Portable Umbrella, Adaptor, and Associated Method

Abstract

An umbrella (10) comprising a handle (16) and a stand (18). The stand (18) is connected to and telescopically stowable in the handle (16). A tethering element (26) is provided for a user to step upon.

1 . A portable umbrella comprising:
 a collapsible umbrella canopy;   a first shaft which extends from the collapsible umbrella canopy;   a handle being any one of at and adjacent to an end of the first shaft distal to the collapsible umbrella canopy;   a second shaft configured to be connected to and telescopically stowed in at least any one of the first shaft and/or the handle, the second shaft configured to be secured in a stowed condition; and   a ground engagement element at an end of the second shaft distal to the first shaft and the handle.   
     
     
         2 . The portable umbrella as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible tethering element at the ground engagement element for configured to have a user to step thereon. 
     
     
         3 . The portable umbrella as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the flexible tethering element is configured to be sufficiently flexible so as to be folded in half. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The portable umbrella as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ground engagement element is devoid of any of a spike, point and tapered portion for penetrating the ground. 
     
     
         6 . The portable umbrella as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second shaft is configured to be stowed so as to be completely received within the first shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The portable umbrella as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least any one of the first shaft and/or the second shaft comprise a fibre composite material. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The portable umbrella as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a distance between the ground engagement element and a top of the collapsible umbrella canopy is between 1750 mm and 2200 mm. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The portable umbrella as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first shaft has a length of between 850 mm and 1050 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The portable umbrella as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second shaft has a length of between 700 mm and 1350 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The portable umbrella as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a length of the second shaft is configured to be adjusted. 
     
     
         15 . The portable umbrella as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the second shaft comprises at least first and second shaft sub-parts which are telescopically receivable at least in any one of the first shaft and the handle, the second shaft sub-part being configured to be secured in a stowed condition independently of the first shaft sub-part so as to allow length adjustment of the second shaft. 
     
     
         16 . The portable umbrella as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the first shaft sub-part has a length of between 700 mm and 900 mm, and the second shaft sub-part has a length of between 350 mm and 550 mm. 
     
     
         17 . The portable umbrella as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a strap having first and second ends, the first end being configured to be selectably detachably connected at a top of the collapsible umbrella canopy and at the handle, and the second end being connected at the handle. 
     
     
         18 . The portable umbrella as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a garment clamp connected to at least any one of the first shaft and handle for configured to clamp a user's garment. 
     
     
         19 . A portable umbrella comprising:
 a collapsible umbrella canopy;   a first shaft having a length of between 850 mm and 1050 mm which extends from the collapsible umbrella canopy, the first shaft being hollow;   a handle being any one of at and adjacent to an end of the first shaft distal to the collapsible umbrella canopy, the handle being hollow and extending around the perimeter of the first shaft;   a second shaft configured to be connected to and telescopically stowable in at least any one of the first shaft and the handle so as to be completely received therein, the second shaft being securable in a stowed condition and having a length of between 700 mm and 1350 mm;   a ground engagement element at an end of the second shaft distal to the first shaft and the handle, the ground engagement element being a cap having a similar diameter to that of at least any one of the first and second shaft, and being devoid of any of a spike, point and tapered portion for penetrating the ground;   a flexible tethering element at the ground engagement element for a user to step on, the flexible tethering element configured to be sufficiently flexible so as to be folded in half.   
     
     
         20 . A method of using a portable umbrella in a standing position, the method comprising:
 a) providing an umbrella as claimed in  claim 1 ;   b) deploying the collapsible umbrella canopy;   c) extending the second shaft from the first shaft so that the ground engagement element rests on the ground;   d) standing underneath the collapsible umbrella canopy;   e) holding the handle with one hand or bracing one of the shafts against an inner arm.   
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . An umbrella adaptor for retrofitting to a handholdable portable umbrella, the umbrella adaptor comprising:
 a connector configured to detachably connect to the handholdable portable umbrella at a base of the handholdable portable umbrella;   a telescopic shaft which extends from the connector;   a ground engagement element at an end of the telescopic shaft distal to the connector; and   a flexible tethering element being any one of at and adjacent to the ground engagement element for a user to step on;   the telescopic shaft being sized so that when the connector is connected to the handholdable portable umbrella, a distance between the ground engagement element and a canopy of the handholdable portable umbrella is greater than or equal to a height of a typical adult person.   
     
     
         23 . The umbrella adaptor as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the connector comprises a tubular receiver configured to receive at least the base of the handholdable umbrella, and a turn screw configured to brace against the handholdable umbrella. 
     
     
         24 . The umbrella adaptor as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the connector comprises a tubular receiver configured to receive at least the base of the handholdable umbrella, and a cam lock lever. 
     
     
         25 . The umbrella adaptor as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the telescopic shaft has an extended length of between 700 mm and 1350 mm.