IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FRAMES OF UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS.
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Cross, of Whitehaven, in the County of
Cumberland, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
OF THE FRAMES OF UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS.".
Scaled the 29th March 1870, and dated the 13th January 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Cross at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
13th January 1870.
I, JOSEPH CROSS, of Whitehaven, in the County of Cumberland, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for “IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FRAMES OF UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS," to be as
follows:-
This Invention is designed principally with a view of greatly
strengthening the frames of umbrellas for use in hilly or exposed
countries, where greater strength is required to resist the action of
winds and storms than for those used in towns or less exposed situations.
It is also particularly applicable to gig or driving umbrellas, and may
also be applied to parasols where extra strength is required.

page_text: The Invention consists chiefly in the use or employment of a double
set of stretchers to support the ribs of the umbrella, each set of stretchers
being connected to a separate runner, and so arranged that one set of
stretchers crosses the other between the ribs. One set of stretchers is
attached at one end to the ordinary runner or slide in the usual manner,
and at the other end to the ribs in the usual position. The other or
auxiliary set of stretchers is connected to a second runner or notched
ring sliding on the stick between the ordinary runner and the crown,
and the other ends of these auxiliary stretchers (which are longer than
the others) are connected to the ribs at a point about midway between
the outer ends of the ribs and the point of connection of the other or
ordinary stretchers.
It will be evident that when the umbrella is spread the auxiliary
stretchers will cross between the others at an acute angle, and the ribs
will be each supported at two places instead of one, and hence the
frame will be very much stronger than those heretofore manufactured
with single stretchers. The umbrella will be much stiffer and stronger,
and it is quito impossible for any ordinary gust of wind to bend or break
the ribs, or to turn the umbrella inside outwards, as frequently occurs
with the ordinary frames.
Another advantage is that the bending of the ribs into the curved
form required will be effected by the action of the two stretchers, and
not by the tension of the silk or other cover, as heretofore, and thus the
tendency to tear the cover at its point of junction with the ends of the
ribs will be entirely obviated.
And a further improvement will be that in consequence of the crossing
of the auxiliary stretchers between the others it will be impossible for
the ribs and stretchers to become locked or fixed by the rolling up of the
umbrella when out of use, as so frequently happens with frames of the
ordinary construction.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions. of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Joseph Cross in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 22nd June 1870.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of January, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-
third year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Hér heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Joseph Cross, Her special licence that
I, the said, Joseph Cross, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said Joseph Cross, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel,
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
STRUCTION OF THE. FRAMES OF UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Joseph Cross, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to
be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Joseph Cross, do hereby declare
the nature of my said 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 is designed principally with a view of greatly
strengthening the frames of umbrellas for use in hilly or exposed
countries, where greater strength is required to resist the action of
winds and storms than for those used in towns or less exposed places.
It is also particularly applicable to gig or driving umbrellas, and may
also be applied to parasols where extra strength is required.
The Invention consists chiefly in the use or employment of a double
set of stretchers to support the ribs of the umbrella, each set of stretchers
being connected to a separate runner, and so arranged that one set of
stretchers crosses the other between the ribs.. One set of stretchers is
attached at one end to the ordinary runner or slide in the usual manner,
and at the other end to the ribs in the usual position. The other or
auxilliary set of stretchers is connected to a second runner or notched
ring sliding on the stick between the ordinary runner and the crown)"

page_text: and the other ends of these auxilliary stretchers (which are longer than
the others) are connected to the ribs at a point about midway between
the outer end of the ribs and the point. of connection of the other or
ordinary stretchers.
:
It will be evident that when the umbrella is spread the auxilliary
stretchers will cross between the others at an acute angle, and the ribs
will be each supported at two places instead of one, and hence the frame
will be very much stronger than those heretofore manufactured with
single stretchers. The umbrella will be much stiffer and stronger, and
it is quite impossible for any ordinary gust of wind to bend or break the
ribs, or to turn the umbrella inside outwards, as frequently occurs with
the ordinary, frames.
Another advantage is, that the bending of the ribs into the curved
form required will be effected by the action of the two stretchers, and
not by the tension of the silk or other cover, as heretofore, and thus the
tendency to tare the cover at its point of junction with the ends of the
ribs will be entirely obviated.
And a further improvement will be that in consequence of the crossing
of the auxilliary stretchers between the others it will be impossible for
the ribs and stretchers to become locked or fixed by the rolling up of the
umbrella when out of use, as so frequently happens with frames of the
ordinary construction. It has also a wheel or notch with a double
collar, which can be securely fastened to the stick at the top. end, and
which makes both stick and notch much stronger, and is a good pro-
tection for the lower slide and spring.
This improved umbrella is shewn in the accompanying Drawing,
which shews clearly these different improvements, the several parts
represented being indicated in writing on the same.
Having thus described the said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood I do not confine
myself to the precise details herein indicated and represented in the
accompanying Drawings, as these may obviously be modified without
departing from the principle of the said Invention; but what I claim
and desire to secure by the said Letters Patent is,-
-
1st. The double set of stretchers arranged as described for the purpose
of strengthening and stiffening umbrellas, as herein set forth.

page_text: 2ond. The second runner or notched ring to which the auxilliary
stretchers are attached at one end sliding on the stick between the
crown and the ordinary runner, as described.
3rd. The wheel or notch with a double collar fastened to the stick at
the top end for the purpose of strengthening the stick, as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Cross, have hereto set my
hand and seal, this 21st day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy.