Improvements in Holders or Clasps.
Year: 1890

page_text: 2nd NOV., 1889
Un 2nd
Deing date or nrst Foreign Application in
United States of America),
Date of Application (in United Kingdom) 16th May, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 16th May, 1890-Accepted, 21st June, 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Holders or Clasps.
I, STANLEY ASHER COFEN, of No. 226 West 14th Street, in the City, County, and
State of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the
nature of my said 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 a means for holding various articles, but more particularly
playing-cards, and has for its main object the production of a contrivance which shall
not only securely retain the article or articles desired to be held, but at the same time
shall give to the observer a false impression as to the manner in which the retention is
effected.
My invention has for a further object to provide a simple, cheap, and useful clasp or
holding device.
To these ends and objects my invention consists in the various features of con-
struction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described, and particularly
pointed out in the appended claims.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a contrivance embodying my improvements and
containing a pack of playing-cards.
Figure 2 is a bottom view of the same.
Figure 3 is a detail view with the parts detached.
-
:
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the contrivance shown at Figs. 1 and 2 and
arranged in a position to deceive the beholder.
In the several views the same part will be found designated by the same numeral of
reference.
The holder is composed, essentially, of a bottom and two uprights or side arms or
plates 2 and 3. The bottom is made in two parts 4 and 5, for the purpose of securing
lateral adjustment of the side arms, and thus adapting the contrivance to packs of
cards or other articles of different thicknesses. The part 4 of the bottom is provided
with two transverse ways or grooves 6, in which the side edges of the part 5 of the
bottom are held and guided. A spiral spring 7 is fastened at one end to the part 4
and at the other end to the part 5, and serves to keep the said parts and the uprights
in operative relation at all times.
At or near the upper end of the upright 2 is a screw-stud 8, and at or near the
upper end of the upright 3 is a similar screw-stud 9.
10 represents one part of a dagger, and 11 the remaining part thereof. The inner.
end of each part is provided with a threaded socket 12, by which the part 10 may be:
screwed upon the stud 8 and the part 11 upon the stud 9.
When the holder is designed for the reception or retention of playing-cards, I
arrange exteriorly of the uprights or cheek-pieces 2 and 3 false or imitation playing-
cards, which I prefer to make of celluloid or other composition of matter or material
not easily destructible. One of such cards 13, I place face outward, as seen at Fig. 4,
and the other 14 back outward. Both of these imitation cards are provided with a ...
central perforation 15; just large enough to slip over the studs 8 and 9.. After having
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page_text: been hung upon said studs the said imitation cards are secured firmly in a vertical
position and parallel with the uprights by screwing upon the studs the two portions 10
and 11 of the divided dagger, as illustrated clearly at Fig. 1.
It will be observed that when the holder is provided with the imitation cards, as
described and shown, the bottom and sides of the holder are hidden from sight when
the contrivance is viewed from either side. It will be observed, furthermore, that
when a pack of playing-cards 16 is inserted between the uprights, as illustrated, and
the contrivance is rested upon a desk or table, as represented at Fig. 4, not only is the
entire mechanism of the holder concealed from the eye of the spectator, but the mind
is given the impression that the dagger is made in one piece and its shank or blade
impales or passes clear through the pack of cards. The bottom of the holder being
made in two parts and arranged to slide telescopically, the insertion of the pack of
cards or other articles is thus facilitated, while the spring 7 operates to draw the sides
toward each other after insertion of the article and cause them to clasp or embrace the
same in a manner to prevent any accidental detachment or derangement.
So far as one part of my invention is concerned the false or imitation cards may be
dispensed with, as may also the dagger or analogous device.
So far as the construction of the holder proper is concerned numerous changes in
detail may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention. The bottom
may be made in one piece if desired.
If the holder be used to receive some article or articles other than playing-cards,
the imitation cards 13 and 14 may be dispensed with and plain or fancy covers for the
uprights 2 and 3 used in lieu thereof in connection with the divided implement 10 11.
While I have shown a two-part dagger, I do not wish to be considered as limited
thereto, for any other divided device or instrument may be used as well, the gist of this
part of my invention consisting in having one part of a device projecting from one
side of the holder or its cover and the other part of said device projecting from the
other side of the holder or its cover for the purpose of conveying to the mind of the
observer the idea that the device or instrument passes through the article or articles
and affords a support or holding means therefor.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. A holder or clasp consisting of a bottom portion made in two detached adjustable
parts, and an upright or side arm attached to each of such parts.
2. A holder or clasp consisting of a bottom portion made in two detached parts
constructed to slide together telescopically, and an upright or side arm attached to
each of such parts.
3. A holder or clasp consisting of a bottom portion made in two detached adjustable
parts, each provided with an upright or side arm, and a spring which maintains the
several parts in operative relation, as well as causes the arms or uprights to clasp or
embrace the article inserted..
4. A holder or clasp having one part of a device (as a dagger, for instance) pro-
jecting from one side thereof and the other part of said device projecting from the
other side thereof, and constructed to receive and retain an article or articles between
said projecting devices.
5. A holder or clasp provided with imitation covers and having projecting from one
of said covers one part of a divided device and from the other of said covers the other
part of said divided device.
6. A holder or clasp consisting of a bottom and uprights or side arms, in combination
with a divided instrument of which one part is attached to one upright and the other
part to the other upright.
7. A holder or clasp consisting of a bottom and uprights or side arms, in com-
bination with a cover arranged exteriorly of each upright, and means; substantially as
described, for holding said covers against said uprights.
8. A holder or clasp consisting of a bottom and uprights or side arms, in com-

page_text: bination with a divided instrument attached one part to one upright and the other
part to the other upright, and a cover interposed between each upright and each part
of the divided instrument.
9. A holder or clasp consisting of a bottom and uprights or side arms provided with
screw-studs, in combination with perforated covers and laterally-projecting devices
provided with threaded sockets for engaging said studs and securing said covers on
the outside of said uprights.
10. A holder or clasp for playing-cards, provided exteriorly with imitation playing-
cards, and having projecting from one of the latter one part of a divided instrument
and from the other the remaining part of said instrument.
11. A holder or clasp consisting of a two-part bottom, a spring connecting said
parts, and uprights or side arms, in combination with covers arranged exteriorly of
the uprights and a divided dagger or other instrument projecting from said covers,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 3rd day of May 1890.
STANLEY ASHER COHEN.