WO2025006580A1

WO2025006580A1 - Hands-free umbrella equipment

Info

Publication number: WO2025006580A1
Application number: PCT/US2024/035583
Authority: WO
Inventors: Angela Singleton; Andrew Devin GRZANKA; Samantha Louise VERZI; Simon Kudernatsch; Amie Jene GUTIERREZ
Original assignee: Reynbo LLC
Current assignee: Reynbo LLC
Priority date: 2023-06-27
Filing date: 2024-06-26
Publication date: 2025-01-02
Anticipated expiration: 2025-12-27

Abstract

A harness for hands-free use of personal umbrellas uses a cross-body strap circling a user from one shoulder to the opposite waist and a lop clip to hold the umbrella at the shoulder. The harness may have one or more side straps passing around the torso under the shoulder, a base clip holding the umbrella at a waist level and/or a bag for holding the umbrella, the straps, the clips, and or personal items of the user. The top clip and/or base clip may be on mounts and/or booms. The clips may be adjustable in angle relative to the torso. Booms may be adjustable in length. A mount may include an adjustable truss assembly for positioning the umbrella. The bag may have compartments made with different materials for different moisture performance. The harness may be adapted for use with full-size umbrellas and or compact umbrellas with collapsible shafts.

Description

HANDS-FREE UMBRELLA EQUIPMENT

CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

[001] This application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent

Application Number 63/523,415, filed June 27^th, 2023, titled “Umbrella carrier-mount assembly.”

TECHNICAL FIELD

[002] This disclosure relates to techniques for hands-free use of personal umbrellas, including adaptations to straps, fittings, cases, and umbrellas.

BACKGROUND

[003] Umbrellas for personal use against sun and rain come in a variety of forms and are available with a variety of accessories. Compact umbrellas, also referred to as folding, travel, or mini umbrellas generally have a folding frame which supports a fabric canopy, and a collapsing/telescoping shaft capable of folding down to a compact size. Compact umbrellas come in a wide range of sizes, varying generally when folded for storage to have a length from roughly 5 inches to over 18 inches and a width between 1.5 inches and 3 inches.

[004] Stick umbrellas tend to be larger. Also called walking or golf umbrellas, these frill-sized umbrellas generally have a folding frame and continuous, non-collapsing shaft.

Stick umbrellas usually have a length between 30 inches to over 42 inches and a width of around 2 to 3 inches in the closed position.

[005] A key advantage of a compact umbrella is portability, Compared to astick Umbrella, a compact umbrella may be more easily carried in a tote bag, handbag, backpack, luggage, etc, Compact umbrellas are more popular than stick umbrellas due to their comparatively small size and light weight

SUMMARY

[006] A harness for hands-free use of a personal umbrella uses a cross-body strap cirding the torso of a user from one shoulder of the user to the opposite waist The harness has a top clip connected to the cross-body strap at a level at or near the shoulder. The top clip detachably grips the umbrella shaft.

[007] The harness may be stabilized by one or more side straps running under the shoulder to connect points on the cross-body strap on the back and front of the torso.

[008] The harness may be fitted with abase clip at a level at or near the waist of the user, the base clip clasps an umbrella at its base, e.g., at a handle of the umbrella or at a point on the shaft near the bottom ofthe umbrella. The base clip may be adapted for rapid connection to the umbrella. Additionally or alternatively, the base clip may be rotatable, e.g., via a hinge, universal joint, gooseneck, and/or other flexible canhector.

[009] The base clip may be connected to the cross-body strap directly dr indirectly via, e.g., a bag, amount, and/or a side strap. A mount for the base clip may be a truss assembly. For example, the mount may be an adjustable three-bar truss assembly.

[010] The harness may include a bag at a fixed or moveable location on the harness.

For example, where the umbrella is a compact umbrella with a collapsible shaft* the bag may have a compartment for storing the umbrella when hot in use. The bag may be arranged such that the base clip remains attached to the umbrella both when the umbrella is stored in the bag and when the umbrella is taken out and raised, without adjustment of the base clip.

[011] the bag may include a number of specialized compartments. Far example* the bag may have a front compartment with a closure facing away from the torso to permit removal of the umbrella via a motion away from the body of the user. The bag may also include additional compartments, such as eg., middle, inner, and/or rear compartments. For example, a huddle compartment may have a closure on the top of tihe bag to permit removal of items stored in the other compartment via a motion substantially parallel to asurface ofthe torso.

