Tent – canopy – umbrella – or cane – Umbrella – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-19
2001-03-06
Stephan, Beth A. (Department: 3635)
Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane
Umbrella
Combined
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196241
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to umbrellas. More particularly, the present invention relates to umbrellas with canopies that change color.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Umbrellas have been known and used for many years. Functionally, umbrellas most often are used to provide protection from precipitation, particularly rain. Umbrellas may also be used for protection from direct sunlight as in, for example, a parasol.
In addition to purely utilitarian functions, umbrellas have been designed for other uses. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,150,731 to Barcus and 4,271,604 to Rowsey describe umbrellas which may be used to locate and identify the various constellations.
Umbrellas may also contain other features that add further utility. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,468 to Cole describes a safety umbrella which contains a flashlight in the handle and a reflective strip on the canopy to increase visibility in the dark.
Umbrellas may additionally be used to express creativity. Creativity may be expressed in the various components of an umbrella. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 321,979 to DeSantis et al., for example, describes an umbrella wherein the elongated rod is illuminated. Creativity may also be expressed in the design present on the canopy, or by use of unique canopy materials. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,498,306 to Edelking describes an umbrella with a transparent canopy. Edelking also describes an umbrella having a transparent canopy with reflective dots. The use of unique materials in the design of umbrellas allows for novel means of expressing creativity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a novel means for expression. The unique means is achieved by building upon a standard construction for an umbrella consisting of an elongated rod with radial ribs attached at one end of the elongated rod and a canopy stretched over the radial ribs. In the present invention, the canopy contains several panels, one or more of which may be treated in whole or in part with dye capable of changing colors with a variation in ambient conditions.
In another aspect of the present invention, the color changing dye is thermochromic, changing colors as the temperature changes.
In another aspect of the present invention, the dye used is photochromic, changing colors under various light conditions.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, one panel contains a design applied with a color changing dye.
An additional aspect of the present invention, is to place a design or logo on a panel of the umbrella using a color change dye.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 321979 (1991-12-01), DeSantis et al.
patent: 1150731 (1915-08-01), Barcus
patent: 3498306 (1970-03-01), Edelking
patent: 4271604 (1981-06-01), Rowsey, Jr.
patent: 4425161 (1984-01-01), Shibahashi et al.
patent: 4872468 (1989-10-01), Cole
patent: 5221288 (1993-06-01), Kamata et al.
patent: 5294375 (1994-03-01), Kampe et al.
patent: 5329953 (1994-07-01), Becher
patent: 5389093 (1995-02-01), Howell
patent: 5449012 (1995-09-01), Friedman
Stephan Beth A.
Steptoe & Johnson LLP
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