IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS, TENTS, AND SIMILAR ARTICLES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS, TENTS, AND SIMILAR ARTICLES." A com-
munication from abroad by Félix Baudinot, of Lyons, France, Manufacturer
of Silk Goods.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th January 1880.
"
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS, TENTS, AND
SIMILAR ARTICLES." [A communication from abroad by Félix Baudinot, of Lyons,
France, Manufacturer of Silk Goods.]
This Invention relates to umbrellas of peculiar construction, as hereinafter
described, the said construction being also applicable to parasols, tents, and any
similar covering apparatus.
Umbrellas as ordinarily constructed comprise the following parts, namely:-A
covering of silk or other suitable fabric; ribs consisting of single straight pieces of
whalebone, cane, iron, or steel, which are held by stretchers, each of which is
formed of a single piece, and a stick or handle also made in one piece.
An umbrella constructed according to this Invention folds up in such a manner
as to be capable of being carried in the pocket.
The said umbrella is provided with a covering of silk or other fabric, as in the
case with ordinary umbrellas, but neither of the ribs or stretchers nor the handle
is made in a single piece. In place of the ordinary ribs and stretchers I provide a
series of cross bars formed of metallic rods or pieces, whose ends are attached to
each other by rivets in such a manner that the rods or bars may fold up. The
point at which the rods cross one another is slightly different in each one, that is to
say, not quite central, so that when they are opened the covering material may
have a rounded form. The first two rods on each side next to the stick or handle
are attached to the latter, that is to say, the upper one is secured to a fixed top
notch or ring and the lower one to a runner, as in umbrellas of ordinary construction.
Therefore when the runner is moved upward the jointed ends of the rods and the
points at which they cross each other are caused to separate, and a series of
Die I

page_text: irregular parallelograms is formed, extending farther and farther until the
umbrella is fully opened. The closing is effected by causing the runner to
descend.
For the support of the covering material and to give it a regular form, metallic
rods, continuous or otherwise, are rivetted to the upper end of each cross rod or
bar, so that when the umbrella is opened these supporting rods spread out end to
end until they meet a stop provided for the purpose on the cross rods, and when
the umbrella is being shut the supporting rods fold one upon the other, either
outside or inside the cross rods or pieces. In the latter case, if the supporting rods
are continuous and attached to each other, this movement is facilitated by employing
joints or slides which permit them to recede to a point under a straight line. If
desired additional rods or pieces may be added to ensure regularity in the move-
ments. The end rods are preferably made of round iron, as ordinarily used in
umbrellas, as they provide greater flexibility than other shapes. The dimensions
will vary according to the size of the umbrella. The covering material being sewn
to these end rods it conforms to all their movements.
The stick or handle of this improved umbrella is preferably of metal, and is made
in three parts, which are tubular and of different diameter, so that they may enter
each other telescopically. Screw threaded rings and a stop on the stick or handle
serve to prevent the parts or tubes from entirely separating; or instead of this ring
and stop I may effect the object thereof by providing a projecting rim in the interior
of each tube and a small stop on the smaller one of the two sliding together, which
stop comes in contact with the said rim. Interior springs are provided at the
points where the tubes fit together to prevent the tubes from closing unless the
required pressure is applied. A movable knob or other suitable piece to be grasped
by the hand is provided at the lower end of the lowest tube. When the umbrella
is closed, the covering material folded, and the separate tubes telescopically pushed
together, the whole may be enclosed within a case which, if desired, may be metallic
and may serve for the knob or end piece by which the umbrella is held when
open.
A special feature of this umbrella is that it is kept open or extended without the
ordinary supports attached to the stick or handle; and another distinctive feature
is that the umbrella will turn round if it should catch in any obstacle without the
knob or other holding piece turning in the hand.
This improved umbrella folds up into a very small compass, and is therefore
exceedingly convenient to carry.
The same principle of construction may be applied with advantage to parasols,
tents, and covering appliances of any similar nature.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
29th July 1880.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS, TENTS, AND
SIMILAR ARTICLES." A communication from abroad by Félix Baudinot, of Lyons,
France, Manufacturer of Silk Goods.
This Invention relates to umbrellas of peculiar construction, as hereinafter
described, the said construction being also applicable to parasols, tents, and any
similar covering apparatus.
