IMPROVE- MENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR BELTS, BANDS, BRACES, AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES, AND IN SUSPENDERS FOR DRESSES AND CURTAINS AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Hinks and Thomas Hooper, both of Birmingham,
in the County of Warwick, Manufacturers, for an Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR BELTS, BANDS, BRACES, AND OTHER LIKE
ARTICLES, AND IN SUSPENDERS FOR DRESSES AND CURTAINS AND OTHER
LIKE ARTICLES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Hinks and Thomas
Hooper at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th January
1881.
JOHN HINKS and THOMAS HOOPER, both of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR BELTS, BANDS,
BRACES, AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES, AND IN SUSPENDERS FOR DRESSES AND
CURTAINS AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES."
In constructing according to our Invention a fastening for belts, bands, and other
articles, the ends or parts of which have to be connected and disconnected we
proceed as follows:-We make, preferably from sheet metal, a plate in the middle
of which is a spring tongue formed from a separate piece of metal or from the plate
itself. The lower end of the plate has a broad slot extending nearly across it, the
said lower end being turned backwards and upwards at the part where the slot is
situated. The free end of the tongue is turned backwards, and when the said
tongue is in its normal position enters the slot in the lower part of the plate and
bears against the turned up part at the bottom. In the tongue is a slot, through
which the free end of a lever projects; the other end of the lever turns upon the
plate as a fulcrum. A shoulder is made at that part of the lever immediately under
the tongue. The other part of the fastening consists of a plate having a narrow
slot suited to receive the end of the spring tongue. The two parts of the fastening
are connected respectively to the two ends or parts of the belt or other article to
be fastened together.
The action of the fastening is as follows:-When the lever is raised the tongue
is lifted from the slot and the smaller slotted plate is introduced into the slot under
the spring tongue. The lever is depressed when the spring tongue falls, and its

page_text: end-entering the slot in the smaller slotted..plate fixes the said plate, and the two
parts are secured together; by lifting the lever the two parts may be separated.
For braces and other articles where the length of one of the parts connected has to
be adjusted, the plate having the spring tongue is not turned up at its bottom
slotted part. The said slotted part has a trough shaped bar with serrated edges
extending across it, and the end of the spring tongue, which in its normal position
enters the trough of the said bar, is also serrated. The tab of the brace is hooked
to the lower edge of the plate. The brace is passed under the lower part of the
frame, through the slot, over the troughed serrated bar, back through the slot to the
upper part of the plate, and finally through a narrow slot near the top of the plate.
When the lever is raised the end of the spring tongue is lifted from the serrated
trough shaped bar, and the brace can be freely passed in either direction over the
bar. The brace having been adjusted the lever is depressed, when the spring
tongue descends and the brace is gripped between its end and the serrated trough
shaped bar.
By enlarging the spring tongue and making it bow shaped,' and giving the plate
a shape the counterpart of the spring tongue, the fastening forms a convenient
suspender for ladies' dresses. The turned in ends between which the dress is
gripped may be made to interlock in order the more effectually to grip the
dress.
In some cases we dispense with the lever and spring tongue; we then make the
fastening from one piece of sheet metal having a broad slot with a bar across it,
the upper edge of the slot being serrated. The brace or band is passed through
the slot in the manner already described, and when tightened is fixed by the
serrated edge of the slot. The tab or other part of the article to be fastened is
attached to a hook on the lower edge of the plate. For a simple suspender for
curtains and the like we cut two parallel spring tongues from a plate of metal, the
upper edge of which is formed into a hook by which the suspender is booked to the
curtain ring. The spring tongues are raised out of the plane of the plate and are
pointed so as readily to enter the fabric to be suspended.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Hinks and Thomas Hooper in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 20th July 1881.
JOHN HINKS and THOMAS HOOPER, both of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR BELTS, BANDS,
BRACES, AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES, AND IN SUSPENDERS FOR DRESSES AND
CURTAINS AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES."
