An Improved Rib-holder for Umbrellas, Sunshades, and the like.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Feb., 1891-Accepted. 7th Mar.
1991
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Rib-holder for Umbrellas, Sunshades, and the like.
I, HUGO BLASSBERG, of Wald, Rheinland, in the Empire of Germany, Manu-
facturer, 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 and accompanying drawings
--
My said invention relates to the rings which are ordinarily used to confine the
tips of the ribs of umbrellas, sunshades and the like when closed. Such rings as at
present used generally consist of a sliding ring or cylinder which is either pushed
by hand so as to slip over and confine the tips of the ribs or in some cases a spring
is placed behind the said ring or cylinder so as to push it down and maintain it in
position.
My invention relates to a ring for the above purposes which combines in itself
both spring and ring. I take a strip of suitable metal, such for example as steel
and coil it into a spiral cone. After tempering and finishing or electro-plating the
same, I secure it at the end which is of least diameter to the umbrella stick and in
such a position that the larger end surrounds and confines the tips of the ribs. To
release the ribs it is only necessary to push up the spiral spring and when furling
the umbrella the spring by virtue of its own resilience assumes the position which
enables it to confine the ribs.
The annexed drawing illustrates the invention clearly.
Fig. 1 shows a portion of an umbrella stick with my improved spring ring
applied.
Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the ring in section.
The ring which is marked a is formed by coiling a strip of steel or other suitable
metal into the spiral cone shape shown in the drawings. The spring is tempered so
as to have the necessary resilience. The spirals overlap each other and the last
spiral is or may be connected at the end by a rivet to the preceding coil. This
spiral spring cone is now placed upon the stick s of the umbrella or sunshade in
such a position that the larger end of the cone a will surround and confine the tips
of the ribs 7. The ring is attached to the stick by rivets or brads as shown.
When the umbrella or sunshade is to be opened or unfurled the spiral ring is
pushed up from the larger end its formation and elasticity enabling it to yield easily
to such pressure and thus the ribs are released. In closing the umbrella the ring
is lifted as before the ribs laid against the stick and the ring permitted to
re-assume the position shown in the drawings which it does by virtue of its own
resilience.
My improved spiral spring ring can in a moment be made to fit any size of
stick. It has a neat and taking appearance and can be manufactured and applied
at a very low price.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what I
claim is :-
The improved ring for application to umbrellas sunshades and the like consisting
of a conical spirally coiled metallic spring ring manufactured and applied for the
purposes and substantially as hereinbefore described and shown.
Dated this 3rd day of February 1891.
DUTTON & FULTON,
1. St. James Square, Manchester, Agents.