US20160183648A1

US20160183648A1 - Water catchment device for umbrella

Info

Publication number: US20160183648A1
Application number: US14/584,018
Authority: US
Inventors: Yu-Feng Cheng
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-12-29
Filing date: 2014-12-29
Publication date: 2016-06-30

Abstract

Provided is a water catchment device for an umbrella, the water catchment device including: a cover, a protrusion, and an absorbent element. The protrusion further has an insertion channel for an umbrella to be inserted into and combined with the water catchment device. Furthermore, a catchment is formed between the cover and the protrusion and an absorbent element is mounted in the catchment. The absorbent element can absorb rainwater and retain the rainwater in the catchment. The water catchment device prevents the rainwater from overflowing from the catchment and dripping around. In addition, the cover and the protrusion are made of flexible materials. The absorbent element in the catchment can be dried by pressing the cover. The absorbent element also can be removed from the catchment for drying or replacement whenever needed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a water catchment device, and more particularly to water catchment device for an umbrella.
2. Description of the Related Art
Currently the water catchment assembly of an umbrella has a hollow shaft for an end cap of the umbrella to be inserted therein, and an end of the umbrella shaft further has a rubber ferrule. The rubber ferrule can restrain the end cap and can be deformed by external force. The water catchment assembly also has an annular plate with multiple catchment holes. An absorbent sponge is mounted on an outer side of the shaft, and a shell is sleeved on the absorbent sponge for insertion of the shaft. When the water catchment assembly restrains the end cap of the umbrella, the rainwater flows downward along the canopy of the umbrella into the absorbent sponge through the catchment holes, and then is absorbed by the absorbent sponge.
To dry the absorbent sponge, users can incline the umbrella and the water catchment assembly together and pull the shell such that rainwater moves downward along the umbrella. As such, the absorbent sponge can be compressed for draining off the rainwater.
However, the structure of the water catchment assembly is very complicated. Users have to apply much physical effort to drain off the rainwater from the water catchment assembly and can hardly control the drain-off direction of the rainwater. The rainwater always drips and flows all over the floor after the water catchment assembly is squeezed and hence poses a high risk of slippage for passersby.
In addition, the absorbent sponge is compressed only by movement of the shell. It is hard to dry the absorbent sponge thoroughly. After use for a long time, the absorbent sponge is always moldy and rotten, which is unpleasant both in appearance and hygiene.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a water catchment device for an umbrella; the water catchment device is easy to operate. The water catchment device can collect the rainwater and prevent the rainwater from dripping everywhere. In addition, the water catchment device can thoroughly dry the absorbent sponge and prevent the absorbent sponge from getting moldy and rotten. With the above advantages, users can easily use the present invention and prevent slippage-related accidents.
To achieve the foregoing objective, the water catchment device of an umbrella comprises a cover, a protrusion, and an absorbent element.
The cover is a hollow container comprising a bottom, a top, and a side part. The top is opposite to the bottom, and the side part connects along edges of the bottom and the top. Furthermore the bottom of the cover is a closed end, and the top of the cover is an open end.
The protrusion is hollow and cylindrical, protrudes from the bottom of the cover to the top of the cover, and comprises a lower end, an upper end, and a side wall. The upper end is opposite to the lower end, and the side wall annularly connects the lower end and the upper end of the protrusion. The lower end of the protrusion is sealed and connected to the bottom of the cover. An insertion channel is formed within the side wall of the protrusion, forms an opening at the upper end of the protrusion, and tapers from the upper end of the protrusion toward the lower end of the protrusion. A catchment is formed between the side part of the cover and the side wall of the protrusion.
The absorbent element is selectively disposed in the catchment.
By utilizing the insertion channel, an umbrella can be easily combined with or dismantled from the water catchment device. The absorbent element is mounted in the catchment, and the absorbent element prevents the rainwater from dripping and flowing everywhere when the umbrella in inclined. In addition, the absorbent element can be removed from the catchment for drying whenever needed.
Particularly, the cover and the protrusion are made of flexible materials such as elastoplastic or rubber. The absorbent element is a sponge that fills the catchment partially or fully. With the advantage of the flexible materials, users can squeeze and dry the sponge by pressing the cover and the protrusion. When the sponge fills the catchment partially, the sponge can stop the overflow of the rainwater from the catchment. If the sponge fills the catchment completely, the rainwater can be absorbed by the sponge thoroughly. So the rainwater can be retained in the catchment effectively. The present invention prevents accident caused by wet and slippery floors on rainy days.
Particularly, the thickness of the side wall is proportionally decreased from the lower end to the upper end. An outer face of the side part of the cover further comprises at least one hand-grip portion. The hand-grip portion is a recess. The advantage of the present invention is that the thickness of the lower end is larger than the upper end to firmly support the end cap of an umbrella that is inserted into the insertion channel. This design also enhances the stability for using the umbrella as a walking stick. The hand-grip portion helps users to install, remove, and press the water catchment device easily.
Particularly, the edge around the top has an outer rim and the outer rim further comprises at least one fastener. The fastener is a metal ring. The water catchment device further comprises a ring and the ring embeds at least one fixed element. The fastener for fixing to the fixed element, and the ring is selectively fixed on the outer rim. In addition, the fixed elements are two magnets. When the umbrella is collapsed and stands on the floor, the ring is moved away from the cover along the umbrella. The rainwater flows into the catchment by the movement of the ring and is absorbed by the sponge. Furthermore, the two magnets cooperate with the metal ring fixing the ring on the outer rim for storage of the umbrella.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the water catchment device for an umbrella in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the water catchment device;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the water catchment device;

