Abstract:
In one embodiment the present invention includes an umbrella-like device adapted to mount to a baby stroller or similar pushable vehicle. The present invention enables protection of the operator from inclement weather and consists of a protective cover that expands and retracts as needed, a support member for adjusting the height and angle of the cover, and an attaching means to enable coupling of a protection device to an existing support element of the pushable vehicle.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     This invention relates to a weather protection apparatus for the operator of a pushable vehicle. Specifically, this invention is directed to an umbrella-like device mountable to a baby stroller or wheelchair and designed to protect the operator (as opposed to the occupant) from weather conditions, such as harsh sun, rain, or frozen precipitation.  
         [0002]     Over the years, improvements to the pushable baby stroller included suspension components to smooth the ride, insulation elements to keep the child warm, or adjustable coverings to shield the child from wind, rain, or sun, for example. Yet, little attention has been directed to the operator of the pushable baby stroller. The operator faces the biting wind without benefit of an adjustable shield, manipulates uneven and hard surfaces without benefit of suspension components, and endures stinging rain without benefit of a protection device; the operator (care-giver, parent, sitter, nurse, relative, grand parent, etc.) is left to fend for one&#39;s self during inclement weather.  
         [0003]     The majority, if not all, pushable vehicles require the operator to manipulate the vehicle with two hands. Thus, it is a near impossibility to hold a conventional umbrella, while at the same time, safely manipulate the vehicle.  
         [0004]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,557 to Maze attempts to provide protection to an operator of a pushable vehicle. The Maze reference, however, includes numerous components, making it quite complex to assemble and use. In addition, the centralized position of the umbrella of Maze hinders the range of forward vision of the operator and otherwise may interfere with observing the child in the stroller. Also, the Maze reference includes some components, for example, the wing nuts and retaining straps, which may injure the operator due to the sharp protruding surfaces associated with this type of mounting hardware. Further, the Maze reference makes no provision for storing the umbrella when not in use.  
         [0005]     Certain existing umbrella-holders use mounting brackets designed to accept a standard umbrella. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,557 to Maze describes an umbrella mounting device including a holding assembly adapted for engaging a handle of the umbrella and U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,807 to Moineau provides an umbrella holder for mounting an umbrella in an upright position and includes a lower handle support member including a plurality of horizontally oriented parallel basket rings. One limitation of such umbrella holders includes the inability to pivot the umbrella about both the x-axis and y-axis simultaneously to adjust the angle and height of the umbrella&#39;s protective material.  
         [0006]     Other existing umbrella holders require specialized fitment of a non-standard umbrella handle configured specifically to interface with a unique holder fixture. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0103934 to Szumlic describes a custom holder for an elliptical umbrella used to protect the occupant of a wheelchair. Specifically, Szumlic describes an angled support means protruding from a wheelchair accessory mount shaft. A specialized end on the umbrella shaft engages the angled support means. In another example, described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,396,915 to Bomar, the upright umbrella shaft couples to mounting bracket, which is adapted to encircle a second, parallel shaft. And both U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,694 to Joyce and U.S. Pat. No. 3,866,934 to Braun describe a ball-like terminus replacing the standard umbrella handle portion of the upright umbrella shaft. A mounting bracket adapts to engage the ball-like terminus. Each of these aforementioned patents, however, is commonly limited to one direction of angled adjustment.  
         [0007]     Thus, there remains a need for an umbrella holding device that readily adapts for use with a pushed vehicle and that provides for angled adjustment in both the x and y directions. Moreover, such an umbrella-holding device should include adjustments for height of the protective covering device. Further, such a device should enable ready storage of a collapsed protective covering when not needed to shield the operator of a pushable vehicle from the elements.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     One possible and preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a protective cover in the form of a retractable, umbrella-like device that attaches to a baby stroller or other suitable vehicle. It being appreciated by operators of pushable vehicles that current designs do not sufficiently protect the operator from inclement weather because the vehicles themselves do not provide suitable protection devices. For example, the typical baby stroller provides sufficient protection devices for the child-occupant, but the care-giver must—using due care and safety—operate the stroller with both hands, rendering it unsafe and difficult to manipulate a traditional umbrella. The present invention provides a simple, but effective, solution to this common problem.  
         [0009]     Thus, in one possible and preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a weather protection device for the operator of a pushable vehicle, the device comprising an expandable and retractable covering element; a support member connected to the covering element to enable extraction and retraction of the covering element and to enable structural support of the covering element; and attaching means for enabling engagement of the support member to a suitable receiving structure provided by the pushable vehicle.  
         [0010]     The weather protection device may further include a storage compartment coupled to the suitable receiving structure, the storage compartment adapted to receive the covering element and at least a portion of the support member when the covering element is in a retracted position.  
         [0011]     Optionally, the weather protection device&#39;s support member comprises a telescoping shaft.  
         [0012]     The weather protection device&#39;s support member further comprises a z-axis rotating means to enable selective rotational adjustment of the support member.  
         [0013]     The weather protection device&#39;s attaching means further comprises a z-axis rotating means to enable selective rotational adjustment of the support member.  
