Improvements in Hooks and Eyes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 29th Dec., 1894
Improvements in Hooks and Eyes.
I, ARCHIBALD PICKEN, of Roanoke, in the County of Roanoke, and State of
Virginia, United States of America, 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 invention relates to an improvement in that class of hook and eyes wherein
the eye is provided with two spring sections adapted to engage with the hook, and
by such engagement to lock the two parts of the device, and the invention consists
in certain improvements in the construction of these devices whereby they are made
more efficient in operation and more simple in construction, or whereby a better
device is produced.
In the accompanying drawing
Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of my improvement showing the hook and
eye connected.
Fig. 2 an enlarged perspective view of the eye disassociated from the hook.
Fig. 3 a similar view of the hook.
Fig. 4 a perspective view showing the manner of manipulating the parts to
effect the disconnection thereof.
The eye consists of an integral piece of spring wire, having each end bent to
form an approximately triangular member 1, which members are arranged directly
upon each other and with a spring tendency toward each other. From the
members 1 the wire at each end curves outwardly to form the circular loops 2,
which are two in number and which serve to furnish a means for securing the eye
to the garment with which it is used. Between the loops 2, and at the middle of
the wire composing the eye 1, the indented portion 3 is formed, in which indented
portion the ends of the wire are arranged, and each end is provided with an
oppositely-disposed book 4, which passes around the wire at the indented portion 3,
and which serves to securely connect the ends of the wire to its middle portion.
The ends of the wire of the eye 1, are arranged on opposite sides of the indented
portion, and the whole device is so formed that the triangular members 1 will
have a normal tendency towards each other, and one which will be sufficient to
create considerable friction between the eye and the hook when the two parts are
connected.
The book consists of a metallic plate 5 having an enlarged rear end provided
with two openings or eyes 6 which are provided to permit securing the hook in
place.
The remaining portion of the plate 5 tapers towards its outer end, though not to
a point, and said outer end is provided with an edge 7. Rigidly secured to, or
formed integral with, the sides of the plate 5, are the triangular offsets or ribs 8,
which are one for each side, and consequently two in number and which are
provided with inclined sides 9, extending from the edge 7 toward the rear or
enlarged end of the plate 5, and terminating in an abrupt and inwardly-extending
shoulder 10. The front ends of the ribs 8 are of a thickness which will make
them in alignment with the sides of the edge 7, so that an arrow head or wedge-
shaped device will be formed.

page_text: In the operation of my invention, the hook is advanced towards the eye,
supposing it is desired to join the two parts, and with its edge 7 arranged in a
line parallel with the line of the front portions of the triangular members 1, so
that when the parts engage the edge 7 will force its way between said triangular
members 1 and permit the inclined sides 9 of the offsets or ribs 8 to engage said
members 1 and spread them. This operation will continue until the shoulders 10
pass the front portions of the members 1, whereupon the spring tendency with
which said members are endowed will cause them to contract or move towards each
other, and this operation will be permitted owing to the fact that the ribs 8 will
have been moved past the front portions of the members 1.
At this stage of the operation, the joining of the two parts will be complete.
To disjoin or disconnect the hook and eye one of the parts should be moved so as
to lie at right angles to the remaining part, or so that the edges of the plate 5 will
engage with the triangular inembers 1 to the exclusion of the offsets or ribs 8.
When this condition is attained, it will be easy to disconnect the two parts;
indeed the spring tendency of the members 1 operating with the tapering sides of
the plate 5 will push the hook out of engagement with the eye.
When the parts are joined or connected the shoulders 10 will lie against the
front portions of the members 1, and this engagement will effectually prevent the
removal or disconnection of the two parts.
The operation of removing the hook is shown in Fig. 4, while by reference to
Fig. 1 the connecting operation may be well understood. This view also shows the
positions which the parts assume when connected to each other.
It will be understood that I am not limited to the precise form of embodiment
here illustrated and described, and that various changes may be made without
departing from the principle of the invention. Thus, the eye may have four
securing loops, or any other number which may be desired or preferred, and flat
strips of metal may be used in its construction as distinguished from the wire
shown in the drawing. Further, the hook may be of wire instead of flat metal,
and one head or shoulder may be used instead of two, all of which will be obvious
without further description. This does not exhaust the changes which can be
made, but since they will suggest themselves to every skilled mechanic it will not
be necessary to describe them further.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what
I claim is
1. A hook and eye comprising in its construction an eye section having two
parallel members held in engagement with each other by a spring tendency and a
hook section comprising a body having an enlargement or head thereon, said
head being adapted to pass through the parallel members of the eye and to engage
with the inner sides thereof, substantially as described.
2. A hook and eye comprising in its construction an eye section having two
parallel members held in engagement with each other by a spring tendency, and a
hook section comprising a body portion having on each side thereof a wedge-
shaped rib terminating at its rear end in a shoulder, the ribs being adapted to pass
through or between the parallel members and to have their shoulders bind against
the inner sides thereof, substantially as described.
3. A hook and eye comprising in its construction an eye section having two
parallel wires held in engagement with each other by a spring tendency, and a
hook section having an edge at its front end, and a triangular rib fixed to each side
of the hook section and having a shoulder at its rear end, the sides of the hook
section being formed tapering or inclined, substantially as described.
4. A hook and eye comprising in its construction an eye section formed of an
integral piece of wire bent to form parallel wires having a spring tendency
toward each other and one or more securing loops, and a hook section having

page_text: an enlargement or head thereon adapted to pass between the parallel wires of
the eye section and to engage with their inner sides, substantially as described.
Dated this 27th day of November 1894.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.