Improvements in or relating to Stands or Holders for Umbrellas, Sunshades, Walking Sticks, or the like
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Dec., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 20th Sept., 1897-Accepted, 18th Dec., 1897
VIDIONAD
"Improvements in or relating to Stands or Holders for Umbrellas,
Sunshades, Walking Sticks, or the like."
I, JOHN ACKERS GREGORY, of 34, Roe Lane, Southport, in the County of
Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object a stand for umbrellas, sunshades, walking
sticks or the like, the improvements being also applicable to existing stands for
the same or similar purposes. The main idea of the invention consists in isolat-
ing each umbrella, stick, sunshade from the others in the stand, thus ensuring
protection from tearing, soiling or other injury to which they have hitherto been
so liable through their insertion in one and the same receptacle.
In carrying my invention into effect, the plan I prefer is to form my stand with
a series of tubes, the number provided depending of course upon the size and nature
of the stand, each tube being of such diameter as to hold one umbrella only. These
tubes are constructed of papier mache, wood, iron, zinc, or any other suitable
material, and may be perforated, or they may be made of wire or wire gauze, so
as to enable the air to have free access to assist in drying the fabric of the umbrella,
when put in the tubes wet. Suitable ventilators according to the nature of the
tube might also be applied. The framework in which these tubes are fitted is
of any suitable material and shape, with a movable tray, or reservoir to catch the
water drainage. The tubes are provided with apertures near the bottom for the
better escape of the water drainage into the movable tray and the interstices
formed between the rows of tubes are applicable for holding walking sticks. The
tubes are fixed in position in the frame in any suitable manner, preferably so that
they can be removed for cleaning. They may also be made telescopic if desired
so that they may be lengthened or shortened to suit umbrellas, etcetera, of different
lengths; or the same result can be secured by providing the stand with tubes of
various lengths, or each of the tubes may even be provided with a vertical slot at
the top, so that if the umbrella is too short for the tube, the umbrella will, notwith-
standing this, drop down to the bottom of the tube, and the projecting end of the
handle be received by and slide into the slot.
The top of the tube may be provided with a hinged or movable cap or dome
or other suitable cover or check, so as to protect the top of the umbrella, and this
cap or dome can be provided with means for locking it, so as to prevent the
umbrella being taken out of the tube except by its owner.
In order to obviate the inconvenience and annoyance caused by the inadequate
provision for hats, overcoats and umbrellas etcetera (especially when wet) in public
halls, churches, concert halls, theatres etcetera, where the services of an attendant
or cloakroom are not at all times available, a tube is provided to attach to the backs
of seats and available to the occupant of the seat opposite to such tube, or they
may, as in churches be attached at the ends of seats or even placed horizontally
at the backs of seats if preferred by some variations in the designs.

page_text: An automatic locking and coin releasing mechanism may also be applied to the
tubes or receptacles, and an indicator may be employed for showing whether
the receptacle is occupied or not. To this end, I may provide a movable tray and
reservoir, and a foot with an aperture for drainage into same, or the foot may be
made to hold the water drainage and screw on or otherwise attach to the tube of
the stand, making it self contained, and the over-flow, if any, into the movable
tray or reservoir provided for by apertures. The indicator for showing whether
the stand is occupied or not, is worked, by the pressure of the umbrella
or other article resting on a perforated foot at the base of the tube.
This perforated foot is hinged to one side of the tube and a spring raises the foot
to the proper position. A rod is attached to the foot and works in a groove,
brackets or small tube on its own side of the pipe. A plate or tablet is attached
to this movable rod having the words "engaged" and "vacant." On the
umbrella touching the foot, the spring is depressed pulling down the indicator,
so as to display the word "engaged" at the opening, and resuming its position,
on the umbrella being taken out, so as to display the word "vacant." A support
or platform for the perforated foot to rest upon may be provided. There may be
also a catch sliding in a slit in the pipe, thus enabling the indicator to be acted
upon by hand, the catch hitching in a notch at a point at which the particular
word is required. On the right and left sides of the tubes, two pegs for hats and
overcoats may be fixed, and these could work on a swivel or hinge with or without
a spring to throw them back and thus prevent them catching the dress of anyone
passing. Spring clips may be provided to attach the pipe to a stand as in other
tubes. The indicator may be applied to any tubes or receptacles whether long or
short, if to the short pipes, which do not rest on the bottom of the movable tray
in the stands, two guides of wire, iron, brass or strong wire, etcetera, are run down
from the bottom of the tube and attached to a rim to which the perforated foot
may be hinged. The indicator rod may be made to act upon the lid so as to open
and shut the same if required.
