US1555568A - Folding umbrella - Google Patents

Description

:Sept.29, 1925. 1,555,568

E. a. GUSTAFSON FOLDING UMBRELLA Filed July 17, 1924 s eets-S eat 1 gwuamto c Sept. 29, 19.25.

E.. B. GUSTAFSON F'OLDING UMBRELLA Filed July 17, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 5. )3. Gus tafsozy Sept. 29 1925.

E. B. Gus'TAFsoN owme UMBRELLA Filed July 17,

1 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jung/atom E B. aus'b fii n Sept. 29,

1,555,568 E. 3. GUS'EAFSON FOLDING UMBRELLA Filed July 17, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I l I Sept. 29, 1925.

1,555,568 E. B. GUSTAFSCN FOLDING UMBRELLA Filed July 17, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 awe-14101,-

u E 46. 6145 $013 on Patented Sept. 29, 1925.

PATENT, OF.FI.CE.1T

, ERNEST BER ARD GUsTAFsoN, 0F MrNNnAroLIs, MINNESOTA.

FOLDINGUMB'RELLA.

Application filed J'u1y 17, 1924. Serial No. 726,539.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERNEST B. GUs'rAFsoN, acitizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Minneapolis, in the county of 'Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Umbrellas, of which the following isa specification. i

The present inventionrelates to an-umbrella adapted to-be collapsed to take up very little room, particularly in the length direction so that it may conveniently. be

carried about in a .smallhand, bag or in'a coat pocket. vThis is made possible by constructingthe handle telescopically and pro viding joints inseveral places for the ribs supported by reinforcing braces which also fold when the umbrella is collapsed.

An ordinary umbrella is rather unhandy to car'ryabout when not in use and particularly the length of the same prevents it from being carried in a small bag, whereas the umbrella forming the subject-matter of the present invention can be easily carried without inconvenience. V

By properly arranging the joints of the ribs and the, braces beneath the same, the umbrella becomes very rigid when open.

hen open the umbrella handle is of such a size that it is very comfortable to carry.

Inthe accompanying drawings, one embodimentof the invention is illustrated, and

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of the umbrellaopen;

.Figure 2is aside elevation partly in tionof the umbrella open; j

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of the umbrella partly closed Figure l is a vertical section of the umbrellalvery nearly closed;

. igure 5 shows the umbrella in folded position IFigureB-is a Figure 2; V j

, Figure 7 isa section along-line 77 of the samefigure; i ,,-Figure 8 is a fragmentary section .along SEC- section along line 66 of line 8 8 of Figure 2; j a

Figure 9 is. a top plan View of on joints for the ribs;

l of another one of the joints;

. Figure 12 is a top plan view of Figure ll; Figure 13 is a side-elevation of still another of the rib joints, I A i Figure 14- is a section, along line 1477-14: ofFigure 13. i I Figure 15 isa side elevation of one of the braces, and. i 5. J Figure ,16 is a section along line 164-16 ofFigure2. i w .1

Each main rib 20 consists'of live rib-elements.2l, 22, 23, 24 and 25,- Theinnermost rib element 21 is hinged, as at 26, to atop circular disc 27- to which all the ribs20l are hinged. The hinge isproduced in the usual manner by passing a wire-28 -through-the ribs and placing the same in: an annular groove- 29 furnished in; the disc, see Figures 4 and 6.. The outerendof the rib element21 is hinged, as at 30, to the second rib element 22 which in turn is hinged, as at3l, to the third rib element 23 The latter has a joint 32 connecting it with the fourth element 24. The ribsare of the usual U-shape or channel cross section and the joint 30, best seen in'Figures 9 and 10, consistof several leaves 34 riveted to thjerespective ends of the rib elementsz2l and 22 .between the side flanges of the channels and connected by means of a pivot or rivet'35 and in such a mannerthat the elements fold together as indicated in Figures 3 and 1'0; with their outer faces nearest eachother. j a A little over half way down; from the upper end of the rib element 2l'is showna'nother hinge orjoint 36. riveted thereto and adapted to engage a brace element 37 which in turn is. hinged,- as at 38, to aylo'wer brace element 39 The .exactldistancelbetween the joints B6and13O isequaltojlialf the. length" ofthe rib element 22 plus the added thickness-of the disc 27, and a second disc 10, thelatter being thenextin order under thetopdisc 27." 4 l '1 The rib element 21 ;is; retained in position by the brace elementsv 37 and +39 when straightened v out and the; said rib element drops down j when these eleinentsarercollapsed outwardly; i ,Vlfhen thel' umbrellav is open the second rib element 22yisheld-in open 3 position supported i by i l the q first rib element 21 and the; brace? elementsf37 1and 39 while said rib elementcannotdrop down below its ,position in' alinemen't, with? the length of most of the parts and is the actual,

