US599623A - Umbrella - Google Patents

Description

(NoModel.) l

W. E. MOULTON. UMBRBLLA.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER E. M-OULTON, OF SHELBY, OHIO.

U M BRELLA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 599,623, dated February 22, 1898. Application filed November 3, 18.97. Serial No. 657,251. I (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER E. MoULroN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Shelby, in the county of Richland and State of. Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Umbrellas, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to improvements in umbrellas, the construction and advantages of which will be hereinafter fully set forth, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of so much of an umbrella-frame as is necessary to the proper illustration of my invention; Fig. 2, a bottom plan view of the top notch, a portion thereof being broken away; Fig. 3, a sectional view showing a modified form of the top notch; Fig. 4, a perspective view of the runner; Fig. 5, a cross-sectional View' on the line `1 l of Fig. l; Fig. 6, a similar view on the line 2 2; Fig. 7, a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of one of the ribs with a stretcher attached and in its closed position; Fig. 8, a cross-sectional view of the rib with the attached stretcher, the stretcher being opened out; Fig. 9, a front face view of a portion of a stretcher and rib, and Fig. l0 a cross-sectional view of the rib and stretcher shown in their closed position.

The objects of my invention are, first, to provide a simple and strong umbrella, one which may be rolled into a' small compass when closed; secondly, to provide a new form of bearing for the endsof the ribs and stretchers in the top notch and runner, respectively; thirdly, to provide a new form of joint for the rib and stretcher, and, lastly, to provide suitable and simple means for holding the runner either in its elevated or closed position.

With these ends in view I have devised the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- A denotes the stick or rod of the umbrella, which may, as preferred, be formed of wood or of metallic tubing.

Referring particularly to Figs. l and 2, B denotes a sleeve or collar of such internal diameter as to closely lit upon the rod A. It is formed at its lower end with an upturned lip C, U -shaped in cross-section, forminga channel ytop notch, Fig. 1.

or groove D. Radial slots E are cut through the lip O, as many of these slots being formed as desired, corresponding to the number of ribs which are to be employed.

F denotes one of the ribs, formed, as shown, at its upper end with a spherical end G, connected to the body of the rib by a narrow neck H. When in position, the spherical ends are seated within the channel D, the flat necks II fitting in and extending through the radial slots E.

Intermediate each of the spherical ends G and seated within the channel D is a ball I, (see Fig. 2,) the parts being so proportioned that the spherical surfaces come into contact l with each other throughout the entire series around the channel, While at the same time they t closely to the bottom and side walls of the channel.

To maintain the part-s in their proper position within the channel, awasher J is slipped down around the sleeve B and bears directly upon the spherical ends of the ribs and the balls. A cap K is employed to hold the washer in place, and the covering of the umbrella may also be held between the upper face of the washer and the cap. A through-pin L is passed through the cap, sleeve, and stick to v secure the parts in proper relation.

In Fig. 3 Aa modified form of the top notch is shown, the ribsbein'g'secured in a channel or groove M, formed integral with a collar N, the collar being slipped downA over a sleeve O and the two being secured to the stick by a pin, as above. The balls are also employed in the channel between the spherical ends, as in the former construction, the two being described as merely illustrative of many forms in which the balls can be employed for support and holding the spherical ends of the ribs.

Referring to Figs. l, 4, 5, and 6, I will now describe the construction of the runner.

P indicates the body of the runner, the upper end of which is turned or curved over, forming a channel for the reception of the spherical ends Q of the stretchers R. As is the case with the top notch, balls are placed between the spherical ends within the channel or groove, the stretcher ends and channel being the same as in the construction of the To hold the ends and ballsk IOO in place, a sleeve S is employed, the sleeve being formed with an internal recess or slot T, Figs and 5,extending longitudinally thereof. A stud or projection U is provided or formed upon the body of the runner and is designed to pass down through said recess or slot T as the sleeve S is pushed up into position against the spherical ends Q and the balls. The parts are so proportioned that when the sleeve comes to place the stud U will have just cleared the slot, and a slight turn will lock the collar in place. Upon the lower end of the body I), I secure a collar V, formed with a closed slot XV, into which projects a pin X, carried by the body I). This pin not only serves to hold the collar in place,but also limits its distance of rotation about the body. Preferably upon that side of the collar opposite the slot it is cut away, forming an opening Y, and to said collar is affixed a spring-arm Z, carrying at its free end a detent d, designed to pass through said opening Y and through a similar opening in the runner into a recess b, formed in the stick. There are two of these recesses b, one at the upper end and one at the lower end in position, to hold the runner elevated and the umbrella open or the runner down and the umbrella closed.

