Background Art While it is raining, when a driver or passenger get into a vehicle or when they get off the vehicle, they inevitably get wet from rain and they have to store wet umbrellas in the vehicle, and also raindrops get into the vehicle and soak the inside as well as the clothes and shoes of passengers. To solve these problems, US Patent No. 4,543, 971, No. 4,562, 849, and No.

6,213, 137 suggest several solutions. However, they are not practicable because their embodiments are hard to be installed or attached to vehicle.

Disclosure of Invention This invention is devised to solve the problems that the existing technologies had. This invention provides a practically applicable umbrella auto-receiving device for vehicle that allows a driver inside of vehicle easily fold and store an umbrella outside of vehicle, and thus prevents a driver or

the vehicle interior from getting wet when getting in and getting off of vehicle in rain and thus provides pleasant driving environment and prevents corrosion of vehicle interior.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a brief illustration of usage status of the umbrella auto- receiving device for vehicle which is an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2a through 2d is an illustration of how the umbrella handle is coupled and combined to the supporting unit and the gripping unit within the umbrella auto-receiving device for vehicle.

Figure 3 is an illustration showing how the umbrella is received by the umbrella auto-receiving device for vehicle shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4a shows the umbrella handle and its vicinity after the umbrella auto-receiving device is stored in the storage room. Figure 4b is a cross- sectional view along C-C of Figure 4a.

Figure 5a and 5b briefly illustrate the composition of the storage room in the umbrella auto-receiving device for vehicle shown in Figure 1.

Figure 6 briefly shows the composition of the pulling unit in the umbrella auto-receiving device for vehicle.

Figure 7a through 7c are desirable examples of how each string of the invention operates to fold or unfold an umbrella.

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention This invention, for the purpose of providing a practically applicable umbrella auto-receiving device for vehicle that a driver can easily fold an umbrella outside of vehicle and store it in the vehicle or unfold it, wherein the umbrella auto-receiving device for vehicle allows folding of an umbrella (4)

outside of vehicle (2) and store the umbrella (4) in the umbrella auto-receiver (90) outside of vehicle (4) and unfolding the umbrella (4) stored in the umbrella auto-receiver (90) outside of vehicle (2), provides an umbrella auto- receiving device for vehicle comprising: a supporting unit, wherein a handle (10) of the umbrella (4) is coupled in a way that the umbrella can be attached and detached by a user, which supports the umbrella (4) coupled as said in a revolvable way ; a gripping unit installed within the said supporting unit that accommodates an end part of a pulling rope (8) that is connected to a sliding supporting member (7), wherein the sliding supporting member (7) is movable along the umbrella axis as the umbrella (4) is folded or unfolded, wherein the pulling rope (8) renders the sliding supporting member (7) to move along the umbrella axis; a first means for receiving the said umbrella in the said umbrella auto- receiver (90), wherein the first means is connected to the said gripping unit and moves the said gripping unit to fold the said umbrella, wherein the first means rotate the said supporting unit and the said umbrella along a first direction ; a second means for erecting the said umbrella in perpendicular, wherein the second means unfold the said umbrella that is stored in the said umbrella-receiver (90), wherein the second means rotate the said supporting unit and the said umbrella in the second direction that is opposite to the said first direction.

Here, the said supporting unit comprises an inner cylinder (24) having a plurality of holes on the outer curvature, a coupling ball (28) that is inserted in hole, an outer cylinder constraining the said coupling ball (28), and an outer cylinder spring (32) that is inserted between the said inner

cylinder (26) and the outer cylinder (24), and the said coupling operation is done while the user is lowering the said outer cylinder (24) in response to the repulsive power of the said outer cylinder spring (32), by first inserting the projecting part of umbrella handle (16) including a coupling concave part (18) on the surface into the said inner cylinder (26), and then releasing the power exerted on the said outer cylinder (24), and the said separation operation is preferably done in its reverse order. Also, when the said umbrella (4) is coupled to the said supporting unit, a part of the said pulling rope connected to the said sliding supporting member (7) is preferably accepted in the said gripping unit. More preferably, the said gripping unit comprises a storing member of the said supporting unit, wherein the storing member moves together with the said outer cylinder (24) while being constrained to the outer cylinder, a gripping part (22) that is opened to grip an end part of the said pulling rope (8) connected to the said sliding supporting member (7), a supporting member (50) made as one body with the said gripping part (22), comprising a spring (42) that supplies a spring repulsive force in response to the movement of the said storing member (40).

