AN IMPROVED FERRULE FOR CRUTCHES, WALKING STICKS, AND UMBRELLAS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED
FERRULE FOR CRUTCHES, WALKING STICKS, AND UMBRELLAS." A communica-
tion from abroad by Thomas Cornell Allen, of the City, County, and State of
New York, United States of America.
Sealed the 31st July 1877, and dated the 5th March 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th March 1877.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middle-
sex, Patent Agent. "AN IMPROVED FERRULE FOR CRUTCHES, WALKING STICKS,
AND UMBRELLAS." A communication from abroad by Thomas Cornell Allen, of
the City, County, and State of New York, United States of America.
According to this Invention a tube or ferrule of brass, iron, or other metal is
fitted upon the bottom end of the crutch, cane, or umbrella, in which tube is inserted
a plug of metal or other sufficiently hard material so as to project from the lower
end of the tube. This plug may be made in any suitable form, and may be held in
the ferrule either by a taper corresponding to a similar taper in said ferrule, or by a
shoulder, or in any other suitable manner. The plug is also so constructed that it
can turn freely in the ferrule from right to left or left to right, if desired, and also
up and down, but not so that it can pass through the tube or ferrule at its lower
extremity. The plug is provided with a stem of metal or other sufficiently hard
material upon its upper side, which enters a corresponding cavity in the stick, and
turns or plays freely therein. A spring of suitable material is placed upon the stem
in a cavity provided in the ferrule between the head of the plug and the bottom
end of the stick, which bears upon the upper end of the spring. The spring may
be a tube of india-rubber, or a spiral spring of metal.
When the parts of the improved ferrule are in place, and in operation or use, any
pressure upon the end of the plug is resisted by the spring, thereby saving the wear
and strain of the cane, crutch, or umbrella, and cutting off and in part neutralizing
the effect of the pressure upon the hand or arm. The turning of the plug from
right to left or left to right causes it to wear equally at its lower extremity.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said William Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
8th August 1877.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middle-
sex, Patent Agent. "AN IMPROVED FERRULE FOR CRUTCHES, WALKING STICKS,
AND UMBRELLAS." A communication from abroad by Thomas Cornell Allen, of
the City, County, and State of New York, United States of America.
This Invention relates to an improved ferrule for crutches, walking sticks, and
umbrellas, and is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, in which Figure 1 is
and
an elevation, and Figure 2 a vertical section of the lower part of a stick;
Figure 3, a horizontal section on line x, x, Figure 2.
A is a tube or ferrule of brass, iron, or other metal; B is a plug of metal or other
sufficiently hard material, which is inserted into the tube or ferrule A, and pro-
jected from the lower end thereof. This plug may be made in any suitable form,
and may be held in the ferrule A either by a taper corresponding to a similar taper
The plug is so
in said ferrule, or by a shoulder, or in any other suitable manner.
constructed that it can turn freely in the ferrule A. from right to left, or left to
right, if desired, and also up and down, but not so that it can pass through the tube
or ferrule at its lower extremity. C is a stem of metal or other sufficiently hard
material, attached to or springing from the centre of the upper end of the plug B.
The upper end of the stem enters a corresponding cavity in the crutch, stick, or
umbrella, and turns or plays freely in the cavity. D is a spring of suitable material
which rests on the top of the plug B and around the stem C. The lower end of the
crutch, cane, or umbrella rests upon the upper end of the spring D. The spring
may be a tube of india-rubber, as in the Drawing, or a spiral metal spring.
When the parts of the improved ferrule are in place, and the stick or crutch in
use, any pressure on the end of the plug B is resisted by the spring D, thereby
saving the wear and strain of the cane, crutch, or umbrella, and cutting off and in
part neutralizing the effect of the pressure upon the hand or arm. The turning of
the plug B from right to left, or left to right, causes it to wear equally at its lower
extremity.
.
Having described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same,
I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, the combination of the tube A, the
plug B, the stem C, and the spring D, constructed and arranged to operate as above
set forth, for the purposes herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.