IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLA FRAMES
Year: 1886

page_text: I ALEXANDER MAC MILLAN of 66 Holborn Viaduct in the county of Middlesex
Umbrella Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLA FRAMES to be as follows:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in umbrella frames the object
being to strengthen same against shocks or gusts of wind to prevent the umbrella
turning inside out, at the same time that no appreciable weight is added and the
slimness of the umbrella when rolled up will be maintained.
This I effect by means of a stay or link secured at one end to the stretcher and
at the other end to the rib, under the jointing of the said parts, and also by means
of the top notch in combination with the said stay, the rib and stretcher end being
modified accordingly all as will hereinafter be more particularly described.
The link or stay is jointed at one end to a gat upon the rib and the opposite end
is crooked and runs in a slot formed in a "flat" of the metal of the stretcher and
the crooked end terminates in an enlargement so as to prevent the end drawing
through the slot. When the umbrella is "up" the end of the link is at the end
of the slot and acts as a stay to the rib to prevent the breaking of the rib at the
point where the stretcher gat is secured, and also will prevent the umbrella
turning inside out upon sudden gusts or shocks of wind.
The link or stay will lie between the rib and stretcher without making the
umbrella more bulky.
The top notch is slotted to receive the ends of the rib and said ends of the rib
are made with a strengthening piece and in the ends so made is fitted a stud
standing out on each side of the end of the rib. The top notch is made tubular at
its upper part of size to fit the stick and is enlarged at its lower portion to form
an inner annular recess and the rim so formed' is slitted or notched to receive the
neck of the end of the rib and so that the studded and will lie in the annular
recess of the top notch. The neck of the rib can only rise to just below the
horizontal position and this will assist in preventing the umbrella from turning
inside out at the same time that a smooth exterior of the top notch is presented to
the silk or other covering of the umbrella and the wiring of the rib ends to the
top notch is avoided.

page_text: In placing the frame on the stick the ends of the ribs will first be laid in the
recess of the top notch with the neck of the ends in the notches and the top notch
will then be slipped on to the stick into proper position so effectually retaining the
rib ends within the annular recess but leaving them free to work in opening and
closing the umbrella. The stretcher ends may be attached to the runner notch in
like manner or as convenient.
I am aware that a tee ended rib has been proposed to be used in an umbrella
frame and I do not claim that apart from the specially formed notch and rib end
combined as set forth.

page_text: Improvements in Umbrella Frames.
I, ALEXANDER MAC MILLAN, of 66, Holborn Viaduct, in the city of London,
Umbrella 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 :-
This invention relates to certain improvements in umbrella frames the object
being to strengthen same against shocks or gusts of wind to prevent the umbrella
turning inside out, at the same time that no appreciable weight is added and the
slimness of the umbrella when rolled up will be maintained.
This I effect by means of a stay or link secured at one end to the stretcher and
at the other end to the rib under the jointing of the said parts, and also by means
of the top notch in combination with the said stay, the rib and stretcher end being
modified accordingly all as will hereinafter be more particularly described.
In the drawings Fig. 1 represents the frame fitted with the stay or link. Fig. 2
is a view on enlarged scale showing the fitting of the stay or link.
Fig. 3 is a top view of the top notch and rib end.
Fig. 4. is a side view and Fig. 5 an under plan view of Fig. 3, the end. of rib
being shown.
Figs. 6. and 6 show in side views partially in section a modification of the top
notch.
Figs. 7. 7 7b and 7° show in like views a further modification of top notch.
The link or stay a. is jointed at one end to a gat b. upon the rib a and the
opposite end a¹ is crooked and runs in a slot d. formed in a "flat" of the metal
of the stretcher, and the crooked end terminates in an enlargement at a¹, so as to
prevent the end a¹ from drawing through the slot. When the umbrella is "up,"
as shown in Fig. 1, the end a¹ of the link a. is at the end of the slot d, and acts
as a stay to the rib to prevent the breaking of the rib at the point where the
stretcher gat e. is secured and also will prevent the umbrella turning inside out
upon sudden gusts or shocks of wind. The link or stay a, will (as shown fitted in
Fig. 2) lie between the rib and stretcher without making the umbrella more bulky.
The top notch shown in Figs. 3, to 5, is slotted at k, to receive the ends of the
ribs and said ends of the rib are made as shown in Fig. 5, with a strengthening
piece g, and in the ends so made is fitted a stud standing out on each side of the
end of the rib. The top notch is made tubular at its upper part h, of size to fit
the stick and is enlarged at its lower portion i, to form an inner annular recess
and the rim so formed is slitted or notched at k to receive the neck L. of the end
of the rib and so that the studed end will lie in the annular recess i, of the top
notch. As shown in Fig. 4, the neck of the rib can only rise to just below the
horizontal position and this will assist in preventing the umbrella from turning
inside out at the same time that a smooth exterior of the top notch is presented to
the silk or other covering of the umbrella and the wiring of the rib ends to the top
notch is avoided.
-
In Figs. 6, and 6%, is shown a form of top notch constructed in two parts.
The notch piece h. has an external screw thread h³, formed around the upper portion
thereof. The cap h³, has a corresponding internal thread h³, so that the rib ends

page_text: being inserted within the notch the two portions when screwed together will hold
the ribs securely in position. The 'flange o, will prevent the ribs rising above the
horizontal. A groove his formed around the lower part of the cap h³, for the
purpose of securely fastening the material used to cover up the rib ends.
In the modification of this arrangement shown in Figs. 7, 7*, 7b and 7°, the
cap h³, instead of being screwed direct upon the notch piece screw h¹, is screwed to
or passes over an intermediate flanged sleeve piece m. the said sleeve piece m.
having internal thread m³ formed in same to suit the thread h¹ upon the notch
piece h, and the cap h³, is in this case fitted over the sleeve piece when said sleeve
piece is screwed down on the notch. The flange p. will prevent the ribs rising
above the horizontal.
The several portions are fitted together as shown in Fig. 7°.
I am aware that a tee ended rib has been proposed to be used in an umbrella
frame and I do not claim that apart from the specially formed notch and rib-end
(combined as set forth.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and particulars
of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be carried into practical
effect, I declare that what I claim is:-
Firstly. In an umbrella frame the link or stay a, jointed at one end to the rib c
and at its other end a¹ riding on the stretcher so that when the frame is in open
condition, said link or stay a. acts as a support between the rib and the stretcher,
the same constructed and operating as and for the purpose herein set forth and
shown by the drawings.
Secondly. The notch of the frame of an umbrella having tubular part h. and
notched annular part k, i, fitted with the stud ended ribs l. g, in combination or
not with the link a, of the rib and stretcher as and for the purpose herein set forth
and shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5 of the drawings.
Thirdly. The notch of the frame of an umbrella consisting of the parts h, h¹, h³,.
h³, h, i, k, and o in combination or not with the link a, of the rib and stretcher as
and for the purpose herein specified and shown by the Figs. 6. and 6 of the
drawings.
Fourthly. The notch and cap of the frame of an umbrella consisting of the
parts h, h¹ h³ h i k m. m¹ p. in combination or not with the link a of the rib and
stretcher as and for the purpose herein specified and shown by the Figs. 7 77b
and 7° of the drawings.