Also, the said first means comprises a first string (60) connected to a low surface of the said gripping unit, and a second string (62) connected to a side surface of the said supporting unit, wherein it is preferable that the said gripping unit accommodates an end part of the said pulling rope (8) connected to the said sliding supporting member (7) and fold the said umbrella (4) by pulling the said gripping unit by the said first string (60), and stores the said umbrella in the said umbrella auto-receiver (90) by rotating said supporting unit from the side surface of the said supporting unit by using the said second string (62). More preferably, the said first string (60)

constituting the said first means is connected to said supporting member (6) which constitutes the said gripping unit. Also, it is preferable that the said second string (62) constituting the said first means is connected to the said inner cylinder (26) constituting the said supporting unit. And, the said first means preferably further comprises a storing gear part (94) that can be joined with a gear (15) that is formed on the surface of the said umbrella handle (10), and a third string (64) used for pulling the said storing gear part (94). Furthermore, the said first means preferably further comprises a fourth string (66) for closing the said storage room after the said umbrella (4) is stored in the said umbrella auto-receiver (90), and the said first means preferably further comprises a member that is inserted in the concave part of the said supporting unit, and used for securing perpendicular standing of the said umbrella (4) by the said second string (62) before the said umbrella (4) is completely folded by the said first string (60), and a fifth string (68) used for operating the second string (62) by eliminating the said member from the concave part of the said supporting unit after the said umbrella (4) is completely folded.

Also, it is preferable that a lever (80) operating the umbrella unfolding projection (13) that is operated in connection with the umbrella handle button (12) is on the umbrella axis (6) and that the said umbrella (4) is unfolded by a sixth string that pulls the said lever. It is more preferable that the said umbrella (4) further comprises a ring member (9) that is installed between the said sliding supporting member (7) and the said umbrella unfolding projection (13) on the umbrella handle (10) side and that is movable only toward the said umbrella unfolding projection (13), the said lever (80) is preferably placed between the said sliding supporting member (7) and the

said ring member (8) when the said umbrella (4) is stored in the umbrella auto-receiver (90).

And, the said second means preferably comprises a seventh string (72) that is connected to a side surface of the supporting unit, and gets the said umbrella to stand (4) in perpendicular direction by rotating the said supporting unit using the said seventh string (72) from a side surface of the said supporting unit.

Also this invention provides an automatic umbrella comprising an umbrella axis (6), a sliding supporting member (7) that slides upward and downward along the said umbrella axis on folding and unfolding the umbrella, the said umbrella handle (1), a pulling rope (8) that is connected to the said sliding supporting member in order to be able to slide the said sliding supporting member (7) and that is extended along the said umbrella axis to exterior and is further extended to a lower part of the said umbrella handle (10). Here, the umbrella handle (10) preferably comprises a projection part that detachably couples the said umbrella handle to the supporting unit in the exterior on a lower part of the umbrella handle, and the said sliding supporting member more preferably comprise a member that pulls the said pulling rope (8) toward the sliding supporting member (18) to prevent said pulling rope (8) from being stretched.

Even though an embodiment of this invention is explained based on attached illustrations, the scope of this invention should not be limited by the explanations below. The scope of the invention is only defined by the contents described in the claims.

First, in Figure one, an imaginary status according to a desirable embodiment of this invention is shown that an umbrella auto-receiving device for vehicle (1) is installed on the top of roof of vehicle (2) and is ready for

receiving an umbrella (4). Then said umbrella auto-receiving device for vehicle (1) has an external or internal umbrella auto-receiver (90 shown in Figure 5a and 5b.

