Improvements in Umbrella Runners and Top Notches.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 5th July, 1892-Accepted, 8th Oct., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Umbrella Runners and Top Notches.
I, LOUIS BRADFORD COUCH, of Nyack, in the County of Rockland and State
of New York, Physician and Surgeon, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in umbrella runners and top notches or
heads (hereinafter referred to as heads) and it consists in certain novel features
of construction which will be fully described hereinafter and pointed out in the
claims.
One object of my invention is to provide an umbrella runner sleeve with a
peculiar holding hook at its upper and lower ends which will be presently
described, and to place a runner head upon the sleeve which is so constructed
that the sleeve is allowed a partial revolution so that the holding hook at its
upper end is made automatic in its action, as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
7, 8, and 9.
Another object of my invention is to provide an umbrella runner of the
construction shown in Figures 10, 11, 12 and 13, whereby it will automatically
catch in a sleeve as shown, and hold the umbrella raised; to do away with the
wires which are ordinarily used in umbrellas for holding the inner ends of the ribs
and stretchers to the runner and head, and to provide a head of a particular con-
struction hereinafter fully shewn and described, whereby rusting of the umbrella
material at that point is prevented, and the ordinary wear thereof by the ribs at
that point prevented.
In the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a runner which embodies my invention, showing a
portion of the umbrella stick upon which it is placed.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the runner, showing a modified form of securing th
runner head in place.
Fig. 3 is a detached plan view of the runner head showing the slot made in its
inner face.
Fig. 4 is a detached view of the runner sleeve showing the holding hook formed
by raising the metal.
Fig. 5 is a plan view of the upper or lower end of the sleeve, showing the edges
of the openings rolled or doubled back for the purpose of strengthening the holding
hook, and slots leading thereto.
Fig. 6 is a view of the upper end of the runner sleeve showing a modified form of
the holding hook.
Fig. 7 is a view of the upper end of the runner sleeve showing the runner head
placed above the holding hook.
Fig. 8 is a plan view of the runner head shown in Fig. 7.
Fig. 9 is a side elevation showing the ribs extended.
Fig. 10 is a view of an umbrella raised, with one form of my invention attached
thereto, the head at the upper end of the stick being shown in section, and the
upper end of the runner also shown in section.
Fig. 11 is an enlarged detached view of the runner shewn in Fig. 10.
Fig. 12 is an enlarged detached view of the head shown in Fig. 10 with the two
sleeves thereof detached, and one of the ribs shown in position therein.
Fig. 13 is a detached view of the stationary sleeve shown in Figure 10 that is
secured to the umbrella stick for the runner to catch upon.
Referring now to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, the runner consists of a
runner sleeve A, which is provided with the two annular ridges, flanges or beads B
ID 77

page_text: which may be formed by securing to the outer side of the sleeve two rings, or by
bending the metal out of which the sleeve is made outward, or by projecting
portions B' as shewn in Figure 2. Made in one side of the upper end of the runner
sleeve A is a V-shaped opening C which has formed at one side of the termination
of the "V" a hook D, and below this hook D is formed a small recess F, the
purpose of which will be presently explained.
Below this hook and inside of it the recess is provided with a substantially
straight edge G as shown, and the opposite side of this recess is provided
with an inwardly curved edge E, which curves gradually until it joins the lower
end of the straight edge G as shown. By means of this construction it will be
seen that the hook overlaps the junction of the curved edge and the straight
edge G and also overlaps the small recess F, the object of which will be described
hereinafter.
Placed between the flanges or beads B is a runner head H in which the ribs are
connected in the usual or any suitable manner, and the runner head is provided
with a recess I in its under face as shown in Figure 1, or with a recess I'
as shown in Fig. 3. In this latter instance the recess is made in the inner
face of the runner, and may either extend entirely through the thickness of the
head or only partially through its thickness, as may be preferred. Extending
outward from the sleeve A is a pin or projection J, which enters the said recess
and limits the movement of the runner sleeve in the runner head, as will be readily
understood.
Formed in one side of the lower end of the runner sleeve is a V-shaped
recess K which has the curved slot L extending from its lower end and ter-
minating in a recess N, as shown, and by means of this recess the runner is
locked near the handle end of the umbrella stick in a manner to be described
presently.
