The present invention refers to a containing structure for an umbrella, in particular a folding umbrella.

As known, folding umbrellas are equipped with a telescopic handle and a framework consisting of folding ribs so as to considerably reduce the bulk, in the folded condition, with respect to traditional umbrellas.

Folding umbrellas have the great advantage of being able to be kept in a bag, or even in the pocket of a coat or raincoat, in order to be used only in case of necessity.

However, after use, the umbrella cannot be put back in the bag or case without damaging the content thereof and the bag itself.

Indeed, the folding umbrella is normally kept, until the moment of use, in a bag together with documents and personal effects and even if it is only damp, it is not possible to put it back in the same bag after use.

Traditional folding umbrellas are normally equipped with a cover, which, as well as not being easy to use, is still not capable of preventing that the dampness accumulated by the umbrella filters through the case itself once the wet umbrella is inserted into the cover.KR 2010 0003946 U discloses a rainwater shield equipment for umbrella.

WO 2006/098598 discloses an umbrella cover for preventing rainwater from dripping from a wet umbrella. The umbrella cover comprises a waterproofed outer housing having a cylinder shape having openings at respective ends, a waterproofed inner housing having a drain at a lower end thereof and an opening at an upper end thereof, in which the lower end of the inner housing is suspended in the outer housing and the upper end of the inner housing is in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the outer housing.

US 5385162 discloses an umbrella includinmg a plurality of telescopic sleeves telescopically extendibly and retractibly mounted on an umbrella shaft covered with umbrella cloth, a water collector secured on a tip portion of the umbrella communicating with interior of the telescopic sleeves for collecting rain water drained from the umbrella cloth, and a drain valve slidably held on the water collector and operatively pushed by an innermost or smallest sleeve for automatically closing a plurality of drain holes formed in a lower portion of the water collector to prevent unexpected dripping of the rain water as stored in the collector for hygienic purpose.

AU 8740282 discloses an umbrella holder including an elongate housing, drainage means associated with the housing to facilitate drainage of excess water from a wet umbrella placed within the elongate housing.

US 5178175 discloses a rain water collecting device for an umbrella includes a reservoir with a closed end and an open end. A diaphragm is mounted in the reservoir adjacent to the open end to separate the reservoir into a first compartment and a second compartment. A receiving member is mounted in the center of the diaphragm and extends into the first compartment for removably receiving a tip of the umbrella. A first coil tube mounted in the first compartment has a inlet located at the diaphragm and an outlet in the first compartment. A second coil tube mounted in the second compartment has an inlet located at the diaphragm and an outlet in the second compartment. When the umbrella is folded after use, the rain water is guided into the first compartment via the first coil tube. For draining the rain water collected in the reservoir, the umbrella together with the reservoir is turned upside down so as to allow the rain water in the first compartment to drain outside via the second coil tube.

US 6701947 discloses a wet umbrella carrying bag that allows a wet umbrella to be stored so that water will be collected for later disposal and not dampen floor areas including a collapsible bag portion dimensioned for receiving an umbrella therein. The collapsible bag portion has an open upper end and an open lower end. A collection tray is secured to the open lower end of the collapsible bag portion. The collection tray has an open upper end and an open lower end. The open upper end is secured to the open lower end of the collapsible bag portion. The open narrow lower end has an adjustable drain disposed therein for selectively draining water from within the collection tray.

The task of the present invention is to provide a containing structure which allows the umbrella to be put back, even when soaking wet, preventing the water from leaking out.

In the scope of this task, an object of the present invention is to provide a containing structure which is easy to use.

Another object is to provide a containing structure which has a minimum bulk.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a structure which can be produced using commonly commercially available elements and materials and which is also competitive from an economic point of view.

Due to its peculiar constructional features, the present structure is capable of ensuring the most extensive guarantees of reliability and safety in use.

This and other objects, which will be described more clearly below, are achieved by a containing structure for umbrella as defined in claim 1

The containing body can be provided with aeration grills.

