IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF RIBS FOR UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS, PART OF WHICH IS APPLICABLE TO THE HARDENING OF STRIPS OF STEEL GENERALLY
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Davies, of No. 1, Serle Street, Lincoln's
Inn, in the County of Middlesex, and No. 28, St. Enoch Square, in.
the City of Glasgow, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent, for the invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF RIBS FOR UMBRELLAS AND
PARASOLS, PART OF WHICH IS APPLICABLE TO THE HARDENING OF STRIPS OF
STEEL GENERALLY."-A communication from abroad by Richard Augustus
Stratton, Machinist, of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, United
ue City
Glasgow, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent, for the invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF RIBS FOR UMBRELLAS AND
PARASOLS, PART OF WHICH IS APPLICABLE TO THE HARDENING OF STRIPS OF
STEEL GENERALLY."-A communication from abroad by Richard Augustus
Stratton, Machinist, of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, United
States of America.
Sealed the 4th November 1862, and dated the 16th May 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Davies at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
16th May 1862.
I, GEORGE DAVIES, of No. 1, Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the County of
Middlesex, and No. 28, St. Enoch Square, in the City of Glasgow, Civil
Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF RIBS FOR UMBRELLAS AND
PARASOLS, PART OF WHICH IS APPLICABLE TO THE HARDENING OF STRIPS OF STEEL
GENERALLY," (a communication to me from abroad by Richard Augustus
Stratton, Machinist, of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, United States
of America,) to be as follows:-
The first part of this Invention consists in hardening the strips of steel wire
used for the ribs of umbrellas and parasols by passing the said strips while

page_text: red hot at an uniform speed through a hole in a trough containing water or
other suitable fluid, a constant stream of the latter being allowed to pass
through the said opening in contact with and so as to surround the strips of
steel wire. This portion of the Invention is applicable to the hardening of
strips of steel generally.
The second part of the Invention relates to the construction of the joints
which connect the stretchers to the ribs of umbrellas or parasols, and consists
of a metal block cast to each rib, and arranged for connection to the stretcher
so as to form with the end of the stretcher a' cheap and durable joint without
weakening the rib at the point where the greatest strength is required.
The third part of the Invention consists of metallic tips or knobs cast to the
steel ribs of umbrellas and parasols, so as to avoid the sharp, exposed, and
otherwise objectionable ends of the steel ribs as heretofore constructed.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said George Davies in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th
November 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
DAVIES, of No. 1, Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the County of Middlesex,
and No. 28, St. Enoch Square, in the City of Glasgow, Civil Engineer and
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fifth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said George Davies, Her special licence that I, the said George Davies,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said George
Davies, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF RIBS FOR UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS, PART OF WHICH IS APPLICABLE TO
HARDENING OF STRIPS OF STEEL GENERALLY," (a communication to me
from abroad by Richard Augustus Stratton, Machinist, of Philadelphia,
State of Pennsylvania, United States of America,) upon the condition
(amongst others) that 1, the said George Davies, my executors or adminis-

page_text: trators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause
the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Davies, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement
in writing, and on reference to the accompanying Drawings, that is to say:-
The first part of this Invention' consists in hardening the strips of steel wire
used for the ribs of umbrellas and parasols, by passing the said strips while
red hot at an uniform speed through' a holé in a trough containing water or
other suitable fluid, a constant stream of the lattér being allowed to pass
through the said opening in contact with and so as to surround the strips of
steel wire, as hereafter explained. This portion of the Invention is applicable
to the hardening of strips of steel generally.
The second part of the Invention relates to the construction of the joints
which connect the stretchers to the ribs of umbrellas or parasols, and consists
of a metal block cast to each rib, and arranged for connection to the
stretcher in the manner described hereafter, so as to form with the end of
the stretcher a cheap and durable joint without weakening the rib at the point
where the greatest strength is required.
The third part of the Invention consists of metallic tips or knobs cast to
the steel ribs of umbrellas and parasols, as described hereafter, so as to
avoid the sharp, exposed, and otherwise objectionable ends of the steel ribs as
heretofore constructed.
Such being the nature and object of the said Invention for "Improvements
in the Manufacture of Ribs for Umbrellas and Parasols, Part of which is
applicable to the Hardening of Strips of Steel generally," I will now proceed
to describe more in detail the manner in which the same is to be or may be
performed or carried into practical effect; and in order that the same may
be distinctly understood, I have annexed hereunto a Sheet of Drawings
illustrative thereof, and have marked the same with figures and letters
corresponding with those in the following explanation thereof, that is to'
say:
On reference to Drawing No. 1, which illustrates the first part of the'
Invention, Figure 1 is a vertical section of a machine' for practising the
improved mode of hardening strips of steel wire, and Figure 2 a front view of
the same.

