Improvements in Devices for Fastening Papers and other Articles Together.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Nov., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 7th May, 1896-Accepted, 13th June, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Devices for Fastening Papers and other Articles
Together.
I, SAMUEL LEAROYD, of Sherwood House, Huddersfield, in the County of
York, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to means for temporarily fastening papers and other
articles together.
The advantages I secure by my invention amongst others are (1) A fastener
adapted for fastening papers, samples, patterns and other articles together in the
place of string, tape or elastics, or the present metal devices. (2) The adaptation
of one or other of my fasteners to all thicknesses of materials, from the thinnest to
the thickest. (3) The prevention of any injury to the hands, or otherwise by
rough edges or sharp points, and the prevention of injury to the finger nails in
opening or closing the fastener. (4) The certainty that each article, intended to
be fastened, is firmly secured to the others. (5) The instant fixing of the fastener
and its instant removal. (6) The repeated use of the same fastener without
disturbing the contents of the parcel. (7) The removal or addition of any inter-
mediate article without disturbing the bulk. (8) The combination of the principle
of a letter or invoice file with a fastener. (9) The name and address of the maker,
dealer or user being indelibly impressed upon the fastener. (10) The use of all
kinds of materials in the manufacture of the fasteners. (11) Great saving of time
and cost.
To meet the varying cases of different thicknesses and character of sheets or
articles to be fastened together, I use several alternatives. In some cases I construct
my fasteners to be applied to and to bind the articles together at the corner, in
others below the corner, in others at the side, and in other cases at the top of the
articles to be fastened together, and I make the junction either in catches, folds,
pins or tongues in the fasteners.
I make my fasteners of any suitable metal, or of celluloid, vulcanite, wood,
cardboard, papier maché, tough paper or other suitable material, and in some cases
I combine the use of several materials.
I make them of all sizes, lengths, shapes and designs, and I apply them to all
metheds of binding and holding articles together. In some cases, I form the
fasteners with pins or tongues or edges, which I pass through the articles to be
held together, and then I fasten the other side of the articles to be bound, by
the pins, tongues or edges being turned down and sometimes covered over by
wings or shields made in the fastener, and in some cases, I bend and bury the
points tongues or edges in the materials to be bound, or in cardboard or other
material by bending, curving or hooking them into the materials. In other cases
I pass the pins, points, tongues or edges into or behind grooves, shields, catches
or recesses made in the fasteners, and in other cases, into independent tubes or
sockets or shields, to cover and hold and protect the points or ends of the
fasteners. In other cases I use fasteners with heads and shafts or legs with
points to them and I provide for covering these points by causing them to pass
into tubes, catches and sockets, and in other cases I cover the points by beads,
which I pass over the points and fix them by catches or screws or recesses and

page_text: in others I secure them by forcing the fasteners into the materials to be bound
together. In other cases I use a stud or large headed nail or pin to pass the
pin or pins through the articles to be bound together, and fix another head
upon the other side of the pin or pins by catches or screws or springs or
recesses. In some cases I make the fasteners of material which will bind the
articles together by pressing the fasteners around the edges or sides or corners
of such articles without piercing, and in some cases combine wires, claws,
catches pins and teeth to secure greater hold. In some cases I use one or
more of these alternatives. In other cases I use two wires in combination, so
bent as to grasp the articles to be bound together when turned over upon them.
In some cases I make the fasteners so as to thread through the papers and fasten
by a catch, book or recess or socket in the back or end of them.
In some cases I make the fasteners as self-piercers, and in others I add a piercer
to the fastener, and in other cases I supply an independent piercer or fastener
adapted to the size and shape of the fastener. In some cases as before stated
I make the fasteners of one piece of metal or material. and sometimes of two or more
pieces, or of varying materials, and in some cases I make the junction or fastening
by bending the material in any desired manuer, or by shaping or cutting out one
end of it to hold or bind the other end. In some cases I make small holes in the
fasteners to receive a wire cord or thread, upon which any of the articles bound
can be threaded and any intermediate article removed or added without displacing
the others. 1 sometimes so construct the fasteners as to bend down the corners or
sides of the articles to be bound together by some of the fasteners, to give greater
hold and security.
I so construct the fasteners as to allow the makers, dealers or users, having their
names and addresses stamped or printed upon them, or so as to allow of any
advertisement or other matter being so stamped or printed upon them or placed in
a groove or recess provided for the purpose.
I in some cases, adopt one of the above modes of holding and fixing the fasteners,
and in others I use two or more of such methods in combination.
Dated this 6th day of May 1896.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Devices for Fastening Papers and other Articles
Together.
1, SAMUEL LEAROYD, of Sherwood House, Huddersfield, in the County of
York, Gentleman, 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 :—
This invention relates to paper and like fasteners made of metal, celluloid,
vulcanite, cardboard or other suitable material preferably in the form of a stud the
stem of which is passed through the papers and is then engaged by a perforated
cover or cap which is passed over a flange at the end of the stem.
