JP7594338B2 - Umbrella storage device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an umbrella storage device, and more particularly to an umbrella storage device mounted on an automobile or other vehicle.

Conventional umbrella storage devices for automobiles have a problem in that, because umbrellas are long, when they are stored upright in the door, the top of the umbrella sticks out towards the window, blocking part of the driver's view (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

To solve the above problem, the umbrella can be stored at an angle in the door trim. There are prior art documents that meet this requirement (see, for example, Patent Document 2). However, in the document, the storage device is a simple cylinder, so when storing an umbrella, the only way is to insert the umbrella onto the axis of the cylinder, and it can only be operated when the door is open. This poses the problem that the user may get wet in the rain when operating the device, and because an open door is unstable, it is cumbersome to operate the device while supporting the door with one hand, and if the umbrella is not pushed into the designated position, the protruding umbrella may get caught between the door and the body when the door is closed, potentially damaging both.

Publication No. 3213641

Jitszen No. 58-82177

The present invention aims to solve the problems of the conventional technology described above, that is, to provide an umbrella storage device that allows the driver to easily take out and put away an umbrella with the door closed while still ensuring visibility for the driver, and that prevents the umbrella from falling out even during sudden braking.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is an umbrella storage device comprising a slope, a vertically elongated plane which is located above the umbrella placed upright on the slope when inserted and serves as an abutment portion located close to the side of the umbrella, an upper surface continuing from the lower end of the vertically elongated plane, a lower surface continuing from the lower end of the slope, a lower surface connecting the upper and lower surfaces, and a back surface and a front surface of the main body which contact all end surfaces of the slope, lower surface, lower surface, upper surface and vertically elongated plane, and the area directly below the abutment portion is a slope, and the side above the slope which goes up the slope after the abutment portion is open.

With this configuration, when a user places an umbrella upright on a slope or upright above a slope and then lets go of it, the tip of the umbrella slides up the slope and the side of the umbrella comes into contact with the vertically elongated plane that is the abutment part. After that, as the tip of the umbrella slides up the slope, the upper part of the umbrella rotates around the abutment point on the vertically elongated plane that is the abutment part so as to approach the slope. Eventually, the umbrella leaves the abutment part and falls down the slope to be stored . Furthermore, if the user lets go of the umbrella at any position from when it is upright to when it is at an angle parallel to the slope, it will automatically be stored on the slope.

The invention of claim 2 is the configuration of the invention of claim 1, in which the abutment part is located above the umbrella to be stored lying on a slope, close to the side of the umbrella when stored , and has a curved surface between the vertically long plane and the upper surface, and a groove on the lower surface against which the tip of the umbrella abuts when stored.

When configured in this manner, when an external force is applied horizontally to the open side of the slope to the umbrella when stored, the umbrella handle rotates away from the slope, the side of the umbrella abuts against the curved surface which is the abutment part, the umbrella tip abuts against the inner wall of the groove, and a torque acts on the umbrella tip with the abutment point on the curved surface which is the abutment part as a fulcrum, and although the umbrella tip tries to slide along the inner wall of the groove, a frictional force comes into play between the umbrella tip and the inner wall of the groove, making it difficult for the umbrella to come off.

The invention of claim 3 is the structure of the invention of claim 1 or 2 , further comprising a curved surface in contact with both the inclined surface and the lower surface, and the portion directly below the contact portion is a curved surface instead of an inclined surface.

When configured in this way, when the handle of the umbrella is lifted upwards for storage, the tip of the umbrella slides along the underside and curved surface without getting caught along the way, allowing it to move to the removal position and be removed.

The removal position is the same as the insertion position of an umbrella that is inserted upright on a slope. Specifically, it refers to the area on the plane directly below the contact point, or on the slope that connects to that plane, and the lower end of that area is the vertical projection onto the plane of the contact point between the contact point and the side of the umbrella when inserted as described above.

The invention of claim 4 is the configuration of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which a U-shaped hole that opens upward is provided on the front of the main body at the umbrella insertion position, which is the position where the user releases the umbrella when the umbrella is placed upright on a slope or standing in the air above a slope .

When configured in this way, it is immediately clear that the U-shaped hole is the insertion port for the umbrella, as shown in Figure 1.

The invention of claim 5 is the structure of any one of claims 1 to 4 , in which the contact portion is a round bar extending from the front surface of the main body to the rear surface of the main body .

This configuration makes it easier to mold the product of the present invention.

As explained above, the invention described in claim 1 allows convenient storage operations.

The invention described in claim 2 makes it difficult for a stored umbrella to fall off during sudden braking.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 3 , the removal operation can be carried out conveniently.

The invention described in claim 4 makes it clear and easy to understand where to put the umbrella in and out.

The invention described in claim 5 can be easily manufactured.

FIG 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an umbrella storage device according to a first embodiment of the present invention (Example 1). FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the lower part of FIG. 2, near the lower surface (13). FIG. 4 shows the front view of FIG. 1 with the umbrella (41) inserted. FIG. 5 shows the umbrella (51) in a folded up state in front view of FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the CC line in FIG. 1, showing the umbrella (61) when an external force is applied horizontally to the open side of the slope (11). FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the lower part of FIG. FIG. 8 shows the umbrella (71) in a front view of FIG. 1 after the removal operation has begun. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the lower part of the umbrella (71) after the start of the removal operation in the cross section taken along the line CC in FIG. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an umbrella storage device according to a second embodiment of the present invention (Example 2). Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional shape of an umbrella storage device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to Fig. 2 showing the first embodiment. (Example 3)

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an umbrella storage device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of line C-C in Figure 1, Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the lower part of Figure 2, near the bottom surface (13), Figure 4 is a front view of Figure 1 with an umbrella (41) when inserted, and Figure 5 is a front view of Figure 1 with an umbrella (51) when stored.

1 and 2, the umbrella storage device (1) includes a slope (11), a vertically elongated flat surface (12a) located above an umbrella (41) to be inserted upright on the slope (11) and adjacent to the side of the umbrella (41), a curved surface (12b) located above an umbrella (51) to be stored lying down on the slope (11) and adjacent to the side of the umbrella (51) and between the flat surface (12a) and an upper surface (18) continuing from the lower end of the vertically elongated flat surface (12a), a lower surface (13) of the main body, a curved surface (14) in contact with both the slope (11) and the lower surface (13), and a tip ( 3 and a plane (16b) parallel to the slope (11) on the right side of FIG. 3. The groove (16) is composed of a lower surface (17) provided upward from the left end of the lower surface (13) in the figure, an upper surface (18) above the lower surface (13), a rear side surface of the slope, i.e., the back surface of the main body (19), a front side surface of the slope, i.e., the front surface of the main body (20), and a U-shaped hole (21) that is open upward and has the vertically elongated plane (12a) as one side facing the front surface (20) of the main body at the insertion position of the umbrella (41) during the above-mentioned insertion.

The vertically elongated plane (12a) refers to the plane against which the side of the umbrella (41) abuts when inserted, and the curved surface (12b) is the part against which the side of the umbrella abuts when an external force is applied to the umbrella (51) when stored in the horizontal direction of the open side of the slope (11), that is, horizontally from the right side to the left side in the figure; both are considered appropriate to be called the abutment part (12), and will be referred to as such from now on.

The umbrellas used in this umbrella storage device (1) are either folded and not hooked, or folded and hooked.

When this umbrella storage device (1) is used in a vehicle such as an automobile, the slope (11) is set at an angle where the umbrella (51) is stored so that the top of the umbrella does not protrude out of the window.

The horizontal distance between the front (20) and back (19) of the main body , i.e., the depth inside the main body, is slightly wider than the diameter of a folded umbrella that is hooked. This is because the cross-sectional area of the umbrella is largest in that state. A folded umbrella that is not hooked has a high degree of freedom and spreads in the open direction, so if it spreads up and down in the figure, for example, the depth side will be narrowed. Therefore, it can be stored even if the depth inside the main body is narrowed. However, it would not be possible to store a folded umbrella that is hooked, so the above length was set.

