GB2075832A - Handles for umbrellas - Google Patents

Abstract

A handle for an umbrella comprises a handle member (11) and a ground engaging element (15). The ground engaging element (15) can be secured to the handle member (11) in either a first position in which the ground engaging element extends away from the handle member or a second position in which the ground engaging element is located within the handle member. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in handles for umbrellas The invention relates to handles for umbrellas.

According to the invention there is provided a handle for an umbrella comprising a tubular handle member for attachment to the shaft of an umbrella, a ground engaging element and means for securing the ground engaging element to the handle member in either a first position in which the gound engaging element extends outwardly from the handle member of a second position in which the ground engaging element lies within the handle member.

The ground engaging element preferably comprises a spike.

The securing means preferably comprises screw threaded means on the handle member and the ground engagement element.

The ground engaging element preferably comprises grip means which extends outside the handle member when the ground engaging element is in the second position. The grip means may comprise a knurled extension.

The invention further provides an umbrella comprising a handle according to the invention.

Bt way of example, one embodiment of a handle according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a handle with ground engaging element extended; Figure 2 is a sectional view along the lines ll-ll Figure land Figure 3 is a perspective view of the handle of Figure 1 with the ground engaging element retracted.

A handle for an umbrella is generally indicated at 10. The handle 10 comprises a tubular handle member 11, a shaft of an umbrella being securable to the umbrella by inserting the end of the shaft through end opening 12 of the handle member and securing the handle member to the shaft by, for example adhesive or pinning or both.

At the other end of the handle member 11, a screw thread 13 is formed on the inside surface of the handle 11 adjacent end opening 14.

A ground engaging element in the form of a spike 15 has a threaded portion 16 which can threadedly engage the threaded portion of the handle member 11. A portion 17 of the spike is knurled to assist gripping of the spike when engaging the threads 16 and 13.

On the side of the threads 16 remote from the spike 15 is an extension 18, also knurled to assist gripping.

The ground engaging element can be secured to the handle member 11 in one of two position; in a first position, the spike 15 extends away from the handle member 11 and can be engaged in the ground. In a second position, shown Figure 3, the spike is located inside the handle member 11 and the extension 18 allows the threads 16 and 13to be rotated relative to one another.

The advantage of this embodiment of the invention is that with the spike in the position shown Figure 1, the spike can be stuck into the ground to support the umbrella when it is not required. This is particularly useful when playing a game such as golf where the umbrella would have to be put on one side while a shot is played. Hetherto, the only ways of putting a golfing umbrella or the like on the ground have been to stick the ferrule into the ground with the umbrella up-side down, which means that the umbrella will fill with water, orto support the umbrella on the handle and to of the spokes of the umbrella.To do this is likely to lead damage of the spokes of the umbrella or to the umbrella being blown away. Afurther advantage of this embodiment of the invention is that the spike can be concealed in the handle of the umbrella when it is not required.

1. A handle for an umbrella comprising a tubular handle member for attachment to the shaft of an umbrella, a ground engaging element and means for securing the ground engaging element to the handle member in either a first position in which the ground engaging element extends from the handle member or a second position in which the ground engaging element lies within the handle member.

2. A handle for an umbrella as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the securing means comprises screw threaded on the handle member and ground engaging element.

3. A handle as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the ground engaging element comprises grip means which extends outside the handle member when the ground engaging element is in the second position.

4. A handle as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the grip means comprises a knurled extension.

5. A handle as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the ground engaging element comprises a spike.

6. A handle for an umbrella substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

7. An umbrella comprising a handle as claimed in any preceding claim.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in handles for umbrellas The invention relates to handles for umbrellas. According to the invention there is provided a handle for an umbrella comprising a tubular handle member for attachment to the shaft of an umbrella, a ground engaging element and means for securing the ground engaging element to the handle member in either a first position in which the gound engaging element extends outwardly from the handle member of a second position in which the ground engaging element lies within the handle member. The ground engaging element preferably comprises a spike. The securing means preferably comprises screw threaded means on the handle member and the ground engagement element. The ground engaging element preferably comprises grip means which extends outside the handle member when the ground engaging element is in the second position. The grip means may comprise a knurled extension. The invention further provides an umbrella comprising a handle according to the invention. Bt way of example, one embodiment of a handle according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a handle with ground engaging element extended; Figure 2 is a sectional view along the lines ll-ll Figure land Figure 3 is a perspective view of the handle of Figure 1 with the ground engaging element retracted. A handle for an umbrella is generally indicated at 10. The handle 10 comprises a tubular handle member 11, a shaft of an umbrella being securable to the umbrella by inserting the end of the shaft through end opening 12 of the handle member and securing the handle member to the shaft by, for example adhesive or pinning or both. At the other end of the handle member 11, a screw thread 13 is formed on the inside surface of the handle 11 adjacent end opening 14. A ground engaging element in the form of a spike 15 has a threaded portion 16 which can threadedly engage the threaded portion of the handle member 11. A portion 17 of the spike is knurled to assist gripping of the spike when engaging the threads 16 and 13. On the side of the threads 16 remote from the spike 15 is an extension 18, also knurled to assist gripping. The ground engaging element can be secured to the handle member 11 in one of two position; in a first position, the spike 15 extends away from the handle member 11 and can be engaged in the ground. In a second position, shown Figure 3, the spike is located inside the handle member 11 and the extension 18 allows the threads 16 and 13to be rotated relative to one another. The advantage of this embodiment of the invention is that with the spike in the position shown Figure 1, the spike can be stuck into the ground to support the umbrella when it is not required. This is particularly useful when playing a game such as golf where the umbrella would have to be put on one side while a shot is played. Hetherto, the only ways of putting a golfing umbrella or the like on the ground have been to stick the ferrule into the ground with the umbrella up-side down, which means that the umbrella will fill with water, orto support the umbrella on the handle and to of the spokes of the umbrella.To do this is likely to lead damage of the spokes of the umbrella or to the umbrella being blown away. Afurther advantage of this embodiment of the invention is that the spike can be concealed in the handle of the umbrella when it is not required. CLAIMS

1. A handle for an umbrella comprising a tubular handle member for attachment to the shaft of an umbrella, a ground engaging element and means for securing the ground engaging element to the handle member in either a first position in which the ground engaging element extends from the handle member or a second position in which the ground engaging element lies within the handle member.

2. A handle for an umbrella as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the securing means comprises screw threaded on the handle member and ground engaging element.

3. A handle as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the ground engaging element comprises grip means which extends outside the handle member when the ground engaging element is in the second position.

4. A handle as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the grip means comprises a knurled extension.

5. A handle as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the ground engaging element comprises a spike.

6. A handle for an umbrella substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

7. An umbrella comprising a handle as claimed in any preceding claim.