Improvements in Umbrellas.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Dec., 1889
Complete Specification Left. 6th Sept. 1890-Accented 6th Dec. 1890.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Umbrellas.
ARTHUR ERNEST WALKER 18 Chiswell Street London E.C. Manufacturer do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in umbrellas.
In the handle is a knob which when worked by the thumb holding the umbrella
pulls a lever which is connected with the top of the stick and disengages the catch
which holds up the umbrella allowing it to close automatically. Springs are also
placed in conjunction with the working parts of the umbrella frame which supplies
enough force to close the umbrella.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Umbrellas.
I ARTHUR ERNEST WALKER Manufacturer 18 Chiswell Street London E.C. 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 consists of a simple contrivance by means of which the umbrella
can be closed automatically, i.e. without the use of the two hands, as shown in the
accompanying drawings, viz. A is a knob which is made either to press in as B C D
Fig. 2 and so work the angle C in a downward direction, or as this might prove an
inconvenience, to draw down with a finger of the hand as it grasps the umbrella, so
preventing a sudden collapse, this is seen in Fig. 1 where the thumb is shown on the
knob in the act of pulling it down, the wire E is thus pulled and works the angle F,
bringing back the wire shoulder H and so the frame is released and falls-this
advantage might be worked alone, but as it requires additional force to close it, this
may be effected in various ways, as follows,
(A) Either by working coil springs into or in the angles, all or either of the angles I
JKLMNOPQR as in Fig. 3, here is a small coil spring one end being fixed to
the sliding collar D and the other to arm of frame F supporting the cover,
I instance
this one but of course the action is the same as I J K L M &c. or QR, one
suffices for example, in the case of J K when the umbrella is closed the spring is at
its norical state Fig. 4. P. whereas in I L NO &c. the coils will be open when the
umbrella is closed thus the principle is the same only the springs work in an opposite
manner, i.e., one expands and the other contracts. The coils may of course be used
indiscriminately i.e. some contracting, some expanding, all expanding, all contracting
or in any way as deemed necessary or the number varied.
(AA) Another manipulation by coil springs may be used by placing the springs in
various places of the frame or stick either in conjunction, disconnected or fixed or
moveable see Fig. 4A, 4B, 4°, in this case the spiral springs are attached in conjunction
with stick, enough distance being provided for, that when the coil is not in tension
and the umbrella is closed it will lie along T. O. and can recede into a groove provided
for it in the stick at a distance from P equal to P S. The spiral springs may also be
placed on the collar and affixed to the rods supporting the frame as 4 in which case
the action is similar, or in any other parts of the frame in which the same action is
obtainable as Fig. 4° L. Y. the collar C being adapted according to the position of
the springs, one rod only shown for brevity, but springs may be placed on all or any
number of them or any position of the various angles of the frame.

page_text: (B) Another mode of closing the umbrella which I prefer is the coil spring placed
around stick at A B, C D or both or either see Fig. 5. In A B the spring is forced
up when the umbrella is opened and so compressed, and when the collar F is released,
flies back to its normal state. In C D the action is similar but process opposite
i.e. the spring is elongated when the umbrella is opened.
The little rods connecting collar with frame in this action, may also be made of
thin wire coiled at bottom Fig. 7°, & 80 which will also add to the closing power.
(C) In this action the collar (Fig. 6 is the principle feature of action, this collar
is turned so that the metal springs, S, which are fixed to the frame supporting
A B C D &c. impinge upon the edge of flange F. As the umbrella is raised the
arms of springs come into play, the springs also are opened, and thus pressure in
closing the umbrella is produced.
(D) A further spring action may be carried into effect Fig. 9, the frame support
of cover X Y has fixed at a little distance from the top, the point P acting as a
fulcrum to the spring S which impinges upon it when the rod R is raised (or the
umbrella is opened) the spring then is brought into play, but when the umbrella is
quite open the spring is quite released and parallel to rod R.
(E) Lastly the rods supporting frame are formed angular or toe shaped at base as
Fig. 11 and 11' and when umbrella is opened the toe works against the washers, if to
the bottom one the toe works as Fig. 11, if fixed at the top as Fig, 11' thus the
coil spring C. C¹ holds the washer W & the collar D together, & the pressure produced,
automatically by the motion of the toe gives the desired power to close.
The coil spring may also take another action viz. it is fixed around collar, see
Fig. 12. D to which also the rods R are connected but simply presses a loose collar
or ferrules F around the rods the edge of which ferrule is finished off in an angular
way to prevent friction when therefore the rods open they become levers pressing
upon a point, or rim of ferrule A Fig. 12 which recedes but has the effect of closing
the rods securely the moment the release of umbrella, or closing takes place. In
Fig. 13, this action may also be obtained by separate springs fixed to the collar Cand
impinging on each rod R. R. Here the coil L tends to close the washer W, & the
flange F, thus forming pressure at R. R¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare the what I claim is the
following features
(1) An umbrella which will close automatically i.e. by use of the one hand only
instead of two.
(2) Means by which that action may be so far improved as to close the umbrella
entirely.
Dated this 6th day of September 1890.
ARTHUR ERNEST WALKER,
18, Chiswell Street, E.C., Manufacturer.