Patent Publication Number: US-2006005868-A1

Title: Umbrella having an elastomeric strap

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to an umbrella. More particularly, the present invention relates to an umbrella with a novel, efficient means of securing the cover folds of an umbrella for storage.  
      The present invention also provides an umbrella having a novel means for carrying the umbrella.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      It is well known in the art to provide a means for securing the cover folds of an umbrella after use for storage. Traditionally, a tie strap is used to secure the cover folds and the rib linkages around the centerpost of the umbrella. The tie strap is useful in furling the cover folds around the centerpost as they are collapsed with the rib linkages against the centerpost.  
      A traditional umbrella has a single section rib linkage that, when collapsed, may be about a meter in length. Collapsible umbrellas, on the other hand, have multiple section rib linkages to provide for storage as a relatively small package. The multiple section rib linkages can create a problem during closing of the umbrella, because there is a tendency for the rib linkages to fold upon the umbrella itself. It becomes difficult to secure the cover folds and rib linkages neatly and efficiently, creating inconvenience for the user. The attempt to collapse an umbrella is further complicated by wet cover folds, which often do not furl easily in place.  
      The tie strap is generally of the same material as the cover fold material and oriented perpendicular to the cover folds of the umbrella. It is generally uniform and thin in width, ranging from 0.2 to 3 cm. The length of the tie strap corresponds to a length sufficient to surround the cover folds and rib linkages around the centerpost. The tie strap also generally comprises a fastener, which is received on the cover fold at a specific position to secure the cover folds and the rib linkages in place for storage.  
      The user often struggles with the tie strap when furling the wet cover folds around the center post. First of all, it is difficult to locate the tie strap, since it is small relative to the cover folds, made of the same material as the cover folds, and embedded within the wet cover folds. Secondly, it can slip easily out of the user&#39;s fingers when wet. The distal end of the tie strap does not provide a substantial grip for the user&#39;s fingers. Thirdly, the length is generally just sufficient to surround the cover folds and rib linkages to the center post, but not long enough during the act of securing the snap button. The tie strap often slips out of the user&#39;s fingers just before the fastener can be secured, requiring that the user relocate the tie strap again embedded within the cover folds. Therefore, the prior art tie straps are insufficient at providing an effective means of securing the cover folds of an umbrella for storage.  
      Therefore, there is a need for an effective means of securing the cover folds of an umbrella for storage to save the user time and inconvenience.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides for an umbrella with an elastomeric tie strap. The tie strap is capable of stretching in length upon pressure by the user applied to the strap to lengthen it while securing the umbrella cover folds and rib linkages around the centerpost of the umbrella.  
      The present invention also provides for an umbrella with an elastomeric carrying strap. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  shows a view of the umbrella in the open position.  
       FIG. 2  shows a view of the umbrella in the closed position with one cover fold unfurled.  
       FIG. 3  shows a close-up view of the tie strap.  
       FIG. 4  shows a close-up view of the carrying strap. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      An elastomeric tie strap  10  is attached to the umbrella cover fold  12 , which is capable of being stretched in a longitudinal direction in a manner that facilitates the furling of the cover folds. The tie strap  10  is capable of being stretched to an additional length of between 10 to 70 percent of the original length, upon pressure applied to the tie strap in a longitudinal direction. Preferably, the tie strap  10  may be additionally stretched between 10 to 50 percent of the original length. Most preferably, the tie strap may be additionally stretched between 10 to 30 percent of the original length.  
      Having the additional length is useful during the closure of the umbrella  14 . The user may furl the cover folds around the centerpost  16  of the umbrella  14  using the tie strap  10  and will find that the length of the tie strap is sufficient to surround the closed umbrella. To secure the closure, the tie strap  10  can be stretched at this point to an additional length to tighten the furls and secure the fastener  18 .  
      The tie strap  10  is made of a uniform material that is different from the material of the umbrella cover fold  12 , which is generally a coated fabric or a woven synthetic fiber material. The tie strap  10  may be made of an elastomeric material, such as neoprene or synthetic rubber. Such material has non-slip characteristics, so that the user would easily locate the tie strap  10  and grip any portion of the tie strap, without the user&#39;s fingers sliding off the surface of the tie strap  10 . The tie strap  10  may be uniform in length and width. Preferably, the width of the tie strap  10  is between 0.2 to 10 cm for a typical rain umbrella. The length of the tie strap  10  is of a length sufficient to surround the cover folds and rib linkages around the centerpost. The length of the tie strap  10  is between 15 and 30 cm for a typical rain umbrella. Preferably, the tie strap is 22 cm. When longitudinal pressure is applied to the tie strap  10 , the length of the tie strap  10  may be extended up to 45 cm, as indicated above.  