length of the umbrella. when. folded. For, an ordinary umbrella'of this character these last named rib elements will befiveinches in length so that the total length of the umbrella folded will be five inches. The rib elements 22 and 23 fold together with the. rib element 21 in zig z'ag fashion, as best seen in Figure 3. The joint 31 being a one-way joint is kept down by the stretchedel'oth orsilk' covering when the umbrella is open. The joint 32 between the rib elements 23 and 24 is kept in openp'osition by the brace elements 41, 42, 43 and 44-which together form a complete brace rod when open. This brace is also hinged-at the joint 32 which permits the rib element 24 to'fold upwardly against the rib element 23 and the joint 33 is like the joint permitting the folding upwardly o-f the outermost rib element 25 as regards the nearest rib element 24, as seen in Figure 3 of the drawings. When the umbrella is open, the outermost rib element 25 is kept down by the pressure from the cloth or silk cover of the umbrella so length as the rib elements 22,23 and 24 and can swing freely in both directions in the hinge joint 32, whereas this joint only per mits the movement in one direction between the rib elements'2'3and 24, as has already been described. The joint 45 between the brace elements 41 and 42 is similar to the joints 30 and 33, that is to say, it permits the folding together of the brace elements 41 and 42 but keeps these elements in still? connection when in alinement with each other. In folding, the braceelements 41 and 42 swing outside of the rib elements 24 and 25. Reference numeral 43 represents a short link connecting the brace elements 42 and 44 having "a one-way joint 46, see particularly Figures ll and 12, and a similar joint 47'connecting it to theinnermost brace element 44; The mainpurposeof furnish ing-the'short link 43' is to assist in the folding of the umbrella and it is also needed to make up the total length required of the brace formedby the elements41, 42 43-and It will be seen that the; elements 41' and 42, as already stated, swing around to the outside of the ribelements 24 and 25 when the umbrella is folded, and that the inner ends ofthe rib elements fold together with a' rod 48" when the umbrella is collapsed. This rod is also hinged at the joint 47 at its outer end and at its inner end to the second circular disc 40 while the inner end of the brace element 44 is hinged, as at 49, to the brace element 39 which in turn has hinge connection, as at 50, with a third circular sliding disc 51.

The brace element 44 hasthe same length' as. thebrace element 39 measured from the 40 and itsopposite end downwardly when the umbrella is being folded. The main function of this brace rod'is to stiffen the brace formed by the elements 4l, 42, 43 and 44 when the umbrella is open. The length is the same as the other brace elements'plus the thickness of the disc 40.- The brace element 39'is similar to the rest of the brace elementsv and has the same length as the elements 41 and'42. It is hinged,as at 38, tothe short brace element 37, this joint 38 permitting'only outward folding of each brace element. The inner end of thebrace element 39 is pivotally se cured to the sliding disc '51 by means of a wire engaging in a suitable opening atthe end of said brace element. The upper brace element 37 has a length equal to about half the length ofthe ordinary brace elements, or equal to the distance from the joint 36 to thejoint 30. I r A --As the umbrella foldsthe'h-inge joint38 moves inthe direction ofthejoint 30 an'd the lower end of the brace element 39' moves up together with the sliding disc 51 as the said disc together with the disc 40 is moved up againstthe disc 27. On account of its construction the joint 38 naturally swings in outward direction, but when the umbrella is open the brace formed by the elements 37 and 39 is straight and the pressure of the rib element 21 at the upper end of the'brace will tend to keep it in this position. WVhen foldedthe samepressure will also tend to keep the brace against the central stem.

The stem of the umbrella is composed of 9 forming an integral part'with the uppermost circular disc 27 or beingunit'ed therewithin any suitable manner. Outside of the tubular portion 56"is positioned the 1,555, ace

cular disc 40 is similarly united Similarly the tubular portions 58, 59 and 60 are tele-v scopically arranged one outside another, the

a tubular portion 58 being provided at its top with the circular disc 51 while the tubular portions 59 and 60 each have similar discs 63 and 64, respectively. The outermost tubular portion 61 has a collar54 and termi nates at its bottom :end with a mushroom shaped handle knob, 62.- Concentrically arranged onthis handle knob is provided a series of annular steps 65 each step being of the same diameter as the correspondingone of the tubular portions. In this manner the lower ends of these tubular portions fit snugly around the lower end of the stem when the umbrella is in closed position. The cylindrical portions of the stem all fit snugly one within the other, permitting easy sliding between them.

a The tubular portion 56 extends above the disc, 27 as best seen inlFigure 4 and is pro-. vided with a longitudinal slot 66 on one side thereof adapted to engage a spring latch 67 provided inside of the tubular portion 55, the latch beingsituated at the lowerend of this tubular portion and adapted to project through a small slot 68therein when the said slot registers with the slot 66 in the tubular portion 56. This spring latch 67 operates in the same ;manner as similar latches provided on ordinary umbrellas to keep them in open position and has .to be pressed in through the slot 66 to permit the sliding up and down of the 'innermostrod 55. v This spring latch serves the purpose of locking the rod j55 either in extended or pushed inposition' At its upper end this rod 55 termi-nateslwitha small ball or finger grip 69furnishedforkthepurpose of preventing therod to slip down into the next tubular portion 56 and also to draw outthis rod. 4

The discs 27, 40, 51, 63, 64 and the collar 54 are'all similar and have flat top and bottom faces and a groove around their edges forhinge wires, as already described with regard toqthediscs 27 and 40. These discs are recessedor notched around their edges to receive-the ends of the rib elements or brace elements, asthe case may be. These discs are all diminishingin diameter from the uppermost one 27 tothe collar '54 which is lowermost for the purpose of permitting the close folding of the rib and brace elements. The 7 disc 27 is provided with notches17O ofthe same number as the-number-bf ribs 20 used in theconstruction of the umbrella,six being shown in the drawings (see Figure 6), but this number-may naturallybe increased to eight or more; Beside these ribpnotches the .disc is alsoprovided with form other, notches 71 and 53 forintermediaryfibraces 72, and-'81. r

,- Thesecond disc 40 has thegsamenumber of notches asthe, disc1'27, that is to say, in this .case notches 73, six in number, corre spond to the rib notches in the upperdisc 27 and are adapted to receive the inner ends of the straight brace rods 48, while two of the four notches are adapted to receive the ends of the braces 72 and notches 7 5'the braces 74. a The next circular disc 51 is also provided with notches in its side edge, two more in number than the other two discs and six of these notches are adapted to receive the lower ends of the brace elements 39 and four of the other six notches are provided to accommodate the lower ends of the braces 74' as well as the upper ends of the braces 77v while the'remaining two notches engagethe lower ends of. the braces 81. e a

