Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Oct., 1886-
Complete Left, 25th July, 1887
Complete Accepted, 25th Oct., 1887
A communication from abroad by JOHN D. NESBITT of the City, County, and State
of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, Fel. Inst. P.A. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors 6, Lord Street Liverpool in the county of Lancaster and 323 High
Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
-
This invention has relation to that class of devices commonly known as folding
umbrellas, wherein in the ribs on which the canopy or cloth is stretched are jointed
at one or more points in such manner as to permit the sections thereof to be folded
or doubled up, so that the umbrella may be made of lesser length than the common
forms, not employing jointed sectional ribs.
The object of this invention is to improve various operating parts so as to insure
cheapness, durability, facility and accuracy of movement both in opening and closing
the umbrella, compactness when closed or folded and rigidity when opened or spread.
The "notch" or the disk to which the upper ends of the ribs are hinged has a central
thimble threaded upon its exterior and carrying a disk which clamps the fabric to
the notch. The staff or stick projects through this thimble, and is provided with a
bent spring bearing on the under side of the notch, and on the upper side of the disk
so as to prevent the stick from moving through the sleeve when the spring is in
place. By depressing the spring, the stick may be withdrawn. To prevent the stick
from turning or revolving in the sleeve, the latter is notched or slitted at one point,
so as to hold the spring, and thus the stick with which the spring is connected.
[ Pains 017

page_text: The braces by which the ribs are extended are hinged to a runner which travels
back and forth on the stick. This runner may be adjusted by direct contact of the
hand if desired, but I prefer to hinge short pieces called stretchers upon the braces
near the points where the braces are hinged to the runner above named, and then
connect the stretchers with a second runner by hinges. By use of the stretchers the
braces can be made short, and thus the necessity is obviated of reaching too far into
the closed umbrella when required to open it. The runner connected with the
stretchers is held in place on the staff at the desired point by a bent spring which
prevents it from being moved too far. The upper and lower portions of this spring
are inclined so that the short runner will ride over it without being arrested.
The staff is jointed at one, two or more points so that it can be shortened in length.
The hinges in the rib sections are peculiar. A casing is connected with the end of
one section and carries the hinge pin on which the adjacent section turns. The walls
of the casing bear against the hinged piece in such manner as to hold the latter in
prolongation of the adjacent section when the umbrella is closed, but not folded,
thus preventing the canopy from lopping as is observed in other forms of folding
umbrellas. The walls of the casing are carried up so that their edges will be in line
with the unbent portions of the rib sections, said sections being slightly bent at their
ends which are hinged together. This affords a straight bearing for the cloth or
canopy, preventing it from becoming creased at the region of the hinges; and the
construction also obviates pinching or cutting of the cloth by the hinges when the
sections are closed or folded, ample room being provided for receiving the folds of
the cloth at the hinges. Two hinges in the rib sections are regarded as sufficient,
though only one may be employed. With the two hinges in each and the jointed
staff the umbrella may be folded so compactly as to be carried in the pocket. If not
desired to detach the staff entirely, it may be slipped back in the sleeve so that the
end will not project beyond the cloth.

page_text: A communication from abroad by JOHN D. NESBITT, of the City, County, and
State of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, Fel. Inst. P.A., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, and
323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, 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 :-
This invention chiefly relates to that class of articles commonly known as
folding umbrellas, "wherein the ribs are jointed at one or more points in such
manner as to permit the sections thereof to be folded or doubled up, so that the
umbrella may be made of less length than the common forms not employing
jointed sectional ribs, but some of the improvements may be used in other styles.
The objects of this invention are to unite the sections of the ribs in such manner
that when extended, one section in prolongation of the other, (as when the umbrella
is opened or closed,) they will constitute a practically uniform bearing with no
projection to pierce the cloth or cover or to destroy its smooth appearance, and in
such manner that the joint or hinge is strong and durable, capable of holding the
sections in proper relative position when extended, and obviating pinching or nipping
of the cover when the sections are folded: and to provide a "notch" which may be
easily adjusted on the stick or removed therefrom and which is supplied with a recess
for admitting one of the detents by which it is held from turning on the stick or
being accidentally removed therefrom; and to provide a simple and convenient form
of detent easily applied to the stick, in which both parts shall be simultaneously
operative, which may be operated by the umbrella runner and which will properly
hold the notch in place until depressed, the detent and spring being mounted in a
flat metal casing to facilitate mounting or assembling and the application of the whole
to the stick.
To accomplish these objects the improvements involve certain new and useful
peculiarities of construction and relative arrangements or combinations of parts as
will be herein first fully described and then pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, figure 1 is an

