(Like George Jetson's car)

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.
-- phundug, Jan 24 2006

This gets a bun if it is not too heavy or awkward to carry.
-- DVineMissEva, Jan 24 2006


Wow. This category has spawned 5 -brella neologisms, and there is no idea that does not include the word 'umbrella' in it's title. Scary.

The idea sounds OK, but you'd have to get the water off quite carefully, as you wouldn't want your documents getting wet. One problem. What do you do when you have your documents in the briefcase, and suddenly it begins to rain?
-- dbmag9, Jan 24 2006


Well actually I meant it is briefcase *shaped* - not really to be used as a briefcase, just easy to carry.
-- phundug, Jan 24 2006


// The shield has small holes in it to prevent wind resistance. The holes are not big enough for any rain to penetrate// I'm really not sure that's possible.
-- moomintroll, Jan 24 2006


I dunno. I can sort of see this.

The holes could be drilled at a downward angle from inside to outside to help shed water.

Seems like it needs more over the back protection though.
-- nth, Jan 25 2006



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