[012] Various compartments of the bag may be made of different materials which react differently to moisture. For example, the middle and/or rear compartment may be made of a water-proof material to prevent moisture for a wet umbrella entering those compartments.

[013] The umbrella storage compartment may be waterproof. Alternatively, the umbrella compartment may use a water-resistant material that prevents dripping of water from tihe bag but is gas-permeable to allow evaporation of moisture from the compartment. The drip-resistant material may promote wicki ng of moisture along the its fibers to promote evaporative drying.

[014] The harness may include a top boom to hold the top clip at a distance from the shoulder. The boom may have a flexible angle setting and/or be adjustable in length. The boom, or the top clip itself, may rest on a shoulder mount The shoulder mount may have a curved member fitting around a bend of the shoulder and be conformable to the shoulder of the user.

[015] The straps of the harness may be assembled and/or adjusted via various clips and/or buckles, and some or all of the straps may be arranged to be stowable in the bag, with or without the umbrella, when the harness is not in use. For example, the side straps may be stowable such that the harness may be carried as aside bag when not used to support the umbrella.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[016] Figure 1 illustrates a user wearing a harness adapted for hands-free use of a personal umbrella.

[017] Figure 2 is a closer front view of the harness of Figure 1 in use.

[018] Figure 3 illustrates a top clip on a boon and shoulder mount.

[019] Figure 4 illustrates an example base mount in the form of a truss assembly in

Use.

[020] Figure s illustrates an example base mount truss assembly with a pivoting and/or hinged base clip.

[021] Figure 6 illustrates an example side strap for the harness of Figure 1.

[022] Figure 7 illustrates a fixed attachment of the side strap of Figure 6 to a cross- body strap of the harness in use at the back of a user.

[023] Figure 8 is a front view of user using a variation on the harness, where a bag on the harness may be closed when the umbrella is deployed.

[024] Figure 9 is a front view of a user wearing a harness with an undeployed umbrella base mount and without a bag.

[025] Figure 10 has front and back views of a user wearing a harness that has two side straps and abag at a user ’s hip.

[026] Figure 11 has four views of an example bag.

[027] Figure 12 illustrates potential positions for the umbrella shaft, top clip, and base clip relative to the torso of a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[028] INTRODUCTION

[029] Despite their advantages, even compact umbrellas are often considered inconvenient in an age when hands are often busy with kids, keys, or cell phones. When packed away in a shoulder bag, backpack or luggage, umbrellas are not immediately or conveniently accessible by hand. Generally, when retrieved from their place of storage, compact umbrellas must then be held by hand for the duration of the rainy weather event or period of sun exposure. Maintaining the arm in an elevated, extended position causes muscle fatigue rather quickly. Even a lightweight umbrella can fed quite heavy after holding it for a short while. Finally, returning a wet umbrella to a shoulder bag, backpack or luggage can transfer wetness and moisture to other stored belongings. Similarly, there is room for improvement in the ergonomics of the hands-free use of full -sized umbrellas.

[030] Herein we disclose techniques for hands-free operation of personal umbrellas which may be achieved via adaptations to straps, fittings, cases, and umbrellas. Using the techniques described herein, better umbrella portability and use experiences are provided.

[031] TABLES OF FIGURE REFERENCE DESIGNATORS

[032] Table 1 of the Appendix lists reference designators for functional elements of Figures 1-9. Table 2 lists reference designators for Figure 10 and Table 3 lists reference designators for Figure 11. Figure 12 illustrates various positions and heights for the placement of the umbrella, top clip, and base clip.

[033] It will be appreciated that many terms and reference designators are each used to signify a large number of practical variations for each functional item. For example, each bag, strap, clip, etc., may be formed in a variety of ways, as described herein, and are not limited to the specific implementations depicted in the figures.

[034] DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

[035] Position of Umbrella

[036] For hands-free use of a conventional personal umbrella, the umbrella shaft may be secured in a variety of positions. For example, the shaft may be placed between the pectoratis major and the anterior deltoid along the side of the body of the user, e.g., with -a top attachment point about 2 to 3 inches directly above the armpit and a base further down the torso of the user, e.g., at a point that is laterally between the 4th and 5th ribs. A harness may be worn by the user that has a top clip and a base clip to secure the umbrella shaft at, or near, these two points on the body. Various means may be used to adjust the exact positions of the clips, and thereby to adjust the tilt of the umbrella relative to the body of the user.