The umbrella auto-receiving device for vehicle (1) according to one embodiment of this invention comprises a supporting unit wherein the umbrella handle (10) of an umbrella (6) is inserted into and supports the supporting unit, a gripping unit that is installed inside the said supporting unit and that grips spherical coupling member (2) which is an extension part of the pulling rope (8) of the umbrella (6) and is movable together with the spherical coupling member, a storing unit for storing folded umbrella, and a plurality of strings enabling folding, storing, and unfolding of the umbrella.

First, the umbrella (4) comprises the umbrella axis (6) and the umbrella handle (10). The umbrella used for the umbrella auto-receiving device for vehicle (1) according to this invention has the umbrella handle (10) whose shape is a little different from usual umbrellas. On the lower part of the umbrella handle (10) is formed an umbrella handle projection part (16), on which a concave part for coupling (18) is formed. The umbrella axis (6) is inserted and installed on such umbrella handle (10), the pulling rope (8) is installed in extension along the umbrella axis (6), wherein the pulling rope (8) is introduced from right above of the umbrella handle (10) to the inside of the umbrella handle (10), passes through the inside of the projection part (16) and ends at the spherical coupling member (20) that is formed projecting out of an open end of the umbrella handle projecting part (16). In addition, since the said umbrella handle (6) includes an umbrella handle button (12) like usual umbrellas, this umbrella (4) can be unfolded by pressing the said umbrella handle button (12). The said pulling rope (8) is extended to the outside along the umbrella axis (6), and is connected to the sliding supporting

member (7) that slide along the umbrella axis (6) when the umbrella (4) is folded or unfolded. Accordingly, when the spherical coupling member (2) on the end of the pulling rope (8) is stored in the storing unit and is pulled, the sliding supporting member (7) is slided down along the umbrella axis (6) and the umbrella is folded.

The sliding member (7) of the umbrella preferably has a winding device (illustration omitted) installed that can pull the pulling rope (8) toward the sliding supporting member (7). The winding device prevents the expulling of the pulling rope (8) when the umbrella is folded at another place while the umbrella (4) is being used.

Also, a concave part (14) of the umbrella handle is preferably formed on the outer surface of the umbrella handle (10), a concave part gear (15) is formed inside the concave part (14) and performs the function of winding a cloth of the umbrella that is folded in coupling with the storage part gear (94) described below.

Furthermore, since the umbrella handle projecting part (16) may not be aesthetically good, the outer cylinder of the umbrella handle is preferably extended and formed to cover the projecting part. In such case, the interior radius of the formed part is preferably made bigger than the exterior radius of the outer cylinder (24) so that the attaching and detaching operation described below may not be obstructed.

Now, the supporting unit which is used to fix and support the said umbrella with the said umbrella handle projecting part (16) inserted and installed is explained. The supporting unit comprises an outer cylinder (24), an inner cylinder (26) inside the outer cylinder, a coupling ball (28) that is inserted in hole made on the inner cylinder (26) and that is movable along the direction of the radius of the inner cylinder (26) or the outer cylinder (24),

and an outer cylinder spring (32) that is inserted to cover the said inner cylinder (26). Figure 2a shows the outer cylinder (24) constraining the coupling ball (28) of the inner cylinder (26). At this status, even though the umbrella handle projecting part (16) is pushed in, the umbrella handle is not inserted. However, when the user lowers the outer cylinder (24) in opposition to the repulsive force of the outer cylinder spring (32), the coupling ball (28) is relieved from the constraint of the outer cylinder (24), and when the umbrella handle projecting part (16) is inserted, the coupling ball (28) can be moved to the outside of the radius of the outer cylinder (24), and when the force exerted on the outer cylinder (24) is removed, the outer cylinder (24) is restored to the original position by the restoring force and again constraints the coupling ball (28). Hence, the coupling ball (28) is coupled to the coupling concave part (18) formed on the outer surface of the umbrella handle projecting part (16) and thus the umbrella handle (1) is constrained and supported by the supporting unit. Figure 2d shows this status.

