IMPROVED CLASPS FOR JOINING OR COUPLING BANDS OR STRAPS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Louis Victor Maugin and Constant Michel Mathey, both
of 74, Rue de la Roquette, Paris, in the Republic of France, Civil Engineers,
for the Invention of "IMPROVED CLASPS FOR JOINING OR COUPLING BANDS OR
STRAPS."
Sealed the 29th June 1877, and dated the 18th April 1877.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Louis Victor Maugin and
Constant Michel Mathey at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
18th April 1877.
"6
LOUIS VICTOR MAUGIN and CONSTANT MICHEL MATHEY, both of 74, Rue de la
Roquette, Paris, in the Republic of France. IMPROVED CLASPS FOR JOINING OR
COUPLING BANDS OR STRAPS."
In manufacturing driving bands or straps according to this Invention instead of
connecting together the various parts forming the strap or band by means of
sewing, screws, or rivets, we unite the parts by means of clasps or fastenings of
peculiar construction, as herein-after described.
To make our Invention better understood we will proceed to describe the same
by reference to the accompanying Drawing.
Figure 10 shews a plan of two parts of a band or strap connected together by
means of the improved clap or fastening, shewn separately at Figures 1, 2, 3,
and 4; Figure 9 is a section on line A, B, of Figure 10; and Figure 11 is a section
on line C, D, E, F, G, H, of Figure 10.
Figure 13 is a plan shewing the two parts of a band or strap connected together
by means of the improved clasp or fastening, shewn separately at Figures 5, 6, 7,
and 8; Figure 12 is a section on line K, L, of Figure 13; and Figure 14 is a section
on line M, N, O, P, Q, R, of Figure 13.
It will be easily seen that the clasp or fastening shewn in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4,
consists of a metal piece with claws or teeth punched or cut out of sheet metal and
worked into the required shape by means of dies and stamps; Figure 1 is a plan
of the clasp or fastening as cut out of the sheet of metal; Figures 2, 3, and 4, front
view, plan, and end view respectively of the clasp or fastening when finished.
The clasp or fastening shewn in Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8, is made in a manner
similar to that herein-before described, but its claws are not of equal length, and
Dine A21

page_text: it is provided with a hole; it is also made of a different shape from the clasp or
fastening first described; Figure 5 is a plan of this clasp or fastening as simply cut
out of the sheet of metal; and Figures 6, 7, and 8, shew a front view, a plan, and
end view respectively of the clasp or fastening when finished.
It will be easily seen by referring to the Drawing, the manner in which the two
ends of a strap or band are united or joined together by means of these improved
clasps or fastenings. The clasps or fastenings are put in their places, as shewn in
the Drawing, and their claws or teeth are passed through the parts of the strap
and doubled over or rivetted on the opposite side thereof. The clasps or fastenings
are fixed in one side only, or rather are rivetted to one of the parts only of the
strap and bolted to the other; the object of this arrangement being to allow of
shortening or tightening the strap when required.
This improved method of connecting together the parts of the strap simplifies the
manufacture of straps and renders them less expensive in consequence of the
economy effected both in material and labour, at the same time rendering the straps
stronger and more supple.
Although the form of the improved clasp or fastening may be varied, it is
necessary that such form should answer certain conditions in order to ensure
strength and good wear. For instance, it is essential that the claws should be
flattened down in an oblique plan with regard to the axis of the clasp or fastening,
so that when the claws pass in the strap they shall present an even surface to the
traction instead of an almost acute angle; it is also important that the back should
be curved in order that the edges should be slightly imbedded in the strap and not
project from it angularly. But while these conditions are indispensable for
obtaining a good result, the form or shape properly so called of the clasps or
fastenings is not material, and they may be made of any other suitable form than
those herein-before described and shewn in the Drawing.
We may also employ other arrangements, such for instance as those represented
in Figures 15 to 44 of the Drawing, in which Figures A shews a plan of the clasp or
fastening as cut out of the sheet metal; B, plan of the clasp or fastening stamped
into the proper form for use; C, front view of the same.
The improved clasps or fastenings may thus be made of any suitable form, arched
or flat, moulded or plain, and may be either polished or rough, painted or gal-
vanized; they may also be inade with a greater or less number of claws or teeth,
pointed, square, rounded, curved, grooved, corrugated, or twisted, or with the claws
or teeth bent in opposite directions, more or less long, and cut on the edges or in
the middle, and bent down at angles more or less inarked; the clasps or fastenings
may also be made of different dimensions, and of any suitable material.
Although we have described our improved clasps or fastenings as made out of
one piece of metal it is to be understood that they may be made with the teeth
applied thereto.
In uniting together the parts or bands forming a strap, the clasps or fastenings
may be placed in any other than a straight line, and instead of several only one
clasp or fastening may be employed; and the clasps or fastenings may be fixed by
bending over the claws, or by means of rivets, bolts, or screws.
In witness whereof, we, the said Louis Victor Maugin and Constant Michel
Mathey, have hereto set our hands and seals, this Twelfth day of April, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.