[037] Various mechanisms maybe used to position a top clip and a base clip on a harness. For example, the top clip may be positioned on a mounting plate, adjustable truss assembly, and/or a boom that holds the top clip at some distance from the body. Such a boom may be adjustable in length, e.g., by telescoping. Additionally or alternatively the boom may be adjustable in shape, position, and/or angle. For example, the boom may be mount on a universal joint, cut the boom may be a gooseneck. Similarly, the base clip may be located on a mounting plate, an adjustable truss assembly, a side strap, and/or on a boom to allow the user to position the base of the umbrella relative to the user’s body.

[038] Referring to Figure 12, there are many options for placement of the umbrella and for clips for holding the umbrella in position. For example, the user 400 may prefer vertical placement of umbrella shaft 404, e.g., along the side of the chest running in front of the shoulder near the armpit. One or more top clips to hold the umbrella may be placed at a shoulder level at or above the top of the shoulder 410, on the shoulder 412, or near the armpit / bottom of shoulder414.

[039] Alternatively, an angled placement of umbrella shaft 402 may be achieved by setting a base clip for the umbrella shaft out of alignment with the top clip, A wide variety of angles are possible, e.g., by placing the base clip at a more medial position on the torso relative to the top clip.

[040] It will be appreciated that the human torso comes in a wide variety of proportions and dimensions, and allowances must be made for, inter alia, gender, age, and size differences, as well as personal preferences, the size of the umbrella, and weather conditions. For stability, it may be preferred to keep a minimum spacing between a top clip and a base clip. A base clip may be placed at a waist level as high as mid-chest 420, e.g., below the bust along the rib cage. Additionally or alternatively, base clip may be placed at tower waist levels, such as at the waist 422, at the navel / a high beltline 424, or a low beltiine 426. Generally, users will not prefer a base clip as low as the hip 428.

[041] [042] Stable positioning of the umbrella may be achieved by the use of a harness which minimizes motion of the umbrella during movement by the user and/or due to wind. A compact, stowable harness can be made using a cross-body strap which circles the user’s torso starting at One shoulder, passing under the opposition arm, and back to the shoulder. The cross-body strap can be stabilized by adding one or more side straps which pass under the shoulder to connect to the cross-body strap as points on the front and back of the user’s torso.

[043] Storage [044] Bags of various kinds may be provided for the storage of the harness and or the umbrella. For example, a bag may be located centrally on the cross-body strap mid have one or more compartments to stow the umbrella, the harness, and/or other possessions of the user. For example, the bag may be arranged such that it may be carried over one shoulder or Cross-body like a handbag, without the side strap in place. In this arrangement, for example, the bag may contain a stowed umbrella and any side strap. Further, all the straps may be fitted into a bag to store the harness system, with or without umbrella, as a single closed parcel.

[045] Notably, the base of the umbrella may be permanently or semi-permanently affixed to the inside of the bag, such that the base clip does not need to be operated to deploy dr stow umbrella.

[046] Alternatively, the harness may be provided without a bag, or with a bag that can be moved to one or more positions along the cross-body strap, one or more side straps, or a combination thereof.

[047] Adjustment and Adaptability

[048] The harness may be used, adjusted, adapted, and stowed in a variety of ways using an assortment of buckles, snaps, and/or cinches. For example, the location of a side strap may be moved to change which shoulder the cross-body strap passes, e.g., for right- handed or left-handed use.

[049] Stand and fecial-purpose Umbrellas

[050] A harness with a top clip and abase clip may be used with any compactor full-sized personal umbrella, but adaptations of umbrellas may be usefill. For example, a compact umbrella may be fitted with a finding at its base specifically for permanent or semi- permanent attachment inside the bag. Similarly, adapters may be provided Aat can be permanently or semi-permanently affixed to the shaft of a standard full-sized or compact umbrella to facilitate rapid connection and disconnection from one dr more clips of the harness.

[051] Clips

[0521 Clips for attaching umbrellas to harnesses may take a variety of forms. For example, a clip may incl ude a snap, buckle, shackle, clamp, hook, pin, hasp, latch or other finding that is made of a metal, alloy, or plastic. Such findings may include a spring or elastic member.

[053] Clips may be simple ties, e.g., made of simple string, yam, rope, or strips of fabric of other flexible material, or pairs thereof. Clips may be formed using Velcro or similar material, or a sleeve with snap, zipper, or Velcro closure, for example.

[054] Clips may attach to any part of an umbrella. For example, a clip may attach to a base handle of the umbrella, or to a loop or ring attached to the base handle or shaft of the umbrella. A clip may attach directly to the shaft of the umbrella.

