An Improved Umbrella.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Oct., 1889-Accepted, 16th Nov., 1889
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION,
An Improved Umbrella.
We, RICHARD EDWIN PETERS, Mechanic, and WILLIAM THOMAS GREEN, Mechanic,
both of 11 School Street, Concord, New Hampshire, United States of America, 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:-
Our invention relates to the manufacture of an improved umbrella, its objects being
to dispense with the common pivot connections, or the wires, by which the ribs are
usually attached to the fixed cap, and to the outer ends of the stretchers or braces,
and by which said braces are connected with the runner, and to provide a neat and
economical substitute therefor.
The invention will be readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings,
of which:-
:-
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of an umbrella as when extended, and embodying
our improvements.
Figure 2 shows two enlarged views of connected sections of a rib, and a stretcher
or brace.
Figure 3 shows two enlarged views of the lower part of a stretcher or brace.
Figure is a sectional elevation of our improved fixed cap; having a portion of
two stretchers or braces, and the carrying-stick in position.
Figure 5 is a broken elevation of our improved runner, the carrying-stick, and
two of the stretchers or ribs, connected.
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view, showing the form we consider preferable for
constructing either the ribs or the braces.
Similar reference letters indicate corresponding parts.
The guide or carrying stick A may be provided with the usual ferrule a and spring
support B and stop for holding the runner in an elevated position as shown.
Our improved method of connecting the ribs and braces with each other, and with
the fixed cap, and runner, involves the principle of the "ball and socket joint," but it is
not essential that the sockets should very closely fit the ball member of a joint when
applied to umbrellas. Hence we do not confine ourselves to any particular form of
fixed cap, or runner, or their respective sockets for containing the ends of the ribs or
braces.
We show a practical form of construction in the drawings for both however.
The fixed cap C, for carrying the ends of the ribs M, has a flaring end, preferably
formed in a segment of a circle, and perforated with holes c, placed equadistant apart,
and in number corresponding with the number of ribs M; the said ribs being
introduced therein by means of the slots c¹, formed in the flaring portion of the
said cap C and connecting its edge with the holes c.
Each rib M has a ball m at one end, and this is connected by means of a neck m¹
(which is somewhat smaller than said ball) with said rib.
To set this portion of an umbrella, the fixed cap is first secured upon the
carrying stick A in its proper position by a pin a', and after dropping the necks m² of
the ribs M through the slots c¹ to the holes c of said fixed cap (the balls m being
then on the inside), a cap D having a flange d (which partially covers the said slots)
s placed upon the said cap C, in a manner to hold the said ribs in their proper
position.
The said cap piece D may be constructed in a manner to be secured to the
tick A, or, a collar E may be pinned thereon as at a². The runner F is formed
with an annular bulging portion f, which may be semi-circular in form, or, as shown
n the drawings; and in the upper part of the part f. are formed openings f¹, for

page_text: carrying one end of the stretchers or braces N, by means of the balls n which are
connected thereto by a slim neck n' preferably formed rectangular, as shown best in
Figure 3 i.e. wider than it is thick.
The openings f of the runner, are also rectangular in preference to any other form,
and made a loose fit for the said necks n' of the braces N. And to place one
within the other, the said runner must be detached from the carrying stick A, when
the necks n¹ of said braces N, may be forced through the narrow slots f² formed in
the said runner F, connecting with the rectangular openings f¹ and forced thence
into the said openings, in which they can move as freely as required-the balls n
being upon the inside of said runner.
The ribs M and braces N, we prefer to make tubular as shown in Figure 6, which
enables us to make a simple and economical connection of the two in the following
manner: The seam M' of each rib M is spread open, or slotted at m², said slot being
wide enough to receive the neck ³ carrying the ball n² of each brace N ; and the
said ball n² is admitted to the rib, by spreading the seam M¹ sufficiently for the
purpose.
The spindle portion of the ball joints may be soldered, or otherwise secured to the
ribs and braces; and so may the seams of each be soldered or brazed if desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is :-
.
First. As a new article of manufacture; an umbrella frame comprising ribs and
stretchers or braces, a fixed cap for carrying one end of the said ribs, and a suitable
runner for carrying one end of the said braces the same being connected at their
proper places by ball and socket joints, substantially for the purpose set forth.
Second. In an umbrella frame, suitable ball and socket connections for the ribs
and the braces, the ribs and their fixed support, and the braces and runner, all
substantially for the purpose specified.
Dated this 15th day of October 1889
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicants.