Improvements in Convertible Belts and Braces.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Nov., 1899-Accepted, 30th Dec. 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Convertible Belts and Braces.
We, LAVERUX NELSON DYIIRDERG, Brickmaker, and GEORGE KIDD ASKIN,
Machinist, both of Ashburton, Canterbury, in the Colony of New Zealand, 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:
Our invention relates to the convertible belts and braces in respect of which
we made application for Lettors Patent dated 4th October 1899 No. 19,933.
The convertible appliance as described in said previous application consists
of two overlapping main bands of leather webbing or other suitable material
which are pivotally connected and provided at their rear ends with button tabs
of the usual character and at their front ends are doubled back and made fast
to adjustable buckles so as to form loops each of which supports a motal sliding
ring to which a pair of front button tabs (which are in the form of loops) is
secured.
The looped front ends of the main bands also support slip buckles which,
when the appliance is used as a belt, together serve as a clasp, a bar of each slip
buckle passing through the loops of the corresponding pair of front button
tabs, so as at the same time to hold these tabs flat against the inner side of
the belt.
We will now proceed to describe the several modifications of the above
described arrangement, which form the subject of the present invention, these
modifications being illustrated in the accompanying drawings which shew 80
much of the convertible appliance as is necessary for the purpose of this
application. Fieures 1 and 2 shew a modified arrangement for connecting the
two main bands at the back, the arrangement being illustrated in the two
positions assumed when the appliance is used as braces and as a belt respec-
tively. Figures 3 and 4 are similar views of another modified arrangement
wherein a single continuous main hand is employed instead of two bands con-
nected together. Figures 5 and 6 are respectively front and side views of a
modified form of slip buckle to which the front button labs are directly
attached; and Figures 7 and 8 are respectively similar views of another modified
form of attachment for the front button tabs.
In the arrangement illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. the two main bands A A
aro connected at back to a ring which permits of the bands assuming various
angular positions relatively to one another, the ring being connected to an
inner ring which carries a pair of tabs in for attachment to the back buttons
of the trousers when the appliance is used as braces. When the appliance is
to be used as a belt, the two main bands A A are brought into alignment with
each other, and each of the tabs m is drawn over the corresponding band and
secured thereto by means of a button n (or equivalent device) as shewn in
Figure 2.
According to the arrangement illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. a continuous
band A is employed instead of two bands as before described, a ring o being

page_text: attached to the middle of the band by means of a strip p of suitable material
secured to the band by stitching or otherwise. A short strap q, having a hole
and slit at each end for attachment to the back trouser buttons when the
appliance is used as braces, is also fastened by its middle to the ring
similarly held in position thereon by means of a strip .
。 and is
When the appliance is to be used as a belt, the short strap is laid flat upon
the band and secured thereto by means of buttons (or equivalent devices)
as shewn in Figure 4, but when the appliance is used as braces the strap q is
disconnected from the buttons s and doubled over the ring 0 as shewn in
Figure 3, so as to form a pair of rear button tabs, the band A' being also
folded upon itself about the ring o in readiness to be passed over the shoulders
of the wearer.
In Figures 5 and 6, the front button tubs are shewn attached directly to
one end bar of the slip buckle f whose middle bar passes through the loop
of the corresponding main band A, the effect of this arrangement being to
dispense with the separate sliding ring described in the specification attached
to our previous application for Letters Patent aforesaid. In this case when
the appliance is used as a belt the buckle is turned back to enable the tabs h
to lie flat against the inside of the main band to which however they need
not he fastened since, when the belt is being worn, the pressure of the band
against the body suffices to keep the tabs in place. This arrangement is
applicable both where the single continuous band A¹ (Figures 3. and 4) and the
two separate bands AA are used.
According to the arrangement shewn in Figures 7 and 8, the looped front end
of each main band A is passed through a D-shaped ring f, to which are also
connected the corresponding pair of button tabs h; the hooked member of
clasp being hinged to the straight bar of the one ring (so as to act indepen-
dently thereof) and the fellow member of the clasp (not shown) being similarly
hinged to the other ring f. The hook portion of the clasp may be turned
either inward or outward as may be desired, the two members of the clasp
engaging with one another when the appliance is used as a belt.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is:--
1. In a convertible appliance adapted to be used either as a belt or braces and
consisting of two main banda whose front ends are looped and provided each
with a pair of tabs for attachment to the front buttons of the trousers when
the appliance is used as braces as described; the employment of a ring to
which the rear ends of the said muin bands are secured so as to be capable
of assuming various angular positions relatively to one another, an inner ring,
connected to the first mentioned ring carrying a pair of tabs for attachment to
the back buttons of the trousers when the appliance is used as braces, and
means for holding each of said tabs flat against the corresponding main band
when the appliance is to be used as a belt, substantially as herein described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 and 2.
2. A convertible appliance adapted to be used either as a belt or braces, and
consisting of a single continuous main band attached at or near the middle of
its length to a ring to which is also connected by its middle a strap forming
a pair of tabs for attachment to the back buttons of the trousers when the
appliance is used as braces; the front ends of the main band being looped, and
provided each with a pair of tabs for attachment to the front buttons of the
trousers, and with a device adapted to form the one or other half (as the case
may be) of a clasp whereby the appliance is secured around the body of the
wearer when used as a belt; and means whereby said tabs may be held flut
against the main band when the appliance is to be used as a belt, substantially
us specified.

page_text: 3. In a convertible appliance adapted to be used either as a belt or braces,
and consisting of a single continuous main band, or a pair of bands connected
together at or near their rear ends, said band or pair of bands being provided
with a pair of tabs for attachment to the back buttons of the trousers when
the appliance is used as braces as described; the employment of a pair of slip
buckles each comprising a middle bar whereby the buckle is attached to the
looned portion of the corresponding front end of the main band or pair of
bands, an, end bar carrying a pair of tabs for attachment to the front buttons
of the trousers, and a hook or loop (as the case may be) forming respectively
the one or the other half of a clasp whereby the appliance is secured around
the body of the wearer when used as a belt, substantially as specified.
4. In a convertible appliance adapted to be used either as a belt or braces,
and consisting of a single continuous main band, or a pair of bands connected
together at or near their rear ends, said baud or pair of bands being provided
with a pair of labs for attachment to the back buttons of the trousers when
the appliance is used as braces, as described; the employment of a pair of
D-shaped rings through each of which passes the looped portion of the corre-
sponding front end of the main band or pair of bands, each ring carrying
pair of tabs for attachment to the front buttons of the trousers, and also having
hinged to it a hook or loop (as the case may be) forming respectively the one
or the other half of a clasp whereby the appliance is secured around the body
of the wearer when used as a belt, substantially as specified.
8
Duttu
THES VAN Gay of Aovember
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.