The edge of the umbrella tip (53) when stored abuts against the left-hand plane (16a) of the groove (16) with a wedge-shaped cross section, and the edge of the umbrella tip abuts against the right-hand plane (16b) when an external force is applied horizontally to the open side of the slope (11). More precisely, the plane (16a) is perpendicular to the plane (16b), and the edge of the umbrella tip (53) when stored tries to abut against the bottom edge of the curved surface between the two planes due to the weight of the umbrella (51). However, since the umbrella (51) is stored slightly raised against the slope (11), the umbrella tip (53) abuts against the curved surface from the top end of the plane (16a) to the bottom surface (13). It is necessary to adjust the width of the plane (16a) and the gap between the left end of the plane (16a) in the figure and the bottom surface (17) so that the umbrella tip (53) when stored fits into the groove (16).

The groove (16) has a wedge-shaped cross section because it is easy for water to collect at the apex of the wedge. Although it is not mentioned in the patent, it would be good to have a drainage outlet on this umbrella storage device (1). If water is collected in one place, it is easier to drain. If the cross section were a typical U-shape, the bottom surface would be flat and water would be more likely to remain.

The top of the main body is open except for the top surface (18). This is to accommodate the range of movement of the umbrella (41) after it is inserted and before it is stored, but it is also a manufacturing requirement.

The upper part of the front surface (20) of the main body is raised just high enough to hide the sides of the stored umbrella (51). The reason it gets lower as it goes up is also due to manufacturing conditions.

Also due to manufacturing conditions, the top surface (18) must be angled so that it moves away from the slope (11) as it goes up. At the very least, it must be parallel to the slope (11). In this umbrella storage device (1), the top surface (18) and the slope (11) are parallel.

Also due to manufacturing conditions, the horizontal distance between the lower surface (17) and the abutment portion (12a) is half the distance between the opposing sides of the U-shaped hole (21).

Directly below the contact portion (12) is a curved surface (14).

Figure 4 shows the umbrella (41) when inserted in the front view of Figure 1. Figure 5 shows the umbrella (51) when stored in the front view of Figure 1.

With reference to these figures, the process from inserting an umbrella (41) into the umbrella storage device (1) until it is stored will be described. The user holds the umbrella handle (42) and operates it with one hand. When inserting, the umbrella (41) is placed upright sideways into the U-shaped hole (21), and then dropped by the user so that the umbrella tip (43) abuts against the slope (11) or curved surface (14). Alternatively, the umbrella is inserted further from top to bottom, and the umbrella tip (43) abuts against the slope (11) or curved surface (14), after which the user releases it.

Next, the freed umbrella slides from the slope (11) to the curved surface (14) due to its own weight if the umbrella tip (43) was on the slope (11), or slides downward on the curved surface (14) if it was on the curved surface (14). Next, the umbrella side abuts against the vertically elongated flat surface (12a) which is the abutment part. After that, the umbrella tip (43) continues to slide downward on the curved surface (14). This means that the top of the umbrella rotates around the abutment point on the vertically elongated flat surface (12a) which is the abutment part, so as to approach the slope (11). Finally, the umbrella side separates from the vertically elongated flat surface (12a) which is the abutment part, and the umbrella handle (42) rotates around the umbrella tip (43) so as to approach the slope (11). Finally, the umbrella is laid down on the slope (11) and stored.

Meanwhile, the tip of the umbrella (43) slides down the curved surface (14), and by momentum passes over the underside (13) and fits into the groove (16).

As a result, this umbrella storage device (1) can conveniently store an umbrella (41).

The radius of the curved surface (14) that contacts the slope (11) and the underside (13) should be as large as possible. This is to ensure that the umbrella tip (43) fits securely into the groove (16). If it is too small, the umbrella tip (43) may end up remaining on the underside (13), which will not be consistent with the design intent.

