IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS, PARASOLS, AND SUN-SHADES
Year: 1879

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to James Willis, of Stocksbridge Works, Deepcar, near
Sheffield, in the County of York, for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN
UMBRELLAS, PARASOLS, AND SUN-SHADES."
Sealed the 10th June 1879, and dated the 5th April 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Willis at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th April 1879.
JAMES WILLIS, of Stocksbridge Works, Deepcar, near Sheffield, in the County of
York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS, PARASOLS, AND SUN-SHADES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in umbrellas, parasols, and sun-
shades.
Up to the present time when the frames of umbrellas have been made with ribs
and stretchers of solid wire-iron forked stretchers have been used, and these have
necessarily been either heavy or weak at the fork where they are jointed to the
ribs.
According to my Invention I produce a solid wire steel forked stretchier
hardened and tempered throughout. To produce the fork at the end of a solid
steel wire stretcher, I place the end of the steel wire, which is to form a stretcher,
into a short trough also composed of steel. The trough is made to project beyond
the end of the wire stretcher, and the projecting end of the trough is by suitable
tools formed into a fork. To secure the trough to the stretcher end, I form nicks
in the wire of which the stretcher is formed at its end where it is to lie in the
trough, and when the end of the wire has been placed into the trough, I close in
the sides of the trough on to the wire, and into the nicks previously formed in it.
By preference also slightly bend or crank the end of the wire before placing it
into the trough, in such a manner that when it is placed in the trough the back of
the trough may be level or nearly so with the surface of the wire. The cranked
end of the wire may also be flattened on its two opposite sides to reduce its
thickness.
The runner end of the stretcher may similarly have attached to it a fork of steel,
the runner to which it is to be connected being in this case made with separate

page_text: nicks for the two prongs of the fork to enter; or the prongs of the fork may be
closed together to form a single end to enter a single nick in the runner.
After
the ends have been affixed to the stretcher, the stretcher and its ends are all
hardened and tempered together, and may afterwards be japanned in the ordinary
manner.
By forming the runner end of the stretcher in the above manner with the
prongs of the fork closed together the ends can all be made of a uniform thickness,
so that stretchers of all ordinary sizes of wire may have ends of the same thickness,
consequently it will not be necessary to provide runners with different widths of
nicks to suit the different sizes of stretchers, but the same runner can be used for
all sizes of stretcher.
In the same way when ribs of solid steel wire are used, the end of the rib
where it is to be jointed to the top notch may similarly be provided with a fork of
hardened and tempered steel, or the prongs of the fork may be closed together to
make a single end, thus the solid rib may be provided with a flat end of
considerable width, and increased steadiness be thereby obtained at the joint,
whereas heretofore when solid ribs have been used the frames have been wanting
in steadiness at this point, as the rib ends being nearly flattened and pierced were
deficient in breadth and flatness.

