A Trouser Clip for Cyclists and others.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Oct., 1895-Accepted, 15th Feb., 1896
A Trouser Clip for Cyclists and others.
I, EUGENE STEPHEN DEVLIN, of John Street, Port Richmond, in the County
of Northampton, Staten Island, and in the State of New York, United States of
America, Butcher, 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 means for securing the trousers of bicycle riders and
others at the ankle, and the object thereof is to provide a simple and effective
device for this purpose which can readily be secured to the trousers at the ankle,
and which is neat in appearance and effective in operation, and the invention consists
in the novel features of construction hereinafter described and claimed.
The invention is fully disclosed in the following Specification of which the
accompanying drawing forms a part, and in which :-
Fig. 1, shows the method of applying my improved trouser holder; and,
Fig. 2, and 3, side and edge views respectively.
As is well known bicycle riders when wearing ordinary trousers frequently loop
or secure the ankle portions thereof tightly about the legs by means of straps,
cords or similar devices, which is very objectionable for the reason that it destroys
the shape of the trouser legs, and forms creases or wrinkles therein.
°
In the practice of my invention I employ a holder consisting of a spring wire,
or plate of spring metal which is bent to form a handle A, composed of two
sides B, which are substantially parallel or brought together at their inner ends as
shown at C, from which point the ends diverge as shown at D, forming segmental
curves adapted to conform to the shape of the leg at the ankle as will be readily
understood.
In opcration the legs of the trousers are drawn forward as shown in Fig. 1, and
the sides B, of the holder are slipped over, and caused to grasp the flap thus
formed, or the loose portion of the trousers, as is also shown in said figure, in which
position of the holder the segmental curves D, thereof abut against the ankle, and
the spring force of the holder is sufficient to hold it in place and securely clamp
the trousers in the position shown..
In this operation the trousers are not wrinkled or creased to any extent, and the
form thereof is preserved while at the same time the trouser legs are caused to fit
snugly to the ankle.
The diverging ends D, of the holder enable the sides thereof to be readily
applied, or slipped into place as herein before described, and the looped portion of
the holder at A, adds to the elasticity thereof, while at the same time increasing
the spring pressure of the arms B.
If at any time while the holder is in position, the handle portion thereof should
strike an object the diverging ends D, would spread as will be readily understood
and the force of the blow would be expended without injury to the ankle and no
burt or harm would result therefrom.
Although I have shown and described my improved trouser holder as consisting
of a single piece, it may, of course be formed of two or more pieces, and if formed
of wire it is preferable to have the loop or handle portion thereof round and the
contacting sides and the diverging ends made flat by which means the spring
pressure thereof is increased while securing the best form those parts which come
in contact with the ankle.

page_text: It will thus be seen that I accomplish the object of my invention by means of a
device which is simple in construction and operation, and which is readily attachable
and detachable, and which can be readily carried on the person.
It is evident that changes in the form, construction and arrangement of the
various parts of my improved trouser holder may be made without departing from
the spirit of my invention, and I therefore reserve the right to make such
alterations as fairly come within the scope thereof.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1. A holder for trouser legs of bicycle riders and others, consisting of a device
formed from spring metal bent into the form of a loop, the sides of which are
adapted to contact and the ends of which are divergent or formed into segmental
curves, substantially as shown and described.
2. A holder for the trouser legs of bicycle riders or others, comprising a spring
metal device composed of sides which are adapted to clamp the legs of the trousers
in an extended position, the ends of the wires being divergent or curved so as to
conform to the ankle, substantially as shown and described.
3. A holder for the trouser legs of bicycle riders or others, composed of spring
wire, the body of which is bent to form a handle and the sides of which are adapted
to contact, and to hold the trouser legs in an extended position, the ends of the
sides being formed into segmental curves adapted to conform to the ankle, and the
said curved portions being flattened, substantially as shown and described.
4. A trouser holder for bicycle riders or others, adapted to grasp and hold the
legs of the trousers in an extended position, said holder being provided with ends
formed into curves, which conform to the ankle, substantially as shown and
described.
Dated this 31st day of October 1895.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.