Improvements in Telescoping Umbrellas.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Mar., 1898-Accepted, 9th Apr.,
1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Telescoping Umbrellas.
I, BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of 23, Southampton Buildings, in the
County of London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
(a communication to me from Charles H. Ely, residing at Orange, in the County
of Essex, James W. Danser, residing at Freehold, in the County of Monmouth,
and Frank B. Rue, residing at Atlantic Highlands, in the County of Monmouth,
all in the State of New Jersey, in the United States of America,) and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:—
Telescoping umbrellas have been heretofore proposed but in each instance the
construction and arrangement of parts were such that the bulk and weight of the
umbrella were largely increased and the structure was not sufficiently strong and
durable. Folding umbrellas have also been proposed, 2.e. umbrellas in which the
ribs were arranged in hinged sections adapted to be folded. Such constructions
were open to the same objections as the telescoping umbrellas and in many instances
they were considerably weaker, less durable and very apt to collapse when in use.
For the reasons pointed out, telescoping or folding umbrellas have never been
put into commercial use.
The object of this invention is to produce a telescoping umbrella which when in
condition for use will look like an ordinary umbrella and the bulk of which will
be no greater than that of ordinary umbrellas, notwithstanding the fact that
many additional parts are applied to effect the locking and unlocking of the tele-
scoping rib sections and for coupling and uncoupling the staff sections. A further
object is to produce an umbrella in which the ribs may be telescoped and the staff
sections uncoupled so as to reduce its length to about fourteen inches or less in
order that it may be readily carried in small travelling bags or other receptacles.
A still further object is to produce a telescoping umbrella which will be fully as
strong and durable as ordinary umbrellas without materially increasing its weight
and without materially increasing the cost of construction. In accomplishing
these objects the novel devices, construction and arrangement of parts herein-
after more fully described and claimed are employed.
°
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is an elevation of an umbrella frame and
staff embodying the features of this invention; Figures 2, 24, 2º and 2° are eleva-
tions showing the frame telescoped and the staff sections uncoupled; Fig. 3 an
enlarged sectional view of the handle of the staff; Fig. 4 an enlarged sectional
view of the parts shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 5 an enlarged sectional view of the staff
section shown in Fig. 2"; Figure 6 an enlarged sectional view of the main staff
sections coupled together; Fig. 7 a perspective view of the coupling ends of the
main staff sections; Fig. 8, an enlarged sectional view of the parts shown in the
upper half of Figs. 2 and 4; Fig. 9 a cross section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8;
Figure 10, an enlarged sectional view of the lower or outer half of a telescoped
rib; Fig. 11 an enlarged sectional view illustrating a telescoping rib locked in
the extended position; Fig. 12, a cross section on the line 12, 12 of Figure 11;
and Fig. 13 a perspective view of the upper or inner end of an outer rib section
showing the arms to which the spreading ribs are pivoted and a traveller to which
the cover is attached.

page_text: Referring to the drawings A, B, and C indicate three separable parts constitut-
ing the umbrella staff, sections B and C being tubular. The part A or ferrule
end is provided with a screw threaded end a which screws into the upper end of
section B. The abutting ends of sections B and C are formed so as to present two
straight edges b and c and two lugs b and c (Fig. 7) which fit together as shown,
forming a scarf joint. Within the tube C is a closely fitting tube or rod C¹ which
is moved into the tube B against the stop 62. The tube C¹ holds the tubes B
and C in line and prevents the separation of lugs b and c¹. Thus the interlock-
ing lugs hold the staff sections B and C against separation by longitudinal
movement, and the tube C¹ holds said sections against separation by lateral displace-
ment. This improved joint presents a smooth outer surface and in no way inter-
feres with the opening and closing of the umbrella and does not increase its bulk.