         [0014]     The weather protection device&#39;s support member further comprises a y-axis rotating means to enable selective angular adjustment of the support member relative to the covering element.  
         [0015]     The weather protection device&#39;s attaching means further comprises a y-axis rotating means to enable selective angular adjustment of the support member relative to the attaching means.  
         [0016]     The weather protection device&#39;s suitable receiving structure comprises a frame element of a baby stroller.  
         [0017]     The weather protection device&#39;s suitable receiving structure comprises a frame element of a wheelchair.  
         [0018]     The weather protection device&#39;s suitable receiving structure comprises a frame element of a pushable garden machine including a lawnmower or a wheelbarrow.  
         [0019]     In another possible embodiment, the present invention comprises an inclement weather protection device for the operator of a pushable vehicle, the device comprising an expandable and retractable covering element; a support member connected to the covering element to enable extraction and retraction of the covering element and to enable structural support of the covering element; and attaching means for enabling engagement of the support member to a suitable receiving structure provided by the pushable vehicle, the attaching means further providing selectable angled adjustment of the support member along both the x-axis and y-axis.  
         [0020]     In another possible embodiment, the present invention includes a protection device for an operator of a baby stroller, the device comprising an expandable and retractable covering element; a support member connected to the covering element to enable extraction and retraction of the covering element and to enable structural support of the covering element; and an attaching means for enabling engagement of the support member to a frame element provided by the baby stroller.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the environment of one embodiment of the present invention and illustrates a weather protection device attached to a baby-stroller.  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the environment of a second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  illustrates relative motion of the embodiment of  FIG. 2  in a first position.  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  illustrates relative motion of the embodiment of  FIG. 2  in a second position.  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  illustrates relative motion of the embodiment of  FIG. 2  in a third position.  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  is a detail and cut-away view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 7  is a detail and partial view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2  and illustrates one possible attaching means according to the present invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 8  is a side view of  FIG. 7 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of components of  FIG. 7  shown in an exploded and partial view.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0030]      FIGS. 1-8  represent possible embodiments of the present invention. Therein, similar features share common reference numerals.  
         [0031]     The present invention contemplates a protection device  10  for a pushable vehicle (V). The protection device, such as an umbrella, shields the operator (OP) of the pushable vehicle from weather elements including harsh sunshine, rain, hail, snow, sleet, wind, dust, and small debris, for example. The operator of a pushable vehicle refers to the person motivating the vehicle. The pushable vehicle may be motorized, as a self-propelled lawnmower, for example, or, alternatively, may be motivated solely by human power. The operator of such a vehicle often—but not exclusively—is distinct from the occupant: For example, a caregiver, nurse, parent, nanny, or baby-sitter may push a baby stroller. In this example the occupant, a child, benefits from the work exerted by the operator. Another similar example includes a wheelchair wherein motivation of the wheelchair is provided by a caregiver in lieu of the occupant. In other examples the pushable vehicle has no occupant: For example, a pushable lawn mower, a food-cart, or market trolley.  
         [0032]     The present invention is not limited to walk-behind pushable vehicles of the preceding paragraph; indeed, numerous other examples of pushable vehicles of the motorized, non-motorized, or motor-assist type may be readily contemplated by those of ordinary skill in this art. Moreover, the reader need not limit her imagination to walk-behind pushable vehicles at all. The present invention easily adapts to pullable vehicles or even pedal-powered vehicles, such as a bicycle, tricycle, or other bicycle-like contraption used to deliver people, food, or other items, for example.  
         [0033]     In the embodiments of the present invention illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , for example, the weather protection device  10  adapts to any one of a number of pushable vehicles including a baby-stroller, wheelchair, or garden machine such as a lawnmower or wheelbarrow. Common to each of these vehicles is a pair of handles (H) (or unitary structure that is functionally similar) by which the operator grasps the vehicle to push, steer, or otherwise manipulate and maneuver. Also, each pushable vehicle includes a frame element (F) that cooperates with additional structural elements to support a load and to which the pair of handles affixes. For example, the structural elements of a baby-stroller support a seat or other surface suited for safely transporting a child. Similarly, structural elements support a seat for holding an occupant of a wheelchair and a lawnmower&#39;s motor and blade connect to the pair of handles by similar structural elements.  
         [0034]     Attaching Means  
         [0035]     The frame element (F), therefore, provides a useful structure to mount the weather protection device  10 . The present invention, accordingly, provides an attaching means  12  for enabling engagement to this receiving structure, or frame element, provided by the vehicle. The attaching means  12  can be welded or otherwise adhered directly to the frame element. Alternatively, the attaching means can be removably coupled to the frame element by using any combination of known fasteners, such as bolts, screws, and the like. In yet another embodiment, the frame element could be fabricated in such away to include the attaching means in an integral piece with the structural elements.  
         [0036]      FIGS. 7 and 8  show an attaching means  12  comprising a releasable coupling device that can be removably secured to the frame element. One possible coupling device includes an attaching piece comprising an oversized plastic handle  24  having a threaded member. The oversized plastic handle facilitates mounting of the attaching means to the frame element. Paired to the oversized handle is a mating, threaded-member receiving element with an oversized griping handle. The attaching piece and receiving element cooperate to clamp over a support member provided by the vehicle.  
