Improvements relating to Braces, Suspenders, and similar Articles.
Year: 1886

page_text: [Communicated from abroad by THOMAS OTIS POTTER, of Boston, Massachusetts,
United States of America, Gentleman.]
Improvements relating to Braces, Suspenders, and similar Articles.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the. County of Middlesex, 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 an adjusting clasp or attaching device chiefly designed for
use in connection with braces or suspenders but also applicable for other purposes.
The said device is adapted either to carry or support a hook, or to form a clasp and
affords means whereby the end of a brace or suspender strap is secured to the
remainder of the strap in order to provide the strap with an adjustinent as to length;
and it comprises a sleeve supporting a jaw, and also a hook, if desired, and having a
hinged plate which covers the jaw and the upper edge of the hook when used, so that
they are concealed from view, and their edges prevented from coming in contact with
the clothing and wearing it.
.
In the accompanying drawing.
Figure 1 is a view in plan of a blank from which the flattened sleeve portion of the
device is made.
Figure 2 is a plan of a blank from which the hook, which may be used with the
sleeve, is made.
Figure 3 is a plan of the blank from which the jaw of the device is made.
Figure 4 is a plan of the blank from which the covering plate is made.
Figure 5 represents the blank shown in Figure 1, bent to form à flattened sleeve..
Figure 6. represents the blank shown in Figure 2 shaped to form a hook..
Figure 7. represents the blank shown in Figure 3 formed to make a jaw.
Figure 8 shows the blank represented in Figure 4 shaped to form a covering plate.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the device, the covering plate being lifted to show
the jaw, the hook and the joints of the flattened sleeve.

page_text: Figure 10 is a view in perspective showing it applied to a suspender end and with
the covering plate in place to conceal the jaw, the upper part of the hook, and
inequalities upon the face of the flattened sleeve.
Figure 11 is a vertical section of the suspender represented in Figure 10.
Figure 12 is a horizontal section through the flattened sleeve and suspender upon
the line, x of Figure 11.
Figure 13 is a section upon the line y, y of Figure 11.
Figure 14 is a view in perspective illustrating the use of the flattened sleeve and
unlocking plate without the hook, and when it is employed for lengthening or
shortening a suspender strap.
Figure 15 is a vertical section thereof.
Figure 16 is a view in perspective of the rear side of the devices represented in
Figure 14.
Figure 17 shows the sleeve when prepared for this use.
Figures 18 and 19 represent the protecting plate with latches or clasps.
In making the device I prefer to employ a flat blank A, shaped in plan substantially
as shown in Figure 1. This blank has its edge a, formed to provide the ears or lugs a¹,
it also has the recesses a² extending from its edges to provide a slot or space for
the reception of the jaw B, also the holes a³ for the reception of the ears b attached to
the jaw; also, when a hook C is used, the holes a' for the reception of the ears c of
the hook; and, when it is used for adjustment of the suspender strap, the slot a³, to
from a bar over which the suspender end is passed before it is sewed to the remainder
of the strap to fasten it in place. The blank also. has the holes as for the reception
of the ears a by which the two. edges of the blank are secured together, and
the arms A' A'. The blank thus prepared is bent to form a flattened sleeve (seo
Figure 5).
The jaw B which is shaped from a blank of the shape substantially as represented
in Figure 3, is then secured thereto, its ears b extending through the holes a³ and its
serrated edge b¹ entering the receiving space at of the sleeve.
If a hook, is used it is provided with lugs or ends C which are bent to enter the
holes a as represented in Figure 9. To the upper ears or arms A', A' there is secured
a covering plate F, which is hinged to the ears or arms, and which drops down over
the jaw and the upper end of the hook, when used, and covers all the joints and
inequalities upon that side of the sleeve, so that there shall be no projections or joints
which can come in contact with the clothing of the user.
In use, when it is desired to move the sleeve upon the suspender strap, the covering
plate is lifted and the jaw disengaged from the suspender, and after tho movement of
the sleeve is engaged again therewith, and the plate returned to its original position
to cover it.
It will be seen that all the joints and connections are formed upon one side of the
sleeve, so that one covering plate covers or conceals them all.
In figures 18 and 19 I have shewn the protecting plate as having an extension fon
each edge, which extensions form the clasp or latch by which the protecting plate is
locked or secured to the sleeve, this latch or clasp bearing against the side and edges
of the sleeve, and holding the plate firmly in place thereto.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspond I declare that what I claim is :-
.
First.. An adjusting sleeve for suspenders and other similar articles having a
jaw B, and a swinging or hinged plate Fattached to the sleeve for covering the same,
substantially as described.
Second. The adjusting sleeve for straps. of suspenders or other articles, formed
from a blank having its edges united by ears, a jaw extending across the edges, a hook-
also extending across the edges, and a covering plate for covering the edges, the jaw,
and the upper edge of the hook, substantially as described.

page_text: Third. An adjusting sleeve for suspender and other straps, having a hinged
protecting plate adapted to cover the joints or inequalities therein, and provide a
smooth outer surface and finish, all substantially as described.
Fourth. An adjusting sleeve for suspenders and other straps having its principal
joints and attachments formed on one side thereof, and also having a covering plate
hinged thereto to cover said joints, and attachments, all substantially as described.
Fifth. An adjusting sleeve for suspenders and other straps, having a hinged
protecting plate, adapted to cover the joints or inequalities therein, and provided with
a latching device or clasp for securing it to the sleeve, substantially as described.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.