Abstract:
The present invention relates to an umbrella device that has a canopy, a canopy mechanism adapted to expand and collapse said canopy, a base, an arm assembly disposed between said base and said canopy mechanism, said arm assembly having a proximal end pivotally connected to said base and a distal end pivotally connected to said canopy mechanism, said arm assembly being operable, by pivoting said proximal end relative to said base, between a retracted configuration and a protracted configuration, said arm assembly protracting when said proximal end pivots in a first pivotal direction and retracting when said proximal end pivots in a second opposite pivotal direction. The canopy mechanism may be disposed in a first direction relative to said base in said retracted configuration and in a second direction relative to said base, substantially transverse to said first direction, in said protracted configuration.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to collapsible umbrellas.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Umbrellas are used to provide the user with protection against rain, sunlight or snow and are generally carried by hand. Conventional collapsible umbrellas generally either have a fixed shaft or a telescopically extendable shaft. In order to expand the canopy, it is necessary to point the shaft away from the user to avoid the expanding canopy from contacting the user.  
         [0003]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,415 discloses an umbrella device having a collapsible shaft comprising a plurality of pivotally connected members arranged in scissor fashion. In order to prevent the expanding canopy from contacting the user during deployment, it is necessary to point the device away from the user until the canopy is fully expanded and then hold the umbrella upright for use. This may not be convenient for the user in circumstances where pointing the umbrella away from the user is difficult or where it is desirable to hold the device in a fixed position during deployment and use of the umbrella.  
         [0004]     It is also often inconvenient to carry an umbrella particularly if the user requires the use of both hands for other purposes. Further, carrying a wet umbrella after use is somewhat unpleasant.  
         [0005]     Devices for supporting an umbrella without the use of hands are known. Such devices involve the use of a holder, an attachment or the like to mount an umbrella in the in-use position and detach it after use. The drawback of these devices is that although the user wears the holder attached to the torso, it is still necessary to take a separate umbrella by hand and mount and detach it, before and after every use. The user also has to carry the umbrella by hand when not in use.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,188,965 discloses a body mounted umbrella having a support shaft extending from a very wide waist belt worn by the user. The belt is made of a rigid metal which is uncomfortable to wear and makes sitting difficult. Although this device enables the user to fold and unfold a mounted umbrella without requiring the umbrella to be removed from the device, the umbrella shaft must be arranged behind the user to avoid interfering with the face of the user and is therefore not easily accessible.  
         [0007]     It is therefore desirable to provide an umbrella device that can be held in the same orientation during deployment and use of the umbrella. It is further desirable to provide an umbrella device that can be attached to the torso of the user both when extended in use and when retracted and stored, without the need to carry a separate umbrella by hand. It is further desirable to provide a compact umbrella device that can be deployed and retracted without interfering with the face of the user. It is further desirable to provide an umbrella device that is readily accessible and can be worn at the front of the torso without obstructing the view of the user.  
       OBJECT OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art and/or achieve one or more of the above desired outcomes.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     Accordingly, the present invention provides an umbrella device comprising:  
         [0010]     a canopy;  
         [0011]     a canopy mechanism adapted to expand and collapse said canopy;  
         [0012]     a base; and  
         [0013]     an arm assembly disposed between said base and said canopy mechanism, said arm assembly having a proximal end pivotally connected to said base and a distal end pivotally connected to said canopy mechanism, said arm assembly being operable, by pivoting said proximal end relative to said base, between a retracted configuration and a protracted configuration, said arm assembly protracting when said proximal end pivots in a first pivotal direction and retracting when said proximal end pivots in a second opposite pivotal direction.  
         [0014]     The canopy mechanism may be disposed in a first direction relative to said base in said retracted configuration and in a second direction relative to said base, substantially transverse to said first direction, in said protracted configuration.  
         [0015]     The distal end of the arm assembly may follow an approximately arcuate path between said retracted and protracted configurations.  
