Improvements in Corset Fastenings.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd May, 1889-Accepted, 13th July,
1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Corset Fastenings.
I FREDERICK BRITTAN SPOONER, of 56 Downing Street, Brooklyn, in the County
of Kings, and State of New York, one of the United States of America, gentleman,
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
-
My invention relates to new and useful improvements in clasps adapted for use in
connection with wearing apparel such as corsets and the like and consists in the novel
construction and arrangement of the parts- thereof as will be more fully hereinafter
described and claimed
The object of my present invention is to improve the clasp heretofore made by ne
in such manner as to simplify the construction, enclose the latch to prevent the
garments from engaging therewith and decrease the cost of manufacture.
In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated several forms of my improved
device, similar letters of reference being used to designate like parts and therein :-
Fig 1 is a part of a corset showing my improved clasp in connection therewith.
Fig 2 is an enlarged view in elevation of the clasp detached.
Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the latch raised.
Fig. 4 is an edge elevation
Figs 5, 6 and 7 are modifications of the device.
A indicates a sheet metal plate doubled upon itself as shown in Fig. 4 and having
a slot a cut thereinto from the bent end for the entrance of a stud eye or shank. The
said plate A is adapted to be attached to one corset steel or other article with which
it is used
Mounted in said plate A to have a sliding movement therein is a latch B having a
hook and preferably a cam projection b. "The upper and lower edges of said latch
are provided with bent guards 63 and 6 to limit the movement thereof in the doubled
plate A.
In Fig 5, the latch B is provided with an integral lug a' which plays freely in an
aperture a cut in one side of the plate A.
In Fig. 6, the latch B is shown formed with the lug a' playing or moving freely in
an aperture a in the doubled plate and having an arm a adapted to bear upon the
corset steel D. This arm a further aids the latch B in its movement and acts to
overcome any tendency of said latch B from having too free movement, and thereby
make its action more even and regular In Fig. 7 a spring S is caused to bear against
the rear edge of the latch B. This spring S is preferably a flat spring attached to one
part of the plate A and bears against the latch B to aid in quickening its return to a
normal locking position In all the forms of clasp shown, the operation is similar.
The doubled sheet metal plate A is used and the same form of latch B.
The clasps are attached to one steel of a corset or to a part of any other article, as
may be desired the number of the said clasps employed, being the same as the
number of studs C employed on the corset. The shank or eye of the stud striking
the hooked end 6' of the latch B raises the same and passing into the slot a of the
doubled sheet metal plate A forces said latch down on the stud eye or shank, and
causes the hooked end 6¹ to lock the same in said plate.
Every clasp is separately operated and every latch B is enclosed by the doubled
plate A to prevent contact of the garments therewith.
To open each latch B the lower bent guard or projection 6 is pressed upward
by the hand, and the stud C released from the clasp. This operation is carried
out with every clasp until the entire number are opened.
•
°

page_text: It is well known in the art of corset clasps that a series of said clasps have been
heretofore connected together for simultaneous operation by pulling a cord or wire
at the bottom of the corset.
This form of construction is objectionable to manufacturers and wearers of
corsets, for the reason that the manufacture of said form of united clasp is very
expensive, liable to get quickly out of order and break; said arrangement also
forms so many projections that the under garments become worn by contact there-
with and the parts of this form of construction are so large and cumbersome that
the weight of the corset 19 greatly increased.
By my improved clasp, the latch B is entirely enclosed in the bent sheet metal
plate A so that the garments cannot touch the same or interfere with its working,
and further if it is desired to unfasten one, two or more, of the clasps as is often
necessary they may be readily opened without unfastening the entire corset.
It one of my improved clasps should become injured or broken another may be
readily substituted therefor without disturbing the remaining clasps on the corset.
This cannot be done where the clasps are fastened together for simultaneous
operation without a great expense of time and labor.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. In a corset clasp the combination of the sheet metal doubled plate A having a
slot a extending through the bent portion thereof for the entrance of the eye or shank
of a stud C, and a flat sheet metal latch B having a hooked end 61 mounted in and
enclosed by said sheet metal plate A and adapted to have a sliding movement
therethrough, substantially as described.
2. In a corset clasp, the combination of the sheet metal doubled plate A having a
slot, a, extending through the bent portion thereof for the entrance of the oye or
shank of a stud C and a flat sheet metal latch B having a booked end 61 adapted to
close the opening a in the plate A and also having a bent projecting lower edge or
guard 62 for opening the same, the said latch being enclosed by the said sheet inetal
plate A and having a sliding movement the ethrough substantially as described
3. In a corset clasp, the combination of the sheet metal doubled plate A having a
slot a extending through the bent portion thereof for the entrance of the eye or
shank of a stud C, and an aperture a³, and a flat sheet metal latch B mounted in and
enclosed by said plate A as set forth, and having a hooked end 6 and a lug a¹
engaging the aperture a³ in plate A, substantially as described.
4. In a corset clasp the combination of the sheet metal doubled plate A having a
slot a extending through the bent portion thereof for the entrance of the eye or
shank of a stud C and an aperture a² and a flat sheet metal latch B mounted in and
enclosed by said plate A as set forth and having a hooked end 6', a lug al engaging
the aperture a in plate A and an arm a³ bearing on the corset steel D substantially as
described.
Dated this 2nd day of May 1980
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents