Benny E Pittman

US Patent:

D2582970, Feb 17, 1981

Filed:

May 1, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/901740

Inventors:

Benny R. Pittman - Rutherfordton NC
Joe Y. Bennett - Forest City NC

International Classification:

D2003

US Classification:

D20 42

US Patent:

43709940, Feb 1, 1983

Filed:

Feb 19, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/235955

Inventors:

Benny R. Pittman - Rutherfordton NC

International Classification:

A45B 1902

US Classification:

135 20B

Abstract:

An inflatable umbrella is provided which may be collapsed and retained in the form of a small easily carried package when not in use, and which may be rapidly inflated to an operative configuration by the breath of the user or other air source. The umbrella comprises a flexible plastic cover sheet having a generally circular outline, and an undercarriage which includes a flexible plastic panel having a star-like configuration, an elongate flexible plastic tubular member having a bulbous handle portion at the free end, and valve means mounted on the handle to permit air to be selectively blown into and released from the interior of the tubular member and enclosed airspace. The umbrella preferably also includes a flexible plastic bag mounted at the free end of the tubular member for retaining the umbrella in its collapsed position, and a drawstring may be disposed about the periphery of the cover sheet to permit the cover sheet to be drawn into a generally hemispheric configuration when in use. Two embodiments of a method of fabricating the above described umbrella are also disclosed.