Brellibrief

The traditional umbrella shape sucks. It only protects your head, leaving your pants to get soaking wet. Can't see through it, you are at risk of bumping into things/people. It extends out on both sides where it isn't needed, making walking through a sea of umbrellas slow, just when you *need* to walk the fastest. Wind-related involuntary parasailing incidents. Large models are too heavy. Centered grip makes big ones hard to hold straight. Curvy handle shape uncomfortable to hold. Can't fit through a door with one. I could go on.

It is time for a new standard umbrella shape. Here's what I propose.

The umbrella is shaped like a big shield, like the kind police use to protect themselves from rioters. It's made of hard plastic. You can see through it. The shield protects your entire front. The shield also extends in front of your face and curves over the top of your head. The curve overhangs the sides of your head a few inches away so the dripping water doesn't land on you. The curve reaches a few inches back from the back of your head, to keep water from dripping onto your back.

The apparatus is held by a vertical handle in the front center. The handle is chunky, soft, and easy to hold onto. The shield has small holes in it to prevent wind resistance. The holes are not big enough for any rain to penetrate.

The best part about it is that the plastic umbrella shield device FOLDS UP (you rotate the overhead curvy flaps inward and pleat the front shield a few times) - so that the handle now becomes the handle of a lightweight, durable BRIEFCASE shaped object. Simply give it a few shakes to dislodge excess water, and carry it conveniently everywhere.

Thank you.