Next, the composition of the gripping unit that grips the spherical coupling member (2) which is the end part of the pulling rope (8) and enables the traction of the pulling rope (8) is explained. The gripping unit acts with the above explained supporting unit and it comprises the gripping part (22), the supporting member (5) that is formed as one member with the gripping part (22), a cylindrical storing member (4) that surrounds a part of the supporting member (5) and constraints the said gripping part (22) in normal time, and a cylindrical storage member spring (42) that is inserted between the said supporting member (5) and the cylindrical storing member (40). If the user lowers the outer cylinder (24) of the supporting unit in opposition to the force of the outer cylinder spring (32), the outer cylinder projection (3) that is fixed to the outer cylinder (24) goes down together (the inner cylinder (26)

comprises a long hole that is extended in length and allows the up-and-down reciprocal movement of the outer cylinder projection (30) that is extended from the outer cylinder (24) ) the outer cylinder projection (30) contacts with a shoulder part (41) of the cylindrical storing member (41) and lets the cylindrical storing member (40) down. The cross sectional view along A-A line in Figure 2a shows an example of the said outer cylinder projection (3). At this time, the upper part of the cylindrical storing member (40) relieves the constraint of the gripping part (22) and the gripping part is split as shown in Figure 2c. At the same time, if the outer cylinder (24) is lowered, the outer cylinder operational member (34) is also lowered. The outer cylinder operational member (34) pushes a stopper (38) installed on the lower part of the inner cylinder and the stopper (38) is projected inside the inner cylinder (26) in opposition to the repulsive force of a stopper spring (36), and thus the stopper (38) prevents the supporting member from going further down along the inner surface of the inner cylinder and makes the status shown in Figure 2c. The cross sectional view along B-B line in Figure 2c shown an example of the outer cylinder operational member (34), the stopper (38), and the stopper spring (36). As is clear from Figure 2c, since the outer cylinder is put down in opposition to the force of the outer cylinder spring (32), the moment the user relieves the force exerted on the outer cylinder, the outer cylinder (24) restores to the original position by the restoring force of the outer cylinder spring (32) and again constraints the coupling ball (28), and also since the spherical storage member (4) whose spherical storing member shoulder part (41) is constrained by the outer cylinder projection (30) is pushed down in opposition to the repulsive force of the cylindrical storing member shoulder part (42), the moment the user relieves the force exerted on the outer cylinder (24), the cylindrical storing member (4) will restore to the

upper position by the restoring force of the cylindrical storing member spring (42) and again constraints the gripping part (22).

If the supporting unit and the gripping unit are made as shown in Figure 2c, and the umbrella handle projecting part (16) and the spherical coupling member (2) is inserted into the supporting unit and the gripping unit, and the user relieves the force exerted on the outer cylinder (24), then the coupling concave part (18) formed on the umbrella handle projecting part (16) is constrained and supported by the coupling ball (28) as shown in Figure 4d, and the spherical coupling member (20) that is the end part of the pulling rope (8) is constrained by the cylindrical storing member (40) while wrapped by the gripping part (22).

Next, the operating devices and principles of the storing unit and the strings that work together with it are explained.

As shown in Figure 2a through 2d, and Figure 3, the umbrella coupled by the supporting unit and the gripping unit is stored in the storing unit by the plurality of strings of this invention. The string for storing the umbrella (4) comprises a first string (60) for pulling the pulling rope (8) of the umbrella (4) and folding the umbrella (4) by pulling the supporting member (5) of the said gripping unit and a second string (62) for pulling the inner cylinder (26) of the said supporting unit in one direction and rotating the supporting unit around the hinge fixing part (100) by 90° and laying it down. At such time, all the gripping units including the supporting member (50), cylindrical storing member (40) are altogether pulled while coupled to the spherical coupling member (20), and they are pulled past the first string roller (61). Though it is not illustrated in the figures, the gripping unit coupled to the spherical coupling member (2) can be pulled by the first string by only installing a guide. Though the gripping unit is exaggerated in the Figure to facilitate

understanding, the real size of the gripping unit in embodiment is small (for example, a gripping unit with diameter of 1 cm and height of 1.5cm can be used), and the entire gripping unit can be pulled by using a relatively big first string roller (61) as shown in Figures or by installing a guide for guiding the said gripping unit as shown above. When the gripping unit moved by the distance that the sliding supporting member (7) slides down along the umbrella axis (6) by the first string (6), the umbrella (4) is completely folded. Figure 3 shows the location of the sliding supporting member (7) when the umbrella is completely folded. Furthermore, the second string (62) is connected to the second string connection part (56) installed on the side surface of the inner cylinder (26) and pulls the inner cylinder to rotates the umbrella and the entire supporting unit by 90° and lays it down.

