US 20030075208A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) . No.: US 2003/0075208A1 McMullin et al. (43) Pub. Date: Apr. 24, 2003

(54) BEERBRELLA (57) ABSTRACT (76) Inventors: Mason Schott McMullin, St. Louis, MO (US); Robert Bell, Alexandria, VA The present invention provides a small umbrella (“ (US); Mark Andrew See, Alexandria, brella’’) which may be removably attached to a beverage VA (US) container in order to Shade the beverage container from the direct rays of the Sun. The apparatus comprises a Small Correspondence Address: umbrella approximately five to Seven inches in diameter, Robert Platt Bell, Registered Patent Attorney although other appropriate sizes may be used within the 8033 Washington Road Spirit and Scope of the present invention. Suitable advertis Alexandria, VA 22308 (US) ing and/or logos may be applied to the umbrella Surface for promotional purposes. The umbrella may be attached to the (21) Appl. No.: 09/981,966 beverage container by any one of a number of means, Filed: Oct. 19, 2001 including clip, Strap, cup, foam insulator, or as a coaster or (22) the like. The umbrella shaft may be provided with a pivot to Publication Classification allow the umbrella to be suitably angled to shield the Sun or for aesthetic purposes. In one embodiment, a pivot joint and (51) Int. Cl." ...... E04G 5/06; A47B 96/06 counterweight may be provided to allow the umbrella to (52) U.S. Cl...... 135/16; 248/231.81 pivot out of the way when the user from the container.

Patent Application Publication Apr. 24, 2003. Sheet 1 of 5 US 2003/0075208A1

Figure 1 Patent Application Publication Apr. 24, 2003. Sheet 2 of 5 US 2003/0075208A1

Figure 2 Patent Application Publication Apr. 24, 2003. Sheet 3 of 5 US 2003/0075208A1

Figure 3 Patent Application Publication Apr. 24, 2003 Sheet 4 of 5 US 2003/0075208A1

Figure 4

Figure 5 Patent Application Publication Apr. 24, 2003. Sheet 5 of 5 US 2003/0075208A1