If desired the tubes or holders may be horizontal or sloping, for use in positions
where vertical receptacles would be inconvenient as in pews or seats of churches
etc. In this case the apparatus is provided with a base having two pillars or
supports for holding the tubes which, by preference, are preferably not. quite hori-
zontal but in a sloping position, one end opening into one of the hollow pillars,
and the water drainage running down into a water tray or drawer at the foot.
The tubes or holders may be provided with self-acting lids with flap hinged
thereto. On pressing the lid down by hand, or on an umbrella being inserted,
the lid is pressed below the level of the top of the holder on the umbrella being
allowed to descend below the top, and a spring then presses the under side of the
lid and raises it to its normal position. It is thus self-acting, and need not be
opened or shut by hand. It can also be locked and applied to the telescopic tops
if required:
Improvements in or relating to Stands or Holders for Umbrellas,
Sunshades, Walking Sticks, or the like."
I, JOHN ACKERS GREGORY of 34 Roe Lane, Southport, in the County of
Lancaster, Professor of Music, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and

page_text: in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention has for its object a stand for umbrellas, sunshades, walking sticks
or the like, the improvements being also applicable to existing stands for the same
or similar purposes. The main idea of the invention consists in isolating each
umbrella, stick, sunshade from the others in the stand, thus ensuring protection
from tearing, soiling or other injury to which they have hitherto been so liable
through their insertion in one and the same receptacle.
In carrying my invention into effect, the plan I prefer is to form my stand with
a series of tubes, the number provided depending of course upon the size and nature
of the stand, each tabe being of such diameter as to hold ane umbrella only. These
tubes are constructed of papier maché, wood, iron, zinc, or any other suitable
material, and may be perforated, or they may be made of wire or wire gauze, so
as to enable the air to have free access to assist in drying the fabric of the umbrella,
when put in the tubes wet. Suitable ventilators according to the nature of the
tube might also be applied. The framework in which these tubes are fitted is of
any suitable material and shape, with a movable tray or reservoir to catch the
water drainage. The tubes are provided with apertures near the bottom for the
better escape of the water drainage into the movable tray and the interstices
formed between the rows of tubes are applicable for holding walking sticks.
tubes are fixed in position in the frame in any suitable manner, preferably so that
they can be removed for cleaning. They may also be made telescopic if desired
so that they may be lengthened or shortened to suit umbrellas, etcetera, of different
lengths; or the same result can be secured by providing the stand with tubes of
various lengths, or each of the tubes may even be provided with a vertical slot at
the top, so that if the umbrella is too short for the tube, the umbrella will, not-
withstanding this, drop down to the bottom of the tube, and the projecting end
of the handle be received by and slide into the slot.
'he
The top of the tube may be provided with a hinged or movable cap or dome or
other suitable cover or check, so as to protect the top of the umbrella, and this
cap or dome can be provided with means for locking it, so as to prevent the
umbrella being taken out of the tube except by its owner.
In order to obviate the inconvenience and annoyance caused by the inadequate
provision for hate, overcoats and umbrellas etcetera (especially when wet) in public
halls, churches, concert halls, theatres etcetera, where the services of an attendant
or cloakroom are not at all times available, a tube is provided to attach to the
backs of seats and available to the occupant of the seat opposite to such tube, or
they may, as in churches be attached at the ends of seats or even placed hori-
zontally at the backs of seats if preferred by some variations in the designs.