In addition, the embodiment of this invention may further comprise a third string (64) for folding and arranging the cloth of the umbrella by rotating the umbrella (4) laid in the storage room (90) in one direction, and a fourth string (66) for closing the cover (92) of the storage room (90). As already explained in regard to the umbrella handle (10), a concave part gear (15) is formed on the umbrella handle concave part (14) as shown in Figure 4b. When the umbrella (4) is laid down, the concave part gear (15) is coupled to the storage part gear (94) that is formed on the floor of the storage room (90). Then, if the third string is pulled, the concave part gear (15) is rotate on the storage part gear (94) and folds and arranges the cloth of the umbrella.

Also, the embodiment of this invention may further comprise a fifth string for separating the erection maintaining member (67) that can be optionally applied to secure maintenance of erection of the supporting unit from the inserting part. As is clear from Figure 3, the supporting unit of this

invention is supported by the second string (62) and the seventh string (72) explained below and can be maintained in erection, the erection maintaining member (67) and the fifth string (68) for separating it are selectively used.

As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 5a, the storage room (9) that can preferably be installed as an external type on the roof of vehicle or as an internal type comprises an open end spring (97) that compresses when the cover (92) is closed by the fourth string (66) and open the cover (92) in response to a shock when the shock of the umbrella (4) is applied to the hook (96), and a storing lock (98) that is installed on the cover (92) and can be locked/unlocked by the ignition key of the vehicle, wherein the storage lock (98) opens and closes the cover (90) as connected with the hook (96). Hence, the user can directly open the cover (90) from outside of the vehicle using the ignition key and take out an umbrella. Also, it can be connected to a separate means for drying stored umbrellas.

As shown in Figure 4a and 5b, the umbrella (4) stored in the storage room (90) comprises a sixth string (90) for pulling and rotating a pressurizing lever (80) to move the ring member (8) of the umbrella axis (6) in the direction of the umbrella handle (10) and unfold the umbrella (4), and a seventh string (72) for rotating by 90° and erecting the supporting unit and the umbrella by pulling the inner cylinder (26) of the supporting unit in the opposite direction to the direction where the second string is pulling. Here, the ring member (8) is only movable along the arrow direction in Figure 4a and is installed not to be movable in the direction of the sliding supporting member (7). Also, the end part of the U lever (80) is fixed on the lever hinge axis (81) and installed to be rotatable by the sixth string, and on the lever hinge axis (81) is installed a plate spring to provide restoring force when the lever (80) is rotating. By the action of the sixth string (70) the U lever (80) rotates toward the

dotted line on the figure and presses the ring member (9) and the ring member (9) goes over the umbrella unfolding projection (13) that operates coupled with the umbrella handle button (12) and makes the same effect as the umbrella handle button (12) is pressed. So, when the string (70) is pulled, the umbrella unfolding button is pressed and at the same time the umbrella axis (6) is elongated as shown in Figure 5b and the upper part of the umbrella impact the hook (96) and it opens the cover (92) by the open end spring (97) and the lever is restored to the original position. The seventh . string connection part (57) is installed on the opposite position to the second string connection part (56) of the supporting unit inner cylinder (26) and the seventh string (72) is pulled by the seventh string roller (73) to rotates by 90° and erects the supporting unit and the umbrella.

The first string and the seventh string can be made of any string that has appropriate strength. The lengths of strings are different, and the umbrella folding unit comprising the first string and the fifth string used for folding the umbrella, and the umbrella unfolding unit comprising the sixth string and the seventh string used for unfolding the umbrella are installed to separately operate. One embodiment that enables this is explained below.