In addition, after the umbrella (41) is inserted, the moment the umbrella tip (43) abuts against the slope (11) or curved surface (14), the angle of the umbrella central axis does not have to be vertical. If the umbrella is placed tilted toward the slope (11), i.e., toward the right side in the figure, it is self-evident that the umbrella will fall toward the slope (11) without the side of the umbrella abutting against the vertical plane (12a) that is the abutment part. If the umbrella (41) is inserted tilted toward the vertical plane (12a ) that is the abutment part, i.e., toward the left side in the figure, the side of the umbrella will abut against the vertical plane (12a) that is the abutment part in that position. Considering that the weight of the umbrella (41) is applied to the center of gravity, the center of gravity is divided into a force perpendicular to the umbrella central axis toward the open side of the slope and a force downward of the umbrella central axis. The perpendicular force generates a torque with the point of contact between the side of the umbrella (41) and the vertically elongated flat surface (12a) as the fulcrum, and a force is applied to the umbrella tip (43) perpendicular to the umbrella central axis toward the slope (11) by the principle of leverage. The force of this torque causes the umbrella tip (43) to have a force in the direction of ascending the slope (11) or curved surface (14) beyond the frictional force. On the other hand, the other component force, the downward force, acts directly on the umbrella tip (43) and has a force in the direction of descending the slope (11) or curved surface (14) beyond the frictional force. Since the downward force caused by the downward force of the umbrella central axis is stronger than the upward force caused by the torque, the umbrella tip (43) slides downward on the slope (11) or curved surface (14), and the umbrella (41) rotates so that the umbrella handle (42) approaches the slope (11), so there is no problem. Furthermore, the greater the inclination during insertion, the stronger the upward force due to the torque and the weaker the downward force due to the downward force of the umbrella's central axis, so care must be taken not to tilt it too much.

Figure 6 shows the umbrella when an external force is applied horizontally to the open side of the slope (11) on the cross section of line C-C in Figure 1. Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the lower part of Figure 6.

With reference to these figures, we will explain what happens when an external force is applied horizontally to the open side of the slope (11) on the umbrella (51) when stored.

Consider that an external force is applied horizontally to the open side of the slope (11) to the center of gravity of the umbrella (51) when it is stored. The umbrella (51) rotates so that the handle (52) of the umbrella moves away from the slope (11), the side of the umbrella (61) comes into contact with the contact portion (12b), and the edge of the umbrella tip (63) comes into contact with the flat surface (16b) of the groove (16), resulting in the state shown in Figures 6 and 7.

The force acting on the center of gravity (64) of the umbrella is divided into a force perpendicular to the central axis of the umbrella toward the open side of the slope, and a force directed downwards on the central axis of the umbrella. The downward force of the central axis of the umbrella acts to press the umbrella (61) against the main body. The perpendicular force generates a torque with the abutment point between the side of the umbrella (61) and the abutment part (12b) as the fulcrum, and by the principle of leverage, a force perpendicular to the central axis of the umbrella is applied to the plane (16b) of the umbrella tip (43) toward the slope (11). Since the plane (16b) is parallel to the slope (11), the angle between the direction of this force and the plane (16b) is 90 degrees minus the angle between the central axis of the umbrella (61) and the slope (11), which is sufficiently large, so the frictional force is large and the umbrella tip (63) does not easily slip. In other words, it is difficult to come off the groove (16). Furthermore, the smaller the angle that the plane (16b) makes with the horizontal, the less friction there is, making it easier to remove.

Even if the umbrella tip (63) comes off the groove (16) and the umbrella handle (62) rotates away from the slope (11), the umbrella will not come off from the main body because the umbrella side surface is widely received by the vertically elongated flat surface (12a) which is the abutment part .

For these reasons, this umbrella storage device (1) makes it difficult for the stored umbrella (51) to fall out during sudden braking.

Figure 8 shows the umbrella (71) after the removal operation has begun in the front view of Figure 1. Figure 9 shows an enlarged view of the lower part of the umbrella (71) after the removal operation has begun in the cross-sectional view of line C-C in Figure 1.

With reference to these figures, we will explain how to take out the umbrella (51) when it is stored.