The next circular disc 63 has only four notches, two of which, are adapted to engage ,the lowerends of the braces 77 while the other two 1 the othertwo notches take-the upper ends 7 of otherbraces 78. Similarly,: the disc 64 has four notches, two of which engage the lower ends of the braces 78 andvthe other two notches engage the upper ends of-braces 79. Finally, the collar 54 has two notches adapted to receive the lower ends of the braces79; ,1 1 Y i It should be noted that the braces 72, 74, 77, 7 8,7 9 and18lv each consist of two short links hinged together in the middle and adapted to fold away from the stem. of the umbrella. ,The main purpose of. these longitudinal braces is "to determine the distances between the several discs and keep them in place when-the umbrellaf is open and in this manner stiffen the main stem-oftheumbrella. Each of these braces have, their up per links slightly longer than the lower ones to permit'ieasy folding and the joints are made as small as possible and are of the same type asv the hinges 30 formthe'ribs. These braces are also hinged .in their re: spective discs by, meansof wiresgplaced in the annulargrooves around theedges-thereof. The uppermost brace' 72 is shorter than the-others, in factlessthan halt the length of vthe other braces and these. short braces will remain; slightly bent when the umbrella is open, because the distance between the discs 27 and 40 is determined by the main braces 81 which engage in the notches of the uppermost disc 27 and: thethird disc51. In determining the distance between the discs 27, 40, 51, 63, 64 and collar 54 it should be borne in mindthatxeach brace shouldbe as much shorter, than the brace above, as the thickness of the correspondingdisct 3:;

Surrounding the telescopic stemsis' furnished atubular "handle comprising five sections, a 82, 83, -84, 85 t and-86 allttaper'ing downwardly. The taper of these sections is such that the lower end of an outer section is adapted to grip tightly the-upper end of the next inner section when the umbrella isthe other sections increasing indiameter in their order of assembly; The outermost section 86 is shorter than the others inorder toprovide more room -to permit the braces 79 to fall overithe same when the umbrella is closed. This outermost section 86 has still another function, namely to fold the six braces formed by the elements 37' and 39 together as'well-as-the braces 81. When thesection 86 is pushed up a catch 87 secured on the disc 51 engagesin a suitable slit'88 provided in the-side of the said section, as best seen in Figure 8. 7 The catch 87 is pref-- erably secured onithe bottom side of the disc 51 and adapted to swing inwardly when pressed by theoperato'rs finger. The catch 87 is provided with a hook ori'finger 89 which is adapted to slide along the upper surface of the disc 51. Aroundthe upper edge'of the section86 i s providedaseries of recesses 90 which are adapted to engage the folded braces when thesection is locked by the catch 8Zand the umbrella folded.

' With regard to the hinge jointsused for the ribsfand braces: it should be noted'that they have been constructed especial-lyfor this folding umbrella. The construction of these joints is of great importanceduring-the operation of the folding umbrella and without such construction the invention would. notbe a success. The main feature and advantage of these joints is that they allow the parts'to' open until the ribs-or braces are in alinement and no further, and being constructed of double leaves as indicated in Figures 12 and 14, they fit smoothly together and there can only be a movement in the plane of the ribs orbraces and no side movement: thereof. Referringv particularly to Figs. 11 and 12', it will-be noted that the underside ofthe hingebliades are offset to provide shoulders 91 which interengage when the braces or ribs are unfolded, that isto say, in alinedposition. i

Toclose: the umbrella the first thing to do: is to release t'he catch 87 and pull down thetelescopic' sections 82, 83,: 84, 85 and 86: Next the tubular portion 61 is pushed up until all the parts of the main stem are against the disc 51' and with-the said disc pushed in slightly in order to release the jointsywhereuponthe catch- 67 is released and therfing er grip- 69 is: pushed in.- The outermost rib elements 25 are thereupon foldedlupwardly over the rib elements 24 andthe said elements together'folded at the joints 32 against thenext rib element 23.

The joint 47 is pulled out slightlyand the tubular portion fil pushedup as far as itstood that the'cloth orsil'k cover 92 which is secured on'the outer sideof'the'rib-elements- 22,23,24 and 25 becomes folded in between" said elements, see Fig. 5.

