Improvements in Self-closing Umbrellas, Sunshades, and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application; 31st Mar., 1896-Accepted, 2nd May, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Self-closing Umbrellas, Sunshades, and the like.
I AUGUST KORTENBACH of Weyer, Rheinland, in the German Empire,
Manufacturer of Umbrella Fittings, do hereby declare the nature of this 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 relates to umbrellas and like articles closing themselves when the
runner is released by the catch holding the umbrella open, and consists in an
improved arrangement of mechanism for closing the umbrella which allows the
umbrella to be folded up in a perfectly slender form throughout.
This is effected by arranging the springs producing the closure, which preferably
are helical, in the hollow of the channelled stretchers or on the same so that when
in the closed position of the umbrella they lie parallel to the ribs. The automatic
closing is effected by placing the point of connection of each spring to the rib
excentrically to the pivot of the upper stretcher hinge.
On the drawing appended hereunto an umbrella frame fitted with improved
closing mechanism constructed according to my invention is represented by Fig. 1
in three positions.
Figs. 2, 3 and 4 show the attachment of the helical spring on an enlarged scale in
three positions corresponding with those shown on Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the relative positions of the hinge pivot and points
of attachment of the helical spring at each end in the three positions represented
on Fig. 1.
Fig. 6 shows an inside view of the stretcher fitted with the helical spring effecting
the closure.
In the umbrella frame with improved self-closing mechanism represented on
Figure 1, there is a helical spring a arranged in the hollow of the channelled
stretcher & with the inner end of the spiral spring a attached to the stretcher at c
by a pin, while the outer end is connected to the point of attachment e by means of
a double eyelet or short link d, which point for the purpose of obtaining leverage is
placed excentrically to the axis f of the upper stretcher hinge g on the latter or on
the rib g. The hinge g is preferably formed as shewn on Fig. 6 embracing the
rib and the link d. Preferably a spring is arranged on each stretcher.
As will be seen from Fig. 1 when the umbrella is opened the pin f of the stretcher
binge 9 causes the link d"and outer end of the spring a to bend outwards while
stretching the spring a. When the runner has been pushed up above the catch i,
or in case of the absence of a catch beyond the dead centre of the stretchers, the
umbrella while open is subject to the tension of all the springs a arranged on the
stretchers.
When the catch i is now disengaged, for instance by pulling down the ferrule k
connected to it, or otherwise, the tension of the springs effects the closing of the
umbrella, the springs contracting till attaining their shortest length in the position
corresponding to Fig. 4, in which position the tips 1 of the ribs g lay themselves
against the umbrella stick, so that the arrangement of a special tip cap or other tip
fastener is rendered unnecessary.
The helical springs a may be connected directly to an excentric pin e on the
hinge g as shewn by Fig. 7, or to the rib g¹ but this is less advantageous in practice
as the outer ends are liable to become bent and although this does not destroy the
excentric action, it weakens it.

page_text: As will be seen from the drawings, when the umbrella is opened the outer end of
the spring protrudes from the channel of the stretcher, while when the umbrella is
closed, the spring lays itself close into the stretcher. In consequence, notwith-
standing the arrangement of springs for effecting self-acting closure, the umbrella
when closed retains throughout its slender appearance.
The springs may be made of wire of any section and of any suitable material.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In umbrellas, sunshades and the like, the arrangement of springs in the
channels of the stretchers or on the same, each connected at one end to the
respective stretcher and at the other end directly or through a link to a point of
the outer stretcher hinge or of the rib placed excentrically to the pivot of the hinge
in such a position that when the umbrella is opened the said springs are elongated
substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth and illustrated on and
by the drawings.
2. The manufacture and construction of self-closing frames for umbrellas sun-
shades and the like substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated on and
by the drawings.
1
L1904
R. J. URQUHART,
57, Barton Arcade, Manchester, and 5, Clayton Square, Liverpool,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent.