Improvements in Umbrellas, Parasols, and the like.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Mar., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 7th Dec., 1893-Accepted, 17th Feb., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Umbrellas, Parasols, and the like.
I, BRUNO WERNER, of the Firm of Fels, Werner & Co., of 29 Leipzigerstrasse,
Berlin, in the Empire of Germany, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows :-
My invention relates to umbrellas, parasols, and the like and comprises
improvements in the construction of the stick and parts of an umbrella frame,
whereby an umbrella, parasol or the like is produced of slender proportions and
tapering gradually toward the point.
In carrying out my invention I place the top notch and the joints between it and
the ribs (which are provided with flat eyes) in a recess in the stick and secure the
notch in this recess by the wire which holds the ribs whilst the connection between
the stretchers with the ribs on the one hand and the runner on the other hand is
made on the usual principle, but by employing hinges with flat heads the top notch
and runner are provided with an uninterrupted edge so as to allow of the con-
struction of a very slender umbrella, and to prevent the wearing through of the
umbrella cover at the points of junction between the notch and the ribs and also
between the runner and the stretchers, the umbrella stick being moreover furnished
with a groove for the reception of the hinges between the umbrella ribs and the
stretchers if desired.
The runner is provided with slots for the reception of the lower eyes of the
stretchers, the margin or ring which forms the edge of the slots lying in depressions
in the stretchers close to the eyes thereof.
The ribs, as regards that portion of their length which follows the eyes at the
upper part, are made with a flat back, and at the same time rolled together,, first
completely and then partially, whilst the portion which follows the hinge-fork is at
first open, and then in the vicinity of the runner is rolled completely flat, the
stretcher consisting of a hollow triangular rod which completely enters the
U-shaped portion of the rib and applies itself closely to the portion which is rolled
flat, whilst at the points of attachment for the umbrella cover, the ribs are drilled
through and slightly widened laterally to make room for the thread which attaches
the cover.
The ribs and stretchers may in some cases be flattened as usual but made with
the eyes lying parallel to the umbrella stick, which eyes are secured in the slots in
The rib
the notch and runner by means of points or pins on the notch and runner.
is solid and in the vicinity of the joints between the runner and the ribs can be
pressed flat upon its inner side. The stretcher is hollow and has its back rolled
flat. Or I may employ a paragon rib with a solid stretcher. The ribs are in the
former case provided with a concavity at the points of attachment for the umbrella
cover, and in the latter case are drilled through and have their sides slightly open
at these points, whilst, in order that the hinges may be flat and low the solid rib is
pressed flat at the point of junction with the stretcher, and provided with an eye
which is surrounded by a casing embraced by the hinge, and the stretcher is cut
away at its curve to form a fork, and the runner is provided with slots for the
reception of the ends of the stretchers.
Dated this 7th day of March 1893.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: improvements in Umbrellas, Parasols, and the like.
I, BRUNO WERNER, of the Firm of Fels, Werner & Co., of 29, Leipzigerstrasse,
Berlin, in the Empire of Germany, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to he particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to umbrellas, parasols, and the like and comprises
improvements in the construction of the stick and parts of an umbrella frame,
whereby an umbrella, parasol or the like is produced of slender proportions and
tapering gradually toward the point.
In carrying out my invention I place the top notch and the joints between it and
the ribs (which are provided with flat eyes) in a recess in the stick and secure the
notch in this recess by the wire which holds the ribs whilst the connection between
the stretchers with the ribs on the one hand and the runner on the other hand is
made on the usual principle, but by employing hinges with flat heads the top notch
and runner are provided with an uninterrupted edge so as to allow of the con-
struction of a very slender umbrella, and to prevent the wearing through of the
umbrella cover at the points of junction between the notch and the ribs and also
between the runner and the stretchers, the umbrella stick being moreover furnished
with a groove for the reception of the hinges between the umbrella ribs and the
stretchers if desired.
The runner is provided with slots for the reception of the lower eyes of the
stretchers, the margin or ring which forms the edge of the slots lying in depressions
in the stretchers close to the eyes thereof.