         [0016]     The distal end of the arm assembly may be operatively connected to the canopy mechanism such that the operation of the umbrella device simultaneously expands the canopy in the extended open configuration and collapses the canopy in the retracted closed configuration. This arrangement provides the umbrella device an automation feature, allowing both hands of the user free for other purposes.  
         [0017]     The canopy mechanism may comprise a shaft, a slide adapted for axial movement on the shaft and a plurality of foldable ribs operatively associated with the canopy and the slide, wherein the canopy mechanism is adapted to expand and collapse the canopy by axial movement of the slide.  
         [0018]     The arm assembly may comprise a plurality of operatively associated elongate members, each of the members being arranged substantially adjacent to the base in the retracted closed configuration and extending substantially vertically of the base in the extended open configuration.  
         [0019]     The plurality of members may comprise at least one pair of members arranged in scissor fashion wherein the paired members are pivotally connected at an intermediate portion of each member and wherein the paired members pivot in opposite directions to one another during the operation of the umbrella device.  
         [0020]     The plurality of members may comprise:  
         [0021]     a first member pivotally connected at a proximal end to the base;  
         [0022]     a second member pivotally connected at a proximal end to the base;  
         [0023]     a third member pivotally connected at a proximal end to a distal end of the second member and having an intermediate portion pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of the first member;  
         [0024]     a fourth member pivotally connected at a proximal end to a distal end of the second member and pivotally connected at a distal end to the slide;  
         [0025]     a fifth member pivotally connected at a proximal end to the distal end of the first member and pivotally connected at a distal end to an intermediate portion of the fourth member; and  
         [0026]     a sixth member pivotally connected at a proximal end to the distal end of the first member and pivotally connected at a distal end to the shaft proximal end.  
         [0027]     Alternatively, the plurality of members may comprise:  
         [0028]     a first member pivotally connected at a proximal end to the base;  
         [0029]     a second member pivotally connected at a proximal end to the base;  
         [0030]     a third member pivotally connected at a proximal end to a distal end of the second member and having an intermediate portion pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of the first member;  
         [0031]     a fourth member pivotally connected at a proximal end to the distal end of the third member;  
         [0032]     a fifth member pivotally connected at a proximal end to the distal end of the first member and having an intermediate portion pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of the fourth member;  
         [0033]     a sixth member pivotally connected at a proximal end to the distal end of the fifth member and pivotally connected at a distal end to the slide;  
         [0034]     a seventh member pivotally connected at a proximal end to the distal end of the fourth member and pivotally connected at a distal end to an intermediate portion of the sixth member;  
         [0035]     an eighth member pivotally connected at a proximal end to the distal end of the fourth member and pivotally connected at a distal end to the shaft proximal end.  
         [0036]     Alternatively, the plurality of members may comprise several pairs of members arranged in scissor fashion.  
         [0037]     The canopy mechanism may comprise:  
         [0038]     a shaft having a proximal end connected to an intermediate point of the arm assembly between the arm assembly proximal and distal ends and a distal end connected to the canopy; and  
         [0039]     a slide adapted for axial movement on the shaft, the slide being operatively associated with the canopy to expand the canopy when driven towards the shaft distal end and collapse the canopy when driven towards the shaft proximal end;  
         [0040]     wherein the slide is connected to the arm assembly distal end such that operation to the extended open configuration displaces the arm assembly distal end from the intermediate point, driving the slide toward the shaft distal end and operation to the retracted closed configuration retracts the arm assembly distal end towards the intermediate point, driving the slide toward the shaft proximal end.  
         [0041]     The slide may be operatively associated with the canopy by means of a plurality of radial ribs, each rib comprising a plurality of operatively associated longitudinal links, wherein the links of each rib are adapted to align longitudinally in the open configuration to expand the canopy and to fold adjacently in the closed configuration to collapse the canopy and wherein the links are adapted to fold the canopy such that in the closed configuration, an outermost link of each rib folds the peripheral edge of the canopy adjacent the shaft distal end. The outermost link may also be the longest link of each rib.  
