IMPROVEMENTS IN SAIL GROMMETS
Year: 1886

page_text: I WILLIAM WALTER WILCOX of Middletown Connecticut United States of
America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN SAIL GROMMETS and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
The invention relates to grommets made of sheet metal.
They may consist of a tube with corrugated flange and cap or may be made in
two three or more parts a ring or rings of metal being placed between the flange
and cap, spikes or points may also be employed in a similar manner to that
described in my patent No 11656, 1884.
My object is to give the grommet a firm hold of the sailcloth or other material
employed and prevent its drawing away when in use.
Referring now to the accompanying drawing in which similar letters indicate
similar parts throughout.
Figures 1, 2, and 3 represent the grommet with corrugated flange and cap.
Fig. 4, 5 and 6 represent the arrangement with a separate ring or rings.
Figure 7 represents sectional view of the tube with a turned spiked rim on the
flange and Figure 8 shows the plan of the stamped sheet of metal from which this
is made.
A represents the tube of the grommet, B the flange and C the cap or washer,
while D is the ring or rings shown only in Figures 4 and 6.
In the arrangement shown in figures 1, 2, and 3 the flanges are corrugated that
is a convexity or raised projection e is formed at or near the centre of the flange B
and a concavity or hollow ƒ of similar shape and proportion in the corresponding
washer or cap C, or the cap may be made with a convexity at or near its centre
and the corresponding flange with a concavity of similar shape and proportion.
The raised or convex parts of the fanges and caps may be roughed or milled to
give a firmer bold on the material.
In the arrangement shown in figures 4 and 5 a metal ring or rings D of suitable
size is or are provided to fit between the flange B and cap C either or both of
which may be recessed to receive it or them.
The ring or the smallest one if rings of different sizes are used are made of such
size that sufficient sailcloth F or other material employed may be gripped between

page_text: it and the tube A as to prevent its tearing away, thus when the grommet is
clinched the ring is or rings are pressed upon the material F and take a firm hold;
the said ring or rings may be flat, circular, or oval as shown in figure 6 or be of
any desired shape and may be milled or otherwise roughed to assist the grip,
or may be formed with spikes h which shall be driven into the material F in
clinching.
The grommet may also be made as shown in figure 7 with a turned rim g on the
flange B of the tube A on which rim spikes or points h may be formed which pass
into and when clinched take a firm hold upon the material in which they are
inserted.
"
Figure 8 shows the stamped plate from which this form of tube and flange is
made.
Thus I obtained a cheap and durable grommet and one which cannot come off
or be pulled away when properly applied to sailcloth or other suitable material.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be purformed I declare that what
I claim is
1. In grommets made of sheet metal the corrugated or concavo-convex form of
flange B and cap C substantially as and for the purposes shown and described.
2. In sail grommets the employment of a ring or rings D with or without
roughed surfaces or spikes substantially as and for the purposes shown and
described.
3. In sail grommets the employment of a rim 9 on the flange B of the tube A
having spikes or points h substantially as and for the purposes shown and
described.
nai 1, an
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T 1000