AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF SUN-SHADE OR UMBRELLA
Year: 1885

page_text: COMILELE DI EVIFICATION.
I, CHARLES WELLS, of 18, Walker Terrace, Plymouth, in the County of Devon,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "AN IMPROVED
CONSTRUCTION OF SUN-SHADE OR UMBRELLA," and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The object of this invention is the introduction of an improvement into the
construction of sun-shades and umbrellas, and consists in a method by which
an efficient ventilation of the space immediately under the sunshade, and
consequently around the user's head, may be automatically effected.
In hot weather, the ordinary sunshade suffices to protect more or less, the user's
head from the sun's rays, but the heat, radiated from the ground and surrounding
objects, is frequently enough to make the breathing stratum so hot and stuffy, that
the advantage of being protected from the sun's rays is quite counterbalanced by
being deprived, for the time, of fresh air.
A similar disagreeable condition of the breathing stratum frequently occurs in
rainy weather, although not in so marked a degree as in hot weather.
My invention does away with the drawbacks described above, by forming a
circular opening in the top of the ordinary sun-shade or umbrella, and mounting
a second shade, or umbrella, of a corresponding diameter, above it.
In order that my invention, and the means by which the same may be carried
into practical effect may be thoroughly understood, I will proceed to describe the
same in detail, referring in so doing to the accompanying figures, which are to be
taken as part of this specification and read therewith. Like parts are marked
throughout with the same reference letter.
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation illustrating the application of my invention to an
ordinary sunshade, or umbrella.
Fig. 2 is an elevation of an umbrella, or sunshade, made according to my.
invention.
"
Fig. 3 is a detail sectional elevation, illustrating the construction of an umbrella
or sunshade, made according to my invention, the dotted lines shewing the position
of the ribs and stretchers when closed.
A is the circular opening formed in the top of the sunshade, or umbrella. The
runner, ribs, and stretchers, of the present construction, remain substantially the
Batne.
•

page_text: B is second shade or umbrella, its diameter being larger than that of the
opening A, so that neither heat-rays nor rain-drops can pass through the latter.
The ribs b, and stretchers c, are of any suitable type, the latter, however,
making convenient swivel connections with their respective rib and stretcher
junctions d, of the larger shade.
The top cap e, is, consequently, removed from its ordinary position to above the
shade B, and the stick C, lengthened, accordingly, by the extension D.
My invention does not extend to the material of either of the coverings, or of
the stick, which may be of any suitable or convenient style or material.
An umbrella or sunshade made according to my invention as described above
and illustrated, is operated in the ordinary way, viz., by moving the runner C³, up
or down. When the runner is drawn down, the ribs and stretchers will be folded
as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 3.
When it is open, there will be a regular upward current through the opening A
and outward under the cover B, as indicated by the arrows.
Fig. 4 illustrates a modification of my invention, according to which the
cover, B, is fixed nearer to the sun-shade or umbrella A, than in the preceeding
figures.
Fig. 5 illustrates a further modification according to which the top cover B, is
replaced by a series of flaps E, which are raised and lowered by the same arrange-
ment of ribs and stretchers as that illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7.
The single
opening A, of the modification already described, is broken up into several, one to
each flap, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 5.
Figs. 6 and 7 are, respectively, part sectional elevation, and elevation, illustrating
a further modification of my invention.
Instead of constructing the cover B, of a plain concave shape, as illustrated in
Figs. 1, 2, and 3; I make it of a series of folding double louvres e, e; each pair
joined along the line f, which is also that of the rib b; and again along line g;
where they connect with the ribs of the sunshade, or umbrella, proper.
According to this construction, the stretchers c, of the cover B, connect direct
with the runner, C', instead of, with the rib of the sunshade or umbrella proper as
illustrated in Fig. 3.
Having now particularly described, and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. The combination of a folding top, either convex, double louvre, or flap-shaped ;
ventilating opening, or openings, formed in the ordinary sun-shade or umbrella;
and second set of ribs 6, and stretchers c; the whole substantially as described
with reference to the accompanying figures.