         [0042]     The arm assembly may be adapted to form a bifurcated Y-shape in the extended open configuration. Each branch of the bifurcated arm assembly may be operatively connected to the canopy mechanism such that the operation of the umbrella device simultaneously expands the canopy in the extended open configuration and collapses the canopy in the retracted closed configuration.  
         [0043]     In this form, the canopy mechanism may comprise a pair of shafts, each shaft having a slide adapted for axial movement on the shaft and a plurality of foldable ribs operatively associated with the canopy and the slides, wherein the canopy mechanism is adapted to expand and collapse the canopy by axial movement of the slides.  
         [0044]     In this form, the arm assembly may comprise:  
         [0045]     a first member pivotally connected at a proximal end to the base;  
         [0046]     a pair of second members pivotally connected at a proximal end to the base and adapted to pivot in parallel to one another;  
         [0047]     a pair of third members pivotally connected at a proximal end to a distal end of the pair of second members and having an intermediate portion pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of the first member;  
         [0048]     a pair of fourth members, each pivotally connected at a proximal end to a distal end of one of the third members;  
         [0049]     a pair of fifth members pivotally connected at a proximal end to a distal end of the first member, each of the fifth members having an intermediate portion pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of one of the fourth members;  
         [0050]     a pair of sixth members, each pivotally connected at a proximal end to the distal end of one of the fifth members and pivotally connected at a distal end to one of the slides;  
         [0051]     a pair of seventh members, each pivotally connected at a proximal end to a distal end of one of the fourth members and pivotally connected at a distal end to an intermediate portion of one of the sixth members;  
         [0052]     a pair of eighth members, each pivotally connected at a proximal end to the distal end of one of the fourth members and pivotally connected at a distal end to the proximal end of one of the shafts.  
         [0053]     The umbrella device may further comprise a locking mechanism for locking said arm assembly in at least one of said retracted and protracted configurations.  
         [0054]     The locking mechanism may comprise a spring biased catch provided on said base, said catch being adapted to be engaged and depressed by a locking pin provided on said arm assembly, during said operation of said arm assembly in said first pivotal direction and to retain said locking pin adjacent said base in said protracted configuration.  
         [0055]     The base may be adapted to be secured to the body of a user. The base may be secured to the user by means of a waist strap. Alternatively, the base may be secured to the user&#39;s belt by means of a spring biased clip. The base may also be secured to the user by means of one or more straps.  
         [0056]     The umbrella device may further comprise a casing adapted to enclose the arm assembly, canopy mechanism and canopy, when the umbrella device is in the retracted closed configuration. The casing may comprise at least one flap secured to the base and adapted to wrap around and enclose the arm assembly, canopy mechanism and canopy. The casing may comprise at least two flaps secured to opposite sides of the base, the flaps adapted to be fastened together to enclose the arm assembly, canopy mechanism and canopy. The flaps may be fastened by means of hook and loop type fasteners or other fastening means.  
         [0057]     The base may further comprise an elongate slidable extension having a lower end adapted to be secured to the user wherein the base is adapted to slide vertically along the extension raising or lowering the base with respect to the secured lower end of the extension.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0058]     A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0059]      FIG. 1  depicts a first embodiment of the umbrella device secured to a user in an extended open configuration;  
         [0060]      FIG. 2  depicts the first embodiment secured to a user in a retracted closed configuration;  
         [0061]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the first embodiment;  
         [0062]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of the first embodiment;  
         [0063]      FIG. 5  depicts the first embodiment secured to a user;  
         [0064]      FIG. 6  is a structural view of the first embodiment in the retracted closed configuration;  
         [0065]      FIG. 7  is a partial structural view of the first embodiment depicting part of the canopy device in detail;  
         [0066]      FIG. 8  is a structural view of the first embodiment during extension/retraction and fully extended as shown in phantom;  
         [0067]      FIG. 9  depicts a member of the arm device of the first embodiment;  
         [0068]      FIG. 10  depicts a slide of the first embodiment;  
         [0069]      FIG. 11  is a partial view of the first embodiment during extension/retraction;  
         [0070]      FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view of a spring catch of the first embodiment;  
         [0071]     FIGS.  13 A-D progressively depict the extension/retraction of a second embodiment of the umbrella device;  
         [0072]     FIGS.  14 A-D depict a third embodiment of umbrella device, with FIGS.  14 B-D depicting enlarged portions of  FIG. 14A ;  
         [0073]      FIG. 15  is a partial structural view of the third embodiment during extension/retraction; and  
         [0074]     FIGS.  16 A-B depict a partial structural view of the central folding crib of the third embodiment, with  FIG. 16B  depicting the folded crib.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0075]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is shown a first embodiment of an umbrella device  10 . The device is shown secured to a user but may also be adapted to be used as a hand held umbrella.  
