Year: 1896

page_text: I, JAMES HENRY AUSTIN of 48, Gutter Lane, in the City and County of London,
Manufacturer's Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to an improved method of, and device for, attaching the
ribs of umbrellas to the sticks thereof, the object being to make an umbrella more
cheaply, neatly and strongly than at present obtains."
According to my invention I make the ends of the ribs to be attached to the
stick of a T-shape by pressing, stamping, folding or otherwise, and on the stick
I mount a ring or ferrule having a cup or bulbous shaped upper end. This cup
or bulbous shaped end has a series of slots in it to receive the ends of the stays.
The edge of the cup or bulbous shaped end of the ring or ferrule are of the same
internal diameter as the ring or ferrule so that the T-shaped ends of the stays
cannot be inserted in the slots in the said ring or ferrule until it is drawn clear
of the stick. After the T-shaped ends of the stays have been placed in the slots
in the ring or ferrule intended to receive them the stick is passed through and
fixed to it at the desired place, an auxiliary ring or ferrule havin a cup shaped
end is then placed on and fixed to the stick, the function of the said auxiliary ring
or ferrule being to prevent the cup or bulbous shaped end of the first mentioned
ring or ferrule from spreading under the strain of the stays.
Deted this 11th day of November 1896.
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., M.I. Mech. E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to an improved method of attaching the ribs and stays
of umbrellas to the annular fittings through which the stick passes, and is
especially designed to supersede the present defective method of fastening the ends
of the said ribs and stays, by means of a wire running in a "notch or channel.
In carrying out my invention I make the ends of the said ribs or stays which
are to be connected to the stick fittings, of a T shape. This I can do either by
soldering or otherwise attaching small metal pieces of T form, or by pressing
stamping folding or otherwise shaping the ends of the wires of which the said ribs
and stays are composed.
To receive and engage with these T shaped ends I form the two tubular fittings
or ferules known as the "notch fitting" and "slide fitting," with a boss or bulbous
projection at one end. This boss has a series of slots through which the wires
project and from which they radiate, the crossheads of the T ends lying snugly
and contiguously inside the annular chamber of the boss. The edges of the boss
are of the same internal diameter as the fitting to which the boss is attached, and
it consists of a series of curved talons or tapering points of metal, the ends or
points of which are separate and unfastened, so that when the stick is not inserted,
the wires can be easily dropped into their place, and the stick when inserted holds
them there without other fastening. To remove the wires the stick must first
be withdrawn.
I will now describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which: Fig. 1 shows a side elevation of an umbrella constructed on my
system with part of the length omitted. Fig. 2 shows a side view of the ferule
with my slotted boss separate from the ribs. Fig. 3 shows a section of the ferule
with its slotted boss and with the T shaped ends of the ribs in their place, the
three front talons being omitted, so as to expose the Tends. Fig. 4 shows a plan
of the boss with the T ends of the ribs in their working position. Fig. 5 shows
an enlarged view of the coiled T end or head in three positions. A is the ferule
or tubular fitting, A¹ is the slotted boss at the end of ferule, A2 is one of the talons
or tongues of metal bent over to hold the T head in position. B is the head of
the rib or stay, B¹ is the rib, B2 is the stay, C is a back elevation of the coiled
Tend, D is a front elevation of same, E is a side view of same.
It will be readily seen from the foregoing that as no eye or tie-wire is employed
the annoyance resulting from the rusting out or breaking of a wire or eye is
entirely avoided. My improved fitting is smaller and allows the ribs to lie closer
to the stick. It is therefore neater than the old notch fitting and tie wire. It is
also stronger and less liable to be injured. To replace a broken rib all that is
necessary is to draw out the side pin of the ferule, and remove the stick, which
is the work of a few moments. No brazing or other fixing together is necessary.
The parts are few, simple and inexpensive. It can be used for one or both fittings
and is applicable to parasols and all similar articles.
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:―
1. In an improved umbrella fitting (both notch or slide) the mode of forming
Tends to the wire ribs or stays by turning over or coiling the ends of said ribs
or stays, as herein described and set forth.
2. In an improved umbrella fitting (either notch or slide) the formation of an
annular slotted boss dr bulb to receive and engage with the T ends of wire ribs
and stays described in Claim 1, as herein described and set forth.
3. An improved umbrella frame dispensing with tie-wires for joints, consisting
of wire ribs and stays formed with T ends instead of eyes, formed preferentially
by coiling the end of the wire; in combination with a slotted annular boss or bulb

page_text: made, preferentially solid with the ferule or tubular part of the fitting, as herein
described and set forth.
Dated this 11th day of August 1897
S. S. BROMHEAD,
27 Newgate Street, London, Patent Agent.