page_text: A is a bench, supported by legs a, and in suitable standards G, G, secured
to this bench at the rear of the same, turns a shaft F, which has at each end
a pulley, alluded to hereafter. To the same bench A, and near the front end
of the same, are secured the two standards H and H', which are connected
together at the top by the cross bar I, and midway between the opposite ends
of the latter is secured a bracket J, to which the upper end of the forked
arm K is hung, by means of a pin passing through the "said arm and through
projections on the bracket. To the lower end of the forked arm is hung a
pulley L, on which is formed a collar arranged to fit freely in a groove formed
in the roller M; the opposite journals of which turn in boxes m, m, so attached
to the standards H and H' as to be rendered adjustable thereon, one journal of the
roller projecting beyond the box in which it turns, so as to receive a pulley N.
Midway between the two standards H and H³, and to the bench A, is secured
a vertical bar P, on which a number of brackets Q are so fitted as to slide
freely, and to be readily secured by set screws, or their equivalents, after
adjustment. To the front end of the bench is secured a tray R, on the bottom
of which is a projection t, and in this projection is a hole somewhat larger than
the strip of steel or steel wire which has to be hardened, and which has to
pass downwards through the said hole. Below this tray is another roller M³,
the journals of which turn in hangers n, n, secured to the under sides of the
standards Hand H¹, one projecting journal of this roller being furnished with
a pulley N¹, and having a groove for the admission of a collar on the pulley L',
which is hung to the lower end of the forked arm K¹, the latter being
suspended by means of a pin to projections q, q, on the under side of the
tray R. The collar on the pulley L has a groove coinciding with a similar
groove on the roller M¹, the two grooves combined presenting an opening
between the pulley and roller of a proper size and form to admit the strip of
steel or steel wire which has to be hardened, and which is guided by the said
grooves, the roller 1 by its own weight, or by the application of any
mechanical pressure having a tendency to force the strip of steel against
the groove of the roller M¹. The same remarks will apply to the upper
pulley L and upper roller M. T is a tube, in the vertical portion of which
are a series of perforations, the lower end of the tube communicating with the
two tubes w and x, one for the admission of common illuminating gas, and
the other for the admission of atmospheric air. Oil, water, or other suitable
fluid flows through the pipe v into the tray R, in which such a supply is con-
stantly maintained, that the water will pass in a continuous stream from the
tray through the hole in the projection t.
In the present instance the apparatus is illustrated. as in the act of

page_text: hardening steel wire cut into lengths of two feet, or thereabouts, and suitable
for forming the ribs and stretchers of umbrellas or parasols. A slow motion
is imparted to the shaft F, and thence through the two pulleys on the shaft,
the pulleys N and N¹, and suitable straps to the rollers M and M', the latter
turning in the direction pointed out by the arrows. A piece of wire to be
hardened is passed vertically through an opening in the projecting portion of
the highest bracket Q, the said opening being directly above that presented
by the grooves of the rollers L and M, through which opening the wire also
passes, and as it is pressed against the groove of the roller M by the roller L,
the former turning in the direction of the arrow, will draw the wire down-
wards, passing it through the projections of the series of brackets Q through
the hole in the tray R, after which it is drawn down by the roller M' in con-
junction with the roller L'. Thus a series of pieces of wire take the course
described, one piece after the other in continuous succession, and at an uniform
speed.
The distance between the upper and lower rollers is such in respect to
the length of the pieces of wire, that every piece is acted on either by the
upper or lower rollers from its insertion until its discharge into the trough W.
In the meantime, the gas passing through the perforations in the tube T, being
ignited, presents a vertical row of flames, the head of which is intensified by
the introduction of a plentiful supply of air into the tube, and these perfo-
rations are so situated, in respect to the course taken by the pieces of wire, as
to subject the latter to the direct action of the flames. As the pieces of wire,
therefore, pass slowly downwards, they are reduced to that uniform red heat
necessary prior to the hardening, and in this heated state they pass through
the hole in the tray through which water is constantly flowing, so that the
red-hot wire is completely surrounded by a vertical stream of water, and is
thereby thoroughly and rapidly cooled, and reduced to the desired hardness.
The advantage of this running stream of water, and its certain effect on the
heated metal will be understood, when the fact is known, that water in
motion has a much more rapid cooling action on red-hot metal than when the
latter is dipped into a cistern of still water. Moreover, in passing red-hot
metal into a cistern of water, the latter becomes disturbed in the neighbour-
hood of the metal, so as to act unequally on the surface of the same; but
when a constant flow of water is maintained in contact with, and surrounding
the metal moving slowly in the direction of the stream, this effervescence will
not take place, but the hardening process will be simultaneous with the
contact of the metal with the water, and as the hardened metal continues to
be surrounded with water, no reduction in the hardness can ensue. Unless