An automatic locking and coin releasing mechanism may also be applied to the
tubes or receptacles, and an indicator may be employed for showing whether the
receptacle is occupied or not. To this end, I may provide a movable tray and
reservoir, and a foot with an aperture for dmúnage into same, or the foot may be
made to hold the water drainage and screw on or otherwise attach to the tube of
the stand making it. self contained, and the over-flow, if any, into the movable
tray or reservoir provided for by apertures. The indicator for showing whether
the stand is occupied or not, is worked by the pressure of the umbrella or other
article resting on a perforated foot at the base of the tube. This perforated foot
is hinged to one side of the tube and a spring raises the foot to the proper position.
A rod is attached to the foot and works in a groove, brackets or small tube on its
own side of the pipe. A plate or tablet is attached to this movable rod having
the words "engaged" and "vacant." On the umbrella touching the foot, the
spring is depressed pulling down the indicator, so as to display the word "engaged"
at the opening, and resuming its position, on the umbrella being taken out, so as.
to display the word "vacant." A support or platform for the per-
forated foot to rest upon may be provided. There may be also
catch sliding in a slit in the pipe, thus enabling the indicator to be acted

page_text: upon by hand, the catch hitching in a notch at a point at which the particular
word is required. On the right and left sides of the tubes, two pegs for hats
and overcoats may be fixed, and these could work on a swivel or hinge with a
spring to throw them back and thus prevent them catching the dress of anyone
passing. Spring clips may be provided to attach the pipe to a stand as in the
other tubes. The indicator may be applied to any tubes or receptacles whether
long or short, if to the short pipes, which do not rest on the bottom of the movable
tray in the stands, two guides of wire, iron, brass or strong wire, etcetera, are run
down from the bottom of the tube and attached to a rim to which the perforated
foot may be hinged. The indicator rod may be made to act upon the lid so as
to open and shut the same if required.
If desired the tubes or holders may be horizontal or sloping, for use in posi-
tions where vertical receptacles would be inconvenient as in pews or seats of
churches, etc. In this case the apparatus is provided with a base having two
pillars or supports for holding the tubes which, by preference, are preferably not
quite horizontal but in a sloping position, one end opening into one of the hollow
pillars, and the water drainage running down into a water tray or drawer at the
foot.
The tubes or holders may be provided with self-acting lids with flap hinged
thereto. On pressing the lid down by hand, or on an umbrella being inserted, the
lid is pressed below the level of the top of the holder on the umbrella being allowed
to descend below the top, and a spring then presses the under side of the lid and
raises it to its normal position. It is thus self-acting, and need not be opened
or shut by hand. It can also be locked and applied to the telescopic tops if
required.
The invention will be more fully understood from the accompanying drawings,
in which,
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a number of umbrella holders arranged in a
stand, such holders being simple tapering tubes open at the bottom and having a
recess for the handle of the umbrella.
Figure 2 a plan of the same;
Figure 3 an enlarged elevation of one of the holders; and,
Figure 4 a plan thereof;
Figure 5 is a front elevation partly in section of the invention applied to an
ordinary umbrella stand abutting against a wall, the tubes in this case resting
on the bottom of the tray and having closed ends;
Figure 6 an end view; and
Figure 7 a plan thereof;
Figure 8 shows a holder having a spring lid or cover.
Figure 9 a holder the lower portion of which is formed to prevent more than
one umbrella being insorted at a time.
Figure 9 another arrangement for a similar purpose,
Figure 10 is an elevation of a holder in which the umbrella can be inserted
at the side,
Figure 11 a sectional plan thereof, and
Figure 12 a sectional plan of a slight modification,
Figures 13 to 21 inclusive shows various modifications to be hereinafter described
of the form of holder,
Figure 22 shows a device for indicating whether the holder is in use or not,
Figure 23 is a front elevation partly in section of a holder arranged horizontally,
and,
Figure 24 illustrates a coin releasing mechanism.
Figure 25 shows one way in which a tube can be secured in position.
