Umbrella-like Device Using Flexible Ribs

Abstract

This disclosure describes an umbrella-like device to protect an object (e.g., person, an area of land) from an article (e.g., precipitation, sun rays, falling debris). In some instances, the device includes flexible ribs attached to short restraining lines stored within a tube. When the ribs are pushed out of an open end of the tube, the restraining lines arc the flexible ribs. In some instance, a canopy may be placed over the ribs to collect the article (e.g., precipitation) and configured to allow for storage of the article in a reservoir.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for protecting an object from precipitation, the device comprising:
 a plurality of flexible ribs having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of each flexible ribs is secured to a movable based disposed within a tube;   a canopy attached to each of the first ends of the plurality of flexible ribs;   a plurality of restraining members, wherein a first end of each restraining member is attached to the first end of each flexible rib and a second end of each restraining member is attached to a portion of the tube; and   wherein each of the plurality of restraining members have a length shorter than each of the plurality of flexible ribs and each of the plurality of restraining member cause the first end of each flexible rib to arc downward when each rib is extended outside the tube based at least in part on a position of the movable base.   
     
     
         2 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of restraining members are filaments. 
     
     
         3 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising one or more grommets on each of the plurality of flexible ribs to guide each of the plurality of restraining members. 
     
     
         4 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tube is configured to hold the plurality of flexible ribs, the plurality of restraining member, and the canopy based on the position of the movable based. 
     
     
         5 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a reservoir to collect precipitation caught by the canopy. 
     
     
         6 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein plurality of flexible ribs have a length from about 24 inches to about 36 inches. 
     
     
         7 . A device comprising:
 a container having an open end;   an inner base disposed within the container;   a plurality of ribs housed within the container, each rib of the plurality having a first portion secured to the inner base and a second portion proximate to the open end of the container;   a plurality of restraining members having an end secured to the second portion of each of the plurality of ribs; and   wherein movement of the inner base toward the open end of the container causes each of the plurality of ribs to at least partially extend from the open end of the container and wherein each restraining member is configured to pull the second portion of each of the plurality of ribs in a downward arc.   
     
     
         8 . The device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein a second end of each of the plurality of restraining member are attached to the container at the open end. 
     
     
         9 . The device as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising a drum disposed within the container, the drum attached to a crank mechanism disposed on an outer portion of the container and wherein a second end of each of the plurality of restraining member are attached to the drum configured to receive each of the plurality of restraining members as the crank mechanism is manipulated. 
     
     
         10 . The device as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising a spring mechanism located under the inner base within the container and configured to push the inner base toward the open end of the container. 
     
     
         11 . The device as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising a release level disposed on an outer portion of the container and configured to control a tension of the spring mechanism. 
     
     
         12 . The device as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising a spring mechanism located above the inner base within the container and configured to pull the inner base toward the open end of the container. 
     
     
         13 . The device as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising a canopy, wherein the canopy is attached to the second portion of each of the plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         14 . The device as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising a reservoir attached an end of the container opposite the open end and wherein the canopy has a center hole above the open end of the container and the center hole configured to receive precipitation from the canopy and pass the precipitation to the reservoir via the container. 
     
     
         15 . The device as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the canopy further comprises at least one of solar cells, photovoltaic cells, or solar thermal collectors. 
     
     
         16 . The device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of restraining member is shorter in length than each of the plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         17 . The device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the container comprises at least one channel configured to receive a portion of the inner base, the at least one channel configured to allow the inner base to move within the container. 
     
     
         18 . A device comprising:
 a container having an open end;   a reel and a housing disposed within the container;   two or more flexible shafts, each shaft having an outer member joined to an inner member with a joining mechanism, the joining mechanism configured to allow the outer member to collapse from a substantially linear position toward the inner member, and wherein the inner member is secured to the housing while the outer member is positioned toward the open end of the container; and   two or more filaments, each filament having a first end secured to the reel and a second end secured to the outer member of each of the flexible shafts.   
     
     
         19 . The device as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the housing is movable within the container, and wherein the container is configured to hold at least the two or more shafts and two or more filaments while the housing is located at an end of the container distal to the open end. 
     
     
         20 . The device as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the housing is movable within the container, and wherein the joining mechanism is configured to hold the outer member and the inner member of each of the two or more shafts in a substantially linear position while the housing is located proximate to the open end of the container.