In some instances the fastener has two or more stems for passing through the
papers, and in other instances the stems are dispensed with.
and
Referring to the drawings,
Figure 1 is an edge view of the two parts of one form of the fastener detached,
Figures 2 and 3 show in plan and side view respectively the two parts locked
together.

page_text: Figure 4 13 a side view partly in section of the two parts of a modified form of
this type of fastener.
Figure 5 is a plan and
Figure 6 is an edge view of a modified form of the fastener with two stenis.
Figure 7 is a plan and
Figure 8 is a side view of a further modified form of fastener, and
Figures 9 and 10 are similar views of still another modification.
Referring to Figures 1 to 3 the fastener cousists of a head or plate K of metal,
celluloid vulcanite or cardboard or other suitable material furnished with a stem or
pin K fixed thereto or formed therewith, and a movable cover plate K' adapted t
fit on the end of the stem. The said stem K' is furnished with a small flange or
head at the end, and the cover plate has a central hole somewhat smaller than the
said flange and radial slits K³ extending from the central hole to near the periphery.
These slits afford the necessary amount of elasticity and allow of the cover plate
being passed over the flange of the pin. I provide a round hole K at the outer
ends of the slits K³ to prevent the latter from extending. I have shown a cover
plate with two radial slits, but I may provide three or more radial slits. To secure
papers or materials by this fastener I punch or pierce a hole in the papers and pass
the stud or stem K' through it and then push the cover plate on the end of the
stud until it passes over the flange and engages with the smaller part of the
stem immediately under the flange.
In some cases I make these fasteners with a self piercer or punch and in others
I use an independent punch. Figure 4 illustrates the two parts of a fastener in
which a self piercer is provided. The piercer which is shown in section consists of
a tubular stein K³ sharp at the end. The cover plate K2 is in this case provided
with a solid stem K' which passes inside the piercer or cutter K³ and fits tightly
therein.
I may make the plates round as shown in Figure 2 or I may make them of
other shapes. In Figure 5 I have shown a fastener with triangular plates for
application to the corners of papers. This fastener is also provided with two studs
or stems for passing through the papers. I may if desired provide more than two
stems.
In Figures 7 and 8 the stem K is flat and is made to fit tightly in the corre-
spondingly shaped hole in the cover plate. In Figures 9 and 10 the stem is shown
provided with serrated edges that serve to hold the papers in place on the stem.
In some instances I dispense with the stems and substitute therefor any other
suitable method of fastening the front and back plates together. For example the
plates being furnished with one two or more eyelet-holes I may pass string or wire
through the said holes and the papers or other articles to be fastened together and
secure the string or wire by tying.
The aforesaid fasteners can have any printed matter on the cover plate or back
plate or on both, or the said plates may be constructed to receive a removable
tablet or ticket as a name or description ticket.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A paper fastener consisting of a plate having a stem or two or more stems to
be passed through a hole or holes in the papers, and a cover plate having a hole
or holes and one two or more slits which provide the necessary elasticity to allow
the cover plate to be pushed over the flanged end or ends of the stem or stems and
to be retained by the flange or flanges, substantially as described.
2. A modification of the aforesaid fastener wherein the stem to be passed through
the papers is tubular and made sharp at the end to pierce the papers, and the cover
plate is provided with a solid stem to fit tightly in and be retained by the tubular
stem, substantially as described.
3. The further modification substantially as described wherein the stems are

page_text: dispensed with and the plates are secured by wire or string or the like passed
through eyelet holes in the plates, substantially as described.
Dated this 7th day of May 1896.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Nov., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 7th Feb., 1896-Accepted, 13th June, 18.96
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Devices for Temporarily Filing Articles, or for
Tying or Fastening Articles Together.
I, SAMUEL LEAROYD, of Sherwood House, Huddersfield, in the County of
York, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to means for temporarily filing articles, or for tying or
fastening articles together.
The advantages I secure by my invention amongst others are (1) A fastener
adapted for fastening papers, samples, patterns and other articles together in the
place of string, tape or elastics, or the present metal devices. (2) The adaptation
of one or other of my fasteners to all thicknesses of materials, from the thinnest to
the thickest. (3) The prevention of any injury to the hands, or otherwise by
rough edges or sharp points, and the prevention of injury to the finger nails in
opening or closing the fastener. (4) The certainty that each article, intended to
be fastened, is firmly secured to the others. (5) The instant fixing of the fastener
and its instant removal. (6) The repeated use of the same fastener without
disturbing the contents of the parcel. (7) The removal or addition of any inter-
mediate article without disturbing the bulk. (8) The combination of the principle
of a letter or invoice file with a fastener. (9) The name and address of the maker,
dealer or user being indelibly impressed upon the fastener. (10) The use of all
kinds of materials in the manufacture of the fasteners. (11) Great saving of time
and cost.
