Improvements in Clips for Attaching Buttons to Garments, Fabrics, and the like, for Connecting the Tabs of Braces to the Buckle Bars of Braces, and for Connecting the Parts of Braces, Vest Straps, Bag Handles, and for like purposes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Mar., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Dec., 1892-Accepted, 4th Feb., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Clips for Attaching Buttons to Garments, Fabrics,
and the like, for Connecting the Tabs of Braces to the Buckle
Bars of Braces, and for Connecting the Parts of Braces, Vest
Straps, Bag Handles, and for like purposes.
I HENRY DOWLER, of the firm of Frederick Dowler and Sons, of Wainwright
Street Works, Aston near Birmingham in the County of Warwick, Manufacturers
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
In attaching buttons to garments, fabrics and the like without sewing a clip
made of a strip of sheet metal is employed the said strip having at its ends a
nearly circular figure the intermediate part being preferably narrowest at its
middle. Around the hole in one of the circular or disc like ends of the strip a
tube is raised preferably from the metal of the disc.
The
The button stem consists of a hollow pivot made in two pieces and when the
lower portion of the stem is placed in the free end of the disc tube, and pressure
applied the end of the tube is forced between the two parts of the stem.
link is thereby secured to the button. The other disc like end of the strip is
also pierced and recessed or eyeletted to form an eye in which the end of the
button stem is afterwards expanded or rivetted.
The button is fixed to the garment or article as follows. A hole is pierced in
the garment or article at a distance from the edge equal to nearly half the
length of the link; the button stem is inserted in the hole in the garment or
article and the link is bent at its middle so as to bring the eye opposite the end of
the stem; the stem passes through the eye and is expanded or rivetted, thus
fixing the button to the garment or article.
In making a clip to be used on braces, straps and similar articles I employ two
similar strips one of the said strips being made of a cheap and tough metal pre-
ferably steel, the other of brass or other ornamental material. The two strips
are placed together and are perforated near each end; so that the holes in the two
strips are opposite. In one of the holes extending through both strips is fixed a
rivet. This rivet has a collar near the middle of its length, and after inserting one
end of the rivet in the holes as far as the collar the end is expanded or rivetted,
thus binding the two strips together. The holes in the other end of the strips
may be eyeletted together either in the ordinary manner, in which case the hole in
the inner strip is preferably left jagged to increase the hold upon the article for
which the clip is intended or the said eyeletting may be so effected that a large
part of the eyelet projects from the inner surface of the clip and is presented to
the projecting part of the rivet when the clip is bent for use. Or the eye may ve
formed of a short tube closed at one end, the open end of the said tube being
expanded on the inside of the clip and the closed end rivetted on the opposite side
forming within the eye a recess in which the end of the rivet is upset and held.
The point of the rivet may also be passed through plain holes in the clip and
expanded or rivetted on the opposite side.
For a brace tab the clip is applied as follows. The clip is bent near its middle
so as to form a loop which passes over the buckle bar either outside the leather; or
it may bear directly on the bar. In either case the clip ends are joined by passing
the prominent part of the rivet through the leather and in or through the eye and
upsetting or expanding the rivet end within the eye by pressing tools.
The inner strip may be shorter and narrower than the outer strip and one end of
the said shorter part is bent into a hook which bears and moves freely on the bar.

page_text: In this form of clip a hole is pierced in each end of the outer strip and a corre-
sponding but slightly larger hole in the flat end of the inner strip through which
latter hole an ordinary eyelet is passed as far as the flange. The inner strip and
eyelet are then placed within the outer strip and the whole joined together by
turning the projecting sides of the outer strip over the edges of the inner strip.
The clip is used upon a brace end in the way already described.
In another modification the rivet with a collar is dispensed with. The ends of
the bent strips are held together by the eye portion and the joining of the clip is
effected by a rivet flanged at one end. The point of this rivet is passed through
one side of the clip and through the leather and is rivetted within the eye as before
described. For greater security the flange may be covered with a cap leaving an
open space in the neck of the rivet fitted to receive and retain the end of a short
tube raised around the hole in the clip similar to what is hereinbefore described
with reference to a button. Or the rivet may have a shoulder, part of which can
be pressed back to grip the strips between itself and the flange.
As the main reason for making the clip of two strips, is to economise valuable
material it will be understood that in all cases the steel or cheap material con-
stitutes the inner side of the fixed clip and the ornamental metal or material the
outside of the clip. The several methods of rivetting double strips are applicable
to the rivetting of clips formed of a single strip.
