IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLA STICKS OR CANES.
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Hetherington of Manchester in the County of
Lancaster, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLA STICKS OR
CANES. Communicated to him from abroad by James Thomas Sinith of New
York in the United States of America
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Hetherington at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd October 1883.
THOMAS HETHERINGTON of Manchester in the County of Lancaster "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN UMBRELLA STICKS OR CANES" (a Communication to me from abroad
by James Thomas Smith of New-York in the United States of America),
The object of this invention is to utilize the natural growth of tubular canes or
reeds such as bamboos tonquins, carrolines and other similar natural tubes for the
purpose of sticks, canes or shanks for umbrellas.
-
These tubular canes or reeds (particularly in the smaller sizes) are too flexible
or pliable to be used for this purpose in their natural state, the inventor therefore
proposes to give the required stiffness and strength thereto by the insertion in the
hole or natural tube, which exists in this class of canes or reeds, of a thin metal
tube, and by this means he enables the umbrella manufacturers to reduce the bulk
of umbrellas, and at the same time to produce from a material not hitherto used a
stick or shank which shall be of an ornamental appearance, combined with
lightness stiffness and durability.
It will be evident that compound walking sticks may also be formed in the same
manner by inserting a tubular metal core into the hollow canes or reeds of natural
growth. In applying these compound sticks for the manufacture of umbrella
frames, part of the outer cane or reed tube near the point may be cut away or
removed in order that the "notch" which carries the inner ends of the ribs may
be fixed direct onto the tubular metal core whereby the diameter of the notch can
be considerably reduced, so that when the umbrella is closed and folded it will
present a slender and graceful appearance.
In some cases instead of inserting a tubular metal core the inventor proposes to
take a tonquin or other reed and to insert therein a similar reed of smaller size,
leaving on each of the reels the natural outer surface which is remarkably smooth
and hard; and this combination produces a stick with great stiffness and strength
lighter than one with a metal core but with more pliability.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Hetherington in the Patent Office on the 23rd April 1884.
THOMAS HETHERINGTON of Manchester in the County of Lancaster IMPROVE-
MENTS IN UMBRELLA STICKS OR CANES (a Communication to me from abroad by
James Thomas Smith of New York in the United States of America)
The object of this invention is to utilize the natural growth of tubular canes or
reeds such as bamboos tonquins, Carolines and other similar natural tubes for the
purpose of sticks canes or shanks for umbrellas.
These tubular canes or reeds (particularly in the smaller sizes) are too flexible or
pliable to be used for this purpose in their natural state, the inventor therefore
proposes to give the required stiffness and strength thereto by the insertion into
the hole or natural tube, which exists in this class of canes or reeds, of a thin
metal tube, and by this means he enables umbrella manufacturers to reduce the
bulk of umbrellas, and at the same time to produce from a material not hitherto
used a stick or shank which shall be of an ornamental appearance combined with
lightness stiffness and durability.
It will be evident that compound walking sticks may also be formed in the
same manner by inserting a tubular metal core into the hollow canes or reeds of
natural growth.
In applying these compound sticks for the manufacture of umbrella frames part
of the outer cano or reed tube a, a near the point may be cut away or removed as
shown in Fig 1. in the annexed drawing which is a view of the improved umbrella
stick with the parts disjoined in order that the "notch" c, c which carries the
inner ends of the ribs may be fixed direct onto the tubular metal core b, b whereby
the diameter of the notch can be considerably reduced so that when the umbrella
is closed and folded it will present a slender and graceful appearance. Fig. 2
shows the various parts joined together.
In some cases instead of inserting a tubular metal core the inventor proposes to
take a tonquin or other reed and to insert therein a similar reed of smaller size,
having on each of the reeds the natural outer surface which is remarkably smooth
and hard; and this combination produces a stick with great stiffness and strength
lighter than one with a metal core but with more pliability.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed or carried into practical
effect I wish it to be understood that I claim as the invention communicated to me
by the said James Thomas Smith
First in an umbrella stick or cane the combination of an outer shell of hollow
reed or cane in two parts, the notch fitting between the said parts, and the central
metal rod or tube connecting the two parts of the saine and extending throughout
their lengths substantially as and for the purposes herein specified.
Secondly the stick composed of an exterior wooden shell and an interior metal
or wooden tube substantially as and for the purposes herein specified.
In witness whereof 1 the said Thomas Hetherington have hereunto set my
hand and seal this twenty second day of April in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and eighty four.