In constructing according to our Invention a fastening for belts, bands, and other
articles, the ends or parts of which have to be connected and disconnected, we proceed
as follows: We make, preferably from sheet metal, a plate in the middle of which
is a spring tongue formed from a separate piece of metal or from the plate itself.
The lower end of the plate has a broad slot extending nearly across it, the said
lower end being turned backwards and upwards at the part where the slot is
situated. The free end of the tongue is turned backwards, and when the said
tongue is in its normal position enters the slot in the lower part of the plate and
bears against the turned up part at the bottom.
In the tongue is a slot, through which the free end of a lever projects. The
other end of the lever turns upon the plate as a fulcrum. A shoulder is made at
that part of the lever immediately under the tongue. The other part of the fastening
consists of a plate having a narrow slot suited to receive the end of the spring
tongue. The two parts of the fastening are connected respectively to the two ends
or parts of the belt or other article to be fastened together.
The action of the fastening is as follows:-When the lever is raised the tongue
is lifted from the slot, and the smaller slotted plate is introduced into the slot
under the spring tongue. The lever is depressed when the spring tongue falls, and
its end entering the slot in the smaller slotted plate fixes the said plate, and the
two parts are secured together. By lifting the lever the two parts may be
separated.
For braces and other articles where the length of one of the parts connected has
to be adjusted, the plate having the spring tongue is not turned up at its bottom
slotted part. The said slotted part has a trough shaped bar extending across it, and
the end of the spring tongue, which in its normal position enters the trough of the
said bar, is serrated.
The tab of the brace is hooked to the lower edge of the plate.
The brace is passed under the lowest part of the frame through the slot, over
the troughed bar, back through the slot to the upper part of the plate, and finally
through a narrow slot near the top of the plate. When the lever is raised the end
of the spring tongue is lifted from the trough shaped, bar, and the brace can be
freely passed in either direction over the bar. The brace having been adjusted the
lever is depressed when the spring tongue descends, and the brace is gripped
between its serrated end and the trough shaped bar.
By enlarging the spring tongue and giving the plate a shape the counter part of
the spring tongue, the fastening forms a convenient suspender for ladies' dresses.
The turned in ends between which the dress is gripped may be made to interlock
in order the more effectually to grip the dress.
In some cases we dispense with the lever and spring tongue. We then make the
fastening from one piece of sheet metal having a broad slot with a bar across it, the
upper edge of the slot being serrated. The brace or band is passed through the slot
in the manner already described, and when tightened is fixed by the serrated edge
of the slot.
The tab or other part of the article to be fastened is attached to a hook on the
lower edge of the plate.

page_text: For a simple suspender for curtains and the like we cut two parallel spring
tongues from a plate of metal, the upper edge of which is formed into a hook, by
which the suspender is hooked to the curtain ring. The spring tongues are raised
out of the plane of the plate, and are pointed so as readily to enter the fabric to be
suspended.
We will now proceed to describe, with reference to the accompanying Drawing,
the manner in which our Invention is to be performed.
Figure 1 represents in plan the two parts of a belt or band fastening constructed
according to our Invention, the said parts being separated from one another;
Figure 2 represents a section of the same, fastened together; and Figure 3 repre-
sents the same view as Figure 2, with the spring tongue lifted so as to release the
fastening.
The same letters indicate the same parts in Figures 1, 2, and 3.
a, b, are the two parts of the fastening which are respectively connected to the
ends c, d, of the belt or band to be fastened together. The part a consists of a sheet
metal plate, from the middle of which a spring tongue a² is formed. Or the spring
tongue may be made of a separate piece of metal which is attached at one end to
the plate a.
