AN IMPROVED SELF-ACTING BUCKLE
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jean Nadal, of 94, Southampton Row, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED SELF-ACTING
BUCKLE"
Sealed the 15th October 1878, and dated the 30th May 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jean Nadal at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th May 1878.
JEAN NADAL, of 94, Southampton Row, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer>
"AN IMPROVED SELF-ACTING BUCKLE."
The buckle consists of a rectangular frame of metal or other suitable material,
upon which a bar is fixed in such a manner as to allow it to "run" upon two of the
opposite sides of the frame, and parallel to the two other.
The action of the buckle is as follows:-One end of the strap of webbing, ribbon,
&c., is fastened to one of the sides of the frame of the buckle parallel to the move-
able bar; the other end is passed between the moveable bar & the side on which
the webbing has been fastened; the end is then passed over the bar, and is
brought out between the bar and the opposite side to that on which the webbing
is fastened.
On a strain being put on the strap the moveable bar is drawn against the side of
the frame opposite to that on which the webbing is fastened, which causes the strap
to be pinched between them, so holding it fast; and in proportion to the strain put
upon the strap, so much greater will the pinching or jamming action be between the
moveable bar and the frame.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Jean Nadal in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 30th November
1878.
JEAN NADAL, of 94, Southampton Row, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer.
"AN IMPROVED SELF-ACTING BUCKLE."
'run
,
The buckle or holder constructed according to this Invention consists of a frame,
by preference made of metal, and fitted with a cross bar or cross piece which can
or slide on two of the opposite side members of the frame, and parallel with
one of the two end members.
The one end of the strap or belt is fastened to one of the end members of the
frame in any ordinary or suitable manner; the other end of the strap or belt I pass
between the other end member of the frame and the movable bar, and over the
latter; and I bring the end of the strap out between the movable bar and the end
member of the frame opposite to that on which the strap is fastened.
When a strain is put on the strap the movable bar is drawn against the end
member of the frame opposite to that on which the strap is fastened, thus causing
the strap to be jammed between them, and the greater the strain the tighter it will
be jammed.
And in order that this Invention and some of the modes in which it is or may
be applied shall be more fully understood, I will now proceed to describe it with
reference to the accompanying Drawings.
To distinguish the parts more clearly I call the member of the frame on which
the strap, belt, cord, or other holding appliance is or may be fastened, the inner end
bar; and the opposite member of the frame, the outer end bar.
The frame may be of any rectangular form at the part where the movable bar
works, and be manufactured in any convenient and well-known way.
Figure 1 represents a strap buckle in its simplest form. To the inner end bar a
is fastened one end of a belt or strap b; the sides c, c, may be of any desired or
suitable cross section, say round, rectangular, or oval; d is the movable cross bar,
which at each end is suitably formed for running or sliding on the slides c, c; e is the
outer or jaw bar. To release the strap, raise the bare slightly.
Figure 2 shows a buckle in which the movable cross bar d works between while,
only partially embracing the sides c, c, so as to be guided by them; Figure 3 is a
cross section through the sides c, c.
Figure 4 shows a double buckle or holder with two movable cross bars d.
Figure 5 is a plan, and Figure 6 a side view of a buckle formed with
slotted or double sides c, o, between which the ends of the movable cross bar d can
slide.
Figure 7 is a side view of a similar buckle with double sides c, c, forming curved
Blots or paths for the ends of the movable cross bar d.
The ends of the cross bar d are formed square, as shown at Figures 6 and 7.
Figure 8 represents a buckle in which the cross bar d is in the form of a ring,
through which the tape or cord may be passed; or instead of a round ring the
cross piece & may be in the shape of a square cornered frame sliding within the
buckle frame..
Figure 9 shows a buckle in which the cross bar d is held against the outer bar a
by means of spiral springs f, f, on the sides c, c; or if the latter be made double or
hollow the spiral springs may be placed inside the sides c.
Figure 10 represents a buckle in which a spring f is applied between the inner
bar a and the movable bar d.

page_text: Figure 11 is a cross section of a buckle in which the cross bar d is at another
level than that of the buckle frame, whereby the "bite" is exerted in a somewhat
different direction.
Figure 12 is a front view, and Figure 13 a side view of a buckle or holder suitable
for carrying a ladies' dress suspender; for this purpose the inner bar a is provided
with a hook or loop a¹ to be attached to the waist band or belt, or other part of the
dress of the wearer.
When it is desired that the buckle or holder should retain its hold on the strap,
rope, or cord, even though the latter be slack or loose, I apply a flexible cross bar,
which, when the strain is off, springs out between or otherwise holds on against or
clasps the sides of the buckle or holder in such a way as not to move from its
previous position while under strain. This may be accomplished in various ways,
of which I will now give examples. It may, for instance, be done by placing
against the cross bar da spring, which, when the strain is off, is slightly bent, and
then grips the outside of the sides more or less; but when the strain is on, the
spring is pressed against the cross bar, and is free of the sides c, c, of the buckle or
holder frame.
Figure 14 represents a buckle in which the cross bar is made in two parts, as it
were, namely, the cross bar proper d, and a spring d', which fits round the sides
c, c; the dotted lines show the spring in its strained position in an exaggerated
form, that is, quite closed or flat against the bar d, and free of the sides c, c; and the
full lines show the spring d¹, also exaggerated, in its released or bent position, in
which it grips the sides c, c.
Figure 15 is a plan, and Figure 16 a cross section, which illustrates another mode
of accomplishing the same object. The cross bar in this case consists of a half round
wire bent double and round the sides c, c, the free ends 1 and 2 being turned up,
skewed, or out of line with the other part 3 of the cross bar; the strap when tight
round the latter forces the ends 1 and 2 in a line more or less with the part 3, the
ends or eyes of the cross bar then being opened slightly, and free of the sides c, c;
but when the strap is the least slack the ends 1 and 2 spring back into their original
position, in which the eyes or ends of the cross bar nip the sides c, c.
Figure 17 shows another form of cross bar which affords a little more "spring,"
being bent into outer eyes beyond the sides c, c.
It is evident that these buckles when thus made are suitable for braces for
trousers, because they retain them in position oven if slack; for instance, when the
wearer stoops down.
Figure 18 is a front view, and Figure 19 a side view of a buckle or holder for
carrying a ladies' dress suspender, like the one shown in Figures 12 and 13. The
cross bar d is in this case curved in order to adapt itself to the round cord b, in
which the dress holder is suspended, and which can thereby be raised or lowered as
desired.
Figure 20 is a side view, and Figure 21 an end view of a safety catch or cleat for
holding sheet or other lines which may be required to be eased off or suddenly let
go; the frame c, e, of the same is jointed to a bracket g, which is fastened to the
gunwale or other part of a vessel, or boat, or other object; in the position shown at
Figures 20 and 21 the line is eased or let go; Figure 22 shows the appliance in the
fixed or tight position. To release the line it is only necessary to raise it in the
direction of the arrow into the position shown in Figure 20, taking hold of the
handle h. To ease the line gradually the handle is raised and lowered repeatedly as
required.
And having thus described the nature of this Invention, and the mode in which
the same is or may be carried into effect, I declare that I claim,―
Firstly, Constructing a buckle or holder consisting of a frame with two parallel
side members or parts of same, on or between which a bar or cross piece can slide
for holding a strap, cord, rope, or chain between such cross piece and one of the end
members of the frame, in the manner herein described.

page_text: Secondly. The construction of buckles or holders described with reference to the
accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jean Nadal, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Twenty-ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.