Improvements in Umbrellas and the like.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd July, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 29th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 5th May, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Umbrellas and the like. .
I RUFUS WAPLES, Junior, of 15 Wall Street, New York, Banker, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
My invention has for its object to enable the cover or canopy of an umbrella to
be folded up when not in use and concealed within the stick or cane and when it
is required to be removed from the cane expeditiously and conveniently, mounted
thereon and extended for use. Another object is to provide means whereby the
raising of the umbrella cover may be effected from the head portion of the stick,
locking devices being provided at the upper end of the stick for maintaining the
cover in its opened condition.
The cane or stick is hollow and near its ferruled end it is provided exteriorly
with a flange or collar, and the head portion of the cane is removable. The two
parts are connected in any approved manner, but ordinarily the head is secured
upon a reduced or shouldered portion of the body of the cane, and this reduced
or shouldered portion, when it is employed, has openings cut therein, the openings
being ordinarily diametrically opposite.
The cover may be made of any suitable material, by preference of the lightest
material practicable for such purpose. It is cut and constructed in similar manner
as the cover of an ordinary umbrella or parasol, but the supporting section for
the cover and which completes the formation of the canopy, differs from that of
the ordinary umbrella or parasol, and it consists of the following parts:
What may be denominated a runner is adapted to slide upon the body portion
of the cane.
This runner ordinarily consists of a flexible leather, fabric, or metal
ring, and to this ring the ribs of the canopy are pivotally attached at their inner
ends, the ribs being secured to the cover in any suitable or approved manner.
The prime feature of this invention relates to the connection between the ring
or runner and the ribs. The connection is a pivotal one and is obtained through
the medium of a rivet. The details of the connection may be stated as follows:
A series of metal strips, straps, or plates is secured at suitable distances apart
longitudinally or vertically upon the exterior of the runner. The plates may be
stitched upon the runner, being provided with a series of apertures, or the plates
may be riveted, cemented, or secured to the runner in any suitable or approved
manner. The upper ends of the plates are not attached to the runner, but are
carried upward a predetermined distance from the outer face of the runner, whereby
the upper portion of each plate has what may be termed a bracket formation, and
on either side of each bracket section of each plate-one against the outer face
of the runner and one against the outer side of the bracket, the inner ends of two
ribs are placed, the said ends of the ribs being located side by side though on
opposite sides of the bracket plate; and a rivet or pivot pin is passed through the
outer rib, the bracket section of the plate, and through the second rib located
adjacent to the plate, the pin being properly headed upon both ends.
The two ribs which are pivoted to a bracket section of a stay plate extend in
diametrically opposite directions; and ordinarily three stay plates are employed,
and the upper or bracket ends of the plates are at different distances from the
upper end of the runner, so that they are not in the same horizontal plane ;

page_text: therefore, the ribs emanating from the bracket section of one stay plate will cross
the other ribs in such manner as not to interfere with them; and under this
construction a series of triangular figures are formed around the runner, and it is
evident that the runner may be carried downward to a position to spread the
canopy or upward to a position to lower and close it with but little effort on the
part of the manipulator, since the strain or tension of the ribs as they are bowed
will be upon the rivets and the tension of the ribs at one side of the canopy will
be counteracted in great measure by the diametrically opposite rib. In this manner
undue tension or strain is not brought to bear upon the runner. In fact, the
runner will not be influenced detrimentally by the action of the ribs either in
closing or in opening the umbrella.
The ribs are not in any manner secured to the extreme upper portion of the
cover. The ribs are attached to the cover only at their lower ends, and preferably
at a point between their centres and inner or upper extremities, so that when the
cover is expanded or opened, a space is obtained between the upper inner portions
of the ribs and the upper portion of the cover.
The runner is securely attached to one end of a sleeve, this sleeve is made of a
flexible and a light material and is adapted to fit loosely to the body of the cane,
and extend downward or in direction of its head some distance, or as far as in
practice may be found desirable or advantageous.