The front end a of the plate a is bent out of the plane of the other
part (see the sectional views), and in the said end a* and part of the plate a is a
slot f. The free end a³ of the spring tongue a² is bent at right angles to the other
part, and when the said tongue is in its normal position the bent end a³ enters the
slot f. In the spring tongue a² is a slot, through which the free end of the lifting
lever e projects. The inner end of the lifting lever e turns in bearings or
pockets g, g, made in the plate a. The lifting lever e is shown separately in
Figure 4. The said lever e has a shoulder e², which is situated under the spring
tongue a². By lifting the lever e into the position represented in Figure 3, the
spring tongue a, as, is also lifted, and its bent end as withdrawn from the slot fin
the plate a, and when the lever e is turned down into the position represented
in Figures 1 and 2 the bent end a³ of the tongue a enters the said slot f
.
When the lever e is raised the spring tongue a² tends to press it down by its
elasticity, but when the said lever has passed over the centre on which it turns it
is held in that position by the pressure of the said tongue, and the fastening is held
out of action. On shutting down the lever e the spring tongue bearing upon it
forces it into the horizontal position represented in Figures 1 and 2, and locks or
holds it in that position.
The part 6 of the fastening consists of a plate having at its front end a slot b²
suited to receive the best end a³ of the spring tongue a³. In order to fasten
together the ends of the belt or band, to which the parts a and b are respectively
connected, the lever e is raised so as to lift the bent end a³ of the spring tongue
from the slot f in the part a. The part of the plate b containing the slot b² being
passed onto the bent end a* of the plate a, and under the ears at h, h, as seen in
Figure 3, the lever e is depressed, the spring tongue a², a³, falls, and its bent
end a³ entering the slot 62 in the part b fixes the said part b to the larger part a,
and the two parts of the fastening are thus secured together.
The slot in the rear part of the plate a is serrated at i for preventing the
slipping of the band passed through the said slot and over the bar k. The serrated
bar causes the web to be bent at a sharp angle, and when pulled the said bar
holds the web tightly without perforating the web.
Besides belts and bands the fastening represented in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 may
also be used for fastening pocket books, purses, and other like articles.
Figure 5 represents in front elevation and in vertical section a fastening con-
structed according to our Invention applied to a brace. The elevation and one of
the sections show the brace web fastened, and the other section shows the brace web
unfastened.
The construction of this fastening is in all essential respect the same as that of
the band fastening already described, excepting that it is composed of a single plate
carrying the spring tongue and lifting lever, and the spring tongue is made of a

page_text: separate piece of metal, which is attached at one end to the slotted frame or plate a..
The bent end a³ of the spring tongue a² is serrated, the said serrated end being'
situated opposite the trough shaped or angular bar 7 at the top of the frame or
slotted plate a; e is the lifting lever working in a slot in the spring tongue a², a³.
The web m of the brace passes between the bar and the serrated end as of the
spring tongue, then through a slot in the plate or frame a to the back thereof, and
finally over the bar n at the lower end of the plate or frame a. When the lever e
is lifted, as represented in the left hand sectional view of Figure 5, the serrated
end a³ of the spring tongue a² is also lifted from the brace web m, and the latter
is released and can slide through the frame or plate a for adjusting its length.
By depressing the lever e the serrated edge or end a³ of the spring tongue a²
enters the brace web m pressing it into the trough shaped or angular bar and
gripping it firmly against the said bar, as illustrated. in the right band sectional
view of Figure 5.
Figure 6 represents in plan, and Figures 7 and 8 in longitudinal section, our
improved fastening applied as a harness or strap fastening. In this modification
a metallic case p, open at its ends, is used, through which the free or adjustable
end of the strap passes, the other end q² of the strap being connected to the
loop p² of the case p. The case p carries on its upper side the spring tongue a²
having at its end a stud a³, which passes through a hole in the bottom of the case p
and enters one of the holes r, r, in the strap q to fix the said strap, as illustrated
in Figure 7. When the lever e is raised, as illustrated in Figure 8, the tongue a³
is also raised and its stud a³ is lifted from the hole in the strap, and the latter may
be adjusted in or removed from the case p.
