Weather protection device for a pushable vehicle

Abstract

In one embodiment the present invention includes an umbrella-like device adapted to mount to a baby stroller or similar pushable vehicle. The present invention enables protection of the operator from inclement weather and consists of a protective cover that expands and retracts as needed, a support member for adjusting the height and angle of the cover, and an attaching means to enable coupling of a protection device to an existing support element of the pushable vehicle.

1 . A weather protection device for the operator of a pushable vehicle, the device comprising: 
 an expandable and retractable covering element;    a support member connected to the covering element to enable extraction and retraction of the covering element and to enable structural support of the covering element; the support member including a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion, the first shaft portion connected to the covering element and an oppositely spaced hinge mechanism, the hinge mechanism being intermediate to the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion and the hinge mechanism further being adapted to rotateably position the first shaft portion relative to the second shaft portion along a y-axis including substantially about 360-degrees of rotation;    and    attaching means for enabling engagement of the second shaft portion to the pushable vehicle, the attaching means further enabling substantially about 360-degrees of rotation about both a z-axis and an x-axis.    
     
     
         2 . The weather protection device of  claim 1  further comprising a storage compartment coupled to the pushable vehicle, the storage compartment adapted to receive the covering element and at least a portion of the support member when the covering element is in a retracted position.  
     
     
         3 . The weather protection device of  claim 1  wherein the support member comprises a telescoping shaft.  
     
     
         4 . (canceled)  
     
     
         5 . (canceled)  
     
     
         6 . (canceled)  
     
     
         7 . (canceled)  
     
     
         8 . The weather protection device of  claim 1  wherein the attaching means further comprises a locking element adapted to couple to the pushable vehicle wherein the pushable vehicle is a baby stroller.  
     
     
         9 . The weather protection device of  claim 1  wherein the attaching means further comprises a locking element adapted to couple to the pushable vehicle wherein the pushable vehicle is a wheelchair.  
     
     
         10 . (canceled)  
     
     
         11 . The weather protection device of  claim 1  wherein the attaching means further comprises a locking element adapted to couple to the pushable vehicle wherein the pushable vehicle is a lawnmower.  
     
     
         12 . The weather protection device of  claim 1  wherein the attaching means further comprises a locking element adapted to couple to the pushable vehicle wherein the pushable vehicle is a wheelbarrow.  
     
     
         13 . An inclement weather protection device for the operator of a pushable vehicle, the device comprising: 
 an expandable and retractable covering element;    a support member connected to the covering element to enable extraction and retraction of the covering element and to enable structural support of the covering element; the support member comprising a first shaft portion coupled to the attaching means on a first end and having a second end coupled to a hinge-mechanism and a second shaft portion coupled to the hinge-mechanism, the hinge mechanism being intermediate to the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion and the hinge mechanism further being adapted to rotateably position the first shaft portion relative to the second shaft portion along a y-axis including substantially about 360-degrees of rotation;    attaching means for enabling engagement of the support member to a suitable receiving structure provided by the pushable vehicle, the attaching means further providing selectable angled adjustment of the support member along both the x-axis and y-axis; and    a storage compartment coupled to the pushable vehicle, the storage compartment adapted to receive the covering element and at least a portion of the support member when the covering element is in a retracted position.    
     
     
         14 . (canceled)  
     
     
         15 . The inclement weather protection device of  claim 13  wherein the support member comprises a telescoping shaft to enable selective adjustment of an operating height of the covering element.  
     
     
         16 . The inclement weather protection device of  claim 13  further comprising means for z-axis rotation of the support member relative to the attaching means.  
     
     
         17 . (canceled)  
     
     
         18 . A protection device for an operator of a baby stroller, the device comprising: 
 an expandable and retractable covering element;    a support member connected to the covering element to enable extraction and retraction of the covering element and to enable structural support of the covering element; and    an attaching means for enabling engagement of the support member to a frame element provided by the baby stroller.    
     
     
         19 . (canceled)  
     
     
         20 . (canceled)