[055] Clips may be multi-component assemblies, e.g., with mating parts. For example, a hasp and latch, hook and ring, or ring and tie may be used. BoA mating parts may be permanently attached to the harness. Altemativdy, when the umbrella is unclipped and stowed, ne mating pert may remain on the harness while the other mating part remains with the umbrella.

[056] Clips may be designed to attach toa specially adapted umbrella. For example, an umbrella may be provided with a fitting or attachment point that is not normally found on an umbrella. For example, a clip may include a screw, key, ring, hook, or other fitting that connects to a loop, channel, threaded hole, etc., built into the base or shaft of the umbrella, or vice versa, with the screw, key, etc., on the umbrella mating to its opposite member on the harness.

[057] FIRST EXAMPLE -HARD MOUNTING POINTS

[058] Base Truss and Top Boom Options

[059] Figure 1 illustrates an example harness for hands-free use of an umbrella. In Figure 1, a user is wearing an umbrella mounted on the harness. The umbrella is in use with its canopy 110 deployed by raising its extension hub 108 to a top position along the umbrella shaft 106. At the bottom ofthe umbrella shaft 106 is the umbrella base 118. Thebaseis mounted to a base clip 104 of the harness. Between the umbrella base 118 and the umbrella extension hub 108, the umbrella shaft 106 is affixed to a top clip 114of the harness.

[060] The top clip 114 and the base clip 104 are connected to a cross-body strap 116.

In Figure 1, these connections are indirect The top clip 114 is connected to atop boom 112. The boom 112 in turn is connected to the cross-body strap 1 16. The top boom 112 allows control of the position, angle, and/or spacing of the umbrella shaft 106, and therefore the position of the umbrella canopy 110 relative to the user.

[061] In Figure 1, the cross-body strap 116 has a bag 102 that is positioned dong the cross-body strap 116. The bag 102 is adapted for placement on the cross-body strap 116 [062] Figure 2 is a closer view of Figure 1, illustrating how the umbrella is attached . at the top clip 114 and base clip 104. The top clip 114 is releasably affixed to the umbrella shaft 106 at a point on the shaft between the umbrella base 118 and base clip 104at the bottom, and the umbrella extension hub 108 and the canopy 110 at the top. In Figure 2, the top clip 114 is supported by atop boom 112 that rests on a shoulder mount 128 on top of the shoulder.

[063] ' In practice, shoulder mount 128 may be affixed atop a continuous cross-body strap that circles die torso fully, or shoulder mount 128 may be connected in line with other strap segments to form the cross-body strap. Similarly, the bag 102 may be mounted on a strap or act as a component segment of a strap. [064] Figure 3 shows a top clip 114, top boom 112, and shoulder mount 128. The boom mount curves around the shoulder in order to provide comfort for the user and to provide stability of the angle and positioning of the top boom 112.

[065] The top clip ! 14 may be adapted for rapid attachment and dis-attachment of the umbrella shaft 106, For example, the top clip 114 may be operated by simple hand operations to grasp or release the draft at any point

[066] Alternatively, the top clip 114 may have two parts, e.g., with a first part being a shaft adapter that stays with the shaft when dis-attached from the harness, and a second part that that stays affixed to the cross-body strap 1 16, such that attachment is achieved by clipping die two parts together. In variations, for example, the second part might may connect to the cross-body strap directly, via a boom top 112, or, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, via a top boom 112 and shoulder mount 128.

[067] The top boom 112 may be adjustable in a number of ways. For example, the height of the top boom 112 may be adjustable, e.g., via the use of a telescoping boom shaft which may be continuously adjusted using a clamping mechanism or settable at multiple positions using one or more pins, holes, and/or detents, or similar mechanisms.

(068] Additional or alternatively, the angle of the top boom 112 may be adjustable relative to the shoulder mount 128. For example, the angle may be fluid, e.g., via the use of a hinge, universal joint, gooseneck, or similar mechanism. Alternatively, the boom may be adjustable to a certain number of angle positions, e.g., via the use of detents and the like. The angle may be settable in multiple in multiple axes, e.g., via the use of holes and pins, detents, and/ora set screw on a universal joint, or similar mechanisms.

[069] Figure 4is an enlarged view of the way the umbrella is attached atbase clip

104 in Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 4, the base clip 104 grasps the umbrella shaft 106 above the umbrella base 118. The base clip 104 is attached to a truss assembly that is made up of three barsincluding a base bar 120, a clip bar 122, and an adjustment bar 124 that are connected to form a triangle of adjustable shape.