To meet the varying cases of different thicknesses and character of sheets or
articles to be fastened together, I use several alternatives. In some cases I con-
struct my fasteners to be applied to and to bind the articles together at the corner,
in others below the corner, in others at the side, and in other cases at the top of
the articles to be fastened together, and I make the junction either in catches,
folds, pins or tongues in the fasteners.
I make my fasteners of any suitable metal, or of celluloid, vulcanite, wood, card-
board, papier maché, tough paper or other suitable material, and in some cases
I combine the use of several materials.
I make them of all sizes, lengths, shapes and designs, and I apply them to all
methods of binding and holding articles together. In some cases, 1 form the
fasteners with pins or tongues or edges, which I pass through the articles to be held
together, and then I fasten the other side of the articles to be bound, by the pins,
tongues or edges being turned down and sometimes covered over by wings or shields
made in the fastener, and in some cases, I bend and bury the points tongues or
edges in the materials to be bound, or in cardboard or other material, by bending,
curving or hooking them into the materials. In other cases I pass the pins, points,
tongues or edges into or behind grooves, shields, catches or recesses made in
the fasteners, and in other cases, into independent tubes or sockets or shields, to
cover and hold and protect the points or ends of the fasteners. In other cases
I use fasteners with heads and shalts or legs with points to them and I provide for
covering these points by causing them to pass into tubes, catches and sockets, and
in other cases I cover the points by heads, which I pass over the points and fix
then by catches or screws or recesses and in others I secure them by forcing the

page_text: fasteners into the materials to be bound together. In other cases I use a stud or
large beaded nail or pin to pass the pin or pins through the articles to be bound
together, and fix another head upon the other side of the pin or pins by catches or
screws or springs or recesses. In some cases I make the fasteners of material
which will bind the articles together by pressing the fasteners around the edges or
sides or corners of such articles without piercing, and in some cases I combine wires,
claws, catches pins and teeth to secure greater hold. In some cases I use one or more
of these alternatives. In other cases
use two wires in combination, so bent as to
grasp the articles to be bound together when turned over upon them.
In some cases I make the fasteners so as to thread through the papers and fasten
by a catch, hook or recess or socket in the back or end of them.
In some cases I make the fasteners as self-piercers, and in others I add a piercer
to the fastener, and in other cases I supply an independent piercer or fastener
adapted to the size and shape of the fastener. In some cases as before stated
I make the fasteners of one piece of metal or material, and sometimes of two or more
pieces, or of varying materials, and in some cases I make the junction or fastening
by bending the material in any desired manner, or by shaping or cutting out one
end of it to hold or bind the other end. In some cases I make small holes in the
fasteners to receive a wire cord or thread, upon which any of the articles bound
can be threaded and any intermediate article removed or added without displacing
the others. I sometimes so construct the fasteners as to bend down the corners or
sides of the articles to be bound together by some of the fasteners, to give greater
hold and security.
I so construct the fasteners as to allow the makers, dealers or users, having their
names and addresses stamped or printed upon them, or so as to allow of any
advertisement or other matter being so stamped or printed upon them or placed in
a groove or recess provided for the purpose.
I in some cases, adopt one of the above modes of holding and fixing the fasteners,
and in others I use two or more of such methods in combination.
Dated this 10th day of November 1895
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Devices for Temporarily Filing Articles, or for
Tying or Fastening Articles Together.
I, SAMUEL LEAROYD, of Sherwood House, Huddersfield, in the County of
York, Gentleman, 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 :-
My invention relates to improved fasteners adapted for fastening papers,
samples patterns and other articles together and applicable to packages of varying
thicknesses.
A principal object of my invention is to provide a fastener the points of which
are protected or shielded in such a manner that injury to the hands so frequently
caused by other fasteners by reason of rough edges or sharp points is prevented.
accomplish this object by providing a shield or shields for covering the point or
points when the latter has or have been passed through the papers.
My improved fasteners afford the certainty that each article, intended to be
fastened, is firmly secured to the others; and insure the following additional
advantages viz.: great facility in fixing and removing them; the avoidance of
injury to the finger nails in opening and closing the fasteners; the repeated use of
the same fastener without disturbing the contents of the parcel; facility for

page_text: removing or adding any intermediate article or sheet without disturbing the bulk ;
the combination of the principle of a letter or invoice file with a fastener; the
name and address of the maker, dealer or user indelibly impressed upon the
fastener; and great saving of time and cost.
To meet the varying cases of different thicknesses and character of sheets or
articles to be fastened together I use several alternatives. In some instances
I construct my fasteners to be applied to and to bind the articles together at the
corner, in others below the corner, in others at the side, and in other instances at
the top of the articles to be fastened together.
I make my fasteners of any suitable metal, or of celluloid, vulcanite, wood, card-
board, papier maché, tough paper or other suitable material, and in some instances
I combine the use of several materials.