In :order'to open the umbrella, the operator takes hold of thefinger grip 69 with onehand and grasps firmly the knob (SQ-with hisothenhand Therod is't'hen drawn out until the catch 67 engages inthe-slot 66 andthe pull is continuedso that the stem formed by the stem portions55, 56, '57, 58, 59, and 6l-is extended to itsfull length. Thereupon the operator should take-hold of the joints 45 and pull them down and then pull the joints -33 outwardly until-they are open. This will straighten out the braces along the mainstenr and properly locate the discs .with: relation to 1 each other I Lastly, the section 86 is pushed upwards along the stem :until the catch 87engagesin the slit 88, the sect-ion w86 simultaneously drawing out thei other sections with it and theumbrellazisnowlready for uses 1 a i Having-thus described the invention, what is claimed-asnewis: 1 l. A collapsible umbrella', comprising a plurality of tubular stem portions having telescopic-relation with each other, a disc for each-of saidstein sections'firmly united with-the upper ends there'of,=a plurality of ribs havinghinge connection with theuppermost of said discs, braces'having' hinge connection with the respective ribs and with another of said discs, and'means'for rigidly retaining the discs separated when the umbrellavis inopen position, said means including jointed braces having hinge connection with adjacently situated discs. 2. A- collapsible umbrella", comprising a pluralityv of-tubular stem portions having telescopic relation with each other,-a disc for-eachof said stem sections firmly united with: the upper ends thereof, a plurality of ribsahaving hinge connections with the uppermost of'said discs','braces= having hinge connections with the respective ribs and with another of said discs, and means for rigidly retaining the discs separated when the 11mbrella isin open position, said means' includingv jointed braces having hinge connection with adjacently situated discs, the joints of said second-braces being adapted 'rto fold outwardly and downwardly from saiddiscs when theumbrella is collapsed. 3. A fc'ol lapsible-umbrella',-comprising a plurality of tubular stem portions having telescopic relatiomwith each other, a disc for each of said stem sections firmly united with the upper ends thereof, a p'lurality' of ribs having hinge connection with the up permost of said discs, braces having hinge taining the discs separated when the umbrella is in open position, said means includ-" ing" jointed braces having hinge connection with adjacently situated discs, the joints of said second braces being adapted to fold outwardly and downwardly from said discs when the umbrella is collapsed, and a tubular [handle surrounding said stem.

4. A collapsible umbrella,comprising a plurality of tubular s'tem portions having telescopic relation with each other, a disc for each of said stem sections firmly united with the upper ends thereof, a plurality of ribs having hinge connection with the uppermost of said discs, braces having hinge connection with the res'pective ribs and with another of said discs, means for rigidly re taining the discs separatedwhen the umbrella is in open position, said means including jointed braces having hinge connection with adj acently situated discs, the joints of said second braces being adapted to fold outwardly and ,downwardly from said discs when the umbrella is collapsed, and a tubular handle surrounding said stem, said hacriidle tapering from its upper to its'lower en 5. A collapsible umbrella, comprising a plurality of tubular stem portions having telescopic relation with each other, a disc for each of said stem sections firmly united with the upper ends thereof, a plurality of ribs having hinge connection with the uppermost of said discs, braces having hinge connection with the respective ribs and with another of said discs, means for rigidly retaining the discs separated when the umbrella is in open position, said means in; cluding jointed braces having hinge connec tion with adjacently situated discs, the joints of said second braces being adapted to fold outwardly and downwardly from said discs when the umbrella is collapsed, and a tubular handle surrounding said stem, said handle tapering from its upper to its lower end and comprising a plurality of sections, the lower end ofeach of said sections adapted to grip tightly the. upper end of an adjacent lower section when the handle is in extended position. j

6. A collapsible umbrella, comprising a plurality of tubular stem portions having telescopic relation with each o ther,jadisc for each of said stem sections firmly united with the upper ends thereof, a plurality of ribs having hinge connection with the uppermost of said discs, braces having hinge con nection with the respective ribs and with another of said discs, means for rigidly retaining the discs separated when the umbrella is in open position, said means includa in; jointed braces having hinge connection with adjacently situated discs, the joints of said second braces being adaptedto foldf outwardly and downwardly from said discs when the umbrella is collapsed, a tubular handle surrounding said stem, said handle tapering from its upper toits lower end and comprising a plurality of sections, the lower end ofeach of said sections adapted to grip tightly the upper end of an adjacentlower sectionwhen the handle is in extendedposi tion, and a knob at the lowerendof the outermost of said stem portions forming an abutment for allof said sections when the umbrella is collapsed. i