         [0076]      FIG. 1  depicts the umbrella device  10  having a canopy  12  supported by an arm assembly  14  extending from a base  16 . The arm assembly  14  is shown in a protracted configuration, supporting the canopy  12  above the user. The base  16  is secured to the user by means of a waist attachment  18  and a shoulder strap  20 . The base  16  is provided with a slidable extension  22  which enables the base to be elevated with respect to the waist attachment  18 .  
         [0077]      FIG. 2  depicts the umbrella device  10  with the arm assembly  14  in a retracted configuration and the canopy  12  collapsed against the base  16  and enclosed within a casing  24 .  
         [0078]     Referring to FIGS.  3  to  5 , the casing  24  of the umbrella device  10  is provided with a loop  26  for facilitating carrying of the umbrella device  10  by hand. The casing  24  also has three flaps extending from the base  16 , which are fastened together by means of hook and loop type fasteners  28 . Ties, press studs, buttons or other types of fasteners can alternatively be used.  FIG. 4  demonstrates the operation of the slidable extension  22 . The extension  22  is slidable from a retracted position in which the extension  22  does not protrude from the base  16  and an extended position in which the extension  22  raises the base  16  from the waist attachment  18 . The waist attachment  18 , provided at the lower end of the extension  22 , comprises a clip  19  suitable for clipping to a user&#39;s belt and a ring to which a waist strap can be attached if the user is not wearing a belt. In embodiments where the extension  22  is not required, the waist attachment  18  may be provided on the base  16 . Other means of securing the base  16  to the user are possible including other strap arrangements, elastic straps, a harness or as part of a garment.  
         [0079]     When the umbrella device  10  is not in use, the extension  22  is retracted and the device  10  can be either worn attached to the body or carried by hand. When the umbrella device  10  is required to be used, it is attached to the body of the user, for example at the waist of the user by means of the waist attachment  18 . Depending on the height of the user and length of the arm assembly  14 , the base  16  may be required to be secured to the body of the user above the waist to ensure that the canopy  12  is expanded above the user&#39;s head. In this case, the extension  22  may be employed, raising the base  16  up the torso of the user. In this way, the umbrella device  10  is adjustable to fit different body sizes of the user. Once arranged at an appropriate height, the base may be further secured by means of the shoulder strap  20 . The umbrella device  10  is then ready for deployment of the arm assembly  14  and canopy  12 .  
         [0080]     FIGS.  6  to  12  show the main structural components of the umbrella device  10 , including an arm assembly  14  and a canopy mechanism  30 . The canopy mechanism  30  is operatively associated with the arm assembly  14 , such that the canopy mechanism  30  simultaneously opens and closes the canopy  12  as the arm assembly  14  is protracted and retracted, respectively. The canopy mechanism  30  comprises a shaft  32 , having a proximal end  34  and a distal end  36 , an axially mounted slide  38  and a plurality of foldable ribs  40 . The ribs  40 , which are operatively associated with the distal end  36  of the shaft  32  and with the slide  38 , extend radially outwardly of the shaft  32  to the periphery of the canopy  12 . Each rib  40  comprises a plurality (first to sixth) of pivotally associated links  42 - 52 . The first link  42  is pivotally connected at an inner end to the slide  38 . The second link  44  is pivotally connected at an inner end to the shaft distal end  36  and pivotally connected at an outer end to an intermediate portion of the first link  42 . The fourth link  48  is pivotally connected at an inner end to an outer portion of the second link  44  and pivotally connected at an outer end to an inner end of the fourth link  48 . The outer end of the first link  42  is pivotally connected to an inner portion of the fourth link  48  and an outer portion of the first link  42  is pivotally connected to an inner end of the fifth link  50 . The outer end of the fifth link  50  is pivotally connected to the inner end of the sixth link  52  and the outer end of the fourth link  48  is pivotally connected to an inner portion of the sixth link  52 .  
