Improvements in Corset Clasps.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 21st Oct.,
1899
Improvements in Corset Clasps.
A communication by JAMES H. HATFIELD, of Kalamazoo, in the State of Michi-
gan, United States of America, EDWARD MORRIS BRIGHAM, of Battle Creek,
in the State of Michigan, and IRVING LEE STONE, of Battle Creek aforesaid,
Manufacturers.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester,
both in the County of Lancaster, 118, New Street, Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, and 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer,
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 follow-
ing statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in corset clasps.
The objects of this invention, in detail, are; First to provide for the purpose of
strength and durability, a fastening to unite the steels, which shall be so attached
to the steels as to impose the principal strain upon the steels and not upon the
fastening; Second, to provide a simple and efficient fastening that can be rapidly
and efficiently united to the steels: Third, to provide a fastening which shall
utilize the spring or elasticity of the steel itself in forming a snap or spring
fastening; Fourth, to provide a new and improved fastener for use in this rela-
tion, that shall serve to lock or hold the spring or snap fasteners in their correct
engaging position; Fifth, to provide a new and improved locking fastener for use
in clasps of this character which is very secure in use and at the same time very
convenient to fasten and unfasten; Sixth, to provide, generally, an improved
fastening means for use in corset clasps having their steels superimposed one
upon the other. Further objects will appear in the detailed description.
A structure
The invention is clearly pointed out and defined in the claims.
fully embodying this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing form-
ing a part of this specification, in which,-
Fig. 1, is an enlarged exterior detail view of a corset clasp embodying this
invention.
Fig. 2, is an enlarged detail sectional elevation taken through both clasps, on
a line corresponding to line 2-2 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3, is a detail plan view of the inside of outer steel B.
Fig. 4, is a detail view of the exterior of the same with the outer shields B¹,
removed.
Fig. 5, is a detail of the outer steel or clasp B, before the fasteners are put
in place.
Fig. 6, is a transverse detail sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 2, show-
ing the upper fastener.
Fig. 7, is a detail sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 2, showing one of
the lower fasteners.

page_text: Fig. 8, is a detail sectional view of the steel B, with the fasteners entirely
removed, taken on a line corresponding to line 8-8 of Fig. 5.
In the drawing, all of the sectional views are taken looking in the direction
of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines, and similar letters of refer-
ence refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
Referring to the lettered parts of the drawing, A, is the inner clasp or steel
provided with posts or studs A¹, for attaching to the outer steel. These studs are
similar in form to those already in common use. In the drawing, they are illus-
trated of considerable length and very much increased in size, in order that the
details may clearly appear. The outer steel is provided with specially constructed
fasteners for engaging these studs:
The steel is perforated in the first instance, as indicated in Fig. 5, the upper
perforation E, E, being for the locking fastener and the lower perforation being
for the lower fastener, the number of which may be varied to suit the requirements
or convenience of the manufacturer or user, there usually being three or more.
Regarding the upper or locking fastener, a plate D is applied, to the upper
opening, a part 1), of which is turned straight in and other portions m, m, m, are
folded through the perforation to retain the plate in position and strengthen
the steel. Outside of this a shield 13 is placed, which is secured to the steel B,
by suitable rivets or other means, to strengthen and support the steel at the point
perforated for the fastener. In operating this fastener, the stud A', is inserted
through the enlarged portion E¹, of the aperture and passed up between the por-
tions m, m, and it normally rests against or close to the inwardly projecting por-
tion D. In unfastening, the stud A', is tipped by pulling the upper ends of the
steels or clasps apart, when it will be found to pass readily out of the portion E,
of the perforation. When the steels are parallel, as they normally are, the head
will be positively retained.
