Improvements in Umbrellas and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Oct., 1897-Accepted, 7th May, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Umbrellas and the like.
I, JOHN BAPTISTE RIEHL, of 70th Street and Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention consists of a novel construction of automatic closing device for
umbrellas, whereby a single movement of the lower catch or retainer or a part
analogous or adjacent thereto, permits the umbrella runner to descend from its
elevated or open position, thereby enabling the user to effect the closing of the
umbrella without necessitating the employment of both hands, said lower retainer
serving the double function of holding the runner of the umbrella when the latter
is in closed position, and also serving as a finger piece to effect the closing of the
umbrella.
It further consists of novel details of construction all as will be hereinafter
set forth.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the umbrella stick containing the im-
provements embodying my invention.
Figure 2 represents a longitudinal sectional view of Figure 1, showing the
position the parts assume when the umbrella is open, and the runner is in elevated
position.
Figure 3 represents the position the parts seen in Figure 2 assume in the act of
closing the umbrella.
Figure 4 represents another embodiment of the principal of my invention to
be hereinafter referred to.
Figure 5 represents another embodiment of the principle of my invention.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.
A designates a tubular umbrella stick, the same consisting of the outer tube B.
which has at the lower portion thereof, the stop C, upon which the spring D) or
other resilient device is sustained, said spring supporting thereupon, the inner
tube E, the extent of which will be evident from Figures 2 and 3.
designates a slot in the wall of the outer tube through which projects the
finger piece G of the retainer H, the latter being provided with the projectious J,
which is seated in an adjacent recess in the inner tube E, the extremity K of
said retainer being substantially in contact with said inner tube E.
L designates a slot or recess in the inner tube, the lower wall of said slot being
in the present instance in substantial alignment with the lower wall of the slot F,
the base M of the finger piece G resting normally on the lower wall of said slot 1'.
The upper wall of the slot L normally terminates slightly above the end
of the slot F, as will be evident from Figure 3, so that the tube E may have suf-
ficient play.
N designates the upper retainer, the same having the projection P therein, which
is in alignment with a seat or recess in the upper portion of the tube E, the stop R

page_text: of said retainer N projecting through the slot R in the outer tube, and being pro-
vided with the face S, adapted to retain the runner P in elevated position, the
end Q of said retainer being substantially in contact with the inner periphery of
the tube E, it being noticed that the runner T when the umbrella is open, the
inner tube and the retainers N and I are supported upon the lower wall of
the slot of the outer tube 3, while the contact of the fuce S of the retainer N
with the upper wall of the slot 13 prevents the displacement of the inner tube E,
it being also evident that the contact of the shoulder X formed by the junction
of the linger piece with the body of the lower retainer, with the upper wall of
the slot in the outer tube serves to prevent displacement of said inner tube.
The operation is as follows:
The parts assume the position seen in Figure 2, when the runner T is in elevated
position, the umbrella then being open.
When it is desired to close the umbrella, it is only necessary for the operator
to press the finger G inwardly from the position seen in Figure 2, to the position
seen in Figure 3, which can be done by means of the finger or thumb (, whereupon
it will be seen that the base M. of said finger piece is moved out of contact with
the lower terminus or wall of the slot F and the tube E being capable of a slight
downward movement by reason of the downward pressure of the runner conse-
quent upon the open position of the frame, the stop it will be forced inwardly into
the position seen in Figure 3 and the runner T can pass by the same and the
snid runner is then caused to pass over the finger piece G by a slight pull exerted
thereon towards the handle of the umbrella so as to close the same.
It will of course be understood that in practice, as soon as the runner passes
the upper retainer and assumes the position seen in Figure 3, said upper retainer
at once springs outwardly into the position illustrated in Figure 2.
The finger being removed from the finger piece G, the resiliency of the retainer II
will cause the finger piece to again assume the position seen in Figure 2, and the
resiliency of the spring B will move the tube E into its proper position again,
the upward movement of the inner tube being limited by the contact of the head I
with the upper slot R, and it will further be apparent that the lower retainer
serves a double function, since it serves as a catch and holds the umbrella runner
in proper position when the umbrella is closed, while the finger piece of said re-
tainer serves also to assist in effecting the closing of the umbrella.
Figure shows a slightly modified form of my invention.
U designates the outer tube, which is seated in a recess in the handle V.
W designates suitable projection or step on which the spring X is supported,
the extremity of said spring sustaining in position the inner tube Y.
Z designates the boily of the retaining device, the same being provided with a
projection A which seats in a suitable recess in the tube Y.
designates the lower portion of the retaining device Z, the same being pro-
vided with a straight wall or surface D' with which the finger piece G¹ contacts,
said finger piece being held in position by means of the wings (³.
E designates the base of the portion C, the same being located in a suitable
slot F in the outer tube U, the inner tube Y being also provided with a slot F5,
substantially co-incident with said slot F, through which the portion C projects,
it being noted that the outer or right hand lower corner of the portion C when
the parts are in position seen in Figure 5, rests upon the lower wall of said slot F
upon which all the parts are supported when the umbrella is open, the same as
in Figures 2 and 3.
I designates the upper retainer, the same being provided with the stop J,
which passes through substantially co-incident slots in the inner and outer tubes U
and Y, the upper edge K of said head J being adapted to support the runner T
thereon, it being evilent that the contact of the outer shoulder X2 on the lower
portion of the retaining device with the slot in the outer tube serves to prevent
displacement of the inner tube Y.