7. A collapsible umbrella, comprising a plurality of tubular stem portions having telescopic relation with each other, a disc for each of said stem sections firmly united with the upper ends thereof, a plurality ofribs having hinge connection with the uppermost of said discs, braces having hingeconnection with the respective ribs and with another of said discs, means for rigidly retaining the discs separated when the umbrella is in open position, said means in :luding jointed braces having hinge connection with adjacently situated discs, the joints of said second braces being adapted to fold outwardly and downwardly from said discswhen the umbrella is collapsed, a tubular handle surrounding said stem, said handle tapering from its upper to its lower end and comprising a pluralit of sections, the lower end of each of sai sections adapted to grip tightly the upper end of an adjacent lower section'when the handle is in extended position, a knob' at the lower end ofthe outer most of said stem portions forming an abutment for all of said sections when the uni brella is collapsed, and a catch provided on the lowermost of said discs adapted to lock the outermost of said sections in position. 8. A collapsible umbrella, comprising a plurality of tubular stem portions having telescopic relation with each other, a disc for each of said stem sections firmly united with the upper ends thereof, a plurality of ribs having hinge connection with the uppermost of said discs, braces having hinge connection with the respective ribs and with another of said discs, means for rigidly retaining the discs separated when the umbrella is in open position, said means 1ncluding jointed braces having hinge connection with adj acently situated discs, the joints of saidsecond braces being adapted to fold oi'itwardly and downwardly from said discs when the umbrella is collapsed, a tubular handle surrounding said stem, said handle tapering from its upper to its lower end and comprising a plurality of sections, the lower end of each of said sections adapted to grip tightlythe upper end of an ad acent lower section when the handle is inv ex-' the umbrella is collapsed, anda gripping member slidably engaging the innermost of said stem portions and being provided with aspring latch adapted to engage with the uppermost of said discs to cooperate in extending said stem. 7

9. A collapsible umbrella, comprising a plurality of tubular. stem portions having telescopic relation with each, other, a disc for each of said stem sections firmly united withthenpper ends thereof, a pluralityof ribs having hinge connection with the up permost of said discs, braces having hinge connecti onwith the respective ribs and with another. of said discs, means for rigidly retaining the discs separated when the, 11mbrella is. in, open position, said, means including jointed braces having. hinge connectionwith adjacently situated discs, the jointsof said second braces being adapted to fold outwardly and downwardly from said discs when theumbrellais collapsed, atubular handle surrounding said. stem,- said handletapering from-its upper to its lower endsand comprisinga plurality of sections, thelowerend of each of said sections adapted to. grip tightly the upper end of an adj acen lower section when the handle is inentended position, a knob at the lower end of the outermost of said stem portions forming an abutment forajll of said sections w h umb e la is collap dtch. provided oirthe; lowermost of said .discs adaptedto. lock the outermost of: said .sections-in-position, and a gripping anember slidably engaging the innermost of said stem portions and being provided with a spring latch-adapted to engage with the uppermostofsaid discs tocooperate in extending said stem. v 10; A collapsible. umbrella, comprising a pluralityeof tubular stem portions having telescopic. relation with each other, a disc foreachjofsaidstem sections firmly united with thezupper ends thereof, a plurality of ribs having hinge connection with the uppermost of said discs, and'braces' having hinge connection with the respectiveribs and with another of said discs, each of said ribs including a plurality of elements and oneway joints connecting the meeting ends of adjacent elements, said joints beingadapted .to permit the folding of the adjacent ones of said elements in one direction only and to hold-the, elements in alinement when extended. s

