Umbrella Sling

Abstract

This invention provides a new and versatile hands-free device for securing an umbrella to a person's back. The umbrella is secured in a vertical pouch by way of a rod that passes upwards through the umbrella's handle. The circumference of the pouch holds the umbrella in a folded position, whereas the rod and a sleeve of narrower circumference secure the umbrella when the canopy is extended. The device positions the canopy around and about the user's head, thereby providing protection from precipitation.

1 . A hands-free device for securing to a person's back an umbrella having a handle, a pole, and a closeable canopy, the device comprising:
 a) a back plate;   b) a harness for securing the back plate to the person's back;   c) a vertically oriented essentially cylindrical pouch attached to the back plate, comprising a closeable zipper running vertically from the top of the pouch to a position near the bottom of the pouch;   d) a rigid vertically positioned member in the pouch for securing an umbrella; wherein the pouch has an inside circumference when closed that approximates the circumference of the umbrella when closed;   wherein the rigid member is adapted to conform tightly to a handle of an umbrella, thereby securing the umbrella in a vertical upright position when the pouch is closed such that the canopy extends around and about the person's head.   
     
     
         2 . The umbrella securing device of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid member is a cylindrically shaped rod or tube extending from the bottom of the pouch and adapted to pass up the handle of an umbrella that has a straight and hollow handle. 
     
     
         3 . The umbrella securing device of  claim 1  wherein the rigid member is a cylindrically shaped wooden doweling extending at least 8 inches from the bottom of the pouch. 
     
     
         4 . The umbrella securing device of  claim 1 , wherein the harness consists essentially of two adjustable loops that are attached at one end at or near the top of the back plate, and at the other end at or near the bottom of the back plate, wherein one loop is configured to pass over the person's shoulder and under their left arm, and the other loop is configured to pass over the person's shoulder and under their right arm. 
     
     
         5 . The umbrella securing device of  claim 4 , wherein each loop of the harness is padded where it passes over the person's shoulder, and is adjustable in loop size by way of a plastic tri-glide buckle. 
     
     
         6 . The umbrella securing device of  claim 1 , further comprising an essentially cylindrical sleeve positioned vertically in the pouch, wherein the sleeve has an inside diameter that approximates the outside diameter of an umbrella's handle, wherein the sleeve is open at the top and bottom ends, and wherein the sleeve is positioned to receive the handle such that the handle can be secured onto the rigid vertically positioned member. 
     
     
         7 . The umbrella securing device of  claim 6 , wherein the essentially cylindrical sleeve is positioned above the top of the wooden doweling of  claim 3 . 
     
     
         8 . The umbrella securing device of  claim 1 , designed for carrying only an umbrella. 
     
     
         9 . The umbrella securing device of  claim 1 , built into a back pack designed for carrying other items as well. 
     
     
         10 . A commercial product comprising an umbrella with an essentially straight handle, and the umbrella securing device of  claim 1  fitted to secure said umbrella within its pouch. 
     
     
         11 . A method for a user to carry an umbrella, comprising securing it in the device of  claim 1 , and fixing the device to the user's back by way of the harness. 
     
     
         12 . A method of protecting a user from precipitation or other particulate matter having an essentially downwards trajectory, comprising carrying an umbrella in an umbrella securing device according to  claim 11 , such that the canopy of the umbrella extends around and about the user's head.