second end 32 of the protective member 30. In an embodiment and as illustrated in
The protective member 30 may include a window 40 having a first edge 41 and a second edge 42. According to an aspect, the first edge 41 is affixed to the protective member 30. The first edge 41 may be affixed to or may extend from the protective member 30. In an embodiment and as illustrated in
According to an aspect and as illustrated in
Now referring particularly to
In an embodiment and as illustrated in
The canopy 51 of the umbrella 50 may be supported by a plurality of spines 57 extending from the center of the canopy 51 and configured for supporting the canopy 51. According to an aspect, the spines 57 are fixed to the canopy 51 and facilitate opening and closing of the canopy 51. The spines 57 may be configured to facilitate collapsing and/or folding the umbrella 50 into a closed position. In an embodiment, the canopy 51 of the umbrella 50 includes a storage member 58 coupled to a lower surface 59 of the umbrella 50. The storage member 58 may be secured to the lower surface 59 of the umbrella by any securing means configured to hold the storage member 58 in place and withstand the weight of items placed in the storage member 58, such as being sewn to the underside of the canopy 51. As shown herein, the storage member 58 is attached along three of its sides to the canopy 51, thereby creating a pocket with an open end.
In an embodiment, the protective member 30 extends from and/or is attached to a peripheral edge 54 of the canopy 51, such that precipitation, for example, rain/water, falling off or over the edge of the canopy 51 will fall outside the protective member 30. According to an aspect, the protective member 30 extends from and/or is attached at a position underneath the canopy 51. As illustrated in
According to an aspect and as illustrated in
According to an aspect and as shown in
Now turning to
Now referring to
As illustrated in
According to an aspect, a carrying member (not shown) is provided for ease of transport of the protective covering 10, the protective device 100, the portable protective device 200 and/or any components thereof. The carrying member may be configured for receiving and/or storing at least one of the umbrella 50, the protective member 30 and/or the collapsible chair 90. In an embodiment, the carrying member is configured for receiving and/or storing the umbrella 50, the protective member 30 and the collapsible chair 90, such that the user does not have to carry each separately. The carrying member may include cloth, canvas, plastic and/or any other sturdy material. According to an aspect, the carrying member includes a waterproof and foldable material.
The components of the apparatus illustrated are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on or in conjunction with other embodiments to yield yet a further embodiment. It is intended that the apparatus include such modifications and variations. Further, steps described in the method may be utilized independently and separately from other steps described herein.
While the apparatus and method have been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope contemplated. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings found herein without departing from the essential scope thereof.
In this specification and the claims that follow, reference will be made to a number of terms that have the following meanings. The singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “an embodiment” and the like are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term such as “about” is not to be limited to the precise value specified. In some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Terms such as “first,” “second,” “upper,” “lower” etc. are used to identify one element from another, and unless otherwise specified are not meant to refer to a particular order or number of elements.
As used herein, the terms “may” and “may be” indicate a possibility of an occurrence within a set of circumstances; a possession of a specified property, characteristic or function; and/or qualify another verb by expressing one or more of an ability, capability, or possibility associated with the qualified verb. Accordingly, usage of “may” and “may be” indicates that a modified term is apparently appropriate, capable, or suitable for an indicated capacity, function, or usage, while taking into account that in some circumstances the modified term may sometimes not be appropriate, capable, or suitable. For example, in some circumstances an event or capacity can be expected, while in other circumstances the event or capacity cannot occur—this distinction is captured by the terms “may” and “may be.”
As used in the claims, the word “comprises” and its grammatical variants logically also subtend and include phrases of varying and differing extent such as for example, but not limited thereto, “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of.” Where necessary, ranges have been supplied, and those ranges are inclusive of all sub-ranges therebetween. It is to be expected that variations in these ranges will suggest themselves to a practitioner having ordinary skill in the art and, where not already dedicated to the public, the appended claims should cover those variations.