page_text: elevation and partial sectional view, showing an umbrella stick with two jointed ribs
mounted thereon, each rib having two joints or hinges arranged to operate in
accordance with this invention. Figure 2 is a view, partly in section, and partly in
elevation, showing one of the joints on an enlarged scale, the location of the cloth or
cover being indicated by a dotted line, and the eyes for the reception of the hinge
axis or pin being shown as formed by turning or bending the ends of the sections of
the rib. Figure 3 is a front elevation (omitting the cloth or cover) of the device
shown in figure 2. Figure 4 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of a
hinge joint, also embodying the improvements, but having the hinge axis or pin
passing through perforations drilled or punched in the material of the ribs ; and
figure 5 is a front elevation of the device shown in figure 4.
Figure 6 is a sectional elevation showing the end of an umbrella stick with the
improved notch and detent applied, the notch being represented in its locked position.
Figure 7 is a similar view showing the runner moved up, so as to depress the detent
within its casing in the stick, and the notch moved up over the detent.
Figure 8 is a view in elevation showing the runner advanced over the detent and
the notch off the stick.
Figure 9 is a plan of the blank used to form the casing for the detent and figure 10
a cross section of the casing formed by the blank figure 9. Figure 11 is a detail
view showing how the parts of the frame are folded.
In all these figures, like letters of reference, wherever
corresponding parts.
they occur, indicate
A represents the stick or staff, which may be made in jointed sections, as indicated,
or otherwise, as desired.
In short umbrellas the ribs need only be formed each in two sections; but in the
longer varieties it is preferable to make them in three sections, as indicated in
figure 1, so that the folded umbrella may be as short as desired.
The construction of the hinges or joints is such that any number of them may be
adopted.
D, E, F are the three sections of the ribs jointed together as indicated in figure 1.
In this figure the runner K is represented a little below the position it ought to
occupy in practice, so as to disclose a joint in the stick A. The braces or stretchers s s¹,
connected with the ribs should be made a little shorter than the portions D D of the
ribs, as indicated in figure 11. The adjacent ends of two sections, as E and F, are
bent as shown, and received by a metallic clip or casing, G, of which the portions g 9
are made to hug one of the sections closely, leaving the neck or throat of that section
free, and making a secure union between the section and casing. The other section
is movable within the casing and between the extended walls thereof, upon a hinge
pin or axis C.
In figures 2 and 3, the pin is shown as passing through eyes formed upon or by
bending the ends of the rib-sections and secured in the vertical walls of the casing,
the ends of the walls opposite gg being bent inwardly, so as to bear against the end
of the rib section beyond the pin when the section is in extended position. This
bearing produces ample friction to maintain the two sections of the rib in proper
relative position when the sections are extended, the same as, if the rib were solid,
thus preventing any folding or lopping of parts of the umbrella when closed against
the stick, as observed in constructions heretofore adopted. Like rigidity of parts is
secured by the construction indicated in figures 4 and 5, wherein the end of the
movable section is wedged in between one wall of the casing and the arch formed on
the end of the other section, the arch extending about the length of the casing, so as
to form a sufficiently long bearing surface. The pin in this case is passed through
perforations formed in the arch, in the end of the movable section, and in the walls of
the casing. In either construction the friction produced is ample for the purposes
intended.
In figure 2 the dotted line d represents the section of the cloth or cover which is
tacked to the casing of the hinge as at e. The elongated casing is arranged so that

page_text: the outer edges thereof are about on a line with the unbent portions of the rib section
affording a convenient point for tacking the cloth and preventing any part of the
hinge from bulging the cloth so as to destroy the desired smooth exterior thereof, or
piercing the cloth, as frequently occurs in former constructions. When the two rib
sections are folded the bent ends afford an opening or throat between them within
which the folded cloth is conveniently disposed without danger of pinching or nipping
it, by which it would be liable to become creased or cut.
The hinge thus constructed and arranged is strong and durable and affords all the
desired movements.
The hinge casing is made of thin metal having sufficient elasticity to preserve the
requisite frictional bearing against the movable rib section without interfering with
the necessary adjustments.
It has not been deemed necessary to show the cover or canopy in place.
It may be desired to disconnect or detach the umbrella stick from the other parts
of the umbrella, so that the stick may be used for a cane or for other purposes, or so
that the cover or canopy may be folded or packed separately from the stick, or so that
another stick may be inserted in place of the one removed.
The stick may be of any material and jointed or not as may be desired.
The piece or part called the notch is shown at a, the same being notched to receive
the ribs as D, D. In the form shown the notch is threaded and receives an adjustable
threaded covering plate b which secures the cover or canopy in place upon the notch,
and protects and conceals the margin of the opening in the canopy, and which may
be moved up or down so as to securely fill the space between the two parts of
the detent.
The notch fits over the end of the stick and is prevented from slipping down
thereon by a narrow shoulder as shown at h or by other equivalent means such as a
stop provided for the purpose. After being placed upon the stick it is held against
the shoulder or stop by a detent so arranged that it will prevent any accidental
displacement but may be purposely forced out of its holding position.
The detent is composed of two parts H. I, pivoted at their ends in a flat metal
casing as at i and k, the part H being slightly curved so that the notch will ride down
over it easily forcing it into the casing and the part I being also curved or inclined
so that the runner may ride upon it easily, forcing it into the casing. K represents
the runner, the same being calculated to receive the ends of the braces which connect
directly or indirectly with the ribs.
The parts H and I are to be so connected that when either, part is depressed the
other will follow with it, thus making the movement of the two simultaneous.
The connection is made by providing a recess in the end of H, which recess
receives a tongue 7 on the end of I. Under this arrangement it is plain that if 1 be
forced into the casing it will carry H with it, and that if H be forced in, it will in
like manner carry I with it.
.
Within the casing is a spring L secured at one part of the casing and bearing at
its free end upon the part I, and operating through I upon H. The purpose of this
spring is to keep the two parts H and I normally in position extending beyond or
outside of the casing and beyond the surface of the stick.
The detent with parts constructed and arranged as above described being
located in the stick, the runner is slipped over the detent, the part H being
first depressed carrying I with it and holding the latter down until the runner
passes the hole, when the detent reassumes its normal position, under the force of
the spring.
Then the notch is slipped on, depressing H and being arrested by the shoulder
or stop h. The notch is then turned or revolved (carrying the cover, ribs and
runner and connections with it) until a narrow slot or recess m in the notch
arrives over the part H when the latter springs out to the position shown in
figure 6, locking the notch against the shoulder or stop and holding it against
accidental movement in the direction of the length of the stick. It is prevented

