IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF VENTILATING Broker, for the Invention of HATS AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Howard Busby Fox, of Oxton, in the County of Chester,
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF VENTILATING
Broker, for the Invention of
HATS AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR."
"
ealed the 27th August 1878, and dated the 4th March 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Howard Busby Fox at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th March 1878.
HOWARD BUSBY Fox, of Oxton, in the County of Chester, Broker.
MENTS IN THE MODE OF VENTILATING HATS AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR.”
"IMPROVE
This Invention relates to a simple, cheap, and effective mode of ventilating hats
by means of a small apparatus easily applied, and by which the wearer can easily
regulate or stop the supply of air passing to the head. It consists of a valve
constructed in the following manner, and which is inserted preferably in the centre
of the crown
I. An annular flat ring, preferably of metal, has a flat disc, preferably of metal,
and of about the same diameter, pivoted on one face of it, in such manner that the
disc can be moved over the face of the ring so as to regulate the size of the opening
in the ring or entirely close it. A small projection is usually placed on the disc as
& finger catch.
II. On the other side of the annular ring and some little distance from it I attach
another disc, preferably flat and of metal, by means of a vertical flange on either
side of it, and (preferably curved to the contour of the disc) connecting the two
together, a space being left between the two flanges, which space is divided by a
midfeather or diaphragm, the apparatus in external appearance somewhat
resembling a straw hat, such as worn by sailors, having two holes cut entirely
through the sides. I place two small projections on either side of the smaller diso
or on the flanges, and then insert the apparatus with the moveable disc downwards
through a hole in the crown,

page_text: III. An annular ring, preferably of metal, has two recesses opposite each other cut
in it, and which ring is fitted over the apparatus in the crown, and the ring turned
round, so that the projections on the fixed disc project over the edges of the loose
ring and so securely hold the apparatus in the crown of the hat.
The action is as follows:-The air can pass through the aperture in the apparatus,
slightly projecting above the hat, so that the foul air can pass through one side of
the aperture divided by the diaphragm, the fresh air through the other, the move-
able disc inside the hat being turned so as to regulate the opening for the air to
pass through.
It will be seen that this apparatus might be greatly modified without departing
from the principle of the Invention; for instance, the apparatus might be reversed,
the moveable disc being outside the hat, but I prefer the former plan.
The various parts of the apparatus may be covered with the same material as the
hat so as not to appear unsightly. It might be constructed of other material than
metal, but metal is preferable.
IV. In the case of felt and similar hats formed in a mould I arrange the die for
shaping them so that it shall form a small hollow protuberance or chamber projecting
slightly above the crown. This can have holes cut in it opposite each other; a
metal or other ring having a diaphragm dividing it can be placed inside the crown,
so that the diaphragm shall divide the chamber in the hat, and a metal disc pivotted
at one edge to the ring will cause the apparatus to act in a precisely similar manner
to that first described.
The diaphragm and metal disc may be dispensed with, and the elevated chamber
formed in the hat be simply perforated with holes if desired, or the metal regulating
disc can be retained or not, as found desirable. By this latter plan I greatly
cheapen the cost and avoid the unsightly appearance of material other than that
from which the hat is made projecting above it.
The protruding chamber is easily formed in the hat by having a projection of the
desired shape on the die fitting into a corresponding recess in the mould or block.
By this means the chamber is formed at the same time as the hat, the perforations
being made afterwards.