The runner has secured thereto a series of cords secured between the stay plates
and the runner or carried downward upon the outer face of the sleeve, being
attached to the sleeve or not as may be desired; or the cords may be carried
downward upon the inside of the sleeve, but preferably they are exteriorly located,
as the cords are intended to assist in opening the umbrella, and by giving them
all the bearing possible upon the runner and the sleeve the best results are
obtained.
Instead of the ordinary braces being employed to prevent the ribs from being
forced outward too far by the action of the wind, for example, flexible braces are
substituted, these braces being usually made of cord, or the equivalent thereof;
they are attached at their outer ends to the ribs preferably at that point where
the ribs are secured to the cover, while the inner ends of the cords are securely
fastened to the sleeve.
The canopy is provided at its upper central section with an opening usually
encircled by a ring, and this ring may be flexible and is adapted to rest upon the
flange of the cane body when the cane and canopy are to be utilized as an umbrella.
The sleeve serves not only as a guide for the cords or draw strings, but it also
serves as a guide for the cane when the latter is to be inserted through the runner
and through the opening in the cover of the canopy, enabling the attachment
between the canopy and the cane to be not only conveniently but expeditiously
effected.
In operation, after the canopy has been placed upon the cane, it is opened out
for use by drawing down upon the cords or draw strings which lead to the head
portion of the cane, and when the canopy has been sufficiently stretched it is held
in that position by passing all the cords through the openings in the cane body,
and then screwing upon the body the head. By this means a secure and ready
locking device is obtained, but other forms of locking devices may be substituted,
if found necessary, although that just described is the one preferred.
When the umbrella is no longer needed, the head of the cane is removed, and
the canopy is withdrawn from the body of the cane, folded up and entered into
the interior of the body and after the head of the cane has been attached to the
body thereof, the cane may be used as a walking stick, and will be in every respect
a cane, the canopy being entirely concealed.
The inner ends of the umbrella ribs may be forked, and they may be circularly
attached to the runner in the same horizontal plane, or practically so, and the
plates designed for attachment to the inner ends of the ribs and denominated
bracket plates may be made straight throughout their entire length, or may be

page_text: curved to a greater or less degree at their upper ends, or may longitudinally
deflect from the runner to any desired extent.
Dated this 3rd day of July 1893.
T
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Umbrellas and the like.
I, Rufus WAPLES, Jr., Banker, of 15, Wall Street, New York City, in the
County and State of New York, United States of America, 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 :-
My invention has for its object to enable the cover or canopy of an umbrella or
sunshade to be folded up when not in use and concealed within the stick or cane
and, when it is required for use, to be removed from the cane expeditiously and
conveniently, mounted thereon, and expanded, the invention comprising means
whereby the raising of the cover or canopy may be effected from the handle portion
of the stick or cane and locking devices capable of maintaining the cover in its
extended condition.
The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the several
parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth and pointed out in the claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part off this
Specification, in which
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the upper part of a stick or cane having a cover
or canopy mounted thereon, the whole constituting an umbrella, the canopy or body
portion of the umbrella being shown in vertical section;
Figure 1 illustrates the part of the stick or cane not shewn in Figure 1;
Figure 2 is a partial vertical section through the stick, illustrating the canopy
as folded up therein, the canopy being in side elevation;
Figure 3 is a section taken horizontally on line 3-3 Figure 1.
Similar figures and letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.
The stick or cane A is hollow, and near its upper or ferruled end it is provided
exteriorly with a flange or collar 10 and the knob 11 of the handle portion of the
stick is removable from the body. The two parts are connected in any approved
manner, but ordinarily the knob is secured upon a reduced or shouldered portion 12
of the stick, as shewn in Figure 2 and this reduced or shouldered portion when
it is employed has openings 13 therein, the openings being ordinarily diametrically
opposite. The cover may be of any suitable material, by preference the lightest
material practicable for such purpose. It is cut and constructed in a manner
similar to the cover of an ordinary umbrella or parasol but the supporting
section for the cover and which completes the formation of the canopy differs from
that of the ordinary umbrella or parasol, and it consists of the following parts:
What may be denominated a runner 14 is adapted to slide upon the body portion
of the stick. This runner ordinarily consists of a flexible leather, fabric, or metal
ring, as is best shewn in Figure 3, and to this ring the ribs 15 of the canopy are
pivotally attached at their inner ends the ribs being secured to the cover in any
suitable manner.
