IMPROVEMENTS IN WALKING STICKS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Barnes Richards, of Penzance, in the County of
Cornwall, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WALKING STICKS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Barnes Richards at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
26th March 1872.
I, BARNES RICHARDS, of Penzance, in the County of Cornwall, do
3 hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
WALKING STICKS," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists of making walking sticks of iron or other
suitable metal on the telescopic principle, so that while resembling an
ordinary walking stick in length and outward appearance, they may be
readily shut up when required and put into the pocket, the three or four
divisions sliding into one. The joints are to be secured when open by a
pin and groove, by a flanged joint, or by a screw joint.

page_text: AL
:
place them aside they are commonlyinot to be found again. In many
exhibitions, picture galleries, &c., the retention of a walking istick is
positively prohibited, hence the visitor has frequently to waste much
time in depositing his companion stick in the proper receptacle and in
receiving a ticket as a pledge of its due reception, and probably much
more time is expended in recovering possession of the little article at the
close of the entertainment, the rule being on such occasions that every
obstacle to the speedy giving out of sticks and umbrellas shall be placed
in the way,
and from the fact that it is very difficult for one official or
servant to properly attend to fifty persons who at one and the same time
are pushing and clamouring for the return of their property.
(
اند
My Invention will enable the owner of a stick to be ás independent as
the wearer of a crush or spring opera hat is at an assembly, because he
can fold both his hat and his stick and place them with safety in the
smallest pocket of the most recherché dress coat. The tourist or
traveller, in like manner, after he has used his staff as an aid in walking
and a weapon of defence, on entering a hostelry for a temporary sojourn,
instead of putting it in a stand or in the corner of the public room,
whence it may be readily taken by accident. or design, folds. my
improved walking stick up and deposits it in the pocket of his great coat
ready for his next journey.
'
My Invention consists of making walking sticks of metal, cane, wood,
or composition on the telescopic tubular principle, one division sliding
into another, and the whole being capable of being folded into one small
case of from six to eight inches in length.
When made of cane, wood, or vulcanite it is only requisite to make
the material perfectly hollow, and to provide such a fastening as shall
give to the joints when extended sufficient rigidity to allow of the stick
being used for ordinary walking purposes; and for light canes this may
be effected by tapering the ends of the divisions, which on being turned
by the hand in their sockets will attain sufficient adhesion.
When made in metal various joints and fastenings may be employed,
according to circumstances, such as a flanged joint, a screw joint, or a
pin and groove bayonet joint, &c.
Another mode of jointing consists of forming a thread in one division
of the tube, and by threading a flange in the other, which takes into the
former.

page_text: The pin and groove joint shown in the Drawing obviously requires no
description.
The other Drawings show my stick externally and internally open
and closed.
•
My Invention consists of making a series of tubes available as a
walking stick, and capable of being extended or shut into a small
compass. Many attempts have been made to accomplish this object,
but hitherto without success, for although many other tubular extending
appliances are used, there is no stick (other than mine) which can be
shut up.
In witness whereof, I, the said Barnes Richards, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of September, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
Witness,
W. HOSKEN RICHARDS.
BARNES RICHARDS. (L.S.)