The locking tube C' is moved into and out of locking position by a rod c² (Figures 3
and 5) which is secured to the tube C in any suitable manner. To the lower end
of the rod c which is preferably U shaped in cross section, is hinged an extension c³
which when the parts of the staff are uncoupled, is folded over into the rod c² as
shown in Fig. 5, so that it will not project beyond the end of tube C. The exten-
sion c³is of such length, that when the parts of the staff are coupled together, and
the handle D attached, it will strike the bottom of the hole in the handle as shown
in Fig. 3 and prevent the locking tube C¹ from slipping down while the umbrella
is in use.
The handle is removably held to the lower end of section C by a catch d
which projects into a slot in tube C. The catch d projects from a pivoted spring
pressed lever d¹, the lower end of which is depressed to withdraw the catch a and
permit the removal of the handle. In the drawing a curved handle is shown, but
in practice the handle will preferably be straight.
The telescoping ribs comprise inner and outer sections E and 'F, which are
U shaped in cross section. Rib sections E are slightly smaller in diameter than
sections F which are arranged to slide closely upon sections E. The inner end of
each section E is provided with two perforated arms e by means of which it is
hinged to a collar G rigidly secured upon staff section B. The outer end of each
section E is provided with a sleeve e¹ which encircles the rib section F and which
sleeve has its ends e bent inward over the edges of section E and rigidly secured
thereto. The inner end of each rib section F has rigidly secured to it a band f
having two flanges 1 (Figure 13) projecting inwardly over the edges of the rib
section E. The sleeve e and the flanges fi hold the rib sections together and
serve as the guides or telescoping joint for the two rib sections and also serve to
prevent the separation of the two sections when the rib is extended, since band f
and sleeve e abut, as shown in Fig. 1. The band f is provided with a traveller fa
to which the cover of the umbrella is attached and whereby when the rib sections
are telescoped, the cover will be drawn upward from the middle and produce a
double fold at the top. The traveller fis provided to give freedom of move-
ment to the fastening of the cover while telescoping the ribs and thereby avoid
stripping the cover from the ribs at that point. The band f of each rib is also
provided with two perforated lugs or arms f³ to which the stretching ribs H are
hinged, each stretching rib being provided with two arms h for that purpose.
The other ends of the stretching ribs are hinged to the usual slotted runner I which
when the umbrella is closed engages with spring catch I¹ and when open rests
upon spring catch I³.
The rib sections are locked in the extended position by locking heads
at the outer ends of locking rods J.
formed
These rods are located within the rib sections E and project upward between
the arms e and are hinged to a sliding collar K on the staff above collar G. The
locking rods are held within the rib sections E by one or more webs e³. The lock-
ing heads are adapted to pass through slots e, f, formed in sections E and F,
respectively and slots f³ in bands f (Fig. 11) in which position sections F are locked
against movement upon sections E. To prevent the bending or cramping of the
ribs and locking rods at collar G, the collar K is made larger in diameter, and

page_text: arms e extend inward at an angle sufficient to bring the rib sections in line with
the locking rods and so that the ends of the locking rods will project straight to
the collar K when the umbrella is closed. With that arrangement the locking
rods may be easily moved to lock or unlock the rib sections. In Fig. 11 which
shows the relative positions of rib sections E and F and the locking heads a when
the umbrella is closed as an ordinary umbrella, it will be noted that there is con-
siderable play between the end of the head and the ends of the slots e, f and f³.
In this position the rib sections F would be free to move slightly, if the runner I
were not engaged by catch I¹. The reason for providing this play between the
locking heads and slots when the umbrella is closed is to permit the proper length
of movement of the locking rods within rib sections E when the umbrella is opened,
due to the rib section E and locking rods J having different pivotal centers. The
length of movement of the locking rods within the inner rib sections when the
umbrella is opened is indicated by the dotted part of Figure 8. The play between
the end of header and the slots in the rib sections is proportioned so that when the
umbrella is open or stretched, the heads will be at the outer ends of the slots and
hold sections F firmly against telescoping movement.
