IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SOLITAIRES, SHIRT STUDS, AND OTHER SUCH LIKE FASTENINGS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Walker, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Gilt Toy Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF SOLITAIRES, SHIRT STUDS, AND OTHER SUCH LIKE
FASTENINGS."
Sealed the 1st May 1877, and dated the 3rd November 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Walker at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd November 1876.
GEORGE WALKER, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gilt Toy Manu-
facturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SOLITAIRES, SHIRT STUDS,
AND OTHER SUCH LIKE FASTENINGS."
This Invention consists in certain improvements in the construction of solitaires,
shirt studs, collar studs, and other such like fastenings, whereby the same can be
conveniently connected or disconnected with or from the article of dress to which
they are applied, whilst they are not liable to become detached therefrom until it is
desired to discontinue their use.
The said improvements will be best understood by describing the construction of
a solitaire. To the back face of the front disc of the solitaire a flat plate is hinged
so as to be capable of being raised or depressed as may be desired, and having
attached to the inner face thereof a short stem, the end of which is formed with a
hook or tooth on that side which is towards the hinge. To the upper side of the
said flat plate is attached a disc, the same being respectively placed at such a
distance from each other as to admit of the last-mentioned disc being passed through
one of the button holes or openings in the article of dress to which the solitaire is
applied, and which is thus held between the disc and the plate. A flat box is
attached to the inner face of the front disc, the top or upper plate of which box has
a longitudinal slot therein. One end of the top or upper plate of the box is so
formed as to provide bearings for the hinge pin, upon which latter a strap or loop
connected with the before mentioned flat box is free to work, thus forming the
hinge. In the interior of the box is placed a small spiral spring, one end of which
is fixed to the inner end of a bar or plate, the other end of the latter passing through
and projecting beyond the front end of the box.
A hole or aperture is formed in the bar or plate for the reception of the before
[Price 6d.]

page_text: mentioned hooked or toothed stem. Upon the said stem being pressed downwards
when the solitaire is unfastened the same passes through the hole or aperture, and
the bevilled face of the hook or tooth presses against the posterior edgeof the hole
or aperture and compresses the spring, the latter being forced back and returning
to its normal position when the hook or tooth has passed the edge of the hole or
aperture causes the bar or plate to be held firmly, in which condition it is maintained
until the stem is released by pushing back the bar or plate and with it the spring,
thereby enabling the stem to pass through the hole or aperture and the solitaire to
be unfastened.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said George Walker in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd May 1877.
GEORGE WALKER, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gilt Toy Manu-
facturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SOLITAIRES, SHIRT STUDS,
AND OTHER SUCH LIKE FASTENINGS."
My said Invention consists in certain improvements in the construction of
solitaires, shirt studs, collar studs, and other such like fastenings, whereby the samo
can be conveniently connected or disconnected with or from the article of dress to
which they are applied, whilst they are not liable to become detached therefrom
until it is, desired to discontinue their use.
The said improvements will be best understood by describing the construction of a
solitaire. To the back face of the front disc of the solitaire a flat plate is hinged so
as to be capable of being raised or depressed as may be desired, and having attached
to the inner face thereof a short stem, the end of which is formed with a hook or
tooth on that side which is towards the hinge. Instead of attaching the stem to
the flat plate the latter may be so constructed as to admit of one end being turned
up to form the hinge, and the opposite end being bent to form the stem, with the
hook or tooth as shewn in the annexed Drawings. To the upper side of the said
flat plate is attached a disc, the same being respectively placed at such a distance
from each other as to admit of the last mentioned disc being passed through one of
the button holes or openings in the article of dress to which the solitaire is applied,
and which is thus held between the disc and the plate. A flat box is attached to
the inner face of the front disc, the top. or upper plate of which box has a longi-
tudinal slot therein. One end of the top or upper plate of the box is so formed as
to provide bearings for the hinge pin, upon which latter a strap or loop connected
with the before mentioned flat box is free to work, thus forming the hinge. In the
interior of the box is placed a small spiral spring, one end of which is fixed to the
inner end of a bar or plate, the other end of the latter passing through and project-
ing beyond the front end of the box.
A hole or aperture is formed in the bar or plate for the reception of the before
mentioned hooked or toothed stem. Upon the said stem being pressed downwards
when the solitaire is unfastened, the same passes through the hole or aperture, and
the bevilled face of the hook or tooth presses against the posterior edge of the hole
or aperture and compresses the spring, the latter being forced back and returning
to its normal position when the hook or tooth has passed the edge of the hole or
aperture causes the bar or plate to be held firmly, in which condition it is maintained
until the stem is released by pushing back the bar or plate and with it the spring,
thereby enabling the stem to pass through the hole or aperture, and the solitaire to
be unfastened.
I will now refer to the annexed Drawings, from which the nature of my said
Invention will be more clearly understood.
Figure 1 is a bottom view of a solitaire showing the hinged portion closed.
Figure 2 is the same with the hinged portion opened at right angles, and having

page_text: the hook or tooth broken in order to show the position of the hinge. Figures 3
and 4 are side views of Figures 1 and 2 respectively.
The same letters of reference indicate similar parts in all the Figures.
A is the body and front disc of the solitaire; B, the flat plate hinged thereto;
C, the disc attached to the latter; and c is the hook or tooth. D is the flat box
attached to the inner face of the front disc, and which contains the spring and plate
or bar for holding the hook or tooth c.
Having thus declared and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I would observe, in conclusion, that what
I consider novel and original, and therefore claim as being the Invention secured
to me by the said herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, the construction
of solitaires, shirt studs, and other such like fastenings, substantially as and for the
purposes herein-before described and set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Walker, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
GEORGE WALKER. (L.S.)