Patent Publication Number: US-2017354215-A1

Title: Wind resistant umbrella

Description:
In accordance with 37 C.F.R. 1.76, a claim of priority is included in an Application Data Sheet filed concurrently herewith. Accordingly, the present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/348,354, entitled “WIND RESISTANT UMBRELLA”, filed Jun. 10, 2016. The contents of the above referenced application are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a protective and shielding device; to a device designed to protect a user from outdoor elements, such as rain, wind, or sunshine; and more particularly, to a more stable umbrella designed to minimize the risk of wind damage to the umbrella canopy. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Umbrellas are widely available devices used to protect individuals from sunlight or rain. Typical umbrellas contain a foldable, protective canopy supported by a central rod. While most umbrellas are small and portable, larger, less portable umbrellas, such as beach umbrellas or outdoor furniture umbrellas, generally have the same construction. In either case, the construction of the umbrella lends itself to damage during windy conditions. During windy periods or sudden wind gusts, it is not uncommon that the canopy of the typical umbrella inverts. When this occurs, one or more components of the umbrella often become permanently damaged. 
     Several patents have attempted to address problems associated with wind. U.S. Pat. No. 8,939,163 describes an anti-inversion umbrella which utilizes a removable cuff attached to the umbrella, utilizing the shaft and several straps connected to the tip of the canopy. U.S. Pat. No. 9,173,461 describes an umbrella in which the canopy contains slits. U.S. Pat. No. 9,138,035 describes an umbrella having a flexible canopy. U.S. Pat. No. 8,960,210 teaches an umbrella that utilizes a flexible shaft. While each of these patents attempt to provide solutions for umbrellas with regards to wind damage, there remains a need in the art to provide for an umbrella that minimizes the risk of damage associated with wind and wind gusts. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is related to a protective device, such as an umbrella, configured to minimize the likelihood that a protective canopy associated with the device turns inside out. The umbrella contains a sleeve positioned on the top of the canopy. Under normal conditions, the sleeve is designed to lay flat on top of the canopy. When a gust of wind catches the umbrella from the underneath the canopy, the sleeve extends to an open position. In this position, air passes through the sleeve, relieving the pressure on the canopy. In use, such features allow for the umbrella to be used in windy conditions without the fear of damage, as the likelihood of the canopy turning inside out is reduced. 
     In one embodiment, the inversion resistant umbrella comprises a canopy constructed and arranged to protect a user from direct contact with one or more environmental elements; a shaft having a first end positioned at or near the canopy, and a second opposing end positioned at a distance from the canopy; and an inversion preventing valve. The inversion preventing valve may be of sufficient length to fold over and extend past a canopy opening when in a closed position. 
     In another embodiment, the inversion resistant umbrella comprises a canopy constructed and arranged to protect a user from direct contact with one or more environmental elements, the canopy having an opening and an inversion preventing sleeve extending therefrom. The inversion preventing sleeve has a first end, a second end, and a main body separating the first end and the second end. The inversion resistant umbrella may also comprise a shaft having a first end positioned at or near the canopy, and a second opposing end positioned at a distance from the canopy. The inversion resistant umbrella sleeve may be sized and shaped to rest against an outer surface of the canopy and close the opening when in a non-extended situation. The inversion resistant umbrella sleeve may be sized and shaped to extend upwardly, and oriented away from the canopy and the canopy opening when in the extended state. 
     Accordingly, it is an objective of the invention to provide a protective and shielding device that is resistant to inversion. 
     It is a further objective of the invention to provide an improved umbrella. 
     It is yet another objective of the invention to provide an improved umbrella resistant to damage resulting from sudden bursts of wind. 
     It is a still further objective of the invention to provide an improved umbrella which utilizes a valve system to minimize damage caused by wind. 
     It is a further objective of the invention to provide an umbrella which comprises a sleeve at the top of a canopy. 
     It is yet another objective of the invention to provide an umbrella which comprises a sleeve at the top of a canopy, wherein the sleeve member is traversable between a closed position and an open position. 
     It is a still further objective of the invention to provide an umbrella which comprises a sleeve having a sufficient length to lay flat against the canopy in normal conditions. 
     It is a further objective of the invention to provide an umbrella which comprises a sleeve having a sufficient length to protect and cover the umbrella when not in use. 
     Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification, include exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a cross sectional view of the inversion resistant umbrella in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the inversion resistant umbrella shown with the inversion resistant sleeve in the closed position; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the inversion resistant umbrella shown with the inversion resistant sleeve in the open position; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the inside of the inversion resistant umbrella; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a standard umbrella in an inverted position in which the canopy is flipped inside out; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the inversion resistant umbrella in accordance with the present invention in which the canopy is in the closed position; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the inversion resistant umbrella in accordance with the present invention in which the sleeve is pulled back over the inversion resistant umbrella; and 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the inversion resistant umbrella in accordance with the present invention in which the umbrella is closed using a strap. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred, albeit not limiting, embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , an inversion resistant protective device, referred to as an inversion resistant umbrella  10 , is shown. In general, the inversion resistant umbrella  10  is constructed and arranged to protect one or more individuals from outdoor elements, such as rain or sunshine, while minimizing the risk of changes in structural configuration during high wind periods. The inversion resistant umbrella  10  comprises a canopy  12  sized and shaped to protect, i.e. cover, a user from direct contact with environmental elements, i.e. rain, when placed over his/her head. The canopy  12  can be constructed of any material. Preferably, the material, such as nylon, can withstand rain, is impermeable to water, dries quickly, and is foldable. 
