IMPROVEMENTS IN CLASPS
Year: 1885

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
We, JACOB ELSON, of 151, North Sixth Street, in the City of Philadelphia, in
the State of Pennsylvania; United States of America; Watchmaker, and HENRY
BERNHARDT GROSS; of 1426, North Seventeenth Street, in the City of Philadelphia,
State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Soap Manufacturer,, do hereby
declare the nature of our Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CLASPS," 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 to provide a retainer or clasp into which a strap
or band can be readily introduced, from which it can be readily withdrawn, and
by which it will be securely retained, the improved clasp being designed. for
various uses.
In the accompanying drawings:-Figs. 1, and 2; represent perspective views of
one form of the retainer, showing the same respectively closed and open.
+
Figs. 3, and, 4, perspective views of another form of the clasp; showing the
same respectively open and closed.
Fig. 5, a view showing one of the uses of the clasp shown in Figs. 3, and 4
Fig. 6, a sectional view of Fig. 5.
Fig. 7, a view illustrating a modified form of the clasp shown in Figs. 3; and 4,-
. Fig. 8, a sectional view of Fig. 7.
Fig. 9, a view of a further modified form of the clasp, and
Fig. 10, a view showing one of the uses of the clasp shown in Figs. 1; and 2!
The clasp consists of a plate, a, of thin and elastic sheet metal, bent to form a
tongue, b, and having at the end a catch, d, with which the end of the tongue
engages when the clasp is closed, as shown in Fig. 1.
The band or strap to be held is retained between the tongue, b, and the
plate, a, and in order to increase the hold of the clasp on the band or strap, and
prevent the slipping of the same, the plate, a, has studs,, spurs or barbs, f, struck
up therefrom, or otherwise formed thereon,
I
A projection, x, is also formed on the plate, a. In the clasp shown in Figs. 1,
and 2, this projection has openings for the reception of the threads whereby the
projection can be secured to the shield, B, of a neck scarf, as shown for instance in
Fig. 10, or eyelets, prongs, or other means of fastening the clasp may be used, if
desired. When it is desired to release the band, A, from the control of the clasp,

page_text: the catch d, is moved off the end of the tongue, b, so as to allow the tongue to
spring outward, as in Fig. 2, and thus permit the ready withdrawal of the
band from the clasp. On re-inserting the band, A, the clasp is fastened by
pressing down upon the tongue, b, the catch, d, first yielding to permit the end of
the tongue to pass it, and then recovering its position so as to project over and
retain the end of the tongue.
The improved clasp is adapted for the retaining of bands or straps generally, and
in Figs. 3, to 9, is shown a form of the clasp designed especially for use on braces
or suspenders.
A¹, represents part of the shoulder strap of one of a pair of suspenders, F, F,
parts of the two waist straps to be connected to the said shoulder strap, and D, the
clasp whereby this connection is effected, the main portion of this clasp being
similar to that before described.
The projection, x, however, in the clasp shown in Figs. 8, to 8, is formed on the
lower edge of the tongue, b, and is constructed for the reception and retention of
the attachment at the upper ends of the waist straps, F, instead of for attachment
to the shield of a scarf.
The construction of the projection will therefore vary to suit the character of
this attachment, but in general, the projection will either be made in the form of a
hook to receive a ring or eye, or it will be in the form of an eye or loop, to receive
a folded strip, loop, or hook at the upper end of the waist straps.
As shown in Figs. 3, 4; 5, and 6, of the drawings, the projection, x, is bent at
the lower end to form a hook, m, and a tongue, n, is struck up from the body of
the projection, so that its free end bears upon the inside of the hook, m, a snap
hook being thus formed for the reception of a ring, p, which is connected by a
folded strip, t, of leather or other suitable material, to the upper ends of the waist
straps F.
In Figs. 7, and 8, is shown a simpler form of the device, in which the pro-
jection,, has a slot, w, so as to form a loop adapted directly to the folded strip, t,
of the waist straps.
Fig. 9, shows a clasp in which the projection, x, is similar to that shown in
Figs. 3, to 6, but is formed on the plate, a, instead of on the tongue, b.
It will be seen that it is a matter of choice, whether the projection, x, and barbs
or spurs, f, are formed on the plate, a, or on the tongue, b.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and objects of our
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is
1. A clasp, consisting of a plate, a, with elastic tongue, b, and retainer, d, said
plate or tongue having projecting spurs, barbs or equivalent catch, whereby a strip
or band held by the clasp is prevented from slipping through the same.
2. A clasp, consisting of a plate, a, with elastic tongue, b, and retainer, d, said
plate or tongue having a projection serving as a means of attachment for the clasp.
Dated this 1at day of June 188K
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
821, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.