         [0037]     The attaching means  12  further includes a receiving fixture  14  for receiving an end of a structural support shaft of the device  10 . One possible structural support is a telescoping shaft  16 . Another possible structural support is a rigid shaft. In either case, the structural support may include a hinge mechanism  18  intermediate to its opposing ends.  
         [0038]     The attaching means  12  further includes a pivot element  20  to enable rotation of the structural support shaft  16  relative to the frame element (F) or receiving structure when coupled to the receiving fixture  14 .  
         [0039]     Support Member  
         [0040]     The support member  22  may be a unitary post of virtually any cross section including oval, circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, octagonal, and the like. A possible support member is a telescoping rod typical to many traditional umbrella designs. Another possible support member includes a hinge-mechanism  18  and locking element at an intermediate position, effectively separating the support member into two separate segments. The separate segments, therefore, could be any combination of solid, unitary post or a telescoping rod.  
         [0041]     At an end of the support member  22  opposite the end connected to the covering element  26 , the support member adapts to engage the attaching means  12 . The support member may be releasably coupled to the attaching means, or fixably attached using any known fastening means including gluing, welding, and the like. Of course, the support member and attaching means, in one possible embodiment, could be a unitary piece.  
         [0042]     The support member  22 , the covering element  26 , individually or together, may rotate about the z-axis  32 . Thus, combined with the hinge-mechanism  18  and locking element  24 , the device  10  may be readily and easily positioned in a number of configurations to best shield the operator from the elements. Further, by using a telescoping support member, the vertical height of the covering element  26  may be adapted to suit the operator&#39;s preference.  
         [0043]     The support member  22  may be a continuous shaft of hollow or solid cross section in a myriad of shapes including round, oval, elliptical, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, and the like. Suitable materials include wood, fiberglass, aluminum, and composites, for example. In one embodiment the support member comprises a telescoping shaft, common to many modern umbrellas. As such, it is generally round in cross section with a hollow center portion and each segment of the telescoping shaft nests inside the preceding section when in the collapsed, retracted position and fabricated from aluminum. In another embodiment, a rigid, wooden shaft of a unitary piece serves as the support member. In another embodiment, the support member comprises two shaft portions and an intermediate hinge mechanism. The shaft portions may comprise any combination of telescoping segments and unitary pieces.  
         [0044]     In one embodiment, the support member  22  includes a first shaft portion  38  comprising a rigid, wooden member of solid and circular cross section. A first shaft portion  38 , at the first-shaft first end  34 , engages the attaching means  12  in a manner that enables rotation about the z-axis  32 . At an opposite, first-shaft second end  36 , the first shaft portion  38  includes a second hinge mechanism  50 . Cooperating with the second hinge mechanism  50  is a second shaft portion  40 . The second shaft portion  40  comprises a telescoping member  42 . The second shaft portion  40  and second hinge mechanism  50  enable angled adjustment about the x-axis  28 . The combination of hinge mechanism and z-axis rotation means, therefore, enable full adjustability of the covering element, which is coupled to the second shaft portion, about the x, y, and z axes  28 ,  30 , and  32 , respectively.  
         [0045]     Covering Element  
         [0046]     The device  10  includes an expandable and retactable covering-element  26  made of a material suitable to repeated opening and closings of the covering. One possible material is nylon or canvas, each being rather typical of material suited to standard umbrellas. Other materials, including transparent plastic-type material, a ballistic-grade nylon, or other synthetic fibers, would work equally well, as would be understood by those of ordinary skill in this art. Common characteristics of this suitable material include the ability to fold and bend, resist tearing from both wind gusts and repeated opening and closing, relative light-weight, and shield the user from sun, precipitation, or wind, or any combination thereof.  
         [0047]     The covering element  26  may further include support ribs  44  radiating from a central pillar  46  or point. Such ribs may add additional structural support to the covering enabling it to maintain its form in the expanded position despite the forces of gravity or weather. A lift-assist  48  device may also interface with the covering element to enable an easier opening (expansion) and closing (retraction) of the covering element.  
         [0048]     The covering element couples  26  to one end of a support member  22 . At least a portion of the support member orients generally perpendicular to a plane representative of the covering element in an open or expanded position. The lift-assist device  48  adapts to slidably engage at least a portion of the support member  22 .  
         [0049]     As illustrated in the accompanying figures, the device  10  is well suited to couple to a baby-stroller. Accordingly, the attaching means  12  includes a mechanism adapted to couple to a frame element on a baby stroller. The attaching means may use a releasable coupling member, such as a threaded fastener with an oversized release handle, to make temporary placement of the protective device on a particular baby stroller. Alternatively, the attaching means may be permanently coupled to the frame, or semi permanently, depending on the particular requirements.  
         [0050]     In this preferred embodiment, the attaching means includes a pivoting means to enable the support member to rotate one of either the x-axis or y-axis.  
         [0051]     The terms and expressions that have been employed in this specification are used as terms of description and not of limitation. They are not intended to exclude equivalents of the features shown and described or portions of them. The scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims that follow.