     The inversion resistant umbrella  10  further comprises a shaft  14  having a first end  16  (terminating in cap  17 ) positioned at or near the canopy  12 , and a second opposing end  18  positioned at a distance from the canopy  12 . The second opposing end  18  preferably contains a handle  20  sized and shaped to be grabbed and held by a user&#39;s hand. A plurality of ribs  22  runs underneath the canopy  12 . The ribs  22  are preferably made of a thin steel or other metal material, and help maintain the configuration of the canopy  12  when in the open position. One or more stretchers  24  connect the ribs  22  to the shaft  14  via a runner  26  and provide a mechanism to expand the canopy  12  from a closed position to an open position. The runner  26  is configured to move or slide along the shaft  14 , thereby extending (open, protective position) or retracting (closed, non-protective position) the canopy  12 . The shaft  14  may contain catch springs  28  to aid in opening and closing the inversion resistant umbrella. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a standard umbrella  100  in an inverted position is illustrated. In this orientation, the canopy  112  is flipped inside out, exposing the internal components, the ribs  114 , and the stretchers  116 . This orientation typically results from wind gusts that get underneath the umbrella  100 . In this position, the user may try to flip the canopy  112  back to its original position. While this may be an option, many times one or more of the components are destroyed. For example, during the sudden inversion, the ribs  114  or the stretchers  116  may be bent or disfigured. Alternatively, the canopy  112  may become ripped or torn. Even if the components are still intact and usable, the user would be required to get the umbrella back in its original position, thereby exposing him/her to the elements. 
     To prevent inversion, or flipping inside out, the inversion resistant umbrella  10  comprises an inversion preventing valve, illustrated herein as a sleeve  30 . The sleeve  30  comprises a first, open top end  32 , a second, open bottom end  34 , and a main body  36  therebetween. The first, open top end  32  may be tapered inwardly (from dotted lines  37 A and  37 B. The tapered end may be slight, with diameter  39  of the open end being about 1-5% smaller than a diameter  41  of the main body  36 . The tapered end allows the sleeve  30  to maintain its shape when filed with air, thus lowering the wind resistance by reducing turbulence. The sleeve  30  may be integrally formed with the canopy  12 , or may be constructed independently and separately attached. The bottom end  34 , preferably, is secured to, or extends from a canopy opening  38  (see  FIGS. 1 and 3 ), which is formed at the top portion (first end  16  of the shaft  14 ) of the canopy  12 . The canopy opening  38  may be centrally positioned within the canopy  12 . The length of the sleeve  30  is preferably sufficient to maintain a position flat on top of the canopy and covering the canopy opening  38 . 
     In use, the inversion resistant umbrella  10  is configured to prevent inversion, or having the canopy  12  flip inside out, through the traversal of the sleeve  30  between a first non-extended position, see  FIG. 2 , and a second extended position, see  FIG. 3 . In the non-extended position, the sleeve  30  is configured to rest, preferably lying flat, against the outer surface  40  of the canopy  12 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , as wind currents flow over the canopy  12 , see arrows  40 A,  40 B,  40 C, a low pressure zone is created above the canopy  12 . In addition to this low pressure zone, gravity keeps the sleeve lying flat against the canopy  12 . In the situation in which a strong gust of wind catches the canopy  12  from underneath, see arrows  42 A and  42 B in  FIG. 3 , the sleeve  30  extends upwardly and orients away from the canopy  12 . The wind travels into the interior section  44  of the canopy  12 , see  FIG. 4 , through the canopy opening  38  and into the sleeve  30 . The air exits out of the sleeve  30 , see arrows  46 A and  46 B through the sleeve opening  48 . A plurality of triangular flanges  51  (also seen on  FIG. 1 ) are sown into or attached to seams at the inner most frame attachment points. The inclusion of the triangular flanges force the extended canopy  12  to assume an ideal funnel shape, thereby helping to minimize turbulence. 
     In addition to acting as a valve for allowing directional air flow through the canopy  12 , thereby preventing inversion of the canopy  12 , the sleeve  30  can be used as a protective covering for the inversion resistant umbrella  10 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , the inversion resistant umbrella  10  is shown in the closed configuration, in which the canopy  12  does not extend outwardly and radially relative to the shaft  14 . In this configuration, the sleeve  30  extends above the closed canopy  12 . Folding the sleeve  30  back against the closed canopy  12  in the direction of arrows  50 A and  50 B allows the sleeve  30  to fully enclose the closed canopy  12 , see  FIG. 7 . As such, the sleeve  30  may be sized sufficiently to fully cover the inversion resistant umbrella  10  when the canopy  12  is in the closed position. Alternatively, the sleeve  30  may be sized and shaped to wrap around the exterior of the closed umbrella canopy  12 . A strap  52  having a first fastening member  54 , illustrated as one portion of VELCRO, either a loop fastener or hook fastener, and a second fastening member  56 , illustrates a second portion of the VELCRO, either a loop fastener or hook fastener  FIG. 8  illustrates the inversion resistant umbrella  10  shown in a closed position, with the canopy wrapped together and held by the strap  52   
     All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
     It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein. 
     One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.