page_text: from revolving on the stick by reason of the part H entering the recess m.
Because the detent must serve to prevent the notch revolving it is necessary to
make it as rigid as possible, and therefore it is made separate from the spring
and pivoted in the manner indicated in a metallic casing calculated to withstand
the side strains brought upon it, and thus prevent damage to the stick or a
gradual enlargement of the slot therein, by which the notch would gradually lose
the desired and necessary rigidity as occurs when simple holding springs are
employed, after the manner of holding springs now commonly used in connection
with umbrella runners.
To detach the notch the runner is moved up upon the part I as in figure 7. This
forces H into the casing so that the notch can be slipped over it as shown. It is
then detached as in figure 8, the runner following it over both parts of the detent as
indicated. The construction is such as to obviate the necessity of touching the
detent with the hand or fingers in order to operate it either for adjustment or
removal of the parts.
In figure 7 as in figure 11, the stretchers or braces's s¹, are each hinged at one
end to a rib or stretcher, and at the other end to the runner.
When the runner is
moved up to the position shown in figure 7, it carries the attached ends of the
braces with it, the other ends moving on their hinges on the ribs to correspond with
the new position assumed (see figure 11).
The casing is made from a blank M, figure 9, the parts of which are bent about
the central line as indicated in figure 10. The spring and the detents are mounted
in this casing, and then the whole adjusted in a narrow slot cut for them in the
stick, the pivots i and k serving to hold the sides of the casing against spreading.
The back of the casing is closed, and one end of the spring is located in the angle as
shown, and may be secured by simply indenting the casing over it.
The parts H and I are prevented from being forced too far out at the open face or
front of the casing by simply pinching the margins of the walls together about mid-
way between their ends, or over the tongue l.
To fold the parts (when arranged as shown in figure 1), the runner K is first
moved up on the staff as far as possible, thus extending the ribs to nearly horizontal
positions. The ribs are then folded down, the braces or stretchers ss, connecting
the ribs and runner K (being hinged at both ends), fold down at the same time
close to the stick, (as shown in figure 11), and are then enveloped by the canopy
which covers the ribs. The ribs are folded back on the joints or hinges G, with
which they are provided, and the stick A withdrawn. This makes the umbrella very
short.
The particular manner of folding the umbrella, as shown in figure 11, forms no
part of the invention, the improvements being applicable to any folding umbrella,
and some of them even to an umbrella which cannot be folded.
When constructed and arranged substantially in accordance with the foregoing
explanations, the improved attachments are well adapted to answer the purposes or
objects of the invention as previously set forth.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :
1st. In a folding umbrella, the two rib-sections secured with the hinge-casing, said
sections being bent at their adjacent ends, and the outer edges of the casing being
located in line with the unbent portions of the rib sections, substantially as and for
the purposes set forth.
2nd. In a folding umbrella, the two rib sections, each having bent portions, and
the eyes at their adjacent ends, the hinge casing secured upon one rib section and
having the extended bearing for the other rib section, and the hinge pin or axis
passing through the walls of the casing and through the eyes, the parts being
combined and arranged substantially as shown and described.

page_text: 3rd. The herein described movable notch, adjustable upon the umbrella stick, as
explained, and provided with a recess or slit for receiving the detent, and an
adjustable covering plate, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
4th. In combination with the notch having a recess or slot, as explained, the two
part detent pivoted in a casing, and acted upon by a spring, substantially as shown
and described.
5th. The herein described detent composed of the two interlocking simultaneously
moving parts pivoted in the casing, and acted upon by a spring, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
6th. The combination of the two part detent, the open sided casing, the pivots and
the spring secured in the casing, substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 23rd day of July 1887.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.