An Improved Hat Guard Device.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Mar., 1897-Accepted, 1st May, 1897
An Improved Hat Guard Device.
I, JOHANN JAKOB STAHL of 64. Grabenstrasse, Mülhausen, Alsace in the
Empire of Germany, Law Court Clerk, 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 :-
Hat guards as at present employed to retain the hat in a strong wind, are, as is
well known, attached to the head covering in such a way that the latter, when in
use, must first be removed from the head, after which the guard or string is
attached in any suitable manner to another article of attire. It is well known that
colds in the head, and other inconveniences, result particularly in wet weather from
this removal of the head covering during said operation.
This invention has for its object to remove the aforesaid inconveniences, and
this is attained by attaching to the head covering a small device with which a
cord or string is connected which may be used of any desired length and which
after use may be wound up automatically by simply pressing on the device.
The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which,
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section;
Figure 2, a cross section; and
Figure 3, an elevation of the mechanism.
The apparatus consists essentially of a case a in which the mechanism for
winding up the string or cord is arranged, and the sides of which are preferably
stamped out of one piece. The mechanism is formed of a spiral spring b fastened
on the outer end of a spindle on which a large spur-wheel e is arranged. The
latter is in engagement with a small pinion d, which is keyed on a spindle
carrying a small roller e on which a cord z is wound in such a way that when it is
drawn down the spiral spring b is coiled in tension.
The mechanism is mainly enclosed by a spring m which is bent off in the form
of a hook on its under side h, whilst on its other free end g rests the end of a
second spring which has in the centre a pivot or point of rotation i and the lower
end of which is also bent off in the form of a hook so that between the two
springs m and fa gap o exists through which the cord or string is passed. From
this arrangement of the springs it is clearly evident that the spring fis pressed
outwardly by the spring end 9 whereby the spring f tends to close the gap o but is
prevented totally closing it by the cord or string and consequently the cord is fixed
or held fast in any suitable position. On pulling the cord downwards which is
attached by one end to the roller e, the latter is set in rotation and with it the
pinion d which in turn moves forward the spur-wheel c, and with the latter the
spindle on which the spital spring is consequently wound up under tension.
The spring prevents the string being again wound back by the spiral spring. In
order to release the cord, a little pressure must be first applied to the free end of
this spring, that is to say at 9 whereby the gap o opens and the cord is free to pass
unimpededly.
The whole device is made so small that it can with ease be secured on any head
covering, for instance by means of small lugs n, and not only on men's but also on
ladies' hats. It must here be expressly pointed out that the device may be of any
suitable size and form.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I deolare that what I
claim is :-
1. The improved hat guard device characterised by a casing (a) adapted to be
attached to the head covering, a drum (e) revolubly mounted within said casing, a
hat guard or cord (2) coiled on said drum, and an elastic device (b) adapted to be
put in tension when the drum is rotated by a pull on the cord and to rapidly turn
back the said drum (e) by means of toothed gearing (o d) inserted between the
elastio device and the drum and thereby wind up the cord when the latter is
released, substantially as described.
2. In a hat guard device such as described, the arrangement for fixing the cord
at a suitable length characterised by a gap or opening being formed by the hent
ends of two springs (m and f) which gap tends to close under the spring action
and thereby holds fast the cord, whilst the widening of the gap and the consequent
release of the cord is effected by bending one of the springs substantially as
described.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.