IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jules Minière at the Office*
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th March 1879.
JULES MINIÈRE, of Paris, Manufacturer (France). "IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS
AND PARASOLS."
In a previous Patent granted to me on the 30th May, in the year 1878, No. 2173,
I described a system of automatic closing of umbrellas, parasols, and the like by the
aid of the one hand which holds the same, the result being obtained by springs of
peculiar construction which are fitted to slide upon or within the ribs and the
stretchers, and by pulling appliance serving to disengage the runner.
My present Invention has for object, 1, a different form of the arms or free
extremities of the helical springs, whose functions are always the same.
2. The arrangement of a simple steel wire in the interior of the hollow stick or
cane (wood or metal), for freeing the runner in the same manner as before
described.
1. SPRINGS OF HELICAL SHAPE FOR PRODUCING THE AUTOMATIC CLOSING.
Figure 1 represents (double the full size) a spring with a helical twist or coil R,
with double wrappings seen flat, but not sett. The arm A which terminates the
interior coil is flat upon one part of its length, and is bent at the point Z, so that
the extremity is in one direction perpendicular to the axis of the spring.
The arm
B which makes the exterior wrappings or coils is always enveloped in a sheath or
socket of plate steel, which gives the necessary rigidity. It is terminated by a
small eye S formed by the same steel wire.
Figure 2 shows a side view of the spring R and the arms bent or sett and
crossing each other. The two arms or free extremities A and B are not turned at
right angles near the wrappings. The arm .A is slightly bent at the part I, and
terminates in a hook which enters a channel or groove formed in the stretcher.
[Price 6d.]

page_text: The arm B enveloped by the sheath or socket is bent or curved at I', at a distance
determined by the wrappings or coils in such a way that it does not touch the fork
of the stretcher when the umbrella is closed, neither the joint pin of the frame
when the umbrella is open.
Figure 3 represents one of my springs of double wrappings or coils in position in
the prongs of the stretcher H attached to the "middle bit" G. It is in this
position that the spring acts with the greatest energy for producing rapidly the
automatic closing of the umbrella with application of the free extremities of the
ribs upon the runner. The arm A has a point of support upon the stretcher in
the groove, in which enters its extremity in the form of a hook. The arm B
which constitutes the moveable portion of the spring is connected to the rib M, N,
by the small eye S about 2 millemetres in exterior diameter, and playing freely
between two walls of the rib from C to D. The eye S is formed from the same
piece of steel; it has the means of binding the spring and the rib together.
Dispensing with the elbow at right angles from the coils permits of the con-
struction of these springs being made with great strength and of more solidity,
sharp elbows often causing a breakage of the springs. The two arms A and B are
simply bent round about 1 centimetre at the wrappings.
The arm B preserves the round form of the elbow by means of the sheath of
sheet steel which envelopes it. The arm A pressing upon the principal part of its
length against the stretcher preserves naturally its form, without the addition of
the sheath or socket. To avoid oxidation, the springs which slide in the ribs are
tinned.
The helical spring R acts always in the same manner for producing the
automatic closing of the umbrella by the tendency of the two arms to approach
each other.
In this Figure the stretcher is found perpendicular upon the rib. This last is
curved or bent, and is furnished in addition to the "middle bit" with an additional
bit" J, between whose ears the stretcher lodges when the umbrella is closed.
This "bit" J prevents lateral movement of the rib when closed; I can, if desired,
give the same forms of the two arms with springs of single wrappings or coils.
Figure 4 represents a runner K provided with a notch having 16 cuts in which
are articulated the forks of the stretchers, the lower part E is found alightly
rounded. The socket or barrel of the runner is. continued to beyond the notch,
and terminates with a ring lip Y, on which passes the stop springs which fixes the
opening of the umbrella. Besides, I can substitute for this runner all others of
forms and constructions different.

