Improvements in Snap Hooks.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Jan., 1893-Accepted, 18th Feb., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Snap Hooks.
I, GEORGE COVENEY BIRD, of The Rhodrons, Hook, near Surbiton, in the
County of Surrey, Gentleman, 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 :-
The object of my invention is to effect improvements in the manufacture of
snap-hooks, by fitting or forming the same with guards, whereby the junction of the
lip of the spring latch piece with the bow of the hook is protected.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and ascer-
tained, reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which similar
letters of reference indicate corresponding parts; and in which two methods of
carrying out my invention are shown.
Fig. 1 illustrates one form of my improved snap-hook, in which the junction of
the spring latch piece with the bow of the hook is protected by an enlargement of
the meeting end of the bow.
Fig. 2 illustrates another form, in which the protection is effected by means of
sheet metal shields, pivoted or otherwise attached to the limbs of the hook.
Referring to Fig. 1, a a is the stationary portion of the hook, b is the spring latch,
pivoted to a at c. d is an enlargement of the end of the bow, having a shallow
recess into which the meeting end of the spring latch falls, when the hook is
closed.
In Fig. 2, e is a shield or protecting cover, hinged or pivoted at c to the same
centre as the spring latch piece is hinged. is a corresponding shield or cover
fitted to the stationary limb of the book. The shields or covers e and fare formed
of sheet metal of any suitable kind. When attaching or detaching a chain or other
article, the cover e is opened out, as shown by dotted lines at e¹; the latch piece
may then be pressed inwards as usual.
My iuvention may be applied to snap-hooks of all kinds and for all purposes,
acting as a protector to the finger-nails in small snap-hooks, such as those fitted to
watch chains and like articles. In applying the same to bridle bits, rack chains,
pillar reins, and the like, the spring latch piece is protected so as to prevent horses
and other animals being in any way injured by contact therewith.
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. In combination with snap hooks, the application and use of a shield d, attached
to or forming part of the bow of the hook, a recess being formed in the shield for
receiving and protecting the meeting ends of the bow and spring latch respectively,
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by Fig. 1 of the drawings.
2. In combination with snap books, the application and use of a shield or
protecting cover e, pivoted at c, for covering the spring latch piece, and a shield or
protecting cover of fixed to the stationary limb of the hook, substantially as
hereinbefore described and illustrated by Fig. 2 of the drawings.
3. The improvements in snap hooks substantially as and for the purposes
described.
Dated the 13th January 1202