Im- PROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLA
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Albert Hill, of Plymouth, in the County of
Devon, Watch Maker, and William Hill, of the City of Bath,
Umbrella and Parasol Manufacturer, for the Invention of "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLA "
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Albert Hill and
William Hill at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 20th November 1873.
We, ALBERT HILL, of Plymouth, in the County of Devon, Watch
Maker, and WILLIAM HILL, of the City of Bath, Umbrella and Parasol
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS," to be as follows:-
Our Invention consists of the several improvements herein-after
described in constructing certain parts of umbrellas and parasols.
According to our Invention we joint or connect the ribs or stretchers
to the top notch and runner respectively in such a manner that each
rib or stretcher can be readily removed without displacing the others,

page_text: and increased strength in the joints also obtained. We effect these
objects by jointing or connecting the ribs and stretchers to the top notch
and runner respectively by means of double or two arm springs, each
double spring serving to joint two ribs or stretchers. The end of each
arm of the springs is bent at right angles and constitutes the centre or
joint pin of the rib or stretcher. The inner or acting ends of the said
double springs work in separated slots or openings in the face of the
notch or runner, the divisions between the slots constituting bearings
for the joint pins of the springs. Cross notches are left as usual in the
notch or runner to receive the joint ends of the ribs and stretchers, the
joint pins of the springs entering the said cross notches when the said
springs are in their normal or uncompressed condition. By compressing
or closing the arms of each spring the joint pins on their free ends are
withdrawn from the cross notches described, and the joint ends of the
ribs or stretchers may be introduced into the said cross notches. By
then removing the pressure from the springs their arms open out and
project their joint pins through the holes in the joint ends of the ribs or
stretchers, and thereby joint them very securely in their places. One or
two ribs or stretchers at a time may be jointed or connected in the
manner described.
By pressing inwards one of the spring arms of the double spring a
rib or stretcher may be removed and a fresh rib or stretcher put in its
place without interfering with the others. As each rib or stretcher has
an independent joint pin, the jointing of the ribs or stretchers is stronger
than when a single pin or wire is used for the whole of the ribs or
stretchers.
We construct a joint for the stretchers of umbrellas and parasols in
the following manner:-We make the fork end of the stretcher to be
jointed to the rib of three parallel branches, the outer branches being
made from the metal of the stretcher, and the middle branch of a
separate piece inserted in a groove or depression made in the middle of
the stretcher end and secured therein. The three branches are pierced
with holes for the joint pin.
The part on the rib to which the stretcher is to be jointed consists of
a corrugated piece of sheet metal, or a piece of sheet metal having in it
a series of parallel folds a short distance apart; this joint piece is con-
nected to the rib by fitting the middle corrugation in the trough of the

page_text: rib, and the corrugations on either side of it upon the sides of the rib,
and fixing it by compression or by soldering. Into the outer corru-
gations which are situated on the outer sides of the rib the outer
branches of the fork on the stretcher fit, and into the middle corrugation
the middle branch of the stretcher fork fits. By passing a pin through
the two parts the stretcher is jointed to the rib.
As the end corrugations of the joint piece on the rib between which
the outer branches of the stretcher fork fit are on the outside of the rib,
the said rib is capable on the closing of the umbrella or parasol of
passing into and being embraced by the trough of the stretcher. By
this construction of joint the rib and stretcher when the umbrella or
parasol is closed fit one within the other, and great compactness of the
frame results and the twisting of the ribs is prevented.
We fasten the umbrella or parasol in its open and closed positions
respectively by means of a spring fastening constructed as follows:-We
place near the bottom of the runner a circular spring or a spring made
by bending a band of steel into a circular figure. To one side of this
circular spring a push piece is affixed, the said push piece working
through and projecting from the runner. On the stick of the umbrella
or parasol we fix two inclined studs or fixing pieces provided with
shoulders for fixing the umbrella in its open and closed positions
respectively. On the inner side of the runner is a cross groove to permit
of the runner passing over the said inclined or fixing pieces. When the
runner has been raised or lowered on the stick sufficiently far to nearly
open or close the umbrella, the circular spring is pressed outwards by
coming against the fixed inclined stud on the stick, and when the
umbrella has been fully opened or closed the said spring snaps behind
the shoulder of the inclined stud and fastens the umbrella. By pressing
inwards thc push piece of the spring the said spring is lifted from off the
shoulder of the inclined stud, and the umbrella is unfastened. By the
use of this fastening the stick is not weakened by the cutting away of
part thereof, and the unfastening of the umbrella or parasol is effected
with great ease.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Albert Hill and William Hill in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 18th May 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, ALBERT
HILL, of Plymouth, in the County of Devon, Watch Maker, and
WILLIAM HILL, of the City of Bath, Umbrella and Parasol Manu-
facturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the
thirty-seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto us, the said Albert Hill and William
Hill, Her special licence that we, the said Albert Hill and William
Hill, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as we,
the said Albert Hill and William Hill, our executors, administrators,
and assigns, should at any time agree with and no others, from time
to time, and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands,
and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS AND
PARASOLS," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said Albert
Hill and William Hill, our executors or administrators, by an instru-
ment in writing under our or their hands and seals, or under the
hand and seal of one of us or them should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the ?
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the
Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Hill, on behalf of myself
and the said Albert Hill, do hereby declare the nature of the said a
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be par-
ticularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement
thereof, that is to say :-
Our Invention consists of the several improvements herein-after
described in constructing certain parts of umbrellas and parasols.