The aforementioned containing body preferably comprises a watertight collecting area, into which the water can flow which drains from the cover of the umbrella, when the latter is inserted when wet into the containing body.

Said collecting area is generally placed in the lower part of the containing body and is generally adjacent thereto.

The aforementioned collecting zone retains the water which has drained from the umbrella in order to then be drained, totally or partially, when desired by the user, by means of a draining device with tap or other system.

The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the forms of practical embodiment thereof, shown by way of non-limiting examples in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

• figure 1 is a perspective view of a folding umbrella and the containing structure according with a first embodiment of the invention;
• figure 2 is a perspective view which shows the umbrella in figure 1 partially inserted into the containing structure;
• figure 3 is a perspective view of the containing structure in figure 1 with the umbrella folded therein;
• figure 4 is an enlarged section view of the containing structure in figure 1 and the lower area enlarged;
• figure 5 is a view of only the tank for collecting the water from the wet umbrella;
• figure 6 is a perspective view of the containing structure for an umbrella;
• figure 7 is a perspective view which shows the umbrella in figure 6 partially inserted into the containing structure;
• figure 8 is a perspective view of the containing structure in figure 6 with the umbrella therein;
• figure 9 is an enlarged section view of the containing structure and the relative bottom with draining of the water.

With particular reference to figures 1-5, a containing structure or cover for umbrella is shown according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Containing structure or cover 1 comprises a substantially cylindrical containing body 2, which is open at upper end 51 and equipped with an opening 3 of the cylindrical skirt, preferably of the V-type, by means of which a folding umbrella 4 can be inserted into said body.

Containing body 2 is preferably made from flexible waterproof material and has a collecting area 5, below, into which the water 6 can flow which drains from the cover 7, e.g. made from fabric, of the umbrella 4, when the latter is inserted when wet into containing body 2. Collecting area 5 is arranged to close the cylindrical containing body 2 at lower end 52 opposite to open upper end 51 adapted to accommodate the end 41 of umbrella 4 opposite to handle 42.

Collecting area 5 can be provided in one or two pieces with containing body 2, i.e. constitute a separate component made from different materials with respect to those used in containing body 2.

In order to empty the water accumulated in collecting area 5, an outlet 11 is provided, equipped with a control means 20, e.g. a tap, arranged laterally or below in the bottom 9 of area 5.

Collecting area 5 preferably comprises a water collecting tank 100, better visible in figure 5, with an upper wall 8 shaped so as to allow the flow of drainage water from umbrella 4 towards a hole 10 for entry into tank 100; tank 100 comprises an internal bottom wall 9 shaped so as to allow the flow of water collected in the tank towards a drainage hole 11 equipped with a control means 20, e.g. a tap with unscrewing/screwing plug or other system.

Hole 10 is preferably equipped with a check valve, or other system, which allows the entry of water into tank 100 but not the leaking of the same.

Another hole 18, preferably equipped with a check valve or other system, with the function of bleed valve is preferably placed in the part immediately above entry hole 10 (figure 5) of tank 100, but may also be provided along the lateral walls of collecting zone 5.

To facilitate the filling of tank 100, small tubes are preferably provided within tank 100 and connected to holes 10 and 18 in order to facilitate collecting of water within the tank and bleeding of air from the tank. In the case in which hole 10 is arranged in proximity of the periphery of upper wall 8 of tank 100, a small tube, connected to hole 10, is adapted to carry the water towards the central part of the tank and another small tube, connected to hole 18, is adapted to let the air out of the central part of tank 100.

Opening 3 of containing body 2 is advantageously provided so as to facilitate the inserting of the umbrella when the latter is soaking wet and the cover is ruffled.

For this purpose, opening 3 consists, for example, of a zip 12 which can be opened by means of slider 14. Preferably, a strip 16 of cover 1 may be provided which is integral with only one of the sides of opening 3 and adapted to internally cover zip 12. An element made from rubber, or other material or another system, is preferably fixed to upper edge 99, with the function of facilitating the opening of zip 12.

The use of containing structure 1, object of the present invention, is as follows.

Umbrella 4 is normally contained in the containing body 2, as with a traditional cover.

In the event of rain, umbrella 4 is extracted from containing body 2, by means of opening 3, and used normally.

At the end of use, the wet umbrella is inserted into containing body 2 by means of opening 3, taking care to insert it with the handle in the upper position, as can be seen in the figures.

Once opening 3 is closed, structure 1 can also be put back into a bag, without worrying that the water accumulated from the umbrella may wet the inside of the bag.

In fact, within the containing body, the water flows from cover 7 and is collected by wall 8, which conveys it, by means of hole 10 which is preferably provided with a check valve or other system, into tank 100. Hole 18, preferably equipped with a check valve or other system, allows the air to exit tank 100.

The water accumulated in tank 100 can later be drained, when considered convenient, by means of the outlet 11 subject to the control with tap 20.

The containing structure 2 referred to is shaped so as to completely or partially contain the body of the folding umbrella.

With particular reference to figures 6-9, a containing structure or cover 200 for wet umbrella according to a second embodiment not forming part of the present invention is shown. Containing structure 200 is similar to containing structure 1 of the first embodiment from which it differs in that an area for collecting drainage water from umbrella 4 is not provided. Therefore, containing structure 200 comprises, like containing structure 1 of the first embodiment of the invention, a substantially cylindrical containing body 2, equipped with an opening 3, by means of which umbrella 4 can be inserted into said body.

Containing body 2 is preferably made from flexible waterproof material and is capable of retaining the water which flows from cover 7 of umbrella 4, when the latter is inserted when wet into containing body 2.

The bottom 40 of the containing body is generally the one in contact with the tip 13 of the umbrella, it can have any shape and is generally shaped so as to allow the flow of water.

Bottom 40 can be provided in one or two pieces with containing body 2, i.e. constitute a separate component made from different materials to those used in containing body 2.

In order to empty the water accumulated in containing body 2, an outlet 50 is provided, equipped with a control with unscrewing/screwing plug, or other system, generally arranged in the lower part of bottom 40.

Opening 3 of containing body 2 is advantageously provided so as to facilitate the inserting of the umbrella when the latter is soaking wet and the cover is ruffled.

For this purpose, opening 3 consists, for example, of a zip 12 which can be opened by means of slider 14, while an element made from rubber, or other material or another system, is preferably fixed to upper edge 99, with the function of facilitating the opening thereof.

Preferably, a strip 16 of cover 200 may be provided which is integral with only one of the sides of opening 3 and adapted to internally cover zip 12.

The use of waterproof cover 200 for wet umbrella object is as follows.

Umbrella 4 is normally contained by containing body 2, as with a traditional cover.

In the event of rain, umbrella 4 is extracted from containing body 2, by means of opening 3, and used normally.

At the end of use, the wet umbrella is inserted into containing body 2 by means of opening 3, taking care to insert it with tip 13 facing bottom 40, as can be seen in the figures.

The water which flows from cover 7 is retained within containing body 2 and conveyed into bottom 40 when the cover is held in a perpendicular position to the umbrella.

The water accumulated in bottom 40 can later be drained, when considered convenient, by means of outlet 50, equipped with a control with unscrewing/screwing plug, or other system 60.

The containing structure referred to is shaped so as to completely or partially contain the body of the umbrella.

It has been found, in practice, that the invention achieves the prearranged task and objects.

A containing structure has indeed been provided which is capable of preventing the water which flows from the umbrella leaking out of said structure.

The draining device allows the water to be drained when it is most convenient for the user.

The materials used, as well as the dimensions and shape, may naturally be of any type, according to requirements.

The invention may, for example, be equipped with a shoulder strap or other accessories which facilitate the use thereof.

Furthermore, the invention may be an integral part of leather objects; in particular, it may be an integral part of a bag, where by the term bag is indicated any container object, e.g. a suitcase, a trolley, a shoulder bag, etc.