GB2177056A

GB2177056A - Umbrella stand for a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2177056A
Application number: GB08516337A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Wang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-06-28
Filing date: 1985-06-28
Publication date: 1987-01-14
Also published as: GB8516337D0

Abstract

The umbrella stand comprises a receptacle (11) for receiving one or more umbrellas. The receptacle is mounted on a door of the motor vehicle and has a hole (13) in its lower end. A water collecting vessel (14) is mounted below the receptacle (11) either to the bottom wall of the receptacle (11) or independently thereof and water which drains through the hole (13) is collected in the vessel (14). Each time the door of the vehicle is opened the vessel (14) is tilted so as to discharge any water collected therein to the outside of the vehicle. The vessel (14) can be tilted by a cord or wire (20) connected between the vessel and the vehicle body and guided around guide wheels or pulleys (21). Alternatively, the vessel (14) can be tilted by a mechanical linkage when the door opens or by an electrical device. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Umbrella stand for a motor vehicle This invention relates to an umbrella stand for a motor vehicle.

The satisfactory storage of a rain soaked umbrella is a recurring problem for drivers and passengers of a motor vehicle. Water dripping from a wet umbrella contains acid matter which can cause damage to the interior of the vehicle.

It is unsatisfactory simply to provide a receptacle or rack. In the case of the former water continues to collect and in the case of the latter water simply drips onto surrounding parts of the vehicle and/or the floor.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an umbrella stand for use in a motor vehicle, comprising a receptacle for receiving one or more umbrellas, the receptacle having a hole in a lower end thereof to allow water from the umbrella(s) to flow therethrough, a water collecting vessel in use supported on a door of the vehicle and in which water which flows through the hole is collected, and means for tilting the vessel from a water collecting to a water discharging position when the door of the vehicle is opened.

Preferred and/or optional features of the invention are set forth in claims 2-10.

In another aspect the invention resides in a motor vehicle fitted with an umbrella stand according to said one aspect.

The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying draw ings, in which: Figure 1 shows one embodiment of an umbrella stand according to the invention, attached to the internal surface of a motor vehicle door, Figure 2 is a partly sectioned, enlarged perspective view of the umbrella stand of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a front view, partly in section, of the umbrella stand of Figures 1 and 2, Figure 4 is a sectional view showing in detail the water collecting vessel of the umbrella stand of Figures 1-3, Figure 5 illustrates a modification to the embodi ment of Figures 1-4, and Figure 6 is a front sectional view of yet another embodiment of an umbrella stand according to the invention.

Referring firstly to Figures 1-4 of the accompany ing drawings, the umbrella stand shown therein comprises a box-shaped receptacle 11 open at its upper end and having front, rear, bottom, and two end walls. The receptacle 11 is elongate in a hori zontal direction and its rear wall is extended up wards and provided with openings whereby the receptacle can be attached to the inner surface of a vehicle door by screw fasteners. The receptacle can be designed in any appropriate size for holding umbrellas (see Figure 3) and has a hole 13 in its bottom wall. The hole 13 is centraily disposed and the inner surface of the bottom wall of the recepta cle is inciined downwards towards the hole 13 to encourage any water from one or more umbrellas in the receptacle to flow towards the hole 13.

Below the hole is a water collecting vessel 14.

The vessel 14 is of bulbous hollow shape and is hinged to the bottom wall of the receptacle 11 in order that it can be tilted about a horizontal axis.

The hinged connection comprises a projection 15 on the water collecting vessel 14, a projection 17 depending from the bottom wall of the receptacle 11, and a hinge pin 16. Atorsion spring 18 is mounted about the hinge pin 16 and urges the water collecting vessel 14 into engagement with the bottom wall of the receptacle 11.

In order to tilt the water collecting vessel 14 downwards to discharge water therefrom each time the door of the vehicle opens, an elongate flexible element 20, such as a cord or wire, is connected at one end to a projection 19 at the lower end of the water collecting vessel 14, is guided over two guide wheels or pulleys 21 and is connected or anchored at its other end to the vehicle body at a position adjacent to the door hinge. Consequently, as the door opens the cord or wire 20 will be tensionsd and will pivot the water collecting vessel 14 against the action of the torsion spring 18 downwards in order to discharge water collected therein to the outside of the vehicle.

In the modification shown in Figure 5 the receptacle 11 and water collecting vessel 14 are mounted independently of one another and connected by a pipe or flexible hose 23. In this embodiment the water collecting vessel 14 is pivotably supported on a mount so that it can be tilted in the same manner as described in connection with the embodiment of Figures 1-4. However, in this case while the water collecting vessel 14 can be mounted towards the lower end of the door in a position in which water can be discharged without running along the inner surface of the door, the receptacle 11 can be mounted on or adjacent to the door in any convenient position above the vessel 14.

The embodiment shown in Figure 6 differs from that shown in Figures 1-4 in that the receptacle 22, instead of being elongate in a horizontal direction, is elongate in a vertical direction.

Instead of the elongate flexible element 20, the vessel 14 can be tilted, when the door is opened, by a mechanical linkage or indeed by an electrical device operable in response to opening of the door.

When not used to hold one or more umbrellas, the receptacle 11 could be used for holding other accessories.