It is not necessary to lift the umbrella (51) along the slope (11) to take it out when it is stored. If that were to happen, it would not be possible to take it out when the door is closed, which would be counter to the problem. The user lightly holds the handle of the stored umbrella (51) with one hand and lifts it upward. The umbrella (71) tries to rotate due to its own weight, centering on the part of the umbrella handle (72) where the user's hand is hooked. Therefore, the umbrella tip (73) starts on the flat surface (16b) of the groove (16), moves along the underside (13), the curved surface (14), and finally the slope (11). However, if the removal position is on the curved surface (14), it does not need to be moved to the slope (11). When the umbrella tip (73) reaches the removal position, the user stops lifting it and rotates the umbrella handle (72) around the umbrella tip (73) in a direction away from the slope (11). When the umbrella (71) is in the upright position for removal, pull it upwards and pull it out towards you through the U-shaped hole (21). The above operation will come naturally if you are initially conscious of pulling the umbrella handle (72) upwards.

As a result, this umbrella storage device (1) allows convenient removal of the stored umbrella (51).

Now, let us consider the case where there is no curved surface (14). This is the case where the intersection of the underside (13) and the slope (11) is a very small curve or a corner. In this case, if the user performs the removal operation as described above, they will feel resistance when the umbrella tip (73) reaches the intersection. This will make the user want to start rotating the umbrella on the spot. If the umbrella is rotated when the intersection is not in a position where it can be removed, the side of the umbrella will come into contact with the contact part (12b), and it may get caught due to the friction generated between the umbrella tip (73) and the slope (11). Even in this case, if the umbrella handle (72) is pulled upward again, the umbrella tip (73) will slide up the slope (11) and it is possible to remove the umbrella, but this is cumbersome.

For convenient removal, it is necessary to eliminate resistance as much as possible up to the removal position. Therefore, as mentioned above, it is best to make the radius of the curved surface (14) as large as possible.

Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an umbrella storage device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the figure, the umbrella storage device (1) has an abutment portion (12) made of a round bar, and the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the U-shaped hole (21) on the top surface (18) and the front surface (20) of the main body are omitted, so the description will not be repeated here.

The upper part of the bottom surface (13) and the upper part of the slope (11) are open. Unlike the first embodiment, there is no upper surface (18), which has the advantage of being easier to manufacture. The round bar of the abutment part (12) is manufactured separately. The umbrella (41) insertion position and removal position are in the same position as described above, and the umbrella (41) is inserted from above into the space to the right of the abutment part (12) in the figure. When the umbrella (41) is inserted, the right edge of the abutment part (12) in the figure abuts against the umbrella side, and when an external force is applied horizontally to the open side of the slope (11) to the umbrella (51) during storage, the lower edge of the abutment part (12) abuts against the umbrella side.

Because the surface directly below the contact portion (12) is a curved surface (14), the umbrella (41) is stored in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

When an external force is applied to the umbrella (51) in the horizontal direction on the open side of the slope (11) when stored, the umbrella is unlikely to come off because the positional relationship between the contact part (12) and the groove (16) is the same as in the first embodiment.

The curved surface (14) is the same as in the first embodiment, making it easy to remove.

As described above, this umbrella storage device (1) also allows convenient access to the umbrella (41) in the same way as the first embodiment, and the stored umbrella (51) is unlikely to fall out even during sudden braking.

As described above in the explanation of the first embodiment, the central axis of the umbrella (41) does not need to be vertical when the umbrella (41) is inserted. There is no problem if the umbrella handle (42) is in a direction away from the slope (11), that is, if the umbrella (41) is tilted to the left in the figure, because the umbrella can be stored.

Figure 11 shows the cross-sectional shape of an umbrella storage device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to Figure 2 showing the first embodiment.

Referring to the figure, the umbrella storage device (1) has a lower surface (13) that is perpendicular to the slope (11), and the rest of the configuration is the same as that of the second embodiment except that the curved surface (14), groove (16), and lower surface (17) are omitted, so the description will not be repeated here.

The angle between the bottom surface (13) and the slope (11) may be less than or greater than 90 degrees. However, if it is too large, there is a risk that the umbrella (41) will climb over the bottom surface (13) and fly out of the umbrella storage device when it is inserted. Also, if it is made smaller, the mold will be larger accordingly, which will increase manufacturing costs.