To telescope the rib sections, the locking rods are moved longitudinally relative
to the inner rib sections so that the bevelled edges y of heads will engage the
ends z at the slots e, f, and f5, and force the outer ends of the locking rods and
heads backward and draw the heads within sections E and hence out of the path of
sections F, whereupon the rib sections may be telescoped. This movement of the
locking rods may be accomplished in three ways. First, by drawing the collar K
upward. Second by pushing the rib sections F downward, so that the ends of
these sections will force the locking heads and rods backward, the collar K, of
course, moving with the locking rods. This way of telescoping the ribs is best
accomplished by grasping the ribs at the middle with one hand and the tips of the
outer sections with the other hand and forcing them downward, the grasping
of the ribs at the middle preventing the ribs buckling or bulging outward. Third,
by grasping the ribs at the middle with one hand and forcing runner I downward
with the other hand; the movement of the runner through stretching ribs H and
bands f being imparted to the rib sections F. The first way, however, is pre-
ferred, because the locking heads are more easily moved out of locking position in
that way, and the ribs may then be readily telescoped. In either case, before the
locking rods can be moved, it will be necessary to partly unscrew the ferrule end A
of the staff, which is provided with an annular flange a¹ which is seated on the
upper rim of collar K and prevents the movement of said collar and hence the
Furthermore, before the ribs
unlocking of the ribs while the umbrella is in use.
can be telescoped it is necessary to disengage catch I¹ from runner I.
In assembling the umbrella, staff section C is first coupled to section B as described,
and then the handle D is placed in position.
The ferrule end A of the staff may then be screwed into section B which moves
the locking heads into locking position by forcing collar K downward on the
staff against collar G, that is the locking heads are moved into the slots e* of
sections E and will bear against sections F so as to be in position to snap into
slots fand f5 when sections F are fully extended. The ribs are then exten-
ded by drawing the runner I downward on the staff and when the ribs are drawn
out to their full extent and runner I engages catch I', the locking heads will snap
into locking position into slots f and f. If desired the ribs may be extended
before screwing the ferrule end on to the staff, in which case the locking heads
will be moved into complete locking position after the ribs are fully extended.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The combination in an umbrella, of a set of ribs pivoted to a collar on the
staff and each rib having sections adapted to telescope, and locking rods located

page_text: within the inner rib sections for locking the rib sections when extended, said rods
being pivoted to a collar on the staff adjacent to the first named collar, substan-
tially as set forth.
2. The combination in an umbrella, of a set of ribs U shaped in cross section,
cach rib being in two telescoping sections, the outer sections being arranged to
.slide over the inner sections, and the inner sections being pivoted to a collar on
the staff, and locking rods within the inner sections and pivoted to a collar on the
staff adjacent to the first named collar, substantially as set forth.
The combination in an umbrella, of a set of ribs U shaped in cross section,
each rib being in two telescoping sections, the outer sections being arranged to
slide over the inner sections, and the inner sections being pivoted to a collar on the
staff, and locking rods within the inner sections and pivoted to a collar on the
staff above the first named collar, substantially as set forth.
4. The combination in an umbrella, of a set of ribs having sections adapted to
telescope, locking rods for locking the rib sections when extended, a pair of collars
on the staff to which the ribs and locking rods are respectively pivoted, one of said
collars being stationary and the other movable to permit relative longitudinal
movements of the ribs and locking rods to effect the locking and unlocking of
the outer rib sections, and means for locking the movable collar when the locking
rods are in locking position, substantially as set forth.
5. The combination in an umbrella, of a set of ribs having sections adapted to
telescope, locking rods for locking the rib sections when extended, a pair of
collars on the staff to which the ribs and locking rods are respectively pivoted,
one of said collars being stationary and the other movable to nermit relative
longitudinal movements of the ribs and locking rods to effect the locking and
unlocking of the outer rib sections, and a movable staff section for locking the
movable collar when the locking rods are in locking position, substantially as
set forth.
6. The combination in an umbrella, of a set of pivoted ribs having sections
adapted to telescope, a collar on the staff to which the inner rib sections are pivoted,
a locking rod for each rib held parallel with the inner rib section, and a collar
adjacent to the first named collar to which the locking rods are pivoted, said rods
being capable of longitudinal movement relative to the inner rib sections in open-
ing and closing the umbrella to compensate for the difference at the pivotal points
of the ribs and locking rods, substantially as set forth.