Referring first to Figures 1 to 4, A is the stand or framework which may he of
any suitable material and shape and B are the tubes or holders constructed of
papier mache, wood, iron, zinc or any other suitable material and preferably per-
forated or they may be made of wire or wire gauze so as to enable the air to have

page_text: free access to assist in drying the fabric of the umbrella when put in the tubes
wet. The holders in this case are simple tapering tubes each having a recess or
slit to receive the handle of the umbrella (if it be a lady's or a short one) and
to prevent such umbrella from dropping into the tube so far down that it would
be inconvenient to get out. C is a movable tray or reservoir to catch the water
drainage, Da frame or top provided with holes to receive the tubes and to support
them clear of the tray C, and E holes in the frame to receive walking sticks or if
this frame is not used the spaces between the tubes may be utilized to receive
walking sticks. The tubes may be either open at the bottom or closed and provided
with apertures near the bottom for the escape of the water drainage into the
movable tray C such as shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7. In these Figures the tubes B
rest on the bottom F of the tray and each has a clip G which holds them in position."
B are perforated partitions near the bottom of the tube upon which the umbrellas
stand, the portion 61 beneath being also perforated to allow drippings to drain into
the tray and air to circulate through the tubes to dry the umbrella. In some cases
there is a lid B2 on the top of the tube to prevent dust accumulating and a lock
and key to prevent an umbrella being surreptitiously taken away or a spring lid
may be provided as shown in Figure 8. The lid may either be flat or it may be
raised to admit the handle of an umbrella.
Figure 9 shows the lower portion b of a tube tapered to the diameter of the
ferrule with base closed or perforated this formation preventing the insertion of
a second umbrella. In Figure 9 this object is served by introducing springs ba
in the mouth of the tube B which springs are forced apart on the insertion of an
umbrella or the like and on resuming their normal positions prevent the insertion
of a second article. In the arrangement shown in Figures 10, 11 and 12, the
umbrella is inserted through an opening in the side of the tube B such opening
being afterwards closed by a sliding door C, Figures 10 and 11, or by a door
turning on a pivot el, Figure 12. The tubes may be made telescopic if desired so
that they may be lengthened or shortened to suit umbrellas of different lengths,
or the same result can be secured by providing the stand with tubes of various
lengths or shapes or each of the tubes may be provided with a vertical slot or slots
so that if the umbrella is too short for the tube, the umbrella will notwithstanding
this drop down to the bottom of the tube and the projecting handle be received
by and slide in the slot.
Figure 13 shows a telescopic tube, the two portions G G of which are provided
with vertical slits g for ventilation, but on either of the portions G G¹ being rotated,
the slits 9 can be closed to keep out the dust. The lower portion g' of this tube
is in itself a water tray and overflow perforations, such lower portion being
screwed on to the tube or attached by a hinge for the purpose of emptying it, or it
may be formed in one with the tube and have a plug or tap at the bottom to draw
off the water. In Figure 14 an umbrella is shown resting on a short tube H
adapted to slide up or down inside the main tube B, the tube H being held in
position by springs h. H¹ is a handle projecting through a slot in the outer tube
or two handles may be employed for the purpose of adjusting the height of the
inner tube and retaining it at any required height, h' are perforations for ventila-
tion, the outer tube may also be perforated. 3 are perforations at the base of
main tube to drain the same. In order to obviate the inconvenience and annoy-
ance caused by the inadequate provision for hats, overcoats and umbrellas,
especially when wet in public halls, churches, theatres, etcetera, where the services
of an attendant or a cloakroom are not at all times available a tube is provided as
shown in Figures 15, 16 and 17 to attach to the backs of seats and available to the
occupant of the seat opposite to such tube, or they may as in churches be attached
at the ends of seats or even placed horizontally at the backs of seats. In Figures 15
and 16, the tube which is perforated is provided with hooks I fixed or folding
for hats, overcoats, etcetera, and clips i for securing it to the seat and is a false
bottom. Figure 17 shows an imperforate tube provided with hooks and clip and
a false bottom the bottom of such tube being detachable as shown.

