Hands-Free Umbrella Holder

Abstract

An umbrella holder apparatus has a first body panel having a vertically oriented mounting tube attached centrally for an umbrella handle, a second body panel hinged by a lateral edge to the first body panel, a third body panel hinged to the first body panel, a first waist strap attached at a first end to the second body panel and at a second end to a first portion of a snap-in buckle, and a second waist strap attached at a first end to the third body panel and at a second end to a second portion of the snap-in buckle. The holder is characterized in that a user is enabled to wear the umbrella holder apparatus around the user's torso, fastening the snap-in buckle on the waist straps, to place an umbrella by a handle in the mounting tube, protecting the user from precipitation while leaving the hands free.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the technical field of apparatus for protecting persons from sun and rain and pertains particularly to an umbrella holder that leaves a user's hands free to perform variable tasks.

2. Description of Related Art

The existence and use of umbrellas for protection from both sun and precipitation is well known in the art. There have also been do-it-yourself and commercially available umbrella holders, but the available holders in the current art leave room for considerable improvement. To the knowledge of the inventor there exists no heavy-duty body-mounted umbrella holder that allows the user complete freedom of the hands and arms.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the invention an umbrella holder apparatus is provided comprising a curved, molded first body panel having a first and a second lateral edge and a vertically oriented mounting tube attached centrally, the mounting tube having a retainer mechanism for holding a handle of an umbrella, a curved, molded second body panel hinged by a third lateral edge to the first lateral edge of the first body panel, a curved, molded third body panel hinged by a fourth lateral edge to the second lateral edge of the first body panel, a first waist strap attached at a first end to a fifth lateral edge opposite the third lateral edge of the second body panel and at a second end to a first portion of a snap-in buckle, and a second waist strap attached at a first end to a sixth lateral edge opposite the fourth lateral edge of the third body panel and at a second end to a second portion of a snap-in buckle, configured to engage the first portion of the snap-in buckle. The umbrella holder is characterized in that a user is enabled to wear the umbrella holder apparatus around the user's torso, fastening the snap-in buckle on the waist straps, to place an umbrella by a handle in the mounting tube, protecting the user from precipitation while leaving the hands free.

In one embodiment the umbrella holder apparatus further comprises an adjustment buckle engaged with one of the waist straps, enabling the user to adjust the overall length of the waist straps. Also in one embodiment the umbrella holder apparatus further comprises a hook strap having a first end anchored at a point along an upper edge of the second body panel and an open hook attached at a second end of the hook strap, enabling the user with the umbrella holder, with the waist straps joined, to place the hook strap over the user's shoulder and to engage the hook to the handle of the umbrella held in the mounting tube, holding the umbrella to the user's back. Also, in one embodiment the umbrella holder apparatus further comprises a first portion of a snap-in buckle attached to the hook strap at about a mid-point and a joining strap having a first end anchored at a point on the second waist strap proximate the third body panel, and a second end having a second portion of the snap-in buckle at a second end, enabling the user, with the waist straps joined and the hook strap engaged to the umbrella handle, to engage the joining strap across the user's torso, completing a triangulated strap arrangement. And in one embodiment the umbrella holder apparatus further comprises one or more adjustment buckles engaged with the hook strap and the joining strap enabling the user to adjust the overall length of the hook strap and the joining strap.

In one embodiment the umbrella holder apparatus further comprises rubberlike cushioning material implemented along edges of the body panels. Also, in one embodiment the umbrella holder apparatus further comprises cushioning fabric implemented on the inside area of the body panels. Also, in one embodiment the mounting tube is fastened to a rectangular plate that is in turn mounted to an outside area of the first body panel by conventional fasteners. In one embodiment the umbrella holder apparatus further comprises a first attachment unit having a plate with two parallel raised female linear structures, each having an internal channel, the plate mounted to the outside area of the first body panel with the parallel raised linear structures substantially horizontal, and a second attachment unit having a plate with two parallel raised male linear structures of a shape compatible to engage the two parallel raised female linear structures by skidding the male structures into the female structures, the second attachment unit joined to a side of the plate holding the mounting tube opposite the mounting tube, wherein the plate with the mounting tube is joined to the first body panel by engaging the male linear structures with the female linear structures.

