Patent Publication Number: US-2004045593-A1

Title: Inflatable umbrella

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention relates to an inflatable umbrella which includes a panel with a plurality of inflatabie ribs and an inflatable handle connected thereto.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] A conventional umbrella generally includes a panel with a plurality of ribs connected to an underside thereof and a shaft is connected to a center of the panel. A runner is movably mounted to the shaft and a plurality of stretchers are pivotably connected between the runner and the ribs so that when pushing the runner toward the center of the panel, the panel is expanded by the ribs. Although some umbrellas has a retractable shaft so that the umbrella can be folded into a compact size and is easily to carry. Most of the users do not take the umbrella with them because the folded umbrellas occupy a certain amount space. For the manufacturers, the assembly for the umbrellas is complicated and the threads for connecting the ribs and the panel could be broken after being used for a period of time.  
       [0003] The present invention intends to provide an inflatable umbrella which has inflatable ribs and handle and the umbrella can be folded to be a thin layer when not in use.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inflatable umbrella which comprises a panel with a plurality of inflatable ribs connected to an underside of the panel. An inflatable handle is connected to the underside of the panel and each of the inflatable handle and the inflatable ribs has an inlet.  
       [0005] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a light and foldable inflatable umbrella which is convenient to be carried and occupies only a small space.  
       [0006] The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0007]FIG. 1 is a bottom view of the inflatable umbrella of the present invention;  
     [0008]FIG. 2 is a side cross sectional view to show the inflatable umbrella of the present invention;  
     [0009]FIG. 3 is another side cross sectional view to show the inflatable umbrella of the present invention;  
     [0010]FIG. 4 shows the handle of the umbrella is held by a user;  
     [0011]FIG. 5 shows the umbrella is folded into a thin layer, and  
     [0012]FIG. 6 shows that the panel has a hole. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0013] Referring to FIGS.  1  to  4 , the inflatable umbrella of the present invention comprises a panel  1  and a plurality of inflatable ribs  2  made of soft material are connected to an underside of the panel  1 . A U-shaped inflatable handle  3  made of soft material is connected to the underside of the panel  1  with two ends of the inflatable handle  3 . Each of the inflatable handle  3  and the inflatable ribs  2  has an inlet  31  so that air may be introduced into the inflatable handle  3  and the inflatable ribs  2 . When air is introduced into the inflatable handle  3  and the inflatable ribs  2 , the panel  1  is expanded and the user can hold the handle  3 .  
     [0014] Referring to FIG. 5, when the umbrella is not in use, the air is expelled out from the inlets  21 ,  31  and the ribs  2  and the handle  3  can be folded with the panel  1  into a thin layer which is easily to be carried and occupies only a small space.  
     [0015] Referring to FIG. 6, a flap  10  is connected to the panel  1  and seals a hole  11  defined in the panel  1  by a zipper  4 . The user may mount the hole  11  to the user&#39;s neck and dresses the panel  1  like a rain coat.  
     [0016] While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.