page_text: A designates a projection of the retainer I', which is adapted to seat in a recess
in the inner tube Y, the end N¹ of said retainer being in substantial contact with
said inner tube.
1 designates the lower retainer which has the finger piece Q projecting through
the slots Q3 which are substantially co-incident with the inner and outer tubes,
the retainer P having the projection R', which is seated in an opening or recess
in the outer tube U, the inner tube being provided with the slot Radjacent this
point for the purpose of enabling the inner tube Y to make the requisite movement.
This retainer P₁ through the medium of the figer piece Q is adapted for holding
the umbrella closed.
The end S' of the retainer P¹ rests in substantial contact with the inuer periphery
of the outer tube U, while the inner tube is provided with a slot T₁ of sufficient
length to permit the proper extent of movement of the said inner tube.
The operation is as follows:
When the parts are in the position seen in Figure 5, the umbrella is in elevated
position, the runner T being supported upon the stop ', the latter being sustained
upon the inner tube Y, by means of the head M, the said inner tube being sup-
ported upon the projection A of the retainer Z, while the base E' of the latter
rests on the lower terminal of the slot F of the outer tube U.
When it is desired to close the umbrella, the finger piece G¹ is pushed inwardly,
thereby moving the base E' out of contact with the slot, and the inner tube Y
being now supported only upon the spring X, it is evident that the runner T
will instantly pass by and over the stop J, and assume the position seen in Figure 3,
the resiliency of the spring X afterwards restoring the parts to their normal position,
as seen in Figure 5, when the finger is removed from the finger piece G¹.
In Figure 4, U designates the outer tube and the inner tube, the latter
having a portion V deflected inwardly, the same being sustained upon the ex-
tremity of the finger piece W, the latter projecting through co-incident slots W³
in the inner and outer tubes and being pivotally attached to one of said tubes at
the point X'.
A designates a spring or other resilient arm attached to said finger piece WI,
whereby the proper position of the parts is assured.
12 designates the upper retainer which is provided with a stop C2 and head E³,
and the free end F, the above parts being located at substantially the same relative
position to the inner and outer tubes as indicated in the upper portion of Figures 2,
3 and 5, and supporting thereupon the runner T.
The operation is as follows:
When the finger piece W is pressed inwardly, the extremity Y1 occupies the
space Z and the runner T, seen in Figure 4 will instantly descend in the manner
already explained, it being of course understood that the inner tube V is sup-
ported upon a spring similar to the spring B or X seen in Figures 2, 3 and 5.
It will be evident that various changes may be made by those skilled in the art,
which may come within the scope of my invention, and I do not therefore wish
to be restricted to the exact construction I have herein shown and described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1st. In a device of the character named, a tubular stick, upper and lower re-
tainers supported therein, each retainer being longitudinally movable relative to
said stick, said lower retainer serving both as a catch to hold the umbrella in
closed position and also as a finger piece to close the umbrella and means for
enabling said retainers to be actuated in unison.
2nd. In a device of the character named, a tubular stick, upper and lower re-
tainers supported therein, each being longitudinally movable relative to said stick,
and means connected with said lower retainer for supporting the upper retainer
and also the umbrella runner when the latter is in elevated position.

page_text: 3rd. In a doviće of the character named, an umbrella stick, an upper and lower
retainer supported therein, each retainer being movable longitudinally in said
stick, mechanisms intermediate said retainers, whereby an umbrella runner is
enabled to readily pass by said upper retainer when the lower retainer is pushed
inwardly, and means whereby the umbrella when in open position, is supported
by the contact of said lower retainer with a wall of a slot in snid stick, said lower
retainer serving also as a finger piece for effecting the closing of the umbrella.
4th. In a device of the character named, an inner and outer tube, an upper and
lower retainer, each of the latter being longitudinally movable relative to said
outer tube, said lower retainer sustaining the inner tube and the umbrella runner,
when the umbrella is open, and means actuated by said lower retainer for facili-
tating the closing of the umbrella.
5th. In a device of the character named, an inner and outer tube, means for
limiting the upward and downward movement of said inner tube, a yielding sup
port for the latter, an upper retainer supported on said inner tube, a resilient device
located in the lower portion of the inner tube and supported upon a wall of a slot
in the outer tube, said inner tube being supported on said resilient device, and
means for enabling the latter to be pressed inwardly out of engagement from its
support, whereby said inner tube is permitted to more downwardly and the closing
of the umbrella is effected.
6th. In a device of the character named, an inner and outer tube, u yielding sup
port for said inner tube, an upper retainer supported on said inner tube, and having
hend projecting through a slot in the outer tube, a lower retainer having a pro-
jection engaging the inner tube, and a finger piece projecting through slots in
said tube, the base of said finger piece supporting normally the inner tube and
its adjuncts.
7th. In a device of the character named, an umbrella stick consisting of inner
and outer tubes, an upper retainer supported by the inner tube and having a por-
tion projecting through a slot in the outer tube, a lower retainer having a pro-
jecting engaging said outer tube, slots in said inner tube for permitting proper
movement thereof, a resilient device located in the lower portion of said inner tube,
the latter being supported thereon, a spring on which said inner tube rests, slots
in said inner and outer tubes through which a portion of said resilient device pro-
jects, and a finger piece for actuating said projecting portion.
Sth. In a device of the character named, an inner and outer lube and an upper
retainer supported on said inner tube, in combination with a lower resilient device,
which primarily controls said upper retainer, and which when pushed inwardly
causes said upper retainer to be unsupported, so that the latter is automatically
forced into the adjacent tube by a descending runner.
HASELTINE. LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.