I make them of various sizes, lengths, shapes and designs, and I apply them to
various methods of binding and holding articles together. I form the fasteners with
pins, tongues or points which are intended to be passed through the articles to be
held together, and then turned down and in some instances covered over by wings
or shields made in the fastener; in other instances I pass the pins, points, or
tongues into or behind grooves, shields, catches or recesses made in the fasteners,
and in still other instances into independent tubes or sockets or shields, to cover
and hold and protect the points. In other cases I use fasteners with heads and
shafts or legs with points to them and I provide suitable shields for covering these
points.
In some cases I make the fasteners so as to thread through the papers and fasten
by a catch, hook or recess or socket in the back or end of them.
I sometimes make the fasteners as self-piercers, and sometimes I add a piercer to
the fastener, or I supply an independent piercer adapted to the size and shape of
the fastener. In some cases as before stated I make the fasteners of one piece of
metal or material and sometimes of two or more pieces, or of varying materials,
and in some cases I make the junction or fastening by bending the material in any
desired manner, or by shaping or by cutting out one end of it to hold or bind the
other end. In some cases I make small holes in the fasteners to receive a wire
cord or thread, upon which any of the articles bound can be threaded and any
intermediate article removed or added without displacing the others. I sometimes
so construct the fasteners as to bend or hold down the corners or sides of the
articles to be bound together to give greater hold and security.
I moreover so construct the fasteners as to allow the makers, dealers or users,
having their names and addresses stamped or printed upon them, or so as to allow
of any advertisement or other matter being stamped or printed upon them or
placed in a groove or recess provided for the purpose.
I will now proceed to describe my invention in greater detail with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a view of my band or strip fastener laid out straight. Figure 2 shows
a blank from which the said fastener is formed. Figure 3 is an edge view of the
fastener with the ends locked together. Figure 4 is a view of the fastener applied
to the corners of papers or other materials for fastening two or more sheets together.
A is a metal band or strip one end of which I prefer to point as shown though
this is not necessary, and I provide a hole a near the point to allow of the insertion
of a thread string or wire upon which to thread papers or other articles when
removing them from the fastener to insert or remove an intermediate sheet or
sheets as is commonly done in Shannon and other files to ensure that the papers
shall be kept in their proper order while detached from the fastener.
At the other end of the metal strip I form a slot or groove by bending over the
wings a, a of the blank to receive the pointed end of the strip which when
inserted in the groove may be bent back as shown in Figure 3 to lock the fastener
on the articles which it binds together. I sometimes use a loose metal tube round
the strip to slide upon it and cover the point, and in this case the band may be
made of uniform width throughout its length.

page_text: The mode of applying this fastener to the corners of papers is shown by Figure 4.
The strip of metal is passed through the papers in two places as indicated and is
then folded down and the ends locked together by passing the pointed end through
the groove and bending back the point. When this strip is used for fastening
papers at the corners it is not necessary to lock the ends together as above described
but is sufficient to pass the pointed end into the groove of the other end or into
the loose tube and then to press the ends against the papers. The strip may be
made of any desired length and width and may have any name or device printed
or stamped upon it. 1 sometimes provide the fastener with a groove formed by
wings a² a to receive a label. One of these wings may be turned down simul-
taneously with the turning down of the wings a', a¹, the other wing being turned
down upon the label after the latter is inserted. In some instances the wings a¹, a³
are separate strips of metal secured to the band.
This band may be conveniently used to wrap round bundles of papers or other
articles for fastening the same together, or as a handle to carry such articles. In
this connection I do not claim a mere metal band or tape which does not fasten or
clasp around the papers and which does not afford any groove or space for lettering
or embossing or stamping any name or other matter upon it, nor do I claim a metal
strip in combination with wires.
Figures 5 to 7 illustrate what I call my staple tube fastener. Figure 5 is a side
view of the two parts of the fastener detached. Figure 6 is a plan of the back of
the same when connected together. Figure 7 is an edge view of the fastener
shown applied to some papers.
In these figures B is a plate adapted to receive a name, design or mark, and
having two prongs, pins or legs b, b like those of a staple. is a tube adapted to
receive the prongs or legs when the latter have been passed through the papers.
I prefer to construct this staple of metal or material which will act as a self piercer
of the papers, the legs being pointed and sufficiently rigid to puncture the papers.
The tube b¹, is made of metal and is open at both ends. I use it as a presser to
press down the legs of the fastener one at a time. That is to say, I place the tube
on one leg and bend the latter to a suitable angle, toward the other leg, then I
place the tube on the other leg and bend that in a similar manner until I am able
to get the tube on both legs at the same time. I then press down on the tube and
continue the pressure until the legs are parallel with the face of the fastener and
the tube is pressed tightly against the papers. I thus cover the points by
the tube.
In some instances in lieu of two legs and a separate tube constructed as above
described 1 make one leg hollow or tubular for the whole or a part of its length
and adapted to receive the other leg which is solid. Both legs are pointed at the
end and made sufficiently strong to serve as a self piercer and when pushed through
the papers the point of the solid leg is passed into the hollow leg and thereby
protected. In lieu of a tubular leg I may employ a leg of crescent section or
having a groove or furrow to cover over the point of the solid leg. The tubular
or grooved leg may be pointed on one side only and so that when applied to the
papers the point is protected by the solid leg.
