IMPROVEMENTS IN CLASPS OR FASTENINGS FOR SCARFS AND OTHER ARTICLES Or Dasss
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Olark, of 58, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CLASPS OR FASTENINGS FOR SCARFS AND OTHER ARTICLES
Or Dasss." A communication from abroad by Simon Schloss and
Stephan, alias Simon, Lerchenthal, Manufacturers, both of 13,
Boulevart St. Martin, Paris.
Sealed the 9th July 1869, and dated the 21st January 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville
Clark at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 21st January 1869.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE OLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CLASPS OR FASTENINGS FOR SCARFS AND
OTHER ARTICLES OF DRESS, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in clasps or fastenings for
scarfs, neckties, boas, pelerines, and other articles of dress. The clasp is
detachable, and does not crumple or otherwise injure the article to which

page_text: it is applied. The clasp may be made of any suitable material, and of
various forms and dimensions; it may also be covered with any
material, such as silk or velvet, or with metal more or less ornamental,
according to taste. The improved fastening consists of the clasp
properly so called and a covering of silk or other material, which is
caused to adhere thereto by gumming or in other suitable manner.
The clasp may be made separately, and coverings of different materials
supplied with the same. Two modes may be adopted of fixing the
covering to the clasp foundation, for example, the foundation may be
provided with small projections, which are turned down on the covering
around its edges, or enter small openings made in said covering, or the
latter may be provided with small projecting catches which are caused
to enter spaces made in the clasp. In order to give sufficient stiffness
to the coverings, and facilitate their application to the clasp foundation,
said coverings may be formed of thin cardboard or other material, to
which the silk or velvet fabric is caused to adhere. A spring is placed
inside the clasp made of the same form, and serving by the aid of a
metal part to grip the scarf or other article between it and the inside of
the clasp. In order the better to secure the scarf by means of the spring
I may, if desirable, make it of bent form so as to engage in similar parts
with which the clasp is provided.
This Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawing, Figure 1
of which is a side view and plan of one form of the improved fastening;
Figure 2 shows a face view of the covering of silk, velvet, or other
material to be applied on the outside of the fastening for the purpose of
imitating a scarf knot; Figure 3 shows a face view of the covering
provided with fixing parts; Figure 4 shows an elevation and plan of
the clasp provided with openings for receiving the projections on
the covering; Figure 5 shows a plan of the clasp in position for
introducing the article to be secured; Figure 6 is a side view of the
clasp; Figure 7 shows the cardboard or other shape covered with a silk
or other material to be pasted on the part represented in Figure 8;
Figure 9 shows a front and side view of a clasp having the projections
disposed differently to those represented in Figures 1 and 2. The same
reference letters apply to all the Figures.

page_text: called, provided on either side with small projecting parts c, c, which
are turned down on the covering a so as to grip it around the edges, and
so secure it to the part b; d, spring, fixed on the inside of part b, its
free end bearing on a part e pivoted at f on a hinge at one side of
part b. The spring and joint of part e are so arranged that the spring
will hold the said part e in two positions, either closed, as shown in
Figure 4, or open, as in Figure 5.
It will be readily understood on examining the Drawings that by
placing the scarf in the clasp and closing the hinged part e, that the
latter will secure the scarf in the manner shown in Figure 10.
In Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 the covering is fixed to the body of the
clasp differently to the mode shown in Figures 1 and 2. In this case the
part a, Figure 8, covered with silk or other fabric is provided with
catches o, c, to be received in corresponding openings g, g, Figure 4.
In Figuros 8 and 9 the catches c, c, form part of the clasp b, and
enter corresponding openings h, h, Figure 8, made in the cardboard
shape, Figure 7, on which the fabric is applied.
I have before mentioned that in order to more effectually secure the
scarf I may form a projecting part on the spring entering corresponding
parts formed on part e. This arrangement is illustrated in Figures 11,
12, 13, and 14. Figure 11 shows a transverse section of the clasp,
Figure 12 an inside view open for the reception of the scarf, Figure 13
a similar view closed, and Figure 14 a plan of the clasp. k, projection
formed on spring d; l, m, projections on the inside of part e, so arranged
that on closing the latter the part of the spring will be received
between the parts l, m, the scarf being held in the manner shown in
Figure 11, and is thus prevented from slipping out of position,