page_text: According to our Invention we joint or connect the ribs and stretchers
to the top notch and runner respectively, in such a manner that each rib
or stretcher can be readily removed without displacing the others, and
increased strength in the joints also obtained. We effect these objects
by jointing or connecting the ribs and stretchers to the top notch and
runner respectively by means of double or two arm springs, each double
spring serving to joint two ribs or stretchers. The end of each arm of the
springs is bent at right angles and constitutes the centre or joint pin of
the rib or stretcher. The inner or acting ends of the said double springs
work in separated slots or openings in the face of the notch or runner,
the divisions between the slots constituting bearings for the joint pins of
the springs. Cross notches are left as usual in the notch or runner to
receive the joint ends of the ribs and stretchers, the joint pins of the
springs entering the said cross notches when the said springs are in ;
their normal or uncompressed condition. By compressing or closing the:
arms of each spring the joint pins on their free ends are withdrawn from:
the cross notches described, and the joint ends of the ribs or stretchers
may be introduced into the said cross notches. By then removing the
pressure from the springs their arms open out and project their joint
pins through the holes in the joint ends of the ribs or stretchers, and
thereby joint them very securely in their places. One or two ribs
or stretchers at a time may be jointed or connected in the manner
described.
By pressing inwards one of the spring arms of the double spring a
rib or stretcher may be removed and a fresh rib or stretcher put in its
place without interfering with the others. As each rib or stretcher has
an independent joint pin the jointing of the ribs or stretchers is stronger
than when a single pin or wire is used for the whole of the ribs or
stretchers.
We construct a joint for the stretchers of umbrellas and parasols in
the following manner :-We make the fork end of the stretcher to be
jointed to the rib of three parallel branches, the outer branches being
made from the metal of the stretcher and the middle branch of a separate
piece inserted in a groove or depression made in the middle of the
stretcher end and secured therein. The three branches are pierced with
holes for the joint pin.
The neut an theh to which the atuatalonia to ho iointed annoint of

page_text: a series of parallel folds a short distance apart. This joint piece is
connected to the rib by fitting the middle corrugation in the trough of
the rib, and the corrugations on either side of it upon the sides of
the rib and fixing it by compression or by soldering. Into the outer
corrugations which are situated on the outer sides of the ribs the outer
branches of the fork on the stretcher fit, and into the middle corrugation
the middle branch of the stretcher fork fits. By passing a pin through
the two parts the stretcher is jointed to the rib.
As the end corrugations of the joint piece on the rib between which the
outer branches of the stretcher fork fit are on the outside of the rib, the
said rib is capable on the closing of the umbrella or parasol of passing
into and being embraced by the trough of the stretcher. By this
construction of joint the rib and stretcher when the umbrella or parasol
is closed fit one within the other, and great compactness of the frame
results and the twisting of the ribs is prevented.
We fasten the umbrella or parasol in its open and closed positions
respectively by means of a spring fastening constructed as follows:-We
place near the bottom of the runner a nearly circular spring band. To
one side of this spring band a push piece is affixed, the said push piece
working through and projecting from the runner. On the stick of the
umbrella or parasol we fix two inclined studs or fixing pieces provided
with shoulders for fixing the umbrella in its open and closed positions
respectively. On the inner side of the runner is a cross groove to permit
of the runner passing over the said inclined studs or fixing pieces.
When the runner has been raised or lowered on the stick sufficiently far
to nearly open or close the umbrella, the spring band is pressed outwards
by coming against the fixed inclined stud on the stick, and when the
umbrella has been fully opened or closed the said spring band snaps
behind the shoulder of the inclined stud and fastens the umbrella. By
pressing inwards the push piece of the spring band the said band is
moved from off the shoulder of the inclined stud and the umbrella is
unfastened. By the use of this fastening the stick is not weakened by
the cutting away of the part thereof, and the unfastening of the
umbrella or parasol is effected with great ease.
Having explained the nature of our Invention, we will proceed to
describe with reference to the accompanying Drawings the manner in
which the same is to be performed.

