IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS AND SUNSHADES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for an Invention of. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
UMBRELLAS AND SUNSHADES." A communication from abroad by François
Marie Constantin Farradesche, of Paris, France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th September 1881.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS AND SUNSHADES."
[A communication from abroad by François Marie Constantin Farradesche, of
Paris, France.]
This Invention relates to improved spring joints for the ribs and stretchers, and
the stretchers and runners of umbrellas and sunshades, whereby they are more
easily opened aud closed completely.
In order that the Invention may be more readily understood I have illustrated
an example thereof in the accompanying Drawing, in which Figure shows the
umbrella frame expanded; Figure 2, a side elevation of the joint for the stretchers
and ribs in the closed position of the frame; Figure 3 a face view, and Figure 4 a
section of same; Figure 5 shows a section of the joint in the open position of the
frame; Figure 6 shows a part sectional elevation of the joint of the stretcher with
the runner; Figure 7, an inside face view of same; Figure 8, a vertical section of
the runner notch; and Figure 9, a plan of part of the runner notch; Figure 10
shows an elevation of the thimble for retaining the stretchers in the runner notch.
In all these Figures the same letters of reference are used to indicate the same
parts.
a is one of the ribs, and 6 the stretcher, whose forked end d is jointed by a pin c
to ears fof a clip e embracing the rib a. A second ping is fixed in the ears f, f,
against which bears a spring h of suitable form, but preferably of round steel wire.
This spring is fixed in the hollow of the rib b by pinching together the sides of the

page_text: rib at i, or it may be otherwise fixed. The spring his at its maximum tension
when the rib bis perpendicular to the stretcher a, as shown in Figure 5, and
therefore the tendency of the spring is to bring the rib parallel to the stretcher,
and thus hold the umbrella closed by pressing the ribs against the stick. The
details of the above arrangement may be modified without departing from the
Invention.
The joint of the stretcher to the runner is made by providing the end of the
stretcher b which is inserted in the notch k as usual, with a short cross pin b' which
lies in the internal groove of the runner, and is held therein by an inner tube or
thimble fitting in the runner, Figure 10, having a shoulder at its upper end
which abuts upon a corresponding shoulder m on the inside of the runner, the
tube being split at n to ensure its fitting spring tight in the runner.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
7th March 1882.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS AND SUNSHADES."
A communication from abroad by François Marie Constantin Farradesche, of
Paris, France.
This Invention relates to improved spring joints for the ribs and stretchers of
umbrellas and sunshades, whereby the complete opening and closing of the latter
is rendered more easy.
In order that the Invention may be more readily understood I have illustrated
an example thereof in the accompanying Drawing, in which Figure 1 shows the
umbrella frame expanded; Figure 2 shows a side elevation of the joint for the
stretchers and ribs in the closed position of the frame; Figure 3 is a face view,
and Figure 4 a section of the same joint; Figure 5 shows a section of the joint in
the open position of the frame; Figure 6 shows a part sectional elevation of the joint
of the stretcher with the runner; Figure 7, an inside face view of same; Figure 8,
a vertical section, and Figure 9 a plan of part of the runner notch; Figure 10
shows an external view of the thimble for retaining the stretchers in the runner
notch. In all these Figures the same letters of reference are used to indicate the
same parts.
a is one of the ribs, and 6 the stretchers, whose forked end d is jointed by a pin c
to ears of a clip e embracing the rib a. A second pin g is fixed in the ears f, f,
against which pin bears a spring h of suitable form, but preferably of round steel
wire. This spring is fixed in the hollow of the rib b by pinching together the
sides of the rib, as at i, or it may be otherwise fixed. The stress of the spring his
at its maximum when the rib b is perpendicular to the stretcher a, as shown in
Figure 5, and therefore the tendency of the spring is to bring the rib parallel to
the stretcher either way from this perpendicular position; it thus assists in
expanding the umbrella, and particularly it'tends to hold the umbrella completely
closed by pressing the ribs against the stick. The details of the above arrangement
may be modified without departing from the Invention.
The joint of the stretcher to the runner is made, as shown in Figures 6 to 10, by
providing the end of the stretcher b, which is inserted in the notch as usual, with
a short cross pin 6' which lies in the internal groove of the runner, and is held
therein by an inner tube or thimble fitting in the runner, Figure 10, having a
shoulder at its upper end which abuts upon a corresponding shoulder m on the
inside of the runner, the tube being split at n to ensure its fitting spring tight
in the runner.
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
hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is,-
The improved spring joint for the ribs and stretchers of umbrellas and sunshades,
such joint being formed of the ears, pins, and spring applied to the rib and stretcher,
and combined to operate substantially as and for the purpose specified, and
illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I; the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto get
my hand and seal this Seventh day of Marc AD 1000