page_text: the said James Willis in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th October
1879.
JAMES WILLIS, of Stocksbridge Works, Deepcar, near Sheffield, in the County of
York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS, PARASOLS, AND SUN-SHADES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in umbrellas, parasols, and sun-
shades.
Up to the present time when the frames of umbrellas have been made with ribs
and stretchers of solid wire-iron forked stretchers have been used, and these have
necessarily been either heavy or weak at the fork where they are jointed to the
ribs.
According to my Invention, I produce a solid wire steel forked stretcher,
hardened and tempered throughout.
To produce the fork at the end of a solid steel wire stretcher, I proceed in a
somewhat similar manner to that described in the Specification of a former Patent
granted to me, No. 3959, in the year 1878, for producing forks at the ends of ribs
and stretchers of a trough, or paragon section, I place the end of the steel wire,
which is to form a stretcher, into a short trough also composed of steel. The
trough is made to project beyond the end of the wire stretcher, and the projecting
end of the trough is by suitable tools formned into a fork. To secure the trough to
the stretcher end I form nicks in the wire of which the stretcher is formed at its
end where it is to lie in the trough, and when the end of the wire has been placed
into the trough I close in the sides of the trough on to the wire and into the nicks
previously formed in it; by preference also, I slightly bend or crank the end of the
wire before placing it into the trough in such a manner that when it is placed in-
to the trough, the back of the trough may be level or nearly so with the surface of
the wire. The cranked end of the wire may also be flattened on its two opposite
sides to reduce its thickness.
The runner end of the stretcher may similarly have attached to it a fork of steel,
the runner to which it is to be connected being in this case made with separate
nicks for the two prongs of the fork to enter. Or the prongs of the fork may be
closed together to form a single end to enter a single nick in the runner. After
the ends have been affixed to the stretcher, the stretcher and its ends are all
hardened and tempered together, and may afterwards be japanned in the ordinary
manner.
By forming the runner end of the stretcher in the above manner with the
prongs of the fork closed together, the ends can all be made of a uniform thickness,
so that stretchers of all ordinary sizes of wire may have ends of the same thickness,
consequently it will not be necessary to provide runners with different widths of
nicks to suit the different sizes of stretchers, but the same runner can be used for
all sizes of stretcher.
In the same way when ribs of solid steel wire are used, the end of the rib where
it is to be jointed to the top notch may similarly be provided with a fork of
hardened and tempered steel, or the prongs of the fork may be closed together to
make a single end, thus the solid rib may be provided with a flat end of con-
siderable width, and increased steadiness be thereby obtained at the joint, whereas
heretofore when solid ribs have been used the frames have been wanting in
steadiness at this point, as the rib ends being merely flattened and pierced were
deficient in breadth and flatness.
In order that my Invention may be fully understood and readily carried into
effect, I have shewn in the Drawings hereunto annexed the ends of stretchers and
ribs of solid steel wire with steel forks and steel ends secured to them, as above
described.
Figures 1 and 2 shew views of part of a solid steel stretcher thus formed with a

page_text: steel fork end where it is to be jointed to a rib; Figure 3 shows the end of the
wire stretcher before the fork piece is secured to it; Figures 4 and 5 shew views of
the trough piece which forms the fork; and Figure 6 shows a blank from which
the trough is formed; the blank is stamped out from sheet metal and is afterwards
bent by suitable dies into a trough form, as shewn at Figures 4 and 5. The end
of the wire stretcher is also stamped between dies to form in it nicks a, a, and also
to form in it a cranked bend b, as shown at Figure 3. This cranked bend is
afterwards laid into the trough, and the sides of the trough are by suitable dies and
pressure indented and closed into the nicks a, a, in the end of the wire, as shown
at-Figure 1. A slight curve or bend may also be formed in the forked end, as
shewn at Figure 1, to allow the stretcher to lie close to the rib.
The end of the stretcher where it is to be jointed to the runner may be formed
with a flattened end in the ordinary manner, or an enlarged metal end may be
attached to it after it has been hardened and tempered, or this end might also be
hardened and tempered; Figures 7 and 8 show how it may be formed with a steel
forked end. Figure 9 shews a steel blank from which the trough piece forming
the fork end is formed. Figures 10 and 11, shew the blank bent into a trough
form ready to be secured to the stretcher end.
If the runner end of the stretcher is forked, the runner is formed with separate
nicks for cach prong of the fork to enter. As before stated the two prongs of the
fork may be closed together to form a single end to enter a single nick.
end thus closed together to form a single end is shewn at Figure 12.
advantage derived from forming the runner end of a stretcher in this manner, has
been hereinbefore set forth.
A fork
The
Ribs of solid steel wire may in like manner, to that shewn at Figures 7 and 8,
be formed at the end where they are to be jointed to the top notch with a steel
fork or a single end of steel, in either case the end would be formed just in the
same way as described for the runner ends of stretchers, and after being secured to
the rib would be hardened and tempered with the ribs.
After the steel ends have been affixed to the solid steel stretchers or ribs, the ribs
or stretchers and the ends are as before explained all hardened and tempered, and
afterwards japanned in the ordinary manner.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I would have it understood that I claim,―
First. The manufacture of solid wire steel stretchers and ribs with a steel forked
end, and with the stretchers or ribs and steel forked end hardened and tempered
throughout, substantially as described.
Second. The manufacture of solid wire steel stretchers and ribs with a steel
singled pronged end, and with the stretchers or ribs and steel end hardened and
tempered throughout, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I the said James Willis, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Nineteenth day of September in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
JAMES WILLIS. (L.S.)