page_text: In some cases a simple tube may be provided as in Figure 18, the drippings
which collect in the bottom being drawn off by a plug or tap and the overflow
through the perforations or a removable tray J may be provided, as shown in
Figure 19, J being a sliding door to allow of its removal. Figures 20 and 21
illustrate a telescopic tube in its extended and contracted positions and having
clips K for purposes hereinbefore described. A clip K may also be fitted to main
tube and also the slot and handle H as in Figure 14 may be used if desired, the
handle H being adapted to hitch in a notch or notches in the side of slot to hold
the tube at any required height. Now in regard to the automatic locking and coin
releasing mechanism which may be applied to the tubes and the indicator for
showing whether the holder is occupied or not. In Figure 22 the tube or holder 13
is provided with a perforated foot or hase L on which the umbrella resta. This
perforated foot is hinged at 7 to one side of the tube and a spring keeps the foot
normally in its raised position. A rod L' is attached to the foot and carries a
plate or table M having the words engaged and vacant. On the umbrella touching
the foot, the spring is depressed and the rod L' pulls down the tablet M or
indicator so as to display the word engaged at an opening in the outer tube and
resuming its position on the umbrella being taken out so as to display the word
vacant, further, the rod L may also operate levers m and m' so that when the
foot or base L is depressed by an umbrella a spring N will be withdrawn from the
lid allowing it to drop and to close the tube and on the umbrella being taken out
the lid is automatically opened by the parts resuming their normal positions.
If desired the tubes or holders may be horizontal or sloping as shown in Figure 23.
In this case the apparatus is provided with a base O having two pillars or sup-
porta l' for holding the tubes Q one end of such tubes opening into one of the pillars
which is hollow and the water drainage running down into a water tray or drawer I
at the foot. The lids or covers q may turn on pivots in a similar manner to that
shown in Figure 12. A coin releasing mechanisin is shown in Figure 24 consisting
of an arm or lever S having a coin receptacle S' at one end and a catch s at the
other end the latter being pivoted at s and the lever at . is a stop for keeping
the lever from rising beyond a given position. T is the lid pivoted at t and having
a downwardly extending arm T with a notch at the end to receive the catch
which may be of any shape which will allow the notch in the arm T" to slide over
it the lid T also having a spring & tending to force it upwards or to open it. U is
a rod working in guides and operated by a hinged base plate as in Figure 22. To
open the tube or holder the coin is caused to fall into the coin receptacle S' by
means of a shute which may be attached to the holder B or to any surrounding
object thereby turning the lever S on its pivot S2 and raising the catch s sufficient
to free it from the notch in the arm T" and for the coin to fall out of its receptacle
into a drawer or box attached to the holder or separate therefrom. The arm T¹
being free admits of the lid being raised by the spring underneath and of the
lever S resuming its normal position ready for another coin. The lid now being.
free can be fully opened and the umbrella inserted in the tube until it rests on the
hinged base or foot. On the umbrella being taken out of the tube the base L
now rises by action of the springs V, and the rod U working in guides u by
pressing against the back of the lid T turns it on its pivot t thereby forcing the
lid with its depending arm T downwards, until its notch again engages with the
catch s, this being possible owing to the catch being hinged or pivoted to the
lever S and being spring supported. The lid is pivoted slightly below 'the level
of the top of the tube so that it cannot be opened by hand without first raising it
by means of the coin, neither can it be raised before the coin is inserted as it is
prevented by the lever S and spring V the weight of the lever combined with the
spring overcomes the pressure of the spring which tends to force the lid up.
but on the coin heing inserted and falling as it does down a shute it will strike
the pocket S with considerable force thereby raising the catch and freeing the
lid, which lid being freed from the weight of the lever will then be raised by the
spring overcoming the pressure of the spring V. It will be obvious that
s¹
3

page_text: the manner of securing the, tubes or holder will vary according to the place and
position it is required to fix them. The catch s is so pivoted at s¹ that it can
turn in one direction only, that is downwards, consequently it must turn on the
pivot Sa to allow the rod T to rise but as such rod descends it turns the
catch (which with the lever has returned to its normal position) on its
pivot s until the notch in the rod gets underneath the catch, the latter then
instantly returns to its normal position by reason of the spring underneath it and
prevents the rod T from rising until another coin is inserted.
