Improvements in Safety Pins.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd June 1896-Accepted, 4th July, 1896
Improvements in Safety Pins.
A communication from abroad by THE CONSOLIDATED SAFETY PIN COMPANY,
a corporation under the laws of the State of New Jersey, of Bloomfield, in
said State, all in the United States of America.
I PHILIP MIDDLETON JUSTICE of 55 and 56 Chancery Lane in the County
of Middlesex Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
This invention relates to safety-pins and other devices of like character and has
for its object to provide improved means for locking the pin point in the hood or
shield to prevent positively its accidental disengagement therefrom. I propose to
provide such means both for pins which have a rotary hood or shield and for those
in which the hood does not rotate, and I have herein described means which are
specially adapted for these two varieties of pins. The improvement as applied to
pins having rotary hoods or shields is particularly designed to permit the pin point
to be introduced into the hood or shield from either side, while the improvement
as applied to pins with non-retary hoods or shields is adapted to either single or
double pins.
In the accompanying drawing, Sheet I. illustrates the application of the
improvement to pins having rotary hoods or shields, and Sheet II. illustrates the
application of the improvement to pins having non-rotary hoods or shields.
In the drawings,
Figure 1 is side view of one form of a safety-pin with rotary hood or shield
embodying the invention, the parts being in position for the engagement of the pin
point with the hood or shield.
Figure 2 is a similar view of the same pin with the pin point engaged in the
hood or shield and the latter moved to prevent positively the disengagement
thereof, said bood or shield being, partly broken away to exhibit the construction
more clearly.
Figure 3 is a section on the plane indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a section on the plane indicated by the line 4-4 of Figure 2, looking
toward the left.
Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1, but illustrating a slightly different form
of the hood or shield, the position of the, parts when the pin point is locked in.the
hood or shield being indicated by dotted lines.
Figure 6 is a section on the plane indicated by the line 6-6 of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 1, but illustrating still another form of the
hood or shield, the latter being partly broken out to exhibit the construction.
Figures 8 and 9 are respectively a side view and a section of the hood end of a
pin, showing another slightly different form of the improvement.
Figures 10 and 11 are similar views illustrating still another form.
Figure 12 is a side view of a double sided safety-pin having my present improve-
ment applied thereto in one of its forms, the hood or shield being represented in
the open or unlocked position and the relation of the pin point thereto while being
engaged being represented by dotted lines.

page_text: Figure 13 is a similar view but with the hood or shield in longitudinal section
and with all the parts in the positions assumed when the pin point is locked against
accidental disengagement.
Figure 14 is a section on the line 14-14 of Figure 12, looking toward the left.
Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 12, but showing a slightly different
embodiment of the invention.
Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 13, but showing a pin represented in
Figure 15.
Figures 17 and 18 are views similar to Figures 15 and 16, but illustrating still
another form.
a safety-pin, showing the
Figure 19 is a perspective view of a portion of
application of the improvement to a single or one-sided pin.
The safety-pin or other device of like character to which my present improve-
ment is applied, so far as it relates to a safety-pin or other like device having a
rotary hood or shield, may be of any ordinary or convenient form, except as
hereinafter specified, and comprises a member A and a member B, the two being
preferably connected by a spring coil a. The member A carries the hood or
shield C with which the pin point or end 6 of the member B is adapted to be
engaged. As clearly represented in Figures 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8 of the drawing,
the outer portion of the member A is bent upward as at a', nearly to the position
occupied by the member B when the pin is in use, and is then bent downward upon
itself and around in the form of a circle a², as clearly represented by full and
dotted lines in the said figures. The circle as represented in these figures, is not
completed, but between the end of the portion a2 and the bend a¹ is left a space a³
which is sufficient for the passage of the pin point 6, the curved wire a² forming
substantially seven-eighths of a true circle in order to, afford the proper bearing
and support for the hood or shield which is mounted thereon.
As represented in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, the hood C is annular, in form, being
struck up or otherwise formed in any suitable manner and completed after its
application to the circle a², so that the two lips or edges c of the hood or shield
shall embrace the wire a² and retain the hood or shield in position thereon while
permitting it to be partially rotated, preferably with some frictional resistance.
The hood or shield is not a complete annulus but is cut away between its ends to
form a passage corresponding and adapted to register with the passage a³ herein-
before referred to and permitting the partial rotation of the hood or shield. The
movement of the hood or shield is limitel by contact of one end or the other with
the member A. of the pin between the bend a¹ and the circle a². Furthermore, the
upper end of the hood or shield is slotted or notched in the plane of the hood or
shield, as at c', to form two ears or guards c between which the pin point may be
received as represented clearly in Figures 2 and 4. If it is desired to prevent the
pin point, in the construction referre.l to, from passing through the guard or shield,
from one side to the other, a stop plate D may be placed within the circle a³. This
stop plate may be fastened in place by solder, if desired, but if it substantially fits
within the circle a it will be retained in place by the edges ce of the hood or
shield C and may yet be free to move from side to side to permit the introduction
of the pin point b from either side, as indicated in Figure 4. Figure 7 represents
the pin as completed without the stop plate, the construction shown being in other
respects the same as that shown in Figures 1 and 2.