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Willis, of Stocksbridge Works, Deepcar, near
Sheffield, in the County of York, for the Invention of
UMBRELLAS, PARASOLS, AND SUN-SHADES."
"
IMPROVEMENTS IN
caled the 10th June 1879, and dated the 5th April 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Willis at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th April 1879.
JAMES WILLIS, of Stocksbridge Works, Deepcar, near Sheffield, in the County of
York. IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS, PARASOLS, AND SUN-SHADES."
"
This Invention has for its object improvements in umbrellas, parasols, and sun-
shades.
Up to the present time when the frames of umbrellas have been made with ribs
and stretchers of solid wire-iron forked stretchers have been used, and these have
necessarily been either heavy or weak at the fork where they are jointed to the
ribs.
According to my Invention I produce a solid wire steel forked stretcher
hardened and tempered throughout. To produce the fork at the end of a solid
steel wire stretcher, I place the end of the steel wire, which is to form a stretcher,
into a short trough also composed of steel. The trough is made to project beyond
the end of the wire stretcher, and the projecting end of the trough is by suitable
tools formed into a fork. To secure the trough to the stretcher end, I form nicks
in the wire of which the stretcher is formed at its end where it is to lie in the
trough, and when the end of the wire has been placed into the trough, I close in
the sides of the trough on to the wire, and into the nicks previously formed in it.
By preference also I slightly bend or crank the end of the wire before placing it
into the trough, in such a manner that when it is placed in the trough the back of
the trough may be level or nearly so with the surface of the wire. The cranked
end of the wire may also be flattened on its two opposite sides to reduce its
thickness.
The runner end of the stretcher may similarly have attached to it a fork of steel,
the runner to which it is to be connected being in this case made with separate

page_text: After
nicks for the two prongs of the fork to enter; or the prongs of the fork may be
closed together to form a single end to enter a single nick in the runner.
the ends have been affixed to the stretcher, the stretcher and its ends are all
hardened and tempered together, and may afterwards be japanned in the ordinary
manner.
By forming the runner end of the stretcher in the above manner with the
prongs of the fork closed together the ends can all be made of a uniform thickness,
so that stretchers of all ordinary sizes of wire may have ends of the same thickness,
consequently it will not be necessary to provide runners with different widths of
nicks to suit the different sizes of stretchers, but the same runner can be used for
all sizes of stretcher.
In the same way when ribs of solid steel wire are used, the end of the rib
where it is to be jointed to the top notch may similarly be provided with a fork of
hardened and tempered steel, or the prongs of the fork may be closed together to
make a single end; thus the solid rib may be provided with a flat end of
considerable width, and increased steadiness be thereby obtained at the joint,
whereas heretofore when solid ribs have been used the frames have been wanting
in steadiness at this point, as the rib ends being nearly flattened and pierced were
deficient in breadth and flatness.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Willis in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th October
1879.
JAMES WILLIS, of Stocksbridge Works, Deepcar, near Sheffield, in the County of
York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS, PARASOLS, AND SUN-SHADES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in umbrellas, parasols, and sun-
shades.
Up to the present time when the frames of umbrellas have been made with ribs
and stretchers of solid wire-iron forked stretchers have been used, and these have
necessarily been either heavy or weak at the fork where they are jointed to the
ribs.
According to my Invention, I produce a solid wire steel forked stretcher,
hardened and tempered throughout.
To produce the fork at the end of a solid steel wire stretcher, I proceed in a
somewhat similar manner to that described in the Specification of a former Patent
granted to me, No. 3959, in the year 1878, for producing forks at the ends of ribs
and stretchers of a trough, or paragon section, I place the end of the steel wire,
which is to form a stretcher, into a short trough also composed of steel. The
trough is made to project beyond the end of the wire stretcher, and the projecting
end of the trough is by suitable tools formed into a fork. To secure the trough to
the stretcher end I form nicks in the wire of which the stretcher is formed at its
end where it is to lie in the trough, and when the end of the wire has been placed
into the trough I close in the sides of the trough on to the wire and into the nicks
previously formed in it; by preference also, I slightly bend or crank the end of the
wire before placing it into the trough in such a manner that when it is placed in-
to the trough, the back of the trough may be level or nearly so with the surface of
the wire. The cranked end of the wire may also be flattened on its two opposite
sides to reduce its thickness.
The runner end of the stretcher may similarly have attached to it a fork of steel,
the runner to which it is to be connected being in this case made with separate
nicks for the two prongs of the fork to enter. Or the prongs of the fork may be
closed together to form a single end to enter a single nick in the runner.
the ends have been affixed to the stretcher, the stretcher and its ends are all
hardened and tempered together, and may afterwards be japanned in the ordinary
manner.
After
By forming the runner end of the stretcher in the above manner with the
prongs of the fork closed together, the ends can all be made of a uniform thickness,
so that stretchers of all ordinary sizes of wire may have ends of the same thickness,
consequently it will not be necessary to provide runners with different widths of
nicks to suit the different sizes of stretchers, but the same runner can be used for
all sizes of stretcher.
In the same way when ribs of solid steel wire are used, the end of the rib where
it is to be jointed to the top notch may similarly be provided with a fork of
hardened and tempered steel, or the prongs of the fork may be closed together to
make a single end, thus the solid rib may be provided with a flat end of con-
siderable width, and increased steadiness be thereby obtained at the joint, whereas
heretofore when solid ribs have been used the frames have been wanting in
steadiness at this point, as the rib ends being merely flattened and pierced were
deficient in breadth and flatness.
In order that my Invention may be fully understood and readily carried into
effect, I have shewn in the Drawings bereunto annexed the ends of stretchers and
ribs of solid steel wire with steel forks and steel ends secured to them, as above
described.
Figures 1 and 2 shew views of part of a solid steel stretcher thus formed with a