In one embodiment the umbrella holder apparatus has two first attachment units, one above the other, joined to the outside area of the first attachment unit, and two second attachment units joined one above the other to the plate with the mounting tube opposite the mounting tube. Also, in one embodiment the umbrella holder apparatus has a first attachment unit having a plate with two parallel raised female linear structures, each having an internal channel, the plate mounted to the outside area of the second body panel with the parallel raised linear structures substantially horizontal, and a second attachment unit having a plate with two parallel raised male linear structures of a shape compatible to engage the two parallel raised female linear structures by skidding the male structures into the female structures, the second attachment unit joined to a side of a plate having holding apparatus mounted to carry a tool or loose material, wherein the plate with the apparatus is joined to the second body panel by engaging the male linear structures with the female linear structures. And in one embodiment the umbrella holder apparatus has a first attachment unit having a plate with two parallel raised female linear structures, each having an internal channel, the plate mounted to the outside area of the third body panel with the parallel raised linear structures substantially horizontal, and a second attachment unit having a plate with two parallel raised male linear structures of a shape compatible to engage the two parallel raised female linear structures by skidding the male structures into the female structures, the second attachment unit joined to a side of a plate having holding apparatus mounted to carry a tool or loose material wherein the plate with the holding apparatus is joined to the third body panel by engaging the male linear structures with the female linear structures.

In another aspect of the invention a twin rail attachment system is provided comprising a first plate with two parallel raised female linear structures, each having an internal channel parallel with a surface of the plate, and a second plate with two parallel raised male linear rail structures, each raised male linear structure compatible in shape to engage the internal channels of the female linear structures, wherein the male linear rail structures are enabled to be fully engaged linearly with the channels of the female linear structures, joining the first and the second plates side by side. And in one embodiment the twin rail attachment system further comprises a latching mechanism by which the male and the female linear structures are retained once fully engaged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a body-mounting umbrella holder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the umbrella holder of FIG. 1 with an umbrella engaged.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the umbrella holder of FIG. 1 from a different viewpoint in an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a process in an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows an attachment unit with twin channels in an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates the unit of FIG. 5 from a different viewpoint.

FIG. 7 shows an attachment unit with rails in an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 shows the unit of FIG. 7 from a different viewpoint.

FIG. 9 shows a channel unit and a rail unit in positions to be engaged.

FIG. 10 shows the channel unit and the rail unit of FIG. 9 fully engaged in an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates the three hinged body panels with attachment plates fastened to each of the body panels in an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a mounting tube joined to a plate which has two TwinRail attachment units joined thereto in an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates the assembly of FIG. 12 joined to the back body plate to mount the tube.

FIG. 14A sis a back view of mounting plate with a single TwinRail unit.

FIG. 14B shows the assembly of FIG. 14A from the opposite side.

FIG. 15 shows the umbrella holder assembly with a mounting plate with a bar joined to a female attachment unit on body plate 101.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a body-mounting umbrella holder 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The umbrella holder 100 in this embodiment comprises a set of three curved, molded plastic body panels 101, 102 and 103 that are joined by hinges that are not seen in FIG. 1 but are evident by sets of fasteners 106 by which the hinges are attached to the body panels. Panel 102 is a back panel to which panel 101 is hinged on one side and panel 103 is hinged on the opposite side. A mounting tube 104 is mounted to back panel 102 by a plate 105 using fasteners 106 and is a holder for a handle for an umbrella. The umbrella is not shown in FIG. 1.

A skilled person will understand that there may be more or fewer hinges and that the hinges may be connected to the body panels other than by conventional fasteners.

A waist strap 112a is joined to body panel 101 and a second waist strap 112b is joined to body panel 103 such that the set of hinged body panels may be secured to a user's torso with the waist straps circling the torso and joined by a buckle 113. Both waist straps may be adjustable with adjustment buckles to provide for users of differing girth. The waist strap arrangement may be done in different ways, and the straps shown are one example.