page_text: In order to strengthen the extremity of the cane which receives the tenon, I
introduce the part P into the fixed ferrule h, carrying a slot which coincides with
the other slot e', and provided with a cheek or swelling which hides the joint of
the handle with the stick.
The hollow stick can be continued beyond the moveable ferrule and can be
ornamented as desired.
Figure 7 represents the position of the steel wire T, the moveable ferrule V, and
the runner K. When the umbrella is open the end of the lower hook b is completely
concealed by a circular swelling d of the moveable ferrule V in which it penetrates,
and is maintained for this purpose. The ferrule V, see Figures 10 and 11, is
pierced in the interior d under the swelling by a small hole x, in which engages
the end of the hook b, so that the ferrule V may slide upon the handle without
being able to turn.
The moveable ferrule is formed by two cylindrical parts, the swelled portion d is
adapted for abutting and setting upon the portion V¹, see Figure 10.
The runner K after having drawn with it the upper hook a is taken hold of by
the aid of a swelling y by the flat spring L which holds it open.
prevents the runner continuing its course.
A stop Z
The top notch has 16 notches for receiving the ends of the ribs. The travel of
the moveable ferrule V is limited by the length of the apertures e, c¹.
The working of this mechanism is always the same, it suffices to pull with the
thumb of the hand holding the handle the moveable ferrulo V to draw upon the
steel wire T, then the upper hook pressing upon the runner K disengages it from
under the spring plate L, and the helical spring in single or double wrappings or
coils operating the automatic closing of the umbrella or parasol.
Figure 8 represents an umbrella closed with the extremities of the ribs bent
inwards, as shown, under the runner notch and against the barrel of the runner.
The main features of this Invention are,-
1. The new or improved form given to two arms of the helical springs of single
or double wrappings or coils, the arms having each a rounded elbow formed about
1 centimetre from the wrappings, and one of the two arms that which continues
the exterior wrappings terminating with an eye obtained from the same steel
wire.
2. The mechanism for interior drawing, for releasing the runner and permitting
the automatic closing of umbrellas, the mechanism being essentially characterised
by the employment of a steel wire, having spring hooks projecting through two
apertures contrived in the hollow cane.

page_text: 3rd. SCREW THREADED RUNNER WITH INNER RECESSED NUT HAVING SIXTEEN
NOTCHES AND SMALL FORKS OR PRONGS IN THE FORM OF FORK-LINKS, ENABLING
THE STRETCHER TO BE WORKED IN COMBINATION WITH THE RUNNER.
Figures 8 and 8bis represent in elevation and in section a runner completely
formed and composed of three distinct pieces or parts. 1. The socket or barrel K,
Figure 9, which is terminated by a ring n, and is filleted or threaded on the out-
side at its other end below a second ring n'. 2. The inner recessed nut I with
16 notches, Figures 10 and 10 bis. 3. A. disc interiorly threaded carrying a rim E
formed by stamping.
These three pieces are put into position by first placing the nut I onto the socket
or barrel K, sliding it over the screw-thread, the disc D and rim is then screwed on
so as to force the nut tightly against the second ring n'.
The small prongs or forks J of the stretchers (Figure 11) are formed by suitably
bending round steel wires, the two parallel sides being flattened. Their ends U are
enchased in the stretchers. The round portion of the steel wire included between
the two parallel sides are hooked and form joint between two notches in the interior
recess of the nut I (Figures 8 and 12); it thus serves as an axis to the prong or
fork J in the form of a fork-link. It will be seen therefore that by this means the
wire, for which is at present in use for fastening the ends of the forks in the notches
of the runner nut, is entirely dispensed with.
When the eight fork-linked forks of the stretchers are articulated in the inner
recesses of the nut the disc, with its rim, is screwed up against the nut, which
Intter is prevented rising by the second ring n¹. By this means the link-jointed
forks are firmly and perfectly fastened and articulated to the runner.
In the same way the small fork-linked forks on the ribs are articulated or jointed
to the fixed nut S, also provided with an inner recess and with 16 notches. This
fixed nut is composed of three parts (Figure 13) which are put together by simply
screwing in a similar way to the runner.

page_text: 4th. MECHANISM OR ARRANGEMENT FOR DISENGAGING THE RUNNER BY MEANS O
SIMPLY PULLING A STEEL WIRE.
Figure 14 shows the steel wire or rod T which I employ as a tension or dis-
engaging appliance which is placed in the interior of the hollow metal or wooden
stick or handle. This steel rod or wire, having a diameter of only 1 to 1%, millimetres,
is terminated by two hooks a and b which enter the notches formed in the stick
or handle. The two bends formed at O and O¹ near the ends enables the steel rod
or wire to form a spring in the interior of the hollow stick, so that it pushes or
forces the hooks outside the notches; this method I call "steel wire with spring
hooks."
Figure 15 shows the steel wire or rod T placed in the interior g of the hollow
stick X. The hook a under the influence of the bend O projects through the notch
e; in like manner the hook 6 under the influence of the bend O' projects through
the notch e¹.
The hollow stick X is so terminated as to be flush or level with the moveable
ferrule V when the umbrella is closed and receives a handle joined or connected to
it by means of a wood or metal tenon Y, shown in Figure 18 and separately in
Figure 19. That portion of the tenon which enters the stick is cut or slotted so as
not to interfere with the action of the steel wire T. For the purpose of strength-
ening the end of the stick which receives the tenon it is inserted in a fixed ferrule
h provided with a slot or notch coinciding with the notch e¹. The hollow stick
may be carried beyond the movable ferrule, in which case the separate joined handle
as also the fixed ferrule h are dispensed with, the stick being simply terminated by
a small ball, a hook, or any other ornament.
Figure 16 shows the positions of the steel wire T of the movable ferrule V and
of the runner K when the umbrella is opened. The end of the lower hook b is
entirely concealed by the circular boss or enlargement d on the movable ferrule V
into which it enters and by which it is supported. The runner K, after having
carried with it the lower hook a, is caught by means of its ring n by the flat
spring L, keeping the umbrella open. A projection Z stops the runner, and S is the
fixed inner recessed nut whose 16 notches receive the little fork-linked prongs or
forks on the ribs. The course of the ferrule V is limited by the length of the notches
or slots e, e¹.
The moveable ferrule V, shown separately in clevation, Figures 17 and 17bis, is
formed of two parts enchased one in the other, or otherwise joined to each other.
The first part is a socket or barrel portion V provided with two rings, and the second
is the circular boss or enlargement d under which the lower hook 6 takes, the latter
being entirely concealed by it; this circular boss is provided for the purpose of
drawing down the ferrule.
The action of this mechanism or appliance is the same as that before described,
as it is only necessary to pull down with the thumb of the hand holding the handle
the moveable ferrule V which in turn pulls down the steel wire T, the upper hook_a
pressing on the runner K disengages or frees .it from beneath the flat spring L,
and the single or double coil spiral springs effects the automatic closing of the
umbrella.
Figure 18 represents the umbrella when closed; it will be seen that the free ends
of the ribs rest on the nut or runner.
The sizes and dimensions of my system may be varied according to the sizes and
dimensions of the umbrella, parasol, or other similar article.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that I claim as my exclusive property,-
First. The new form or shape given to the two rods or ends, or the single or
double coil spiral springs, each of these rods or ends having a curved elbow bend at
about 1 centimetres from the spring coils, the rod or end which forms the

page_text: continuation of the outer coil being terminated by an eye formed by the steel wire
itself.
Secondly. The articulation or joint of the stretcher on the rib, which prevents any
deviation of these two parts from their proper course and dispenses with all or any
roughness or asperity on the back part of the rib.
Thirdly. The arrangement of the runner and the formation of the little forked-
link prongs or forks on the stretchers, as above described, the said arrangement
dispensing with the employment of wire.
Fourthly. The interior pulling or disengaging appliance or mechanism for freeing
or disengaging the runner, permitting the automatic closing of the umbrella or
other similar article, this mechanism being essentially characterized by the employ-
ment of a steel rod or wire with spring books, the latter forming projections outside
two notches or slots formed in the hollow stick.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jules Minière, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Second day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy nine.
JULES ARMENGAUD, jeune,
of Paris, Bd. de Strasbourg, 23,
Civil Engineer.
JULES MINIERE. (L.S.)
·}
Witness.