Improvements in Combined Walking-sticks and Stands, or Seats.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Combined Walking-sticks and Stands, or Seats.
HENRY JOHN HUDSON, of Alexander Studios, Alfred Place, South Kensington,
in the County of London, Artist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to combined walking-sticks and stands or seats, more
particularly intended for the use of golfers to support the golf club bag while
making the stroke, but useful to fishermen for supporting the fishing-rod, and
to artists for supporting the drawing pad when sketching in the country, and
generally applicable as a temporary support for articles, or as a temporary seat.
My invention comprises a walking-stick divided into two parts which are
connected by hinged links or by a hinged link and a pin and slot or equivalent
sliding connection, in such a manner that the two parts can be spread to form
two legs of a stand, a spring or springs being provided to bring the two legs
together and to keep the stick closed when it is not being used as a stand. When
the stick is in use as a stand, the weight of the article supported by it prevents
the stick from closing, or the weight of the stick itself may be sufficient to
prevent closing. The whole mechanism is enclosed within the stick so as not to
be visible when the stick is shut, and the parts are so arranged that the stick
can be used as a walking stick and considerable pressure brought to bear upon
it when so used, without risk of opening it, while at the same time it can be
In some instances a locking
opened by a slight pressure in the proper direction.
catch or similar device is provided which must be disengaged before the stick
can be opened.
as
In one form of my invention I connect the two parts of the stick by means of
a hinged link and a pin and slot or equivalent sliding connection and by a spring
and strong catgut, cord wire, or chain, (hereinafter comprehensively referred to
"cord"). The initial tension in the spring serves to keep the stick closed.
The "cord" passes round the hinges of the link in such a manner that when
the stick opens, additional tension is put into the spring, and the tension
operates to close the stick again when the parts are released. The two parts
of the stick are so proportioned that when the stick is open and the feet rest on
the ground, the handle of the stick is above a point about midway between the
feet. When used for supporting a golfer's bag for example, the stick is opened
and the bag is allowed to rest with one end on the ground, and the other end
leaning on the handle of the stick which is suitably shaped to support the ring
at the mouth of the bag, or the handle of the bag.
I may provide two springs within the stick in lieu of one, each spring being
connected with a "cord" which passes round one of the hinges of the connecting
"cords"
link. In some instances I connect the "cord" or
to parts of the link
which project beyond the hinges or to brackets or arms fixed upon the link
cords" tends to close the stick. I may
whereby the tension in the
cord'
"
or
<
provide suitable springs applied directly to the hinges of the connecting link

page_text: "
in lieu of the more or less remote springs and the "cords' above described.
In some instances I may construct the springs to take the place of the link or
links and hinges.
stick such as above described may be conveniently formed from bamboo,
which is already hollowed to receive the spring or springs and connecting link
or links, and the link or links may be arranged to prevent sideway movement
of the parts of the stick when closed. I can however form my improved walking-
stick from solid wood hollowed out for the purpose.
When I use two links for connecting the two parts of the stick, I arrange a
short link at the upper end of the part of the stick which opens, and a longer
link near the lower end, and connect them by a spring which is stretched when
the stick opens by reason of the greater movement of the short link as compared
with the movement of the point of connection of the spring with the long link.
I may also use two links and control them by a spring or springs within the stick
attached to heel pieces formed on the links, or by springs applied directly to the
links as above described.
When used for supporting fishing rods a special rest or clip may be provided
for holding the rod.
My improved stick furnishes two legs of a tripod stand, the third leg being
formed by the article which is being supported by the stick, so that a firm support
is provided. The stick is very compact and is easily and quickly opened for use,
and when not in use as a stand or seat, it can be carried as a walking-stick, or
if used by a golfer it can be carried in the bag with the clubs.
Dated this 10th day of August 1899.
GEORGE HARRISON,
10, Staple Inn, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
Improvements in Combined Walking-sticks and Stands, or Seats.
I, HENRY JOHN HUDSON, of Alexander Studios, Alfred Place, South Kensington,
in the County of London, Artist, 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 :—
This invention relates to combined walking-sticks and stands, or seats, more
particularly intended for the use of golfers to support the golf club bag while
making the stroke, but useful to fishermen for supporting the fishing-rod, and
to artists for supporting the drawing pad when sketching in the country, and
generally applicable as a temporary support for articles, or as a temporary seat.
My invention comprises a walking-stick divided into two parts which are
connected by hinged links or by a hinged link and a pin and slot or equivalent
sliding connection, in such a manner that the two parts can be spread to form
two legs of a stand, a spring or springs being provided to bring the two legs
together and to keep the stick closed when it is not being used as a seat or
support. When the stick is in use as a seat or support, the weight of the article
supported by it prevents the stick from closing, or the weight of the stick itself
may be sufficient to prevent closing. The whole mechanism is enclosed within
the stick so as not to be visible when the stick is shut, and the parts are so
arranged that the stick can be used as a walking-stick and considerable pressure
brought to bear upon it when so used, without risk of opening it, while at the
same time it can be opened by a slight pressure applied in the proper direction.