In use for holding the umbrella, body panel 102 would be located at the user's back with the handle of the umbrella in the mounting tube, with panels 101 and 103 to each side of the user. Lateral holes through tube 104 near the bottom end of the tube provide for a pin 108a with a pull ring 109a to serve as a stop for the handle of the umbrella. A second lateral hole with a pin 108b and pull ring 109b enables the user to restrain the umbrella from lifting out of the mounting tube. Mounting holes 107 spaced along mounting tube 104 allow for umbrellas having different lengths of handles.

The body panels in this example have rubber edgings 110 and rubber-like bumpers 111 to provide comfort for the user. Further, in some embodiments there may be additional adjustable straps and buckles for holding the apparatus to a user's torso.

FIG. 2 shows the umbrella holder 100 with an umbrella 200 engaged in mounting tube 104. The skilled person will recognize that the canopy of umbrella 200 may be larger than shown in FIG. 2, as the available drawing space restricts the size that may be illustrated.

In different embodiments of the invention body panels 101, 102 and 103 may be of different size and thickness, and of somewhat different curvature, to match torso variations among users. For example, a model may be implemented for mall bodied persons, another for medium bodied persons and a third for larger bodied persons. There may well be different ways of providing cushioning effect between the panels and the user's body, other than the rubber-like elements 110 and 111 shown and described above. Panels may be molded in polymers of different colors as well. Further, tube 104 may differ among different models, to accommodate a range of different sorts of umbrellas.

In embodiments of the invention a strap and buckle system may be employed to firmly engage the umbrella holder to a user's torso, and to enable a firm and comfortable fit. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an umbrella holder according to an embodiment of the invention viewed from a viewpoint opposite the viewpoint of FIG. 1, illustrating in addition an arrangement of straps and buckles, which is different than the arrangement shown in FIG. 1. In the example of FIG. 3 the body panels have edging 110 and bumpers 111 as in the example of FIG. 1, and additionally the inside of the body panels are covered with a padded fabric material 319 for comfort for the user. The body panels are hinged as described previously for the example of FIG. 1, but the hinges may be different in style and number and location.

In the example of FIG. 3 a buckle apparatus for a waist strap comprises two parts 303a and 303b. Part 303a is anchored by a strap 302 which passes through a slot in body panel 103 and is fastened to itself by such as adhesive or stitching. Part 303b snaps into part 303a and has a slot through which a long waist strap 304 passes, and after passing through the slot is anchored to a middle rib of an adjustment buckle 305. Strap 304 passes also through opening is buckle 305 and over the middle rib. The arrangement enables a user to adjust the overall effective length of strap 304 to help provide a firm and stable mounting of the umbrella holder to the user's torso. Strap 304 is anchored at the opposite end through a slot in body panel 101.

About midway along a top edge of body panel 103 a snap-in release buckle having two parts 307a and 307b is anchored by a short strap length. Snap in part 307b has slot through which strap 306 passes and is fastened back to an adjustment buckle 308. This apparatus and operation is the same as described above for buckle 303a and 303b with adjustment buckle 305. The size and models are different for the different size straps. Strap 306 has a shoulder cushion 309 attached in this example and extends on to a ring 311 that holds a hook 310. In use a user, after donning the holder and closing the waist straps, rotates the umbrella tube to the back, grasps the hook and attaches same to the handle 301 of the umbrella, which is held in the tube 104. This operation, by also adjusting length of strap 306 by buckle 308, secures the umbrella firmly to the user's torso at the back.

In this example an auxiliary strap 312 is secured to cushion 309 by stitching or adhesive and extends to a snap-in release buckle consisting of parts 313a and 313b. A longer strap 315 passes through an adjustment buckle 314 and through part 313b back to anchoring at a middle rib of buckle 314. Strap 315 continues across a user's chest to and through another adjustment buckle 316 and though a slot in a part 317b of yet another snap-in release buckle, and back to anchor to a middle rib of adjustment buckle 316. Part 317a of the snap-in buckle is secured to waist strap 304 by sewing or adhesive near to body panel 101.