As shown in Figure 6, the traction unit (120) that selectively pull the first string (60) and the fifth string (68) of the umbrella folding unit or the sixth string (70) and the seventh string (72) of the umbrella unfolding unit comprises a motor (M) providing driving power, a transmission member (102) that is rotated and driven together with the motor axis (101) of the motor (M), a reel (140) that is transmitted with the rotating power of the motor (M) through the transmission member (102), a moving member spring that maintains the reel (104) at a distance from the transmission member (102), a pressurizing member (114) that enables the transmission member (102) and

the reel (104) to be coupled and rotate together by pressuring the reel (104) toward the transmission member (102). The pressurizing member may pressure or depressure by the switch string (74) and the stopping string (76).

The transmission member (102) of the traction unit (120) and the reel (104) can be installed on two axes that are parallel. The transmission member (102) is installed on the motor axis (101) of the motor (M) and the reel (104) shown in Figure 6 is installed on a fixed axis in a way that it is movable left and right and rotatable.

The member 106 is a movable member and is installed to be movable left and right, the member 110 is a fixed member and takes the role of fixing the moving axis (1120 to the vehicle. Hence, as the pressurizing member (114) is rotated, the moving member (106) compresses the spring (108) and moves it to the left on Figure 6, and the transmission member (102) and the reel (104) is coupled. The relative position of the spring in relation to the reel (104) can change. The transmission member (102) and the reel (104) are in gear structure so that they can be coupled.

Even though Figure 6 shows an example where the transmission member is on the same axis as the motor and the reel is installed on a different axis parallel to the axis, the motor, the reel and the transmission member of the traction unit may be placed on the same axis. Also, instead of having the pressurizing member (114) to pressure the transmission member (106) and move it, it can be composed that the pressurizing member (114) directly pressures the reel (104) and moves it.

Among the first string (60) and the fifth string (68) of the umbrella folding unit, the first string (6) is wound on the reel. A desirable embodiment showing the operational principle of the strings is shown in Figure 7a and 7b. As shown in Figure 7a, when the first string (60) is pulled in arrow A

direction, the second string (62) must be pulled in arrow B direction, but because the erection maintaining member (67) inserted in the inner cylinder (26) acts as a stopper and only the first string (60) is pulled in arrow A direction, and when the first string (60) is pulled a certain length to reach the point where the umbrella (4) is completely folded, as shown in Figure 7b, the supporting member (50) progresses by pushing the fifth string member (69, 69) in the up and down direction (arrow C direction), and the fifth string (68) connected to the said fifth string member (69,69) separates the erection maintaining member (67) from the inner cylinder. After that, the second string (62) is pulled in the arrow B direction and the roller connected to the second string (62) moves upward. After the second string (62) is pulled for a certain distance, the second string is not more pulled and the folded umbrella (4) is stored in the storage room (90). In Figure 7a and 7b, the relative position of each roller and the moving distance of the second string (62) and the fifth string (68) can be adjusted to the optimum value in design. Also, the traction mechanism can be replaced by equivalent ones.

Similarly, from Figure 7c showing a desirable embodiment of the operational principle of strings in the umbrella unfolding unit, when the seventh string (72) is pulled in the arrow D direction, the roller connected to the sixth string (70) first moves in arrow E direction and the sixth string (70) is pulled and rotates the lever (80) and let the ring member (8) moves over the umbrella unfolding projection (13). The sixth string (70), after pulled for a certain distance, is not longer pulled and the seventh string (72) is pulled. Also in Figure 7c, the relative distance of rollers and the moving distance of the sixth string can be adjusted to the optimum value in design. And, the sixth string can achieve its aim by being connected to the window wiperlink instead of being wound on the reel

The reason for such design is that in folding the umbrella, due to the aerodynamic drag, fast folding may cause problems to the umbrella and thus slow folding is provided by slowly winding the reel, and in unfolding it, since there is no huge drag, the umbrella can be quickly opened.