[070] In Figure 4, the base bar 120 is attached at two points to the cross-body strap 116. The clip bar 122 is attached to a first point of the base bar 120 at one end and to the base clip 104 at the other end. The adjustment bar 124 is attached to a second point of the base bar 120. The adjustment bar 124 is attached to die clip bar 122 via a connector positioned along a slot in the clip bar 122. The adjustment bar 124 also has a slot, such that the connector can be positioned at various positions within the slots of the clip bar 122 and the adjustment bar 124. The location of the connector can be moved independently to any position within either slot This allows adjusting the shape of the triangular truss and thereby allowing flexibility in the height and angle of the umbrella shaft. It will be recognized that similar effects may be achieved via the use of plural holes or other detents along the clip bar 122 and/or adjustment bar 124, and/or via the clamping action of the connector.

[071] Other arrangements, not shown in Figure 4, are possible. For example, atop clip for the umbrella could be affixed to the adjustment bar 124 (or another fitting of a truss or mount positioned at or near the waist of the user) such that the umbrella is held at two points at higher and lower positions near the waist. This may be done with or without a third clip placed al the shoulder.

[072] The reference to the cross-body strap 116 on the left of Figure 4 points to a segment of fabric, whereas the reference to the cross-body strap 116 on the right of Figure 4 points tea fitting. As described in reference to Figure 2, the cross-body strap 116 may be made of many different segments which may include, for example, fabric straps, the bag, and/or a shoulder mount Similarly, the cross-body strap 116 may include other segments, such as one ofthe bars of the truss, that complete the circling of the cross-body strap 116 around the torso of the user.

[073] Figure 5 shows the truss assembly of Figure 4, designated as assembly 132. The base bar 120 has fittings for attaching to a bag and/or cross-body strap. The clip bar 122 has a pivoting clip 104. The clip bar 122 md Re adjustment bar 124 are at maximum extension, with the connector between these bars being at the furthest points on the slots in the bars.

[674] Figures 1, 2, and 4 show a bag 102 affixed to the cross-body strap 116. The bag 102 is opened to reveal the three-bar truss assembly 132. The base bar 120, clip bar 122, and adjustment bar 124 may be adapted such that the truss assembly 132 may be collapsed to fit bdiind and/or within the bag 102, e.g., for storage when the umbrella is not in use.

[075] The base clip 104 may be adapted for rapid attachment and dis-attachment of the umbrella shaft 106, e.g., in the manners described for the top clip 114. Additionally or alternatively, the base clip 104 may be adapted to detachably affix to the umbrella base 118, as opposed to being affixed to the umbrella shaft 106.

[076] The base clip 104 may be hinged or otherwise flexible to permit changing the angle of the umbrella when the umbrella shaft 106 is freed from the top clip 114. For example, when taking (town a wet umbrella, it is convenient to tip the canopy 110 away from the body of the user while lowering the umbrella extension hub 108 to fold the umbrella frame and collapse the canopy 110. Further, it is convenient to dip the top point of the umbrella toward the ground, to allow it to shed water droplets a while before fully compacting and/or stowing the umbrella. The flexible angle of the base clip may be achieved, for example, via a gooseneck, universal joint, one or more hinges. Similarly, the flexible angle of the base slip may be achieved using a piece of flexible material to join the base clip to the cross-body strap, the bag, amounting plate, or a side strap.

[077] SideStrap

[678] Figure 6 illustrates a technique for stabilizing the umbrella using a side strap

130. As in Figures 1, 2, and 4, in Figure 6 the umbrellas shaft 106 is connected to the cross- body strap 116 via the base clip 104. A bar to which the base clip 104 extends out of the open bag 102. In Figure 6, the side strap 130 detachably connects to the cross-body strap 116 via a side strap connector 136 that clips onto the bar near where the base clip 104 is affixed. Alternatively, the side strap 130 may connect to the cross-body strap 116 directly, another bar or plate, or via a fitting on the bag 102. In some cases, it may be preferred to attach the side strap 130 at the front of the user near the waist of the user and/or the base of the umbrella; [079] Figure ? illustrates a connection of the side strap to the cross-body strap 116 toward the center ofthe back ofthe userat point 134. In Figure 7, this is a fixed, sewn connection. Alternatively, it may be detachably connected. However, for the comfort of the user, e.g., when seated, and to minimize connections needing attention to set up the umbrella, a fixed connection at the back of the user may be preferable.

[080] Further, connections between straps may be swivel connections, e.g., plastic or metal foldings that permit straps to vary in the angle at which they are joined. This may be done at the back of the cross-body harness, for example, or on the front ofthe torso wherever a side-strap attaches to the cross-body strap or the bag. Similarly, one or more swivel connections may be used to join foe bag to the cross-body strap.