Figure 7 US 2003/0075208A1 Apr. 24, 2003

BEERBRELLA However, the apparatus of the present invention may also be used to prevent rain or other precipitation from contaminat FIELD OF THE INVENTION ing a beverage. 0001. The present invention relates to a novelty accessory 0010. In addition, the apparatus of the present invention for use with beverages. In particular, the present invention is may be used in other locations (e.g., indoors) purely as a directed toward a small attachable umbrella (“Beerbrella') decorative novelty item or the like. which may be attached to a beverage container (e.g., glass 0011. The apparatus comprises a small umbrella approxi or can of beer). mately five to Seven inches in diameter, although other appropriate sizes may be used within the Spirit and Scope of BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION the present invention. The umbrella may be made from any one of a number of materials. A Small -like umbrella 0002 Beverage accessories are known in the art for use may be used, with balsa framing (e.g., in a similar manner with beverage containers, be they glasses, cans, or bottles, to a umbrella) if low cost and disposability is an and in particular with alcoholic beverages. Many of these objective. A Solid plastic umbrella may also be inexpen accessories provide novelty amusement as well as practical sively made and may be reusable and waterproof. More effects, Such as increased insulation to keep a beverage cold. elaborate umbrella types Such as cloth or the like may also Many of these accessories are Sold or given away as pro be employed without departing from the Spirit and Scope of motional items for purposes. the present invention. 0.003 For example, the popular insulated beverage sleeve 0012 Suitable advertising and/or logos may be applied to known as a “coozie' may be provided, manufactured of Soft the umbrella Surface for promotional purposes. The expanded polyurethane foam. These beverage sleeves are umbrella may be attached to the beverage container by any typically provided with an applied graphic advertising a one of a number of means, including clip, Strap, cup, foam beverage brand or the name of the company giving away the insulator, or as a coaster or the like. The umbrella Shaft may device as a promotion. A can, glass, or bottle may be inserted be provided with a pivot to allow the umbrella to be suitably into the sleeve. The sleeve acts as an insulator to prevent angled to Shield the Sun or for aesthetic purposes. In one ambient heat as well as heat from the user's hands, from embodiment, a pivot joint and counterweight may be pro warming the beverage. vided to allow the umbrella to pivot out of the way when the 0004 Similar devices are known for use specifically with user drinks from the container. bottles beverages. In this variation, a tailored expanded polyurethane jacket may be provided, replete with Zipper, to BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS encapsulate Substantially all of a bottle. 0013 FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodi 0005 Various devices are known for supporting bever ment of the present invention. ages, Such as coasters and the like as well as beverage Stands, trays, and Supports. One example is illustrated in 0014 FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a second Foley et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,496, issued Oct. 20, 1998 embodiment of the present invention. and incorporated herein by reference. Foley provides an 0.015 FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a third outdoor Stand with a Stake or pole which may be inserted embodiment of the present invention. into the ground to Support a beverage container. 0016 FIG. 4 is a front perspective view illustrating an 0006 Similia, U.S. Pat. No. 4,638,645, issued Jan. 27, alternative attachment device for the present invention. 1987 and incorporated herein by reference, discloses a beverage container cooler for receiving a single beverage 0017 FIG. 5 is a front perspective view illustrating container (e.g., can) and providing a location for ice or the another alternative attachment device for the present inven like to cool the beverage. tion. 0007. One problem with these Prior Art devices is that 0018 FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a coaster for although they do provide insulation for beverages, they do Supporting the umbrella of the present invention. not shield the beverage from the direct rays of the Sun. A 0019 FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of an alternative beverage left out in the Sun, even if insulated or cooled with embodiment of a coaster for Supporting the umbrella of the ice, quickly warms due to the effect of the intense infrared present invention. radiation from the Sun, particularly on hot, Sunny Summer days. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE 0008 Thus, it remains a requirement in the art to provide INVENTION a means for Shielding a beverage from direct Sunlight. 0020 FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodi ment of the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION clip 2 may be provided to attach to container 1 by means of 0009. The present invention provides a small umbrella Spring action and friction. Clip 2 may be made of Spring (“Beerbrella’’) which may be removably attached to a bev steel, or preferably plastic (e.g., PVC or the like). Clip 2 may erage container in order to shade the beverage container even be made of formed (e.g., cut cardboard tube from the direct rays of the Sun. The apparatus of the present or the like) if low cost is an issue. invention has particular application for use in Sunny loca 0021 Clip 2 may be removably attached to container 1 tions (e.g., poolside, at the bear, outdoor bars, and the like). Such that the apparatus may be reused on another container US 2003/0075208A1 Apr. 24, 2003