To facilitate the removal of the papers without disturbing their order or to
extract any of them or replace other sheets I make small holes in the legs of the
staples into which I thread string thread or wire upon which I can thread the
papers on and off as above described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.
I make the plate B of any desired form or shape but preferably of such shape
as to allow as before stated of a name or other matter being stamped or printed
upon it and sometimes make it with a recess in front to hold a label. If
preferred the tube to cover the legs of the staple may be flattened and may have a
name or mark stamped or printed upon it. In some instances the tube is open
along its length, that is to say, it has the form of the letter C in cross section.
I make no claim to the staple alone nor to a staple upon which the points merely
bend upon or towards each other after being placed in position.

page_text: I sometimes make a modified form of this fastener with a plate or sheath on each
side of the papers and a metal strip to be passed through the papers as shown in
Figures 8, 9 and 10. Figure 8 shows the separate parts of the fastener in edge
view, and Figures 9 and 10 are plan and side view respectively of the said fastener
when the parts are put together.
In these figures C is a metal strip or band pointed at each end, and preferably
furnished with small holes c² near each point for the purpose of threading papers
as above described. c c are two plates having slots in them through which the
strip C can pass. To apply the fastener, the strip C is threaded through the slots
in the plate c and the pointed ends of the strip are then passed through the papers
and finally through the slots in the upper plate or sheath c¹ from outside inward as
clearly indicated in Figures 9 and 10.
Sometimes I use two bands in lieu of one each band being passed through the
papers once only and arranged with its ends passed_through_the slots in the
Sheaths c c. This construction would be the same as Figure 10 were the band C
in that figure divided in the middle. 1 by this method provide for the easy
emoval and replacement and filing on and off of papers and other articles from
either the front or back of the file. The two parts of the fastener never become
permanently united. I do not claim the insertion of two separate pieces to be
emented or bound together nor heads to be bent down for insertion and afterwards
bent back, nor do I claim a sheath or cover through which the points of the strip
are passed and into which they are a second time threaded.
A modified form of this type of fastener is shown in plan and side view in
Figures 11 and 12 respectively, the parts being shown closed but without papers or
sheets between them. It consists of a disc of celluloid or other suitable material C¹
having two legs or prongs C² to be passed through the papers and a sheath or
cover c which is also a disc having two slots in it, so that the legs C may be bent
around the edge of the sheath and the points thereof passed through the slots from
outside inward as indicated in the figures. It will be observed that the legs of the
fasteners shown in Figures 8 to 12 bend round the edges of the sheath and then
pass through the sheath once only.
Figure 13 is a side view of another form of fastener constructed in two parts
which are shewn separately in said figure. Figure 14 is a view of the fastener
shown applied to the papers, and Figure 15 is a plan of the sheath for covering
the points.
The part D is similar to an ordinary split paper fastener and to it whether the
legs be of equal or unequal lengths or pointed or fluted or corrugated or not and
whether self piercers or not I make no claim. The part D' is a hollow sheath
open at the centre but closed at each end. After having passed the points or legs
of the fastener D through the papers or materials I insert them in the centre
opening of the sheath and open them out and then press on the sheath thus
separating the legs from each other and forcing them into the sockets or trough of
the cover as indicated in Figure 14. Figures 16 to 18 illustrate a similar type of
fastener but having a differently shaped sheath. Figure 16 shows the parts
detached, and Figures 17 and 18 are a plan and side view respectively of the
fastener and sheath locked together. In this instance the sheath D' is round
instead of oblong and has an irregularly shaped opening for the passage through it
of the points or legs of the fastener. Figure 19 shows a similar sheath but having
a circular opening for receiving the legs. In all these cases the sheath or shield Di
is rigid. To a pliant or bending shield or to two or more tubes in combination
with a fastener such as D I make no claim.
Figure 20 is a face view, and Figure 21 is an edge view of a fastener specially
adapted for application to the corners of papers and other materials. Figure 22
shows the fastener applied to the papers. It has two corner wings or sheaths E¹
and two legs or points E which when passed through the papers are bent down and
then the corner wings E', E' are bent over to cover the points or legs as will be
clearly understood by reference to Figure 22. Figure 23 shows a similar fastener

page_text: but having one leg or point E only. Figures 24 and 25 are views similar to
Figures 20 and 22 showing a corner fastener slotted at the line of bending E' to
facilitate the bending over of the wings E'. In lieu of slots I sometimes make two
or more holes in the metal at the bend and sometimes I thin this metal at the line
of bending. Figures 26 and 27 are similar views of a slightly modified form of
corner fastener having one leg or pin, and constructed with wings E' of unequal
size and so made that one wing will cover the edge of the other wing when folded
down as shown in Figure 27. I sometimes make the tongues flat and at other
times as pins, and sometimes as self piercers by stiffening or corrugating them.
