US20040045593A1

US20040045593A1 - Inflatable umbrella

Info

Publication number: US20040045593A1
Application number: US10/236,237
Authority: US
Inventors: Yuan-Fu Chang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-09-09
Filing date: 2002-09-09
Publication date: 2004-03-11

Abstract

An inflatable umbrella includes a panel and a plurality of inflatable ribs made of soft material connected to an underside of the panel. Each inflatable ribs has an inlet. A U-shaped inflatable handle made of soft material is connected to the underside of the panel and has an inlet. The panel is expanded by introducing air into the inflatable ribs and the handle, and the umbrella can be folded to a thin layer when the air is expelled out from the inflatable ribs and the handle.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an inflatable umbrella which includes a panel with a plurality of inflatabie ribs and an inflatable handle connected thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional umbrella generally includes a panel with a plurality of ribs connected to an underside thereof and a shaft is connected to a center of the panel. A runner is movably mounted to the shaft and a plurality of stretchers are pivotably connected between the runner and the ribs so that when pushing the runner toward the center of the panel, the panel is expanded by the ribs. Although some umbrellas has a retractable shaft so that the umbrella can be folded into a compact size and is easily to carry. Most of the users do not take the umbrella with them because the folded umbrellas occupy a certain amount space. For the manufacturers, the assembly for the umbrellas is complicated and the threads for connecting the ribs and the panel could be broken after being used for a period of time.

The present invention intends to provide an inflatable umbrella which has inflatable ribs and handle and the umbrella can be folded to be a thin layer when not in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inflatable umbrella which comprises a panel with a plurality of inflatable ribs connected to an underside of the panel. An inflatable handle is connected to the underside of the panel and each of the inflatable handle and the inflatable ribs has an inlet.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a light and foldable inflatable umbrella which is convenient to be carried and occupies only a small space.

The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a bottom view of the inflatable umbrella of the present invention; [0007]
FIG. 2 is a side cross sectional view to show the inflatable umbrella of the present invention; [0008]
FIG. 3 is another side cross sectional view to show the inflatable umbrella of the present invention; [0009]
FIG. 4 shows the handle of the umbrella is held by a user; [0010]
FIG. 5 shows the umbrella is folded into a thin layer, and [0011]
FIG. 6 shows that the panel has a hole.[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. [0013] 1 to 4, the inflatable umbrella of the present invention comprises a panel 1 and a plurality of inflatable ribs 2 made of soft material are connected to an underside of the panel 1. A U-shaped inflatable handle 3 made of soft material is connected to the underside of the panel 1 with two ends of the inflatable handle 3. Each of the inflatable handle 3 and the inflatable ribs 2 has an inlet 31 so that air may be introduced into the inflatable handle 3 and the inflatable ribs 2. When air is introduced into the inflatable handle 3 and the inflatable ribs 2, the panel 1 is expanded and the user can hold the handle 3.
Referring to FIG. 5, when the umbrella is not in use, the air is expelled out from the [0014] inlets 21, 31 and the ribs 2 and the handle 3 can be folded with the panel 1 into a thin layer which is easily to be carried and occupies only a small space.
Referring to FIG. 6, a [0015] flap 10 is connected to the panel 1 and seals a hole 11 defined in the panel 1 by a zipper 4. The user may mount the hole 11 to the user's neck and dresses the panel 1 like a rain coat.
While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. [0016]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An inflatable umbrella comprising:

a panel;

a plurality of inflatable ribs made of soft material and connected to an underside of the panel, each inflatable rib having an inlet; and

an inflatable handle made of soft material and connected to the underside of the panel, the inflatable handle having an inlet.

2. The inflatable umbrella as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a flap which seals a hole defined in the panel by a zipper.

3. The inflatable umbrella as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inflatable handle is a U-shaped handle and has two ends fixed to the under side of the panel.