Also, reels that rotate at the same speed but with different diameter can be serially aligned and the strings can be wound on each reel, and also two reels with different diameters can be installed that the umbrella folding unit or the umbrella unfolding unit is wound on the larger diameter reel and the switch string is wound on the smaller diameter reel. In using a traction unit configured as above, the switch string can be pulled and wound on or unwound from the smaller diameter reel by the wiper link of the wiper device that does reciprocating motion, and the umbrella folding unit or the umbrella unfolding unit can be more quickly wound or unwound by the larger diameter reel that rotates with the smaller diameter reel but has larger angular velocity.

Of course, the traction unit as shown in Figure 6 can be used as the traction unit for the umbrella folding unit, and the traction unit utilizing two reels with different diameters for the traction unit for the umbrella unfolding unit, or vice versa.

From now, the operation of the umbrella auto-receiving device for vehicle according to a desirable embodiment is explained.

Before getting in the vehicle, the user coupled the umbrella handle (10) to the supporting unit as shown in Figure 1. During the process, the user pulls down the outer cylinder (24) in opposition to the repulsive force of the outer cylinder spring (32) (see Figure 2b), and pushes the umbrella handle projecting part (16) into the inner cylinder (26), and then the coupling ball (28) is pushed toward the outer part of the cylinder and the concave part for coupling (28) and the coupling ball (28) are coupled. After that, when the

force on the outer cylinder (24) is removed, the outer cylinder (24) is restored to the original position as shown and pushes the coupling ball (22) inside and maintains the coupling of the concave part for coupling (18) and the coupling ball (28). (see Figure 2d). Thus, the umbrella (4) is securely coupled in the supporting unit.

Furthermore, if the user pulls down the outer cylinder (24) of the supporting unit in opposition to the repulsive power of the outer cylinder spring, the outer cylinder projection (30) fixed on the outer cylinder goes down together and as the outer cylinder projection (30) contacts the shoulder part of the cylindrical storing member (41), lets the storing member (40) to go down together (see the cross sectional view along A-A in Figure 2a), the upper part of the cylindrical storing member (40) couples the constraint of the gripping part (22) and the gripping part is split (see Figure 2c), if the outer cylinder (24) is pushed down, the outer cylinder operating member (34) installed between the outer cylinder spring (32) and the inner cylinder (26). The outer cylinder operating member (34) pushed down the stopper (38) installed on the lower part of the inner cylinder and the stopper is protruded in opposition to the force of the stopper spring (36), and the stopper (38) stops the supporting member (5) from going further down along the inner cylinder surface. (see Figure 2c). As is clear from Figure 2c, since the outer cylinder (24) is pushed down in opposition to the force of the outer cylinder spring (32), the moment the user removes the force exerted on the outer cylinder (24), the outer cylinder (24) will constrain the coupling ball (28) again by restoring to the upper position by the restoring force of the outer cylinder spring, and also since the cylindrical storing member (40) whose shoulder part of the cylindrical storing member (41) is constrained by the outer cylinder projection (30) is also pushed down in opposition to the force of

the cylindrical storing member spring (42), the moment the user removes the force exerted on the outer cylinder, the cylindrical storing member spring (42) restores upward by the restoring force and constrains the gripping part (22) again. The gripping part (22) contracts being pressurized by the cylindrical storing member (4) and securely grips the spherical coupling member (20) inserted inside. (see Figure 2d).

In such a state, when the user gets in the vehicle and presses the umbrella folding switch (illustration omitted) and the first string of the umbrella folding unit is pulled, the spherical coupling member coupled to the supporting member (5) is pulled, and hence the pulling rope (8) of the umbrella is pulled and the umbrella is folded. That is, since the spherical coupling member (20) is connected to the pulling rope (8) and the supporting member (5) is connected to the umbrella folding unit, when the umbrella folding unit is pulled, the pulling rope (8) is pulled because the spherical coupling member (20) and the gripping part (22) of the supporting member (50) are coupled.

After the umbrella (4) is coupled to the supporting unit as described, if the user pressed the umbrella folding switch (illustration omitted) while in vehicle, as shown in Figure 6, the motor is started simultaneously as the switch string (74) of the traction unit (120) for the umbrella folding unit. When the switch string (74) is pulled, the pressurizing member (114) is rotated around the pressurizing member axis (115) and pressurized the reel toward the transmission member (102) and have the transmission member (102) and the reel (104) rotate together.

