IMPROVEMENTS IN CERTAIN PARTS OF UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Caplin, of Pentonville Road, in the
County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CERTAIN
PARTS OF UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS."
Sealed the 25th September 1869, and dated the 1st April 1869.

page_text: As regards the improved runner above mentioned, the object of this
Invention is to prevent cutting of the covers of umbrellas and parasols,
and to enable them to lie closer to the sticks thereof when they are closed
and out of use, also to dispense with the rosette at present used and fixed
around the notch of the runner. I propose to effect these improvements
by the following means, that is to say:-Instead of affixing the notch
to a piece of tubing or runner cylindrical throughout its entire length
with the edge of the notch projecting considerably beyond it I form
that part of the tubing or runner situate immediately under the notch
with a swell, the larger diameter of which is greater than that of the
notch. By these means when the umbrella or parasol is closed the ribs
and cover instead of pressing against the sharp edges of the notch as is
now the case press against the aforesaid swell on the runner, which
said swell being formed without any sharp edges or angles will not cut
the material of which the cover of the umbrella or parasol is made.
I would here remark that the aforesaid swell on the runner may either
be made out of one and the same piece as the other part of the runner,
or the said swell may be made of a different material to the other part
of the runner, and be affixed thereto by any suitable means.
And as regards the improved method above referred to for keeping
the umbrella or parasol closed, it consists in dispensing with the spring
usually employed for that purpose (and which is let into the stick and
takes into a slot in the runner), and in affixing a flat spring to the
outside of the runner, the end of the said spring being formed with a
hook which projects slightly beyond the edge of the runner. This hook
is intended to take into a hole formed on a projecting rim fixed on to
the ferrule on which the cap slides for embracing the tips of the ribs.
When the umbrella or parasol is closed the aforesaid hook keeps it
closed, and by pressing upon the aforesaid spring the hook may be dis-
engaged and the umbrella or parasol opened.
Another method of keeping the umbrella or parasol closed is by
inserting a spring pin into the stick thereof, the said pin taking into a
hole in the runner. By pressing back the aforesaid spring pin the
umbrella or parasol may be opened.
And as regards the improved cap above referred to, it consists in
making the same of any suitable elastic material and shape, the smaller
diameter of this cap embraces the stick of the umbrella, and the larger
diameter the ends of the ribs.

page_text: The action of this cap is as follows:-The cap being elastic is capable
of being turned inside out, that is to say, when out of use the cap is
towards the handle of the umbrella or parasol, and by pushing the edge
of the cap away from the handle the cap will embrace and hold together
the ribs by their ends. By thus constructing the cap it does not require
to be slidden on the stick of the umbrella or parasol as at present
practised, but simply to be turned inside out as above stated.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Caplin in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 1st October 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
CAPLIN, of Pentonville Road, in the County of Middlesex, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the First day of April, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Caplin, Her special licence that
I, the said John Caplin, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others, as I, the said John Caplin, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to
time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of
Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CERTAIN PARTS OF UMBRELLAS
AND PARASOLS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John
Caplin, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in
the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Caplin, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to

page_text: the гошowing statement, that is to say
This Invention relates,-
First. To an improved runner for umbrellas and parasols.
Secondly. To an improved method for keeping the umbrella or parasol
closed.
And, thirdly. To an improved cap for embracing and keeping close
to the stick the tips of the ribs.
As regards the improved runner above mentioned, the object of this
Invention is to prevent cutting of the covers of umbrellas and parasols,
and to enable them to lie closer to the sticks thereof when they are
closed and out of use, also to dispense with the rosette at present used
and fixed around the notch of the runner. I propose to effect these
improvements by the following means, that is to say:- Instead of
affixing the notch to a piece of tubing or runner cylindrical throughout
its entire length, with the edge of the notch projecting considerably
beyond it I form that part of the tubing or runner situate immediately
under the notch with a swell, the larger diameter of which is greater
than that of the notch. By these means when the umbrella or parasol
is closed the ribs and cover instead of pressing against the sharp edges
of the notch as is now the case press against the aforesaid swell on the
runner, which said swell being formed without any sharp edges or
angles will not cut the material of which the cover of the umbrella or
parasol is made.
I would here remark that the aforesaid swell on the runner may either
be made out of one and the same piece as the other part of the runner
or the said swell may be made of a different material to the other part
of the runner, and be affixed thereto by any suitable means.
And as regards the improved method above referred to for keeping
the umbrella or parasol closed, it consists in dispensing with the spring
usually employed for that purpose (and which is let into the stick and
takes into a slot in the runner), and in affixing a flat spring to the outside
of the runner, the end of the said spring being formed with a hook
which projects slightly beyond the edge of the runner. This hook is
intended to take into a hole formed in a projecting rim fixed on to the
ferrule on which the cap slides for embracing the tips of the ribs. When
the umbrella or parasol is closed the aforesaid hook keeps it closed, and