Extending outward from the umbrella stick near its upper end is a pin P of any
suitable size, shape or construction that may be preferred, and as the runner is
forced upward for the purpose of opening the umbrella, this pin enters the
V-shaped recess C made in the upper end of the runner-sleeve A. As the sleeve
is forced on the pin it is guided by the curved edge E under the hook to the junction
of the edges E and G, and then when the runner is released the tendency of the
umbrella to close forces the pin up against the lower side of the hook D, which
being inclined upward as shown guides the pin into the recess F under the hook
and the runner is thereby locked against longitudinal movement upon the stick,
and cannot be dislodged except designedly, nor can the umbrella be blown wrong
Eide out. As the pin engaged the curved edge G the runner sleeve was given a
partial turning movement in the runner head in one direction, thus lodging the pin
in the recess Funder the hook. Since the sleeve is allowed only a partial move-
ment within the head H by the recess I, and projection J, the sleeve is held in the
proper position to have the pin upon the umbrella stick enter the V-shaped
opening C, and owing to the action thus described the hooking of the upper end of
the said sleeve upon the pin is automatic.
Extending outward from the said stick near its handle end is a second
pin similar to the one at the top of the stick and this pin is guided into the
V-shaped slot K, (owing to the length of movement of the runner sleeve) as
the runner sleeve is lowered, and then the pin guided to the recess N at the
end of the curved recess L by giving the runner sleeve a partial turn with the
finger.
If desired the sleeve A will be roughened or milled for a portion of its length,
or entirely throughout its length as desired, in a manner similar to the ornamental
and useful milling usually found upon the handles of dental tools, and which will
enable the sleeve to be more readily turned by the user.
I do not desire to limit myself to the recess F formed under the hook D,
for this may be omitted if desired, and the hook formed as shown in Fig. 6.
In this instance the inclined lower edge of the hook is depended upon to hold

page_text: the pin in place under it, but in either instance it will be noticed that the curved
edge E extends under the lower end of the hook, so that the pin is guided beneath
as before described.
If desired the runner head H can be placed upon the extreme upper end of the
sleeve A as shown in Fig. 7 and in this case the runner head will be provided with
an opening S as shown in Fig. 8, through which the pin upon the stick will pass to
the V-shaped recess and under the hook.
Instead of cutting a recess in the ends of the sleeve for the purpose of forming
a hook, the metal can be raised or forced outward as shown in Fig. 4, thus forming
shoulders which correspond in shape to the edges of the recess and hooks, and are
covered by a hood a, formed by the metal forced or pressed out to form the socket.
As shown in Fig. 5 the edges of the recess can be doubled or folded for the purpose
of strengthening them and the hook.
The sleeve is released from either of the pins upon the stick by giving it a
partial revolution as will be readily understood.
By means of the above construction it will be seen that I have produced
an umbrella runner which does away with the sawing into the stick for the
reception of a spring, which very materially weakens the stick and which does
not have to be turned around until a slot in the sleeve is opposite the spring
and which cannot be blown wrong side out, the whole being simple and cheap to
mauufacture.
While I have shown and described the runner head as being loose upon the
runner sleeve, I do not desire to limit myself to that particular construction so far
as the construction of an automatic hook is concerned. As it is only necessary for
the sleeve to rotate about twice the thickness of the pin, this amount of rotation
would be allowed by the twisting of the ribs or by making the upper ends of the
ribs loose in their connections. So also the upper ends of the ribs may be con-
nected to the loose sleeve B' as shown in Fig. 9.
Referring now to Figures 10, 11, 12, and 13, A indicates the stick or handle of
the umbrella, which may be of wood as ordinary, though it may be made of metal
if preferred; B the cover; D the ribs; and C the stretchers.
I will first describe the runner, which consists of a cylindrical portion E which
is provided at its upper end with a reduced portion or annular groove F which
receives the stretcher head G. This stretcher head G is provided with a series of
vertical slits H to receive the inner ends of the stretchers C, and in the periphery
are the horizontal cavities I, which extend across the slits H. These horizontal
cavities I, receive the horizontal portion J, of the inner ends of the stretchers,
which portions J may be made cone-shaped at their ends, or cylindrical, or any
other desired and convenient shape, and the cavities would be correspondingly
formed to receive them. The head G is provided at its lower edge inside of the
slitted periphery with a depending screw threaded flange K, which receives a
cover L which is L-shaped in cross section, the vertical portion of the cover being
screw threaded internally to fit the screw threaded flange of the head, and the
horizontal portion of the said cover rests against the lower edge of the said head
flange when the cover is screwed to position. This cover has its vertical portion
to pass around outside of the inner end of the stretchers as shown and holds them
in position in their cavities and slits as will be understood. In order to prevent
the cover from becoming detached from the head when in use the cover will be
connected with the head in any desired manner, as for instance by means of a
screw passing through the cover into the head, or in any other desired and con-
venient manner.
