IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO UMBRELLAS. PARASOLS, AND SUNSHADES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Claude William Fox, of Birkenhead, in the County of
Chester, for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO
UMBRELLAS. PARASOLS, AND SUNSHADES."
Sealed the 8th March 1878, in pursuance of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, and
Sealed the 8th March 1878, in pursuance of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, and
dated the 16th
A toust. 1877
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Claude 'William Fox at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th August 1877.
CLAUDE WILLIAM Fox, of Birkenhead, in the County of Chester. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO UMBRELLAS, PARASOLS, AND SUNSHADES."
My Invention consists, firstly, in applying an india-rubber or other like elastic
tube to that part of umbrellas where the ribs or frame are connected to the stick,
that is, between the silk or other covering and the cap or securing washer. The tube
of india-rubber or like material may be about one inch in length and of size to
pass over the stick and be sprung on to the, ribs and over the silk when the
umbrella is closed. The usual cap or washer is then put on and fastened to the
stick. The elasticity of the india-rubber tube allows the umbrella to be opened
with freedom, and at the same time affords a complete protection to the end of the
umbrella where the cover generally first shows wear. The cap of india-rubber has
a neat appearance, and affords a finish to the end of the umbrella, also. protects the
ends of the ribs from moisture. The india-rubber cap before described may be
made with a circumferential slit, so as to receive the silk or other material being
the cover. In this case there is formed an india-rubber cap both outside and inside
the cover, protecting the same from wear.
a
The same object may be attained by using two tubes of different dianeters, one
inside of the other. The cover of silk, or otherwise, is held between the tubes
which are then sprung over the end of the ribs and secured by the usual, washer
or cap.
The second part of my Invention consists in adding to one of the breadths of the
umbrella a loose slip of the same material as the umbrella cover, the ends; being

page_text: retained by elastic bands provided with a button and a ring, or the whole slip being
made of an elastic material. The slip may be about one-third the length of the
umbrella, and attached so that when the umbrella is folded and the slip buttoned
round, it will cover that part of the umbrella that it is usual to grasp in the hand.
When the umbrella is opened, the slip, by reason of the elastic bands or through
its elasticity, is held close to the umbrella cover.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Claude William Fox in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th
March 1878.
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'IMPROVE-
CLAUDE WILLIAM Fox, of Birkenhead, in the County of Chester.
MENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO UMBRELLAS, PARASOLS, AND SUNSHADES.”
Fig. 1 shows the end of an umbrella fitted with my improvement.
Fig. 2, view of single rubber tube.
Fig. 3, view of double tube.
.
My Invention consists, firstly, in applying an india-rubber or other like elastic
tube to that part of umbrellas where the ribs or frame are connected to the stick,
that is, between the silk or other covering and the cap or securing washer. The tube
of india-rubber or like material A may be about one inch in length and of size to
pass over the stick B, and be sprung on to the ribs and over the silk or other
covering C when the umbrella is closed. I prefer however half an incli in all
ordinary cases. The usual cap or washer D is then put on and fastened to the
stick. The elasticity of the india-rubber tube allows the umbrella to be opened
with freedom and at the same time affords a complete protection to the end of the
umbrella where the cover generally first shows wear. The cap of india-rubber has
a neat appearance, and, affords a finish to the end of the umbrella, also protects the
ends of the ribs from,,moisture. The india-rubber cap: before described may be
made with a circumferential slit, so as to receive the silk or other material being
In this case there is formed an india-rubber cap both outside and inside
the cover, protecting the same from wear, as shown in Fig. 3.
.
the cover.
The same object may be attained by using two tubes of different diameters, one
inside the other. The cover of silk or otherwise is held between the tubes which
are then sprung over the end of the ribs and secured by the usual washer and cap
or in other suitable manner.
In my Provisional Specification I mention a mode of protecting an umbrella from
wear from the hand; this is useful, but rather unsightly, and not finding a ready
sale for it, I herewith abandon it to the public, and make no claim for, the exclusive
use of this 2nd part of my Invention; it is therefore needless to expatiate on it
further.
As the tube has a slight tendency to collect damp round the metal work,
I perforate the metal cap B with one or more holes as ventilators, as shown in the
Drawing.

page_text: The term "umbrella" in this Specification of course includes parasols and sun-
shades.
Having now described my Invention and the best mode known to me of carrying
it into effect, I wish it to be understood that what I believe to be new and desire
to claim under the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
1st. The mode of protecting from wear that part of the covering of umbrellas,
parasols, and sunshades attached to the stick at the junctions of the ribs or framing
(herein-after called the top) by a covering or sheathing of india-rubber or other
elastic material, substantially as described.
2. The tube, tubes, or hollow cone, single or double, of elastic durable material
for protecting umbrellas, parasols, or sunshades, in the manner described.
3. The general arrangement for protecting the tops of umbrellas, parasols, or sun-
shades, herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Claude William Fox, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of March, in the year of our Lord 1878.
AITE WILLIAM TOX