In Figs. l, l, and 6 the collar is shown in such position that the detent is in engagement with the recess in the stick; but by a slight turn imparted to the collar the detent is easily withdrawn from the recess and the runner may be raised or lowered. To facilitate the rotary movement, a portion of the collar is raised and milled, as at c.

The formation of the joint between the rib and the stretcher is shown in detail in Figs. 7, S, and Q.

The outer end of the stretcher is provided with a spherical head cl, similar to that formed at its inner end, a comparatively narrow neck e forming the connection between said head and the body of the stretcher.

Rib F, which is of the usual form and substantially U shape in cross-section, has formed in it a socket f, designed to receive the head d and to hold the same. This socket may be formed in any desired manner, the rib being enlarged bya die, and after the head is in place the edges of the ribs be drawn in over the same, thus securely holding it in place,while at the same time permitting afree swinging movement of one or the other.

The stretcher, as shown most clearly in Figs. 7 and l0, is designed to fold down into the rib when the parts are closed, and to this end the body g of the stretcher is given such shape that it will readily enter the rib. It is, however, preferably provided with an enlarged head or cross-ange 7L to impart the necessary rigidity.

Vith the construction of the parts as above set forth a superior umbrella is produced.

The balls I in the top notch and in the runner serve to render the opening and closing movements of the umbrella light and also at i the same time assist in supporting the ends of the ribs and stretchers against any unusual strains.

The locking device for the runner also avoids the necessity of forming the usual long slots in the stick, which are necessary when the ordinary spring-catch is employed, the slots being a great element of weakness, especially with the wooden-stick construction.

The ball-and-socket connection for the rib and stretcher, formed from the two elements solely, without the intervention or employment of other parts, is of the greatest importance, not only in manufacture of the device, but in its use. There are absolutely no part-s to become detached and nothing to hold the moisture and induce rust. Aside from these advantages the construction is cheap and strong.

I claiml. In an umbrella, the combination of a stick; a sleeve or collar designed to be secured thereon; a groove or channel formed upon said sleeve; radial slots cut into said channel; ribs or stretchers formed with spherical heads seated within said groove; and balls also seated within said groove intermediate the spherical heads.

2. In an umbrella, the combination of a stick; a sleeve secured thereto and provided with an annular groove or channel; radial slots cut into said groove; ribs or stretchers formed with spherical heads, said heads being seated within the groove; spacing-balls also seated within the groove intermediate the spherical heads; and means for retaining said parts in their proper relation.

3. In an umbrella, the combination of a stick; a sleeve secured thereto and provided with an annular groove or channel; radial slots cut into said channel; ribs or stretchers formed with spherical heads, said heads being seated in said channel; balls also seated in said groove intermediate said heads; a washer fitting over the open side of said channel and serving to hold said heads and balls in place, and means for holding said washer upon said groove.

4. In an umbrella, the combination of a stick; recesses formed therein near its upper and lower ends; a runner mounted on the stick; a sleeve rotatably mounted upon the runner; openings in the sleeve and runner; and a spring-detent carried by the sleeve and movable therewith designed to enter the openings and lock the parts together.

5. In an umbrella, the combination of a stick; recesses formed therein near its upper and lower ends; a runner mounted on the stick; a sleeve rotatably mounted on said runner; openings in the runner and sleeve in line with the openings in the stick; a spring-detent carried by the sleeve to pass through the openings and lock the parts together; and means for limiting the rotation of the sleeve.

6. In an umbrella, the combination of a stick; recesses formed therein near its upper IIO and lower ends; a runner mounted on said stick; a sleeve, V, rotatably mounted on the runner; a slot, W, formed in the sleeve a pin extending from the runner into said slot;

= openings in the runner andcollar in line with the recesses in the stick; a spring-arm, Z, affixed to the sleeve; and a detent carried by the free end of the arm in line with the openings and designed to enter therein.

7. The combination of an umbrella-rib having a spherical socket formed integral therewith, and a stretcher having a spherical head seated in said socket and held thereby against longitudinal movement.

8. In combination with a rib of an umbrella,

substantially U shape in cross-section; a socket struck up out of the body thereof; and

a stretcher provided with a spherical end;

are folded down.

In Witness whereof I hereunto set my hand 3o in the presence of two Witnesses.

t WALTER E. MOULTON.

Witnesses:

C. A. GRAVES,

O.- L. SHORICK

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