If greater strength is desired than would be afforded by an annular hood or
-shield, such as that shown in Figures 1, 2 and 7, or for the sake of appearance or
for any other reason, the hood or shield might be made in two disc-like parts C¹ C
which may he secured together to embrace the circle a, as represented in Figures 5
and 6. In this case each side or part of the hood or shield is formed with an
opening for the passage of the pin point b and the completed hood or shield is
also notched at e', as before, to form ears or guards c which shall engage the pin
point when the parts are in the positions represented by dotted lines in Figure 5.

page_text: It is obvious that this form of hood or shield is in all essential respects the
same as that shown in Figures 1, 2 and 7. The stop plate D may or may not be
used with this form of hood or shield, as may be desired.
In the construction represented in Figures 8 and 9, the member A of the pin is
formed as before with the bend a', but the curved extension a' is continued to
meet the bend a', thereby forming a bar to prevent the passage of the pin point
from side to side. In this case, the hood or shield C has its ears or guards c
spread apart to accommodate the pin point on either side of the portion c2 of the
wire, as clearly represented in Figure 9.
In the construction shown in Figures 10 and 11 the member A is formed without
the bend a' and the curved wire a' is continued to meet the main wire A. The
hood or shield C2 is formed with wide spread ears or guards e, as in the construction
shown in Figures 8 and 9. In both of these constructions the edges cc of the hood
are turned in to embrace the curved wire a somewhat closely.
The mode of use of this form of my improved pin will be readily apparent from
the foregoing description. When the hood or shield is in the position represented
in Figures 1 and 7 and by full lines in Figure 5, the pin point may be introduced
from either side. When the pin point has been introduced and is held in the plane
of the hood or shield, either by the fingers alone or by the fingers in co-operation
with the stop plate, the hood or shield is partially rotated upon the circular track
or support formed by the wire a² to cause the ears or guards to embrace the
pin point and to stand in close proximity to or to embrace the wire a¹ or A,
thereby preventing positively the disengagement of the pin point from the hood or
shield.
Referring now to the application of the improvement to safety-pins or other like
devices having non-rotary hoods or shields, as illustrated on Sheet II., it will be
seen that the main body of the pin is constructed substantially as before, but that
the back or fixed member A may be slightly longer than in the ordinary piu and
is specially formed to support and co-operate with the hood or shield C³. As
represented in Figures 12, 13 and 14, the end or outer portion of the member A is
bent backward parallel with itself, as at a to form a loop with substantially
parallel sides, downward toward the main portion, as at as, to form a bar, and outward
again in proximity to the main portion, as at aº, to form a stop, thus constituting a
support upon which the hood or shield C³ may slide longitudinally without lateral
or swinging movement and which also accomplishes certain other desirable
results, as hereinafter described, although this precise formation of the wire is not
essential. The portion a', if the pin is double, constitutes a stop for the pin point,
to prevent the same from passing through the hood or shield from side to side, and
in order to reduce the thickness of the hood or shield this portion a³ may be
flattened as represented in Figures 12, 13 and 14. Formed as described, this
elongated loop not only properly supports the hood or shield C³ with sufficient
frictional resistance to keep it from slipping accidentally, but the part as also act
as a bar to prevent the cloth, with which the pin may be engaged, from pushing
the hood or shield back.
The hood or shield C3 is formed of sheet metal in any suitable manner and is
arranged to slide to and fro upon the pin member A and to permit or prevent the
disengagement of the pin point b therefrom. It is preferably formed as a flattened
tubular and a practically continuous hood to embrace both members of the
elongated loop of the member A, heretofore referred to, having ears or lugs et
turned in from its sides between the members of said loop to prevent the
disengagement of the hood or shield from the pin wire. The portio. a of the pin
wire forms a stop which, by contact with the lugs or ears c, prevents the shield or
hood C from being pushed too far forward upon the pin. The side walls of the
hood or shield are provided with apertures c so that when the hood or shield is
pushed back, as represented in Figure 12, the pin point b may be introdured into
the hood or shield, as represented in dotted lines, from either side. Thereafter the
hood or shield may be pushed forward upon the pin, into the position shown in

page_text: Figure 13, in which position the pin point is held positively from accidental
disengagement from said hood or shield.