page_text: steel fork end where it is to be jointed to a rib; Figure 3 shows the end of the
wire stretcher before the fork piece is secured to it; Figures 4 and 5 show views of
the trough piece which forms the fork; and Figure 6 shows a blank from which
the trough is formed; the blank is stamped out from sheet metal and is afterwards
bent by suitable dies into a trough form, as shewn at Figures 4 and 5. The end
of the wire stretcher is also stamped between dies to form in it nicks a, a, and also
to form in it a cranked bend b, as shewn at Figure 3. This cranked bend is
afterwards laid into the trough, and the sides of the trough are by suitable dies and
pressure indented and closed into the nicks a, a, in the end of the wire, as shown
at Figure 1. A slight curve or bend may also be formed in the forked end, as
shewn at Figure 1, to allow the stretcher to lie close to the rib.
The end of the stretcher where it is to be jointed to the runner may be formed
with a flattened end in the ordinary manner, or an enlarged metal end may be
attached to it after it has been hardened and tempered, or this end might also be
hardened and tempered; Figures 7 and 8 show how it may be formed with a steel
forked end. Figure 9 shews a steel blank from which the trough piece forming
the fork end is formed. Figures 10 and 11, shew the blank bent into a trough
form ready to be secured to the stretcher. end.
If the runner end of the stretcher is forked, the runner is formed with separate
nicks for cach prong of the fork to enter. As before stated the two prongs of the
fork may be closed together to form a single end to enter a single nick. A fork
end thus closed together to form a single end is shewn at Figure 12. The
advantage derived from forming the runner end of a stretcher in this manner, has
been hereinbefore set forth.
Ribs of solid steel wire may in like manner, to that shewn at Figures 7 and 8,
be formed at the end where they are to be jointed to the top notch with a steel
fork or a single end of steel, in either case the end would be formed just in the
same way as described for the runner ends of stretchers, and after being secured to
the rib would be hardened and tempered with the ribs.
After the steel ends have been affixed to the solid steel stretchers or ribs, the ribs
ör stretchers and the ends are as before explained all hardened and tempered, and
afterwards japanned in the ordinary manner.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I would have it understood that I claim,―
First. The manufacture of solid wire steel stretchers and ribs with a steel forked
end, and with the stretchers or ribs and steel forked end hardened and tempered
throughout, substantially as described.
Second. The manufacture of solid wire steel stretchers and ribs with a steel
singled pronged end, and with the stretchers or ribs and steel end hardened and
tempered throughout, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I the said James Willis, have hereunto set my hand
and scal, this Nineteenth day of September in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
JAMES WILLIS. (L.S.)