Each of the lower fasteners, only one of which is illustrated, consists of a
plate C, which is secured to the perforation by flaps or ears foided outwardly
at n, n, and which conforms to and positively engage the steel. The steel is cut
or slit at r, to one side from the portion I, of the perforation so that it will readily
yield and this portion F, is bent.slightly outward. On one side, as shown in sec-
tion view given in Fig. 7, the flap engages the straight border of the preforation
in the steel; and on the other side it engages the bent border of the perforation
which serves as a spring as already described. In use, the stud A¹, is drawn
against the straight side of the fastening, away from the flap that engages the steel
on the side of the perforation which is bent and acts as a spring, and hence the
fastening has the benefit of the full strength of the steel, neither the body of the
plate nor its dependent flap being subjected to any material strain. This .con-
nection avoids the necessity of using thick material in the plates forming the
inner fastening and thus permits the opposing steels to come close to each other
which is a very great advantage in diminishing the bulk of the clasp, in increas-
ing their strength, and in lessening their amount of movement one upon the
other.
The tongue C, is struck outwardly to form a guide for the stud A!, of the
inner steel at this point, to facilitate unfastening, and the bottom of the opening
is left straight to serve as a stop to retain the stud. A cap or shield B, is pro-
vided for the outside of the fastening, the same as on the upper fastening.
The shield is shown as very much enlarged and also projecting to a greater
length than in practice. On the clasps in use, when covered with cloth in the
usual way, the shields. are very inconspicuous and being nicely rounded and
smooth are not in the least objectionable.
To operate these improved clasps, the top fastener is first joined by inserting
the stud A, in the enlargement E¹, at the bottom of the slot and sliding it up.
This will retain the steel in position. The lower fasteners are then united by forc-
ing the heads against the plates C, and forcing the steels together. When thus
joined together, the heads are free to play longitudinally in the fasteners, owing

page_text: to their slot like formation. They are prevented from moving up out of engage-
ment by the fastening at the top, and they are prevented from moving out at the
bottom of the slots or openings by the formation at that point.
When it is desired to unfasten our improved clasps, the top ends are pulled
apart. This tips the head of the stud at that point and allows it to escape. Then
the steel with the studs slips easily up and all the lower fasteners are disengaged
at once by the single motion.
It is desired to state in this connection, that the details of construction of these
improved corset clasps can be greatly varied without departing from this inven-
tion. A different style of locking clasp might be used in connection with the
spring clasps containing the longitudinal slots, and the particular form of spring
clasps might also be varied and still make use of the particular style of locking
fastener which has been described. It is believed, however, that each is well
adapted for use with the other, and that the best results are secured in this way.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. In corset clasps, the combination of the steels adapted to be superimposed
one upon another; Fastener studs on one of said steels; spring snap fasteners on
the opposite steel formed with a longitudinal slot to open at the upper end to en-
gage said studs; a locking fastener to engage the top stud having a slot enlarged
at the bottom to admit the stud freely, and the opening slightly broadened at the
top to allow the stud to be withdrawn when inclined for the purpose, as specified.
2. In corset clasps, the combination of two steels adapted to be superimposed
one upon the other; fastener studs on one of said steels; a spring fastener on the
opposite steel the sides of which fastener form a longitudinal slot open at the
end to release the stud; and a locking fastener to join the steels together and limit
their motion to keep the members of the spring fastener in engagement, for the
purpose specified.
3. In a corset clasp, the combination of a steel with a stud thereon; a steel
with a spring fastener to engage the stud formed by a longitudinal opening in the
steel one side of which is rendered elastic by a cut in the steel so as to permit the
entrance of the head of the stud, for the purpose specified.
4. In a corset clasp, the combination of a steel with a stub thereon; a steel
with a spring fastener to engage the stud formed by a longitudinal opening in the
steel, one side of which is rendered elastic by a cut in the steel so as to permit
the entrance of the head of the stud; and a cap or shield over the opening to cover
the stud, for the purpose specified.
5. In a corset clasp, the combination of a steel with a stud thereon; a steel
with a clasp to engage said stud, formed by a plate folded into an aperture in
the said steel and having a tongue depressed at an angle to serve to guide the
stud from the clasp, for the purpose specified.
6. In a corset clasp, a steel with a stud thereon; the opposite steel contain-
ing a slot enlarged at one end to receive the stud freely, and slightly enlarged
at the opposite end to permit the removal of the stud when it is inclined, for the
purpose specified.
1000