Hands-free umbrella holster

Abstract

A hands-free carrying device and related method of use may be used for carrying an umbrella and other similar items. The carrying device may be a holster or may otherwise include one or more features to aid in retaining an umbrella or similar device without the need of the wearer using their hands. The umbrella may be retained in a deployed or undeployed configuration. The device itself may be substantially or partially rigid, such as through the use of plastic. The device may also partially comprise or be substantially formed of flexible or partially flexible materials, such as fabric. The device may include one or more straps to aid in retaining the device or adjustment of the fit or retention of the device. The device may be presented in multiple sizes or may be a configured to fit all or most common sizes of users with a single product.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A carrying device, comprising:
 a protective equipment retention feature;   a wearable support member; and   an adjustable connection feature   wherein the protective equipment retention feature is configured to removably receive and retain a unit of protective equipment, the protective equipment retention feature is connected to the wearable support member, and the adjustable connection feature is configured to aid in adjustably securing the carrying device to a user, and further wherein, after the unit of protective equipment has been removably connected to the carrying device, the protective equipment retention feature is configured to support the unit of protective equipment without additional support from a hand of the user.   
     
     
         2 . The carrying device according to  claim 1 , further wherein the unit of protective equipment is an umbrella. 
     
     
         3 . The carrying device according to  claim 2 , further wherein the adjustable connection feature comprises at least one adjustable strap. 
     
     
         4 . The carrying device according to  claim 3 , further wherein the wearable support member comprises an at least partially rigid plate. 
     
     
         5 . The carrying device according to  claim 3 , further wherein the protective equipment retention feature is configured to receive at least a portion of the umbrella. 
     
     
         6 . The carrying device according to  claim 3 , further wherein the protective equipment retention feature is configured to receive at least a portion of a handle of the umbrella. 
     
     
         7 . The carrying device according to  claim 6 , further wherein the equipment retention feature is a tube. 
     
     
         8 . The carrying device according to  claim 7 , further wherein the tube is offset away from a back side of the wearable support member relative to the user by means of an extension member. 
     
     
         9 . The carrying device according to  claim 6 , further wherein the equipment retention feature is an at least partially flexible pocket. 
     
     
         10 . The carrying device according to  claim 9 , further wherein the at least partially flexible pocket is made of fabric. 
     
     
         11 . The carrying device according to  claim 6 , further wherein the equipment retention member is an at least partially elastic material. 
     
     
         12 . The carrying device according to  claim 6 , further comprising a secondary retention feature. 
     
     
         13 . The carrying device according to  claim 12 , further wherein the secondary retention feature is configured to receive at least a portion of a pole of the umbrella. 
     
     
         14 . The carrying device according to  claim 13 , further wherein the secondary retention feature is a clip. 
     
     
         15 . The carrying device according to  claim 14 , further the clip is at least partially deformable to aid in insertion and removal of the portion of a pole of the umbrella. 
     
     
         16 . The carrying device according to  claim 13 , further wherein the secondary retention feature is a flexible fabric feature. 
     
     
         17 . The carrying device according to  claim 16 , further wherein the flexible fabric feature comprises a hook and loop closure feature. 
     
     
         18 . A method of using an umbrella, comprising:
 connecting an umbrella to a carrying device; and   wearing the carrying device;   wherein the carrying device comprises a protective equipment support feature configured to removably receive the umbrella, and further wherein the carrying device further comprises at least one adjustable strap.   
     
     
         19 . The method of using an umbrella according to  claim 16 , further wherein the umbrella is in an at least partially open configuration when the umbrella is removably connected to the carrying device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of using an umbrella according to  claim 16 , further wherein the carrying device comprises a wearable support member, and further wherein the wearable support member is connected to the protective equipment support feature, and further wherein at least a portion of the protective equipment support feature is made of a flexible material.