         [0081]     Axial movement of the slide  38  towards the shaft distal end  36  causes the first link  42  to pivot outwardly from the slide  38  and about the outer end of the second link  44 . This movement causes the second link  44  to pivot outwardly at the shaft distal end  36 . The third link  46  is consequently drawn inwardly with respect to the first link  42  by the second link  44 , drawing the inner end of the fourth link  48  inwardly with respect to the first link  42  and causing the fourth link  48  to pivot about the outer end of the first link  42 . Similarly, the fifth link  50  is drawn inwardly with respect to the fourth link  48  by the first link  42 , drawing the inner end of the sixth link  52  inwardly with respect to the fourth link  48  and causing the sixth link  52  to pivot about the outer end of the fourth link  48 . In this way, as the ribs  40  unfold, they extend radially outwardly as the slide  38  is driven toward the shaft distal end  36 . Axial movement of the slide  38  towards the shaft proximal end  34  reverses the above process and folds the ribs  40  inwardly towards the shaft  32 .  
         [0082]     In the retracted configuration, the sixth and longest link  52  folds the peripheral edge of the canopy  12  adjacent the shaft distal end  36 . This presents the inner surface of the canopy  12  outwardly and contains the outer and possibly wet surface within the folds, preventing the outer surface from contacting and wetting the user.  
         [0083]     Alternatively, the canopy mechanism  30  may function independently of the arm assembly  14 , requiring independent manual operation.  
         [0084]     The arm assembly  14  comprises a plurality (first to sixth) of pivotally connected elongate members  54 - 64 , each having proximal and distal ends. The arm assembly  14  is connected at its proximal end to the base  16  and at its distal end to the canopy mechanism  30 . The arm assembly  14  is adapted to retract and protract between a retracted configuration in which the arm assembly  14  is arranged substantially flat against the base  16 , disposing the canopy mechanism  30  laterally of the base  16 , and a protracted configuration in which the arm assembly  14  extends substantially vertically of the base  16 , disposing the canopy mechanism  30  vertically of the base  16 .  
         [0085]     The proximal end of the first member  54  is pivotally connected to the base  16 . The proximal end of the second member  56  is pivotally connected to the base  16  below the first member  54 . The distal end of the second member  56  is pivotally connected to the proximal end of the third member  58 . An intermediate portion of the third member  58  is pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of the first member  54  and the distal end of the third member  58  is pivotally connected to the proximal end of the fourth member  60 . The proximal end of the fifth member  62  is pivotally connected to the distal end of the first member  54  and the distal end of the fifth member  62  is pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of the fourth member  60 . The proximal end of the sixth member  64  is pivotally connected to the distal end of the first member  54  and the distal end of the sixth member  64  is pivotally connected to the shaft proximal end  34 . The distal end of the fourth member  60  is pivotally connected to the slide  38  of the canopy mechanism  30 .  