In summary, the strap and buckle arrangement illustrated in the example of FIG. 3 enables a user to very securely mount the umbrella holder to the user's torso with a variety of ways to configure and adjust the straps for the individual user's choice and comfort.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram depicting steps in a process of donning an umbrella holder of an embodiment of the invention and deploying the umbrella. At step 401 a user opens the waist straps of the holder at the buckle, with the top lateral pin removed. At step 402 the user puts the holder around the torso with the handle mounting tube in front. At step 403 the waist straps are buckles and adjusted for tension, leaving a bit loose. At step 404 the umbrella is opened, and the handle of the umbrella is engaged in the tube. At step 405 the upper lateral pin is inserted in the upper lateral hole of the tube to retain the umbrella in the tube. At step 406 the user grasps the holder and rotates the holder around the torso, placing the tube with the umbrella at the back of the user. At step 407 the user grasps the hook on the auxiliary strap attached to the midpoint of body panel 103 and hooks to the umbrella handle over the user's shoulder. With the umbrella in this position the user's hands and arms are completely free. At step 408 the user adjusts the tension on the hook strap. At step 409 the user grasps the chest cross-strap, snaps in the snap-in buckle near the pad on the hook strap, and the user adjusts all straps for comfort. The skilled person will understand that the steps may have a different order.

An important purpose of apparatus in embodiments of the invention is to enable persons to operate hands free in a raining or snowing environment. This advantage is particularly useful for electricians, for example, who may have to work outside in inclement weather. Also useful for farmers and many other working people and may well be useful for persons attending outdoor events, like football and soccer games.

In a further enhancement of the invention unique attachment apparatus is provided whereby the mounting tube for the umbrella and other apparatus may be made in a manner that the apparatus attached may be quickly and securely attached and may be removed quickly and easily as well.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a female quick attachment unit 501 used in what the inventor terms a TwinRail locking system. Unit 501 comprises two identical polymer molded raised channels 504a and 504b spaced apart by dimension D1 on a backing plate 502. Channels 504a and 504b are parallel to one another and to a long edge of plate 502. Channels 504a and 504b are preferably molded onto backing plate 502 in an injection molding process, but this is not a limitation in the invention. Plate 502 has a pattern of through holes 503, nine in this example, that serve to fasten the plate to one of the body panels 101, 102 or 103 of the umbrella holder 100.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of attachment unit 501 from the open end of the channels looking into open ends 505a and 505b of channels 504a and 504b. Plate 502 is curved to match the curvature of one of body plates 101, 102 or 103 but channels 504a and 504b may be straight and may not match the curvature of the plate. It may be seen in FIG. 5 that the inner shape of the channels is wider at the bottom and more narrow at the top.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an attachment unit 701 which is meant to mate with attachment unit 501 to join apparatus to one of the body plates 101, 102 or 103. Attachment unit 701 has two raised rails 704a and 704b spaced apart by distance D1 on a mounting plate 702 that may be curved like plate 502. Rails 704a and 704b have a cross section shape that is molded to be conformal to the internal shape of channels 505a and 505b.

FIG. 8 is a view of unit 701 in view direction of arrow V, to clearly show the cross-section shape of the rails, which is the shape at the ends of the rails. It will be clear to the skilled person from the views of FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 that the rails of unit 701 may slide into and engage the channels 504a and 504b. It is necessary, of course to invert one of the units so the channels and the rails are facing.

FIG. 9 shows a channel unit 401 and a rail unit 601 in positions to be engaged. It may be seen that the rail unit 701 has been inverted so the rails face toward the channels of the channel unit. To engage the attachment units a user would hold channel unit 501 steady and move rail unit 701 in the direction of arrow X, guiding the rails to enter the channels and continuing the movement until the twin rails are fully engaged in the twin channels. FIG. 10 shows the engagement complete, with the units fully engaged.

