Helmet-style canopy: Ladies, would you use this newly re-designed umbrella? (PHOTOS)

The hassle and embarrassment of wrestling with a wind-blown umbrella could now be a thing of the past, thanks to a hemlet-style head protector.

The Rainshader’s canopy protects users from the wind and rain without obstructing their view and during tests in gale force seven – around 40mph – winds the umbrella didn’t once blow inside out.

It was designed by Warwickshire-based company Hospitality Umbrellas and has been designed not to drip on other people or poke passers-by in the face.

A wet day out at the Grand National last year has led to British inventor Stephen Collier reinventing the umbrella.
The Rainshader from Hospitality Umbrellas is fully customisable

The Rainshader’s canopy protects users from the wind and rain without obstructing their view and during tests in gale force seven – 40mph – winds the umbrella didn’t once blow inside out

Warwickshire-based entrepreneur Stephen Collier, pictured, has redesigned the traditional umbrella with his Rainshader model. Warwickshire-based entrepreneur Stephen Collier, pictured, redesigned the traditional umbrella with his Rainshader model. It is based on the design of a motorcycle helmet and its fibre-glass ribs and polyester canopy means it won’t blow inside out, drip on other people or poke passers-by in the face

This means people can see out the front of the Rainshader while protecting their head and shoulders from the wind and rain.

It’s design also means it doesn’t obstruct the view of people standing nearby, or drip onto their shoulders.

The Rainshader can also be used to protect users from the sun.

Collier said: ‘It was pouring with rain, the wind was howling and I was struggling with my umbrella.

‘I thought there had to be a better way.

‘Traditional umbrellas have a lot of drawbacks in busy environments as they can blow inside out and make it difficult to navigate through crowds.

‘The basic design of the umbrella hasn’t changed for centuries, so the time is ripe for to make it more suitable to modern settings.’

‘I came up with a classic motorcycle helmet shape that is shaped like a dome so it doesn’t stick out and there is no longer the fear of poking somebody in the eye.

‘Anyone with a normal umbrella has to lift it over their head to see where they are going but the front of the Rainshader is opened up.

Collier worked with Warwick University on his Rainshader umbrella. Collier worked with Warwick University on his Rainshader umbrella. He then tested the design in a wind tunnel at Coventry University, pictured. The Rainshader was subjected to winds up to 40mph and didn’t break, rip, or turn inside out

‘Because it is slender, it is also more resistant to the wind than a normal umbrella.

‘We tested ours out in a wind tunnel at 40mph and it still kept its shape whereas the regular one had popped inside out.’

Collier got help from designers and product developers at the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) at Warwick University.

He then tested the design using a wind tunnel at Coventry University.

Read more: Daily News

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