         [0086]     In the retracted configuration, the distal ends of the first member  54 , second member  56  and fourth member  60  are substantially adjacent, which retains the slide  38  substantially adjacent the shaft proximal end  34 . During operation from the retracted closed configuration to the extended open configuration, the second member  56  pivots at the base  16  and the distal end of the second member  56  travels upwards in an arc extending laterally from the base  16 . This draws the proximal end of the third member  58  towards the proximal end of the first member  54 , which in turn, causes the first member  54  and third member  58  to pivot against one another in scissor fashion at their connected intermediate portions and draws the distal ends of the first member  54  and third member  58  towards one another. This in turn, draws the proximal ends of the fourth member  60  and the fifth member  62  towards one another, which causes the fourth member  60  to pivot about the distal end of the fifth member  62 . This drives the distal end of the fourth member  60  away from the distal end of the first member  54 . The sixth member  64  spaces the shaft proximal end  34  from the distal end of the first member  54  and accommodates the pivotal movement of the fifth member  62  at the distal end of the first member  54 .  
         [0087]     The separation of the distal ends of the first member  54  and the fourth member  60  drives the slide  38  towards the distal end of the shaft  32 , which in turn, drives the canopy mechanism  30  to open the canopy  12 , as previously described. This results in the arm assembly  14  taking the protracted configuration as shown in  FIG. 1 . In the protracted configuration, each of the members extends substantially vertically from the base  16 . The second member  56  is substantially parallel and adjacent to the base  16 , the first member  54  is substantially parallel and adjacent to the third member  58  and the fourth member  60  is substantially parallel and adjacent to the shaft  32 . Reversing the above process will collapse the canopy  12  and retract the arm assembly  14  to the retracted configuration, as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0088]     Isolated drawings of the sixth member  64  and the slide  38  are provided in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , respectively.  FIG. 6  demonstrates one purpose of the sixth member  64  in spacing the shaft proximal end  34  from the arm assembly  14  and allowing the canopy mechanism  30  to be arranged laterally adjacent the arm assembly  14  and base  16 , providing a compact retracted configuration. The slide  38  is provided with a laterally projecting lobe  66  for connection to the distal end of the fourth member  60 . Both the lobe  66  and the sixth member  64  act to laterally space the canopy mechanism  30  from the arm assembly  14 , allowing each to operate without significant interference or impedance between any members of the arm assembly  14  and any components of the canopy mechanism  30 .  
         [0089]     Accordingly, the umbrella device  10  can be conveniently worn by the user in a compact casing  24  when not in use and can be supported hands free on the body of the user when in use. Further, the path taken by the distal end of the arm assembly  14  during operation of the umbrella device allows the canopy  12  to be expanded away from the face of the user while the base  16  remains in an upright orientation. This advantageously allows the device to be held or secured upright in front of the user where it is convenient to operate.  
         [0090]      FIG. 11  shows the arm assembly  14  partially extended, demonstrating the operation of the arm assembly  14  during protraction/retraction. A spring biased catch  80  for locking the arm assembly  14  in the protracted configuration is shown provided at the top of the base  16 . The catch  80  acts as part of a reversible locking mechanism to maintain the umbrella in an upright position when it is in the open configuration. The catch  80  contains a lug  82  that is biased to an extended position within barrel  84  by spring  86 . In this example, a locking pin  88  is provided to act as the abutment means of the locking mechanism and extends from the second member  56  of the arm assembly  14 . During operation of the arm assembly  14  towards the protracted configuration, the pin  88  moves upwardly in an arc as the arm assembly  14  is protracted. The trajectory of the movement of the pin  88  is shown along the dotted line in  FIGS. 11 and 12  for ease of illustration. As the arm assembly  14  is operated to the protracted configuration, the pin  88  forces the lug  82  into the barrel  84 . Once the pin  88  moves beyond the lug  82 , the spring  86  causes the lug  82  to move back to its extended position, thereby locking the pin  88  into a locked position, as indicated by reference numeral  90 . The arm assembly  14  can be unlocked and retracted by pushing the lug  82  downwards to release pin  88 .  
