IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPERTAINING TO THE MANU- FACTURE OF UMBRELLAS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Wrench of Waterloo in county of Lancaster
for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPERTAINING TO THE MANU-
FACTURE OF UMBRELLAS
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Wrench at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th September 1883.
THOMAS WRENCH of Waterloo in the county of Lancaster "IMPROVEMENTS
IN OR APPERTAINING TO THE MANUFACTURE OF UMBRELLAS"
In umbrellas as at present constructed, the cover is sewn round the stick, just
above the ring to which the ribs are pivoted. Notwithstanding the cloth washer
and the occasional padding placed between the cover and the ring, the angular
and hard nature of the ring causes the cover to project in passing round it, and to
rapidly wear at this point. There being no place to sew the cover round except
the bare stick end, it is sewn round that part and a cap riveted on. When a rib
breaks or the wire rusts out, the cap has to be broken off and the cover ripped up
to get at the fracture. Now my invention is designed to avoid these evils. It
consists in forming two hollow truncated cones of rubber joined at the upper end,
the outer one having preferably an obtuser angle and larger diameter than the
inner. In the conical hollow space between these cones the cover is sewn, one
cone being outside, the other inside the cover. The cones fit on to the stick and
form a protection for the cover at its most wearable part both inside and out.
The outer or inner cone or both can be perforated to let out any water that may
percolate into it. The rubber acts instead of the metal cap and being elastic can
be made to protect the cover to a greater depth, and there being no riveting the
cover with rubber cap attached can be detached from the outer ends of ribs,
and instantly removed from the frame and of course reapplied with far greater
celerity than in the case of the ordinary construction. Sometimes I unite the two
cones and the cover with India-rubber solution so as to form a solid piece and
pierce holes through the whole for water to escape.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Thomas Wrench in the Patent Office on the 5th March 1884.
THOMAS WRENCH, of Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster
"IMPROVEMENTS
IN UMBRELLAS, PARASOLS, OR SUNSHADES, AND IN TOOLS FOR APPLYING THE
SAME [sic]
".
In umbrellas as at present constructed the cover is sewn round the stick just
above the ring to which the ribs are pivoted. Notwithstanding the cloth washer
and the occasional padding placed between the cover and the ring, the anguilar and
hard nature of the ring causes the cover to project in passing round it and to
rapidly wear at this point. There being no place to sew the cover round except
the bare stick end it is sewn round that part and a cap riveted on. When a rib
breaks or the wire rusts out, the cap has to be broken off and the cover ripped up
to get at the fracture.
Now my invention is designed to avoid these evils.
It is best described by aid of the accompanying drawings, in which,
Fig. 1 is a sectional view of an umbrella top fitted with my improvements.
Fig. 2 sectional view of conical cap.
Fig. 3. elevation of cap.
.
The invention consists in forming two hollow truncated cones of rubber joined
at the upper end, the outer one A, Fig. 1, having preferably an obtuser angle and
larger diameter than the inner one B. In the conical hollow space between these
cones the cover C is sewn, one cone being outside the other inside the cover; the
double cone is opened, compressed and placed round the cover after the cover is
completed and a narrow hole left therein for the stick and cones. The cones fit
on to the stick and forin a protection for the cover at its most wearable part both
inside and out. The outer or inner cone or both can be perforated to let out any
water that may percolate into it. The rubber acts instead of the metal cap and
being elastic can be made to protect the cover to a greater depth, and there being
no riveting the cover with rubber cap attached can be detached from the outer
ends of ribs and instantly removed from the frame, and of course reapplied with.
far greater celerity than in the case of the ordinary construction. Sometimes
I unite the two cones and the cover with india-rubber solution so as to form a
solid piece, and pierce holes through the whole for water to escape; in other cases
I dispense with the inner cone and simply place the outer cone over the metal
work, then place the cover over it and a metal cup in the usual manner over the
cover. I prefer however the former plan.
Having now described my invention and the best methods known to me of
carrying it into effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not clain broadly the
protecting of the umbrella cover with a flexible cap, as I am aware that a-simple
cylinder of india-rubber has been suggested. as a protection placed over the end
of an umbrella, though I am not aware that it ever came seriously into use, but
wliat I believe to be new and desire to protect by letters patent is:-
1st. The manufacture of umbrellas with a cap of india-rubber between the cover
and the metal portion, substantially as described:
2nd. The double cone of india-rubber, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
In witness whereof I the said Thomas Wrench have have hereunto •şet my
hand and seal this fourth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and eighty four.
(L.S.)