[081] Bag Options

[682] Figure 8 illustrates options for the bag 102. As in Figures 1, 2, 4, and 6, in

Figure 8 we see the umbrella mounted on the cross-body strap 116 with the canopy 110 deployed. In Figure 8, the bag 102 is closed while the clip bar 104 extends beyond the bag 102 to connect to the side strap 130 and, via the base clip 104, to the umbrella. This may be achieved in a number of Ways.

[083] First, the truss assembly 132 may lie beyond the bag 102, In this arrangement, a first, front closing compartment of the bag 102 is Used to store the Umbrella When compacted and/or other items, but the first compartment is not used to store the truss assembly. [084] Second, the bag 102 may have two or more compartments, e.g., with a first compartment in front for the umbrella and a second compartment at the rear for the truss assembly. Another compartment may be added to store some or all detachable fittings and straps.

[085] In Figure 8, the reference to the cross-body strap 116 points to a shoulder mount which isa segment of the cross-body strap. As discussed in reference to Figures 2 and 4, straps of the harness, including the cross-body strap 116 and side straps, may be made up of multiple segments. These segments may include, for example, lengths of fabric, the bag 102, mounts, trusses, buckles, cinches, and the like that aid in completing the intended pathway of each strap.

[086] Bag Separate from Truss Assembly

[087] Figure 9 is a front view ofa user wearing a cross-body strap 116 with a truss assembly 132. Here the truss assembly 132 is folded for storage, with all bar of the truss lying in line with the cross-body strap. In contrast to Figures 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8, in Figure 9 the attachments from the cross-body strap 116 to the umbrella are omitted, as are the side strap and bag. The cross-body strap 116 and truss assembly 132 of Figure 9 may be used by deploying the bars of the truss assembly 132 and affixing a first umbrella shaft clip to one of the bars of truss assembly 132 and a second umbrella truss clip at the shoulder of the cross- body strap 116. This may be done, forexample, by affixing a first umbrella shaft clip to a Iower portion of the truss assembly 132 and a second umbrella truss clip to an upper portion of the truss assembly 132. This may be done with or without adding a bag, and with or without adding a side strap.

[088] SECOND EXAMPLE - HARNESS WITHOUT TRUSS OR BOOM

[089] Figure 10 illustrates alternatives for the construction of a hamess for hands- free use of apersonal umbrella. In Figure 10, a cross-body strap 216 is attached to an upper side strap 226 and a lower side strap 236. Ah umbrella base clip 204 is located along the tower side strap 236 at the front of the torso. In contrast to Figures 1-9, here in Figure 10, no top boom or shoulder mount is used, and no truss assembly is used. A bag 202 is provided for storage of, e g., a compact umbrella However, in Figure 10, the bag 202 is not co-located with the base clip 204. In practice, the bag may be repositioned to various locations, e.g., between the connections to the upper and tower sides strap 226 and 236, respectively, or alternatively along the tower side strap 236.

[090] hi Figure 10, a top clip 214 is affixed to the cross-body strap 216 at the shoulder. In practice, the top clip 214 may be affixed to the upper side strap 226, e.g., near the armpit.

[091] In Figure 10, the base clip is a attached to the lower side strap 236. In practice, the base clip could be located at various positions along the lower strap 236, e.g., at the side of the torso below the armpit or below a top clip placed near the armpit Alternatively, the base clip 204 may be located on the cross-body strap216. Further, the bag 202 could be relocated to a position dong the cross-body strap 216 between the upper and lower side straps 226 and 236, respectively, and the base clip 204 affixed to the bag 202. Similarly , the base clip 204 could be affixed to the bag 202 when the bag 202 relocated to a position at or near the lower side step. 236.

[092] Example Bag

[093] Figure 11 illustrates a bag 300 useful with the hands-free umbrella concepts described in referenceto Figures 1-10. Some features maybe familiar in contemporary belt pouches, while others may be adopted specifically for use in carrying compact umbrellas before, during, and after use.

[094] Bag 300 features a front compartment 304, a middle compartment 310, and a rear pocket compartment reachable by a handle 312. In practice, bag 300 may have any numberof compartments.

[095] Different aspects of bag 300 are visible in different views, and the positions of compartment closures are changed to the different views for illustrative purposes, to the front and back views, the middle compartment 310 is not visible, but the closure 308 of the middle compartment 310 is shown positioned at the center of the top of the bag. In the right view, the middle compartment 310 is visible, but its closure 308 is omitted; In the left view, the middle compartment 310 is visible, mid its closure 308 is shown positioned on the left side of toe bag.

[096] In Figure 11, flic front compartment 304 has a closure 306 at the front of the bag. In the front view, the front compartment closure 306 is depicted at the right-hand side of front of the bag. In the rightview, the closure 306 is omitted, and in the left view, closure 306 is shown at aposition on the left side of the bag.

[097] Conventionally, the belt pouch may have a large front compartment with a top closure to Contain items when the closure is opened. However, a forward-opening compartment may be more convenient for packing and unpacking a compact umbrella For example, this may be especially convenient for the Option where the umbrella remains tethered to the base clip when the umbrella is stored, removed from the bag, and returned to the bag. [098] Bag 300 may be made of water-resistant, waterproof, and/or water-tight materials, and use different materials for different compartments. Similarly, the bag may have one-or more leak-resistant closures to contain water when, e.g., a used wet umbrella is stored after use.

[099] For a compartment intended for umbrella storage, it may be preferable to use materials that are water shedding or water-storing, but not air-tight, to allow drying of thebag without opening the umbrella storage compartment. For example, a fabric may be employed which permits the wicking and evaporation of moisture introduced into the storage compartment by a wet umbrella, while minimizing dripping from the surface of the bag. All or a portion of this compartment may be vented.

[0100] Similarly, it may be beneficial to use a different, water-proof material for the top and/or rear compartments to prevent moisture from a wet umbrella affecting additional items, e.g., personal electronic items, a wallet, etc., which may be stored in middle or rear compartments, and further to protect the clothing of the user. Additionally, fabrics used for the bag may be anti-microbial.

[0101] In Figure 11, the bag is shown mounted on a strap 302 that slides through a sleeve 314 at the back of the bag. It will be appreciated that a many variations are possible, e.g., where the bag is integral to a cross-body strap and/or aside strip, or detachable clips are affixed to such straps of a hand-free umbrella harness. Similarly, a truss assembly may be in a compartment at the front, back, or center of bag 300, or a truss assembly may be at the back of the bag, e.g. with the strap passing through a slot in the bag that is located between the truss assembly and the forward compartments.

[0102] Possible Combinations [0103] It will be appreciated that several options described herein may be combined in many different ways without departing from the central idea of addressing stable hands- free mounting of an umbrella combined with convenient deployment and storage of the umbrella. Harnesses for hands-free useof personal umbrellas may thus be created in a variety of configurations using the concepts expressed herein.

[0104] In the most basic form, a suitable harness may be formed using a cross-body strap fitted with a top clip approximately at the shoulder and a base clip approximately at waist level. For stability, one or more side straps can be added, which circle around the waist under the shoulder of the user.

[0105] The top clip may be affixed directly to the cross-body strap. Additionally or alternatively, the top clip may be attached directly or indirectly to a mount comprising a curve member that fits over the shoulder, where the mount is in turn affixed to the cross- shoulderstrap. For indirect connection of the top clip to the mount, a boom may hold the top ctip at a distance, e.g., above and/or in front of or behind the shoulder, to position the umbrella shaft.

[0106] The low point of the cross-body strap may be secured to a belt or the waist hem of a pair of trousers worn at the waist or hip of the user.

[0107] Several variations for the position of the bag are possible. For example, it may be preferred to allow the bag to be positioned at any point along the cross-body strap and/or one or more side straps.

[0108] Additionally or alternatively, the bag may be repositioned for deployment of the umbrella. For example, the bag may be moved from a storage position to a use position. For example, where the top clip and/or the base clip are affixed to the bag, for use of the umbrella the bag may be moved to a position along the cross-body strap or between the cross- body strap and a side strap. For storage, the bag maybe positioned anywhere along the any strip or between straps.

APPENDIX

Table 1 - Reference Designators for Figures 1 -9

Table! -Reference Designators for Figure 10

Table 3 - Reference Designators for Figure 11

Table 4- Reference Designators for Figure 12

Claims

CLAIMS We claim:

1. A harness for hands-free use of a personal umbrella, the harness comprising: a cross-body strap ending a torso of a user, the cross-body strap passtag from a shoulder of the user to a waist of the user, the waist of the user being on aside of the torso opposite from the shoulder, and a top clip connected directly or indirectly to the cross-body strap at a shoulder level of the user, the top clipbeing adapted to detachably connect to a shaft of the umbrella at a top mount point, the top mount point being located along the shaft of the umbrella between a base of the umbrella and a canopy extension hub of the umbrella, wherein the extension hub, viamotion along the shaft, foldsand unfolds a canopy of the umbrella.

