IMPROVEMENTS IN FIXED BANDS OR RIB HOLDERS FOR UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS, AND WHICH SAID BAND IS ALSO APPLICABLE AS AN ORNAMENTAL APPENDAGE TO WALKING STICKS AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1865

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Kemp Mace at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 31st March
1865.
I, THOMAS KEMP MACE, of New Street, Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Hatter, Stick, Parasol, and Umbrella Salesman, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIXED BANDS OR RIB
HOLDERS FOR UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS, AND WHICH SAID BAND IS ALSO APPLICABLE
AS AN ORNAMENTAL APPENDAGE TO WALKING STICKS AND OTHER PURPOSES," to be
as follows (that is to say):-
My Invention not only comprehends the band that is usually attached
on the outside of umbrellas for confining the ribs and covering together.
when in a collapsed condition, but also relates to a construction of band or
cap to cover and hold close to the stick the tip ends of the ribs, and these
objects I obtain, first, by applying the band or fastener to the outside of the
umbrella or parasol covering as now usually adopted in the following way:-
I secure by preference a small bit of elastic or other suitable material to the
fabric of the covering by means of a metal or other suitable eyelet with or
without washers, while at the other end I apply a metal or other suitable
projection, that when the band or cord is drawn around the umbrella or
parasol the said projection shall fall into the cavity of the eyelet, and thereby
secure the ribs and covering in such a way that no projections will be seen on
the outside, thus conserving compactness and neatness. And my improve-
ments as applied to the sticks of umbrellas and parasols for the object of

page_text: confining and holding the tip ends of the ribs of the same radially around the
said stick, consist of an india-rubber cap secured to the stick, but capable of
being reversed when closing the umbrella or parasol, and passing down over
and confining them when closed. But as a modification, and with a view of
not covering the tips, I apply with or without a metal collar, clip, ferrule, or
other means, an elastic band or cord on that portion of the stick below the
tip ends of the ribs when the umbrella or parasol is in a closed condition,
and such elastic band or cord I pass around and below the tip ends of the ribs
and so confine them, the said elastic cord being held in position by a metal
ring or eyelet falling over a projection at the part near the stick, or the
reverse if desired, or other equivalent means, as, for instance, instead of
using the ordinary eyelet a bit of metal with a slot cut in the same may be
substituted, and the free end provided with a small metal hook or catch, which
when passed around will fall into the slot before mentioned, and securely hold
the ribs. And, again, instead of using elastic and other woven ligature or
strap,
I may in some instances use a short piece of chain, converting the
terminating link or links into the means of fastening. As a further modifi-
cation the elastic band may be secured on the inside of a metal ferrule or
clip secured in any convenient way to the stick, which may be fixed to two
metal rings, or allowed to revolve. Thus, when the band is stretched it will
pull out through a slot on the one side, but when freed will contract and
retire within the ferrule or tube, the said metal clip or ferrule, jointly or com-
bined, forming a tablet or plate for a name or otherwise. These modifications
are also applicable to a gentleman's walking stick in place of the cord or
tassel now ordinarily used, and will afford means for clipping, holding, or
securing any article to the same that may be desired to be united, such as an
umbrella or other article.