page_text: In some instances a locking bolt or similar device is provided which must be
disengaged before the stick can be opened.
In the accompanying drawing I have shown how my said invention can be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice:
Figure 1 is a side view of my improved walking-stick stand in its closed or
folded-up position, and
Figure 2 a side view, partly in longitudinally section, showing the same in its
open position.
Figure 3 is a similar view to Figure 2, illustrating a modification of my
invention.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of my improved stand in use for supporting a
golf-club bag.
Figure 5 is a similar view to Figure 2, illustrating a further modification of
my invention.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawing.
a is the upper section or body of the stick; this section, in the examples
shown, is provided at its upper end with a curved rest or support 6 adapted both
to serve as a handle and to receive the neck of a golf-club bag. The section a
is moreover formed at c of half its normal cross-section so as to fit closely against
the upper part d of the lower section e of the stick, which is of corresponding
form. The lower section e is provided at its upper end with a T-headed piece
of metal f, the cross-piece of which fits in a slot g in the upper section a so as
to form a sliding hinge-joint. The sections a, e are also connected by hinge-
joints to the ends of a link or tie-bar which determines the outermost position
of the section e, the ends of the link h being pivoted in such positions on the
sections a, e, and being of such length that the lower end of the section a, which
is perpendicular to the axis of the stick, will fit into a rectangular seat at the
junction between the reduced upper part d of the lower section e and the un-
reduced part thereof, the link h itself passing into recesses in the interior of the
said sections. By these means, when the sections are drawn together as herein-
after described, the said sections will be capable of resisting a considerable stress
in a longitudinal direction without yielding, if there is no transverse stress acting
inwards from the opposite side to the rectangular seat j.
If desired, however, a bolt or catch can be provided for connecting the sections
at or near the lower end of the reduced part c of the upper section, in which case,
the stick will be enabled to resist transverse stresses in all directions.
The two sections of the stick are so proportioned that, when the stick is open
and the feet rest on the ground, the handle of the stick is above a point about
midway between the feet.
In the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2, the two sections are drawn
together by means of a cord, catgut, wire, chain or the like k attached at one end
to the link and passing around a pulley arranged on the upper section a at a
suitable distance below the hinge-joint p, its other end being attached to a spiral
spring m mounted in the upper end of the section a. This spring m has
sufficient initial tension to keep the stick closed, 2.e., with the reduced parts c, d
held against each other.
In operation, the two sections are separated against the action of the spring m,
as shown in Figure 2, and the golf-club bag n is placed in the rest with one
end resting on the ground, as shown in Figure 4. On removing the bag n and
raising the stick, the two sections a, e fold together automatically by the action
of the spring m.
In the modified form of my improved stand or support shown in Figure 3,
the cord k, instead of being passed over a pulley as in the arrangement above
described, is passed below the hinge p on section a, through a slot q in the link h,
and over the hinge on the section e. The operation is similar to that of the
arrangement above described.

page_text: and r,
An advantage gained by the employment of this device for closing the stick,
consists in that the leverage, of the force acting along the cord,k and tending to
close the stick, gradually decreases as the sections a, e are moved apart, thus
preventing any risk of their being accidentally drawn together by the spring
when the stand is in use. This is effected by arranging the cord so that it is at
its maximum distance from the hinge p, Figure 1, or the hinges p
Figure 3, and therefore with its leverage at the maximum, when the stick is
closed.
As the stick is opened, the perpendicular distance from the cord k to
the axis of the hinge, or hinges, decreases, and the force tending to close the
stick does not become excessive, notwithstanding that the spring m is more fully
extended than when the stick is closed.
Or, if desired, may provide two springs within the stick in lieu of one, each
spring being connected with a cord or the like which passes around one of the
hinges of the connecting link. In some instances I connect the cord or cords to
parts of the link which project beyond the hinges or to brackets or arms fixed
upon the link whereby the tension in the cord or cords tends to close the stick.
I may provide suitable springs applied directly to the hinges of the connecting
link in lieu of the more or less remote springs and the cords or the like above
described.
In Figure 5 I have shown a further modification of my invention, wherein the
link h, the cord and the spring m are replaced by a wire spring made with a
straight parts and coils s¹, its ends 2 being secured to the sections a, e respectively.
If desired, two links can be used for connecting the parts of the stick. For
this purpose, I arrange a short link at the upper end of the part of the stick
which opens, and a longer link near the lower end, and connect them by a spring
which is stretched when the stick opens by reason of the greater movement of the
short link as compared with the movement of the point of connection of the
spring with the long link. I may also use two links and control them by a
spring or springs within the stick attached to heel pieces formed on the links or
by springs applied directly to the links as above described.
Sticks such as above described may be conveniently formed from bamboo cane,
which is already hollowed to receive the spring or springs and connecting link
or links, and the link or links may be arranged to prevent sideway movement
of the parts of the stick when closed. I can however form my improved walking-
sticks from solid wood hollowed out for the purpose. Or they can be made of
metal, such as steel or aluminium, preferably in the form of tube.
When used for supporting fishing rods, a special rest or clip may be provided
for holding the rod. When used for sketching, the handle would be shaped like
that of an ordinary walking stick, the top of the drawing block being attached
to this handle and the lower end resting on the knees of the draughtsman.
My improved stick furnishes two legs of a tripod stand, the third leg being
formed by the article which is being supported by the stick, so that a firmi
support is provided. The stick is very compact and is easily and quickly opened
for use by a slight backward pressure and when not in use as a support or seat,
it can be carried as a walking-stick, or if used by a golfer it can be carried in
the bag with the clubs.
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. A combined walking-stick and stand, seat or support, consisting of a stick
bearing a suitably formed handle or rest, and divided into two parts or sections,
which are connected together in such a manner as to permit of their being
moved away from each other to a predetermined extent against the action of a
closing spring, substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. A combined walking-stick and stand, seat or support, consisting of a stick

page_text: having a handle or rest at one end and divided along part of its length into
two sections connected together by a sliding hinge and by a link, a spring being
provided for closing the stick and for normally holding the sections thereof
against each other, substantially as described.
3. A combined walking-stick and stand, seat or support such as is herein before
described, wherein the leverage of the force acting along the closing cord decreases
as the sections of the said stick are moved apart, substantially as, and for the
purposes specified.
4. The improved combined walking-stick and stand; seat or support constructed
substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, or
to Figure 3, or to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawing, for the purposes
specified.
GEO. HARRISON,
11 and 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.