Umbrella customization kit and methods fostering umbrella customization

Abstract

A customization kit for a hand-held umbrella and methods fostering customization of such an umbrella are provided. In one disclosed embodiment, the method allows arranging in a baseline umbrella configuration one or more removable components for the umbrella. The removable component may be a component which is unblocked relative to a view of an external observer when the umbrella is in a closed condition. The method further allows configuring a customizing kit including an assortment of customizing components at least some of which are in a pre-finished condition, removing the removable component, and performing a customizing action in connection with the removable component resulting in a transformed umbrella look perceivable by the external observer when the umbrella is in the closed condition. In another embodiment, the customizing action may be accomplished with a replacement component manufactured by way of additive manufacturing.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method fostering customization of a hand-held umbrella in a distribution chain, the method comprising:
 arranging in a baseline umbrella configuration at least one removable component for the umbrella, wherein said at least one removable component comprises a component which is unblocked relative to a view of an external observer when the umbrella is in a closed condition;   configuring a customizing kit comprising an assortment of customizing components at least some of which are in a pre-finished condition;   removing said at least one removable component from the umbrella; and   performing a customizing action in connection with said at least one removable component by applying a desired ornamental pattern and/or color variation to at least one customizing component in the pre-finished condition resulting in a transformed umbrella look perceivable by the external observer when the umbrella is in the closed condition.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein customizing components in the pre-finished condition comprise a handle, a grip, a tie strap, a ferrule, or a combination of at least two of said customizing components. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the customizing action comprises applying visual indicia to at least one customizing component in the pre-finished condition. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the customizing action comprises performing a desired customized design on at least one customizing component in the pre-finished condition, the customized design comprising an ornamental design, a structural design, a functional design or a combination of two or more said designs, wherein the desired ornamental, structural and/or functional design is performed by way of a process selected from the group consisting of an additive manufacturing process, a printing process, a laser engraving or marking process and a combination of said processes. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising physically forming at least one customizing component by way of additive manufacturing. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising salvaging at least one customizing component from an impaired umbrella. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the distribution chain comprises a source, at least one intermediary and an end user, and wherein the customizing action is performed at any point within the distribution chain. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the configuring of the customizing kit is based on anticipation of or for promoting an occurrence of an umbrella customization trend. 
     
     
         9 . A method fostering customization of a hand-held umbrella in a distribution chain, the method comprising:
 arranging in a baseline umbrella configuration at least one removable component for the umbrella, wherein said at least one removable component comprises a component which is unblocked relative to a view of an external observer when the umbrella is in a closed condition;   removing said at least one removable component; and   performing a customizing action in connection with said at least one removable component, wherein the customizing action comprises replacing a removed component with a replacement component manufactured by way of additive manufacturing.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the replacement component comprises a handle, a grip, a ferrule, a tie strap or a combination of at least two of said removable components. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the replacement component comprises a desired customized design comprising an ornamental design, a structural design, a functional design or a combination of two or more said designs, wherein the desired ornamental, structural and/or functional design is performed by way of a process selected from the group consisting of an additive manufacturing process, a printing process, laser engraving or marking process and a combination of said processes. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising applying visual indicia to the replacement component. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising configuring a customizing kit comprising an assortment of customizing components at least some of which are in a pre-finished condition, wherein the customizing action further comprises applying a desired ornamental pattern and/or color variation to at least one customizing component in the pre-finished condition, and replacing a removed component with a customized component with the applied ornamental pattern and/or color variation. 
     
     
         14 . A customizing kit for a customizable hand-held umbrella, the kit comprising an assortment of at least one removable customizing component comprising a handle, a grip, a tie strap, a ferrule or a combination of two or more of said customizing components, wherein the customizing kit comprises at least one customizing component in a pre-finished condition adapted to receive a desired ornamental pattern and/or color variation. 
     
     
         15 . The customizing kit of  claim 14 , wherein at least one customizing component is adapted to receive visual indicia. 
     
     
         16 . The customizing kit of  claim 14 , wherein at least one customizing component is physically formed by way of additive manufacturing. 
     
     
         17 . The customizing kit of  claim 14 , wherein at least one customizing component in the pre-finished condition is adapted to receive a desired customized design comprising an ornamental design, a structural design, a functional design or a combination of two or more of said designs. 
     
     
         18 . The customizing kit of  claim 14 , wherein at least one customizing component is salvaged from an impaired umbrella. 
     
     
         19 . The customizing kit of  claim 14 , wherein the customizing kit is purveyed at any point within a distribution chain for the umbrella, wherein the distribution chain comprises a source, at least one intermediary and an end user. 
     
     
         20 . The customizing kit of  claim 14 , wherein the customizing kit is purveyed on anticipation of or for promoting an occurrence of an umbrella customization trend.