Because the slope (11) is directly below the contact portion (12), the umbrella (41) is stored in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

As a result, this umbrella storage device (1) can conveniently store an umbrella (41).

In addition, since there is no lower surface (17) as compared to the second embodiment, and the lower surface (13) is perpendicular to the inclined surface (11), this embodiment is easier to manufacture than the second embodiment.

When an external force is applied to the umbrella (51) in the horizontal direction on the open side of the slope (11) when stored, if the abutment part (12) is set at a small distance from the slope (11) and at a large distance from the bottom surface (13), the umbrella (51) will be less likely to come off when stored, but at the same time, the length to which it needs to be pulled upward when taking it out will increase, reducing its convenience. Therefore, this umbrella storage device (1) should not be used in vehicles. For example, it could be used in shopping carts at supermarkets or home improvement centers, or on school desks.

It is thought that the device could be installed not only in vehicles, but also in any space that is temporarily owned by an individual, such as a shopping cart at a supermarket or home improvement store, or a desk in school.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 umbrella storage device 11 inclined surface 12 abutment portion 13 underside 14 curved surface 16 groove 41 umbrella when inserted 51 umbrella when stored 61 umbrella when braking suddenly 71 umbrella when removed 81 umbrella folded and hooked 42, 62, 72 umbrella handle 43, 53, 63, 73, 83 umbrella tip

Claims (5)

The slope and
The umbrella is located above the inclined surface when it is inserted , and
A vertically elongated plane that is an abutment portion provided near the umbrella side surface;
An upper surface continuing from the lower end of the longitudinal plane;
A lower surface continuing from the lower end of the inclined surface;
A lower surface connecting the upper surface and the lower surface;
The inclined surface, the lower surface, the lower side surface, the upper surface, and the longitudinally elongated flat surface are in contact with all end surfaces of the main body back surface and the main body front surface,
The inclined surface is located directly below the contact portion,
The upper part of the inclined surface is open on the upward side of the inclined surface after the abutment portion,
When a user places an umbrella upright on the slope, or lets go of the umbrella while it is upright above the slope ,
After the tip of the umbrella slides on the slope and the side surface of the umbrella abuts against the vertically elongated flat surface which is the abutment portion, the tip of the umbrella slides on the slope and the upper part of the umbrella rotates around the abutment point on the vertically elongated flat surface which is the abutment portion so as to approach the slope, and finally the umbrella leaves the abutment portion and falls down onto the slope to be stored . Furthermore, if the user releases the umbrella at any position from an upright position to an angle parallel to the slope, the umbrella will automatically be stored on the slope . A curved surface between the vertically long plane and the top surface of the umbrella is located above the umbrella to be stored lying on the slope and is provided near the side surface of the umbrella when stored.
A groove is provided on the lower surface against which the tip of the umbrella abuts when stored.
When an external force is applied to the umbrella in the stored state in the horizontal direction on the open side of the slope,
The umbrella when stored rotates so that the handle of the umbrella moves away from the inclined surface,
The umbrella storage device of claim 1, wherein the umbrella side surface abuts against the curved surface which is the abutment portion, the umbrella tip abuts against the inner wall of the groove, and a torque acts on the umbrella tip with the abutment point on the curved surface which is the abutment portion as a fulcrum, so that even if the umbrella tip tries to slide along the inner wall of the groove, a frictional force acts between the umbrella tip and the inner wall of the groove, making it difficult for the umbrella to come off. A curved surface is provided in contact with both the inclined surface and the lower surface,
The curved surface is formed directly below the contact portion instead of the inclined surface,
When the handle of the umbrella is lifted upward,
3. The umbrella storage device according to claim 1, wherein the tip of the umbrella can slide on the lower surface and the curved surface without getting caught on the way, and can be moved to the removal position and removed. 4. The umbrella storage device according to claim 1 , further comprising a U-shaped hole that opens upward on the front surface of the main body at the umbrella insertion position, where the user places the umbrella upright on the inclined surface or in the air above the inclined surface and releases it.
5. The umbrella storage device according to claim 1, wherein the abutment portion is a round bar extending from the front surface of the main body to the rear surface of the main body .

Images