When they are not self piercers I provide holes in the papers or materials through
which they can be passed. These pins or tongues can by making a hole in them
and passing a wire or string through them be used to thread the articles on and off.
On the front of the fasteners I stamp or print the name of the user or other
matter. I make no claim to cutting out tongues or pins from a sheet of metal
or putting in staples or wires to bind or stitch papers at the tops or sides of
them except in conjunction with my corner fasteners, neither do I claim any
mere metal corner piece which does not pass through the papers, either with or
without teeth or studs and which has only a superficial or surface grip upon the
papers, nor do I claim corrugations of metal for affording strength but in cases in
which the tongues or pins are corrugated I sometimes flatten out
uncorrugated the parts of the tongues or pins to be folded or bent.
or leave
In some instances instead of providing points or legs on the fastener itself I
employ a separate two legged ordinary paper fastener passed through a hole in the
corner piece as shown in Figure 29. The points of this ordinary fastener E
when turned down are covered by bending over them the corner wings El of the
corner piece as shown in Figure 28. I prefer to make these wings of unequal
size and to overlap so as unquestionably to cover the points when the parcel to be
bound is bulky.
In some cases I employ a modified form of corner fastener J Figure 30 having
a broad strip or tongue J¹ to pass through the papers or parcel, and bent portions J'
folding over the corners of the papers. Inasmuch as the tongue J' is not pointed
and there is no risk of injury to the user I do not attempt to cover it but leave
it exposed as shown in Figure 31 which illustrates the fastener applied to the
papers.
Figure 32 shows a further modified form of fastener constructed according to
The
my invention having one leg only. N is the head and N¹ the shank or leg.
end of the shank I form into a sharp pointed solid pin for insertion through the
papers or other materials to be bound. The shank is then bent around the papers
and the head is then pressed down to cover over the point as shown in Figures 33
and 34. I corrugate the shank or otherwise strengthen it to make it capable of
being readily passed through the papers. I however flatten and sometimes thin
the parts N of the fastener which are to be bent over or I leave these parts
uncorrugated so as to allow of applying the fastener more easily. I make no claim
to the corrugations except in combination with my other improvements. I use the
head N as the name plate. This form may be made in all shapes and all designs
and may be applied to the corners or any part of the papers or articles to be
bound. Figures 35 and 36 show a smaller size of such fastener, and Figures 37
and 38 show another style of it. The dotted lines in Figure 37 indicate the turned
down corner of a bundle of papers to which the fastener is applied.
In this form of fastener it is important that the point should be able to act as a
self piercer of the papers while at the same time the bending of the leg should be
easy of accomplishment. I therefore as above described always strengthen the
leg by corrugating the same or by thickening or otherwise suitably treating it to
afford the necessary rigidity, while the point of bending is left untreated to secure
an easy bend. In some instances I make the fastener out of steel or other metal
to ensure a rigid pin and I sometimes anneal the point of bending to secure a
free bend.

page_text: I will now proceed to describe the way in which I by my invention overcome
the serious defects incident to those fasteners in which a pin is proposed to be
passed through the papers into a metal cup or recess. In such fasteners as hereto-
fore made there is no certainty the pin does ever pass through the papers and
there is no indication whether it has done so or not. The pin is liable to be bent
by the papers instead of passing through them, and if the pin does pass through
the papers there is no certainty it will hold them for the pin being smooth the
papers slip off from it. Moreover when the pin does succeed in passing through
the papers and then comes in contact with the metal at the back either with or
without a cup the pin is almost certain to be bent and as the pin is usually cut out
from the same thickness of metal as that which bends round the papers it is
necessarily soft and pliable.
I overcome all of these objections as follows, that is to say I use for passing
through the papers a chisel shaped tongue having serrated edges so that it will
readily cut through the papers and the teeth will prevent the papers from slipping
off from the tooth. Instead of making a metal socket for the pin to enter I form a
cushion of cork, india rubber, vulcanite leather or other material into which the
sharpened end of the tongue can enter and by which it is protected and which
also secures the piercing of the papers and the entry of the point into the
cushion. In this way I avoid the necessity for a cup or depression being left in the
metal and I preserve the point or tongue.
In other cases I designedly pass the tongue through the papers and fold over a
metal shield upon it as hereinafter described.
I will now proceed further to explain these fasteners by reference to the
drawings.
Figure 39 is a perspective view in the open position of a fastener consisting of
two metal plates S S hinged together at S. One of the plates has a heel piece
at S and the other a spring lip S pressing on the heel piece so as to hold the
fastener either open or closed and forming a spring clip in a well-known manner.
S is a tongue formed out of the plate and having serrated edges as shown.
In the inside of the plate S' I fix by cement or pins cut from the metal plate or
otherwise a cushion of cork indiarubber, vulcanite, leather or other suitable
material S to receive and protect the point of the tooth S' as above described.
Figure 40 shows this fastener applied to the corners of papers.