The prime feature of this invention relates to the connection between the ring
or runner 14 and the ribs. The connection is a pivotal one and is obtained
through the medium of a rivet 16. The details of the connection may be stated
as follows:-A series of metal strips, straps, or plates 17 is secured at suitable
distances apart longitudinally or vertically upon the exterior of the runner 14.
These plates may be stitched upon the runner, being provided with a series of

page_text: apertures, as shewn in Figure 1, or the plates may be rivetted, cemented, or
otherwise secured to the runner in any suitable manner. The upper ends of the
plates are not attached to the runner but are carried upward a predetermined
distance from the outer face of the runner, whereby the upper portion of each
plate has what may be termed a bracket formation, and on either side of each.
bracket section of each plate, one against the outer face of the runner and one
against the outer side of the bracket, the inner ends of two ribs 15 are placed the
said ends of the ribs, as is shewn in Figure 3, being located side by side though on
opposite sides of the bracket plate and a rivet or pivot pin 16 is passed through
the outer rib, the bracket section of the plate 17, and through the second_rib
located adjacent to the plate, the pin being properly-headed upon both ends. The
two ribs which are pivoted to a bracket section of a stay plate 17 extend in
diametrically opposite directions, and ordinarily three stay plates 17 are employed,
as is also shewn in Figure 3, and the upper or bracket ends of the plates are
at different distances from the upper end of the runner, so that they are not in
the same horizontal plaue; therefore, the ribs emanating from the bracket section
of one stay plate will cross the other ribs in such manner as not to interfere with
them, and under this construction a series of triangular figures are formed around
the runner and it is evident that the runner may be carried downward to a position
to spread the canopy, or upward to a position to lower and close it, with but little
effort, since the strain or tension of the ribs as they are bowed will be upon the
rivets and the tension of the ribs at one side of the canopy will be counteracted
in a great measure by the diametrically opposite rib. In this manner undue
tension or strain is not brought to bear upon the runner. In fact, the runner will
not be influenced detrimentally by the action of the ribs, either in closing or in
opening the umbrella.
The ribs. are not in any manner secured to the extreme upper portion of the
cover. The ribs are attached to the cover only at their lower ends and preferably
at a point between their centres and inner or upper extremities, as shewn in
Figure 1, so that when the cover is expanded or opened, a space is obtained
between the upper inner portions of the ribs and the upper portion of the cover.
The runner is securely attached to one end of a sleeve 18, this sleeve is made
of a flexible and a light material, such as fabric, and is adapted to fit loosely on
the stick and extend downward or in direction of its handle portion some distance,
or as far as in practice may be found desirable or advantageous. The runner
has secured thereto a series of cords 19, two cords being shewn in the drawings.
The cords may be secured between the stay-plates and the runner, as illustrated,
or may be carried downward upon the outer face of the sleeve, being attached
to the sleeve, or not, as may be desired; or the cords may be carried downward
upon the inside of the sleeve but preferably they are exteriorly located as the
cords are intended to assist in opening the umbrella and by giving them all
the bearing possible upon the runner and the sleeve the best results are
obtained.
Instead of the ordinary braces being employed to prevent the ribs from being
forced outward too far by the action of the wind, for example, flexible braces 20 are
substituted, these braces being usually made of cord or the equivalent thereof;
they are attached at their outer ends to the ribs preferably at that point where the
ribs are secured to the cover, while the inner ends of the cords are securely fastened
to the sleeve 18.
The canopy is provided at its upper central section with an opening usually
encircled by a ring 21 and this ring may be flexible and is adapted to rest upon the
flange 10 of the stick body when the latter and canopy are to be used as an
umbrella. The sleeve 18 serves not only as a guide for the cords or draw strings 19
but it also serves as a guide for the stick or cane when the latter is to be inserted
through the runner and through the opening in the cover of the canopy, enabling
the attachment between the canopy and the cane to be not only conveniently but
expeditiously effected.