A primary purpose of the twin rail attachment system in embodiments of the invention is to attach and detach apparatus to the umbrella holder 100, specifically to one or another of the body panels 101, 102 or 103 of the umbrella holder.

FIG. 11 illustrates body panels 101, 102 and 103 of umbrella holder 100 hinged together without the mounting tube for the umbrella handle and without straps, with four TwinRail channel attachment units 501 mounted to the body panels. Two such units are mounted to back panel 102 with one above the other, and one each to each side panel 101 and 103. An important purpose of the twin rail attachment units fastened to the body panels is to provide a system of quickly and easily attaching and removing the umbrella mounting tube to panel 102, and other elements to be mounted to the side panels 101 and 103.

Referring now back to FIG. 1, mounting tube 104 for the umbrella handle is shown joined to a plate 105 which is attached to body panel 102 by fasteners 106. In an alternative embodiment the TwinRail system is used to attach the mounting tube to body panel 102 in a manner that the mounting tube may be engaged and disengaged quickly and easily, such that tubes of different design and use may be substituted at need.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a mounting tube assembly 1200 comprising a mounting tube 104 joined to a plate 1201 which has two TwinRail attachment units 701 joined thereto by fasteners 1202. Attachment units 701 have each two male rails 704a and 704b that are compatible for engaging channels 504a and 504b of TwinRail attachment units 501.

Referring now to FIG. 11 the apparatus assembly of FIG. 12 may be reversed and joined by the male attachment units 701 to the female attachment units 501 that are attached to body plate 102, by engaging the ends of the male rails with the female channels and sliding in laterally until the attachment units are fully engaged, at which point there is a noticeable latching action. The mounting tube is thus mounted to the middle back body plate, and may be easily disengaged for service or for joining a different mounting tube to the umbrella holder.

FIG. 13 illustrates the assembly 1200 of FIG. 12 joined to the back body plate 102 to mount the tube 104. The pins in the tube are not illustrated.

FIGS. 14a and 14b illustrate a mounting plate 1401 with a single TwinRail attachment unit 701 with rails 704a and 704b mounted to one side of plate 1401 by fasteners 1202. FIG. 14b shows in this example a simple bar assembly 1402 with a bar 1404 mounted between two end mounts 1403 that join the bar to plate 1401 by fasteners 106. Bar 1404 may be used, for example, to hang a hammer, as is done on tool belts, or to carry other tools.

FIG. 15 shows the umbrella holder assembly of FIG. 14 with a mounting plate 1401 with bar 1404 joined to the female attachment unit 501 on body plate 101. The female attachment plate or the male attachment plate cannot be seen in FIG. 15 as both are between plate 1401 and body plate 101.

In another example mounting plate 1401 may be engaged with attachment unit 501 on body plate 103 on the other side of assembly 101 or one may be engaged to both body plate 101 and 103. Similar mounting plates may be configured for different functions, such as pockets to carry other tools or fasteners for example. There are many possibilities enabled by the use of the TwinRail attachment plates,

The skilled artisan will understand that all of the embodiments described above with reference to the drawing figures are exemplary only, and not limiting to the scope of the invention. The scope is limited only by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. An umbrella holder apparatus comprising:

a curved, molded first body panel having a first and a second lateral edge and a vertically oriented mounting tube attached centrally, the mounting tube having a retainer mechanism for holding a handle of an umbrella;

a curved, molded second body panel hinged by a third lateral edge to the first lateral edge of the first body panel;

a curved, molded third body panel hinged by a fourth lateral edge to the second lateral edge of the first body panel;

a first waist strap attached at a first end to a fifth lateral edge opposite the third lateral edge of the second body panel and at a second end to a first portion of a snap-in buckle; and

a second waist strap attached at a first end to a sixth lateral edge opposite the fourth lateral edge of the third body panel and at a second end to a second portion of a snap-in buckle, configured to engage the first portion of the snap-in buckle;

characterized in that a user is enabled to wear the umbrella holder apparatus around the user's torso, fastening the snap-in buckle on the waist straps, to place an umbrella by a handle in the mounting tube, protecting the user from precipitation while leaving the hands free.