l1.- A collapsible umbrella, comprising a plurality of .tubularstem portions having telescopic relation with each other, a disc foreach of said stem sections firmly united with .t-he-uppercnds thereof, a plurali y f ribs having hinge connection with the uppermost of said discs, and braces having hinge connection with the respective. ribs and w th another of said discs, each of sa d ribs including a plurality of elements and one-way joints connecting the meeting ends of adjacent elements, said joints adapted to hold the elements in alinement when exalong brace foreach of, said ribs having hinge connection with another of said discs, the short brace having hinge connection with the innermost of said rib elements and the long brace having hinge connection with the third of said elements.- j a 13. A collapsible umbrella,:comprising a plurality, of tubular stemportions having telescopic, relation/with; each other, a for each of said stem, sections firmly united with the upper ends thereof, a -plur.ality of ribs having hinge connection with theupperlnost of said discsand each consisting of hingedly connected rib elements, a short an a ong b ace if r e said ri s ha ngih ge on tion w th anot e o aid discs, the short brace having. hinge connec: tion with the innermost of said rib elements and the long brace, having hinge connection with the third offsaid elements, said short brace comprising a short link and along link' having an outwardly breaking-joint connect, ing it with said short link, said short link being hinged between the ends of the innermostrib' element. v

14. A collapsible umbrella, comprising a plurality of tubular sternportions having telescopic relation with each other, a disc for each of said stern sections firmly united with the upper ends thereof, a plurality of ribs having hinge'connection with the uppermost of said discs and each consisting .of hingedly connected rib elements, a short and a'long brace for each of said ribs having hinge connection withanother of saidvdiscs, the short brace having hinge connection with the innermost of said rib elementsand the long brace having hingeconnection with the third of said elements, said short brace comprising a short link and a long link having an outwardly breaking joint connecting it with said short link, said short link being hinged between the ends of the innermost rib element, said long brace comprising a plurality of links connected by joints adapted to break outwardly and the outermost of said links being hinged in the joint of said third rib element.

15. A collapsible umbrella, comprising a plurality of tubular stem portions having telescopic relation with each other, a disc for each of said stem portions firmly united with the upper ends thereof, aplurality of ribs having hinge connection with the up permost of said discs and each consisting of hingedly connected rib elements, a short and a long brace for each of said ribs having hinge connection with the third of said discs, the short brace having hinge connection with the innermost of said rib elements and the long brace having hinge connection with another of said elements, said short brace comprising a short link and a long link having an outwardly breaking joint connecting it with said short link, said short link being hinged between the ends of the innermost rib element, said long brace comprising a plurality of links connected by joints adapted to break outwardly and the outermost of said links being hinged in the joint of said third rib element, and a stiff rod hinged at its inner end to the second of said discs and at its outer end to the joint at the outer end of the innermost of said long brace links.

16. A collapsible umbrella, comprising a plurality of tubular stem portions having telescopic relation with each other, a disc for each of said stem portions firmly united with the upper ends thereof, a plurality of ribs having hinge connection with the uppermost of said discs and each consisting of hingedly connected rib elements, a short and a long brace for each of said ribs having hinge connection with the third of said discs, the short brace having hinge connection with the innermost of said rib elements and the long brace having hinge connection with the third of said elements, said short brace comprising a shortlink and a long link having an outwardly breaking joint connecting it with said short link, said short link being hinged between the ends of the innermost rib element, said long brace comprising a plurality of links connected by joints adapted to break outwardly and the outermost of said links being hinged in the joint of said third rib element, means for rigidly retaining the discs separated when the umbrella is in open position, said means including jointed braces having hinge connection with adj acently situated discs, the joints of said second braces being adapted to fold outwardly and downwardly from said discs when theumbrella is collapsed, a tubular handle surrounding said stem, said handle tapering from its upper to its lower end, and comprising a plurality of sections, the lower end of each of said sections adapted to grip tightly the upper end of an adjacent lower section when the handle is in extended position, a knob at the lower end of the outermost of said stem portions forming an abutment for all of said sections when the umbrella is collapsed, a catch provided on the lowermost of said discs adapted to lock the outermost of said sections in position, a gripping member slidably engaging the innermost of said stem portions and being provided with a spring latch adapted to engage with the uppermost of said discs to cooperate in extending said stem, and a stiff rod hinged at its inner end to the second of said discs and at its outer end to the joint at the outer end of the innermost of said long brace links.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ERNEST BERNARD GUSTAFSON. [1,. s.]

Images