The ribs, as regards that portion of their length which follows the eyes at the
upper part, are made with a flat back, and at the same time rolled together, first
completely and then partially, whilst the portion which follows the hinge-fork is at
first open, and then in the vicinity of the runner is rolled completely flat, the
stretcher consisting of a hollow triangular rod which completely enters the
U-shaped portion of the rib and applies itself closely to the portion which is rolled
flat, whilst, at the points of attachment for the umbrella cover, the ribs are drilled
through and slightly widened laterally to make room for the thread which attaches
the cover.
The ribs and stretchers may in some cases be flattened as usual but made with
the eyes lying parallel to the umbrella stick, which eyes are secured in the slots in
the notch and runner by means of points or pins on the notch and runner. The rib
is solid and in the vicinity of the joints between the runner and the ribs can be
pressed flat upon its inner side. The stretcher is hollow and has its back rolled
flat. Or I may employ a paragon rib with a solid stretcher. The ribs are in the
former case provided with a concavity at the points of attachment for the umbrella
cover, and in the latter case are drilled through and have their sides slightly open
at these points, whilst, in order that the hinges may be flat and low the solid rib is
pressed flat at the point of junction with the stretcher, and provided with an eye
which is surrounded by a casing embraced by the hinge, and the stretcher is cut
away at its curve to form a fork, and the runner is provided with slots for the
reception of the ends of the stretchers.
In order to enable the invention to be fully understood I will describe the same
by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :-
Figure 1 illustrates the method generally employed for connecting the umbrella
ribs with the top notch.
Figure 2 shows an improved arrangement for the same purpose.
Figure 2 is a sectional view of a part of Figure 2 drawn to an enlarged scale.

page_text: Figures and mustrate the method generany employed for connecting the rids
with the stretchers.
Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 show two modifications of my improved connection for the
same purpose.
Figure 9 shows that end of the umbrella rib which is connected with the top
notch drawn to a scale of about twice the ordinary size.
Figure 10 shows that portion of the umbrella stick to which the top notch is
fastened.
Figures 11, 12 and 13 show the construction of the top notch.
Figure 14 shows the improved runner with the stretchers connected thereto.
Figure 14 is a sectional view of a part of Figure 14 drawn to an enlarged
scale.
Figure 15 shows that part of the umbrella stick which corresponds to the point
at which the hinges formed by the junction of the stretchers with the ribs come
into contact with it.
Figure 16 is a sectional view of that part of a hollow stick which corresponds to
Figure 15.
An umbrella frame consists, as is well known, of the stick A, the top notch B
secured to the stick and carrying the umbrella ribs C, and the stretchers D which
connect the ribs C with the runner E. In order that the manufactured umbrella
may be of slender form, all these separate parts must. be so constructed and work
so together that at the points of junction of the separate parts there are no
enlargements to show themselves more strongly through the overlying umbrella
cover and spoil the look of the umbrella, in other words, not only must the
diameter of the notch be reduced as far as possible, but care must also be taken
that the connections of the ribs with the notch and of the stretchers with the ribs,
and also of the stretchers with the runner are so effected that the places where they
are respectively secured show as little as possible outside because such thickening
will be repeated eight or twelve times according to whether an umbrella in eight
or twelve segments is to be constructed.
Referring to Figures 224 and 10 for the purpose of reducing the diameter of
the top notch B it is let into the umbrella stick A to some extent, and the con-
nections of the ribs C with the top notch B and those of the stretchers D with the
ribs C and the runner E are so constructed that there is but little prominence on
the outside at the points of junction.
The top notch B is, as is shown in Figures 11, 12 and 13, formed of a strip of
metal, which is rolled up and pushed on to the umbrella stick A, and secured in a
recess, turned to the right depth, by a wire a which also serves to hold the umbrella
ribs C. The eyes or heads b which are to receive the ribs, are not as hitherto
(Figures 1, 3 and 4) constructed with their projecting edges vertical to the
umbrella stick, but are curved round flat (Figures 5-9) so that a very low con-
nection between the various parts of the umbrella frame is allowed of. The top
notch B, and also the runner E, is provided with an edge c or d projecting outward,
which edge supports the heads of the ribs C and of the stretchers D when the
umbrella is open. In the vicinity of the points of junction between the ribs C and
the stretchers D the umbrella stick A, is so recessed that when the umbrella is
closed the prominences caused by the junctions of the hinges lie in the recess, as
shown in Figure 15, and it is immaterial whether the ribs and stretchers of which
the frame is made up are of U-section or of round section, since in either case a
bulging of the umbrella at these points is prevented by the fact that the heads of
the hinges are made flat, and that the notch and the points at which the ribs and
stretchers are secured lie within the diameter of the stick. In some cases a hollow
stick A is employed, as shewn in Figure 16, having a recessed portion as above
described.