page_text: Figure 1 represents in elevation the frame of an umbrella containing
our several improvements.
Figure 2 represents in elevation, drawn double the full size, our
method of jointing the ribs to the top notch.
Figure 3 represents in elevation, Figure 4 in plan of under side, and
Figure 5 in vertical section the top notch separately with the double or
two arm springs secured to it, and Figure 6 represents one of the double
or two arm springs detached.
Figure 6ª represents of the full size the blank from which the top
notch is made.
Figures 7 and 8 represent the runner detached, drawn of the full size,
and Figures 7 and 8ª represent cross sections of the same drawn double
the full size. -
Figure 9 is an elevation of the runner drawn of the full size, and
Figure 10 is a cross section of the same drawn double the full size.
Figure 11 represents the blank, from which the umbrella fastener is
made, and Figure 12 represents the fastener detached.
Figures 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 represent our improved stretcher
joint and parts thereof as herein-after described.
The same letters indicate the same parts.
We will first describe our method of jointing the ribs to the top
notch. a is the top notch fixed to the stick in the usual way; 6 are the
ribs jointed to the top notch according to our Invention; c are the
double or two arm springs having the form best seen in the separate
view, Figure 6. The end of each arm of the said double springs c has
the hook form represented, and the extreme end of the hook is bent at
right angles and constitutes the joint pin c³ of the rib b. The heads c³
of the double springs c are circular or ring-like, and fit in holes made in
the upper part of the top notch a, and the hooked lower parts of the
said double springs c work in curved recesses d (see the plan Figure 4
and the blank Figure 64) in the flange part of the notch a. The manner
in which the double or two arm springs c, c, are fixed in the notch a
and their position in the said notch are best seen in the section, Figure 5,
that is to say, the double springs c are arranged inside the notch a, their
hooked lower ends being engaged in the curved slots d, and the circular

page_text: heads c being fitted in the holes in the upper part of the notch. The
double springs c having been thus arranged a circular or band spring e
is placed inside the notch and made to press upon and hold the heads cª
of the several double springs in the holes in the notch. The said spring
band e is fixed in its place by closing or turning inwards the top edge
of the notch upon the said spring band. The notch containing its
double or two arm springs is now ready to be fixed to the stick of the
umbrella or parasol. The flange of the notch is provided with the usual
cross notches f,f, to receive the flat joint ends of the ribs b.
The manner in which the joint pins c³ of the double or two arm
springs c are engaged with the joint ends of the ribs b so as to joint the
said ribs to the notch a will be readily understood by an examination of
Figure 2.
In order to introduce the joint ends of the ribs b into the cross
notches fit is necessary to press upon the lower projecting ends of the
double springs c so as to compress together or close the arms of the said
springs, and withdraw their joint pins from the cross notches f.
When the said springs have been so compressed the ends of the ribs b
may be introduced into the cross notches f, and on removing the
pressure from the said springs their arms open out and project the joint
pins c³ through the holes in the joint ends of the ribs b, and into the
solid parts of the notch. The ribs are thereby jointed securely in their
places and are capable of ready removal and replacement. The
stretchers g, 9, are jointed to the top of the runner h in the manner
described with respect to the ribs b.
The method of jointing the stretchers g, g, is seen in Figures 9 and
10, where c are the double or two-arm springs; d, the curved slots in the
runner in which the hooked ends work; c³, the joint pins of the springs;
c and g, the stretchers.
We will now proceed to describe our improved stretcher joint and
parts connected with it, represented in Figures 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18
of the Drawings. The stretcher joints are marked in the complete
frame Figure 1. We make the fork end of the stretcher of three parallel
branches v, w, v, the outer branches v, v, being made from the metal of
the stretcher g, and the middle branch to being made of a separate piece
(represented separately in Figure 16) inserted and fixed in the middle of
the end of the stretcher. It is preferred to fix the separate middle