2. The umbrella holder apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an adjustment buckle engaged with one of the waist straps, enabling the user to adjust the overall length of the waist straps.

3. The umbrella holder apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a hook strap having a first end anchored at a point along an upper edge of the second body panel and an open hook attached at a second end of the hook strap, enabling the user with the umbrella holder, with the waist straps joined, to place the hook strap over the user's shoulder and to engage the hook to the handle of the umbrella held in the mounting tube, holding the umbrella to the user's back.

4. The umbrella holder apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a first portion of a snap-in buckle attached to the hook strap at about a mid-point and a joining strap having a first end anchored at a point on the second waist strap proximate the third body panel, and a second end having a second portion of the snap-in buckle at a second end, enabling the user, with the waist straps joined and the hook strap engaged to the umbrella handle, to engage the joining strap across the user's torso, completing a triangulated strap arrangement.

5. The umbrella holder apparatus of claim 4 further comprising one or more adjustment buckles engaged with the hook strap and the joining strap enabling the user to adjust the overall length of the hook strap and the joining strap.

6. The umbrella holder apparatus of claim 1 further comprising rubberlike cushioning material implemented along edges of the body panels.

7. The umbrella holder apparatus of claim 1 further comprising cushioning fabric implemented on the inside area of the body panels.

8. The umbrella holder apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mounting tube is fastened to a rectangular plate that is in turn mounted to an outside area of the first body panel by conventional fasteners.

9. The umbrella holder apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a first attachment unit having a plate with two parallel raised female linear structures, each having an internal channel, the plate mounted to the outside area of the first body panel with the parallel raised linear structures substantially horizontal, and a second attachment unit having a plate with two parallel raised male linear structures of a shape compatible to engage the two parallel raised female linear structures by skidding the male structures into the female structures, the second attachment unit joined to a side of the plate holding the mounting tube opposite the mounting tube, wherein the plate with the mounting tube is joined to the first body panel by engaging the male linear structures with the female linear structures.

10. The umbrella holder apparatus of claim 9 comprising two first attachment units, one above the other, joined to the outside area of the first attachment unit, and two second attachment units joined one above the other to the plate with the mounting tube opposite the mounting tube.

11. The umbrella holder apparatus of claim 1 comprising a first attachment unit having a plate with two parallel raised female linear structures, each having an internal channel, the plate mounted to the outside area of the second body panel with the parallel raised linear structures substantially horizontal, and a second attachment unit having a plate with two parallel raised male linear structures of a shape compatible to engage the two parallel raised female linear structures by skidding the male structures into the female structures, the second attachment unit joined to a side of a plate having holding apparatus mounted to carry a tool or loose material, wherein the plate with the apparatus is joined to the second body panel by engaging the male linear structures with the female linear structures.

12. The umbrella holder apparatus of claim 1 comprising a first attachment unit having a plate with two parallel raised female linear structures, each having an internal channel, the plate mounted to the outside area of the third body panel with the parallel raised linear structures substantially horizontal, and a second attachment unit having a plate with two parallel raised male linear structures of a shape compatible to engage the two parallel raised female linear structures by skidding the male structures into the female structures, the second attachment unit joined to a side of a plate having holding apparatus mounted to carry a tool or loose material wherein the plate with the holding apparatus is joined to the third body panel by engaging the male linear structures with the female linear structures.

13. A twin rail attachment system comprising a first plate with two parallel raised female linear structures, each having an internal channel parallel with a surface of the plate, and a second plate with two parallel raised male linear rail structures, each raised male linear rail structure compatible in shape to engage the internal channels of the female linear structures, wherein the male linear rail structures are enabled to be fully engaged linearly with the channels of the female linear structures, joining the first and the second plates side by side.

14. The twin rail attachment system of claim 13 further comprising a latching mechanism by which the male and the female linear structures are retained once fully engaged.