In the construction represented in Figures 15 and 16 the pin wire is formed as
already described while the hood or shield C is modified in form so as to cover
entirely the end of the loop; the shield is struck up as before from sheet metal
and the lug or ear e which prevents the removal of the hood or shield from the
pin is turned in at the end of the slot or opening which is formed in each side of
the shield to permit the introduction of the pin point.
In the construction shown in Figures 17 and 18 the pin wire is not continued
and bent to form the complete loop for the support of the hood or shield, but
between the portion at and the main body of the pin wire is secured, by solder or
otherwise, a plate a which completes the loop, constitutes a stop to prevent the
passage of the pin point through the shield from side to side and ala prevents the
disengagement of the shield fruin the pin by contact with the lug or ear cof
the shield. The latter is represented in these figures as formed exactly as in
Figures 12, 13 and 14, having in each side wall the slot or opening to permit the
introduction of the pin point. As represented in these figures, the loop which
supports the hood or shield does not interpose any obstacle to the thrusting back of
said hood or shield by the pressure of the fabric with which the pin is engaged.
In Figure 19 I have illustrated the application of the improvement to a single or
one sided pin in which the pin point can be introduced into the shield from one
side only. The shield C is formed substantially as shown in Figures 12, 13, 17
and 18 except that it is thinner, has but one side slotted, as at, to permit the
introduction of the pin point, and has its under part turned in over the pin wire, as
at e, to co-operate with the bar at which operates before as a stop and a guard.
The mode of use of this form of my improved pin will be readily understood.
When the shield is in the position represented in Figures 12, 15 and 17 the pin is
used in all respects as an ordinary pin, but when it is desired, after engagement of
the pin point with the fabric and with the hood or shield, to guard against
accidental disengagement of the pin point, the hood or shield is pushed forward
into the position shown in Figures 13, 16 and 18.
It will be observed that either form of my improved pin is hardly to be
distinguished in appearance from the ordinary safety-pin, that the cost of
manufacture is not materially greater, and that while the pin is capable of use
as an ordinary safety-pin it has also the added advantage of enabling the
disengagement of the pin point from the hood or shield to be prevented
positively.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspon.lent: I declare that what I claim is:-
1. In a safety-pin or other device of like character, the combination with one
member having its outer portion bent to form a circular track or support, of a hood
or shield having its edge turned over to embrace said bent portion and thereby to
be retained thereon but with freedom to rotate bodily on said bent portion as a
track or support, said hood or shield being formed with a passage to permit the
introduction of the pin point from each side and being slotted or notched to form
lateral ears or guards to emlace the pin point between them, whereby a
partial rotation of said hood or shield prevents or permits the disengagement
ol the pin point from between said ears or guards, substantially as shown and
described.
2. The combination with a safety-piu or other device of like character having
one member bent upward toward the other and then backward upon itself and
around to form a circular track or support, of a hood or shield having its edge
turned over to embrace said bent portion and thereby to be retained thereon but
with freedom to rotate bodily on said bent port:on as a track or support, said hood
or shield having a passage to permit the introduction of the pin point from each

page_text: side and having also lateral ears or guards to embrace the pin point between them,
substantially as shown and described.
3. The combination with a safety-pin or other device of like character having
one member bent to form a circular track or support at its outer end, of a hood
or shield formed to embrace said circular track or support and mounted to rotate
thereon, said hood or shield being formed with a passage to permit the introduction
of the pin point from each side and having lateral ears or guards to embrace the
pin point between them, and a stop plate supported within said hood or shield to
prevent the passage of the pin point through said hood or shield from side to
side, substantially as shown and described.
4. The combination with one member of a safety-pin or other like device bent
to form an elongated loop with substantially parallel sides, of a flattened tubular
hood or shield of sheet metal formed to embrace both sides or members of said
loop and to slide thereon longitudinally and held thereby from lateral or swinging
movement and having lugs or ears bent into the loop from its side to limit its
movement, said hood or shield having a slot or opening to permit the introduction.
of the pin point, substantially as shown and described.
5. The combination with one member of a safety-pin or other device of like-
character bent to form a loop with substantially parallel sides and having a
transverse bar between said parallel sides, of a hood or shield formed to embrace
said loop and to slide thereon and having in each side a slot or opening to permit
the introduction of the pin point, and having a lug or ear bent into said loop
to prevent the removal of the hood or shield therefrom, substantially as shown.
and described.
6. The combination with one member of a safety-pin or other device of like
character bent to form a loop with substantially parallel sides and having the wire
of said loop continued and bent backward in proximity to the main portion of said
wire, of a hood or shield formed to embrace said loop and to slide thereon and
having in each side a slot or opening to permit the introduction of the pin point.
and having a lug or ear bent into said loop to prevent the removal of the hood or
shield therefrom, and to engage the end of said wire to limit the forward movement
of the hood or shield upon the pin, substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 2nd day of June 1896.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE.