AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF UMBRELLA AND COVERING, BY WHICH THE COVERING WILL BE MADE TO LAST MUCH LONGER THAN AS AT PRESENT MADE."
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Davies at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 30th April 1878.
THOMAS DAVIES, of Clifford's Inn, in the City of London, Gentleman.
" AN
IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF UMBRELLA AND COVERING, BY WHICH THE COVERING
WILL BE MADE TO LAST MUCH LONGER THAN AS AT PRESENT MADE."
It is well known that umbrellas, and especially silk ones, after being in use for a
short time, the covering wears out into the form of a crack and in holes in the
middle between the ribs, and where the folds occur, whilst the remainder of the
covering is in comparatively a sound condition. This umbrella in this condition
will have either to be discarded, or the great expense of a new covering will have
to be incurred. It is obvious then that any umbrella so made as to enable the
covering to be moved or shifted so as to prevent a fresh part of the covering to that
place in which it wears out so soon, and thus enabling the covering to last as long
again, would be a great desideratum.
Such is the object of my Invention, which I carry into effect by making the
covering, preferably of one whole and entire piece, which can be specially made to
suit any size of umbrella, or the covering can be so adapted from one compact
circular piece. Taking the latter, in the centre of this covering will be made a hole
so as to admit of its being placed on an umbrella frame.
In this hole can be
attached a ring, and a cap can be placed to retain it to the stick, but so fixed that
it can be easily loosened, and thus enable one to move round the covering.
The covering can be sewn as at present to the outside end of the frame, or
preferably the ends of the covering can be formed into pockets, into which the
frames can be placed; but having done this it will be necessary, in order to make
the covering fit compactly and neatly, to draw in some folds that will appear.
To enable one to do this it is necessary to make a new frame. I preferably
propose to make these frames of three compact rods or slits of steel or other
material, welded at the end near the top in one mass, and so made as to fit com-
pactly and tightly together. These combined will form on the top about a quarter
circle, with a hollow underneath; it is in this hollow and between these rods it is
proposed to insert all the extra folds that may appear in the covering, and through
Prins 971

page_text: them all inequalities in the covering can be removed. They will then enable one
to make the covering fit compactly and neatly, and give the umbrella the appearance
of one as at present made.
The extra folds that will have been put between the slits in the ribs will be
covered preferably by an india-rubber pocket, so that nothing of this extra stuff
will be perceptible.
Round the outside of the covering will be a fringe of elastic tape, similar in
colour, and made as much as possible of the same material.
When that part is drawn tightly to the end of the ribs it will give to the
covering that undulating appearance that ordinary umbrellas have.
Once the extra folds of the umbrella are inserted, the three pieces forming each
rib, can by means of a spring or clasp at the end, be drawn tightly together, so as
to give the rib the appearance of being formed of one, and rendering it almost im-
possible for the extra folds between the slits to escape or get loose without undoing
the ends. So far then is the umbrella made to equal in compactness and neatness
those that are at present made; but it presents this great advantage, that the
covering when it has seen some service can be moved and another part put in its
place.
The covering wears out principally where it is folded, leaving the other parts
quite good.
With my umbrella, when it has been so worn that holes appear in the covering,
there is nothing to do but unloosen the ribs, shift those parts which have holes
under the ribs, and comparatively speaking an umbrella almost as good as new will
be the result. This moving and shifting the covering can be done in the course of
a few minutes, so long as the covering is not allowed to be used long in one par-
ticular position, almost every part of it can be put to that part which undergoes so
much wear and tear. It will be thus seen that an umbrella so constructed can be
made to last at least twice as long (if not more) as any umbrella as now made.
In cases where the silk will be made specially for a frame, in order to keep the
covering to the ribs, it is proposed that each rib will be preferably made of an oval
form so as to close as with a clasp.
My covering can be fixed to my frame by another skeleton frame, which when
placed over my umbrella, will fit home all the parts of my covering. By folds, a
word I have so often used, I mean slight wavelets that appear in the covering.