Figure 9 represents a brace or band fastening in which the spring tongue and
lifting lever are dispensed with. In this case the fastening is made from a piece
of sheet metal u having a broad slot s with a bar t across it, the upper edge s² of
the said slots being serrated. The lower edge of the plate u is provided with a
hook v for receiving the brace tab, or it may be furnished with a loop, as indicated
in dotted lines. The band or web w is passed through the slot 8 and over the
bar t, as represented in the section, and when the band or web is tightened it is
fixed by the serrated edge 8 of the slot 8, that is, the serrated edge 82 causes the
web to be bent at a sharp angle, and when pulled straight as in use the said edge
holds or grips the web without piercing it.
Figure 10 represents in back and front elevation and in section, opened and
closed, a stocking suspender constructed according to our Invention. The said
suspender resembles the brace fastening represented in Figure 5. It consists of
the plate a, to the upper end of which the band or tape from the waist of the
person is connected. To the plate a the spring tongue b having a lifting lever c is
connected. The bent end of the spring tongue b is serrated, and the plate a has
a slot a² near its lower end through which the serrated end of the tongue b passes
when the said tongue is closed upon the plate a by means of the lever c. The
serrated part of the tongue b enters the edge of the stocking to be suspended.
This suspender may be used for suspending curtains and other articles.
Figure 11 represents in front elevation and side elevation a suspender for
suspending ladies' dresses and other articles constructed according to our Invention.
This suspender is constructed essentially in the manner described with respect
to a stocking suspender, excepting that the free ends of the two plates a, b, are
bent inwards, or are toothed or serrated, and there is no slot at the bottom end
of one of the plates. By lifting the lever c the two plates a, b, are separated, as
illustrated in the right hand view of Figure 11, and the article to be suspended
can be introduced between the open plates or jaws a, b. By depressing the lever c
the two plates or jaws close upon one another and the article is gripped very
firmly between the turned in or serrated edges of the said plates or jaws.
Figure 12 represents a suspender for curtains and other like articles constructed
according to our Invention.
This suspender consists of a plate of metal f, the upper end of which is formed
•

page_text: -
into a hook g, by which the suspender is hooked to the curtain ring. Out of the
plane of the plate f two spring pointed tongues h, h, are raised, the said tongues
being passed through the curtain or fabric to be suspended.
Having now described the nature of our Invention and the manner in which the
same is to be performed, we wish it to be understood that we claim as our Invention
of "Improvements in Fastenings for Belts, Bands, Braces, and other like Articles,
and in Suspenders for Dresses and Curtains and other like Articles.
First. The improvements in fastenings for belts, bands, braces, and other like
articles herein before described and illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of
the accompanying Drawing, that is to say, the combination with the slotted plate or
frame constituting the principal part of the fastening of a spring tongue and lifting
lever, the said spring tongue being made either to engage with a slot in one part of
the fastening, as in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, or to bind the web or band against a trough
shaped or angular part of the fastening, as in Figure 5, or a stud on the said
spring tongue to enter one of a series of holes in the strap or band, as in Figures 6,
7, and 8, the several parts being constructed and arranged substantially as
described and illustrated, also serrating the back edge of the slot in the slotted
frame or plate for the purpose described and illustrated in Figure 1 of the
Drawing.
Secondly. The improvement in brace or band fastenings hereinbefore described
and illustrated in Figure 9 of the accompanying Drawing, that is to say, serrating
the upper edge of the slot in the slotted plate or frame through which the brace
or band passes for fixing the said brace or band when the latter is tightened or
pressure put upon it.
Thirdly. The combinations or arrangements of the parts of suspenders for
ladies' dresses, stockings, curtains, and other like articles herein beforedescribed
and illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 of the accompanying Drawing.
Lastly. The combination or arrangement of the parts of curtain and other like
suspenders herein before described and illustrated in Figure 12 of the accompanying
Drawing.
In witness whereof, we, the said John Hinks and Thomas Hooper, have
hereunto set our hands and seals, this Fifteenth day of July, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty-one.
Witness,
S. GEO. MOORE,
Birmingham.
(L.S.)
JOHN HINKS.
THOMAS HOOPER. (L.S.)