when container 1 is empty. Attached to clip 2 is shaft 3 for 0030 FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a coaster for supporting umbrella 4. Umbrella 4 may be fixed to shaft 3 Supporting the umbrella of the present invention. In the or may be attached using a pivot joint or the like as will be embodiment of FIG. 6, shaft 3 is attached to a coaster 60 discussed in more detail below. Shaft 3 may be made of which may have a depressed portion 62 for accepting a plastic, , cardboard, or metal, but in the preferred beverage container. When the user wishes to , they embodiment is plastic. remove the beverage container from the . In 0022. As will be discussed in more detail below, umbrella Such an embodiment, the umbrella (not shown) remains with 4 may be attached to the beverage container 1 by any one of the coaster, which may be weighted to prevent the apparatus a number of means, including clip, Strap, cup, foam insula from becoming top-heavy. tor, or as a coaster or the like. The clip of FIG. 1 is by way 0031 FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of an alternative of example only and is not intended to limit the Scope of the embodiment of a coaster for Supporting the umbrella of the present invention in any way. present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, coaster 60 0023 Umbrella 4 may comprise a small umbrella has been embellished with decorative palm trees 71 and 72 approximately five to Seven inches in diameter, although to give coaster 60 the appearance of a Stereotypical “desert other appropriate sizes may be used within the Spirit and island'. Since Some beverage manufacturers use themes of Scope of the present invention. Umbrella 4 may be made tropical paradises in promoting their beverages, the use of from any one of a number of materials. A Small paper-like Such a theme may be useful in promoting Such beverages. umbrella 4 may be used, with balsa framing (e.g., in a 0032. While the preferred embodiment and various alter Similar manner to a ) if low cost and native embodiments of the invention have been disclosed disposability is an objective. and described in detail herein, it may be apparent to those 0024. In the preferred embodiment, umbrella 4 may com skilled in the art that various changes in and detail may prise a Solid plastic umbrella which may be inexpensively be made therein without departing from the Spirit and Scope made and may be reusable and waterproof. More elaborate thereof. umbrella types Such as cloth or the like may also be employed without departing from the Spirit and Scope of the present invention. Suitable advertising and/or logos 5 may We claim: be applied to the surface of umbrella 4 for promotional 1. An apparatus for use with a beverage container, com purposes. prising: 0025 FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a second a means for removably attaching the apparatus to the embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of beverage container; FIG. 3, umbrella shaft 3 may be provided with a pivot joint 10 and counterweight 12 to umbrella 4 to pivot out of the a shaft, coupled to the means for removably attaching the way when the user drinks from the container. When the user apparatus, and extending vertically with respect to the places the container back in an upright position, umbrella 4 beverage container; will automatically pivot back into position by action of an umbrella, coupled to the Shaft at a point above the gravity. means for removably attaching, So as to shade the 0026 FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a third beverage container. embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for FIG.2, umbrella shaft 3 may be provided with a pivot 30 to removably attaching comprises: a clip, clip 2 may be pro allow the umbrella to be suitably angled to shield the Sun or Vided to attach to container 1 by means of Spring action and for aesthetic purposes. This pivot 30 may be applied also to friction. Clip 2 may be made of Spring Steel, or preferably the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 without departing from plastic (e.g., PVC or the like). Clip 2 may even be made of the Spirit and Scope of the present invention. formed cardboard (e.g., cut cardboard tube or the like) if low 0027) Also as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 3, cost is an issue. shaft 3 may be mounted to an expanded polyurethane 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for “coozie' insulated drink holder. The combination of shading removably attaching comprises a Strap provided to Secure and insulation may maintain the beverage in container 1 at the Shaft to the beverage container by encompassing bever a cold temperature for a longer period of time. Note that the age container. use of the coozie mount does not require the use of the pivot 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for 30. Both elements are shown here for the sake of illustration. removably attaching comprises a cup provided to fit Securely 0028 FIG. 4 is a front perspective view illustrating an to the bottom of the beverage container. alternative attachment device for the present invention. In 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for the embodiment of FIG. 4, a strap 40 may be provided to removably attaching comprises: a foam insulator, Secure shaft 3 to the container 1 (not shown) by encompass 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the umbrella com ing container 1. Strap 40 may be provided with a buckle, prises a Small umbrella approximately five to Seven inches Velcro, or other type or Strap Securing mechanism as are in diameter. known in the art. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the umbrella com 0029 FIG. 5 is a front perspective view illustrating prises a Small paper-like umbrella with balsa framing. another alternative attachment device for the present inven 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the umbrella com tion. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, a cup 50 is provided to prises a Solid plastic umbrella. fit Securely to the bottom of a drink container Such as a can 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the umbrella com or bottle. prises a cloth umbrella. US 2003/0075208A1 Apr. 24, 2003

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an umbrella, coupled to the Shaft at a point above the a pivot joint, coupled between the Shaft and the means for coaster base, So as to shade the beverage container. removably attaching, and 14. The coaster of claim 13, wherein the umbrella com prises a Small umbrella approximately five to Seven inches a counterweight, coupled to the Shaft, in diameter. wherein the shaft extends downward from the pivot joint 15. The coaster of claim 13, wherein the umbrella com and the counterweight is coupled to the Shaft at a prises a Small paper-like umbrella with balsa framing. location below the pivot joint such that when the beverage container is tilted, the shaft remains Substan 16. The coaster of claim 13 wherein the umbrella com tially vertical. prises a Solid plastic umbrella. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: 17. The coaster of claim 13, wherein the umbrella com a pivot coupling the shaft to the umbrella to allow the prises a cloth umbrella. umbrella to be suitably angled to shield the Sun or for 18. The coaster of claim 13, further comprising: aesthetic purposes. 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for a pivot coupling the shaft to the umbrella to allow the removably attaching comprises umbrella to be suitably angled to shield the Sun or for aesthetic purposes. an insulated container for encapsulating a Substantial 19. The coaster of claim 13, wherein the coaster base portion of the beverage container, the insulated con further comprises a depressed portion for accepting the tainer gripping the beverage container. beverage container. 13. A coaster for use with a beverage container, compris Ing: 20. The coaster of claim 13, wherein the coaster base further comprises decorative palm trees to provide the a coaster base for Supporting a beverage container; coaster the appearance of a desert island. a shaft, coupled to coaster base, and extending vertically with respect to the beverage container;