GB666089A - Improvements in or relating to foldable or collapsible umbrellas - Google Patents

Abstract

666,089. Umbrellas. MAPPIN, W. L. June 1, 1950 [June 1, 1949], No. 14649/49. Class 134. In a folding umbrella comprising main ribs having two hingedly connected portions which, when the umbrella is open, are held in alignment by a slidable bolt which is movable to an inoperative position to permit folding and collapsing of the umbrella, the bolts are constructed from lengths of metal wire or rod bent into substantially circular form medially to provide bearings for the outer ends of the stretcher ribs. The umbrella stick comprises telescopic sections 1 and 2 having a plastic ornamental top 4 and a plastic handle 3 secured thereto. A circular notch component 5, provided with radial slots 5a in which the ends of the upper rib-sections 7 are pivotally secured by a tying wire 15, and a spreader block 6, having longitudinal recesses 6a in alignment with the slots 5a, are mounted on stick-section 1. The spreader block 6, in addition to preventing lateral displacement of the umbrella ribs in the closed position, also serves as a stop to prevent inward folding of the ribs across centre. To aid this effect, the recesses 6a may be formed to cause the rib-sections 7 to diverge slightly, or alternatively a spacer ring 13 may be fitted, as illustrated, together with a rubber cushioning ring 20 to prevent the runner 12 from being damaged by forcibly contacting the spacer ring 13. Each outer rib-section 8 is preferably of solid wire and is provided with an extension sleeve 8a formed with a pair of spaced apertured lugs 8b. A pivot pin 9 passes through the lugs 8b and bifurcated portion 7a of ribsection 7 which is of channel or " U " crosssection except for an end tubular portion which slidably houses a bolt member 10 having a circularly bent medial portion 10a, to which the stretcher 11 is pivoted, projecting through a slot 7b in the said tubular portion. A roller may be mounted on each pivot pin 9 to facilitate operation of the bolts 10. In the folded position of the umbrella, Fig. 1, the protruding ends of bolts 10 are confined by the handle 3. When opening the umbrella, Fig. 2, the bolts are moved by means of the slide 12 so as to enter the extension sleeves 8a and abut against stops formed by the inner ends of rib-sections 8.