IMPROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR BOOTS, SHOES, GLOVES, AND OTHER ARTICLES OF WEARING APPAREL, SUCH IMPROVED FASTENINGS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Henry Keey, of Bristol, in the County of
Somerset, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR BOOTS,
SHOES, GLOVES, AND OTHER ARTICLES OF WEARING APPAREL, SUCH IMPROVED
FASTENINGS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES"
Sealed the 27th February 1877, and dated the 31st August 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Henry Keey at the
"IMPROVEMENTS
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st August 1876
WILLIAM HENRY KEEY, of Bristol, in the County of Somerset.
IN FASTENINGS FOR BOOTS, SHOES, GLOVES, AND OTHER ARTICLES OF WEARING
ALSO APPLICABLE TO
APPAREL, SUCH IMPROVED FASTENINGS BEING
PURPOSES."
OTHER
Hitherto it has been customary to attach buttons to boots, shoes, gloves, and
other articles of wearing apparel, by sewing and occasionally by means of metal
links or loops passed through the shank at the back. Now I propose to supersede
these methods by the following means:-I take a thin metal plate, preferably of a
circular or disc-like form. In the centre of such metal plate or disc I form a
longitudinal slot by means of a suitable press tool and press. The piece of metal
which is cut out of such slot is only detached at one end thereof froin such metal plate
or disc, so as to permit of its being bent over by any suitable means in the form of
a loop, and being passed through the shank of the button or other fastening
to be attached, after which such end is soldered or otherwise secured to the metal
plate or disc.
In applying my improved fastening to boots, shoes, and other articles I proceed
as follows:-Suitable button holes are formed in the ordinary manner in the upper
flap of the boot, gaiter, glove, or other article, and on the lower or under flap
thereof suitable slits or openings are formed to permit of the metal flap or disc
before described being inserted therein, it then only remains to button the boot or
other article in the ordinary manner.

page_text: By the use of my improved fastenings an immense economy in time, labour, and
wages is obtained.
It is also particularly adapted for application to gaiters,
shooting boots, and other similar articles which experience heavy wear, both from
its simplicity, great durability, and the great facility with which the fastening
when worn or broken can be replaced. It is also equally well adapted for the
lighter and more elegant articles of wearing apparel from its great ability to be
produced in many varied and elegant forms, it being quite possible to have two or
three sets of buttons in change, as the wearer may require.
My Invention is also adapted for use in fastenings for harness and other
purposes.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Henry Keey in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
27th February 1877.
WILLIAM HENRY KEEY, of Bristol, in the County of Somerset. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN FASTENINGS FOR BOOTS, SHOES, GLOVES, AND OTHER ARTICLES OF WEARING
APPAREL, SUCH IMPROVED FASTENINGS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO
PURPOSES."
OTHER
Hitherto it has been customary to attach buttons to boots, shoes, gloves, gaiters,
and other articles of wearing apparel, by sewing and occasionally by means of metal
links or loops passed through the shank at tho back. Now I propose to supersede or
vary such methods by the following means:-I take a thin sheet metal plate, made of
any suitable metal, and preferably of a circular or disc-like form, and slightly concave
in order to allow of the easy play of the shank of the button or other fastening when
inserted therein as hereafter described. In the centre of such metal plate or disc I form
a longitudinal slot of any convenient size and length by means of a suitable press tool
and press. The strip of metal which is cut out of such slot is only detached at one
end thereof from such metal plate or disc, so as to permit of its being bent over by
any suitable and well-known means in the form of a loop, and being passed through
the shank of the button or other fastening to be attached thereto, after which
such detached end is soldered or otherwise secured to the metal plate or disc.
In applying my improved fastening to boots, shoes, and other articles I proceed
as follows: Suitable button holes are formed in the ordinary manner in the upper
flap of the boot, gaiter, glove, or other article, and on the lower or under flap
thereof suitably shaped longitudinal, horizontal, or oblique alits or openings are
formed to permit of the metal plate or disc before described being inserted therein,
when it thus immediately becomes firmly secured thereto at the same time that it
is easily removable therefrom; it then only remains to button the boot or other
article in the ordinary manner.
By the use of my improved fastenings an immense economy in time, labour, and
wages is obtained. It is particularly adapted for application to gaiters, shooting
boots, and other similar articles which experience heavy wear from its simplicity,
great durability, and the facility with which the fastening when worn or broken
can be replaced. It is also equally well adapted for the lighter and more elegant
articles of wearing apparel owing to the great facility with which it can be produced
in many varied and elegant forms, it being quite possible to have two or three sets
of buttons in change as the wearer may require.
My Invention is also adapted for use in fastenings for harness and other
purposes.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and the method of carrying the same into effect, I would have it under-
stood that what I claim is the attaching the shank of a button or other fastening to a

page_text: metal plate or disc to a boot, gaiter, or other article, substantially in the manner
herein-before set forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Henry Keey, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of February, in the year of our Lord
Que thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
TIT TT TATT
W. H. KEET.
(L.S.)