page_text: the strips of heated steel, however, are maintained in a perfectly straight con-
dition as they come in contact with the water, they would be bent or warped
when hardened, hence the use of the rollers and brackets for keeping the wire
straight while it is acted on by the series of flames, and while the hardening
process is continued. In place of one perforated tube two may be used, so as
to direct two sets of flames, one to one side and the other to the opposite
side of the wire. Continuous strips of steel or steel wire may be hardened
in the above apparatus, as also may saw blades, and other articles of thin
steel.
On reference to Drawing No. 2, which illustrates the second and third
portions of the Invention, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved
joint for the ribs and stretchers of umbrellas and parasols drawn to an enlarged
scale; Figure 2, a Diagram illustrating the manner of making that part of
the joint which attached to the rib; and Figure 3 represents the end of a
rib of an umbrella or parasol with the improved tip, also drawn to an enlarged
scale.
On reference to Figure 1, A represents a portion of one of the steel wire ribs
of an umbrella or parasol, and Ba portion of the wire stretcher jointed.
The stretcher has the forked end with which usually metal stretchers are
provided, and in this forked end fits a block D, attached to the rib A in the
manner described hereafter, a pin or rivet passing through the fork and the
block, and thus completing the joint. In constructing the joints of metal
ribs and stretchers, it has been usual to pierce the rib for the admission of
the pin or rivet, or to bend the rib in such a manner as to form an eye on
the same.
In the former case the rib is necessarily weakened at the point
where the greatest strength is required, and in the latter case the metal wire
is necessarily deteriorated by the abrupt bends to which it is subjected in
order to produce the eye. In some instances strips of brass or tin are bent
over the rib, and secured to tlie same by pressure so as to form a projection,
to which the forked end of the stretcher may be jointed, a plan both expensive'
and tedious.
Discarding all these plans, the Inventor casts the block D of metal directly
on to the rib at the desired point, a slight indentation having been made in
the wire, so that the metal block will retain its proper position on the rib;
or in place of indenting the rib it may be tinned at the point where the
block has to be secured, thus insuring a thorough union of the molten metal
with the steel rib. In order to cast the block on to the rib, the Inventor
makes use of the well-known type-moulding machine, which will be suffi-
ciently understood by reference to Figure 2. E represents the reservoir

page_text: containing the metal, of which the block D has to be made; F, the chamber
for containing the fire, the latter maintaining the metal in a molten state; and,
G, the chimney. By means of a lever H and plunger I a portion of the
molten metal is forced into a space inclosed by two dies K and K', this space.
being of the exact form of the block D; and the rod A having been pre-
viously passed through the dies at the proper point, so that the moment the
plunger I is operated the molten metal will surround and adhere to the rod,.
and a block D of the desired form will be produced. The hole in the block
for the reception of the pin may be drilled or punched, or it may be made
during the process of casting by passing a pin of proper size through the dies
at the desired point, and subsequently withdrawing the pin. The metal used
for forming the block may be ordinary type metal, or any metal or alloy. of
sufficient durability may be used. I will be evident without further descrip-
tion that joints thus constructed for ribs and stretchers of umbrellas and
parasols may
be made cheaply and rapidly, and without weakening the rib A
at the point where the greatest strength is required.
On reference to Figure 3, which illustrates the third portion of the Inven-
tion, A represents the end of the steel wire rib of an umbrella, and B the tip,
which is made of type metal or any metal or alloy which will melt at a
moderate heat, and which is sufficiently durable when cool, an eye a being
formed on the tip for attachment to the cover of the umbrella.
In order to
secure the tip to the rib, the Inventor makes use of the well-known type-
casting machine, as in the manufacture of the blocks D, the space inclosed
by the dies corresponding in shape with that of the desired tip. It should be
understood that the end of the wire is perforated or indented prior to its
introduction between the dies, so that the tip may retain its place on the rib,
or the latter may be tinned at the point where the tip has to be secured, so as
to insure the close adhesion of the latter to the wire. The eye is formed in
the dies at the time of casting the tip, or the eye may be drilled or punched
subsequently.
"
Having now described the nature and object of the said Invention for
"Improvements in the Manufacture of Ribs for Umbrellas and Parasols,
Part of which is applicable to the Hardening of Strips of Steel generally,"
together with the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or
carried into practical effect, I wish it to be understood that the Inventor does
not desire to confine himself to the precise mechanism herein described, as
the same may be modified without departing from the main features of the
Invention; but I claim as the Invention communicated to me by the afore-
said Richard Augustus Stratton,-

page_text: Firstly, hardening strips of steel or steel wire by passing them at an uni-
form speed and in a red-hot state through an opening in a trough containing
water or other suitable fluids, a constant stream of the latter being allowed to
pass through the said opening in contact with, and so as to surround the wire,
as herein set forth.
Secondly, heating the said strips of steel or steel wire by passing them
through guides adjacent to a perforated tube, into which common illuminating
gas and atmospheric air are introduced, so as to produce a series of flames, as
herein set forth.
Thirdly, the block D cast to the rib A, and arranged for connection to the
stretcher B, as and for the purpose set forth.
And, fourthly, metal tips cast on to the steel ribs of umbrellas and parasols,
as specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Davies, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
GEORGE DAVIES. (L.S.)