page_text: In operation, after the canopy has been placed upon the stick it is opened out
for use by drawing down upon the cords or draw strings 19 which lead to the
handle portion of the cane, and when the canopy has been sufficiently stretched it.
is held in that position by passing all of the cords through the openings 13 and
then screwing the knob 11 to the stick, as shewn in Figure 14. By this means a
secure and ready locking device is obtained, but other forms of locking devices may
be substituted, if found necessary, although that shewn and just described is the
one preferred. When the umbrella is no longer needed, the knob is removed and
the canopy is withdrawn from the body of the stick, folded up and entered into the
interior of the body, as shewn in Figure 2, and after the knob has been attached
to the stick, the cane may be used as a walking stick and will be in every respect
a cane, the canopy being entirely concealed.
I desire it to be distinctly understood that if, in practice, it is found desirable.
the inner ends of the umbrella ribs may be forked, and they may be circularly
attached to the runner in the same horizontal plane, or practically so, and that the
plates 17, designed for attachment to the inner ends of the ribs and denominated
bracket plates, may be made straight throughout their entire length, or may be
curved to a greater or less degree at their upper ends, or may longitudinally deflect.
from the runner to any desired extent.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. An umbrella canopy comprising a cover, a runner, and ribs pivoted to the
runner, the ribs being pivoted in pairs and the ribs of each pair extending from
the runner in opposite directions, substantially as shewn and described.
2. The combination, with a stick or cane, of a canopy adapted to be supported
on the stick or cane, the said canopy comprising a cover, a runner, ribs pivoted
to the runner in pairs, the ribs of each pair extending from the runner in opposite
directions, a guide sleeve projected from the runner, braces connecting the sleeve
and ribs and means substantially as shewn and described for manipulating the sleeve
and runner, as and for the purpose specified.
3. An umbrella canopy, the same comprising a cover, a runner, stay or bracket.
plates attached to the runner and ribs pivotally connected in pairs with the stay
or bracket plates, the ribs of a pair extending from the plates in opposite directions,.
as and for the purpose set forth.
4. The combination, with a stick or cane, of a canopy adapted to be supported
by the stick or cane or to be removed therefrom, the frame of the said canopy
consisting of a runner adapted to have sliding movement on the cane, a sleeve.
projected from the runner through which the cane is to be passed, brackets attached
to the runner, ribs pivotally attached in pairs to the runner, the brackets being in
different horizontal planes and the ribs in each bracket extending in diametrically
opposite directions, and means substantially as shewn and described for manipulating
the runner and sleeve as and for the
purpose specified.
5. In an umbrella cane, a canopy frame comprising a runner, brackets connected
with the runner, ribs pivotally connected to the brackets in pairs, the brackets
being in different horizontal planes and the ribs extending from each bracket in
diametrically opposite directions, a sleeve attached to the runner, and flexible
braces connecting the sleeves and ribs, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
6. An umbrella cane, the same consisting of a metal staff or stick and a canopy
adapted to be supported by, or removed from, the stick, the canopy consisting of a
cover, a runner which receives the stick, ribs pivotally attached to the runner and
connected with the cover, flexible braces connected with the ribs, and draw-strings
or cords attached to the runner to draw it downwardly, as and for the purpose
specified.
7. The combination, with a stick or cane, of a canopy adapted to be supported

page_text: by the said stick or cane or removed therefrom, said canopy comprising a cover, a
runner, ribs pivoted to the runner and attached to the cover between their centres
and their inner ends, a sleeve projected from the runner, flexible braces connecting
the sleeve with the ribs, and draw strings attached to the canopy at the runner, as
and for the purpose specified.
8. The combination, with a hollow stick or cane provided with a removable
head and a locking device at the head, of a canopy, the same consisting of a cover
having an opening for the passage of the stick, a runner capable of free movement
upon the stick, ribs pivoted to the runner and secured, except at their inner
extremities, to the cover, the inner portions of the ribs being unattached to the
cover, a flexible sleeve projected outward from the runner, flexible braces connecting
the sleeves with the ribs, and draw-strings connected with the runner and adapted
for engagement with the locking device of the stick or cane, as and for the purpose
specified.
Dated Cay or MITCH OU
R. WAPLES, JR.,
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.