      The tie strap  10  may have a thickness of between 0.5 and 5 cm. Preferably, the tie strap  10  is 1 cm in thickness. The use of a tie strap  10  of such thickness and made of an elastomeric material also facilitates the act of locating the tie strap, since the strap has a substantial weight and is easily distinguishable by the user&#39;s fingers from the material of the cover folds  12 .  
      One of skill in the art can envision variations in the length, width, and thickness of the tie strap  10  disclosed herein given the range of sizes of different types of umbrellas, e.g. rain umbrellas, sun or beach umbrellas, canopy umbrellas, etc.  
      In an alternative embodiment, the distal unattached end  22  of the tie strap  10  has a tab  24  made of the same elastomeric material as the tie strap. The width of the tab  24  is preferably wider than the width of the tie strap  10 . Preferably, the tab  24  has an ovoid shape. The tab  24  is useful for better grip of the user&#39;s thumb to the tie strap  10 . The better grip contributes to the ease of securing the fastener  18  and closing the cover folds  12  of the umbrella  14 .  
      The distal unattached end  22  of the tie strap  10  further comprises a means  26  for securing the tie strap  10  to the umbrella cover folds  12 , wherein the umbrella cover folds  12  and rib linkages  20  are secured around the centerpost  16  of the umbrella  14 . Such means may include fasteners, such as a snap button, a hook, or Velcro®, that may be secured to the umbrella cover fold  12 . The fastener may be made of plastic or metal.  
      The tie strap  10  may be attached by any means sufficient to secure the tie strap  10  to the umbrella cover folds  12 . It is attached at a midway point generally between the length of the umbrella cover folds  12  in the closed position.  
      The present invention also provides for an umbrella  14  with a carrying strap  28  capable of being stretched in the longitudinal direction. It may be made of a elastomeric material. An elastomeric carrying strap  28  attached to the handle  30  of the umbrella  14  facilitates carrying of the umbrella on the wrist, and in particular on the arm. Having an elastomeric carrying strap  28  also facilitates carrying of additional items, since the carrying strap  28  can be stretched when the umbrella is moved from hand to the arm. Providing an elastomeric carrying strap  28  also facilitates storage of the umbrella  14 , where it is necessary to stretch the carrying strap.  
      The carrying strap  28  is capable of being stretched to an additional length of between 10 to 70 percent of the original length, upon pressure applied to the carrying strap  28  in a longitudinal direction. Preferably, the carrying strap  28  may be additionally stretched between 10 to 50 percent of the original length. Most preferably, the carrying strap  28  may be additionally stretched between 10 to 30 percent of the original length.  
      This invention is directed to the umbrella  14  having the handle  30  with the carrying strap  30 , where the handle  30  is connected to the centerpost  16  having a plurality of telescoping sections  32  ( FIG. 1 ). The umbrella  14  has a plurality of the rib linkages  20 , each being attached to the centerpost  16 . The umbrella  14  also has a cover  34  comprising a plurality of  36 , attached to the rib linkages  20  at various points along the rib linkages  20 . In the closed position, the cover  34  forms the cover folds  12  that may be furled around the centerpost  16 , along with the rib linkages  20 .  
      The tie strap  10  is affixed to a gore  36  at a midway point of the umbrella cover folds  12  when the umbrella  14  is in the closed position.  
      The tie strap  10  has the tab  24  at its distal end. The tab  24  is provided on its internal-facing side with a snap button  38 , which is received in a snap button receiver  40  located on one of the cover folds  12  to secure to the tie strap  10  when wrapped around the closed umbrella  14 . The tie strap  10  has a length sufficient to wrap around the closed umbrella  14 .  
      From the above disclosure of the detailed description of the present invention, those skilled in the art will comprehend the various modifications to which the present invention is susceptible. The present invention is not limited in any manner by the disclosure provided herein.