7. The combination in an umbrella, of a set of pivoted ribs having sections
adapted to telescope, a collar on the staff to which the inner rib sections are pivoted,
a locking rod located within each of the inner rib sections, a collar adjacent to the
first named collar to which said locking rods are pivoted, and locking heads at the
outer ends of said locking rods adapted to enter slots in the overlapping end of
the rib sections when extended, said slots being of such length as to permit longitu-
dinal movement of the heads therein, in opening and closing the umbrella to com-
pensate for the difference in the pivotal points of the ribs and locking rods, sub-
stantially as set forth.
8. In a telescoping umbrella, the combination with telescoping rib sections, of
a locking device within each rib adapted to engage the outer rib section to lock it
in the extended position, and means whereby all the locking devices are simul-
taneously operated to unlock the outer rib sections, substantially as set forth,
9. In a telescoping umbrella, the combination with telescoping rib sections, of
a locking device within each rib and having a head adapted to enter a slot in the
outer rib section to lock it in the extended position, and means whereby all the
locking devices are simultaneously operated to unlock the outer rib sections, sub-
stantially as set forth.
10. In a telescoping umbrella, the combination with telescoping rib sections
U shaped in cross-section and provided with slots which are brought into line
when the rib sections are extended, of a locking rod located within the inner section
of each rib and having a head adapted to enter the slots and lock the outer section

page_text: in the extended position, and means whereby said rods are shifted to move said
heads into and out of locking position, substantially as set forth.
11. A sectional rib for telescoping umbrellas, having in combination two tele-
scoping rib sections, and a locking rod carried by the inner rib section, said inner
section having two arms by which the rib is adapted to be pivoted to a collar and
between which arms the locking rod extends for connection to another collar
adjacent to the first named collar, substantially as shown and described.
12. A sectional rib for telescoping umbrellas, having in combination two tele-
scoping rib sections U shaped in cross section, and a locking rod held within the
inner rib section, said inner section having two arms by which the rib is adapted
to be pivoted to a collar and between which arms the locking rod extends for con-
nection to another collar above the first named collar, substantially as shown and
described.
13. A sectional rib for telescoping umbrellas, having in combination two
telescoping rib sections U shaped in cross section and provided with slots which
are brought into line when the rib sections are extended, and a locking rod held
within the inner rib section and provided with a head adapted to enter the slots
and lock the sections in the extended position, said inner section having two arms
by which the rib is adapted to be pivoted to a collar and between which arms the
locking rod extends for connection to another collar, substantially as shown and
described.
14. A sectional staff composed of separable tubular sections having scarfed ends
provided with interlocking projections to hold the sections against separation by
longitudinal movement, and a movable rod or tube within the staff adapted to be
moved within the joint to hold the sections against separation by lateral displace-
ment, substantially as set forth.
15. A sectional staff having in combination separable tubular sections having
scarfed ends provided with interlocking projections to hold the sections against
separation by longitudinal movement, a rod or tube within one end of a section
and having an extension projecting from the other end, whereby said rod or tube
is adapted to be moved into the other section to bridge the joint when the scarfed
ends are interlocked and hold the sections against separation by lateral displace-
ment, substantially as set forth.
16. The combination in a sectional umbrella staff, of two tubular sections pro-
vided with interlocking projections, a locking rod within one tubular section
adapted to be moved partially into the other section to hold the sections in line
and prevent the unlocking of the projections, a hollow handle for said staff, a catch
for holding said handle in place and an extension of said locking rod pro-
jecting into the handle to prevent movement of the locking rod while the handle
is in place, substantially as set forth.
17. A telescoping umbrella having separable staff sections, telescoping rib
sections, and locking rods provided with locking heads all arranged and operated
substantially as herein described.
Dated March on 100.
HARRIS & MILLS,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.