FIG. 4A is a schematic view of the water catchment device in accordance with the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 4B is a partial enlargement drawing of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the water catchment device in accordance with the present invention, shown squeezed;

FIG. 6 is a perspective cross sectional view of another embodiment of the water catchment device of an umbrella in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of still another embodiment of the water catchment device in accordance with the present invention, shown in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1, a water catchment device for an umbrella comprises a cover 10, a protrusion 20, and an absorbent element 30.
The cover 10 is a hollow container. The hollow container is a cylinder or a square tube. The cover 10 further comprises a bottom 11, a top 12, and a side part 13. The top 12 is opposite to the bottom 11, and the side part 13 connects along edges of the bottom 11 and the top 12. Furthermore the bottom 11 is a closed end and the top 12 is an open end. The open end provides an entrance for insertion of an end cap of the umbrella.
The bottom 11 is thicker than the top 12 and the side part 13. A slip-proof cushion 111 is formed on the bottom 11 and is made of the same but thickened material of the cover 10. When the present invention is installed on an end cap of the umbrella and contacts the floor, the slip-proof cushion 111 buffers the normal force and provides slip-proof effects. This slip-proof cushion 111 also facilitates use of the water catchment device as a temporary walking stick. In addition, an outer face of the side part 13 further comprises two hand-grip portions 131. The two hand-grip portions 131 are recesses disposed at two opposite positions on the outer face of the side part 13. The hand-grip portions 131 allow users to grip and press the cover 10 easily.
The protrusion 20 protrudes from the bottom 11 to the top 12, and the protrusion 20 is a hollow cylinder that comprises a lower end 21, an upper end 22, and a side wall 23. The upper end 22 is opposite to the lower end 21, and the side wall 23 annularly connects the lower end 21 and the upper end 22. The lower end 21 is connected to the bottom 11 and is sealed, and the upper end 22 has an opening 221. The thickness of the side wall 23 is proportionally decreased from the lower end 21 to the upper end 22. An insertion channel 24 is formed in the opening 221 among the lower end 21, the upper end 22, and the side wall 23. The opening 221 provides an entrance for insertion of the end cap of the umbrella into the insertion channel 24.
Furthermore, the diameters of the insertion channel 24 are decreased from the upper end 22 to the lower end 21. The insertion channel 24 fits umbrella end caps of any size and enhances the combination stability between an umbrella and the water catchment device. A catchment 40 is formed between the side part 13 and the side wall 23. Rainwater on the umbrella canopy falls into and is temporarily collected in the catchment 40.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the height H1 from the bottom 11 to the upper end 22 is selectively and adjustably less than the height H2 from the bottom 11 to the top 12. In this embodiment, the height H1 is less than the height H2.
In addition, the cover 10 and the protrusion 20 are made of flexible materials such as elastoplastic or rubber.
The absorbent element 30 is a sponge that is selectively disposed in the catchment 40. With reference to FIG. 2, the sponge fills the catchment 40 between the top 12 and the upper end 22 partially. When the umbrella is inclined or falls down, the sponge can stop the overflow of the rainwater from the catchment 40. With reference to FIG. 3, the sponge fills the catchment 40 completely. The rainwater can be absorbed by the sponge thoroughly. So the rainwater can be completely retained in the catchment 40.
With reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, users can insert the end cap 51 of the umbrella 50 into the insertion channel 24 through the opening 221 and combine the umbrella 50 with the water catchment device. When the umbrella 50 vertically stands on the floor, the rainwater on the umbrella canopy 52 falls down by gravity and flows into the catchment 40.
After using the present invention on rainy days, users can put the umbrella 50 horizontally and squeeze the hand-grip portions 131. As the end cap 51 is hard and the cover 10 is soft, the sponge in the catchment 40 is compressed and then releases the absorbed rainwater. With reference to FIG. 5, users also can remove the water catchment device from the end cap 51 and invert the water catchment device. Then users squeeze the sponge by pressing the hand-grip portions 131 and the sponge will release the absorbed rainwater. Furthermore, users also can replace a new sponge by removing the wet sponge from the catchment 40. Likewise, users can remove the wet sponge and dry it. After the sponge is dried, the sponge is put into the catchment 40 again for reuse.
With reference to FIG. 6, the top 12 has an outer rim 14 and the outer rim 14 further comprises a fastener 60 on the outer rim's bottom. The fastener 60 is a metal ring. The water catchment device further comprises a ring 70 and the ring 70 embeds two fixed elements 71. The fixed elements 71 are two magnets positioned toward each other in the ring 70. In addition, the fastener 60 for fixing to the fixed elements 71, and the ring 70 is selectively fixed on the outer rim 14.
With reference to FIG. 7, users can install the water catchment device with the ring 70 on the end cap 51 of the umbrella 50. After using the water catchment device with the ring 70 on a rainy day, users put the umbrella 50 vertically standing on the floor. At the same time, users can move the ring 70 from the end cap 51 away from the cover 10 along the umbrella 50. Then the rainwater on the umbrella canopy 52 is moved downward by the ring's movement and gravity and flows into the catchment 40. After the catchment 40 collects certain amount of rainwater, users also can dry the sponge by the above acts.
In summary, the insertion channel 24 facilitates firm combination of an umbrella 50 with the water catchment device. The rainwater on the umbrella canopy 52 falls into the catchment 40 and is absorbed by the sponge. The sponge prevents the rainwater from overflowing from the catchment 40 and dripping everywhere. In addition, the sponge can be removed from the catchment 40 manually whenever needed after the sponge absorbs the rainwater. The sponge also can be dried by compression for repeated uses. The present invention is easy to use and achieves environmental protection.
Furthermore, the water catchment device further comprises the ring 70 and the ring 70 embeds two fixed elements 71. The ring 70 is selectively fixed on the cover 10 by the fastener 60 and the fixed elements 71. After using the umbrella 50 on rainy days, users can move the ring 70 from the end cap 51 of the umbrella away from the cover 11 along the umbrella canopy. Then the rainwater on the umbrella canopy 52 is moved downward by the ring's movement and gravity and flows into the catchment 40. The rainwater is absorbed and collected by the sponge in the catchment 40. The ring 70 helps the rainwater to flow into the catchment 40 and accelerates drying of the umbrella canopy 52. In addition, the ring 70 also has a buffering function. The present invention provides enhanced convenience for umbrella users.
Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A water catchment device for an umbrella, the device comprising:

a cover being a hollow container and comprising:

a bottom,

a top opposite to the bottom, and

a side part connecting along edges of the bottom and the top;

a hollow cylindrical protrusion protruding from the bottom of the cover towards the top of the cover, and comprising:

a lower end,

an upper end opposite to the lower end, and

a side wall annularly connecting the lower end and the upper end; and

an absorbent element;

wherein the bottom of the cover is a closed end; the lower end of the protrusion is sealed and connected to the bottom of the cover; an insertion channel is formed within the side wall of the protrusion and forms an opening at the upper end of the protrusion, and the insertion channel tapers from the upper end of the protrusion towards the lower end of the protrusion; a catchment is formed between the side part of the cover and the side wall of the protrusion, and the absorbent element is selectively disposed in the catchment.

2. The water catchment device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover and the protrusion are made of flexible materials, and the absorbent element fills the catchment partially or fully.

3. The water catchment device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the flexible materials are elastoplastic or rubber, and the absorbent element is a sponge.

4. The water catchment device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an edge around the top comprises an outer rim and the outer rim further has at least one fastener; the water catchment device further has a ring and the ring embeds at least one fixed element; the fastener for fixing to the fixed element, and the ring is selectively fixed on the outer rim.

5. The water catchment device as claimed in claim 2, wherein an edge around the top comprises an outer rim and the outer rim further has at least one fastener; the water catchment device further has a ring and the ring embeds at least one fixed element; the fastener for fixing to the fixed element, and the ring is selectively fixed on the outer rim.

6. The water catchment device as claimed in claim 3, wherein an edge around the top comprises an outer rim and the outer rim further has at least one fastener; the water catchment device further has a ring and the ring embeds at least one fixed element; the fastener for fixing to the fixed element, and the ring is selectively fixed on the outer rim.

7. The water catchment device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fastener is a metal ring, and the fixed elements are two magnets.

8. The water catchment device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fastener is a metal ring, and the fixed elements are two magnets.

9. The water catchment device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fastener is a metal ring, and the fixed elements are two magnets.

10. The water catchment device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickness of the side wall is proportionally decreased from the lower end to the upper end.

11. The water catchment device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the thickness of the side wall is proportionally decreased from the lower end to the upper end.

12. The water catchment device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the thickness of the side wall is proportionally decreased from the lower end to the upper end.

13. The water catchment device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the thickness of the side wall is proportionally decreased from the lower end to the upper end.

14. The water catchment device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the thickness of the side wall is proportionally decreased from the lower end to the upper end.

15. The water catchment device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the thickness of the side wall is proportionally decreased from the lower end to the upper end.

16. The water catchment device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the thickness of the side wall is proportionally decreased from the lower end to the upper end.

17. The water catchment device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an outer face of the side part of the cover further comprises at least one hand-grip portion; the hand-grip portion is a recess.

18. The water catchment device as claimed in claim 2, wherein an outer face of the side part of the cover further comprises at least one hand-grip portion; the hand-grip portion is a recess.

19. The water catchment device as claimed in claim 3, wherein an outer face part of the cover further comprises at least one hand-grip portion; the hand-grip portion is a recess.

20. The water catchment device as claimed in claim 4, wherein an outer face of the side part of the cover further comprises at least one hand-grip portion; the hand-grip portion is a recess.