         [0091]     A second embodiment is depicted in FIGS.  13 A-D. Like reference numerals to those used in relation to describing the first embodiment are used to denote like features in the second embodiment. The arm assembly  14  of this embodiment comprises two additional members  68  and  70 . One additional member  68  is pivotally connected between the distal end of the first member  54  and the proximal end of the fourth member  60  and the other additional member  70  is pivotally connected between the distal end of the third member  58  and the proximal end of the sixth member  64 . The two additional members  68  and  70  are also pivotally connected to each other in scissor fashion at intermediate portions of each member. This has the effect of increasing the protracted length of the arm assembly  14 . Other embodiments of the arm assembly  14  may comprise different numbers and different lengths of arm assembly members.  
         [0092]     A third embodiment of the umbrella device  10  is shown in FIGS.  14 A-D,  15  and  16 A-B. Like reference numerals to those used in relation to describing the first embodiment are used to denote like features in the third embodiment. In this embodiment, the arm assembly  14  is bifurcated at hinge member  73 , as shown in  FIG. 14A , to allow the umbrella device  10  to be mounted centrally in front of the user, without obstructing the user&#39;s forward vision.  
         [0093]     In this form, the proximal end of the first member  54  is pivotally connected to the base  16 . The proximal end of the pair of second members  56  is pivotally connected to the base  16  below the first member  54 . The distal ends of the second members  56  are pivotally connected to the proximal ends of the pair of third members  58 . An intermediate portion of each third member  58  is pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of the first member  54  and the distal ends of the third members  58  are pivotally connected to the proximal ends of the fifth members  70 . A hinge member  73  is pivotally connected to the distal end of the first member  54 . The proximal ends of the pair of fourth members  68  are pivotally connected to the hinge member  73  such that the fourth members  68  can pivot between a parallel configuration and a V-shaped configuration. An intermediate portion of each fourth member  68  is pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of one of the pair of fifth members  70 . The distal ends of the fourth members  68  are pivotally connected to the proximal ends of the sixth members  60  and the distal ends of the fifth members  70  are pivotally connected to the proximal ends of the seventh members  62 . The distal end of the seventh members  62  are pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of the sixth members  60 . The proximal ends of the eighth members  64  are pivotally connected to the distal ends of the fifth members  70  and the distal ends of the eighth members  64  are pivotally connected to the proximal ends  34  of the shafts  32 . The distal ends of the sixth members  60  are pivotally connected to the slides  38  of the canopy mechanism  30 .  
         [0094]     The canopy mechanism  30  comprises dual shafts  32  and slides  38  joined by a central folding structure  72  where it unfolds at top hinge joint  74 . During operation of the umbrella device  10 , the bifurcated arm assembly  14  extends forwardly of the user as the canopy  12  is expanded. In the protracted open configuration the bifurcated arm assembly  14  extends centrally up the user&#39;s torso from the base  16  to a point below the chin where the bifurcated branches of the arm assembly  14  extend angularly upwardly in a Y-shape at the bottom hinge  76 , laterally of the user&#39;s face. Accordingly, the umbrella device  10  can be secured centrally and in front of the user, without the arm assembly  14  significantly affecting the user&#39;s forward vision ( FIG. 14A ). To retract the canopy, the user pulls the top hinge  74  towards the hinge member  73  so that the central folding structure  72  folds at the top hinge joint  74 , causing the two distal ends of the dual shafts  32  to move towards each other. The slides  38  are then pulled concomitantly downwards by fourth member  60  along the shafts  32  in the direction of the hinge member  73 , and the Y-shape closes. When the canopy mechanism  30  is in its retracted configuration in this embodiment, its members are parallel to shafts  32  ( FIG. 16B ).  
         [0095]     While the present invention has been described using the specific embodiment as shown in the aforementioned figures, it is understood that the figures are for illustration only and should not be taken as limitation of the invention. It is contemplated that many changes and modifications may be made by one of ordinary skills in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of invention described. For example, the exact position and type of joint  74  and the length of member  70 , shafts  32  and ribs  72  as shown in  FIG. 16B  depend on the size of the umbrella and may be modified by a manufacturer according to the users need. Each of the above embodiments may also be detached from the user and used as a conventional hand held umbrella by holding the base  16 , or arm assembly  14 . It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.