Improvements in Corset Clasps or Fasteners.
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Corset Clasps or Fasteners.
We CHAUNCY FREDERICK ALLEN and JAMES EBER DOOLITTLE, Gentlemen, both
Citizens of the United States of America, the former a resident of Woodbury,
Litchfield County, and State of Connecticut, and the latter a resident of Bridgeport,
in the County of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut one of the United States of
America 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 and accompanying drawings :—
Our invention relates to corsets clasps or fastenings and has for its object to
provide a cheap, simple and positive fastening for corsets, that may be operated
quickly and conveniently, and which, when arranged in a series, (as is necessary
011 a corset) may be operated simultaneously and without necessitating the
unclasping or disengaging of each fastening separately which object we attain by
means of the peculiar construction and the arrangement of a series of clasps or
fastenings in combination with a suitable locking device or hook in a manner as will
hereinafter be set forth in detail and pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings
Fig. 1 represents a pair of "corset steels" provided with our improved fastening
thereon.
Fig. 2 represents the same in a modified form, and,
Fig. 3 an end view of Figure 2.
To explain in detail
A, A, represents a pair of "corset steels" so called consisting of strips of springy
metal, which are adapted to he secured in the front edges of a pair of corsets, in the
usual manner, the same being detached in the present instance to more clearly
illustrate our invention. One of said steels is shown as provided on its face with
posts or projections a having enlarged heads, and the other or opposite steel is shown
provided with our improved clasps or fastenings; which latter consist of a supporting
plate or shank (a) provided with a hook-shaped arm a², and a spring-arm a³,
latter extending toward and adjacent to the end of the arm a², forming a stud
receiving opening a', and a vertically arranged exit passage or opening a³, said
receiving opening and exit passage being separated by a nose or projection located on
the end of said arm a³, which forms a yielding or movable barrier between said
receiving opening and exit passage.
the
The stud or projection is adapted to be inserted through the opening a*, and then
drawn past said nose or projection on the arm a³, (the latter yielding sufficiently for
the passage of the same) and into the vertically arranged exit passage a³, said nose
or projection being adapted to hold the studs or projections laterally stationary in
said exit passage and prevent their moving back and slipping through the opening a*.
Said studs or projections are adjustably locked in a vertically stationary position, in
their said position in the exit passage or opening a, by means of a locking device or
hook B, which may be located either at the upper or lower end of the supporting
steels A, and consists, in the instance shown, of a plate or shank secured in a fixed
position on its supporting steel, provided with a slot or opening arranged therein at
right angles to the steel A, and is provided with an outer connecting slot or opening
for the admission of post or projection on the adjacent steel into said slot or opening,
and which when located therein, is held in a vertically stationary position as will
appear obvious, thereby locking its supporting steel and the several studs or
projections thereon in a vertical stationary position, which latter are held stationary
laterally in a manner as hereinbefore described, tlius locking said steels in an
adjustable fixed position in their relation to each other.

page_text: We do not however, wish to be understood as confining ourselves to the particular
form of locking device or hook, represented at B, for holding the supporting steels in
a fixed vertical position in their relation to each other, for the purpose as set forth, as
it is obvious that other suitable means might be employed to accomplish the same
purpose, and without departing from the spirit of our invention.
3
The manner of clasping or fastening the corsets together, is as follows:-The upper
post or projection a, is first connected with its hook or locking device B, and the
remainder of the studs or projections are then inserted through the openings at a', in
the clasps or fastenings, and drawn or pressed passed the end of the spring arm a³,
into the passage or opening a³, and are there held in a fixed or stationary position, in
a manner as before described. To unfasten the corset, the upper post or projection is
first disengaged from its locking device or hook B, thereby allowing the remainder of
the posts or projections to disconnect from their retaining clasp or fastening simül-
taneously, as will be readily understood.
Referring to Figures 2 and 3, we have shown the fastening device provided with a
covering, which we provide or secure by increasing the length of the arm a², and turn
or lap it back upon itself, in a manner as clearly shown, forming a guard or shield to
prevent the studs or projections a from catching into the clothes of the wearer, and
also make a more perfect finish.
We do not wish to be understood as confining ourselves to the particular form or
construction of the clasp or fastening device as shown, as it is obvious that slight
changes might be made in the construction of such, or the same might be formed
of wire or other suitable material without departing from the spirit of our
invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is
1. A corset clasp or fastening, consisting of a plate provided with a stud-receiving
opening and a connecting exit passage; in combination with a locking device or look,
adapted to adjustably hold the engaging stud in position in said exit passage, in a
manner substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
2. A corset clasp or fastening, consisting of a plate provided with a stud-receiving
opening and a connecting vertically arranged exit passage, and a spring arm provided
with a nose or projection forming a yielding barrier between said receiving opening
and exit passage; in combination with a locking device or hook, adapted to adjustably
hold the engaging stud in position in said exit passage, substantially as described and
for the purpose set forth.
3. A corset clasp or fastening, consisting of a plate provided with a stud-receiving
opening, and a connecting vertically arranged exit-passage, and a guard or covering
for the same; in combination with a locking device or hook, adapted to hold the
engaging stud in position in said exit-passage, substantially as described and for the
purpose set forth.
4. A corset clasp or fastening, consisting of a plate provided with a stud-receiving
opening, and a connecting vertically arranged exit passage, and a spring-arm formed
integral with said plate provided with a nose or projection at its free end forming
a yielding barrier between said receiving opening or exit passage, and a guard
or covering for the same; in combination with a locking device or hook, adapted to
hold the connecting studs and fastening devices in engagement, substantially as
described and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 3rd day of November 1890
DUTTON & FULTON,
1, St. James Square, Manchester, Agents.