IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FASTENERS. FOR BROOCHES, SHAWL PINS, AND OTHER ARTICLES."
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Merchant, of 5, Southampton Buildings, in the.
County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FASTENERS.
FOR BROOCHES, SHAWL PINS, AND OTHER ARTICLES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Merchant at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th August 1878.
WILLIAM MERCHANT, of 5, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FASTENERS FOR BROOCHES, SHAWL PINS, AND OTHER
ARTICLES."
The object of this Invention is to construct a simple but efficient fastener for
brooch and other pins in order to protect the point of the pin and to prevent the
brooch or other article from being undone and getting lost. For this purpose I
provide the frame or back or body of the brooch or other article with a cap or
shield, turning on a centre, and so fitted that in one position it covers and holds
the end or point of the pin, and in the other position allows the pin to be freely
turned on its centre of attachment.
For holding the cap or shield in either position I fit the brooch with a flat or
other spring acting against the back or end of the cap or shield, and I form the
cap or shield when required with a projection for facilitating the turning on its
centre for opening and closing.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Merchant in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th
March 1879.
WILLIAM MERCHANT, of 5, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FASTNERS. FOR BROOCHES, SHAWL PINS, AND OTHER
ARTICLES."
The object of this Invention is to construct a simple but efficient fastner for
brooch and other pins in order to protect the point of the pin, and to prevent the
brooch or other article from being undone, and getting lost... For, this purpose I
provide the frame or back or body of the brooch or other article with a cap or
shield turning on a centre, and so fitted that in one position it covers and holds the
end or point of the pin, and in the other position allows the pin to be freely
turned on its centre of attachment.
For holding the cap or shield in either position I fit the brooch with a flat or
other spring acting against the back or end of the cap or shield, and I form the
cap or shield when required with a projection for facilitating the turning on its
centre for opening and closing.
The accompanying Drawing is to an enlarged scale.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawing is a longitudinal section through the
back body or frame of a brooch or other article fitted with the new pin fastener,
and Figure 2a side; elevation of same; the former shows the pin in its closed, and
protected position, and the latter shows it in the open position.
1
a is the cap or shield which can turn on a centre or pin b, fitted to a bracket c
on.the.back, body or frame d of the brooch or other article; e is a spring on the
body d is formed with a projection f which enters the frame, and as shown at :
Figure 1 serves to hold the cap a in the downward or closed position, acting also as
a shield or cap for the pin g; the lower part of the cap a is formed suitable for the
piece to rest against it, and it is also formed with a projection at d' on the top
for taking hold of it conveniently with the fingers.
The cap a is at one end cup shaped or hollowed out suitably for receiving and
holding the point of the pin g, but I do not confine myself to this particular form-
of hollow so long as the pin confined on both sides and at top and bottom.
h is a small shield piece fixed to the frame in order to prevent the cap a from
being accidentally opened should the frame d be pulled in a contrary direction when
the ping is inserted in anything. To close the fastner depress the ping against
the cap a when standing in the position shown at Figure 2; by pressing the pin
against the cap the latter is forced down into the position shown at Figure 1, and
the pin point is held and protected.
The brooch may be made without the spring e.
Figure 3 is a plan section, and Figure 4 a similar section of a closing appliance.
or fastener for doors according to this Invention the former Figure showing the
fastener in a closed position and the latter Figure in an opened position.
a is the cap which turns on centre b, fitted to the bracket con the door frame d,
or in the case of folding doors on one of them; g is a bolt corresponding to the
brooch ping, Figures 1 and 2; this bolt is fixed to the door d', which turning on
its hinges act precisely in the same manner as the brooch ping turning on its.
hinge.
The piece g¹ serves to turn the cap a back into the position shown in Figure 4
when the door d' is pulled or pushed in the direction of the arrow for the purpose
of opening it.
Having thus described the nature and object of my said Invention and the
means for carrying the same into practical effect, I would remark in conclusion
that what I claim is,-
First. A fastener pin point holder and protector formed suitable for holding and
E

page_text: protecting the pin point, and turning on a centre, being retained in the down or
closed position by spring appliance, substantially as set forth.
•
Second. The construction of fastener as described with reference to the accom-
panying Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Merchant, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
WILLIAM MERCHANT. (L.S.)