The rims c and d on the top notch B and the runner E respectively afford a
smooth surface of contact for the cover of the umbrella, at the points of junction
for the ribs and stretchers, (since the notch and runner are not cut through as are

page_text: the notches at present in use), so that the cover is not worn out so soon; in
umbrella frames as hitherto constructed the notch and runner are cut completely
through for the reception of the ribs and stretchers whereby the cover is speedily
worn through by the sharp edges.
The eyes 6 of the hinges by the new method of construction are of much greater
strength than those generally employed, which are wide and flat, since the full
strength of the wall of the rib is utilized.
If it be desired to make the umbrella still more slender, the eyes at the points of
the ribs, to which the cover is attached and which are usually made vertical, may
also be made on the flat.
By the combined effect of the several modifications in the umbrella frame herein
described a much greater slenderness of the umbrella is attained, without prejudice
to the strength of the frame, than has hitherto been possible.
The object aimed at, that is to say, the construction of an umbrella of small
diameter, may however be effected by the employment of top notches, runners, ribs,
stretchers, and their various connections with one another, of different form from
those described without departing from the substances of the present invention,
which consists in the particular method of arranging the combined action of the
separate parts of an umbrella frame.
For instance, as shown in Figures 17 and 18, a runner may be employed which
is cut through at various points e for the reception of the lower eyes of the
stretchers, so that these eyes fare contained entirely within the runner. Figure 19
shows the connection of the lower eyes of the stretchers D with the improved
runner E in which the stretchers are guided entirely by the position of their eyes f
inside the recesses.
The edge or ring g which forms the margin of these recesses, lies when the
umbrella is closed, entirely in the groove or depression of the stretchers D formed
above the eye (Figure 20). By the omission of the upper edge g or by limiting its
extent to a minimum, the slenderness of the umbrella at this point, where most of
the material of the cover lies, is considerably enhanced. The rib C which is here
made use of is peculiarly fashioned. Figures 21-21, show the rib in various
elevations and sections. At its upper part which follows the eye 6 (supposing the
point of the umbrella to be upward) the rib C is first of all rolled completely
together. In the part which follows, it is rolled partly together. At the same
time the back, as far as the fork F of the hinge, is rolled flat. The portion which
follows the hinge fork F is first, as usual, open but in the neighbourhood of the
runner is rolled quite flat. The stretcher consists, and this is entirely novel, of a
hollow rod approximately triangular in cross section, which lies completely within
the U-shaped part of the rib and applies itself closely to the part which is rolled
flat (Figure 214).
In order to ensure the complete entrance of the stretcher into the runner it is
further necessary to provide that the fastening of the cover does not interfere with
it (which it always does in the present form). For this purpose the rib is drilled
through at the point for the attachment of the cover, and slightly widened
at its sides in order to give room for the thread which effects the fastening
(Figure 21º).
Figure 22 shows another method of constructing the rib. The latter is here
flattened as usual, but has eyes lying parallel to the umbrella stick as have also the
stretchers. The fastening of the loops previously turned through 90°, to the top
notch and runner, is effected upon points or pins arranged in the slots k of
a top notch or runner, such as is shown in Figures 23, 234, 23B and 24, 24^.
The loops, now horizontal, are guided by the side walls of the slots, Figures 23
and 24.
Finally, a slender umbrella frame may be constructed by combining a solid rib
with a hollow stretcher, or conversely a paragon rib with a solid stretcher, as is
shown in Figures 25, 25° and 26, 26°.
At the points where the cover is secured, arrangements are provided similar to

page_text: those described for the rib seen in Figure 21ª. In the first case the rib is provided
with a recess, in the second case it is drilled through and has its sides broadened at
this point. When a solid rib is used with a paragon stretcher, the back of the
latter must be rolled flat, so that it may lie close against the umbrella stick. In
order that the hinge may be flat and low, the solid rib is pressed flat at the point
where the stretcher is fastened to it, and is provided with an eye m pointing
inwards, i.e., toward the umbrella stick, which eye is drilled through, and surrounded
by a casing n embraced by the hinge, so that the rib is prevented from breaking at
this point Figures 27, 274, 27B.
