How To Repair Totes Umbrella Spring And Ribs

WHERE TO FIX YOUR UMBRELLA

May 6, 1981

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May 6, 1981

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Broken ribs, sprung springs, cracked handles and torn covers. On rainy days umbrellas with such problems usually don't leave the closet. Some end up in trash cans or as metal skeletons in the streets. But some are saved.

''Sometimes I take in 100 repairs a week in all stores or 500 a day in just one,'' said Robert Story, manager of the Uncle Sam umbrella shops. ''Of course, it all depends on the weather.''

The 116-year-old business still fixes anything on an umbrella, from ferrules (the ring or cap on the end) to frames. It receives weatherbeaten umbrellas by insured parcel post from across the country and abroad.

Customers bored with old covers select new ones or bring in their own waterproofed fabrics; many tailors also re-cover umbrellas. Although not all umbrellas are worth saving, many are. Manufacturers of Totes and Knirps provide a limited lifetime guarantee for their foldable umbrella frames. Totes services them for $2 and Knirps for $3. Shops in New York Essex Umbrella Corporation, 101 Essex Street (near Delancey) (674- 3394). Gilbert Center, owner.

Covers, $7-$10, with your own waterproofed fabrics, $7-$10; frames, $5 (individual ribs not usually replaced); handles, from $2; open seams, $3; springs, $3; tips, $1. Gloria Umbrella Company, 39 Essex Street (475-7388). Jack Wasserman, owner. Mail orders.

Covers, $6.50-$12, with your own waterproofed fabrics, $6.50; ferrules, 75 cents; frames, $4-$10; handles, $1.50-$6; ribs, $3.50-$12; open seams, $3; shafts, $4; springs, $1.50-$3; tips, $1.50-$2.50. Uncle Sam, 161 West 57th Street (247- 7163); 660 Lexington Avenue (755- 3553); 7-A East 46th Street (687-4780). Robert Story, general manager. Mail orders.

Covers, $10-$120, with your own waterproofed fabrics, from $25; ferrules, from $3; frames, from $7.50; handles, from $5; ribs, from $5; open seams, from $5; shafts, from $8; springs, $3; tips, $1. Also, garden umbrellas re-covered, from $45. Zip-Jack, 678 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers 10704, 299-0288 or (914) 423- 5000. Manny Dubinsky, owner. Mail orders.

Ferrules, from $1; handles, from $4; ribs mended, $4.75 ($1 for each additional rib); new ribs, $6.75 ($1 for each additional); shafts, from $5.75; springs, $2.75; tips, $1. Also, garden umbrellas laundered, from $25.75; re-covered, from $40; and refringed, from $15.75.