1. An umbrella stand for use in a motor vehicle, comprising a receptacle for receiving one or more umbrellas, the receptacle having a hole in a lower end thereof to allow water from the umbrella(s) to flow therethrough, a water collecting vessel in use supported on a door of the vehicle and in which water which flows through the hole is collected, and means for tilting the vessel from a water col lecting to a water discharging position when the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Umbrella stand for a motor vehicle This invention relates to an umbrella stand for a motor vehicle. The satisfactory storage of a rain soaked umbrella is a recurring problem for drivers and passengers of a motor vehicle. Water dripping from a wet umbrella contains acid matter which can cause damage to the interior of the vehicle. It is unsatisfactory simply to provide a receptacle or rack. In the case of the former water continues to collect and in the case of the latter water simply drips onto surrounding parts of the vehicle and/or the floor. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an umbrella stand for use in a motor vehicle, comprising a receptacle for receiving one or more umbrellas, the receptacle having a hole in a lower end thereof to allow water from the umbrella(s) to flow therethrough, a water collecting vessel in use supported on a door of the vehicle and in which water which flows through the hole is collected, and means for tilting the vessel from a water collecting to a water discharging position when the door of the vehicle is opened. Preferred and/or optional features of the invention are set forth in claims 2-10. In another aspect the invention resides in a motor vehicle fitted with an umbrella stand according to said one aspect. The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying draw ings, in which: Figure 1 shows one embodiment of an umbrella stand according to the invention, attached to the internal surface of a motor vehicle door, Figure 2 is a partly sectioned, enlarged perspective view of the umbrella stand of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a front view, partly in section, of the umbrella stand of Figures 1 and 2, Figure 4 is a sectional view showing in detail the water collecting vessel of the umbrella stand of Figures 1-3, Figure 5 illustrates a modification to the embodi ment of Figures 1-4, and Figure 6 is a front sectional view of yet another embodiment of an umbrella stand according to the invention. Referring firstly to Figures 1-4 of the accompany ing drawings, the umbrella stand shown therein comprises a box-shaped receptacle 11 open at its upper end and having front, rear, bottom, and two end walls. The receptacle 11 is elongate in a hori zontal direction and its rear wall is extended up wards and provided with openings whereby the receptacle can be attached to the inner surface of a vehicle door by screw fasteners. The receptacle can be designed in any appropriate size for holding umbrellas (see Figure 3) and has a hole 13 in its bottom wall. The hole 13 is centraily disposed and the inner surface of the bottom wall of the recepta cle is inciined downwards towards the hole 13 to encourage any water from one or more umbrellas in the receptacle to flow towards the hole 13. Below the hole is a water collecting vessel 14. The vessel 14 is of bulbous hollow shape and is hinged to the bottom wall of the receptacle 11 in order that it can be tilted about a horizontal axis. The hinged connection comprises a projection 15 on the water collecting vessel 14, a projection 17 depending from the bottom wall of the receptacle 11, and a hinge pin 16. Atorsion spring 18 is mounted about the hinge pin 16 and urges the water collecting vessel 14 into engagement with the bottom wall of the receptacle 11. In order to tilt the water collecting vessel 14 downwards to discharge water therefrom each time the door of the vehicle opens, an elongate flexible element 20, such as a cord or wire, is connected at one end to a projection 19 at the lower end of the water collecting vessel 14, is guided over two guide wheels or pulleys 21 and is connected or anchored at its other end to the vehicle body at a position adjacent to the door hinge. Consequently, as the door opens the cord or wire 20 will be tensionsd and will pivot the water collecting vessel 14 against the action of the torsion spring 18 downwards in order to discharge water collected therein to the outside of the vehicle. In the modification shown in Figure 5 the receptacle 11 and water collecting vessel 14 are mounted independently of one another and connected by a pipe or flexible hose 23. In this embodiment the water collecting vessel 14 is pivotably supported on a mount so that it can be tilted in the same manner as described in connection with the embodiment of Figures 1-4. However, in this case while the water collecting vessel 14 can be mounted towards the lower end of the door in a position in which water can be discharged without running along the inner surface of the door, the receptacle 11 can be mounted on or adjacent to the door in any convenient position above the vessel 14. The embodiment shown in Figure 6 differs from that shown in Figures 1-4 in that the receptacle 22, instead of being elongate in a horizontal direction, is elongate in a vertical direction. Instead of the elongate flexible element 20, the vessel 14 can be tilted, when the door is opened, by a mechanical linkage or indeed by an electrical device operable in response to opening of the door. When not used to hold one or more umbrellas, the receptacle 11 could be used for holding other accessories. CLAIMS

1. An umbrella stand for use in a motor vehicle, comprising a receptacle for receiving one or more umbrellas, the receptacle having a hole in a lower end thereof to allow water from the umbrella(s) to flow therethrough, a water collecting vessel in use supported on a door of the vehicle and in which water which flows through the hole is collected, and means for tilting the vessel from a water col lecting to a water discharging position when the door of the vehicle is opened.

2. The umbrella stand of claim 1, wherein the water collecting vessel is pivotably connected to the receptacle.

3. The umbrella stand of claim 1, wherein the water collecting vessel is mounted independently of the receptacle and receives water therefrom via a pipe or hose.

4. The umbrella stand of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the vessel is urged towards the water collecting position by resilient means.

5. The umbrella stand of claim 4, wherein the resilient means is a torsion spring.

6. The umbrella stand of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tilting means comprises a flexible elongate element connected at one end to the collecting vessel and at the other end, in use, to the vehicle body and in use extending around guide means intermediate its ends so that as the door is opened the elongate element exerts a pull on the vessel to tilt the latter.

7. The umbrella stand of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the tilting means comprises a mechanical linkage.

8. The umbrella stand of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the tilting means comprises an electrical device operable in response to opening of the door.

9. The umbrella stand of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower end of the receptacle has a floor inclined downwards towards the hole to encourage water to flow towards the hole.

10. The umbrella stand of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising means for attaching the stand to a vehicle door.

11. An umbrella stand substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments showin in the accompanying drawings.

12. A motor vehicle fitted with an umbrella stand according to any one of the preceding claims.