For a clip the eye portion of which consists of a single piece of metal I some-
times make the hole through which the eyelet is to pass, less in size than the end
of the eyelet and sink around the hole, on the inner side of the clip a small conical
cavity and on the outer side a deeper and larger depression. I make the end of
the eyelet of convex or globular form pierced with a small hole.
When pressure
is applied in the process of eyeletting the eyelet end is first forced through the hole
in the eye and afterwards expanded on the doubled edge of the hole.
Dated the 31st day of March 1892.
W. T. WHITEMAN,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Clips for Attaching Buttons to Garments, Fabrics,
and the like, for Connecting the Tabs of Braces to the Buckle
Bars of Braces, and for Connecting the Parts of Braces, Vest,
Straps, Bag Handles, and for like purposes.
I, HENRY DOWLER, of the firm of Frederick Dowler and Sons, of Wainwright
Street Works, Aston near Birmingham in the County of Warwick, Manufacturers,
do hereby declare the nature of my invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
In attaching buttons to garments, fabrics and the like without sewing, a clip
made of a strip of sheet metal is employed, the said strip having at its ends a
nearly circular figure the intermediate part being preferably narrowest at its middle.
Around the hole in one of the circular or disc like ends of the strip a tube is raised
preferably from the metal of the disc.
The button stem consists of a hollow pivot made in two pieces and when the
lower portion of the stem is placed in the free end of the disc tube and pressure
applied, the end of the tube is forced between the two parts of the stem.
The
link is thereby secured to the button. The other disc like end of the strip is also
pierced and recessed or eyeletted to form an eye in which the end of the button
stem is afterwards expanded or rivetted.
The button is fixed to the garment or article as follows: A hole is pierced in the
garment or article at a distance from the edge equal to nearly half the length of
the link the button stem is inserted in the hole in the garment or article and the
link is bent at its middle so as to bring the eye opposite the end of the stem; the.

page_text: stem passes through the eye and is expanded or rivetted, thus fixing the button to
the garment or article.
In making a clip to be used on braces, straps and similar articles I employ two
similar strips one of the said strips being made of a cheap and tough metal
preferably steel, the other of brass or other ornamental material. The two strips
are placed together and are perforated near each end so that the holes in the two
strips are opposite. In one of the holes extending through both strips is fixed a
rivet. This rivet has a collar near the middle of its length and after inserting one
end of the rivet in the holes as far as the collar the end is expanded or rivetted,
thus binding the two strips together. The holes in the other end of the strips may
be eyeletted together either in the ordinary manner, in which case the hole in the
inner strip is preferably left jagged to increase the hold upon the article for which
the clip is intended; or the said eyeletting may be so effected that a large part of
the eyelet projects from the inner surface of the clip and is presented to the
projecting part of the rivet when the clip is bent for use. Or the eye may be
formed of a short tube closed at one end the open end of the said tube being
expanded on the inside of the clip and the closed end rivetted on the opposite side
forming within the eye a recess in which the end of the rivet is upset and held.
The point of the rivet may also be passed through plain holes in the clip and
expanded or rivetted on the opposite side.
For a brace tab the clip is applied as follows:-The clip is bent near its middle
so as to form a loop which passes over the buckle bar either outside the leather;
or it may bear directly on the bar. In either case the clip ends are joined by
passing the prominent part of the rivet through the leather and in or through the
eye and upsetting or expanding the rivet end within the eye by pressing tools.
The inner strip may be shorter and narrower than the outer strip and one end of
the said shorter part is bent into a hook which bears and moves freely on the bar.
In this form of clip a hole is pierced in each end of the outer strip and a
corresponding but slightly larger hole in the flat end of the inner strip through
which latter hole an ordinary eyelet is passed as far as the flange. The inner strip
and eyelet are then placed within the outer strip and the whole joined together by
turning the projecting sides of the outer strip over the edges of the inner strip.
The clip is used a brace end in the way already described.
In another modification the rivet with a collar is dispensed with. The ends of
the bent strips are held together by the eye portion and the joining of the clip is
effected by a rivet flanged at one end. The point of this rivet is passed through
one side of the clip and through the leather and is rivetted within the eye as before
described. For greater security the flange may be covered with a cap leaving an
open space in the neck of the rivet fitted to receive and retain the end of a short
tube raised around the hole in the clip similar to what is hereinbefore described
with reference to a button. Or the rivet may have a shoulder, part of which can
be pressed back to grip the strips between itself and the flange.
