An Improved Snap Hook.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Mar., 1890-Accepted, 12th Apr., 1890
COME LEIE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Snap Hook.
I WILLIAM BEECHING of 62 and 63 Waterloo Street, Brighton Saddle and Harness
Manufacturer, 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 :-
My Invention which relates to a spring coupling appliance, snap or slip hook
applicable for use in coupling and uncoupling harness and other similar applications,
as a substitute for ordinary buckles and hooks and generally as a simple means of
rapidly and instantly uncoupling, detaching, or disengaging-has for its object to
produce a disengaging or snap hook or coupling device which shall, whilst bearing
the strain or otherwise being used, be maintained effectually closed, but which may
be disconnected with facility when said strain or pull is required to be released.
Referring to the annexed explanatory drawing Figure 1 is an elevation of my
improved snap, disengaging or slip hook with the tongue and central portion removed
and shown detached in side elevation at Figure 2 and end elevation Figure 3;
Figure 4 is a side elevation complete in which the attachment portion assumes the
form of a hook, as referred to below. Like letters of reference throughout the several
views denote corresponding parts or members in each.
In the device according to my Invention, as shown in the accompanying drawing,
A is the major portion of the hook which engages with the end or other portion of
the article or the like to which it is to be connected, the end a serving to retain the
coupling device in the requisite position. The end a may either be formed as shown
in Figure 1 with a hole in the centre; or, it may, for convenience of attachment, take
the hooked formation shown in Figure 4. A chamber or recess B Figure 2 is formed
in the boss or central portion of the coupling device; this chamber having an open
side closed by a circular flange or lid D which is formed as part of the tongue or
latch d, a pin 6 passing through the chamber B and the centre of the flange D. The
flange D of the tongue d is carried loosely on the pin 6, the end of the latter being
"upset" to form a head flush with the external surface of the flange D. I dispose in
any convenient manner within the chamber B formed in the boss of the coupling
device as aforesaid, a coiled spring c formed with any convenient number of con-
volutions and of any suitable metal or material possessing sufficient tensive properties.
This coiled spring is retained within the chamber B in such a
manner that the
tongue dis, when in use, effectually retained in the closed position. When the
coupling device is to be connected to, or dis-connected from any article, the tongue d
is pressed inwards and is opened against the tension of the coiled spring C contained
in the chamber B, but as soon as the pressure is removed, the tongue immediately
returns to its normal closed position. One end c of the spring () is secured to the
moveable flange D of the tongue d, the opposite end cf being inserted into any
convenient part of the casing surrounding the chamber B.
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine my invention to the precise
applications herein set forth as same with very slight alterations be employed to
advantage for purposes other than those specified.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is.
First: The improved disengaging, snap or slip hook substantially as herein described
and shown.
Second-The application to, and employment with, disengaging, uncoupling, snap
or alin hooks and

page_text: recess formed in the central boss, or other portion of the device; one end of said
coiled spring being inserted into the body portion of the device, the other end being
attached to a flange formed as a part of the tongue, and carried on a pin in the
centre of the coupling hook device substantially as herein set forth and shown and
for the purposes specified.
T: Kih of March 1900
JAMES STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers, 20, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.