Referring to Figure 25, V are slots which may go either the whole or part of
the length of the tubes, W pins passing through these slots, and having a button,
or bar on one end and a perforated plate rod or clip W on the other having means
for fastening to a stand. There is a nut W at end of the pin W so that by
tightening up this nut, the plate or clip will hold the tube at any given point,
according to the height of the stand to which the tube may be applied.
The tubes may be provided with any suitable checks for preventing the inser-
tion of more than one umbrella in each tube.
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. The improvements in or relating to stands or holders for umbrellas, sunshades,
walking sticks or the like, consisting of a tapering or a parallel tube open at the
top and bottom and having one or more vertical slits or recesses to receive the
handle of the umbrella, sunshade or the like when necessary, such tubes or holders
being adapted to either stand alone or be grouped together in a frame or stand in
such a manner that the umbrellas, etc. can be each placed and isolated in a separate
tube, and the walking sticks and the like in the interstices between the tubes or
in holes in a plate as shown in Figure 4 of the drawing, thereby ensuring protec-
tion of the umbrella etc. from tearing, soiling or other injury.
2. A tube or holder for umbrellas, sunshades, walking sticks or the like, having
one or more vertical slits or recesses extending downwards from the top to receive
the handles of such umbrellas, etc., a perforated or imperforate horizontal partition
near the bottom on which the article inserted rests, and perforations or apertures
in the tube either below or above such partition for the escape of the water
drainage, substantially as described.
3. An isolating tube or holder for the purposes described, having a lid or cover
with or without a spring actuating arrangement or secured by lock and key, such
lid or cover being either flat or raised to receive the handle of the article con-
tained in the tube, substantially as described.
4. A telescopic tube or holder for umbrellas, sunshades or the like, either having
a plain surface, as shown in Figures 20 and 21, or provided with slits or perforations
for ventilation and for drying the fabric of the umbrella if such be put in wet,
whereby articles of various lengths may be inserted, substantially as described.
5. The combination with a tube or holder such as described, of hooks or pegs
for holding hats, overcoats and the like.
6. The combination with umbrella, etcetera, tubes and holders, of an indicator
so arranged that on inserting an umbrella or other like article therein, it will
indicate that the tube is engaged, and on the withdrawal of the same indicate that
the tube is vacant, the mechanism operating the indicator also opening and closing
the lid or cover, substantially as described and shown.
7. A horizontal or slightly inclined tube or holder for umbrellas, sunshades,
walking sticks or the like substantially as described and shown with reference to
Figure 23 of the accompanying drawing.
8. The coin actuated mechanism substantially as described and shown with
reference to Figure 24 of the accompanying drawing, whereby on the insertion of
a coin, the lid or cover is free to be opened, and on the withdrawal of the umbrella

page_text: or other article, such lid is automatically locked until released by another coin
inserted.
9. The arrangement for holding the isolating tubes at any given point according
to the height of the stand to which the tube is applied, substantially as described
and shown in Figure 25 of the drawings.
10. The combination with a tube of springs such as 6 arranged inside near
the tube entrance, which springs are forced apart on the insertion of an umbrella
or the like, and prevent the insertion of a second article, substantially as described.
11. The combination with a device or stand for holding umbrellas, sunshades
and the like, of a lid or cover arranged at top thereof, and an automatic locking
and coin releasing mechanism, adapted to automatically lock the lid of the device
when the umbrella or other article is removed, but so arranged as to free the lid
and admit of the re-insertion of an umbrella or like article into the device when a
coin of pre-determined value is inserted through the coin slot.
12. The general combined arrangement and construction of parts substantially
as described and shown in the respective figures of the drawings.
Dated this 18th. day of September 1897.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.
Patent Agents, Of Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham & London.