Advances in science and technology may make equivalents and substitutions possible that are not now contemplated by reason of the imprecision of language; these variations should be covered by the appended claims. This written description uses examples to disclose the method, machine and computer-readable medium, including the best mode, and also to enable any person of ordinary skill in the art to practice these, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope thereof is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
Claims
1.-7. (canceled)
8. A protective device configured for providing a user with full body protection, the protective device comprising:
- an umbrella having a canopy and a shaft extending from a center of the canopy, the shaft including a telescopic stem configured for extension to a support structure and to support the protective device when configured in its extended position; and
- a protective member extending from a peripheral edge of the canopy, the protective member comprising a first end, a second end and an access port extending substantially between the first end and the second end,
- wherein at least a portion of the protective member is substantially see-through and is composed of an impervious waterproof material.
9. The protective device of claim 8, wherein the protective member comprises a hand-access port having a flap pivotably affixed to and extending downwardly from the body of the protective member, wherein the flap is configured to be move along a direction defined by P3 to P4.
10. The protective device of claim 9, wherein the flap comprises a closure mechanism configured to close and seal the hand-access port.
11. The protective device of claim 8, wherein the protective member comprises a window having a first edge and a second edge, the first edge being affixed to or extending from the protective member, the second edge being configured to be moveable from a closed position to an open position, and the window being configured to provide a substantially waterproof seal when positioned in the closed position and configured for at least one of observation and admittance of light and air therethrough.
12. The protective device of claim 8, wherein the protective member comprises one or more airflow conduits comprising at least one of a mesh-like material, an opening formed at the first end, and a gap formed between the peripheral edge of the canopy and the first end of the protective member.
13. The protective device of claim 8, wherein the canopy of the umbrella comprises an upper canopy portion and a lower canopy portion, the lower canopy portion being configured to extend at least to a shoulder of the user when the protective device is in a substantially upright and open position.
14. The protective device of claim 8, wherein the canopy of the umbrella comprises a canopy window having a first border and a second border, the second border being configured to be moveable from a closed border position to an open border position, and the canopy window being configured for at least one of observation and admittance of light and air therethrough.
15. The protective device of claim 8, wherein the telescopic stem is connectable to a support mechanism configured to support the protective device, such that the user does not have to hold the shaft and the user does not have to hold the telescopic stem to maintain the protective device in a substantially upright and open position.
16. The protective covering of claim 15, wherein the support mechanism comprises multiple legs and is configured to be removably connected to the telescopic stem.
17. The protective device of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the protective member comprises at least one of a one-way visibility material configured for providing the user with a line of sight extending outwardly therethrough but not extending internally therethrough and an anti-fog coating configured to prevent condensation on the protective member.
18. A portable protective device configured for providing a seated user with full body protection, the portable protective device comprising:
- a canopy; and
- a shaft extending from the canopy, wherein the shaft is coupled to a chair attachment member and is configured to support the canopy; and
- a protective member extending from the canopy, the protective member comprising a first end, a second end and an access port extending substantially between the first end and the second end,
- wherein at least a portion of the protective member is substantially see-through.
19. The portable protective device of claim 18, further comprising a collapsible chair having a frame and a supporting fabric, wherein the frame is configured to receive the chair attachment member thereon.
20. The portable protective device of claim 18, wherein the shaft comprises a telescopic stem configured for extension to the frame of the collapsible chair.
21. The portable protective device of claim 18, wherein the protective member comprises a mesh material.
22. The portable protective device of claim 18, wherein the protective member comprises an impervious waterproof material.
23. The portable protective device of claim 18, wherein the canopy has one of a circular, rectangular, octagonal and square shape.
24. The portable protective device of claim 18, further comprising one or more anchoring members coupled to the second end of the protective member.
25. The portable protective device of claim 18, wherein the protective member extends from the periphery of the canopy.
26. The portable protective device of claim 18, wherein the protective member comprises:
- a continuous sheeting comprising a first sheet edge and a second sheet edge, wherein the first sheet edge and the second sheet edge forms the access port.
27. The portable protective device of claim 19, wherein:
- the first sheet edge comprises a first closure member; and
- the second sheet edge comprises an opposing closure member,
- wherein the first closure member and the opposing closure member are alignable and engageable to close the access port and releasable to open the access port.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 22, 2016
Publication Date: May 24, 2018
Applicant: (Stonington, CT)
Inventors: Mark Ferrara (Stonington, CT), Carolyn Ferrara (Stonington, CT)
Application Number: 15/568,382