Improvements in Umbrellas and the like.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Apr., 1892-Accepted, 23rd July, 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Umbrellas and the like.
I, RODNEY SANFORD WHITCOMB of 493 W. Munroe Street, Chicago County
of Cook State of Illinois United States of America Inventor 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 relates to improvements in umbrellas of the class which are-designed
to be folded up into a small compass to render them of a convenient size to carry
in the pocket or in a satchel; and my object is to provide an umbrella of this class
of an improved construction which will render it particularly light, strong, durable
and convenient to fold and unfold.
In the drawings-
Figure 1 is a broken sectional elevation of an umbrella of my improved
construction extended and opened;
Figure 2, an enlarged and broken central section of the handle;
Figure 3, an enlarged broken and partly sectional view of the frame folded ;
Tigure 4, an enlarged plan view of a detail of the construction;
Fi
Figure 5, an enlarged broken perspective view of one of the rib joints; and
Figure 6, a broken view showing in section and elevation, respectively, the ends
of telescoping sleeves which form the stick or handle.
A is the stick of the umbrella, formed in sections, comprising a rod, A³, and a
handle-portion, which latter consists, preferably, of two telescoping sections or
sleeves A and A. The rod A' is arranged to slide into or telescope with the
sleeve A² of the handle-portion. Secured in the upper ends of the sections or
sleeves A', A³ are ferrules ts, respectively, which are provided at their lower ends
with the inclined grooves t¹s which extend about one quarter of the circumference
of the ferrules and terminate in the sockets t² 8². Near the lower ends of the
sections A and A³ are lugs, respectively, which when the sections are extended
may be caused, by turning the sections upon each other in one direction; to enter
the grooves t¹ and rest in the sockets t, to lock the sections in their extended
positions. Extending across the lower end of the section A¹ is a
pin q, and at
opposite sides of the lower edge of the section A are sockets g' which when the
sections A and A² are telescoped engage the said pin and lock those sections
against relative rotation, whereby they may be turned together to unlock the
sections A' A³. On the upper end of the sleeve A³ is a bearing provided in it
circumference with recesses p³ in which the brace-rods o are pivotally secured. The
bearing p is held in place between flanges on the sleeve A whereby it is secure?
against longitudinal play while permitting the sleeve to be independently rotated
for the purpose of locking it to the section A³, as. before described. At the upper
end of the section A³ is a bearing plate n for the ribs. m of the umbrella; and is
a sleeve or runner of an internal diameter which permits the sleeve A¹ to slide
freely through it. Secured at opposite ends respectively to the plate n and sleeve /
are stiff rods kk, which, between the said plate and sleeve, pass loosely through
openings k¹ in the bearing p. The ribs m are made each. in. two.sections.m² and m²
of about equal length. The sections. m² are pivoted at one end to, the plate_n
and carry at their opposite ends pivot-bearings which are rigidly secured to the
sections m. Each bearing i is formed with flanged sides affording between them
a socket, about midway of the ends of which the section m² of the respective rib
is pivoted; and on the reverse sides of the bearings i are lugs to which the
brace rods o are pivoted. On the frame is the usual textile covering a, which
is fastened at the plate n, at the ends of the ribs and at eyes in the pivot-
bearings. The lower end of the sleeve A' is provided with a knob or other suitable
holder u

page_text: •
To open the umbrella when folded, as shown in Figure 3, the knob is grasped
with one hand, and the sections m² of the ribs permitted to swing down over the
hand and forearm. The sleeve is then grasped with the other hand and raised,
causing the sleeves A¹ and A2 first to become extended, and then the umbrella to
open as the section A³ is advanced out of the sleeve A². While still grasping
the sleeve and knob the latter is given a turn to the right, which causes first the
lug r to enter the groove t¹ to the socket t³, and then the sleeves to turn together
causing the lug to enter the grooves to the sockets whereby the sections are
locked in their extended positions, as before described. When the umbrella is
opened the tension of the fabric covering causes the outer rib-sections m³ to become
firmly pressed down into the sockets i¹ of the bearings i and thus form, practically,
continuations of the inner sections m².
To lock the ribs in their opened condition and prevent the umbrella from closing
under pressure exerted against the ribs, I provide brace rods o of a length slightly
in excess of the normal distance, (when the umbrella is open) betwen the bearings i
and parallel point on the section A³. This causes the sleeve to spring past said
point when the umbrella is opened and closed, and is apt to make it more difficult
than is desirable to effect the initial opening of the umbrella. To counteract to a
degree the force of the spring produced by the tension of the braces and ribs, I
provide a short helical spring about the section A between the bearings p and n,
which, as the umbrella is closed is compressed between said bearings, and aids by
its resilience in the initial opening of the umbrella. The spring is not sufficiently
powerful of itself to cause the sections, when telescoped, to separate, owing to the
length and weight of the ribs and brace-rods against the leverage of which it has
to bear.
The construction of my improved umbrella renders it particularly strong and
durable; it may be folded and unfolded practically as quickly and easily as an
ordinary umbrella; and when folded it is little over one third of the length which
it assumes when extended.
While the construction shown and described is preferred, it is subject to modifi-
. cations which would not depart from the spirit of my invention, and are intended
to be covered by the claims. The umbrellas, especially of the smaller sizes, may
be formed with handle-portions consisting of a single sleeve instead of two telescoping
sleeves.
What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is-
1-In a folding umbrella, the combination of an umbrella stick, A, formed in
sections, consisting of a rod, A³, and a handle-portion telescoping therewith, ribs m
pivotally connected with the rod A', braces o pivotally connected with the handle-
portion, and a sleeve, 1, below the rod A' and rigidly connected therewith, substan-
tially as described.
2-In a folding umbrella, the combination of an umbrella stick, A, formed in
sections, consisting of a rod, A³, and a handle-portion telescoping therewith,
bearing p, for the brace-rods, on the handle-portion, bearing n, for the ribs, on the
rod A, sleeve and rods k connecting the sleeve and bearing n, substantially as
described.
3-In a folding umbrella, the combination of an umbrella stick, A, formed in
sections, consisting of a rod, A³, and a handle-portion telescoping therewith, rib-
sections m¹ pivoted to the rod A³, pivot-bearings i, on the sections m³, provided
with lugs, rib-sections m³ pivoted to the bearings i, brace-rods pivotally connected
at opposite ends respectively to the handle-portion and lugs, and a sleeve, l,
rigidly connected with the rod A³, substantially as described.
4-In a folding umbrella, the combination of an umbrella stick, A, formed in
sections, consisting of a rod, A³, and a handle-portion telescoping therewith.
ribs m formed in sections m¹ m², connected pivotally together, braces o, rib-bearing n
on the rod A³, brace-bearing p on the handle-portion, sleeve l, and rods k connecting
the sleeve and rib-bearing n, substantially as described.

page_text: 5-In a folding umbrella, the combination of an umbrella stick, A, formed in
sections, consisting of a rod, A³, and a handle-portion telescoping therewith, ribs m
formed in sections m² m², connected pivotally together, braces o, rib-bearing n on
the rod A', loose brace-bearing p on the handle-portion and held thereon against
independent longitudinal movement, and provided with openings ¹, sleeve l, rods k
passing loosely through the openings k¹ in the bearing p and connecting the sleeve /
and rib-bearing, a groove, s', in the handle-portion and a lug, r, on the rod A³,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
6-In a folding umbrella, the combination of an umbrella stick, A, formed in
sections, consisting of a rod, A., and a handle-portion telescoping therewith, ribs m,
braces o, rib-bearing n on the rod A³, brace-bearing p on the handle-portion, sleevel,
rods & connecting the sleeve and rib-bearing, and a spring, h, between the said rib
and brace-bearings, substantially as described.
7-In a folding umbrella, the combination of the telescoping umbrella-stick
sections A', A', A³, rib-bearing n on the section A³, loose brace-bearing p on the
section A', sleeve l, rods k connecting the sleeve and rib-bearing, locking means
between the adjacent ends of the extended sections, and locking means, as the
ping and sockets g' on the sections A, A³, for securing the said sections together
against independent rotation when telescoped, substantially as and for the
set forth.
Dated this 26th dew of A1 1000
purpose