This fastener may be used in conjunction with a name plate or without a name
plate, and in some instances the serrations are dispensed with. I sometimes also
dispense with the cushion Se and make the plate S₁ of a soft or yielding metal that
will allow of the point being pressed against or into it without damaging the point.
Figure 41 shows in perspective another alternative construction with three
serrated tongues, two on one plate and one on the other, and without the cushion
but so constructed that the edges of the tongues hold the papers securely.
Another of my improved hinged fasteners is shown in Figures 42 to 44.
Figure 42 is a plan of the fastener open, Figure 43 is a plan of it closed, and
Figure 44 is an edge view of the fastener closed. O, O' are the hinged plates
one of them being formed with points or teeth O' and the other with a ridge or
flange 03 so arranged that by pressing the plates together after the teeth have
been passed through the papers the teeth will bear tightly against the inner edges
of said flange and will be locked thereby as shown in Figure 44.
Figures 45 to 47 are similar views showing a slightly modified form of such
fastener in which the teeth O³ pass through holes in a bent over portion of the
plate O¹ and are held by bearing tightly against the side of such holes.
I do not claim irrespective of my improvements the hinged plates nor the points
nor teeth formed out of them.
In some instances the front and back of the fastener are formed of one piece
which is sufficiently thin or pliable at the centre, to bend readily.
Figure 48 is a perspective view of another alternative construction of fastener
formed in three pieces viz. a metal plate T bent at the ends as shown and having

page_text: a pointed tooth T¹ hinged to one end of it and a cover plate T³ hinged to the other
end of it. The pointed tooth T¹ is passed through the papers or other articles to
be fastened and is then folded down upon the papers, and the cover plate or
shield T is then folded down on the top of it thus protecting the point.
The tooth and cover plate are both formed so as to be held down by springs T³
and T respectively when they are folded down upon the papers.
This fastener may be made out of any suitable metal or material. The various
parts can be shaped as desired and it can be used with or without a name plate.
Figure 49 is a perspective view of another fastener consisting of a plate T
having two points or teeth T to be passed through the papers, and a cover plate T'
hinged to the plate T, and adapted when turned down to cover and protect the
points. To is a sheet of cardboard or other material secured to the cover plate
and intended as a name or description plate. There may of course be only one
point T or there may be more than two. Tis a spring pressing on the tail end
of the cover plate to keep the latter depressed when it is turned down.
instances I serrate the edges of the point or points T in order to more securely
hold the papers on the teeth after the latter have been passed through them.
In some
Sometimes in lieu of the spring T for holding down the cover plate I provide
a rigid lock which will not yield but will hold the cover plate pressed firmly down
on the teeth and so prevent the accidental removal of the papers from the fastener
after the latter has been applied to them. One construction of fastener with rigid
lock is shown in Figures 50 and 51. Figure 50 shows the fastener open and
Figure 51 shows it closed and locked. The lock consists of a small catch lever W
pivoted at W to the turned up end of the bottom plate T of the fastener and
adapted when turned up as shown in Figure 55 to bear underneath the tail end T'
of the cover plate in which position it prevents the raising of the cover plate.
When the said catch lever is turned down as shown in Figure 50 it allows the
cover plate to be raised. This fastener is shown with one tooth which is sufficiently
rigid to be forced through the papers when the cover plate is pressed down upon
it. In this instance I have shown a small cup T of leather vulcanite or other
material provided in the cover plate to receive and protect the point. I may use
a simple cardboard or like cover plate to be used as a name label or I may use a
cardboard or like cover plate backed by metal to give increased strength.
In
In the case in which I construct my fasteners as self piercers I sometimes make
the piercers of a different metal or material from the rest of the fastener.
other cases I harden and temper the points and in others I provide a separate and
independent cap or piercer to cover over the points in the act of piercing. In
those cases where the fasteners are not self piercers the holes through which the
fasteners are to be passed may be formed by a knife or other suitable instrument,
or by a special piercer constructed to pierce one or more holes as may be required
and preferably to act also as a gauge or guide to fix the place or places for the
perforations.
It
Figures 52 and 53 are side views of a further modified form of fastener
constructed according to my invention and representing the fastener in the open
and closed positions and made either of spring steel or other euitable metal.
consists of a plate F bent or curved at one end and a cover plate F' hinged to the
plate F. F is a curved tooth or spike cut out of the cover plate F. F' is a
spring attached to or forming part of the plate F and constructed to press on the
cover plate so as to tend to keep the fastener closed. The end of the tooth or
spike which may if desired have a serrated edge sometimes passes through a slot
in the plate F and the point is shielded by the spring, at other times the end of the
tooth or spike rests against the plate with which it comes in contact but the tooth
or spike being curved the point is not injured or affected. This tooth or spike does
not require to be bent after it has entered the papers or other articles. The front
of this fastener I use as a name plate of any size or shape. I sometimes add a
hook cut out of the metal of my fastener to hang up the papers which are
fastened by them.

