Weather screen apparatus

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/634,414 filed Aug. 6, 2003 which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a personal canopy for protecting a user from the weather. More specifically, the invention concerns a canopy having a material enclosure that surrounds a user and thereby protects him or her from adverse weather.

REFERENCE TO RELATED ART

It can be generally appreciated that when a person walks out of a salon with a new hairstyle or is wearing a new pair of clothes, it is that persons desire that their hair, clothing, etc. should be maintained in a fresh and original condition for as long as possible. However, weather conditions, such as wind, rain and sun, may not cooperate with the desires of the individual. Therefore, in order to protect a user from the elements the prior art has developed various devices to shield the user from adverse weather.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,412,415 to Navon discloses a combination umbrella and cape. The umbrella is worn as a garment that is draped over the user's shoulders. A plurality of rods and cross members are positioned around the exterior edge of the umbrella to rigidly extend the base of the umbrella away from the user so that the entire device takes on a bell shape.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,014,281 to Smith discloses an envelope of flexible material that is sealed along an upper edge and open at the bottom. In operation, the user stands inside the envelope with the upper edge of the envelope of material contacting the user's head.

A device similar to the Smith envelope is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,541,128. However, instead of an envelope, an opening for the user's head is defined in the top of the garment and a pair of exterior flaps are provided to form a hood for the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,521 discloses the use of a transparent sheet that is secured about the user's head by an elastic band. Perforations are provided in the sheet proximate the user's face to permit the user to breathe.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,513 discloses a protective garment having a hood portion that supports a flexible hoop. In operation, fabric is draped from the hoop to substantially encompass the user.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,034 discloses a device for surrounding the body of the user. The device includes an inflatable circular cap that is supported on the head of the user. A curtain is suspended from the cap and surrounds the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a protective screen apparatus for use in shielding a user from the weather. The screen includes a cover having a handle that is grasped by a user to support the cover away from the head of the user. A flexible material is secured to the cover and adapted to be suspended from the cover such that the body of the user is substantially enclosed by the material. In an alternative embodiment, a foot cover is provided for the feet and legs of the user. Each cover encloses one foot of the user and extends LIP the user's leg beyond the end of the material. As such, a user 1 of the alternative embodiment 100 is provided with head to toe protection against the elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the attached drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a weather screen apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the present invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pair of weather screen apparatus secured together;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a weather screen apparatus having a plurality of indicia thereon; and

FIG. 5, is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment weather screen apparatus that includes covers for the users feet and legs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a preferred embodiment for a weather screen 10 apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention. The weather screen 10 includes a cover 12 having a handle 14 and a flexible material 16 that is secured to and suspending from the cover 12. The handle 14 of the cover 12 is grasped by a user 1 to support the cover 12 away, and preferably above, the user's 1 head 2. The material 16 extends downwardly or hangs from the cover 12 such that the user 1 is enclosed or surrounded by the material 12.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover 12 and handle 14 are constructed as a conventional expandable umbrella “U” having a domelike shape with an outside edge 18. As such, it will be appreciated that the cover 12 may be constructed from a variety of materials such as a cloth or a polymer, and the handle 14 and any associated expansion elements for the umbrella may be constructed of aluminum, plastic or the like. Indeed, the wide range of available materials, the weather screen 10 may be constructed to have a long service life or as a disposable product.

The flexible material 16 is constructed integral with the cover 12. As such, the material 16 may be formed from a continuous piece of material with the cover 12 or may be secured to the outside edge 18 of the cover 12 by sewing or the like. Alternatively, the material 16 may be constructed as an envelope of material into which the cover 12 is placed such that the material 16 is suspended from or hangs down over the cover 12. The material may be a transparent material, such as sheet of transparent polymer, a cloth veil, etc.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an opening 20 is defined in the material 16 to assist the user 1 in entering and exiting the enclosed area defined by the material 16. A fastener 22 is provided proximate the opening 20 that permits the user 1 to seal or otherwise close the opening 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the fastener 22 can include a zipper.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a pair of weather screens 10 can be secured together along their openings 20 using their respective fasteners 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, and particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4, indicia such as decorations 30 (FIGS. 1 and 2), advertising logos 32 (FIG. 3) or general graphics 34 (FIG. 4) may be added to the exterior of the cover 12 or the material 16.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an alternative embodiment for a weather screen 100 apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention. The weather screen 100 includes a cover 12 having a handle 14 and a flexible material 16 that is secured to and suspending from the cover 12. The handle 14 of the cover 12 is grasped by a user 1 to support the cover 12 away, and preferably above, the user's head. The material 16 extends downwardly or hangs from the cover 12 such that the user is enclosed or surrounded by the material 12. Additionally, a foot cover 36 is provided for the feet 3 and legs 4 of the user 1. The foot covers 36 are a loose-fitting boot-like covering that is waterproof (or at least water resistant) and formed from rubber, plastic or the like. Each cover 36 encloses one foot of the user 1 and extends up the user's 1 leg 4 above the end 38 of the material 16. As such, a user 1 of the alternative embodiment 100 is provided with head to toe protection against the elements.

Having thus described my invention, various embodiments will become apparent to those having skill in the art that do not depart from the scope of the present invention.