2. The harness of claim 1, further comprising a first side strap connecting a first strap point of the harness on the front of the torso to a second strap point of the harness on the back of the torso, the first side strap passing along the torso under the shoulder of the user.

3. The harness of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising abase clip connected directly of indirectly to the cross-body strap at a waist level of the user, the base clip being adapted detachably to connect to a base point that is along the shaft of the personal umbrella at or adjacent to the base of the umbrella.

4. The harness of claim 3, wherein the base clip is rotatable to permit the umbrella to be held at various angles from the torso when the base clip is attached to the umbrella and the top clip is detached from the umbrella.

5. The harness of claim 4, wherein the base clip is hinged.

6. The harness of claim 4, wherein the base clip comprises a universal joint

7. The harness of any of claims 3-6, further comprising a base mount connecting the base clip to the cross-body strap.

8, The harness of claim 7, wherein: the base mount is a truss assembly comprising a base bar, a clip bar, and an adjustment bar; the base bar is affixed at waist level to the cross-body strap; the base bar is rotatably connected at a first end of the base bar to a first end of the clip bar, the base bar is rotatably connected at a second end of the base bar to a first end of the adjustment bar; a second end of the clip bar is connected to the base clip; and an adjustable midpoint of the clip bar is connected to an adjustable midpoint of the adjustment bar, such that a position of the base clip may be adjusted within a plane relative to the cross-body strap via selection of the adjustable midpoints of the adjustment bar and the clip bar.

9. The harness of any of claims 1-8 wherein the harness fiurther comprises a bag affixed to toe cross-body strap.

10. The harness of any of claims 1-9, wherein the shaft of the umbrella is a collapsible shaft for compact storage of the umbrella.

11. The harness of 10, wherein: the harness further comprises the bag; and the bag is of sufficient size to store the umbrella when the umbrella is folded for storage.

12. The harness of claim 11, wherein the base clip remains attached to the umbrella when the umbrella is stored in the bag, such that the umbrella may be deployed from storage in the bag by first raising the umbrella extension hub to unfold the canopy and then attaching the top clip, wittout adjustment of the base clip.

13. The harness of claim 11 or 12, wherein the bag comprises: a front compartment comprising a closure facing away from foe torso to permit removal of the umbrella via amotion away from the body; and a middle compartment with a closure on the top of the bag to permit removal of items stored in the middle compartment via a motion substantially parallel to a surface of the torso.

14. The harness of claim 13, wherein the middle compartment comprises a water-proof material to prevent moisture entering the middle compartment.

15. The harness of claim 14, wherein the front compartment comprises a water-proof or water-resistant material that prevents dripping of water from the front compartment of the bag, wherein the water-resistant material is gas-permeable to allow evaporation of moisture from an interior of the front compartment

16. The harness of claim 15, wherein the water-resistant material comprises fibers that promote wicking of moisture along the fibers to promote evaporati ve drying of the front compartment

17. The harness of any of claims 11 -16, wherein the top clip is connected to the cross- body strap via the bag.

18. The harness of any of claims 11-17 wherein the base clip is connected to the cross- body strap via thebag.

19. The harness of any of claims 9-18, wherein the bag is moveable from a first bag position to a second bag position, the first bag position being along the cross-body strap on the front of the torso between the base clip and the top clip, and the second beg position being elewhere along the strap.

20. The harness of claim 19, wherein the second bag position is along a selected side strap.

21. The harness of any of claims 1-20, further comprising a top boom connecting the top clip to the cross-body strap, the top boom holding the top clip at a distance from the shoulder.

22. The harness of claim 21, wherein the top boom is adjustable in length, angle, or shape.

23. The harness of claim 21 or 22, further canprising a shoulder mount connected to the top boon, the shoulder mount being affixed to the cross-body strap at the shoulder, the shoulder mount comprising a curved member fitting around a bend of the shoulder.

24. The harness of claim 23, wherein the curved member of the shoulder mount is adjustably conformable to the shoulder of the user,

25. The harness of any of claims 1-24, wherein the first side strap is detachable from the first strap point and/or the second strap point.

26. The harness of any of claims 1-25, further comprising a second side strap connecting a third strap point of the harness on the front of the torso to a fourth strap point of the harness on the back of the torso.

27. The harness of claim 26, wherein the second side strap passes along the torso along a line that is under the shoulder and above the first side strop.