Umbrellas as ordinarily constructed comprise the following parts, namely:-A
covering of silk or other suitable fabric; ribs consisting of single straight pieces of
whalebone, cane, iron, or steel, which are supported by stretchers, each of which is
formed of a single piece, and a stick or handle also made in one piece.
In the accompanying Drawing I have represented an umbrella constructed
according to this Invention, and designed to be folded up in such a manner as to
be capable of being carried in the pocket.
The said umbrella is provided with a covering of silk or other fabric, as is the
case with ordinary umbrellas, but neither of the ribs or stretchers nor the handle is
made in a single piece. In place of the ordinary straight ribs and stretchers I
provide a series of cross bars A, B, C, D, E, formed of metallic rods or pieces, whose
ends are attached to each other by rivets in such a manner that the rods or bars
may fold up. The point a at which the rods cross one another is not quite at the
same part in each one, that is to say, not in all cases quite central, this arrangement
being provided in order that when they are opened the covering material may
have a rounded form. The first two rods on each side next to the stick or handle
are attached to the latter, that is to say, the upper one is secured to a fixed top
notch or ring and the lower one to a runner, as in umbrellas of ordinary construction.
Therefore when the runner is moved upward the jointed ends of the rods and the
points at which the cross pieces cross each other are caused to move away from each
other or separate, and a series of irregular parallelograms is formed, extending.
farther and farther outward until the umbrella is fully opened, and the necessity of
a stop upon the stick, as in ordinary umbrellas, is avoided. The closing is effected
by causing the runner to descend.
For the support of the covering material and to give it a regular form the
metallic rods t, continuous or otherwise, are rivetted to the outer end b of the cross
rods or bars, so that when the umbrella is opened these supporting rods spread out
end to end until they meet a fixed stop c, and retain the covering material in
position without the necessity of employing a support on the stick, and when the
umbrella is being shut these rods fold one upon the other either outside or inside
the cross rods or pieces. In the latter case, if the supporting rods are continuous
and attached to each other, this movement is facilitated by employing joints or
slides d which permit them to recede to a point beneath a straight line. If desired
additional rods or pieces may be added at f to ensure regularity in the movements.
The end rods are preferably formed of round iron, as in ordinary umbrellas, as they
provide greater flexibility than other shapes. Their dimensions will vary according
to the size of the umbrella. The covering material being sewn to these end rods
conforms to all their movements.
The stick or handle of this improved umbrella is preferably formed of metal, and
is made in three parts, which are tubular and of different diameter, so that they
may enter each other telescopically. Screw threaded rings and a stop on the handle
serve to connect the parts or tubes and prevent them from entirely separating; or
instead of this ring and stop I may effect the object thereof by providing an interior

page_text: An
projecting rim on the lower end of each tube and a small stop on the smaller one
of the two sliding together, which stop comes in contact with the said rim.
interior spring g is provided at the point where the tubes fit together to prevent
the tubes from closing unless the required pressure is applied, the said spring being
formed by splitting the tube longitudinally. A movable knob or holder h to be
grasped by the hand is provided at the lower end of the lowest tube. When the
umbrella is closed, the covering material folded, and the separate tubes telescopically
pushed together, the whole may be enclosed within a case which, if desired, may be
metallic and may serve for the knob or end holder by which the umbrella is held
when open.
A special feature of this umbrella is that it is kept open or extended without the
ordinary supports attached to the stick or handle; and another distinctive feature
is that the umbrella will turn round if it should catch in any obstacle without the
knob or other holding piece turning in the hand.
This improved umbrella folds up into a very small compass, and is therefore
exceedingly convenient to carry.
The same principle of construction may be applied with advantage to parasols,
tents, and other covering or sheltering appliances.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. The employment of cross bars or rods instead of stretchers and ribs, as
above set forth, for the purpose specified.
Second. The series of jointed rods t for imparting the desired curved shape to
the covering material, which rods are of such length as to limit the extent of the
opening and obviate the necessity for providing a stop or catch upon the stick
above the runner, as above set forth.
Third. The series of cross bars or pieces so jointed and arranged as to assume
when opened out the requisite curved form, and to remain open without any
support upon the stick, as above set forth.
Fourth. The telescopic tubes forming the stick or handle of the umbrella, as above
set forth and for the purpose specified.
Fifth. The internal springs formed by cutting the tubes longitudinally, thereby
permitting their expansion by the pressure of an internal flange, as above set forth
and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty seventh day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
IM DODT TAZZE
WM. RODT LAKE
(L.S.)