page_text: called, and a covering of silk or velvet material which is caused to adhere
thereto by gumming, sewing, rivetting, or in other suitable manner.
The clasp may be made separately and coverings of different materials
supplied with the same. Two modes may be adopted of fixing the
covering to the clasp foundation, for example, the foundation may be
provided with small projections which are turned down on the covering
around its edges or enter small openings made in said covering, or the
latter may be provided with small projecting catches which are caused
to enter spaces made in the clasp. In order to give sufficient stiffness to
the coverings and facilitate their application to the clasp foundation said
coverings may be formed of thin cardboard or other material to which
the silk or velvet fabric is caused to adhere. A spring is placed inside
the clasp serving to operate a metal part which grips the scarf or other
articlo between it and the inside of the clasp. In order the better to
secure the scarf by means of the spring I may, if desirable, make the
latter of bent form so as to engage in similar parts with which the clasp
is provided, and as will be herein-after more fully described.
This Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, Figure 1
of which is a side view and plan of one form of the improved fastening;
Figure 2 shows a face view of the covering of silk velvet or other
material to be applied on the outside of the fastening for the purpose of
imitating a scarf knot; Figure 3 shows a face view of the covering
provided with fixing parts; Figure 4 shows an elevation and plan of
the clasp provided with openings for receiving the projections on the
covering; Figure 5 shows a plan of the clasp in position for introducing
the article to be secured; Figure 6 is a side view of the clasp; Figure 7
shows a cardboard or other shape covered with silk or other material to
be pasted on the part represented in Figure 8; Figure 9 shows a front
and side view of a clasp having the projections disposed differently to
those represented in Figures 1 and 2. The same reference letters apply
to all tho Figures.
a, Figuro 2, metal or cardboard shape forming the covering of the
clasp to be covered with silk or other material; b, clasp, properly so
called, provided on either side with small projecting parts c, c, which are
turned down on the covering a so as to grip it around the edges and so
secure it to the part b; d, spring fixed on the inside of part 6, its free
end bearing on a parte pivoted at fon a hinge at one side of part b. The

page_text: spring and joint of part e are so arranged that the spring will hold the
said part e in two positions, either closed, as shown in Figure 4, or open,
as in Figure 5.
It will be readily understood on examining the Drawings that by
placing the scarf in the clasp and closing the hinged part e that tho
latter will secure the scarf in the manner shown in Figure 10.
In Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 the covering is fixed to the body of
the clasp differently to the mode shown in Figures 1 and 2. In
this case the part a, Figure 3, covered with silk or other fabric is
provided with catches c, c, to be received in corresponding openings 9, 9, 1
Figure 4.
In Figures 8 and 9 the catches c, c, form part of the clasp 6 and enter
corresponding openings h, h, Figure 8, made in the cardboard shape,
Figure 7, on which the fabric is applied.
I have before mentioned that in order to more effectually secure 1
the scarf I may form a projecting part on the spring entering
corresponding parts formed on part e. This arrangement is illustrated
in Figures 11, 12, 13, and 14. Figure 11 shows a transverse section of
the clasp, Figure 12 an inside view open for the reception of the scarf,
Figure 13 a similar view closed, and Figure 14 a plan of the clasp. 2
k, projection formed on spring d; l, m, projections on the inside of
part e so arranged that on closing the latter the part k of the spring
will be received between the parts l, m, the scarf being held in the
manner shown in Figure 11, and is thus prevented from slipping out of
position.
It will be understood that I reserve the right of attaching the improved
fastening to the scarf either by a vertically jointed clasp, as shown in
Figure 10, or horizontally fitted, as in Figure 15.
2
Figure 16 shows a back view of the improved clasp on this latter
principle, while Figure 16* shows a front view of the clasp to be 3
secured to the scarf by a vertical attachment. In this lattor case the
clasp may be of the shape shown in Figures 15 and 16 instead of being
conical.
In Figure 1 I have represented the foundation 6 as provided with
clips c, c, to be turned down over the covering so as to secure the same 3

