Patent GB-798695-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to umbrellas
Inventor: CHAMPION CUTHBERT LLEWELLYN
IPC: A45B25/14
Filed: 1955-07-19
Abstract: 798,695. Umbrellas. CHAMPION, C. L., CHAMPION, V. F., and WUESTER, H. July 19, 1956 [July 19, 1955; Feb. 14, 1956], Nos. 20918/55 and 4664/56. Class 134. An umbrella is opened by application of pressure to both ends of its shaft and closes automatically on release of a locking device. In the construction shown the shaft comprises an outer tubular member 1 and an inner member 2 carrying at one end a piston-like element 4 bearing against a spring 3 which extends into the umbrella handle. The ribs 5 are pivoted at 6 to the inner member 2, and the spreaders 7 are pivoted at one end 8 to the ribs 5 and at the other end 9 to a runner 10 secured in the end of the member 1. A spring catch 12 mounted in the inner member 2 projects through a slot in the inner member and engages behind the runner 10 when the umbrella is opened by pressing the end of the member 2 against the ground or another rigid support. Alternatively the umbrella may be opened by pulling a cord which is secured near the pivot 6 and passes through the interior of the member 2 and out through the handle or through guide rings mounted on the member 1 to terminate in a grip near the handle. A lever 13 is connected by a pin 15 extending through a rest in the member 1 to a sleeve 16. Pressure on a thumb-piece 14 moves the lever 13 longitudinally and forces the sleeve 16 over the catch 12, depressing the latter out of engagement with the runner 10 and the umbrella is closed by the spring 3. A spring 17 returns the lever 13 to its original position. The umbrella is kept closed by the spring 3, but an additional spring catch, which is released by moving the lever 13 and sleeve 16 in the direction towards the umbrella handle, may be provided to lock the umbrella in the closed position, and a sliding ring or elastic strap may be provided to hold the ends of the ribs together in this position. The lever 13 may be housed in a longitudinal rest in the umbrella shaft and handle or may be mounted inside the shaft. The spring 3 may be replaced by a coil spring surrounding the inner member 2 and extending between the pivots 9 and 6. Alternative forms of locking catch comprise a steel ball which enters holes in the members 1 and 2 and is released by an internal rod having an end of reduced diameter which pushes the ball out of the hole in the member 2 against the action of an external rubber sleeve, or a projection, mounted on an external resilient strip, which enters holes in the members 1 and 2 and is released by the bevelled end of an internal rod or by a steel ball mounted on a wire or rod extending through the interior of the shaft and anchored at one end by means of coil spring, or a spring lever mounted inside the member 1 and having a detent which engages behind an abutment at the inner end of the member 2 and which is released by means of a press-button projecting through a hole in the member 1, or a spring member mounted inside the member 2 and having a blade which extends through rests in the members 1 and 2 and is released by direct manual pressure. The spring 3 mounted inside the member 1 or surrounding the member 2 is dispensed with in an alternative embodiment in which the spreaders 7 are of bifurcated spring form. A telescopic or removable handle may be provided.