page_text: In all of my improved fasteners where the tongue or pin to pierce the papers or
other articles is cut out of a sheet of thin flexible metal I may strengthen the pin
so as to ensure its passage through the papers as follows, that is to say, I cut out
the V tongue of greater width than the finished pin is required to have and then
I bend the same lougitudinally to form a trough or furrow or corrugation or I work
it into a solid pin of increased thickness by suitable tools. In other instances I
cut out a long pin and fold it transversely upon itself and tool or press the parts
together so as to form a stout solid pin, the end of which I point so that it will
pass through the papers readily. In some instances 1 blend two or more tongues
together so as to secure a rigid pin, and in these instances I secure a pin which has
at least double the thickness of the metal from which it is cut. The part of the
pin which is required to bend I leave of the original thickness so as to secure an
easy bend. I may serrate the edges of the pin or form a hook or hooks thereon
to securely retain the papers on the pin after they have been pierced by the latter.
In some instances I fold the metal out of which the pin is cut so as to secure a
stronger pin capable of piercing the papers. I sometimes to secure a rigid pin
and a flexible bending metal weld together two rims of metal in a flat wire or
ribbon preferably of brass and steel or other suitable metal and cut out my
fasteners from these welded strips or ribbons. I also sometimes provide a rigid
point or tooth on both sides of the fastener to enter the papers from both sides.
These teeth would of course not be quite opposite each other so as not to interfere
with their insertion in the papers. In the case of the type of fastener illustrated
in Figures 39 to 53 I sometimes provide a rigid wing on both sides of the papers,
joined by a flexible part which can be readily bent round the edge of the paper,
and I sometimes provide a hole in the flexible part so that the fastener may be
applied to the corners of papers without necessity for turning down the said
corners.
Figures 54 and 55 show a fastener made with two legs R R similar to those of
an ordinary two legged fastener one of the legs being however longer than the
other and being bent or hooked at the end as shown at R to form a shield for the
point of the shorter leg. I apply this fastener by passing the shorter of the legs
through two holes in the corner of the papers to be bound and then I
pass the
point of it under or in the shield formed by the hook of the longer leg thus
locking the two legs together and preventing the exposure of the points. The
two holes in the paper may be formed by one perforation if the corner of the
papers is first turned down. Figure 55 shows the fastener applied to the papers.
I make no claim to fastening these two legs together for the mere purpose of
inserting them and withdrawing them from the papers my object being to insert
one leg only in the paper and to bind the legs together and to protect the points
after such insertion.
Figures 56 and 57 show in back and edge view respectively a fastener adapted
to receive a paper or other tablet P¹as a name plate or as a description plate.
To this type of fastener I make no claim except in combination with my improved
shield or sheath P for protecting the points.
Another of my alternatives is shown in Figure 58 consisting of a plate Q and
a pin or pins Q hinged thereto and adapted to engage with catches Q' after the
manner of the pin of a brooch.
I in this case pass the pin through the papers twice and then hook the pin on
the catch; I use the face of the fastener as the name plate. I make no claim to
this fastener except for the purpose of binding papers or articles together at the
corners of them. It may be made with one or two pins and of any shape or
design.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A fastener having a point or two or more points to be passed through the

page_text: articles to be fastened and a shield or shields for covering said point or points
substantially as described with reference to one or other of the forms illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
2. A fastener consisting of a strip or band adapted to be passed through or
around the papers to be fastened and having a groove at one end of it to receive
the other end of the band and with or without a groove for the reception of a
label or name plate or the like, and with or without the holes for use in threading
substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings and for
the purpose specified.
3. A fastener furnished with pins or points to be passed through the papers in
combination with a rigid tube or similar metal device which acts as a cover for
the pins or points substantially as described with reference to Figures 5 to 7.
4. The modification of such type of fastener wherein one leg is made to serve
as a shield for the other leg substantially as described.
5. A rigid sheath or cover to receive and cover over the points or legs of a
fastener having two legs to it and to allow of the removal and replacement of
papers substantially as described with reference to any of the forms illustrated in
Figures 13 to 19.
6. My improved metal corner piece fastener having tongues or pins flat at the
places where they are intended to be bent and corrugated for the remainder of
their length, substantially as described.
7. My improved metal corner piece fastener in which the metal at the point
of flexure is slotted or pierced with two or more holes to facilitate the bending
of the corner piece at that point substantially as described with reference to
Figures 24 and 25.
8. The modified form of fastener wherein the covering wings are of unequal
size substantially as described with reference to Figures 26 and 27 and for the
purpose specified.
9. The modified form of fastener substantially as described with reference to
Figures 30 and 31.
10. A paper or like fastener consisting of a head or cover plate to cover the
point and a pointed stem or leg plain at the places which are to be bent and
corrugated at the intermediate places, or having the leg otherwise treated to
make a rigid self piercing point substantially as described.
11. A two-legged paper or like fastener having one leg longer than the other
the long leg being formed with a catch at the end to receive the point of the
shorter leg substantially as described with reference to Figures 54 and 55.
Dated this 6th day of May 1896
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.