CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS.
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jules Minière, of Rue Cassan, No. 12 á Bordeaux
(France), Manufacturer, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jules Minière at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th May 1878.
JULES MINIÈRE, of Rue Cassan, No. 12, á Bordeaux (France), Manufacturer.
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS."
This Invention has for object an automatic mechanical closing of an umbrella or
parasol by the use of one hand only, and relates,—
First. To the employment of springs of helical form, either as single helices, or
with more than one helic upon, or in connection with, the stretchers and ribs, said
the stretchers,
springs having extensions to rest upon or within the ribs or
according to the position in which the springs are fitted.
Secondly. To the employment of two springs, each with one end formed helical,
and with the other projecting to engage in a grove of the stretchers and of the rib
respectively, the two springs acting in conjunction for closing and for retaining the
umbrella or parasol in a close compact condition. The two helical portions of the
springs may be soldered together or work separately from the same pin as a sup-
port, the pin being upon the stretcher, upon the rib, or upon or within a clamp
firmly fitted upon the stretcher, or upon the rib as desired. One piece or length of
wire of which the spring or springs is or are composed may have the helices
formed in opposite directions to act one against the other to close the umbrella or
parasol, and to retain it in a closed state. Portions of the helical spring projections
may be enclosed in socket pieces to retain parts in fixed positions, or to enable
parts to slide freely without becoming dislodged, while the umbrella or parasol is
being opened or closed..

page_text: Thirdly. To a system of disengaging the runner of an umbrella or parasol to
permit an automatic closing by the use of one hand only, this being effected by
the action of two plates or bars arranged within grooves of the cane or stick, one
plate or bar being fixed, and the other moveable, by means of a ferrule acted upon
by the thumb of the person's hand which holds the umbrella or parasol. The lower
end of the fixed plate is enclosed by a ferrule attached to the stick, and has at its
bottom on one portion a spring plate, whose lower end is kinked and formed with
a tongue under which a stud on the runner takes as a catch when the umbrella or
parasol is opened to its full extent.
The lower end of the fixed plate has an under cut for the reception of a portion
of the lower or loose plate, and in which the lower plate finds an abutment to limit
the distance that it may travel. The loose plate has a couple of projections, one to
act upon the runner, the other being in a notch or recess in the lower ferrule which
is within reach of the person's thumb. When hollow sticks are used two notches
are arranged, and the moveable bar or rod is then alone necessary.
:
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Jules Minière in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th November
1878.
JULES MINIÈRE, of Rue Cassan, No. 12, á Bordeaux (France), Manufacturer.
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS."
My Invention has for object an improved system of automatic closing by aid of
one-hand umbrellas, sunshades, &c. This result of automatic closing is obtained in
the following manner:-
1st. The ribs and stretchers tend always to come together on the cane or stick of
the umbrella under the action of springs placed, 1st., either on the stretchers;
2nd., either at the jointing of the stretchers and the ribs; 3rd., either on the
ribs; 4th, either between the stretchers and between the ribs. These springs keep
the umbrella closed, without its being necessary to have recourse to the employment
of a lipped or cupped runner. The umbrella is kept open by the arrangement of
an upper stop which opposes the movements of closing of the springs.
2nd. On the other hand a drawing mechanism placed in the cane or stick has
for effect to disengage the runner held by this stop; when this is so, the springs, the
action of which is no longer impeded automatically, effect the closing of the
umbrella. One hand alone suffices to work this drawing mechanism contained in
the stick and consequently to close the umbrella.
Springs Producing the Automatic Closing.-The springs employed are helical or
coiled springs formed by a single coil or turn, or by two coils or turns superposed;
they act by means of the two rods or free extremities of the steel wire which
terminate the coils or turns, whether these rods tend to approach each other, or

page_text: whether they tend to separate from each other, the diameter of the coil diminishing
as soon as the spring is stretched.
Figure 1 of the annexed Drawings represents a spring R of steel wire with two
superposed coils or turns, that is to say, with double coil or turn, To obtain it the
steel wire is first coiled helically around a cylindrical axis of a determined diameter,
and when the desired number of coils or turns are made, a second coil is formed
above the first in returning towards the point of departure. The two rods, or free
extremities A and B of the steel wire thus find themselves on the same side of the
coils, each of which is composed of 4 or 5 turns. The spring R is seen flat and not
bent or set.
Figure 2 represents this spring in side view, and bent, set, or stretched. The
two rods or free ends are bent at right angles near the coils as to give to the spring
all the desired tension; they are flattened. The rod A. terminates at the inner coil
and serves as the fixed point or fulcrum, the rod B terminates at the outer coil and
constitutes the moveable portion of the spring. This rod B is enveloped by a
metallic socket which gives it the necessary rigidity and terminates in a metal ball,
button, or stud S.
Figure 3 shows a helical spring R¹ with a single coil or turn, seen flat, and not
bent or set. On each side of the coil is a single rod A¹ or B¹ of steel wire; it works
in the same way as the spring R above described.
By bringing the small metal socket which envelopes the rod B of the helical
spring very near the coils, the elbow of this rod can be dispensed with,
whilst nevertheless preserving the necessary rigidity and tension.
be done to the rod A.
The same may
The ball, or the stud, or button S, terminating the rod B of the helical spring,
may be replaced by a small eyelet formed by the steel wire.
I employ by preference the spring R with double coils or turns, because it has
more strengh and elasticity under the same volume.
1st. Position of the Spring on the Stretcher.-Figure 4 shows the fork which
terminates the stretcher. This fork carries at the point I a pin, which serves as an
axis for the spring R, and is articulated at the point H to the rib.
Figure 5 shows the arrangement of a small ball S of the rod B in the rib. For
this purpose I use the ordinary "paragon" ribs and half circle M, N, but larger
and deeper, the two opposite walls of which I simply bring together for a determined
length by the aid of mandrel according to the travel of the small ball. In this way
the small ball S is held in the rib whilst having perfect free play. I can also
employ a completely tubular rib with a longitudinal slot, or else I can apply to the
ordinary rib (but larger and deeper), a slotted sleeve.
I designate by M the part of the rib, the extremity of which is jointed to the
top notch; and by N the free part, the extremity of which bears against the
runner. On this part N (Figure 6) is mounted a bit or rest J, into which the
stretcher fits when the umbrella is closed. The rib is bent near the bit or centre
joint of articulation.
Figure 6 shows the position of the helical spring R on the stretcher F. This spring
is carried by the pin of the fork f to within 2 centimeters of the articulation G of the
rib. The rod or free extremity A rests on the stretcher, in the groove of which
enters the hook which terminates it, and the rod B is joined to the rib N by the
inetallic ball S, which is retained by the bringing together of the walls from C to
E of this rib, within which it slides freely. As soon as the umbrella is opened the
spring R, carried by the stretcher, quits the free part N of the rib, but the little
ball S keeps it always in communication with this rib where it slides while
approaching the bit or joint of articulation. The stretchers is seen in a position
nearly perpendicular to the rib.
Figure 7 shows the position of the spring R when the umbrella is closed. This
spring presses then on the free part N of the rib against which it holds the
stretcher. In this position of the spring on the stretcher, the two rods or free
-

page_text: extremities, A and B, of the steel wire, continually tending to come together,
determine thus the automatic closing of umbrellas, sunshades, &c.
2nd. Position of the Spring, of Articulation of the Rib, and of the Stretcher
(Figure 8). The pin of the bit of articulation G serves as an axis for the helical
spring R. The rod A presses against the rib M, and the rod B bears against the
stretcher F. The action of the spring is operated thereby, and the tendency that
these two rods have of separating one from the other, the rod B brings back the
stretcher towards the free part N of the rib, and thus determines the automatic
closing of the umbrella.
3rd. Position of the Spring on the Rib (Figure 9).-The spring R is held by a
pin serving it as an axis in a clip or bit K mounted on the rib M. The rod A
presses on the rib M, and the rod B enveloped by a metallic socket bears against
the stretcher F, in the groove of which its extremity slides freely. The action of
this spring is the same as in the second position and acts by the separation of the
two rods A and B. The spring might also be placed on the free part N of the rib,
and the action of the two rods A and B would be still the same.
4th. Position of the Spring, whether Between the Stretchers or Between the Ribs
(Figure 10). Each helical spring R is placed between two stretchers. The two
rods A and B of a same spring are of equal length and terminate in a hook which
is folded over the stretcher in such way as to allow such stretcher to slide freely.
One same stretcher carries then the ends or hooks of two rods of two neighbouring
springs. These springs are each held in a clip or "bit" caused by a flat piece
which is articulated in a notch in the flange of the runner. When the umbrella is
open, these rods A and B of the springs R form the star of Figure 10. The action
of these springs takes place by the bringing together of their rods A and B; the
springs could be arranged between the ribs in the same way, and the rod which
carries the clip or "bit" could be articulated in a groove in the top notch.
The ribs and the stretchers are each furnished with a small fork by which they
are articulated, the first to the top notch, and the second to the flange of the runner,
the entangling of the ribs and consequently their rupture is thus avoided. The
two notches (top notch and runner) have their 16 grooves.
I employ by preference the first position of the spring on the stretcher, because
the automatic closing is produced very rapidly with application of the free
extremities of the ribs against the runner.
Mechanism for Disengaging the Runner.-The stick ✗ of the umbrella has a
groove D (Figure 11 and 11bis) which receives two metallic blades. The first blade
L, which is moveable, carries two projections a and b, Figure 12, and is placed on
edge in the groove D, formed in part of the handle or stick X.
The projection a enters a moveable ferrule V on the stick or handle (Figure 13),
the other projection 6 bears against the runner P when the umbrella is open. This
blade L is held in the groove of the stick by the moveable ferrule V, and by the
socket prolonged from the top notch g under which it slides freely. The second
metallic blade T serves to conceal the groove which is made at the extremity of
the stick. In hollow canes, or sticks, or wood, or metal, the groove is dispensed
with, and is replaced by two slots e, e¹, (Figure 14), through which enter the two
projections a and b of the blade L (Figure 15) placed inside the stick. The pro-
jection a is held by the moveable ferrule on which it is turned down, and the
projection b is held by a rivet. The moveable ferrule is long enough to always
conceal the slot e' (Figure 14). On the lengthened socket of the top notch a spring
O, formed of a steel blade, Figure 13, is fitted, the free extremity of which serves
to maintain the runner when the umbrella is open. The end of this spring blade O
has a projection obtained by punching it out, and this projection enters an oval
opening in the lengthened socket d of the runner P in such way as to press on the
stick itself.
Figure 16 shows the runner with its lengthened socket d into which the oval
opening has been contrived,

page_text: When the umbrella is open the socket of the runner P encounters the projection
b of the blade L which is drawn by the socket, and which socket raises the spring
O, which then fixes the opening. In solid canes it is the projection b, which in
abutting against the socket of the notch, stops the runner in its travel.
In hollow canes or sticks the upper slot e stops the projection b and consequently
the runner.
To close the umbrella it is sufficient to draw the moveable ferrule V
with the thumb, and the projection of the blade L frees the runner; then the helical
springs act rapidly, and with strength to produce the automatic closing, which is
thus done by the aid of the one hand which holds the handle.
The Figures in the annexed Drawings are full size views, except Figuro 5, the
dimensions of which are 4 times larger than those of the natural size.
All the dimensions may be varied as needed.
This umbrella, closing by means of one hand, I name "Velox."
Having now described the nature of my said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,―
First. The employment of helical or coiled springs with single or double coils or
turns, acting by their two rods or free extremities such as herein-before described,
to operate the automatic closing of umbrellas, sunshades, etc.
Secondly. The mechanism for disengaging the runner when the umbrella is
opened in order to permit the closing of it by the aid of a single hand, such
mechanism being constituted by a moveable metallic blade placed on edge in a
groove along solid sticks or canes, or simply contained in the interior of hollow
canes, and working by the ferrule, which is drawn with the thumb of the hand
which holds the handle.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jules Minière, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourteenth day of November, One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-eight.
Witness,
CH. ARMENGAUd, Je.,
Civil Engineer,
23, Bd. de Strasbourg, 23,
Paris.
JULES MINIÈRE. (LS).