Improvements in Clamps, particularly applicable for Securing Bed-clothes.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Mar., 1898- Accepted, 17th Sept., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Clamps, particularly applicable for Securing
Bed-clothes.
I, LEWIS MOYER LOWNES, of Norristown, County of Montgomery, and State of
Pennsylvania, United States of America, Hat Manufacturer, 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 improvements in the construction of a clasp or clamp,
so that peculiar means are provided for its attachment to a rail or the like.
The object of the invention is to construct a clasp or clamp that will be particu-
larly well adapted for use on bedclothing, although it is capable of use for other
purposes. I attain this object by the means illustrated in the accompanying draw-
ings, which form a part of this specification, and in which
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the clasp or clamp. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation
with lug 12 detached, Fig. 3 is a front elevation of part 2 Fig. 1, Fig. 4 an end
view of lug 12 Fig. 1, & Fig. 5 is an inner face view of lug 12.
Like numerals refer to similar parts in both views.
The clasp or clamp comprises, essentially, two members 1 and 2, pivoted together
at or near the center. These members 1 and 2 are provided at their front ends
with laterally extending jaws 3 4, between which the bed-cover or other article
is to be clamped and held securely. The inner surfaces of the jaws 34 are
roughened, corrugated, or serrated to increase their holding power, as shown at a
Figs. 1 and 3.
The members 1 and 2 are provided on their inner faces with lugs 5 and 6
which are rabbeted or cut away and pivoted by means of pin 7. Instead of the
two lugs rabbeted, one of the jaws may be furnished with two lugs leaving a
space between them, and the other with a single lug to fit into the space as will
be readily understood, the two lugs being held together by means of a screw-
threaded pin 8, as shown in Fig 3.
At the rear ends of the members 1 and 2 and between their inner faces is arranged
a spiral spring 9, Figs. 1 and 2, for holding the jaws 3 and 4 normally closed,
the said spring 9 being fastened to members 1 and 2 over studs 10 and 11, as
plainly shown in Figs. 1 and 3.
When it is designed to use the clasp on an iron rail, I provide a lug, as 12, on
the rear member 2 which is adapted to fit over the edge of the rail and is secured
firmly in place thereon by means of suitable screws 13. Lug 12 is secured to
member 2 by means of a screw-threaded pin 17 and is prevented from turning
by means of an extension 15 to fit into indentation 16 in member 2, as shown at
Figs. 1 and 2. Screws 13 are passed through holes which may be tapped if desired
in lateral extensions 14 on the rear member 2. Lateral extensions are provided
with holes therein so that the clasp may be secured to a wooden rail by means of
screws through said holes. It will thus be seen that the clasp may be used by
the means just described on a wooden rail, or by means of a lug 12 on an iron rail.
As before indicated, the clasp or clamp is especially adapted to be secured to a

page_text: bed rail for holding the bed cover in position, and its use will be easily under-
stood without further explanation.
Minor changes may be made within the scope of my invention without depart-
ing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is: :-
A clasp or clamp comprising two jaws pivoted to each other with perforated
lateral extensions for securing it to a wooden rail, and with the .lug 12 and
screw 13 for securing it to an iron rail, substantially as described.
DJ
001 1
1 1000
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.