page_text: in position on the foundation. In this manner the small clips which are
turned over the silk or velvet outer covering are left exposed, and in
order to obviate this I may employ the mode represented in Figures 17,
18, 19, 20, and 21. According to this mode of attaching the covering
the clips are completely hidden while both the foundation and covering
aro secured at the same time. In this case the body of the clasp is not
provided with clips as before, and instead of this I attach to the paste-
board foundation a, Figure 3, the parts x, y, shown in elevation and plan
in Figures 18 and 10, either by rivetting, sowing, or in other suitablo
manner, said parts x, y, forming the clips for fixing the covering a to
the foundation b. In the Drawing the part 2 on the left side is shown
perforated for the purpose of rivetting it to the covering a, while the
part y on the opposite side has projections 1, 1, serving to secure it to
said covering. The parts x, y, may also be attached by sewing or other-
wise. Figure 20 shows the parts x, y, fixed to the covering a. In this
Figure it will be seen that the right side of the covering and part y
attached thereto are hollowed out at the middle to enable the spring & to
act, as also the projection on clasp e before described.
The projections 1, 2, 3, or clips of parts x, y, when mounted in tho
above-described manner on the covering serve to fix at the same tino both
tho covering a and the silk velvet or other facing s to the foundation 6
of the clasp. For this purpose said parts a, y, are turned down over
the edges of the foundation on the inside, so that they may be covered
with the silk, as clearly shown in plan at Figuro 21. Or instead of this
they may bo secured before fixing the covering a to the foundation b
between the parts x, y, by rivetting, sewing, or otherwise.
The advantages of this improved clasp are that, 1st, it may be readily
removed from the scarf by means of the catch e' of the clasp; and 2ndly,
the covering on which is placed the velvet, silk, or other fabric or
metal surface is also adjustable, and may he changed at will.
It will be understood that the improved clasp may also be secured
permanently at any point of the scarf or tie, as represented in Figure 22.
a, clasp in the form of a knot securing the boa, tie, or scarf; c, d, aro
the two fixed ends of said tie; e, end of tie to be inserted in the clasp
and which is hidden by the fixed ends c, d. The end e forms a con-
tinuation of the scarf b which encircles the neck.

page_text: The scarf thus comprises, 1st, two fixed or pendant ends c, d; 2ndly,
the scarf or tie b attached at one end e to the clasp.
I have mentioned at the commencement of this Specification that
this system of fastener possessed the advantage over those in ordinary
use of not crumpling or soiling the articles to which they may t
be applied. This result is attained by the peculiar construction of
the fastener, which is open at back instead of being closed as usual
with this kind of fastener, where the knot is in the form of a sheath,
the tie being secured by slipping one end through said sheath.
In this improved fastener the tie is readily secured by simply placing 1
the two parts one on the other in the knot and securing them
therein by means of a hinged clasp as described, or in other suitable
manner.
I am aware that scarf rings have been made with a hinged part
opening for the purpose of introducing the two parts of the tic, but
theso do not simulate the form and appearance of a scarf knot as in the
present case. Hence the particular improvement consists in the pro-
duction of a scarf fastener serving as the knot therefor, and opening
at its rear side for introducing the two parts of the scarf or tio, whero
they are fixed by means of a clasp of any suitable form and construction
and which may be either visible or invisible as desired.
Having described the nature of this Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to
be protected by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
1st. An improved clasp or fastener more especially applicable for
scarfs and neckties, made to simulate the knot of the scarf and opening
at the rear for the insertion of the two parts of the same, thoy being
retained in position therein by means of a suitable clasp, all as herein.
before described and represented in the accompanying Drawings.
2ndly. I claim the improved fastener, whether forming an independent
fastening to be applied to the scarf, tie, or other article of dress when
desired, or fixed thereto in the manner shown in Figure 22 of the
Drawings, or in other way.
Rmily I claim the several modes of manufacturing the knot or

page_text: fastener, which may be varied in form as desired, all as herein-before
described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of July,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty.
nine.
Witness,
JAMES DAISH,
53, Chancery Lane,
London.
A. M. CLARK. (L.S.)