In order to allow the cover to be removed from the head for the
purpose of inserting the inner ends of the stretchers in place therein, the upper
ends of the cylindrical portion of the runner is reduced as shown at M, which will
allow the cover to be slipped down thereon sufficiently to permit the inner ends of
the stretchers to be placed in the cavities formed therein. The inner ends of these
stretchers are bent outward when the umbrella is in a closed position, so that when
the umbrella is raised as shown in Fig. 1, the stretchers will not interfere with the

page_text: vertical flange of the cover as they would otherwise do as will be understood, for
when raised they assume substantially a horizontal position.
Secured to the umbrella stick at a suitable point to hold the runner in the
proper position to stretch the umbrella, is a sleeve N, which is provided with an
opening having a curved wall P, which extends so that its upper end overlaps
a projection Q. The edges of this opening are raised as shown at R in Fig. 13
to form substantially a hood, as illustrated, all around the edge of the said opening,
and which holds the projection or hook Qa suitable distance from the umbrella
stick. The object of this sleeve which is fastened to the stick by means of pins,
screws or in any other convenient manner, is to receive the upper end of a vertical
arm S which projects from the upper end of the cylindrical portion E of the
runner, and is provided at its extremity with an outwardly projecting pin or
shoulder T, that when the runner is moved upward, engages the curved wall P of
the sleeve opening and is guided to the upper end thereof, and then when the
runner is released, the pin is automatically seated upon the hook Q as will be seen.
The runner E and the head G are constructed to have a limited rotary movement
independent of each other in any desired manner, which will allow the runner E to
revolve independently of the head when it is forced upward, and the pin engages
the curved wall P of the opening. Thus it will be seen that the runner is
automatically caught when it is raised, and the umbrella held stretched. When it
is desired to lower the umbrella, the runner E is given a slight turn to disengage
the pin T from the hook Q, when the runner will fall and the umbrella be
closed.
To facilitate the turning of the runner E, it is made with sides as shown,
preferably flat to receive the name of the owner, by engraving therein, or stencilling
and at each edge of the flat sides, I provide a longitudinal groove a, which forms
sharp edges, by means of which a good hold is secured upon the runner to turn it
without slipping in the fingers. The finger will press into the groove, and thus
give a good hold upon the runner. Instead however, of forming the sides of the
runner flat as here shown, they may be concaved between their edges if desired.
The object of making the ruuner E with facets or sides as just described, and
illustrated, is to enable the runner to be left smooth to receive the name of the
owner, while at the same time a good hold is provided for turning it. I here show
the runner E as made octagonal, but it will be understood that it may be made
hexagonal or square.
The lower end of this runner E is provided with an annular projecting milled
portion U, and a short distance below this with a projecting annular rib V. Cut
in the space between this milled portion and the annular rib below it, is a slot b,
which extends upward and around the said space in a slightly spiral form, and
provided at its extremity with a downward recess c. This groove extends under
the annular rib V, which forms a sort of a hood for the entrance end of the
groove. A notch d, is cut in the annular rib V at the entrance end of the said
groove, which forms a shoulder, so that when the runner is lowered and it is
desired to secure it to the handle, it is turned until the pin or projection
lower portion of the stick drops. behind a shoulder formed by the notch d, and then
the runner is given a partial turn, when the projection will be seated in the recess c
at the inner end of the groove. The pin e, and the recess c which receives it, can
be of any desired and corresponding shape that may be best adapted for the
purpose at hand.
A turn in the opposite direction will unfasten the runner from
the pine and allow it to be raised for hoisting the umbrella when it will be
automatically caught and held by the sleeve as before described.
at the
The head at the upper end of the stick for the upper and inner ends of the
ribs D is constructed of a vertically screw threaded flange f, which is secured to
the stick in any suitable manner, and is provided at its lower end with a laterally
and outwardly extending outward flange or bead h, which is provided with vertical
slits, and horizontal cavities k, similar to those made in the head G of the
runner. These slits and cavities receive the inner ends of the ribs D which are

page_text: similar to the inner ends of the stretchers which have been fully described, except
that the inner ends of the ribs turn outward. After the ribs are placed in position
on the flange f, a cover which is provided with internal screw threads is placed
upon the screw threaded flange f and screwed down so that its depending flange m,
surrounds the bead or flange h, and holds the ends of the ribs in position. The
upper outer side of this cover is made conical in shape as shown, and upon this
the cover of the ribs is placed, and over this another cover n is placed which is
provided with an upper interior screw threaded portion p, that fits upon the screw
threaded flange f, and from this portion p downward it is made cone-shaped
interiorly to fit upon the outer cone-shaped portion of the cover below, and thus
clamp the umbrella cover between the two said covers as shown in Fig. 10. In
this manner it will be seen that the ordinary silk or other protector at the upper
end of the umbrella is done away with and all wear of the ribs upon the cover,
and all rusting of the wire that is usual, and that rots the cover is avoided.