page_text: by means of a small apparatus easily applied, and by which the wearer can easily
regulate or stop the supply of air passing to the head. It consists of a valve or
apparatus constructed in the following manner, and which is inserted preferably in
the centre of the crown; reference being had to the accompanying Drawings and
to the figures and letters of reference marked thereon, in which,-
Fig. 1 represents an elevation of the apparatus with the lid open; Fig. 2, a
.bottom plan of same.
Fig. 3, plan of securing ring.
Fig. 4, top plan of apparatus.
Fig. 5, view of apparatus as fixed in hat.
Fig. 6, view of variation; Fig. 7, plan of same.
I. Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 (about 5 times the actual size), an annular flat ring,
preferably of metal A, has a flat disc B, preferably of metal, and of about the same
diameter pivoted on one face of it in such manner that the disc can be moved over
the face of the ring so as to regulate the size of the opening in the ring or entirely
close it. A small projection is usually placed on the disc as a finger catch C.
II. On the other side of the annular ring and some little distance from it I attach
another disc D, preferably flat and of metal, by means of a vertical flange on either
side of it, and (preferably curved to the contour of the disc) connecting the two
together, a space being left between the two flanges, which space is divided by a
midfeather or diaphragm E. The apparatus in external appearance somewhat
resembling a straw hat having two holes F, F, cut entirely through the sides. I
place two small projections a, a, on either side of the smaller disc or on the flanges,
and then insert the apparatus with the moveable disc downwards through a hole in
the hat.
I usually stamp the entire apparatus out of one piece of metal, except the
diaphragm and plate B, which are afterwards added. The diaphragm can be
secured, as in Fig. 4, or be soldered or otherwise attached.
III. An annular ring G, preferably of metal, has two recesses b, b, opposite each
other cut in it, and which ring is fitted over the apparatus in the crown, and the
ring turned round, so that the projections on the fixed disc project over the edges
of the loose ring and so securely hold the apparatus in the crown of the hat, as
shown in Fig. 5.
Instead of the ring and projections I sometimes form two flat pieces projecting
from the ring A, which are bent over the edges of the hole, through which the
apparatus is inserted in the hat, and so securely hold it.
The action is as follows:-The air can pass through the apertures F, F, in the
apparatus, slightly projecting above the hat, so that the foul air can pass through
one side of the aperture divided by the diaphragm, the fresh air through the other,
the moveable disc inside the hat being turned so as to regulate the opening for the
air to pass through.
Instead of the plate B, I may form a tube to slide inside of the apparatus, and
so cover or uncover the holes F, F; or I may make the body of the apparatus so as
to slide within the ring A:
In the case of very small ventilators, as shewn in Figs. 6 and 7, I prefer to form
the body A¹ of the apparatus deep; it is cut through at various points, as shewn.
In the Drawing 4 cuts are shown. Two of the projecting pieces B¹ formed by
these cuts are arranged to be bent down under the edges of the hole in the crown,
the other two C¹ being bent over the upper edges of the hole, and so hold the

page_text: apparatus securely. In this case I prefer to extend the diaphragm D¹ pretty deeply
down, as shown.
It will be seen that this apparatus might be greatly modified without departing
from the principle of the Invention; for instance, the apparatus might be reversed,
the moveable disc being outside the hat, but I prefer the former plan.
The various parts of the apparatus may be covered with the same material as the
hat so as not to appear unsightly. It might be constructed of material other than
metal, but metal is preferable.
IV. In the case of felt and similar hats formed in a mould I arrange the die for
shaping them so that it shall form a small hollow protuberance or chamber projecting
slightly above the crown. This can have holes cut in it opposite each other; a
metal or other ring having a diaphragm can divide the chamber in the hat, and a
metal disc pivoted at one edge to the ring will cause the apparatus to act in a
precisely similar manner to that first described.
The diaphragin and metal disc may be dispensed with, and the elevated chamber
formed in the hat be simply perforated with holes if desired, or the metal regulating
disc can be retained or not, as found desirable. By this latter plan I greatly
cheapen the cost and avoid the unsightly appearance of material other than that
from which the hat is made projecting above it.
The protruding chamber is easily formed in the hat by having a projection of the
desired shape on the die fitting into a corresponding recess in the mould or block.
By this means the chamber is formed the same time as the hat, the perforations
being made afterwards.
Having now described my Invention and the best modes known to me of carrying
it into effect, I wish it to be understood that what I believe to be new and desire
to claim under the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
I. The mode described of ventilating hats by means of a chamber projecting
above the crown, and furnished with side holes and a diaphragm or its mechanical
equivalent, and with or without a valve for regulating the admission of air to the
interior of the hat.
II. The apparatus for ventilating hats consisting of a chamber elevated above
the hat with separate holes for ingress and egress, substantially as described.
III. The mode of forming the elevated chamber for the purposes described in the
hat at the time of making the same, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Howard Busby Fox, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of August, in the year of our Lord 1878.
HOWARD BUSBY FOX, (L.S.)
Witness.
E. GARDNER COLTON,
of Mess. W. P. Thompson & Co.'s Patent Office,
6, Lord St.,
Liverpool.