Improvements in Umbrellas and Parasols.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Feb., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 1st Apr., 1893-Accepted, 6th May, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Umbrellas and Parasols.
I, WILLIAM Ross of 45 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, in the County of
Midlothian, Umbrella Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention which relates to improvements in umbrellas and parasols has for
its object, first, to dispense with the usual springs fitted into the stick for the
purpose of maintaining the umbrella in its open and closed positions and by means
of which improvement the weakening of the stick caused by slotting or incising it
to receive the springs is obviated and, second, to afford increased rigidity to the
covering when extended.
In carrying out the invention I adapt to the runner or sleeve to which the inner
ends of the stretchers are attached two or more lever arms the upper ends of the
said arms being connected to the upper end of the runner whilst their lower ends
which are passed through eyelets upon two or more of the stretchers are encircled
or confined by an india rubber or other elastic band or spring, or springs may be
attached to the lower ends of the levers and to the runner or sleeve. With this
arrangement when the umbrella or parasol is extended the stretchers can be
adjusted much more closely to the ribs whereby a deeper covering is obtained
the extension of the elastic band or springs at the same time affording greater
rigidity.
Under a modification the levers may be dispensed with and the stretchers may
have hooks or equivalents applied to them over which the elastic band is passed or
coil or other springs may have one of their ends attached to the said hooks their
other ends being connected to the rumer or sleeve.
Under either of the modifications above referred to the runner or sleeve is made
deeper than usual and when the umbrella or parasol is extended its upper end abuts
against the notch to which the inner ends of the ribs are attached.
Dated this 13th day of February 1893.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER.
62, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Umbrellas and Parasols.
I, WILLIAM Ross of 45 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, in the County of
Midlothian, Umbrella Manufacturer, 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:―
This invention which relates to improvements in umbrellas and parasols has for
its object, first, to dispense with the usual springs fitted into the stick for the
purpose of maintaining the unbrella in its open and closed positions and by means
of which improvement the weakening of the stick caused by slotting or incising it
to receive the springs is obviated, and second, to afford- increased-rigidity to the
covering when extended.
The improved means for effecting these objects are illustrated under several
modifications on the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 of which represents a portion of an umbrella stick and its sleeve or
runner having the improvements under one modification applied to it the ribs and
stretchers being in their extended position.

page_text: Figure 2 is a similar view with the ribs and stretchers partially extended as in
the act of opening or closing the umbrella and
Figure 3 is a view shewing the ribs and stretchers closed.
In carrying out the invention I adapt to the runner or sleeve a to which the inner
ends of the stretches b are attached, two or more lever arms c (on the drawing an
arm is provided for each stretcher but some of these arms may be dispensed with).
The upper ends of the arms c are connected to the upper end of the runner a whilst
their lower ends which are passed through eyelets in the stretchers bare encircled
or confined by an india rubber or other elastic band d or by a spiral or other spring
or springs, the ends of which are connected together to constitute a circle.
With
this arrangement when the umbrella or parasol is extended as at Figure 4 the
stretchers b can be adjusted much more closely to the ribs e whereby a deeper
covering is obtained the extension of the elastic band or spring at the same time
affording greater rigidity.
Under a modification illustrated in extended position by Figure 5, in partially
extended position by Figure 6 and in closed position by Figure 7 the lever arms c
instead of being attached to the runner a above the connection of the stretchers b
may be attached below the said connections the upper ends of the arms being free.
The india rubber band or spring d is entered into curvilinear recesses made in the
levers at a point below the connection of the stretchers to the runner or as shewn
by like views at Figures 8, 9 10 the lever arms c may be dispensed with and the
stretchers be formed with hooks for have the equivalent of such applied to them
into which the elastic band or spring d is passed.
Under either of the modifications above referred to the runner or sleeve is or
may be made deeper than usual, and when the umbrella or parasol is extended the
upper end of the runner abuts against the notched ring g to which the inner ends of
the ribs are attached, or the sleeve extension may be formed on the notched ring g
and the stretchers attached to a separate ring or the series of ribs and stretchers
may each be attached to separate rings and a sleeve or runner interposed between
them in which latter case the interposed sleeve may be made of metal, wood, rubber
tubing or equivalent materials.
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
claim is :-
1. In an umbrella or parasol the combination of two or more levers centred at
their upper ends and an india rubber or other spring with the runner or sleeve
said levers being fulcrumed upon the runner or sleeve or on a separate ring either
above or below the ring to which the stretchers are connected and whereby the
use of springs fitted into the stick are dispensed with substantially as described
with reference to Figures 1 to 7 of the appended drawings.
2. In an umbrella or parasol the combination with stretchers attached to the
runner or sleeve or to a separate ring of an elastic band or other spring substantially
as and for the purpose described with reference to Figures 8, 9 and 10 of the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 30th day of March 1893.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
62, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agents.