Improvements, in Buckles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Aug., 1896-4ccepted, 19th Sept., 1896
Improvements, in Buckles.
A communication from GEORGE FRANCIS STANSBURY, of Weedsport, Cayuga
County, New York, Machinist, EZRA WILLMARTH SMITH, of Albany,
Albany County, New York, Locomotive Engineer, and ELIZA ANN
RAYMOND, of Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York, Lady, all in the
United States of America.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 111 Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex
Chartered Patent Agent 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 :-
The object of this invention is the providing of a buckle adapted for utilization
in the securing of harness, belts, suspenders, shawl-straps, carriage curtains,
overshoes, trusses, and other manifold articles and objects adaptable for a buckle
of this character; furthermore the purpose of this invention is the production
of a buckle of unique mechanical construction and correct principle, that is
thoroughly practical, reliable and, durable, and applicable for varied purposes
wherein a satisfactory buckle is obviously a desideratum.
Referring to the accompanying drawing,
Fig. 1 is a top plan of the buckle with the key member represented in a
strap-securing position ;
Fig. 2 a bottom plan;
Fig. 3 a longitudinal sectional elevation taken along line w w, Fig. 1; and
Fig. 4 a like sectional view, but representing the key of buckle in strap-releasing
position, namely, said key partially retracted."
Like letters and figures of reference indicate corresponding parts.
I is the casing, comprising a top wall, A, bottom wall, B and side walls C C;
the upper and lower walls being converging; formed at an angle as illustrated
creating a convergent chamber; the rear extensions of the side walls terminating
in a uniting loop L for permanent attachment of a strap thereto. If preferred an
equivalent may be used in lieu of said loop; or bendable prongs provided to the
under wall for attachment to a strap or other object.
Preferably the casing I is constructed of a suitable blank of stiff sheet-metal
Swaged or otherwise formed to shape, and, if saving of metal is desired, the
division space between the parts cc of the base wall B may be of such width as
to leave the width of the parts c c quite narrow. Contrariwise if wished.
Qis the key member, preferably formed of an integral blauk of sheet-metal
Swaged to shape and comprising a wedge-like or convergent body 3 whose top
wall D continues forwardly into a bead-like portion 4 having an elongated
aperture e disposed transversely to the path of travel of the key, which key is
longitudinally movable within the case I.
The wedge body of the key comprises major portion of flat top wall D and side
depending flanges or runners E E, of a converging shape in elevation coinciding.
to the convergence of the chamber of the casing.
When wished the lateral edges of the top and base wall of the case may
coincidingly slightly taper forwardly, see a a, the side walls similarly inclining, as
see b b.
Preferably the apertured forward elongation of the key is slightly curved as

page_text: at f (for assuring better biting contact to a strap passing through aperture e). In
event of the casing being constructed laterally converging (as see a a, b b)
obviously the lateral edges of the roof of key would be found slightly converging
forwardly as see g g and the runners E E coincidingly convergent as denoted
at h h.
At S is shown (by dotted work) a strap, or strap end, as buckled; except in
the last figure wherein same is shown released, or, as prior to securing. And S¹ a
permanently attached strap. Strap S passes through aperture e of key 2 slightly
curving (or straight), thence on through the space existing between roof of casing
and top face of key; and, following such introduction, any tension on the strap
forwardly (see full arrow) entails automatic closure of the key, its wedgelike
body 3 being carried toward, and usually partially through contracted end of
chamber of case, thus through frictional contact gripping the interposed strap,
firmly securing it; the greater the tension the more thorough the hold.
Apertured extension 4 is an all-important element of the key, and consequently
the buckle structure; the frictional hold upon the strap attained by reason of its
impinging passage through aperture e necessarily, when drawn on, propelling the
wedge-body forward and upward, entailing frictional gripping of the strap between
the invariably parallel contiguous surfaces of the roof of casing and its key,
whereby the more excessive the strain the tighter the wedging buckling of the
strap.
The strap is readily released by drawing it reversely, in direction indicated
by dotted arrow. When released assuming position represented in Fig. 4. Or,
preferably, strap is released by pressing against the extension 4, causing rearward
travel of the key and removing its grip.
Properly manipulated, no slack of strap need occur either in release or securing,
unless so desired. Equal gripping pressure is exerted upon the strap throughout
the extent of the gripping surfaces of the buckle structure.
The lateral bevelling of the case and the key in like ratio, prevents complete
disengagement of the parts when the strap is absent.
Same is also attained by having the contracted end of chamber of case of a
height slightly less than height of rear end of the key. Undue rearward movement
of key is prevented by the head 4 being striking the casing, or by having the loop L
of casing located in the rearward part of the key.
Evidently the roof of the case and roof of the key may be transversely
corrugated, if desired, for imparting additional stiffness to the parts; although
we do not deem such corrugating necessary nor advisable. Moreover the gripping
surfaces may be roughened. In this invention however it is preferred that the
surfaces shall be straight, level, and parallel on like inclinations, as delineated;
practical tests demonstrating the value thereof for securing the full efficiency of
this device.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion as communicated to me by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A buckle comprising a casing formed with its roof and floor converging and
a key similarly formed adapted to move in the converging chamber of said casing
and exert equal gripping pressure in conjunction with the roof of the chamber as
described.
2. A buckle comprising a casing formed integral with its upper and lower sides
arranged at an angle to form a converging chamber and an integral key of similar
convergence adapted to travel in the chamber whereby a gripping action may be
secured between the key and casing equal throughout the extent of the gripping
surfaces said key having an aperture to receive a strap in its passage between the
key and casing as described.
3. A buckle comprising a casing having its roof and floor arranged at an angle
to form a converging chamber and a key retained longitudinally movable therein

page_text: said key consisting of a similarly converging body terminating forwardly in an
enlargement or head having an aperture extending at a right angle to the key's
thrust as described.
4. A buckle comprising a casing enclosing a converging chamber and a similar
key adapted to move in said chamber and exert a gripping pressure in conjunction
with the casing said key having an aperture to receive a strap passed between the
key and casing to cause said strap to more effectually draw the key into gripping
position as described.
5. A buckle comprising a casing enclosing a converging chamber and a similar
key capable of travelling in said chamber and exerting a gripping pressure in
conjunction with the parallel inner surface of the roof thereof said key having an
aperture to receive a strap passed between the key and casing and contribute a
band to the strap to cause it to thoroughly draw the key into operative position as
described.
6. A buckle comprising a casing formed integral with its upper and lower sides
arranged at an angle to form a converging chamber said case having means for
the attachment of a strap and an integral key movable within the casing and
having its upper and lower sides arranged at an angle equal to that of the
similar sides of the casing the forward extremity of the roof of the key having a
transverse elongated aperture upon a plane substantially corresponding to the
plane of the roof said aperture adapted and designed for the reception of a strap
passing between the roof of the key and roof of the casing as described and for the
purpose specified.
7. In a buckle the combination of a casing formed integral with its base at an
angle to its top a similarly formed integral key comprising a web or roof having
downwardly extending runners or flanges whose lower edges form angles with the
web the forward end of the web of key being turned upwardly and diagonally of
its path and provided with a perforation in the upturned portion at right-angles
to the web of the key, and a strap passed between the web of the key and the roof
of the casing and bent downwardly through the perforation in the key, whereby
it may be gripped or released by the adjacent surfaces of the key and casing as
the key is manipulated, and means for the permanent attachment of a strap or
fabric to the casing, substantially as described.
Dated this 4th day of August 1896.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.