As the main reason for making the clip of two strips, is to economise valuable
material it will be understood that in all cases the steel or cheap metal constitutes
the inner side of the fixed clip and the ornamental metal or material the outside of
the clip. The several methods of rivetting double strips are applicable to the
rivetting of clips formed of a single strip.
For a clip the eye portion of which consists of a single piece of metal I some-
times make the hole through which the eyelet is to pass, less in size than the end
of the eyelet and sink around the hole on the inner side of the clip a small conical
cavity and on the outer side a deeper and larger depression. I make the end of the
eyelet of convex or globular form pierced with a small hole. When pressure is
applied in the process of eyeletting the eyelet end is first forced through the hole
in the eye and afterwards expanded on the doubled edge of the hole.
I will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying drawings the
manner in which my invention is to be performed,

page_text: The greater part of the figures of the drawings are drawn to a large scale in
order the better to illustrate my invention.
Figure 1 represents in longitudinal section and plan, drawn to a large scale, an
unbent clip made according to my invention for attaching buttons to garments,
fabrics and the like;
Figure 2 represents in section and Figure 3 in plan, the said clip after one of
its ends has been connected to the stem of the button and the clip bent around
one edge of the garment or fabric, and the button and clip in the positions they
occupy immediately before the clinching operation; and
Figure 4 represents in section and Figure 5 in plan the button attached to the
garment, cloth or the like by the clinching operation.
The clip Figure 1 consists of a strip a of sheet metal having disc like or nearly
circular ends. In one of the disc like or nearly circular ends a hole is pierced and
around the said hole a short tube is made the said tube being marked b. The
other disc like or nearly circular end of the strip is also pierced and a conical eye c
formed at the pierced end by the ordinary raising process, the said eye c being
situated at the opposite side of the clip to that of the tube b.
The button a which I use with my improved clip is represented in Figures 2
and 4 and has a hollow stem made in two pieces e, f with a collar 9 between
them.
In preparing the clip and button for attachment to the garment, cloth or fabric
the tube end of the flat clip Figure 1 is first secured to the stem of the button at
the collar part g by passing the lower part of the button stem into the free end
of the tube b and applying pressure to the said tube. By the pressure applied the
end of the tube is forced between the two parts of the collar of the stem in the
manner shown in the sections Figures 2 and 4 and the clip is thus attached at one
of its ends to the button stem. The button to which the clip has been attached is
secured to the garment or cloth by arranging the parts in the manner shown in
Figures 2 and 3; that is to say a hole is pierced in the garment or cloth h at a
short distance from its edge and the lower part of the button stem is inserted in
the hole in the garment or cloth. The clip or link a is then bent or folded at its
middle so as to bring the eye c opposite the end of the button stem f in position for
clinching or rivetting the said end of the stem as represented in Figures 2 and 3.
By the action of a pressing or clinching tool the end of the button stem ƒ is
expanded or clinched upon the eye e and the fabric or cloth h gripped between the
doubled parts or arms of the clip a, a as represented in Figures 4 and 5 and the
button thereby attached to the fabric or cloth.
Figures 6 and 7 represent sections of a modification of the clip and button last
described; Figure 6 representing the clip before the stem of the button is rivetted
to the eye end of the clip and Figure 7 representing the clip after the rivetting
operation by which the button by means of the clip is secured to the fabric or
cloth.
The object of this modification is to rivet the end of the button stem in the eye
of the clip by a blow or by pressure so as to obviate the necessity for the use of a
clinching tool as is required for fastening the button first described.
In this modified arrangement the eye c, made solid to the end of the clip a, is
deepened by the fixing within it of a separate eyelet c and the end of the lower
part of the button stem is preferably closed. The clip having been folded or
doubled at its middle so as to cause the eyeletted end c, c² of the clip to pass onto
the extreme closed end of the button stem and through the perforated cloth as
represented in Figure 6, the rivetting or expanding of the closed end of the button
shank within the eyeletted end c, of the clip is effected by pressure or by a blow
as represented in Figure 7 where the button represented attached to the cloth or
fabric by the clip.
Figure 8 represents an unbent clip constructed according to my invention for
connecting tabs to the ring or buckle of a brace and for other like purposes;

page_text: Figure 9 represents in longitudinal section the bent or doubled clip before the
rivetting operation by which it is attached to the tab or leather end of the brace
and
Figure 10 represents a horizontal section of the same exhibiting the inner face
of the clip to which the eyelet is applied;
Figure 11 represents in section the brace tab or leather end rivetted to the clip
and the clip attached to the brace ring or buckle ;
Figure 12 represents in elevation the tabs of a brace provided with clips con-
structed according to my invention, drawn to a smaller scale. The section of the
brace tab and clip Figure 11 is taken on the dotted line indicated in Figure 12.
This clip consists of a compound or double strip of sheet metal joined face to
face near one end by the eye k and near the other end by the rivet or stud l. The
inner part of the clip is made of steel and is marked i and the outer or exposed part
of the clip is made of brass or other ornamental metal or alloy and is marked .
Concentric holes are made in the two parts of the compound strip i, for the
securing of them together by the eyelet k and rivet 1. The inner strip at the
eyelet end is furnished with a short tube made from the strip substantially as
described with respect to the clip Figure 1 and the upper end of the eyelet is
expanded upon the said tube as represented. The end of the tube on the inner
side of the clip is preferably jagged as represented in Figure 10. The eyelet k
somewhat projects from the outer part of the clip and upon the projecting part of
the eyelet the head of the rivet is expanded or rivetted as seen in Figure 11. A
portion of the rivet 1 on one side of the collar is rivetted or expanded upon the clip
so as to form a head and thereby secure the two parts of the clip between the
collar and the head of the rivet as represented.
In connecting this clip to the buckle bar m and the brace end or tab n to the said
clip, the clip is bent around and rests upon the buckle bar m and the end of the
tab n is placed between the two arms of the clip, the stud or rivet on one arm of
the clip passing through a hole in the said tab and entering the eye k on the other
arm of the clip as seen in Figure 9. By rivetting the end of the stud or rivet / by
pressure upon the outside of the eye k the tab is connected to the buckle ring or
frame by the clip and the tab secured to the clip as represented in Figure 11 and
in the complete tabs Figure 12.
Instead of the eye k, an eye of the kind represented in Figure 29 of the Complete
Specification of my Patent dated March 17, 1892 No. 5312 may be used. This eye
is formed of a short tube closed at one end the open end of the said tube being
expanded on the inside of the clip and the closed end rivetted on the opposite side,
thereby forming within the eye a recess in which the end of the rivet is upset and
.held.
Or an eye may be dispensed with and the small end of the rivet passed through
plain holes in the compound clip and expanded or rivetted on the outer face of the
said clip. I prefer however to use eyes of the kinds shown.
Figure 13 represents in longitudinal section and Figure 14 in plan, another clip
for a brace tab constructed according to my invention the parts being arranged
ready for the rivetting operation;
Figure 15 represents in longitudinal section and Figure 16 in cross section, the
said clip after the arms of the bent clip have been secured to the brace tab and the
clip to the ring or loop of the brace buckle by the rivetting operation and
Figure 17 represents, drawn to a smaller scale, a pair of brace tabs provided
with clips of the kind represented in Figures 15 and 16.
In this modified clip the inner stripi is made shorter and narrower than the
outer strip and the end of the said shorter and narrower part is bent into a
hook which bears and rides freely upon the buckle bar or ring m of the brace.
In this clip a hole is pierced in each end of the outer strip and a corresponding
but slightly larger hole is made in the flat end of the inner strip i. Through this
last named larger hole in the inner strip an ordinary eyelet p is passed as far as its
Hange. The inner strip with the eyelet p, is then placed within the outer strip and

page_text: the two strips secured together at their edges by turning or closing the projecting
sides of the outer strip over the edges of the inner strip i as seen in
Figures 14 and 16. After the hole in the brace tab g has been passed over the
barrel of the eyelet p and the hook of the inner strip engaged with the bar or
ring m of the brace buckle and the eye in the other arm of the clip passed over
the end of the eyelet, the latter is expanded within the recess around the eye in the
outer strip as seen in Figure 15. The sides of the wider arm of the clip are
closed upon the edges of the leather tab in the manner seen in Figure 16.
Figure 18 represents in section and plan, a clip of the kind last described but
provided with a loose or detached rivet, the parts being ready for the rivetting
operation and
Figure 19 represents the same after the rivetting operation. The loose or
detached rivet is marked r and the flange of the said rivet is covered by a cap ².
The detached rivet r having been passed through one of the arms of the clip as
far as its cap will permit as illustrated in Figure 18 and the hook having been
engaged with the buckle loop or bar and the hole in the tab passed over the rivet
as hereinbefore described, the projecting end of the rivet is rivetted on the upper
side of the other arm of the clip as illustrated in Figure 19. The brace tab is
thus connected to the clip and the clip to the brace loop or ring.
The rivet last described may be joined to the clip by a short tube raised around
the outer edge of the hole in the outer strip, the said tube being fitted to enter the
space between the rivet head and the edge of the covering cap in like manner to the
button clip illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 6.
The arms of clips with hooks hereinbefore described and illustrated may be joined
together by rivets of the kinds hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 9
and 11.
'
In the several clips formed of two strips, the steel or strong inferior metal is
situated on the inner side and is covered by the brass or other ornamental outer
strip.
Figure 20 represents in longitudinal section a brace end clip made of a single
strip of thin sheet metal to which clip a modified rivet and eye are applied;
Figure 21 represents a plan of that half of the clip carrying the eye;
Figure 22 represents the clip applied to the brace tab and connected to the ring
or "dee" of the brace and Figure 23 represents a plan of the same;
Figure 24 represents the back tab and ring of the brace drawn to a smaller scale
to which this modified clip is applied.
The
In this clip the rivet s is attached to one of the arms of the clip t,t in the manner
herein before described and represented in Figures 8, 9 and 11, but the end of the
rivets is made convex and pierced with a small hole. The arm of the clip t
to which the end of the rivets is to be rivetted is provided on its inner side with a
conical hole or cavity u of less size than the perforated point or end of the said
rivets and on the outer side with a deeper and larger depression or cavity a.
clip and brace end y having been bent over the back tab ring or buckle ring y'
and the projecting part of the rivet s passed through the holes in the doubled end of
the leather brace end or tab y the point end of the rivet s on one arm of the clip is
presented to the eye u on the other arm of the clip and pressure is applied. The
rivet s is first forced through the eye so as to expand it and form a doubled or
rolled edge to the eye and the end of the rivet is afterwards expanded or clinched
on the double or rolled edge of the eye as seen in Figure 22. The back tab of the
brace is thus connected to the clip and the brace end to the ring or "dee."
Or the arms of the clip may be joined by a rivet having a shoulder near its
flanged end part of which shoulder can be pressed back to grip the strip between
itself and the flange as described and illustrated in Figure 24 of the Complete
Specification of my Patent dated March 17, 1892 No. 5312.
The several methods of rivetting herein before described and illustrated as applied
to clips, each formed of two strips, may also be applied to the rivetting of clips
formed of single strips and the rivets of the clips represented in Figures 8, 9 and 11

page_text: and 18 and 19 may be pierced and expanded at one or both ends instead of being
upset as described with respect to those arrangements. I prefer however to effect
the rivetting in the manner I have hereinbefore described and illustrated.
The strips of the several clips described may be widened and each clip be provided
with two or more rivets and eyes for rivetting the strips together and to the leather
brace tabs or ends or other articles.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and the manner in which the same is to be performed I declare that I
claim as my invention of "Improvements in clips for attaching buttons to garments,
fabrics and the like, for connecting the tabs of braces to the buckle bars of braces
and for connecting the parts of braces, vest straps, bag handles and for like
purposes :-
:
First Constructing and applying clips for attaching buttons to garments,
fabrics and the like substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings; that is to say, clips
bent at their middle into parallel arms made to encircle the edge of the garment or
fabric to which the button is to be attached, the ends of the parallel arms of the
clip constituting plates between which the garment or fabric is gripped and to
which arms the hollow stem of the button is secured substantially in the ways
described and illustrated.
Secondly The improvements in clips for connecting tabs of braces to the
buckle bars of braces and for like purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated
in Figures 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the accompanying drawings that is to say, making
the clip of two strips of sheet metal secured face to face, the parts of the compound
strip being connected together and the parallel arms of the clip secured together
and to the brace tab or other article by means of hollow rivets or eyelets and eyes
substantially as described and illustrated; also the application of the same method
of attaching the arms of the clips together and to the brace tab or other article
when the clip is made of a single strip of sheet metal; also the modified
arrangement herein before described and illustrated in Figures 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24
of the accompanying drawings for attaching the arms of the clips together and
to the brace tab or like article when the clip is made of a single strip of sheet
metal.
:-
Thirdly The improvements in clips for connecting tabs of braces to the
buckle bars or rings of braces, to straps and to other like articles hereinbefore
described and illustrated in Figures 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 of the accompanying
drawings that is to say, making clips for the purposes described of two strips of
sheet metal secured together, the inner strip being provided with a hook which rides
upon the buckle bar of the brace or article to which the tab or strap is to be
connected, the parallel arms of the clip being secured together by hollow rivets or
eyelets and by closing or bending the edges of one strip upon the edges of the
other strip substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated the Nineteenth day of December 1892.
HENRY DOWLER.