IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS.
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jasper Wetter, of New Wandsworth, Surrey, for an
invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS.-A communication to him from
abroad by Hugo Papke, of Berlin, Germany.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jasper Wetter at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th June 1882.
IN
JASPER WETTER, of New Wandsworth, Surrey, " IMPROVEMENTS
UMBRELLAS," a communication to me from abroad by Hugo Papke, of Berlin,
Germany,
This invention relates to umbrellas which can be folded together so as to occupy
a small space; it is applicable both to umbrellas proper and to parasols. The
invention consists in composing every rib of two bars joined together so as to allow
the outer bar to be drawn out at full length, in which position it forms the
continuation of the inner bar, or drawn in lengthwise against the inner bar, in which
position one bar is partly enclosed by the other or placed side by side with the
latter. Also in securing to the pivot of each stretcher, where the same is joined to
the rib, a wire-spring which abuts against a lug attached to the rib and thereby
prevents the unintended motion of the movable bar, after the rib has been stretched
out. Also in securing the runner to the stick, when the umbrella is opened, by
means of a bayonet-lock, that is to say by means of a movable ring having a
rectangular groove (one side of which is axial and the other tangential) into which
fits a pin projecting from the side of the stick.
The umbrella stick may be folded at each end by means of a link hinged at one
end to the trunk of the stick and at the other to the movable end portion of the
latter, the stick being partly hollowed out for the reception of the link when the
umbrella is opened.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Jasper Wetter in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 6th December
1882.
JASPER WETTER, of New Wandsworth, Surrey, . IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS,
a communication to me from abroad by Hugo Papke, of Berlin, Germany,
This invention has for its object to construct umbrella frames so that they can be
folded and thereby be made to occupy a small space.
In the accompanying drawing which illustrates the invention Fig 1 represents
the frame of an umbrella, when open, Fig 2 represents the manner of folding the
same. Figs 3, 4 and 5 show details of the hinge-joints by means of which the
stretchers are connected with the ribs. Fig 6 represents the runner with
bayonet-lock, and Figs. 7 and 8 represent the mechanism by means of which the
stick can be shortened.
-
The ribs (so called Paragon ribs and whose cross section has the shape of a
horseshoe) consist of two bars, of almost equal length, but of different thickness
(of different size in cross section).
The parts a a, which are made of steel and have the largest cross-section, can be
drawn in lengthwise along the inner bars 6 b hinged to the top-notch c, and carry
the forked hinges & which receive the stretchers e e. The result is, that by drawing
the movable bars a a lengthwise against the bars b b, the stretchers are likewise
drawn towards the top-notch c, whereby the whole frame is reduced to the length
of the parts a or (see Fig 2).
To prevent the unintended sliding back of the movable bars a a by the tension
of the covering after the ribs have been stretched out, the outer extremity of each
bar b, b fixed to the top-notch, is provided with a wire-spring f having the form
shown in fig 3 adapted to receive in the bend g the pin 7 of the forked hinge, and
to retain the same.
The spring fis attached at one end only (h), while the other end rests free in the
groove of the bar b. Said wire-spring has a slightly inclined bend i which is
pressed down by the pin l, when passing over the same. The spring, after having
resumed its normal position, maintains the pin, and the somewhat sharper curve k
prevents the drawing out of the bars, further than necessary to fix the ribs in
their extended position. For shortening or folding the ribs, the pressure of
the hand is sufficient to overcome the elasticity of the spring which prevents the
unfolding.
In Fig 6 m represents the runner to which the stretchers ce are fixed. In this
runner and capable of turning round the stick, turns a movable slide n having a
bayonet lock o, (that is to say a rectangular groove o one side of which is axial
and the other tangential). To secure the runner when the umbrella is opened the
ring n is turned round the stick and the rectangular groove o secured to a
stud p.
Figs. 7 and 8 represent a mechanism for shortening the stick, which may be
applied like other well known devices, either at the middle of the stick or at the
top. Into one part of the stick is introduced the screw-threaded pin q, and
secured by a pin, while the other part of the stick carries a corresponding nut r.
The two parts are connected with each other by the double hinge-joint 8.
hinge-joint & slides into the groove t, when the two parts of the stick are screwed
together.
This
For the purpose of separating from each-other or joining to each-other at will,
the stick and the frame carrying the covering, it is sufficient to lengthen the

page_text: top-notch c in the direction of the ring n, so that it reaches as far as the lower
edge of the ring n, when the umbrella is open.
In this modified construction the extended top-notch, and with it the frame, is
fastened to the stick by means of a set-screw.
2. The application of a spring bent as represented by Fig 3 and serving to fix
the ribs in the extended position.
3. The application of a bayonet-lock o for fixing the runner n after the umbrella
has been opened.
The whole substantially as described and illustrated.
In witness whereof I the said Jasper Wetter have hereunto set my hand and
seal this sixth day of December A.D. 1882.
J, WETTER (L.S.)