Improvements in and relating to Umbrellas.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 24th May, 1897-Accepted, 3rd July, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Umbrellas.
I, THEODOR KÖLLN of 79¹ Rödingsmarkt, Hamburg, Agent 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 umbrella frames and consists essentially in the mode of
attachment or fixing of the umbrella frame when opened and in the novel construc-
tion of the retaining ring or cup for holding the ribs or stretchers when the umbrella
is closed. The invention is illustrated by accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 shows the umbrella stick with fixing device and retaining ring or cup.
Figure 2 shows a modification of the fixing device, and
Figure 3 shows a modification of the retaining ring or cup.
Instead of the spring hook there is fixed on the stick a sleeve which is provided
with a bulging ring d (Figure 1). The sleeve which has hitherto been smooth and
to which the ribs of the umbrella frame have heretofore been fastened, is now
replaced by a sleeve a which is formed with claws b. The claws b are formed by
making the sleeve a with longitudinal incisions c. The spring tongues thereby
produced are then bent over to correspond with the bulging ring & so that the claws b
are thus formed. On opening the umbrella a simple pushing up of the sleeve a is
sufficient to cause the claws 6 to catch over the bulging ring d. The elasticity of
the claws b is sufficient to insure a secure retention of the umbrella frame in its open
condition. But in the case of high winds there is further provided for safety's sake a
movable ring e which prevents the umbrella from closing of itself.
The retaining ring or cup g which serves to hold the ribs together when the umbrella
is closed, is fixed on a sleeve f which can be moved along the stick i and which is
provided (like the sleeve e) with four longitudinal slits so that the tongues thereby
formed will slide elastically along the stick i. A movable ring k is also here provided
for the purpose of insuring that the tongues of the sleeve f shall be closed or pressed
with greater or less pressure against the stick i. Both of these devices render the
usual arrangement of springs in the stick which has the effect of weakening the said
stick, superflous.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim
is:-
(1) An umbrella frame characterised by a ring fixed on the umbrella stick and pro-
vided with an annular bulge d, and by a sleeve a which is jointed to the umbrella ribs or
stretchers and is movable along the stick i and is provided with claws b, said claws b
catching over the annular bulge d when the umbrella is opened and being adapted
to be fixed in their position by means of a movable ring as set forth.
(2) An umbrella frame according to claim 1, characterised by a sleeve f which is

page_text: movable along the stick i and carries the retaining ring or cup g, said sleeve f being
provided with longitudinal slits h and with a movable pressing ring k, as set forth.
(3) The improvements in umbrellas substantially as hereinbefore described and
shown.
th day of May, 1897.
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS., Assoc. M.Inst.C.E., M.I.Mech. E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Associate Agent.