page_text: by pressing upon the aforesaid spring the hook may be disengaged and
the umbrella or parasol opened.
Another method of keeping the umbrella or parasol closed is by
inserting a spring pin into the stick thereof, the said pin taking into a
hole in the runner. By pressing back the aforesaid spring pin the
umbrella or parasol may be opened.
And as regards the improved cap above referred to, it consists in making
the same of any suitable elastic material and shape, the smaller diameter
of this cap embraces the stick of the umbrella, and the larger diameter
the ends of the ribs.
The action of this cap is as follows:-The cap being elastic is capable
of being turned inside out, that is to say, when out of use the cap is
towards the handle of the umbrella or parasol, and by pushing the
edge of the cap away from the handle the cap will embrace and hold
together the ribs by their ends. By thus constructing the cap it does
not require to be slidden on the stick of the umbrella or parasol as
at present practised, but simply to be turned inside out as above stated.
And in order to explain my said Invention more completely I now
proceed to describe the best means I am acquainted with for carrying
the same into practical effect, reference being had to the illustrative
Sheet of Drawings accompanying these Presents, and to the numeral
figures and letters of reference marked thereon respectively, as

page_text: It will be seen upon referring to the Drawing that the part 6 of the
runner is formed enlarged or with a swell, which should be larger in
diameter than the diameter of the notch E, to prevent the cover rubbing
against the sharp edges of the notch, as before stated. The Drawing
represents the notch E fixed to the swell on the runner, and the swell
and tubular part of the runner fixed together. I do not, however,
intend to limit myself to this mode of making the runner, as the same
result might be produced by fixing the notch E on to a tubular runner
in the usual way, and making the swell 6 of the runner to slide on the
tube B. In this case the swell is connected by its edge to each of the
stretchers of the umbrella, so that when the umbrella is closed the
stretchers will pull the swell of the runner over the notch, and by thus
covering the sharp edges thereof prevent cutting of the cover of the
umbrella when closed, and as the umbrella is opened the stretchers will
push away the swell b and uncover the notch, thus making the swell
on the runner self-acting.
I now proceed to describe my improved method for keeping umbrellas
and parasols closed, as follows:-G marks a tempered steel spring fixed
to the tubular part of the runner B by rivets, or otherwise, the spring G
passes through a square hole made in the edge of the runner, and the
outer end of the spring is made with a hook at c for locking the runner
to the ferrule C when the umbrella is closed, a square hole being made
in the edge of the ferrule at d for that purpose. To open the umbrella
it is only necessary to press back the spring G and slide the runner up
at the same time. I propose to form that part of the ferrule Cover
which the cap D passes when drawn back indented or with flats thereon,
so as to reduce friction at such part, but let the cap fit tightly round
the other part of the ferrule.
I now proceed to describe the elastic cap above referred to and repre-
sented at Figures 3 and 4 for holding the tips of the ribs together, as
follows: The cap is formed of vulcanized india-rubber, and stiffened
at the edge e by wire or other suitable means. The larger part of the
cap embraces the tips of the ribs and the smaller part the stick of
the umbrella. The dotted lines shew the position of the cap when
turned inside out, as before stated, for uncovering the tips of the ribs.
Having now fully described and set forth the nature and object of my
said Invention for "Improvements in certain Parts of Umbrellas and
Parasols," together with the best means I am acquainted with for carrying

page_text: hereby declare my Invention to consist in, and I claim, constructing and
adapting certain parts of umbrellas and parasols in the manner above
described and represented by the Drawing for effecting the objects above
stated.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Caplin, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Caplin, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.