While I here show the arm of the runner with the pin or projection at its upper
end extending outward, it will be understood, that this pin or projection can be
made to extend inward, and the arm to be outside of the sleeve instead of insidė
thereof as here shown and described, if desired. I do not therefore desire to limit
myself to the pin or projection extending outward from the vertical arm at the
upper end of the runner E, for this may be reversed, though I prefer to have it as
already described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. An umbrella runner consisting of a cylindrical portion having an opening
provided with a projection or hook, a curved wall at the opposite side of opening
which overlaps the hook, a pin or stop for engaging the said wall and hook, and a
head upon the runner, substantially as described.
2nd. The umbrella runner consisting of a single sleeve having exterior projections,
the single exterior ring H, loosely confined on said sleeve by said projection, means
to limit the turning of the sleeve independently of the ring, the curved pin holding
socket opening through the lower end of the sleeve having the pin recess, and the
pin holding socket at the opposite end of the sleeve having a curved edge E from
one side terminating at the lower end of straight edge G and the hood D projecting
from the opposite side of the socket over the meeting point between edges E
and G for the purpose as set forth.
3rd. The runner sleeve, the ring H, loosely confined thereon by exterior
projections so that the sleeve has a limited turning movement independent of the
ring, the curved pin receiving socket at one end of the sleeve with a pin holding
recess, and the pin receiving recess at the opposite end of the sleeve tapering
inwardly, and having the long curved edge E on one side terminating with the
straight edge G, the hook, D, having inclined outer edge projecting over the
junction between edges E and G, and the pin holding recess F under said hook
and above edge G as set forth.
4th. The runner sleeve carrying a loose ring, and the pin receiving socket at
the end of the sleeve having inclined curved edges and pin holding recesses, and
covered by exterior hooks formed by punching out the metal to form the sockets,
as set forth and shown.
5th. An umbrella runner having a head at its upper end having a rotary move-
ment independently thereof, a projection from the runner above the said head
having a lateral pin, a guiding and holding sleeve secured to the stick with which
the said pin engages, and a holding groove at the lower end of the runner,
substantially as described.
6th. An umbrella runner having a groove at its upper end to receive a stretcher
head outside of the same, a projection from the runner above the said bead having
a lateral pin, a guiding and holding sleeve secured to the stick with which the said

page_text: pin engages, and a holding groove at the lower end of the runner, substantially as
described.
•
7th. An umbrella runner comprising a cylindrical portion having a groove at its
upper end, a stretcher head surrounding the groove, the runner having a vertical
arm or projection extending above the said head which is provided with a lateral
projection, the head having cavities, a cover for the head which surrounds the
cavities, combined with stretchers having their ends adapted to fit said cavities
inside of the cover, and a sleeve secured to the stick with which the arm
projection engages, substantially as set forth.
8th. A runner comprising a cylindrical portion carrying a stretcher head, an
arm extending above the said head having a lateral projection, the head having
slits and cavities to receive the inner ends of the stretchers, the head having a
depending flange, and a cover L-shaped in cross section having its vertical portion
forming a cover for the said cavities and secured to the said head, substantially as
specified.
9th. An umbrella runner carrying at its upper end a stretcher head, a securing
groove at its lower end, and an angular portion between the head and groove
provided with smooth surfaces for the purpose specified.
10th. A runner carrying at its upper end a stretcher head, at its lower end a
securing groove, and an angular portion between the said head and groove, and
with longitudinal grooves at the adjoining points of the angular portions, as and
for the purpose described.
11th. An umbrella head comprising a vertical externally screw threaded flange
having an annular lateral flange at its lower end provided with slits and cavities to
receive the ends of the ribs, a cover screw threaded internally which fits the screw
threaded flange, the cover extending around the said lateral annular bead, the
cover having a screw threaded inner portion, and a conical inner portion below the
screw threaded portion, to fit upon the said head cover, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
Dated this 5th day of July 1892.
L. B. COUCH,
By L. W., per F. B.