The reel winds the umbrella folding unit while rotating. When the first string (60), the second string (62), the third string (64), the fourth string (66) and the fifth string (68) that are connected to the umbrella folding unit are

pulled, and sequentially, the umbrella is folded by the first string (41), laid down by the second string (62) and the fifth string (68), and the laid umbrella is rotated by the third string (64) and the cloth of the umbrella is folded, and the cover (92) of the storage room (90) is closed by the fourth string (66).

When the above operation is completed, the stop string (76) connected to a specific location on the umbrella folding unit is pulled in order to relieve the coupling of the reel (104) and the transmission member (102) so that the umbrella folding unit is no more wound on the reel (104). The stop string (76) pulls the pressurizing member (114) and rotates the pressurizing member (114) around the pressurizing member axis (115) and relieves the pressure on the reel (104). Immediately when the pressure is relieved, the reel (104) is distanced from the transmission member (102) by the elastic restoring force of the transmission member spring (108) and does not rotate any more. In this way, the umbrella folding unit is prevented from being pulled too much.

The process of folding, storing, and unfolding an umbrella is as follows. When the user presses the umbrella unfolding switch (illustration omitted) in vehicle, the sixth string (70) and the seventh string (72) of the umbrella unfolding unit that has the same structure as Figure 7c connected to the window wiper link are pulled. When the sixth string (70) is pulled, the U lever (80) whose one end is fixed on the lever hinge axis (81) as shown in Figure 4a rotates to the side and contacts the ring member (9) and moves the ring member (9) on the umbrella axis to the right direction as seen from above. (See the dotted line). As the ring member (9) moves, it pressurized the umbrella unfolding projection (13) and the umbrella is unfolded.

When the umbrella, as noted above, moves the ring member (9) by U lever (80) and have the umbrella unfolding projection (11c) be pressurized,

the umbrella (4) is stored in the storage room (90) and the umbrella may be unfolded regardless of whether the umbrella handle button (12) is up, down, or at any place.

The umbrella, while being stored in the storage room (90), impacts the hook (96) when the umbrella axis (6) is extended to the longitudinal direction. When the force of the storing lock (98) keeping the cover close (92) is removed by the hook (96), the cover (92) is opened by the elastic force of the open end spring (97) as shown in Figure 5a. In addition, since such hook mechanism can only be applied to two-stage umbrellas, in cases of non-foldable umbrellas, the force acting on the storing lock (98) can be removed by using the umbrella unfolding unit in combination.

Consequently, as the seventh string (72) is pulled, it erects the inner cylinder of the supporting unit. (see Figure 3). When the erected umbrella is fully unfolded, the user gets off the vehicle and separates the umbrella from the supporting unit. The process of decoupling the umbrella handle (10) from the supporting unit is a reverse process of the coupling, and thus is not explained.

It is desirable that in the storage room a warm air hole is installed so that warm air is supplied toward wet umbrellas to dry it and thus prevention corrosion.

The umbrella auto-receiving device for vehicle according to the desirable embodiment as explained above can be installed on a vehicle when the vehicle is produced as well as it can be separately installed on a vehicle after production. In addition, the umbrella auto-receiving device for vehicle can be installed on the drivers side or the passenger side.

The umbrella unfolding switch preferably has safety device installed so that the switch is not mistakenly pressed to unfold the umbrella.

The motor (M) of the traction unit (120) can be the wiper motor installed on the vehicle and it can also be a separate motor. The umbrella folding switch and umbrella unfolding switch are preferably installed on the left side of the Instrument panel. However, the scope of the invention not limited so.

Industrial Applicability As explained, according to this invention, the user in a vehicle can automatically fold an umbrella outside of the vehicle, store it in the vehicle, and separate the umbrella from the storage room and use it by using the umbrella auto-receiving device for vehicle. A driver can avoid from getting wet from rain when getting in and getting off the vehicle, and at the same time prevent the interior of vehicle and passengers clothes from getting wet from having wet umbrellas in the vehicle.