page_text: branch w to the stretcher by passing the part w³ through a slot in the
stretcher and rivetting the said part w³ in the said slot, but the said
middle branch may be secured in its place by soldering. The joint piece
or middle bit u which is connected to the rib b, and to which the fork
of the stretcher is jointed, is made from the blank or narrow strip of
metal represented in Figure 17, the said blank being folded into a series
of corrugations or parallel folds a short distance apart. The construction
of the middle bit or joint piece u and the way in which the fork of the
stretcher (Figure 15) is jointed to it will be best understood by reference
to the cross section of the joint piece, rib, and fork end of the stretcher,
represented drawn to a large scale in Figure 18. By an examination of
the said Figure 18 it will be seen that the corrugated joint piece or
middle bit is provided with outer corrugations x, x, which are situated
beyond the outer sides of the trough rib 6 with a large central corru-
gation y, which is situated around and compressed upon the outside of
the trough rib b, and with two shorter corrugations 1, 1, which pass
around the edges of and are compressed within the trough of the
rib b.
The construction of the middle bit may be simplified as illustrated in
section in Figure 18+. Instead of fixing the corrugated joint piece or
middle bit to the rib by compression, it may be fixed to the rib by
soldering. Into the outer corrugations x, x, of the joint piece or middle
bit the outer branches v, v, of the fork on the stretcher fit, and into the
space between the middle corrugations 1, 1, the middle branch w of the
stretcher fork fits, as seen in Figure 18. A joint pin passed through the
fork v, w, v, and middle bit joints the stretcher to the rib.
.
When the stretchers are jointed to the ribs in the manner described
and represented, namely, with the outer branches of the stretcher forks
outside the ribs, the hollow or trough stretchers on the closing of the
umbrella are capable of receiving or embracing the ribs so that the
latter fit into the former (see Figure 14), whereby great compactness of
the frame results and the twisting of the ribs is prevented.
We will now describe our improved spring fastener for fastening the
umbrella or parasol in its open and closed positions respectively. Within
the runner h (see Figures 7, 74, 8 and 8*), and near the bottom thereof
and capable of sliding across the said runner is an oval spring band p,
having at one side of it a push piece p³ projecting slightly from the

page_text: runner. The said oval band p embraces the stick q in the manner
represented. By means of a double or bent spring bearing at top on
the runner and at bottom against the inside of the push piece p³ the
said push piece is pressed outwards or from the stick, and that part of
the band p most distant from the push piece is pressed against the stick
9 (see Figures 7 and 7*).
The blank from which the band and push piece p, p³, are made is
represented double the full size in Figure 11. On the stick q are two
inclined studs or fixing pieces 8 and t, with either of which the spring
band p may be made to engage, for the purpose of fixing the umbrella
in its closed or open position. The shoulders on the ends of the inclined
studs or fixing pieces s, t, are turned from each other (see Figure 1).
In the runner h is a groove h³ for working over the inclined studs 8, t.
When the runner is raised on the stick q for opening the umbrella,
the spring band p is pressed outwards or from the stick by coming
against the inclined part of the stud s, and when the umbrella has been
fully opened the said spring band p snaps behind the shoulder or top of
the said stud, and fastens the umbrella in its open position. In a similar
way the spring band p is engaged with the bottom inclined stud or
fixing piece t when the umbrella is closed.
To release the fastening the push piece p³ is pressed inwards, as
indicated by the arrow in Figure 7, when the band p which was engaged
with the shoulder of the stud or fixing piece s or t is moved from off the
said shoulder, and the umbrella is unfastened, as illustrated in Figures 8
and 84, and the runner h may be moved upon the stick q.
.
Having now described the nature of our Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, we wish it to be understood that we
do not limit ourselves to the precise details herein described and
illustrated, as the same may be varied without departing from the
nature of our Invention; but we claim as our invention of improvements
in umbrellas and parasols,—
First. Jointing or connecting the ribs and stretchers to the top notch
and runner respectively, substantially in the manner herein-before
described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, whereby each
rib or stretcher can be readily removed and replaced without displacing
the others, that is to say, by means of double or two-arm springs con-
structed, applied, and used substantially as described and illustrated.

page_text: Secondly. Constructing the frames of umbrellas and parasols with
trough-like stretchers of such dimensions and with the joints connecting
the stretchers with the ribs, so constructed that on the closing of the
umbrella or parasol the rib for a portion of its length may pass within
the stretcher, substantially as herein described and illustrated in the
accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly. Constructing stretcher forks having three parallel branches
with the outer branches made from the metal of the stretcher, and the
middle branch of a separate piece fixed in the groove or slot in the
stretcher end, substantially as herein-before described and illustrated in
the accompanying Drawings.
Lastly. The construction and combination of the parts of a fastening,
substantially as herein-before described and illustrated in the accom-
panying Drawings, for fastening the umbrella or parasol in its open and
closed positions respectively.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Hill, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four.
0 Witness,
JOHN CHIVERS,
2, New Bond St. Bdgs.,
Bath.
WILLIAM HILL. (L.S.)