Umbrella

Abstract

An umbrella that offers improved performance in windy conditions is disclosed that includes an umbrella cover that has a plurality of gills positioned throughout its surface to allow for the release of air pressure caused by wind that impacts the umbrella cover. A flap portion may be positioned over each of the gills so that the flap is raised when wind gusts blow into the umbrella in order to permit the release of air from the umbrella. This reduces the risk that the umbrella could blow inside out or reverse itself. The flap is also preferably positioned over the slit in order to prevent water from going through the umbrella and wetting the umbrella's handler.

1 . An umbrella that is less susceptible to wind damage comprising:
 a frame, said frame comprising
 a rod having a lower end region and a length that extends from said lower end region to an upper end region, said rod having a handling area at said rod's lower end region, 
 a plurality of arms connected to said upper end region of said rod at a first end of said plurality of aims, and 
 a means for locking said arms in an expanded or a retracted position; and an umbrella cover connected to said umbrella frame, said umbrella cover having 
 one or more gills that pass from the outer surface of said umbrella cover to the interior surface of said umbrella cover, said gills allowing for the release of air pressure cause by wind gusts that impact the umbrella, and 
   
     
     
         2 . The umbrella according to  claim 1  wherein said gills further comprise a flap portion positioned over each of said plurality of gills, said flap portion being raised when wind gusts blow into the umbrella to allow the wind gusts to flow through said gills and permit the release of air from said umbrella, said flap also preventing water from going through said plurality of gills. 
     
     
         3 . The umbrella according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of said gills is a slit in said cover. 
     
     
         4 . The umbrella according to  claim 2  wherein an air permeable material is positioned over each of said plurality of gills. 
     
     
         5 . The umbrella according to  claim 3  wherein said air permeable material is a mesh material. 
     
     
         6 . The umbrella according to  claim 1  wherein the locking means comprises a first spring loaded pin that extends outwardly from the lower end region of said rod and a second spring loaded pin that extends outwardly from the upper end region of said rod, said first pin and said second pin adapted to secure a ring that travels along the length of said rod, said ring attached to said first end of said arms and said ring causing said arms to expand and retract as said ring travels along said length of said rod. 
     
     
         7 . The umbrella according to  claim 1  wherein the handling area has a grip. 
     
     
         8 . The umbrella according to  claim 1  wherein the handling area has a hook. 
     
     
         9 . An umbrella that is less susceptible to wind damage comprising:
 a frame, said frame comprising
 a rod having a lower end region and a length that extends from said lower end region to an upper end region, said rod having a handling area at said rod's lower end region and said rod having an umbrella attaching end at said rod's upper end region, 
 a front umbrella portion plurality of arms having a first section and a second section, wherein said first section of said front portion plurality of arms has a first end that connects to said upper end region of said rod and a second end that is pivotally connected to a first end of said second section of said front portion plurality of arms, said second section of said front portion plurality of arms extending downward from said connection with said first section of said front portion plurality of arms to a second end, 
 a rear umbrella portion plurality of arms having a first section and a second section, wherein said first section of said rear portion plurality of arms has a first end that connects to said upper end region of said rod and a second end that is pivotally connected to a first end of said second section of said rear portion plurality of arms, said second section of said rear portion plurality of arms extending downward from said connection with said first section of said rear portion plurality of arms to a second end, and 
 a means for locking said frame in an expanded or a retracted position; and 
   an umbrella cover connected to said frame, said umbrella cover comprising
 a front portion cover extending from said umbrella attaching end of said rod to a front portion base that extends perpendicularly from the same vertical plane as said umbrella frame rod, said front portion base being connected to said second end of said frame of said front portion second section's plurality of arms, said front portion base having about the same length as the distance of the umbrella frame rod from the horizontal plane formed by the umbrella cover to the point of extension between the umbrella cover front portion and the umbrella attaching end of said rod, said front portion of said umbrella cover forming a quarter sphere-like appearance; and 
 a rear portion cover extending from said umbrella attaching end of said rod to a rear portion base, wherein said rear portion base extends perpendicularly from the same vertical plane as said umbrella frame rod, said length of said rear portion base at least about 1.5 times the length of said front portion base, said rear portion base being connected to said second end of said frame of said rear portion second section's plurality of arms, and where said front portion cover has a different shape than said rear portion cover. 
   
     
     
         10 . The umbrella according to  claim 9  wherein there are one or more gills that pass from the outer surface of said umbrella cover's front portion and said umbrella cover's rear portion to the interior surface of said front and rear cover portions, said gills allowing for the release of air pressure cause by wind gusts that impact the umbrella. 
     
     
         11 . The umbrella according to  claim 10  further comprising a flap portion positioned over each of said plurality of gills, said flap portion being raised when wind gusts blow into the umbrella to allow the wind gusts to flow through said plurality of gills and permit the release of air from said umbrella, said flap also preventing water from going through said plurality of gills. 
     
     
         12 . The umbrella according to  claim 11  wherein the umbrella has sides that extend further downwards than the front portion of the umbrella. 
     
     
         13 . The umbrella according to  claim 12  wherein said front portion of said umbrella includes a front panel and wherein at least a portion of said front panel has a transparent material. 
     
     
         14 . The umbrella according to  claim 13  wherein said transparent material is a clear plastic. 
     
     
         15 . The umbrella according to  claim 9  wherein the distance from said rod to a bottom front edge of said cover is less than the distance from said handle to a bottom rear edge of said cover. 
     
     
         16 . The umbrella according to  claim 15  wherein an arc formed by the outer surface of the front portion of said umbrella has a center point on said rod and the arc of said rear portion does not have a center point on said rod. 
     
     
         17 . The umbrella according to  claim 16  wherein the distance from said center point of said front portion to said bottom front edge of said front portion is the same as the distance from said center point to the top of said cover. 
     
     
         18 . The umbrella according to  claim 17  wherein the distance from said center point of said front portion to the top of said cover is less than the distance from said rod to said outer edge of said rear portion. 
     
     
         19 . An umbrella that is less susceptible to wind damage comprising:
 a frame, wherein said frame comprises
 a rod having a lower end region and a length that extends from said lower end region to an upper end region, said rod having a handling area at said rod's lower end region, 
 a plurality of arms connected to said upper end region of said rod at a first end of said plurality of arms, and 
 a means for locking said arms in an expanded or a retracted position; and 
   an umbrella cover connected to said umbrella frame, said umbrella cover having
 one or more gills that pass from the outer surface of said umbrella cover to the interior surface of said umbrella cover, said plurality of gills allowing for the release of air pressure cause by wind gusts that impact the umbrella, and 
 an air permeable material positioned over each of said gills, said air permeable material allowing wind gusts to flow through said gills and permit the release of air from said umbrella, said air permeable material also preventing water from going through said plurality of gills. 
   
     
     
         20 . The umbrella according to  claim 19  wherein said air permeable material is a mesh material.