The solid rib is further pressed flat in the vicinity of the upper part of the
runner which receives the stretchers at r, upon its inner side, so that the points of
junction of the stretchers with the ribs do not project outward as has hitherto been
the case.
The curve at the back of the stretcher D is cut away to form a fork, so that,
as is shown in Figures 27°-27, the hinge of which it forms part is extremely low.
The runner E is here, as shown in Figures 28, 28A, provided with slots for the
reception of the ends of the stretchers. Figure 29 shews the stick A which is made
use of in the improved umbrella frame. It is recessed at its upper part at o to
receive the notch B and grooved at its centre at p, to give room for the joints of
the ribs with the stretchers.
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. An umbrella frame, in which the joints between the ribs C (which are
provided with flat eyes b) and the top notch B are placed in a recess in the stick A
and secured in this recess by a wire a which holds the ribs C whilst the connection
between the stretchers D with the ribs C on the one hand and the runner E on the
other hand, is made on the usual principle, but by employing hinges with flat heads
the top notch B and runner E are provided with an uninterrupted edge c or d so
as to allow of the construction of a very slender umbrella and to prevent the
wearing through of the umbrella cover at the points of junction between the notch
and the ribs and also between the runner and the stretchers, the umbrella stick A
being moreover furnished with a groove for the reception of the hinges between the
umbrella ribs C and the stretchers D if desired, substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. In an umbrella frame constructed in the manner described in Claim 1, the
employment of a runner such as E provided with slots for the reception of the
lower eyes f of the stretchers D, the margin or ring g of which. forming the edge
of the slots, lying in depressions h in the stretchers D and close to the eyes thereof,
substantially as herein before described aud illustrated in Figures 17 and 20 of the
accompanying drawings.
3. In an umbrella frame constructed as described in Claim 1 the employment of
ribs C which, as regard that portion of their length which follows the eyes b at the
upper part, are made with a flat back, and at the same time rolled together, first
completely and then partially, whilst the portion which follows the hinge-fork F is
at first open, and then in the vicinity of the runner is rolled completely, flat, the
stretcher D consisting of a hollow rod approximately triangular in cross section
which completely enters the U-shaped portion of the rib C and applies itself closely
to the portion which is rolled flat, whilst at the points of attachment i for the
umbrella cover, the ribs are drilled through and slightly widened laterally, to make
room for the thread which attaches the cover, substantially as hereinbefore described
and illustrated in Figures 21 to 21" of the accompanying drawings.
4. In an umbrella frame constructed as described in Claim 1, the employment of
ribs C and stretchers D which may in some cases be flattened as usual, but made
with the eyes b and flying parallel to the stick (Figure 22), which eyes are secured
in slots in the top notch B and runner E by means of points or pins / on

page_text: the notch and runner, substantially as herein before described and illustrated in
Figures 23-234, 23, 24 and 24 of the accompanying drawings.
5. In an umbrella frame constructed as described in Claim 1 the employment of
a solid rib C which in the vicinity of the joints between the runner and the ribs can
be pressed flat upon its inner side, combined with a hollow stretcher D the back of
which is rolled flat, or of a paragon rib C combined with a solid stretcher D the
said ribs being in the former case provided with a concavity at the points of
attachment for the umbrella cover, and in the latter case drilled through and
having their sides slightly open at these points, whilst, in order that the hinges F
may be flat and low the solid rib is pressed flat at the point of junction with the
stretcher, and provided with an eye m which is surrounded by a casing n embraced
by the hinge, and the stretcher D is cut away at its curve to form a fork, the
runner E (Figs. 28 & 284) being provided with slots e for the reception of the ends
of the stretchers, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in
Figures 25, 25, 26, 26, 27, 274, 27, 27° and 27º of the accompanying
drawings.
6. In an umbrella frame constructed as described in Claim 1 the employment of
a stick A which is recessed at its upper part at o for the reception of the top
notch B and at its middle portion has a concavity at p for the reception of the
joints of the hinges, substantially as herein before described and illustrated in
Figure 29 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated the 7th day of December 1893.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.